A/N/ Hello everyone, I got some touching brother moments for you today and some other stuff. I hope you've been liking it so far, thanks everyone who's reviewed and everything. I really do appreciate it. Anyway, thanks for reading.
Chapter Seven
"The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof."
― Richard Bach
Dean awoke early on the morning of December 24th. It was a Monday and the day his little brother was flying in from California. Dean got out of bed and showered before getting dressed, wearing his least tattered and grease stained clothing. He put a pot of coffee on and watched idly as it percolated. When he finally sat down with a steaming mug in hand he was disappointed to see that less than an hour had passed. He didn't have to pick Sam up until 10:30 and it was only 8. Dean was considering maybe going for a run when his phone rang. Knowing it couldn't be Sam from the plane, he answered.
"Hey Cas." He said.
"Hello Dean." Came Castiel's bemused reply.
"You're up early."
"Yes well, I know that you're brother is arriving today and I know we had plans for this afternoon. I just want you to know that if you'd like to spend the day with your brother, I'll understand." Castiel said.
"There's no way I'm letting you spend Christmas Eve alone. I definitely want you to come over still. I want you to meet Sam, I figured we could all hang out today. Unless you don't want to."
"No Dean, I'm very much looking forward to meeting your brother." Castiel said.
"Awesome, I'll see you at noon alright?"
"Sounds good, I'll be there."
"See you later, Cas."
"Goodbye Dean."
Dean hung up the phone wondering how long it would take to get to the airport with traffic. Certainly not two and a half hours, so Dean sat and waited, tapping his feet and checking the clock every ten minutes. Patience was not one of his virtues. An hour and a half and two pots of coffee later Dean had had enough. He leapt up from his chair decisively and walked to the door, grabbing his keys and donning his leather jacket, despite the frigidity of the winter air. There was a good deal of traffic on the drive there, but not an obscene amount given the fact that it was Christmas Eve. Still Dean arrived at the airport only twenty minutes early, which he considered perfect timing.
Twenty-five minutes later Dean saw a freakishly tall man, well built with hair a little too long come walking through the airport doors. He was carrying a suitcase in each hand and was accompanied by a beautiful blond woman with blue eyes and a kind heart shaped face. Dean smiled broadly as he got out of the car. "Sammy!" he called joyfully.
Sam turned to him and his grin matched his brothers. He dropped his bags a next to the Impala and pulled Dean into a bone-crushing hug. Dean hugged him back, aware of how cheesy they looked, but not giving a damn. They broke apart and Sam stepped back, turning to the women beside him. "Uh Dean, this is Jessica." He said pointing to her as if he'd momentarily forgotten she was there. "Jessica this is my brother Dean." He finished pointing at Dean.
Dean stepped forward and hugged her, more gently than he had his brother. "It's great to meet you Jessica and I gotta admit Sammy's doing alright for himself." He said smiling broadly at her.
Jessica laughed. "Yes he is." She agreed.
"Alright, alright." Sam said, having packed the luggage into the trunk while they talked. "Can we get out of the cold now?"
"Aww Sammy aint used to an actual winter anymore?" Dean asked in a mock baby voice.
"Shut up, jerk." Sam said getting into the passenger seat as if by impulse.
Dean winked at Jessica as she climbed into the back seat. Dean got in behind the wheel and elbowed Sam. "Bitch." He said with a grin.
Dean started the car and Ozzy Osborne's Paranoid blared from the speakers. "Dude, can we not this one time?" Sam asked ever annoyed at Dean's taste in music and his unwillingness to try anything new. Dean turned the music down a fraction.
"Driver picks the music, shotgun shuts his cakehole." Dean said, as he had a hundred times before. He was head banging when he pulled out of the airport. The ride back was shorter than the first, too short for Dean's liking. Driving the Impala with Sam sitting shotgun felt more like home to him than any house ever could. He'd forgotten how much he'd missed it these last four years.
