A/N: I do not own Supernatural. If I did, Destiel would have been canon long ago.

Sam rapped lightly on Dean's door. Hearing nothing, he turned the knob and peeked in.

Dean was passed out on his bed, curled around an empty whiskey bottle. The room smelled like alcohol and something else he couldn't identify.

Sam approached his brother and sighed. Dean had not been taking care of himself lately. There was a beard on his face since he had not shaved for a week. He was tired and irritable.

Sam picked up the bottle and placed it on the nightstand. Then he noticed a newspaper article that had been laying beneath it. He picked it up and read quietly.

"Engagement announcement for Alfie Harris and Castiel Novak." His jaw dropped. He glanced at his passed out brother and then back at the paper. It was dated a week ago.

So this is why I've seen less and less of him this week, Sam thought. Sam's heart immensely ached for his brother. He placed the paper on the nightstand as well and attempted to lift his brother up so he could get him under the sheets. It wasn't easy, but he managed. He gagged at the drool that had formed on the pillow and vowed to wash the sheets when Dean was awake.

Dean had been holding a picture in his hand, one that Sam recognized. It was Dean and Castiel leaning against the Impala. Castiel's head was thrown back as he was laughing at something that had been said.

Sam looked at his brother's image and saw something he'd missed before. The look in his brother's eye. Dean's face was turned towards Cas in the picture, but his eyes were soft and full of love. He was looking at Castiel like he had found everything he'd ever wanted. It was clear to anyone who saw the picture that this was a man in love.

Placing the picture on top of the newspaper, he finished situating his brother. He placed a trash can by the bed just in case and set out two aspirin and a full glass of water. Picking up the whiskey bottle and the other items, he left the room and gently closed the door.

Throwing the bottle out, Sam sat at the kitchen table looking at the picture. He had known for years that his idiot brother was in love with the fallen angel. It was plain as day. He didn't know exactly what had transpired between them, but one day Castiel was just gone. And Dean refused to talk about it. But Dean was never the same. He became quieter, retreating to his room and staying there. Drinking more than he usually did. Angrier, lashing out at everyone. Including Sam. Would take off for awhile. Dean insisted he hadn't been getting laid, that he wasn't interested in that now. And Sam believed him. His brother would have been more relaxed if he had.

Sam had overheard Dean crying one day. He was in the library and Dean's sobbing came through the other room. He heard a few broken cries of "Cas," but never enough to figure it out.

Dean had always tried to repress emotions, as though he could hide them away from everyone, including himself. It was one of his unhealthy coping mechanisms.

Looking at the picture and then the announcement, he saw a difference in Castiel. In the announcement, Cas was smiling, sure. But it wasn't genuine. It was a smile-for-the-camera smile. It didn't reach his blue eyes. In the photograph, he was genuinely happy and laughing. Sam knew something was off. He pulled out his phone and began to text.

Hey Cas, it's Sam Winchester. Sorry to contact you after all this time.

I saw your engagement announcement in the paper. Congratulations man! That's great.

I don't know what happened between you and Dean; he won't tell me. And frankly, it's not my business. But I just wanted you to know that despite everything, he loved you. Still does, actually. I found him passed out on his bed with this article under a whiskey bottle. Seeing this announcement hit him hard.

He's hurting, Cas. Bad. I know you've moved on and that's okay, but maybe you two can mend fences? Give him the closure he needs to heal. He'll never be over you, Cas. He loves you too deeply for that. And I think you still love him. Regardless, maybe the two of you can attempt a friendship. Along with me, I would like to continue to be your friend.

Anyway, just wanted to reach out. I hope you're happy and well.

A/N: Yeah, Dean's hurting. Next chapter you'll find out why.