I don't own Supernatural.
Chapter 25
They had gotten things prepared for tomorrow; the cars were loaded up with weapons and their bags were thrown in the trunks. Everything was ready, and they were going to get a few hours of sleep before heading out.
Dean was with Castiel on the couch downstairs. Amber had offered them the bed, but Castiel had refused. He preferred the couch; he got to snuggle up closer to Dean this way. Sam was in a sleeping bag on the floor in Amber's guestroom. He defensively claimed it was to protect her if anything came, and Dean just smirked. He knew Sam was falling for Amber, however desperately hard he was trying not to.
Dean sighed softly, shifting slowly so he wouldn't wake Cas, who was practically laying on top of him. He brushed his fingers over Castiel's stomach, and Cas made a small noise in his sleep, nuzzling his head into the crook of Dean's neck. A smile played on Dean's lips, and he kissed the angel's forehead.
War. Bobby had said that War had families fighting against each other. The other Horsemen had worked their mojo on them, what if War put the Winchesters against each other? Or Dean and Cas? Would they be able to resist, or would they fight each other?
Shivering at this thought, he closed his eyes, trying to forget about it and focus on Cas' warmth instead.
8888
Sam turned in his sleep, rustling the sleeping bag. His dream was so real..
Jessica stood beside him by the lake shore, laughing. He was sprawled out on a red and white checkered blanket with a wicker picnic basket beside him.
"Don't you want to go for a swim?" Jess asked slyly, unbuttoning the top of her shirt and parading around him mischievously. "We could go skinny dipping."
"I just ate" Sam groaned and she gave a dramatic sigh. "Oh, Samuel. Did anyone ever tell you to loosen up?"
"Plenty of times." Sam answered, and she plopped behind him.
"How about a massage then? I bet I can loosen you up." Jess rubbed his neck, and indeed it felt very good.
"That's great." Sam sighed. The sun warmed his face as Jess continued rubbing.
"Better?" Jess asked, but this time it wasn't Jess. It was a male voice , and the hands on his neck were suddenly rough with calluses. Sam jumped up, tearing away from the person.
"Sam, Sam, Sam. Long time no see." The face that met Sam's when he spun around was one he was not expecting. Lucifer. The Devil himself.
"What..how..?"
Lucifer, in his human vessel Nick, lowered himself on the blanket, propping his head up on his hands. "I may not be able to find you, Sammy, because of those pesky wardings on your ribs, but I can still get into your head. Like the first time I appeared to you in a dream. I believe you were in bed with Miss Jessica-?"
"So this is a dream?" Sam knew it must be, he felt stupid for asking. Lucifer ignored his question as if he had not heard it and pointed at the ground where there was a trail of ants marching toward a piece of cake on the blanket.
"Look at them, Sam. All the little ants parading to the piece of cake." The piece was half covered with the little buggers, and Lucifer flicked a finger lazily, setting the cake on fire and burning the ants to a crisp. "Just like the humans. They'll parade to their grave."
Sam backed away from the angel, and Lucifer tsked. "Now, now. Don't you want to know why I'm here?"
Sam closed his eyes, willing himself to wake up, but no such thing happened. Maybe Lucifer had him trapped in this dream or something.
"You're mine, Sammy." Lucifer whispered, and Sam could feel the hot breath on his ear. His eyes opened, sensing the angel beside him. "You were meant for me. You are my vessel. Together we shall triumph. Your brother won't be able to push you around and tell you what to do anymore. We are like two pieces, Sam that fit perfectly together. All you have to do is say yes, and let me in. Then we can begin our campaign."
"No," Sam whispered, backing away. "I told you. I won't say yes."
"We'll see Sammy. You will change your mind and see that I'm right soon enough. I'll see you around, Sam" Lucifer gave him a playful punch on the shoulder, and then he was gone. Everything went dark and Sam couldn't see his own hands in front of his face.
He found himself twisted in his sleeping bag as he woke up screaming. Once he realized what was happening, he shut his mouth, but it was too late. Amber had already gotten up out of bed and kneeled beside him worriedly to see what was wrong.
