Chapter Text
"I figured as much, thank you, Dean," Cas said as the floor started to tremble beneath their feet.
"Are you practicing your sarcasm on me while we're being attacked by a friggin' ghost??" Dean exclaimed and held onto the wall to his left to stay upright.
"Not the right time?"
"Not the right time!"
"Good to-" Cas started when a window suddenly exploded and the air from outside decided to crash into Dean, knocking him to the ground. "Dean!"
Dean didn't know where up and down was. The only things he could sense were dirt in the back of his throat and that his ears were ringing. "This isn't going well."
Whispers were heard from every wall, screeching and scratching echoing off them. The wind carried every piece of wood through the room, aiming at the duo.
"Are you alright, Dean?" Cas asked, worry etched deep into his features. "Did you hurt yourself?"
"I'm peachy," Dean coughed and tried to sit up but was quickly pushed down by Cas who was suddenly half on top of him. Dean looked up to find a massive piece of wood embedded in the wall. If Cas hadn't pushed him down...
"We need to leave," the angel shouted over the wind.
"I figured as much, thank-" Dean mocked (or mogged - who knows with this guy) but stopped when Cas lifted him up bridal style.
Oh.
...that's pretty nice.
Not the right time!
Cas started running, avoiding every piece of wood being thrown at them. "BURN! BURN FOR YOUR SINS!" something screeched as they left the house and entered the car.
"I can't teleport, Dean. The ghost seems to block my powers," Cas said while he heaved Dean into the backseat and took the driver's seat.
He paused.
"I don't know how to drive."
Oh my god.
"Seriously, dude?! Just treat the lady nicely," Dean slurred, the corners of his vision darkening. "Just.."
"Dean?"
No response.
"DEAN?!"
Still none.
"DEAN!"
...
...
...
"Dean?" a familiar voice asked, almost trembling. "Are you okay?" it asked again, but sounded far away, like Dean couldn't really come back to it. He didn't know what was going on.
He felt a light caress on his cheek, making him melt into the gesture.
He wanted to be close to this person.
He knew that much.
"Dean..." the voice murmured as he felt another hand holding his other cheek, warmth emanating from his face down to his bruised abdomen and sore legs. He instantly felt the bruises healing and started to open his eyes, blinded by the light above him.
"Cas?" he realised before he could focus on anything.
"Thank God," the angel said and smiled at him - a rare gesture saved for moments of utter happiness. "How are you feeling?"
Dean wanted to sit upright, he really did. But Cas' warmth just pulled him in. "Like I was hauled around by an angry witch spirit," he chuckled. "You could say I was... about to break."
Cas tilted his head. "What do you mean?"
"Linkin- You know what? I'm just glad we're alive," Dean said and sat upright, mourning the loss of Cas' hands on his skin. But his hand settled for Dean's, so it was a win to him.
Because he had realised something. He liked Cas close. Closer than he thought he did.
He blushed slightly at their hands intertwining and had to look away for a moment. "So... how long was I out?" he asked and cleared his throat.
"It was not too long. But long enough for me to worry," he said earnestly, his grip on Dean's hand tightening slightly, like he was scared he'd fall unconscious again if he let him go.
"Well, I'm sorry about that," Dean mumbled and looked back at the angel sitting to his right.
"So... what are we going to do now?"
Dean grinned. "Gank a friggin' witch."
His stomach growled.
"Change of plans. First we eat a friggin' cheeseburger."
~
The diner they had visited the past couple of days was fairly empty; only four other people were inside, minding their own business as Dean and Cas settled into a booth in the corner of the shop and Dean picked up the menu.
"I brought this," Cas said and heaved a way too heavy and way too old book onto the table. "It's the town's records from the 17th century."
"How did you get that?" Dean asked incredulously.
"I have my ways," Cas said solemnly... and if that didn't do things to Dean, I don't know what did. "I already found the spirit. Apparently, the story was true. She was exiled for witchcraft. Her husband, whose name was Baltimore, accused and burned her."
Huh.
"So there are no bones for us to burn?"
"She did die in 1665, Dean. I doubt there would be much to burn," Cas said and decided to take a sip of Dean's coffee. "This is stronger," he said. "It tastes less like atoms."
The smile he gave Dean made his heart melt. "Alright, huggybear. So what should we do to get rid of her?"
Cas thought for a moment. "You found an amulet, yes?"
Dean nodded.
"Do you still have it?"
Dean reached into his jacket pocket and his face lit up when he felt something that felt like rough, dirty metal. "Yup."
"...Maybe you should open it?"
Right.
He put the menu down and took the amulet into both of his hands. It was a dark blue and almost looked like a tear. Kind of ironic, considering her fate. He put his thumbnails into the crease of the necklace and ripped it open to reveal very old drawings and carvings. "Wow..."
"Latin again. 'ETERNAL LOVE'."
"Well, that's a lie if I've ever heard one."
"Yes, well, that's not all." A pause. "It says 'BALTIMORE' and 'ASMODEUS' again."
Dean looked up. "So my theory was right? Except that they weren't just two guys; one of them was the husband who killed her."
Cas nodded. "Maybe she got in the way of their love? Or wanted to out them to the village? I believe that the people in the 17th century did not like to see two men in love. Some humans struggle with that today."
As if Dean didn't know.
"Yeah, you're right, angel. Do you think... maybe this is her anchor? The thing that's keeping her here?"
"Well, if not that then what?" Cas asked and tilted his head.
"True."
~
On their drive back to the motel, Dean stopped at a random alley and told Cas to come outside with him. "Considering this is metal, I believe you should burn this," he said and handed his favorite angel the necklace.
Cas just nodded and extended his palm. When Dean put the amulet into his waiting hand, their fingers brushed and a shiver ran down his spine - he couldn't blame the cold.
The amulet was melted instantly and its ashes flew away in the wind. Everything seemed quieter; peaceful; done.
~
Back at the motel, Dean threw his jacket onto his bed and sat down. Now that the case was finished, he could finally focus on what had been bothering him for the longest time. "Cas, you never answered my question."
The angel, who had already taken his seat at the table, looked at him. "What question?"
Dean gulped. He thought Cas would know. But then again, it's Cas, so this really shouldn't be a surprise to him. "I asked you what you meant when you told Mr. Warren you had seen the most beautiful soul..." His heart was racing. "...who was it?"
Cas was unreadable, his face not giving any hint at what he was thinking. After a beat of silence, he said, "You, Dean. Who else could I possibly mean?"
That was not the answer Dean expected. Even though it was the one he wanted to hear for whatever reason...
"What?"
"Dean, you are..." Cas exhaled. "The most extraordinary person I have ever met. Your concern and sacrifices for the people you love is the most self-destructive yet selfless thing I have ever witnessed. Why do you think I fell? Because I didn't trust my people? Because I thought I was better than them?" he continued and stood up.
"Because of you, Dean. Because... you make me feel."
Dean was about to respond.
Then-
His phone started to ring. He looked at it, wanting to hang up... but he realised it was the town's police station. "Hello?"
"Agent Bennington?"
"Yes?"
"I'm sorry to bother you this late but we have found two more bodies."