AN: Wow. You guys know how to make a writer feel loved, I'll tell you that. Keep em coming!

And this little one-shot was inspired by a pic from DeviantArt. The artists comments made a lot of sense, and lo and behold, we have this. So enjoy, and let me know what ya think!

Nicknames

It is Dean's habit to give nicknames to people he cares about. Castiel knows this better than anyone. He also knows that Dean cares about him, because Dean is the first one to ever give him a nickname. Never before has Castiel been called anything but that. He's never experienced the intimacy with another that allows him to feel comfortable with that person shortening his name.

Yet it isn't very long before Castiel becomes 'Cas', and at first it's only to Dean. At first, it takes Castiel by surprise. After all, he's never even heard of nicknames until now. Sam doesn't use it, but that's okay. It feels special when Dean calls him Cas. He doesn't think the name would sound special if someone else used it.

He is right.

The first time he finds out is when Uriel calls him 'Cas'. Uriel is his brother, after all – it is allowed for brothers to develop nicknames for each other, if Dean and Sam are anything to go by – but this name doesn't sound nice coming from Uriel. It doesn't have the same affection behind it that 'Sammy' has when Dean calls his brother that, or even the same trust that is implied when Dean calls him 'Cas'. It sounds mocking, derogatory.

He never gets the chance to confront Uriel about it. Anna kills him not too long after that.

Anna herself uses the nickname once. Castiel doesn't say anything – he merely refuses to respond to it. It sounds almost as wrong coming from Anna as it does coming from Uriel. Anna only uses the nickname once, maybe twice. Then she dies, and it's never a problem again.

Sam picks up the nickname, too, mostly calling him 'Cas' after Dean already has. That doesn't bother Castiel as much as the others. Sam does it as a method of brotherly affection. Castiel's original purpose may have been to guide Dean towards being Michael's vessel, but he's taken on both brothers as his to protect. He can tolerate Sam calling him 'Cas'. He calls Samuel 'Sam', after all. Turnabout's fair play.

This new one, on the other hand, is grating Castiel's last nerve.

Sam isn't in the room, and for that Castiel is grateful. One less vulnerable human to worry about. Dean has been thrown to the other side of the motel room, shattered glass littering the floor around him. Castiel can sense the broken bones and blinding pain. He doesn't have to look to know that Dean is once again struggling to get to his feet – as if the damage of the motel room that the 'battle' had taken place in isn't enough of an indication that this fight can't be won. That's just who Dean is.

Zachariah is on the other side of the room, Castiel in between him and Dean. Anger simmers through Castiel. "I thought I warned you to stay away." he growls, eyes dark, fists clenched. Zachariah smiles at him, as if he hasn't just harmed the one thing Castiel swore to protect.

"Come on, Cas, you know as well as I that little Dean must be made to see his place." Zachariah says calmly. He takes a step forward, and Castiel doesn't back down. If he gives any ground – well, that won't be good for Dean or him. He has to stand firm, so he will stand firm. "Just step aside like a good little soldier."

"Make me."

"Cas – don't – " Dean coughs, blood spattering his lips, and Castiel knows he's running out of time. He still has enough Grace left to heal Dean from this damage. Zachariah just needs to back off.

Zachariah snickers. "Yes, Cas, don't mess with your superiors. Obey your orders. Step aside."

Castiel does no such thing. Instead, he decks Zachariah across the face, breaking the older angel's nose. Zachariah stumbles, falls to the floor, and suddenly Castiel is crouched beside him, one hand with a silver blade at the other's throat. When he speaks, his voice is soft and deadly. Nothing like it should have been.

"You will stay away from Dean. He is not yours to torment." Another thought occurs to him, and his voice lowers even more.

"And my name is Castiel. Not Cas."

He jerks his hand back, ready to strike, and suddenly Zachariah is gone. Coward. Castiel stands and approaches Dean, kneeling once again and checking him over for damage. There's broken ribs and punctured lungs, and that's what Castiel heals first.

Dean grabs his wrists, stopping him from moving on to lesser injuries. "Dean – "

"Cas bothers you that bad?"

He hadn't realized Dean had heard that. He pauses for a moment, unsure what to say. In the end, he just says it.

"Not when you call me that."

Dean sighs in relief. "Hate to think I was pissing you off without knowing."

Castiel smiles, but doesn't respond. There's no need.

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AN: Wow. That was short. Heck. Review please!