Chapter Twenty-One
Dean grew to hate working. The ending of school began to creep onto the seniors as May began to draw to a close and June threatened to bloom on the other side. For all other kids, this was joyful, exciting, especially for the seniors. But Dean and Sam Winchester dreaded the ending of the school year. Sam was convinced that he and Jess could continue their relationship long distance and was determined to try. Dean wasn't as sure on what he would do. So he didn't think about it, instead he worked.
Now that Castiel was at Deans house, he felt working was stupid, a waste of his time. He knew it wasn't; it was what kept food on the table. Still, he couldn't help but be annoyed with his daily activities. It was this frustration that got him to take a Saturday off and declare it date night. It was a double date, Castiel and himself with Jess and Sam. It should be a little strange to have your brother on a date, but Dean was content with it. Sam and him were close enough, plus the couples spent a lot of time together around the dinner table. Tonight they were at a dinner table not in their tiny, run down house but in a fairly nice restraint. Perhaps Red Robin wasn't extremely nice to Jessica who was use to nicer things, but she was having a good enough time, nonetheless. They all were, laughing every few minutes at a new story. The brothers seemed to have an unspoken battle between each other, sharing embarrassing stories about one another or themselves to see what could get the biggest laugh from the group.
"So he's sick and I figured I'd take pity on the kid." Dean was saying, talking with his hands as he chewed on a fry, elbows on the table. He had perhaps the worst table manners anyone could imagine, but Castiel found that almost cute, as long as he didn't talk with his mouth full of food. "I get home with a coke and a new comic book I picked up on the way home to find Sam passed out on the couch. Figured I let the kid sleep, so I set the stuff on the table and went into the kitchen and I guess I made too much noise in there cause a few minutes later, Sams up. And I look over and he's way out of it. So I tell him that I got him a drink and a book whenever he's more awake. And I step over there and the kids literally spilled the entire thing down his front." Dean was laughing as he told this. Sam was bright red and sulking, but attempting not to smile as his girlfriend and Castiel grinned widely and listened. "I don't know how he managed it…"
"Alright, alright, go ahead." Sam sulked, a smile shining in his eyes. "We gonna head out?" He asked, starting to stand. Dean nodded and stood, throwing a few extra dollars of a tip on the table, having already paid the bill. He stood and waited as Castiel slid out of the booth and took his hand. Jessica and Sam followed the pair in a similar way as they exited the building to the car. From there they went to their main event for the night; bowling.
The smell of pizza and air fresheners hit the group as they entered the bowling ally, a classic rock filled car ride later. Dean was a cruel driver, not allowing anyone to change the music despite Sams insessive arguing from the back seat. Inside the building, to Deans horror, they played a moderns hit station that was semi-bearable. Sam still enjoyed the twinge of pain Dean got on his face whenever a bad song came on more than he should.
The group got their shoes and balls and before long, the game was underway. Cas was rather annoyed to find his name spelled on the screen as Kas instead of Cas, but Dean couldn't help but grin at the way his face twisted into a scowl whenever it was his turn to go. Still, he was kicking Deans ass and Sam was the only one who had a chance of competing.
"When did you get so good at bowling?" Dean laughed after Cas got his first turkey of the night.
"It is not difficult, Dean." Castiel grinned, knowing Dean was having trouble with the actual bowling, not the aming like most people. It was rather funny, espically for Sam who was so use to his elder sibling preforming perfectly at most tasks, to see the teenager awkwardly toss the ball down the lane, typically ending up bouncing it or landing it in the gutter.
Dean crossed his arms sourly and mocked his boyfriend under his breath, hiding his smile with a glare and only responding to Cas when he draped his arms over his shoulders, allowing Dean to lean into his side. However, when Dean stood to take his next turn, Castiel stood with him and helped him in throwing a spare. He stood behind Dean and held his wrist, guiding his throw and whispering what steps to remember for the next turn.
Dean never thought bowling could be arousing.
Sam ignored the entire thing, thankfully, as he sat beside Jessica, his arm thrown around her shoulders as she spoke of a story from school, a fight that had almost occurred in the lunchroom. Sam hung on her every word, laughing at the end of it as he pictured the two boys mentioned having to back down and apologize due to a teachers intervention.
"They're cute together." Jess says after a pause of silence, her focus no longer on Sam but on his brother and Cas. "Castiel always use to look so sad and unsure of himself but now he's extremely happy… it's sweet."
