Dean was getting tired of being caught by surprise. When Sam called them to check out "something weird" a couple towns over, he didn't think anything of it. They just pointed the truck out of town and drove off.

Dodging a swipe from his opponent, he took a second amidst the chaos to appreciate just how awful their luck was.

Vampires. And only two of them. Dean didn't hesitate to head in after them, machete in hand. When the first one punched Cas he went flying.

Because of course these weren't vampires. These were vampires with a taste in fine jewelry that also may or may not bear the gifts of a particularly powerful witch.

Dean was just glad the second didn't seem to have super strength.

Then again, as he watched him sprint up a tree sideways, it didn't seem like much of an improvement. He was still trying to think of a good quip about Spider-man when the vampire landed on him.

Castiel meanwhile was struggling in hand to hand combat with the other one. He didn't expect this to be so difficult. He identified the ring as the likely culprit of his strength, but it was his fighting style that was throwing him off.

Angels were predictable. He was a very proficient fighter against the forces of heaven by now. Demons arguably more so. After his siege on hell, he had fought just about every class of demon the pit had to offer.

Vampires were just a little too human to predict, and added to his super strength, he wasn't doing quite as well as he would like.

He heard Dean cry out in surprise and he whipped his head to look at him, watching the hunter roll away from his attacker and regain his footing. When he turned his attention back to his own fight, the fist collided with his head.

He reeled, stumbling backwards and tripping over a root. He reached for the machete that had just fallen from his grasp, but instead he was picked up by the front of his shirt and met the vampire's fist again. And again. And again.

This, he was not prepared for.

One last feeble attempt to twist out of the vampire's grip failed and he felt the next impact with a resounding crack ringing through his ears. Finally he dropped.

Castiel opened his eyes, blinking a few times to try to bring the world into focus. He looked up, and saw Dean above him, now fighting off both vampires at the same time. Cas jumped up to his feet, running towards him to try to help, but his hand went right through the shoulder he tried to grab.

He almost fell backwards in surprise. He looked back at where he had been fighting just moments before and he tensed. He hadn't regained consciousness after all. He hadn't considered that the connection might go both ways. Honestly it was something very unlikely to ever come up. He hadn't been successfully rendered unconscious in years. Yet here he was.

Cas whipped around, eyes tracking Dean. With no way of communicating with Dean, he couldn't even help guide him. He tried anyway, hoping maybe for some reason praying to him would work both ways, but he had no success. Dean was truly alone in this fight.

He didn't realize it was happening until a sharp knife slid across the hunter's ribs and Cas clutched his side in pain. He staggered with Dean, looking up with concern, but Dean was already swinging his blade through the neck of the one closest to him.

The rest of the feelings came slower, emotions and fatigue. Cas could feel the grip on his blade slowly loosening, feel the small stumbles as he struggled to keep fighting his body's needs to finish the fight. Cas felt Dean's small wave of relief when he actually finally won. The feeling was short-lived as Dean looked up and around him. "Cas?"

Cas could feel the fear spark up as he didn't find the Angel fighting beside him. He watched Dean stop when he saw Cas across the hill. The spark ignited and Dean broke into a flat out run to his side. "Hey hey hey. Cas?" Dean shook his shoulder gently.

Dean pulled his hand back slightly, fingers just touching the edge of the tan overcoat. He tentatively pressed down. "Come on, come on." He muttered under his breath. Cas felt the smallest twitch of relief from him when he confirmed Cas was at least breathing.

Dean began to scan for injuries, hands shaking as he tried to assess the damage. His breath hitched when he took in the blood sluggishly running from the angel's ears and nose. He absently pulled his jacket sleeve across to wipe some of it from his upper lip.

"Dean-" Cas sighed, wishing he could reach out. He couldn't feel his own body, but he could see it; It was subtle but his grace was slowly healing him. He was going to be okay, it was just going to take time.

He had to sit down, overwhelmed by the sharp emotion. This was behind all of Dean's walls. And every nerve in Dean's body was screaming fear. That mixed with the sharp pain in his side was staggering.

He never got to see these feelings. Even when he was on the verge of death, Dean was there with a gentle panicked smile, and some off quip about how it would be okay. Cas could always tell, see some of the fear or concern buried beneath. But to feel this. The sheer unrestrained force of them.

