Standing Together

Chapter 16

The first explosion brings on the most panic. People are screaming, calling out for help, pushing people out of the way. Nothing Castiel says is going to change that, but he has to try. He's safer on stage than in the crowds, but if he could save one person who doesn't have that luxury, he has to try. He may not know anyone here, but they're his fans, and he can't let them die.

But then he sees him, standing at the edge of the stage. He's the only still person amongst the crowds of panicked fans, and while they all scream in terror, his mouth forms one word.

"Cas!"

Castiel stares at him, unable to believe his eyes. "Dean?" What's he doing here? Why now? Why this show?

He runs to the end of the stage, desperate to reach the boy, to help him up and away from everything. Dean cups his hands over his mouth and yells it again and again.

"Cas! Cas! Cas!"

Castiel drops to his knees at the end of the stage, reaching an arm out, and Dean grabs it, holding it so tightly, it's sure to leave a bruise. Castiel tries to pull him up, to get him away from the crowd, but then the second explosion sounds, sending a blinding wall of fire in his face.

Castiel closes his eyes, focusing on Dean's hand, still in his own. At least Dean is here. Dean's here and he's safe and —

"No," Castiel breathes. "No no no —"

He drops his fiancé's arm — because that's all it is; an arm. But where's Dean? Where's the boy it's supposed to be attached to? Where —

Castiel covers his mouth with his hand, the metallic taste of others' blood barely registering in his mind. "No, no —" He jumps off the stage and runs over, but it's too late.

Dean's upper body lies on the ground, eyes glazed over and limbs all missing. His body's covered in blood, though whether it's his or from the others, Castiel isn't sure he wants to know.

He's dead. He's dead, he's dead, he's dead.

"No, no no no no," Castiel whispers, but his whispers turn to screams the more he says it. "No no no no no no —"

"Cas!"

Castiel's eyes fly open at the sounds of Dean's voice, and the first thing he notices is Dean's arm around him. But Dean's arm...

His mind flashes back to the scene he just saw, holding an arm without a body, and he screams before he can stop himself, sitting up quickly and moving to the other end of the bed. He pulls his legs up to his chest, wrapping his arms around them.

"Cas?"

"Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god," he whispers, squeezing his eyes shut.

"Cas?"

He can feel his throat closing up, and he fights for every heavy breath he takes. His whole body feels like it's on fire, and part of him wants to take off his shirt or go find a fan or do something, but he's frozen, sitting on the bed helplessly as tears stream down his face.

"Cas!"

He feels a hand on his back, and part of him knows it's Dean; it's his fiancé trying to comfort him, but he can't think straight right now. He can barely even breathe right, for god's sake.

"Cas, hey, listen to me," Dean says, his voice somehow both soft but firm. "You have to breathe, okay? Deep breaths, in and out."