Author's Note: This fic is a 500 word ficlet with Destiel and Sabriel. No warnings. I hope you enjoy it! Link to the AO3 version is in the external link. 

~ Em

Dean could withstand a lot of things, but idly standing by while his brother was in pain wasn't one of them. He could feel his hands curling into fists at his sides, and he stormed out of the room to avoid punching something. He couldn't say he was surprised when Cas's footsteps followed him out.

"Dean? Are you alright?"

Dean was a lot of things, too, but alright certainly wasn't one of them.

"Yeah, fine."

"Is there anything I can do?" Dean's eyes watered. Cas always knew. Saw through his bullshit on a level that was rivaled only by Sam.

"Just, uh, just talk to me?" Dean turned away, not wanting Cas to see the tears in his eyes, but he couldn't control the way his voice hitched as he spoke.

"About what?"

"Anything," Dean breathed. "Just, just talk."

And without another question, Cas did. Dean was usually so attentive when he was speaking, but this time, Cas's words rolled right over his head. It didn't matter, though. Dean knew Cas would repeat anything that he really wanted him to hear.

He took a deep breath. It was going to be okay. Cas's voice was comforting in an odd sort of way, a way that made him freeze for a minute before he remembered they were alone in the room and there was no one there to watch him while he battled with his own thoughts.

Dean inhaled shakily, uncurling his fists and sagging onto a nearby bench. He couldn't say he was surprised when Cas moved to join him without being asked.

"Dean," Cas said again, and it was less of a question this time; more like a statement, a reminder. A reminder that Cas was there.

"Cas," Dean breathed back. "Yeah." He scrubbed a hand over his eyes, clearing his throat. "I, uh - thanks."

"Of course, Dean."

~ ~ ~

Later, when Sam was back, alive and unhurt, it was the first thing he noticed. He raised an eyebrow at Dean and said, "You're not shaking."

Dean gave him a look. "No?"

"You always shake," Sam pointed out, frowning. "Every time I have to do something like that."

Dean grumbled something unintelligible and walked off, resisting the urge to give his brother the middle finger.

Sam chuckled and spotted Cas at the end of the corridor. "Thanks," he called.

"For what?" Cas looked just as confused as ever, and Sam would have laughed if he wasn't so damn tired of their shit.

He rolled his eyes. "Nothin'. Don't worry about it, Cas."

"Okay...?"

Sam opened his bedroom door and slipped inside, twisting the lock until it clicked. The second the door was secure, Gabriel appeared in a flutter of wings.

Sam smiled to himself and stepped into the archangel's open arms, feeling the tight embrace of wings folding around him in return.

Someday, those two idiots would figure it out, and then they could have what he had. For their sake, he hoped they'd figure it out sooner rather than later.