Work Text:
Dean sits up in bed panting, shaking, and sweating. He's aware he had a nightmare, but the exact details elude him, which is probably for the best. He needs to get up, to go clean his guns, change the timing belt in Baby, or…
He feels movement and suddenly there's an arm around him, a hand on his chest, pulling him down. He panics for a moment and tries to fight it, he's been through so much, he can't go out like this!
“Shhh, Dean. It's okay. Come here.” Cas whispers into the darkness and all the fight leaves Dean in an instant.
He's in his bed, their bed, in the bunker. Cas is next to him and Dean is safe. No apocalypse, no manipulative God, and, recently, no more Empty. He's safe.
He lays down and scoots back into Cas’ arms, just in case. Cas will protect him.
“Yeah, come here. It's alright,” Cas whispers as Dean arranges himself to be the little spoon. Cas presses in on the hand still on Dean's chest for a few seconds and drops kisses on Dean's shoulder.
“I had a nightmare,” Dean explains even though that was obvious.
“Would you like to talk about it?” Cas tangles their legs together.
“I don't remember anything,” Dean laments. It's not that he wants to remember the nightmare, but it's harder to get over the fear it brought if he doesn't know what he's supposed to be trying to rationalize away.
“Your mind has a plethora of options to choose from.” Cas squeezes Dean in close again and moves his kisses up to Dean's neck. He isn't trying to turn Dean on, though if that would distract his human from his woes he wouldn't dismiss it, he's only intending to provide comfort.
It's working.
“You got that right,” Dean says, quieter than before. His heart is no longer hammering in his chest and Cas’ ministrations are allowing sleep to cloud the edges of his consciousness again.
“Go back to sleep, Dean. I will watch over you,” Cas whispers in Dean’s ear.
“‘sa good plan,” Dean slurs. He wonders if it's the warm, loving embrace or if Cas is using his grace to put him to sleep, but he decides it doesn't matter just before he's lulled back to unconsciousness.
Cas smiles at the soft snore Dean lets out a minute later.
Dean Winchester is loved.