Sam passed through the long hospital halls, cringing at times at the sounds of pain that echoed from the wall. Old pains, new ones, hurts, hopelessness and despair. Asylums and hospitals were always filled with these sorts of vibes, but unlike in this place, they were balanced by healing, caring, hope and faith. It was as if all the good had been wrung from this place. He could also taste the taint of evil... true evil in the air. Things lurked here... demons.

He reached the patient file room, and pushed the locked door open. His hair was ruffled by the wind that swept inside behind him, before he closed it. Moving down the long aisles of steel cabinets, he read alphabetical listings until he reach the one which would house 'Winchester." Pulling the drawer open, he sifted through several Winchester's and pulled Dean's file.

Taking it with him to a nearby desk, he opened it. Reading the early entries was painful. Reading the later ones which showed he barely had visitors, and that his siblings had stopped coming within the first few years of his... what else should he call it but incarceration... Sam wanted once again to cry for the young man. For the young boy who'd grown into a man, without love, without care, and who had known nothing but tongue and physical lashings, in between over medication and being told he was crazy. But Sam felt his spirit... and it was strong, and pure... and he was going to save Dean, from here and from eternal hell.

Taking the pen out of a holder, he started editing the original application papers. By the time he was done, Dean had acquired a brother by the name of Samuel, one that had in recent years been named legal guardian to Dean. With each stroke of the pen telling a falsehood, Sam earned another scarlet mark on his mostly pristine wings.

*

Dressed in black jeans, a gray tee-shirt and sneakers, Sam walked into the Asylum lobby. This time, he was fully visible and immediately had the attention of the staff. The two receptionists were falling all over themselves to be the one to help him. He just patiently smiled and waited until they sorted themselves out, and then announced he was there to check Dean Winchester out of their care.

Two hospital administrators came out to speak with him. He used every power of persuasion available to him, letting his voice wash over them, giving them all the right answers, and putting on the charm when it seemed to be required. He wanted this to be done today. Not tomorrow. Not after they made a few phone calls, but now.

Eventually, one of them escorted him back to Dean's room. She brought an empty wheelchair with her, even though that was the job of an orderly. Sam wasn't surprised though, he just accepted it as a fact of his life.

When they entered Dean's room, Sam's face lit up. "Here to take you home," he said grinning.

"Yes, your brother is taking you to Europe for treatment. I hope you realize how lucky you are and you're grateful. You know how—"

Sam touched her arm. "I don't think this is the time for a lecture."

"No, of course not," she nodded in agreement. "After you've dropped him off, will we be seeing you again? I mean, he's been at this facility a long time, and we have many events, let me tell you about—"

Gently, he pried her hand off his arm. "I don't think so, but I appreciate your efforts. I'll take him now."

"Well I... I can push the wheelchair."

Laughing, Sam shook his head no, and went to help the now dressed and shaved Dean off the bed. "You did mention how busy you are and I wouldn't want to keep you from work. Besides, I think it would be easier for Dean if we did this alone." Just like that, he dismissed her.

Dean had always hated it when they shaved him.

When he had grown old enough to start growing a beard, it had just been another reason for them to touch him, and he hated it. He didn’t like being touched for any reason, and there had been no way around that, because of course they wouldn’t give crazy people sharp objects, so he was forced to let them do it for him.

Most of the time the nurses were quick and efficient about it, but if it was one of the ones who didn’t like him sometimes he’d end up with cuts on his face. It was probably a wonder he didn’t have more scars on his face.

Though this nurse had been surprisingly gentle when shaving him. Even when helping him into his clean white hospital clothes, since he still couldn’t move very well on his own. He still hadn’t liked it, and Dean had been glad when she left. He wished Samuel hadn’t left, and took care of him instead. He wished Samuel would come back…

He was getting more and more nervous every minute he was away. Dean wanted to reach out, like he had done before when he’d first ‘called’ Samuel, as the angel put it, but he didn’t really understand how. He was still getting used to learning how to ‘talk’ to Samuel through the ‘connection’ between them. Which had been useful when the nurses came to check up on him so they wouldn’t see him talking to himself, but he didn’t know how to do it ‘long distance’.

What if he didn’t come back? He’d said he would come back… but what if he didn’t? Dean’s own parents had abandoned him here. Practically forgetting him. He wondered if they’d even been told he had tried to kill himself. He wondered if they would have even come then to claim him, even to bury him…

Dean blinked back tears at that thought, wanting even more for Samuel to return, in fact he was about ready to try to ‘reach out’ to the angel when he heard the voices outside his door. Then Samuel was there and the young man couldn’t hide his relief upon seeing him, even as he was surprised by the angel’s change of attire, not to mention that one of the hospital administrators had come with him and apparently she could actually see Samuel.

Here to take you home.

Oh god, he never thought he would ever hear those words. Never. Dean’s eyes flickered briefly to the administrator, unable to hide his surprise when she said his ‘brother’ was taking him away. Brother? How had he managed that?

Even in his confusion Dean found himself frowning a little at the woman’s obvious attempts to flirt with Samuel. She had never liked Dean, at all. So hearing her offer to ‘push’ him in the wheelchair made him almost angry, but at least Samuel didn’t seemed too pleased with her advances either, and firmly dismissed her.

Once she was gone, Dean did what he wanted to do from the moment he saw Samuel return. Throwing his arms around the angel’s neck and hugging onto him tightly, all the fear that Samuel wouldn’t return for him bleeding away in an instant followed by so much relief it made him feel weak.

