Gabriel ran around the apartment in a panic state as he tried to locate Castiel's phone. Thankfully, Castiel had left it in his coat pocket which he had deposited on the couch before he had locked himself in the bathroom without a word. That was two hours ago and he still wouldn't speak to Gabriel. The only way Gabriel knew his brother hadn't done anything was the solid "Go away" that came in reply to the light knocking he placed on the door to see if his brother would talk to him.

As the phone rang, Gabriel continued in his panicked state pacing up and down the hallway as he wished the person to pick up their damn phone. When it went to answer machine, he hung up and called back again as fast as the stupid smartphone would let him. On the third try, finally there was an answer.

"Hey Cas-"

"It's not Castiel" Gabriel interrupted "I don't know what you did or if it was even you but get your ass over to this apartment right now or so help me I will kick your ass to next Sunday"

Gabriel breath was heavy by this stage. He was worried about his brother. He hadn't been this upset since– well Gabriel tries not to think about that. It still haunts him that his brother had sunk that low and he had no idea about it until it was almost too late. But now, now he had a chance to fix it before it got too far.

"You hear me Dean?" Gabriel asked angrily as he practically spat down the phone "Get your ass over here"

"Okay, okay. Calm down Gabriel. Just breathe. I'm on my way now. I'll be there in ten." Came the shaky reply before the unmistakeable sound of the call being ended.

He'd had Dean worried. That meant it wasn't Dean who had caused it and that only meant one thing. Gabriel just hoped he was wrong.

-
Dean had a pretty good day. The customers at the garage had been great there were no snarky comments about Dean not knowing what the problem is because he's so young and is just 'white trash'. That disgraceful comment, thankfully, only ever happened once and Bobby had dealt with them straight away telling them where they could shove it. Dean's twenty-four years old for God's sake; he knows cars inside and out and had done since he was ten years old. If there's something wrong with your car Dean will know if not by the sound it makes from when it pulls up then by opening the hood he will definitely be able to tell you and know exactly how to fix it.

Even Bobby had been in a great mood which didn't happen all too often so Dean was going to enjoy it while it lasted. The man had even shouted Dean lunch. Now that never happened. Dean always had to buy or make his own and usually had to fork out to get Bobby lunch too. The man claimed he'd looked after Dean for 10 years the least he could do was buy him lunch now that he was out on his own. Dean didn't have the heart to tell him that most of the time when he went down the road to buy it, he got it from The Roadhouse where he didn't actually have to pay for it but Dean suspected Bobby already knew that. The man comes across as a hardass but once you wheedle your way into the man's heart, he's a big softy who always let's his family come first. And as he wisely states "Family don't end with blood".

Of course, after work Dean found himself at band practice and for once it actually went well. Sam didn't too annoyed with Ash and Dean's antics that he usually flipped his shit at. One time Sam had been so angry at Ash and Dean mucking around he left Ash's house and didn't turn up again until the next evening. Dean guesses that his new 'mellow' attitude has to do with a certain blonde by the name of Jessica Moore who Sam just does not shut up about. But Dean's happy for his little brother. Sam's happy therefore Dean is happy. Sam always comes first. Has always been that way and it always will and nobody can change that.

It had been a full five weeks since Dean and Castiel's first date and they hadn't had a single fight yet other than a small disagreement about DC or Marvel which couldn't really be claimed as a fight. They stayed at each other's apartments most nights mostly at Dean's due to the fact Cas slept on a sofa bed (also his brother was a snoopy asshole and never gave them time alone).

Dean still hadn't found the courage to divulge his family story to Castiel yet. He didn't know what exactly held him back from telling Castiel everything but there was just something. The thing was Dean also hadn't told Cas that he was moving to LA in a month. That was a conversation he avoided more than talking about his family. Dean knew exactly what held him back from telling Cas everything. It's just that he was too much of a coward to admit that he was scared that this actually turned into something incredibly serious. The last time Dean had been serious with someone was in high school and that hadn't exactly turned out great. So yeah Dean was scared but he was trying to fight through that, grow some balls, and tell Castiel everything.

Starting tomorrow.

Of course that plan was shattered to pieces when he received a panicked phone call from Cas' brother, Gabriel, accusing him of upsetting Castiel.

