A/N: I do not own Supernatural or any of their characters. I do my own writing and editing, so please forgive any errors or typos :) Please enjoy!

Chapter 1

Dean considered himself beyond lucky at this point. He was attending Kansas University. Passing. And finally he had a decent roommate. His first year of college had been a bitch of a learning curve. He had damn near failed before he broke down and went to the tutoring center where, his now friend, Kevin had whipped his ass into college-level material. He had gotten in to college. Wasn't that supposed to be the hard part? Apparently not. He had never read so much at once in his life. He had never partied so much at once in his life. And there were three meals to be had every day! Life in the Winchester family had pretty much sucked. His mom died when he was four. His dad moved them around several times a year for the next 12 years until he finally drunk himself into a telephone pole going 80 miles per hour. They happened to be in Kansas at the time and he and Sam, his little brother, had become 'wards of the state'. After two shitty foster homes, they were separated. Sam landed with a couple that absolutely loved him. After a year of feeling like life could not get any shittier for Dean, Sam's foster parents wanted to adopt him. Sam refused, saying he couldn't unless his big brother came. Lo, and behold, Dean was plucked out of a foster home that was more like a puppy mill for damaged kids and picked up in a beat-up pick-up by a burly guy in a ball cap. Dean was almost 17 by then. Sam was 13 and flourishing in the steady home. Dean left with Bobby with no questions. It was a long, quiet ride across town. When they pulled into the salvage yard, Dean wondered if Sammy had finally pulled the ultimate prank on him and sold him out to a pair of homicidal maniacs. The place was friggin creepy. Old cars stretched on for miles in fields. Rust, tires, sad looking dead cars. Dean finally gave Bobby a skeptical look.

"Nice place," he said flatly.

Bobby smirked and nodded. "It might not be much, but it's mine. And what's mine is now yours, boy."

Dean didn't know what to think. 'Boy'? Freakin Sam. What the hell had he gotten him into?

They pulled up to a small house. It needed painted and an old hound dog lazily lifted its head on the front porch. Yeah, Sam always wanted a dog. If he was now saddled into some kind of slave labor operation because of some fleabag, he was going to kick Sam's ass.

Bobby parked the truck next to the house and pulled the key out of the ignition. "I know it don't look like much," Bobby said quietly, "but my wife and I really do love that brother of yours. And he really loves you. I lost my first wife and daughter years ago. Took me a long time to let anyone back in. But Jody...she's my wife now, can't have kids and has always wanted to help. Sam ain't the first foster kid we've had. But he's the only one that Jody and I couldn't seem to let go of." He pressed his lips together, making the hairs of his mustache and beard bristle around his mouth. "I know you're a lot older. Only got one year of school left. But I hope you and Sam can be happy here."

Dean relaxed his shoulders a bit. Damnit, the guy was a softy. Sam had that effect on people. And what the hell. It was one year. It was just August and he might actually be able to go to school for one year in the same building.

Bobby turned, looking at Dean and Dean held his gaze. "The way Sam talks about you, you have always been the most important person in his life. More like a dad than a brother."

Dean swallowed, a lump forming in his throat.

"Sam is...well...honestly, Sam just fit right in here. I hope you can give us a chance, Dean. I know it don't look like much-"

"I don't need much, sir," Dean said. He couldn't take the burly guy looking so nervous.

Bobby smirked. "You don't gotta call me 'sir'. In fact, I'd appreciate it if ya didn't."

Dean nodded. His eyes traveled back to the little house. Evening was setting in and a warm glow lit the windows in the front.

"Your wife's name is Jody?" Dean asked.

"Yep."

Dean clutched his duffel bag. He could do this. If these people were good to Sam, good for Sam, he had to give this a chance.

"I'm not much like my brother," Dean admitted aloud.

"I ain't much like my brother either," Bobby said seriously.

Dean swallowed hard. "Thank you...for taking a chance on me. And Sam. He deserves a good life."

"So do you."