"Deans been changed for the better too." Sam admits, playing with his girlfriend blonde hair mindlessly. "Really, I've never seen him happier. Not even when he got his car." The teen thought back to the nights post-Castiel. How Dean would grin to himself out of nowhere, or be awake in the middle of the night speaking softly on his cellphone as he left the room to avoid waking Sam. He deserved happiness, and that was what Cas gave him.
"Do you believe in soul mates?" Jessicas voice startled him out of his thoughts. He figured she was talking about Cas and Dean but found, when he turned to look towards her, her brown eyes were focused on him, wide and innocent. He couldn't help but smile, a warmth filling his chest.
"Maybe." He admitted, shrugging his shoulders. "I guess I never thought about it; figured it wouldn't matter." Figured I'd always be too busy hunting.. He added on in thought a moment later.
"Why wouldn't it matter?" Her honey smooth voice had a tone of worry to it as she frowned up at the boy she had fallen for.
"Long story."
"I've got time." Her response was quick enough that he couldn't help but grin. Damn that girl was good.
"No you don't." Dean said, coming to sit back on the seat with the pair of them. He pointed up to the screen that had Jess' name highlighted. "No quicky yet kids." He winked and got smacked on the arm by his date. Sam rolled his eyes and stood, extending his hand to Jessica. As the pair walked over to the lane, Dean took the time to throw his arm around Cas' shoulders, a reverse to the previous situation. There was a moment of nothing but background noise as Dean pulled the courage together to tell Cas what would occur in only a few short weeks. He opened his mouth-
And was cut off by the sharp ring of a phone. Castiel jumped and pulled the crappy cell from his pocket, looking at it in confusion. No one had contacted him since he left the house except for Dean and, on occasion, a text from Gabe. Even those were rare and short. There were a few scattered calls from work, but he had the night off. On the screen though, was not the number for work but the number of Gabriel. It wasn't until he hit the accept call button and was moving the phone to his ear that it hit him.
Gabriel came home tonight.
And undoubtly was wondering why Cas wasn't at home.
"Hello?" Castiel kept his voice neutral, as if he didn't know what the next five words from Gabes mouth would be.
"Where the hell are you?" Spot on.
"Ask your parents." Castiels voice was bitter and cold. Gabriel fell silent for a minuet and CAs could hear him fumbling for words over the line before he came up with what he wanted to say.
"What the hell? MY parents? Our parents, Castiel. Where the hell are you? Get your ass-"
"They kicked me out Gabriel. Lucifer told them I'm dating Dean and they kicked me out. I've been gone for months." Castiels voice was strained, pained. He didn't notice the tears making salty trails down his cheeks, but Dean did. That's why the boy wrapped his arm around his boyfriends waist and led him outside. Cas let him without fighting.
"Castiel… kid why didn't you tell me?" Gabriels voice was worried, paniced. It brought Castiel back to years when they were younger and would come in covered in dirt and blood from playing outside. Gabe would patch his sibling up and risk, every time, getting in trouble alone. Castiel thought of all the band-aids his brother had plastered on his skin, all the times he had cared so deeply for his sibling.
It wasn't until he got outside and a blast of cool air hit his face that Cas noticed he was crying.
"I didn't want to bother you. You were at college and could not do much anyway; my issues would only cause unnecessary worry on your part. I took care of myself here, Gabriel. Don't be concerned." Castiel insisted, leaning into his boyfriend fully. Dean rubbed his arm, holding him tightly with a look of concern on his face for his lover.
"Bullshit. You call me when something like that happens, Castiel. I'll help you. Got it?" His stern tone startled the teen slightly, but he gave no time for Cas to respond. "Shit, kid, where have you been living?"
"For most of the time… do you recall that abounded building we use to hang out at years back?"
"THERE? Castiel that place doesn't have heat! How could you be so stupid! You couldn't-"
"Gabriel! It is fine." Castiel shook his head, rolling his eyes slightly. He noted the look on Deans face, equal parts amusement and shock, and decided Gabriels voice had been loud enough for him to hear. "I am staying with Dean now. I'm happy Gabe. Really, it's so much better out of that house." His tone softened at the words and Deans arms tightened around him. He reached up and cleared away the tears from his face, until Gabriel spoke again and his words caused blush to race across Castiels face
"That's only cause you're having sex with Dean." It was a muttered phrase but Castiel herd it loud and clear. Dean chuckled, probably guessing Gabes words based on his boyfriends reaction. Castiel turned to him and narrowed his eyes into a glare.
