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Chapter 12 "I will Always be by Your Side."
Sam winced as screaming was heard coming from the other end of the phone.
"Are you stupid, boy? What are you thinking?"
"Bobby, it's the only way. I need to fix this." Sam said firmly to the older hunter.
More yelling from the phone; this time it just sounded like jumbled swearing. Sam held the phone away from his ear before he could go deaf.
Dean listened to the converation from the table as Sam paced around the room with the phone. Resting his cold beer bottle against his forehead, he wished that this was just over already. He was the one who had suggested that they call Bobby and tell him what they were doing. Sam was reluctant, but he knew the man had a right to know; and a right to say goodbye.
"Bobby, I'm doing this. Nothing you say is gonna-" Sam started but the hunter on the other end cut him off again. He rolled his eyes and went for the door to get fresh air. He had expected Bobby to argue, but not this much.
As soon as Sam closed the door behind him, Dean let his head flop onto the table wearily. He could not sleep last night. Images of Sam being tortured by Lucifer kept drifting through his mind, over and over. It was horrible.
He allowed his lids to close; he could still hear Sam arguing with Bobby outside. His brother's voice was raising now, and Dean could almost see his famous bitch face coming out.
"Dean." A warm hand was suddenly on the back of his neck, but Dean did not startle. Instead he was relaxed by the familiar voice and touch.
"Cas." he mumbled into the table.
The angel pulled up a chair beside Dean. "I was thinking about you last night."
When Dean didn't respond, Cas began playing with a frayed piece of thread on the hem on his trenchcoat. "Are you alright?"
Dean raised his head slowly, anger coursing through him at the stupid question. "I didn't sleep at all last night because me brother is about to be brought to the darkest pit of Hell to live with the devil for eternity." he shoved the beer bottle away roughly.
"I'm just fine." he added sarcastically.
Cas looked down at the floor for a minute before reaching out and placing his hand over Dean's on the table. To his surprise the hunter didn't pull away. He continued staring moodily at the tabletop, but he did not pull away.
Squeezing his hand tighter, Cas said softly, "I'm sorry, Dean. I wish I could do something to help."
Hesitantly, he moved his chair closer so he was inches from Dean. He wanted to reach out to the hunter, but Dean was a strange human. He was so emotional, but tried to hide it. It was hard to read him sometimes. Cas wanted so badly to give comfort but he wasn't sure how.
This was new for both of them, Dean especially. He hardly opened up to anyone, let alone a guy. Excepting Sam, of course.
Dean grunted, and Cas thought that was perhaps his way of aknowledging Cas' attempts at comforting words.
Cas breathed deeply, trying to decide whether or not to go further. Three deep breaths later, he made his decision, wrapping his arms around Dean and embracing him tightly. Dean stiffened for a moment, but then allowed himself to melt into Cas' hug. The angel's warmth gave him some strength. Not alot, but enough to get by.
He pressed his face into the angel's shoulder and tried not to think about Sam. Cas ran a hand over the back of Dean's head, pressing the hunter closer to him.
"I can give you another dream, Dean. I can help you rest and forget for a few minutes." Cas whispered into his ear. "I want to help you."
"Yes." came Dean's mumbled reply after a moment.
"Raise your head, Dean."
Dean did as he was told, his tired haunted eyes meeting Castiel's bright blue ones. Castiel placed a hand on Dean's cheek, smiling sadly, and then leaned to touch his lips to the hunter's. Dean's eyes drooped immediately, and Cas lowered him gently onto the table, watching as he slept.
"Dude! You're hogging all the popcorn." Dean grabbed the cardboard container from Castiel.
"I was merely holding it until you were present-"
"I don't want to hear your excuses!" Dean plopped down in the movie theater seat next to the angel. They were the only two seated in the theater and Dean was grateful. Although he didn't much care what people thought anymore, he preferred to be alone with Cas instead of with the public, attracting dirty looks.
"So..what are we watching?" Dean nudged Castiel playfully.
"A horror flick."
"Horror?" Dean raised his eyebrows skeptically. "Don't we get enough of that in our life?"
Castiel shrugged. "I have taken an interest in watching human horror films. It is fasinating to see how you humans percieve monsters."
Dean couldn't argue with that. He had often watched some of what people called horror movies and they weren't even a comparision to what they faced in real life.
"It's probably going to be stupid," Dean muttered, and Castiel shook his head in disagreement.
"In the preview it seemed to have an interesting plot. It was terrifying."
Loud music blasted suddenly from the speakers and Dean jumped. Castiel smirked amusedly.
"Are you frightened already, Dean? You can hide your face if you want. I won't laugh."
Dean shoved Castiel good-naturedly. "Shut up."