Dean licked his dry lips. His head felt too full already. What if he screwed this up for Sam? What if he ruined everything?

Bobby blew out a breath. "Well, supper's probably on and don't know bout you, but I'm starvin'."

Dean smiled weakly. "The foster home I was at specialized in Speghetti-O's and hot dogs."

"Come on, Dean, I know Sam is dyin' ta see ya."

Dean followed Bobby up the porch steps and past the big dog. Dean gave the dog a furtive look. The hound merely blinked up at him.

They walked into the house and Dean was met by the heavy smell of meat and potatoes.

"Is he here?" Came Sam's voice from upstairs. His thundering feet ran across what Dean assumed was a hall and down the steps. "Dean!"

Dean dropped his duffel, catching the blur that was Sam bolting into him with a fierce hug.

Dean held him as tightly as Sam held him. He fisted a hand into Sam's hair, smelling him like it had been years. Tears stung his eyes and when Sam leaned back, wet trails ran down his cheeks.

"Come on, man!" Dean laughed with a crack in his voice. "You're gonna make me cry."

Sam stepped back, wiping roughly at his cheeks and sniffing. "I'm just so glad you're here."

Dean ruffled his hair and hugged him again. "Me too."

As Sam let him go, he bear-hugged Bobby. "Thank you so much Bobby!"

"Alright, alright," Bobby said, hugging him back with a pat to his back. Sam moved on to hug a thin woman with dark brown hair. She hugged him quickly and kissed his temple as if it were second nature. But her eyes were on Dean.

"Dean," she said, Sam stepping to the side, "I'm Jody. It's so good to meet you."

Dean shook her hand. "Thanks...uh...thanks for having me," he fumbled. I mean really, what do you say?

She smiled. "Funny, you two don't look much alike. Guess I was picturing a taller version of Sam."

Dean shrugged. "I look more like our mom. Sam looks more like our dad."

Sam rolled his eyes. He hated any comparison to their dad. But it was true.

"Dinner is ready," she grinned warmly. "You boys hungry?"

"You know it," Bobby laughed. "Come on in, Dean, have some dinner."

Dean sat his bag on the bottom step and followed them back the short hall to the kitchen.

"Meatloaf, Dean!" Sam beamed.

"Awesome!" Dean could feel drool forming in his mouth already.

"Real mashed potatoes and green beans. Everything Jody cooks is fantastic!" Sam raved.

Dean took in the well used kitchen and table for four. The food looked incredible.

That year was the best year of Dean's life so far. Dinner every night. Lunch money every day for school. Clothes that were washed regularly. Even the dog turned out to be pretty cool. Jody was the local sheriff, which made Dean nervous for no good reason other than their dad had always avoided and loathed law enforcement. But Bobby. Bobby slipped under Dean's skin quick. Maybe it was his gruffness laced with love. Maybe it was the way he patted Sam on the back and told him how smart he was or that he was proud of him. Maybe it was the endless hours they spent together working on old cars. Maybe it was that he would tell Dean he was really good at things. Proud of him. Called him 'son'. Dean could never pin-point how or when it happened, but he loved that man more than he ever loved anyone, besides Sammy. Adoption happens slower than one might think. Court dates and paperwork. Lawyers and appointments with social workers. Dean put up with all of it for Sam. When the time finally came, Dean decided he was almost an adult and didn't need the paperwork to tell him where he belonged. But Sam was eager to lose the stigma of being an orphan. Sam Winchester-Singer was doing just fine. He was in high school and thinking about becoming a lawyer. He was healthy and happy. And Dean still had trouble getting used to it sometimes. Jody and Bobby were the best damn thing that ever happened to him and Sam. Their life before the Singers had been one long string of shitty motels or apartments, lack of food, and lack of love.

Dean had told Sam he loved him countless times. But when he left for college, he found himself tearful and for the first time in his life, told Jody and Bobby he loved them. Jody cried a little and Bobby hurumphed and swiped at his nose a few times. When Dean pulled away, Bobby chased the car, Dean rolling his window down. Bobby leaned in and hugged him tight. "I love you, son. Do a good job. Come home as often as ya can so Sam don't cry."

