Ok ... it's been a couple of days since my last update ... I'm sorry! But I got kinda stuck with this one and needed to take a 2 day break to re-watch the first 2 seasons of Supernatural (yeah, I watched them in 2 days ... slightly obsessed)

This one is for Tashiya who gave me a lot of advice and pointers in how to improve ^.^ I hope I can make you fall back in love with destiel! And I hope this is better :), thank you :D

Disclaimer as per usual, I own nothing, blah, blah, blah

Enjoy ^.^

Sam came home to find Dean asleep in Castiel's lap.

'What happened?' he asked quietly after dumping all the shopping bags on the table and setting the pie (which had taken him no less than four stores to find) on the side. Castiel stopped his ministrations on Dean's hair and looked at Sam, leaning in the door jamb.

Sam felt uneasy. That was the look of guilty Cas, or at least, a Cas who knew he had done something wrong. 'Cas' he said sternly 'what did you do'

'I … restored his memories' Cas answered, looking down at the sleeping figure 'he made a very convincing argument' Sam sighed and turned away to run a hand through his hair.

'Of course he did' he whispered angrily 'he's Dean. He has an unnatural ability to talk his way into getting laid!' Castiel cocked his head

'I don't see how that is relevant' he said.

'I mean that he can convince people to do things for him.' Sam clarified. 'How did he take it?'

'About as well as could be expected. He fell asleep after a while'

'Yeah, I can see that' Sam said sardonically, gazing fondly at his older brother. He never looked peaceful, Sam realised, even asleep he had this frown on his face and he twitched every so often. 'Well. What's done is done and we'll have to deal with it.' Castiel nodded thoughtfully and resumed stroking his hair

'I heard that this was comforting' he explained when Sam looked at him questioningly 'I think he will be alright. He's stronger than the both of us' Sam let out a breathy laugh through his nose

'Yeah, you got that right' he turned to leave and then looked back. 'You coming?' Castiel shook his head, smiling softly

'I don't want to wake him' he said. Sam shrugged and made his way to the kitchen where he started putting the food away. All except the pie, which he left out for when Dean woke up. After a few minutes, Cas appeared beside him, making him jump. 'He won't wake up for a while' he said. He too grabbed a bag and started unpacking. Sam sighed and showed him where things went. Cas didn't understand yet why not everything could go in the fridge.

XXX

Several hours later, Cas reported that Dean was beginning to stir. Sam rushed to the room and helped his brother to sit up. Dean had one hand pressed to his forehead, groaning. Castiel popped back for some aspirin and a glass of water which he gave to Dean who took it, trembling. Cas then placed the glass on the side table and stood back, allowing the brothers a moment.

'Dean' Sam said in relief 'Are you okay?'

'Never better Sammy' Dean replied in a tone dripping with sarcasm, as was his default coping mechanism. 'My head hurts like a bitch'. Sam managed to crack a smile

'I'm not surprised' he said. Then he turned serious 'What do you remember?' Dean met his brother's eyes

'Everything'

'I'm sorry, Dean' Castiel interjected. The hunter looked up at him with a small smile

'Don't be.' He turned to his brother 'Hey, Sammy, could you get me some of that pie you promised?' Sam nodded and stood to leave, but hesitated at the door

'Are you sure you're okay?'

'Bring me pie Sammy! Then I'll be okay'

'Right' He glanced between the angel and the man on the bed and left

Once he was out of earshot, Dean turned back to the angel.

'So what happened?'

Castiel frowned

'I thought you said …'

'I do. Right up until you cut me loose. And then you laid me down and started apologising to me. And then you sort of reached inside me. And that's it.'

'That pretty much covers it'

'What did you do to me, Cas? I mean, I was …' he took a steadying breath 'I was nothing but a slab of meat. How the hell did you get me back …' he gestured to himself 'whole? There's not a scratch on me. Except...' he pointed to his shoulder.

'I was reaching inside to take your soul' Castiel explained patiently. Dean's body jerked upright, and he looked at Castiel in horror

'You mean to say that you … you took my soul?' he emphasised. Castiel nodded. Then, seeing that Dean was about to protest, held up a hand to stop him

'Let me finish Dean. Your body was too badly damaged, you never would have survived the journey. But I could take something smaller, so I chose to take your essence. When we made it back I thought on a tale I had heard in the garrison. More of a myth really. But I managed to regrow your body from the … connection we share and from your soul. Which …' he said, tilting his head 'now that I think about it, was probably why you woke up with no clothes on. I think because your clothes are technically not a part of you, they did not reform.'

Dean sat back, stunned

'So... I'm a 'grow your own boyfriend', huh?' Castiel just stared frowned in confusion

'I wasn't aware that we were … as you say 'dating'' he said, using finger quotations. Dean just raised an eyebrow and shook his head

'Never mind, Cas' he said. 'But what did you mean by our connection? That sounds creepy dude'

'I meant our bond' Castiel clarified 'The fact that I am your guardian and that we are friends' he said that last word with a small smile. That word always brought him joy to use in this context. Dean huffed and nodded. 'So … I'm all intact, right? No major parts missing?' Cas chuckled

'No, you're fine. Physically at least. Just …'

'What?'

'Well. The last time I raised you from Hell, I left a mark.' he nodded towards Dean's shoulder 'It's likely that this time I did too.' Dean shook his head.

'I already checked. No new handprints anywhere.' he grinned 'I think I'm clear.' he grinned. Castiel took in a breath and sat on the edge of the bed

'It's not in a place that you can see' he said. 'Last time, I lifted you out by your arm. This time I took you by your soul, so …'

'So … your handprint is on my soul?' Dean asked incredulously. Castiel just nodded. 'Wow. Marked by an angel twice, huh? Lucky me'

'It shouldn't affect you Dean' Castiel said earnestly, turning to look at him 'It's just another scar.'

'Well, God knows I have plenty of 'em' the hunter joked. There was a pause. Sam was obviously deliberately staying away so they could talk. It didn't take that long to grab pie.

'How are you coping with the memories, Dean?' the angel asked. 'I could always …'

'No.' Dean said firmly 'No, I'm fine. I can deal. I wanna keep them.' Castiel just nodded uncomfortably. He didn't want Dean to remember the pain he had been through.

'Hey, Cas?' Dean said tentatively. He swung his legs over the side of the bed so that they were sitting next to each other, looking down at their knees

'Yes, Dean?' the hunter took a breath

'I need to thank you. For what you did for me down there.' He swallowed 'You must've really drained your batteries, dude.'

'You are welcome, Dean.' was all Cas said

'You were like, the terminator for a moment there' Dean continued. Amusement glinted in the angel's eye and seeped into his voice.

'Thats one of those reference things, isn't it?' Dean just laughed and pushed him gently

'You're hopeless' he said fondly.

Sam made a loud noise outside the door and came clattering in with pie. Dean turned and his entire fact lit up. Sam looked confused as he handed the pastry to his brother with a fork. Dean speared some and raised it to his mouth.

'Mmm, baby, you taste so good' he moaned at the delicious, flaky goodness

Sam and Castiel shared a look. Both feeling like they were intruding on an incredibly private moment.

After a few seconds of looking disturbed, both Castiel and Sam backed slowly to the door

'That's so not healthy, dude' Sam muttered as they left Dean alone with his pie.

So what do you think? Do you get why I changed the title now? Plus, this title sounds better than 'An Absent Angel' anyway xD

I tried to make it cute but subtle ... did I succeed

Please let me know opinions, criticisms, praises, anything :)

All advice is appreciated ^.^

Ok, I should probably sleep now seeing as it's 3am in England and I'm really tired xD

Love Tibbins xx