Summary: AU. Dean and Castiel are teenage lovers but both come face to face with a fair few problems because of their sexuality. PLEASE REVIEW!

Disclaimer: I don't own Supernatural or its characters.

Pairing: Dean/Castiel.

A/N: Sorry about the last chapter, guys! I know it was pretty intense and I HATE myself for writing it, but don't worry, things are looking up.

Keep Me Strong

Chapter Twenty One: Recovery

Castiel walked in, sore and limping after returning from the police station. He'd been probed and swabbed for DNA, forced to give a statement like Dean was, even in the damaged state he was in. He could finally shower and went straight upstairs to the bathroom to try and at least clean the dirt and blood away. He didn't think he'd ever wash the stain of rape away. Ever.

Dean had felt so fucking helpless in that alleyway, so helpless and powerless as he was made to watch Alastair's attack on his lover. Dean headed upstairs and heard Castiel's sobs through the door and knocked on it.

"If you're not Dean you can't come in." Castiel sobbed, feeling slightly relieved when Dean pushed the door open.

The youngest Novak stood in tears under the spray of the water, looking at Dean with almost pleading eyes. He needed comfort now, and Dean was the only one who could ever get close to understanding what he'd been through.

"D-Dean…" he stuttered, trying not to break down again, "I n-need you…p-please…"

Dean took his shoes and socks off before climbing in the rather large tub fully clothed, gripping Castiel as he collapsed into his arms. Dean held Castiel close under the spray, kissing his forehead gently and whispering words of comfort, assurance and love as Castiel broke down on him.

"Clean me, Dean…" Castiel pleaded, "Set me free…I…I feel like he owns me now…"

"No-one owns you, Baby." Dean whispered, "You're not an object."

"Clean me…" Castiel begged again, looking up into Dean's eyes.

As they lay curled up in the bathtub, the water cascading down on them, Dean lathered Castiel's body with the soap and gently rinsed it away. There was nothing sexual about what they were doing right now; Dean was just doing as his lover had asked.

When Castiel went to bed that night, he didn't sleep. He didn't sleep for three weeks. It was hardly surprising, but if he ended up falling asleep through exhaustion he'd have a nightmare and wake right back up, sobbing into the nearest person's chest. Once he'd even been cradled by Jessica because she was the only other person in the house. Damn that girl was sweet.

"He can't go on this way." Gabriel whispered as the family watched him sleep on the sofa, "He's killing himself."

Luckily for the Novaks, and Winchesters, Alastair and Azazel had been sent to a juvenile detention centre in North Dakota. For Alastair it was eighteen months, and for Azazel it was twelve months.

That wasn't nearly enough.

"The poor kid's traumatised." Lucifer replied, "I mean think about what he's been through."

"I should've got up." Dean said, everyone's gaze falling on him, "I should've fucking stopped it…"

He looked to the floor and buried his head in his hands.

"I fucking failed him…I'm a failure to him!"

"No you're not." Castiel said, causing Dean to turn around in shock, "You aren't a failure. If you'd moved, you would've been hurt…and possibly wouldn't be here with me now…"

The boy had tears in his eyes now.

"I can't live without you, Dean." He declared in front of everyone, "I certainly can't through this without you…"

Dean moved closer to his lover and wrapped his arms around him, holding the youngest Novak close to him.

"Love you, Castiel."

"Love you too, Dean."

"We'll get you through." Dean whispered, "We promise."

Everyone nodded and Castiel finally did something he'd not done in three weeks. He kissed Dean on the lips with love and passion before biting his own lip.

"See…" he whispered, chuckling a little, "Making progress already."

Dean chuckled back and pressed their foreheads together, before pulling Castiel close again, wrapping his arms around the younger boy's waist.

Castiel felt safe then, and for the first time since that night, truly assured that he was going to be okay and that he'd make it through. As long as he had Dean with him, he could get through anything.

As long as they were together, they could get through anything.

-TBC-