Until We Meet Again, My Angel

Chapter 9: Dance With Me

   Dean walked in the door and found Cas sitting on the bed watching TV. Dean sighed. It had been three days since Claire left, they were in a different town, working a new case- well, Sammy was working a new case, Dean spent his time trying to cheer Cas up- still, Castiel just sat on the bed watching reruns of I Love Lucy and Family Matters. Rolling his eyes, Dean sat down next to his boyfriend.
   "Cas," Dean pleaded, "it's been three days. I know you miss Claire, but you've gone this long before, right? Why's this time different?" Castiel, never breaking eye contact with the TV, replied lazily, "I always knew where Claire was. But I had to mark her with anti-Angel sigils, so now not even I can find her unless she tells me." Dean, confused, asked, "You branded her?" The Angel shook his head, "No, I carved it into her ribs. ...It didn't hurt her." Cas added as Dean's hand flew to his chest.
   Defeated in his quest to lighten his partner's spirits, Dean took the remote from Cas' hand and began flipping through the channels. "Hey Cas," Dean began, "Did you change the-?" The remote died. "Batteries." A frustrated groan escaped Dean's lips as he realized the remote had stopped on a dancing channel. As the characters on the screen swayed to the slow song, Dean got an idea.
   The Hunter stood up, walked to the TV, and shut it off. Cas began to protest, but Dean spoke before he could, saying, "Castiel, I love you. But right now, you are not Castiel. You are the lazy, TV-watching, bedridden husk of Castiel. So," Dean placed his hands on the bed, bringing himself to Cas' eye-level, "you're going to get off your cute little ass, and you're gonna go dancing with me."

   It was like they hadn't even left the motel. Cas refused to leave the bar stool he'd practically claimed as sanctuary. Refusing to give up, Dean sat next to him and flagged down the bartender. "Yeah, I'll- uh... I'll take a beer." The bartender jerked his head towards Dean's depressed date. "Oh, he'll have the same." Dean said.
   After a few moments, the bartender returned and set the mens' drinks on the table. As Dean picked his up, Cas laughed. Surprised, Dean asked what was so funny. Cas picked up his beer and told Dean, "I've never had one of these before." Cas took a swig of beer, Dean followed suit. Putting their bottles down at the same time, Dean and Cas stared at the counter in silence. Finally, Cas spoke up, "Dean, I'm sorry I've been somewhat... cold to you. I am- to put it in your words- pretty bummed out that Claire is gone. She's my daughter, and I worry for her." Dean, his face somber and understanding, drained his alcohol. Signaling the bartender for two more beers, though Cas had not finished his, Dean turned to his boyfriend and replied, "I know, Cas. Hey, man, I get it. She's your girl," "Yours too," Cas interrupted, "I saw the concern you had for her. You two share a bond. She admires you, and you... you respect her." Dean submitted, "Well- yeah. Yeah, I do. She's a good kid, Castiel. You raised her to be a great hunter, and an amazing young woman." The bartender arrived and sat the mens' drinks in front of them. As Dean uncapped his new bottle, he noticed tears in his loved one's eyes. "Hey, hey, no crying," Dean said softly. Cupping Cas' cheek with his left hand, Dean lifted Cas' head to meet his eyes. A tear rolled down the Angel's face, and Dean wiped it away, causing a loving smile from both of them.
   There was a moment of silence while the songs in the club switched. A soft note played on the speakers. Dean smiled as he heard a familiar voice sing, "I could stay awake, just to hear you breathing." Cas' eyes scanned the ceiling. Dean took the Angel's hand in his own as he recalled, "This was my parent's song. I remember waking up in the middle of the night," I could spend my life in this sweet surrender "I stood at the top of the stairs, and I saw them slow dancing to this song. It's the purest memory I have. The purest thing I'd ever seen." Dean raised his head, eyes full of tears, as he pleaded, "Cas, my Angel, will you dance with me?" Castiel nodded, took the the Hunter's free hand in his, and pulled him onto the dance floor.
   However, once he got there, Cas realized he'd never slow danced before. He'd never danced at all. Dean, noticing, almost giggled as he interlocked his right hand with Castiel's left, put Cas' right hand on his shoulder, and wrapped his own left arm around his boyfriend's waist.
   Dean guided Cas as they swayed and rotated to the music. "Don't wanna close my eyes, I don't wanna fall alseep, cause I'd miss you baby." Castiel's eyes shone with with love as he laid his head on Dean's shoulder and let out a sigh. Dean, happier now than he had ever been, began whispering along with the song, "Cause even when I dream of you, the sweetest dream would never do. I'd still miss you, baby. And I don't wanna miss a thing."
   Castiel, his head still on Dean's shoulder, quietly asked, "Do you really love me?" Dean smiled and said, "Yes. Do you really love me?" Cas answered, "I have for a while now." Though the Angel made no noise, Dean felt Cas whisper "I love you" against his skin. Dean had no idea he could love someone this much. Castiel had waited for him for so long. He still had so much life ahead of him. That moment, Dean vowed he'd never miss another second of Cas' life, as he sang. "I don't wanna miss a thing..."