“Thank you…” He whispered against the angel’s neck, hugging him a little tighter.

Sam closed his arms around Dean, enveloping him in his embrace for as long as he needed. “Most people would have said ‘about time’ or ‘where were you when I needed you?’” Taking a deep breath, Sam briefly wondered at the strength of the protective feelings stirring with him. “Forgive me. If I had known...” Closing his eyes, he leaned his forehead against Dean’s temple, wishing he could change the past. Then he kissed Dean’s cheek, and lead him to the wheel chair.

Bending down, he pulled the footrests out and helped Dean get situated. “I know you don’t need this, but under the hospital’s regulations, you have to be wheeled out. It’s for liability reasons, in case you hurt yourself on the way out.” He gave a very un-angelic snort, thinking about all the hurt they’d put Dean through at this place. “Are you ready? Good.”

Moving behind the wheel chair, Sam pushed it out of the room. The hallway was brightly lit and a bit busy with nurses. He moved Dean closer to the wall, putting as much space between them and the others as possible.

The hallway split, with arrows indicating the way to the main lobby and to the asylum facilities. He pushed into the asylum’s darker hallway, and walking as fast as he could. The sounds and smells in this area would be only too familiar to Dean, and he didn’t want the boy re-traumatized. If only the administrator had told him about the last step before they left before they’d reached Dean’s room, he would have taken care of this himself. Instead, he knocked on the door of an office, and then pushed Dean inside.

They knew he was checking out, so they had a small package ready. It was a cloth pouch, sort of bulky. “This is what you came with. It’s your property,” Sam explained, signing the property release form. He had no idea whether there was anything important in it, or whether Dean would even want the trip down memory lane. But he didn’t want to make the decision for Dean.

Soon he was wheeling him back toward the hospital lobby when he felt something even before it rounded the corner and stood at the other end of the hall, pointing a finger and shouting that that patient was not to leave. Sam could see it clearly ... could see the demon, and he knew Dean would too. Squeezing Dean’s shoulder, he whispered, “close your eyes. Keep them closed, and I’ll handle this.”

Walking in front of the wheel chair, Sam pointed right back at the demon. “He doesn’t belong to you. He leaves with me.” According to the rules of engagement, Sam could not send the demon to hell unless he was attacked, there was a possession, or the battle was by order of his superiors.

Without warning, the demon’s body contorted into a bald creature, all teeth and nails. Giving an inhuman screech, he started to run toward Dean and Sam.

Samuel shifted just as suddenly, his powerful wings spreading wide as he started to run toward the demon, Arms stretched wide, he chanted powerful ancient prayers in Latin, and in tongues long forgotten. The ground shook under his strides, the wind kicked up... at first cool and fresh, and then hot and getting hotter.

“Sancte Michael Archangele,
defende nos in proelio.”

A ring of fire sprang up, surrounding them. The demon spat black liquid, and shouted its own prayers to Satan, as they circled each other. Invisible forces began to pound first on the demon, then on Sam, who recoiled, and moved forward again. “Get thee to hell,” he shouted, sending a wall of burning hot air into the demon whose flesh started to peel off.

It started to fight in earnest, scrambling to get its hand on Sam. Scratches appeared first on Sam’s right cheek, then on his left, but he continued to advance, raising his voice as a portal to hell opened behind the demon.

”Contra nequitiam et insidias diaboli esto praesidium.
Imperet illi Deus, supplices deprecamur:
tuque, Princeps militiae caelestis,
Satanam aliosque spiritus malignos,
qui ad perditionem animarum pervagantur in mundo,
divina virtute, in infernum detrude.”


The demon was sucked into hell, and the portal closed. Sam fell to his knees, arms raised to the heavens.

”Amen”

Dean blushed a little at the angel's words, but he was simply too relieved that Samuel had returned for him to be too embarrassed. All of his tension and fear melting away in Samuel's embrace, and the young man thought he would have been content to stay just like this forever.

No one had ever cared for him before. Genuinely cared, and Samuel had shown him more caring and compassion in two weeks than anyone had shown him during his whole life. So he didn't understand at all why the angel was… apologizing…

Dean wasn't stupid. He knew there was a lot he didn't know, or understand. Especially about the world 'out there' and how 'normal' people acted. But as naïve as he may be, he knew right then that he loved Samuel. He loved him more than he'd ever loved anyone. The feeling so overwhelming it made him almost giddy, and he couldn't stop the blush from flowing into his cheeks when Samuel kissed him again softly.

He wanted to kiss Samuel back, but he was too shy to act on the impulse.

A light blush was still staining his cheeks a little as the angel helped him into the wheelchair, but Dean was grinning from ear to ear. So excited he could barely sit still in the chair as Samuel pushed him out of the room and down the hallway.

The two 'brothers' certainly made quite the sight walking down the hallway together. Well, one walking, one being pushed. Some of the nurses that knew Dean stopping to actually stare at him as they passed because they almost couldn't believe this was the same young man who'd lived in the institution for twelve years of his life. His eyes bright and happy and he was smiling. When had they ever actually seen him smile?

Though his smile faltered a bit when they went into the asylum area. If there was one place Dean never wanted to return to, that was it. But they only went into the office area, not back to where the cells were, though it was still hard for the young man to relax until Samuel was once more pushing him back out in the hallway heading towards the hospital's exit.

