Chapter 4
"This is so unfair!"
"Son, you stop that tone of voice with me right now or,"
"Why can't I go? Everyone else is going!" The youngest Winchester yelled, stomping his little feet.
"Sammy, please, calm down," Dean implored, trying to diffuse the quickly charging atmosphere, knowing how fast this could get out of hand. His brother and father always knew how to press each others' buttons, even from when Sammy was still quite small. Dean, in the absence of their mom, had learned to serve as a buffer but that didn't mean he was always successful.
"No Dean, he just doesn't give a shit," Sammy pointed a small, rigid finger at their dad.
"Watch your language, young man," their dad's thunderous voice echoed through the kitchen (and Dean could make out the slight slur to his voice and that was never a good sign).
"Sammy, listen," Dean leaned down, putting him at eye level with his brother. "We just don't have the money to let you go on that trip, you should understand that."
"And whose fault is that, Dean?" Sam said while glaring at their dad who was glaring back at his youngest.
"Sammy," the older brother hissed, warning evident in his voice but too late.
"Samuel Winchester, I will NOT be spoken to like that, and …."
"I'm not stupid," Sammy all but shouted now. "I know where all the money goes, hard to miss the empty bottles."
'Oh god', was all that went through Dean's head, immediately followed by 'shut up Sammy'. He could see their dad go red in the face and wished it was from embarrassment but knew it was from hot rage that was fast building. There was a reason Dean never brought up any alcohol related issues. Also, a part of him broke at that moment. As much as he hated to see his dad and his brother fight, and there had been plenty of those in the past, the fact that Sammy knew; knew about the drinking, despite Dean's best efforts to cover up any slips on their old man's behalf, made him feel sick. All he wanted was for his brother to have a 'normal' childhood, whatever the hell that actually was, and not having to deal with and worry about stuff he shouldn't need to.
Their father had been doing so well, but Dean had suspected for a while that he had started hitting the bottle again, round about the time of the anniversary of their mom's death. Really, he should have seen it coming and he cursed himself for having been so stupid, for having believed that things had actually improved for good and letting his guard slip.
"Sammy, come on, don't be like that, you know the times are tough." He tried again to calm his brother down, who was going full-on tantrum on their dad now.
"Dean, stay out of this, I can handle my son." Their father snapped at him and Dean flinched, quickly shutting his mouth.
"And you, young man," John was talking a step closer to Sam. "You are grounded for disrespecting your father, and there will be NO trip, because it's a pointless trip anyway, ferrying a bunch of ten year olds halfway around the state just to look at some animals."
"But it's part of the curriculum," Sammy protested.
"You can look up anything you need to know on the internet, it's called research."
"But I want to go," Sammy whined, angry tears staining his face.
"You're not going and that is the end of this discussion. Go to your room now and don't dare come out until I tell you to."
"I hate you, I wish you were dead!" Sammy shouted as he raced up the stairs and banged the door.
Those words cut Dean like a dagger had been plunged in his heart. No matter what, you do not wish one of your parents dead. Especially with the loss of one of them still haunting the house. Maybe he should be thankful that Sammy appeared to have gotten over/dealt well with the loss of their mom, quite possibly having been too young to remember the good times, the way this house was just different, warmer while their mom was still around. But Dean felt the loss, sometimes felt like he had lost two parents that day, despite one of them standing right in front of him. John was clenching his jaw and was clearly fighting with himself not to storm after his youngest son. Dean just stood frozen to the spot, looking at his dad warily.
"What?" John snapped.
"Nothing," Dean said trying not to sound as defensive as he felt right now. He knew better than to wave a red flag in front of an angry bull.
"You got something to say, say it to my face, be a man."
"No, everything is alright, sir." Dean straightened up, swallowed down the myriad of emotions whirling inside of him and gave his dad a firm nod.
