Dreams
Dean found himself in his bed. He felt terrible his head was pounding, his mouth was dry, his eyes felt heavy. It took all of his strength to get up out of bed. He stood up and stretched. He decided he was going to either make coffee or get coffee if Sammy was up already. He picked up his phone and looked at it. The screen reported that it was two in the morning. "Oh man." He groaned. He rubbed his face in an attempt to clear his head. At two in the morning there was no way that Sam was up.
He headed his way down to the kitchen. He wasn't one to get a lot of sleep as is but waking up in the wee hours of the morning, several hours before the sun thought about rising up was way, way too early. He made it to the coffee pot and began to make a pot of coffee. He shook his head. Since he was up so early he might as well start some research. He sensed someone behind him. "Morning Cas." He said. He poured himself a cup of coffee then turned around. He held up his cup. "Want some coffee?"
"Dean, what are you doing up so early?" Than angel asked, he tilted his head slightly which made Dean flash a small smile.
"Guess I got enough sleep." He said with a shrug. He poured Cas a cup of coffee and handed it to him. "I was going to hit the books for a bit while I drink some coffee then hit the showers." He started towards the library. Cas followed along behind him. Dean could sense the angel's unease.
"Dean, are you sure you should be up? Maybe you should try to get some rest." Concern was noted in the other man's voice.
He shook his head as he sat down at the table. Sam had left out all the books he had pulled out from the day before. "Nah man once I'm up I'm up." Dean could feel Cas staring at him.
"Dean," He started very softly and slowly. "You went to bed less than hour ago there's no way you're rested."
"Concern noted Cas but I'm good."
Cas frowned. "Dean, you really should get some rest. You can't operate on one hour of sleep."
Dean shook his head. He knew that Cas was concerned. Hell he was concerned himself; he shouldn't feel this rested after just an hour of sleep. He sipped on his coffee and sat it down as he opened up a book. "I know Cas but if I can't sleep I can't sleep." He looked up at him. "Now stop trying to be my mother and let's continue research."
"Well maybe I will call your mother." Cas mumbled as he sat down at the table across from him. "After all this is the second day you only got a few hours' worth of sleep."
Dean rolled his eyes as he went back to his book. He felt a pain in his chest and shook his head. He knew this was going to get worse before it got better. If they could ever find a way to cure it that is.
The day before
Dean woke up in the middle of the night. He had gone from being unbearably sleepy to being wide awake. He pulled out his phone and looked at it to see it was four in the morning. He shook his head and caulked it up to the fact that he had been napping on and off the day before. He got out of bed and took a shower and dressed. The nearby café wouldn't be open at this hour so he decided to try to look over the files they took from Smith witch's office. They hadn't really learned anything from looking over them earlier. He opened up one and looked at the notes. The woman had been comparing her results from the little boy to previous times. The witch was apparently running a field test on the curse. The research showed how the curse affected different people. It hit them all differently. Even Dean himself wasn't having the same effects. He had been simply so tired the day before and none of the other victims had had that happened to them.
He pulled out his phone and sent a text to Cas. He knew the angel would be up as the angel never sleeps.
How is the hunt going?
A few seconds later he received a text back.
Not well. I'm getting ready to question a waitress so and see if they have seen her. There was a pause then another text came in from Cas. Wait it's four in the morning why are you up so early?
Dean shook his head why was he up so early. He looked at the file he knew it was part of the curse. He shuddered at the thought of it. Slept most of the day I'm not tired. He responded
From what Sam told me you couldn't hold your eyes open. Are you sure you're okay?
He sighed. Cas was clearly worried and it hurt a little bit that he knew he was worried. He's chest hurt briefly and he thought about poor Cas all by himself wondering around in his search for Kelly. Hopefully we can find a way to lift this curse. Miss you.
There was a long pause before Cas texted back. Are you sure you're well? Then there was another pause and finally. I miss you too. And I am worried about you but I need to find Kelly.
Dean felt his heart sink and he sent him an I know. He closed the file there was nothing to learn from these and he was hungry. He decided to go find a McDonald's or something that might be open already.
Dean returned to the motel room. Belly full coffee in hand and he had a bag of food for Sam. Sam was coming out of the bathroom putting on a shirt.
"Hey, how long have you been up?"