The small bag they'd given him laid unopened on Dean's lap. He knew exactly what was inside of it. After all, he had never been able to forget that day his parents had left him here. They hadn't even told him where they were going when they put him in the car. It could have been to the movies, or to the mall, for all the twelve year old boy had known.

He had brought his favorite batman action figure with him to play with. His other pockets stuffed with various things a child never really seemed to take out of their pockets. A few baseball cards. Some loose change he'd been collecting that he could put into a vending machine for some sweets if his mother let him.

There was nothing inside of it he wanted or needed. In fact, he was prepared to throw the whole bag into the first trash can he came across. He didn't want to remember anything about that old life. That life had ended when he 'died'. His new life started today, with Samuel…

Dean was torn out of his thoughts when he heard the shout from down the hall, his heart already seizing with fear, recognizing the voice, even before he lifted his eyes to see the hospital director. The man… monster… just as grotesque as Dean remembered. This was why he had been called crazy his whole life. Because he saw things like this but being told he was not insane didn't make him any less afraid of what he saw. In fact, it scared him even more.

He heard Samuel tell him to close his eyes. Look away. But he… couldn't… Not when Samuels stood in front of him like a shield, and then the Director… demon… attacked. Dean couldn't have torn his eyes away even if he wanted to. Watching the battle with equal measures of fascination and horror. Watching as an angel and a demon fought over him.

The battle was fierce and horrific, but it was also brief. It had to be, or someone surely would have come running to investigate. The second the demon disappeared, and Samuel dropped to his knees, Dean was out of the chair in an instant. Running to the angel, dropping to his knees in front of him, and throwing his arms around him in a crushing embrace.

"Samuel… oh god… what… Are you ok…?"

Sam blinked in surprise when he felt the fierce hug. He’d been sure that the sounds of the battle, would scare Dean into a state. Now he had the feeling the boy had been watching.

“By the grace of God, I’m fine,” he rubbed Dean’s back to sooth him. “Your heart is beating so hard I can feel it. You were afraid... for me...” he said in wonder, detangling himself after a minute. “Look... I’m healing...” he concentrated and angry red marks on his face and arms disappeared.

As he stood up, he pulled Dean up with him. Turning his head slightly, he saw that the red slashes on his wings were gone... his wings were as white as snow once again. Each good deed countered a misdeed.

Putting one arm around Dean’s back, he started to walk toward the wheel chair. When they arrived, he kicked it away. “Stupid rule. Let’s get out of here.”

Though Dean was by no means short, Sam shortened his strides to be sure he didn’t strain him. Once they were outside in the sun, he didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at the expression on Dean’s pale face. “You were meant for outdoors,” the angel said, very sure of himself. “Now... I hope you’re not afraid of flying.”

Before Dean could answer, Samuel hauled Dean up into his arms. The wind stirred around them, making the fallen leaves twirl in a large circle around them. With a single beat of his wings, Sam had them climbing up toward the sky, and away from that dreadful, dreadful place.

Dean began to relax when Samuel assured him he was all right, the gentle hand rubbing his back calming him, though his heart continued to beat hard and fast in his chest for a little while longer. Of course he had been afraid for Samuel. If anything had happened to him…

Dean’s stomach clenched in fear at the very thought, and it wasn’t fear for himself. Without a second thought he would have gone back to the asylum, back to Rick, back to everything if his ‘freedom’ meant Samuel being hurt or worse. No. He wasn’t worth that. He didn’t want the angel to ever fight for him like that again. Dean simply couldn’t bear the thought of anything happening to him…

He relaxed a little more however when Samuel showed him the cuts on his face and arms healing, right before his eyes, and Dean offered the angel a relieved smile. Letting the angel help him up, and smiling when Samuel didn’t remove his arm from around him. Even laughing softly when the angel kicked the wheelchair away, glad that Samuel wasn’t going to make him sit in it again. He liked this much better anyway.

Once they were outside, Dean couldn’t really describe the feeling. It was like… a dark suffocating weight was suddenly thrown off of him and he could finally breathe for the first time in twelve years. The sun on his face somehow warmer, brighter now that he wasn’t looking at it from behind barred windows. It was… beautiful…

Though not as beautiful as the angel beside him, and Dean found himself blushing again at Samuel’s compliment. Smiling shyly, before his expression changed to mild confusion at the angel’s comment about ‘flying’.

Oh, no he wasn’t…

But a second later Dean found himself held tightly in the angel’s arms, and he let out a very unmanly shriek when they were suddenly air born. Dean clinging to Samuel so tightly he was probably nearly choking the angel. Hiding his face against Samuel’s chest.

He hadn’t known whether or not he was afraid of flying before, but he was pretty sure he was now.

Laughing, Sam held Dean closer. “I won’t let you fall, not ever again.” He tried to peer into his face but Dean had it pressed so tight against his chest that it was impossible.

They flew in silence for a while and then Sam started to point out major landmarks, slowing only for a few moments at a time before accelerating the beat of his wings so they moved at incredible speeds again. Whether or not Dean looked, he would absorb what he said, and it might calm him.

As they neared the West Coast, he told Dean where they were going. “I live in San Francisco. It’s a busy, noisy city, very full of life. If it gets too overwhelming, let me know. We can find a quieter place if necessary. But if you give it a chance, I think you might come to love it like I do.”

He knew that the patients at the Asylum had a lot of television time, and that was one of the reasons Dean knew quite a bit of what was out there in the big wide world. But he wondered about his education. How well he could read and write. His math skills. Things they could take care of one step at a time.