Dean nodded and Bobby stepped back with a wave. He had to wipe tears away when he saw the three waving him good-bye from the front porch, Rumsfeld howling.

His status as a ward of the state had helped him earn a huge scholarship to Kansas University. After his initial shock-and-awe period, Dean was forced to strap down and keep his grades up to keep that scholarship. He wanted a decent life. He wanted to make Bobby, Jody and Sam proud. Pride and love. They were a big deal to Dean. A bigger deal than he ever wanted them to be. His life so far could be separated into three parts. Birth to four, he had a normal childhood he guessed. He only had a few fleeting memories of his mother. Her sweet smile. Her singing. Her death. Then 12 years of scraping by. In a constant state of worry that his dad would be angry or disappointed and drink again. Worry that Sam had diapers, food, or clothes. Worry that he had no fucking idea what was going on in class because who the hell cared? Worry that he would be in more fights. Get caught stealing. Be taken away from Sam. Worry that his dad wouldn't come back for them until he died and left them. Alone. No family.

And then there was the day he went to Bobby and Jody's and every day since. Sam had adjusted like it was where he was always meant to be. But Dean struggled to let things go, let people in, be normal. And Bobby and Jody gave him space. And limits. Rules. Responsibilities that were normal. It was beautiful. And terrifying. And in the blink of a year, it was somewhat over. College was him being on his own. But they were always there. Only a phone call away. Four hour drive and he could be tinkering on a car next to Bobby, hearing about how Sam had a new crush. So yeah, the first year of college had been rough. His roommate was a guy named Gordon Walker. At first they got along great. But as time went on, Gordon was spiraling into a controlling friend who seemed to think he knew Dean better than anyone. Dean had to cut ties and get a new roommate his second year. Benny was way more his speed. Laid back but serious about his classes. Liked to have a good time but didn't require counseling. He was, like Dean, a bit on the messy side. And Benny knew how to listen without judging. And Dean knew how to look out for a guy who was far from home and alone. He was from Louisiana. His family seemed like alright people, if not a bit smothering, hence the college far from home. Benny was a good guy. And Dean needed the stability. He was ready for year two at KU.

He pulled his schedule up on his phone, swiping down his class list for Monday's. His first class was Psychology 101. The other humanities class he wanted was full, so he was stuck with psychology. He hefted his book bag onto his shoulder and headed for the Humanities building. It was a 9:00am class on the second floor. The professor was known for his hippy-dippy teaching style, often holding class out on the lawn. Dean sighed. He hated these bullshit waste of time and money classes that were 'required'. Why psychology mattered to a degree in mechanical engineering was absurd to him.

He sat down toward the back of the room, feeling the warm sunlight heat his back as it shone bright through the large windows that took up the entire back wall of the room. The building was old, with worn desks and chairs. He waved across the room to Kevin when he walked into the room. Kevin grinned and headed toward him, sitting next to him. "Hey Dean!"

"Hey, Kev. How's Garth?" Garth and Kevin were roommates again this year. They were a nerdy, goofy pair that Dean would have never been caught dead with back in the day. But they had been tight since second semester of their first year.

Kevin shook his head. "He's fine. Says he has a girlfriend. Some chick he met over the summer and he's 'in love'," Kevin rolled his eyes and gagged.

Dean chuckled. "Guess I can hear all about her in my next class. He's in my Algebra class."

"Good luck. He's all..." Kevin shivered with a grossed-out look on his face, "gooshy."

Dean raised an eyebrow and made a mental note to keep conversation to a minimal with Garth.

The class filled in and Dean waved to Charlie. He knew her a little from last year when he had freaked out about his laptop crashing and she had helped him fix it. She had mad skills and the best DVD collection on campus. She was a lot of fun and he was slightly disappointed when she sat down closer to the front since the seats were filling. He pulled out his syllabus and read over what they would be learning about this semester. "Freud? Really? They still teach that old nuts theories? This class is such a crock of shit," Dean muttered.

