Cas didn't know what to make of that statement. He'd overheard Dean share such sentiments with Sam before, but very rarely had he been included in their conversations. He'd not begrudged it. Especially when he'd still been an angel. As he'd eased more into his humanity and began travelling with both of them, something had definitely changed. He was simply the third wheel again, which...it had taken him some time to learn that being the third wheel was actually not desirable by any means.
But what mattered was that Dean was admitting it to him at the moment. That was all he needed.
"Then...you will not be alone," he assured him. "Now we need to find your daughter. By any means necessary. I've gained some information from Anna's employer. And she and Jo are gathering more as we speak at the Tea Room. With any luck, we may be able to pinpoint his general location and go from there."
Taking a deep breath, he scratched the back of his neck. The itch always came, especially when he felt as though he were under some form of scrutiny. "If we find him, I understand you'll do as you please with him...but I will request permission to cause him pain also. Just so he's aware."