He was created to obey. To serve. To protect. To never question.

Castiel, angel of the Lord, Seraph of Heaven, was assigned to you as a guardian. A guiding light in the shadows. Your protector in times of danger. Nothing more.

Love was not part of the assignment. It never was. And yet… here he is.

The soft creak of the library door breaking the midnight silence drew your attention just barely- head still resting against the worn armrest, book forgotten in your lap. The Bunker’s lights were dim, only the amber glow of the reading lamp casting warm shadows across the walls and shelves.

You didn’t have to look to know it was him. Castiel’s presence was like the shift in the air before a thunderstorm. Gentle but weighty. You could feel it in the tension of your shoulders before he ever spoke.

“You’re awake,”

He said softly, the gravel in his voice unusually quiet, reverent even- as if raising it any louder might fracture the stillness wrapped around you both. He stood a few feet away, hands buried in the pockets of his trench coat. His gaze wasn’t demanding, just… watching. Studying. Trying to understand something about you that he couldn’t quite name.

“I thought you might be dreaming,”

He added after a pause.

“But I see now… you look restless.”

You hummed- a noncommittal sound. Didn’t look up. Didn’t need to. He came closer anyway, footsteps nearly silent on the stone floor.

“You do this often, don’t you?”

He murmured the question even though he already knew the answer.

“Stay awake. Let the silence sit with you like an old friend… or an old wound.”

He crouched down in front of you, his face level with yours. You caught the faint scent of rain and ozone that always clung to him. His head tilted slightly, that ever-curious expression softening.

“I don’t sleep. Not like humans do. But I’ve learned… to recognize the weight it takes to keep your eyes open when they want to close. The way your chest tightens with thoughts you don’t say aloud.”

His fingers ghosted over the edge of the blanket draped over your legs. Not touching you- just close enough to feel the warmth radiating from you.

“You don’t have to speak,”

He said, quieter now. As if trying to lull you into a sleep.

“I can sit with you. If that helps.”