*March, three months later

Over the past few months Dean and Cas fell into a routine; spending weekends at each other's apartments, going to the pizza place at least once a month for a medium pepperoni pizza and two cokes. Sam starting staying at his dad's more often, usually staying Friday night through Sunday morning. Once his winter vacation was over and started going back to school again, he'd ask if Cas could pick him up, or take him to school. Dean telling Cas, "You don't have to, really." But Cas loved taking Sam places. He even took Sam to a date once with a girl, so Dean wouldn't find out.

Cas finally got to quit his job at the grocery store in February, and got hired as a fill-in Psychologist at one of the town offices. Dean and Sam took him out to dinner that night, and Cas invited Naomi and Michael out with them too.

Dean got fired from McDonald's for rudely yelling at a customer when they asked "why did you pick here to work, and not do something with your life." He left the fast-food joint throwing his hat on the ground and storming out saying "YOU CAN MCSUCK MY COCK."

And now here they were.

"Hey, Dean?" Sam walked into the living room of their apartment, "Can I talk to you?"

Dean looked at him and scooted over, gesturing at him to sit on the couch. "What's up?"

"Okay, so you know I've been at dad's a lot, recently. And him and I have been talking. He doesn't do any traveling anymore, he just works at the shop now with Bobby, and I was wondering-"

"If I was okay with you going to live with him." Dean said, looking over at Sam.

"Yeah." Sam looked down at the floor, and looked back at Dean, "It would be good for both of us, I would be able to spend more time with him, and you could ask Cas to move in with you!" Sam suggested, "You've been talking about maybe asking him to move in, and there's obviously not a lot of space with me here, it would just be chaos." He looked back down at the floor.

Dean laughed, "Sammy, if you want to move in with dad, you don't have to try to convince me. You living here was temporary anyways, just until dad stopped traveling. Its fine, I want you to go and live with him, you need that father-son experience." He smiled at Sam.

"If I go," he paused and looked up at Dean, "would you ask Cas to move in with you?" Dean scratched the back of his head. Pondering the question.

"I don't know, I'm not even sure if he's ready to live-"

"He is! He told me!"

"What?"

"He told me! I asked him a few weeks ago, when he took me to school, I asked if he would ever want to move in with you and he said 'Well obviously. I'd like to soon, but I'm not sure if Dean is ready for that kind of commitment.' And I told him you were because you really like him." Sam smiled.

"He really said that?" Dean didn't believe it; Cas had always seemed kind of distant about that subject.

"I swear."

"Okay. Okay, yeah. If you go live with dad, I'll ask Cas to move in with me." Sam's eyes got wide and he smiled, he looked really happy. And Dean was happy that Sam was happy.

"I'll call dad now and tell him!" Sam jumped off the couch and ran into his room. Dean could hear him talking to his dad sharing the good news. Dean smiled to himself, and thought how the hell am I going to ask Cas to move in with me.

Dean had Naomi and Michael's number; he and Cas would go on double dates with them, and they made him feel like he was a part of the group all the time. He eventually picked up both of their numbers just in case he needed them, which in this case, he did.

He called Naomi, and asked if she and Michael were free anytime this week to go and have lunch.

"Is Cas going to be coming?" She sounded curious.

"Um, no. I actually need to ask you guys about Cas. I don't want him to know anything yet." She laughed on the other line and said her and Michael were free on Wednesday if he wanted to go out then. He said it was fine and they made plans to go to some Mexican restaurant in town around 2 P.M.

"You're really going to ask him to move in with you?" Naomi looked at Dean from across the table, it was only the two of them; Michael was running late.

"Yeah. I am. Does it seem too soon? Should I wait longer?" Dean looked at her with worry in his eyes.

"No! You should ask him now. Well whenever you have planned. I think he really needs it." She gave him a gentle smile; reaching for his hand across the table.

Michael came in and saw them at the booth; he sat down next to Naomi. "Dean, I hope you're not trying to steal her away from me." Dean laughed and shook his head.

"No don't worry, she's all yours." He put his hand back underneath the table, resting in his lap.