Kevin shrugged a shoulder. "It should be an easy A, Winchester."

Dean had plenty of classes to stress about. Linear Algebra and Differential Equations his next class, then Electricity, Magnetism, and Fluids. Then a break and then Computer Aided Design Monday and Wednesday nights. Tuesdays and Thursdays were Physics and Materials Science lectures and labs.

Dean pulled a blank notebook out and watched as the professor sat on the edge of the desk in the front of the room. He had light brown hair that was curly. Watery blue eyes and an easy smile. He was a slight guy with ripped jeans, flip flops and a 'Life is Good' t-shirt on. He waited until 5 minutes after the start time before speaking.

"Good morning everyone," he smiled, looking around the room. A murmured "morning" trickled back to him. He nodded, his grin widening.

"You are in Psych 101 and I am Professor Chuck."

Dean attempted to care about what was being said, but found the topic fairly nauseating. He did not like to think about feelings. His in particular. He just wanted to get paid good money to fix people's cars. How was knowing about why people thought what they did, of any importance to him? Because an A was an A. He attempted to tune back in when Kevin jotted down some notes.

"I want you to look around very carefully," Chuck said, grinning. The guy was all smiles. "Pay attention to the seat you chose. Why did you choose it?" Kevin glanced at him and Dean rolled his eyes. "Where would you move if you could? And why?"

Dean's eyes traveled back up to Charlie. Her hair was flaming red in the morning sun. He wondered if maybe he could get to know her better this year. She bumped her elbow into the guy sitting next to her, who turned to look at her. He had dark, messy hair. His mouth lifted in a small grin as they shared a look that was a conversation that needed no words.

"Take a look at some of the people in here you have never seen before. Where did they come from? Where are they going?" Chuck continued with fascination in his own words. "This class is going to teach you that people really do need people."

Dean groaned.

"Humans are pack animals. But why?"

'Who cares!' Dean thought loudly, trying not to glare at the happy professor.

"And today you are going to form a bond with an unlikely person. Today. In this very room."

"I feel the bond," Kevin whispered, making Dean snort.

"Everyone on your feet!" Chuck clapped, standing up.

"Ohh shit," Dean moaned.

"Find a partner and make two lines. You in one line, your partner across from you in the other line."

"Jesus," Dean moaned. "How can this possibly be necessary to my education?"

Kevin shrugged again. "Shut up and bond with me."

Dean laughed, finding themselves standing across from each other in a long line across the front of the room.

"Wonderful!" Chuck said, climbing onto a seat in the middle of the room so he could look down on the double line. "Wave to your partner."

Dean and Kevin flipped each other off with equal smirks.

"Do you know this person? Do you feel a certain level of comfort with them?" Chuck waited a moment, his eyes tripping down the lines of students. "Maybe you don't know them, but they looked friendly. Why were you drawn to them?"

Dean rolled his shoulders. This kind of shit made him more tense than shop finals. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He wasn't even being graded yet and he could feel himself failing this class.

"Remember these thoughts and now let's move on to the next step. The line of people closest to me, move down three people."

"Shit," Dean muttered, watching Kevin step away and down three people. Three strangers passed him. A small blonde chick stood in front of him with a bouncy ponytail and a hesitant smile. He had seen her around. They had definitely been at parties together. "Now, is this the person you might form a bond with? Do you know them? How are you feeling? Excited or a little nervous even?" Chuck asked with more excitement than necessary. Dean grit his teeth but tried to look as relaxed as possible.

"Nope. Not the one," Chuck grinned. "Step to the left again."

Everyone sighed or giggled nervously. Dean watched with ratcheting nervousness as the blonde stepped aside to the next person and a guy stepped in front of him. A nervous set of piercing blue eyes met his. Dean felt chills chase down his arms.

