Castiel never left Dean's side, and it was hard to tell if it was from fear or grief, or perhaps it was a combination of both, but whatever the reason, Cas clung onto Dean for dear life, and Dean clung right back. He refused to let Castiel fall into a never ending pit of grief, and so he stuck by him the whole time they were in the hospital and even beyond that.

They were only in the hospital for another week or so because Dean's injury had, thankfully, not been fatal. The only thing they were concerned about was his possible brain damage, and even that turned out to be only mild. He was a little bit slow in speech, and he had some short term memory problems, but it was not as bad as it could have been. Dean got out lucky. He had to wear a sling for a few more months, but he was alive. He would make it out of that hospital, Unlike Gabriel.

Castiel and Dean spent all of their time together, but it was not in the kind of way that most newly married couples would. They spent hours together in silence just holding each other. Whenever they talked, it was only about the very small things. Castiel was still not entirely present in the world, but he was better around Dean. He was not completely better, but at least he was not bursting out into violent rages or crying fits. He still cried, but it was into Dean, and that made it safer.

Things went on like that for a while. They returned to Dean's apartment seeing as Cas could not tolerate being at his and Gabriel's apartment. Cas had practically lived in Dean's apartment anyway. The purchasing of their new home had been put off because of the recent tragedy, but they still wanted to go through with it.

Sam felt even more unwanted in the apartment now. Cas and Dean hardly even spoke, and they never really spoke to him. They hardly even acknowledged that he was there. On the rare occasion that Cas left the room for a moment, Dean would say a few words to Sam, but it was never real conversation, and he never seemed to be truly present. That was how Sam knew that Gabriel's death had not just shattered Cas, but it had in turn destroyed Dean, and now it was starting to destroy him. He hated seeing his once lively brother reduced to a silent comfort object.

Sam tried to stay out of the apartment even more now, and that meant spending a lot more time with Jess. He would be going to Stanford with her in a few months anyway. He figured that he might as well get used to his time away from home.

Dean and Cas were alone one day curled up on the couch. That had become their usual position. They would lay together on the couch wrapped up in a blanket. Sometimes they would watch television, but most of the time they were just silent. That was the only thing they could really manage. Talking hurt. Talking led to feelings, and feelings led to memories, and memories nearly always led to Gabriel. Cas had nightmares about his beloved brother, and he would wake up screaming nearly every night. Dean had become accustomed to soothing him after such instances and just holding him until he was calm again.

Gabriel's funeral was over a month ago, but things did not seem to be getting too much better. It had been a scarring day for Castiel. He had gotten out of his seat and forced his way past Dean until he got to Gabriel's casket, and there he stood over it yelling at him to get up and come back to him. His anger built and built, but then it subsided and he fell down to the ground again in a broken heap. Dean and Sam had to carry him away, but the whole time he was screaming for them to stop. He screamed at them to let him stay with Gabriel. It got worse when they tried to bury him. Cas lost it at the sight. He started shrieking that Gabriel could not breathe and that they could not do that to him. It took hours for Cas to calm down after that, and even as they sat in the apartment over a month later, he was still shaking from the experience.

"Cas…" Dean began, his tone experimentally soft.

"Mhm?" Cas hummed instead of verbally answering him.

"Do you… Would you like to get the lake house now? We've got enough. I think Sam could use the apartment back." Dean reasoned as he began to run his fingers through Castiel's short hair.

Cas thought about it for a moment. It was something that he had not entirely considered ever since Gabriel's death. He wanted that. That was his dream, and his dream made him happy, and that was what Gabriel always wanted. With that reasoning, Castiel found it nearly impossible to reject the idea. "I want to. I think it's what Gabriel would want for me." He uttered very quietly.

Dean nodded. "I think so too, Cas. I think he'd want us to be happy in our dream house. I don't think he'd want us stuck in the apartment moping all day."

