I Hate Everything about you Chapter 8: Family Matters, a supernatural fanfic

Chapter 8

Thanks to the people who reviewed! Hope you'll like this one.

One of the first things Castiel did that morning was to know where the closest local swimming pool was. He decided to take Claire there as soon as Dean left. Dean had left a set of keys for him, which was definitely welcome.

Claire enjoyed the pool like crazy, there were stuff for kids of course, and she played with a few kids after her father had spent some times teaching her how to swim. Of course she was just clumsily moving for now, it would take times before she could actually swim on her own, but it was good to start teaching her now. At least she liked that pool, and if she could start making friends around, it was for the best. He discussed a bit with the other parents, one recognized him and congratulated him for his marriage. He made his embarrassment pass for nervousness due to his exposure to the public.

When he went home, he found Mrs Tidler preparing her own lunch, she had done the cleaning and would still have a few cores, preparing the dinner for the evening among those. "Hi, I prepared something for you two!"

"Thank you! You shouldn't have though." He was quite uneasy at the idea to have someone doing that for him.

"It's my job! How are you sweetheart?" Asked she to Claire

"Went to the pool!"

"I'm teaching her to swim."

The three of them ate together in the kitchen, something that was unusual for her, Dean would usually go to the dining room while she would eat here.

"You're adjusting well?"

"Well, I must admit I will miss the Queens, especially because I was close to the ocean."

"Ah yeah, that's one of the disadvantage here, you don't have this here. But honestly there is a lot of great stuff around, I love it here."

"I didn't have much time to really visit yet. But I will."

They discussed a bit yet, and the conversation eventually went to her previous bosses. "I must say they were really difficult, everything had to be a certain way and if I made the slightest mistake, Dear God I would definitely hear about it! At least here, I'm less pressured."

"Dean isn't a harsh boss? I mean, I'm not blind to the fact he can be arrogant sometimes," he added, remembering he was supposed to be in love with the guy.

"He is okay, especially compared to my previous bosses, here I get a thank you or a praise from time to time, all they could do was nitpicking. I really wondered why they were together, actually. They had separate rooms, they wouldn't even share their beds anymore. Though you and Dean do have separate rooms too."

Castiel opened his mouth at this and she put her hand over hers. "Sorry! That was intrusive of me, I should mind my own business."

"It's okay. Let's just say that since Dean will sometimes come home late, I get that room just to be sure he won't wake me up. We do share the bed otherwise, but recently with everything we had to do, I really need to sleep fully at night."

"I understand, moving away can be really tiring. And you also have to deal with other stuff."

"Yeah, it's a total change, it's kinda weird."

"I imagine."

In spite of her slightly nosy personality, he liked her. Once they were done eating, he played a bit with Claire and got her to bed for her afternoon nap. She had spent a lot of energy in the swimming pool, and he bet she would sleep for a long time. Well, he would have to kill some times, Sue was here to work, he couldn't talk to her all the time. He could read, after all there was an entire room dedicated to that here. Or…He passed before the inner court, with the desolated garden.

He went in the court, it wasn't huge but you could guess it had been well taken care of at a time. Many pots and different tools were here, and garden trellis on the walls to allow ivy, roses, jasmin and lilac to grow up. Who took such a good care of it before it got abandoned? He didn't know but it was sad to let it die. Claire's room opened on the garden, if she called, he would hear, anyway she wouldn't wake up before an hour or two. He didn't know much about gardening, but maybe there would be a book in the library? He found several indeed, and he took one with him.

He spent the next two hours reading, gardening and checking up on Claire. It was incredibly relaxing to be in that inner yard bathed in the sun, spring leaving to let place to a rising summer. No one was here to interrupt him, he was alone and yet surrounded by those silent growing beings waiting for nothing but growth. Watering, cutting, replanting even, reading and cleaning, this completely took his mind away. It felt good to know he was helping giving those plants fresh air, that he was growing something, growing beauty, and with no pressure. He was just feeling earth in that gigantic city of concrete, and it was soothing. Satisfaction filled him as the work progressed; he liked to learn about gardening.

At a point, he took a break to drink some water, and Sue told him it was good someone was taking care of the plants.

"I don't know how to garden, but Dean never asked anyway. I must say I'm impatient to see how your work will grow!"

"Thank you, I'm pretty new to that."

He was about to go back there again when the door opened and he was surprised to see Dean coming back home.