The screen showed the words Feature Presentation, and the music died down as the first scene opened on a run-down motel.
Castiel reached over and touched Dean's hand, and Dean curled his fingers around Cas'.
"Dean."
The hunter's eyes were trained on the screen, but he looked to his side at the sound of Castiel's voice. No matter what he was doing, he always paid attention to the angel.
Castiel was studying him in a strange way..there was an expression of something like pity etched in his features. Dean frowned.
"What's wrong?"
"I wanted to tell you...if you're ever scared and alone...I'll be there. You can come to me. I will always be there for you, Dean. No mater what."
Dean smiled warmly and reached out to cup Cas' chin in his palm. "I know you will. I know you'll always be by my side."
He leaned closer to Cas, touching his lips to the angel's. Cas pressed back firmly, letting all of his love for Dean show in that kiss.
The screen showed a black '67 impala in the parkinglot of the motel before moving to a shot of the inside...two young boys watching their father as he packed some clothes into a bag, telling them that he needed to leave for a while.
The beginning of the horror story, and they would soon see the end of it. But not now.
Cas flicked his hand, and the movie stopped, trained on a shot of a long endless highway. Dean didn't notice; he was still staring at Cas.
The hunter played with the collar of Cas' coat. "The last time I made out with someone in a movie theater, I was 17. Her name was Beatrice." Dean screwed his face up at the name. "She used too much tongue."
"Let's make a better memory for you." Cas snaked his hands around Dean's neck, pulling him close.
"Sounds good to me." Dean grinned, and brought his lips to Cas' neck.
Cas closed his eyes, wanting to stay in the dream with Dean, but it was time to go now. He may have stopped the movie playing on the screen, but not the one playing out in their present time.
Sam re-entered the motel, muttering. Castiel quickly touched a finger to Dean's forehead and he started immediatedly.
Sam came over to them, and he wasn't the least bit surprised to see Castiel there.
"Hey Cas."
"Hello, Sam." Cas returned the greeting.
Sam joined them at the table, glancing at his brother. "We're all set. Bobby's going to meet us and we're going to finish this, once and for all."
Cas' eyes widened suddenly because Dean had grabbed his hand under the table, squeezing tightly.
"Ok." he said hoarsely. "Let's pack up then and leave."
The younger Winchester looked worriedly at his brother; Dean was quite pale. Dean noticed the glance and gave a forced grin.
"I'm fine, Sammy."
Sam nodded uncertainly before standing. He knew his absence would hit Dean hard. He would probably blame it on himself and be miserable for the rest of his life. But there was nothing Sam could do about it. He was doing this to protect his brother, and the world, from Lucifer.
Turning his back, Sam began throwing clothes into a duffel bag. He didn't know whose were whose; they would all belong to Dean once Sam was in the pit anyway.
Dean looked at Cas and felt his internal wall breaking. It just could not hold back the waves of emotion any longer. A few tears slipped from his eyes and he stood abruptly, wrenching his hand from Cas'.
"I'll be in the car." were his last words before he slammed the motel door shut behind him.
Sam furrowed his brows with concern, but did not follow his brother. Instead he continued packing, his heart heavy.
The angel, however, disappeared from the room and Sam knew exactly where he would reappear.
The younger Winchester was one hundred percent correct in his assumptions; Castiel suddenly materialized beside Dean where he was pacing in the parkinglot.
When Dean caught sight of the trenchcoat in the corner of his eye, he did not try to brush the angel off. Despite the cold seeping through his heart, he felt warmer at the presence of the angel.
"Dean." Cas had a hand upon his shoulder, and Dean couldn't help but look up at him. Salty tears ran silently down his cheeks, and he made to wipe them away with frustration, but Cas grabbed his hand to stop him.
"It's alright to be upset."
Cas pulled him closer, and then forward to kiss the tears from Dean's face. "Do you remember the dream?"
"Yes." Dean choked out. It was awesome, and then he woke up to find himself in a nightmare.
"What I said in the dream, I meant. With all my heart. I will be here when Sam is gone, Dean. Please don't forget that."
There was no response in words. After a moment of silence Dean nodded before burying his face into Cas' neck, trying to block out the whole god damn world.
The loud slam of Sam closing the motel door dislodged Dean. That noise jerked him back to reality and he quickly tugged out of Cas' arms and straightened up.
"We're all ready." Sam said as he came over, a few duffels slung over his arm. "Wanna head out?"
Dean made a convulsive gesture that seemed a nod, and then headed for the Impala. Cas followed; even though Dean hadn't said a word the angel knew that he wanted Cas next to him through this whole thing. That was what he was here for; when Dean needed him the most he would be there.