"Meet your new...bondmate we'll call them," Chuck grinned, his eyes twinkling.

Dean swallowed nervously and tried for a tight smile as the guy in front of him turned his head to glance at Chuck. He did not know the guy, but he was slightly shorter than Dean, with dark brown hair. He was wearing jeans and a maroon Henley. Wasn't he hot? It was a bit soon for long sleeves. His hair was artfully messy, like he had run late to class. He looked nervous as hell and Dean hoped he looked more laid back than he felt himself.

"Every relationship starts with an initial meeting, judgements, suppositions," Chuck lectured on, "You have already had twenty different thoughts about your bondmate."

Dean felt his mouth tightening. He was used to being judged. He had been 'the new kid in school' more times than anyone he had ever met. He didn't like it. Not one bit. He felt the guy in front of him looking at him.

"And now you are wondering what those twenty thoughts are that your bondmate has had about you!" Chuck said emphatically.

It was official. Chuck was a douche and Dean hated this fucking class.

"What we are going to do is study this relationship between you and your bondmate. Maybe you know them, maybe you don't. But soon, you and your bondmate will share a relationship that is unique to any other relationship you will have in your life. People are pack animals. We want to be together. But why do we bond with some people better than others? Why are we attracted to some and not others? It's not as easy as you might think, and on the other hand," and now the prick looked REALLY excited, "it's as easy as moving a person in front of you."

Dean took another deep breath. He wanted to punch this asshole in the throat for fucking with his bubble of comfort. Yeah, he had a bubble. A small one. And for good reason. People were assholes.

"In today's society of constantly having a device in front of us, of increased violence in entertainment and in the world, we need to learn to bond better. This is your new bondmate."

Dean could feel his jaw tightening. If he said bondmate or bond or mate one more time, Dean was going to shoot this son of a bitch.

"I want you to complete 2 exercises in class today and one for homework tonight. The first one will take eight minutes. You and your bondmate are to make eye contact and hold it for three minutes. No speaking. No outward communication. Starting...now."

The guy in front of Dean turned back to him, his blue eyes finding his. His mouth opened slightly as if he might say something and then closed. Dean had trouble holding the gaze. 'Come on, Winchester, you can do this.' He refocused his efforts and the guy's eyes slid downward briefly then lifted, locking onto Dean's. The room was extremely silent until a few giggles broke out. Dean was too fuckin pissed at the professor and his asinine experiments to find anything funny. The guy he was staring down seemed a mixture of intimidated and frustrated.

'It has to have been like ten minutes already!' Dean yelled in his own head.

The guy was squinting now and Dean wondered what the hell he was thinking about. Dean realized he was probably looking really pissed and it wasn't Blue Eyes fault. He took a deep breath, shoved his hands in his pockets and tried to relax. He blinked a few times and watched as Blue Eyes relaxed. His shoulders relaxed and he put his hands in his pockets as well. Dean wondered if he did that mirroring Dean subconsciously. Dean reached up and scratched his eyebrow, putting his hand back in his pocket. Blue Eyes hand twitched and his eyebrows furrowed again. Dean smirked, watching the guy want to scratch an itch that hadn't been there before Dean did it.

Blue Eyes bit his bottom lip and shoved his hands deeper into his pockets.

"That was three minutes," Chuck said as if it had been magical. "Now, my row of moving students, take one step closer to your bondmate. And we will go another three minutes."

