Castiel was sitting at his desk after school, finalizing his lesson plans for the week, when he heard a knock at the door. He turned his head to see Ben's giddy smile standing at the doorway. "Mr. Novak!" He exclaimed and ran inside.
Castiel grinned and opened up his arms to the small first grader, who gladly accepted the hug. "It's good to see you, Ben," Castiel said, letting go of him. "How's first grade going?"
"It's okay," Ben shrugged. "Ms. Milton is really nice, but I liked you better."
Castiel felt his heart swell with pride hearing that. "Thanks," He said. "I kinda miss having you in my class too. Just promise me that you'll visit every now and then."
"Of course I will!" Ben exclaimed. "Now that I also know you'll soon be Mr. Winchester!"
"You heard about that, huh?" Castiel said, too entertained to say that they haven't exactly worked the last names thing out yet.
"Everybody knows. After Mr. Winchester came in and gave you a ring, the kindergarteners were talking about it all recess."
"Of course they were," Castiel rolled his eyes playfully. "How's your mom doing?"
"She's good. She's getting married to this one guy. I don't know how I feel about him yet," Ben said with a sour face. "He's kinda weird."
"Well, that's good she found someone who makes her happy," Castiel said.
"Ugh, I guess," Ben kept his sour face.
Another knock on the door frame caused Castiel to look up again, but this time, he wasn't happy with what he saw. He felt his heart sink and blood rush to his head. His mouth went dry and he wanted to just turn away from him.
Castiel knew that perfect, chiseled jawline; those deep green eyes, his plump, pink lips anywhere.
It was Gadreel, his old 'boyfriend' from high school.
"Ben, me and your mom are ready to go. Do you want to go wait out in the car?" He asked Ben softly and looked up at Castiel. "I need to talk with, uh, Mr. Novak for a minute."
Castiel wanted nothing more than to follow Ben outside, but he stood there, waiting for Gadreel to start whatever he planned.
Once Ben was out in the hallway, Gadreel walked towards Castiel. "Castiel," He flashed him a small smile. "Long time, no see."
"Don't give me that," Castiel sneered. "I don't know what you want, but I don't want to hear it. If it's an apology for how you treated me in high school, you're too fucking late. I've moved past it."
"I noticed." Gadreel looked at Castiel's ring. "Who's the guy?"
"That's none of your business."
"Cas, come on. I just want to-"
"First of all, it's Castiel to you. Only my friends get to call me Cas." Castiel was fuming. He didn't want to see this man ever again. He hoped he never had to. But here he was, standing in his classroom and about to marry Lisa Braeden. Well, good for him.
"Second of all, I don't give a flying fuck what you want. I don't give a fuck that you're still not out of the closet yet and that you're marrying Ben's mom. I don't give a shit about whatever apology you owe me. I'm done with you. I'm done with toxic people like you. I'm done being treated like shit for who I am." His lips curled upwards into a small smile. "And do you know why? It's because I've found someone who doesn't care what other people think of him. Dean doesn't care if people call him a 'fag' or say that he 'likes it in the ass.' People have tried to split us up before, your fiancee being one of them. And he's stayed by me through all of it. So you know what? You're too late." Castiel exhaled slowly and narrowed his eyes. "Now, get the fuck out of my classroom."
Gadreel just stood there, taking every painful word Castiel said to him. "Okay then," He said, turning around and walking out the door. He paused at the entryway. "But I just wanted to say that I wish I didn't care what people thought. Otherwise I could've been the one to put that ring on your finger."
Gadreel left his classroom and Castiel sat down at his desk, letting his head fall into his hands. "Fuuuuuuuucckkk," Castiel groaned. "Why him? Why is he here?"
"Who?" Castiel heard Charlie's voice echoed through his small classroom. "And hey, Cas, who was that guy who just came out of your classroom? Was that like a parent or something?"
"Kind of. "Castiel sat back in his chair as Charlie sat across from him. "He was with Ben."
"Who was he?"
"Gadreel," Castiel spat. When Charlie looked confused, he continued, "Remember that story I told you last year when I thought Dean was just using me for sex and not really loving me?" Charlie nodded. "Remember my first boyfriend?"
Charlie's eyes slowly widened and she brought one hand up to cover her mouth. "Shit," She said, the word muffled slightly. "That's not good. What did he want?"
"I'm not quite sure. I kind of just chewed him out the entire time he was here," Castiel admitted.
Charlie grinned. "Good!" She said. She then looked at him more seriously. "Are you going to tell Dean about it?"
Castiel shook his head. "No. It's not that bit of a deal." When Charlie opened her mouth to protest, Castiel interrupted, "He came in, I took care of the issue. He won't come between Dean and me. Dean is the only person I want to be with. If it comes to be an issue, I'll tell him."
"Okay," Charlie said, still skeptical. "I promise I won't tell him, but if he comes back with flowers or some shit, I'm telling Dean."
"Deal."
They sat there in silence for a second before Charlie said, "What did he say to you?"
"The only thing that sticks out is that he said he wished he didn't care what people thought. He said otherwise he could've been the one to put this ring on my finger."
Charlie scowled at Castiel. "I think that sounds like an issue that Dean needs to get involved with. He can go teach this fucker a lesson."
"No, Charlie, I'm not resorting to violence. Like Gadreel did. I'm better than him." Castiel shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "Charlie, I promise if he comes near me again like that, I'll tell Dean."
Charlie rolled his eyes, but didn't argue further. "Fine. Let's get a move on. We're supposed to be having a celebratory dinner at your place tonight."
Castiel nodded. "Okay, let's go."
The two of them headed out the door and began walking to Dean's apartment. It was still February, so the walk wasn't warm by any means, but Castiel was happy he got to spend time with Charlie. Even though she was mad at him for deciding not to tell Dean about Gadreel, she still supported him. Castiel secretly hoped Gadreel would come back just so he could see Charlie kick his ass.
The again, Gadreel was trouble. And now that he knew where Castiel worked, he would never leave him alone. Unless there was the small chance he was actually happy with Lisa, but that was very small, especially considering how against homosexuality she was.
Castiel sighed and tried putting his thoughts to rest as he and Charlie began climbing the stairs to his apartment. He was with Dean. No one, not even Gadreel was going to pull them apart.