I See You

Chapter 2

Castiel enjoyed a comfortable night watching the small family do domestic things together. Dean helped Lisa make dinner as Ben set the table. He helped his surrogate son do his homework as Lisa finished planning her lesson for school the next day. He rubbed Lisa's feet as they watched an episode of television, having only drank 2 glasses of whiskey all night as opposed to the 10 or more Castiel was used to seeing the man consume. He even snuck into Ben's room after Lisa had tucked him in just to slip him a small flashlight ("Make sure you read under the blanket or else your mom will catch you, and we'll both be busted!"). He lived a normal life, and Castiel was happy.

After the episode they'd been watching ended, Lisa turned off the tv and judging by Dean's reaction, it was out of the ordinary. "Too tired to watch another one?"

She shook her head, "No, I've just been missing you. Wanted to make sure you're handling everything okay...since, you know."

What was the man supposed to "know?" Had Lisa forgotten Castiel was there? Or assumed he would have left by now? Or was she trying to get his hunter to open up about emotional things for Castiel's benefit?

That last option seemed like wishful thinking, as humans said.

Dean turned his body in the slim woman's direction, folding one leg up on the couch to get more comfortable. "I'm...doing alright. Obviously, there's a lot of...won't be able to just let go...you know? Anyway, I'm really glad I'm here, Lis. I'm glad you let me in at all. You and Ben mean the world to me." He seemed incredibly burdened, and Castiel ached to comfort him.

She reached her hand out and slid her fingertips down his cheek. "You mean the world to us too, you grease head. You know that, right?"

He nodded, a little sadly. "Sometimes."

She nodded back, seeming to understand as well as Castiel did that what he'd really wanted to say was, "Sometimes, but I don't know why because I'm not worth it."

She stood up, holding her hand down to him. "Come on."

He looked at her questioningly before sliding his hand into hers and allowing the small woman to lead him down the hall towards their bedroom. "Get into bed, baby. Let's snuggle so I can hold you close and tell you everything's gonna be alright."

Castiel followed along silently, thinking it might be nice to watch Dean fall asleep next to somebody peacefully. It was nice to see the man do anything peacefully at all. But the thought was interrupted as Lisa suddenly stopped in the hall and pulled Dean close. She pressed her lips to his softly, her hand reaching behind the hunter's head to pull him as tight against her body as possible. Castiel was absolutely riveted watching the man's plump lips softly pucker and press warmly against hers. He felt heat spread from his head to his toes as he imagined it was him Dean was kissing.

Other than Anna, Castiel had never seen the man kiss anyone, and that had been the end of the world. This wasn't a goodbye or an act of forgiveness like that had been. This was a greeting. An admission. A reminder. A reconnection.

But Dean broke the kiss and pulled back, "Lis...I feel so messed up..." He shook his head back and forth slowly, seeming to be deeply saddened by whatever weight he was carrying on his shoulders. The look on his face reminded Castiel distinctly of the first time they'd really met —the first time he'd realized the hunter didn't feel like he deserved to be saved. "I just don't...it's a year since he disappeared, you know? A year today."

She nodded sadly, and Castiel felt like his insides had been yanked backwards by a hook. A year since Sam had jumped into the cage ? Already? And Dean still had no idea that his brother was back— different , but back nonetheless. Part of the angel hoped the man never discovered the return of the younger Winchester. He was so much happier without him...