Lightkeeper /Destiel//Sabriel//Michifer

Safety In Numbers

"Dean? Dean, please say something!"

As if in a dream, Dean felt his shoulders being lightly shaken. He could hear a voice close by, one he recognised, but couldn't place. He couldn't make out the words.

The pressure on his shoulders became tighter, almost painful. His mind felt foggy and everything around him seemed different. Dimly, he was aware of a cold dampness on his cheeks.

"Dean!"

This time, the voice sounded much nearer. With a jolt, Dean felt himself flung painfully back to reality. His head throbbed as noises seemed to attack him from all angles and a sudden nausea gripped him.

With great effort, he forced his eyes to focus on the person directly in front of him: a dark-haired boy with mesmerising blue eyes. As he studied the person closer, he was aware of being spoken to. Aware of the glistening in the other boy's eyes that, at first, he had mistaken for a natural sparkle, but now saw that it was brimming tears.

Cas.

"Hey, Angel." Dean managed a genuine smile through his own steady flow of tears.

Cas exhaled deeply, closing his eyes in momentary relief. "You're crying," he observed, his voice gentle. Cas loosened his grip on Dean's shoulders and took his hand instead; he felt the Winchester relax marginally.  "You just zoned out.  I thought—," Cas paused, not entirely sure what he had thought. "Just don't scare me like that, okay?"

Dean nodded slowly, now acutely aware of someone approaching the table.

"You two alright?" It was Ellen. She waited a beat for an answer. None came. "Why don't you come with me, okay? You can sit out back with Ash, where it's quiet."

"Thank you," Cas rasped, his voice suddenly refusing to function properly. He'd only ever seen Dean like this once. That time in the library when Dean had been uncharacteristically quiet.  When he'd been so absorbed in his own thoughts, it seemed he'd forgotten Cas completely.  When he'd talked about breaking up.  When he'd cried. 

Cas remembered exactly what had caused the upset.  And he had a terrible feeling that the same was the case now. 

~~

"So, where exactly do you live?" Anna asked conversationally.

"Not too far," Jade answered, "You know where the hospital is?"

Anna nodded.

"It's just past that."

"What's that, like, a twenty minute walk from here?"  Jo questioned, clearly trying to map the distance in her head.

"Probably a bit less."

"Maybe for you," Elsa laughed, "You walk ridiculously fast."

"You sure it's not just cos you're short and can't keep up?" Meg interjected.

"Rude!"

"I bet you, if we all raced, I'd win," Charlie challenged. 

"Oh, okay," Anna smirked, "It's like that, is it?  Well prepare to lose."