Dean opened his eyes to a white ceiling. Where am I? He blinked a few times, trying to figure out what he last remembered. I was at Castiel's and we fell asleep, that's right.

He sat up and looked around. Wait, he wasn't in Castiel's room. He was in his room at his old house, the one he and Sam lived in with John. He looked around, confused, and found that Castiel was no longer laying next to him. He was alone.

"Cas?" He said, hoping for a response. But there was nothing, except for mumbled voices in the distance.

Dean swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood up, looking around. He hadn't been to his house in two weeks, why was he back here? He rubbed his head, trying to remember, but he couldn't. The muffled voices in the distance grew louder, and he realized they were coming from downstairs.

Dean cautiously opened his bedroom door, and started down the hallway, looking around. Everything seemed normal, that is, until the walls started cracking.

It was quiet at first, but soon enough the sound filled Dean's ears. He watched as the walls cracked around him with every step. He lifted his arms over his head, trying to protect himself from the falling debris. As the cracking picked up, Dean started running in an attempt to get away from it, but it followed him the entire way down the hallway.

He finally reached the top of the stairs and started down them, the walls still cracking as he went. As he took the first few steps down, he felt the stairs shifting underneath him. He ran down them faster as the stairs started to crumble and fall apart behind him. He barely made it to the bottom before the entire staircase gave way, and he had to jump to avoid falling with it.

Dean landed face down on the floor, smashing his nose. He groaned, and pushed himself up to his knees after a few seconds. He was in his kitchen now. He looked around, but everything was normal, even the staircase that had just crumbled was intact. The cracking had stopped.

Dean stood up, dusting himself off and touching his nose, assuming it would be broken from the fall, but even that was back to normal. The muffled voices he was hearing were clearer now, and he could make out every word.

"You're a worthless piece of shit."

Dean turned around, familiar with the voice now. Dad. He made his way into the living room, his muscles clenched in a mix of fear and anger. When he walked into the room he saw John Winchester standing over Sam, twirling a knife in his hand. Dean's breath hitched in his throat, eyes wide in horror.

"Do you know what happens to disrespectful little boys?" John asked. Sam shook his head and he continued, "They get punished."

Dean watched as John pulled the knife back, getting ready to strike. His stomach lurched.

"Sammy!" Dean shouted, alerting both to his presence. But when Sam turned, he realized it wasn't Sam at all. The face that was staring back at him was his own.

Dean gasped and looked between his doppelgänger and his father, wondering what was happening. John looked up at him, a wicked smile on his face. He stared Dean down as he pulled back and shoved the knife into the second Dean's chest.

X

Dean awoke suddenly, hyperventilating. He looked around and realized he wasn't home, but was in Castiel's bed in his room. His breathing slowed as he started to get his bearings. It was only a dream.

Dean wiped the sweat from his forehead as he sat up. Castiel was still sound asleep next to him. Dean covered his face with his hands, trying to steady his breathing. This was the third time in the past week that he had a nightmare - and the second one centering around John. He was getting concerned about it.

Dean lied to Castiel about the nightmares. Sam hadn't been having any, as far as Dean knew. It was all him. But he was afraid to talk about it. He didn't want to worry Castiel or make him think it was something he couldn't handle himself. Besides, it only happened a couple times. He would tell him if it got worse.

Dean finally got himself to calm down after a few minutes. He glanced over at Castiel, who was still asleep next to him. Adorable, Dean thought. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone to check the time; it was five-thirty. He supposed he should wake Castiel up, but he wasn't ready to just yet. He needed a few minutes to collect his thoughts.

Everything had been pretty stressful since Christmas Eve. Dean and Bobby were figuring out the proper channels to go through so Dean could file to become Sam's legal guardian when he turned eighteen later that month. He knew that there'd likely be some sort of hearing, where he would potentially have to see his father again, and he wasn't looking forward to it. He would've been content with not ever seeing John Winchester again.

After a couple minutes, Dean decided he was calmed down. He resolved to wake Castiel up by running his fingers through the other boy's hair and softly saying, "Cas."

A few seconds later Castiel's eyes fluttered open. "Hm?"

"It's five-thirty. Time to wake up."

Castiel groaned. "Five more minutes."

Dean chuckled. "No, not five more minutes. I have to go home shortly."

Castiel rolled onto his back sleepily, and opened his arms. "Five more minutes of cuddling," he corrected.

"Alright, five more minutes," Dean said, lying back down next to the other boy and putting his arm around him.

Castiel grabbed Dean's hand and put it back in his hair. "I like it when you run your fingers through my hair," he mumbled, looking over at Dean.

Dean laughed. "You're adorable."

Castiel shook his head. "No, you are."

