How Castiel Novak Disappeared (And How Gabriel Novak Came Back) (chap 8/25)
Title: The How Verse - How Castiel Novak Disappeared (And How Gabriel Novak Came Back) (chap 8/25)
Fandom: Supernatural (AU)
Author: Joseethefirst
Rating: PG (higher rating in later chapters)
Characters/Pairings: Cas and Dean crushing on each other (Destiel/Sabriel later)
Warnings: really nothing in this one
Word Count: 2 360 words
Summary: The lives of four people change in a span of a year shown through fragmented memories. It centers mostly around Castiel.
MASTERPOST
Chapter 8: Castiel has had enough.
Sam felt that after Dean's birthday, time flew very fast. Before he knew it, not one, but two summers had passed and two full school years. Soon after his birthday, Dean had broken up with Lisa. They still remain friends, not close friends but friends. Dean had found himself well incorporated in this little circle he had with Sam and Castiel. Sam figured that Dean would be annoyed; hanging out with a bunch of high schoolers, but, it was true that even though Dean was really popular, he was never really one to have many friends. And Sam would be blind if he didn't see the real reason Dean stuck around.
He was waiting.
Just like he promised he would all those years ago. He was waiting for Castiel to grow up. To become an adult. And Sam couldn't lie, Castiel had become really good looking over the years. His face sharpened, taking on the appearance of what it will be in a couple of years, he almost constantly had a stubble, complaining that he did shave in the morning, but I'd be right back by lunch, so he might as well just keep it, but keep it neat. He had gotten taller, had filled out considerably (considering how scrawny he was when they met) and just all-around grew well. Sam himself was no exception. He noticed he was getting much more positive attention around school. He was filling out very nicely himself and had gotten extremely tall (towering over Dean, who wasn't a big fan of it). Dean himself was bulking up, which he was rather pleased with - and honestly, he'd be blind and stupid if he didn't notice the loopy smile on Castiel's face when he saw Dean shirtless while working on the Impala. But Dean himself got the same look when they all went swimming together and he saw Castiel. It was bad enough they were into each other before - now it was reaching a critical level. And Castiel seriously didn't think Sam knew.
Sam sighed on the lawn chair set up in his backyard. He and Castiel were just lounging around with ice-teas, playing music while they talked. This summer should have been as fun and carefree as usual. But this summer was different. It was the summer right before senior year - which should have been the summer to have crazy amounts of fun but it wasn't the case. College and University was just around the corner and since the last semester of grade 11, Michael, Castiel's older brother and legal guardian had been on his case to pick a goddamn law school already. The thing is…
"I don't want to be a lawyer! The last thing in the world I want to be is - is a lawyer!" whined Castiel, burring his face in his hands. Sam rubbed Castiel's back, trying to cheer up his friend. "C'mon Cas, I'm sure we can find a way to convince him." Castiel shook his head, running his hands through his hair "You've met the asshole! You know! Once Michael decides something its set! He even told me 'we've been prepping you since you were a child for this, Castiel!'" started Castiel, mimicking his brother's voice” 'You're the only one in this family capable of making it through law school and you will be our family's lawyer. You owe me that for raising you, you understand me?!'" and then Castiel went back to hiding his face in his hands "...that's a pretty awful thing to say" admitted Sam, frowning. "I can't believe he'd throw that in your face!"
Castiel sighed, looking up at the sky. "Well, he's right. He did give up everything to raise me and my siblings and become head of household." Sam frowned even more "So?! You don't say stuff like that to people! If he really cared about you, he'd let you be a librarian like you want to! It's not like you told him you want to be an exotic dancer!"
"Or a sexy librarian in Playgirl!" offered Dean as he walked up to them, carrying a milkshake. Cas made a noise, spotting the milkshake and Dean instantly beeline to Castiel, offering it to the other. Castiel gladly took some. Sam had no idea had they didn't realize how they're already dating. Dean then ruffled up Cas' hair and sat down in the lawn chair besides Cas "I'm not doing Playgirl!" huffed Castiel, leaning back on his chair "Hey man, you say librarian, I think the sexy kind" Castiel snorted, then he sighed, closing his eyes. "The worst part of all of this is that the whole council agrees with Michael. So I'm stuck since I lost my only ally." then Castiel grew very quiet. Sam and Dean shot each other a look, this was bad. Castiel only got like this when he would think of his lost brother.