He shrugged. "Just a half hour got a lot of rest." He sat down the bag of food. "Got you some food." Truthfully he sat at the MacDonald's for a couple of hours playing on his phone and watching YouTube videos. He wasn't learning anything from the files other than he wasn't responding to the curse like the last adult.
"Hmm half hour huh." Sam said. He sounded suspicious as he dug into the food bag. "Because Cas texted me this morning and said you were texting him at four in the morning."
Damn it Cas. He thought with an eye roll. "Sam I,"
"Dean come on. You have been cursed. We both know that okay. Deny it all you want but you are cursed." Sam said sternly.
Dean threw his hands up. Frustration had taken over. "Fine Sammy, fine, I am cursed. You happy that I admitted it?"
"About damn time Dean!" He looked down at the files. "I looked over the research while you were napping and,"
"She was doing a curse study. Yeah I read it this morning then texted the traitor angel." He was little miffed about Cas telling Sam about his early morning text.
"Yeah," Sam said with a nod. "Dean don't be mad at Cas he was just worried about you okay. He cares about you, you know."
Dean nodded. "I know Sam." He sighed. "Listen I don't think we are going to learn anything with those files about curing this. We both went over it and we don't know any more about a cure then when we started. Rowena hasn't returned you're call and the witch is in the wind. How about we return to the bunker? We got books on books about the occult and witch craft maybe there is some cure in there."
Sam sighed and shook his head. "Yeah Dean you might be right." He closed the file folder. "From what I've read this curse is a long curse but we still got to find you a cure and soon."
"Alright then let's do this."
The two of them had backed up their stuff. Sam kept looking at Dean with the bitch face. Dean tried not to roll his eyes he knew that Sam wanted the curse lifted as soon as possible, and so did Dean. But what other choice did they have? Ganking the witch would be the easiest solution but they had no Earthly idea where she took off too. Dean crammed his bag into the back of the Impala and got into the driver's side of the car.
Sam was still quiet as he got in on his side. "I uh texted Cas and told him we are going back to the bunker. Want me to text mom?"
Dean shrugged. He was still mad at their mother for working with the British Men of Letters and for nearly getting Cas killed. He let out a sigh and started the car. "If you feel like you need to tell mom then go ahead. Not like she cares anyways."
Sam busted out another bitch face as he sent a text to their mom.
Dean eased the Impala out of the parking spot. Getting back to the bunker shouldn't be too hard. He eased onto the road and watched the small town shrink out of the mirror. He started feeling a little tired. He shook his head; guess waking up at four in the morning was catching up with him. He lifted his cup of coffee to his lips and took another sip. Caffeine would get him home he knew it he could trust caffeine it was a lifelong friend. He suppressed a yawn as he approached a stop sign. He came to a stop and sat there for a second. He's mind started to wonder. Does mom actually care? I wonder if Cas is going to find Kelly. Wait which way did we come from.
"Mom said she's going to tell the British Men of Letters about the witch. They are going to help look for her too. She also said to get well." Sam looked out the window then back at Dean. "Are you going to go or what?"
Dean hesitated then looked around. He's brain felt fuzzy. "Sammy… I don't remember which way is right way."
Sam looked at him concern marked across his face. "Left Dean."
Dean turned the car left and headed down the road.
"Are you okay Dean?"
"Yeah Sammy I think so." No he really wasn't sure. He's vision began to cloud and he started to feel loopy. He started to chuckle some.
"Dean?"
"Just," He snickered. "I forgot where to go." The car began to drift.
"Dean!" Sam screamed
Dean jumped when Sam reached over and took the steering wheel and got the car back on the road. "Oh shit." He mumbled to himself
"Dean pull over now!" Sam demanded
"Nah man I'm fine just lost track. How about you put in the Metallica tape? That will wake me up." Dean could sense his brother glaring holes in him. He saw Sam push the tape into the tape deck. Dean cranked up the volume as Enter the Sandman started. He laughed again. "Dude how ironic I'm falling asleep and Enter the Sandman is playing."
"Dean," Sam started
Dean waved his hand. "Fine man I'm fine. Waking up now." He sipped his coffee and placed it back in the cup holder then everything went black.
"Dean! Dean wake the hell up!" Sam screamed.