O o O

Though Dean's morning was agitated, it was nothing worse than usual. When he was in his office, Marc, his advertising agent, came to him with a smile.

"You know that your declaration was mostly a success!"

"I know, I watched the news."

"People are impatient to see your marriage. I know you didn't want to do it right now, but it would be for the best."

He hesitated. On one hand, he knew he should know Castiel better, maybe take things slow. On the other hand, they were gonna live like a married couple already, so what difference a ceremony would really make? And weirdly enough, that would just make him feel more secure, to know that Castiel would be his. But there was something else stopping him.

"The anniversary of my father's death…It will be in a few weeks. Five weeks more exactly. I don't want my marriage to happen close to it."

It wasn't that close, but he guessed that for Dean, it was only in a few weeks as he said. "It's more than a month. If we can prepare your marriage in a few days."

"I'm not an expert, but doesn't it take longer?"

"For a guy like you, I'm pretty sure we can fasten things up. I bet I can settle that in two weeks, ten days maybe. It would be better for us to settle it soon, while the public has its eyes on you."

"I guess so. Okay, you and I will have work to do! Also…"

He hesitated and finally asked: "You are married to a man…How do you handle everything?"

"What do you mean?"

"I'm not exactly an expert when it comes to long-time relationships. And I haven't known that guy for long."

Marc didn't know everything about Castiel, just that Dean was single and found some kind of arrangement with a guy. He didn't know the details, though.

"Ah, I see. Well…It really depends on people, everyone is different, so I can't exactly say; Kevin and I we try to make sure we still can spend some time together, even if it's only for a quick lunch or stuff like that. We still try to have projects together, like preparing our next vacations. Sometimes, I must say I enjoy the preparation more than the vacation itself, because we are planning it together. You really want things to work between you and that guy? It won't be just a façade thing?"

"While I'm at it, I might as well try."

The lunch thing wasn't a bad idea. He couldn't do it today, it was a bit too late, Castiel was probably making Claire eat already, but he could try that tomorrow. He decided he would come home sooner, though. He would take some work at home with him, so even though he would be in his office, he would be around Castiel and Claire. It wasn't the first time he would do that, there were times he would work from home.

When he came back, he saw Castiel and Mrs Tidler walking through the living room, and while she smiled to him, his future husband seemed surprised.

"Hey, honey," he said with a mischievous smile. "I'm gonna do some of my work from home, so we can see each other."

"Oh, that's a good idea," Castiel replied, a bit uneasy, remembering it was in their agreement he had to act loving in public. "Hum, how was your day?"

"Okay, and you?"

"Fine, I did some work in the garden…"

"What?!" Dean's face suddenly changed and he went to the window doors and looked outside. Castiel frowned, he expected Dean to be surprised but this was weird. It was like Castiel had told him he broke Dean's car. The man just paid told Mrs Tidlr she could leave earlier. Sh thought they wanted some 'alone time' and just nodded and left quickly.

Castiel didn't know why she was dismissed earlier than usual, but it was good for her he guessed. Dean looked once again outside before turning to Castiel who was brushing some dirt away from his pants.

"You worked in the garden?!" He repeated like he couldn't believe it.

"Yeah, it's sad to let it die. You don't seem happy about it."

"If I wanted someone to take care of it, I would have hired somebody! I didn't tell you you could go in here!"

Castiel frowned, taken aback by that reaction, he surely didn't expect Dean to be angry because he took care of a part of the house. "You didn't say I couldn't. Why is it so much of a bother?"

"Because I don't want you to, that's all! It's my house, and if I don't want you to…"

"Your house? It's my house too, now, remember? I'm moving in! We're about to marry, you have people living here with you too."

"That's my family house, got it?" Dean growled, getting closer. Not moving, Castiel held his gaze.

"We'll be married, I'm supposed to be part of your family, and Claire too. You said a step-daughter would be like a daughter of your blood. So it was a lie?"

"You're calling me a liar?" His tone was getting darker.

"It was a question. Was it a lie?"

"No it wasn't, but that doesn't mean you can do whatever you want!"

"You wanted me to come here and be your husband, well now I'm investing myself in your house, isn't it something you should be happy about?"

Dean sighed and rubbed his face. "And why is it so important to you that you have to be such a bitch?"

