Written for the prompt : Supernatural, Dean/Castiel, Tender is the Night (Scott Fitzgerald)
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
Dean is asleep at last, Castiel watches over him. His charge is weary at heart, exhausted in body. Dean's body is bruised, battered from their latest fight with the demons, their search for an answer, a way to retrieve both Adam and Sam. Castiel no longer has any qualms about leaving his own brothers to rot in the fires of hell, their arrogance and bigotry enough to warrant the torture they tried to meet upon the humans Castiel now watches over in their place. Dean's brothers deserve the torture less, in their own way they were both arrogant but they also strove for better, strove to overcome. Castiel's heart has softened towards humans, all humans, over his time with Dean.
He has learnt much from Dean, much about the trials humans face, the struggles they overcome, the love they demonstrate. For all their faults, their petty jealousies and foibles, they strive to be more, to be more God-like in their love, even those who don't believe in God, strive to care and do good.
It is more than Castiel can say for many of his brethren. He looks back with more fondness on Gabriel now. For all his faults, Gabriel cared for humans. Yes, he thought little of a joke at their expense but even so he also cared and tried his best to protect them.
Dean is more than just a human, more than just Castiel's charge now. Dean is . . . Castiel tries to find a word that describes what Dean is. One thing is for sure, Dean has Castiel's heart. Dean sleeps now, his head resting on Castiel's chest, his body relaxed. The two of them lie skin to skin, sharing warmth in the dim light of the room. Not that Castiel needs the light to observe Dean.
His arm holds Dean close, secure and safe. He can feel as Dean gradually gets colder where their skin does not connect, where he is not covered by the blankets. Castiel drapes a wing closer, tenderly wrapping Dean in its soft warmth, feels as Dean relaxes deeper into sleep, snuggling closer in. Castiel smiles tenderly, pressing an affectionate kiss to Dean's hair, before closing his own eyes and resting.