Dean loves (and believes) in Cas as much as a human is capable of loving and believing - but for an angel, love and belief have no end (even Lucifer was still nursing a bizarrely incestuous crush on Big Daddy, after falling). Which is why Dean's eventual failing of Castiel's stupid do-you-love-me-do-you-love-me-now? tests (inevitable, really, given the fact that Castiel's a needy child whose father abandoned him and now sees any instance of dissent as latent/incoming abandonment) hurt him so very, very much. Because he's an idiotic child. Who needs love. And who isn't getting it - didn't get it - at least, not in the way he wanted - in the way he needed.

omg. we love for significant others who will help us resolve our issues with our parents. just ask oprah.

MY CRYES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :*(