Strings Attached

Chapter 30

Dean tells Castiel everything. He explains how he used to be a complete dick to Castiel, which doesn't surprise the boy. It's what he remembers from Dean. He explains how they "met" in the band room, though they had had many less pleasant encounters before. He explains how Castiel went to his house back when they weren't friends, and that's where the line came from. He explains that he stayed with Castiel every night in the hospital.

"Why was I in the hospital?" Castiel asks curiously, interrupting the story.

"That is probably something you're better off not remembering," Dean replies slowly. "It, um... It wasn't good."

"You said you would tell me everything," Castiel reminds him.

"Yeah, but that story has nothing to do with what I'm telling you now."

Castiel reluctantly lets him skip that story and finish talking.

"We used to hang out here every lunch," Dean continues. "And then the last time we saw each other before you ended up in the hospital, I told you..." Dean takes a deep breath, mentally preparing himself to say this. "Actually, never mind. That's not important."

"You said you'd tell me everything," Castiel reminds him again.

"Yeah, but this — this is nothing. But there you have it. The entirety of our friendship. Ringing any bells?"

Castiel nods slowly. "Um, yeah, I think. It sounds like it makes sense, at least. So we're... We are friends?"

Dean nods. "Yeah."

"Huh. I used to play guitar?"

"Yep," Dean replies. "You were the best, in my opinion."

"Thanks?" Castiel says uncertainly. "I mean, that's not really me anymore, but..." Castiel glances at the guitar rack. "I can't believe I used to be able to play that."

"Not just be able to, but you rocked it," Dean replies. "Do you think maybe you could remember if I gave you the guitar?"

"Maybe," Castiel replies. "But it doesn't matter. Between the wheelchair and my cast, I couldn't play it anyway."

"Oh, I didn't think about that," Dean admits. "Maybe when you get them off, though?"

Castiel shrugs. "We'll see then, won't we?"

~~

Michael drives Castiel and Gabriel home that day. The ride is mostly quiet, with Gabriel laughing occasionally as he stares at his phone. Castiel tries to see what he's laughing at, but because Castiel sits behind him, his view is obstructed by Gabriel's shoulder.

With a little help from Michael, Castiel manages to make it inside. He plans on sitting around in the kitchen until something fun happens, but Gabriel sneaks up behind him and wheels him to the living room, where they're alone.

"Hey, Castiel?" Gabriel asks uncertainly.

"Yeah?"

"I don't know if you remember or not, but do you know why people make fun of you at school?"

Castiel thinks about it for a moment. "Um... No, not really."

"It's not just because you're gay, right?" Gabriel asks.

"I don't think so," Castiel replies. "I mean, that's probably part of it, but not entirely. Why?"

Gabriel shrugs, but it's not as carefree as a shrug should be. "Just wondering."

"My turn to ask questions," Castiel announces. "Did I have friends? Like, before I got amnesia?"

Gabriel shrugs. "According to you, no, but Sam and I think you and Dean were pretty close."

"Oh." So Dean was most likely telling the truth. "And Dean told me a lot of things I forgot, but he wouldn't tell me why I was in the hospital a few weeks ago."

Gabriel hesitates for a moment. "That's... I don't think that's really that important."

"Why? What happened?" Castiel asks again.

"Nothing you need to worry about. Just forget Dean ever mentioned it."

"What happened?" Castiel asks again.

"Ask Dad when he gets home," Gabriel suggests. "If he wants to tell you, fine. If not, it's probably for the best."

Castiel frowns. It's not fair, keeping secrets like this from him. It's not his fault he forgot. Why can't anyone tell him?

"Oh, by the way," Gabriel adds, a big smile on his face. "Sam's coming up in a few hours after practice. Want me to invite Dean? We can have a party! On a very small scale."

"Sure," Castiel replies. He's not super excited for it, but he can't say no. Dean is supposed to be his friend. Friends have other friends over. But Dean doesn't really seem like his friend, even if he knows they used to be. He sort of remembers spending time with the boy, but not really. Not enough to think of them as friends.

Why does he have to have amnesia? He can suffer through having a broken body with no problem. It's  a lot harder having a broken mind.