“Look, that’s the Pacific ocean,” he said, pointing at the endless blue waters as they slowed, and then dropped down into an alley in the City. He held Dean up for a few minutes, until he was sure the boys legs worked again, then he released him.

“Alright. One quick stop, and then we’ll be home,” he promised. Walking close to him, at times putting his hand behind his back, he took the least crowded streets. However, there was no such thing as an empty street in San Francisco, so he tried to keep Dean occupied by talking to him.

When they reached the storefront to an Abercrombie & Fitch store, Sam opened the door. “Let’s get you some clothes.”

Twenty minutes later, they came out with packages in their hands. Sam hung back a little, smiling as he admired the cut of the blue jeans hugging Dean’s ass and showing off his figure like hospital gear couldn’t. When Dean looked back, Sam shook his head. “Innocent ogling, I swear.” Ugh, he had to cut the swearing, and he knew it...

They climbed up a steep street, and reached the little restaurant. True to form, Daryl and Sarah ran out. This time, instead of staring at Sam, they were looking at Dean.

Sam quickly introduced them, and waited for them to fall over each other to tell him the desserts of the day. “I think we’ll stick with the brownie and ice cream, missed it the other night. Make it two.”

Putting his hand behind Dean’s back, he walked him the few feet to the entrance to the lobby of his apartment, and grinned as the waiter and waitress argued once again.

“I told you he’s gay,” Daryl smirked.

“That could be his... his... friend. Relative...brother...”

“Brother... Uh huh.”

“Upstairs, third floor,” Sam said, following close behind Dean, then stopping in front of a door. He unlocked it and let him inside the sunny apartment with several bay windows and lots and lots of books. “This is home.”

The flight had been… interesting…

In the terrifying sort of way. It wasn't that he didn't trust Samuel. Or think that the angel would drop him. It was just… very high, and Samuel was flying very fast, and… what if they ran into an airplane or something?

Next time, Dean was definitely going to suggest they take the train, or bus, or something… What was wrong with simply driving?

Samuel's efforts did help him to relax a little however. Enough that the young man dared to lift his head a few times to see where they were going, though that usually didn't last very long because they were moving so fast the wind stung his eyes terribly. But some of the sights the angel tried pointing out to him were interesting. Like the Grand Canyon… he doubted anyone else had ever gotten the view quite like he was getting.

Mostly Dean was comfortable with his original position, his face pressed tightly against the warmth of Samuel's chest. Then before he knew it the angel was pointing out the ocean to him and the young man lifted his head out of sheer surprise. After all, they hadn't been flying that long, and they'd traveled over more than half the length of the United States. Just how fast had Samuel been flying? How fast could he fly?

Dean's questions were forgotten however when he yelped, clutching to the angel even tighter, as Samuel started descending just as fast as they had risen into the air, and that was a heck of a lot worse. Soon they were on the ground, and when Samuel put him down on his feet Dean seriously had to resist the urge to drop down and kiss the ground.

When his heart finally slowed to a more natural rhythm and he could stand on his own once more, Samuel finally released him completely. Though he raised a questioning eyebrow when the angel said they were going to be making a stop before they went home. Home…

Dean couldn't help grinning from ear to ear just hearing the word, and he eagerly stepped out of the alley with the angel. His eyes widening a little when he got his first good look at San Francisco.

Samuel hadn't been kidding about the busy and noisy part. Not that the asylum had been a 'quiet' place, but it just wasn't the same and Dean had grown up in a small town before being committed. The kind of town where everyone pretty much knew everyone else, if only by sight, and seeing so many… people… so many strangers…

Crowds had always made Dean a little nervous. If only because he tended to have more 'hallucinations' when there were a lot of people around. But walking close to Samuel, listening to the angel talk, and the warm hand on his back relaxed him. When they finally stopped in front of a clothing store, he could only stare at the angel in surprise for a moment, but he followed him inside.

After a few frustrating minutes, because Dean had no idea what pant or shirt size he wore. The hospital had always just given him clothes and he put them on without really questioning it. They managed to find him some jeans that fit him well, and Samuel picked out several pairs in similar styles, as well as shirts in a variety of colors. Waving off Dean's objections that they were too much money.

The clerk even allowed him to wear one outfit out of the store, and Dean had to admit he didn't feel so out of place once they stepped outside now that he was no longer in the hospital whites he'd left the asylum in. When he turned around to ask Samuel where they were going next, he was surprised to find the angel checking him out, and a blush instantly sprouted to his cheeks. Smiling shyly, he felt his stomach flutter a little, in a way that wasn't entirely unpleasant. He walked a little bit closer to Samuel after that, even though it wasn't because he was uncomfortable.

Dean was more than a little surprised when they passed by the restaurant and the waiter and waitress ran out to greet Samuel. The young man moved a little bit closer to the angel, even though he smiled politely as Samuel introduced them. Staying quiet while the angel spoke to them. They seemed nice at least, but Dean just wasn't used to talking to people.

Then, finally, they were home.

The young man couldn't help but stop and stare in the entrance way, his mouth open slightly. He'd had absolutely no idea what to expect. None. But he was still surprised. He still couldn't believe… this was where he was going to live? With Samuel? The apartment could have been a palace as far as Dean was used to.

Dean was almost afraid to step inside. But a gentle push against his back was all the encouragement he needed.