Sam didn't know much about Gabriel. All he really knew was that Gabriel was about 8 years older than Castiel but was also the one closest to Castiel's age. Castiel, when he would speak of Gabriel, always spoke very fondly. Saying that he was warm and friendly, and even though he could be a little cruel with his jokes and comments, he meant well. He was Castiel's best friend growing up and Castiel had really looked up to him. But unfortunately, when Castiel was 12 years old, his brother packed his things and ran off in the middle of the night. Michael and the rest went insane looking for him, but they never did track him down. Apparently, the story went that, like Castiel, Michael had told Gabriel that he had to go to college in finances to be the family's accountant. Gabriel wanted to be a teacher. Michael forbid him, so, Gabriel took out his share of the trust fund and ran away, only to never be heard of again.
Lately, Sam found, he'd be seeing that look on Castiel's face a lot. And it was starting to really worry him.
It was 2:34am when his phone rang.
Sam shot out of bed and glared at the offending cell phone, wondering who the hell could be calling him at this hour. He frowned when he saw the screen brightly flash
"Cas' Home"
He answered the phone, yawning, and before he could even say anything, a voice screamed out "IS HE THERE?!"
Sam blinked, confused and rather irritated, and then paused, and again, before he could answer
"Could you not stand there breathing in the phone like an idiot and answer me this, is Castiel there?!"
Sam frowned, it was Michael "No...Why would he be here?" "Well, when he's not here, he's usually at your little house, and now you're telling me he's not there?!" Sam paused, getting out of his bed and quickly running to Dean's room next door. He knocked on the door, waiting a moment as Michael kept yelling into the receiver like an asshole. He heard the familiar groan and a groggy Dean opened the door, clad only in his boxers as he rubbed his eyes. "Wha'up, Sammy?"
Sam covered the mouthpiece, hissing quietly at Dean "Do you have Cas in there?!" Dean blinked, shock written all over his face "Uhh, no? Why?...Is Cas missing?!" Sam nodded, bringing the phone back to his ear as Michael kept screaming
"Sorry, sorry, sorry! I was double checking with my brother, Cas isn't here."
"Castiel. And Castiel's things are missing! Not all of them, but a lot, and he's not here! He's nowhere to be found! And now you're telling me that he's not even at your place?!"
Sam's voice was very quiet, worry setting in "No, he's not...have you tried his cell?" "No, I didn't think of calling his cell phone, instead I figured let's call the friend first before I contact the actual person himself."
Michael was such an asshole.
"Look, umm, I'll go looking around! I'm sure he's still around someplace! Maybe...Maybe...we'll find him!" "Castiel had BETTER be found! I will not have the same situation as before!" and then he promptly hung up.
Sam stared at his phone, trying to let everything sink in. Castiel was missing?! Sam quickly called Castiel, holding the phone to his ear, praying softly that the other would pickup - only for it to go to voicemail. Oh this was bad. Castiel ALWAYS picked up his phone! While he was mildly freaking out, Dean stepped out of his room, wearing a pair of jeans he just threw on and a t-shirt, shrugging on his leather jacket and digging his keys out "Are you coming?! Let's go check out all the 24 places, Cas might have just wanted to get out of the house for a bit and didn't want to bother us or something stupid." Sam nodded, running into his room to get dressed. Dean waited and was surprised when he heard a door shut quietly. Dean turned around and saw Mary, clutching her bathrobe close.
"Sorry if we woke you up, mom."
"Dean, what's wrong?"
"Castiel's gone missing."
Mary's eyes widen, worry written all over her face "You boys will find him, right?"
Dean smiled, nodding "Yeah, we'll find him."
