Thanks to Winter Gray ( I hope you will be in Heaven reading this angsty chapter), Becca65d (I hope you didn't crash after reading the last chapter), Lee Marie Jack (no Destiel hitting in this chappy), Chelsee199 and Snowin' You (Cas may forgive Dean in the next chapter but it doesn't mean they'll be a romantic couple right off the bat) for your reviews.

Warning: John's A+ parenting

Dean woke up four hours later after a much needed nap. Last night he barely slept at all due to his three hour drive back to Lawrence and arriving in the early wee hours of the morning to his childhood home, where he'd stumbled into one of his worst nightmare scenarios. Dean discovered Castiel, his beautiful blue eyed Chilly Willy had fucked his Abominable Snowman of a kid brother on Halloween night. Talk about psychedelic tricks and treats.

It turns out Cas didn't fuck Sammy. Well those were the last words Castiel told Dean as he left his crappy roach infested motel room. Dean breathed in deeply and waited for his gelatin like legs to move him to the bed. He plopped his ass on the edge, avoiding the side where the mutant cockroach met its death. Dean hunched his shoulders and fought the urge to cry. He wouldn't know what to do with himself if Castiel and Sam became an item. Dean clutched at his t-shirt right over his heart. A single tear escaped the corner of his right eye. Dean wiped at it angrily. The Winchester stood up abruptly from the bed and stood in front of the bathroom mirror.

"Boys don't cry, Dean…only girls and fairies blabber." The words John incessantly repeated at him since he was a toddler became a mantra between the two of them. Dean will never forget the time, Jo Harvelle; the little, blonde, pig tailed town boy from next door punched him right on the nose. Dean came home crying. When John first landed eyes on his first born with a bloody nose and tears running down his chubby freckled cheeks, he seemed to show genuine concern.

He quickly asked Dean, who'd hit him. John assumed it was Allistair, the neighborhood bully. Dean was frightened to reveal the mini Rocky Balboa's true identity. John had a military background and trained his oldest son like a soldier. After stuffing cotton inside both of Dean's swollen nostrils, John asked his son again, who hit him.

Dean breathed in through his mouth. He hiccupped in between sobs, "Jo"

John planted large hands over his son's small shoulders. "Is there a new kid in town named Joe? How come I haven't met the runt?"

Dean closed his eyes. His thick tawny lashes were wet. He shook his head. "Jo from next door"

"You are shitting me! Little Joanne, who is like half a foot shorter than you…and a girl?!" John's eyes narrowed to slits. In times like these Dean missed his mother terribly. She would take him in her arms and sing a Beatles song to rock him to sleep.

"Stop crying right now! I am ashamed of you. Boys never cry. You understand?"

Dean sobbed louder. All he wanted was for his father to wrap his arms around him and tell him everything was okay. John became incensed at his son's silence. He slapped Dean hard on his left cheek.

"Say it…boys don't cry only girls and fairies!" He shook Dean hard.

Dean grew even more frightened. "Boys don't cry only girls and fairies!" He hated saying those words.

Sammy came wobbling inside the bathroom. He was small for the age of three. His short and chubby legs prevented the toddler from walking fast. His eyes were round as he took in the scene. He knew dad hurt his brother.

Dean wiped his tears and led his brother out of the bathroom. John's voice made him stop. "I better never hear about that little bitch clocking you. You understand, son?"

The almost seven year old nodded and rapidly grabbed Sam. He took his baby brother outside and placed him on a swing. Sammy's laughter was contagious and always brought Dean out of his funks.

Dean removes his clothes. He is going to take one final shower in the rundown motel before going home. He needs to talk to Sam and reveal the truth to him. Dean is sick and tired of hiding his sexuality and John's abuse from his only sibling. John is sick now. That is the reason the two of them returned home. The bastard didn't deserve his children's sympathy but fortunately Dean and Sam both inherited kindness from their mother.

Dean smirks while he stares at his reflection in the mirror. He traces the tattoo he recently got over his heart. It spelled Castiel in Enochian which was supposedly the language of angels. He'd gotten inked as soon as he settled in the city. He got plastered one night and stumbled into a 24 hour tattoo shop. Cas would laugh in his face if he were to ever see the tat.

