Two

The lecture room was buzzing with an unusual type of excitement. Castiel guessed it was probably because it was the last period on a Friday, and people were anxious to leave the campus. Whatever it was, it made Castiel twitchy and distracted him from taking notes. He jotted down the rest of his professor's sentence and put his pencil down as he glanced at the clock. Two minutes.

Castiel was surprised by how well his first week in the University of Lawrence had went. With the campus being so big, he expected it would take him much longer to memorize where his classes were. He's pretty much pieced together which of his professors is which, but he was still having trouble remembering his classmates, especially since they changed with every course Castiel had. It wasn't too bad, though. Balthazar was in every class Castiel had.

He met up with Gabriel on a daily basis. Castiel was glad to know that deep down his brother cared, despite his douchey facade. Lucifer checked on him maybe twice during the week, just to keep Michael off his back. Castiel didn't mind because at least they were getting along and not at each other's throats.

The bell signalled the end of the lecture and most people were out of the door before Castiel even had time to put his pen away. He finished packing his things and left to his dorm.

Upon arriving, he was greeted by his roommate.

"Hey, Cas," Balthazar greeted him as Castiel dropped his bag on the ground with a soft thud.

"Hello," Castiel replied.

"A couple of us are going down to the bar. Fancy coming along?" Balthazar asked.

"I can't," Castiel responded, shrugging on his trench coat. "I told Michael I'd meet up with him today after class."

"Oh, come on, Castiel," Balthazar pleaded with a grin. "You've successfully survived through your first week here. That calls for a celebration."

"I'll go tomorrow," Castiel lied before shutting the door behind him.

Castiel made it half way across the campus when Gabriel yelled his name.

"Hey, Cas! Hold up, will ya?" he called as he approached him. When he stopped in front of him, he whisked out a Mars bar and offered, "Want one? I've cleaned out the vending machine."

"No, thanks," Castiel replied. "I'm going to have lunch with Michael."

"Ah, so that's where you're going." Gabriel nodded as he opened up the chocolate and took a bite. "How was your first week?"

"I enjoyed it," Castiel replied. "How was yours?"

"Well, two of my professors already hate me," Gabriel explained.

"Nothing has changed then," Castiel said, although it was more of a statement than a joke.

"A week's time. My personal record, I believe," Gabriel added proudly.

"Where are you going now?" Castiel wanted to know.

"No idea. Thought I'd hit the bar, get drunk and pick up some chicks," his brother shrugged. When he saw Castiel's disapproving frown, he sighed and corrected, "I'll just get drunk, then."

"Not the compromise I was hoping for, but it works," Castiel responded.

"Don't let Michael bother you too much, all right?" Gabriel told him before they parted ways.

"I won't. Bye, Gabriel," Cas said with a small smile.

"See ya around."

With that, Gabriel disappeared in the crowd of people and Castiel heard familiar laughing from across the parking lot. He turned around to find Dean Winchester saying his goodbyes to his friends as he walked to his car. Castiel watched as he fiddled with his keys and unlocked the Impala.

Castiel had done exactly what Michael told him to over the past week- he stayed away from Dean. It proved to be a little difficult at first since Dean was almost in every class that Castiel was in. But Castiel managed because Michael specifically asked him to do so. This was the first time his family was back together and, damn it, Castiel was not going to be the one to mess it all up.

And yet, there was something about Dean that fascinated Castiel. Sure, the guy flirted with anything in a two mile radius that had a pulse, but nevertheless, he was... interesting. His smug smirk never left his face, but there were times when Dean Winchester genuinely smiled. It only occured when a professor praised Dean's little brother, Sam. The lecturers often stated how Sam's high school teachers speak very highly of him and how everyone hopes that such a star student will enroll in their university. Those smiles were scarce, but they were there. They were really a sight for sore eyes and they're what Castiel likes the most about Dean.

As Dean clambered into his car, Castiel walked on, quite aware of the fact he was blushing furiously.


Castiel entered the diner some ten minutes later and searched for Michael. He spotted his brother waving at him from a booth across the room. Castiel sat down as Michael flagged down a waitress.