Dean settled down onto the ground, pulling Cas up and across his lap. He held Cas tight to him with his left arm, his other reaching into his pocket and pulling out his phone.

"Hey." Sam's voice came over the phone.

"Sam, I need you to get out here." Dean said, managing some amount of control over his words.

Sam was instantly on high alert. "Are they-?"

"They're dead, but we're hurt pretty bad."

"How bad?"

"Cas is out. I don't know how bad, Sam." His voice wavered just a bit before he got hold of it again. He tried moving again, and Cas matched his sharp breath when his ribs moved. "I can't drive us out of here."

"Okay, I'm on my way now. It'll take me about half an hour to get there. Keep your GPS turned on."

"Yeah." Dean ended the call, dropping the phone next to him before reaching his other hand to hold Cas closer.

Dean dropped his voice. "Come on, man. You've got to be okay." desperation edging into his tone. He cupped his hand to the side of Cas' head, his thumb running across his temple, hoping that it might wake him.

When it didn't Dean pulled Cas up even closer, holding him up against his chest as he leaned back against a tree. He pressed his lips to the side of Cas' head before dropping his forehead to rest there. "Come on."

Cas sat himself closer to the hunter's side, able to do nothing but watch Dean wait for him.

He saw Sam pulling up to the tree line before Dean did.

Dean startled when he heard his brother call his name. He looked down quickly at Cas, feeling a weight settle in his chest when he saw no change. "Help me get him into the car." Dean shifted slightly, allowing Sam to assist in pulling them up. He climbed into the back of the impala first, pulling Cas in behind him and bracing him up on his lap.

Cas slipped onto the bench beside Sam when he took the wheel.

Sam slipped behind the wheel, but he looked back at Dean.

"Sam, we have to get home."

"Dean, we should get to a hospital."

"A hospital isn't going to have the first clue what to do for him."

"I meant for you." Sam stressed, looking at the blood soaking through Dean's shirt and coat, and the flecks collecting in the corner of his mouth.

"I need stitches, not surgery." Dean snapped.

Sam took a second to watch him, but finally relented, pulling the car back in the direction of home.

Cas frowned, watching Dean carefully. He could feel the sharp pain running down his side. He was glad he could filter some of it out; Dean was in agony.

Dean just held the angel tight, his fingers absently running through Cas' hair. He focused on breathing. Breathing through the hurt. Breathing through the panic.

Castiel was grateful when he found himself pulled back into his vessel. He coughed, the pain of his injuries hitting him full force when they were jarred. He felt a hand settle its weight onto his chest, helping keep him still and grounded while he couldn't open his eyes. He slowly became aware of Dean's voice filtering into the background.

"Hey hey hey. There you go, just breathe." Dean soothed, relief flooding into his voice. "There you go." He repeated as Cas managed to get control again.

"I'm okay." Cas said, his voice hoarse. "I'm fine."

"Yeah, okay." Dean said, trying to be sarcastic but not quite managing the tone. He didn't take his hands away, still holding Cas close to his chest.

"I'm okay." Cas said again. "My grace is healing me."

"Good." Dean whispered absently, sinking back slightly against the seat back.

"You two good back there?" Sam's voice filtered in.

"Yeah, he's awake." Dean replied, a little louder to be heard.

"We're almost back."

"Thanks." He said weakly. He looked back down to Cas who was ready to meet his eyes.

"I'm sorry." Cas murmured.

Dean rolled his eyes. "Shut up." He admonished gently. His hand absently began to trace small circles on the angel's chest, the last of his nerves slowly draining away.

"I'm okay." Cas whispered one last time, finding and holding onto Dean's hand. "I promise."

Unable to muster the energy to speak again, Dean prayed. "You better."

.

Dean tried to pretend he wasn't keeping a close eye on Cas while he sat still for Sam to finish stitching his side.

"I still think this should have been handled at a hospital." Sam sighed as he reached for a second package of nylon thread.

"It's fine." Dean hissed.

Sam scowled before deflecting some of his attention to the angel behind him. "Cas, you said you were there with him? Just like Dean is when he sleeps?"

"Or unconscious. Yes." Cas said thoughtfully. "Though, I could not pray to communicate."

"That would have helped." Dean muttered.

"So you're following him when you're unconscious. And he follows you when he is unconscious. I wonder what happens if you're both unconscious at the same time."

