Chapter Text
Castiel swallowed hard, staring up at the cathedral-esc church. Even from the street he could feel the weight of it, far beyond the stone walls and painted glass. It was a house of God, as old as the town and washed over time with the devout faith of hundreds.
Dean turned around and sighed, already half way up the steps to the church. “Cas, buddy, coming?”
He shook his head and cleared his throat. “No, I think...I think I’ll stay here by the car.”
The hunter rubbed his brow, silently cursing and asking how he got stuck with the weirdest angel in the garrison. “Get in the damn church.”
Cas floundered a bit, his whole body working under his heavy clothing, twitching and flexing. He relaxed and looked down. “I can’t...I don’t think I can go in there.”
Of fucking course he can’t, Dean thought to himself. He should have had that drink. “Well we need you here, there’s no can’t about it.”
“Dean.” Sam warned. He was already at the top of the steps but he could see the broken look on the angel’s face.
“What do you me want to do, hold his hand?”
Castiel looked up and thought that over. “It would help.” he said finally.
Dean was stuck between laughing because he looked so much like a child, shouting that it was a fucking joke, and just shooting himself so he could have at least an hour without the increasing insanity that was his life. He instead settled on marching down the old stone stairs and grabbing Castiel’s hand before dragging him back up. He also made a point not to look at his brother’s all too amused expression as he pushed past and through the solid wood doors.
The deeper they walked through the silent and musky sanctuary the tighter Cas gripped at the other man’s hand. By the time they reached the pew it was getting painful, but Dean didn’t complain. Castiel needed to face his fears and maybe even forgive himself and bravado aside Dean was willing to help him in any way he could.
While the brothers searched the large church Castiel focussed on Dean. On his heart that beat steadily through his hand, to his breath that occasionally brushed across his cheek or neck, to his warmth which was slowly seeping from their hands to fully envelope Cas. The angel often wrapped his wings protectively around the boys, but he was amazed that Dean could give that same feeling of safety and care which just being there.
A loud thud and then the crack of wood came from one of the rooms Sam had split off to search. Dean spun around, muttering an expletive before being knocked across the room and out of Cas’ grip by the god they were hunting. He stumbled before catching his footing and settling into a fighting stance.
The god grinned maliciously at him, teeth red with blood and stuck with flesh. An animalistic, cannibalistic god that was really no better than a wild dog. It barked a laugh, or maybe just barked and pounced on Cas.
Castiel was knocked into a bench, but managed to roll the creature off him, only to find his iron blade missing. He searched in darkness, which opened him up to be attacked once more. This time the god got the upper hand, scratching and biting. He could barely hold it off from ripping his face off or taking a chunk out of his neck. The god growled and pushed harder, the angel’s resolve and strength weakening. Brittle breaking lips were centimetres away from soft flesh when a crash made both beings look up.
“Hey ugly, heads up!” The hunter swung his heavy iron half-sword, decapitating it and effectively killing the god. Dean grinned cockily, hairline seeping blood and posture a little crooked.
Castiel flopped back onto the cold floor and pushed the body off himself, sighing in relief. “Thank you.”
“Ehn, don’t mention it.” He offered his hand to help him up. “You can make it up to me by buying the first round.”
Castiel took the proffered hand gratefully and heaved his aching body up. This increasingly human thing was not pleasurable. He moved to take his hand back, but was surprised to instead have it gently squeezed, keeping it in Dean’s. “Thanks, but I think I’m alright now.”
Dean shrugged and gave another short squeeze before trailing the angel along to find Sam. As they cleaned up the body and as much of the church as they could though he didn’t let go, goofy grin plastered on his brother’s face.