Rising sun.

Are we broken or fractured?

Dean’s P.O.V

I don’t understand what’s happening. Gabriel is silent and strange around me and Cas is acting strange.

“Gabe what’s wrong?” I ask, sitting in the seat Cas just evacuated.

Gabriel bangs his head to the table, “There’s too much going on” He whispers, and I know he’s avoiding my gaze, because he is holding his head firmly in his hands and it’s been ten minutes.

“What did you mean?” I ask again, “What were you two talking about before? How did he leave last time?” I pressed, leaning back in my chair, he wanted space so I’m giving it to him.

He sighs and finally looks up at me. “Well Hale and Lucifer were always more suited for each other. I’m not entirely sure if I should be telling you this, It’s Cas’ story to tell not mine; So I’m not going to tell you all of it. He can do that when he’s ready. In Lucifer’s eyes Castiel was always the weak link, in our rich and influential family, and that wasn’t good for buissness and the family name, so he saw it fit to set him up with a strong, influential and somewhat twisted girl, Hale.” Gabe looked down again, steepling his hands under his chin as he flashed his eyes back up at me.

“Hale was like Lucifer, she’s cruel, crude and always gets what she wants. It was her job to bully Castiel into his roll if you will.” Gabe whispers, his face troubled with the decision of telling me more.

“What do you mean ‘bullying’?” I trail off when Gabe drags a hand down his face.

He sighs again, “Like I said, it’s not my story to tell. I don’t think Cas fell in love with her as much as I think he didn’t know what love was. Until he met you, he thought the way Hale ‘loved’ him was normal.” He finished, his curled fingers falling back to the table.

I huffed out in annoyance, “That’s unfair, you can’t tell me that and not tell me the rest of the story.” He shrugged and slumped back into his seat.

“Look, Gabe, I’m sorry for just stealing Cas away from you last time. I know that wasn’t ideal, but I couldn’t keep him there with Lucifer, it was driving me crazy seeing him like that.” I say, looking down at my hands.

“I know.” he says shortly, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder.

“I know I’ve damaged him, when Sammy died. I know what it feels like to see your younger brother so messed up like that. I know it’s my fault that he feels the way he does.” I explain softly, trying to avoid his curious gaze.

“No. I understand. I just wished Cassie wasn’t always the one copping all the bad shit. I always thought I was there the shield him from all the heavy shit, and it kills me that I can’t always do that. It kills me when I have to find him drunk and in a pool of his own vomit, or in his own blood. It kills me when half of this is my fault and he can’t see that everything isn’t his fault, that I can’t protect him from his own brother.” He huffs, his breath heaving out of him from his exert.

“I know.” Was all I could force myself to say, I know I was echoing him. But what could I have said, I knew exactly what he was talking about. When Sammy and John were still around we were nearly a happy family.

But John died, Sammy died.

Thud

I flinched and Gabe jumped a little.

I screwed my eyes shut, as blood started swirling behind my lids. Sammy’s falling eyelids flickering in my head. I pushed away from the table hastily.

Not again. I can’t be thinking about this again.

“Dean?” Gabriel asked, Concern tinting his voice.