Castiel does not grit his teeth. As much as Dean does not want to begin this task, Castiel just wishes it was done already.

"I would not ask this of you if there was any other way."

Behind him, he hears what, to another angel's ears, would sound like a distinctly impatient ruffling of feathers.

"We don't have time for this," Uriel says. "Stop feeding his weakness, Castiel."

Castiel winces.

Of course, that will go over well.