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Not sure what I think about this one. My first attempt at a non-cracky SPN ficlet.

My prompt was "It's the Little Things: Giving thanks; finding things to be grateful for."

*****

Castiel’s watched as his charge has gone to hell, all to save the brother he loves. He’s watched as his body was torn apart and rebuilt, over and over for thirty years. He’s watched as Dean Winchester, the righteous man spilled the first drop of blood, starting this unholy mess they are all caught in.

Then one day, he stopped watching and he started doing.

The order had come down from above but now Castiel looks back on the memory, he knows he’d have done the same had it not. He moved through hell, fighting off scores of demons, seen things he’d barely thought possible, things which he knows haunts the hunter at night. He’s cradled his friends soul in his palms, lovingly pieced it together, healed every scar, every break, every wound. He wished he could heal the boys mind, save him the pain he knows Dean still feels everyday. Castiel knows that wasn’t in the plan, knows it would have only complicated things, left Dean in a position not dissimilar to the flame haired angel, Anna. The hunter would have been pursued by things he couldn’t comprehend, would have been haunted by a memory he couldn’t quite touch, torn away from a brother who would have continued further down his dark road. Worse than that, he wouldn’t have been the man Castiel had given everything for. Once the angel realized this, he became aware that he’d stopped doing and started feeling.

Castiel loved all of his charges, the way he’s been taught to, the way he’s expected to as an angel. From the young girl dealing with the unwanted affections of her uncle, to the older man fighting the sickness eating him apart. They don’t see Castiel, not in the way the Winchesters do, the way the rest of the world do. They simply heard a soft voice in their mind, something which could be played off as the wind, the rain, something innocent leaving them with a sense of ease. They use the feelings he induces, the strength he induces in the ways they see fit. He doesn’t have a special connection to them all but Castiel loves them, he can never be accused of anything less.

But Dean Winchester is different. Dean Winchester is the only one he would even consider turning his back on heaven for. Dean Winchester is the only one he would even consider sharing his fears with. Dean Winchester is the only one he would even consider falling for. In every single sense of the word.

He’s watched Dean for many years. He’s watched as his charge has grown from a young, scared little boy up into a strong, brave, loyal man. He understands that Dean finds comfort and enjoyment in the simple things, a greasy diner cheeseburger, a laugh from his beloved younger brother, even a cuff upside the head from Bobby.

Now the tables have turned. Dean’s watching him, along with the younger Winchester and the older hunter.

“Cas?” Dean says his name again, snipping it short, something most angels would find disrespectful. Something Castiel finds utterly endearing.

Cas lifts his eyes from the plate of gravy, the meat, vegetables, sauce that he’d been led to believe was the main part of the meal obscured by the thick brown liquid. He looks across to Dean, blue eyes meeting green.

“You got anything you’re thankful for?” Dean asks, trying not to sound impatient despite the fact the original question must have been asked long moments ago.

A small smile plays at Castiel’s lips, “Yes, Dean. I do.”

N'awww, thanks.
blaugh

Haha, I love being able to make non-slashers read it.
Although it's more pre, as I've mentioned, almost gen.

And thank you!

N'awww, thanks!
biggrin