"Sam, what's the matter?"
"Nothing." he muttered and felt himself turning red with embarrassment. Amber ran a hand over his sweaty hair, brushing it out of his eyes. He shuddered at the touch; it was such a caring gesture, something he had not felt in a long time.
"You're scared." she stated matter of factly. "Tell me why."
"You won't understand, Amber." He turned over so he wouldn't have to look into her eyes. He got lost in them sometimes and had to jerk his gaze away and hope that she didn't find it too weird. A warmth was suddenly up against his back; Amber had laid down next to him. He stiffened as she tucked herself in beside him.
"Fine, don't tell me. But I'm going to stay here tonight and protect you from bad dreams, okay?"
Sam didn't reply; he stared weakly at the opposite wall, wondering what the hell he was doing. Amber was awesome: beautiful, brave, smart, a bit reckless at times. In other words, she was perfect to him. But he promised himself he wouldn't inflict Jess' fate upon anyone else. It seemed though he didn't have a choice in the matter now.
Amber moved closer to him, but he still didn't protest. Because what good would that do? Absolutely nothing. He answered himself.
She smiled into his back and could feel his body relaxing slightly. He was so sweet, and she liked him alot, but he wouldn't let her in. She had never been afraid to set a goal and make it happen, and so she decided to try and jumpstart whatever was between them. There was something, a connection. She could feel it, but she had to keep Sam from destroying it and realize that it was there, too.
Amber's warmth was very soothing to Sam, and he soon drifted off, this time his dreams full of nothingness instead of menacing angels.
8888
The sun was just beginning to peek over the horizon when Castiel opened his eyes. He climbed carefully off Dean, the pressure in his bladder building to such a point he thought he was going to explode. The hunter mumbled in his sleep, but didn't wake up. Castiel watched him for a moment, smiling. Dean must have sensed Castiel's eyes on him, because his eyes suddenly blinked open.
"What's the matter?" Dean asked, sitting up slowly. "We're leaving?"
Castiel shook his head slightly. "No. I feel the need to urinate yet again."
Dean rubbed the back of his neck and yawned. "Well, who's stopping you? Go ahead." He gazed longingly at his pillow as Castiel left, still feeling tired but knowing very well he wouldn't be able to fall back asleep. Instead he got up and went to the kitchen, grabbing a beer from the fridge, popping it open and bringing it to his lips.
"Dean," Castiel was suddenly next to him and frowning at the bottle.
"What?"
"It is six o' clock in the morning."
"So?"
Castiel grabbed the bottle from him and placed it on th counter. "So no beer."
Dean heaved a sigh and glanced longingly at the bottle. He felt Cas' eyes on him, so he shifted his gaze to the angel.
"You hungry?" Dean said. Probably best to change the subject when an angel was looking at you like the way Cas was now. Like he was going to forbid Dean from drinking beer ever again. Dean shuddered at the thought; he needed his beer.
Cas nodded in response to Dean's question, and the hunter pulled open one of the cabinets and reached for a frying pan. "I'll show you how to make eggs. You're gonna need to learn to cook without angel hocus pocus sometime. I'll give a taste of the real human life, huh?"
Cas watched curiously as Dean pulled out a carton of eggs and opened it, revealing the white objects. Turning on the stove, he placed the frying pan on top to warm it. Dean grabbed a stick of butter and cut a bit off with a knife, throwing it into the pan. Then he took out an egg and said, "Watch."
Tapping it against the side of the pan,it cracked perfectly in half. Dean held the egg over the pan, pulling the two halves of the shell open so that the yolk and white fell onto the melted butter. Using a spatula, he flipped it when it was was ready and in another minute he slid it out onto a waiting plate, the perfect over easy egg.
"You try, Cas."
The angel stepped up, taking an egg and cracking to on the pan. Too hard. It shattered in his hands, dripping gooey white slime onto the floor. Cas looked mortified, but Dean laughed. Grabbing a dish towel, he used it to wipe off Cas' hands and the mess on the floor.
