Chapter 2

"I'm not sure about this, Sammy," Dean shuffled uneasily from one foot to the other.

"Don't be silly, I'm sure they won't mind," Sammy smiled encouragingly at his older brother.

"I really don't know. Showing up in the evening... their private time is a helluva lot different from coming around to help on a Saturday."

Sammy just rolled his eyes and in his youthful exuberance knocked on the door before Dean could stop him.

"Sammy!" Dean hissed. He loved his little brother but sometimes he could throttle him, like right now. This had all been the crazy dork's idea anyway and he should have just told him to stuff it. But before he could entertain that thought any further, the door opened and Dean was met with the piercing blue eyes of Castiel.

"Hello Dean," Castiel said by way of greeting. Of course, Sammy had taken that moment to hide behind him. 'Thanks bro', Dean thought as he cleared his throat nervously.

"Uh, hello Castiel," Dean stammered, which caused the older man's mouth to curl into a small smile.

"And hello to you too, Sammy." Even without actually seeing the kid, Castiel knew that he must be around here somewhere. There was no way Dean would turn up anywhere without his 'shadow'. Despite kids in general still mainly remaining a mystery to him, he had worked out that much about the two brothers.

"Hi, Castiel." He caught a glance of Sammy popping his head round the side, ribbing Dean in the thigh, and giggling.

"Can I help you with something?" His curiosity was truly spiked now. The Winchester boys had become somewhat of a feature during Saturdays in their home but they had never showed up during the week, in the evening none the less.

"Eh, yes actually, but, I know it's late and, it was just, but really you're probably busy and that's fine. We don't want to bother you and…"

"DEAN," Sammy interrupted, rolling his eyes. How was a small person like that even able to pull that 'you're so slow' look off? Castiel's gaze darted between them, brows furrowed, looking like he was trying to solve the world's greatest puzzle, with small lines appearing on his scrunched up forehead. If Dean wasn't so nervous and still internally cussing at himself for listening to his kid brother, he would say Castiel looked almost cute, if a scruffy man of his age could be called that, and Dean would never even want to call someone, anyone, that. Puppies and kittens and his dorky brother were cute, not some married, who knows how old, men!

Castiel cleared his throat and nodded encouragingly at Dean, who was still staring. But that little rasp finally got his vocal chords to work again.

"It's, I need to do some homework on the internet but we just had a power cut and well, our laptop is not working as a result."

"Power cut?" Castiel asked confused, letting his eyes roam the row of houses, all of which displayed various degrees of lighting.

"Or a blown fuse, I don't know, just the power is gone and I really wouldn't ask if it wasn't urgent, I'm sorry."

Castiel had a feeling there was more to the 'no power' situation than just a blown fuse. His most likely guess would be that they got cut off, as, even with his limited knowledge concerning their family situation, he would guess that their dad had been without a job for at least a couple of months now and Castiel had been wondering how they had managed to pay their bills. Maybe Winchester Senior did have some savings and used those. He had mainly stuck to the man's request of minding his own business but that didn't keep him from thinking on their situation, especially with the way the boys seemed to become a fairly big part in Amelia's and his life. Well, not being able to solve the bigger issues, he at least could focus on the task at hand.

"Of course, Dean. Come in and I will set up the laptop for you in the kitchen. Sammy, would you like a hot chocolate while your brother does his homework?"

"Yes, please!" Sam shouted excitedly and bounced into the house not needing an official invitation.

Castiel went upstairs to get his laptop from his bedroom and headed back down, surprised at his own lack of annoyance at having his own work interrupted.

"Apologies Sammy, you will have to put up with my hot-chocolate makings skills; Amelia is still at the university. Just a fair warning, I don't normally prepare this kind of beverage."

"I can do it. I make it at home all the time," Sammy said proudly.

"That is acceptable," Castiel nodded and got the milk and chocolate powder down for the younger Winchester. He was warming up to these boys and had started to feel a bit less awkward around them. Like with everything in life, practice apparently did make perfect.

"Dean, would you care for a drink?"

Dean chuckled and smiled at Castiel. He had never met anyone that talked like this guy. It was like straight out of some old movie. The fact that Dean was relaxed enough to actually laugh so freely in the man's presence should have had him concerned. He didn't normally let his guard down this easy. He couldn't allow himself to, with having to make sure Sammy's ok, and that his dad wouldn't have to worry needlessly about them. His dad had enough to struggle with already. Yet, sometimes it was nice to just feel normal.

"I'll have some lemonade if there is any, thanks," he replied while getting out his notebook and pen, waiting for the laptop to start up. He observed Castiel as he poured some lemonade and then continued to make coffee for himself, the smell of which soon filling the kitchen. Dean realised he rather liked the smell of coffee. Maybe he would have to try drinking it one of these days, he contemplated as he pulled out his notebook and pen, groaning quietly. Homework was definitely something he could do without.

