So, a nice long chapter to finish up…! Thank you for the reviews, I will respond individually in a minute…
Anyway, I hope you enjoy this! Please drop a line; this is the last chapter after all!
Chapter 5
Dean sobbed brokenly into Sam's shoulder and that alone terrified his little brother.
Sam had never seen his brother so upset, not when he was being abused, not when their father had died, not when they had visited their mother's grave. Never.
Seeing Dean like this was heartbreaking, and all Sam could do was hope that Cas would pull through, for everyone's sake.
But the prognosis did not look good. He had captured a glimpse of Cas' broken and battered body when the paramedics peeled him from the floor and it was anything but pretty, blood everywhere, twisted limbs. Sam found it impossible to imagine how the hospital staff would be able to put him back together again.
Seven hours after Cas had been admitted a nurse came into the room, she had been briefed about Dean's mental instability and had prepped herself with her warmest, friendliest smile and spoke in her softest voice as she approached the man.
He looked like he could do with being admitted, his eyes sunken and red-rimmed, his whole body shaking, especially his hands and he was so pale that the nurse could have counted his freckles if she had the time.
"Sam and Dean Winchester?"
"Yes." Sam stood, not quite sure why he had done so, and sat back down again awkwardly. He didn't know what to do with himself, apart from hope for good news.
"My names Anna, I've been up with Castiel in the intensive care unit, I have some news."
Dean looked up, bracing himself for the worst.
"I am afraid I don't have much good news, Castiel is currently on a ventilator to help him breathe and his injuries are extensive, but he seems to have got away with it, the doctors think he will pull through given the correct care and treatment. And a bit of TLC." Sam nodded, relief flooding his senses but Dean showed no reaction at all. He couldn't believe what he had just heard. He felt numb.
The nurse continued gently, settling down in a seat next to Dean and resting a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"Your friend has four broken ribs, a fractured tibia, his left arm was pretty much shattered, but he should regain some movement given time. Also, his left leg is broken, his right badly bruised, he has sustained a sprained wrist, has cracked his head, broken his nose as well as several fingers…"
"Oh god." Dean felt sick.
"And he has a punctured lung, but he is fighting hard."
"Is there anything we can do for him?" Sam eventually found his voice, shell shocked by how long the diagnosis was. Poor Cas.
"Just be there for him sweetheart. You can come and see him now if you like."
"Yes, that would be great. Thanks."
Sam stood ready to follow the nurse, gingerly helping Dean to his feet and swearing when his brother collapsed to the ground, vomiting violently all over the floor.
"S-sorry." Apologies began to rush out of Dean but the nurse just smiled and rubbed his back soothingly whilst Sam propped Dean up against him as his brother heaved. He began to massage Dean's chest comfortingly, just over Dean's heart to help with the burning pain.
"S'okay man, relax, it'll be fine, the nurse said the doc thinks he'll pull through. Let's go and see him now, yeah?"
"Uh…" Dean gestured to what had been the contents of his stomach.
"Don't you worry about that sweetheart, you just go and see your friend." The nurse pointed out the direction to the room where Cas had been moved and gave the brothers another reassuring smile. Poor dears, it looked like they had some hard months ahead of them.
Dean took a deep breath before walking into the room, feeling as if he was going to be sick again if he had anything left inside him, which luckily he didn't.
He couldn't bring himself to touch Castiel, he looked so fragile, lying on his back with tubes coming out of every orifice and bandages and slings holding him together. Without them, it looked like he would shatter.
Sam nudged Dean forward a little; it was the only encouragement he could give.
"Uh, hey Cas." Castiel did not respond, keeping his eyes closed.
Dean cautiously rested a hand on two of Cas' fingers which were not broken and watched as the nurse gently remove Castiel's face mask, pronouncing that now he was conscious he should be able to breathe on his own.
"D'n."
"Hey man, how ya feeling?"
"H'rts. Legs…"
"I know man; the nurses have got you drugged up to the max though."
"Dn't undr'stnd."
"What don't you understand?"
"W-where?"
"You're in the hospital Cas, you got pretty bust, you'll be ok though."
"But, m-my wings."
"Cas, you don't have wings. I'm sorry." Cas looked even more broken and Dean felt like a class A jerk, the last thing Cas needed was a talk on mental instability, especially not from Dean..
"But you're still my guardian angel." Yes it was soppy, but…
"Want t'go h'me."
"I know, I'll se what I can do, I promise I will do my best, but you just need to rest for now."
Castiel was already asleep.
Two Months Later…
"You ready man?"
"Yes Dean, I am ready to get out of here."
It had taken a lot of letters and back and fro-ing…but Sam had eventually persuaded the nurses and doctors at the institute that he would be able to care for Cas with his girlfriend, that Castiel would be better surrounded by those he loved, and who loved him.