He glanced briefly over his shoulder at the angel before stepping over the threshold into the living room. There was a big wall mounted flat screen TV on the wall, below it an entertainment center with a DVD player, CD player, and stereo. Shelves with CD's and DVD's on either side. In front of it a big looking leather couch Dean just wanted to flop right down on to see if it was as comfortable as it looked, but there was simply too much else to see for him to stop there.

There were a lot of bookshelves. A lot of books, that didn't really hold Dean's interest except noticing how old some of them looked.

Walking over to the large windows, the sunlight spilling through and warming his skin, Dean looked out over an incredible view of the shops and restaurants below. Beyond them a large park he wondered if Samuel would let him go down there some time.

Turning away from the view outside, he looked in one doorway, seeing a dining area and big kitchen. Another doorway had a bathroom with a big shower and separate Jacuzzi like tub and he couldn't even remember the last time he'd had a bath. Oh, he had to take one tonight. He hoped Samuel would let him…

Practically bouncing on his toes as he continued his exploration he looked in yet another door to find, as he expected, a bedroom. A huge king sized bed, midnight blue sheets covered with a down comforter, that the young man just wanted to curl up in. The last room down the hall was another bedroom, smaller than the first, a queen sized bed not yet made up, and Dean finally turned to look at Samuel.

"Is this my room?" He asked, almost in awe of the words coming out of his mouth.

His room…

Sam stood leaning against the wall, watching Dean move around the room. He had the most expressive face he'd ever seen and each time his face lit up, it took Sam's breath away. One moment he was all man, with that deep voice of his, and the next… still a kid. That innocent quality shone so strong that Sam couldn't understand how so many had been so unkind to him. He wasn't thinking of the orderly either, or the director, he meant the general staff. He was so gentle, and clearly starved for affection. He'd have to toughen up though, to live in this world. It was only one of the things Sam would help him learn. But not today.

When Dean walked down the hall, Sam pushed off the wall and followed him. He didn't want to miss a minute of this. The boy's every reaction was a gift. It was the loss of all of the staff at the asylum that they didn't realize it.

When he asked if the room was his, Sam nodded. "It's yours. I'll make the bed up today, but starting tomorrow… it's your job. Let's see, you probably want something in pink," he teased, laughing at Dean's reaction.

Crossing to the closet, he pulled out some green and beige bedding with a safari motif. The green made him think of Dean's eyes, which he glanced at as he started to fix the bed. There was no doubt in Sam's mind, Dean would soon have the girls buzzing around him. And this being San Francisco, he foresaw a lot of guys as well. He hoped that Dean would adjust easily to mixing with people and would pick up the social skills he'd never had to practice before.

Once again, getting caught staring, he gave an offhand laugh. "Innocent admiration, I swear." Dammit. Double d… Okay, it was time to re-center and stop swearing, like right now.

"There we go, ready for you whenever you're tired. You just got out of the hospital, so if you need a rest, just… you know… take one." He left the room and returned with the clothes they'd bought, and started putting them away. "I know you probably had a routine at the… where you were. You might feel odd not having to go strictly by the clock, but we'll find something that works for you, okay? Me, for example… I wake up, I get coffee, read a couple of papers… If I have work, I take care of it. If I don't, I find ways to fill the day. I'm boring you," he grinned. "You'll see anyway."

Walking to the door, he turned. "Whenever you're ready, I can show you how to turn on the t.v. or the stereo equipment. I'm gonna make something to eat, you must be hungry. I usually eat up on the roof, but we can eat inside today. Then there's that dessert we can pick up from downstairs… we can have it later on. It tastes like heaven." Nodding to emphasize his cheesy comment, Sam headed for the kitchen.

Dean made a face, wrinkling his nose in disgust, when Samuel suggested pink for his bed. He knew the angel was only teasing him, he wasn’t a girl, after all, but he might have had to hit Samuel with a pillow if he seriously put pink sheets on his bed.

When the angel said it would be his ‘job’ to make his bed from now on, Dean watched carefully as Samuel did it. He wanted to make sure he did it correctly when it was his turn, after all. He didn’t want Samuel disappointed in him.

Though when the angel stopped what he was doing suddenly, just staring at him, Dean tilted his head to the side curiously under the regard. Beaming a little when Samuel said he was merely admiring him, and feeling that now familiar fluttering in his stomach again.

When the angel left the room, Dean couldn’t resist flopping down on the newly made bed. Giving a soft sigh as he sank into the soft mattress, and though he felt much too excited right now to really sleep it felt so good just to lay there he almost didn’t want to move.

Simply watching from his sprawled out position as Samuel returned with the bags he’d almost forgotten about with his clothes and started putting them away for him.

Dean actually listened quite intently while Samuel spoke about his normal routine. It sounded much more… relaxed… than what Dean was used to. But he was actually pondering what the angel meant by ‘work’. What kind of job did he have? Like a regular job? He wondered what he would do when Samuel left for his ‘work’…

Before he could ask though, Samuel changed the subject. Talking about food, and Dean found was indeed hungry. He hadn’t even realized it until now, but at the mention of food his stomach decided to growl loudly right then. Making the young man laugh a little in embarrassment, even as he rolled his eyes a little at the angel’s comments about the deserts.

Well, if anyone would know, it would be him…

The young man pushed himself up from the bed almost reluctantly and followed after Samuel like a puppy into the kitchen. Trying not to get in the way, at the same time watching over the angel’s shoulder as he prepared their lunch.

