The smell of breakfast wafted through the house, invading Cas' dark room. It woke him, regardless of his willingness. It did smell kinda good. He opened hip phone, and stretched. It was almost noon. What did it matter, though, really? He smiled a little. It was funny, how he didn't have a schedule anymore. Ironic, even. He sat up and pulled one of Dean's old hoodies on that he'd left at the house a few months ago. He always wore it, not that Dean knew that. He made his way downstairs and peeked into the kitchen. "Oh, Hi Michael. What're you doing home?" He asked.
"Making breakfast." He said, like it was obvious. It was obvious, but whatever. Cas laughed. "No, I mean, don't you usually work today?"
"Yeah, but I felt like making breakfast, so I took the morning off. I'm going in at 2. I thought maybe I could get you to come out of your room. We could watch a movie or something. We could watch The Crow again, it's your favorite." He noted. Cas felt his cheeks start to burn. "You did this for me?" He asked.
"Yeah, I mean, I know I work a lot, but I miss seeing my baby brother. You're always up in that dark room of yours. If you went outside, I think you'd burn like a twilight dork or something."
Cas rolled his eyes. "I'm not that pale." The tan comparison of calves that followed threw that comment right back in his face though. He shook his head. "Fine you have a point. But, actually, Benny's having a party around 1. I guess since you'd be heading out at around that time, maybe you could take me? It's at the park."
Michael nearly dropped his spatula. He turned to look at Cas again. "You're wanna go out today?" The house was quiet before, but it felt like he could hear mice in the attic's thoughts of planning to rampage the house while he was gone now.
He nodded, half lying to himself and half lying to Michael. "Dean asked me to, so..."
"I'll take you." He replied quickly. "Don't worry about it, alright? We'll have breakfast, then we'll leave. Go get dressed. Grab some sunscreen from the bathroom. You're liable to burn." Michael sounded like a worried mother, but Cas kinda liked it. He liked when Micheal got protective. Cas didn't see him, or his other brothers much. They all worked, and had social lives. He liked to stay at home, but... knowing that Michael had made a distinct effort to spend time with him really made him appreciate his hard work. He felt a little better, actually. He didn't feel so useless. If Michael and Dean cared so much, and wanted to help him feel better, maybe he should try again. Yeah, he'd try again for today. He smiled to himself as he grabbed a few makeup brushes from the bathroom. He hadn't had to in a while, but he covered his scars with makeup and threw on an old t-shirt and some jeans. He worked his way through tie-ing his shoes, which he'd always struggled with, and trotted back down stairs. "Hey Michael?" He asked for his brother in a calm, curious voice.
"Yeah." He answered, closing the fridge, and setting two plates on the table.
"When was the last time I thanked you?" Cas looked at the ground, almost embarrassed.
"Your birthday last year. A week after Dad left." He said, trying to look into Cas' eyes. He couldn't manage it though, so he focused on his meal. "I'm sorry you've been feeling so down. I'm proud of you for trying though."
"I haven't been trying very hard lately, though." He said. "The thoughts have been smothering me. The medicine doesn't work much except to keep me from getting too angry. I try not to take things too far, and I calm down, but the thoughts always come back. I don't wanna let you guys down, but I've felt pretty shitty this whole time. Things never got better for me to say they're getting bad again."
"But you're still here. You're still here, and you're going out today. If Dean gives you hope, that's a good thing, Cas." Michael said. "Can I give you a hug?" He asked, standing up from the table.
He nodded. He knew why Michael had asked; Cas didn't like to be touched very much, especially since he'd been spending so much time alone these past few months. He took the embrace easily this time though, and hugged Michael around his tummy. "I'm sorry, Michael." He said.
"Don't be sorry, I just hope you start feeling better, soon." He said, kissing the top of Cas' head. Cas nodded, and sat down at the breakfast table. They ate and talked about the little things that they could: what books Cas had read, football games that Michael, Bal and Gabe had watched in the living room downstairs while Cas was sleeping (Cas slept a lot), and Dean.
"I think he has a thing for you." Michael shrugged, taking another fork full of scrambled eggs into his mouth.
Cas smiled. "I hope so. He knows I have feelings for him. He kissed my cheek yesterday."
"Oh?" Michael smiled too now. He was happy for his little brother. "I didn't see him when I got home, when did he come over?"
Cas explained that Dean had just showed up, with no explanation around one, and how Cas still didn't know why he was out of school that day. They shrugged in unison and finished their plates. Soon, Cas was in the car, with the window rolled down. His arm was hanging out of it, and already, his scars were tingling, but he didn't mind it so much. It was pretty out, and he'd be seeing Dean soon.