Dean laughed again and gave Castiel a peck on the lips. "Feeling more well rested?" He asked.

"Nope," Castiel replied. "Naps actually make me feel more groggy and out of it."

"Then why'd you take one?"

"Because you were tired and you needed a nap, and I wanted you to stay," Castiel said with a shrug. "Plus, cuddles."

"Cas, you don't have to take a nap just because I'm taking one," Dean pointed out.

"I know. But it's kind of nice when you can sleep next to someone." Castiel gave Dean a warm smile.

Dean didn't respond, he just snuggled up closer to the other boy. They laid like that for a couple minutes until they heard the front door close downstairs. "Castiel?"

The two boys sat up quickly, startled by the sudden noise. "Shit, Michael's home," Castiel hissed as he stood up and gathered their homework that was thrown haphazardly on the floor earlier.

"What, does he not like me or something?" Dean asked, standing too.

"It's not that. He just isn't too fond of me having boys in my bed. Especially not with the door closed."

Castiel brought their homework over to the desk and arranged it so it looked like they'd been working for a while. "Sit," he instructed, gesturing for Dean to take a seat in one of the chairs. "And look busy."

Dean obeyed, sitting in one of the chairs and pulling out his sketchbook. He flipped to the correct page and started drawing again. They heard footsteps on the stairs, and Castiel quietly opened his door and then took his place next to Dean, grabbing his book.

A few seconds later Michael walked in. "Hey Castiel," he said. "Oh, Dean. I didn't realize you were here for tutoring today."

Dean looked up at the older boy. "Yeah, Cas suggested we get back into it since we're back from winter break."

Michael nodded and turned his attention to Castiel, who Dean noticed was trying to maintain his poker face. "Anna and Gabriel are coming over on Sunday for family dinner. Jared's coming."

"Oh awesome," Castiel replied with a smile.

"Who's Jared?" Dean asked, looking between the two brothers.

"Gabriel's long-term boyfriend," Castiel said. "We're hoping they get engaged soon."

"Ah, okay." Dean nodded.

"You should join us for dinner on Sunday, Dean," Michael interjected. "We'd love to get to know the person my brother's been so infatuated with."

Dean heard Castiel squeak next to him and say, "Michael!"

"Oh, sorry, was I not supposed to know?" Michael asked with a chuckle. "It's not like it wasn't obvious, Castiel."

Dean looked over at Castiel, whose face had turned a shade of red. "That's not true."

Michael nodded and said, "Right. No, you just smile at your phone every time you get a text from him and you get flustered whenever I bring him up. But okay, it's not true."

Castiel looked between Dean and Michael before groaning and hiding his face behind his book. Dean and Michael both started laughing.

"You know what, I'd love to come," Dean said after they both calmed down. "What time?"

"Six o'clock," Michael responded.

Dean held up a finger gun and said, "I'll be there." Castiel just groaned again. Dean turned to look at him. "Oh come on, Cas. It'll be fun."

"Cas?" Michael questioned with a raised eyebrow.

Castiel lowered his book and looked at his brother. "It's a nickname," he stated slowly.

"I know that, but you don't let anyone give you nicknames."

Castiel didn't say anything, he just turned more red. Michael chuckled and said, "Alright, well, I'll let you guys get back to work."

He nodded at both of them and then disappeared back down the hall. When they were sure he was out of earshot Castiel said, "How the hell did he know about us?"

Dean shook his head, laughing. "Apparently because someone can't contain their emotions."

Castiel shoved Dean playfully. "Shut up!"

"Well, it's good to know that I get you all hot and bothered whenever we text."

Castiel rolled his eyes. "Didn't you say you had to get home?"

"Wow, so you don't want me around? I see how it is."

"I do, you're just being a pain in my ass right now," Castiel shot back, a smile creeping up on his face.

"Alright, alright, I'll go. I know when I'm not wanted," Dean replied, standing up. He gathered his books and shoved them into his bag.

"Text me when you get home."

"Oh, I'm planning on it," Dean said with a wink. "Now come say goodbye."

Castiel stood up and walked over, hugging Dean tightly. After a few seconds they pulled back, and Dean grabbed Castiel's face, kissing him softly. When they broke apart Dean said, "Now that's a goodbye."

Castiel laughed. "Dean Winchester, what am I gonna do with you?"

Dean shrugged. "Keep me around, I hope."

Castiel laughed again and said, "I plan on it."

A goofy smile formed on Dean's face. "Alright, well, I have to get home to Sam. Try not to miss me too much."

"Dean, you always say that, and I always miss you like crazy," Castiel pointed out. "But get home safe, okay?"

Dean nodded and blew Castiel a kiss. Castiel blushed and waved him off. Dean turned and made his way out of the room and down the stairs before leaving the house to head home.