"Good." With that his dad opened the cupboard and pulled out a bottle of JD, pouring a generous helping into a glass. Dean wanted nothing more than to take that bottle out of his hand and smash it into a thousand pieces, but he knew where that would lead. He could feel angry tears welling up, and needed to get out of here. Crying was for babies and girls, as his dad would remind him, if he ever saw him cry that was.
"May I leave?" he asked, trying to keep his voice level.
His dad turned around, looking for a second like he had forgotten his son was actually there with him.
"Oh, yes you may. I will have to be in work at 6 though, so be back by then, Sammy will need you."
Dean could only hope that that was the truth at least, and that their dad managed to hold on to his job, but without rocking the boat further there was no sure way of finding out. But him drinking at this time of day was not a good sign. Dean nodded as he left the room in as calm a fashion as he could muster, although the wanted nothing more than to run, which he did as soon as he opened the front door.
The cool spring air hit him and he realised it was raining but he didn't care. He just needed some air and to work off his frustration, the overload of emotions that was making him feel like he wanted to punch something. He felt bad for leaving Sammy behind but he would be fine in his room, brooding, and Dean just needed to clear his head.
Not knowing where to go he just started to run down the road and revelling in the first feeling of burn in his lungs as he started to sprint way too fast. He poured every ounce of his anger, his frustration, his feeling of helplessness into each pounding press of his shoes against the tarmac, propelling him forward faster. He had no idea when tears had started to fall, but he could feel the wetness against his cheeks, and not all of that was from the slight smattering of rain. All he wanted was for his dad and his brother to get along, for whatever was left of his family to be a unit and not to feel like it was constantly him against the world. How could he function with the fear of his family falling apart at the seams?
"Dean?" a voice made him come to a stop, taking in big gulps of air as he turned and looked into familiar blue eyes.
"Are you ok?" Castiel asked concerned, leaning out of the rolled down window of his car, having come to a stop next to the boy.
"I – yes I'm ok," Dean said flatly, looking away from Cas and quickly giving his eyes a rub with his hands.
"Dean," Cas gave him one of those looks that call 'bullshit'. Dean should really give him more credit than that. He knew he lacked in social skills but he had spent enough time with the thirteen year old to be able to read his moods. "What is wrong?"
"Nothing," Dean grunted, he did not want to talk about this, talking about feelings was for sissies, also it would just make the whole thing somehow seem more real, and Dean could do without that.
Castiel kept piercing him with his gaze, with those eyes that had it in them to unnerve him in ways no one else managed. Dean shifted uncomfortably, but to his relief Cas just nodded his head after a second, although Dean had a feeling he wasn't fooled.
"Get in; you're going to get soaked." Castiel motioned to the passenger side and Dean suddenly became aware of how ridiculous he must look, running down the street in the rain, without a jacket and he was sure, despite his best efforts, that his eyes were red rimmed. And as much as part of him didn't want the company, just wanted to be alone with all his misery, another part just felt a natural pull towards the man and his warm, concerned smile, like he actually cared about him and Dean hated himself for still doubting Castiel on occasion. He had proven time and time again that he, for whatever crazy reason, really did care about him and Sammy.
"Ok," he tried to force a smile and walked around the back of the car sitting himself down next to Castiel.
There was an uncomfortable silence spreading between them, as Dean just stared out the window, which was fast steaming up thanks to his damp clothes and Castiel looked at Dean, studying the boy like he was one of his university projects he needed to work out. He was pretty sure that something had shaken up the boy real bad. Also he was wondering why Dean was not actually at school, but he had come to know Dean, and probing for information would just get the opposite result. Maybe all Dean needed was a friendly face and not some inquisition.
"Hungry?"
"What?" Dean's head turned, looking at Cas surprised. Where did that come from?
"I don't know about you but I haven't had any lunch yet and could do with a bite to eat."
"Aren't you - busy?" Dean took in Castiel's attire, all official, shirt and tie and some kind of brownie type blazer, that really made him look like the nutty professor Dean liked to think of him as.
"Not really. I was just on my way home. I survived my first lecture today."
"Oh, so are you like, a proper professor now?"