They arrived back at Dean's apartment just after 11. Sam and Jess would be staying with Bobby and Ellen who had much more space in their house than Dean had in his apartment. It probably would have been easier for Bobby to pick Sam up and taken him back to his house before taking him to Dean's, but Dean had insisted on picking him up himself. Sam didn't mind in the least, he'd missed his brother more than he realized. Just sitting side by side in the car that had been a home to them since they were kids, it was a comfort to them, comfort they hadn't realized they'd been without.
They left the luggage in the car, planning on driving it and Sam and Jess to Bobby's a little later, once he'd closed the shop up. Sam had only seen Dean's apartment once or twice in the years that he'd been away and every time he saw it, it prompted a new wave of complaints from him. Dean pretended to be annoyed, but he'd always thought Sam's bitch face was hilarious.
"You gotta update this place man." Sam said the moment he'd set foot in the apartment. "It's like stepping back into the seventies."
"Yeah and what's wrong with that?" Dean asked.
"It's 2014, between this and the greatest hits of mullet rock in the car, you're stuck in the wring decade man."
"Yeah well, it was an awesome decade alright."
"You were born in 1979, I don't really think that makes you qualified to judge." Sam said. "Besides you gotta admit this place could use a little, uh renovation."
"I got a new couch, quit your bitchin'." Dean retorted.
"That couch is older than I am."
Jess had just plopped down onto said couch and giving a satisfied nod said, "I like the couch."
"Thank you." Dean said. "At least someone around here's got some taste."
"Yeah, okay." Sam scoffed, joining Jess on the couch. "What'd you buy this thing for anyway?"
"For when I have company over, jackass."
"By company you mean that guy Castiel, right?"
"Ooh, the mysterious Castiel." Jess said. "I've been hearing all about him."
"He's not mysterious." Dean said, trying to hide his smile. "Well, maybe a little bit."
Dean settled into his armchair and tried to ignore the searching look Sam was giving him. Sam hadn't missed the smile, Sam never missed anything.
"When do we get to meet him?" Sam asked.
"Today actually." replied Dean. "I figured he could come with us to Bobby's."
"That sounds great." Sam said. "Things must be getting pretty serious between you guys, you know taking him to meet the family."
"Shut up." Dean retorted, glaring at him.
"Aww, he's got a crush." Sam crowed.
"I will literally punch you in the face." Dean growled a little too forcefully.
"Alright, alright sorry." Sam said still smiling. "I can't wait to meet him."
"Good." Dean said. "So how you been anyway?"
"I'm good." Sam said. "Worried about my mid-term grades and uh..." Sam trailed off looking at Jess.
"What?" Dean asked suspiciously.
"Should we tell him?" Sam asked her.
"If you want." Jess said. "I did have a feeling you wouldn't be able to wait to tell him."
"Tell me what?"
In answer Jess held out her left hand and Dean noticed for the first time the diamond engagement ring on her finger. Dean's jaw dropped, he looked between his brother and his future sister-in-law in shock. Then everything seemed to drop into place.
"Dammit Sammy's getting married!" Dean crowed. "Come here." he added leaping up from his chair and hauling Sam to his feet in and into a hug.
"Alright Dean." Sam said as his brother threatened to break him in two with the force of his hug. "Don't break my ribs."
"Sorry man." Dean said letting go of him. He turned his attention to Jess. "And you get over here." he said pulling her into warm hug, he kissed her cheek when they parted and held one of her hands with both of his own.
Jess laughed happily. "I'm glad you're excited." she said. "I was worried it'd be too much to take in at once, I mean you've never met me and now I'm marrying your brother."
"Excited?" Dean asked astonished. "Are you kidding, I'm pumped. This is awesome, really guys. Someone's finally making an honest woman of my little brother."
"Shut up." Sam said managing to look both pleased and exasperated.
"Man, Ellen's gonna flip." Dean said.
"I hope dad's okay with it." Sam said.
Dean visibly stiffened at the mention of their father. "Well if he doesn't like it he can screw himself. This is great Sam, really."
"Thanks Dean." Sam said and he had his puppy dog eyes in full effect, looking genuinely touched. Usually Dean would shrug off the chick flick moment, but this time he just smiled.
