Sam, Dean, Cas, and a Dash of Death

"Brother."

Cas turned his head, a sharp expression on his face. As he noticed his brother standing before him, his eyes became at ease, his expression relaxing. "Balthazar." He said, his gruff voice ringing through the empty parking lot where he stood. "What brings you here?"

"I'm afraid I have some... er, bad news, per say." Balthazar said, his thick English accent accentuating his voice. Cas stayed still, his expression not changing. Balthazar coughed, looking down at his worn down shoes. "It... it has to do with the Winchester boy."

Cas twitched, his eyebrows raising slightly, an attentive, almost fearful look in his eyes. His lip quivered slightly, his eyes locked on Balthazar. "Dean?"

Balthazar bit his lip, avoiding Castiel's gaze. Resting his right hand on a silver flask clipped to his belt, he focused on Castiel's arm. "Ah, no. Samuel, dear Lucifer's vessel. Damned boy with the demon blood. Curse-"

An extremely hostile look overcame Castiel as he lunged at his brother, pinning him against the wall. He held an angel blade to Balthazar's throat, his breathing hoarse. "Don't ever call Sam that." He growled, squeezing the blade to his neck. "You will not disrespect Sam Winchester, do you understand?"

Balthazar forced a laugh out, his voice shaking slightly. "Oh, dear Castiel, I do love the possessiveness you have over those brothers, I really do, but I would very much appreciate if you would let me go." Balthazar flashed an equally forced smile. Cas dug the blade into his neck even deeper. "PLEASE!" Balthazar exclaimed, true fear in his eyes. "I have information about the Winchesters!"

Castiel froze, his wrist trembling. He let his arm fall limp, his blade falling to the floor. He looked down at the ground, his entire body slightly shaking. "Fine." He muttered through gritted teeth. "Make it fast."

Balthazar smiled, taking a swig from his flask. "It's Metatron. He has Sam. And no, not Dean. But he'll definitely be trying to save his brother, you know." He explained, his usual cockiness coming back to his attitude. "It's highly likely that Sam won't survive."

"And why should I believe you?" Castiel asked, his voice low.

Balthazar laughed. "Oh, dear brother, how can you not trust me? We're family, after all!" Castiel glared at him, his eyes sharper than the First Blade. Balthazar sighed. "Well, if you must know...." His expression turned serious. "I could hear his cries. Metatron, well, he was torturing the poor boy. The poor... defenseless boy..."

"Tell me where." Castiel growled.

"Where?" Balthazar asked, an innocent look on his face. "Why, follow your heart, my dear boy!" As Castiel moved to yell, Balthazar smirked, vanishing.

Castiel grabbed into thin air, his arm swinging. He let out a sharp exasperated breath, silently cursing his brother. "Follow your heart..." Cas murmured to himself.

****************************

Dean swore, tossing his phone onto the cheap motel bed, scowling up at the horribly decorated motel malls. "God damn it Sam, where are you..."

Suddenly, Castiel appeared, his trench coat brushing up against Dean's thigh.

Dean swore again, jumping back in shock. "Dammit Cas!" He exclaimed, his shocked expression switching to one of petty anger. "You can't just be popping in here like that, seriously!"

"Apologies, but we need to talk." Castiel said, moving closer to Dean. Dean's face heated up, yet he kept a serious face. Castiel did not notice, rather, continuing in a gruff voice. "It's about Sam."

Dean kept a straight face, not breaking his tough guy look, lower jaw jutted out subtly. His eyes wetted slightly, but he attempted to ignore it. "Where is he?" He asked, his voice lower than usual. "Is he okay?"