Everyone took a deep breath. Blue Eyes stepped forward and Dean could feel his body tense all over again. He could reach out and touch him if he wanted to. Not that he wanted to. Blue Eyes relaxed his arms from their deep pocket cramming. His eyes blinked slower now and his lashes were long. Their eyes locked and Dean could see the many stryations of blue in them. Flecks of grey here and there. His pupils were so black. He felt like he could fall into them. Like he was being drawn down a tunnel into this guy. Dean blinked, glancing at his whole face instead. Damn, eye contact had never felt like this. Blue eyes blinked as well, both taking a breath. He had an indent under his chin. A scar. Dean wondered how he had gotten it. His lips were full and pink and pressed together. Dean felt the stare more keenly suddenly, feeling a rush go up his neck and started to burn his cheeks. Why was he blushing? The more Blue Eyes relaxed, the more Dean could feel himself blush. The more he blushed, the more he stressed about blushing. Blue Eyes mouth turned up the tiniest bit into a smile and Dean realized he was the guy Charlie had been sitting next to earlier in class. She knew him. What was his name? Why did he even care?

"Three minutes is up," Chuck all but whispered.

"Now, reach forward and put you hand on your bondmate's shoulder. Two minutes...go."

Dean and Blue Eyes exchanged a slightly exasperated look and each raised their right arm, putting a tentative hand on the other's shoulder.

Dean instantly felt a zing of electricity through his shoulder where Blue Eyes rested his hand. It was warm and strong. His hand at the same time grasped lightly onto Blue Eye's shoulder and he was a bit surprised to feel how strong he was underneath the unimposing shirt. Heat radiated out of him and Dean could see tiny beads of sweat starting to form around his hairline. Dean smirked, watching Blue Eye's eyes widen slightly. They were closer than before and he could see strain around the guy's mouth and eyes. He found himself taking a deep breath and licking his lips which were suddenly dry. Blue Eyes mouth opened again and closed softly. Dean was finding himself wondering what the hell this guy was thinking about him. He could see that his hair was thick waves that made him want to run his fingers through it. His fingers flexed before he could tell them to stop and Blue Eye's brow quirked just slightly and then his eyes relaxed again. They were brilliant blue. Bluer than anyone he had ever met in real life. As blue and striking as Frodo Baggins in that money-maker shot for Lord of the Rings. There were tiny lines at the corners that were creasing suddenly and Dean realized the guy was smiling.

Dean's breath caught and he found himself pulling back but stopped at the firm grip on his shoulder. He took in a quick breath and licked his dry lips again. His smile was somewhat hesitant and then he was trying to stifle it. A funny thought had crossed his mind. What was it? Dean felt his own face relaxing, his lips opening and closing in stifled question. Blue Eyes pressed his lips into a line again and looked at him with more determination.

Dean clicked his mouth closed and huffed. What was so funny? Who was this guy? How did Charlie know him? What was his name?

"Times up!" Chuck snapped, jumping down. "Back to your seats without a word to your bondmate or anyone."

Dean let go as Blue Eyes let go and with a brief eye exchange they went to their original seats.

"Paper and pen, people. I want thoughts. What went through your mind? Do you feel any sort of connection to your bondmate? Do you know them and have any feelings towards them changed? Or were they a stranger and what do you now need to know about them? No talking, just writing."

Dean huffed and turned to a blank page.

"These notes are for you alone. Write what you felt. What you saw. What you wondered or worried about."

Dean went to work as Kevin's hand flew across his paper spewing paragraphs. He felt blocked. Stuck. Like he had just stepped out into winter without a coat. Those blue eyes floated in his mind. He curled a protective arm around his paper and wrote. Fifteen minutes later, Dean sat watching as a few continued writing.

"For homework, I want you to read chapters 4 through 7. I want you to do your best before I see you again to try to spy your bondmate in their natural environment without interacting at all. This should be very brief, maybe you see them in the hall or in the dining hall. Just a quick observation. I suspect you want to speak to your new bondmate, but don't. You will soon enough. If you already know them, no discussing observations yet."

Class was over and Dean felt raw and exposed. He exchanged a nod with Kevin as he headed out for his next class. He had twenty minutes to get to Algebra in the next building over. 'Math. Thank God. I don't want to think about people any more.'

Dean left class, watching Blue Eyes make a beeline for the door ahead of him. Was he as shaken up as Dean felt?

Dean lost himself in his next two classes. He met Benny for lunch in the dining hall, along with Kevin and Garth.

