Chapter 25:The Afterglow

Dean walked through the bunker, intent on going to his room. Were he knew Castiel was waiting for him. Stopping as he saw Sam coming out of the hall, rubbing his eyes. He looked at Dean blearily for a few moments. His mind working as he tried to figure out why Dean was there.

"Dean?" Sam said, looking from him to the closed garage door. "What's going on, I heard yelling?"

"Dad knows now." Dean answered with a sarcastic smile before walking away. Hearing Sam's groan as he left the room. Let Sam handle his father, he could do it better anyway. Right now, Dean wasn't confident that he would be able to get through another conversation without yelling at him, or worse.

He took the long way to his room, deciding he needed a few moments to himself to calm down. It wasn't Castiel that made him mad, and he wasn't going to take it out on him. He walked through the halls, controlling his breathing the best he could, to calm himself down. Pausing at every possible moment to take a few deep breaths. Breathing in deeply, holding it in, and letting it out slowly.

But try as he might, his mood hardly improved. His fathers words hitting through him like a sharp knife. He had no right to call Castiel those names, and to be so damn paranoid of him. Not to mention, he had no right to be angry about being lied to. He'd lied to them their whole lives.

He stopped in front of his door, and leaned his head against the wood for a few moments. Doing his best to get his emotions in check. He had never been one for expressing his emotions, but he honestly didn't like it because he felt to much. He couldn't always get them in order to talk about them.

He sighed to himself once more, then opened the door. Taking a step in, he found who he thought he would. Castiel was sitting on his bed, still wearing his pajama pants, though he had thrown on a shirt. He held out a hand, a silent offering of comfort and peace. Dean allowed a small smile to grace his lips before accepting the hand. Castiel pulled him in, and guided him down to the floor, between his legs.

Dean looked behind him, bemused smile on his face until he saw the message oil on his nightstand. He had no idea where Castiel had gotten it, but he guessed he'd picked it up on the hunt. Probably when he was sneaking out, planning nefarious schemes to bring down him and his family, he thought sarcastically. God, his father was a paranoid idiot.

But all that was blown away when Castiel's scented, oiled hands where on his skin. He leaned his head forward to give Castiel better access to his neck. Castiel's hands where strong and warm as he worked on his shoulders, the oil providing just a bit of a burn on his skin. His stress melting away at Castiel's ministrations, almost forgetting why he was angry in the first place.

Castiel did not speak, or try to make him do so. Somehow, instinctively knowing that he needed more time and didn't want to talk about anything really. He was thankful for that, glad that words where not needed between them. He liked talking to Castiel, he really did. But not when he wasn't yet comfortable with the topic, this one still way too fresh in his mind. Castiel understood that, and instead focused his energies on taking care of Dean.

It was that connection between them that made Dean so comfortable around the Angel. The way they knew each other so well, they could communicate without words. That when they talked, it didn't feel forced. The way Castiel always knew what to do to take care of him, make him feel special and at ease. It was that connection and feeling that probably made him say what he did to his father, and what made him say it again out loud while Castiel worked on his back.

"I love you." He crooned, leaning his head back as Castiel's hands moved down further. He didn't know what he expected those words to do. But for all the impact they had, he could probably have said he loved pie. Castiel's only reaction was his hands stalling for a few moments on his skin, before continuing his movements.

He turned around, twisting out of Castiel's reach. Wanting to see his face, gauge his reaction for himself. He looked up at Castiel's face shyly, only to see that a warm smile was sitting there. Looking down at him with eyes filled with so much tenderness and caring, Dean almost wanted to bolt or cry. He didn't know which, so he just sat there.

Castiel leaned down, pressing his lips gently to Dean's. It was chaste, and brief. But in it, Dean could feel Castiel's own love and devotion.

"I love you too." Castiel simply stated, leaning his forehead against Dean's.

Dean feeling a burst of warmth spread though his body, as a tight knot seemed to ease from his chest. Castiel loved him, did not reject him or tell him that maybe it was to soon to being making such grand pronouncements.

He breathed Castiel's scent in deeply as he climbed to his knees. Catching Castiel's head in his hands to give him a long, tender kiss. Reveling in his emotions and elation at the mere fact that Castiel fucking loved him. To hell with his father, and everything else. Castiel loved him, and that just made everything perfect. He could take on the world now, he knew it. Because he had Castiel at his side, and sure it will be hard, but it was possible.

Anything seemed possible again, as he climbed up on the bed with his Angel. Pressing their bodies together. Kissing him deeply, letting his emotions get the better of him. He like it here. It was warm and safe, and he never wanted to leave. He could feel Castiel's body heat under him, and longed to be closer.

It went slowly, Dean not wanting to ruin the moment by going to fast. A medley of tender kisses and soft touches. Full of emotion and bliss, Dean showing Castiel everything he felt with his body.

John sat, dumbfounded in the garage. Trying to wrap his brain around what he'd just heard. His son was dating a guy, and not just dating. His son was in love with a guy. Not just any guy either, the guy that John was certain that if he wanted to could kill them all with barely any effort. The guy who was so strange, he was still questioning whether or not he was human. The guy who could not talk to people, or understand subtlety. How the Hell had that guy kept a secret?