This made Castiel's breath itch, he leaned a bit closer to him, glaring defiantly. "A few days ago I was just a normal teacher, a single father. It had only been a few days, and you took me away from almost everything, my house, my job and even my friends will live now far away from me, and I have to marry a stranger! You're having it easy, you still live in the same place, you still have your job, your habits and everyone you know around you! Not me! So it's just a bit important for me to do something that can make me feel at home."

This was too much to hear, Dean just left him here, furious but also unable to say anything anymore. He locked himself in his office. Screw him! It didn't matter what he would do after all! And he didn't need to see him, right?! But actually he had wanted to see him. And sadly it was true, he did take Castiel away from everything he knew and built. But God, he had much more to offer! He could give him what was best! Yet you denied him something as simple as working in the garden. It was what Sam would have said, he knew it.

But he couldn't help it, once his parents were both dead there was no point making it grow. It was painful for him to get in here, and no one else was there to enjoy it. Until now.

He tried to focus on work, tried to get this argument out of his head until he heard the doorbell ringing. Who was this? He heard the door open and it was soon enough followed by loud voices.

"You have no right to come here!"

That was Castiel's voice. He sprung out of his office immediately and went to see what was going on. Who the hell was here? What was going on?

As he reached the entrance, Dean frowned when he saw an old man facing his future husband. The door had been closed, probably because Castiel didn't want the neighbors to hear. He had no idea who he was, but he was dressed very plainly, he even stunk a bit. He looked quite sick, though his frame was still broad, he had probably been very strong in his youth. Sickness and age had altered him, yet if a look could kill Dean would have died immediately as soon as the newcomer noticed him. He wasn't the kind to be intimidated easily, though, and certainly not by an old man.

"Who are you? What are you doing in my house?"

"The other sinner, isn't it?" The old man growled after a quick look.

Castiel was pale with anger, his eyes throwing daggers at the stranger. "His name is Dean. Dean, meet my father, Jonathan Novak."

"Your father?!" He could see indeed a resemblance between the two, now. But there was something so hard in the man's look, so bitter, that he could hardly believe this could be Castiel's dad.

"Yeah. And I'm gonna ask the same question: what are you doing here?"

"A neighbor told me she saw you in the News this morning, that's why I came! At least this time it wasn't difficult to find you!"

"And as a good father you came to congratulate me, didn't you?" Castiel's voice was dripping sarcasm.

"I'm pretty ashamed to be called your father, even more than before! Two men going together is an abomination, it's written in the Bible!"

What the Hell?! Dean huffed at those words: "Geez, old man, calm down this isn't the movie Carrie."

"I didn't speak to you, damn heathen!" The insult just made Dean snort, that dude was just crazy! And seriously, was that even an insult? He turned to his son again. "A good son shouldn't disobey his father's wishes, you already let me rot alone, and now you're doing this! You'll burn in Hell for that!"

"If I was to take care of you, I would treat you exactly the same way you treated me, and I can guarantee you wouldn't like it!"

He regretted those words immediately, not because he attacked his father verbally, but because Dean heard. He didn't want his future husband to know about his childhood, that was too sore, and too much of a weakness. At his side, Dean's little smirk had vanished once he heard this. Jonathan looked outraged at such words.

"I raised you in the Lord's law, but you were rotten to the core and you dragged me into shame!"

"So what, father? Be ashamed, it's not my concern, you see…" He took Dean's hand at the latest astonishment. "We're getting married very soon, and you won't be the one to change that."

The old man trembled in rage and looked like he was about to throw up just by looking at them holding hands. Dean took that occasion and pulled his hand away to grab Castiel by the waist instead. At this, Jonathan's face reddened.

"I warn you, I won't have it! You disobeyed me long enough! This is the worst sin you pulled out yet, the Lord will strike you! Sinners like you should be burned! As for my grand-daughter there is no way I'm letting her stay with two disgusting…"

At this, Castiel pulled himself away from Dean's hold, and seized his father by the collar brutally, surprising the old man: "YOU'RE NOT TOUCHING MY DAUGHTER! HEAR ME?!"

He pushed the old man away, and Jonathan looked like he was about to explode, he raised his hand to strike Castiel but before the latest could do anything, Dean took Jonathan by the arm and pushed him away. It wasn't in his habit to manhandle physically fragile people, but that one was so despicable he felt no remorse.

"Don't touch me, you disgusting pig!"