Castiel's face softened in worry. He had not really thought that perhaps Gabriel would not have wanted him to grieve for that long. The thought had never occurred to him before, and now he was concerned that he had gone against Gabriel's will. "Do…Do you think he would be mad at me?" Castiel's voice echoed all of his fear as his big blue eyes began to widen.

"No. I think he'd understand. He knew would that you would just need some time." Dean replied evenly as he began to hum again in order to calm Castiel's fears.

Cas began to immediately melt back into Dean as soon as he heard the gentle hum. "I'm ready." He declared with as much certainty as he could manage.

"Me too." Dean whispered into his ear. He had waited so long to hear those words. He had hoped that Castiel would be able to move on, and now that was starting to happen, and that would start with their dream house.

They bought the lake house pretty soon after that. They were actually excited about it. It felt weird to feel excited about something for once. Neither one had really experienced that feeling since Gabriel's death, and it was starting to feel good.

They were going to move into the house that day. It was only about twenty yards away from their favorite spot at the cliff, and it had the perfect view. It had a hammock, and Dean was thinking about getting a cat to go with it. It was their dream house, and they were finally going to get it.

All of the things had been moved up before except for a few bags of clothing, which were currently in the back of the Impala as Dean drove Castiel towards their new home.

They pulled into the driveway of lake house, and neither of them could keep their excitement down. The house was even more beautiful in person than it had been in the magazine. It was medium-sized with a wooden balcony that overlooked the lake. The outside was a very light blue, which was almost white, and the front porch was a light gray. There was a freshly cut lawn upfront, but in back was the sand and the lake. There was a dock floating about twenty feet away from the shore. The hammock hung in between two nearby trees a few feet away from the water. There was a fire pit that looked like it had not been used in ages. On the balcony, a large, white wooden swing overlooked the lake. It seemed so perfect, and that was only the outside.

Dean was brimming with excitement as he entered the house to look at the inside. It was everything he had imagined and more. As soon as he entered, he was met with a large room with his sofa from his apartment and the coffee table. It was a large living room space with darker blue walls and boxes cluttered around, seeing as they had not unpacked yet. There was a large window in the back of the room that illuminated the place with light. Another supporting window was on the other side of the room. It was closed off once he reached the open doorway that led into the smaller kitchen. It had everything that they needed, and it seemed quaint. It was not extravagant and superfluous; it was perfect the way it was. There was no room specifically marked as a dining room, so Dean decided that they would just have to make do with eating in the living room. They could fit a table and chairs in there if they really wanted to, but Dean and Cas ate on the couch so often that he did not even think it would be necessary.

There was a bathroom and a storage closet in the downstairs as well as a small study type of area with numerous bookshelves. They had put Dean's practically unused desk in there, and he mentally decided that could be their study for when Cas wanted to read or be alone. There were only a few rooms upstairs. Two of which were bedrooms, one the master and one a guest, and then there was a bathroom in the upstairs as well. That was it. The house was not too large, but it was nice. It had everything they ever wanted, and that was what counted. They had each other, and they were finally given their shot at happiness.

"What do you think?" Dean called happily over his shoulder to his husband who was following him around the house and taking in every detail.

"It's perfect." Cas decided affirmatively. He took in the whole place - their dream house. It was theirs, and no one could take it.

"I know." Dean agreed breathless. "Want to go on the balcony?" He asked with a sly grin.

Cas gave him a shy nod as he grabbed onto Dean's hand to follow him out onto said balcony that overlooked the same lake that they had gazed upon so often.

Dean immediately went to sit down on the swing as soon as he saw it. He was a child at heart. He smiled and motioned for Castiel to join him, but Castiel's gaze had focused on the lake in front of him.

Cas was frozen still staring at the lake. He backed away in shock as the color of the lake changed from a clear blue to a dark thick red. It was blood. It was Gabriel's blood. His face distorted in fear and horror and he immediately ran inside.

"Cas?!" Dean shouted as he ran after his frightened husband. He found him on the couch, curled up in a ball and slowly rocking himself back and forth. His eyes were wide and terrified. He hardly seemed to notice that Dean had entered the room.

