Little Things

Chapter Two

Sunday was much the same as Saturday. Dean stayed out of Castiel's way as much as possible, doing what was left of his homework at the table instead of his room.

Castiel came downstairs for lunch, but stayed upstairs for dinner. He was in the observation phase, Dean could tell. His eyes flicked around rooms and he watched them all in silence, figuring out their routines, what they were like, how best to keep himself as small and unassuming as possible, so he wouldn't draw attention to himself. When he sat at the table with his lunch, his eyes darted between the door and everyone coming in and out of the room, like a caged animal. It was tough to watch.

Dean always hated this phase, and how they would all have to go about their business as usual, pretending that everything was normal. Mary always told him that this was the best way to make the foster kids feel at home and relax, but Dean was never so sure.

Dean and Sam shifted into their usual roles, Sam doing his best to include Castiel in whatever game he was playing, or whatever he was reading, Dean keeping a respectful distance so Castiel could establish his own space.

Mary strained to keep her motherly instincts to herself, at least for the time being, and John ignored all of it in favour of reading his papers and working on the car in the garage.

Sunday evening came and Dean was unable to avoid his own room any longer. He went upstairs and sat at his desk, seeing Castiel sitting in the corner with his laptop out of the corner of his eye. Dean rearranged his bag with the books he would need the next day, then spun around in his chair.

'Nervous for tomorrow?' Dean asked. 'New school and everything.'

Castiel just shrugged without looking at Dean.

'Got all your books and stuff?'

Castiel glanced up from his laptop and nodded at the bag at the foot of his bed.

'Okay, cool. You mind if I turn the lights out soon? I gotta sleep.'

'It's your room, you don't have to ask,' Castiel mumbled.

'Actually, it's our room, so I do have to ask.'

'If you insist.'

Dean grabbed his pajamas, changed and brushed his teeth and came back into the room. Castiel had not moved an inch, so Dean switched off the light and climbed into bed.

'See you in the morning,' he said.

'Goodnight, Dean.'

Dean threw his blankets off the next morning, hopping out of bed to get ready for school. Castiel was still in the same spot, staring at his laptop with earphones dangling from his ears.

'Did you sleep?' Dean asked incredulously.

Castiel shook his head.

'Are you gonna be okay?'

'I don't need to sleep much.'

'Right.'

Dean threw himself through the shower and got himself dressed, hurrying downstairs with his bag and snatching some toast from the table.

'Whoa, whoa, slow down,' said Mary. 'Where are you off to in such a rush?'

'Uh, school?' Dean said, pouring coffee into a flask.

'You've got plenty of time, you're not getting the bus this morning.'

'Oh, I'm not?' Dean said, halting in his tracks.

'Nope,' said Mary, holding up some car keys.

'Seriously?' Dean said, approaching her with a grin. He went to take them from her, but she pulled away slightly.