Imaginary Lover

Chapter 6

Dean didn't get out of bed the next morning. When his mother came to check on him, he pretended to be asleep. She knew how much John had meant to him and understood why he wanted to stay at home. Sam, on the other hand, had woken up and gotten dressed with great difficulty and a heavy heart. He'd cried, heck he was still crying but he knew the only way to stop from losing it would be to distract himself. He'd helped his mother and told her to take the day off from work just before he left. She had smiled and told him goodbye before going back to her bedroom and let her sorrow take over her.

Dean's phone had been buzzing all morning- texts and calls from both Charlie and Cas but he hadn't bothered to look at him. The battery had died a while ago and the silence was peaceful to him as he lay curled up under his covers.

His dad was gone- the one person he looked up to had been ripped from his life and he felt like he was drowning. He didn't know how he would manage, how he would take care of everything and everyone. Memories from a few years ago started coming back to him. The first time his father showed and explained the intricacies of what lay under the hood of a car and how they all worked together, him teaching him how to change or repair various parts of it and finally, how to build one that's broken. Everything he knew came from him and now there would be no one to show him the ropes, to talk to him about these things. He turned over as another wave of sorrow and sobs possessed him. He tried to keep them silent so that his mother wouldn't get worried but an unintentionally loud gasp or keening sound would escape and he could only hope she wouldn't hear.

He didn't know when he dozed off but when he woke up, he was being shaken awake by Sam. "Dean? Dean wake up, your friends are here", he said softly. Dean grabbed his glasses from his bedside and turned to see Charlie and Cas behind him. He sat up straighter and as Sam left the room, Charlie came and wrapped her arms around him.

"I'm so so sorry, Dean. I'm so sorry", she said as she rubbed his back soothingly. Dean hugged back, holding on to her and controlling his tears. "How- how did you find out?", he asked as he let go of her to wipe the tears from his face.

"Cas...", Charlie started. "Gabe texted be from school. He told me Sam told him. I dropped everything and came over as soon as I heard", Cas said as he walked over to stand close to Dean's bedside. Charlie got up so Cas could take her place and Dean wrapped his arms around him the minute he sat down. Charlie decided to perch herself on the other side of the bed as Dean scooted over so Cas could slip in and lie next to him. They sat like that for a while, Charlie on Dean's left holding his hand and Cas on his right holding him close and running his hands up and down his back.

Charlie's mother had called later and even though she didn't want to go, it was getting late. Cas stayed behind and held Dean close, consoling him if he cried and just holding him protectively.

Soon enough Cas's phone rang and he picked up, scowling at the caller ID. "What? No, I'm not coming home yet. I need to take care of a friend. I might be staying the night. I'll be fine. Yeah yeah, good night", letting out a breath he put his phone away.

"Parents?", Dean asked thickly. His voice was hoarse from the lack of use and crying. "Hmm", he said and his voice rumbled through his chest. The sound was comforting to him and he snuggled closer into him. "You need to eat", Cas said. "You haven't eaten all day and I don't think you'll survive for long if you don't."

"Not hungry", Dean mumbled. Cas huffed as he untangled himself from Dean and got up. Before the boy on the bed could say anything Cas started, "I'm making dinner for all of you. You need a shower so go take one. You can wear pyjamas again, it doesn't matter because you look cute regardless. Now, I'm going to go down and you will be there. I'll tell Sam to tell your mom too. No arguments." He gave Dean a soft kiss on his forehead and left to go talk to Sam. Dean stayed in bed like that for a while before getting up and heading to the bathroom. Things are never going to be the same again, he thought to himself as he stepped under the hot spray of the shower.

After his shower was done and he was seated downstairs at the table, he observed Cas as he worked around the kitchen. He was currently removing the noodles from the pot onto four separate plates and pouring spaghetti sauce and meatballs into a dish. Mary arrived shortly after and sat down. Her eyes were red rimmed and smile watery but she put on a brave face and it made Dean feel proud. He reached out and held her hand and squeezed lightly before letting it go. After Sam came down, Cas brought out the plates and set them in front of everyone.

"Did you make this?", Mary asked Cas. "Yes ma'am. I hope you don't mind. And uhh, I'm very sorry for your loss", he said. She smiled a sad smile and turned to her food. They ate in silence and Dean and Cas cleared up as Sam took care of Mary. A lot of things needed to be dealt with and Sam was asking her about how much he and his brother could do to make things easier. She told him they'd talk about it over the weekend and retired to her bedroom and bidding them all good night.

"Do you want me to stay?", Cas asked Dean. "I can if you want. I already told my dad so", he stopped as Dean wrapped his arms around him and nodded into his shoulder. They both headed upstairs and Cas quickly helped himself to some clothes for the night. Dean snuggled up to him, his scent comforting and soothing and he slipped into a dreamless sleep.

The morning was relatively quiet as Cas and Dean drove to college. He felt protective of the boy in glasses and kept glancing over at him to make sure he was okay. It became hard for him to let go when they had reached and had to part to make their way toward their classes. Cas's concern was touching but Dean had told him he would be alright and that if anything happened, he'd call. After reluctantly agreeing, he'd given him a tight and lasting hug and left in the direction of his building.

Dean had found it difficult to concentrate in his classes that day and was relieved when his last class came to an end. Cas had texted him a few times during the day to keep a check on him and Charlie had been with him in most of his classes. He was hurting but he hadn't lost it completely the entire day. As he walked out, Cas slipped his hand into Dean's and squeezed before they left together.