"Right then." Dean cautiously lifted Cas up and placed him gently into a wheelchair, being careful not to knock him around too much.
When Cas let out a grunt of pain Dean froze and immediately began to apologize.
"It is alright Dean, you were just helping me."
Dean smiled at that and wheeled Cas out of the hospital, lifting him into the Impala whilst Sam collapsed the wheelchair and put it in the trunk.
Dean grinned at the resounding clunk of the trunk being slammed shut. There was an essence of finality about it and Dean hoped that this would be and end to all the hardship in his life, and Castiel's.
When they pulled up beside Sam's house the door swung over to reveal a beautiful blonde, dressed in shorts and a baggy Smurf top.
"Hey sweetheart!" Jess hurried over to the car and enveloped Sam in a tight hug before he managed to take three steps away from the car.
"hello gorgeous, you alright."
"All the better for seeing you." Jess leant in and kissed Sam deeply on the lips, tugging at his hair a little before remembering herself.
Dean climbed out of the car and shot her a lopsided grin.
"Hey Jess."
"Hi Dean." Jess gave Sam's brother a tight hug before watching as Sam pulled out the wheelchair and Dean lifted Cas out of the back, placing him on the seat.
"You must be Castiel, it's lovely to meet you at last, I have heard all about you."
"It is a pleasure to meet your acquaintance." Jess smiled gently and pecked Cas on the forehead before taking Sam's hand tight and leading Cas and Dean inside.
It would be a fresh start for all of them, and Dean was determined to make it a better life for everyone. He wouldn't let his mental illness take hold again, he wasn't a hunter, his only job was to help Cas now.
Within days Dean was in the kitchen, having found a new talent. Who'd have thought he would be a half decent cook, but of course, it was all for Cas.
The recipe that he was currently undertaking was to make Angel Food cake. According to Sam's research it is a type of sponge cake that first became popular in the late 19th century. Apparently the lightness meant that it is known as the "food of the angels".
Dean took Sam's word for it, and so did Cas, because for the first time in years he ate an entire meal without a single complaint.
Six Months Later…
Things were going well, Dean hadn't relapsed, Cas was beginning to eat foods other than Angel Cake, Sam had been involved in his most successful trial yet, Jess had a new job as a nursery school teacher and they were all happy.
But of course things never ran smoothly and mental illness can't be controlled. It is a truth universally acknowledged that when one part of your life starts going okay, another falls spectacularly to pieces.*
This was why, when Cas was back up on his feet, that Dean led Castiel on his first hunt.
Dean went immediately into hunting mode, stalking the Wendigo before it could stalk them. He was holding out his imaginary gun and Dean was so convinced by its existence that Cas couldn't help but be drawn in. He could almost see it.
Almost.
Wendigo
Cas followed Dean around the front of the house, running beside him and smiling gleefully. This was definitely better than playing board games.
"There…" Dean pointed. "Can you see it running towards us?
Cas could definitely see something, a tall white beast, shining and sprinting towards him.
It moved so fast and suddenly it was upon them and Cas was enveloped by light.
Headlights.
The last thing he and Dean heard was the screeching of the roaring beast…an animalistic war cry…a car's breaks.
It was almost as if everything was going in slow motion and Cas realized just in time what was happening.
Without a seconds hesitation Cas threw his entire body weight at dean, sending them both crashing to the floor, jarring his newly healed bones and gasping in a combination of shock and fear, the adrenaline had finally rushed out of his body and before Castiel knew what was happening he blacked out, still lying across Dean's back..
Sam jolted up from the book he was reading when he heard the squealing of tires, sighing and wondering if he was ever going to get through the volume, let alone be able to read the notes from his case in court tomorrow. As if being a lawyer wasn't enough work, caring for Cas and Dean was pushing him over the edge. Not that it was their fault at all, but it was hard work trying to keep one eye on his brother who kept trying to sneak out in the middle of the night to hunt and the other on Cas, who constantly tagged along a few steps behind his brother.
It was hard work to say the least.
With a grumble Sam stood and pulled back the cream curtains that he had picked out with Jess, his fiancé. She was one of the few blessings in his life. Despite everything with Dean and Cas she stuck with him and supported him, staying by his side no matter how hard times got.
Sam did a double take.
There, lying on the ground by a white, parked 4 by 4 were two crumpled figures, one lying on top of the other.
"SHIT!" Sam sprang into action, having recognized Cas' trench coat. The man refused to take it off and even slept in the damn thing, Sam would have known it anywhere.
Oh God, oh God let them be alright. Dammit Dean!
Jess came hurrying into the room in nothing but one of Sam's over-sized plaid shirts and a concerned expression.