"Here, I'll help you." Dean came behind Cas, one hand curling around his waist, cupping his stomach, the other enveloping the angel's hand. Together they picked up another egg, and Dean guided the cracking process, so there was a crooked split in the egg. Cas imitated Dean, pulling the egg part so its insides fell into the pan. They watched it cook, Dean smiling at Cas' intensiveness. Dean guided Cas' hand while he flipped the egg over, and then onto the plate where it sat next to Dean's.
"Good job." Dean laughed as Cas looked overwhelmingly happy at succeeding at such a simple thing. Cas turned in the hunter's arms so they were facing each other, Cas' baby bump pressing against Dean's tight stomach.
"I couldn't do it without you." Cas said quietly, leaning forward to kiss Dean. Their lips met briefly, and then Cas rested his head on Dean's chest.
"I love you," he whispered, just loud enough for Dean to hear, and the hunter grinned in spite of himself.
Someone cleared their throat behind them, and they jumped apart, startled. Bobby was standing there, looking a bit uncomfortable. He had watched the tail end of their cooking lesson, and it still amazed him how Dean was with Cas. He was gentle, and caring..he was in love.
"Hey, Bobby." Dean said, sounding a little guilty at being caught with that they were doing anything especially bad, but still.
"Did you make me any?" the older hunter asked gruffly, nodding to the stove.
"No-" Dean started, but Cas interrupted. "I can, Dean."
Dean gave a small smile. "Alright."
Dean sat with his plate and the two men watched as the angel made another few eggs, this time cracking them without a mistake.
8888
Sam opened his eyes, yawning. He tried to sit up, only to find that he couldn't. Someone's arm was thrown over him. Glancing over, his heart sunk as he remembered what happened the night before. Amber. She was still tucked next to him, her arm over his chest and her head curled into his side. Sam watched her for a few minutes, smiling despite his reluctance to get closer to her.
Her eyelids fluttered as she breathed, and she shifted, a strand of hair falling over her face. Sam reached out, gently brushing it away, but that soft touch was all she needed to awaken. Her blue eyes met his unexpectedly, and they eyes sparkled, her cheeks flushing a bit under Sam's gaze.
Sam moved away from her, breaking their connection. Her face fell at his response.
"Sam?" she questioned, and he shook his head. "We need to go. It's getting late."
He stood, pushing back his blankets and Amber followed suit. She studied him before speaking hesitantly. "Why are you doing this?"
"What?" Sam said, not even turning, even though he knew perfectly well what she was asking.
"Pushing me away." A warm hand was suddenly on his arm, and then he turned. Amber was looking at him like her heart was broken in two.
"Amber-" he started, about to make excuses that he didn't know what she was talking about, but sighed. He couldn't lie to her. "I can't Amber. You don't know how dangerous it would be. My last girlfriend, Jess...she's dead, Because of me. I won't let it happen again."
"Sam Winchester." Amber moved closer to him, reaching her arms around his neck. Sam stiffened, but Amber just smiled. "Relax. I'm not a monster. I'm not going to attack you."
She tugged so he bent a little and she stood on her toes to reach him; he really was tall, and she had never been as frustrated with her height as much as she was now. Their lips brushed briefly against each other before Sam pulled away.
"No, I can't." he shook his head. It sounded more like he was trying to convince himself then anything.
"Don't you think it should be my decision if I want to take the risk or not?" Amber raised her eyebrows. "I don't give up easily. If there's something I want, I work hard to get it. Remember that, Samuel." She patted his arm and then let him go, leaving the room.
He got a jolt as she called him Samuel. Nobody ever called him that. Except Jess when she was frustrated with him. Sam stood there motionless. What did Amber say..was it a threat? That she wouldn't stop until he agreed to go out with her?
Shaking his head, still stunned, he walked to the door. Her words resonated in his mind, and between that, the burning on his lips where she had kissed him and the smell of her perfume on his shirt, it was hard to get her out of his thoughts.
