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Dean hates it when Cas is gone for extended periods of time. Without his wings Cas is forced to drive whatever car is available and it takes a million times longer for him to do things now than when he could fly. Dean fucking hates it. If Cas is gone only for hours, it’s ok. But when Cas is gone for days, or even weeks? That’s when Dean gets anxious. Sure, he misses Cas. Yes, he’s always worried about his safety.
But overall, Dean Winchester misses Castiel’s touch.
Soft pats on the shoulder, squeezes of the bicep, or even the way Cas sometimes cups his neck with his huge palms, warm and steady, keeping Dean upright and checking on his well being.
Dean doesn’t mean to miss his touch like this, but it always hits him like a freight train after about twenty-four hours. They rarely hug, hold hands, or do anything more scandalous than hold eye contact for extended periods of time, but those little, insignificant-to-an-outsider touches are what really keeps Dean going.
Right now, Dean is sitting at the map table, staring grumpily at Antarctica. There’s an unopened beer in front of him, and he hasn’t heard from Cas in two days. Should be fine, really, but now that the bunker is free from that weird hunter network Sam had stationed here it’s eerily quiet. Sam and Jack went into town for groceries and Dean said he’d hang back in case Cas came back.
He hears the big steel door unlock and glances up, feeling relief hit him like a freight train. Cas shuffles in and shakes snow off of his trench coat before descending the steps, eyes falling onto Dean. He smiles, gummy and eye-wrinkly, and Dean forces himself to stay in his seat. He’d chosen this spot specifically - it’s on the way to the dorm hall. Which is where Cas is headed, and when he passes by Dean his hand predictably falls on Dean’s shoulder, fingers curling warmly.
“Hello, Dean.”
Dean’s entire body relaxes as he looks up and sends Cas a small, gratified smile. This is what he needs. All he needs. He reaches up, putting his hand over Cas’s gently, giving it a squeeze.
“Heya, Cas.”