#

An hour later, Castiel made acquaintance with Dean's temperamental side, when his notebook flew across the room, accompanied by a frustrated, "I just don't get this, who needs this crap anyway," and promptly getting up off his chair and pacing the room.

Castiel had brought his own work down and sat at the other end of the table, with Sammy between them seemingly engrossed in a Harry Potter book. They both looked up, startled by the sudden outburst. But Sammy quickly found his composure again and returned to reading his book and Castiel guessed by his reaction that this was not the first time Dean felt challenged by his school work. Something he could not relate to in the slightest. He had always loved his work and loved the challenge of learning new things. But then again, he always had people he could ask for help when he got stuck, and Castiel was not so sure that this was the case for Dean. Also, he didn't know what to say. He did not want to exacerbate Dean's anger but to just ignore him felt wrong too.

"Can I have a look?" he asked calmly and to his relief Dean picked up the notebook and handed it over to him. "Feel free to knock yourself out." Dean's voice was still holding frustration and a fair amount of sarcasm in it and maybe Castiel should not let his tone of voice slip, but to tell him off for it would make him feel too much like his dad, and he had sworn to never turn into his old man.

Maths, more precisely algebra. Not Castiel's strong point but he had achieved a decent enough understanding of the subject. Part of it was solving some equations, and the second part was to answer an online test on the subject. He checked over what Dean had done so far, and saw where he had gone wrong. It was an easy mistake, most likely due to tiredness rather than lack of understanding.

Dean was hovering next to Castiel, seemingly calmer now and looking over his shoulder at the offending piece of paper.

"Do you want me to explain things to you?"

"Just say it. I'm not good at this maths business." Dean sounded so convinced of his own statement that Castiel felt a pang of rage. Not directed at anyone in particular (although Dean's dad did pop into his head), but more at the world in general. Just how could a boy who clearly was bright and on top of that one of the most caring people Castiel has ever met, think so little of himself? Someone down the line must have messed up bad. Dean clearly needed to have his confidence boosted and it should be the job of his parents and teachers, and Castiel couldn't shake the feeling that he just was not getting that. And a new protective streak that he had not previously known he possessed made itself known.

"No Dean. That was not what I meant. In fact, you started off really well, demonstrating a good understanding of the subject, just here…" he pointed at the line where things had started to go wrong.

"You didn't do the calculations in the right order and then afterwards, things didn't add up anymore, literally." Castiel motioned for Dean to sit down and felt the tension he hadn't even realised had built in his body, evaporate when the boy did, pulling up a chair and letting him explain things. He felt a not so small amount of pride for the older brother when he got it straight away and was able to finish the equations without any more outbursts.

Dean was halfway through his online test, when Amelia arrived home and smiled at the scene in front of her, not even questioning why the brothers where here. It was evident that they were doing homework, well Dean was, Sammy was wrapped up in a book, and her husband was buried behind his own stack of literature, making good use of his marker pen, as he tried to read three books simultaneously.

She knew she was allowing herself to get rather too attached to those boys but who could resist their charm, especially Sammy, with his unruly hair and exuberance for every moment, despite not having been dealt the best cards in life. But most of all it made her happy how Castiel had thawed; literally coming out of his shell that he had a tendency to hide behind Most noticeably, he didn't seem to mind having his routine interrupted quite so much anymore. It was something she had gently been trying to work on for a long time already. She counted that as a good sign. A win all around.

She made the boys some more hot chocolate while Dean finished off his test before sending the Winchesters home for the night.

#

Sometimes it still surprised Amelia and Castiel how fast the two brothers had become a part of their lives and how easily they had slotted themselves into their routine. After that night, the boys came round more regularly and the sight of either Sammy or Dean sitting in their kitchen doing homework was commonplace. But it was exactly for that reason that Castiel and Amelia were concerned for the Winchester boys and the apparent lack of involvement in their lives on their father's part. As much as they loved having them around, it did make them wonder what exactly it was their dad got up to and whether the kids were getting all the care and attention they needed.

But the one time they had as much as hinted at the idea of maybe getting some official agency involved to see if there is any help, financial or otherwise, that their dad could receive, Dean had gotten angry and defensive, only calming down when Sammy begged him to. He had told them in no uncertain terms that they didn't need any help, they managed just fine, and further, they didn't know their dad. Arguing that he was a good dad, just trying his best, and who was ever going to get things right 100% of the time anyway and who were they to judge. Then he stormed out, uncharacteristically leaving Sammy with them, coming back an hour later and literally dragging his brother back to their house, with a very loud "Let's go home, dad made us some dinner!", aimed at the two adults in the room.

