Reminiscing

Dean sat in his room as he waited for Sam and Gabriel to return with the hair dye. He was going to try and get his four hours in before they'd return, but his head was too full of crap to let him. It was fill with the usual crap on protecting the angels, Sammy, or even hunts. All he could think about was his mom as he twirled his fingers through the silver strands of hair. She never got the chance to grow old with dad. She never got to run her fingers through silver and white locks. Dean tried to swallow the lump growing in his throat. He remembered how his mom wanted so much to have a normal life and grow old with John. He recalled all those times Dean visited her in the past only stare into those hopeful eyes longing for a family. Dean cast his arm across his face, trying to stop the burning in his eyes. What would have it been like if she hadn't died? Well, he knew that answer from previous adventures. The world would of course go to hell, but still. What if? What If she had gotten the chance to grow old? Dean felt a sad smile curl across his lips as he thought it over. He would be home watching as she cooked him some fresh apple pie. Her hair would run down to the center of her back, no longer blond, but now greys and bright silvers. She would look over her shoulder at him and smile so bright Dean would come up and hug her, kissing her cheek and tell her that he loved her. She would laugh and say 'I love you too' before telling him to tell Sam to wash up for supper. Sadly, that was never going to happen now. She was dead. Gone forever.

"Dwean?" Dean froze, sitting up and hastily wiping the tears streaming down his face.

"Damn it, Cas! Ever hear of knock-"Dean stopped himself, reminding himself of who he was talking to. "Uh, sorry, Buddy," Dean apologized, looking up at the angel standing in the doorway. Custos was with him, but when is that dog not? Dean patted at a spot on the bed and Castiel pushed himself up onto the bed with Custos right behind him. The little angel stared at Dean for a second, taking in the red eyes, tear stained face, and the way he held himself.

"What's the matter?" Castiel questioned, pushing himself closer. Dean thought about lying, but what good would that do? Certain things may make their way past Cas, but not this time.

"I…uh…was just thinking about my mom," Dean explained. Castiel's blue eyes softened slightly and Dean chewed harshly at his lip as he thought of his mother again. "She…never got a chance to live a long life. She never grew…grey." Castiel's eyes flicked to Dean's hair and the little angel crawled up into Dean's lap and hugged Dean's neck tightly.

"You're living for her, Dwean," Castiel said suddenly, burying his face into Dean's neck as he hugged tighter. Dean's heart squeezed slightly.

"What…"

"You're right. She didn't get to live long or raise her kids, but you're doing that now for her. You're taking care of Sammy, me, Balthy, Gabby, and even Custos just like she would to you and Sammy," Castiel whispered softly. Tears slowly trailed down Dean's cheeks as Castiel spoke. A flash of him, Sammy, mom, and dad sitting together at the dinner table laughing together popped in his mind. "She would be prouds, Dwean." That was it. Dean let his face fall down into Castiel's hair and just let the tears fall. Castiel hugged him tighter and Dean returned the embrace. Custos let out a soft whine nuzzling his head against Dean's leg gently and Dean's fingers found their way to the puppy's ears, scratching them gently. The image changed in Dean's mind, but no one vanished from it. It just grew. Next to him sat all three angels, flinging mashed potatoes at each other. Bobby was sitting next to John, telling old hunter stories while Kevin and Charlie talked to Sam about some new book series. Dean's eyes found their way to his mother's. He watched her golden hair slowly start to lighten and turn a snow white and milky grey. She gleamed at him with a thankful smile that made Dean never want to leave the moment.

The three sat silently for what seemed like hours until Dean finally pulled away, smiling at the angel gratefully.

"Thanks Cas," Dean thanked happily. Custos jumped into Dean's lap then, letting his long slobbery tongue lick Dean's face. Dean gagged as his face was soon plastered in drool and Castiel giggled uncontrollably. "Yeah, yeah, thanks, Custos, good boy," Dean chuckled, trying to push the dog off of him before Custos drowned him in slobber. A loud thump from the door slamming open boomed from downstairs and Dean glanced at his closed door. "Sounds like Sam and Gabriel are back with the hair dye," Dean sighed. Castiel stared at the door and then glanced at Dean's hair.

"But, Dwean, some of the grey has already disappeared," Cas pointed out. Dean frowned glancing at a mirror hanging on the wall. Sure enough. Some of the sandy strands had returned. Dean let out a huff glancing at Cas and Custos.

"Huh…now who do you suppose I have to thank for that?"

You have my awesome readers/reviewers to thank for the lack of grey, Dean. Thanks for reading everyone and thank you TardisAngel21for the request. Also, everyone who reviewed last chapter with requests I have now begun writing them and have most of them close to being finished.