"I'm gonna do much worse than that if you ever get close! You're not ever coming back, you're not tormenting your son or Claire again, or I swear I'll break every bone in you!"

Dean pushed him outside, and the old man had to grasp the stairs' rail in order not to fall. "Don't ever come back."

This time, Jonathan looked truly scared and he left, stumbling slightly. Dean just closed the door and turned to Castiel who was standing still, his expression cold and hard. Before Dean could reach him, he went back inside. Without caring whether or not he wanted to be alone, Dean followed his future husband. Castiel went toward his bedroom and closed the door but the other opened before he could lock it. Rolling his eyes, he went to the window and stared outside, refusing to look at Dean. He watched the dark-haired man, wondering what was going through his mind. He had that stone-like face, but he was pale and shaking slightly. Dean gently put his hand on his shoulder, but Castiel swatted his hand away.

"Look, if you're mad at me for what I just did to your father..."

"It's not that! I don't care what you do to him."

"Then what?" Asked he.

Suddenly turning to him, Cas' pushed his future husband hard against the wall. Before Dean could understand, register that his head hurt, his man suddenly crashed his lips against his.

Dean completely stilled, his mind going blank for a second. He opened his mouth and greedily kissed Castiel and embraced him tightly. He understood absolutely nothing to what was happening but his head was spinning right round. Was it shock or pleasure, he didn't know, but it felt like relief, a deep hunger satisfied all of sudden. Jolt of pure energy ran through him, he wasn't just kissing Castiel, he was drinking, absorbing him.

Lust rose through him like never and he pushed himself off the wall, and almost threw his future husband on the bed. Castiel hardly had time to regain his breath when Dean was on him, pinning his arms down and kissing him greedily, grinding his hips against him. Castiel's breath itched as they broke the kiss.

"You're mine," Dean murmured in a raspy voice.

He kissed his neck, then. He released Castiel's arms and grabbed his right leg and bent it, rolling his hips harder against him. His other arm circled his back, pressing his dark-haired beauty against him further. He could feel his future husband's hand on his shoulders gripping tightly. He pulled away from his neck and went to kiss him when he saw Castiel's expression. The sight stopped him immediately.

There was determination, anger, fear and Dean suddenly remembered what he told his father, and how he had held his hand. It had just been a show to make Daddy angry, and now…

Before Castiel could ask anything, Dean pulled himself away, stood up and stormed out of the room, giving Castiel a hateful glare. He left the man here, lying limply on the bed. The man remained here, staring at the ceiling, when he heard his daughter waking up.

O o O

Dean didn't get out of his office until evening came, as for Castiel, he had brought Claire to a nearby park. What happened today was still in his mind, seeing his father again after all that time…That was already upsetting enough, he didn't want to see him or think of him again. But the worst was that Dean had seen him, and learned things Castiel didn't want him to know.

Yet…Seeing him push his father out like this, it had been pretty satisfying too. Honestly, he could have done it, he did in the past. When his father had learned about Claire's birth, he had came to visit her, demanding to see his grand-daughter, but Castiel hadn't allowed him to get near. He hadn't seen him after, moving into another part of the Queens for that. He knew he could protect his girl from him, yet thinking someone else was here to make sure nothing would happen…Come on, you still hardly know each other. But well, he felt somehow thankful.

"When we go to the sea?" Claire asked that, interrupting his thoughts. He was preparing her dinner, she was in her high-chair, swinging her feet.

"We will sweetie, tomorrow we will. You didn't like the swimming pool?"

"Yeah, but sea is better."

This made him smile: "That's true. You're a little mermaid." She giggled and repeated: "I'm a mermaid!"

She ate well, all the activity today had opened her appetite, and that's something Castiel really valued: daily exercises and a good nutrition, it was essential for a growing child. He heard Dean coming downstairs and they didn't say a word to each other, the man just warmed up what Mrs Tidler prepared for them. They eat almost silently and Castiel took Claire in his arms once he was done, seeing she was tired.

"Come on, let's get you to bed."

"You sing me the song?" Asked the little girl.

"Yeah I will."

Hearing that, Dean wondered what this song was. He also wondered what Castiel sounded like when he was singing. He followed them without a sound toward the bedroom and saw the dad putting the child in bed, and as she laid down, she looked at him expectantly. Castiel sat, his back turned to Dean, unaware of his presence, as for the child, she hadn't noticed him. His soft voice started.

Are you going to Scarborough Fair?