Castiel had no idea whether that was actually the truth or not, but he had to admit that the comment stung just a little bit. More than it probably should. After all they were not their family. But was trying to help them and make sure they were ok really such a bad thing? Maybe that was why his parents always insisted on not getting involved in other people's business. And in the end, the boys' dad did provide a roof over their heads and food on the table as far as they knew. They spent the rest of the evening talking about it, and decided, for now, to let it go but to keep their options open should there ever be any indication of things being less than ok. After all, 'douchebag' in and off itself did probably not qualify as neglect.

Then, the next day Sammy was back just to say "Hi" like nothing had happened (and to probably get one of those hot chocolates he liked so much). Of course, wherever Sammy was, his brother was not far behind. When he came into the house Sammy gave him one of those looks, and Dean actually apologised for his outburst (although it was apparent that it didn't come naturally to him) and just like that, they were back to normal.

#

It was raining outside. One of those real miserable early winter days, where the best thing would be to stay inside and wrap yourself up with some blankets and a hot drink, watching trashy television. Regardless, Dean and Sammy braved the elements to make the short walk across the road to the Novak house. Their dad was out, actually working for real and bringing in some well needed cash. Dean hoped this job would last longer than the last one, never quite giving up hope that their dad would manage to pull himself out of whatever hole he had fallen into.

They had 'worked off' the window a long time ago, yet spending Saturdays around Amelia's and Castiel's house had become somewhat of a ritual, helping here and there, doing their homework or just watching TV. Best of all, they were being fed and watered in the process. Dean knew Sammy loved this time of the week and if he would be really honest, he himself had started to look forward to Saturdays. Of course, he would justify that with having Sammy's best interests at heart, not because he enjoyed the warmth and attention, something that generally was lacking in their lives ever since that day, the day his life had changed forever.

Amelia's thoughts must have been along similar lines to Dean's with regards to what to do with a day like this, as once they were safely inside and the front door was firmly shut, she gently shoved them in the direction of the living room, where a fire was burning, giving the room a nice warm glow, and telling them to just sit down and watch some TV or choose a movie as, really, in this weather there was not much else to do.

"Castiel around?" Dean asked absent-mindedly and really, had no idea why he asked. He had not started to get attached to the weird man and his even weirder ways, of course not. Dean didn't do that kind of attachment. He was just used to seeing him around on Saturdays.

"Yes, in the study. In fact, why don't you go and have a look, it's finished now. I'm afraid I will be seeing a lot less of my husband now," Amelia laughed and Dean didn't need to be asked twice. He had helped paint the room, shown Castiel how to put down the fake wood flooring, and he was curious to see the finished product.

"Back in a sec," he informed his brother who already was going through the dvd collection and only grumbled at him in acknowledgement.

Dean stood in the doorway, not being able to muffle the small chuckle that escaped him. Castiel was buried deep between an assortment of books, marker pen in his mouth, and laptop balancing on his knees. He sometimes forgot how nerdy Castiel was. No wonder his little brother was getting on so well with him.

Castiel must have heard him, as he looked up from his book and raised and eyebrow at Dean, mumbling a "wut?" before he realised he still had the pen in his mouth and took it out.

"Like the glasses, you really rock the professor look," Dean smirked, amazed how easy he found conversation with the man at times, especially with him being an adult and all. Dean was used to keeping his distance, but something about Castiel's weird and unusual ways made him well, interesting, would be the right word to say, and that thought kind of left Dean at a loss as to why he would think that.

Then Castiel gave him another of those questioning looks, interlaced with one of his enigmatic, almost-but-not-quite smiles, one half of his upper lip curling up, and Dean all but grinned brightly.

"I shall take that as a compliment," he stated dryly. "So, do you like the finished product?" Castiel gave the small room a big brush with his hand.

Dean let his eyes sweep the room, filled with wall to wall bookshelves, which held more books than he thought possible anyone could read in a life-time, coming to rest on the comfortable armchair and coffee table, also laden with books. He nodded his head in silent appreciation. He could totally see how this would be nerd heaven for someone like Castiel.

"So, this is where you're going to hide out from out on," the teenager said, still standing in the doorway, not sure whether he was allowed into Castiel's holy place.

"Yes, welcome to my world. You know, you can come in if you want," he added after a second when he noticed Dean was hovering, which normally meant he was unsure of the appropriate protocol of action. He prided himself in having gotten better at deciphering those non verbal clues over the months.

Dean nodded and flopped himself down on the cosy armchair that was rested against the far corner of the room, surrounded by bookshelves.

"So what exactly is it you're doing here?" Dean asked after a moment. He had known Castiel for six months now but other than that he was studying something to do with history, he had never really enquired. He had no idea why the sudden interest in what Castiel was doing had surfaced in him (bringing him back to his earlier thought of finding the man 'interesting'), but maybe it was the fact that he and Amelia seemed to care enough about him and Sammy to put up with them when they really didn't need to, that made him realise he should try to get to know them on a more personal level. Hell, Sammy knew probably more about them than he did.

