Neon Lights

Chapter 50 - California (There Is No End to Love)

•Castiel's POV•
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January 2, 1969
9:42 a.m.
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Every inch of me wanted to run back to Dean and stay safe with him forever, stay away from my family, stay away from Michael who I know will tear me away from Dean.

But by some force of nature, I managed to keep walking to my house. Keep walking to my inevitable doom.

Goodbye, Dean.

The door slammed behind me, and the entire house fell into gripping and suffocating silence. Thundering footsteps made the floorboards creak as they got closer, and closer, and--

Michael stepped into the foyer, looking like he was imagining the many ways he could and should torture me. I don't think I've ever seen Michael this angry before, and it's terrifying.

He was about to say something when a voice from the other room interrupted him, "Is our darling home?"

Michael took two steps toward me, "Let's pretend I let you go to New York, and I'll let you off the hook for now."

What?

"Yes, mother!" He called into the room, "He's home."

Mom?! I followed Michael into the living room, where mom and dad sat on the couch like they'd been living here all this time.

"Cassie!" Mom squealed as she got up and hugged me, squeezing me super tight. What the Hell is going on?!

"Welcome home, champ," dad smiled widely at me. My siblings tried to hide their anger at me. Why didn't Michael just tell mom and dad I snuck out?

To say I was confused would be an understatement. Honestly I was happy, at least for now I wouldn't be thrown out of the house.

Or worse - Michael could always hit me again. That's a possibility.

"So, how was New York?" Mom gushed, "I've been there. It's wonderful!"

"It was great," I sighed, remembering the bright lights and the excited people. I remembered the festive window displays, all the pretty snow, the comfortingly cool air. I remembered Violet Hill, Dean's hand clutched in mine. I remembered watching the ball drop, and the picture Dean took of us kissing.

Mom smiled big, "So, this Dean...a friend of yours? Must be pretty special if he took you to NYC!"

I resisted the temptation to drop to my knees and pour my heart out about just how special Dean is, "Yeah, it was a mix of a grad, Christmas, New Year's, and anniversary gift."

"He sounds like a doll," mother would not shut up, "I hope I meet him before we go back to Paris."

"Yeah, speaking of which..." I cocked an eyebrow, "Why aren't you in Paris?"

Dad answered, "Well, we got some time off for the holidays, so we came to visit you. Arrived here just after Christmas, gave you all your presents."

"So sorry I missed you," I gulped guiltily, "If I knew you were coming, I'd have stayed here."

"No, no! Gosh, darling, no!" Mom blabbered, "Do not choose us over the holidays in New York City! That was the opportunity of a lifetime! Michael was such a nice brother, letting you go! Dontcha think?"

Suddenly, it all made sense. Michael pretended he let me go to make himself sound good. He wouldn't tell mom and dad he let me slip out of his grasp and risk making himself look like he couldn't control the family!

"Yeah, thanks Michael," I almost spat.

He smiled at me, but it scared me more than anything. It was an evil, sinister grin, one that promised the minute mom and dad leave, you're dead.