"And if he doesn't' want to come home, you bring him straight here. I'll go call the hospitals and see if anybody matching his description showed up."
Dean's heart caught in his throat, he didn't even think of that! Mary smiled softly, stroking Dean's cheek. "I'm sure he's fine, just to take it off the list, okay?" Dean nodded, growing quiet. Mary leaned up to kiss his cheek. "Call me when you find out something, okay?" Dean nodded again. Sam soon emerged from his room and both of them took off.
During the time they spent looking into every single 24 hour dinner, grocery store, even bars (just in case!) and anything that was open, that they could until suddenly an idea struck Sam "...What if he skipped town?" Dean's eyes widen. Dean quickly turned around, driving towards the bus station.
Once at the bus station, Dean quickly ran up to the counter, trying to get information out of the guy. Sam did one last ditch effort to call Castiel as he sat down in one of the waiting room chairs. One ring, two rings, three rings -
"Hello? Sam? Why are you calling me at this hour?" Sam practically started to dance in the middle of the bus station. "Cas! Cas! Holy crap! Where are you?! We've been looking everywhere for you! Michael called and said your stuff was gone!"
Castiel grew quiet. Sam's expression softened, as well as his voice "Cas…c'mon man, talk to me. Where are you?" Dean quickly made his way towards Sam, sitting down beside him. "Is that Cas? Did you get him?! The guy wouldn't tell me jack!" Sam nodded, waiting for the response from Castiel as Dean moved in to be able to hear it.
"....I'm...I'm in Wichita..."
Sam and Dean's jaws both dropped "What?! Why are you in Wichita?!" asked Sam, confused. Castiel paused again, for what seemed like a very long time before he finally answered "Gabriel lives in Wichita." Sam and Dean looked at each other "...How...How do you know that?" Dean closed his eyes, he could picture Cas biting his lip "...I always knew where Gabriel was." Sam closed his eyes, taking a deep breath before continuing. "So... this whole time. For almost five years, you knew where your brother was?! Why didn't you tell us, or anyone?" "Because...I didn't want Michael to find him, so I figured if I stayed quiet, he never would. Gabriel changed his name and everything. He worked so hard to hide; I couldn't bring myself to expose him, even by accident. He gave me his new email before leaving...he hid it behind the frame of that picture of us together. I've been emailing him for years now...He gave me his address in case of emergency..."
"Cas..." started Dean, surprising Sam "...You can talk to us man, how come you just took off? You could have called us; we would have met with you and talked." Castiel paused once again. "...I know...I just...I really needed to see Gabriel...I just...I couldn't take it anymore. There was another fight tonight...and I...I just wanted....I don't even know...You guys...both of you, are the greatest friends anybody could ask for...but.." Castiel paused for a moment as his voice choked, a sob coming out.
Castiel was crying. And it killed both Sam and Dean that they couldn't do anything about it. "...I..I have no allies in that house, nobody! I...I just...I needed my big brother." There was a moment of silence. Dean put his arm around Sam, pulling him into a hug. Sam quickly hugged back. "Okay...I get that...I really get that. Look...Cas, if you need to talk, at any point tonight, you let us know, okay? We'll stay on the line if you want." "I'll get in my car and come get you if you need me to." added Dean. Sam nodded "Anything, okay?" Castiel sniffed, they both knew he was smiling "Thank you...I'm really sorry about worrying you. I was going to call in the morning." "You call right away, Cas!" barked Dean, but with no malice in his voice. "I'm going to catch a cab now and go over to his place. I'll call you in the morning, okay?" "You call us if you need a ride back, okay?" "Okay, I'm sorry again. Take care you too." "Good luck, Cas."
The next morning, around 7am, the phone rings. Castiel was back at the Novak Estate. A man in a '66 candy red Mustang convertible had driven him back home. Gabriel Novak had returned to the Novak Estate after nearly five years of falling off the map. Sam was speechless.
In September, when Castiel and Sam found themselves in homeroom, Sam was surprised to see the face from the photos walking into class. Apparently, Gabriel was doing his teaching placement in Ms. Missouri's class. This was going to be one hell of an interesting year.