8888
They took two cars; Dean, Cas and Amber were in the Impala. Bobby and Sam were in an old, beat-up, blue Chevelle. Both cars were loaded up with an arsenal of weapons, as they weren't sure what they would be up against.
Dean was driving in front, Bobby following him. Amber was rather subdued in the back seat, although she had been that way at breakfast, too when she and Sam finally came down. He briefly wondered if there was something going on, if they had a fight, but then shoved the thought from his mind. It was none of his business.
Sam had done pretty good after the initial shock of finding out about him and Cas. The least Dean could do was not butt into his personal issues.
Cas suddenly groaned beside him as he drove, shifting uncomfortably.
"What's wrong?" Dean questioned, and the angel shook his head, frustrated. "I am unable to get comfortable, no matter how I sit. Everything hurts."
"Is that normal?" Dean said worriedly before glancing into the rearview to meet Amber's eyes. "Is it?"
"Nothing to worry about, Dean." Amber smiled at him before returning to her sullen stare out the window. She had talked a big game to Sam, but the truth was she felt a little disappointed. It was killing her that Sam wouldn't give in, the stubborn ass. Though that was probably what made him such a good hunter.
"You want to lay down in the back? I can pull over and we can switch seats-"
"Don't worry, Dean. I will be fine." Cas said amusedly.
"If you're sure." Dean said doubtfully and Castiel sighed. "Yes. Just relax."
He turned the radio up a little bit so Dean could listen.
Save the blessing for the final ring
AMEN
Take a ride on the wild side
Wild side!
I carry my crucifix
under my death list
forward my mail to me in hell
"Motley Crue, good choice, Cas." Dean approved, nodding.
"I know what you like," Cas answered slyly, his voice making Dean quiver. He slid his hand onto Dean's thigh, and the hunter bit his lip to keep from moaning aloud. Quickly glancing in the rearview to see if Amber had noticed anything, he breathed a sigh of relief when he saw she was still staring out the window.
Castiel ran his hand a little higher, but didn't go further then that. He squeezed lightly before releasing Dean's leg and the hunter let out a sigh of relief.
Cas smiled to himself; he loved the effect he had on Dean. Perhaps later he could get Dean alone again... when Amber wouldn't be in the car.
Dean threw a sidelong glance at Cas, questioning his action, but the angel ignored him, chuckling to himself. Dean muttered something about horny angels before concentrating on the road.
They drove for a few hours, the sun glaring off the asphalt and nearly blinding Dean. Cas was getting that familiar pressure building up inside him again. He was determined to hold it in until Dean stopped for a break, but after a few minutes of squeezing his legs together, he broke.
"Dean," He said hesitantly, tugging on his sleeve. He remembered what happened last time they were on a long trip and needed to stop for a pie. He had snapped at Dean then, and he didn't want to repeat that.
Dean looked over at him expectantly.
"Can we stop?" Castiel wriggled uncomfortably. "I need to use the facilities." he explained guiltily. He knew Dean wanted to get to War, and stopping during the way was going to slow them down.
"Yeah." Dean frowned at Cas' expression. "Hey, you alright?"
Cas nodded silently.
"I'm not gonna yell at you cause you need to stop, Cas." Dean said, reaching out to envelop Cas' hand. "You don't need to look so guilty that you need to take a leak."
Cas shrugged. "I know you want to get to War-"
"A stop isn't gonna get in the way, alright?" Dean pointed ahead. "Look, there's a gas station right there."
He put on his blinker so Bobby would know what he was doing, and pulled into the station. Grabbing his wallet and telling Amber to stay put, he got out.
Bobby parked behind him. "What are you doing, idgit? We've only been on the road for three hours."
"I needed to stop." Dean said in a firm tone, but Bobby saw that Cas was walking through the parkinglot to the restrooms.
"The angel." Bobby stated gruffly and Dean nodded after a second, saying almost challengingly, "Yeah, so what?"
"Nothing."
Dean shook his head and said, "I'm gonna get something to eat. Need anything?"
"Nah." Bobby went back to the Chevelle and told Sam what was going on.