At the time, Dean was halfway through band practice. Of course, as they're a band and play music, Dean didn't hear the first couple of calls but when they had a mini-break in playing; Dean finally heard his phone ringing and picked it up to see Castiel's smiling face beaming at him. He wondered as to why his boyfriend had rung him as he knew Dean would be at practice and wouldn't ring him until later that night, he answered with a tinge of confusion to his voice. When he heard Gabriel's voice practically scream at him, his confusion deepened. It only turned to worry when Gabriel accused him of doing something wrong that had Gabriel angry at him and yell at him down the phone.

He hastily agreed to make his way over to Gabriel's apartment to see what was wrong. He told his brother and long-time friend he would ring them later and sorry for bailing but this was important. Something was up with Castiel and it had his brother pissed at Dean so he had to go.

True to his word, Dean made it to the apartment ten minutes later breaking at least six traffic violations on the way but Dean didn't care. What's another ticket?

Dean knocked loudly on the door and not a second later, the door flew open as Dean still held his fist in the air. As he dropped his hand back to his side, he noticed Gabriel's expression. His eyes were wide, blood shot and puffy as if he'd been crying and his skin was pale as if all the blood in his head was gone. The worried expression on Gabriel's face made Dean gulp. What the hell had happened to Cas that had Gabriel this worried?

"Gabriel, what the hell is going on? Where's Cas?" Dean asked while he tried to stay calm for Gabriel's sake but his voice betrayed him at the end as he said Cas' name.

Gabriel shook his head in reply as he dropped his gaze to look at his feet "He's in the bathroom" came the strangled, quiet reply "He won't talk to me or come out of there" Gabriel stepped aside as he spoke to let Dean enter the apartment and closed the door softly behind him. "I'm so worried Dean. I haven't seen him this low since… since… I found him last time" Gabriel choked out.

"Last time?" Dean asked confused.

Gabriel looked up to Dean at that point with shock across his face "He hasn't told you?" Dean shook his head in reply "Then I'm not saying anything more. Please," Gabriel begged "Just try and see if he will talk to you. I just hope he hasn't done anything stupid"

At those last words, Gabriel let his tears fall silently from his eyes. Dean grasped Gabriel by the shoulder frim but reassuring while he grabbed his chin and lifted his head so he could look him in the eye "Hey, I'm sure he's okay. He just needs some time to think. You go have a seat on the couch and I'll try talk to him okay?"

Gabriel nodded in reply before he slowly shuffled to the couch while he wiped the tears from his cheeks. When Gabriel took a seat on the couch, Dean took a deep breath and exhaled slowly through his nose as he headed for the bathroom not knowing what to expect.

Dean stood outside the bathroom door with a solemn look on his face. He pressed his forehead against the door trying to collect himself before he knocked softly on the door.

"Cas?" He called out softly "Cas, it's Dean"

There was no reply. Of course there wasn't. He's done something stupid hasn't he? He's done what Gabriel was talking about before; whatever that was. He was shaken from his thoughts as he heard the quiet shuffle off feet on tiles and then a shadow under the door.

"Cas, sweetheart, can you let me in? I'm worried about you" Dean asked as he tried to keep his voice calm for Castiel's sake.

There was a soft click as the door unlocked before the shadow moved away from the door presumably Castiel retreated back into the bathroom to let Dean enter. Dean let out a sigh of relief that his boyfriend hadn't done anything stupid and actually let Dean into the bathroom.

Dean slowly slid his hand down to the handle and shook the knob testing that the door was actually unlocked. To his relief Castiel had indeed unlocked the door. He slowly turned the knob and pushed the door enough so he could slip inside. He turned and faced the door as he closed it afraid to see what state Cas was in. In the end he decided he'd lock the door so Gabriel didn't barge in and do something stupid.

When he finally turned around what he saw broke his heart. His strong, independent Castiel was cowered in the corner with tear tracks down his face staring up at Dean with bloodshot, puffy eyes as if he'd cried for days not hours. The man shook where he was crouched in the corner which caused Dean to feel tears well up in his eyes that the man was in such pain.

