His Fallen Grace

Chapter Four

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"Still out?"

Dean turned towards his brother's voice and the rustling of plastic bags.

"Yeah."

Sam tossed him the keys to the Impala as Dean arose from his seat, kicking the door shut with his foot.

"Wanna hand?"

"Yeah, thanks."

They lugged a few bags each over to the nearest table, Dean rummaging through the contents of a couple.

"Cotton swabs, antiseptic wipes, gauze, Band-Aids, muscle cream, ibuprofen... What's in the rest?"

"Oh you know, just stuff... Uh, hey, can I borrow the keys again real fast?"

Dean glanced down at the car keys in his half-clenched fist.

"Uh, sure, where you going?"

Sam caught the keys as Dean tossed them his way.

"There's a fast food place that's open 24/7 not far from here. You want anything?"

He cast unconscious Castiel a glance before giving Sam a reply.

"Uh, you know what, I'm good-but, hey, get Cas something. Guy's probably gonna be starving when he wakes up."

"Gotcha. Be back soon."

The door shut, and just like that, it was Dean left all to himself. He released a sigh, the drumming of his fingers being the only thing to break the stifling silence which filled the bunker. He was stressed out. All Dean wanted to do was take "Baby" out for a long drive, crank up some tunes, buy a six-pack, and just park somewhere in the middle of nowhere to clear his head. For now I guess he just had to settle for the dining room table and a beer that'd been sitting in the fridge for God-knows-how-long.

He snapped the cap of the bottle, took a seat in one of the polished wooden chairs, propped his feet up on the table, leaned back, and put the rim of the bottle to his lips, cool, not-so-terrible alcohol trickling down his throat. This isn't so bad, Dean thought. He could do this. He could relax. Sam would be back soon, they could take turns keeping an eye on Cas, and...

He licked his lips, burrow furrowing slightly. He put his feet down, the beer clinking as his set it on the table. Then, he listened. He'd heard-or at least thought he'd heard something. Kevin, no doubt, was asleep. Sam, although picking up some burgers at a fast food joint wasn't watching paint dry, couldn't be back already. That he was aware, Dean was the only conscious one in the-

That he was aware.

"Damn it-Cas?!"

He jumped to his feet and rushed into the room, frantically looking around.

"Cas!?"

Dean found him slumped between a nightstand and the bed, taking short pants of breath, fresh blood staining the sheets.

"Shit, shit, shit...!"

Dean breathed, dropping down next to him and taking his face in his shaking hands.

"Cas, wake up!"

His lashes fluttered, sky blue eyes drooping as they gazed back at a frantic Dean, his weak voice giving a soft reply,

"Dean...?"

"Y-Yeah Cas, it's me. I'm um... Gonna sit you back up on the bed, okay?"

Cas gave a rather hesitant nod before Dean hooked his arms beneath his, holding the angel close as he pulled the both of them to their feet, Cas taking short pants of breath as Dean sat him down.