Standing Together

Chapter 105

"So, there's a few things you need to know before we get to Sioux Falls."

Castiel glances over at Dean, who's half looking back at him and half looking at the road — typical Dean-driving fashion. "What do you mean?"

"Well, it's been about 18 months since you've been there," Dean says. "There been a few changes."

"Changes like...?" Castiel prompts.

"Well, for one, Lucifer, Claire, and Alex have the house to themselves," Dean says.

"Where did everyone else go?" Castiel asks.

"Well, Michael moved closer to the hospital," Dean says. "He's actually thinking of moving to Orlando, Florida to work at some big hospital down there, I guess. Gabriel and Sam are still in California because Sam's at Stanford Law, and when they come back to Sioux Falls, they usually stay at Bobby's. Samandriel's been staying at Bobby's, too, because he didn't want to put up with Alex crying all the time, especially because he was the only one left, and now it's just kinda his house, too."

"Where's Anna in all this?" Castiel asks.

"She's..." Dean chuckles awkwardly. "So, funny story. Anna actually bought a house."

"I mean, I moved out when I was younger than her, so I'm not surprised," Castiel says.

"Yeah, well, she's living with Cain."

Castiel gapes at him. "Anna moved in with her boyfriend?"

"Surprise?" Dean says nervously.

Castiel's about to go off about how that's not okay and how Cain is an awful person and this can only end horribly for Anna, but he stops himself. Nothing he says it's going to change anything. It's just like all those random people online that diss Dean and Castiel's relationship without really knowing them. Maybe he should give her the benefit of the doubt.

Just kidding.

"She what? I swear to god, when I see her —'

"They've been living together for over a year," Dean interrupts. "This is nothing new. She still goes and visits Lucifer about once a week to check in on Alex, and Lucifer says she seems like she's doing better than she ever was."

"I'm sorry, you're trying to tell me and moved in with Cain a year ago, and I'm just finding it now?" Castiel practically yells.

"I didn't want to worry you, okay?" Dean says. "After the bombing, I just wanted to make sure you were okay. She moved out a couple months later, and you were still torn up about it, and Lucifer and I agreed that it would be best to just let you try to be happy, you know? And I was going to tell you next time we went down to Sioux Falls, but it took ages and there was never a better opportunity to tell you, so here we are now, with the brief rundown of everything you've missed."

Castiel crosses his arms. "Fine, whatever."

"That was very passive aggressive," Dean says. "I'm going to ignore it, though, because there's one more thing I haven't told you."

"Yippee," Castiel deadpans.

"Remember when I told you that Sam and I wanted to keep the fact that I have a brother secret?"

Castiel nods. "Mm hmm."

"Okay, and remember how, after the bombing, I say with you backstage and told you about growing up with my dad and Sammy?"

Castiel nods, even though in reality, he barely remembers that. He wasn't thinking straight at the time, so most of what followed the bombing is a blur to him.

"Well, someone got a video of the conversation," Dean says. "Mostly just the audio. They just have been behind a wall or something. I'm guessing it's one of the fans you helped onstage to get them out of there."

"Okay, and?" Castiel prompts, sensing there's more to this story.

"Well, somehow, someone figured out that my brother was Sam," Dean says. "They found his Twitter and Instagram and they know he's at Stanford and that he's dating Gabriel."

That doesn't really surprise him. He's seen his fans do the weirdest thing. He wouldn't put anything past them — definitely not tracking down Dean's brother.

"And how did Sam take it?"

"Well, he deleted all his social media. Gabriel said people were harassing him. He got death threats and everything."

"Why did Gabriel tell you that?" Castiel asks.

"Because he and Sam are dating, duh," Dean says.

Castiel rolls his eyes. "No, why him instead of Sam?"

"Uh..." Dean lets out a long breath. "Well, Sam and I haven't spoken since it happened."

Castiel gapes at him. "What? But it happened right after the bombing, right? So you haven't spoken in almost 18 months?"

Dean just nods.

"That's insane," Castiel says. "Why not?"

Dean shrugs. "I guess Sam blamed it on me. It was basically our one agreement when I took that job in the NFL — that I wouldn't tell anyone shit about him; that I'd let him live a normal life. And I failed."

"But it's not your fault," Castiel says. "You didn't know anyone way listening. You definitely couldn't have guessed that people would realize it was him."

"That doesn't matter," Dean says. "I messed up."

"So what's going to happen at Thanksgiving?" Castiel asks. "Is Sam not coming?"

"No, he is," Dean says. "He doesn't know I am, though, and we have to keep it that way, because this may be my one opportunity to talk to him."

"Well, good luck," Castiel says.

"Thanks. I'm gonna need it."