THIS IS A RE-UPLOAD GUYS. SOMEONE INFORMED ME THAT THIS WASN'T ON AND I CHECKED IT UP. IT REALLY WASN'T WHICH CONFUSED ME. A LOT. BECAUSE IT WAS SAVED AND STUFF LIKE THAT. SO, THANKS SO MUCH darkphoenix2345 FOR INFORMING ME. :D I DON'T KNOW WHY I CAPITALIZED EACH LETTER OF THIS PART.

AN: Yeah, sorry for the late update. I had a draft but I decided to disregard it. My plans have changed and I'm going to plan as I go. I'm not sure how it'll end yet and stuff like that, but I do have a plot in mind and some scenes playing through my head. I gave this a once-over, so forgive the grammatical errors and misspelled words.

Anyway, thanks so much for the reviews! ChevyImpalla1967, you just gave me an idea that I'll have to ponder on. Haha. So, don't forget to review guys! I need some ego boosters to move on with this story. Hihi. :3 Ooh, and enjoy this short chapter. :D

And before I forget (like I always do), I don't own the wonderful show, Supernatural nor the characters and the actors. This plot (story), however, is mine. And there's nothing Eric Kripke can do about it. :P Yeah, don't know why I said that. ENJOY!

Love y'all! *blows a kiss to you guys.*

A Messed Up Life

Brothers...

Castiel simply cried there, by their front porch in his brother's arms. Dean held him tight, reassuring him that he was not alone, that he will always be there for him when needed. Castiel's arms wrapped around Dean's waist tightly, getting the strength he needed to stay in an upright position. He felt so weak, so vulnerable, like never before. He felt like a child, seeking comfort from his older sibling. And that was exactly Dean was giving him; comfort. His hands were shaking as they held onto Dean's shirt but his older brother didn't mention it. The older boy simply shushed him, whispered words of assurance, rubbed his spine soothingly and combed his fingers through his dark mess of hair.

The front of Dean's shirt, where Castiel's face was hidden, was soaked by now. But he didn't care. All he cared about was to get his brother calmed down and comfort him as best as he could. He may tease and annoy Castiel every now and then but he loved his brother. He loves his baby brother.

Castiel has always been Dean and Sam's world. When Sam went to college, the one thing he told Dean was, 'take care of Cas.' Dean was only eleven—Castiel was nine—and was still in middle school but he knew the hidden meaning behind those words; he knew that what Sam wanted to say was, 'I trust you with our baby brother. Don't fail me.' And he did. He took care of Castiel and made sure he was always doing well in school, with his friends and with everything else. He has always kept the youngest Winchester in line that their parents hardly intervened and simply watched their boys grow. Castiel was (is) Dean's pride and joy. And to see him break down right at that moment was a hard punch in the gut. He never thought he'd ever see Castiel so broken.

"Everything's gonna be okay Cas. Don't cry. I'm right here." He continued to whisper as he rubbed Castiel's back soothingly while his other hand gently massaged the younger man's scalp. Castiel, if it was possible, held onto Dean even tighter, telling him that he was grateful to have a brother like him; telling him how thankful he was to be held without the use of words. They always converse that way; simple touches and subtle stares that some people were led to believe that they were lovers, not brothers. They just click and connect most of the time that some people think there's something going on between the brothers if they didn't know that Castiel has a girlfriend and that Dean was a natural player.

Unbeknownst to the two boys, Sam was watching the scene unfold by the window. After he saw Anna come rushing in the house to get her things and ran out just as quickly, they all knew something was wrong. The rest of their friends would have followed if he didn't assure them that he'll check it out himself. The moment he saw Dean rush towards Castiel, he knew in an instant what happened. He may not know the reason but he know the signs of a painful break up. He was glad Dean was instantly holding Castiel in his arms, still keeping his promise of taking care of the youngest Winchester. It was hard for him not to go and comfort Castiel but he restrained himself. He gave Dean that job almost nine years ago, when he went to college. At that moment, he didn't feel that he has the right to comfort him. He knew Dean could handle it.

Sam went back to the living room where Castiel's friends were waiting for him to tell them what happened. They all looked up with worried eyes when he came in. Sam simply gave them a small sad smile then said, "Dean will handle it." In that moment, they knew they could relax, even a little. Dean has always been Castiel's best friend; even Balthazar and Raphael knew they couldn't match up to the closeness of the two boys. They've always been inseparable; where one goes, the other follows. Even when Dean was still in high school, if Castiel wasn't following him, it was him following his baby brother. It was as if there was an invisible string attached from one Winchester to the other. The same thing used to happen with Sam before the oldest Winchester went to college. Castiel has always looked up to Sam (both literally and metaphorically) that wherever Sam is, he and Dean are there as well. But Dean and Castiel has always been extremely close. Castiel tells Dean everything and Dean, in turn, does the same.