When Dean came back, Cas wasn't there yet. He had picked up a few of Cas' favorite pies and some bags of chips to snack on. He sat in the car with Amber, who asked curiously, "Cas is an angel...so why does he still need to eat and pee?"
Dean smirked at her observation. "Before he didn't. I guess th pregnancy is humanizing him. He does everything a normal human does. Even his personality changed since-"
Dean stopped, since he was getting into some personal territory. Amber had not asked a lot of questions about their personal lives, mainly just about the hunting so she could understand better. She didn't know the story about him and Cas.
"Since when?" Amber prodded. Usually she tended to stay out of people's personal lives, but she was finding that curiosity was overwhelming her now.
Dean squirmed, but found himself opening up. "Since he told me how he felt about me. We were trapping an archangel and he thought he was gonna die, so he told me that he had feelings for me." Dean almost gagged as he spoke; he couldn't believe he was talking about feelings. But he continued anyway.
"We both survived and it was a little weird afterward. Sam wasn't with us then, and when we met up, he walked in on me and Cas. It was hard at first, adjusting to...well everything. I wouldn't change it though. I don't know how I lived without him."
Dean could have slapped himself and asked if it was his time of the month. If Amber made any comments...but she didn't. Instead she asked, "What about...the baby? I mean, Cas is a guy, soo-?"
Dean looked uncomfortable. "Yeah, that's a whole other thing. It was..well ,Cas was in heat. Like angel mating season. It happened pretty much after we got together. He was all over me. It was kinda funny, actually." Dean grinned as he recalled the memories. "Cas' vessel, the guy's body that he's in, might be a guy, but since Cas is possessing him, the body can change due to Cas' needs. So..yeah. His angel powers are allowing the baby to grow in a dude's body."
"You didn't know about the heat?" Amber's eyes were wide. This was like a real live soap opera, only much better. Brothers, angels in heat, mating cycles..damn it was interesting..and totally hot. They could make a show.
"Listen, I'm telling you more then I would a normal person." Dean warned, getting annoyed now. "Don't push it."
"Sorry." Amber said quietly. But she leaned forward and asked. "Are you excited about the baby? Even though it happened really quick and you weren't really expecting it?"
"Yes. I'm excited. Now shut up." Dean said with a tone of finality in his voice. Amber got the hint this time.
"Where the hell is Cas anyway? It's been like fifteen minutes."
Bobby suddenly beeped behind him, causing Dean to jump. He looked into the rearview, shrugging and Bobby shook his head.
"I'm gonna go get him. Just stay here."
"No where else I can go." Amber said sarcastically, leaning back against the seat.
Dean took long strides across the parkinglot to the restroom, banging open the door. "Cas!" he called. There was only one stall that was closed. He knocked on it sharply. "Cas, you alright?"
The door opened to reveal a very frustrated looking Castiel. He flushed when he saw Dean.
"What's going on?" Dean asked, squeezing in next to him. He was holding his coat closed over his clothes.
The angel fidgeted, gripping his coat tighter. "My clothes..."
"Let me see."
Cas released the coat reluctantly. Several buttons had popped on his shirt due to the strain from his growing belly. He could barely zip his pants up, and the top button on them had also popped off.
"They were fine this morning," Cas said, getting upset. "I don't understand." His eyes shone with tears, and Dean squeezed his hand. "Cas, it's alright. There's nothing to be upset about, It's just clothes."
"But we need to leave."
"Can't you just fix it? Snap your fingers?" Dean asked curiously.
"I tried already. Nothing happened. "Cas snapped. "Remember when I said the baby may drain my powers? Well I find myself drained at the moment."
Dean stood thinking for a minute before stripping off his own jacket and loose-fitting t-shirt. "Take off your shirt, Cas."
Cas obeyed, stripping off his coat, suit jacket, tie, and shirt. Dean sighed dramatically. "You know, this was always a dream of mine. Having sex in a gas station bathroom. Too bad we don't have time right now." he joked, but Cas remained stony faced. "C'mon, Cas. Loosen up. It's okay."
