POV: Dean
October 15, 2003
The early morning hours were filled with doctors checking Cas over, new x-rays, and blood work. We would have to wait for those before he would be allowed to leave. Once they were done doing all of that it was just waiting.
“Wait, I do have clothes here to wear out right?”
I chuckled. “Yes Cas, Sasha grabbed an extra pair of sweats and a shirt for you to wear. The only thing you’ll be missing is underwear, not that I’m going to mind that.”
“Of course not. I don’t think I have any at your house.”
“You have a few pairs, ones that got left. I’ll wash them when we get there and then tomorrow I’ll go over and get you a few things.”
He was still moving slowly and with the pain medication the doctor wanted someone to be with him for a few days. In addition, he had to make an appointment with a bone doctor to have the cast done, since the swelling was still pretty severe.
He scratched his cheek. “I don’t know where my phone is.”
“I think Gabriel has it, you want me to text him and see if he can get anything you need?”
“Yeah, I need to talk to him about the house anyway.”
I called and put him on speaker.
“Hey Dean and Cas, I’m sure you’re there.”
We both said hello. “Hey, were you able to get access to his house?”
“I was. The police were done by the time I got there. They boarded up the front door and I’ve already contacted a company that your father actually recommended, Dean.”
“My father?”
I didn’t even know that my father and Gabriel had met.
“He came and got your sweet ass car, I think he’s on his way to you actually. But, he recommended it and I’ve called them already. They’ll be here at about ten. There isn’t a lot of damage to the frame itself but your friend must be a linebacker because the door is split in the middle.”
We both smiled. “Sasha is something else when he’s determined.” I said.
“Oh! We found out how he got inside. He came in through your bedroom window. He cut a piece out of glass out, unlocked it, and came in. The company is going to replace the pane of the window he cut.”
“That’s good to know.” Cas said.
“So, while I am here is there anything you need? Dean, I think we’re coming to you once he’s released.”
I nodded to no one. “Yeah, your parents said to let them know.”
“Actually yes, but I’ll have Dean text you the list. I have a feeling I’m not going anywhere for a week. Did you find my phone?”
He laughed. “Yes, but the screen is broken. I found a phone you had put up, want me to bring it?”
“Yeah, Charlie can program it for me.”
“Okay, send me the list of what you need and I’ll bring it over with me this afternoon.”
We hung up and he first texted the list to Gabe and then he called Charlie because neither of us had thought about calling or messaging her. While he was talking with her my Dad came to the door. I kissed Cas’s forehead and told him I’d be right back, then got up and went to Dad at the door.
He presented me my keys. “Key to the car, nothing was wrong with her. How is he?”
“He’s moving a bit slower, bruised pretty badly. I haven’t actually seen the whole picture.”
He looked at me. “You okay?”
“I’m much better, yeah. I want to hurt Robert so badly.”
“Well, he’s in police custody now. Don’t fret over him Dean. Take care of Cas and focus there.”
“I am. He’s coming home with me; do you think I need to be down in the garage?”
He shook his head. “Na, you have a great crew and they’re just as worried about Cas as you. I let Meg know he was okay and what was going on. She said to tell you the new client opted to wait for you. She told him it was a family emergency that someone had been hurt and he was very understanding. She left his name and number on your desk.”
“I’ll see how Cas does and I may see if he can come on Friday.”
When Cas hung up we walked over, and Dad and Cas talked a bit before he left. He also gave me the location of my car before leaving. At about eleven the doctor came in, told him to see a bone doctor for the cast and to make sure it didn’t need surgery. Then he cleared him to go. He disconnected him from the IV but left it in until he was cleared. Once the doctor left I got him a change of clothes.
He huffed. “I’m not sure I can even dress myself.”
“Good thing you have an amazing boyfriend to help you.”
“I’m not sure your motives are on the right track.”
I smirked. “Later they may not be. Right now, they are.”
So I got to help and it was the first time really seeing every bruise that asshole left.
“I really wish I had been the one to show up, I’d have done a lot more damage to him.”
“Of that I have no doubt.”
The shirt was the hardest thing to get on because of the splint, but once he was dressed and with his shoes on we waited until it was ready. Leaving the hospital made him happy and me too. We stopped for lunch and then headed to my place. It took a little longer to get him up the steps and settled but then we ate lunch. He used my phone to call a few doctors and set up the appointments he needed too and to let his publisher know what was going on.
He then lay down for a bit.
While he was laying down I updated Meg and the others on his condition, called the client back and set up a time for next Monday and then headed back up. His parents were coming over soon and Gabriel had pulled up when I headed back.
His face showed confusion. “You live at the garage?”
“Upstairs, little loft area. Cas was asleep.”
