Four

On Monday, it was back to classes again. Although Gabriel complained the entire morning at breakfast, Castiel found himself quite glad classes were starting, for one reason and one reason only: Dean. During class was the only time Castiel ever saw Dean, and frankly, he noticed his mood was much better after he'd seen him.

"Ready to go?" Balthazar asked once they finished eating.

"Yeah," Castiel replied.

The two roommates stood up and exited the canteen. Castiel was looking through his bag for his phone when he noticed it.

"Oh, crap," he groaned.

"What?" Balthazar inquired and came to a halt.

"I left one of my textbooks in the room," Castiel explained. "You go. I'll get it and come."

Balthazar gave him a military salute before stepping outside onto the campus. Castiel turned back and up the stairs to his dorm. As he looked down to find the right key, he didn't realize he was about to walk into someone until it was too late. Each boy gave a groan and Castiel straightened up.

"I'm sorry. I wasn't looking-" Castiel's voice died in his throat.

"Nah, it's fine." Dean Winchester looked up and met Castiel's eyes. "Castiel," he stated with an amused smile.

"Dean," Castiel replied softly. "What are you doing here?"

"Oh, I slept in a little today. I just got up since I don't have classes before noon," Dean explained. "My dorm's down there." He nodded in the direction of his room.

"Oh, I didn't know that," Castiel answered, although he was already aware of both facts.

"What about you?" Dean asked.

"I forgot one of my books," Castiel replied.

"Well, I won't keep you then," Dean said with a laugh.

Castiel nodded, and he unlocked his door and grabbed his book in record time. He was surprised to see Dean still standing there when he stepped out. The two of them made small-talk (well, Dean turned out to be very talkative and did most of the talking which was good because Castiel was at a loss for words) as they made their way back downstairs.

"This is my stop," Dean informed Castiel as he stuck his thumb out behind him. "How about you?"

"I have to go to class," Castiel responded.

"I'll see you in the afternoon, then," Dean told him.

Castiel was eight minutes late for his first class, but found himself in a too good mood to care.

"I'm going to the bar," Balthazar announced after class had finished. "Are you in or out?"

"Out," Castiel responded.

"Cas, please," Balthazar tried. When Castiel met his plea with a deadpan expression, he sighed. "One day," he said, pointing a finger at his roommate. "One day, you'll get drunk off your arse, and I'll be there to see it.

"I highly doubt that," Castiel countered. "Good bye."

"Yeah, yeah," Balthazar replied with a wave of his hand.

Castiel continued in a steady pace and stopped when he reached the door of his dorm. He stuck his hand into his bag, fishing for his keys. Nothing. Castiel was surprised. His keys were always in his bag. He checked the pockets of his trench coat, but came up with the same results. He didn't understand. His keys were in his bag since the morning.

He sighed, concluding he'd lost them somewhere. He contemplated what to do. He could call a locksmith, but it would take too long. The only other option was to ask Gabriel for help.

So Castiel set off to his brother's dormitory, mentally cursing himself for not making double copies of his keys. When he reached the door, he knocked. There was no answer.

"Perfect," he muttered under his breath. And to think the day started out so well. He decided to consult Lucifer instead.

Lucifer, by all accounts, was not a bad brother. He was flawed- cunning, decietful, scheming and often cold. But he was also loving. Although he could be endlessly cruel to others, Lucifer never brought harm to his siblings. Family meant a lot to him and while he never let it show, Castiel knew Michael's disapproval deeply hurt Lucifer.

The youngest Novak headed up the stairs to check if Lucifer was in. Luckily, when he knocked on his door, it swung open. However, it wasn't Lucifer.

"Well, hello there," the stranger greeted him. "How can I help you?"

"Uh," Castiel began, checking if he got the right room (he did). "Is Lucifer here?" he asked.

The man nodded. "Yeah." He turned around and called over his shoulder. "Luci, someone for you."

"For the last time, Crowley- Call me 'Luci' again and I will stab you," Castiel recognized his brother's agitated voice, followed by footsteps. "If it's Lillith again, just tell her now- stop bothering me and go awa-" Lucifer stopped mid-sentence when he saw Castiel.

"Hello, Lucifer," Castiel greeted.

"Cas," Lucifer replied. "What do you need?"

"Wait, you're Castiel?" Crowley broke in. "Blimey, aren't you adorable?"

"Crowley, shut up," Lucifer growled.

"No need to be rude," Crowley teased before leaving.

Lucifer turned back to Castiel. "Sorry about that. My roommate's a nuisance."

"Heard that!" Crowley called.

"So, I assume you're not here for a visit," Lucifer said to Castiel, ignoring Crowley.

"No, actually. I lost my keys, I think," Castiel explained. "Do you know where Gabriel is? I think this is his area of expertise."

"Who needs Gabe when you've got me?" Lucifer asked, pushing his brother out and closing the door behind them. "Don't forget who taught Gabriel to pick a lock."

Castiel grinned and nodded. "Of course."

Lucifer halted in front of Castiel's dormitory, fished out a paper clip out of his pocket and got to work. After a mere two minutes, Lucifer straightened his back and opened the door. He bent down comically low and gestured for Castiel to step inside. He slowly followed after, examining the room and its contents. As Castiel set his bag down, Lucifer fiddled with a small, porcelain angel Michael had gotten Castiel at a Christmas market some few years ago.

"Thank you for the help," Castiel replied, sitting on his bed.

"Don't mention it," Lucifer stated as he turned to leave.

"Lucifer, wait," Castiel suddenly called out.

Lucifer spun on his heel and turned to his brother. "Yeah?" he asked.

Castiel took a minute to mull over how to phrase his question. He sighed and asked, "Why did you do it?"

Lucifer furrowed his brow, but his face split into a bemused smile. "Why'd I do what, Cas?" he countered.

Castiel gave a small nod and gestured around him. "Why did you leave home? What made you do it?"

Lucifer snorted. He pulled up Castiel's desk chair and sat backwards in it. "Cas," he began, "one important thing you have to remember is that Michael is not in charge of my life. Nor is he in charge of Gabriel's or yours." He gave him a meaningful glance.

"Were you afraid of disobeying Michael?" Castiel wanted to know.

"I wasn't afraid," Lucifer chuckled. "But I was disappointed we had come to that. Michael is a good brother but," he drifted off, sighing dramatically. "He can be overbearing at times."

Castiel smiled grimly, nodding. He met his brother's eyes. "If you had the chance to do it over, would you?"

"I would've done the same thing in a heartbeat," Lucifer replied. He stopped, seemingly examining his brother. "Why are you asking me this?" he questioned.

For a minute, Castiel considered telling his brother the truth. He wanted to tell Lucifer about his feelings for Dean. He was confused. He needed advice. But instead, he kept his mouth shut. "Just wondering," he lied.

Although he didn't seem convinced, Lucifer nodded. He stood up and ruffled Castiel's hair before leaving out the door.

"Cas," Lucifer added as he left. "Always do what you will for yourself. Not for Michael or anyone else."

Castiel smiled up at his brother. "Thanks," he said softly. "I'll remember that."