Michael worked for a local (but big shot) company. He had the job since he graduated college two years ago and he was pretty successful. Right now, he was obviously on his lunch break. His prussian blue suit jacket hung on the coat hanger behind him, his black tie draped over it. He watched Castiel intently as the latter placed his order and finally spoke when the waitress left.

"So, how was it?" he asked.

"How was what?" Castiel countered.

"You first week," Michael stated with a chuckle.

"Oh," Cas said as the waitress placed his plate in front of him.

"Here you go, dear," she smiled kindly.

"Thank you," he replied.

"Rosie, could I have another cup of coffee, please?" Michael added.

"Of course, dear," Rosie answered before she left to fetch the coffee jug.

"Right, you were saying?" Michael spoke to Castiel, gesturing with his hands.

"It was good. Really good," Castiel told him.

"I'm glad to hear it." Michael nodded.

Castiel ate quietly, pretending not to notice the stare Michael was sending his way. He finally snapped and looked at his brother, who gave a small nod as if to say, Well, go on.

So Castiel launched into his story with full detail (because God knows Michael means it when he says he wants to know everything). He told his brother about his teachers and his courses, and about Balthazar. Michael didn't know much about Balthazar, seeing as he'd moved from England just the year before. Apparently he didn't want to finish his schooling in London, so he got some sort of scholarship here.

The conversation was going smoothly until Michael asked, "And what about that Winchester? Is he bothering you?"

"Oh. Uh, no. I haven't spoken to him." This was true, but Castiel still prayed that he didn't look too guilty.

He was relieved what he heard his brother say, "Well, I'm glad to hear that."

"Just out of curiousity," Castiel began, "why do you dislike him so much?"

"He's reckless, for one," Michael told him. "Always getting into fights. And as I told you before, he's got quite a mouth."

"Do you know anything else about him?" Castiel couldn't stop himself from asking. Finding out as much as he could about Dean Winchester was a priority at the moment. And since it was Michael who brought him up, Castiel didn't think he'd notice anything.

"He's got a younger brother, Sam," Michael said with a shrug as he sipped his coffee.

"Yes, the professors mentioned him a few times," Castiel agreed. "They say he's a good student."

"He's a good student all right," Michael replied, "but there's bound to be something different about him. He can't be a normal kid if he's got Dean as a brother." He stopped to take another sip. "But then again, you spent four years alone with Gabriel, and you came out fine."

Castiel blinked in confusion. "I don't understand. Gabriel is a good brother."

"It was a joke, Cas," Michael explained with a slight groan.

After another half-hour of talk, Michael had to return to the office so the brothers parted ways.

"Remember to call if there's trouble," Michael reminded Castiel as he put on his tie.

"I know, Michael," Castiel replied. "I'll see you soon."

Michael waved before heading down the street back to where his office was. Castiel sighed heavily and ran his fingers through his hair before leaving in the direction of the campus, his mind fully occupied with Dean Winchester.


It was half past 1 in the morning when Castiel was finishing up typing his homework- which was due in two weeks. Nothing terribly exciting happened after his lunch with Michael. Castiel took a power nap when he returned to his dorm and woke up at around five thirty in the afternoon. Seeing as he didn't feel like going to the bar and had absolutely nothing to do, he decided to start his project for one of his courses. He didn't expect to spend the whole day working on it- after all, he had two weeks' time- but a few hours later, he found himself almost done with it.

Once he saved it and put it on a USB stick (he'd print it out tomorrow), he changed into his sweat pants and plain white tee, fully prepared to go to bed. Only, thanks to his nap, sleep wasn't coming easily. After hopelessy staring at the ceiling for five minutes, he turned on a lamp, fixed his pillow and pulled out a book.

A bang emitted from the other side of his door, and for a moment Castiel became worried. But once the door opened and his roommate came tumbling in, Cas relaxed and turned his attention back to his book.

"Hey, Cas," Balthazar whispered with a slur.

"Hello," Castiel replied. "Do you need help getting into bed?"

"Nah, I'm fine," he answered as he kicked off his shoes and fell face-first on his bed. "Would you be terribly angry if I asked you to turn off your light?"

"Not at all," Cas anwered and stretched out to flick off the lamp.

"Sorry to inconvenience you, love," Balthazar muttered from his pillow.

"It's fine. Good night."

" 'Night, Cas."