Castiel laughed. "No, that is still a few years in the making, and wholly dependent on me actually ever finishing that thesis of mine."
"But, you like work on that thesis night and day." And quite possibly Dean should be questioning the fact that he knew this, but there was no point really. He had spent quite a few Saturday afternoons during the winter months, curled up on the armchair in Castiel's study, reading (he had admitted defeat in that department, so he enjoyed reading certain books, shoot him!) and watching Castiel work, switching between typing furiously on his laptop and leafing through book after book. Sometimes Sammy had joined him, sitting at his feet and absorbed in one of his own books, but other times he had been off doing artsy stuff with Amelia, and if Dean thought about it too much he probably would start panicking at how domestic their whole interaction with the Novak's had become. Dean, on more than one occasion had wanted to ask Castiel, why they put up with him and his brother, but for fear of putting the spotlight on the situation and make them change their minds, he never did.
"Well, it will be about 800 pages when all done so," Castiel carried on, not aware of Dean's little trip down memory lane.
"800 pages!" Dean's eyes went comically wide. "How on earth can anyone write that much?"
"See, right there, that is my predicament," Castiel chuckled, giving Dean a lopsided grin.
"Yeah, I can imagine, rather you than me." Dean shook his head in horror, 800 pages! That was sheer madness.
"So, food? I know this real nice place just off campus; somehow you strike me as the burger and fries kind of guy."
Dean perked up at that. "Hell yeah, I always have room for a burger."
#
Castiel had to park the car a few streets away as the diner was literally just off campus, which was buzzing with life and Dean was almost overwhelmed by the sheer amount of people. He let the whole scene sink in as they walked amongst the crowds, this was Castiel's domain, and it felt like a whole different world to his.
He was clad in Cas' beige trenchcoat (he had replaced the old one with an almost identical one to everyone's great amusement) which Cas had insisted on him wearing as it was still drizzling with rain and he already looked like a 'wet dog'. Dean was sure his appearance was absolutely ridiculous in this thing but he was too comfortable to care. The coat almost felt like a safe cocoon, wrapped safely around him, and he knew it sounded stupid (and girly) even in his own head, but he really liked wearing something that belonged to the older man. On a few occasions students greeted Cas with a "Hello Mr Novak," and it sounded so weird in Dean's ears, he had trouble trying not to laugh.
Cas steered them across the big square area, down the road and through the door of what at first glance looked more like a coffee shop than a diner but the delicious smell of fried food left no room for doubt.
"Good afternoon, Mr Novak. Table for two?" A girl in her early twenties approached them, smiling brightly.
"Good afternoon, Janine, yes please." Cas nodded politely and followed Janine to a table in the corner, Dean close behind.
She handed them the menus and left them to decide.
"So, you come here often then?" Dean asked smiling.
"Guilty as charged." Cas held up his hands in surrender. "I admit to having a weakness for red meat, something I'm afraid Amelia doesn't share, so whenever I need a 'fix' I come here."
Dean chuckled at the thought of Cas 'addicted' to anything, let alone red meat, at the same time being very pleased that this was something they shared. He studied the menu before realising that Cas hadn't even bothered to open his and raised an eyebrow at him in question.
"Oh, I know what I want - I am a creature of habit, I'm afraid. But if you want my advice, the cheeseburger is exceptionally tasty here." Cas winked, feeling his stomach doing a little flip at the thought of just such a burger.
"That what you're having?"
"Most definitely."
"Well, make that two then." Dean smiled and Cas waved over their waitress to place their order.
"The usual for you, I take it," she was batting her eyelashes at Cas, and Dean could feel a weird coiling in his stomach. Did that woman have no decency; Cas was married as could be clearly seen from the ring on his finger.
"Yes, thank you Janine,"
"And, for your – "
"Oh, this is Dean, and he is a very good friend of mine." Castiel stated like it should be a commonly known fact.
"Hello Dean, what can I get for you?" She gave him a sugary 'oh, aren't you adorable' grin and Dean put on the best cocky smile he could muster.