"So, what is it you wanted to talk about?" Michael looked over at Dean.

"He's thinking about asking Cas to move in with him!"

"Really?" Michael looked over at Naomi and then back at Dean.

"Yeah. I've been thinking about it for a couple of weeks, and Sam just told me he wanted to move back in with our dad, so I thought now would be the best time to ask him."

"That's really great." Michael gave him a reassuring nod, and smiled.

"So, the other reason I asked you guys to come out was," he paused, taking a deep breath, "Do you have any idea how I should ask him?" He laughed, praying they would think of something.

They spent the rest of the lunch discussing ways he could ask Cas; make him a homemade meal and ask him over a candlelit dinner, take him to a movie and ask him on the way home, wait until he has a cold and spell it out in alphabet soup (Michael's idea), or,

"Take him to that place you guys always eat at! With the games and pizza!" Naomi exclaimed.

"He's always talking about that place, telling us what you guys talk about, what you did there, how many prizes you win. I mean that could be another happy memory for him. I don't see how he could say no." Michael explained.

Dean took in all these options, thinking it over. Once their lunch was over he thanked them both for their input, he said once he asked Cas, and if Cas said yes, they would have them over for dinner so they could all celebrate.

That following weekend Sam had finished packing up his room. John had borrowed a truck from the shop so they could load everything in and not have to make two trips. Sam walked up to Dean and hugged him tight, Dean returning the action.

"You'll still let me come back and visit right." Sam asked into Dean's shoulder.

"Of course. Anytime you want to come over. You are more than welcome to." He gave Sam one last reassuring squeeze before letting him go.

Cas came over too, to say goodbye to Sam. He knew he wouldn't see him as often now that he was moving out. Sam went over to Cas and gave him a hug as well.

"I'm sure I'll see you when I come over." Sam laughed, letting go of Cas.

Cas gave him a questioning look, but laughed it off. "Make sure you keep in touch, okay?" Sam nodded and smiled at the both of them. He turned around and walked back to his dad's truck.

Dean and Cas watched it drive down the street before going back inside. Dean looked around the apartment, nothing had really changed anywhere in the house except Sam's room and the bathroom; but it still felt different.

"You okay?" Cas asked, shutting the door behind him.

"You wanna stay here tonight?" Dean turned around and asked him. Cas knew he couldn't leave Dean alone tonight. He had to be up early in the morning to fill in for Dr. Shirley. But he could always wake up earlier and go back to his apartment and get ready.

"Yeah, sure." Cas walked over to Dean, bringing one of his hands up to his cheek. Dean leaned into it and closed his eyes for a moment.

"It just feels different without him here." He opened his eyes back up. Taking Cas's hand in his own.

It was only about 5 o'clock, so they warmed up some tv dinners and ate in living room, Cas made Dean turn on The Karate Kid Part II. Dean complained the entire way through, and Cas would occasionally shut him up with kisses.

They went to bed around eleven that night. Cas had his head laying on Dean's shoulder. They had their hands intertwined with each other. Dean kissed Cas's forehead and Cas giggled.

Dean stomach went into a knot. He knew right now was the perfect time to ask Cas.

"Move in with me." Dean whispered against Cas's head. Cas shifted slightly, gripping Dean's hand tighter.

"Okay." Cas whispered back into the darkness. He felt Dean lean into him more and they both drifted off into sleep.

Cas woke up at six that morning. He had a feeling Dean wasn't serious last night, about the whole moving in and everything, he was just tired and missed Sam. Cas decided to take shower at Dean's apartment. He was sure he had some clothes he wouldn't miss for one day.

Once he got out, he walked back into the room, looking for a nice pair of pants and a dress shirt. Luckily he found some in the back of his closet. A white long sleeve dress shirt, a pair of black slacks, and a blue tie. He changed in the room, it was only 6:45 and he knew Dean wouldn't wake up anytime soon. He was facing the door, putting the tie on when he felt hands around his waist. He jumped before turning around,

"What are you doing up?" Cas whispered kissing Dean.

"You weren't lying in the bed anymore." Dean brought himself closer to Cas, tucking his head into Cas' neck.