He still was when we got upstairs but I sat his bag down nearby.
“His place good?”
“Yeah, they’re going to get back tomorrow and fix everything. They’re also putting new locks on the doors. I told them I’d hang out down here while they did that. My boss is glad I’m using the PTO time.”
I smiled. “Mine is too.”
“Aren’t you the boss?”
I shrugged. “I can still be glad I’m taking time off.”
“That’s true. He’s told me a lot about you.”
“Can’t say I got the same. I know you two have a tense relationship.”
His head dropped some. “Yeah, I was a dick to him when we were younger. I blamed him for my parents being divorced and I blamed him for my step-
dad. It was stupid actually.”
“You found him back then, he said you did.”
He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Yeah, I did. I walked in and he was just laying there unconscious.” He paused, clearly remembering that day. “I think that was the first time I realized that I was his big brother and I was supposed to take care of him. I shouldn’t have ignored Robert then, but I did and he ended up in the hospital. I just don’t know how to make it right.”
I nudged him gently. “Gabriel, he loves you. You’re his big brother and he looks up to you. I would say that maybe you should just be there. It’s what I did with Sammy.”
“Sammy?”
“Sam, my younger brother. He’s in California studying law right now.”
“Cool.”
Cas was waking up some and eventually he was sitting up in my bed, looking at us confused.
“Sleep well?” Gabe asked.
“I did.”
He updated Cas on the status of his place and that he’d brought everything he asked for. He went ahead and got up though, good thing because his parents called a few minutes confused on where to go, so I went down and got them.
“Is this also your shop?” his dad asked.
“Yeah, the main shop is that other building but this one is where I work on the classics and my place is above it.”
“That’s very smart,” his mom said.
“We thought so too. My dad and brother helped me choose the spot and finance it.”
His mom looked at me. “They’re very smart.”
“I agree.”
I let them go up first and followed behind them. Cas was taking his new meds when we got up but he still hugged them up gently.
“You didn’t have to come down.”
“You are our son, yes we did,” she said.
I and Gabriel gave up our seats so that they could have the couch with Cas; we took the bean bag chairs. They first asked for a more in depth report on what happened and how he was.
“Dean, do you have to work today?” Chuck asked.
“No, sir. My office person will call if I’m absolutely needed. But they’re good without me. Benny is my go to and he’ll handle anything that comes up.”
“You’re successful then?” she asked.
“I’d like to think so. It pays the bills, provides a little cushion.”
I didn’t want to speak about bills with them because that was something Cas and I didn’t talk about. Like, I didn’t know how much he actually made in royalties or in deals. I just knew we both lived comfortably and within our means.
“That’s a good thing. Being an owner so young will mean long term stability.” Gabe said.
“I think so as well.” I glanced to Gabe. “What are you in school for Gabe?”
“I did some courses in business and I’m currently working in a bakery at the moment. I’m thinking I may work to eventually open my own. I’d like to finish the business degree and maybe even do some culinary courses,” he replied.
“That would be awesome; Cas mentioned you were a good baker.”
“I am. I like doing it as well.”
“What about you two? Cas hasn’t mentioned what either of you did or do,” I said.
“I do corporate taxes mostly,” Chuck said.
“I work for a bank, and usually do guest services,” Naomi said.
That explained a lot about their questions concerning finances but I steered us away from that to favorite foods, favorite movies, music, anything but finances and money.
Cas participated when he could but several times he’d leaned back and dozed off. The third time he did his mom chuckled.
“We should go and just let him sleep. Do you think that you two can come up next weekend as planned? Or should we plan to come here?”
“We can still come up. He should have a cast by then and be feeling better. He was looking forward to showing me around the town, I think.”
“Okay.”
They did wake him up to let him know they were leaving; he got more hugs and even kisses from mom, before they all headed out. As soon as they were gone Charlie drove up. I let her in and even let her bitch a bit about not being called yesterday. But her anger lasted five seconds once she saw him. Her face dropped and the sadness took over.
“It’s worse this time.”
Cas nodded. “It feels worse too. You just missed my parents and Gabe.”
“Damn! I’ll catch them later for sure. What happened.”
I gave Cas a break and told her myself, he wasn’t looking so good. She listened, asked a few questions and then patted his knee.
“Alright, you’re alive and I can see that. Let me change those phones.”
I patted his knee. “You also need to lie down, you aren’t looking so good there babe.”
He sagged a bit and I leaned over and kissed him. “You look amazing, but you look tired and you look like you don’t feel that great. So come on, you can lay down and I’ll fix dinner.”
Charlie got his phones and began to do her magic; I helped Cas to the bed to get settled. I then rambled through the kitchen.
“Alright, all done.” Charlie said.
