Day 22: In Battle, Side-By-Side
Title: I Will Always Save You
Summary: When Dean finds himself at an opponent's mercy, Castiel drops by and helps him…with some unfortunate casualties (and heartfelt declarations).
Notes: The monster of the day is quite different than how it appears in lore. Dean discovers this firsthand (Also, sorry this is more hurt/comfort than actual fighting; I suck at writing action scenes).
Whoever made up the utter lie that unicorns were these delicate, enchanting creatures that trotted on rainbows and shitted sunshine was going to get a major ass-kicking when Dean was finished...if he survived long enough, that is.
But right now—with his lungs becoming heavier and heavier and head feeling lighter and lighter as blood poured from his wounds—that possibility was becoming slimmer with each violent second. Dean let out a shuddering breath as he gripped his knife tighter and charged the deranged beast, stealing a severe gash at the unicorn's neck and hearing the high-pitched, inhuman howl in response. Its red eyes flared as the monster jerked around and caught his side with its deadly horn.
"Shit!" He cursed, feeling blood run through his fingers as he gripped his open wound. He stumbled and nearly dropped his knife, giving the unicorn the perfect opportunity to come in for the kill. I'll never hear the end of this in Hell, he groaned to himself as he watched the beast lunge at him—
Somehow a ruffle of wings registered in his mind over the adrenaline thrumming in his ears as Castiel suddenly appear between him and the unicorn, giant shadows of wings showering Dean in utter darkness. He watched with dazed horror as the unicorn stopped abruptly just before it hit him, smacking into the invisible barrier that was one of Castiel's wings.
Dean heard the painful sound of beams of energy shattering as the horn struck the invisible wing, coating the unicorn in raw power and making it hiss in pain. The sound threatened to burst Dean's eardrums as the twisted, ungodly form of a horse stumbled back, finally showing a rare moment of actual weakness. Not wasting an opportunity, Dean grabbed the knife and flung himself onto the beast, driving the sharp blade into the monster's heart.
With a guttural shriek, the unicorn's pulsing body finally stilled. Dean sighed and dragged himself off of the dead body, a hysterical giggle of relief bubbling in his throat.
"So I officially hate unicorns now." The hunter declared wryly, turning around to face Castiel...
And paled once he saw what the angel's little wing-stunt caused. The angel was writhing on the ground, the most severe degree of pain twisting his usually powerful, almighty features.
"Cas!" He exclaimed, terror causing another surge of adrenaline to shoot through his exhausted body and giving him enough strength to stumble to his feet and run over to the angel. When he reached him, he immediately dropped to his knees and pulled Castiel's head into his lap, staring down at the sweat-drenched face with utter concern.
"C'mon, Buddy, talk to me." Dean said desperately, fumbling in his pocket for his phone to call Sam. The angel's eyes suddenly flared open as a trembling hand shot up and grabbed Dean's arm, still somehow possessing enough strength to keep the hunter locked in place.
"Don't," Cas gritted out, his deep voice even more hoarse and raw than usual, "Dean, don't. I'll be fine. I just—need a few minutes."
"Cas, you need help." Dean growled, "Just let me call Sam—" Castiel silenced him when he pressed a single finger to Dean's temple. As soon as their skin made contact, all pain drained from Dean's system, his screaming muscles and severe wounds suddenly healed in a matter of a millisecond. Gratitude flooded his veins before it was quickly replaced with fury.
"What the hell, Cas?" Dean demanded through gritted teeth, clutching onto the angel as if he were able to keep the life from leaving his limp body, "Don't use your powers to heal me, goddammit. Heal yourself, for fuck's sake!"
"Your survival is above my own." Castiel told him, a weak smile tugging at his lips as he added, "I would think after so many time of sacrificing myself for you, that would be clear."
Dean shook his head stubbornly, declaring firmly, "Look, some other guilt-ridden hunter with daddy issues can stop the apocalypse, okay? You—"
"I don't save you just to ensure humanity's preservation," The angel interrupted quietly, blue eyes still so bright even when they were filled with so much pain, "Not entirely."
Dean furrowed his brow, staring at him with a confused expression, "Cas, I don't—"
"I just believe the world would be an empty place without Dean Winchester," The angel said quietly with a soft, lingering look, but before Dean could even think to respond, he swallowed hard and added flatly, "Don't worry; I will not remain incapacitated long. My grace—though weakened by the direct blow—will repair and replenish itself eventually. It might take time—perhaps hours, or days, or even weeks, depending on the severity of the wound—but I will return to full health." At this piece of information, Dean let out a relived breath he didn't realize he was holding.
"But seriously, Cas," Dean said sternly once he reigned in his utter relief, staring at the angel with a hardened look of determination in his green eyes, "I can take care of myself. You worry about you, and I'll worry about me."
"You never worry about yourself," Cas pointed out in a scoff, and Dean hated how right he was, "You put your brother, your friends, and even innocent strangers before your own safety, Dean. Why can't someone else return the favor?"
"Because," Dean said hesitantly, finding himself unable to hold the angel's intense gaze as his eyes dropped to stare at his trench coat, "I'm just...me." I'm not worth saving.
The cheating bastard must have read his unfiltered thoughts because suddenly he felt a hand capture his chin and tilt his head upward. Dean sighed and opened his mouth to tell Cas to just drop it—to share this disgusting chick flick moment with someone else who didn't pointedly avoid heart-to-hearts like it was the flu—when he felt chapped lips cover his own.
Despite all logic in his mind that was screaming for him to immediately pull back before he did something stupid like confess his big, gay feelings for the angel (and gain yet another thing he would eventually fuck up), Dean found himself melting into the kiss, threading his fingers through Cas' hair and sliding his tongue into the other's open mouth.
When they finally broke apart, Dean was left stunned and utterly breathless, his heart thundering in his ears and swimming in his throat. It had been a long time since just a simple kiss had affected him so significantly, and he wasn't sure if that was good or bad.
"I will always save you, Dean Winchester," Cas declared, his voice holding nothing but sincerity and certainty, "Even if it means one day, I may be unable to save myself."
Dean swallowed hard and answered in the only way he could display his true feelings while still keeping his macho ego intact: with his lips.
Author's Note: Review, follow, favorite.