The former soldier was starving. He passed by Missouri's Diner. Dean loved the establishment. He hoped the owner was still around. Missouri Mosely showcased a tough exterior but deep inside she was gooey as a marshmallow. Dean hesitantly entered the establishment. Smooth jazz music and the unforgettable smell of Missouri's Kansas famous peach cobbler beckoned him warmly to take a seat.

The hostess who seemed to be around 100 years old greeted him. Poor thing would lose in a race against a tortoise. "Hello I am Estelle. Table for one?" Dean nodded. "Follow me, dear." It took Dean an entire minute to reach the end of the counter.

"Here is the menu. Today's special is mac and cheese and peach cobbler."

"Sounds great, sweetheart. Can I have a cold one to go with the meal?" Dean winked at the elderly lady.

"You must be quite the heart breaker." She patted his shoulder with a delicate hand covered in liver spots."

Missouri came out of the kitchen carrying two plates covered with hot food. Her brown eyes landed on Dean. "Oh my stars! Is that little Dean Winchester?!"

The other six patrons gazed his way. Dean waved shyly at Missouri. He stood up and was soon enveloped in her warm embrace. "Welcome home, boy."

"Thanks…it's good to be back."

She released him and studied his physical appearance. "Something is troubling you. I know it's the war but something else, as well." She placed a hand over his heart. Her eyes saddened. "Oh darling, this is the first time you have truly fallen in love."

Dean cleared his throat. "Can we talk about something else?"

"True love finds its way back," she whispered at him.

The cook dinged the bell which signaled Dean's meal was ready. "Sit down and make yourself at home, sugah. I will get your food. It will take Estelle half an hour to do so."

Dean chuckled. After Missouri set his plate and bottle of beer in front of him, Dean asked her why she kept the old woman around.

"Her husband Harold died last year. I offered her the job as hostess so she won't spend all day missing him alone at home. They never had children and her sister died ten years ago."

"That's so sad," Dean said before digging in. He moaned after he tasted the mac and cheese for the first time. "I really missed your cooking, Missouri. My mouth is salivating at the mere thought of your cobbler."

"I heard Sam came back a couple of days ago and I can guess why you did, too." Missouri glanced at Dean with sympathy.

Dean wiped his mouth. He shrugged his shoulders. "Dad has always been a dick but he's our only living parent. Mom wouldn't want us to abandon him now."

"You're a good son, Dean Winchester." She patted him lightly on a cheek. "And overall you are a good person." She covered his heart again with one hand. "This will not hurt for long."

Dean swallowed hard. Missouri was known all around Lawrence as a bit of a psychic. Shit she's the one, who told him about Lisa being pregnant before the teenage girl even found out. Was he destined to meet someone new, who would make him forget Castiel, or were the two of them destined to reunite?

Missouri removed the empty plate from in front of him. Less than a minute later, she returned with a dinner plate covered with a thick slice of freshly baked peach cobbler and a scoop of vanilla ice cream on it. Dean licked his lips before taking the first bite. He moaned out loud and closed his eyes to take in the flavors that tickled his taste buds.

"Still the best cobbler," he murmured in between bites.

After drinking another beer bottle, Dean was prepared to return home and have a serious talk with Sammy. He was in the middle of leaving fifteen dollars on the counter but Missouri's hand landed on his. "This is your home, Dean. You have always been like a son to me and Rufus. We would never charge you for anything…you hear?"

A lump formed in Dean's throat. Whenever things got real bad between him and John, Dean found himself in Missouri's and Rufus's couch. Sometimes he spoke to God at night and wished they were his parents instead of John. "Hey how is old Rufus?"

Missouri clucked her tongue. "He is adamant that he is not ready for retirement. The man is seventy. I keep telling him he needs to sell the auto shop."

Dean scratched the back of his neck. "By any chance is he hiring? I need a job since I plan to stick around."

"Oh sugah, Rufus will love to have you aboard. One of his mechanics moved to the city and he needs all the help he can get. I'll talk to him this evening."

"Are you sure?"

"You know I do not bull shit, Dean Winchester." She handed him a plastic bag. "Now scoot and take this to Sam. I know he loves my cobbler."

"Thank you," Dean says with a lot of affection.

"You better get your freckled behind here every day for lunch. You are too skinny. I will have you back to your usual weight in no time."

Dean smiled and hugged her. As he took two steps towards the door, she stopped him. "I almost forgot. Drink this tea an hour before bedtime. It will help you sleep better. Pretty soon you will not have any need for it."

