Things have been strange around the mansion. Unlike the other holidays that have passed since his arrival, this one is apparently special, as the building has decked itself out for the occasion.

But that's not what's grabbed Castiel's attention. No, it's the cracks in the floor, hiding those writhing roots, along with the electric sparks in the air that unseat all of the holiday cheer with something far more foreboding. Add to that the disappearances, and it's obvious that something is coming.

When the door opens, Castiel immediately straightens. It doesn't necessarily have to be Dean. It could be someone else searching for him. Dean has plenty of friends here, as their recent argument has already established, and they're all looking for him. Sam, of course, but also Jo, Blake, and so many others.

In fact, Castiel's even expecting one of them, so when it's Dean's face that he's left to stare at, he's left speechless for a few heart-stopping moments.

But something isn't right. Castiel would be able to tell just by looking at him, but he can sense it too. Just as Dean's face is hardened, so is his soul—even more so than before, which is quite the feat. Just as he's armed to the teeth, so is his very essence guarded and almost impossible to grasp.

Dean is Dean, but he's not at the same time. Five years have been added onto him, and that's when the excess energy in the air suddenly makes sense. It would take an immense amount to actually bring someone back from the future. Castiel himself should know, having managed that particular trick a few times.

He still doesn't know what to say, and so he doesn't say anything at all. Just stands and stares.