Archive of Our Own ^beta

The room was quiet, save for the soft sound of the wind rustling the curtains and the occasional crackle of the fire in the hearth.

Dean Winchester lay in bed, his skin flushed with fever, his breaths coming in short, labored gasps. He felt as if his head was filled with cotton, his throat raw from coughing, his chest tight and aching. His hand rested protectively over his swollen belly, the life growing inside him bringing him a small measure of comfort even in his weakened state.

He shivered under the blankets, his teeth chattering despite the warmth of the room. “Cas…,” he murmured weakly, his voice barely more than a whisper. “Alpha…”

Within moments, Castiel Novak, his alpha, was at his side. Cas had been hovering over Dean for hours, his blue eyes filled with worry, his hands gentle but firm as he did everything he could to comfort his mate.

“I’m here, baby.” Cas murmured softly, sitting down on the edge of the bed and brushing a damp strand of hair from Dean’s forehead. “I’m right here, sweetheart. I’m not going anywhere.”

Dean’s eyes fluttered open, his gaze unfocused but filled with love. “I… I don’t feel so good, Alpha,” he whispered, his voice hoarse and strained. “I… I think… something’s wrong.”

Cas’s heart clenched at the sight of his mate looking so fragile, so small. “I know, my love,” he replied, his voice filled with gentle reassurance. “You’ve got a fever, and your body’s working hard to fight it off. But I’m going to take care of you, okay? I promise. You and our baby.”

Dean’s breath hitched, his hand pressing against his chest as he coughed, the sound deep and painful. Cas felt a surge of panic, his instincts screaming at him to do something, anything, to make it better.

“Shh, it’s okay, my little Omega." Cas murmured, his hand rubbing soothing circles on Dean’s back. “Just breathe, sweetheart… nice and slow… I’m right here.”

Dean tried to focus on Cas’s voice, tried to match his breathing to the calm, steady rhythm, but every breath felt like fire in his lungs, his head spinning with fever and exhaustion. “Cas… I’m… I’m scared,” he admitted, his voice breaking.

Cas’s heart broke at the raw fear in Dean’s voice. He leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to Dean’s forehead, his lips lingering against the hot skin. “I know, my beloved,” he whispered, his voice filled with quiet determination. “But I’m here. I’ve got you. I’m not letting anything happen to you or our baby, okay?”

Dean nodded weakly, his hand moving to grip Cas’s, his fingers trembling. “Okay,” he whispered, his voice filled with trust. “I… I trust you, Alpha.”

Cas felt a surge of love and protectiveness swell within him, and he squeezed Dean’s hand gently. “That’s my beautiful and brave Omega,” he murmured. “Just rest now, baby, okay? Let me take care of you.”

Dean’s eyes slipped closed, his breath coming in shallow, uneven gasps. Cas watched him closely, his heart pounding in his chest, his mind racing with worry. He reached for the cool cloth on the bedside table, dabbing it gently across Dean’s forehead, trying to bring down the fever.

“I need you to stay with me, my love,” Cas whispered, his voice filled with quiet urgency. “I need you to fight this. For me… for our baby.”

Dean’s breathing hitched, and Cas felt his heart stop for a moment, his hand tightening around Dean’s. “Please, sweetheart,” he begged softly. “Please stay with me.”

Hours passed, the fever refusing to break. Dean tossed and turned, his breaths wheezing and labored, his skin slick with sweat.

Cas didn’t leave his side, his hand never leaving Dean’s, his touch a constant, grounding presence.

At one point, Dean’s eyes fluttered open, his gaze unfocused and glassy. “Alpha…,” he murmured, his voice weak and slurred. “Cas… our baby…”

Cas leaned closer, his heart pounding. “Our baby is fine, my love.” he reassured, even though worry gnawed at him. “You’re both going to be fine. I promise, baby .”

Dean’s breath came in shallow, painful gasps. “I… I need… I need to know… you’ll be okay,” he whispered, his voice barely more than a breath. “If… if something happens to me…”

Cas felt a wave of fear crash over him, his hand tightening around Dean’s. “No, my love,” he said firmly, his voice shaking. “Nothing is going to happen to you, my Omega. I won’t let it. You’re going to be fine, and so is our baby.”

Dean’s eyes filled with tears, his hand trembling as he reached up to touch Cas’s cheek. “I… I’m scared, Cas,” he whispered. “I don’t… I don’t want to leave you…”

Cas leaned down, pressing his forehead against Dean’s, his own tears spilling over. “You’re not leaving me,” he whispered fiercely. “I won’t let you go, my beloved. You’re my mate, my omega, my love, my everything. I need you.”