"Look, Cassie, I'm glad you're happy. But…I've got something you need to know that might make you a little less happy."
"Can it wait?" Castiels voice was pleading over the speaker of the phone. Moments later, a sigh echoed and his brother gave in.
"Alright. Fine. How dose breakfast sound tomorrow?"
"Lunch."
"Whatever kid. Lunch. Pick a place and send me the address. And bring your boyfriend. It's about time I met him, don't you think?" Castiel could picture the smirk his brother wore on his stupidly smug face and couldn't help but groan.
"No."
"Nope, you don't have the choice, little brother. See you tomorrow." The line went dead before Castiel could respond. He rolled his eyes and hung up the phone, pocketing it before he glanced over to Dean. The boy brushed his fingertips lightly over Cas' skin, clearing away tears that rolled down his cheeks. The touch was so tender and caring that it sent shivers along his spine.
"You okay?"
"Yeah." Castiel whispered, laying his head on Deans shoulders. "Yeah, I'm fine. Gabriel was worried about me. And…we have lunch with him tomorrow."
"We can do that." Dean agreed with a nod. "But for now…" He glanced back at the bowling alley, undoubtly thinking of Sam inside. "Do you wanna get out of here?"
"We have a game to finish, though." Castiel frowned as he looked over his boyfriend.
"You sure?" Dean rose an eyebrow, clearing away the last of Castiels tears with a few kisses. He nodded firmly after Dean pulled away, his blue eyes lightening as he smiled.
"I've gotta finish kicking your ass."
Deans face seemed to light up when he grinned, nodded, and pulled Castiel back inside the building. Sam didn't say a word, but, when it was Castiels turn to bowl, held up his thumb in a questioning manner. Dean only smiled.
After the game was over, and the rematch game after that, the group headed out. Dean dropped Jess off at home and then Sam off at their house, who was insisting that no, he didn't wanna go out and be a third wheel on Dean and Cas' milkshake date. The couple continued on to the diner, the car shockingly quiet without the multiple conversations that had been occurring in the earlier hours. Despite this, they sat in silence, Deans hand wrapped in Cas' on the seat between them, until they got into the diner.
Jo was working tonight and she felt as though it was her duty to place them in the same spot they had been the first night they stepped in here. Castiel smiled openly at the memories and Dean, despite his eye rolling, enjoyed it as well. They both ordered chocolate milkshakes and a basket of fries to share, not hungry enough for anything else. It wasn't until Jo walked away with the menus which weren't even touched that they spoke.
"Are you okay?" It was Dean, voice firm but concerned. His green eyes gleamed as he looked over his boyfriend in worry.
"I'm fine. I promise you. I'm only…wondering what it is Gabriel may wish to talk to me about tomorrow." Castiel shrugged but Dean saw the look of frustration in the way his eyebrows knitted together.
"That's tomorrow, Cas. Don't think about it." Dean soothed, taking Castiels hand across the table. Dean Winchester wasn't one for PDA. He tried to avoid it when he could. But he took Cas' hand with such ease that Castiel seemed to forget this fact as he leaned across the table and pressed a kiss to Deans lips. When he sat back down in the torn diner seating was when he noticed Deans face as bright red as the first date they had, the brown freckles on his skin sticking out like a connect-the-dots game. Castiel laughed softly, unable to stop himself from whispering
"At least I didn't moan this time."
That only worsened Deans blush, which was, overall, pretty adorable. Not that he'd say that out loud or anything.
"Keep it to the bedroom, boys." Jo said fondly, dropping their food on the tables and winking. "Let me know if you need anything. I'm always open to being a third."
Castiel, who was attempting to enjoy the first sip of his milkshake, choked and Dean was struck between awe at the guts the girl had and utter shock.
"Don't forget I know your mother," Dean called as she was walking away. He saw her turn over her shoulder and stick her tongue out, but didn't respond. He was too busy moving over beside his still-coughing boyfriend to pat his back.
"She is.." Dean started.
"Unpredictable."
