That night each other drunken graduates made their ways back to their respected tents. Some, though, made it to other tents for other reasons. The last ones around the fire were Dean, Jo and Charlie, and Castiel. Even Gabriel called it quits when it got to be about three in the morning.
"I'll see you guy's in the morning. You'll be okay, Castiel?" Gabriel held his flashlight in his hand. He shined it back on his brother, but Castiel waved him away.
"I am capable of handling myself." He said, crossing his legs into a pretzel shape. He leaned forward and poked the dwindling bon fire with a long stick. The embers light up and a small flame flicked to life. "I will see you in the morning."
"Alright, Night guys." Gabriel walked off after receiving various good nights in return. The glow of his flashlight disappearing once he got past the tree line towards the tents. Once he was gone, the four left sitting around the fire were silent. The crackle of the fire was calming. Charlie laid her head down on Jo's lap and Jo was leaning on Dean's shoulder. Castiel was off on his own, poking at the fire to keep it going, but it was futile.
"You think it's time to head in?" Jo looked up at Dean. The glow of the fire pit shimmered in her brown eyes. She looked back down to Charlie who was asleep on her lap. Jo played with her hair, braiding it and then unbraiding it. "I'm going to have such a hangover tomorrow." Jo said, laughing slightly, then yawning. She pushed Charlie's shoulder a couple times until her eyes fluttered open.
"Wha?" Charlie blinked. "What's going on?"
"We're going to go to bed. The fire's out." Jo helped Charlie to her feet. Dean helped the both of them stand straight. "Thanks, Dean." Jo searched her sweatshirt pocket for her flashlight. Once she found it she flicked it on and lit the way back to their tents. Dean was about to follow them to make sure they got back okay, but Castiel was still sitting by the fire, eerily silent, and Dean was worried.
"You okay, man?" Dean asked. He stood a few feet back away from Castiel, waiting for a response.
" 'M fine." Castiel replied. He perched up on his feet, knees bent. He poked the fire one more before he threw the stick into the pit. "I'll be fine. I'm going to go use the bathroom before I head back to my tent." Castiel groaned, as he stood straight. His knees popped from sitting in the same position for so long. He stretched his back out and then yawned.
"A-alright, man." Dean then chased after Jo and Charlie, looking back only once to see Castiel still standing by the pit of fire, staring into the warm embers. Dean soon caught up with the girls and helped them get to their tent. Charlie stumbled inside, not bothering to change her clothes for sleeping. Jo stood outside her tent for a moment. She popped her hip from side to side in front of Dean and smiled.
"You know, I'm glad I got to know you this year. I'm glad you moved here." Jo poked Dean in the chest and giggled. Dean rolled his eyes at her. He pulled back the tent opening and helped Jo inside. She fell into the tent next to Charlie and blew her messy, blonde hair out of her face. "Really I am."
"Really, you're drunk." Dean smirked. "Go to bed. I'll see you in the morning, bright and early." Jo gave Dean her famous half smile before she fell back onto her sleeping bag. Dean zipped up the tent and wandered over to his own. He glanced at the tent next door to his and wondered who ended up sleeping there. He shined his light on it, expecting to hear someone stir inside, but nothing happened. The tent was either vacant or had an extremely passed out drunk inside. Dean ignored his curiosity and continued onto his own tent, where he crawled inside and stripped from his clothes, sleeping in his boxers for the night.
Dean was woken up by a rustling noise outside of his tent. The sun was barely rising over the horizon when he sat up and looked around his tent. There was a shadow against the one side of his tent and the rustling came from the same side. Dean thought for a moment that it could be his neighbors doing the do, but the rustling was coming from the wrong side. Dean jolted up, thinking maybe an animal was scavenging around the camp. He crawled over to the entrance of his tent and unzipped it slowly. When he saw feet and legs, he sighed and continued to unzip the tent all the way. He looked up and saw that it was Castiel and he was going around with a trash bag and picking up cans and bottles.
"Cas, what are doing up this early?" Dean asked as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes. He sat at the entrance of his tent in his boxers and let the cool dawn air chill his bare skin.
Castiel looked down at Dean and fumbled with the trash bag full of cans in his grasp. "I couldn't sleep." He said before leaning down and picking up another can that was in front of Dean's tent. "I won't bother you. You can go back to bed." Castiel then walked off with his trash bag and cleaned up the tent area for everyone.
Dean yawned and saw that the sun was still rising above the horizon, he got at least a few hours of sleep, so he was okay for the day with taking a nap later. Dean rummaged through his duffel bag before pulling a few articles of clothing out and throwing them on. He found his shoes and pulled them onto his feet as well. "Hey, Cas. Let me help." Dean shouted, trying not to be too loud as to wake the others around. He jogged over to Cas and started picking up cans and bottles. He threw them into the trash bag and they continued on in silence like that for a while until others started to wake up and the campsite was clear of any trash.