"The same as Cas," he said, feeling smug at the way her eyes temporarily zoned in on him at the pet name he had for his 'friend'. But she caught her composure fast enough and went back to making ogly eyes at Cas.
"You want any drinks to go with that."
"Americano with milk on the side please, and - Dean?"
"Oh, erm, strawberry milkshake if that's ok." Dean asked looking at Cas.
"Of course it is, that is all thank you Janine."
"I will be back with your drinks in a minute," she smiled before leaving the two of them to it.
Dean was staring at his hands that were playing with the hem of his shirt. Castiel could see that something was on his mind.
"Dean?" he asked. Dean brought his face up to meet his gaze, a small and way too timid smile for him on his face.
"So, we're- friends?" he had been rather surprised by the use of that word by Cas and needed a moment to mill that over in his head.
"Yes, we are friends. Unless – you think it rather un-cool to have an old 'dude' like me for a friend." Cas' face lit up, clearly teasing, his eyes crinkling at the sides.
"You're not OLD," Dean protested, smiling back at Cas.
"Well, thank you, Dean. So, I take that as a 'yes' then." Dean nodded his head enthusiastically. He didn't really have many friends; it had always been easier and safer to keep to himself. He and Sammy, that was normally his world. Now suddenly he had Cas, and Amelia of course, he quickly added as an afterthought.
"And friends normally do tell each other what's going on, what's on their mind," Cas said leaning back in his seat a bit and feeling Dean's gaze on him, and could see his body going rigid even as Cas spoke.
"Like right now, I can tell you that I am not looking forward to being reunited with my siblings at Easter. I am still licking my wounds from Christmas." Quite literally, Cas thought. It had taken him weeks to get Gabriel and his silly accusations out of his head. He had noticed how he had started to keep his distance not just from Dean but from Sammy as well, and he had hated his brother for it. It really only took a few words to poison the mind. Only with time and reasoning did he get to the point of seeing Gabriel's accusations exactly for what they were, just another way of unsettling him, of reminding him that he 'knew' and would not let him forget. Also he realised that he really did care for these boys, almost like the little brothers he always wanted and never had. And screw his brother but that could never be a bad thing.
"That I can understand, they seem rather full on!" Dean had other words in mind for Cas' brothers but didn't want to be insulting.
"And you only met two of them." Cas' fingers carded through his hair, making it stand up in his telltale just out of bed style, made worse by the hair having been slightly damp from the rain.
"Tell me about them. I mean – if you want to?" Dean asked nervously.
Cas nodded in agreement. "Well, you met Balthazar, the oldest and Gabriel, second in line, already. Then there's…"
Castiel was interrupted by Janine returning with their drinks and placing them in front of them, informing them with her usual chirpy voice that the food wouldn't be too long.
Dean took a big slurp of his milkshake through the straw while watching Castiel methodically placing just the right amount of milk onto his americano, followed by a heaped teaspoon of sugar, giving it a stir with the spoon before taking a big sip. His eyes were closing as he savoured the taste, and Dean just stared. Cas really did like his coffee judging by the way his whole face suddenly looked contented and happy and Dean really liked that look on the man's face.
"You really like this stuff," he chuckled as Castiel opened his eyes again, a small moan escaping him.
"Yes."
"So, brothers," Dean changed the subject when he realised he was still staring at Cas and could feel his stupid face heat up for no apparent reason.
"Ah yes, Raphael, he's the third oldest, or third youngest, whichever way you look at it, I guess. He is adopted. Our parents went on an extended trip to Africa and while there, adopted one of the homeless children they were looking after. Maybe that is why he and his wife have gone back over there, to give something back."
Dean nodded his head, glued to Cas' lips and willing him to go on. He really wanted to know about Castiel's family and what made them tick. Especially why they treated Cas the way they did.
