Chapter 62.
Dean slipped quietly into the front bedroom. Sam was asleep on the far bed, looking peaceful and content. Dean closed the door, removed what clothing he needed to in order to be comfortable and then got into the bed nearest the door. He closed his eyes, but soon opened them again. Sleep was not going to be a problem, but dreams could and he knew he should have let Cas control his sleep.
He thought of trying to stay awake, but he had driving to do in the morning and none of the others would be happy with him doing that in his current state. The problem was, he didn't want to disturb Sam either, so he didn't call Castiel into the room.
He tried to think of good things, of his Baby, of beautiful women and good food, of Sarah and all her many kindnesses. He closed his eyes and ...
And there was blood on the floor and there were screams in the distance and knives gleamed in the light from greasy candles, made of God knew what.
With a roar, he woke himself and lay staring at the ceiling.
"Dean?" said Sam.
"Go back to sleep, Sammy." he said.
"What time is it?" said Sam.
"I don't know. It has AM in it."
"What's wrong?" said Sam.
"Bad dream." said Dean, "Since I managed to wake you anyway, I might as well get Cas to come and put me under."
"Do you wanna talk about it?" said Sam.
"No." said Dean. The last thing he wanted was more talk. He started to pray. "Cas, I need your help. Please come and put both of us to sleep."
"Hey!" said Sam.
"Shut up. You need to sleep, so do I."
"What happened after I went to bed?" said Sam.
"Hell stuff."
"Great. What happened to honesty?"
"That's the truth."
"But you're back to not talking about it?"
"I've talked a lot tonight. Now, I just need some silence." said Dean.
"Fair enough. I'm sorry. I don't mean to put you under any pressure. I just know what trying to handle things alone did to Dad. It almost destroyed him. I don't want the same thing to happen to you."
"I'm not alone." said Dean.
Cas opened the door and came in. "Are you both ready to sleep?"
"Sam's not happy about it." said Dean.
"No, if this is what it takes to make you feel okay, I'm fine with it." said Sam, making himself comfortable.
Cas went over to his bed and put him swiftly to sleep. "How about you, Dean?" he said.
"I was a fool to think I didn't need this from the start." he said.
"I was a little surprised." said Cas.
"Sam'll be okay, right?"
"He'll sleep until seven." said Cas.
"Thanks. Cas, the torture in the dream ... "
"We can talk about all that later, when you're properly rested." said Cas, "We can talk about anything later."
"Did I hurt you?" said Dean.
"No." said Cas, "It was a dream."
"It felt real."
"I know." said Cas. He reached out his hand. "Ready?"
"No dreams, okay?"
"None. I promise."
Dean smiled. "The promises of angels are a big heap of crap."
"Not this angel." said Cas, sounding wounded.
"Not this angel." Dean agreed, "I'd bet the whole damn universe on the word of Castiel."
"Even though I have lied to you before?" said Cas.
"Isn't that what faith is? Believing against the evidence?"
"I really don't know anymore." said Cas.
"Neither do I, but it feels like a Hell of a good start, doesn't it?"
"So does giving you a few hours of peace." said Cas, "I wish I could give you more. It seems like we have a long way to go."
"I can't get that dream out of my head." said Dean, "Was it you or my subconscious that said they were my wounds, not my sins?"
"Which will you listen to?" said Cas.
Dean grinned. "Sometimes, you are such a big brother. Thanks, either way. And thanks for this. I try not to need you, but that doesn't often work out."
"So why try?"
"Because I know I can't always be your priority." said Dean.
Cas smiled, sadly. "Nobody matters more. Sleep, my friend. Take a break from battle for what's left of the night."
Dean closed his eyes and Cas put him to sleep. No further dreams bothered him that night.
The End.