Six hours had gone by since Sam called. Cas and Dean had just arrived at Bobby's and now stood in front of the house neither of them had seen in the past six months. Castiel looked over at the hunter, his eyes locked on the front door. Castiel lifted a hand and rested it gently on Dean's shoulder, attempting to comfort him. He offered the angel a small smile, reassuring him that he was fine. They simultaneously stepped forward, venturing to the unknown that lay behind the front door.
Dean clenched his fist and firmly banged on the door three times, slowly setting his hand by his side and sighing nervously. Cas stood back a few feet, knowing the hunter would see his brother and in that moment not care about anything else. The door gradually opened with a creak, exposing the younger Winchester brother, his eyes rimmed with fatigue, but still displaying a smile. Dean let go a raspy gasp, grabbing his brother by the arm and pulling him into his chest, wrapping his arms around him tightly. Cas looked fondly at the love between the two brothers. They had been through so much, and their love still remained intact.
It was in that moment that Cas realized the emptiness that existed within was his deep desire for love. Although he strongly admired the brotherly love of Sam and Dean, he wanted something that surpassed that. Something that transcended time and gave him a reason to feel again.
Dean, Sam, and Cas sat together in Bobby's kitchen, laughing, catching up, and drinking beers. For the first time in six months the three of them felt truly at home. Cas was beaming, partly because of Sam's return, but mostly because of how happy Dean looked. After watching him for a week, he had not seen Dean smile like this with Lisa.
Castiel had been concerned about Sam's return. He wondered who had raised him from Lucifer's cage. He was pleased that Sam had returned in one piece, and the younger Winchester assured the other two that he had no memory from his time in Hell. He suddenly remembered how he had raised Dean from Hell. At that point in time, it was strictly orders, but Castiel would have done it again in a heartbeat. He never for a second regretted his time spent with either Winchester. His eyes bore into Dean's shoulder, the existing pink handprint tucked away behind Dean's tight flannel shirt which stretched over his chiseled shoulders. That print was evidence of the bond between the angel and the hunter that was so- profound.
The three of them fell back into a routine, conducting research and searching for hunts, almost as if the past had never occurred. Cas had business elsewhere, with other angels, with Raphael, but he didn't mind. He was perfectly content existing in this moment with his two favorite humans.
Before so long, Dean and Cas shared some time alone when Sam went off to take a nap. They sat there, side by side on the couch, the silence filled with Dean's soft chuckles.
"What's funny?" Cas questioned, peering at the hunter with a confused expression.
"Everything. You. Sam. If you had told me a few months back that we'd all be together again, I woulda called you crazy." Dean finished his sentence with another warm chuckle.
Castiel watched a smile form on the hunter's face. It was so genuine, so bright. The lines of the sides of his eyes grew, and his cheeks filled with color. Castiel felt his heart beat faster, the pit of his stomach started tingling. The angel was now used to these feelings which occurred every time Dean had smiled over the past couple of weeks. He still wasn't exactly sure how to define these feelings, but he was determined to get to the bottom of them.
"Hey, Dean. I have a question," started Cas.
"Shoot," responded Dean with an airy look in his green eyes.
"I've grown curious about something during my time on Earth. You know human emotions are something I'm still attempting to figure out, but I was wondering if you could explain… love to me." Dean frowned, his mouth twisting to the side, trying to find the right way to respond. The angel kept his eyes on the floor, careful not to catch the hunter's confused look.
"I'm really not sure I'm the right person to ask. I've been riding solo for my whole life, I mean, you know, until Lisa. But I'm just about as experienced in the love department as you are, Cas."
"Do you not love Lisa?" Cas said remembering the time he'd watch them kissing each other's lips, Lisa whispering sweet nothings into Dean's ears as she stroked his hair. I'm the luckiest guy on Earth, he remembered Dean saying, creating the ache in his gut that Castiel had come to know as jealousy. Dean sighed.
"She's great, I mean really really great, and she should have a life with someone more than a hunter. I could never give her the love she deserves. You saw how I charged out the door, leaving her behind, without even a goodbye. My life is hunting. It's a big sacrifice, giving up that world, but I can't go back. It'd only put her in danger." Dean said, a sense of sadness caught deep in his throat.
"Dean Winchester, you are not just a hunter. You've given me a life, and a home here on Earth. You stood by me when I had nowhere else to go. And for that I could never thank you enough," Castiel spoke, leaning into Dean's gaze, holding his eyes steadily with his own. Dean's frown broke into a gentle smile, nodding his head, but never breaking Cas' look. After several silent seconds, his eyes flitted to Castiel's mouth, which was parted slightly, catching a glimpse of his pearly teeth.
Cas' heart fluttered once again, causing him to swallow nervously as goosebumps rose on his skin. The angel understood at this moment. The only solution to his emptiness was the hunter that sat before him. The one with the hazel green eyes, and the square jaw. The one who had welcomed Castiel as he entered unfamiliar territory on Earth. The one who had turned him somewhat human. It was Dean. It was always Dean.
Castiel stood, walking over to where Sam had set his laptop, opening it and typing in the name of a song. He turned up the volume and allowed the sweet acoustic guitar to swell into the otherwise silent room.
Love of mine, someday you will die…
Dean looked up, listening to the song intently.
"What song is this?" the Hunter asked.
"It's called I Will Follow You into the Dark. I heard it in a coffee shop a while ago and it seemed to bring back some happy memories. It's very beautiful," Castiel said, sounding somewhat embarrassed.
If Heaven and Hell decide, that they both are satisfied. Illuminate the no on their vacancy sign. If there's no one beside you when your soul embarks, then I'll follow you into the dark…
Dean stood walking toward Cas. The angel felt his body stiffen, looking at the face of the hunter who stood not too far from him now. The lovely music filled his mind and his body yearned to reach out and touch Dean, caress his face, and remind him that Cas would always be with him.
"Doesn't that line kinda go against what you angels believe in? Look at you, Mr. Cynical," Dean laughed, reaching out to ruffle Cas' shiny black hair which hung wispily over his forehead. Dean backed away, allowing Castiel's body to relax, but his heart still beat rapidly as he watched the hunter sit down and take another sip of beer.
Something was happening to Castiel. For an angel who hadn't been able to feel, Dean Winchester had certainly caused some sort of reaction. Castiel was feeling, strongly now.
He was falling in love.
