Months had passed and Castiel lived with this new knowledge that his brother loved him and yet said nothing to anyone.
Months passed in which Sam had moved from the house with Dean into his own two bedroom apartment which Cas was sure he shared with Gabriel.
Gabriel who was in love with Castiel while Sam was in love with Dean. And yet the two of them were together.
Is that what Gabriel had meant by they couldn't have what they wanted so they settled for each other?
Cas had felt bad when he figured that out. He and Dean were hurting their brothers with their relationship and yet Dean didn't know it. But Castiel did. And yet he did nothing.
No. That wasn't true...He'd heard- not long after that- another conversation between Gabriel and Sam.
"I have to listen to it every night Gabe...I have to lay there and listen while my brother- the man I love- has sex with Cas damned near every night." Sam had been crying yet again. "And I cry myself to sleep every time!"
It was that conversation that had prompted Gabriel to suggest Sam move out and the younger Winchester had agreed.
And it was also that conversation that had caused Cas to deny Dean sex for the first time that same night.
It had been months since all of this and Dean was currently sitting at the dining room table staring blankly at the coffee cup in his hand while one hand was pressing the phone to his ear.
"Yeah, Sammy it's fine."
"No, I don't mind. It's still your home too."
"No. Why would you think-"
"Right...Sorry...I uh...I guess I never really-"
"Sam that's not fair!"
"Don't!" He sighs now and nods sullenly like the person on the other end can actually see that.
"Yeah, Sammy. See ya in a bit..."
Dean looks almost dejected when he placed his cell phone aside on the table.
"Sam and Gabriel are coming over to get the last of Sam's stuff...I think I'm gonna go lay down for a bit." He starts to rise from the chair when Cas steels his resolve and speaks.
"Dean I think we need to talk." Dean pauses and it almost looks as if he's scared.
"About our brothers."