I Will Carry You Through It All

Chapter Two

Four Months had passed since Dean first met Castiel and it was now a regular meeting, the two boys getting along better than both John and Sophie would have predicted.

The relationship between The Winchester's Dad and Castiel's Mom was growing and they were closer than ever. Sophie and Castiel now spent at least two nights a week at the Winchester house and occasionally John would take his boys for dinner once a week to Sophie and Castiel's small but humble apartment.

Sam got along well with Castiel too, their geeky sides shining through and bonding over books, poetry and art. They chatted endlessly about most things and this always pulled at Dean's heart a little, possibly out of jealously but he couldn't decide who he was jealous of exactly. Sam had once told Dean that he felt like Castiel was a part of the family already and they had formed a brotherly bond.

While Dean had formed a friendship with Castiel, he couldn't quite call it a 'brotherly bond' as Sam had put it. They were on good terms, they spoke more about hobbies, school and many other things, although both Dean and Castiel were very different kinds of people, it didn't seem to matter much.

The younger boy definitely had more in common with Sam and yet Dean couldn't help but notice, Castiel definitely stuck to him a lot more than he did to his younger brother. It was probably an age thing above all else and it's not like Dean minded too much.

It was a Thursday night, an evening in the Winchester household and dinner with Sophie & Castiel joining them, much like every other Thursday night recently.

But tonight was different.

John and Sophie had summoned the boys to the dining room table for a talk; Sam was already sitting patiently at the dining room table while Castiel and Dean strolled in at their own leisure.

"Hey Cas, get out of my seat dumbass." Dean cried out, when Castiel tried to sit at Dean's usual spot at the table.

Castiel smirked in amusement and moved to the next seat. Smiling seemed to be a common thing for the younger boy these days and Dean preferred it to the poker face which Castiel had used on him for the first month or so but he seemed to loosen up lately, especially around Dean.

Dean would never forget the moment he first called him 'Cas' instead of his full title and to this very day Dean would swear he has never seen a brighter smile appear on Cas' face since that day.

"Dean, language." Sophie warned slightly, raising her eyebrows but with a slight smile hiding behind her eyes.

He really did like Cas' Mom, she was pretty cool.

"Ok boys, we have something we would like to tell you. It's good news don't worry…" John started, looking nervously at the three boys.

Sophie took John's hand into her own and smiled in encouragement.

"Oh my God…Dad, you're pregnant!" Dean cried out, smiling widely and reaching forward to pat his father's belly.

Castiel ducked his head trying to hide his own amused smile, while Sam rolled his eyes and kicked his legs impatiently under the table.

"Dean don't be so stupid boy, I'm trying to be serious here." John scolded, with an eye roll fit to match his youngest sons.

"Wow…ok not pregnant, jeez. Need to lay off those beers then." Dean muttered in amusement, earning a light slap across the head from his Dad.

Sophie rolled her eyes and chuckled lightly, before taking the pressure off John.

"Ok, listen up boys, we have some exciting news. John and I are engaged, we're getting married." Sophie smiled widely and John wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

Sam was up immediately, embracing both of them in a hug and bouncing excitedly.

"This is the best news ever!" Sam said happily, a grin stretching across his face.

Castiel stood up and hugged his Mom, a lot more subtle with his congratulations but said with a genuine smile none the less.

John glanced up and noticed Dean was still glued to his spot at the table, staring at them with firm eyes. Cas followed John's line of sight and settled on Dean.

"Dean?" John said cautiously, causing Sophie and Sam to stop in their celebration, focus now entirely on the oldest Winchester brother.

"Dean…we get a step Mom, how cool is that? And Castiel is gonna be our step brother…that's awesome, right?" Sam encourages with a smile, placing a hand on his brother's shoulder.

Immediately Dean is on his feet and stalking out of the dining room, before he's out of the door he turns and faces his Dad.

"I don't know how you can re-marry; glad you have found a suitable replacement for my Mom." Dean snaps, seeing the hurt expression over his Dad's features before storming up to his room, tears springing free from behind his eyes.

John turns to Sophie and apologises for Dean's reaction.

"It's ok John, it's expected. I'm sure he will come around." She said with a smile and pulling her fiancée into a hug.

