My Angel

~4~

The light of the sun hit Dean's face as he finally dug himself out from the earth. What the hell? he thought as he brushed the last remnants of soil from his short hair. When he looked forward again, there was a man in front of him.

"You're—You're real!" he exclaimed when he recognized the man from his dreams.

"My name is Castiel. I'm the one who gripped you tight and raised you from perdition" said the man with a small smile.

"Well, thanks... for that. Where are your wings?" Dean looked the man over. He was wearing the exact same dress clothes and trench-coat as in Dean's dreams. He's actually kinda cute, Dean thought. Wait, what?

"My wings are there, they're just unable to be perceived by the human mind, unless, of course, I let you see them" Castiel explained.

"Oh" Dean replied, still flustered by his thoughts. "I need to find my brother." He patted his pockets, searching for his cell phone. Suddenly, Castiel's hand was on Dean's forehead. Dean's vision became white, and he found himself standing in front of Sam a moment later.

"Dean! I—I thought I would never see you again" Sam exclaimed as he pulled his brother into a hug.

"Hiya Sammy. How long have I been gone, exactly?" He hadn't realized just how much he missed his younger brother until now.

"It's been a year." Sam pulled out of the hug. "Who's this?" he asked, referring to Castiel.

"Oh, this is Castiel. He's the one who saved me from Hell" Dean explained.

"Isn't he the man—?"

"Yes, he's the man from those dreams."

"Actually, I am an angel of the Lord" Castiel explained.

"Wow" Sam said in awe.

"Dean, I think I'll let you and Sam catch up. If you need me, I'm just a prayer away."

Dean nodded, "Thanks again, Cass."

Castiel smiled at the nickname before disappearing.

"What was that about?"

"What?"

"'Cass'. You already gave him a nickname?"

"It was a spur of the moment thing. It just came to me and I liked it, okay!"

"Ooo, you're getting defensive. Do you like him?" Sam teased.

"I just realized he was real and not a figment of my imagination, Sammy!"

"Well, either way, I'm happy he brought you back."

"Me, too, Sammy. Me, too." Dean looked around the motel room. "You got a room with two beds?"

"Um, yeah... I wanted to be ready for when I found you, but looks like you were the one who found me" he chuckled.

"You never gave up on finding me?"

"Not even once"

"Thanks Sammy"

"Don't thank me. It's what brothers do."