A Dark Path

Untitled Part 8

Dean obviously didn't need Cas' help with the cars in the garage, and he didn't practically want it. Just as particular about these the classic cars he now deemed as his (since they resided in the place of dwelling that he had claimed for himself), as he was about his Baby, he didn't allow just anyone to be near them. In fact, Castiel was pretty sure he wouldn't let anyone work on them besides the hunter himself. However, Dean seemed to be okay with the angel at least observing the maintenance, and had only given a brief, almost fond huff as Cas settled himself in the back. 

Cas appreciated at the time and chance to watch over Dean. To study his soul more closely, hoping to see a glimpse of the brightness that he had fallen for more than six years ago. 

When the angels had been commanded to lay siege on Hell in order to rescue the Righteous Man, Castiel had been nothing more than a soldier. The only reason he had given everything he had to fight through the demon armies and damage his wings in the sulfuric atmosphere, was because God had ordered him to do so. At that time he hadn't understood why he didn't to save this hunter who had recklessly sold his soul. He hadn't cared about the lost soul - had given little mind to who he was or why he needed to be saved. All he had cared about was doing what he was told. 

Then he had actually seen the soul that his Father had found so precious, and he became enlightened. In the deepest pits of Hell, where demons ravaged and tortured for sport, where there was nothing but brimstone, sulfur, and blood to be seen, and nothing but screams of agony to be heard, there was a bright light that shone in the darkness. This bright soul was cracked, to be sure, damaged more than any human should be able to bear, was the most beautiful sight Castiel had ever seen. For even in its broken state, it displayed the Righteous Man's courage and heart. Radiant and powerful, it represented all that the hunter was: a warrior, self-sacrificing, brave, lonely, hurt, sorrowful, loving, and oh so good. 

The soul had dimmed since then, over shadowed by the curse that pulsated on his forearm like a visible vein. There was a darkness that twisted around it, taunting and tempting. The cracks that had once been forged by abandonment, loss, and Hell, had only widened and increased in number. 

"You're doing it again," Dean sounded exasperated, on the verge of throwing one of his unreasonable fits. Cas only stared into green eyes without comment. "Staring."

"I apologize."

Dean scoffed and shook his head. "You don't sound all that apologetic."

Catching on to the teasing lift of his husky voice, Cas gave a small, crooked smile - one that was barely visible. "I apologize for that as well."

He was rewarded with laughter. Then the hunter sighed, reigning in his control, and redirecting his attention back to the car at hand. "Well, come on."

"Dean?"

"Look, I can't really focus with you staring at me like I'm a piece of meat. So," Dean's back was now completely facing Cas, seeming to purposefully hide his features from the angel as he spoke, "if you're going to stick around, you might as well help."

"Of course." The angel gladly moved closer. He knew how protective Dean was over the cars in his charge, and was honored to have the chance to actually participate in their maintenance. "I would like to point out though, that I was not looking at your like you were meat. Meat does not have a soul."

Green eyes peered at the angel that was now beside him, a mere centimeter away from the hunter's touch. Long silent seconds passed as they stared at one another. "It's just an expression." Dean explained after an inappropriately long time had passed. 

"It's certainly a strange expression."

"You're strange." Before Cas had the chance to retort to that comment, Dean brought him back to the task that was willing to share. "Now, listen up, because this is important. You've got to treat these beauties with special care, or I ain't letting you near them again. Capiche?"

"I capiche."

Castiel moved closer, intent on memorizing everything being taught to him. Next to him, the Mark of Cain faded slightly.