"Let's never find out." Dean said firmly, wincing slightly as Sam pressed down on his wound to wipe away some of the blood.

Sam looked up at Cas. "Are you sure you're alright? You basically never get knocked out."

"I am fine. It was… unexpected."

"Yeah." Dean snorted humorlessly. "No kidding."

"I have not lost consciousness in several years."

The older hunter shifted to grab his shirt as Sam finished up, shrugging it over his head and ignoring the sharp pain at moving so quickly. He ignored his brother's scowl. "Those vampires were not screwing around."

"I grabbed the jewelry." Sam said, gathering the tools onto a tray. "Hopefully something in this bunker can help identify what they do, and maybe where they came from."

Dean slid off the chair and onto his feet. "Yeah, and hopefully rule out the possibility of there being any more."

"Fingers crossed." He shook his head. "Anyway, I have a few new ideas. About what's happening to you two. Now that we know the connection runs both ways, I mean."

Dean paused, but forced his face to remain neutral. "Yeah, okay. Let's table that for now."

Sam furrowed his brow, looking to him in question. "What?"

"Super mutant vampires are a little more pressing, is all I mean."

Sam stood still for a moment, before looking back at the angel. "Cas, could I talk to Dean alone for a moment?"

Cas gave a single nod, pulling himself off his own chair and heading out towards the map room.

Dean shifted uncomfortably as he watched him go, but he knew he would find him soon. Once he was out of sight he turned, meeting his brother's critical gaze. "What is it?" He asked gruffly.

"What is going on, Dean?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"You're acting all kinds of weird here."

"Okay, you don't know what you're talking about."

"You've been giving Cas the cold shoulder ever since you guys scrapped with those angels. I know getting forced together day and night, you two are probably grating on each other's nerves. And now you don't even want to figure it out?"

"It's not like that." Dean crossed his arms, closing himself off somewhat.

"Knowing the same thing happens to both of you could be the information missing to finally figure out how to stop this."

Dean leaned back against the bed again. "I don't want to stop this."

Sam stopped, turning to face Dean. "What?"

"I don't want to stop this." Dean repeated. "I've discussed it with Cas and he is on the same page."

"I don't-"

The older hunter coughed, shifting uncomfortably. "I've only been distant to Cas around you."

Sam took a moment, trying to work out Dean's words. As soon as they snapped into place he looked directly at him. "Oh." He said simply.

"Gee, thanks." Dean said, rolling his eyes and forcing himself to let go of the tension in his body.

"I mean, that's good." Sam corrected. He hesitated, looking down and lowering his voice. "About time."

"You, shut up."

"Just a matter of time, really."

Dean shook his head. "Just like that, no questions?"

Sam bit his tongue on pointing out that this was probably only a surprise to them. "Are you looking for my approval?" He studied Dean, trying to work out the complicated expression he broke down into. "I mean, you have it. You always have."

"No, I'm not looking for your-" Dean cut himself off, feeling the rising heat in his face. "No. We're good."

"Good." Sam said firmly. He watched him for another moment. "You've been avoiding telling me for a while. You and Cas…all the way since the angel fight?" He waited for the silent nod. "And your plan was what... just be quiet about it forever?"

"No…" Dean objected.

"Right." Sam raised his eyebrows. "So do you want to have a whole talk about this, or-?"

"Or." Dean said flatly, standing up and heading out towards the map room without further comment.

Cas was standing in the library, leaning back against one of the tables and absently flipping through a book on charms. He looked up when the hunter approached, lowering the book slightly.

Dean stepped right in front of him, placing his hand under Cas' jaw and gently pulling his face up to look directly at him. He searched his eyes, looking for any obvious signs anything was wrong, though he wasn't sure he'd know what an angel concussion would even look like. "How does your head feel?"

"It feels fine, Dean."

"Any ringing? Aches? Vision problems?" he pressed.

Sam followed him in, choosing to hang back and lean against the archway at the top of the two steps. "He's fine. You already checked him in the infirmary."

Dean scowled back at him, but when he looked back at Cas, he had to admit that his brother was probably right.

Cas just stared back, mild confusion written across his face.

"Fine, whatever." Dean relented. He took a step back holding out his hand.

Hesitantly, Cas put down the book and took the offered hand, surprised to be pulled the rest of the way upright. Furthermore the hand did not let go immediately, but instead re-positioned to solidify his grip.