"To put it kindly, yes." The two turned and grinned at each other before moving back to the food in front of them. As time passed they started to talk about much lighter things. Castiel listened as Dean spoke of a movie he saw days ago, listening as he switched from his thoughts on the character casting and setting to a play by play of the movie itself. That spurred a round of questioning between the two where Castiel found out Dean loved black licorice and once drank an entire bottle of Jack Daniels by himself in one sitting. Castiel confesses that the only JD he's tried is the non-alcoholic sauce made at TGI Fridays, he really enjoys gummy worms, more so than their bear counterparts, and he knows that he is not the only homosexual in his family; he had walked in on Gabe and a guy once by accident, but never let anyone know before Dean.
The boys talked and laughed, hardly taking notice to each person who left the diner. It wasn't until Jo walked over to their table that they realized they were the last three humans here.
"I know this is risky, but can I trust y'all to lock up? I gotta get out of here but I didn't want to cut your moment short since I'm sure Sams at home. " Jo looked over at the pair who were leaning over the table to be closer to one another, completely absorbed into their own world. Dean looked over at his friend and nodded.
"Sounds good to me." He accepted the keys and set them on the table. Soon the door bell rang as the last worker left and the pair found it slightly different to be sitting there alone. They checked the time but soon found they didn't wish to go back home quiet yet. It was then that Elvis decided to come onto the speaker system. The older music wasn't often played on the radio, but tonight it was, and they intended to seize the opportunity while it floated through the air. It was Dean that stood and offered his hand to Castiel. "Dance with me?"
The question was spoken softly and so kindly that it brought a smile to Castiels face. He placed his hand in Deans and together they moved to the center, where there was usually bustling people, moving food around the room and now there was nothing but them. They held their intertwined hands between their closely pressed bodies, Castiels other hand on Deans hip and Deans on Cas' shoulder. They didn't do much dancing, but instead swayed together like most teenagers did. The pair danced long past the Elvis song, whispering known lyrics when possible and little spurs of information when not. It was gushy, romantic, loving, and everything Dean usually strayed away from. With Cas in his arms, he went head first, not a fear to be found.
The pair eventually left the diner, locking up and leaving the keys in the potted plant out front as instructed by Jo's text. They came home to find Sam snacking at the late hour, but didn't interrupt the boy. Instead they went to share a bed and soon fell asleep curled into one another, showers forgotten.
The next days lunch was nerve wracking for Castiel, who had been at a lost as to what "something to tell you" could be. Deans attempts to tease him, to pull him out of his nervous headspace through a wonderful breakfast and too many kisses to count, and even shower sex, only succeeded temporarily. Dean was rather relieved when it came time to take his lover out for lunch.
They arrived early in the same diner they had left late from the previous night, and sat close together in an open booth, looking through the menu while they waited on Gabriel to arrive. When he did, the brothers took a minuet to hug beside the table, attracting a few glances and a very warm look from Dean. The amount of care that was obivious between them was very well known to the hunter, who knew damn well what it was like to have a brother in an abusive relationship. Dean wrapped an arm around his boyfriend when he sat back down, shamelessly.
"Long time no see, Kiddo." Gabriel greeted fondly as he sat across from the pair in the booth. "Nice to meet you, Dean-o." He extended his hand and the usually overly careful Winchester took it without a beat.
"You too, Gabe." He smiled in return. Castiel seemed to relax a little, now that Gabe was here and Dean wasn't fighting with him. He relaxed into Deans side long enough to order lunch, but after the menus were taken away, the anxious feeling set in again.
"So, Gabriel." Castiel looked up at his brother almost expectantly, raising his eyebrows and leaning slightly on the table.
"Already, Kid? Don't you wanna-"
"No." Dean jumped in, laughing softly as he rubbed Cas' back. "No he's been worried about this all morning."
"Alright, fair enough." Gabriel swallowed and let out a heavy sigh that made it very clear to the couple that the man had a very heavy weight on his shoulders that he was nervous to share. "Look, Cas, you're my brother. And I love you. And I don't know how to drop this one on you but… You're only my half-brother." Gabe paused for a second, but was met with silence and confusion, so he went on. "Mom cheated on Dad for who knows how long and she got stupid one night and ended up pregnant with you. Our mom is the same but…"
"I'm a bastard." The words seemed to hit Castiel like a truck as his body and his face crumpled under the impact.
"Aw God, no. Cassie… don't think about it like that.."
"it's the truth." Cas just sounded a bit broken to Dean and he frowned, taking the boy in his arms.
