Ben was playing a video game in
the living room when he heard his mother scream and a plate breaking.
Dean came rushing in from the garage slightly oily and holding a wrench.
Ben tentatively edged toward the kitchen where he saw his mother and
the stranger. The stranger was tilting his head at Dean, eyes wide and
staring more intensely at him than the man ever had at Ben. Dean looked
angry, more angry than Ben had ever seen him, including the time Mr
Riley had called Ben's mom a slut. "Castiel, you son of a bitch stop
harassing my family!" Dean yelled at the man.
"I was not harassing
your family Dean, I was merely checking to see if you were all right,"
Castiel said. He hadn't flinched once when Dean was yelling, something
that certainly impressed Ben. "I see your amulet has been returned to
you. I am glad."
"Why are you here, Cas?" Dean asked, suddenly
seeming more tired than the time he had ran that marathon for cancer
research.
"I missed you," Castiel replied softly, a different but no
less intense look coming into his eyes. For a few moments they stared at
each other, unspoken words passing through, and then Dean closed his
eyes and sighed. Castiel stayed for supper, even though he protested
that he didn't need to eat. Dean told him that whether Castiel needed
food or not, he was still going to eat it. After supper, Dean guided
Castiel to the door, arm around his shoulder, and they said goodbye to
each other.
. . .
Weeks past and Castiel no longer followed Ben. Dean seemed restless, and neighbours started to talk about how Dean would drive around the block for hours. Dean started leaving for the weekends, taking salt and coming back with cuts and bruises. Then people started talking about the new man in town. A handsome man with dark hair, blue eyes, and a trench coat. After a month or so they started talking about how the man was only ever seen with Lisa Braeden's boyfriend, whether it be in tacky restaurants or in Dean's car. They started talking about how close the two of them stood together, how Dean left every weekend, how they were seen at motel rooms together. How Dean and Lisa's relationship seemed strained. Dean started leaving during weekdays and he quit his job. Ben noticed how Dean and his mom never really talked too much anymore, how Dean was no longer happy when he was home. Ben saw how Dean longingly looked out of the low window in the living room instead of watching television. A few times Dean came home and he wasn't bruised or cut, just relaxed. Then Ben heard for the first time his mom and Dean fighting. When Dean came into Ben's room to give Ben a hug and tell him he'd see him later, Ben noticed Dean didn't have the amulet on for the first time since he got it back.
. . .
Dean was gone for two months, and Ben was convinced his mother wouldn't let Dean come to his birthday party. And Ben was right. Thankfully, Dean showed up at Ben's school the day after Ben's birthday and took him out for the day. They drove for an hour until they got to an old looking house that had a beat up car in the driveway. Inside of the house was a party Dean had set up for Ben, complete with cake, balloons, and presents. There were three people there besides him and Dean, one of which Ben remembered meeting. There was Castiel, Bobby, and Sam. Sam was sweet and looked nothing like Dean and Bobby was funny. Sam gave Ben the best present; a video game Ben had been pining for all year. Overall it was a fun day and Ben was sad to have to go back. Castiel came with them on the drive home, sitting in the backseat and not saying a word. Every so often Dean would look at Castiel in the rearview mirror and smile fondly. Ben was slightly puzzled at what had happened, and he decided the next time he saw Dean to ask. Unfortunately, the drive couldn't last forever and too soon Ben was home. Castiel got out of the car but seemed to think it best to stay leaning against it in the driveway. Ben looked back at him as Dean guided Ben toward the door. Ben saw the strangest thing – Castiel had the amulet around his neck.