He ran a hand down his face, frustrated with the events of the last thirty minutes. The full scenario of what just happened running through his head. Deciding not to dwell on what he had almost walked in on, he left the room. He found Sam waiting for him.

"Coffee?" Sam asked, walking into the kitchen. John nodding and followed his son into the room. Sitting himself in a chair with what felt like a cloud hanging over him. Sam sat a mug down in front of him, and putting the pot down on a hotplate sitting on the table. "So." He started, resting his own hands on the table. "I heard yelling. What happened this time?"

"Your brother and Castiel are apparently dating." John answered simply, receiving only a nod from his son. "You knew about this, didn't you?" He asked, eyes narrowing suspiciously.

"Well, yeah." Sam answered simply, shrugging his shoulders. John thought he seemed too cavalier about this.

"And you didn't think to tell me?" John asked, irritation coming through his voice. His children seemed to be keeping secrets from him. Were they laughing at him, or scared of him? What does he have to do to make his children trust him enough to talk to him again?

"No." Sam answered, no shame or guilt in his voice. Then seeing his father's dark look, he continued. "Because it was Dean's job to tell you. He asked me not to, he wanted to tell you, when he was ready."

"So I was the only one in the house who didn't know about this?" John scoffed, anger rising in his voice again.

"No." Sam stated, taking a sip of coffee. "He didn't really tell me either. I kinda just figured it out on my own. Mind you, honestly, I have seen it coming for some time now. The only real surprise came with how long it took." He rambled.

"You want to run that by me again?" John asked, voice hard and full of authority. He was getting tired of everyone speaking in riddles. Whatever happened to straight answers? He thought as Sam sighed, long and suffering.

"I'm getting tired of reminding you of this, so listen this time." Sam started, holding up a hand when his father started to argue. "Dad, you died. Years ago." He stressed. "Life didn't just stop for us. We had to keep going. We met Castiel a couple years after you died, and from day one." He pronounced. "I could tell that Dean was harboring the world's biggest crush on the guy. I mean, he was pulled out of Hell by Mister Tall-Dark-Strong-and-Awkward. Just his type, and I would not have been surprised if Dean was just a bit turned on when Castiel came to him with his no nonsense attitude, ordering him to do things. I wasn't the only one either."

"What?" John asked, watching is son. If it wasn't obvious to him, how could others have seen it.

"Bobby saw it, was actually convinced they would announce their engagement soon. Demon's saw it, even this one demon that followed Castiel around like a lost puppy, head over heels for the guy. Actually called him her 'Unicorn'." Sam listed, giving a chuckle when he mentioned the odd term of endearment. "Luckily for us, all she did was follow, she never attacked. Angels saw it, and tried to stop it, getting a huge 'screw-you' from Castiel. Hell, even Ellen, who had only known Castiel for one day, saw it. I even think it's the main reason Jo turned Dean down the night before she died."

"Then why hide it?" John asked, tilting his head back in exasperation. Where the Hell had his kids even met Ellen and her daughter anyway? How could she have seen it better then him? The only people who knew his children better then him, where his children. "Why didn't I see it?"

"Because your Dad." Sam answered simply, looking at him with a direct look. "You don't look for it, because we're your kids. You don't want to see that in your children." He sighed. "And in our childhood, you have to admit, you where more interested in the monsters you where hunting and revenge then you where about us. I mean, it was easy for Dean to hide his sexuality from you, because you where barely home. When you where, you never really talked to us about what was going on at school, or with each other. Preferring to take your time teaching us weapons, and ordering us through drills. So, you really don't know us as well as you think you do." He finished, setting down his cup and standing.

"I did my best." John quietly defended himself, holding his head between his hands and staring down at the dark liquid in his cup.

"We know." Sam said, walking out the room. John turned his head to watch him disappear down the hall, figuring he was going back to his room. It was still very early in the morning, and odds are, he wanted a bit more sleep before his run.

He sighed, leaning back in his chair and staring up at the ceiling. Sifting through all of his memories of his boys as children. Especially those of Dean. The boy had never showed any signs that he might be interested in men that he was aware of. Of course, Sam did mention that he had tried to hide it. He wondered if there would be anything about it in those books he'd found. Then stopping at the thought.

Those books, and that writer. They could be the answer to almost every question he had. At the very least, he could use them to understand his children a bit more. It might even help him to get a better idea of who could have brought him back, and why. The demons have been oddly quiet since he came out. Even when he was out of the bunker, whether it be on a supply run, or a hunt, nobody has tried to contact him. Not even the Angel's that they had mentioned.

Making up his mind, he stood up and walked to his room. Closing and locking the door behind him. He didn't want to be interrupted while he did his research. He also made a mental note that maybe he should tone down his nightly checks a bit. If Dean and Castiel where in fact in a relationship, they had evidently been very frustrated with them. That actually gave John a small bit of satisfaction.