Sam moved around the kitchen with the efficiency of a man who’d been cooking for himself for aons. He chopped and mixed and grilled, with Dean watching everything he did and asking questions. “Here, I’m going to put you to work.” He brought the cutting board over and showed Dean how to slice the baguette. He only felt a little trepidation when he gave him the knife, but forced himself to trust.

Very quickly, the smell of food permeated the air and the growls from Dean’s stomach grew louder and had Samuel laughing out loud. “I like having you here,” he admitted, tossing the salad. Though he met and spoke to a lot of people, it wasn’t very often he had company in his apartment. There had been the odd ward that he’d taken in, but ordinarily they didn’t stay with him.

Soon they were in the living room chatting and eating. It was strange how much it felt like they’d known each other far longer. Occasionally, their minds would brush, even when neither of them was trying to use the mental connection between them. It was an interesting sensation, unlike any Samuel had experienced before. When Dean was not in distress, it almost felt like pleasure washing over him. When Dean asked him about how he’d talked to him using the connection, Sam shrugged and again denied any knowledge. “Guess it’s a miracle.”

A few hours later, Dean was watching television and Sam was reading a book when Dean hesitantly asked if he could try out the bathtub. “Of course.” An unexpected mental touch told Sam that shower time had not been a pleasant time at the asylum, and had often been scary. But Dean remembered baths from when he was a child. Touching Dean on the shoulder as he passed him, Sam tried to offer a bit of comfort. “Exchanging a better memory for a bad one is therapeutic.”

On a whim, Sam added a bit of shampoo under the running water. As the water foamed, he walked out. “It fills fast. I’ve left you some towels and… ah, my pj’s will have to do until we get you some. You’ll just have to roll them up.”

Sam didn’t miss the fact that once Dean went into the bathroom, he left the door open a crack. “I’ll be here, I’m not leaving,” he said, knowing what Dean’s fear might be. Then he settled down and started to read again.

Their lunch/dinner had been amazing. Samuel was a fabulous cook, and Dean still almost couldn’t believe the angel had let him help make it.

Dean had never liked the fish they served at the asylum. It was slimy and gross and made him gag, and normally he refused to eat it, making the nurses angry. But while the angel was preparing the grilled fish, salmon Samuel said it was, in the skillet the smells alone had the young man’s mouth watering and his stomach growling loudly.

He’d been a little embarrassed when Samuel laughed softly, obviously hearing his stomach, but that was soon forgotten when the angel said he liked having him there. It was like a super nova had gone off in his heart and Dean just wanted to throw his arms around the angel and never let go. He only didn’t because he didn’t want to distract Samuel from cooking and make him mess up or burn their food.

After taking a not so cautious bite of his fish, Dean had devoured everything on his plate. Even the salad that Samuel had forced him to take some of because the vegetables were ‘good’ for him. Then, though he had been a little nervous to do so, the angel insisted he eat as much as he wanted, so Dean had even gone back for seconds.

Eating until he was almost too full, and now the young man was stretched out lazily on the big leather sofa that was even more comfortable than Dean imagined it would be. Enjoying the novelty of being able to flip through the television channels and watch whatever he wanted while Samuel read.

Though to be honest, he’d only been half paying attention to the shows. His eyes drawn back to Samuel again and again, watching the angel as he read, and occasionally concentrating on the mental connection between them. Not too much. Just barely brushing mental fingers over the link, almost like a caress, and smiling shyly and averting his eyes whenever Samuel looked up from his book at him.

After a while Dean finally built up enough courage to ask the angel what he wanted to ask ever since he’d first explored, “Could I use the bathtub? Sometime...?” He asked hesitantly, smiling when the angel answered, 'of course’ and immediately got up.

Dean followed him with his eyes, and smiled wider when he heard the sound of water running in the bathroom a second later, and the young man jumped up from his sprawled position on the couch, following the angel into the bathroom. He nodded as Samuel pointed out where the towels were and smiled when the angel offered to let him wear his pajamas. That idea pleasing Dean a great deal for some reason.

He left the door open a little, so at least he would be able to hear Samuel from the other room, through Dean relaxed at the angel’s reassurance that he wasn’t going anywhere. Dean stripped off his clothes then, laying them out on top of the toilet so they wouldn’t get wet, and climbed into the tub that was quickly filling with warm water and bubbles.

Dean couldn’t help laugh a little at that, gathering a few of the suds in his hand and blowing them into the air playfully. Then reclining back into the tub with a soft moan of pleasure as the warm water enveloped him. Closing his eyes, Dean let himself relax... at least until his elbow accidentally bumped into the switch that controlled the Jacuzzi jets. Startling him enough that he yelped loudly as he tried to scramble up from the soapy water that was now frothing up with bubbles at an almost alarming rate. So much so he couldn’t even find the switch to turn them back off and he shouted to Samuel for help.

As Sam turned the pages, he found his mind seeking Dean’s every once in a while. Just a light touch, it wasn’t that he had anything to say, but it was becoming second nature. Maybe he’d look into it… research the hows and whys of it. He knew very well that sometimes a mystery was meant to stay a mystery, but he had a very curious nature and he thought that side of him might win in the end.

He heard Dean giving off some verbal sounds of pleasure and raised a brow, smiling to himself. It was a good thing he knew what was going on in there… hot water and deep bathtubs were miracles in and of themselves. He was just switching off the television when Dean’s shout had him off the armchair.