"I should go and speak with him." John said, pulling out of the hug.

Sam winced slightly, knowing if his Dad goes up there it would end in an argument and Castiel was clearly thinking along the same lines, he is next to speak up much to everyone's surprise.

"No, I'll speak with Dean."

They watch as Castiel, hurriedly makes his way upstairs to Dean's room.

O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O

Dean was lying on his bed, with his back to the bedroom door and staring into nothing, tears running down his face.

He feels terrible, he likes Sophie and he likes Cas but that isn't the reason Dean snapped. Sam would never understand because he never knew their Mom like Dean did, he still holds those early memories close to his heart.

And he will never forget that dreadful night when he was told to take baby Sam and get the hell out of the burning house. The news that came shortly afterwards is still the most devastating news that Dean has ever received in his 16 years of life.

In Dean's eyes, no matter how sweet or caring or loving they were, no woman could ever replace his Mom and the thought of getting another brother was daunting too. If Mary couldn't be where she belonged with her family, then Dean was happy for it to be the three of them and that's what he had gotten used to.

A light knock on the door startled Dean from his thoughts.

"Go away."

"Dean, it's me…can I come in?"

He closed his eyes, willing Castiel to just turn around and walk away but he knew that wasn't going to happen.

"Dean?" Castiel knocked again and Dean didn't bother replying.

Slowly he heard his bedroom door creak open and Cas stepped inside, shuffling a little closer to the bed.

"I thought I said go away, I'm not in the mood for you right now." Dean snapped, still not facing his step brother to be.

"Look Dean I get that you're upset and I understand…"

"NO, you do not understand." Dean said through gritted teeth, more tears rolling down his face and he was glad his back was facing Castiel, he couldn't look at him right now.

"YES I do…"

Castiel snapped back firmly and Dean jumped slightly at the raised voice, before hearing Cas let out a long frustrated sigh.

"…I do not wish to argue with you Dean. This isn't about who has it worse, because we have both been through similar situations. You lost your Mom, I lost my Dad…I get how you're feeling Dean. It's scary as hell, getting a new Dad, being an only child my whole life and now I am going to gain two brothers. I'm scared Dean, terrified…"

Dean listened carefully to Cas' words but still refused to face him as he heard the other boy shuffling nervously on the carpet.

"…but I'm also excited. I've never had siblings and it will be nice to have a father figure in my life again and your Dad is amazing. He makes my Mom so happy and that's what is important, that our parents are happy again. So maybe you should put your crap to one side for a moment and think about your Dad in all of this. He's moving on with his life, you get an extended family and most people would kill for that Dean. I do get where you are coming from, because I am in the exact same position, you're not alone Dean…remember that."

Castiel waits for a moment to see if Dean responds, but when he hears nothing in return he sighs heavily and turns to walk out.

"I guess I'll leave you alone now." Cas mutters.

Before he reaches the door, he hears a shuffle and a hand wraps tightly around his wrist. Cas' whips around to see Dean stood behind him, his hand still firmly on Cas and preventing him from moving forward. For a fleeting moment, Cas thinks he has overstepped with Dean and panics, but the sight of Dean's tears staining his cheeks and his lip still quivering slightly from the upset causes Castiel to relax.

"I'll go with you." Dean mutters, his eyes looking up to meet the blue ones in front of him.

Cas nods and smiles in relief.

"And Cas…"

"Yes Dean?"

"Thank you." Dean says quietly, with a smile.

Castiel smiles in return and goes to walk out of the bedroom, expecting Dean to follow.

What he doesn't expect is the shaky hand that was holding onto his wrist, is suddenly grabbing hold of his own hand and intertwining their fingers together.

Cas turns to look at Dean, tilting his head in confusion but Dean squeezes his hand tighter and nods for him to carry on down the stairs. He turns back and heads down the staircase, pulling Dean carefully behind him.

He figures it's Dean's way of seeking support, so Cas lets it slide and holds on just that little bit tighter.

O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O

After some apologies for his initial reaction, a lot of hugging and eventual congratulations, Dean is finally feeling better about welcoming both Sophie and Castiel into the Winchester family.