PROLOGUE

Hunting...

It's a harsh job with no few injuries. It's not kind to you when battling the supernatural beings that bump in the night. Your senses must be sharp at all times, and you must never turn your back on them. But most importantly, never let your guard down.

This way of life can be very lonely... You can't get too close to people you care about. I myself had to keep distance from those I held close to my heart, fearing that my enemies would take them away from me.

There are times I'd wish that none of it were real. That our lives could've ended up different...

At night when I dream, I'd picture myself living happily with my family. Mom, Dad, Sam and myself. In these dreams, there are no creatures that lurk in the dark. No Demons making deals for souls. No Angels hell-bent on getting Sam and myself to accept our so-called 'destiny'. And no Apocalypse... Just us... living the normal life.

And to be completely honest, I wish it was real.

But then I'd think to myself, that if my life ended up like that... I never would have met you.

When we first met in that shed, I wasn't sure if I could trust you. Hell, you were kind of a dick at first. But over time, I got to know you better. You're steadfast and stubborn. Strict, yet kind. Powerful, but merciful... And hilariously gullible, which I have grown to like.

Aside from my brother, you are the second most troublesome person I've ever met. You've saved my life time and time again by risking your own. You even gave up your whole life, and everything you knew... for me.

And I... never bothered asking you why... why you chose us over Heaven. Why you chose to become the enemy of your own brethren. Why? Because I asked you to?... Well, that's what I chose to believe, that you did it because you thought it was the right thing to do.

But... I was far off on that...

I never would have thought that you, an Angel, would fall in love with someone like me, someone who didn't believe that beings like you existed. I'm more surprised that I've fallen for you too. Me, Dean Winchester, fall head over heels for an Angel.

I admit, in the beginning I was scared. Who wouldn't be if they discovered that they were to be soul mates with a celestial being. But, there were other reasons for my fears. The first being that you occupied the body of a married man. But I was able to look past that. It was mostly because I was afraid that if I fell for you in the same way, I'd lose you too.

Like everyone else I've grown close to...

You see, I'm not the luckiest man when it comes to love. Because of this life, being a Hunter, people I loved were killed. This life is full of dangers... So I left behind the one's I loved, in order to protect them... Like Lisa... And Cassie.

You may be able to handle yourself, have eons of combat experience, but you're still so fragile... especially around me.

There's no way I can tell you any of that. How could I? Even I've got stuff like pride, or embarrassment, or persistence... But... I want to hug you and whisper, " I need you." And that I want you to stay by my side.

Because when I'm with you... all my thoughts and worries drift away. And when I look into your eyes, the world seems to stand still as I become lost in them.

And as I lay here with you beside me, embracing your warmth, feeling the light beat of your heart against my chest, and the soft brush of your breath on my skin. I can't help but wonder... That my dreams of the normal life are coming true. That I am to spend the rest of my life... with you.

I hold you closer to me, afraid of letting you go.

We both know of the dangers that lay ahead of us. We will be hunted, more than we already are, because our love is forbidden. But this is nothing new to us, we will face them together, side by side.

So stay here with me, and I will protect you.

Because I love you...

Castiel.