#castiel.

“Shaddup, brainiac,” Dean muttered. “It's called the evening star, isn't it?”

“Yeah, but it still isn't a star. It doesn't burn, it merely reflects the light of the sun.”

“The sun is a star.”

“Yes.”

“Sunlight is a kind of starlight.”

“Your point being?”

“That's good enough. It's valid to make a wish on it.”

“I give up!” Sam tossed his hands in the air.

Silence reigned as the brothers continued walking.

“So,” Sam said, long moments later. “What did you wish for, Dean?”

“What?”

“You heard me. What's your wish?”

“I wish my brother wasn't such a giant pain in the ass.”

“Dean!”

I wish we weren't schlepping through a stinking swamp. I wish my feet were dry. I wish you hadn't eaten those burritos for lunch. I wish – ”

“I'm sorry I asked.”

“I wish we were hunting a clown instead of a rugaru.”

“Now you're just being mean.”

“Don't ask stupid questions, then.”

Silence. In the distance a lonely frog croaked. A heavy mist began to rise, obscuring the trail they followed.

“I thought,” Sam said haughtily, “you might have wished for something useful.”

“Like world peace?”

“Like the successful end to this hunt. Or maybe for Cas to return.”

“Cas? Why would I wish for Cas?”

“Well, you two have been joined at the hip lately. Actually, you have been for some time. What's up with that, anyway?”

“Nothing! We're friends. Just friends!”

“Hmph,” Sam snorted. “More like boyfriends. I thought you were going to burst into tears when he said he'd be away for a week. Did you at least get a kiss goodbye?”

“I wish you'd – ”

“Too late! You've already used up today's wish.”

“Is this how seasoned hunters sneak up on a rugaru? I could hear you bickering a mile away.” A gravelly voice startled the brothers, sending their hands scrambling for weapons, until their brains registered who the speaker was.

“Cas!” Dean said. There was no denying the joy in his voice.

Sam smirked.

“I heard your prayer, Dean. I returned from Heaven as soon as I could. You can head home now. I took care of the rugaru.”

“So you did wish for Cas!”

“Fuck off, Sam.”

“I knew it!”

“So help me, Sam...”

“Sam is right, you know,” Castiel said, as more pinpricks of light began to dot the darkening sky. “Venus is not a star. But you don't need to seek out a star to summon me. All you have to do is call my name.”

“Awww,” Sam cooed.

“I am made of starlight; you are made of stardust. This is why we are drawn together: two halves that together are complete.”

“Hey, I'm stardust too – the entire planet is stardust.”

“True, Sam. But Dean's stardust is especially attractive to me.”

Dean tripped over a root and was saved from landing in a puddle only by Castiel's swift hand.

“And I did kiss you,” the angel continued. “I don't know how Sam knew that. We were quite discreet.”

“Cas!”

“Your brother is an enthusiastic, but surprisingly quiet lover. Perhaps, now that you know about us, Sam, I can convince him to become more vocal.”

Sam burst into uncontrollable laughter. “I wish I could see your face right now, Dean,” he howled.

“I wish you both would shut the hell up,” Dean growled, stalking off in what he hoped was the right direction.

But of course, as he knew only too well, not every wish comes true.