Long strides carried him into the bathroom where he saw Dean scrambling around in the frothy water, surrounded by a growing mountain of bubbles threatening to start pouring out. Without thought, he dropped to his knees next to the tub and leaned in to find the controls, his hand slipping across Dean’s chest. As he was reaching, Dean started to get up and their mouths bumped together. Sam gave a surprised laugh as he shut the jets, but somehow as he started to stand, he couldn’t shake off the sensation of a hot, moist mouth against his, and the feeling that he’d been kissed… which was ridiculous, because he hadn’t.

“It’s behind you, the control lever.” Sam shook his now very wet arms. As he twisted around to reach for a hanging towel, his foot slipped on the soapy water that had splashed down the sides of the tub. “Whoa!” he shouted, completely losing his balance.

One second he was in danger of falling into the tub, and the next he found himself in Dean’s wet and soapy embrace. It took a moment for Sam to realize that Dean had come half way out of the tub to catch him, and that the heat from his body was now soaking through Sam’s clothes. They were plastered together, no closer than when they’d been flying, but with Dean naked, and Sam’s clothing wet and clinging to him, it was far more intimate.

Sam’s breath caught in his chest. In the grips of new sensations, he was a bit confused. It wasn’t as if he hadn’t held many naked humans in all his years, it was just that he wasn’t affected. Licking his lips, he started to put some distance between them. “Looks like I’m not the only one to catch the fallen around here.”

Though he had shouted for the angel’s help, Dean was still a little surprised just how quickly Samuel came to his ‘rescue’. He could have sworn the angel had been hovering out in the hallway just outside the door, even though the young man knew that wasn’t the case.

He tried to get out of Samuel’s way, so he could reach the controls to turn off the jets and stop the mountain of bubbles from frothing over the side of the tub, but when Samuel’s fingers brushed against his skin and their lips touched briefly, Dean froze. Unable to look away from the angel’s eyes, even as Samuel reached around him to finally avert the ‘crisis’ Dean had caused.

Dean smiled a little sheepishly. Suds sticking in his hair, and covering his body now, and he wasn’t surprised to see Samuel just as wet and soapy as he was now. The angel’s shirt clinging to his chest, and again the young man felt that fluttering in his stomach, this time accompanied by a rush of warmth.

Then suddenly Samuel slipped on the wet floor and Dean moved purely on instinct. Rising up out of the water and catching the angel in his arms before fall. It almost would have been amusing, the sudden ‘reversal’ of their roles. But what Dean felt inside as he held the angel wasn’t amusement. He wasn’t sure what it was.

His eyes drifted down to Samuel’s lips when the angel’s tongue licked over them, and smiling, Dean leaned forward to press their lips together in a soft innocent kiss. Samuel had kissed him more than once, after all.

Time stood still for a moment. Sam accepted the closed-mouthed kiss, relief flowing through him when a brush of Dean’s mind did not hint at any tumultuous thoughts or feelings. The last thing he’d want to do was confuse Dean, but it seemed the boy was just emulating him. Pulling back, he kept his smile. “Thank you. Now, I’d better get undressed… dressed… in dry clothes.”

Getting out of Dean’s embrace was another matter. “You can let go now,” he said, this time amused at the look on Dean’s face. “Here… towel.” Shoving it lightly against Dean’s chest, “then pajamas,” he emphasized, eyebrows lifting slightly.

As he walked out of the bathroom, he took off his own sopping shirt and wrapped it in a towel so it wouldn’t drip on the hardwood floors on the way to the laundry room.

In his room, Sam changed into a long sleeved black top, and a pair of loose black karate pants. “Dean, I’m going to go down and get the dessert,” he called out. “Just downstairs, alright?” Without waiting for an answer, he headed down to the restaurant.

Samuel’s lips were soft and warm against his, and Dean hoped he was doing this right, because he’d never kissed anyone before. It was… nice. Even though the kiss did not last long.

When Samuel thanked him, Dean smiled at the angel. Though he found he was a little reluctant to let go of Samuel afterwards, he liked being close to him like this.

Then the angel was pushing a towel into his hands and Dean took it, almost reluctantly. Blushing a little as he began to dry himself off. He nodded when Samuel told him to put on the pajamas after he was done. He guessed his bath was over then.

The young man got out of the tub, managing to find the lever to drain the water, and then dried himself off as best he could. He put on the pajama bottoms, having to roll the cuffs up twice so he wouldn’t trip over them. He didn’t put the top on however, because his hair was still wet, dripping little droplets down his neck and back and he didn’t want to get it wet.

Dean just left it in the bathroom as he walked out, just hearing Sam saying he was going downstairs for their desserts as the angel walked out the door. So Dean walked over to the windows, looking out down at the street below at the restaurant to watch for him.

Samuel reached the street and was predictably met by Daryl and Sarah. As he joked and paid for his purchases, he noticed her gaze straying to look up. Stepping back, he too looked up to see Dean looking down at him. He shook his head and waved. Clearly that boy did not realize how damned sexy he looked half dressed and lounging casually by the window like that. Oops… unintended mental curse.

“Is he a model?” Sarah asked.

“I think he’s trouble,” Daryl opined, giving Sam his change.

“I think you both may be right. Thanks,” he took the packages, looked up once again, and then headed up the stairs. And now the waiters were arguing about which of them would be better suited for a threesome with him and Dean.

