Strings Attached

Chapter 46

"I actually forget what we were talking about," Castiel admits.

"Story of my life," Dean laughs.

"Same," Hael says, wanting to be involved in the conversation.

Anna walks over to her and takes her wrist, forcefully dragging her away from the older boys.

"Hey!" Hael whines.

"Don't mind us," Anna tells Dean and Castiel.

"But —" Hael begins.

"No," Anna interrupts. "You will not interrupt their moment."

"What are you even talking about?"

"Gabriel's a week away from being eighty dollars richer," Anna replies. "And knowing him, that's gonna be eight dollars of candy. I'm not letting him lose that."

"Is there anyone who doesn't know about that bet?" Castiel asks, exasperated.

"The girls don't," Balthazar replies. "But me and Samandriel do, and we're going to be starting our own bet later, so I need to see if you two are compatible."

Castiel groans. "Oh my god."

"I can't believe this started as a joke between us," Gabriel reminisces with Sam.

"I had no clue it was going to get this big," Sam adds. "This is great."

"I still think I'm going to win, by the way," Gabriel says.

"If you guys don't shut up about this stupid Destiel thing, I'm just going to leave," Castiel tells them.

"But you two are —" Gabriel begins.

Castiel throws his hands up in exasperation. "I'm out."

He walks out of the room, ignoring Chuck asking if everything is okay and Lucifer laughing at him. Faced with the decision of heading for his bedroom or going outside, he opts for the choice with the fresh air and walks out the door. He doesn't bother shutting it behind him. He can hear Dean's soft laughter trailing after him, and he knows the older boy followed him. Dean shuts the door, and they both sit on the stairs leading to the house.

"That bet really bugs ya, huh?" Dean observes.

"Doesn't it bug you?" Castiel asks. "I mean, they're using us to get money. I just wish there was a way to make sure none of them won, but they've basically got everything covered."

Dean nods. "Yeah, I feel ya," he agrees. After a brief pause in the conversation, Dean asks, "So who's winning?"

"What do you mean?" Castiel asks, confused.

"I mean, if the bet went until today. Who'd get the money?"

"Is that your weird way of asking if we're friends?" Castiel inquires.

"You could look at it that way," Dean replies. "But who's winning right now?"

Castiel shrugs. "I'd say Sam. I mean, I think we're friends. Right?"

Dean nods. "Yeah. Yeah, friends works."

"Is that not what you were going for?" Castiel asks, puzzled by his reaction.

"Never mind," Dean replies dismissively before changing the subject. "You've got a big family."

"It gets bigger," Castiel replies. "Lots of cousins. We're still missing... That might be one."

Castiel watches as a car pulls up in front of the house. Sure enough, Castiel sees yet another cousin stepping out of the car. He's easily recognizable by the curly hair that had never been tamed when Castiel sees him. He gives the two boys a puzzled look. Sorry, perplexed look. He uses big words like that.

"What are you two doing out here?" he asks.

"Just chilling," Dean replies.

"Boyfriend?"

Castiel groans. "Why does everyone assume we're dating?"

"Well, from a completely heterosexual, not-at-all flirting perspective, you're both decently attractive. Plus, you don't seem to understand the concept of personal space."

"It's a small stair," Castiel says defensively.

"Sure," he replies, clearly not believing it.

"On another note," Castiel says, changing the subject, "this is my friend, Dean. Dean, this is my cousin, Metatron."

"Metatron?" Dean repeats, stifling a laugh. "Like the transformer?"

"Like the angel," Metatron corrects him. "The angel of life."

"You're named after an angel?"
Metatron nods. "Yep. A lot of us are. Hael, angel of kindness. Samandriel, the angel of cool names. Michael, Raphael, and Gabriel are three of the commonly known archangels. Lucifer, the devil. Um... Anna, which means grace. Castiel, angel of Thursday."

"'Angel of Thursday'?" Dean repeats with a laugh. "That's a horrible angel to be named after. No offense."

"I think it works out great," Castiel protests. "According to Metatron, he watched humanity with little interference. Sound like someone you know?"

"That works," Dean agrees.

"Alright, I'm going in," Metatron tells them. "So, uh, wish me luck, and hopefully I won't get overrun by little people." He gives them a quick smile before heading inside.

"Seriously, how many cousins do you have?" Dean asks.

Castiel counts quickly, but then gives up. "There should be at least two more coming."

"How is physically possible to have that many cousins?" Dean asks.

Castiel shrugs. "Aunt Amara had two husbands, so that might be part of it."

"That would help," Dean agrees. "But still. That's... That's crazy."

Castiel nods. "Big time. And it only gets worse from here."