With one last look and a quiet "Thank you." to Sam, Dean headed back towards the hallway.

.

Dean stared out over the sprawling fields they were driving past, letting the rumbling sound of the engine be the only thing that filled the silence. He would be happier if he had been allowed to drive. He knew the logic behind the decision, the whole not re-opening large gashes across his ribs thing. It didn't help.

Sam had driven the two of them out to Cas' truck where it had been left the day before. He even took Cas' keys and left them to the impala with a minimum of complaint.

Dean was used to Cas driving during the night, but he wasn't sure he'd ever be familiar with Cas driving during the day. He preferred driving himself, which made this whole thing nearly unbearable. He leaned his head against the window, letting his forehead rest on the cool glass. "Sorry I left the truck out here."

"It isn't a problem." Cas replied. "Given what happened, it was the only option available."

Dean gave a quiet snort. "It'd be nice if we could actually do well in a fight for once." he muttered, thinking over their recent hunt record.

Cas gave a weak smile. "I have noticed an emerging trend."

Dean dropped his voice. "You really scared me yesterday." he admitted, just barely managing to stop the catch in his voice. "I've never seen you go down like that."

"I was concerned as well." Cas shifted slightly. "For you, I mean." He clarified.

"Eh, nothing to worry about." Dean dismissed with a sigh.

"I worry anyway."

Dean wasn't sure how to respond, so he simply let the car fall back into silence for a moment. He settled, watching the road ahead in thought. "Sam knows." He said. He saw Cas tilt his head and look at him from the corner of his eye. "I mean, I talked to him."

Cas inclined his head, the understanding clicking into place. He didn't need to ask how it went, he hadn't been concerned about it in the slightest. "I am glad." he said, simply.

"Yeah." Dean said, voice barely above a whisper. "Me too."

.

That night, Dean fell asleep against Cas to the sound of Bob Seger playing softly in the background.

He propped himself up against the headboard on the other side of him. He felt the warm comfortable feeling that now almost always accompanied these hours. He didn't miss Cas' contented hum.

"Sammy agreed to stop researching whatever this is. For now at least." Dean offered.

Cas gave a small smile. "I admit stopping it is low on my priorities."

"His last theory was it had something to do with that mark, uh- the handprint." He continued. "It was mentioned in one of his books."

"It is possible."

"Good enough explanation for me." Dean concluded.

A wave of affection. "And me."

Dean smiled, his mind returning to ideas he had the previous day. "I'm thinking we turn one of the storage rooms into an entertainment center."

Cas furrowed his brow.

"You know, music, foosball, bar." Dean pressed. "A big TV and a couple of recliners. Upgrade our movie nights from the laptop."

"You cannot play foosball while you are asleep."

"Well, we'll leave that for during the daytime, then."

"I do not know how to play foosball."

"We'll leave that for the daytime too." Dean said, his grin widening as he envisioned it. "Yeah, this is going to be great."

Cas just smiled.

"I'll call around, make sure I can find a jukebox that plays vinyl." He continued.

"A jukebox?"

"I'm not building a Dean cave without a jukebox. Tape deck just doesn't cut it." He did his best to ignore the amusement as he named his new project. "What do you think about a dart board? Sort of seems like a must-have."

"Will you allow Sam to make any additions to this?"

"Hell no." He replied. "But, if you have a request I might take it under advisement. Maybe."

"I will give it some thought." Cas replied with mock seriousness.

"You do that." Dean was quiet for a minute. "Or maybe call it the Fortress of Dean-a-tude." He mused. "Hmm. Maybe too much."

"I'm sure you'll figure it out."

"Yeah." Dean said easily. He frowned. "Hey Cas?"

"Yes?"

"I know you've got that whole ignore-your-intense-discomfort thing going again, but you gotta feel how heavy I'm leaning on you."

"I don't know what you-"

"Get me the hell offa' you." Dean rephrased, the pressure of his own weight against Cas' side slowly becoming unbearable.

Castiel only gave a slight laugh, carefully extracting him from the sleeping hunter's limbs and settling him down against his pillow.

"That's better." Dean sighed, relieved. "Thanks."

"Of course, Dean."

"So… Movie?"

Cas did his best to look sympathetic. "It will have to be on the laptop."

Dean just smiled. "I'll live."