Summary: When Castiel loses his Grace and is left with Dean, the older Winchester suddenly realises he cares more for the angel than he thinks. Dean/Castiel.

Disclaimer: I don't own Supernatural or it's characters. *Sniffles*

Only Human

- One -

*FLASH*

Dean Winchester shot up in bed, his gorgeous green eyes scanning the room for any signs of disturbance. In the dark of the motel room, pain filled whimpers and panting breaths were slicing through the silence. Dean climbed out of bed, his sweatpants and t-shirt clinging to his skin as he stood and reached over for the bedside lamp. Looking toward the main area of the room he saw the naked body of his angel, Castiel.

Castiel was curled up in the foetal position on the floor, his entire body trembling as his breath came out in harsh pants.

"Cas…" Dean breathed, "Oh God!"

Moving forward without hesitation, Dean knelt by Castiel and lifted his shaking form into his arms, suddenly noticing how much Castiel was sobbing. He buried his face in Dean's neck and the hunter wound strong, protective arms around him, keeping him safe and close to his body. The angel seemed unable to control the new emotion flowing through his body, and he clung to Dean for dear life, fingers twisting in the fabric of Dean's shirt as the hunter rocked him gently.

"Shhh…I got you, Cas." Dean whispered, "I got you, you're safe now."

It didn't take a genius to figure out what had happened to Castiel. He was sobbing uncontrollably.

Angels do not sob, or cry at all for that matter.

He was gripping Dean so tight the hunter could practically feel Castiel's fear pulsating between them.

Angels do not feel fear.

Angels do not feel at all.

Castiel's Grace had been torn from him. His life as an angel was now over.

He was human.

Hot water filled the bath tub in the motel room bathroom. Castiel watched the tub fill with the clear liquid as he sat on the toilet lid, his eyes still red and puffy from crying so much. He took note of how the water swirled around and how the steam rose through the bathroom, swirling if he waved his hand through it. It moved like the clouds did when he flew through them. He'd never fly again, and that pained him even more.

Dean was in the main area of the motel room, picking out some sweats for the former angel and then returning to the bathroom and turning the water off. He was surprised that he didn't feel uncomfortable being around naked Castiel, and he was also surprised that he was so happy and excited to teach Castiel everything about being human.

"God I'm such a girl…"

"Come on, Buddy," Dean whispered, lifting the naked ex-angel into his arms and carefully placing him in the tub, "There we go."

Castiel remained silent as he felt the warm water pool around him, but he watched Dean with fascination as the hunter dipped a washcloth in the water and tenderly began to wring it out against Castiel's skin, wetting so it was ready to be washed. The former angel bent his knees up toward his chest, wrapping his arms around himself. Dean grimaced out of sympathy and ran a gentle hand through Castiel's hair. Castiel's gaze stayed at his knees, his head lowered and usually bright blue eyes so dull. After finally lathering up Castiel's body with soap, Dean began to rinse it off using a jug and filling it with water from the tub, pouring it over Castiel's body.

"Thank you, Dean." Castiel said weakly, finally breaking his long silence.

"For what, Cas?" Dean asked, showing uncharacteristic care toward the angel.

"For not being embarrassed by me," Castiel whispered, "And for taking care of me without a second thought."

Dean smiled.

"It's okay, Castiel," Dean said, softly, "I'll always be willing to help you and take care of you. You don't embarrass me, alright?"

Castiel looked back to his knees, jumping slightly when Dean pressed the washcloth to his back again, dabbing his skin carefully and gently. He saw tears slipping down the former angel's face and he sighed quietly. He felt so sorry for Castiel. The guy who used to be an angelic powerhouse was now reduced to being a mortal. Damnit. He deserved so much better than mortality and Dean knew it. The hunter reached forward and carded his fingers through Castiel's hair, leaning over when Castiel rested his head against the side of the tub and began to sob again.

"Cas," Dean whispered, "Please don't cry…"

Castiel looked up with bloodshot blue eyes, tears falling freely down his face.

"I'm afraid," he said, so quietly Dean almost didn't hear him, "I'm alone. I can't hear my family anymore…"

Dean moved even closer to the bathtub and wrapped soothing arms around the ex-angel.

"You're never alone, Cas. You've got me, Sam and Bobby." Dean assured him, "Now, I know Sam and Bobby aren't here right now but I am. It's alright, I'm gonna take care of you."

Castiel sighed into Dean's shoulder.

"Thank you, Dean."

"No problem, Cas." Dean replied with a soft smile, pushing the angel back up so he could see his face, "Come on, let me get you dressed and into bed. Bet you're tired, huh?"

Castiel nodded in response and clung to Dean as he lifted him from the bath tub and sat him on the edge of it. He used one arm to support Castiel while he dried him, and after left that arm in place and used the other to grab the clothes he'd brought in. He got the boxers first.

"Are you alright, Cas…I mean, do you need anything?"

Castiel thought for a moment.

"I feel pressure…" he began, pointing to the area where his bladder was, "Here…"

Dean then felt slightly uncomfortable, but this had to be done. There was no escaping that fact. He stood Castiel up and helped him walk his tired self to the toilet.