They all chatted easily about their new classes until Kevin brought up psychology.

"That guy is a dick," Dean said, stabbing the last three pieces of pasta on his plate.

"Who?" Kevin asked, "Your bondmate?"

"Your what?" Benny laughed.

"I don't ever want to hear that word when I'm not in that room, Kevin. Ever. And no, not him. Chuck."

Kevin laughed and Benny and Garth looked confused. Kevin regaled the social experiment that was their class and Dean got lost on thoughts of those eyes. They were just...so blue.

"Sounds like Chuck is pretty interesting!" Garth nodded excitedly.

"Shut up, Garth," Dean snapped.

Garth scrunched his brow in thought. "Did I strike a nerve? Interesting."

"I'll show you fucking interesting," Dean snapped.

"Easy brotha," Benny drawled, leaning back and patting Dean on the shoulder. Dean gave Garth a glare and finished his drink. "I think I'm dropping that stupid class."

"You can't," Kevin said, eyes glued to a book. "You need the credits. Unless you are going to stay for a summer semester."

Dean huffed. He wasn't staying for a summer semester. He was going home and working. Home. Huh. The nice, little warm thought relaxed his shoulders somewhat. "Fine. Whatever."

Dean pulled his buzzing phone out of his pocket.

"Hey, Sammy," he answered.

"Hi, Dean! How were your classes?" Came his brother's voice, ripe with excitement.

"Have I ever told you you're a nerd?" Dean laughed, pinning the phone between his ear and shoulder.

"Couple times," Sam laughed.

"They were fine. Busy. I have a shit-ton of homework already."

"Cool."

Dean rolled his eyes. Only Sam would get excited about looking down the long barrel of workload ahead of them. "Yeah. Awesome." Dean swiped his meal card and grabbed his tray. He sat at a table by the windows and grabbed the phone again. He had worked for hours on homework after lunch and went to a late class and was just now getting dinner.

"How is Benny?"

"Benny's good. We don't have any classes together, but I see him plenty as it is. Saw Kevin this morning. And Garth. He has a new girlfriend and is gag-worthy about it."

"You're such a jerk sometimes, Dean."

"Yeah, whatever, bitch."

They both snickered and Sam told him about an old friend of Bobby's that showed up today and needed help with a truck.

Dean laughed at Sam's colorful elaboration of the guy, Rufus, and Dean found himself wishing he were home. He shoved a bite of pizza in his mouth and laughed at Bobby and Rufus apparently trying to hide something he had brought from Jody. His eyes traveled the dining hall lazily as he listened and chewed. His jaw came to a halt when he spotted Blue Eyes sitting at a table full of people. The guy was watching him. Dean swallowed dryly and wiped his mouth with a napkin. The guy had turned away when Dean saw him watching him. Shyly, their eyes met again. It was strangely familiar and yet uncomfortable at the same time.

"Two can play this game," Dean said, sitting back and watching Blue Eyes toy with some fries in front of him. Dean took a drink, his eyes locked onto those blue orbs.

Blue Eyes looked at his own drink and quirked a brow. Dean laughed. The guy was easily influenced. So far Dean had made him put his hands in his pockets, want to scratch an itch and now take a drink.

"Play what game?" Sam asked.

"Oh," Dean said, not realizing he had said it out loud, "nothing. Homework."

They talked a few minutes more, Dean and Blue Eyes dropping the staring game, but both studying each other nonetheless.

By the time he hung up with Sam, Blue Eyes was dumping his trash and walking out with a red headed girl.

"Dude seriously has a thing for red-heads." As he left, Blue Eyes glanced back over his shoulder and Dean smirked. He caught the beginnings of a smile before he disappeared behind the closing door. "Fucking Chuck and his head-shrinking," Dean muttered. The experiment had by-far clouded his whole day. Was bonding really that simple? Was he really going to get to know this guy? At this point, Dean just wanted to know his name and hear him talk.

Chuck was an ass for screwing with his students like this.