"Lab partners!"

A collective groan rippled through the classroom as Ms. Masters walked up to the white board, drawing out a new seating arrangement. Everyone started getting up and moving to their new seats, including Dean, who literally dragged his bag behind him as he walked to the back of the class. A few moments later, there was a ruffle as someone plopped down on the seat beside him. He looked up into the puffy-eyed face of a recently crying Castiel Novak, who didnt say anything, just put his books own and looked ahead.

They didnt talk all period, or on the bus the day after school. Or the two weeks that followed.

xx

"Winchester."

Dean looked up, turning to face Castiel.

It had been nearly a month since theyd been paired as lab partners. They hadnt talked in class or on the bus yet, though he still wondered why the boy ran off it as though the devil himself were chasing him off. They had sort of a silent agreement - they split the work 50/50 and didnt speak. Which was why it surprised him when Castiel actually spoke to him.

"Novak," Dean responded for lack of anything better to say.

"Mr. Masters says we have to take this one home. Do you want the art or the research?" he asked, his voice low and as close to a monotone as Dean had ever heard.

"Um, whatever is fine," he answered, shrugging and looking down at the directions. It didnt seem too hard of a project, and he could draw a little, so he didnt care which part he did, either way.

"Great. I will do the art. You research," he said, and slid off the stool a moment before the bell even rang. Dean nodded to himself as he went to find Sam to get on the bus. But, as he had been doing the last month, he was riding home with Jessica. He just rolled his eyes and sighed, turning to put his bag on the seat beside him.

That was the last day he saw Castiel on the bus, for a week.

When he got back, of course Dean was a little worried. The boy looked like absolute shit. His eyes were red and puffy and his clothes looked recently slept in. It looked like he hdown adnt even eaten in a month.

So Dean did what any nice guy would do and-

"Cas!" Dean shouted, catching up to the other man as he ran the hall. Castiel stopped at the sudden nickname, pulling his sweater tighter around himself and rubbing at his eyes.

"Hello, Dean," he responded quietly, his voice deeper than usual.

"Um, are you... busy? After school?" he asked nervously. Then mentally slapped himself, because Dean Winchester did not get nervous.

Castiel tilted his head to the side. "I am no," he answered. Dean smiled slightly.

"Wanna go... eat?" he suggested, shifting feet and pulling his bag up higher on his shoulder. Castiel looked at him skeptically for a moment before shrugging and hesitantly nodding. "Great! Come on. I know a great diner, down the street. Harvelle's. Ever heard of it?"

Castiel sniffled and shook his head, moving around Dean's car to open the door. Dean was just thankful he had chosen to ask Castiel to do something on a day his dad was being a decent human and not a complete asshole. He still didnt know why he asked him to do anything, at all, but he felt he should.

They rode to the diner in silence, Castiel looking skeptically at Dean out of the corner of his eye every few minutes like he was gonna drive down a dark alley and beat him senseless. Dean guessed that was sort of expected, though. Castiel after all was a "nerd" and Dean was a "jock" and the two usually didnt get along. But he didnt call the shorter man out on in. Instead, he turned up the radio, nodding along, and continued on.

"Dean?" Castiel asked, tilting his head to the side slightly as they were ushered into a booth. Dean looked up, raising his eyesbrows and nodding for him to continue. Castiel looked own and cleared his throat before he continued. "Why did you ask me to eat with you?" He looked up and met Dean's eyes.

Dean looked at Castiel, studying him for a moment, before shrugging. "I dont really know," he said honestly. "You just... kinda looked like you needed someone right now. And everyone can enjoy a good pie every now and then." He cleared his throat then laughed kind of awkwardly. "You ready to order? Im paying."

Castiel nodded hesitantly, as if he didnt quite believe him and the rest of the lacrosse team would pop out of nowhere and beat his ass. It had happened before. Of course Dean wasnt involved; he wouldnt get into fights when he had to look out for Sammy, especially because he had to look out for Sammy. "I will just have whatever you are having," he said quietly, sliding his menu to the end of the table. Dean looked at him for a moment before laughing.

"You sure, Novak? I eat a lot" he said, smirking at him across the table.

To his surprise, Castiel smirked back at him. "Bring it, Winchester."

And just for that, Dean ordered double of what he usually would have, descreetly telling Ellen - the owner and an old family friend - to put half of it on his tab; he didnt carry that much cash with him. Especially not enough for four burgers, four slices of pie, two cokes, two waters, and more pie.

And by the time they were finished, it was getting dark. When Dean pointed it out, Castiel's whole bosy twitched as if he was going to run away, but instead he slumped back down in his seat, scrubbing his hands roughly over his face. He looked like he was about to cry, Dean noted. "Hey, Cas. You need a ride home?" he asked him. Castiel looked up, nodding.

"Thank you, Dean. For today. I really did need this," he smiled a barely-there smile, sliding out of the booth and stretching. Dean smiled, putting a wad of bills on the table, and following Castiel out of the diner. They got in the car and Dean drove toward where the bus dropped him off. Castiel didnt even notice until Dean asked which way to turn, and he just looked around sadly before pointing back the way they came, rubbing his eyes. "Um.. I moved. Sorry for the inconvenience, Dean."

Dean just shrugged it off. "No problem. My fault for assuming," he turned and smiled before turning the car around and following Castiel's directions. When he parked the car, he got out and walked around to the other door as Castiel pushed it open. He walked beside him to his door, more for comfort than the fact that he felt he should. "So, um. Ill see you tomorrow, right? Not gonna disappear for another week?" He meant it as a joke, but Castiel's face fell and he crumpled forward, leaning on the front door of the apartment, his shoulder shaking with sobs.

"Woah, hey," Dean said cautiously, reaching forward and wrapping an awkward arm around the other mans shoulders. Castiel nodded, paused, then shook his head. "Whats wrong, Cas?" Dean asked, pulling him to him and wrapping his arms around Castiels' shoulders. They just stood there for a few minutes before Castiel pulled away, shaking his head and opening the door.

"Thank you, Dean. I will see you tomorrow," he said, his voice raw, as he closed the door softly.

Dean just stood there for a moment, looking at the black door.

"What the hell?"