I don’t know if I’ve ever seen Dean looking more scared than in that 2nd gif. Like, sure. He gets it. They’ve all died plenty of times. But who’s supposed to bring back Cas now? God and Amara have floated off to, well, God knows where. They’re fresh out of favors from heaven and hell. No more witches in their back pocket. But it still somehow doesn’t feel final.
And because of that, this is going to be one of the most painful experiences Dean goes through. He knows there’s a chance Cas’s death is not permanent, but he knows NOTHING beyond that.
It’s like hearing a loved one has gotten into a potentially fatal accident and they’re on their way to the hospital and a million scenarios are running through your head and your heart is pounding in your ears and you’re trying to put your shoes on but your fingers aren’t working and suddenly you can’t find your keys and what if they don’t make it and you never get to say goodbye.
You never got to apologize for all the stupid stuff you’ve done over the years that you know they let go a long time ago, but you still can’t quite forgive yourself for.
You never got to make them laugh one last time and really memorize it so you could carry it with you forever.
You won’t get to tell them you love them one last time.
That’s Dean right now.
But he never said it at all.