Slowly, as he didn't want to scare him, Dean moved forward and crouched in front of Castiel not knowing what he could possibly say to help him. Of course, Castiel knew Dean had no idea what to do and told Dean what he wanted.

"Hold me Dean?" Castiel sobbed out his voice barely above a whisper.

Dean needed no further instruction. He knew exactly how to hold someone when they needed it. He sat himself on the floor with his back against the wall next to where Castiel was sat and pulled him into his lap so Castiel's head rested on Dean's shoulder. Dean wrapped his hands around Cas with one hand rested on the small of his back the other brushed through his hair as Castiel cried into his shirt.

"Shh darling I'm here now. It's okay. It's going to be okay" he repeated over and over as he tried to sooth his shaken boyfriend as he rubbed his back and pressed gentle kiss to the top of Cas' head. Dean just hoped that it would be enough.

-
After what seemed like hours, Castiel finally calmed down enough to move back to look at Dean in the eye. Castiel didn't know how long he'd been in the bathroom nor how long Dean had been with him but he was grateful Gabriel had rung Dean to tell him to come over. He knew he had worried his brother to no end especially after what had almost happened last time Castiel had locked himself in a bathroom. But just like last time, Castiel had a legitimate reason for locking himself away from the world ignoring his brother. His uncle, Zachariah, had found him.

-
Castiel looked at Dean but Dean could tell he was lost in his thoughts. His piercing blue eyes were vacant and glazed over not taking in the sight before him and it worried Dean.

"Cas?" He spoke softly as he tried not to startle the man

Slowly the man came back to himself, his eyes started to recognise Dean was sat in front of him but still his eyes were wide in thought.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Dean tried with a gentle calming tone he didn't know he was capable of.

When Castiel slowly shook his head denying that he wanted to talk Dean couldn't help but feel a little torn apart that the man didn't feel he could confide in Dean. It must have shown in his expression as suddenly Castiel spoke to him, his voice croaky with the lack of speach and the excessive amounts of sobbing "Not here. Not on the floor."

Dean nodded that he understood as he still rubbed reassuring circles on Castiel's back. "Do you want to have a shower? Once you're cleaned up we can talk it over when you're ready"

Castiel slowly nodded his head as he replied "Can you go get me some clothes to change into and then come back? I don't want to be alone right now"

"Of course. I'll be right back" Dean gave Castiel a light kiss to his forehead before he's gently removed Castiel from his lap so they could stand.

Dean made his way out to where Castiel's clothes were and picked out a loose fitting shirt and sweatpants he knew Cas loved to laze around in. Surprisingly, Gabriel was nowhere to be seen. Dean guessed the man must have left the apartment to give them space but Dean knew how worried Gabriel must have been. They had been in the bathroom for Dean guessed to be hours without a word to the man.

He spied Castiel's phone sitting on the table and picked it up and scrolled for Gabriel's number before he dialled. It was probably best Dean told Gabriel what was going on even if Dean didn't know the details himself.

The man answered after only the third ring and demanded answers while he asked if Castiel was alright. Dean told him he knew nothing of the situation other than the fact that he hadn't done anything stupid. Gabriel let out a small breath of relief as Dean told him the somewhat good news before he informed Dean he would stay away from the apartment for the night and return tomorrow evening after work but Dean had to keep him informed of everything. Dean agreed to Gabriel's terms before he said goodbye and went to check on Castiel.

When he returned, he found Cas sat cross-legged in the bathtub with the shower running over his naked body while he stared at the blank wall tiles. The man didn't seem fazed by Dean's entrance so Dean took it as a sign to strip off his own clothing and joined Cas.

As soon as Dean was sat behind him with his legs extended each side of Castiel, he wrapped his hands around Castiel's waist and kissed the nape of his neck. Castiel immediately leant back into the touch and sighed as he moved his hands on top of Dean's.

Dean continued to place gentle kisses to every piece of Castiel's skin he could reach which helped the man relax in front of him and with the hot water running over their bodies, Cas was soon calm enough to lean his head back onto Dean's shoulder and turned his head to nuzzle into Dean's neck.

"Thank you Dean" Cas whispered into his neck and placed a gentle kiss.

