AN: This is kind of a mini-chapter. It's not even 1,000 words. I just thought it deserved its own little segment, and I like the way the last one ended. This just seemed like it should be posted instead of kept locked away inside my mind (which is probably not the most organized or relaxing place to be locked away in).


That night, Sam, Dean, Charlie, and Cas all watched a movie that was on TV. Sam was feeling better all the time, and by the time the end credits were rolling by, Sam had nearly forgotten what had happened to him. After the movie ended, everyone started putting things away. Sam threw away the popcorn bags while Dean took care of the beer bottles and Charlie picked up all the random popcorn pieces that had missed people's mouths for whatever mysterious reason. Cas turned the TV off, and Dean wondered to himself if Cas had just picked the easy job on purpose or if he was that clueless. He was too tired to mess with him about it or try to find out.

Charlie left as soon as there were no obvious pieces of food left to pick up. Dean looked around the room, and after a brief debate, he said, "Well, I guess I'm gonna go grab a room of my own."

"Wait," Sam said before Dean could even turn in the direction of the door. "Listen, uh… could you stay here tonight? In this room? With us?" Sam was still a little nervous about the night's previous events. Sure, he'd forgotten during the movie, but it didn't take him long to remember again. Obviously he knew that Cas was more than capable of protecting Sam, but growing up it had been Dean who had chased away the nightmares, Dean who had beat up any bullies who crossed a line Sam was too afraid to correct, and Dean who had always provided all the support Sam could ever ask for. That didn't mean Cas had never done those things for Sam, especially recently, but Dean had been doing it for longer. Moreover, Sam was feeling like a scared little kid in that moment, and he wanted his big brother close by as much as he wanted his husband close by. He felt safe with his husband, but safer with both his husband and his brother.

Dean studied his little brother. He could see Sam was still shaken up. Dean was too, really. Something unimaginable had nearly happened to him. It scared Dean a little. He knew it was a dangerous thought, but considered what might have happened if Cas hadn't been there or Sam hadn't been able to contact the angel. Sam had only been able to get Cas there because of that bond thing they had. So if they'd never known Cas, Sam wouldn't have been able to call anyone. Dean wouldn't have heard his brother calling out to him in the noisy bar. And supposing Dean had for some reason gone into the men's room and seen the guy touching his brother, he wouldn't have been able to stop him. Dean knew just as well as Sam that Cas hadn't been lying about the man's strength.

Dean understood why Sam wanted him close. Sam was scared. Even though he may or may not recognize that Dean may not have been able to protect Sam that night if it had come down to it, Dean was the one who protected Sam for most of his life. Besides, Dean was a little scared himself. He'd rather be with Sam if something tried to get to him in the night. "Yeah, I can just stay here," he said.

That night, Sam slept with Cas's arms around him. Dean slept in the other bed. Dean made sure he had a gun and a knife under his pillow before he allowed sleep to win him over, while Cas remained aware all night. He didn't relax as he normally did. He kept a steady connection to make sure Sam didn't have any nightmares. Every time he felt one starting up – which was often – Cas would calm Sam down before it could escalate into something more.


AN: I know it was incredibly short, but it just seemed to fit here on its own. Next chapter soon.