"I'm happy for you Sammy." he said. "And I know mom would be too."
Sam nodded apparently at a loss for words, so he just hugged his big brother one more time. Dean was saved from anymore sappy emotional crap by a knock at the door. He looked at the clock and realized it was just past noon already. He smiled at Sam and Jess. "That should be Cas now." he said heading to the door. He found Castiel standing nervously on his doorstep, in the nicest shirt he owned, Dean knew because he'd bought it for him.
"Hello Dean." he said.
"Hey Cas," Dean said. "Come on in."
Dean led Castiel into the living room where Sam and Jess were waiting. Dean could see how nervous he was and he touched his elbow reassuringly before they entered the room. Sam stepped forward immediately and took Castiel's hand in a friendly handshake.
"Hey Castiel." Sam said. "I'm Sam, it's nice to finally meet you."
"Finally?" Castiel asked.
"Well, I've heard so much about you from Dean. Seems like you're all he's been talking about these last few months." Sam said, ignoring Dean's threatening look.
"I hope Dean told you good things." Castiel said glancing at Dean before continuing. "I've certainly heard a tremendous amount of good things about you."
"Of course they're good things Cas, there aren't any other kinds of things to talk about." Dean said.
Castiel smiled at Dean and was surprised a moment later when Jessica stepped forward and hugged him gently. "It's great to meet you Castiel." She said.
"That's Jessica." Dean said happily. "Sam's fiancée"
Castiel looked between Jessica and Sam. "That's wonderful." He said. "It's wonderful to meet the two of you and thank you for letting me enjoy the holiday with your family."
"It's no trouble." Sam said. "Any friend of Dean's is a friend of ours."
There was still some time to kill before they were to leave for Bobby's so Sam, Dean and Castiel piled onto the couch while Jessica claimed the armchair. They sat for a while just chatting, Dean caught up with Sam and made sure to include Castiel in the conversation every chance he got. Dean was waiting for the inevitable, for someone to ask Castiel what he did for a living and he was read to jump in the moment it happened, but it never did. Dean was grateful and by the look on his face, so was Castiel. It was nice to see Castiel looking a little more comfortable as time wore on. Dean knew how nervous he had been to meet Sam and it warmed his heart to see them getting along so well, his two favorite people in the world.
Dean had lost track of time and before he realized that they were all late Dean's phone rang, it was Ellen. Demands were made and retribution promised if they didn't get their asses over there on the double. The four of them rushed out to the car, pausing a moment to enjoy the gently falling snow around them.
"Looks like we're having a white Christmas." Jess marveled. "God, I missed the snow."
"Me too." Sam said placing a gentle kiss atop her head.
"Alright lovebirds, we gotta get going, or else Ellen's gonna kicks my ass." Dean said getting into the car.
Castiel rode up front with Dean and Sam and Jess rode in back, hand in hand the whole way. They arrived at Bobby's at two and parked on the snow covered lawn out front. Bobby's house was the only other place he thought of as home besides the Impala. It had been a place of refuge and comfort to him from a young age. He was always grateful when John would send them to Bobby's for the weekend, it was a relief to wander around the large salvage yard, looking at all of the old rusted out cars. Everything Dean knew about cars, he'd learned from Bobby.
The house wasn't much to look at from the outside, it was two stories and may have been painted blue at one time. Now the paint was chipped and peeling and there were junked cars in the front yard. Thirty yards to the right of the house lay the salvage yard overhung by a huge rusted sign reading "Singer Auto Salvage." This had been the place where Dean had spent most of his summers growing up, watching Bobby work on cars and helping him out when he got old enough. Inside the house was different though, all squashy armchairs and cozy fireplace and books everywhere. This place was home to Dean and he was so glad that he could share it with Castiel.
