Note: Inspired by the song Dust in the Wind by Kansas

I close my eyes

Only for a moment and the moment's gone

Blood-soaked hands gripped him tightly, rough fingers curled into the sodden, reddened fabric of his trench coat. Dean could feel the life of him soaking into his jeans, the short, waning breaths disappearing like… like dust in the wind. All we are.

"Dean," the angel rasped, chin dimly resting against the hunter's trembling shoulder. Crimson ran a slow trial from the corner of Castiel's dry, parted mouth.

His vision shifted in and out of focus. He could feel his grace trickling its way into the air of nihility, returning to that which he was borne. He could see the world revolving beyond this coarse reality, a reality he had come to tenderly call home.

Now don't hang on Nothin' lasts forever but the earth and sky

He could feel the rough leather of Dean's jacket. He could feel the warmth and brightness of his soul pulsing around them, as alive as the day he'd pulled Dean from the depths of perdition. In pieces, but so obstinately alive. He could feel the human's heart beating, and he closed his eyes, absorbed in its warm, hammering thrum.

"Save your tears, Dean Winchester," Castiel whispered, low and soft. There, he could see it. The lush garden of green, a color that when the sun hit, turned a brilliant shade that was of much familiarity to him. Cas smiled against the engulfing light. His vessel wilted.

It slips away

And all your money won't another minute buy

All we are… is dust in the wind.