"Well, you would probably mainly call it 'boring stuff'. I am currently researching the influence of medieval lore into modern story telling." He smiled at the way Dean's eyes glossed over, like he was suddenly talking in a different language.

"Sorry, I tend to get carried away," Castiel chuckled.

"Na, it's cool. I mean, I get it, you're passionate about something and … just I never saw the appeal in digging around in the past. What's done is done and cannot be changed." Dean shrugged his shoulders.

"And while you're absolutely right, it is also important to bear in mind that we, both as individuals and as society as a whole, learn from our mistakes, grow from the experiences other people and cultures have gone through. You would be surprised how many times the same patterns of human interaction, and failure, seem to be repeating themselves over and over again. The players may change but the concepts and interworkings remain scarily similar. In a way, I'd say we all might be better off as a society if more people heeded and learned from history's mistakes."

Dean let those words sink in. He guessed if you looked at it from that angle, Castiel had a point. He randomly picked up a book that lay on the small table next to the armchair and flipped it open.

"An Introduction to Greek Mythology," he read out loud.

"Oh, this you actually might enjoy," Castiel said enthusiastically.

"I don't do books," Dean replied even as he flipped open the pages and looked at the first chapter.

"Well, maybe now is the time to try new things. Honestly, most of these stories are the backbones of what you read and see on TV and in movies these days. Mainly the good old fight of good versus evil, trials and tribulations, just set in a different time and place."

Dean huffed, still not convinced but flicked through the first couple of pages regardless and started reading.

Castiel smiled fondly, he always loved to pass on his passion for history. So far Dean had seemed rather disinterested in what exactly it was he was doing, but he was pleased that he seemed to be taking an interest now. When he noticed that Dean had actually started reading for real, he turned back to his own research, a big smile on his face.

#

"Dean."

"Dean!"

"Mhhh," Dean mumbled, still buried in the book and currently reading the story about Odysseus and the Trojan Wars. This stuff wasn't half bad, he had to admit.

"Wow, I never pegged you for a book worm, be careful or Sammy will get jealous," Castiel teased.

"Oh …" Dean looked up from his book, taking in Castiel's amused face and wasn't sure whether to be offended by it or not. He settled on just giving him a cheesy smile, cocking his eyebrow. It would take more than being found out enjoying an actual book to get Dean Winchester flushed.

"What time is it?" Dean asked, feeling a bit disorientated, it was not often he lost track of time like he apparently had.

"It's gone 1pm and Amelia just called us down for some lunch."

"You mean I read for three hours straight?" Dean sounded like this fact offended him.

"Yes." Castiel was unable to hide his smirk at this stage and Dean squirmed.

"Oh my god, please don't tell Sammy! I'll never hear the end of it."

"By the way, where is Sammy?" Castiel only now realised that he had not set eyes on the younger brother all morning. Something that was most unusual, as wherever Dean was, Sammy was always close behind.

"He probably got absorbed in some movie or other, I think he got a bit overwhelmed with all the choices." Dean chuckled finally putting the book down.

"No, Dean, please, keep it." Castiel offered and Dean considered, eyeing he book suspiciously.

"You don't have to, I mean…"

"Dean, take it, please. If you haven't noticed, I might have the odd book to spare," he said smirking at Dean. "And anyway, seeing you enjoy it is worth a lot more than this book."

Dean was speechless for a second and damn, now he did feel flustered. How could someone be as happy over something as simple as seeing someone else enjoy a book? Then he remembered the way he sometimes felt when he watched Sammy absorbed in one of his books, tongue lolling out and looking lost to the world, and he got it. Still, Sammy was his brother and he loved him. But who was he to Castiel? Just a kid that happened to break his window and who he now was stuck with for some reason. Why would he care whether he enjoyed anything?

Dean picked up the book and took a long hard look at it. He was not used to accepting 'charity' from other people, although part of him knew that that was not why Castiel offered the book to him. But it was easier to think of it that way, rather than making himself believe that Castiel actually cared for him in any meaningful way. And part of him felt accepting this would make him be indebted to Castiel. It was ingrained in him not to owe people anything, to be self reliant.

But, for once he actually wanted to find out what would happen with this whole Trojan horse idea and also, if he was being honest, he enjoyed putting a smile of Castiel's face. And he was still looking at him encouragingly. Ah, screw this, he wanted the damn book!

"Thanks," he said and was not able to hide his smile, now that the decision had been made, it felt nice to be given a present and Dean already knew he would be sitting cross-legged on the bed tonight, hidden under the blanket and torch in hand, reading a goddamn book. Once Sammy was asleep, that was. He would not hear the end of it should his brother find out he was actually enjoying reading. He had to uphold his standards after all.