A/N This isn't my idea, but I really wanted to write it. Just to be clear, in this AU your soulmate's last name is written on your arm. Hope you enjoy!

Soulmates were secret – you weren't really supposed to share the name written on your arm. Stupid idea, really.

Once Sam turned 17, the name appeared on his skin. Sam was quite happy with it– 'Novak' would be easy to find after a few quick internet searches. Ah ha! Castiel Novak went to a high school in Pontiac, Illinois. Sam decided to contact him.

Dear Castiel…. No, that sounded too formal. Was Cas too personal? They might not even be soulmates – maybe he had a cousin or something?

They had been talking for months – Sam really liked Cas, but he wasn't exactly what he was expecting. There wasn't really much chemistry – they were great friend, but not much more.

They dormed together at college, and they tried to be romantic. They kissed once before -they both decided to try being friends first.

Sam felt guilty about not telling his Dad, and Dean, but he was worried they'd mock him. No, Dean wouldn't, but John might've. And after John threw him out of the house for going to college? Sam had been furious. Hardly the time to discuss the fact he'd found his soulmate.

A month into the first semester, Cas and Sam decided heir families should meet. For Sam, 'family' was Dean. For Cas, 'family' was his brother Gabriel – he didn't want to overwhelm Sam with his extraordinarily large family, and besides, Gabe was his favourite. Plus, Cas' parents either weren't around or weren't interested – Sam didn't know. Cas was very open, but not about his parents.

Sam tossed and turned in bed. He was worried about Dean's visit. It felt….. wrong. Cas didn't feel like his soulmate – a good friend, of course, but soulmate? The one he was made for, his other half? It didn't feel right. Maybe they needed more time? He didn't know.

As Sam drifted off to sleep, it struck him that he never told Dean his soulmate's name.

Sam was fidgeting. A lot.

"Sam, please. Excessive movement will not prevent any problems. What do you find so distressing?"

"This just doesn't feel… right. We're not really romantic, but we're introducing ourselves as soulmates."

"It's true our bond is not of a romantic nature. But I don't understand. We are soulmates – do you think we are not?"

"I don't know, Cas. Maybe - "

Knock, Knock, knock.

"Open up Sammy!" Sam breathed a sigh of relief at hearing Dean's voice.

"C'mon Cas, let's see this soulmate a' yours!" Cas could hear Gabe's smirk through the door.

As they walked in the door, Dean and Gabe laid eyes on the supposed soulmate of their brother. Suddenly, Sam understood. They all understood.

"Oh."