Dean helped Sam carry all of the bags inside where the scent of baked goods filled the house. They lugged everything upstairs to the spare bedroom where Sam and Dean would sleep when they were kids, both squeezing into the rusted full-sized bed. Looking at it now and thinking of he and Sam's burly six foot frames, the bed seemed a lot smaller than it had then. Dean turned to head back down stairs but Sam had sat down on the bed. He looked thoughtful and a little sad and Dean knew he'd been waiting to get him alone. He waited for Sam to speak.
"You think it was a good idea inviting dad?" he asked after a moment.
Dean sighed and joined his brother on the bed. The springs groaned in protest under their weight. "I don't know Sam." Dean said honestly. "I mean I know you're intentions were good, but good intentions don't mean jack when it comes to him."
"Yeah, I just wanted…" Sam hesitated as if he were afraid to continue. "I just wanted us to be a family again."
"I know and maybe we can be. Hell, crazier things have happened, but I just don't want to see you disappointed Sam. I spent my whole life watching that man disappoint you and I won't do it again."
Sam nodded. "Thanks Dean." He said.
"Alright, let's get down there before Ellen sends a search party."
Sam was smiling when they left the room, a sight Dean was relieved to see. Dean had tried not to think too closely on the fact that he'd be seeing his father again, but now at last the information seemed to sink in. A sick sort of panic filled his belly and he considered just taking off, but he knew he would stay for Sam, like he always had. Everyone was so happy to see Sam and there were hugs and laughter and enough to ease Dean's worry. Everyone sat around the fire warming themselves and catching up with each other. Jo was glad to have another woman around close to her age, stating that it was usually a sausage fest around here.
Castiel was welcomed as wholeheartedly as Jess was and Dean could see the flush of happiness in his cheeks. Dean made sure to stick close to Castiel, making sure he felt comfortable, but as Dean was coming back from getting a beer he found Castiel's seat vacant. He looked around the room and was stopped short by the sight of him and Sam peering at something on Sam's phone, laughing together. The world could end right there and that would be the best thing that Dean had ever seen.
"They're really hitting it off, aren't they?" Jess asked, coming to stand beside Dean.
"Yeah," Dean said pleased. "What are they talking about anyway?"
"Eh, dork stuff." Jess said.
Dean laughed. "Sammy is a giant nerd, so that makes sense."
"He's a sweet guy." Jess said.
"Yeah he is."
"Are you two?"
"No," Dean said quickly. "Well not entirely, I mean we're just friends."
Jess nodded understandingly. "I get it." She said.
When Castiel and Sam finally broke apart their little pow wow, Dean headed over and sat next to Castiel. "You see, I told you Sammy would like you." He said.
Castiel blushed slightly. "He was showing me pictures from the muggle Quidditch match they had at Stanford last spring."
"A what match?" Dean asked.
"Quidditch," Castiel said. "It's from Harry Potter."
"Of course Sam would go to that." Dean said. "That guy is the biggest nerd I've ever met."
"He's really cool." Castiel said in Sam's defense.
"And that is the first time those words have ever been spoken about my brother." Dean said.
"Well, it's true."
"Hey, as long as he's not cooler than me, I'll be fine."
"Of course not Dean, your reputation remains intact." Castiel said and Dean laughed.
A moment later Bobby sat down in the chair across from the couch where Castiel and Dean sat. "How's it going?" he asked.
"Good." Dean said. "Thanks for having us all over."
"My pleasure." Bobby said. "It's good having you boys under one roof again."
"Yeah it is."
"So, Castiel." Bobby said. "How'd you get saddled being this idjit's friend anyhow?"
Dean considered taking the reins, not wanting Castiel to feel uncomfortable trying to explain their relationship, but he answered quickly and calmly.
"We met at the grocery store." He said. "We got to talking and hit it off, I guess."
"Aint that sweet. Sounds like every chick flick I've ever seen." Bobby said smiling.
"Wait, you watch chick flicks?" Dean asked, horrified.
"Ellen likes em." Bobby said. "You ever see The Notebook? That was a good one, damn beautiful."
Dean was looking a little like he might implode from shock and Castiel patted his knee reassuringly. "Don't mind him, he's allergic to emotions." Castiel said.
