Chapter Text
"Hey Cas?"
Sam didn't think to pause before opening the door. Giving a, 'Hey Cas?' wasn't so much of a, 'Could I come in?' as it was simply announcing his presence. Sam entered the room to find a situation that, decades ago, would have been baffling (and perhaps even a little bit embarrassing).
Castiel sat on the bed, dressed as he always was. Dean was there too, dressed in his dark red t-shirt, dark jeans, and boots. The part that would have caused pause years ago was the fact that Dean was curled up on the bed, head in Castiel's lap as he lay asleep. Castiel looked up from where he had been staring at Dean rather lovingly, his hand still entangled in Dean's hair. The angel paused just a moment before going back to running his fingers through Dean's hair, blue eyes falling back to the sleeping man's serene face.
"Oh. Sorry," Sam whispered. "I can just go—"
"It's alright Sam," Castiel assured, whispering back. "He is deeply asleep."
"You sure? I don't mind coming back—"
"Sam," Castiel replied, sounding annoyed. "You wouldn't have sought me out had you not needed something."
Sam shuffled into the room quietly. He gave an anxious look at his sleeping brother. "Really, I can just come back later—"
Now Castiel looked annoyed. "Sam."
Sam looked at Dean, and a small smile graced his lips. "It's just nice, yaknow?"
Castiel did his tilty-head eye-squint.
"Dean," Sam continued, giving a proper smile then. "Seeing him sleep so…at peace."
Castiel smiled once more down at Dean. "Ah yes. That. It is rather nice, isn't it?"
"I'll get used to it. Eventually."
Castiel looked back up at Sam and smiled. "How may I assist you? I doubt you wanted to talk to me about your brother's sleeping habits."
Sam frowned. "It's…Actually about him."
"Oh?"
"I'm—worried."
Castiel's brow knitted. "Worried?"
Sam smiled and then started to back peddle. "You know what? Nevermind, it's silly—"
"Sam. If it's enough to garner your attention, I highly doubt whatever it is is silly."
Sam sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Well, I hope it is."
"What about Dean is troubling you? Besides the usual?"
Sam had to stifle a laugh. That was another thing he'd have to get used to eventually—his best-friend-angel-brother-in-law joking around now.
"Well, there's always that," Sam conceded. "But there's also…this."
When Sam sort of gestured around vaguely, Castiel looked confused again. "I don't understand."
"Cas—we're in the bunker."
"So?"
"So?" Sam took a breath, getting his temper in check before it would flare up. Cas didn't deserve that. "We're in Heaven."
"I'm well aware," Castiel whispered slowly.
"Why are we here?"
"Oh. Well, because I couldn't find Dean this morning, and I know he has been coming here a lot, so I figured I would be able to find him here—"
"You misunderstand me. Why would Dean need to recreate the bunker?"
Castiel frowned, pausing his hand from going through Dean's hair. "Oh. That. Yes, it's bothered me too."
"We've been here for years now Cas," Sam stated. "Why now?"
Castiel went back to running his hands through Dean's hair. "I'm not sure."
"Have you noticed anything? Like, is he acting weird?"
"Weirder than normal you mean?"
Now Sam did laugh, though he tried to keep it quiet. "Yes, smart-ass."
Castiel grinned for a moment before turning serious once more. "No, nothing. I was admittedly worried when Dean conjured up this place a few weeks ago, but honestly I've let my guard down. I genuinely think it's a bought of nostalgia."
Sam snorted. "Nostalgia? Cas, this place isn't exactly happy. Kevin was killed here. Lucifer showed up and pretended to be you. Fuck, Dean almost killed you here."
Castiel's frown deepened. "I understand that, but it holds deep relevance in both of your lives. You lived here. I know you both have good memories here. Dean told me how he felt like he finally had a home here; he told me about Charlie and The Wizard of Oz fiasco, but how it ended well and he was happy for Charlie. Regardless of connotation, it was a huge part of Dean's life."
"Yeah, well—"
Dean snorted in his sleep. Both Castiel and Sam froze. When it became apparent Dean wasn't about to wake up, they both relaxed.
"Just tell me if he starts acting weird, okay?"
Castiel smiled. "Of course, Sam. You'll be the first to know."
Sam returned the smile. "Thanks, Cas."
Castiel nodded. Sam turned around, leaving Dean's bedroom. Castiel looked back down at Dean and gave a little sigh. Then he leaned down, planting a kiss against Dean's temple.
"Your brother still wants nothing more than to protect you," Castiel whispered down at Dean. "Even after all these years. You are so loved."
Smiling, Castiel went back to running his fingers through Dean's soft hair.