Dean's eyes flashed opened. He heard a car horn blaring. Who was the jackass doing that? He realized he's head was on the steering wheel and Sam was shaking him.
"Dean please wake up!"
"Sammy?" He groaned as he sat up. The damn horn finally stopped blowing. "What happened?" He looked to see the car was down in the ditch on the side of the road. Did they wreck? Was that way everything went black?
"You fell asleep behind the wheel! You could have killed us!"
"But I didn't." He said grinning. "See Sammy I'm such a good driver even when I'm asleep I drive good."
"Get out and get in the back I'm driving!" Sam commanded
Dean got out of the car. He looked over the car somehow it wasn't damaged. He put the car in such a way that it kept the car from rolling. He couldn't believe he did that. Poor Sammy I probably scared him to death. He got in the back as Sam got in the front side. "Sorry Sammy."
There was a pause and Sam finally said. "It's okay Dean." And he started the car. He turned down the music as he worked the car out of the ditch. "Let's just go home okay."
Dean nodded. He kept himself awake as they got back on the road. It shouldn't take too long to get home. He stopped a yawn. He's vision began to blacken again. "Sammy I," He couldn't focus everything was so fuzzy. "Sammy." He cried again.
"Just lay down Dean. We'll be at the bunker soon." He pulled over again and Dean seen him fish out his phone. "Cas it's Sam. Meet us at the bunker. We got to find a cure for Dean." There was a pause then Sam said. "He fell asleep while driving." He looked up at him in the rear view mirror. "Dean?"
Dean felt his vision blacken and he mumbled a soft. "Help." And he passed out again.
Dean woke up again later. Dean Winchester found himself wondering how he got in this situation. He was laid out in the back of his beloved Impala weaving in and out of consciousness. A groan escaped his lips as he tried to shake the mental fog out of his mind.
"You'll be okay Dean."
Dean tried to focus on the voice talking to him.
"It's going to be okay."
"Sammy?" He asked after he recognized the voice. He reached up to the front of the car. He had to touch something make it feel real. Nothing made sense now.
He felt a light pat on his hand followed by he's brother's soothing voice. "It's okay Dean. We're almost to the bunker. Cas is on his way we'll cure you."
Dean pulled his hand back he felt darkness pooling in his vision. He heard Sam call out to him repeatedly as he lost consciousness again.
When Dean woke up again, his vision was fuzzy, he's head felt like it was being beaten with a hammer. He let out a small hiss as he held his head. He tried to focus on what was going on around him. He realized he was in the Impala, Sam was driving his car and the scenery was flying by. "Sammy." He cried. He was so tired, just so tired. "Sam." He cried again.
"It's okay Dean. We're almost home." Sam said. He looked back at Dean concern was all over his face.
"Sammy," He said. He saw the fear on his brother's face. "Am I dying?"
Sam focused on his driving and didn't answer him. Dean felt another thump in his head. He wanted to sleep so badly. "So tired." Dean whimpered. Dean Winchester was never one to whimper. Men don't whimper. He told himself. He felt the car make a turn and looked out the window recognizing the scenery. "Home?" He whispered. His eyes felt so heavy all he wanted was sleep.
Sam eased the Impala into the bunker's garage. He went around back to help Dean get out of the car.
Dean felt like jelly as Sam helped him out of the car. "Sammy, I'm so tired." He's body wanted to drop to the floor he was so tired. He felt like he hadn't slept in five years.
"Dean!"
He looked up to see Cas running up to them. He was so tired he didn't even noticed Cas's truck parked nearby. "Cas." Dean was so tired. He just wanted to be held like a child and be put to bed. He felt the angel's strong arms wrap around him and help Sam hold him up. "Cas," He mumbled. He buried his head in his chest. He was so close to sleep.
"No, no Dean don't go to sleep yet." Sam said.
Dena felt his brother shake him. "No Sammy I don't want to get up." He clung to Cas as if the angel was his pillow.
"Dean." Castiel said quietly. He ran his fingers through Dean's hair making the hunter let out a soft sigh.
"Let's get him to bed." Sam said
Dean could feel the two men drag him to his room. "Tired." He moaned. He couldn't feel his legs as he tried to walk. "I can't feel my legs man." They made it to his room and he was leaning on Sam as Cas opened the door.