"It's embarrassing, Dean" Cas said, his tone icy. "I'm getting so fat my clothes are ripping."
Dean handed him the t-shirt. "It's not fat, Cas. It's the baby."
"That's what you say, but I feel like a million pounds."
Dean glanced at him, impressed. "Well, listen to you. You sound like a real pregnant human woman, Cas. you should be proud."
Cas glared at him before snatching his trench coat and suit jacket back and pulling his arms through the sleeves. He stuffed his tie into one of the pockets of his trench coat.
"I don't know what to do about the pants..just try and hold them up. I'll get you new ones when we can stop again."
Dean pulled on Cas' stretched out white shirt and then his jacket. Cas still looked annoyed at his mate's earlier comment and Dean felt guilty.
"Hey, I'm sorry." He gave Cas a kiss. Snaking an arm around the angel's shoulders, he said, "C'mon. They're gonna be waiting."
Cas relaxed against him, comforted by the warmth. Dean held him tighter.
"Everything is different, Dean. It's changing so much. I never experienced these things before..it's difficult." Cas' voice broke, his eyes burning with tears. "I'm sorry. I don't mean to be this way with you."
He pressed his face into Dean's chest and Dean rubbed his back soothingly. "It's alright Cas. It's never easy. For anyone. Remember my mini breakdown yesterday?"
"This is different, I can't handle this...there's too many emotions, Dean. I'm not used to it."
Dean moved them toward the door a little. Yes, he understood what Castiel was saying and as much as he wanted to stay here and talk to him and calm him down, they had already spent way more time here then they should have. Cas cried heartily into his shirt and Dean wondered distantly if there was a cure for mood swings or whatever the hell Cas was going through.
"Cas," he said softly. "Please stop crying. It's alright. We need to go, though." Cas didn't seem to hear him, he only grabbed the hunter's shirt tighter.
The bathroom door suddenly swung open, and Sam stood there, almost filling the small doorway. "Dean, we really need to go, Bobby's having a fit-" he caught sight of the crying angel and shot a questioning glance at Dean, who shrugged tiredly.
"Why are you wearing Cas' shirt?" Sam asked confusedly, and Cas started crying harder.
"It..well...I'll tell you later, Sam." Dean looked down at Cas, who had no sign that he was going to be okay anytime soon. He let out a puff of frustrated air.
"Look, why don't you take Amber and go ahead with Bobby and I'll catch up?" he said quietly. "That way you don't have to wait anymore."
Sam opened his mouth to argue but Dean cut him off. "Sam, please." he said tiredly. "I'll catch up."
His brother nodded reluctantly and went back outside. Knocking sharply on the Impala's window to get Amber's attention, he gestured for her to come out. Then he hopped back into the passenger seat of the Chevelle, where Bobby was fuming.
"Well? What the hell are they doing?"
Sam waved at Amber as she got out of the Impala and she came over to get into the backseat of the Chevelle. "Cas isn't doing good. I think he's having a breakdown. Dean's going to stay with him for a bit and he said he'll catch up soon."
"That stupid son of a bitch! What does he think we're dealing with, a bunny? This is friggin War!" Bobby ranted as Amber got in.
"Look," Sam said, rubbing his forehead. "They just need some time-"
"Time is one thing we ain't got, boy. Do you want me to go in and get them since you don't have the balls?"
Sam stared at the older hunter. "Bobby-"
"Listen, kid. People are dying out there. Boo hoo, Cas can't handle it. What about all the shit you boys have gone through? You didn't lock yourself in a bathroom."
"Bobby, I think you're being-" but before Sam could finish his sentence, Bobby was up and out of the car, heading for the restrooms.
Dean was still trying to get Cas to calm down. He had a hand on either side of Cas' cheeks so the angel would look at him. Silent tears ran down Cas' nose and dripped onto the bathroom floor.
"You know I love you Cas. I wish we could just stand here and talk this out, but we really need to go." He brushed a thumb against Cas' cheek, wiping away some tears. "I will be here for you. Say anything you want to me, tell me how you're feeling and I'll try to help, okay?"
