Chapter Text
The hour stretched on and on endlessly for Cas, each question pulling him deeper into the memories he’d rather leave untouched. Dean refused to let go of his hand. That was part of the only thing keeping him sane. Then finally, it was over. The interview with Sarah wrapped up, and they exchanged polite goodbyes. He shook her hand, his own slightly slightly trembling, before he followed Dean out of the building. Outside, Lucifer and Sam were waiting, their expressions a mix of concern and relief.
Dean jingled the car keys in his hand, the metal clinking softly in the quiet night air. The four of them stood there for a moment, an odd silence hanging between them. Cas could feel the weight of everything unsaid pressing down on him, making it hard to breathe and think.
“So…” Dean started, then stopped, his voice trailing off as he glanced at Cas. His fingers tightened around the keys. “I need gas.”
Sam nodded, his voice quiet. “I need to get an Uber to the airport to pick up Jess and D.”
Lucifer shifted uncomfortably, glancing at his phone. “I need to get a ride to the airport too. I gotta be back home for work Monday morning.”
“We can ride together. You going to Austin International?”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
“I’ll order the ride.”
“What’s your phone number and I’ll Apple Pay you my share?”
“Nah, it’s fine. Don’t worry about it. I’ve got it covered.”
Cas remained silent, his hand still holding onto Dean’s. He stared out of the window as they pulled into the nearest gas station, feeling detached from everything around him.
They all climbed out of the Impala, the bright lights of the station casting sharp shadows across their faces, all of them moving as if in a daze. Sam was already on his phone, ordering the Uber for him and Lucifer. Meanwhile, Cas and Lucifer walked into the little store attached to the gas station, the cool air hitting Cas like a slap. He wandered to the fridges, barely noticing the rows of drinks until Lucifer grabbed a Pepsi and turned to him.
“Cassie,” Lucifer said, his voice uncharacteristically gentle. “Remember when you were a little kid, and you came to my room after losing your oh-so-faithful kindergarten girlfriend? You asked me and Mikey what love was.”
He looked at his brother, more memories coming back. He nodded. “I do.”
Lucifer sighed, looking at his little brother with a softness in his eyes that was rarely there. “Today, the way Dean was there for you when no one else could be, when all you could do was freeze up and panic…that’s love, Castiel. The way he looks at you, the way you two are together, it’s the purest love. Sweeter than the purest sugar and stronger than fucking Goliath himself. That’s love. That’s your love, baby brother. You have it. Don’t ever let it go.”
Cas felt his throat tighten, a smile crossing his face as his words failed. He knew Lucifer was right. He grabbed a water and followed his brother up to the check out counter then back outside. He was thankful for him. And Dean. And Sam. Hell, even a little thankful for Chuck because without him, none of this would have ever happened.
Dean was waiting by the car, his eyes searching for Cas the moment he stepped out of the store. Cas saw the concern in Dean’s eyes, the way he was waiting, ready to be there for him in whatever way he needed. It was a comfort, an anchor in the storm of emotions Cas was feeling.
He walked over to the car, his steps slow but steady. As he got closer, Dean opened the door for him, and Cas slid into the passenger seat without a word. He felt Dean’s hand on his knee, grounding him, reminding him that he wasn’t alone.
As Sam and Lucifer finished their arrangements, Cas turned to Dean, his voice barely above a whisper. “Thank you.”
Dean gave him a small smile, giving his leg a gentle squeeze. “For what?”
“For being there,” Cas replied, giving him a gentle smile. “For everything.”
Dean didn’t say anything. He just leaned over and pressed a soft kiss to his lips. It was all the reassurance Cas needed.
“I love you, you know that?”
“Me or my money?”
“The house. It’s great.”
“Right. I forgot you were in a relationship with my house before me.”
“Oh yeah. She and I are going steady.”
“So I’m your sidepiece?”
“Well, you’ve got one hell of a piece, that’s for damn sure.”
“Oh you shut it, Castiel.”
“What are you going to do about it, Dean Winchester?”
“I-...you…son of a bitch. I’m tempted to just take you to Vegas one of these days and marry you.”
“exCUSE me?”
“Your last name isn’t one that you want to use which therefore leaves you without a last name. But you get to call me by mine. I’m tempted to just marry you so you’ll have a last name when I cuss you out.”
“If that’s your motivation, no thank you.”
Dean turned the key in the ignition, the engine roaring to life. “What do you mean ’if that’s my motivation’??”
Cas shrugged, waving at his brother as they pulled away from the gas station. “I mean if that’s the only reason you’d want to marry me, my answer is no.”
“So if I had a different reason, you’d say yes?”
“Mm,” he shrugged again. “I mean why not?”
“I’ll keep that in mind for the future.”
Sam and Lucifer were standing on the sidewalk, waiting for their Uber.
“They’re going to be okay…right?” Lucifer asked, watching them pull out onto the road and disappear into the afternoon.
“They have to. They’re all they’ve got.”
“They have us.”
“Yeah well they can’t sex us up in the shower though,” Sam retorted as their Uber pulled into the parking lot.
“I didn’t want to think about that, Samuel,” Lucifer said, completely horrified.
“Trust me, neither did I…” he said, opening the car door and climbing into the backseat, Lucifer right behind him.
At one time, Cas was afraid of the dark. As Dean intertwined their fingers, he realized he was never really afraid of the dark. He was afraid of being alone. Dark or not. Now he had Dean, and that was enough. That was all he ever needed.