He rifled through the box, looking for the next book in the series. Letting out a sound of triumph when he found it. He opened the cover, and began to read making himself comfortable on his bed. He was going to be here for awhile.

Dean laid back on his pillow, panting. That familiar feeling of elation running through his veins. Castiel next to him with a satisfied smile on his face, chest rising and falling with his own. He smiled, looking at the man next to him, happiness glowing from inside him. This was the man he loved, he thought as a small chuckle erupted from his throat.

"What?" Castiel asked, turning to face Dean with a warm smile.

"Nothing." Dean chuckled, laying a hand on Castiel's naked thigh. "It's just...You know you sort of glow." He said hesitantly, looking at his partner with a small smile. "When we have sex."

"What?" Castiel laughed, starting to sit up. But Dean would have none of it, holding him down with his other arm.

"Yeah. You glow." Dean told him with another chuckle. "Like actually glow in the dark glow. Is that an Angel thing, or am I just seeing things?" He asked, wrapping his arms around Castiel's waist.

"I didn't even know I did it. How would I know why?" Castiel shot, turning to face Dean. Their faces only inches apart. "But I'm sorry if it disturbs you."

"Nah, it's actually kinda cute. I like it, very sexy." Dean passed it off, kissing Castiel on the forehead.

"Well then I guess I'll keep doing it, even though I have no clue how to stop." Castiel shrugged, laying his head against Dean's shoulder. Throwing an arm around Dean's waist so he could scoot closer. "I love you." He mumbled against Dean's skin. Dean feeling the warmth spread through him again at those words.

"I love you too." Dean answered, laying his head on the top of Castiel's. Smelling his hair, and wrapping his arms tighter around Castiel. He knew he would have to leave this room eventually, face his father and deal with whatever shit was hurled his way. But for right now, he was happy, and was content to just lay in Castiel's arms forever.

John woke up the next morning, holding a book in his hands. He looked blearily down at it as it fell to the floor. Forgetting for a second what it was in his sleepy haze. He rubbed a hand over his face, trying to recall why he had been reading a book with a cover like that. Then he remembered, he'd found it in a storage room before he...

He groaned as he laid back down in the bed. That was right, he had walked in on his son practically having sex with another man. Then they had fought, again. Just after getting over the last one to. He sighed, pushing himself off the bed.

When did his life get so complicated? What happened to the simple life he'd had with his kids before he died? Not that it was ever actually simple. He thought to himself, rolling his eyes. So why hadn't it felt complicated?

'Because now your paying attention.' John heard Sam's voice say in the back of his mind.

And wasn't that the truth. In the past, he had been so focused on revenge and hunting, he had forgotten to pay attention to his kids. Forgotten to pay attention to the way Sam would ask for his help on homework, then turn to Dean when he didn't answer. Far to engrossed in research of what he was hunting, or finding a pattern to find the demon. Forgotten to ask Dean how school was going, if he was dating anyone. Or how Dean would clam up when he did find the time, but asked if he was dating a girl and not just a person. How both his children seemed to function around him, as if he wasn't there when getting ready for school because they had been alone so often they developed their own routine, and he just got in the way of it.

How, even when he was home, Dean would be the one to cook, or clean. He would be the one to make Sam wash up for dinner, or take a bath for school the next morning. Yet somehow still finding time to help John with his work. Or maybe forced to help would be a better word, John thought. Remembering how he would act when they expressed interest in something else or when he was drunk.

He picked up the book, turning back to the page he had been on. He had fallen asleep before finishing it, the information contained in the pages giving a view of what Sam's life had been before he had picked up hunting. He'd had tried to keep in touch with his friends. John wondering what had stopped him from continuing. The life was to dangerous probably.

He sighed, this was just a distraction. He should talk to his son, or even the guy he was sleeping with. Get to understand what it was that was going on. Dean had admitted that he was in love with the guy. Guy, John groaned looking up at the sky. He supposed he was probably never getting grandchildren now. Unless of course Sam found someone, but then again, he hadn't found anyone after Mary, so odds are Sam was having just as much trouble after Jessica.

He closed the book and set it down on the desk in his room. He would get back to that later. He walked down the hall to his oldest's room, briefly forgetting that since they where out, so to speak, there was no need to hide their relationship. That is until he opened the door, finding his son spooning with Castiel. He shut the door quickly, remembering Castiel's throwing abilities, and did not want to be on the receiving end of that. Not doubting that he would have been if he'd taken a single step inside.

He rubbed a hand down his face, letting out a frustrated huff. He was going to have to remember that his son was an adult, with a private life, and he couldn't do that anymore. Not if he wanted to avoid some very awkward situations.

There you go, another chapter. Sorry this one has come a week later, but I'm afraid that I will have to start updating every other week now. New job is taking up alot of my energy, and I have to work every other weekend. I'm deeply sorry about it, but I have real life responsibilities that are sucking the life out of me.

In the meantime, I hope you are enjoying the story, and will continue to read. Reviews always help me to find the energy to take time and write. So please keep them coming.

Have a nice day.