Dean pulled at the collar of his shirt and did a sniff check to see if he needed to take a shower. His nose wrinkled at his man-smell. "Dude, why didn't you tell me I reeked?" Castiel shrugged, not saying a word. Dean threw the last of the trash bags into the dumpster bins a bit of ways away from the campsite. "I'll catch you later, Cas." Dean waved goodbye before jobbing back to his tent to grab some soap.
Castiel stood there and watched Dean jog away. "It's i Castiel… /i" His eyebrows furrowed with frustration. He never had someone call him Cas before and it was a strange nickname, he liked his name just fine, but when Dean nicknamed him, he couldn't help but feel a little happy about it. He pushed his large trash bag over the rim of the dumpster and wiped his hands on his jeans. As he walked back to the campsite he couldn't help but let out a small laugh at the extremely hung over people walking their way to the bathhouses.
"Hey, Castiel!" Castiel turned at the sound of his name. His brother came running up to him and swung his arm around his shoulder, locking him in. "Having fun yet?" Gabriel asked. He ruffled Castiel's hair until Castiel squirmed free and tried flattening it, but his inevitable sex hair returned.
"Yes."
"How about we sit at the dock today, maybe fish? I'm sure someone has poles." Gabriel asked, but Castiel didn't seem interested. "I know you don't like the water, ever since-" Gabriel paused. Castiel was not amused. "Or we could do nothing?"
"Nothing sounds good." Castiel shrugged away from Gabriel and walked off towards the tents. Gabriel sighed. He strummed his fingers nervously against a tree and watched his brother walk away. He sighed. Their father told him to make Castiel feel welcome since he was going to be living with Gabriel all summer, but Castiel was a hard egg to crack. He didn't like doing much of anything, except watching people, seeing how they interact. If only he could take those examples and use them himself. Life would be so much easier. Gabriel just sighed and walked off to go see what he could make for everyone for breakfast.
Castiel walked up to his tent, which surprisingly was next to Dean's. He hadn't figured that out until that morning when Dean popped out practically naked. Castiel blushed at the thought. He crawled into his tent and rummaged through his things before he found a pair of shorts and a plain t-shirt. He stripped from his previous clothes, which were too warm for the day. He pulled his shirt over his head before pulling a new pair of shorts up his legs. He then crawled back out of his tent, only to be faced with a tall guy with a towel wrapped around his waist standing in front of his tent. Castiel quickly looked to the ground. "Hello, Dean."
"Cas? Didn't know you were my neighbor." Dean held his towel up with one hand. His skin was clean and glowing. "Nice to finally meet you, neighbor." Dean laughed and headed back over to his tent. Castiel's face was unbearably red as he took off to get as far away as possible. He soon found his brother at the grills once more, dishing out sausage and eggs to hungry people.
"Your face is red." Gabriel pointed out. "What happened, find Dean Winchester again?"
"Stop." Castiel crossed his arms over his chest. "It's not that."
"Is that so?" A mocking tone was behind Gabriel's question.
"Stop." Castiel said a little deeper and more menacing. "Let it alone."
"Fine, but have you figured out what you want to do today, yet? It's only Friday, we have all day tomorrow and Sunday to do whatever."
"I know."
"Then go find something to do, maybe Dean-"
Castiel rolled his eyes when he walked away from Gabriel. The sun was rising higher in the morning sky. Some people were still sleeping in their tents, but most of everyone had woken up to the smell of breakfast. Castiel looked around the large camping site and picked out the spot where no one was. He wanted the silence. Unfortunately the only place he could find was the fire pit. He dragged his tired legs over to the pit and sat down on one of the makeshift benches. He sighed and rubbed his eyes.
"Tired?" Castiel jolted. He looked up to yet again see Dean Winchester, standing there is all of his glory. He was holding two plates of food. He handed one to Castiel before taking a seat next to him and digging into his scrambled eggs. He swallowed before smiling at Castiel. "Your brother told me to bring you a plate, thought you might be hungry." Dean stabbed his fork into a sausage patty and shoved it into his mouth. "Your brother sure is a good cook."
Castiel sat there in awe. He stared at his plate of food before taking a small bit of his eggs and then setting his plate down. "Where are Jo and Charlie?" He asked. He looked around, but didn't see them in line for food or anything. "Are they still sleeping?"
"I think so." Dean scooped the last of his food into his mouth before throwing his paper plate into the fire pit to be burned later. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees and his head chin in his hands. "The weather seems like it is going to hold out for us." From the fire pit they could see the dock and the lake. "Those clouds over there, though. I think we might be getting some rain tonight."
"That's unfortunate." Castiel picked his plate back up and ate the rest of his food. He then threw the paper plate into the pit just like Dean did. They sat there in silence for a while before Dean stood up and said he was going to go find Jo and Charlie. "I'll find you later. We can all hang out. I mean, you're going to be around all summer right?"
"Yes." Castiel answered.