End of the flashbacks
Fandom: Supernatural (AU)
Author: Joseethefirst
Rating: PG (higher rating in later chapters)
Characters/Pairings: Cas and Dean crushing on each other (Destiel/Sabriel later)
Warnings: really nothing in this one
Word Count: 2 360 words
Summary: The lives of four people change in a span of a year shown through fragmented memories. It centers mostly around Castiel.
MASTERPOST
Chapter 8: Castiel has had enough.
Sam felt that after Dean's birthday, time flew very fast. Before he knew it, not one, but two summers had passed and two full school years. Soon after his birthday, Dean had broken up with Lisa. They still remain friends, not close friends but friends. Dean had found himself well incorporated in this little circle he had with Sam and Castiel. Sam figured that Dean would be annoyed; hanging out with a bunch of high schoolers, but, it was true that even though Dean was really popular, he was never really one to have many friends. And Sam would be blind if he didn't see the real reason Dean stuck around.
He was waiting.
Just like he promised he would all those years ago. He was waiting for Castiel to grow up. To become an adult. And Sam couldn't lie, Castiel had become really good looking over the years. His face sharpened, taking on the appearance of what it will be in a couple of years, he almost constantly had a stubble, complaining that he did shave in the morning, but I'd be right back by lunch, so he might as well just keep it, but keep it neat. He had gotten taller, had filled out considerably (considering how scrawny he was when they met) and just all-around grew well. Sam himself was no exception. He noticed he was getting much more positive attention around school. He was filling out very nicely himself and had gotten extremely tall (towering over Dean, who wasn't a big fan of it). Dean himself was bulking up, which he was rather pleased with - and honestly, he'd be blind and stupid if he didn't notice the loopy smile on Castiel's face when he saw Dean shirtless while working on the Impala. But Dean himself got the same look when they all went swimming together and he saw Castiel. It was bad enough they were into each other before - now it was reaching a critical level. And Castiel seriously didn't think Sam knew.
Sam sighed on the lawn chair set up in his backyard. He and Castiel were just lounging around with ice-teas, playing music while they talked. This summer should have been as fun and carefree as usual. But this summer was different. It was the summer right before senior year - which should have been the summer to have crazy amounts of fun but it wasn't the case. College and University was just around the corner and since the last semester of grade 11, Michael, Castiel's older brother and legal guardian had been on his case to pick a goddamn law school already. The thing is…
"I don't want to be a lawyer! The last thing in the world I want to be is - is a lawyer!" whined Castiel, burring his face in his hands. Sam rubbed Castiel's back, trying to cheer up his friend. "C'mon Cas, I'm sure we can find a way to convince him." Castiel shook his head, running his hands through his hair "You've met the asshole! You know! Once Michael decides something its set! He even told me 'we've been prepping you since you were a child for this, Castiel!'" started Castiel, mimicking his brother's voice” 'You're the only one in this family capable of making it through law school and you will be our family's lawyer. You owe me that for raising you, you understand me?!'" and then Castiel went back to hiding his face in his hands "...that's a pretty awful thing to say" admitted Sam, frowning. "I can't believe he'd throw that in your face!"
Castiel sighed, looking up at the sky. "Well, he's right. He did give up everything to raise me and my siblings and become head of household." Sam frowned even more "So?! You don't say stuff like that to people! If he really cared about you, he'd let you be a librarian like you want to! It's not like you told him you want to be an exotic dancer!"
"Or a sexy librarian in Playgirl!" offered Dean as he walked up to them, carrying a milkshake. Cas made a noise, spotting the milkshake and Dean instantly beeline to Castiel, offering it to the other. Castiel gladly took some. Sam had no idea had they didn't realize how they're already dating. Dean then ruffled up Cas' hair and sat down in the lawn chair besides Cas "I'm not doing Playgirl!" huffed Castiel, leaning back on his chair "Hey man, you say librarian, I think the sexy kind" Castiel snorted, then he sighed, closing his eyes. "The worst part of all of this is that the whole council agrees with Michael. So I'm stuck since I lost my only ally." then Castiel grew very quiet. Sam and Dean shot each other a look, this was bad. Castiel only got like this when he would think of his lost brother.