Dean fumbled into the room and fell on his bed with a thump. Bed sweet bed, oh sweet bed how had he missed it. "Bed I love you bed best bed in the world." He mumbled into his pillow. He didn't bother getting undressed. He felt someone take his boots off. He mumbled thanks as he felt a blanket being laid on him. Last thing he heard was Cas ask Sam what had happened.
Present Time
"Dean you really should try to get some sleep." Castiel said interrupting Dean's thoughts.
"I'm fine." Dean said. He was getting annoyed with the angel. He knew Cas was right but he wasn't even tired. He opened a new book and caught the angel looking at him. "Cas don't stare at me."
"Dean," He reached over and laid his hand on the book. He blocked the sentence he was reading. "You need sleep. It will affect your thinking. I looked up how lack of sleep affects the human brain. You need it."
"Cas." Dean sighed. He laid his hand on Cas's hand. "I am not tired. I can't sleep. I'm not going to lay there and stare at the ceiling for hours, okay?"
Castiel shook his head. "Do you want me to get some sleep aides? I've heard warm milk can help you sleep."
Dean smirked at his friend's concern. He gave his hand a squeeze. "Warm milk is for babies Cas."
"Will you try it? And I'll go and get some sleep aides if you want."
"Fine Cas I'll take the milk and the sleep aides." He got up from the table and patted his friend on the shoulder. "Thanks I'm lucky to have you as a friend."
Cas gave him a nod as he got up. "I'll try to be back shortly."
Dean made his way into the kitchen and he heard Cas make his way to the infirmary. Sometime after they had moved in Sam had stocked up the infirmary with medical supplies and medicine. It was no secret that sometimes Dean and Sam had problems sleeping, hazard of the job so they got some sleep aides in case they needed it. He poured some milk in a container to heat much to his surprise it wasn't spoiled. He dumped out the coffee but left the pot on incase Cas wanted some more. He walked back to the library with a nice warm cup of milk in hand. Shortly Castiel returned.
"Hopefully this helps." Castiel said. He handed him a bottle of sleeping pills.
Dean took the bottle and took the medicine with the warm milk. "One or the other will help." He hated sleeping pills. The dreams he's been having with this curse were already strange and oddly vivid and real. He feared what the pills might do now. He finished his milk and gave a shrug. "I'm going to try to get some sleep hopefully." He got up and gave Cas a small hug. "Thanks buddy you're a good friend."
"Of course Dean." He patted him on the back and hugged him tighter. "Are you sure you're okay though?"
Dean gave a curt shrug. It was a good question. Dean Winchester was not a hugger. He looked Cas in the face those blue eyes of his shown deep concern. "I'm fine Cas these pills will kick in and I'll probably sleep till like noon."
The other man frowned and said. "If you say so, Dean."
Dean started making his way back to where his room was. He realized Cas was following behind him. "Dude I can get to bed."
"After you fell asleep while driving I'd feel safer sticking by."
Dean rolled his eyes and chuckled as he opened the door to his room. "Are you going to tuck me in?" he asked in a sarcastic tone. He appreciated his friend's concern but he felt like Cas was going a little too far following him into his room.
"If you think it will help you sleep." He responded in a matter of fact tone.
Dean smirked as he got on his bed and laid down. "If you want to Cas." Next thing Dean knew his blankets were being pulled up around him and was being smoothed in on the sides. He tried not to laugh at the angel when he seen how serious he was taking the 'tucking in' part. "Now I feel like a burrito."
The angel blinked a few times and studied his work. "Is it too much?"
Dean shook his head. It was actually cozy. He would hate to have to pee in the middle of night and get up and ruin the good work. He let out a yawn well something was working he knew that much. "Nah its good."
Cas looked at the chair at Dean's desk then back at him. "Do you want me to stay and watch you sleep?"
"No dude that's a little creepy." And tucking you in wasn't? he asked himself. No it wasn't creepy he rather enjoyed it but he drew the line at the man watching him sleep.
He nodded. "Okay Dean, I'll go back to the library and continue my research. Good night."
"Good night." He said as Cas left the room and shut the door quietly. He felt his body relax and melt into the darkness. He smiled to himself as he nodded off. Little did he know this night would be the last night he got anything that resembled sleep.