It had started off as a normal hunt. Dean and Sam had decided to take Cas for something a little easy as his first hunt, so they decided to pick a Wendigo. The actual hunt should only take about an hour and it would help Cas get his sea legs back. Dean and Sam had decided to just track it for Cas and then let him kill it himself. Cas agreed and hung back most of the hunt, taking in every move that Dean made as he tracked down the creature. Finally after two hours of hiking, Dean picked up a fresh trail and pointed to a cave.
"It's in there, buddy. This trail is less than 20 minutes old." He stated while taking out a flare gun and handing it to Cas. Cas nodded and took a deep breath before leading the two hunters into the cave. Cas was shaking head to foot as he listened intently to the sounds that echoed off the cave's walls.
"Sam....." Dean whispered, pointed towards a blood smear the pointed towards a smaller opening.
"Ok, i'll go scope it out while you and Cas take the bigger cave. Keep your eyes out." Sam stated, hunching down and starting off slowly down the small shaft.
"Okay huggy bear, let's go." Dean whispered, nudging Cas along as they continued down the tunnel. Dean didn't know what hit him and before he knew it, there was a deep growling directly behind him. Cas whipped around and aimed his flare gun, shooting the gun to scare it back. Cas grabbed Dean's flare gun and pulled Dean behind him, squaring off with the creature that was snarling. The Wendigo lunged and knocked Cas back, the gun skittering across the mossy floor as Dean dodged it.
"Dean, the gun!" Cas shouted, struggling to his feet as he tried to aid Dean. Dean dove for the gun and wrapped his hands around it, whirling around and shooting blindly as the Wendigo lunged again and dug its claws into Dean's arm. Dean cried out and fell back, holding up his arms in anticipation. Cas jumped to his feet and tackled the Wendigo down, which turned out to be a stupid idea as the Wendigo easily shook him off and glowered over him. The Wendigo snarled and with a finally lick of it's chops, dove foward and ripped Cas' arms and torso into shreds.
"Hey!" Sam yelled, firing the flare gun into the Wendigo's back and watched as it burst into flames. Sam dropped the gun and ran to Cas' side, Dean following suit. Cas was panting loudly as he held his side, his shirt drenched in blood.
"Cas no no no no no no." Dean murmured, tearing off his own shirt and putting pressure on Cas' torso. Cas winced and cried out, his eyes lolling to the sides.
"Cas, stay with us." Sam cried out.
"Dean.." Cas whispered, clutching his hunter's arm as he winced again.
"Cas, you can't leave yet okay? You'll be okay. I'm here." Dean cooed, running his hands through Cas' hair. Cas coughed violently and Dean could feel his hands getting soaked in Cas' blood.
"Cas, there's so much you haven't done yet. There's so much we haven't done yet..." Dean sobbed, a tear rolling down his face.
"Dean, i'm sorry for falling. I'm sorry for everything that i've put you and your brother through." Cas said, coughing again.
"Cas, it's ok." Dean assured, rubbing Cas' hand. Cas' eyes fluttered a little as he coughed again.
"Cas you can't fucking go anywhere i haven't told you my biggest secret yet." Dean choked out, earning a puzzled look from his brother.
"Dean, it hurts. Can you tell me now, so i can sleep?" Cas whispered, looking at Dean like a hurt puppy.
"Cas....the secret is I love you...." Dean choked out. Cas made no movement.
"Cas?" Dean choked out again.
"No, okay? Fucking no. I can't lose him." Dean sobbed, tears openly pouring down his face.
"Cas, i fucking loved you. I always have. You've always been my angel." Dean whispered. Sam and Dean left the cave that night. Dean insisted that they bury Cas, just in case he decided to come back.
Years have passed and Dean has finally lost all hope. He sits at the table of the bunker, whiskey in hand, a gun in the other.