Sam didn't know much about Gabriel. All he really knew was that Gabriel was about 8 years older than Castiel but was also the one closest to Castiel's age. Castiel, when he would speak of Gabriel, always spoke very fondly. Saying that he was warm and friendly, and even though he could be a little cruel with his jokes and comments, he meant well. He was Castiel's best friend growing up and Castiel had really looked up to him. But unfortunately, when Castiel was 12 years old, his brother packed his things and ran off in the middle of the night. Michael and the rest went insane looking for him, but they never did track him down. Apparently, the story went that, like Castiel, Michael had told Gabriel that he had to go to college in finances to be the family's accountant. Gabriel wanted to be a teacher. Michael forbid him, so, Gabriel took out his share of the trust fund and ran away, only to never be heard of again.
Lately, Sam found, he'd be seeing that look on Castiel's face a lot. And it was starting to really worry him.
It was 2:34am when his phone rang.
Sam shot out of bed and glared at the offending cell phone, wondering who the hell could be calling him at this hour. He frowned when he saw the screen brightly flash
"Cas' Home"
He answered the phone, yawning, and before he could even say anything, a voice screamed out "IS HE THERE?!"
Sam blinked, confused and rather irritated, and then paused, and again, before he could answer
"Could you not stand there breathing in the phone like an idiot and answer me this, is Castiel there?!"
Sam frowned, it was Michael "No...Why would he be here?" "Well, when he's not here, he's usually at your little house, and now you're telling me he's not there?!" Sam paused, getting out of his bed and quickly running to Dean's room next door. He knocked on the door, waiting a moment as Michael kept yelling into the receiver like an asshole. He heard the familiar groan and a groggy Dean opened the door, clad only in his boxers as he rubbed his eyes. "Wha'up, Sammy?"
Sam covered the mouthpiece, hissing quietly at Dean "Do you have Cas in there?!" Dean blinked, shock written all over his face "Uhh, no? Why?...Is Cas missing?!" Sam nodded, bringing the phone back to his ear as Michael kept screaming
"Sorry, sorry, sorry! I was double checking with my brother, Cas isn't here."
"Castiel. And Castiel's things are missing! Not all of them, but a lot, and he's not here! He's nowhere to be found! And now you're telling me that he's not even at your place?!"
Sam's voice was very quiet, worry setting in "No, he's not...have you tried his cell?" "No, I didn't think of calling his cell phone, instead I figured let's call the friend first before I contact the actual person himself."
Michael was such an asshole.
"Look, umm, I'll go looking around! I'm sure he's still around someplace! Maybe...Maybe...we'll find him!" "Castiel had BETTER be found! I will not have the same situation as before!" and then he promptly hung up.
Sam stared at his phone, trying to let everything sink in. Castiel was missing?! Sam quickly called Castiel, holding the phone to his ear, praying softly that the other would pickup - only for it to go to voicemail. Oh this was bad. Castiel ALWAYS picked up his phone! While he was mildly freaking out, Dean stepped out of his room, wearing a pair of jeans he just threw on and a t-shirt, shrugging on his leather jacket and digging his keys out "Are you coming?! Let's go check out all the 24 places, Cas might have just wanted to get out of the house for a bit and didn't want to bother us or something stupid." Sam nodded, running into his room to get dressed. Dean waited and was surprised when he heard a door shut quietly. Dean turned around and saw Mary, clutching her bathrobe close.
"Sorry if we woke you up, mom."
"Dean, what's wrong?"
"Castiel's gone missing."
Mary's eyes widen, worry written all over her face "You boys will find him, right?"
Dean smiled, nodding "Yeah, we'll find him."
"And if he doesn't' want to come home, you bring him straight here. I'll go call the hospitals and see if anybody matching his description showed up."