"Cas…?" Dean began with concerned fear edging his voice. "What's wrong. Please, Cas. Just tell me." He begged as he sat down beside him.

Castiel made no acknowledgement of Dean. He just sat there with his legs pulled up to his chest and repeating the same comforting motion.

"Cas!" Dean felt tears begin to form behind his eyes as he saw Castiel's mental state retreating to its prior state at the hospital. "Please!" He pleaded, reaching out and grabbing Castiel's face so he could look into his eyes.

Despite that, Cas still did not seem to see Dean. He began to hum something to himself. His humming began to build as thoughts of Gabriel's blood oozing from the lake filled his mind. His mind played cruel tricks on him. He saw Gabriel floating in that lake, surrounded by the crimson water. Gabriel was limp, but he was not peaceful like Cas had seen him in the hospital. Instead, his head was tilted back forcefully. His eyes were pried open, and they were dripping with blood. His mouth was agape as if he were trying to say something, but those words could not come. Gabriel was dead, and that rest equated to silence. It was all in Castiel's mind, but that did not stop it from seeming horrifyingly real.

"Cas…" Dean's voice broke as he rested his forehead on top of Castiel's. There was nothing he could do to snap Cas out of it. Something had triggered Cas. Maybe it was the fact that Gabriel died by the lake, but Dean could not be sure. He could not know what Castiel had seen, but he knew that it could not be good. Whatever it was, It was bad and dark, and it was a result of looking at the lake, and Dean automatically knew what that meant.

"It's okay, Cas." He soothed. "We'll leave. We don't have to come back to the lake. I won't do this to you." It hurt Dean immensely to say that since that had been what they had dreamed of for so long, but there was no avoiding the reality. Their dream home had just become a nightmare. Castiel could not handle being by the lake; that was for certain, and that meant giving up their dream, but it did not matter. As long as Dean had Cas, he was fine. It did not matter if they were not in their ideal house. They could find a new one. All that mattered was their happiness, and now, they could never be happy in a house by the lake.

They drove past their cliff on the way out. Cas said nothing as they drove, but he did cast a small glance as they passed the place. The speed limit was very low, but Dean had also intentionally slowed down just so he could get one final look at their spot of hopes and dreams. They would be leaving that behind for good, and they both felt it reasonable to say goodbye. Dean came to a stop by the dirt road, but neither of them got out of the car for a while. Cas shot his gaze to the ground. He refused to look at the lake. He could not take it. That spot was even worse than the overview of the lake. That was where Gabriel had called him over right before the wedding. That was where he had last talked to Gabriel. They had been right underneath the tree. It was almost ironic. That tree that Castiel had carved that cat onto all that time ago was originally meant to make Dean happy and remind him not to be upset anymore. Now, it was a painful reminder of the joys of the past that were now too far from reach. Castiel's own attempt at spreading happiness had come around to bite him back, and that made him want nothing more than to get out of that place.

Dean looked over the place once more. He took in the cliff edge where he and Castiel used to sit and talk with childish energy and ambition. He took in the crisp grass that they would occasionally lie in or eat picnics in. He took in the shining lake that reflected all of his dreams right back at him. He took in the clear hopeful sky that he and Cas would watch clouds or stars in. Finally, he took in the tree. That tree symbolized the Castiel he used to know - the Castiel that had made the world a lighter place. Cas was not the same person, and Dean knew that he never would be. The trauma had changed Castiel forever, and there was no undoing that. Castiel was so innocent back when he drew that cat with an ice cream cone. He had childishly drawn a figure that he thought could erase pain, and now he knew how wrong that was. Now he had grown up, and Dean did not like it. He missed the lively innocent gleam in Castiel's eyes. He missed the youthful, shy way that Cas used to smile. He missed the sound of Castiel's soft laughter. He missed the Castiel that was joyful. He missed the Castiel that had not yet fully faced the world , but it was too late to go back. Time was permanent. What had been done by time could not be undone by man.