“Cas says thanks. I say sorry I didn’t text and thanks for not like fucking with my whole system.”
She smiled. “You should have texted or called. But I understand. I’ll check in with you in a few days. Let you get him settled.”
“Thank you.”
She nudged my arm. “You guys made it longer than anyone else since Robert. I think he really wants to keep you around and if I’m not mistaken, you aren’t letting him go anytime soon.”
I smiled. “Five months in a few weeks. I don’t plan to go anywhere.”
She smiled and headed out and I fixed dinner for us. I let him sleep until dinner was ready, plated and I was ready to bring it to bed. I then woke him up.
“Dinner in bed. You don’t even need to get up.”
I did give him a few minutes to get woken up and then brought dinner to him.
He looked at the tray and then me. “You are seriously going to spoil me.”
I snorted. “You say that like either of us would mind.”
“Are you this way with everyone that gets sick or injured?”
“For the most part, yes. But, I don’t normally bring them home with me and serve dinner in bed.”
“Good to know.”
I’d fixed a light dinner because I knew he hadn’t eaten much the last 24 hours and didn’t want to make him feel worse, once dinner was over he chose to stay up.
“I really need to shower but like, I don’t know about this splint.”
I giggled. “I got you covered on that. Sam broke his wrist when he was eighteen. It just needs to be covered and protected. I can do that and you can still shower.”
“He could have done the left one; I don’t use it that much.”
“Is that why you’re eating at a snail’s pace?”
“Yeah and you even cut this baby style.”
What could I say? I knew he couldn’t use a knife right now and he didn’t seem mad or upset that I had. Once dinner was done, I took the plates and trays to the kitchen and then got his bag. He chose a pair of pajamas and underwear while I found duct tape and a small trash bag. He was confused until I covered that arm and then he understood.
Once the splint was protected I started the water, got towels, and anything else I needed to do before he came to the bathroom. I figured joining would be easier and he’d just have to wait for me to get done as well. It really was the first time that I got to access each and every place that was hurt. I was careful over every inch because I knew some bruises hurt around them too. His back wasn’t that bad, there were some scratch marks and bruising on the back of his right leg, presumably where he stood there. It was the abdomen area that seemed worst and of course the broken arm.
I traced the edge of the worst bruise. “I wish I’d been the one breaking your door in. Sasha did well, but he left too many bones intact.”
“But he would have filed charges against you and then who would baby me?”
“True.”
I finished bathing him and then washed off quickly and he huffed.
“I’m not sure which was more torture, being washed slowly or watching you.”
I laughed. “Both.”
I got out first and assisted if needed, because really he could move around okay. But, I was there in case. He got to dry off mostly himself, I did need to help a bit. The last thing I did was wash his arm, getting the tape residue off and cleaning what could be cleaned.
“Alright, you want to sleep more or sit up?”
“I probably need to sit up a bit.”
He moved to the sofa and chose a movie; I cleaned up a bit and then joined him.
I gently patted his knee. “You know Cas, we’ve been together for four months.”
He looked at me and furrowed his brow for a moment. “We have.”
“Almost five.”
He snuggled up beside me. “Seems you’ve been right - you aren’t them. I think it’s why my parents like you, because you aren’t them. None of them would have done anything that you have the last few days.”
I gave him a quick squeeze. “I’ll never be like them.”
“Thank you Dean, for everything you’re doing.”
I kissed his temple. “You’re welcome.”
Cas barely made it through the movie he’d chosen but after medication we both laid down. It took him a little longer to find a comfortable spot but it seemed that spooning was the best option for him.
“Comfortable now?”
“As long as you don’t move at all.”
“Can’t guarantee that, Sunshine, but I’ll try.”
I could feel his breathing even out as he fell asleep and I laid here, holding him.
Emotions and I were like oil and water. I didn’t do well with them and I wasn’t one to be sappy or have long drawn out emotional rants. That was more Sammy’s deal than mine. Even Sasha was more vocal than I was. But seeing that ambulance yesterday had physically hurt, like someone had stabbed me in the chest.
I’d never experienced that with any previous partners and the only other time I had was when Sam broke his arm, because I’d seen him fall. That to me was significant and I couldn’t voice how significant it was. It made me realize that I loved Castiel. That I was beyond just liking him.
If I had to be honest with myself, I’d been falling in love with him for years, but the last few months had been amazing. He was witty, smart, and had sass to him. But right now I knew he was vulnerable and hiding it, he was hurt and the way Sasha described how he found them, Robert intended to inflict a lot more pain. It was something Cas wasn’t talking about either.
I felt him shift a bit and tightened my grip some, careful not to hurt him. I finally fell asleep sometime after midnight.