"Then there's the only girl, Anna, she actually is ok at times, in small doses that it. And finally… there's little old me, the afterthought. I guess, they didn't want to call me an accident." Castiel suddenly sounded rather bitter, but having been born when both their parents had been well into their forties and with already four kids, he could never quite shake that underlying feeling that he all but upset the perfect family symmetry. Being six years younger than his next sibling also didn't help that thought. Although of course, his parents to their dying days would deny that and call him 'God's gift late in life'.
"Castiel," Dean exclaimed and, in a very untypical gesture for him, grabbed the other man's hand and squeezing it firmly. He was shocked by the way the older man looked so hurt for a moment, like he really believed himself to be an accident and it made Dean want to hunt his family down and give them a piece of his mind. "Don't ever say that about yourself again. You're the best thing that has ever happened to me – and Sammy." Dean was shocked at his own words but wouldn't want to take them back, because it was the truth.
"Sorry, Dean, I should not make you bear my burdens," Castiel quickly said, audibly shutting his mouth. He had definitely shared too much. It was just, he forgot for a second that this was a thirteen year old teenager he was talking to and not someone closer to his own age. Just his whole personality and demeanour at times made him appear older than he actually was.
"No, Cas, as you said that's what friends are for, right."
"Right, beaten with my own weapons," Castiel laughed and conceded defeat. He gave Dean's hand a squeeze in thanks (suddenly realising that he was still holding on to it) before retracting his own hand.
"So, that makes it your turn now. What happened earlier? My guess is it has something to do with Sammy?"
The 'I don't want to talk about it' was already forming on his lips but he instantly felt bad for closing up again. Instead he stared at his milkshake and gave a nod.
He felt Cas' gaze on him but other than that the man didn't do or say anything which gave him time to gather his courage.
"Is just- Sammy has this trip coming up and we haven't got the money to go and then he got really upset and him and dad fought, and he said some really hurtful things, which…" Dean gulped, briefly looking at Cas before looking away again. "It made me think of mom and, god Cas, I miss her so much sometimes." Dean sighed, taking a deep breath to get himself under control again.
Castiel gave him a minute to compose himself, but also because he really needed the time to decide what to say or do. Dean was visibly fighting with his emotions and Castiel didn't want to put him over the edge, or make him angry and for him to clam up again.
"'S stupid I know; she died like three years ago - no, four by now, and..."
"Dean, it is ok. Don't put that pressure on yourself. Grief has no timetable and of course you would still miss her, probably still will for some time to come. She was your mom after all."
Dean took the paper napkin and blew his nose but otherwise managed to keep any tears at bay. It was like a big weight just suddenly lifted off his shoulders. Someone telling him it was ok to still feel like this even after all this time felt so good. Also, it was nice to be able to talk about her at all. Certainly not something he could do with his dad, and as for Sammy, he just tried to make sure his brother remembered her, the nice things about her, not how big a hole she had left in their lives.
"Thank you," Dean hated how small and raspy his voice sounded but he gave Dean a small smile anyway.
"That is what friends are for, right." Cas echoed the boy's earlier words.
"Guess so," Dean smiled to himself. It felt nice being here like that with Cas. He was treating him like an equal not just like some stupid kid or a waste of space like most other people.
"And Dean, I know you will say 'no' but think of it from Sammy's perspective. I would, would you allow for me to pay for his trip, please."
"What? No – I mean, Cas,"
"Dean I know, you don't like charity and if you want you can 'work' it off again," Cas was using those air quotes again, that just made him look even more nerdy than usual and Dean could feel his resolve melt. It would be for Sammy.
"Ok," he said before he could change his mind. "Ok, yes," grinning at Cas. "Sammy will be so thrilled." He had no idea what he would tell his dad yet, maybe he would have to fake the signature on the slip, again. Something he had gotten rather good at over time, but now he was even more determined that Sammy would go.
"Ah there is our food, finally. God, I am rather famished now." Castiel unfolded his napkin and to Dean's great amusement spread it over his lap, giving Dean one of his quizzical looks at what had him so amused all of a sudden. Dean just shook his head and picked up the burger (without placing the napkin anywhere, it already had had previous use anyway) and taking a big bite.
