Prince of the Ether Realms

“I just don’t understand,” Castiel said, a little too harshly.

“Whup,” Dean said, toothbrush hanging from his mouth, foam around his lips. “Wha’s to umberspanb?”

Castiel narrowed his eyes and folded his arms, still leaning on the frame of Dean’s bedroom door. “Why you would rush into the portal without telling me. You didn’t even text me. I trust your phone still works.”

Dean glanced down, eyes on the mirrored cabinet over his bedroom’s corner sink. He bent at the waist, and spat out toothpaste. “It was a spur-of-the-moment thing,” he said, turning on the faucet, rinsing out his mouth, then splashing water onto his face with a hand. “All I was thinkin’ about was saving Mom and Jack.” He straightened up, exhaling a minty puff of air in Castiel’s direction. “Sorry, bud.”

Castiel didn’t seem even remotely soothed. “And the tentacles!”

Dean grinned. “What about the tentacles?” He reached into the cabinet for his razor.

“You didn’t call me for help then, either.”

“No big deal, Cas, I came out of that just fine.”

“Your body was almost appropriated as a vessel for an interdimensional tentacle monster!” Castiel growled, unfolding his arms and staring at Dean in concern.

Dean still grinned, flipping his razor in his hand. “Not like I’d look any worse for it,” he teased, reaching to bat at Castiel’s chest with the back of his hand. “You’d still have a pretty face to stare at, huh?”

Castiel seethed, in a mild sort of way. “You know that’s not why I—” his eyes darted away, “appreciate you.”

Dean felt a funny flip in his chest, following Castiel’s slight pause. Now Dean’s smile turned wonky and he chuckled a little, eyes cast down. “You know you love me.”

A soft snort escaped Castiel’s nose. “Just tell me next time you decide to run head-first into a monster’s mouth, please. I worry about you, Dean. Exactly as much as you worry about me. And you know as well as I do: you couldn’t bear it if I ended up getting… dead.”

Dean wore an aching smile now, knowing it was true. He thumbed at the handle of his razor, forgetting for the moment that he intended to use it.

Gently – slowly – his attention drifted back to Castiel. He looked into his angel’s eyes, holding them for a while, just taking a moment to enjoy his presence, and his care, knowing it was the result of deep, unconditional affection.

Even after all this time, Dean had no freaking idea what to do with all that love.

Dean drew a breath, wanting to say something – anything, didn’t matter what – when his train of thought was interrupted.

“I’VE GOT SOMETHING!” Sam yelled, his shout echoing down the bunker’s hallway. “Dean! Cas! Library! Now!”

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@almaasi posted a fic, oh boy, oh boy, oh boy!  :-D

Ngl, this is my honest reaction EVERY time I see a notif from her. If you haven’t read anything by Elmie yet, please do yourself a favour and go see. I can happily give recommendations on where to begin 😍

This is the best thing I’ve ever read and I’m actually not exaggerating. Can this please be the end of the season? Please? It makes so much sense? It’s so beautiful ?