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“Phew!” Shaking his head to get rid of the dizziness, Dean grabbed Cas' offered hand as his friend pulled him up to his feet. He felt a little wobbly, but he had definitely had worse.
Wordlessly, Cas touched Dean's forehead and the throbbing pain in his body subsided.
“Thanks, Cas. That was a close call.”
“A close call? Seriously, Dean? That's how we call it now?” Sam all but shouted.
“What the hell?” Dean blinked, confused.
“That—that thing was ripping you to pieces. Again. If Cas hadn't—” Sam's voice broke and Dean turned to Cas, giving him a questioning look.
He had no fucking idea why his brother had gotten his panties in a twist all of a sudden. Sure, those beasts sucked, big time, and no one knew it better than Dean, but— “It's gone, Sammy.”
Dean had loaded a whole round of salted grenades spiked with iron into the hellhound before Cas had ganked it and blown it into oblivion as it attacked.
Sam still gaped at him with wide eyes, and Dean, feeling scrutinised under his gaze, fiddled with his clothes. Brushing his hands over his jeans to get rid of the grime, he took in their state — soaked with blood and ripped to pieces. Alarmed, he checked his shirt. It didn't fare any better.
Holy shit! No wonder his brother was shaken. That had really been a close shave.
Swallowing, he scratched his neck, and startled as his fingers scraped over dried blood. All of a sudden, the memories rushed back. The stench of the hound stole his breath while the claws cut through his flesh, shaving far too close.
His hand closed over his now mended skin when Sam sighed, throwing his hands up in the air.
“I— Shit, I can't do this anymore.” Sam sounded done. “Losing either of you is bad enough, but seeing the other being left behind grieving? No, thank you.” Resigned, she shook his head before glaring at each of them. “So, either get your shit together, or I'm out.” Without another look, he walked through the door. It thunked shut and Dean heard the key turning inside the lock.
He turned towards Cas to bitch about it, but was met with an armful of angel when Cas flung himself at him, squeezing him tightly. Cas hooked his chin over Dean’s shoulder and Dean could feel his breath tickling his skin, and smiled.
Unable to resist, Dean closed his arms around his friend, holding him close.
“Thanks, buddy,” he mumbled, but Cas only tightened his grip and Dean brushed his hands over Cas’ back. “I ain’t dead yet.”
“Don’t ever do that again,” Cas growled, and swayed.
“Hey, careful there, pal,” Dean said as he caught him, pushing him back to have a better look at him. “How much juice did you use?” he asked, holding Cas steady.
A shy smile flitted over Cas’ face. “Barely enough to save you,” he admitted.
“Goddammit, Cas. You’ve gotta take care of yourself.”
Their eyes locked and Dean shuddered under the intensity of Cas’ gaze.
Biting his bottom lip, Dean grinned. “It worked though.”
“Yes.”
“Uh, thanks, man.” Dean awkwardly patted Cas’ shoulder. It felt off. The hug however—
“You think Sammy will let us out in time?” Dean blurted out to fill the silence and ward off the rising warmth in his belly.
“Yes.” Cas nodded. “If we talk.”
“Talk about what?” Dean snapped and froze.
“About us, I think.”
“What about us?” His voice came out as a whisper and Dean hated himself for it. Yet, the lump in his throat grew and he barely could think straight any longer. Not that straight had anything to do with it. With this.
With what?
Dean started spiralling.
Finally, Cas answered. “I don’t know about you, but I—”
“Don’t say it,” Dean breathed, shaking his head.
“Why, Dean?” Cas’ voice was soft as his hand cupped Dean’s face. “Why don’t you want me to—”
“Please,” Dean begged, tears pricking his eyes.
“What’s the matter? You don’t think you deserve—”
“Shuddup,” Dean grumbled and grabbed Cas’ lapels, pulling his angel towards him. His heartbeat stopped when he crashed his lips on Cas’, only to accelerate the moment Cas kissed him back.
Cas’ hands gripped Dean’s head as he intensified the kiss, and Dean was lost.
“I can’t lose you,” he whispered when they parted, his forehead still resting on Cas’.
Cas smiled at him sadly and pulled him into his arms. “Neither can I. Don’t leave me, Dean. I won’t be able to bring you back next time.”
Tears filled Dean’s eyes and he tightened his grip. “Then stay. With me. With us. Just… don’t leave.”
“Okay.”
“Okay?”
“Yes, Dean. I’ll stay.” There was a smile in Cas’ voice.
It lifted Dean’s heart and filled him with an unknown warmth from within. Dean huddled closer while a smile split his face.
“Awesome.”