"Gawd, Cas, dads gowd," he managed to get out around a mouthful of food. Castiel just smiled knowingly before picking up his burger and taking a rather modest bite in comparison.
They ate in silence for a minute, Castiel growing more and more amused by the way Dean just seemed to hover up his food.
"Dean, don't forget to breathe," he teased.
"Dude, sorry, but living with Sammy, you either eat fast or you don't eat." Dean gave as way of explanation before tucking back in.
Cas just shook his head laughing before focussing his attention back on his own food.
#
It was just before 6 when Castiel pulled onto the drive of his house. As he got out his eyes fell on Dean's house opposite, or more precisely on to the big pick up truck that was parked in front of the Impala.
"You expect visitors?" He asked before realising that that was actually none of his business. Dean's eyes followed where Cas was looking.
"Bobby!" he shouted excitedly, all his trouble with his dad forgotten. "That's Bobby's truck. Come on Cas, you have to meet him." And he grabbed Cas by the hand and dragged him across the street and Cas, to his own surprise, let himself be dragged, shaking his head.
Dean opened the front door, big grin spreading over his face at the sight of the gruff old man, Sammy plastered to his leg like his life depended on it.
"Bobby!"
"Hey son," Bobby smiled, striding across the room and engulfing Dean in a big strong hug. "So good to see you kid."
"What are you doing here?"
"Was in the neighbourhood. Had to take care of some business and thought I'd drop in to say hello. In fact, I'm going to spend the night, as I'm getting too old for these one day return trips." He took of his tattered base ball cap, giving his thinning hair a good brush with his hands before putting it back on.
Castiel stood awkwardly in the doorway, feeling surplus to requirement at this little family reunion. Before long though, Bobby's eyes met with the figure shuffling awkwardly near the door. "And who's that?" he said gruffly, eyeing Castiel suspiciously.
"That is Cas- tiel," Dean said smiling and urging Cas to come into the room. At the name Bobby's face relaxed. "Ah, yes, I heard a lot about you, and your wife, from a certain young man," he smiled, pointing at the dead weight of Sammy still attached to his hip, and reached out his hand and shaking it firmly.
"Castiel and Amelia are awesome," Sammy confirmed, grinning.
They were interrupted by John walking in, giving Castiel a 'what are you doing in my house' look but otherwise ignoring him. "I'm off to work, Dean make sure your brother is in bed by 9 and, Bobby, the couch is all yours."
"John, a word," Bobby followed their dad out of the house.
"What?"
"Ok, you know we're friends but I'm not gonna beat about the bush. You know this road you're on is leading nowhere good, and …" John's about to open his mouth in protest but was cut off by Bobby.
"Don't try to fool me. I've known you for how long? And you haven't been right since Mary died but this… this is not the solution; believe me I've been there. God, John, you're going to work drunk!"
John always had a decent amount of respect for Bobby, and that was the only reason he didn't hit him outright. "We're doing just fine," he huffed.
"You can keep fooling yourself if you want, but you deserve more than this. More importantly, your boys deserve better than having a drunk for a dad. So, I'm telling you this as your friend. You better get your shit together or I will make sure these kids get the care they need."
"Bobby," John gritted out in warning.
"Just make sure I won't have to and we're ok." Bobby said giving the man a pat on the back, before turning back into the house, leaving John standing before he could reply.
"My apologies, I didn't want to be rude but had to just sort something out - what is going on here?" Bobby enquired at the way Sammy was literally bouncing off the walls and saying 'Castiel is the best' over and over.
"I'm going on the trip, Castiel is going to pay for it."
Bobby gave first Dean and then Castiel a weighty 'explain' look, and Castiel was sure the man could be mightily intimidating when he wanted to be and made a mental note not to get on his bad side, ever.
Dean stepped up next to Cas, as though he could read his thoughts and quickly gave Bobby the basic outline of what had happened earlier today (leaving out some of the more incriminating details with regards to his father) and ending with that Castiel had offered to pay for the trip.