God Dean fervently hopes that will be the case. He waves at Missouri and says bye to Estelle.

"Oh and Dean, if you ever go away and don't keep in touch for four years, I will go after you with my wooden spoon!"

"I promise I won't."

His spirits started to rise thanks to Missouri's kind words and gracious hospitality. Dean drove his baby to his former house. Sammy must have heard the engine because Jolly Green waited for him on the front steps of the porch.

Sam helped Dean retrieve his meager belongings from the trunk of the car. The two brothers worked in amicable silence. Once the two duffel bags and cardboard box were put next to Dean's full sized bed, Dean told Sam to come with him to the kitchen. He warmed up the cobbler in the microwave for fifteen seconds and then fetched vanilla ice cream from the freezer.

Dean poured two glasses of milk and handed one to Sammy. The siblings' relationship started deteriorating, when Sam was in high school and came out as gay. Dean was already married to Lisa and Benny was little. Dean wanted to be supportive for his kid brother, but he had a family to support, and his own inner turmoil kept Dean from opening up to Sam. John kicked Sam out.

Dean wasn't able to offer Sam a place to stay because the tiny apartment he and his small family lived in barely held them. Sammy lived his senior year in Bobby's old house. John refused to go to his youngest child's high school graduation. Soon after Sam got a full ride scholarship to Stanford and Dean was off to the army. The brothers barely exchanged any form of correspondence.

After Sam devoured Missouri's peach cobbler and guzzled down the entire glass of milk, he patted his flat abdomen. "Missouri's the best."

Dean nodded. "Sam, we need to talk."

Sam placed the eating utensils on the sink. "You can wash the dishes later. We need to talk before I lose my nerve." The Sasquatch arched a brow. Dean wasn't much of a talker. This meant he it was something serious.

"Okay Dean, you've definitely garnered my interest. What's going on? Are you well? I know war can leave soldiers with physical and emotional scars." Sam sat across from his older brother.

Dean tore a napkin to a dozen pieces. He mustered enough courage to finally start speaking. "Sam, I'm bi."

Sam's brows rose all the way to the very top of his broad forehead. They disappeared under a curtain of brown bangs. "Say what?!"

"I like cock and pussy!"

"Wait a sec. Have you always known?" Sam's muscular torso rose and fell. His nostrils flared. Dean had never noticed one of his brother's nostrils was larger than the other.

"I've known since my early teens."

"How could you be such a fucking hypocrite?! You were bi all this time and never stood up for me…not even when dad threw me out." Sam stood up.

"Dad gave me some imaginative punishments when he wasn't busy beating the shit out of me."

"Wait dad knew you liked guys?" Sam sat back down. His mouth remained hung open.

Dean went on to tell his brother all the times John punished him for not being man enough, or when he found him with a guy or two.

"Dean, you should have told me. I would have understood, man."

"I didn't want him to hurt you as he did me. Throwing you out was the best thing he did."

"I couldn't forgive myself if he hurt you, Sammy. I made myself a promise to always keep you safe after mom died."

Tears swam in Sam's eyes. "I am sorry for all you went through but you should have told me down the line. What about Lisa?"

Dean rolled his eyes. He would never forget the little show he and Cas played out in that bar/restaurant's parking lot. That was the last time he saw Lisa.

"We got divorced three months ago. I think she always suspected I was into guys, too. She's remarried or is about to. I am actually happy for her."

"Wow…I don't know what to say."

Dean pinched the bridge of his nose. "There's something else you need to know."

"There's more?" Sam combed fingers through his long hair.

"Dude, I don't know how to say this…so here goes." Dean got up and stood behind his chair.

"You are scaring the shit out of me, man."

"Me and Cas know each other."

"You and Castiel, the sexy cowboy I picked up last night?"

"Sammy, shut your cake hole man. You are making this harder."

"Oh no…please tell me you're not going where I think you are." Sam banged his head against the kitchen table.

"Look we are no longer together. I lied to him about being hired by his old lady to keep him out of trouble. I may have kept the truth of being married to Lisa, when we almost had sex the first time."

"Okay enough! So you two were lovers but aren't anymore?" Dean nodded.

"That's why he left here so fast this morning and you flew like a bat out of hell after him."

"Pretty much"

"Did you sleep with him today?"

"Nah man, he doesn't want anything to do with me. He hates lying since he spent most of his life keeping his sexuality under wraps."

