Sam wasn't expecting it.

He really wasn't. There was no way he could've. Who would have? It was so sudden. One moment Sam was in school, sitting in class and goofing off with his friend Castiel, and the next, a police officer was coming to his classroom with a grave look on his face and asked to see him in the hall.

One moment Sam was fine.

The next?

The next he was an orphan.

The news had Sam shell shocked. He walked back into class as if he had seen a ghost. Gone was goofy Sam; what replaced him was grave Sam, who stared off into space with a vacant, grave expression.

It took him hours to be able to talk, and Castiel, bless Castiel, allowed Sam to not talk. He chattered on, occasionally giving his friend a concerned look, but ultimately acted as though nothing had happened. Because to him, nothing had happened. And Castiel wasn't about to force Sam into doing something he wasn't ready to do; he knew from personal experience how much that sucked. No, it wasn't until later that night, after twelve hours of Sam not saying a word, that Castiel finally asked the big question.

"Sam, is something wrong?"

Sam didn't say anything.

"You don't have to tell me. But whatever it is, I'm here for you."

Still nothing.

"Sam?"

Maybe it was the way he said it, with his head cocked slightly and his eyes soft with concern. Maybe it was the rubber band snapping because of the question. Or maybe the shock had finally worn off and reality had sunk in.

Either way, Sam turned to his roommate with a look that Castiel swore he would never be able to forget.

"Both my parents were killed in a car crash caused by a drunk driver and Dean is overseas in Afghanistan. For the first time in my life, I have no family. I am truly alone."

Castiel stared at him in shock. Sam didn't move. Castiel slowly stood up, smoothed the wrinkles in his pants, and slowly walked over to Sam before wrapping his arms around Sam's shoulders and pulling him in close for a tight, strong hug.

And Sam let out a loud wail and collapsed onto the floor, taking Castiel with him.

x.x.x

Sam gripped Castiel's fingers until his knuckles were white as he stared at the freshly covered mound of dirt that covered his mother's body. Everyone else had already left, going back to what was now Sam's house for the wake. It was just Sam and Castiel. Tears streamed down Sam's face uncontrollably, but he made no move to wipe them away. He felt no shame at his grief, especially not in front of Castiel, who was sniffling quietly beside him; Sam knew he was trying to be strong for his sake, but Sam also knew that his parents were the parents that Castiel wished he had. They had accepted Castiel into their family as Sam's friend and roommate, and always included him in family gatherings. While Castiel hadn't known for that long, both men knew that they were going to be lifelong friends. It seemed only right that Castiel be here now, grieving with Sam.

"It's just not fair, you know?"

Sam suddenly choked out, squeezing Castiel's hand once again.

"It's not fair. It's not fair they were taken from me. I was supposed to have a way longer time with them. They were supposed to see Dean come home. They were supposed to be there at my wedding, at Dean's. They were supposed to hold their grandchildren and give me advice on how to be a dad. My mom was supposed to sing Christmas carols while dad played the piano."

Sam falls to his knees.

"How could this happen Cas? How can they just be gone? What about graduations, and birthdays, and holidays? How could this happen!?"

Sam let go of Castiel's hand at the point and curled into himself, sobbing.

"Where is Dean in all this? How come he isn't here? Why am I alone? Oh god, I'm alone. What kind of sick god lets this happen? Where's Dean? I want Dean!"

Sam trails off in his screaming rant, his sobs taking his breath and his words. Castiel kneels besides him and holds him tight, silently crying as well. His heart hurt for his friend, and he wished he could do something, anything. He didn't have the answers Sam craved, and he couldn't even help him get Dean, who didn't have the leave available to come home for the funeral. The only thing Castiel could do was hold Sam and be there for him in his time of need.

Sam might not have had any family there.

But Castiel made sure as hell that he was never alone.