"What's wrong sweetie, can I do anything to help? Is it work stuff again, I can call you in sick if you want?
Sam ignored her, sprinting outside and over to the 4 by 4, cursing its size and weight. If it had hit Cas and his brother, who knows how much damage could have been caused.
No, no, no, no, no…
Sam kept up a constant litany in his mind, going into complete denial. He could see blood on the ground next to Dean, crimson and glistening in the sunlight, but when he cautiously rolled Cas off of his brother he couldn't see any wounds on his brother's clothes, it was Cas' blood. He quickly took his brother's pulse to be sure, but it was fine and his brother's chest was rising and falling clearly. He was alive and safe, just unconscious. Probably from shock.
For one hideously selfish seconds Sam let out a sigh of relief, his brother was safe, but the sensation was immediately replaced with guilt. Castiel was hurt and here he was allowing relief to rush over him.
Cautiously Sam rolled Castiel onto his back and found the source of all the blood, a deep but relatively clean wound on his arm where he had wrapped himself around Dean to break his fall. It would hurt like a bitch and probably need stitches, but it wasn't life threatening by any means. Sam pulled off his shirt and pressed it to the wound in an attempt to staunch the flow of blood, a sense of reality coming back and banishing the numbness of the past few seconds.
He was now aware of a sobbing woman to his left, probably the driver of the car, and hurried footsteps. He ignored them, focusing on doing what he could for Castiel in order to make him more comfortable.
When the footsteps stopped Sam felt gentle hands on his shoulders. Jess.
"Sam, are they…" Jess' voice cracked and Sam could tell that she was in tears.
"No, no they're fine. Castiel has cut his arm but Dean seems to be ok, a few bruises on the side of his head but apart from that they got away unscathed. Thank God."
"Thank God." Jess repeated Sam's last line, slightly dazed.
She knelt down next to Dean and carefully lifted him up, shaking him gingerly until the man grimaced, let out a low moan and batted her hands away.
"W-what?"
"Shhh, Dean, it's ok, you're ok sweetie, just relax, you had a nasty shock."
"Cas, where's Cas? Is he-"
"Castiel is fine, he just cut his arm up a little, don't worry."
"It was my fault, I could have got him killed-I-" Dean was horrified when his throat began to burn and he felt his eyes begin to sting. I will not cry. I will not cry...dammit.
Sam turned when he heard muffled sobs coming from his brother and he shot Jess a desperate look. Understanding she moved over and swapped positions with him, tending to Cas' arm whilst Sam moved over to his brother, pulling him into a tight hug whilst Dean trembled in his arms.
"Hey, hey, hey, hey, it's ok, you're ok. C'mon man, this aint like you, c'mon, don't cry, please De-I've got ya."
Dean nodded into his shirt and tried to restrain himself but couldn't. All thoughts of staying calm leaving him as realization crushed him.
He could have gotten Sammy killed. It was no Wendigo, the only monster here was him, he was the one that had almost killed his angel and Dean realized that he had been wrong. In denial, as Sam called it. And now, now he had to make it up to his friend.
Shakily Dean got to his feet and hobbled over to Cas, scooping him up and out of Jess' grasp and cuddling him close. After a few minutes Castiel stirred, blinking up at Dean, confused
"W-what? Dean? Are you ok?"
"Yes, yes I'm fine. I'm so sorry, I almost got you killed, I could have…"
"No Dean, I'm fine. I saved you…"
"Yeah, yeah, you did Cas, I'd have been dead for sure. I'm so sorry man; it was all in my head…I could have killed you." Dean burst into tears again and Cas flinched back from the sound, looking up at Jess and Sam, wordlessly asking them what he should do.
They didn't know either, so Cas wrapped an awkward arm around Dean's waist and patted his shoulder tentatively, as if he was afraid he would hurt the trembling man who had curled completely in himself.
"Don't worry Dean, I'm fine, we're both fine. I, I think I was always meant to be your guardian angel, you have given me purpose, Dean."
Dean gave a small nod and smiled, getting to his feet and helping Cas up with him, both leaning on the other for support. Cas grimaced a little when Dean resumed the pressure on his cut arm.
It hurt but he knew that whilst he was Dean's guardian angel, Dean was his hunter who would always be there to protect him, from anything and anyone.
Even if their hunts did sometimes go wrong.
Because after all, he himself was not perfect.
He was no angel.
The End
*Quote from Bridget Jones that seems to sum up my life!
I hope this wrapped up well and that you all enjoyed it!
Pretty please leave a review, it meanest the world to me and provides me with a distraction from real life- which to be blunt, is pretty rubbish at the moment! … But at least I have Jensen Ackles…in my dreams!