Dean’s breath hitched, a sob escaping him, and Cas felt his heart shatter. He pressed a soft kiss to Dean’s lips, his hands cradling his mate’s face. “I love you, my sweet little Omega,” he whispered. “More than anything in this world. I’ll do whatever it takes to make you better. I swear it.”

Dean’s lips trembled, his tears mingling with Cas’s. “I… I love you too, Alpha,” he whispered, his voice filled with so much emotion it made Cas’s chest ache. “So much…”

Cas kissed him again, soft and gentle, his heart aching with love and fear. “I’m here, sweetheart,” he murmured. “I’m right here. Just hold on a little longer, okay?”

Dean nodded weakly, his eyes slipping closed once more. Cas pressed another kiss to his forehead, his hand moving to rest on Dean’s belly, feeling the faint movements of their child beneath his palm.

“Stay strong, our little one,” he whispered, his voice filled with quiet determination. “Your daddy needs you to be strong. We both do.”

The night dragged on, Cas never leaving Dean’s side.

He kept a close watch on Dean’s fever, his hand brushing over his mate’s brow, his heart pounding with every labored breath.

He tried everything he could think of—cooling Dean’s skin with damp cloths, making him sip water when he could, whispering words of love and comfort in his ear. He held Dean close, his arms wrapped protectively around him, whispering promises and prayers into the night.

“Please, Dean” he whispered over and over again, his voice thick with emotion. “Please stay with me, honey. I need you… we need you…”

As the first light of dawn broke through the window, Cas felt a shift—a change in Dean’s breathing. It was still ragged, still uneven, but there was a slight easing, a slight slowing of his breaths.

Cas’s heart skipped a beat, hope flaring in his chest. “Dean?” he whispered softly, his hand brushing over his mate’s cheek. “My love, can you hear me?”

Dean’s eyes fluttered open, his gaze a little clearer, though still feverish. “Cas…?” he murmured, his voice weak.

Cas felt a sob of relief escape his lips, his heart pounding. “I’m here,” he replied, his voice filled with quiet joy. “I’m right here, sweetheart.”

Dean’s hand moved to rest on Cas’s, his grip weak but there. “I… I don’t feel so hot,” he muttered, a small, tired smile tugging at his lips.

Cas let out a choked laugh, his hand squeezing Dean’s gently. “That’s because you’re burning up,” he replied, his voice thick with emotion. “But you’re going to be okay, my love. I can feel it. You’re getting better.”

Dean’s eyes slipped closed again, a sigh escaping him. “I… I hope so,” he whispered.

Cas nodded, his thumb brushing over Dean’s knuckles. “You will, baby” he promised softly. “I’ll make sure of it.”

The days passed slowly, but Dean’s fever gradually began to break.

Cas stayed by his side, caring for him, helping him through every cough, every shiver, every breath that came too hard. He kept Dean hydrated, spoon-fed him small sips of broth, and whispered words of love and encouragement whenever he saw Dean's strength faltering.

As the fever finally began to subside, Dean's breathing grew more even, and his color slowly returned. He was still weak, still pale, but there was a spark of life in his eyes again. Cas could see the change in his mate, feel it in the way Dean’s fingers curled around his when he was awake, the way he whispered Cas’s name, softer and steadier each time.

One afternoon, as the sun filtered through the curtains and bathed the room in a warm, golden light, Dean shifted beneath the blankets, blinking sleepily up at Cas. "Hey there, my handsome Alpha." he whispered, his voice still raspy but clearer than it had been in days.

Cas's heart leapt at the sound of Dean's voice. He leaned closer, his hand brushing tenderly over Dean's cheek. "Hey, my beautiful Omega" he murmured, a small, relieved smile breaking across his face. "How are you feeling, honey?"

Dean let out a small sigh, his hand moving to rest on his swollen belly. "Tired," he admitted, his voice still weak but a bit steadier than before. "But… better, I think."

Cas's eyes softened, and he pressed a gentle kiss to Dean's forehead. "You're getting stronger, my love." he murmured. "You’re going to be okay."

Dean's lips curved into a faint smile, his eyes closing as he leaned into Cas's touch. "Our baby?" he asked softly, his voice filled with quiet concern.

Cas's hand moved to rest over Dean’s on his belly, his thumb brushing over the soft fabric of Dean’s shirt. "Still moving around in there," Cas reassured him with a smile. "I think they’re as stubborn as their daddy."

Dean chuckled softly, the sound rough but filled with warmth. "Yeah," he whispered. "They’ll be a fighter, just like you, just like their papa."

Cas’s heart swelled, and he leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to Dean's lips. "I’ll always fight for you, my love." he whispered against his mouth. "For both of you."

