Recovery Chapter 2

Story: SupernaturalCharacters: Sam, Cas, GabrielWarnings: Swearing and mention of past abuseChapter 2-Scars

Cas was ecstatic when he discovered in study hall that he had been hired by the local bookstore. He and Gabe lived in a small apartment ever since their parents had kicked Gabe out when he told them he was bisexual, and he had taken Cas with him to avoid a similar fate for his little brother, since he’s gay. He was glad he finally got to help out, and that the bookstore hired sophomores. He knew that when his brother wasn’t at school, or making inappropriate jokes, he was working to pay off their rent, food, and clothing costs.

After study hall, he met up with Gabriel and told him about the job.

Gabe smiled. “About time!”

By the end of the day, Cas was exhausted. His teachers had piled him with homework, and he was not looking forward to competing it at all. Gabriel however, only had one worksheet to do. Of course. But something seemed to be bothering him.

“You okay, Gabe?” Cas asked on the way home. They didn't have a car.

“I’m okay, but there was this kid in my gym class, today, your age maybe? He’s new.”

“What about him?”

“I don’t know. He was so jumpy, and  today was the trust exercise day. Plus when we did the falls off the bleachers, they dropped him-”

“They did?” that didn’t happen often.

“Yeah, the kid’s so tall. But he panicked, not in the usual way you’d expect. He practically ran away, and was  pacing back and forth and looked terrified. It’s weird.”

Cas nodded in agreement. “Was it Sam Winchester?”

“How’d you know?”

“Meg has a class with him, and when his teacher asked about his home life, he started shaking and stuttering.”

Gabe felt his eyes go wide. “I’m going to talk to him tomorrow.”

After that, they arrived at the apartment and Cas began to cook as Gabriel grabbed a snack and headed off to work. After Cas finished eating, he wrapped the remaining food to eat later as leftovers. He did his homework and showered by the time his brother got home, and they said goodnight.

Nothing too exciting, at least until Cas’ phone started ringing.

Which Gabriel was not happy about since they shared a room, and Cas gave him a small smile before answering the phone, not even looking to see who was calling.

“Castiel.”

He froze. “Father?”

Gabriel looked up and joined Cas on his bed. He took the phone and snapped it closed before returning to his own bed. “Don’t answer him.”

“But-”

“He threw me out for being bisexual, Cas! Said I was going to hell. Maybe he still loves you and take you back, but only until he found out you were gay. Besides, if he wanted you back so badly, why hasn’t he done more than call?”

Cas nodded and went to sleep with tears pooling in his eyes, and although he couldn’t see, so did his brother.

They didn’t talk about their parents on the way to school, and walked a little further apart than they normally did.

Soon it was time for Gabriel to have gym class, and he found Sam as he left the locker room.

“Sam!” the boy in question looked around like he couldn't believe someone was calling his name.

“Yeah?”

Gabriel rocked back and forth, nervous. “I know this is kind of a personal question, but I’m worried.”

“About?”

“Well, there was the incident in gym yesterday, and then something in your AP WH class?”

Sam visibly stiffened. “What are you getting at, Gabriel?”

“Are...are you safe? At home?”

Sam’s eyes narrowed. “I’m okay, not that it’s any of your damn business.”

“I’m sorry.”

Sam sighed, but seemed to accept Gabriel’s apology. They were partners again, and had to perform more trust activities. Gabriel had to convince Sam that doing the assignments were better than failing for the day.

At the end of gym class, Sam ran into the locker room and whipped his shirt off just as Gabe arrived, ahead of the mob of boys behind him. He gasped, and Sam put his shirt on before turning to Gabe.

Sam’s back was covered in scars.

Sam knew it looked bad. John had pretty good aim with his beer bottles, and as a result both Winchesters had scars on their front and backs. It was rare that they were injured because of anything else. Of course, Gabe didn’t and couldn’t know any of this.

“What the fuck Sam?” Gabriel’s voice was laced with terror, but also anger as he pictured Sam’s back again.

“I-”

“What the fuck?” he repeated as the rest of the boys entered through the locker room doors. Sam finished changing and was out the door before anyone could stop him. All he said to Gabe was “Let me explain tomorrow. Don’t tell anyone”

When Cas asked Gabe how his talk with Sam went, all he got was a grunt in return. Cas didn’t push it.