"I'm sorry; I had to get up for work." Cas said lightly; still trying to tie his tie.

"Mm, it's okay." Dean breathed into Cas's neck. He started leaving little kisses along Cas's neck.

Cas laughed lightly, "I have to go to work, Dean." Dean still didn't stop. "Babe, I have to go to work."

"No you don't," Dean breathed into Cas's neck. Cas laughed again, rubbing his hand across Dean's back.

"Yes I do." Dean stopped for a moment, and then moved his way down Cas's jawline, and towards his mouth. Dean moved his hands to Cas's lower back, trying to pull him in closer than he was already. Cas sighed into Dean's mouth, not wanting this kiss to end.

"You know," Dean said in between kisses, before fully leaning out, both of their eyes closed, forehead to forehead, "When you move in, we can do this every morning." Cas opened his eyes looking at Dean.

"You were serious about that?" He looked surprised. Dean opened his eyes, giving Cas a questioning look. He moved his head slightly back.

"Of course, weren't you?"

"I just thought you missed Sam, or were tired. I didn't think you actually meant it."

"I meant it Cas, I want you to live here, with me. I want to come home and see you sitting on the couch or reading at the table or cooking dinner for us. I want you to move in with me."

Cas smiled and kissed Dean again, "Okay, if that's what you really want." He laughed and stepped back, still attempting to get his tie, tied.

"Do you need help?" Dean laughed at him, when Cas nodded. He stepped forward and helped him. Tightening it so it didn't look sloppy. "You should dress like this more often." Dean winked.

Cas rolled his eyes before walking out of the bedroom and into the living room, Dean following behind him. "I'm not going to be working long today, there's only a few patients coming in, I should be done by 12 or 1 o'clock." He was at the door getting ready to open it, before turning around, "Then I can go back to my place and start packing everything up." He smiled and opened the door, and walked out.

Work was dragging on, for Cas. He only had 4 patients today, but it felt like their appointments were two or three hours long, rather than just one. He enjoyed listening to them, and what they had to say. He would give them solutions to try and help solve whatever they were going through, but he constantly found himself looking at the clock. And then it was finally 12:30. His last appointment was finished, so he closed the office and drove to his apartment. He called Michael on the way over, telling him that Dean had asked him to move in, he heard Michael yell to Naomi telling her the good news, and Cas heard her scream in delight in the background. He asked if they would meet him at his apartment to help him pack things up quicker; they agreed.

By the time Cas got to his apartment it was 1 o'clock, Naomi and Michael still weren't there, so he began packing away his clothes first. After he finished with his clothes there was finally a knock at the door and Michael and Naomi were there.

"So how did he ask you? Did he take you out? Did he make you dinner? How did it happen?" Naomi bombarded him with questions, while she was packing some of his books and DvDs into a box.

"We were lying in bed, and I had my head on his shoulder, and he just whispered 'move in with me', I didn't even think he was serious!" Cas sat down on his couch, "I just thought he was like sad since Sam moved out or was just tired, it wasn't until this morning when he started talking about that he said he really did want me to move in with him." He smiled at the floor.

"He didn't go with either of our plans." Michael whispered to Naomi.

"What?" Cas asked, looking at them.

"What?" Michael laughed.

"You guys knew he was going to ask me?" Michael and Naomi looked at each other, and then looked back at Cas.

"Us? Knowing? What? That's, that's crazy! Why would Dean tell us? I mean c'mon Cas that's absurd!" Naomi babbled on.

"It's fine if you guys knew, I have a feeling he asked you for ideas, considering he isn't the most romantic type." Cas laughed.

"Yeah, he took us out for lunch on Wednesday, and asked us if it was a smart idea, and how he should ask you. But apparently the only input he took from us was actually asking you to move in." Michael rolled his eyes.

"I can't believe he actually asked you guys out, oh my god." Cas laughed, sitting back into the couch. He looked around his apartment, which was basically filled with boxes now. He had already called his landlord from the office telling him he was moving. He said he'd leave his key on the counter.

"Remember when you first bought this place?" Naomi asked.

"And it was a complete dump. You had so much faith in it." Michael added.

