Castiel walked up the driveway with his chemistry notebook and text book clutched against his waist with his arm. He paused for a moment to check out the beauty in the driveway that caught his eye. '67 Impala' he thought, 'bet that's Dean's. Man he definitely has got some style.' That car looked spotless inside and out as he peered in through the windows. Not surprising though. Dean has always been the type to keep up a nice appearance. He's always taken pride in his looks, something Castiel always admired about him.

Castiel finally reached the door as fumbled around for a minute. He straightened his shirt and combed his hands through his hair really quick before pushing the doorbell.

"Come in, the doors unlocked!" He heard Dean shout from somewhere. Slowly, he opened the door and stepped inside. The place reeked of alcohol, with an old musk smell blended in to it. He ventured further into the house to find stacks of book every, a few bottles of vodka hanging around, and a couple of shot guns scattered about. But for some reason, the place still felt welcoming and warm.

Castiel dropped his books off on the desk with two chairs. He had assumed they were going to study and practice over there. Just before he called out his name, Dean popped his head in with his big goofy grin. He was carrying two sodas in his hands as he offered one over to Castiel. Castiel accepted and said thank you.

"Hey, Cas! Thanks again for helpin' me out with this."

"Don't mention it. It really is no problem, Dean. I'm more than happy to help." He popped open his can and took a sip. "Hey, is that your Impala out there? She's a beauty."

"Yeah, technically it is. She used to be my dad's."

"Did he give it to you? Talk about great first car, I'm jealous." Dean stuffed his hands into his back pockets and dropped his smile, his whole demeanor shifted. Shit. He has been here for not even five minutes and he already seems like he messed up.

"He died a few years back. He went on a hunting trip and it went south. Guess something got to him before he got to it. So the cars mine now, since it wasn't like Sammy was old enough to drive anyway."

"I'm so sorry Dean... shit I'm sorry for saying anything. But I only see one car in the drive way, do you and your mom both use it then?"

"Nahh" Dean slightly clenched and flexed his jaw, "my mom died when I was four. Our house burned down, they said some fuse caught one fire or some shit like that. Me and Sammy live here with Bobby now, he was a good friend of my dad's. He's like our second father. He is the only family we got now."

Castiel wanted to punch himself in the face. He's surprised Dean hasn't done it himself yet. Every time he opened his mouth to speak, not one word came out. What do you say to that? 'I'm sorry' is just too empty and meaningless. Not to mention how many times he must have heard that before. Dean reached out to Castiel and squeezed his shoulder "Cas, it's alright. I'm fine, really. You didn't know and I've... Come to terms with it. I mean, yeah, some days are better than others, but I'm okay. So stop looking at me like a lost puppy. That's-" he slightly tightened his grip on Castiel's shoulder, "that's why I need to keep this scholarship and go to college. I need a good education so I can get a good job and help Bobby with Sammy. I ain't gonna let him do it with Sammy alone, he's done too much for us already. Sammy's a smart kid, so maybe he will get his own scholarship when it's his time in a few years, but I gotta help with everything in between. I can't leave them behind with nothin', you know?"

"I do. And I have a lot of respect for you for doing what you're doing. Not many people can do what you're doing right now, but Dean. You're so young to be worrying about this and having to carry that weight on your shoulders, I'm sorry. That's not fair to you." Dean shrugged his shoulders and focused out the window. When he didn't add anything else to the conversation, Castiel continued "so, what school did you get the scholarship for? If you don't mind me asking that is."

"Kansas State University. It's a fucking great school and I count my blessings that my football skills are better than my grades. Or else I'd never make it into a school. Gotta full ride too."

"Holy shit" Castiel couldn't help but smile at Dean. Part of him wanted to start fisting pumping in the air, and the other part of him is glad he restrained himself enough to not do it. "I got accepted to that school, and it was my top choice. That's where I'm going. Damn, what are the odds?" Yes, finally something seems to be looking up.

"Seriously? Awesome! Now I have at least one person I know. None of my other friends are going. Best part is that it's pretty close by, so it's not like we gotta dorm there or anything either" Thank God, Castiel thought. He wasn't sure if he was ready to leave his home just yet anyway. Although the chance of dorming with Dean didn't sound bad at all. "You make sure I pass chemistry, and then we celebrate going to college with a familiar face! Sounds like a good plan to me, what do you say?"

"I say that's a great plan, Dean."

~~~

After about an hour or so of studying, Dean closed his textbook and leaned back against his chair and folded his arms behind his head. "Where the hell were you this entire year?! You managed to teach me in one hour, what Mr. Murphy couldn't in this half year we've been in school. You should be a teacher, Cas. You'd be a hell of a good one."

"That's all you, Dean. You just needed to focus a little more is all. You are going to ace that test no problem this week. And actually, I am going to study to be a teacher. I'm just not entirely sure for what subject yet."

"You should major in chemistry, I'm not even kidding. Your students will love you. I know I do after you just saved my ass and my scholarship. I really do owe you one, Cas."

"Don't mention it, that's what-" Castiel hesitated for a split second, "friends are for." He still was not entirely sure what terms they were on, but he seemed to have guessed right because Dean nodded and patted his back in agreement. The corner of Castiel's lip curled into a small smile.

He extended his arm to grab his can of soda on the desk when he accidentally knocked the entire thing over. "Fuck, I'm sorry, Dean. I'll clean it up, shit I'm sorry." But they both bent over at the same time and lightly head butted each other on the way down. They both laughed and slightly looked up at the other, only an inch separated them. Castiel's eyes flickered back and forth from Dean's eyes to his lips. Without even thinking, Castiel leaned in and kissed him.

Dean's lips were surprisingly so soft. The kiss was better than he had ever dreamed it would be, but then, Castiel stopped to think. Dean isn't kissing back. He pulled back and tried to search Dean's eyes, but Dean wouldn't look at him. He stared right at the ground, and Castiel couldn't read his face.

Castiel fumbled out of the chair and quickly grabbed all of his things "I should go. I need to go." He stopped for a second to see if Dean would tell him "no" or "wait", hoping he would at least say his name, but he never did.

Castiel always finds a way to screw up the few things he ever has going for him, and this time, he screwed up big. He stormed out the house and hopped into his car and drove off, he didn't look back.