Dean's eyes filled with tears, and he pressed his forehead against Cas’s, his breath hitching slightly. "I’m so lucky to have you, Alpha." he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "I don't know what I’d do without you, Cas."

Cas's arms wrapped around Dean, holding him close, his own tears spilling over. "And you’ll never have to find out, baby." he whispered fiercely. "I’m here. I’ll always be here, sweetheart."

Dean let out a shaky breath, his hand tightening around Cas’s. "Promise?" he whispered, his voice filled with vulnerability.

Cas kissed his forehead again, his lips lingering against the warm skin. "I promise," he replied softly. "I swear it, my love."

The days continued to pass, and Dean slowly regained his strength.

The color returned to his cheeks, his breaths became less labored, and he was able to sit up and eat a bit more each day. Cas never left his side, always there with a soft word, a gentle touch, a smile that made Dean's heart feel lighter.

One morning, as Cas helped Dean sip some tea, Dean glanced up at him, his green eyes bright with gratitude. "You know, Alpha." he murmured softly, "You make a pretty good nurse."

Cas chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Only for you, my beloved," he replied, his voice teasing but filled with love. "And our little one."

Dean smiled, his hand moving to rest on his belly again. "They’re lucky to have you," he whispered. "We both are."

Cas leaned down, pressing a kiss to Dean's hand, then to his belly, feeling the faint movements of their child beneath his lips. "I’m the lucky one," he murmured against Dean’s skin. "You’ve given me everything, my Omega. Everything I’ve ever wanted."

Dean's heart swelled, his eyes filling with tears. "I love you, Alpha." he whispered, his voice filled with quiet intensity. "I love you so much, Cas."

Cas's eyes softened, and he moved back up to press a gentle kiss to Dean's lips. "I love you too, baby." he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "More than words could ever say."

Dean let out a soft, contented sigh, his hand moving to cup Cas’s cheek. "Thank you," he murmured, his voice filled with quiet gratitude. "For everything."

Cas smiled, his thumb brushing over Dean's cheekbone. "There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you, my love." he replied softly. "You and our baby are my world, Dean. I’ll always take care of you."

Dean’s smile grew, his heart feeling lighter than it had in weeks. "I know, Alpha" he whispered. "And I’m so grateful."

Cas leaned in, their foreheads resting together, their breaths mingling in the warm, quiet air. "We’re in this together, my love." he murmured softly. "Through sickness and health, through everything. You’re stuck with me, Mr. Winchester-Novak."

Dean chuckled, a soft, breathy sound. "Good," he whispered. "Because there’s no one else I’d rather be stuck with."

Cas’s heart swelled, and he pressed a tender kiss to Dean’s lips. "And I feel the same way, my love." he whispered back.

Weeks later, Dean had fully recovered, his strength and energy returning.

He was able to move around more, taking short walks with Cas in their garden, feeling the sunlight on his face, the breeze in his hair. The baby was still growing, strong and healthy, and Dean felt a sense of peace he hadn’t known he needed.

One afternoon, as they sat on a bench in their garden, Dean leaned against Cas, his head resting on his shoulder. "I’m so glad we’re okay," he murmured softly.

Cas wrapped an arm around Dean, pulling him closer. "I'm so glad, too, baby," he agreed, his voice filled with quiet honesty. "But you’re strong, sweetheart. You’re stronger than you know."

Dean smiled, a soft, happy sound. "I guess I had a good reason to fight," he replied, his hand moving to rest on his belly. "Two good reasons."

Cas chuckled, pressing a kiss to the top of Dean’s head. "And I’m so proud of you," he whispered. "You’ve been so brave, my beloved"

Dean’s smile widened, his heart feeling light and full. "I couldn’t have done it without you," he murmured. "You’re my protective Alpha."

Cas felt a warmth spread through his chest, his eyes shining with love. "And you’re mine, baby." he replied softly. "My precious Omega."

Dean closed his eyes, letting out a contented sigh, his hand tightening around Cas’s. "I’m so lucky to have you," he whispered. "So lucky to have this life with you."

Cas pressed another kiss to his head, his heart overflowing with love. "And I’m the luckiest man in the world," he murmured softly. "Because I get to spend my life loving you."

Dean smiled, his heart filled with joy, and he snuggled closer to Cas, feeling safe, loved, and at peace. “I love you, Cas." he whispered.

“I love you too, sweetheart” Cas replied, his voice filled with quiet happiness. "And our baby."

And as they sat there, together, with their child growing inside Dean, they knew that no matter what came their way, they would face it together—with love, strength, and the promise of forever.