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.

Keep Me Strong

Chapter Twenty Six: Come Back to Me

Dean hadn't slept after he found out what Castiel had been through. He thought over and over about all the shit Castiel had been put through over the three years they'd been together for. Maybe it would all be better if he weren't there to cause him problems…I mean Castiel was liked by plenty of people before they found out Dean hung out with him. God, people hated Dean. Dean hated the fucking people in this town, obviously apart from his family. Maybe a break would be good to let Castiel heal for a while. Yeah that was a good idea…head out of town for a few days to see if things cool down.

Dean packed a bag with a weeks worth of things before writing a note for Castiel and leaving at four in the morning, heading towards Wyoming, maybe back to that motel he stayed in when he went to pick up those parts for Bobby, it was kinda nice. He thought back to how much he'd missed Castiel when they'd been apart but Castiel needed to heal…if Dean wasn't there to cause him problems, Castiel could have a few pain free days.

But what Dean didn't quite understand was that Castiel couldn't heal (actually couldn't heal) without Dean. He needed Dean to help him through and the fact that Dean loved him was keeping him so strong, stronger than he'd ever been before.

The next morning, Castiel woke up to an empty bed, and assumed that Dean was downstairs making breakfast. That's when it caught his eye.

There was a note folded up on the pillow, and immediately, Castiel's heart began to beat twice as fast, his stomach dropping as panic set in. He unfolded the note with shaking hands, his heart slowly being ripped open as he read it.

Dear Castiel,

I know you've been through so much recently and I know you need to heal. While I'm around, all you get is problem after problem, and damn, Baby you don't need any more problems. I've gone out of town to give you space and time to heal. I don't want to cause you any more pain, Sweetheart. I love you so much, but if you're getting hurt when I'm around…I just don't want to cause you pain, Honey. I've left to help you decide what you want. I need time to think about what's best for you too. Don't call me when you find this, just call me in a couple of days.

Love from Dean.

"He's left me…" Castiel whispered as he cried, hot tears burning his face, "He's gone…"

There was a pain in his chest. That was his heart breaking, he could sense it. Sam was due back the next day too. How would he feel knowing his brother had upped and left? Getting dressed while still clutching the note and crying, Castiel locked the house up and sprinted across the street to his previous home, banging on the door.

"Gabriel, please!" Castiel sobbed, "Anna! Lucifer! ANYONE!"

The door opened and Lucifer stood there, taking in his brother's tears and immediately wrapping protective arms around his brother.

"Dean's left me…" Castiel sobbed, "He's left me…"

Lucifer brought Castiel inside and sat him down, taking the note to look at it.

Gabriel and Anna were sat comforting their brother as he sobbed into his hands.

"Castiel." Lucifer said sternly, sitting on the coffee table and reaching into the youngest Novak's pocket, handing the nineteen year old his own cell phone, "Call him."

"He said not to." Castiel replied, sniffling and wiping his eyes.

"I don't care. He needs to know what he's done to you." Lucifer said, "Take the note, go upstairs and call him."

Castiel nodded and took the phone and note, heading upstairs.

Castiel reached Dean's voicemail and left a message that was full of sobs.

"Dean…I don't know when you'll get this," Castiel cried, "But I need you to come back to me…please…You're causing me pain by leaving me, Dean…I can't heal without you! I need you! I love you so much, Dean! What's best for me is for you to come home…come back to me, please! I want you home with me where you belong…You cause me no problems at all, Dean, it's the people around us! Please, please, please…just…please, just come home…I love you…call me when you get this…please…"

Hanging up, Castiel collapsed into sobs on the floor, curling up on himself before falling asleep through exhaustion.

Dean listened to the voicemail and realised what a complete fuckwit he'd been. Grabbing his stuff he checked out of the motel room and headed back home. Castiel's words played over in his head and tears filled the older Winchester's eyes as he drove. He was desperate to get home, so desperate he didn't see the truck coming.

-TBC-