Words: 473
I'm really sorry that I haven't updated in a year, although I have been editing chapters, and 1-7 are new and improved. I don't really have an excuse, nor one for the shortness of this chapter, but I am sorry. If anyone is still reading this, I hope you enjoy.
#Dean's POV#
I think I've spent the whole night beside Sam. I'm not even really sure how long it has been. I don't know if I can breathe. I'm hoping Sam is, at least.
Everyone has drifted off already, Bobby and Crowley, on the couch, Gabriel holding my brother's hand, Cas holding mine. The light shine of the sun is creeping in through the window, like a taunt of the fresh day for the rest of the world.
"Dean, can we watch the sunrise?" a six-year-old Sam asks innocently, tugging at Dean's pajama shirt, and meeting his older brother's tired eyes with excited ones of his own.
"Why'd you want to watch the sunrise, Sammy?" Dean asks groggily, sitting up but not leaving the blanket.
"Because Mrs. Wilson said it looks pretty," Sam explained, his puppy eyes begging.
"Calm down, Kiddo," Dean cracks a smile. "I never said we couldn't. When did she tell you about the sunrise?"
"Yesterday in class," Sam elaborates, and the tone of his voice indicates how annoyed he is with Dean for not guessing himself. "Matilda said her mom took her to see it the other day, and Nate asked why. Mrs. Wilson said that it looks pretty."
"I'm coming, Sammy," Dean shuffles from his bed, and, careful not to wake their father, who had just gotten back from a hunt, the boys sneak out of the motel.
"What are you thinking about?"
I jerk out of the memory at Castiel's sleepy question. He's looking at me with puzzled blue eyes full of concern, and I wave it away before he can ask.
"Just a memory," I say, shaking it away and allowing Cas to put a hand on my shoulder.
"Are you alright, Dean?" he tilts his head, he does, but I can't see it.
"Fine," I nod.
Cas takes my hand, offering silent support that he knows I need but don't voice, "You should eat something."
It's not something I want to do, eat and leave Sam's side, but Cas knows I need it, so I don't argue and follow him into the kitchen.
Cas prods gently.
When I next look at my surroundings, we're in the kitchen, and he's' handing me one of Bobby's pre-made, refrigerated sandwiches. I can't say that I'm acting on automatic when I'm eating it, because I'm not, Sam will need me not to be, but very nearly so.
"You should sleep," Cas says when my eyes droop minutely, and I find myself nodding along.
#Castiel's POV#
Dean refuses to fall asleep anywhere other than at Sam's side. It's slightly ridiculous, it would be were the brothers anyone but themselves, but it seems to work. I stay to keep watch over them all.
All is calm until a telephone rings and Bobby runs to sleepily answer it, and returns with a grim face.
