Disclaimer: I do not own SPN or any of its characters.

A/N: So, here is the next chapter, as promised! I will be working on the next chapter while I'm on the train here after a bit, so hopefully I can get it done tonight. Enjoy! Tell me what you think.

Chapter 6

Dean plopped down on the couch and rested a hand over his face. He'd been pulling a few extra hours at work so that he could have enough money to send some back for the studio. All of his friends could see how exhausted he was from working so hard, so they would take turns cooking or paying for dinner when they all hung out.

It had been three weeks since Dean had unleashed his whole story to Cas. A week after that had been when he had sent that letter to Sammy. Two weeks since he told Sam where he was. He hadn't received a single letter. Maybe they were all mad at him for just leaving like that or didn't want anything to do with him now. The whole thing was stressing him out. He'd told Cas all about it. Cas was trying to help, but he just didn't know how to. All he could do was listen to him and be there for him when he needed him.

Dean ended up passing out on the couch with his arm covering his face. Cas walked into the apartment about half an hour before their friends were supposed to get there for movie night and saw Dean asleep. He still had his boots on, which told Cas just how tired he was. He'd grabbed his mail on the way up, figuring Dean had been too tired to remember to grab it.

He set it down on the kitchen table and was about to walk away when he noticed some handwriting on the second envelope. He kicked himself for being curious, but he snooped anyway. He pushed the first envelope down and saw that the one that lay underneath was a handwritten letter by Sam Winchester, Dean's brother.

Cas's eyes widened. Sam had finally written him back! Should he wake Dean up? Should he wait to show him until after their friends leave in case it's emotional? He decided on grabbing a couple of beers, the letter, and going into the living room to wake Dean up.

Cas sat on the edge of the couch and placed his hand on Dean's chest. "Dean, wake up."

Dean's arm moved a fraction so that he could see. He saw Cas sitting in front of him with a serious look on his face. He moved his arm all the way, opening his eyes fully and tried waking himself up completely. "What's up, Cas? Did I fall asleep?"

Cas chuckled. "Yes, you did. You still have your boots on too. You know, we can cancel movie night and you can just relax, go to bed early. You have to be exhausted."

Dean shook his head and sat up. "Nah, it's okay. I just needed a little nap. I'm good to go now."

He reached for one of the beers, popped off the lid and took a swig. "So, how was work, babe?"

Cas nodded, "Work was uneventful. There is something you need to see, though."

Dean leaned back against the cushions and looked at Cas questioningly. "What's that?"

Cas pulled the letter into view and handed it to Dean. "Sam wrote back. I'll go start dinner."

Dean watched as Cas stood and gave him some privacy so he could read the letter. That was one of the things he loved about Cas. He was very understanding and respected your privacy. He took a deep breath and looked down at the letter. Sam's chicken scratch was written on the front of the envelope. He flipped it over, unsealed it, and pulled out the letter written to him by his little brother. Actually, there were two letters. He set the second one aside and opened the first one.

Dean,

It is so good to finally be hearing from you again. I know that this letter is coming a little later than it should, but I didn't really know what to say. It's funny because ever since you left, I've been imaging everything I would say to you if I ever got the chance again. I've written countless letters to you that I know would never be able to be mailed, but it was a sort of relief, I guess, to be able to talk to you in a way, even if you would never read them. When I first read that last letter and saw your address, my first instinct was to drive there and beg you to come back. I called Jo and told her everything. She rushed over to the house and talked some sense into me. She was right. I can't just show up there in your new life and ask you to come back to a life that had betrayed you. That wouldn't be right for me. That would be selfish of me and I just can't do that. You've been so selfless your entire life. You've put yourself last your entire life. It's time for you to put yourself first for once and be happy.

I wasn't shocked when you told me about Cas. I'm really happy for you. I'm glad that you can be happy again and that you can trust again. I feel awful for not telling you, we all do. I can't tell you how many times I've beat myself up for that. Jo keeps telling me to stop.

I miss you, Dean. I miss you so much. I keep coming home, eager to tell you about what happened in class, or what happened at work, but you're not here. I haven't been able to tell you about anything. I haven't been able to talk to you about Jess. She left me not that long after you left. She said I changed when you left, but the break up was a long time coming. I didn't even realize things were that bad between us. It's not your fault, though. It just wasn't meant to be, I guess. I've started talking to someone else, so it's okay. His name is Gabriel. He's a dork, like you, loves playing tricks on everyone and always has something sweet to eat. He's like the modern-day Loki, hah. You're probably shocked I'm with a guy too. I've never been with one, but we just click. I hope you can meet him someday. You would like him.

Jo is struggling with the studio. Your payments are keeping the studio going, but she's struggling. People keep leaving because they can't work with you. We recently got a few new clients though, so here's hoping they stick around. Ellen and Bobby haven't changed a bit. I gave them your address a couple of days ago in case they want to send you anything, so you might want to keep your eye on the mail. You know how Ellen is. Jo has your address too, so she'll probably be writing to you too.

I didn't give it to Mom or Dad. I haven't talked to them since the night she died. I don't plan on ever talking to them again, either. I'm done with them. Ellen, Bobby, and Jo are family enough. I don't need them. The whole situation was wrong and Dad was wrong to do what he did.