Dean turned his head to look down at Cas and placed a gentle kiss to his lips before he pulled back to whisper "I'll never let you go" and all Dean could think as he whispered those words that the song that their band had sung for years finally had a true meaning to him.

-
When the water went cold somewhat 30 minutes later, Dean and Castiel found themselves cuddled together in Gabriel's bed with Castiel's back pressed against Dean's chest as warm arms pulled him closer. Castiel felt secure, safe and dare he think loved. The worry of the day was gone with Dean pressed behind him with all his warmth radiating onto Castiel's body which made a small smile play across his lips.

It was late when Castiel finally broke his silence. The sun had long since gone down and with a glance at the clock on Gabriel's bedside table he saw that it was well after midnight. He'd been in the bathroom for over five hours lost in his thoughts as his depression came back at the sight of his uncle and the ugly, ugly words he had uttered to him.

He knew Dean wasn't asleep as every so often there was a soft peck of lips placed to the back of his neck, shoulder or into his hair. Dean was so patient with him. He hadn't demanded answers as to why Castiel had locked himself in the bathroom or why Castiel had cried for hours. Through it all Dean had held him, dried his tears and calmed him down. He knew Dean would have run so many thoughts through his mind about what had happened. Castiel needed to tell Dean everything, from the beginning.

Castiel slowly turned himself in Dean's arms so they were face to face. Dean's eyes were closed but as Castiel pressed a soft kiss to his forehead, his eyes opened to reveal his jade irises.

"I'm ready" Castiel said softly "Let me tell you everything"

-
Castiel was having a normal day. He'd worked at the bookstore for four weeks now and he still loved every minute of it. The store wasn't very large so after his first week of work, the owner trusted him enough to work by himself. When days were slow, he could be found curled up in one of the bean bags near the back of the store with a book and cup of tea. It was great; he got paid to read books. Of course every time he heard the bell ring as someone entered the store, he abandoned the book and placed it back on its shelf to come back to later. Normally he would only ever read the used books as to not damage any new books. He did trust himself not to damage them too much but he just didn't want to risk it so he stuck to reading the used ones.

The selection of the used books was smaller than the new books but Castiel found that he liked to read used books. He liked to think up stories to go with how each book got into its current state and what the previous owner would have been like. He especially loved the ones that were well worn with the spine wrinkled from being opened to wide or the dog-eared pages even the ones that had parts underlined showing that the owner especially liked that quote. It just showed that people in the world loved books as much as Castiel did. Books are made to be loved, to be thrown around and shared. Books aren't meant to just sit on a shelf and look pretty. For Castiel, the more worn a book is, the better the book must be.

Castiel was curled up reading 'A Tale of Two Cities' by Charles Dickens, one of his favourite books, when the front door bell tinkled. He quickly closed his book and placed it back on the shelf near the back so he could easily find it again when the customer had left. He paced himself down the aisle of the bookshelves that were six shelves high till he could see the door. The customer was no longer stood by the door so he must be about the store someplace.

He headed in the direction of the far aisle as that was typically the aisle most people went down first for some reason once they entered the store. Sure enough, he found the customer half-way down the aisle with his back turned towards Castiel as he eyed the end shelves.

There was something familiar about the man. He was tall in stature with broad shoulders with grey hair but was balding at what Castiel guessed was a fast rate as the whole top of his head was bare. This man was definitely familiar to Castiel but as the man slowly turned around, it finally hit him who it was. It was his Uncle Zachariah with a shit-eating grin on his face as he faced Castiel.

"Hello Castiel. It's been a long time hasn't it?" Zachariah asked with a small smirk on his face.

Castiel was not up to this. He did not want his uncle in the store and he definitely did not want to talk to him about anything. He wanted him gone and never wanted to see him again. He was the reason why he hated himself for so long. Why he had blamed himself for his father leaving his mother alone.

"What do you want?" Castiel asked with anger to his tone.

"What no offer for tea? No light conversation to ease the mood?" the man asked as he stepped closer to Castiel.

Castiel stared him in the eyes as he narrowed his vision to express his displeasure of the man finding him again. His hands clenched at his side as he tried to refrain himself from lashing out at the man who ruined his life.

