A/N: Sorry for the delay, I had a 102 degree fever that finally went down to 98.8 today. So now, I'm sitting in bed at 10:30 pm writing the next chapter and hoping it's at least kinda good. As always, keep the Earth spinning by sending reviews. Also, I'm thinking of putting in some Sabriel. Thoughts? Questions? Sudden explosive longing to tell me you love me and never want me to stop writing? (Suggestions are always welcome happy pills against the depression that is writer's block)

Ok, enough. Time to actually get to the story.

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When Cas wakes up in Dean's room for the second time, he writes a quick note and then leaves before anyone notices he spent the night. He is almost to the door into the main hallway when he hears a door open behind him. Panicked, he looks around for someplace to hide and leaps from his current position to a crouched on behind the counter of the tiny kitchen area. He listens as feet shuffle down the hallway towards the kitchen. As thy come around the edge of the counter, Cas, thinking as fast as he can, tries to look like he's searching for something in the cabinet.

"Um, can I help you?" asked a voice from just behind him. Cas turned and saw a guy in maybe his early twenties wearing an undershirt and a pair of sweatpants.

"Yes, I was wondering where you kept your coffee. Dean and I are supposed to be working on a project this morning, and I thought I would make coffee while I waited for him to wake up."

"Really?" said the man, who could only be Dean's roommate Gabriel. "So you thought that at," he paused, looking at a clock, "nine am on a Saturday morning, you would show up to work on a project then look for coffee under a sink with the cleaning supplies? Interesting story."

Cas stood up, looking at Gabriel, who smiled back and opened a cabinet right at eye level, took out a bag of coffee, and began scooping it into the basket of a coffeemaker. "So what is the project about?" asked Gabriel as they waited for the coffee to brew.

"We are supposed to analyze a quote from a renowned literary critic and describe how it relates to literature and the human condition."

"Interesting, I'm absolutely fascinated. Also, you have about two hours before Dean is up, so you can go home, change, and come back. You know, if you don't want to do the whole walk of shame," said Gabriel, waggling his eyebrows. Castiel cocked his head to one side like a puppy who doesn't understand something.

"I don't understand that reference."

"That's ok, I'm sure you'll learn in time," replied Gabriel.

Not really sure what he meant, Castiel left to change his clothes, brush his teeth, and just get ready for the day in general. As he went through his routine, he felt sure he and Dean could finish their project fairly quickly if they continued working at their current pace, and that would leave time for... other activities.

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He returned around noon, having had a light breakfast, showered, and changed clothes. Gabriel was still home, but at least Dean was awake, though he looked as though he felt less than stellar, considering his decidedly grouchy visage and somewhat stooped posture. Cas remained very quiet, looking at Dean, pointing to the couch, then puttering around the kitchen, microwaving a frozen breakfast sandwich he found in the freezer and bringing it to Dean, long with a cup of coffee and two extra strength headache relievers. Dean accepted them with a slight smile in Cas's direction.

"Aww, got yourself a regular housewife, De!" said Gabriel, rather loudly in Castiel's opinion. Cas turned to glare at him, and Gabriel actually took a step back, holding up his hands in mock surrender.

Castiel turned back to Dean, who was smiling at him. "Never knew someone who could get Gabriel to shut up. You should teach me that trick," said Dean in a voice like silk and velvet running over gravel.

Castiel just smiled for a moment, enjoying that voice, before he managed to clear his throat and actually speak. "I think it's just a function of force of personality. Being openly gay, you learn that pretty fast."

There was so much pain and anger behind those words, though Dean had no idea how he knew this, that he reached out and put a hand on Cas's shoulder. He just felt such a profound bond with this geeky, but oddly likeable, kid from his English class.

Castiel jumped visibly at the contact, but didn't pull away as Dean had expected. Instead he looked at Dean, seemingly mystified. Then he shook himself, cleared his throat again, and asked "Have I ever told you about my family?"

Sensing this was going somewhere, something was changing, Dean simply sat there and shook his head no.

"Well I mean if you wanted, I could tell you about them I mean you probably don't want to know but I know whenever I had a hangover it always helped to some story that I could focus on instead of my head hurting but I'm sure you don't want to hear it so I guess I'll just leave now and…"

Dean put a finger to Cas's lips, silencing him. "I would love to hear about your family Cas, I'm sure they're wonderful."

"They're not. Not at all. You… you don't really want to know."

Dean gave Cas his best puppy dog eyes, trying to channel his inner Sammy. "Come on Cas. I like your voice, and my head actually feels better already." And for a wonder, it did. His headache seemed to soften slowly as Cas had spoken.

Castiel looked unconvinced, but at least he wasn't walking away. "I mean…if you really wanted to know, I guess…I dunno. I guess I could tell you."

Finally, Castiel seemed to steel himself. Then he looked into Dean's eyes and began his story.

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Ooooh! My first cliffhanger. Sorry if it seems like they're getting to be really good friends really quickly, but I actually met my best friend and became best friends in like two or three days. Plus, it seemed really natural. Feel free to disagree, I can always change it if no one likes it :) Please R&R!