"Right, Cas…I want you to, umm…" Dean began, finding the best way to explain this as he lifted the lid and the seat, "Take yourself in hand."

Castiel looked down and then realised what Dean meant, so he did as he was told.

"Cas…" Dean said softly, the angel turning to look at him, "I'm going to put my hand over yours okay, just so I can help you with aiming it…are you alright with that?"

Castiel nodded.

"I trust you, Dean." He said softly, showing an affectionate smile which made Dean's heart leap.

"He trusts me…" Dean thought, mentally sighing dreamily, and then proceeding to snap out of it and mentally kick himself for being such a girl.

Dean stood right behind Castiel, pressing himself against the still naked former angel to support him, since Castiel's legs weren't too sturdy at the moment. He reached his hand round and felt Castiel tense up, Dean whispered softly into Castiel's ear to calm him.

"It's alright, Cas…just relax, I'm only touching your hand, okay?"

Castiel nodded but still flinched a little as Dean's hand closed around his own. Dean moved his hand upward to aim.

"Okay, you're doing great, Cas." Dean said, earning a smile from Castiel, "I want you to push now, tense the muscles around your bladder."

Castiel tried and it worked, Dean smiling proudly.

"Well done, Cas. Let it all out now, 'cause you'll probably sleep better with an empty bladder."

Unbeknownst to Dean, while he was pressed so close to Castiel, the former angel's eyes had closed and he savoured that contact. He'd pleaded with the Archangels to give him to Dean. Michael dumped the fallen angel on Elijah, the Angel of Innocence, who couldn't bear to see Castiel out in the cold on his own, with no clue of what to do and so he took him to Dean as he'd asked. Castiel loved Dean, which is the main reason he fell.

After teaching Castiel the basic hygiene aspect of peeing, Dean dressed the former angel and led him into the main area of the motel room which he was staying in alone. Sam was at Bobby's researching more leads on the Devil, so Dean had stayed to finish an easy hunt here in North Dakota. He sat the tired ex-angel on the double bed and moved to the cupboard to get him a glass of water.

"Here, drink this. Take it nice and slowly, okay? Don't want you choking on water." Dean said as he passed the angel the glass, "I'm gonna call Sam, I'll be right back."

Castiel nodded and took a sip of the water, being careful as Dean told him. Dean meanwhile headed outside and called Sam.

"Hello?" A weary voice answered on the end of the line.

"Hey, Sammy…it's Dean."

"Dean? What the hell, dude? It's like three-thirty in the morning…"

"Yeah, sorry…look I've got a situation here," Dean began, "Castiel's been humanised. His Grace has been stripped from him and he's been dumped here."

"What? How…when?"

"He landed about a half hour ago…I'm kinda grateful he arrived here actually so he wouldn't start his human life alone."

"Oh God…poor guy."

"I know. I've given him a bath and taught him how to pee…and he's having a glass of water now, so I'll just put him to bed."

"Okay, get your asses up here in the morning then."

"Sure thing, Sammy. Say hi to Bobby from me will you?"

"Sure. See you tomorrow."

"Bye."

Dean hung up and headed back to the room where Castiel had finished the glass of water.

"Thank you, Dean." He said softly as Dean took the glass from him.

"You're welcome, Cas." Dean replied, placing the glass on the nightstand and pulling back the covers, "You take the bed, I'll take the couch."

"No, Dean…" Castiel said quickly, grabbing Dean's wrist and gripping it tight, "Please don't go…"

"Cas, I'm only over there." Dean said, crouching down so he was at eye-level with the former angel.

"Please," Castiel whispered, "I don't want to sleep alone."

The tone of voice, and fear present in those bright blue eyes made Dean's chest tighten. He nodded and climbed in bed beside Castiel, covering them both with the sheets.

"Just rest against the pillows and relax. Close your eyes and don't think about anything." Dean whispered, smiling as Castiel finally found comfort as he lay on his side.

The former angel closed his eyes and breathed deeply, his hands reaching out to make sure Dean was still there.

"It's alright, Cas…I'm right here. You need anything then wake me up, okay?"

Castiel nodded sleepily and sighed.

"Goodnight, Dean."

"Goodnight, Cas."

Castiel awoke from a hideous nightmare to find Dean gone.

"Dean!" Castiel cried, "Dean, where are you?"

Dean rushed out of the bathroom to the former angel's side.

"Cas! Cas, what's wrong?"

"Michael…a dream about Michael…" Castiel sobbed, "His wrath…so much anger…"

Dean climbed into the bed and took Castiel in his arms.

"Shhh," He whispered, "It wasn't real, it's all okay."

"Don't let me go…" Castiel whispered.

Dean mentally shot himself for entering this chick-flick moment, but the former angel needed him, so he just lay back against the pillows, cradling Castiel's head to his chest.

"Think of something nice and then go back to sleep, okay…"

"Okay, Dean."

Dean smiled as the tension disappeared from Castiel's face. When sleep took over former the angel Dean was about to move him but then felt Castiel snuggle into him. There was no way in Hell was he moving Castiel now. It actually felt really nice to have him sleeping in his arms.

"I love you…" He thought, suddenly opening his eyes wide, "What? Chick-flick! Love…? Oh God…"

- TBC -