Chapter 72.
After a supper of homemade meatloaf followed by cherry pie, they were sitting around the kitchen table. Cas had not eaten, Dean had eaten a lot and Sam had found his appetite a little suppressed by worries that Cas would mess things up with Jules.
He was also wondering whether Dean's sudden need to tell their mother things was because he felt he was running out of time, but watching Dean eat and talk to Sarah about everything from why cheese was vital to life to which Disney princess Sam most resembled, he had to admit, Dean didn't seem to be thinking of imminent death.
It was getting late and he saw Sarah sometimes glancing at the clock. "We should go to bed soon." said Sam.
"Buy me a drink first." said Dean. He smiled at Sarah. "Everyone wants my body."
"Which is weird," said Sam, "Because it's too short."
"I'll wash the dishes." said Cas. He looked at Dean and said, "If that's okay with you."
"You heard us talking." said Dean.
"Cas," said Sam, "Dean doesn't object to you washing the dishes. He just ... "
Cas smiled at Dean. Dean grinned. "Yeah, I know." said Dean.
"What?" said Sam.
"We appreciate your attempts to keep the peace, but we're okay." said Dean.
"That link of yours is weird." said Sam.
"It certainly is." said Cas, "Dean, do we need the talismans?"
"Of course." said Dean, "Nobody should be at risk of sharing my dreams."
Cas shook his head.
Dean frowned. "Head monkey stuff?"
"Yes, so I think I'll ask again."
"What did it say?" said Dean.
"You know what it said. So, talismans?"
"Let's have them with us, but not wear them until we need to." said Dean.
"Can either of you tell me what I'm missing?" said Sam.
"You're missing having your mind share every frickin' thought with your best friend." said Dean.
"I mean what was said."
"Head monkey stuff. Head monkeys are needy, entitled creeps with no sense of boundaries." said Dean.
"So, like you, but silent?" said Sam.
"Not often silent." said Cas.
"Do you two want to share a room again tonight?" said Sam.
"No." said Cas, "I think we're both fine."
Sarah nodded. "I think you are too and I think maybe Sam and Dean need to be together tonight."
"Is there a problem?" said Dean, looking at Sam.
"Dean, stop worrying." said Sarah, "You know that all three of you have been dealing with problems for years. At the moment, Cas is fine until tomorrow, when he will try to sabotage his relationship with Jules, you are heading in the right direction, but with a long way to go and Sam is hoping we have all forgotten about him."
"I'm not." said Sam.
"Well, whether you are or not, I think you need some time with your brother. You're too good at isolating yourself these days and the pressures on you are not getting any lighter."
"If these two are okay, I'm fine." said Sam.
Dean whistled. "He sounds like me, doesn't he, Sarah?"
"He does." said Sarah.
"How are you, Sarah?" said Sam, "We seem to be focusing on everybody but you."
"Deflection." said Dean.
"Shut up, Dean." said Sam. He turned back to Sarah. "I'm serious. You should take an occasional break from saving us."
"Like you take breaks from saving the world?" said Sarah.
"I try to rest between apocalypses." said Sam.
"Don't worry about me." said Sarah, "I draw my strength from being useful. As long as I have someone to care for, I'm fine. Things are going so well."
"Yes, they are." said Dean.
"Though I do feel I'm juggling eggs, and not boiled ones."
"How so?" said Sam.
"You're all trying hard and you're all leaping ahead. Sam, you're reaching a point where you can stop hiding behind the need to help your brothers, Dean, you've made a real effort to change some very ingrained habits and Castiel, you actually have a chance of true love, which is wonderful. But you're all so fragile, so vulnerable. I am always aware of that. That's my main concern. If I have anything to worry about, it's that."
"So how can we help?" said Sam.
"By supporting each other, by being honest with me. That's all I ask."
"We can do that." said Dean.
