DEAN
"Bobby, c'mon now. If you aren't paying for fuel, how the hell am I meant to get there?" Dean huffed, folding his arms as Bobby glared comically at Dean, still seeing him as the angry 16 year old kid he was 8 years ago.
"Dammit, Dean. You've gotta make it on your own. If you wanna go on some ludacris cross country trip in that tank, that's your problem, not mine." Bobby grunted at Dean who was fighting back the urge to stamp his foot. Dean did have some reserve but they were few and far between. He barely had over 2 thousand dollars. Eventually Bobby came to realise that this was something Dean honestly needed to do; to perhaps, find meaning, or discover himself. Bobby leant him just under 5 grand but he made it very clear that upon Dean's return, he would work in the garage to pay it back. Dean was grateful but didn't stick around for long goodbyes. Sam gave Dean a quick hug before they parted ways, Sam feeling a tiny bit unsure of the situation. He'd never really been apart from Dean before.
Dean turned the ignition and he was off down the road, leaving Bobby and Sam on the side of the road waving, hollow smiles across their faces. Dean didn't know where he was going, and he didn't know where. All he knew was there was something nagging him, pushing him away from his loved ones and into something greater. Dean slid in one of his old cassettes and AC/DC roared through the car, the rhythm beating along with the engine.
CASTIEL
Castiel had now lived on this farm for the past couple of years; 6 years, actually. Anthony and Marianne were as good parents as Castiel ever had; biological or not. Their three children, Lillian, Polly and Chad were like siblings, be it they were much, much younger than he. The eldest, Lillian, was the young girl that had accompanied Anthony into the shed that morning so long ago. Although even now at age 15, Lillian was Castiel's dearest and only friend. She was intelligent and witty; her eyes sparkled when she smiled at Cas.
Over the 6 years that Castiel had spent as a ranch hand he hadn't remembered anything. He felt that his name was familiar, his birthday and age on his card that was within is wallet at the time that Anthony had found him. He never felt like he was meant to be anywhere else; that he had anyone close to him before he lost his memory. All he ever really dreamt of at night was his family here. But on some nights, during the harsh winters after a bad day, he dreamt of a park on an orange afternoon, clouds high in the sky as a faceless boy kicked a stone with him along a leaf-littered path.
Anthony sat at the table, a newspaper in his tough hands. He flipped the corner down to see Castiel as he entered the room, his crooked grin spread drowsily on his face.
"Uh mornin' Anthony. Tomorrow's the big day, huh?" Cas yawned before taking his usual stop at the table; next to Lillian who was still in bed at this hour.
"I 'spose it is. Yer sure about this? Think you can do it?" Anthony put down the paper. His eyes were searching Castiel's, looking for a hint of hesitation or doubt. Castiel help his smile and nodded, his eyes gleaming with enthusiasm. Although he'd only driven a few times, Castiel felt at home behind the wheel of their rusty old wagon of a car. Today was his big chance to prove he could drive on the road alone.
"Alrighty. Well at noon termorrow I'll send ye to get us some lunch from the store. Marianne's having the day off from cookin'." Castiel's smile grew brighter and he nodded a second time. Anthony tried to conceal a smile as Cas left the room and headed to the bathroom for a shower.
DEAN
It wasn't long before the sun had gone down, leaving everything on the sides of the highway eerie looking as Dean drove at an even pace. His radio hadn't been touched, his music blearing far too loudly to seem fitting for the scene that was set. His hands enclosed tightly around the steering wheel, his stare unwavering as he remembered Castiel more clearly than he had since that awful day when he moved away. He thought in detail about his crooked smile, the odd things he wore that often looked far too big for his fragile form. His obsession with St George's Memorial Park and the tiny stream that wove its merry way under the old bridge; it seemed like centuries ago, half forgotten. Dean hadn't let himself think about Castiel in a long time. He found that, as a child, he got angry and it was never long before the tears came flooding. Tears meant weakness; John would never have stood for that if Dean had let it show. Well, that's what Dean thought anyway.
In actuality John was worried at the time when Dean seemed to be extremely adjusted to the situation. He was so close to Cas, and that was something John was so very pleased about after Dean having no friends prior.
Something in Dean died when Cas left. Like half of him left with him. Dean knew he needed to find someone new, someone that could make him forget he ever met the dark haired boy with the crooked smile; the boy who made him feel as though he could do anything.
Dean pulled over and put his seat back, folding his arms over his chest as he fell into an empty sleep, devoid of dreams.
CASTIEL
The day passed quickly and before Castiel knew it, the sun had set and he was in bed, his crooked smile brighter than usual as he drifted off into an easy sleep.
The morning came all too quickly as a sleepy Castiel walked into the bathroom. An unshaven face stared back at him, eyes dreary and blurred. Cas rubbed his face, the stubble rough under his palms. He had a quick shower and before he knew it he was out in the stable yard with a young filly named Zooey. She had a damaged leg and Castiel had taken it upon himself to nurse her back to health. Every day he bandaged her leg and gave her a needle. He really hated giving them needles; it made him feel ill.
Around midday Anthony called Cas inside and handed him the keys to their wagon.
"You ready, boy?" Anthony asked, suppressing a smile as Cas grinned eagerly. He took the keys and started the engine, Anthony waving him as he pulled out of the driveway.
"Lunch time…" Cas beamed as he drove down the deserted road, dust rising from the dirt path.
Castiel's job today was to drive to the small fuel station off the highway and buy the family some lunch; Marianne decided she deserved a day off, which in all honesty, she really did.
Before long Cas had arrived at his destination with no surprising occurrence, just the odd snake or two on the road, a truck passing him on the highway.
DEAN
Dean woke with a start late in the morning, his mouth dry and sticky. He blinked slowly, his focus awkwardly searching for something to zone in on.
Before long Dean was on the move again, the sun high in the sky as he sang along with his old cassette tapes, Black Sabbath roaring through the car.
Around twelve o'clock Dean pulled into a shabby looking fuel station, the Impala begging for something to keep her going. Dean ran his hand along her side and filled her up till the tank was completely filled. He screwed the cap back on and turned to walk into the station. The door jingled as he stepped inside, the smell of stale beer and chips invaded his nostrils, making him feel a bit sick. Dean sought out the woman who was talking to a dark haired man over the counter; obviously she was the cashier. He walked over to her and waited until she was ready to serve him.
"… hold up, dear, just lemme serve this gentleman. Hi there, the names Ellen. Is she yours?" Ellen nodded in the general direction of the Impala and Dean half smiled.
"She sure is." He nodded before Ellen asked if he was paying with cash or credit card. Dean handed her a small wad of cash and went to turn for the door. Just as he was headed to leave Ellen called after him:
"Hey, honey? Did you want a receipt?"
Dean turned back to her, he raised his hand to gesture a simple no before he finally took a second to look at the man she was talking to before he came inside. His hand stopped in an awkward position, hanging in the air as his eyes grew wide with shock.
Dark hair, blue eyes, vacant expression. It was him. He knew it was him. It had to be him.
Cas looked at Ellen who stared blankly at Dean. Cas then changed his view from her to Dean. He stared at Dean for some time, their eyes searching each other. Dean took a step forward and whispered, barely audible, "…Castiel?"