Flickers
Chapter 1
Fran Gipani

Disclaimer - I don't own supernatural,I am just throwing the characters into the past for a bit and then putting them back where I found them :)

AN - This was an idea that came to me inspired by a post on tumblr and also the lyrics to the song 'Flickers' by London Grammar :) and if you have the time do look up their music because it it truly amazing. Anywho I hope you enjoy and if you have the time please leave a review! :)
~Fran xx

"And every time I go to bed
An image of you flickers in my head
And every time I fall asleep
An image of you flows in my dream"
~London Grammar

The first time I saw Dean Winchester, I was only ten, however at the time I didn't know who he was, but he fascinated me. He looked my age, all piercing green eyes and perfectly sculpted cheekbones. He was skinny though, dressed in thin, grubby rags, with who I thought was his younger brother in tow. Both with heads bowed against the harsh wind, stumbling down the cobbled stones of the main street. "Come on Sammy, we're nearly home." He's said. Ignored by the adults, just another homeless child, but I saw him. And he looked at me – me with my flawlessly tailored jacket and shined boots – as if I could help him. I wished I did then, but at the age of eight I didn't know what I could do to help, my mother wanted me in the car and home before I caught my death of cold, no questions asked. I thought I'd never see him again, but I never forgot him, his face forever etched in my memory.

– O – O – O –

"Castiel dear, you need to leave the house and go get some fresh air." Mrs Novak strode up the hallway towards her son, who I sat in his favourite window seat, reading.

"I'm nineteen years old mother, do I really need to go outside and do sports like the rest of them? I can do what I like." His bright blue eyes looked reproachful, leaving one hand in the thick book he was reading he pulled the other through his dark hair.

"It may change your life to get your nose out of those books. It's unhealthy to get this little sunlight." She looked exasperated, though her blue eyes were glinting with a hint of a smile. Her long dark hair wound into a bun with strands falling out at the front, framing her kind face.

"I'm in the sun," Castiel jerked his head towards the window, his mouth twitching at the edges in a smile.

"Suit yourself dear, but remember…it might change your life," she smiled lovingly down at her youngest son, before turning and leaving back down the corridor.

Castiel stared out the window, out over the sloping green lawns of his family's large home. The huge sandstone mansion sat just in front of a large wood. A deep moat surrounded the neatly mown lawns, the outside of which was lined again by a high brick wall. A long gravel driveway encircled the building before leading down to the bridge. The two ends of the wall met at a pair of iron gates, the metal wrought and twisted in elaborate patterns.

With a sigh, the young man flipped the book shut and swung his legs to the ground. Leaving the novel on the seat, he stood and stretched, pulling at the collar of his white shirt. Castiel strode down the white walled corridor, then down the stairs to the main hall. The domed ceiling arched up from the grand, dark oak, double front door. However Castiel didn't use the bronze door knockers to push them open. He veered off to the side walking down a slightly more narrow passage then the other corridors to a side door which he usually used to leave the house. As he walked, Castiel deftly lifted his long beige overcoat from the hook on the wall and shrugged it onto his broad shoulders like he'd done it a thousand times before; he then pulled open the door.

He made his way down the path towards the smaller gate out of the grounds of his home. The sun was warm on the back of his neck, and a breeze ruffled his neatly brushed hair as he left through the smaller side gate, and closing it behind him with a clang.

"Hey, Cassie! Where are you going?"

Castiel spun round to see his elder brother Gabriel striding down to the gate. "I'm going for a walk…and please, don't call me Cassie."

Gabriel raised an eyebrow as he reached the gate. He was a head shorter than Castiel, and stockier. Also more often than not he wore a sly grin, different to Castiel's usual more calm and collected demeanor. "What else am I going to call my little brother?"

"Gabe…"

"Fine, anyway have a nice walk Cassie!" He waved before walking back up to the house.

Castiel rolled his eyes before turning and sauntering off down the main street. The cobbled stone pathway that lined the road, stretched out towards London. You could hardly see the city from where they lived but the nearest village wasn't far down the road. He walked in silence, though when you walk alone, who is there to talk to? He had never got on well with Michael, his other older brother, the man worked in Law Enforcement, and it wasn't that Castiel had a problem with that, the two had always fought. Gabriel on the other hand was friendlier, and they could talk without getting at each other's throats, but Gabriel was a joker and Castiel had always been a lot more composed than he ever was. So Castiel had always been a bit of a lone ranger, a reader, and when he walked he walked by himself.

It was about fifteen minutes before Castiel reached the village. He heard muffled yells and shouts from around the side of the building. He jogged round the corner, eyes wide, he saw a large man, wearing a brown, flour covered apron, shove a skinny light haired man out into the street. The latter then tripped, and fell face first into the gutter.

"…and if I see you or your brother in this bakery again, I'll call the police on you!" The larger man yelled slamming the door behind him.

The skinny guy tried to get up, but it seemed he'd banged his head. Passersby seemed to either ignore him, or just hurry by to avoid him. Castiel hurried over, and rolled him over, "are you alright?"

"I…I think so…" his voice was deep, but it wavered as he tried to sit up.

"Just take some deep breaths, what's your name?" This should help shouldn't it? He looks about my age…I wonder where his brother is…is he younger?

"Dean, Dean Winchester…" he looked up at Castiel, his eyes were a piercing green, and he had stubble on his chin and round his mouth, proof of a rough upbringing, one that Castiel hadn't had.

"Castiel Novak," he held up his hand and pulled the man up. Though he was skinny, when they stood Dean was taller than Castiel by a little, his size made more noticeable by the oversized, dark jacket he wore.

"Thank you, but why'd you help me? I mean, I have no intention to offend you but as you saw, people of your status don't usually want to help people like me…"

"None taken, I thought you needed it. Your brother? He must be hungry too…I don't want to over step the line but do you want me to buy you some bread? You won't have to try steal it this time."

A look of pure amazement lit up Dean's face, "I couldn't…I'd forever be in debt…"

"I insist."

There was a moment of silence.

"Thank you." Dean smiled, "my brother Sammy, he's only fifteen and he's all I've got. I do my best but there is never enough food and…"

"Dean, I'll be back in a moment." Castiel turned and walked into the shop. Minute late he returned with two large loaves of bread in a brown paper bag. "I know it's not much but…"

"It's enough, thank you…I have no idea how I can thank you properly." He took the two loaves to discover they were both warm from the oven.

"No need, just look after your brother, and maybe I'll see you another time." Castiel shook Dean's hand, he grinned.

"See you round Cas," Dean replied with a smile.

Castiel gave him a nod, (even surprising himself that he didn't comment on the nickname), "see you round."

Castiel turned and wandered back up the street, he turned for a moment at the corner of the building, but Dean was already gone. It wasn't until he'd reached the gate back to his home that he remembered. Nine years ago. A cold day, two boys with heads bent against the harsh wind. He'd seen him before, when he was ten years old, as he was pulled into the car by his mother. The fascinating boy with the green eyes and the little brother.

Castiel's face split into a begrudging smile. Mother is always right, isn't she?