So, I have like, 3 chapters for this handwritten that aren't typed up yet, but I've had the prologue and first two chapters on my laptop for like two months now and I haven't uploaded them yet, so now I am. Trigger warnings for abuse, and in later chapters self-harm and eating disorders. If I put anything else that needs a warning I'll let you know on future chapters. Anyway, enjoy.
Disclaimer - I own nothing. If it's not recognizable, my muse owns it. If it is recognizable, then the gods of SPN own it.
Prologue
Castiel stood in the park, biting his lip to keep from crying. His big brother, Uriel, was supposed to be watching him. But he had met some friends and had left Castiel there all alone. He suddenly felt something hit his foot, and he bent down to see a baseball, which he picked up. He looked up to see a kid his own age approaching. Behind the boy was an adult wearing a blue baseball cap. The boy held out his hand.
"Gimme back my ball!" he demanded. Castiel held the ball out hesitantly, glancing up at the adult as he approached.
"Dean," he scolded. Dean looked up at him for a second, the back at Castiel.
"Sorry," he apologized. Castiel tilted his head then smiled softly.
"That's okay," he replied. Dean looked at him for the first time. He reached up and brushed some stray tears off Castiel's cheek. Castiel looked at him with wide eyes.
"What's wrong?" Dean asked, furrowing his brow. Castiel bit his lip. He wasn't supposed to tell people if he was alone. But this boy was his age. Surely it was okay.
"My big brother left me here alone," he replied. "I'm scared." Dean frowned then reached out and took Castiel's hand.
"You can play with me an' Uncle Bobby," he said, handing Castiel the ball. Castiel stared at the ball for a moment then looked up at Dean.
"I've never played with a ball before," he admitted. "Gabe doesn't like them."
"Is Gabe the one who left you here?" Dean asked. Castiel shook his head, desperate to clear his brother's name.
"Uri did that. Gabe usually brings me, but Michael's making him go to Religion now." Castiel handed the ball to Dean and approached Bobby. "Hello sir," he greeted, extending a hand. Bobby chuckled, surprised by Castiel's solemn manner.
"Call me Bobby," he replied, taking Castiel's hand and shaking gently.
"I am Castiel," the boy told him, smiling. Dean handed Castiel the ball.
"My name's Dean," he said before turning to Bobby. "Uncle Bobby, go over there." He pointed, and Bobby chuckled, walking a few feet away. Dean tapped Castiel's shoulder, gesturing for him to throw the ball. Castiel but his lip, but attempted to throw the ball. It landed in between them and Bobby, and Castiel looked disappointed. Dean pocked up the ball and handed it to Castiel.
"It's okay. I wasn't very good when Bobby taught me." Dean carefully moved Castiel's fingers so he was holding the ball correctly. Castiel tried throwing the ball again, and even though Bobby had to stretch to catch it, Castiel's face lit up. They spent the rest of the afternoon throwing the ball, until around 5:30.
"Cassie!" a voice called from the entrance of the park. Castiel turned and practically tackled the eight-year-old boy standing there.
"Gabe, I made a friend!" Castiel exclaimed, tugging on his arm. Gabriel chuckled, letting Castiel drag him to Dean and Bobby. Gabriel looked around.
"Where's Uriel?" he asked. Castiel shrugged.
"He found some friends. So I played with Dean and Bobby." Castiel grinned, standing next to Dean. Gabriel ruffled Dean's hair then extended a hand to Bobby.
"Thanks for taking care of my li'l bro for me," he said. Bobby smiled.
"He's a great kid," he replied. Gabriel took Castiel's hand gently.
"Come on, kiddo. We've gotta get you home and cleaned up before dinner. Uriel was supposed to have you home in time to do your chores." Gabriel glanced at his watch. At this final part, Castiel paled.
"Will Michael be angry?" he asked. Gabriel wrapped a hand around Castiel's shoulders.
"I'll explain it to him, alright?" he promised. Castiel nodded, leaning into Gabriel. He waved to Dean and Bobby, and the two of them left.
The next time Dean and Castiel saw each other was a week later. Dean and a four-year-old boy were playing in a sandbox. Bobby was sitting on a nearby bench, watching them. Castiel sat down on the grass a short distance away from Dean and the boy, his left arm in a cast and a sling. A man with shoulder-length blonde hair and a bit of scruff sat down next to Bobby, watching Castiel. Dean stood and approached Castiel, smiling.
"Hiya," he said as he sat down. Castiel started, then glanced at the man next to Bobby, who was watching with narrowed eyes.
"I'm not s'possed to talk to you," he told Dean. Dean frowned, following Castiel's gaze.
"How come?" he asked. Castiel looked down, frowning. He didn't want to tell Dean. The other boy was really nice. But Castiel couldn't disobey Michael.
"Michael says you will corrupt me," he whispered. Dean looked perplexed, then glanced at the man watching Castiel.
"Is he Michael?" he asked. Castiel nodded, keeping his eyes down.
"Castiel, what did I tell you?" Michael called from the bench. Castiel flinched, instinctively pulling his injured arm closer to his body. He pulled out a bag of blocks and quickly spelled out 'w8 til hes gone.' It was a message Gabriel had taught to Castiel from an early age. Dean nodded and returned to the sandbox, and they stayed until Gabriel arrived an hour later, and Michael left. Dean immediately went to Castiel, and they spent the rest of the day playing. After that day, they developed a pattern. When Castiel was alone or with Gabriel, they would play. When Michael was around, Dean would keep his distance. Whenever Sam was with them, Gabriel would entertain him with magic tricks and stories. This went on for two years, until Dean and Castiel were eight.
Castiel was alone as he walked into the park. He found Dean at the swing-set, and stood next to him, watching him for a moment.
"I'm being sent away," he told Dean quietly. Dean stopped swinging.
"What?" he asked.
"Michael is sending me to a Boarding School. He says I have to spend Holidays with my aunt and uncle. I don't think I'll ever be back." Castiel looked down, and Dean slid off the swing and pulled Castiel in a hug.
"I'm gonna miss you," he whispered. Castiel buried his face in Dean's neck.
"I'm gonna miss you as well," Castiel murmured. They stayed like that for almost ten minutes.
"Castiel!" Gabriel's voice called from the entrance of the park. Castiel pulled away to look over at Gabriel.
"Yes, Gabriel?" he asked.
"Michael wants you home, so you can finish packing," Gabriel answered. Castiel nodded, turning to hug Dean one last time before running to Gabriel, taking his hand. He left for school the next day.