Destiel One-Shots

By Your Side

For: Dayla1420
Prompt: Cas lays next to Dean when all three of them are on a hunting trip. It all started off as Cas just sitting on the edge of the bed to calm Dean's nightmares and eventually lead to Dean pulling him down next to him. Of course, Cas is usually standing somewhere by the time Sam wakes up. That is, until Cas falls asleep and Sam sees, forcing Dean to deal with the implications and maybe come to the conclusion that maybe, just maybe, he feels something more for the Angel than he wants to admit.

   Dean was tense. A frown creased his brow, marring his usually peaceful expression as he slept. He shifted uneasily as his fists clenched and unclenched beneath the twisted sheets. A bead of sweat was forming along his hairline and threatening to slip down the smooth skin to his ear. His breathing hitched, growing fast and shallow as his whole body shuddered. Castiel stood at the foot of the motel bed, uncertain. His friend was trapped in a nightmare, that much was obvious. However, said friend also denied and refused any and all attempts Castiel offered to help alleviate his pain. The decision was made for him, though, as Dean gasped out a pained whine.

   Slowly, so as not to wake him, Castiel made his way to Dean's bedside. He frowns down at the hunter, determined yet still unsure. Dean shifts again, pressing his head further back into the lumpy pillow. His frown deepens as he groans at whatever torture is being inflicted in his sleep. Reaching out, Castiel hovers two fingers over Dean's forehead, but pauses before making contact with Dean's flushed skin. At the last second, he opens his hand and rests his open palm over Dean's cheek. Closing his eyes, he calls upon his grace, feeling it surge up to the surface. He pushes it out through his fingers and into his friend, and feels him still.

   Dean relaxes immediately, breathing out a heavy sigh before turning his head slightly and leaning into Castiel's touch. Cas allows himself a moment to enjoy the feeling before trailing his hand down Dean's neck and letting it come to rest over the hunter's heart. He focuses on the still rapid rhythm, willing it to slow. It gradually does, and once satisfied, Cas pulls his hand away, albeit reluctantly.

   A quick look at the alarm clock tells Cas that the two brothers would be asleep for another couple of hours, at least, so he settles down on the very edge of Dean's bed, perched near his feet. In recent weeks, the angel had noticed that not only have Dean's nightmares been getting worse and more common, but that his presence seems to help keep them at bay. As long as he is within feasible touching distance, Dean seems to be okay. Not that Dean is aware of any of this. Cas always makes sure to be standing or sitting elsewhere in the room before either brother stirs, and has never brought up in conversation that he soothes Dean's nightmares for him. There are just some things better left unsaid.

~~~

   It's a week later, on another case, in another town, in another dingy motel, that Cas once again finds himself comforting his friend. This time, Dean's whole body is vibrating, shaking with the intensity of whatever horror is playing out in his head. He thrashes violently, panting into the slightly musty air. He's mumbling to himself in his sleep. Muttering under his breath. Mom, Dad, Sammy. He jolts suddenly, pain etched across his face. Cas.

   It's at the pained utterance of his name that Cas intervenes. Settling onto the mattress by Dean's side, he once again cups his hand around the hunter's cheek. He feels that familiar prickle of his grace flowing into Dean before Dean once again becomes still. His face relaxes, and he breathes out the breath he had been holding. There is still sweat glistening on his brow, so Cas gently wipes it away. Dean's eyes flutter open groggily as Cas is retracting his hand.

   "Cas?" He croaks hoarsely, eyes seemingly struggling to focus on the angel in his still half asleep state. "What're you doing?" He asks, words slightly slurred together, but still discernible. Cas's eyes widen at having been caught. He flounders for a brief moment, but collects himself enough to reply.