Mad World

OMC! Chapter four is done so early! I would have had this one posted a few days ago, but I've been sick for two weeks without it letting up and all of the exhaustion finally caught up with me. I was coming home from school since Monday and have been spending my free time with 3 hour naps. I know, bad excuse, but I'm being truthful.

Still, here we are! An early, rather happy chapter as opposed to my first three. I can't exactly say how long it'll last, but it is nowhere near the end of the angst :D

Chapter IV:

Like Coming Home

Together the boys readied their belonging and started off down the street. Dean could not help but steal glances at the younger boy walking by his side and was greatly amused by the way he looked. Castiel gazed upon the buildings with amazement, as if he had rarely been in the presence of homes that were not crumbling or smelling of smoke and rotting wood. His bruised pink lips hung open in an "o" of awe, his body was practically vibrating with energy, and his blue eyes were wide with childish innocence. It was a nice change, Dean found, from his usual scared or bitter attitude.

"You look unnaturally happy," Dean noted aloud with a smile. "What brought this on?"

Castiel blushed, having not realized he was gazing the way he was, and looked down at his feet as he walked. "I, um, I'm just so used to my little dump of a neighborhood. I've never really been around homes this..." he pause, trying to think of a decent word, "extravagant."

"It's not that special, really."

"To me it is. Besides, I've never really stayed the night with anyone. I'm excited and a little nervous to see what will happen."

Dean's warm smile grew and he ruffled the fourteen year old's hair in a way that could be reassurring or lovingly (though Dean would not exactly say "lovingly"). They walked, nearly pressing together from being so close, all the way to the Winchester abode. Dean walked up to the door and was just about to unlock it when he noticed his friend was no longer beside him. Instead, he was stading rigid and nervous. Sighing, Dean beconed him forth with his hand, hoping the younger boy would catch the gesture.

Taking his steps cautiously, Cass moved until he was pressed to his friend's side, seeking the calm that washed over him when the other was near. "Dean, I'm scared," he whispered.

Dean's eyebrows knit together in confusion. "Why are you scared Cass? You don't need to be. It's just my family; they aren't going to eat you."

"What if... What if your family doesn't like me?"

As Dean looked into those concerned blue eyes, he could not suppress his laughter, much to the annoyance of the boy.

"Seriously Cass; of all the things to be afraid of right now, you're afraid of the possiblility of their disapproval?" He scrubbed a quick hand over his face and chuckled softly before unlocking the front door. "They'll adore you."

The second the door was opened, Sam's body barreled into Castiel's. The force caused them both to be knocked to the ground and Dean could not restrain his hearty laughs this time. "See; Sammy already does!"

Sam knew from the moment he collided with the body that it did not belong to his brother like he hoped it would. It was much too lithe and feminine. It was probably some girl who's name was unimportant to everyone that he brought home to keep his secret with. When he got up off of the stiff form, apologizing profusely, imagine his surprise when his eyes met those of a (currently red faced) young boy.

"Oh, jeez, I'm sorry." Sam's eyes were wide and his face tinted with his shame. In response, Castiel attempted to mas his discomfort of being in such close proximity with a small smile. He got up, dusted off, and turned wide blue eyes to Sam.

"It's alright," he said, "no need to fret."

A moment of awkward silence passed before Dean began to usher everyone inside, giving a breif introduction of both younger boys with name and title as they pertained to him. If it was possible, Cass's eyes grew even wider with wonder at the decoration. The interior consisted of cream colored walls free of marks and scuffs. The chestnut wooden floor tiles gave way to plush carpet in the family room, the stairs leading to a second floor, and a pair of offices down the hallway. The large family room consisted of two leather sofas, an old and florid grandfather clock, and a massive entertainment center adorned with books, video game consoles, and a 72'' television. Family photographs of happy, smiling Winchesters lined nearly every inch of the walls, as well as the coffee and end tables.

This is where Dean forced him into a seat and tugged off his tattered tennis shoes. "You relax here Cass," he said with a grin. "I'm going to go get some food real quick."

"Dean, I-!" Castiel's attempts at a good argument about how he capable of getting his own food fell on deaf ears. Dean was already in the country-themed kitchen.

Meanwhile, Sam studied his brother's new companion. He observed everything from his too defensive posture to his amazed blue eyes. He was a curious fellow and something about him just did not sit right with the youngest Winchester. Something about him just seemed so... shattered.

Taking a seat next to him, he decided to try and start a conversation. "So, your name's Cass?"

"It's actually Castiel, but you can call me Cass if you want."

Sam nodded. "Do you go to school with Dean?"