"I don't want to hurt you, Dean, but Cas is the first guy I really like since like forever. If he is willing I want to pursue a relationship with him."

Dean sat back down. "I ain't going to lie to you, Sammy. I love the dorky guy but I majorly blew it. I can't dictate to you who you can date. He wants to date you then you have my blessing."

Sam shook his head. "This is surreal. I don't know what I am going to do. You are still in love with him, dude!"

"Sam, promise me you will never tell him I love him. Give me your word please. He deserves happiness with someone, who won't lie to him; be it you or someone else."

"But I would be lying to Cas if I kept this from him. He needs to know you love him."

"It's a different lie than the ones I kept from him. Please Sam promise me you won't tell him."

"Fuck ok but I am not even sure I want to get involved with him after hearing your story."

"Sammy, I'll be alright eventually. I can take a hint. The guy doesn't want to deal with me. He's made it quite clear. So I won't get in the way." Dean stood up and Sam did the same.

The 6'4 man approached his brother and initiated a bear hug. "I am so sorry for all the shit you went through here and at war."

"Thanks, man."

"If you ever need to talk about anything…I am here for you." Sam kissed the top of Dean's head.

The following morning at ten found the brothers visiting John at Pioneer Ridge Retirement Community. The place housed a large population of war veterans. John being a Vietnam War vet himself. Sam and Dean were escorted by a young orderly to the arts and crafts room. The retirement community's denizens were knitting quilts for Lawrence Memorial's pediatrics ward.

Dean rolled his eyes as soon as his green orbs landed on John's hunched form. His dad sat on a wheelchair scowling at the TV which played an old "I Love Lucy" episode. A cast covered his left leg. John fell in the bathtub at home a week ago.

John yelled to no one in particular, "Ricky should have slapped the bitch to keep her in her place. Can't stand that troublesome broad!" He tossed a bread roll at the TV.

Both Winchester siblings were shocked to see their father's once dark hair now completely white. John was now in his late sixties. His robust frame was more to the frail side. Dean cleared his throat, when the two of them stood adjacent to their dad. He gently pushed Sam on the couch.

"Hey dad!" Dean smiled at John. He knelt in front of the chair.

John started suffering from Alzheimer's two years ago. He narrowed his eyes at his first born. "Dean, is that you? Jesus you look so much like Mary." John traced Dean's cheek with a thumb.

"Yeah dad it's me. Look who I brought to see you…Sammy."

At first John couldn't figure who Sam was. A couple of minutes later, he frowned. "Why you bring that queer to see me?! He is not my son. He is a poor excuse for a man."

"Dad, shut the fuck up," Dean whispered in John's ear.

"And you…if it weren't for Lisa…your knees would be scraped for all the cock sucking you'd be reveling in!"

Sam stood up. "See why I didn't want to see him yet! He makes it so damn hard to feel sorry for his condition." Sammy looked like he was about to cry.

"Dad, apologize to Sam. He's gay…deal with it! That will not stop him from being your son."

John's eyes returned to the TV screen. Sam lifted his hands up in surrender. "I can't deal with this shit." He scurried out of the arts and crafts room. Several old ladies gawked at him on his way out.

Dean knelt in front of John. He placed his hands on the handles. His father remained with his hands resting over his lap.

"Now you listen to me, you homophobe. I never stopped loving Sammy for being gay. We are the only family we have and like it or not we are your only sons. No one else in this town gives a rat's ass about you. Whether you like it or not we're the only things you've got."

John's hazel eyes landed on his first born. "War toughened you up, son. I am proud of you."

"War and life in general toughened me." Dean swallowed hard. "One last thing, pops. I'm bi-sexual."

John's eyes widened. "Shut the hell up, Dean. You don't know what you're saying."

Dean inched closer to his dad. "You always knew. That's why you punished and beat me. For the first time I am no longer scared of what you may think of me."

John's jaw ticked. "I am in love with a wonderful man and if he'd have me, I'll be with him in a heartbeat. I am no longer hiding my true self. So deal with it, old man. Sammy is gay and I am bi-sexual."

Dean took in a much needed breath. "I'll stop by tomorrow afternoon to check on you. Sammy will return when he's ready. Get your shit together and realize we are all you've got. You don't want to live your remaining days alone; do you?"

John's shoulders deflated even more. Dean felt pity for the wrinkled and lonely man in front of him. He stood up and stretched his back.