"But look what I turned it in to! It'll be a lot better for the next person." Cas walked into his room, which was now empty except for the bed, and the nightstand. "I guess that's everything."
He came back into the living room, looking at Naomi and Michael.

"Do you want to start putting things in your car?"

"My shit car? Yeah." They all laughed. He still hadn't saved up enough for a new car. But with this new job he was getting closer to a new car every day.

They loaded everything into his trunk, back seat, and the passenger seat. Naomi and Michael weren't going with him, so they said goodbye and said they'd make plans sometime this week to go celebrate.

When Cas got back to the apartment Dean wasn't there. He figured he probably went out for groceries or something, considering they had a block of cheese, some chips, and a quarter gallon of milk left in the fridge.

It was weird thinking this was his apartment now, he had his clothes in Dean's- his closet. His own side of the bed; he was actually living with Dean. The thought of it gave him butterflies. By the time he finished unpacking and throwing the boxes away it was already close to seven and Dean still wasn't home. So Cas tried calling him, but his phone was on the couch; Cas just decided to go out and get them some dinner. He went to a burger place called Freddy's and picked up a few burgers and fries. He stopped by the gas station and grabbed some waters, sodas, and a couple of beers. He got home at eight, and Dean still wasn't home. Cas was trying not to worry himself. He called Sam to see if he had heard from him.

"Hey Sam."

"Hey Cas!" Sam said.

"How's living with your dad going?" Cas tried making small talk before asking Sam anything.

"Great! Dean called and told me you guys were moving in together!"

"Yeah, yeah we are," Cas gave a weak laugh, "I already unpacked my things and everything, it feels just like home."

"I bet." Sam chuckled.

"What all did you and Dean talk about?"

"Uh, not much. He just told me about you guys moving in together."

"He didn't say if he was going anywhere at all?"

"No? Cas is everything okay?" Sam sounded concerned.

"Yeah, no everything is fine. I got here about 4 and Dean wasn't here, so I went and picked up dinner and just got back and Dean still isn't here, I just didn't know if he told you he was going anywhere."

Sam was silent for a minute, "No he didn't tell me anything, did you try calling him?"

Cas chuckled, "Yeah, he left his phone on the couch. I'm sure he's just out running errands or something. I'll call you when he gets home okay?"

"Okay. Make sure you do, I want to know he's okay."

"I will Sam, goodnight." Cas hung up. He walked around the apartment, looking for anything that might have said Dean went somewhere. He found nothing. He put the burgers in the fridge; he was too worried to eat anything; so he sat on the couch and watched tv.

When he looked at the time again, it was eleven. Dean still wasn't back. Cas started panicking now, this wasn't like Dean. If he was out late he would always tell Cas.

So Cas just laid down on the couch and tried to find sleep, hoping that when he woke up, Dean would be there.

The door slammed. Cas shot awake and Dean was standing there; leaning against the wall.

"Dean? Are you okay?" Cas rubbed his eyes. Dean still stood there and didn't say anything. So Cas got up and walked towards him. "Baby, what's wrong?" He reached out to put his hand on his arm; but Dean pushed it away walking toward the kitchen. "Dean, talk to me." Cas stood there, by the door waiting for Dean to answer him. "Where were you Dean? It's," Cas took out his phone to look at the time, "It's 2 am for fucks sake, where were you?"

"Out." Dean finally replied.

"Out where?" Cas started getting annoyed at this point.

"I was just out okay? God are you going to act like this now that you live here?"

"Not if you make me act like this. You stay out until 2 in the morning and don't tell me where you are, you don't take your fucking phone with you! I was worried sick!"

"Well boohoo poor Castiel."

"Are you drunk?" Cas walked a little towards the kitchen, but giving Dean plenty of space.

"Yes okay I was at a fucking bar all night, they just kicked me out!" Dean started yelling.

"How did you get home? Did you drive yourself?"

"Yeah."

"Dean! You could've gotten yourself killed!"

"Well look here I am safe and sound with my lovely partner who suddenly wants to act like a drama queen because I was out late!" Dean walked towards Cas, his steps wobbly.