"Yes, but I'm a freshman." The older boy paused for a moment before he spoke again. "Your brother is a very good friend."

"Well, I'm happy he's being nice to you." Sam knew of how Dean sometimes hurt people. He was not blind to his brother's guilt and was the only person in the house whom Dean could rely on. He did not metion this, however, for all of their sakes. He scrutinized the dark haired teen one last time before he says, "you must really be special to him. He never invited over his guy friends. For the longest time, we didn't even think he had any." Castiel just watched him with deep eyes and Sam almost began to squirm. "But you're special; I can feel it."

Castiel blushed softly, as did Sam, and turned his gaze downward. "Thank you," he said softly.

Dean chose that moment to walk back in with a tray holding three bowls of macaroni and cheese and three cans of coke.

The rest of the time between then and when Dean's parents returned was spent introducing Castiel to the wonders of barbeque rib flavored potatoe chips and Alice: Madness Returns on the PlayStation 3.

Mary and John shared an unplaceable look upon entering to the sight of their sons shouting "death to the teapots!" while a strange boy mashed buttons on the game controller, a little flustered.

"No Cass; shoot it, don't stab it!" Sam shouted, frantically tapping the boy's shoulder and grinning.

"Kill it," Dean cried and lifted his arms in an exaggerated manner. "Kill them all!" Then he proceeded to laugh maniaclly, as if he had just escaped a mental asylum.

The boy just huddled into himself a little. "Can I just focus on not dying?"

The parents smiled at the trio.

"What are you boys up to?" John spoke, and not a single body didn't startle.

Castiel quickly paused the game and dropped the contoller. He slipped behind Dean. Sam, on the other hand, shot up and scurried over to his parents to hug them both. Dean frowned briefly before throwing a confidant smile at his friend. So many new faces must surely be spooking him. Not to mention that the perpetrator of his abuse was a person who was supposed to be a trusted adult. Maybe that was why he acted more insecure around his parents than Sammy.

"It's alright Cass," he spoke softly, "it's just my parents. They won't hurt you."

Then he stood, pulling the smaller boy up as well. "Mom, dad," he began as he walked over to his the couple, "this is my friend Castiel. I hope you don't mind, but I kinda invited him to stay over this weekend." Castiel briefly moved out from behind Dean to wave shyly.

Mary seemed to be immediately infatuated by his innocent seeming nature and smiled warmly at him. "Welcome to our abode Castiel. I would say make yourself at home, but you're already doing quite a good job at that." Cass was comforted by her words. They brought him a sense of motherly affection and, dare he say it, home.

Home... He liked the sound of that.

After a dinner of chinese take-out, the Winchesters and their guest sat down in front of the television for family session of Jeopardy. Castiel and Sam answered most of the questions, and most of the time, they were correct. Dean watched more than he played. It was nice to see his friend so calm for once.

Midnight struck eventually, and the large clock rung loud enough almost to rattle the house, or so it seemed. Mary looked up at the white face and bit her lip slightly. She then looed back down at the trio on the couch.

"Honey," she said in a voice just above a whisper as she gazed at the huddled boys facing the blank television, "how are we going to get them to their rooms?"

Sam, Dean, and Castiel were all wrapped in one another's arms, eyes shut in sleep and smiles on their faces.

Finally, the only boy left to put in bed was Castiel. The couple decided that it was best to slip him into bed with Dean. They hoped it would calm the whimpers that started up when the oldest boy was carried away up the stairs. Carefully, John slipped one arm under his shoulders and the other under his knees to lift him. He was so light, it reminded him of carrying an eight year old Sam again.

The moment he was jostled, he broke out into louder whines and wheezes in his sleep. His body trembled and he began to mutter under his breath. With concerned glances, the pair started up the stairs towards Dean's bedroom - John carrying him and Mary petting through his hair in a motherly fashion in hopes of easing his nightmares.

Dean was stil exactly how his father had dropped him; his eyes shut and his mouth wide open, snoring so loudly they were surprised the neighborhood had not filed a noise complaint. Half of his face was planted in his pillow and his right arm and leg hung off the side of his bed. A small trail of drool tracked from one corner of his mouth and his expression was serene.

John slowly moved to the other left half of the bed and situated Castiel on his side under the sheets. The young teen shifted towards the other body sharing the mattress and proceeded to bury his head in the crook of Dean's neck as if it were some sort of instinct. His trembling stopped almost completely stopped and his whimpers died down to almost nothing. Dean sighed and also moved so he had his friend securely enveloped in his arms to protect him.

Mary gave both boys goodnight kisses to the forehead and John flicked the television on in case either boy woke before they snuck out and into their own room for sleep.