So, have you been working on that song? Have you come up with the lyrics yet? You've been gone for a long time. You've been gone for almost four months now. I've never seen you struggle to come up with lyrics like that. Ever. I hope it's coming along. I guess I'll end this here. I miss you, Dean. I miss you a lot. It's hard not having you here. Some days I don't even know what to do with myself. Enclosed is a second letter. The letter is to Cas. Please give it to him and ask him to read it. If he doesn't want to, that's fine. I can't wait to hear from you again, Dean. I love you, big bro. Please write again soon.

Love Always,

Sam

P.S.- You should probably know that I dropped out of Stanford. I needed to pick up some more work hours to help out with bills. It's okay though. I was thinking about taking some online classes when things pick up a bit. It's going to be okay.

Dean sat there, staring at the piece of paper. He closed his eyes and willed back the tears that threatened to come. He couldn't believe that he'd just heard from his little brother for the first time in almost four months. It seemed like a lifetime ago that they had argued and he'd left.

He grabbed Cas's letter and walked into the kitchen. Cas looked up and saw the pain in his eyes. He walked up to Dean and rested a hand on his waist. "Are you okay, Dean?"

Dean shook his head. "Not really. He wrote a letter for you too." Dean held up the letter that had Cas's name on it. Hesitantly, he took it from Dean and looked at it. "Why would he write me a letter? He doesn't even know me."

Dean shrugged. "That's Sammy for you. I told him about you in the first letter I wrote. In the last one, I told him about us. He's probably just going to give you the speech. He said you don't have to read it if you don't want to."

Cas nodded, sliding it into his back pocket. "I'll read it later. For now, let's take care of you. What do you need?"

Dean pulled Cas into his arms and buried his face into the crook of Cas's neck. "This. Just…this."

They stayed that way for a while, relishing the feel of each other's embrace. Dean pulled away and rested his forehead against Cas's. "Thanks, Cas."

"For what?"

"For just being here. For being as supportive as you are."

Cas nodded and pecked Dean's lips. "That is what I'm here for, Dean. Now, why don't you go take a shower and clear your mind. Take as long as you need. I'll finish cooking supper and by the time you get out, they'll be here and we can have a nice night."

Dean nodded, placing a slower, more passionate kiss on Cas's lips. "I think I'll do just that. You're sure you don't need any help?"

Cas shook his head. "No, I'll be fine, Dean. Don't worry about a thing. Just go clear your mind and get cleaned up."

Dean smiled and placed one more kiss on Cas's lips before leaving the kitchen to take a shower. Cas did a few things, getting dinner ready. Once there was nothing to be done and it was only a waiting game for it to be done, he pulled out Sam's letter and began to read.

Dear Cas,

I know that you don't know me so it's probably weird that I'm writing to you, but since you're dating my brother, I felt that it was necessary. Dean is a very special sort of person. He's unbelievably kind and puts everyone else's needs before his own. He's been doing that ever since I was born. I don't know what all he's told you. I don't know if he's told you about his past or what brought him to the town he's in now, but if he hasn't…just know that it wasn't anything good. Something very horrible happened to him and I hope that he tells you someday if he hasn't already.

Dean is the best sort of person there is. He is there for you at a moment's notice, he drops what he's doing to make sure you're okay and have what you need. He doesn't stop to think about himself until everyone else is taken care of. You need to make sure he's taken care of. When he was here, we all agreed to keep an eye on him and make sure his needs were met as well since we know how much he cares about everyone else. He doesn't know how much we looked out for him as well. So, now it's your job to make sure he's okay and taken care of. And from what Dean has told me, you probably won't mind one bit. He said that you're great and that we would get along. If Dean says that about you, then I know it's true. I just have one favor to ask of you, Cas, besides looking out for him and taking care of him. Just…please don't hurt him. Keep yourself and your happiness in mind, but don't break his heart. It's fragile. I don't think he could stand for it to be broken again.

I hope to meet you one day. Maybe you can convince Dean to come home for a visit. He doesn't have to stay. I'd just like to see him. Maybe he'll listen to you. You could come with too. I'd love to meet you and so would everyone else. They've read the letters too, so they know about you. I hope that you and Dean are happy together, I really do. He deserves all the happiness in the world. Take care of yourself, and him.

-Sam

Cas sat back against the chair and stared off into space. Dean had told his brother about him and that they were together. Considering he's only sent two letters home to his brother, that was big, wasn't it? What Sam said about taking care of Dean…he already knew that. He already caught on that Dean takes care of everyone besides himself. He'd already told himself that he would take care of Dean whenever possible. He was, after all, making the man dinner and sent him off to take a shower and clear his head. He was trying to make Dean feel better. He loved making Dean feel better, making him smile, hearing him laugh. It was the best part of his day.

Cas looked down at the letter. He knew how badly Dean wanted to see and talk to his brother. And now that he had read that letter Sam had written to him, he knew how much Sam wanted it as well. He decided to try and convince Dean to go visit him, or even give him his new phone number, at the very least. Maybe they could start off a little smaller than visits, but bigger than old fashioned letters and text each other, maybe even call. It was worth a try.

Until next time.