Bobby again, gave Castiel the once over, as though he was trying to get a reading on him.
"So, let me get this right. You are basically planning to go behind your dad's back and sending Sammy on the trip with money your 'friend' will provide for you."
Dean wanted to flinch away but held Bobby's gaze. "Yes, because Sammy deserves to go," he said defiantly.
"Boy, you know going behind your old man's back will only get you into more trouble."
Both Dean and Sammy's face fell and Dean opened his mouth to protest but Bobby just gave him a quick wave with his hand.
"BUT," he continued, "Let me have a word with him, I'm sure I can change his mind. And how about I and Castiel split the money so I won't exactly be lying when I tell your old man that I will be paying for the trip."
"Bobby you're awesome," Sammy hurled himself at his Uncle and Dean couldn't keep the grin off his face.
"That ok with you?" Bobby turned to address Castiel.
"Yes, of course - and I have to apologise, I hadn't even considered the fact that Sammy would need his dad's agreement before going on a trip when I offered to pay. In my defence I can only say that I am not really used to dealing with children and schools and all that entails." Castiel felt really stupid for almost having made Dean's whole situation at home a whole lot worse, as unintentional as that would have been.
Bobby gave him an understanding nod. "So that's sorted, who wants to order pizza for tonight?" Both Dean and Sammy gave him an enthusiastic 'yes' in reply.
"Cas? You want to stay for pizza?" Dean asked, mentally crossing his fingers that he would say yes.
"Thank you for the invitation, but I'm afraid I will have to go home and check up on my wife." Cas said with a smile. He actually felt a bit bad for being home so late. With both him and Amelia working and studying, time together sometimes was hard to come by and Castiel knew that today was Amelia's day off. He better go and cook something nice for her or otherwise prove that he hadn't turned into some deadbeat husband.
Dean couldn't help but feel a bit dejected by Cas' leaving but he had Sammy and Bobby and this day that had started out so badly had done a 180 and would end on a good note, and he was grateful for it.
"Ok Cas, thanks again for – you know the burger and stuff." Dean had wanted to say 'being my friend' but there was only so much he would admit out loud in front of his brother and Bobby.
But Cas seemed to get it anyway if the way he smiled at him as he waved goodbye was anything to go by.
"Walk you to the door. You two, choose your pizzas from the menu," Bobby instructed before following Castiel and stopping him by putting a hand on his shoulder.
"I just wanted to say thank you to your and your wife for looking out for these boys," the old man said once the brothers were out of earshot.
"Is nothing, Mr-"
"Call me Bobby, please" Castiel nodded, giving the man a small smile.
"We like having them around, they are good kids."
"And don't I know it. It's just their life hasn't been easy since their mom died and as much as I would like to I cannot be around all the time to make sure they're ok. Sammy seemed to be particularly taken with your wife, and the boys could do with a woman's touch in their lives. So it's good to know there are people looking out for them."
Castiel could only nod in agreement, as this new truth hit him. He had always suspected things not to be easy for the boys but to have someone confirm this and to thank him for making their life better filled him with equal amounts of dread and warmth.
"You should really come over and meet Amelia," he blurted out before he could think about it, but it felt like this man, their adopted uncle had given them an unspoken task to do and it felt only right for him to meet his wife.
"I will have to be on my way tomorrow but if it's not too much bother I might come knocking on the door just to introduce myself."
"That would be agreeable," Castiel said holding out his hand. Bobby took it, giving it a firm shake before going back inside to attend to the Winchester boys.
Castiel walked the short distance over to his house, still a bit overwhelmed but smiling. It felt good to be able to be a positive influence in someone else's life, and while he felt bad for having neglected his wife today, he was also sure he would do it again in a heartbeat. Dean had needed someone, the boy was carrying too much on his small shoulders. How much that really was, he had become only too aware after the little chat with Bobby. Also, despite their clear age difference, he had meant it when he said he considered Dean a friend and he was determined to be there for him and his brother. He was sure Amelia would understand.