Neon Lights

Chapter 35 - The Heart Wants What It Wants

•Castiel's POV•
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June 17, 1968
2:58 a.m.
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I woke up screaming again. This usually doesn't happen twice in a row, but it's possible. Why tonight? I hate that Dean has to see me like this.

He hugged me tightly, "Shh, Cas, you're awake now. It's not real."

How would you know? I thought angrily. For all I know, these nightmares could be based off real events. Maybe it is real.

"Look at me," Dean turned me around, "Remember anything?"

I shook my head, vision blurred by tears. Dean rubbed my back soothingly, kissing my forehead gently every so often.

"I'm sorry," I whimpered helplessly, "I keep waking you up...I'm sorry..."

"You have nothing to apologize for," Dean stared me in the eyes, "This isn't your fault."

I murmured something - even I don't know what - into Dean's pajama shirt. His legs tangled with mine and he stroked my hair softly.

"Go back to sleep, Cas," he whispered, "It'll be okay now. Just sleep."

By then I was already dozing off. Once I have a nightmare, I'm never afraid to go back to sleep again, because it never happens more than once in a night. But when I'm packing it in for the day, that's when I'm fearful, because I'm unsure whether or not the terror will occur once more.

***

Dean woke me up around 9:30, telling me to pack my things. I sighed into the empty air beside me. I don't want to go home today, I don't want to hear Michael's hour-long questionnaire asking if I "behaved by God's standards." He's done it so many times I'm able to lie quite well.

To him, I'm a good boy.

I changed into fresh clothes and stuffed everything into my bags. Meg made cereal for a quick breakfast. The gang piled up in Two-Bit's van; Zeke, Matilda, Faith, and Robin got in Meg's truck; and Charlie joined Dean and I in the Impala.

"Please don't play Elvis again," Charlie begged, "You played him for three hours straight last time."

Dean chuckled and turned Elvis on. Charlie groaned loudly, "Why?!"

"Because," Dean grinned at her, "I can...eh, Elvis is great."

***

Dean dropped me off first before speeding off to get Charlie home. I took a deep breath before lifting my bags off the cement and proceeding up the walkway into 1476 Northumberland Dr.

"Hey hey! Cassie!" Gabriel was the first to greet me. I met his open arms gladly. Whatever family was home piled into the foyer to greet me.

"Castiel," Michael stalked in last, "Once you've said your hellos, meet me in the living room."

I rolled my eyes but followed him anyway. Here we go.

"So, tell me," Michael sat down in his armchair, "How was your weekend?"

I sat on a regular wooden chair across from him, "Good. Really good."

"Have fun?" He asked suspiciously. These always make me nervous.

"Yep," I replied nonchalantly.

He crossed one leg over the other, leaning back in his chair. The shadow of the room made him look evil, menacing, and especially intimidating. "Who was there?"

"Uh...Dean, Charlie, Meghan, Faith, Matilda, Robin, and Ezekiel," it wasn't a total lie, at least.

"Who's Ezekiel?" He asked. I huffed. Another thing I've mentioned a dozen times...