Blood and Grace

Chapter 1: Fading

Blood and Grace

*** This takes place a while after the season 9 finale and Dean is human for a few days now. The time of the setting is in the present. I used some of my theories in this. Enjoy!***

Chapter 1: Fading

"Cas?!?" Dean shouted, running over to him as fast he could.

     Castiel fell to the ground. It was over for Dean Winchester's guardian angel. Dean knew Cas would want to be strong, but he couldn't. Castiel was dead. Dean closed his watering eyes, trying to remember the beginning.•••

"Dean, I was so worried." Castiel breathed, his arms wrapped around the fair, freckled face of the love of his life, Dean Winchester.

"That it wouldn't work?" Dean asked with a chuckle, letting go of Castiel. His gray, hazel eyes glowed. Cas chuckled in response. They were finally happy again.

"And about you." Castiel replied, shyly.

"Me?" Dean asked, surprised.

"You know, because you're my best friend." Castiel replied quickly.

"I should of talked to you about this sooner." Dean sighed. "I realized it the day that rogue reaper killed you."

"I don't know when I noticed. It's always been there." Castiel admitted.

"I think you're right." Dean said. Before they knew it, they were lip to lip and holding hands.

"You know I-"

"Look, Cas I didn't mean-"

"I was going to say I've missed this." Castiel said. "Being happy. You human, me angel."

"Me, too." Dean replied.

They looked up and their eyes met. Castiel read Dean's face. There was something that hadn't quite faded away yet. Something bad. Dean read Castiel's face. Castiel's eyes, two blue, polished sapphires were full of worry. Castiel was the leader of the angels. There was something off about him; the way he was holding Dean's hands. It was as if Castiel was fading away.

"Cas, I know about your grace. How if you don't replenish it soon and if it burns out, you with it." Dean finally said.

"I am not stealing another angel's grace!" Castiel replied aggressively.

"We can try and reverse everything Metatron did and get your grace back in the process."

"Let's not talk about this now." Cas said, rubbing Dean's hand with his fingers.

"Only on one condition." Dean said, fiddling with the button on Castiel's trench coat.

"Yes?" Castiel asked.

"We go to my room."

"Of course, Dean." Castiel replied, happily. He put two fingers to Dean's forehead and they were in Dean's room inside the Men of Letters Bunker. "And what else?

"Not right this second, Cas!" Dean said with annoyance.

"What is it, Dean?" Castiel asked with concern.

"It's Sam."

"Is Sam okay?"

"Yeah, Sammy's okay."

"Then what is it, Dean?"

"I don't want him walking in."

"Dean, he's your brother." Castiel said in a stunned voice.

"Walking in... on us."

"Oh."

"Yeah, me, too." Dean replied, approaching him slowly. He traced the back of Castiel's coat collar with the tips of his fingers and stopped. "Cas?"

"Dean, I- I..." Cas rubbed his throat and sat down on the bed.

"Cas? CAS!" Dean laid him down on his bed. Cas sat up, refusing to lay down.

"Dean, I'm... fine..."

"Cas, what's happening?"

"Nothing... much. It's normal, I've seen it before." Cas fell back onto the bed.

"...Cas?" Dean asked worriedly. "CAS?!?"

Dean Winchester stood helplessly over his guardian angel. The only thing he thought of was to call his brother.