Heater in the car blasting warmth, Castiël circled the block.
Dean had vanished inside the house, and logically, Castiël should have left, but something about the way Dean had left the party had him decide to stick around.
Dean didn't come in his car. Castiël would have noticed that black beauty on the lot.
Why would Dean walk all the way to Nomed?
The car wasn't at the driveway either. Castiël frowned, peering through the thickening snowfall.
Something was definitely off.
A movement caught his eye and he focussed.
Dean had come through the gate, a duffel slung over his shoulder. He stared at the sidewalk as he walked, not noticing anything.
Castiël's heart ached. Dean looked broken, alone.
Driving slowly by, he tried to catch the look on Dean's face, but the snow was obscuring his vision.
Careful to not get caught, Castiël drove around, trying to calculate where Dean was headed. He lost him for a block, but he found him again.
Alarmed, Castiël noticed the build up of snow on his shoulders and duffel. If Dean didn't get to where he was going fast, he'd catch his Death!
Castiël eased his car to the side of the road and fished out his cellphone.
Keeping an eye on Dean, he tapped out a number.
"Sioux Falls sherrifs office, Sherrif Jody Mills speaking." A crisp, no-no sense voice answered.
Castiël breathed a sigh of relief. No panicky or desinterested phone operator.
"Good evening, Sherrif. I'm calling about a worrying situation." he said, deliberately not stating his name.
"Oh? If this is about the fact that we are in a blizzard, we do know. It's kinda hard to miss..."
Despite the serious situation, Castiël chuckled.
"No, not really, but the snow and the temperature do play a part. I am looking at Dean Winchester, as he is walking down West Jordan drive, away from South Holbrooke avenue. He left his house on foot, and he looks lost and heartbroken. I fear he might do something stupid."
A soft "what the Hell, Winchester..." was all he heard before a series of noises, bangs and cusses disrupted the call.
"Sorry, sir. I dropped my stuff. I'm on my way. Don't worry. I'll get him home."
Castiël smiled at the curt assurance and thanked the Sherrif before disconnecting the call.
Weighing his options, Castiël got out of the car and walked along with Dean until he saw the patrolcar pull up next to the hunched over shape.
"Dean Winchester! You damn fool! Get in here!" a clear, female voice called out.
Dean's head shot up, and the ghost of a smile broke through.
Feeling Dean was safe, Castiël walked back to his car and carefully drove home, while the patrolcar drove off in the other direction.
The soothing tones of Demons and Wizards 'the fiddler on the green' and a stiff whiskey calmed Castiël's nerves a bit. Dean was safe. Sherrif Mills got him. She'd take care of him. He wouldn't do anything drastic... would he? Please don't let him do anything to hurt himself... or worse... Castiël shivered, despite the warm blanket he had wrapped around him.
His phone rang and he turned down the volume of his stereo.
"Gabriel..."
"Cassie! Did he get home ok?"
Castiël smiled. That was Gabriel. Cut to the chase and get answers.
"Yes. He left shortly after, however. Gabriel... he was carrying a duffelbag."
"Hells Bells... He's running, baby bro. You got eyes on him? Wait... That's that awful, gloomy song I hear on the background... Why the Hell are you home, bucko?"
Castiël smiled. He was so proud of his big brother. Always protective, even if a bit manipulative at times.
"I had eyes on him. He was walking, Gabriel. Walking."
A gasp and a wooshing sound.
"What the... in this?" Gabriel sounded as appalled as Cas felt when he realised Dean was not turning around.
"Yes, after four blocks I called the Sherrif. Turns out she knows him, if I'm any judge."
An approving hum told him Gabriel hadn't known.
"And? She take him in?"
Castiël sighed.
"She didn't 'take him in' Gabriel. She drove off with him. Probably to the place where he wanted to go to anyway."
Gabriel made a sound, that made Castiël think he was munching on sweets again.
"Fo..." Gabriel swallowed. "You didn't stick around to make sure?"
"Gabriel, I like the man, but I am not a stalker. The Sherrif has him. He is safe."
"You hope... God, Cassie... sometimes. Ok. I got this."
Castiël rolled his eyes and chugged his whiskey down in one go.
"Please don't, brother." he plead.
Gabriel chuckled and made kissy sounds in the phone.
"Love you baby bro! Night!" he called and hung up.
Castiël returned to his music and poured another scotch.
He was still getting drunk tonight, only for a different reason than he'd thought a few hours back.