Cas closed his eyes, still trembling slightly. He could remember that pitying look on Lydia's face at the sight of how much of an asshole his father was. She genuinely seemed bothered by it, which almost made him feel better, in a way. Maybe it would help when the aches faded. I wonder what Nick is doing…?
Nick couldn’t keep his mind off of Cas. “Well, what happened? All I know is that dad left without you and now here you are,” Jane said, trying to break him out of his thoughts.
“Our dad and Cas’s dad came to pay the ransom, but Cas’s dad was so cruel about the whole thing,” Nick said, his voice trembling for a moment. Was Cas okay right now?
Cas couldn't go see Nick, much as he wanted to. He'd been locked into this room, and the only way out was the window. Considering he was on the third floor and in no condition to scale a building, he was a bit trapped.
“Maybe I should go see him,” Nick suggested. Jane blanched.
“If his dad finds you, he’ll skin you alive! Not to mention he’ll probably also punish Cas!” Jane responded, trying to talk some sense into her brother.
“But what if he needs me?” Nick argued quietly.
“You don’t even know where his room is or where he’s staying,” Jane hissed, pulling Nick into her room so they could converse in private.
Cas managed to slip under his blankets and huddle into them, hoping he could just ignore the pain long enough to fall asleep. Right now, that wasn't going particularly well for him.
“Joke’s on you, Jane, because I know the place, I just need to find the room,” Nick told her with a cocky grin, trying not to look nervous. Jane wasn’t fooled.
“Okay, what about the skinning you alive part?” she cried, her eyes wide. “Don’t be an idiot!”
“I’ll be back in fifteen minutes,” Nick replied and hurried out the door.
“Dad is going to kill him if he finds out,” Jane muttered, though even she knew that unless Nick started a war or cost their father more money, he wouldn’t take much notice.
Cas kept his eyes firmly shut, trying not to think so he wouldn't cry. He felt empty, lonely, and hopeless, which was causing his powers to act up again. He didn't notice the bed and the floor and wall around him slowly beginning to freeze.
Nick hurried off to where he was mostly sure Cas was staying. He did a quick inspection of the of the place, seeing one of the windows beginning to frost over. It was a fairly warm day, so that was wildly out of season. Nick smiled. He’d found the right room. Now the only thing left was to get there. There weren’t any trees nearby, so he’d have to scale the wall. It was a painstaking process, and his hands were a bit bloody by the end, but he had done it (albeit with one close call). He tapped lightly on the window, hoping Cas would let him in before he fell.
Cas looked up at the noise, surprised. "Oh my god- Nick!" He scrambled to his feet and went over to the frosty window, forcing it open. "What're you doing here?! My dad would kill you if you're seen!"
"I came to see you, duh," Nick responded with a smile, trying to come gracefully, but ending up falling through the window. He stood up and brushed himself off with a sheepish smile before noticing the state Cas was in. "Are you okay?"
"Um… I-I dunno, honestly." Cas looked back at the frost on his bed, floor, and wall. "Little shaken up, honestly, and pretty sore. He… he wasn't particularly pleased with me…"
Nick glared at the wall for a moment. Then he sighed, relaxing a bit and hugging Cas. “I’m sorry. I wish that I could have stopped him.”
Cas hugged him back tightly, burying his face in his chest. "It's okay… I'm glad you didn't. Then he would've hurt you too…"
Nick frowned, knowing Cas was right. He figured if he had tried to stop Cas’s father, then his father would only hurt Cas more.
"Now, c'mon… I really need to cuddle right now." Cas pulled Nick over to the bed and lay down, holding up his arms needily.
Nick chuckled softly at Cas and followed him, putting his arms around the other boy.
Cas tucked his head under Nick's chin and cuddled close. "And I'm freezing, so it's now your job to help me with that."
“That’s an easy fix,” Nick said, smiling slightly as he warmed his body temperature. He was basically a human heated blanket.
"Thaaaanks, love…" Cas relaxed in Nick's arms, sticking out his tongue a bit as he grew steadily warmer.
Nick smiled fondly at him and lightly kissed his cheek.
Cas smiled right back, feeling a little less miserable with Nick being there. "As much as I hate to say it, you'll have to go soon or we'll get caught…"
Nick sighed. “I know…” he mumbled. “But another minute won’t hurt.” I hope, he added mentally.
He nodded, cuddling close again. After another minute or two, he heard knocking on the door and froze. "Holy fuck- hide!" He whispered, pushing Nick off the bed rather roughly and scrambling to get over to the door.
Nick panicked, looking around for a few moments before quickly diving under the bed. It was a tight fit, but at least he could fit completely, even if he wasn’t sure he could get back out.
Once Nick was out of sight, Cas opened the door. Thankfully, it was just someone bringing him food. He thanked them and closed the door, managing to make it back to the bed without passing out. "You okay, Nick?"
“Fine,” Nick responded from under the bed. “Stressed and sore beyond belief, but fine. Also, can you help me get out from under here?”
"Mhmm." Cas knelt beside the bed and grabbed onto Nick's hand, trying to help drag him out.
Nick pushed with his feet, managing to free himself after some effort. He lied on the ground for a moment, catching his breath. “Thanks.”
"No problem, love." Cas replied breathlessly, laying beside Nick on the floor.
"Maybe I should get going as soon as I catch my breath," Nick admitted. "That was a close call."