Hello there! So here is the next chapter. I know it's a little shorter, but it's more of a filler since both boy's are dealing with the consequences of their choices.
Cass had indeed broken his nose, as was discovered at the hospital. Michael had actually been there already, just in another wing with their mother, and popped over to examine Cass to confirm his brother's standing. Dean had been very thankful that his father had been there at the moment because Dean had not been physically or mentally prepared to handle a big brother's wrath over his little brother being beat up on Dean's watch. Of course, they both had explained what had happened, and Michael had seemed understanding (though the fact that Dean had also quite the collection of bruises might have helped as well). Cass' face by that point had swollen up, and Dean felt very bad for his angel, though it was only a small fracture, and the doctors insured that in three to four weeks his nose would feel like nothing had happened, as long as he was careful with what he did. Dean lost count of how many times he said sorry but Cass just shook his head and by the end Dean was sure he'd heard a "shut up" slip out of the boy's mouth.
It was Wednesday of the following week, Dean was not in school today, and his family was sitting around their little tub of chicken. Since he and Sam had both been invited to different Thanksgiving celebrations the Winchester family had unanimously decided to push up their tradition of bucket chicken to Wednesday. Though it had nearly been a week Dean had not seen Cass since Friday. Mary, even though she knew it had been in defense, still thought that Dean needed some sort of punishment for fighting, because Dean had, "been taught better than that". Apparently, according to the texts that Dean had received over the weekend, Cass had been dealt out a similar punishment by his father. So Dean had not seen anyone outside of school, and for the entire weekend he was at the mercy of his father's commands, which had included a lot more of the same help that Dean provided when he had a free schedule. He had thankfully been allowed his phone to maintain communication with Cass, Jo, and now more frequently Benny, who had been real disheartened on Monday when he saw Dean's faded bruised look. Dean had told him it wasn't his fault, but Benny was really crushed with the knowledge that he had lent into the hurting of his best friend. Jo, more than Dean, had been the harder of the two on the boy (that was until Dean had pulled her aside on Tuesday and told her to quit it). In Dean's mind, and he hoped that Benny knew this, everything was forgiven.
In response to what had happened on Friday the principle had suspended Lisa for two weeks from school and removed her from the cheering team. Mary Winchester had relayed Mrs. Braedan's firm apology, but Lisa did not try to get in contact with Dean at all, and Dean thought he was better off just forgetting about Lisa entirely, as if she had never been a part of his life. She just wasn't worth the trouble, he thought. Crowley on the other hand was worth his investigative trouble, and Dean still maintained a close watch on the short boy, but again, Dean didn't seem to notice anything coming from him. He and his posse had simply faded into the background, and though Dean didn't think that it would always be that way, he was pretty certain that the beating by Cass had been a big enough blow on Crowley's ego that he was going to reconsider making the two boy's targets of his abuse.
"Dean?" came a voice, cutting into Dean's inner monologue.
"Yes, Sam?"
"When are you going to Cass'?"
"Oh, I'm heading over at eleven, cause his mom is going to be out of the hospital tomorrow for Thanksgiving, and she gets too tired for it to be any later than eating at noon."
"Poor thing," said Mary.
"It is very unfortunate," agreed John.
"How is Cass about the whole situation?" asked Mary.
"He doesn't say much about it. And when he does, I'm pretty sure he's holding back on me. I don't think he really wants to think about it," said Dean, grabbing another piece of chicken.
"Well, you tell her tomorrow that we all are thinking about her, and wish her well," said Mary.
"Okay, Mom."
"What are you and Mom gonna do tomorrow," asked Sam.
"Well, I felt like it's been far too long since I took your mother out on a date," said John, looking at Mary with a smile.
"Okay. Gross," said Sam, looking back at the TV.
The other three Winchesters just smirked at the youngest's reaction, and all then returned their gaze to the TV as well.
Dean felt his pocket buzz.
I keep thinking about how excited I am to see another person, and it makes me smile, which makes my nose hurt. I blame you ;) ~Cass
I'm SORRY! I'm so sorry that you are hurt. Is it feeling any better? ~ Dean
It's super itchy, which is the worse thing it can be, but overall as long as I hold back my sneezes it is fine! ~Cass
Do you think your brother will murder me tomorrow? ~Dean
I won't leave you ~Cass
That wasn't an answer! That was almost worse! Should I be scared? ~Dean
He's probably going to hound you at some time. To stay safe I'd just nod and say yes to whatever he says or asks. ~Cass
I'm staying with you. I've seen what you're capable of. ~Dean
I learned it all from him ~Cass
You are REALLY not good at making someone feel calm Cass! ~Dean
Sorry. Dean, you will most likely not be punched by my brother, or perhaps pulverized by his wrath in his effort to protect his baby brother. ~Cass
I'm pretty sure you're just texting me now to make me even more terrified. ~Dean
Sometimes I enjoy being torturous ~Cass
Dean snorted out a laugh to which he received odd looks from his family.
I just laughed out loud and got the confused as Hell look from my family. They think I'm a little nuts at times. I blame you. ~Dean
Me? I'm an innocent in all of this ~Cass
Cass, if there is one thing I've come to learn about you it is that you are a whole lot tougher and more aware than you let on. Crowley's face is proof of that. ~Dean
I'm your guardian angel. I can't help myself. ~Cass
Angel in a trench coat ~Dean
"Dean, sorry to interrupt whatever is making you giggle like a little girl," started John.
"Dad!" cried and embarrassed Dean.
Sam laughed.
"Dishes," said John slowly, leaning his head towards the kitchen.
"One more?" asked Dean, motioning to the phone. "Just let me tell him why I'm going radio silent."
"One more," said John. Mary patted her husband on the back, giving it a bit of a squeeze. She went up to John's ear and whispered something in, and Dean's dad gave way to a smile.
"Are you two making fun of me? I feel as if I should be aware of you making judgy remarks," said Dean.
"No, just that your mother and I agree that trying to fill our roles as the parents that embarrass our kids has gotten a lot easier this year," said Mary.
Dean and Sam looked at each other with wide eyes.
"You know you two can be pretty evil sometimes," said Dean.
"I know," said John. "Dishes?"
"Right!"
Cass, I have to go fulfil my last installment of punishment for the parental units. ~Dean
Dean got up from the couch and Sam followed suit. Dean was looking at his phone screen waiting for Cass to reply, and Sam passed him heading to the stairs.
"Sometimes I think we have the weirdest parents in the world," said Sam.
"Well, I mean, they have you Sammy, so they kind of have to be," said Dean.
Sam stuck out his tongue and continued on to the stairs.
Okay! See you tomorrow! ~Cass
Dean smiled and was about to pocket the phone when he felt it buzz again.
Dishes!
Dean held up his phone shaking it and yelling into the kitchen, "Really?"
He heard his parents laugh. He really did have to best and worst parents in the world.
So this is the lead into Thanksgiving dinner Novak style, so you'll get to see how they all interact. There will be a few surprises and an ending that I have in mind in the works that will lead to much Destiel cuteness. I'm feeling a whole lot more lighter now that the Crowley part has been put to rest for a while.
I want to make sure I write some new material with the whole gang in it soon, so be prepared for some Jo, Gabe, Balthazar, Benny stuff in the future. Might even write a bonus chapter for some characters that will be in addition to the story, but not from Dean's POV.
Thanks for everything! LOVE TO ALL OF YOU!
~IAmAPurpleLewie