"What, do you want?" He asked again through clenched teeth as he strained to keep at least some composure.

"Fine, I see we aren't going to act civil" Zachariah continued to step closer as he spoke "I want you to come back and work at your father's company again" Zachariah came to a halt just a few steps away from Castiel and let his proposition hang in the air for Castiel to mull over.

Of course, Castiel didn't need to mull over anything. He would never go back to that company. Never work for his uncle again. He despised the manipulative man and he would never fall for one of his tricks again. This was going to be some elaborate plan for Castiel to return to work only to be blamed for every little thing that went wrong with the company because "he was the accountant so of course he should know every little thing that happens". Obviously, that wasn't true. As the accountant all he knew was the accounts. He only saw numbers not business plans or opportunities.

"I will never work there again. Now if you don't mind, kindly leave" Castiel gritted out

"Actually, you miserable little maggot," Zachariah spoke raising a finger "I do mind. You see, I know all about your little life here. How you're living with your delinquent of a brother and only started working here three weeks ago." Castiel stood in surprise at Zachariah's words. How long had he spied on him? And why did he spy him? What did he stand to gain by tailing him? "I also" Zachariah continued as he stepped even closer to Castiel so they were mere feet away from each other "Know all about your "relationship" he even used the air quotes the bastard "With a certain Dean Winchester."

Castiel's mouth fell open. How did this man know anything about Dean? Sure they hadn't exactly been discrete but what did his relationship with Dean have to do with anything? Zachariah had no clue Castiel was gay before. He had kept that close to his chest because he knew his family would flip out and try and "turn him straight". The only family that knew were his mother and of course Gabriel and that is how Castiel liked it. They were the only ones that never judged him and loved him for who he was.

"I never did pick you for a faggot" Castiel winced at Zachariah's words. They struck him to the heart. It didn't matter that he hated Zachariah; the words still held meaning and insulted him. This is what he feared, his family rejecting him due to his sexuality and this was the exact reason he had never told them. "Although," The man continued "You never did have any girlfriends. Surprised I didn't put two and two together sooner." The man shrugged

"Leave." Castiel ground out. When the man made no move to leave, Castiel yelled a little louder "Leave, before I make you"

Zachariah threw his head back and laughed "You? Make me leave? Don't make me laugh Castiel. We all know who would come out on top. Now, go back and pack your stuff. I'll pick you up in an hour"

Now was Castiel's turn to laugh "If you think I'm leaving with you, you've got another thing coming. What part of 'I will never work there again' do you not get? Now I will say this for the last time. Leave" Castiel's knuckles were clenched white at his side as he extended his hand closest to the door and pointed where he wanted the narcissistic asshole to go.

"Hear this Castiel," Zachariah was angry now at Castiel's defiance. He closed the gap between them so their faces were inches apart with his finger pointed at Castiel's face "If you reject this offer, if I walk out that door, I will never return to this place and you" he snarled "You will never return home. And if you do, you will lose everything and not just you, that little boy-toy of yours too. I will make sure that his band never makes it passed their gigs at that red-neck bar"

Castiel gaped at his uncle. Did he really have that much power? Was he really that high up in the corporate world that he had that much influence over the music industry? Castiel couldn't take the risk. He would never return to his home. He would never see the rest of his family again.

"Goodbye Zachariah" he muttered out.

"I see, you really are good for nothing" Zachariah spoke and without a moment's hesitation he was gone out the door and out of Castiel's life.

-
"That asshole" Dean shouted out as Castiel finished telling Dean what had happened.

He'd told him everything. He'd told him about life before when his mother was alive. How even though he still worked under his uncle and was being blamed for his father's absence day in and day out his mother was still there to reassure him that it wasn't his fault. But when she died, she wasn't there to tell him that anymore. He told how he had taken all the words his uncle told him to heart; that he started to blame himself and how he had sunk into depression so fast he couldn't breathe.

"Dean," Castiel spoke, keeping himself calm and tried to calm down Dean's reaction to his words "It's fine. I don't need to go back. You know why?"

Slowly, Dean turned his head back to face Castiel. In his rage he had let Castiel go and rolled to his back to face the ceiling. His nostrils flared with rage. But at Castiel's calm expression his face relaxed a little.