"See ya tomorrow, dad."

On Monday afternoon Sam needed to get out of the house. He took advantage Dean went grocery shopping. Sam grabbed Cas' Stetson and chaps. He took a five minute walk to Heavenly Delights. Fortunately, Kevin was at the counter and snoopy Gabe was in the kitchen. Sam waved hi at the college freshman, who perked up as soon as the Sasquatch entered the bakery.

Castiel was applying the finishing touches on the mural. Sam approached him quietly and covered Cas' eyes with his large hands. The shorter man jumped. Sam leaned down and whispered in Castiel's right ear, "Guess who?" Cas' skin flushed upon feeling Sam's hot breath.

"Michael Fassbender?"

"Try again. Although I've been told I'm better looking."

Castiel laughed. "Damn you must be quite the catch." He turned around and gave Sam a gummy smile. "Hello Sam."

"Hi Cas. I had a shitty day yesterday and needed to see you."

"Is everything alright?" Castiel put down a paint brush. He held Sam's hand and led him to one of the small tables. Kevin scowled at Castiel. Were he and Sam dating?

Sam's gargantuan frame looked ridiculous on the dainty chair. "Dean and I went to visit dad at the retirement home. The old bastard remains the same homophobe he's always been."

"I am so sorry, Sam. How about I get you a cappuccino and a black and white cookie?"

Sam shrugged his massive shoulders. "Sure"

Kevin approached Sam. He always sported a huge crush on the youngest Winchester. When Sam was a senior in high school, he tutored a freshman Kevin in Calculus and Physics. It was cool to know Sam was also gay. In a small town like Lawrence it wasn't easy to come out of the closet. Sam was the first person to do so. Back in the day, Kevin hated being jailbait. He always dreamed of Sam returning home after finishing law school. Kevin would grow a pair and confess to Sam that he loved him. Sam would reciprocate the words and the two of them would leave Lawrence for good.

Now the object of his affection is romantically involved with Castiel. Castiel Novak, the US' very own prince charming. Kevin never understood how fast the citizens of Lawrence forgave Novak for humiliating Meg Roman by leaving her at the altar. Nothing but a spineless skunk would do that. A blue eyed one with messy hair. So what if the guy looks like he came out of a Land's End catalog. Life wasn't all about looks. What's on the inside is what truly counts. Kevin seemed to have stopped growing at 5'9. He still could pass as a high school student but he had a big heart.

Missouri told him that true love was at the tip of his fingers last week. Well Kevin didn't care anymore. Sam, who was the only person he loved in his entire existence, was involved with Pepe Le Pew himself, Castiel Novak. Kevin realized Sam wasn't in a talking mood. So he scurried over to his station.

He wanted to bang his head against the counter. Cas was his friend. He felt guilty thinking bad things about the man. Castiel even helped him with some of his college classes. Kevin wasn't surprised to discover Cas swung both ways. Said man came out of the kitchen with his hands full. Cas smiled at him and headed to Sam.

"Before I forget…you left this at my place." Sam placed the bag carrying the hat and chaps next to Cas' chair on the floor.

"Thanks"

The two men drank the cappuccinos and ate white and black cookies shaped like female breasts in comfortable silence. Castiel wondered where Dean was at the moment. He didn't know if placing a hand over Sam's to offer comfort would be suitable. "Did Dean talk to you?"

Sam's sad eyes locked with his. He nodded. "Yeah, he told me everything from dad's beatings to you and him." Cas felt proud of Dean. His former lover was finally manning up.

"I am so sorry, Sam." Castiel finally covered Sam's hand with one of his own.

"Are you in love with him? Because if you are…we can only remain friends." Sam gave him a sad puppy look.

"I believed myself to be in love with him but after all his lies I don't know what I feel towards him. For a while, I hated him. Now I don't even know." Castiel bit his lower lip.

"So do you want to see where things go between us?" Sam wanted to kick himself after the words came out of his mouth. He didn't want to hurt Dean. Castiel was like his idea of the perfect man and Sam really wanted to get to know him.

"Why don't we take things slow?" Cas suggested.

Sam smiled. "I'd like that."

"How about we catch a movie Friday night and have dinner afterwards?"

"I'd like that very much," Sam replied.

Don't lose your patience, my chickadees. Destiel will be end game. You know I love my boys but love throwing obstacles in their way to a very much deserved HEA.