"This was our first night together living as a couple and you're out getting drunk! How the hell do you think that makes me feel? Do you not want to live together? Are you regretting asking me to move in? Because believe me Dean I have no problem taking my things and leaving! Especially if I'm not wanted here!" Cas started yelling now.

"Cas goddamit don't you see it? Don't you see anything?"

"What the fuck are you talking about?"

"This is all new to me! I've never lived with someone other than Sam and my Dad! I've never had a serious relationship. I freaked out! So I went to the bar for a couple of drinks, and I just stayed there all night."

Cas turned around and walked over to the couch sitting down, "Yeah well thanks for letting me know."

Dean followed, but stayed standing, "You don't need to know where I am every goddamn second of the day!" Dean started raising his voice again.

"You see what you're turning into right?"

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"You're turning into everything you told me you didn't want to be! A drunk! Just like your father. You know? The one who abandoned you and Sam? The one that left you and Sam with Bobby 98 percent of the time so he could go out and get drunk? You're turning into your father Dean!" He started raising his voice too, standing up so he was face to face with Dean.

"You have no idea what the hell you're talking about Cas! You don't know anything about my family!" Dean put his hands and Cas's chest pushing him hard, backwards into the couch. Cas looked up at him with fear in his eyes; He got up and ran into the bathroom, locking the door behind him.

"So what?! You're just going to lock yourself in there? Hide from your problems? Huh? Are you?!" Dean banged on the bathroom door yelling at him.

The yelling lasted for about an hour and a half. Cas sat with his back to the door and his knees held up to his chest. Crying softly into his arms.

Once Dean finally stopped yelling, he sank down to the floor, leaning his head against the door, regretting everything he said. He could feel the alcohol wearing off, and he realized how much of an asshole he was acting.

"Babe, open the door. Please. I'm sorry for everything I said. Please babe, just open the door." There was no response. "Babe, I'm sorry. Come out, let's talk about this. I didn't mean anything I said. Please come out, Cas." He heard the door unlock, but it didn't open.

Cas moved so he was sitting by the bathtub. That way if Dean came in he wouldn't hit him with the door. He heard it open but still sat, with his head in his arms still. Dean came and sat by him and wrapped his arms around him, kissing him anywhere that he could.

"I'm so sorry Cas." Cas picked up his head so he was looking at Dean, his eyes were puffy and red.

"I'm sorry too; I shouldn't have said what I did about your dad." He looked away from Dean for a moment before Dean put his hand on Cas's chin making him look at him.

"Cas don't please. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. You were right, this was our first night together and I totally ruined it. I acted exactly how I told you I never wanted to act." He started running his fingers through Cas's hair. "I'm so sorry I put my hands on you babe, it's never going to happen again I swear okay?" Cas stiffened and started to cry again, tucking his head in his arms. "Cas I'm sorry, I promise it's not going to happen again, please don't cry." He hugged Cas tighter, pulling him in so Cas was laying his head on Dean's shoulder.

"You don't understand." Cas mumbled into his neck.

"Help me understand, what's wrong. Please just tell me." Dean whispered to him. Kissing the top of his head.

So he did. Cas told him. About his parents, his grandparents; he told him how he lived in 9 different foster homes from the time he was 4 until he was 16. He told him what went on in the houses, what he went through. He told him about all the physical, mental, and sexual abuse that happened to him. That's why he ran when Dean pushed him. That's why they hadn't done anything more than make out. Because he was scared. Dean hugged him while Cas shook in his arms. Kissing him anytime he could. Apologizing, promising Cas he would never leave him, he would never lay a hand on him again the way he did tonight, promising that they wouldn't do anything until Cas was ready. Cas told him that he was the only one that knew about this, not even Michael and Naomi knew, though he thought they suspected.

By the time they were finished talking, it was nearly 5 in the morning. They walked into the bedroom and Dean, once again, held Cas in his arms. Whispering "I love you so much" in his ear. It was the first time Dean had ever said it to Cas; and Cas told him he loved him too. And that's the way they fell asleep that morning, with hushed I love you's hanging in the air.