A/N: Not sure if I am happy with the title. Tell me what you think and help me decide whether or not to change it. Also, happy Supernatural Day in advance. (Supernatural day is September 13th).

Spoilers: Possible spoiler for everything up to 9x3.

Disclaimer: I do not own Supernatural. If I did, I would have made it so that Dean hid Castiel in the bunker instead of listening to Ezekiel and forcing him to leave.

"Listen, Buddy… ah… You can't stay."

"What?" the angel—or was he human now?- asked, staring at Dean.

"Cass… you can't stay here."

"Why?"

"Because…" The brunette frowned, trying to come up with a good excuse. "Because you are the angel's number one target and Sam is still weak from the trials. If the angels come after us, I'm not sure Sam would be able to fight. He could barely handle that Reaper." His response was honest, even if it was not the complete truth.

Castiel nodded slowly, considering his words before speaking. "But… where will I go?"

"I don't know. But we'll find you someplace where you can be safe, at least for a while. And you know I'm always here for you, so if you're attacked, just call me and I'll come running."

The angel gives a low hum of comprehension.

"So you'll go?" Dean hated how relieved he sounded.

"I guess." Castiel looks at the burrito in his hands. He sets it down. "This does not seem as appetizing as before."

"Look, man. I'm sorry, I really am. I just don't think it's safe for-"

"-For me to be around," interrupted Castiel. "I understand." He stood, wrapping up what remained of his food. "I'll leave. But…"

Dean blinked, trying to get his mind away from how bad he felt doing this to Castiel, especially after all that the man had done for him and his brother, and after everything that had happened to the (ex)angel. "But?"

"I need some things in order to make it for a while. Food, for one." He glanced down at the wrapped burrito.

"Of course. Yeah, we'll pack you some stuff- food, water, money- whatever you might need."

Castiel nodded. The "thanks" he gave was forced.

Dean hurried off to pack the items for his friend, gut churning out of guilt.

|S|U|P|E|R|N|A|T|U|R|A|L|

"If you need anything, just call," said Sam.

Castiel glanced at Dean.

The older Winchester could sense the betrayal behind his friend's eyes. I'm doing this to protect Sam, he thought. Cass would understand.

Castiel gave a small bob of his head. "Sure, Sam." He gave one final glance over his shoulder, as though praying that Dean would call out to him, would tell him that it was all a mean joke and invite him back inside for a beer and conversation.

Dean did too, if he allowed himself to admit it. But he knew that there was nothing he could do. Sammy came first. That was the number one rule in Dean's handbook: Protect Sammy. Keep him safe. Keep him as happy and healthy as possible.

So if he had to be hard on the fallen angel, it was all to protect his brother.

Seeing that his friend was not going to change his mind, Castiel gave a barely detectable nod. A second later, he was gone, the door swinging shut after him.