Years passed by and things progressively got better. However, they were never the same. Sam's smile was never as soft. Dean's laugh was never as carefree. Castiel's eyes never shone the same way again. They were just never as vibrantly bright. Things could never be the same, and they all knew that. A member of their family was gone, and that made a gap in their lives, which left a gaping hole in each of them.

Lakes and almost all bodies of water were still taboo around Castiel, but he calmed down over time, and eventually his pain became one that he could carry with him as long as he had Dean to help him. Sam was doing well in school. He and Jess had recently gotten engaged, and Cas and Dean were both very excited for them.

Dean and Castiel had moved into a small house just outside of the city, which they found that they quite liked. It was not their dream house, but that seemed only to be some distant foolish ambition now. They were complacent with the house they had because they had made it their own. It had taken nearly a year before Castiel was able to do it, but eventually he was able to hang up a photo of Gabriel over the fireplace, and Dean had been so proud of him for doing so.

Now, Cas was standing alone watching Dean run about the field with their little girl. They had adopted her about a year ago after Castiel insisted that he wanted a child. It took a little bit of persuasion, but Dean eventually agreed. Dean had been afraid of being as terrible of a parent as John was, but it turned out that he was a great father; much better than John could have even dreamed of being. Cas smiled as he watched his five-year-old daughter run around giggling as her father chased her around with a bright smile.

"Daddy! Come play!" The little girl tugged at Castiel's hand energetically as she looked up at him with large pleading blue eyes that were brimming with excitement.

A warm smile surfaced on Castiel's face. "Okay. I'll play in just a second." He assured her in a gentle tone.

Dean walked over to join his husband and daughter as he caught his breath from all of the running around they had been doing, but a smile still dominated his face. "Hey. Are you joining us?" He lifted his eyebrow in a playful way as he approached Castiel.

"Of course." Castiel returned Dean's smile. "I just need a moment." His tone was light as he spoke.

"Don't be too long." Dean whispered as he leaned in to wrap his arms around Castiel's waist from behind and gaze him a soft brisk kiss before he turned back towards their daughter. "You ready for round two?" He copied her energy level.

"Yeah!" She shouted energetically as she began bouncing up and down.

"I'm going to win." Dean pretended to warn her.

"No way! I'm winning!" She declared before running off again.

"No fair, Gabriella! You got a head start!" Dean whined in protest as he then followed after her.

Castiel wanted to roll his eyes at his husband's childlike behavior, but he actually found it endearing, so it only brought forth a smile. "He never grew up." Castiel commented. He focused his attention on the stone object in front of him. "But I love him for it. You know that, Gabe." Cas addressed his older brother's grave as his family ran around in the nearby field. "I'm so happy with him, but it's not the same without you. I wish you were here. I miss you everyday, but… It's gotten better, you know? There was one point when I thought it never would, but I was wrong. It's not gone; it still hurts, but it's to a much lesser degree. It's like it's a pain that I've gotten used to carrying. They make the load a lot lighter too. Sam is really kind, and he's always there to listen. Jess is always willing to give me really good advice. Dean is amazing, and he lights up my life. He always knows how to make me smile; he's been there for me, and I really owe my life to him, and Gabriella… Well… She keeps me on my toes. She's a little bundle of energy and kindness. She has an attitude already. Dean and I were holding hands on our way here today, and she complained that we scared all of the birds away with all our 'lovey-dovey mush'. She reminds me of you a lot, and… I was scared by that at first, but now I like it. I like having her around. It's almost like having you back and repaying the favor I owe you. You took care of me, so I'll take care of you. She's not you, and I know that. You could never be replaced, but I love having her around. I love having all of them around. They are our family, and we all miss you." Castiel finished it off by placing a gentle hand on Gabriel's tombstone.

"Daddy! Come on!" The little girl encouraged as she ran only a foot away from Dean.

"Coming!" Castiel called back as he turned his attention from the grave momentarily. "I've got to go now, but I'll be back. I'll never forget you." He promised solemnly. "Goodbye, Gabriel." With that, he ran off with a smile to join his family in their game of tag.