Dean's heart caught in his throat, he didn't even think of that! Mary smiled softly, stroking Dean's cheek. "I'm sure he's fine, just to take it off the list, okay?" Dean nodded, growing quiet. Mary leaned up to kiss his cheek. "Call me when you find out something, okay?" Dean nodded again. Sam soon emerged from his room and both of them took off.
During the time they spent looking into every single 24 hour dinner, grocery store, even bars (just in case!) and anything that was open, that they could until suddenly an idea struck Sam "...What if he skipped town?" Dean's eyes widen. Dean quickly turned around, driving towards the bus station.
Once at the bus station, Dean quickly ran up to the counter, trying to get information out of the guy. Sam did one last ditch effort to call Castiel as he sat down in one of the waiting room chairs. One ring, two rings, three rings -
"Hello? Sam? Why are you calling me at this hour?" Sam practically started to dance in the middle of the bus station. "Cas! Cas! Holy crap! Where are you?! We've been looking everywhere for you! Michael called and said your stuff was gone!"
Castiel grew quiet. Sam's expression softened, as well as his voice "Cas…c'mon man, talk to me. Where are you?" Dean quickly made his way towards Sam, sitting down beside him. "Is that Cas? Did you get him?! The guy wouldn't tell me jack!" Sam nodded, waiting for the response from Castiel as Dean moved in to be able to hear it.
"....I'm...I'm in Wichita..."
Sam and Dean's jaws both dropped "What?! Why are you in Wichita?!" asked Sam, confused. Castiel paused again, for what seemed like a very long time before he finally answered "Gabriel lives in Wichita." Sam and Dean looked at each other "...How...How do you know that?" Dean closed his eyes, he could picture Cas biting his lip "...I always knew where Gabriel was." Sam closed his eyes, taking a deep breath before continuing. "So... this whole time. For almost five years, you knew where your brother was?! Why didn't you tell us, or anyone?" "Because...I didn't want Michael to find him, so I figured if I stayed quiet, he never would. Gabriel changed his name and everything. He worked so hard to hide; I couldn't bring myself to expose him, even by accident. He gave me his new email before leaving...he hid it behind the frame of that picture of us together. I've been emailing him for years now...He gave me his address in case of emergency..."
"Cas..." started Dean, surprising Sam "...You can talk to us man, how come you just took off? You could have called us; we would have met with you and talked." Castiel paused once again. "...I know...I just...I really needed to see Gabriel...I just...I couldn't take it anymore. There was another fight tonight...and I...I just wanted....I don't even know...You guys...both of you, are the greatest friends anybody could ask for...but.." Castiel paused for a moment as his voice choked, a sob coming out.
Castiel was crying. And it killed both Sam and Dean that they couldn't do anything about it. "...I..I have no allies in that house, nobody! I...I just...I needed my big brother." There was a moment of silence. Dean put his arm around Sam, pulling him into a hug. Sam quickly hugged back. "Okay...I get that...I really get that. Look...Cas, if you need to talk, at any point tonight, you let us know, okay? We'll stay on the line if you want." "I'll get in my car and come get you if you need me to." added Dean. Sam nodded "Anything, okay?" Castiel sniffed, they both knew he was smiling "Thank you...I'm really sorry about worrying you. I was going to call in the morning." "You call right away, Cas!" barked Dean, but with no malice in his voice. "I'm going to catch a cab now and go over to his place. I'll call you in the morning, okay?" "You call us if you need a ride back, okay?" "Okay, I'm sorry again. Take care you too." "Good luck, Cas."
The next morning, around 7am, the phone rings. Castiel was back at the Novak Estate. A man in a '66 candy red Mustang convertible had driven him back home. Gabriel Novak had returned to the Novak Estate after nearly five years of falling off the map. Sam was speechless.
In September, when Castiel and Sam found themselves in homeroom, Sam was surprised to see the face from the photos walking into class. Apparently, Gabriel was doing his teaching placement in Ms. Missouri's class. This was going to be one hell of an interesting year.
End of the flashbacks