Chapter Text
“They’re witch killing bullets you stupid son of a bitch.”
A shot sounded through the air.
The witch dropped.
A wave of relief flooded through Sam, as he fell onto the ground out of the witches magical grasp.
They’d done it. The witch was dead. He was free. He was finally free, his head was all his own, no more pining, no more images.
Dean immediately rushed over to Cas who had been blasted into a wall earlier.
“Cas are you okay?!” His voice was rough and panicked. He helped the angel up to his feet.
“Dean I’m fine” Embarrassment and warmth radiated off of Cas.
Dean’s worry subsided slightly, yet he didn’t remove himself from Castiel’s side. ‘He needs my help. He might be injured, he could be in shock, I gotta keep holding on. Has he always felt this toned? His arms are so-‘
Oh no.
“Oh no.”
The two men looked up at him. “What now?” Dean asked. He still was holding onto Cas who at this point was clearly fine. Cas was blushing, enjoying the closeness. Yet Sam could also feel the guilt he was experiencing for enjoying it. Jesus Christ, these two.
Sam looked up and covered his face in frustration.
“I can still hear it all.”
At that, Dean stepped away from Cas. Sam could tell they both instantly felt the absence of each other.
“How?! We’ve killed the witch, the curse should be gone!” Dean barked in frustration.
“Guys. I don’t think the curse is going anywhere until it’s properly broken.” Sam tried not looking pointedly at either one of them. He didn’t want to pressure them.
But to be fair, his life was on the line here.
“No.” Dean stated forcefully.
At this point Cas finally spoke up. “Dean? Why do you think the curse has something to do with you?” His eyes widened. “You haven’t made another deal have you? Is that the truth that needs to be revealed?” Castiel’s voice travelled from concern to irritation.
“What? No. No.”
“Then what is it?”
Silence stretched out. They just stared at each other.
‘Maybe it’s not something Dean is hiding, maybe it’s my feelings I need to reveal. I may lose Dean but at least him and Sam will both still be alive.’
‘I can’t. I can’t. I can’t. He’ll hate me. He’s my best friend. I can’t. It’s wro- No. I- No, it’s not wrong. But I- I am I- Cas is good and I’m not- I’m-“ And then he heard John Winchesters voice echo through Dean’s head.
“Dean” Sam interrupted his line of thought forcefully.
Dean’s mind stopped spiralling. Snapping back into focus. Cas was still anxiously contemplating in his head, but right now Dean needed more help.
“Come outside with me for a sec” Sam gestured out the warehouse door.
“Sam n-“
“Come on. Just. Please”
Dean sighed and began walking out.
The gravel crunched under their feet as they stepped out. The only other sound being birds and cars in the distance.
“Just tell him Dean.” Sam sighed out.
Dean glared back at him wordlessly.
“It might go better than you think.”
At that Dean huffed out a humourless laugh. It was an angry sound, but Sam could hear the underlying pain.
“It’s not like tha-“
At that Sam quirked an eyebrow in frustration. Dean didn’t bother finishing the sentence, even he knew there was no use.
“Listen Dean, I don’t want to pressure you, this is something you need to work through on your own. But I’m kind of in a bind here man.” Sam stated apologetically.
Dean was glancing around, not making eye contact. Sam could feel the fear radiating off him, it was thick in the air.
“And for what it’s worth. As someone who can hear both yours and Cas’ thoughts. Believe me. It’ll go better than you think.” He felt guilty for even hinting at Castiel’s personal thoughts like that. Intrusive. But Dean needed a little nudge.
With that comment he finally got Dean to make eye contact with him. He could feel the wall begin to waver slightly, Dean thinking of coming around.
•
Sam had been standing outside the warehouse for what felt like forever. Leaning against the Impala.
It had taken a millennia to convince Dean to even talk to Cas. And despite having sent him back into the building a while ago, he still hadn’t made much progress.
Sam had been trying not to eavesdrop onto their thoughts but at this point, he was getting frustrated. So he listened to their conversation through each other’s minds, trying to not intrude on their actual thoughts too much.
“Dean I’m confused, why are you bringing up purgatory now?”
“I- Just listen okay.”
Sam sighed. So that was still going on.
Dean had seemingly taken the approach of recounting all the years he and Cas had known each other, and describing how much those times had meant to him. While it was a sweet sentiment he was sure taking his damn time getting to the actual point. One might even say he was stalling.
Sam tuned back in.
“I searched for you, because I just knew-“
“Dean please, while I appreciate all these kind words, why aren’t we trying to find a way to help Sam right now?”
“This is about that.”
“How? I- Listen. I think I know how to break the curse. It’s something I need to reveal.”
“Cas no it’s n-“
“I’m in love with you Dean.”
Silence.
‘He’s not saying anything. He must be uncomfortable, he’s always seen me as a brother. But Sam is my friend and if this is what it takes to save him.’
‘Cas loves- he can’t have meant it like that. He’s an angel. He probably doesn’t understand-‘
“Dean, I know you must feel uncomfortable right now. You see me as a brother. And I would have kept this to myself if it weren’t for the curse but I-“
They both went silent for a moment. Then that moment turned into a few minutes. Sam grew worried.
He began to pace back and forth outside the warehouse before finally caving and rushing in.
Oh.
Dean and Cas seemed to be preoccupied.
Their mouths were preoccupied more specifically. At that moment he realised he couldn’t hear their thoughts anymore, and boy was he grateful for that. If he could it might have been more scarring than any images he’d seen in either of their minds prior, judging by the happy noises Cas was making.
Sam began to laugh.
Cas and Dean jumped apart. Looking at him dazed. Castiel’s hair was somehow messier than usual, which seemed an impossible feat. Dean on the other hand had an uncharacteristically shy smile plastered on his face, which he kept attempting to wash away with a serious face.
“What’s so funny?” He gruffly asked.
“Nothing it’s just-“ He stifled a giggle “-true loves kiss saved the day.” Sam snorted out.
Dean glared at him.
“Are you still experiencing the effects of the curse?” Cas interjected before Dean could snap.
“Nope. Looks like that’s all it took. I’m free.” Sam replied gleefully.
“I’m glad, and I’m sorry. I’m sure the last few days have been... odd” Cas smiled at him embarrassedly.
“Hah. That’s one word for it. It’s fine Cas I’m just glad you guys sorted your stuff out.” Sam smiled back.
“Yeah yeah, it’s all great. Now Sammy, you can find your own way to the motel.” Dean remarked, interrupting the positive back and forth.
“What, why?”
“Me and Cas have some talking to do on the drive back and you’ve done enough snooping into our heads lately.”
“That was a curse, it’s not like I could help it.” Sam huffed.
When Dean only stared back at him with an impatient look Sam sighed.
“Fine, whatever, I’ll find my own way back. You two have your heart to heart.”
“- or whatever it is you’re planning on doing” Sam added on at the end as he began to make his way out.
At that he surprisingly got a laugh from Cas.
If third-wheeling before they’d sorted their shit out was bad, from now on it was going to be even worse, Sam realised as he stepped out.
But as he saw Cas and Dean follow him out hand in hand, he didn’t need telepathy to see how much happiness was radiating off them in that moment.
He decided he could cope with being the third wheel if it meant more of that and less of the pain. They deserved it.