"Why?"

"Because," Castiel whispered as he leant in to press their lips together in a chaste kiss "I have nothing left there. Everything I need is right here."

Castiel leant in again and planted their lips together. It wasn't heated or desperate but passionate and caring. He wanted to tell Dean just how much he meant to him. That he was all Castiel wanted.

When they parted, Dean was silent. He looked at Castiel with lust blown eyes and just a hint of fear.

"What's wrong?" Castiel asked as he placed a hand on Dean's check and rubbed it with his thumb slowly.

"I'm moving to LA." Castiel gaped in shock, wide eyed at Dean's confession. "Come with me. Live with me in LA"

"Okay" Castiel replied without hesitation. He wanted to be with Dean and if LA was where Dean was going to be, that's where Castiel would be.

-
It was their last gig before they moved to LA. Dean was nervous to say the least but he was excited at the same time. He and Castiel were going to live together and Dean was going to record an album with his brother and his best friend. Life was definitely looking up for Dean Winchester.

They were on their last song of the night and Dean wanted to do something special. It was their last gig for a long while in their home town but the something special wasn't for the town, it was for Castiel. He wanted to tell the man exactly how he felt and he wanted to tell him through the song that had been on his mind ever since that night that he had broken down and told him everything.

Dean had in turn told Castiel everything about his family. About how his mother had died when he was four, how his father had uprooted their life and took them travelling around the country doing odd jobs living out of motels and getting by pay check to pay check. Dean told Castiel how his father had given up on life and had turned to the drink leaving Dean to practically raise Sam. How that's why, even now, that he always put Sam's needs before anyone else including himself. He retold the story of the night of his eighth birthday; how Bobby had taken the two young boys, adopted them as his own and raised them until Sam had turned eightneen and Dean decided they would move out.

Castiel had listened with the same awe that Dean believed he had when Castiel had told him everything and at that moment Dean knew. He knew he didn't want anyone else. He knew Castiel was it for him. He knew that his life was never going to be the same from that moment on.

The moment he finished his life-story Castiel had told him that everything that had happened to Dean and to himself didn't define who they were. They were just two lost souls who found each other and were now trying to put their lives back together, together.

Dean stepped up to the microphone that night, with a glint in his eye as he eyed the seat Castiel was sat in at the bar. He nursed a whiskey and talked with Jo during the break of song. Castiel's attention was brought back to Dean as soon as he spoke and those blue eyes looked at him with such admiration it made Dean warm inside.

"This next song," Dean began as he looked over at Castiel while he spoke "We wrote it a while ago. It's an old one that didn't have too much meaning to me when we first began performing it. A few weeks ago however, that changed. I hold it in a very different light and… well yeah." He finished dryly. "This one goes out to you Cas"

Castiel smiled up at Dean and that gave Dean all the encouragement he needed to start singing the song

"Shadows fall and the darkness of night descends
Concrete walls bring the road to an end
I don't know which way
Leads me back to you
Every step that I take
Brings your light into view

You took so long for me to find
Yeah
Suddenly our worlds collide

I'll never let you go
I'll never let you go
I've found you and now I know
I'll never let you go"

-
The band finished the song and they stepped to the front of the stage together to do one last bow for their hometown fans before they departed on their great adventure.

Finally, finally he was able to get to Cas. To tell him what he'd been holding back for a while now too scared to admit it. He hoped that Castiel felt the same. The way the man looked at him after he told him about his family Dean knew there was something there. He knew the man felt the same way. He just hoped he hadn't read it all wrong.

Castiel was stood before him with a huge grin on his face with tears in his eyes. Dean stepped forward and wiped the tears away with his thumbs before they fell. Dean pulled Castiel's face towards him and plastered their lips together in a needy, passionate kiss letting their tongues explore each other's mouths that they knew so well now but it was still just as satisfying as their first time.

Dean pulled back breathless and looked Castiel in the eye as he uttered the words he so desperately needed to let out.

"I love you Castiel Novak and I'm never letting you go"

Castiel let out a small laugh as he eyes welled up again.

"I love you too Dean Winchester"

A/N The song is 'Never Let You Go' by Evermore