"Cas you don't need em." He whispered, trying to comfort his boyfriend, who was visouly fighting tears that welled in his eyes. "Come on, he was an ass to you. Think about it. Do you really wanna be his son?" Dean knew that wasn't the problem. He knew that right now Cas' mind was buzzing, screaming about how he was 'unwanted' despite the fact there were two people at the very table that wanted him, one so badly that he was willing to give up his world for the boy in his arms.
"Why didn't they tell me?" Castiel asked, looking at his brother from his slumped position across the table.
"I don't know, Kiddo." Gabriel admits with a shrug. "I really don't. The only reason I found out was mom was drunk the night I got home. When I was trying to figure out where you were, she was laughing and saying 'At least your father is kinder now' and babbling on about how this all happened." He sighed and shook his head. "Castiel, I'm sorry.." The light haired man reached across the table, clearly aching to comfort his kin…half kin.
Castiel sat slumped into Dean, his mind whirling in the news he was now living in. When the group received their lunch, it took some minutes before anyone began to eat. When he did, Cas ate slowly, picking at the food and pushing it around more than consuming it. He decided that it made more sense as to why their uncle, who wasn't truly his uncle, despised the boy, and why he took after his mother more so than anyone else in the family. It did make sense, but he didn't like it.
Dean was concerned for his boyfriend. He kept a hand wrapped around Castiels waist and continuously glanced over at him throughout the lunch, even as he and Gabriel talked. Eventually the shocked teenager found it in him to speak with his companions and lunch went much more smoothly from that point forward.
It wasn't long after Gabriel left and the boys had gotten back into the car that Castiel shut down. His blue eyes glazed over into a darkness that blue eyes shouldn't reach. Dean hadn't even turned the key before he slid over on the seat to wrap his arm around Castiel and try to pull him out of his skull.
"Cas, come on… Open up. Let it out." Dean tried, his hand ghosting along his arm with some pressure. After a moment of quaking silence, he tried again. "You ever herd of blood letting? That stupid trick they tried back in like the middle ages? That's what I need you to do, with your words. Everything your feeling right now, I need you to put it into words and let it out. I don't care how much or little sense it makes. We'll figure through all that, just let it out."
"I don't understand why they choose to keep me." Castiels voice was as flat as the dashboard his hand rested on. It aged him, bringing wrinkles out and wisdom into his eyes. "That's not a self pity thing. I deserved a better life and they shouldn't have kept me. They knew what I would remind them of every damn day and they should not have put me through that." Anger shook his voice.
"Wise beyond your years." Dean whispered, smiling fondly as he pushed Castiels hair back from his face. "Your right, Cas. It's fucking wrong but it's over. You're done. You don't have to go back there."
"I wouldn't." He whispered, leaning into his boyfriend side as he tried to put his world into perspective. His blood had turned into fog, his body filled with the blackness between the stars in space. He felt numbness.
"We're graduating soon." Dean said softly, his body shifting back over to the drives seat, but he kept his hand tucked in Castiels. "Then you can go off to college and never see them again, if you want."
"I think Gabriel wishes me to live with him." Castiel muttered, watching the blur of life speed past his window. "Maybe after high school.. I'm not sure. I don't want to break off contact with him."
"I don't blame you. He's a good guy. I've got a hell of a lot of respect for him." Dean glanced over at his boyfriend while stoped at a red light and smirked slightly. "I bet you that he's gonna leave the family too. Cas he's fucking outraged at what they did to you." During the lunch, Cas had mentioned how the abuse had continued far past the brothers departure to college, and worsened over time. Dean had seen fire in Gabriels eyes upon hearing that.
"That…means quite a lot, Dean." Castiel whispered, his eyes finally turning to meet the Winchester boy's. "Thank you."
"You deal with Sam. The least I can do is return the favor." Deans smile was warm and melted the chill in Cas' veins for a moment. Dean Winchester could only be described as the sun, Castiel decided. In every way; his warmth, passion, and the gorgeous, hopeful light was nothing short of perfection. If only he could see.
Castiel was as oblivious to his power as well. The tug he had, how he could inflict such emotion on to others. He loved fearcly and in return, those around him could not help but love him just as much. While Dean had no words to describe him, surely he could be compared only to not just the moon but the entirety of outer space. Every twist of color and bold light of stars with so many worlds, universes even that created him. Dean knew he was perfect, but only wished he could see.