The door banged open again, much harder then when Sam came in. Dean jumped, standing in front of Cas protectively, but it was only Bobby.
"Dean, we're going."
"Yeah. I told Sam to go ahead-"
"No, you too. Get in the car."
"But-"
"No. You'll have time for this after we get to River pass and Kill War." Bobby glanced at Castiel, who indeed looked like a mess; his cheeks were wet with tears and his eyes were red. He looked utterly miserable. "Cas, pull it together. There's no time for this bullshit."
Dean shot Bobby a warning glance. "Don't talk to him like that."
Bobby shook his head. "I don't know what's gotten into you, Dean. I thought this thing with Cas might be good, but maybe not. We're on a hunt. You can't just stop everything when your boyfriend starts crying. Tell him to man up and grow a pair. He's a friggin angel, he should be able to cope with this."
Dean's eyes burned and Bobby found himself being pushed against the scummy bathroom wall, Dean's hands gripping the collar of his coat tightly.
Dean snarled, "I swear to god, Bobby. Shut up."
It was rare that Bobby Singer was truly afraid of something, but right then, looking into Dean's eyes, he knew Dean would do anything for Castiel. Even if it meant hurting the man who was almost like a father to him.
"You leave him alone. You have no idea what's happening. Don't think you can even comprehend how Cas is feeling." Dean released Bobby roughly. He turned to Cas, catching his hand and leading him to the door. "I'll be in River Pass."
He left Bobby standing there and tugged Cas gently to the car. Feeling Sam and Amber's eyes on him, he ignored them and held the car door for Cas so he could get in. Bobby was starting back to the Chevelle just as Dean stuck the key in the ignition. The Impala roared to life as he turned the key.
He respected t he older hunter, but he would not let anyone say anything about Castiel. The angel meant so much to him and there was no way he would even let Bobby get away with stupid comments.
Pulling out of the parkinglot, he glanced over at Castiel, who was quiet now.
"Hey. Come here." he said gently, holding his right arm out so he could put it around Cas' shoulders. The angel seemed exhausted and drained. From the emotional upset, the baby or something else Dean didn't know.
"I'm sorry, Dean. You and Bobby-"
"He'll get over it." Dean said shortly. He glanced in the rearview at the mention of Bobby and sure enough there was the blue Chevelle on his tail. Pressing his foot on the gas, he sped up so they were much further apart. That way he wouldn't be so close to see Bobby's face; he was still seething.
"You stood up for me. But Bobby was right, there is no time. I feel ashamed at my behavior." Castiel sighed, using the hem of his t-shirt to wipe his face clean.
"Don't be." he pulled Castiel closer so he could kiss his forehead. "You sure you're alright now? You look exhausted." Castiel's pale face and dark circles under his eyes worried him.
"I'll be fine."
"You should sleep until we get there." Dean shrugged his jacket off with a bit of difficulty, as he was driving, and wadded it up. "Use this as a pillow."
It proved Dean's point when the angel didn't argue but simply curled up on the seat, his head resting on his makeshift pillow next to Dean's lap. "Are you comfortable enough? You want me to pull over and you can lay in the back?"
"No. This is fine." Castiel replied. "I want to be near you, Dean."
Dean reached out his right hand, brushing it over Cas' cheek before slipping it over Cas's hands. Cas fingers curled around Dean's and he smiled.
"Go to sleep, baby. I'll wake you up when we get there."
Cas nodded to show he understood, but he was already drifting off. A small smile dressed Dean's lips as he stared down at his mate. A car honked as he drifted into the other lane and he quickly moved his eyes back to the road.
He knew Castiel was having a tough time, and he wish he could make everything okay, but it wasn't. The fact was that their lives were weird and messed up. There were no past experiences to learn from. They had to make their own path and figure this out.
One thing was certain; Dean would stand by Castiel no matter what. No matter how bitchy he got, how weepy, or scared. They were in this together, and it's what you do for the people you love.