The group decided to leave and let Dean handle it. There really wasn't much they could do at the moment. They went out through the side doors so that the brothers will not be disturbed. They bid the Winchesters and Jess good night then went on their way. They hoped Castiel would be fine.

The brothers were now sitting on their front porch. Castiel's cries have turned into soft sobs as his older brother did his best to soothe him. It has always felt this good whenever he was with Dean. Dean always knew what to say without really saying anything. He knew his older brother has always been a 'no chick flick moments' kind of guy but he always goes out of his league; for Castiel. Castiel knew that Dean's teasing was his way of showing affection. He knew Dean cared a lot for him and that he was the center of the older boy's world; even Sam's. He has always been his older brothers' world and he knew that, that was why he always did so well in school, to make his brothers proud of him. He knew the only reason didn't go to Stanford—or Harvard or Yale or other prestigious and well-known schools—like Sam did, even though he can easily do so, was because he couldn't leave his baby brother. Castiel was aware that that was the reason Dean decided to study at Kansas University. Castiel was thankful for that. He didn't know if he could handle having another brother away from him.

"Dean?" Castiel finally spoke; voice broken, hoarse and quiet.

"Hmm?" Dean hummed in question and looked down at his baby brother as he continued to rub Castiel scalp and back.

"'M tired." He responded with a soft sigh and tightened his hold on Dean.

"Okay. Let's get you to bed then." He mumbled and rose to his feet, dragging the younger man with him as the latter nodded against his chest. He kept his arms around his baby brother as they went inside. When they passed the living room, Sam, Jess, John and Mary watched the two boys pass. Castiel didn't notice their concerned looks but Dean did. When he looked at their general direction, his eyes landed on Sam. He understood the silent question and gave their oldest brother a thumbs up, that yes, he can handle it and Castiel will be fine.

When they reached the top of the stairs, Dean spoke once more in a soft voice. "Do you want to stay in my room instead?" Castiel nodded his confirmation and they walked to end of the hall where Dean's room was situated. He let the younger man in and closed the door behind them. He led Castiel to his bed and sat him down there. Castiel simply complied as his brother maneuvered him down. The older boy moved to his drawer and took an undershirt. When he got back to his bed, he put the undershirt aside then pulled off Castiel's shirt and folded it then placed it on the bed. He put the undershirt on his baby brother then crouched down to remove the younger man's jeans. He folded that as well and then took Castiel's articles of clothing on his desk. Castiel was only in his boxer shorts and Dean's undershirt that was still a little big on him. He looked so small and so much like the little boy he used to take care. It hurt a lot to see his brother that depressed. Anna was Castiel's first serious girlfriend. He wasn't very sure yet, but he thought Anna was also Castiel's first love. He knew there were times Castiel dreamed of marrying her one day, have a kid or two and grow old together; he told him himself. He wished he could get mad at Anna but he knew it wasn't the girl's fault. He knew the girl cared for his brother and most probably loved him as well. She just had no choice.

Dean sighed softly and removed his own clothes. He went back to his drawer and put on an undershirt as well. He went back to his bed and climbed on it, just behind Castiel and pulled the younger man to his chest and simply held him for a short while. He sighed once more then pulled back, pulling Castiel with him, so that they could lie in bed together. He maneuvered the pliant boy towards his own body; Castiel's head rested on his chest and his arms around his waist. He put his arms around Castiel's waist as well and pulled him even closer, squeezing him tight to reassure him. He started rubbing the younger boy's spine to soothe him while his other hand rubbed his arm. The younger boy sighed softly and snuggled close to his brother. He was simply thankful Dean was there for him.

"Dean?" he asked softly.

"Yeah?" Dean replied just as softly and just kept on with his ministrations. He can tell that the younger boy was starting to relax.

"Do you think I'll be okay?" He asked in a hesitant whisper without looking at his brother.

Dean paused at rubbing Castiel's arm and spine and looked down at his brother. He tilted Castiel's face up to make the younger man look at him. He looked at him straight in his eyes and said in a soft and quiet but stern voice, "Yes. You will be. You've always been a strong kid and you know it." The younger boy casted his gaze down, making Dean say, "Cas, look at me." He did what he was asked and stared back. When he knew he got Castiel's attention once more, he continued, "You know it. Also, don't forget that I'm here for you. I'll always be here for you. I'll willingly follow you and take care of you even if and it leads me to hell, you understand me?" Dean's gaze was intense as he said those words. Castiel simply nodded slowly and relaxed even more; being in his brother's arms gave him great comfort. "I'm not the only one who'll be here for you, Cas. You have Sam, Jess, Mom and Dad, your friends; heck, even Bobby and Ellen will be here for you. So don't you dare think you won't be okay, alright?" Castiel gave him another nod and finally moved his head to settle on Dean's chest. He was almost completely lying on the older boy but the latter didn't even mind.

As the night grew deeper, the two boys slept peacefully.