His shoulders shook with laughter as he made it inside his apartment. Those two never, ever failed to amuse him. “You’re causing quite a stir on the street,” he said, as Dean turned toward him. He could tell Dean had no idea what he meant, and doubted anyone had ever told him. “You’re very good looking … attractive. I’ll bet you’ll have all the ladies after you someday soon.”

Sitting down on the sofa, he opened the fancy dinner boxes and brought out the desserts. “Want to grab us some forks from the kitchen? Can’t wait for you to taste it.”

Dean was completely oblivious of the other interesting, or interested, stares he was getting while standing in Samuel’s window, leaning casually against the frame while he watched the angel down below. Smiling and lifting his hand in a brief wave, when Samuel waved up to him. Only once he saw the angel heading back to their building, did Dean back away from the window and look back towards the front door waiting for him.

Though the angel’s first words when he came in through the door confused the young man a little. Dean giving Samuel a curious look, tilting his head a little to the side with a raised eyebrow. When the angel explained, the young man blinked in surprise at first, and then beamed at the compliment. A light blush easily noticeable against his pale skin flowing into his cheeks and traveling down his bare neck and chest.

Dean wasted no time hurrying into the kitchen to get them a couple of forks, returning to the living room and flopping down on the couch beside Samuel. However his eyes were not on the desserts that the angel was taking out, they were on Samuel.

“You think I’m attractive?” he asked shyly, his eyes staring at the angel intently.

“Oh yes. Inside and out.” Feeling the weight of Dean’s gaze, he looked over and noticed is high color. He’d bet the kid wasn’t used to hearing anything positive about himself, and it was a damned shame. It was something Sam would rectify right away.

He passed the dessert to Dean, waiting a long moment before the boy took it. “On the inside, I think you’re... well there is an innocent quality about you. You’re brave,” and he had been when he’d allowed Rick’s final assault, and then reported him to the authorities, “except when you’re screaming like a girl and flying with me,” he laughed, this time pressing the plate into Dean’s hand. “I sense a loyalty in you. I’m sure there’s more. As for the outside... all you have to do is look in a mirror. Personally, I find your eyes are your most remarkable feature, but I have a thing for eyes,” he shrugged, “windows to the soul and all that. Aren’t you going to taste?”

Lifting his own fork, he used it to cut a piece of the brownie and combined it with the vanilla ice cream. “Now don’t go vain on me, okay?” Putting the dessert in his mouth the angel gave a satisfied, “mmm, good.”

Dean gave the angel a confused look when Samuel said ‘inside and out’, not understanding. But then Samuel went on to explain and the young man felt his cheeks growing brighter by the second.

Telling him he was loyal and brave… Though the angel went on to point out he had screamed like a girl while they were flying, which Dean immediately wanted to deny, even though it had been true. Much to his embarrassment.

But then Samuel was saying all he had to do was look in the mirror to see how attractive he was, especially his eyes according to the angel, and Dean knew by now he was glowing red to the tips of his ears.

He honestly couldn’t believe he was any of those things that Samuel said. He knew he wasn’t brave, in fact just the opposite, and when he looked in the mirror… he’d never liked what he saw. But it was still nice to hear Samuel say it.

Dean knew one thing for certain, at least, he was nowhere near as beautiful as the angel was. Though he wasn’t really sure how to tell Samuel that without sounding like… well… a girl. So Dean just smiled shyly and took his dessert. Taking a bite of the brownie and ice cream and… ok maybe Samuel wasn’t kidding after all about it tasting like heaven.

The young man closed his eyes, just savoring the taste of the fudgy chocolate and creamy vanilla ice cream melting together on his tongue before he swallowed. Licking the fork completely clean before he opened his eyes again, grinning widely at the angel, before going for another bite.

Sam hadn’t realized he’d been mesmerized by the way Dean was licking his fork clean until Dean opened his brilliant green eyes. Dragging his gaze away, Sam cleared his throat, and tried to cleanse his mind of the unbidden thought. Wish I were your fork. It was ridiculous, and yet here he was mentally saying a few Hail Marys... just in case.

By the time they were done with dessert, Sam concluded that Dean just had a very provocative way of eating. Lord help the world of people out there.

They talked about many things over the next hour. Sam was gently trying to get information about how much schooling Dean had, and trying to figure out where they’d need to start with both his education and helping him get socialized. With just the two of them there, he didn’t seem awkward or anything, so he had high hopes for him.

They watched a bit more television, Sam noting that shoot ‘em up and blow ‘em up movies seemed to get Dean’s attention. Somehow, he wasn’t really surprised. At one point, when he was channel surfing and stopped on a scene involving what appeared to be an asylum, Sam spoke to get his attention, and took the remote from him and changed the channel. No words were exchanged about it. None were needed.

Later, Dean started yawning and Sam could see he was fighting it. “Come on, why don’t you get some sleep, it’s late.” It was only eleven, but he knew the lights went out much earlier at the asylum, so Dean had to be used to earlier nights.

When they reached the room, he asked if Dean wanted to put his top on, but didn’t insist. Once he got into the bed, Sam noticed he looked a bit stressed and worried. He sat down next to him and started to stroke his face, and hair. “Everything’s gonna be okay. I’m just in the other room and I’ll leave the doors open. You even have a night light so it won’t be dark.”

He looked down and kept up the soothing strokes, moving all the way down Dean’s neck and shoulder. “Nothing can get in here, nothing. It’s just you and me.”

Eventually, when Dean closed his eyes, Samuel whispered a short prayer, and quietly left the room.