"Then you might as well 'join the fellowship' as Charlie would say. Friends make summer worth it." Dean grinned enthusiastically before raising his hand in goodbye and walking off to find Jo and Charlie. Castiel watching him walk off. Dean's muscular back was clearly seen underneath his t-shirt. Castiel gulped nervously. He didn't know if he could be a friend with a person like Dean, especially because of the feeling he got in his chest every time he saw the guy. Castiel sighed and rubbed his forehead. The lack of sleep was finally getting to him, and it was time for a much needed nap.
Dean in fact did find Castiel later that day. The sun heated up everyone and all that soothed the graduates' skins was the lake. Dean, Jo and Charlie all congregated in front of Castiel's tent. They stare at each other before they all smiled and grabbed a side of the tent and shook it.
"Wake up!" "Wakey Wakey!" "Come on Cas!" All three shouted until Cas unzipped the tent and poked his head out. His hair was flipped all over and there were bags under his eyes. "Come on, we're going swimming in the lake. Get your trunks on and come to the dock."
"I don't-" Castiel started to talk, but Dean only unzipped his tent all the way and yanked him by the arm out of the tent. Castiel stumbled to his feet and stood in front of two girls in bikinis, Jo and Charlie, and Dean in his trunks. Castiel blushed. He had seen too much of Dean Winchester shirtless lately. "I'll sit on the dock. I didn't bring anything to swim in." Castiel ran his fingers through his hair to tame it, but it still looked like sex hair. It was relentless.
"Who doesn't bring trunks to a camping trip by the lake?" Dean thought about what he packed. "Wait- I think I have an extra pair. I'll be right back." Castiel tried stopping him and say there was no need, but Jo and Charlie were already hooked to his arms and dragging him towards the dock.
"I will just sit at the dock." Castiel stood at the edge of the dock, not stepping on the wood that was over the water. "I do not wish to go swimming. "
"It's so hot out though. I'm going in." Jo hopped and then ran to the end of the dock before jumping in. Her splash came up on the dock and then she surfaced. " Come on guys!" Charlie followed her and jumped in. Castiel stayed behind.
People were laughing and having fun, drinking and dancing to music. Castiel stood awkwardly. He didn't know any of the people around and that worried him. A few guys walked by, all stupidly drunk already. They picked up their friend and swung him into the lake. Castiel took a step back to avoid any possible outcomes of him going in next, but people shouted, "Him next! Him next" and pointed right at him.
He held his hands up in defense. " No thank you." People were booing him and he was about to walk away, but one of the guys caught him by his shirt and then grabbed his arm, tugging him towards the dock.
Back near the tents, Dean smiled as he heard people laughing and singing along to the blaring music. He leaned down into his tent and searches his bag, finally finding an extra pair of swim trunks. "Got em'" Dean rolled them up.
"Got what?" Dean looked up from his tent and saw Gabriel. "Have you seen my brother?"
Dean stood tall. He towered over Gabriel. "I'm actually taking these over to him so he can swim with us."
Gabriel started laughing. " Swim? Why would Castiel want to go swimming when he can't?" Gabriel looked around. "So where is he?"
Dean was confused. "He's over at the dock with Jo and Charlie. I thought-" Dean suddenly shot a look over at the dock. He could see it just a little ways away from the tents. "Son of a bitch!" Dean jolted off, Gabriel right behind him. They reached the dock with little time to spare.
"3!2!" Two guys had a grip on Castiel, ready to throw him into the water. Gabriel shouted out for his brother, but it was too late. "1!" Castiel was pulled ad throw into the water, clothes and all. Everyone was cheering and laughing.
Dean lunged forward. He threw the extra pair of trunks to the ground and pushed the dumb drinks aside. "He can't swim, you idiots!" Dean dove into the water after Castiel and felt around. He found his friend in the water and raised him to the surface. Castiel sputtered water from his mouth.
"Dean, bring him back up to the dock." Gabriel shouted, holding his arm out to grab for his brother. Dean swam with one arm towards the dock, holding onto Castiel with his other arm. When they got there, Gabriel grabbed Castiel and yanked him out of the water, while Dean raised himself onto the deck. Dean shooed a girl off her towel and wrapped it around Castiel.
"Hey, you're okay. You hear me, Cas? You're okay." Dean rubbed the towel on Castiel, warming him up. Castiel shook slightly and held onto Gabriel. Dean squatted next to him, toweling him off. Everyone around was silent and watching.
"I said I was going to stay on the dock." Castiel spoke. He coughed and then shivered some more. "I said I didn't want to go swimming."
Dean nodded apologetically. "I'm sorry." Dean frowned. He then shot death glares at the people gawking at them. "What the hell do you all want? Get the hell out of here!"
They scattered. Even Jo and Charlie left. They felt guilty. Gabriel continued to hold his brother, rocking him back and forth. Dean rubbed his back, feeling suddenly protective. "You'll be okay."