Disclaimer: I do not own Supernatural or Harry Potter.
"Brother." Gabriel said from the bed with a smirk. Castiel sighed, out of the fire and into the frying pan.
"Yes Gabriel?" Castiel asked as he stood by the door awkwardly.
"Why were you running away from Dean-o? Tell me the whole story. Tell me everything. All those juicy little details locked up in your head." Gabriel grinned as he slipped out of bed and over to his brother. He tapped Castiel's head lightly before pulling him over so the two were sitting on the end of Castiel's bed.
"We were in bed." Castiel said. Gabriel frowned but nodded. "He read the letter from you." Castiel continued.
"The little sneak." Gabriel hissed.
"No I was fine with that." Castiel soothed his brother. "A while before the competition, when Sam got the riddle, he burst in to Dean's room. Dean was trying to get me into bed because he found out I was an insomniac. I answered the riddle and everything was fine. I sleep with Dean now because that's the only way I can without being constantly woken by nightmares. Sometimes I just like to watch him sleep though. He looks so perfect when he's asleep." Castiel smiled.
"Back to the story." Gabriel pushed.
"The day before the competition I was asked to get the three does for the competition. I didn't tell Dean because I was afraid he'd get angry. I'm not supposed to help the champions if I am part of the challenge. But when I helped Sam I didn't know!" Castiel defended. "I got the does, it wasn't easy, but I did. I didn't see Dean all day because...you know how bad I am at keeping secrets." Castiel implored his brother to understand. Gabriel nodded. "Anyway I told him and I think he was angry but I was too scared to stay long enough to find out." Castiel said.
"So you ran." Gabriel concluded. Castiel nodded. "You poor little thing. You can barely talk to people. You're nearly an introvert and yet,-" Gabriel paused for effect, "- you love more deeply than any human I've ever met. If he was mad at you..." He sighed.
"I'd die." Castiel choked out.
"Go to him." Gabriel said with a warm smile. "If he loves you half as much as you do him, he's not mad." Gabriel nodded as he gave his brother a gentle push towards the door. Castiel looked back at his brother, terrified, but left the room anyway. Castiel walked slowly, not being able to will his legs any faster. He looked down at them, wondering why they were taking him towards Dean. Were they even taking him towards Dean? How would they know? He supposed his legs were being guided by his brain which was following the distant sounds of Dean calling him. Castiel wanted to run to Dean, throw his arms around him and just be. He wanted a hug. He wanted Dean to tell him everything was alright, and that he wasn't mad. Castiel wanted Dean to tell him that he was just overreacting, and to come back to bed. But he was scared. And his legs locked, and Dean's calls grew more distant. Castiel willed himself on but his legs felt like jelly. He looked at the picture frame next to him. It was a lion. The symbol of strength, bravery, gryffindor. Castiel was hufflepuff, loyalty, not bravery. Dean, he was the brave one, the strong one, the gryffindor. Castiel wished he had Dean's bravery. His courage, his strength, but he didn't. All he had was stupid loyalty. Loyalty. Everything stemmed from loyalty. Castiel felt his legs stop shaking. Strength to protect your friends. He felt his hands stop sweating. Bravery to stand up for what you love. He felt his legs spring forward. Powerful legs, propelling him forward, towards Dean. Courage to go forth, to prove one's loyalty. He shot through the halls like a bullet until, not being able to stop quickly enough, he collided with Dean. He felt his eyes water as he began sobbing and clutching Dean. Lying on top of him, crying like a baby, putting his arms around him, Castiel let his walls crumble. Emotionally available? He was drowning in emotions.
"Stupid...loyalty." Castiel choked out between sobs. Dean chuckled and scooped Castiel up bridal style.
"I don't know what happened...but never let it happen again." Dean smiled at Cas before carrying him back to their room.