"Hey, liking girly stuff don't make you any less of a man." Bobby said. "I remember this one time at the Mall of America-"
Bobby was cut off by a high-pitched shrieking coming from the kitchen. "Ellen must have seen Jess' ring." Dean whispered to Castiel.
The news spread through the room and soon Jo was hugging Jess and Bobby was shaking Sam's hand vigorously, eyes shining with pride. So much for waiting until everyone was together. Sam looked over at Dean trying to catch his eye amidst all the shouting and congratulations, he saw that Dean was immersed in conversation with Castiel, saw the way he was looking at Castiel and smiled to himself.
Castiel sat beside the fireplace and enjoyed the warmth radiating from the crackling flames. Dean had gone to try and sneak a bit of pie, though he knew it was all for tomorrow, hoping that with everyone busy fawning over Sam and Jess he'd be able to get by undetected. They'd created a game plan together, if anyone asked it was Sam. Dean thought his plan was fool-proof, despite everyone in the house knowing Dean's affinity for pie. A few moments after he'd left, quietly humming the Mission Impossible theme music, Castiel heard shouting from the kitchen.
"Dean Winchester, get outta that pie, or I swear to God!" the threat was left unfinished, but Ellen's intentions were clear.
Dean returned a minute later. "Busted!" He said dramatically.
Castiel chuckled. "Well, you're not as subtle as you'd like to think you are."
"You wound me." Dean said, with a hand over his heart.
"So what is the plan for tomorrow anyway?" Castiel asked.
"Well my dad should be flying in early in the morning, so that should be awesome. I told Sammy I aint picking him up from the airport. He wanted him here so bad he can get him. Anyway I guess we'll hang out here you know, have dinner, do presents all that stuff. And pie, don't forget the pie."
"That sounds good to me." Castiel said. "And you should stop worrying about your father. Everything's going to be fine."
"Easy for you to say." Dean said, worry clouding his features.
"Well, if things get to be too much for you, you just give the word and I'll get us out. CIA, covert extraction style."
Dean laughed. "Now that doesn't sound like a bad idea. I'm gonna hold you to that." He said. "How exactly would you get us out anyway?"
"I can be very stealthy when I need to be and I've got the reflexes of a cat." Castiel said, glad to see the lines of worry receding from Dean's face. "You'd be surprised."
"I'll bet." Replied Dean still chuckling.
There was silence for a moment before Castiel spoke again.
"Dean?" Castiel asked softly, the jest gone from his voice.
"Yeah Cas?"
"I just wanted to thank you for inviting me here. I mean it's been a long time since I've had anyone to spend the holidays with and it was very kind of you."
"Don't mention it Cas." Dean said. "I mean you're my best friend, that's family in my book and there's no way any friend of mine is spending Christmas alone."
Castiel felt a warmth flush through him that had nothing to do with the fire. He felt tears stinging his eyes and he tried to blink them back. It had been a very long time since anyone had really wanted him. He had guys on the street every night wanting his body, but no one ever just wanted him. His own family didn't even want him and now Dean, sitting there with kindness in his eyes, telling him they're family. He wondered what he had done in his life to deserve Dean Winchester. And looking into Dean's gentle green eyes, he felt something burst forth from deep inside him, the love he'd been trying to fight, to ignore. It hadn't crept up on him slowly, it had slammed into him with all the force of a hurricane, his walls at last crumbling down around him. He felt more vulnerable than he ever had before.
"Dean." Castiel began, so many things yearning to be said. "I-"
Castiel was cut off by a loud rapping at the door. It was late, almost ten and everyone wondered who'd be calling. It was Sam who answered the door, to a tall bearded man. He was stout and had rugged features and something about him seemed familiar to Castiel. The man looked at Sam fondly. Castiel turned to Dean about to ask him who the man was. He stopped short when he saw the look on Dean's face, pure and unadulterated panic.
"Dad?" Sam asked the man, shocked.
"Hey Sammy."
A/N: Just wait till next week, it may be cold outside, but it's definitely warming up inside. ;)
