The Fake Boyfriend

Chapter Four: Studying

Castiel has been bombarded with questions from Gabriel since the movie night, and quite frankly, yet again, he's not sure it's worth the free food. He stares down at his cell phone, frowning at the tenth text from his brother today as he paces the study room waiting for Dean. Today he's going to be tutoring him and something else Dean refused to elaborate on. Of course before the other night that wouldn't matter in the least, but ever since Dean went and kissed him on the cheek just the thought of seeing the man is nerve-wracking.

"Hey, been waiting long?" Dean asks, grinning at him as he closes the door on Mrs. Flannery's disappointing looks.

"No, it has only been a few minutes." Castiel lies, it's actually been about thirty minutes, but Dean certainly does not need to know that.

Looking at the pile of books Castiel brought Dean sighs, "So, Cas, you hungry?"

"Do not try to escape before we even sta-wait….Cas? Have you given me a nickname?" Castiel asks, trying not to sound excited. He's never gotten a nickname from anyone other than his brother and Balthazar, who teamed up on him and shared one. It's truly exhilarating to have a special one from a special person.

Not that Dean is special.

"I-is it alright?" Dean asks, looking a bit embarrassed which is far too endearing for Castiel's taste.

"Yes, yes it's perfectly fine." He mumbles, staring at the books, "I…I like it."

Now beaming at Castiel, Dean moves in closer and sits down. "Awesome, so what homework will we be doing?"

"Anatomy, perhaps?" Castiel muses, looking at the pile. He doesn't exactly know what courses are necessary in Dean's major of business and engineering.

"Anatomy, huh?" Dean smirks as Castiel takes a sip of his hot chocolate from the café downstairs, "Isn't that better taught in the bedroom?" He asks, wiggling his eyebrows.

Castiel quickly chokes on his drink, coughing some up on the table in a very unattractive way. Not that it matters what he thinks about Castiel's level of attractiveness. Not at all. "Oh, my apologies…"

"Whooaa! I've never gotten such a strong reaction to a joke before." Dean laughs a little, wiping down the mess with a napkin Castiel brought up. "Sorry." He mumbles, looking over to Castiel with a weak smile, "That kiss on the cheek made you pretty uncomfortable, didn't it? You've been awkward ever since it."

"No, no, I'm not…it was just…my first kiss…of any kind." Castiel says, trying to sound indifferent about it. "It's nothing really, merely an alien action."

Dean smiles, relief evident in his eyes, "If anything is alien, it's you Cas."

Castiel smiles back a little, "Yes that is admittedly true."

"I like that about you, though." Dean admits, leaning forward in his seat, "You're undoubtedly a cool alien, like E.T. or something."

Castiel grins, "Sadly for you there will be no magical bike rides."

"Well look at you, Cas! Doling out a sense of humor!" Dean pats him on the back, "I didn't know you had it in you."

Castiel raises a brow, "Dating a man you assume has no sense of humor is a strange approach."

Dean shrugs, "What could I say? You have a pretty face."

"I am a man, Dean, men do not wish to hear they are pretty." Castiel points out as he grabs a book.

"Sucks to be you." Dean shrugs before Castiel shoves the book in front of him.

"Name these tools."

"This isn't anatomy."

Castiel tilts his head, "I know. I realized you do not take anatomy…"

Dean smirks, "I wouldn't mind a refresher."

"…Is this a flirtation…?" Castiel asks, his brows furrowed in confusion.

Dean laughs, his eyes shining with affection. "It could be."

A lump suddenly forms in Castiel's throat and he quickly stares down at the book, "Yes, well, I suppose even fake couples can share in flirtations…"

Dean rests his cheek against his hand, "Who the hell calls it 'flirtation'? You are seriously the strangest man I have ever met."

"But you do not seem to hate it, if I am not wrong." Castiel looks at him amused, "Now stop trying to distract me. Get your work done."

"Whatever you say, mom." Dean teases, bringing the book closer to read.

After a few hours of studying, Castiel comes to the conclusion Dean does not, in fact, need a tutor. The man knows his stuff well. It makes no sense, though. Why would Dean want to waste half of his day studying with Castiel? It's not like Dean enjoys studying. Well, honestly, no one enjoys studying.

"Dean." He calls, gaining the attention of the man across from him.

"Yeah?" Dean asks, smiling at him, "What's up, Cas?"

"Why are you here?"

"To…be…tutored, obviously…"

Castiel furrows his brows, "But you do not need tutoring. You are an intelligent man, Dean. You understand engineering and business far better than I ever will."

A flash of something akin to fear flashes in Dean's eyes before the man smirks at him. "Wow, a genius calling me smart, I'm honored."

"Sarcasm isn't attractive, Dean." Castiel points out, trying to stop his lips from curving up in a smile. He fails.

"Your smile begs to differ." Dean teases, leaning over the table to get closer.

"None of this is answering my question."

"I have to study, so why not do it with you?" He asks and Castiel stares.

"…But…why do it with me? I am not exactly the type of person you would normally hang out with, correct?"

Dean looks at him annoyed, "Cas, this isn't high school. Cliques and all that bullshit don't exist. Well, I mean labels still do, but no one holds back from intermingling." He crosses his arms, "It's not the end of the fucking world for me to want to hang out with a nerd."

Castiel frowns, unsure if this is flattering or offensive. It sounded flattering, but he seems annoyed and even used the title 'nerd' which is not a kind word usually. "I suppose that makes sense. Such trivial things are high school mentality. However, people should share a common interest."

Dean laughs a little, "Oh don't worry, I have an interest I think will keep us close for a while."

"Ruining my brother's romantic relationship is not an interest we share, Dean." Castiel points out, "Try again."

"We both like you." Dean offers and Castiel smiles sweetly.

"Thank you, I…like you as well." Castiel admits, shyly.

Dean smiles at him and gets up, "I guess that makes us friends now, huh?" He asks, grabbing his coat and an armful of books, "So as friends this time, let's go dinner."

Castiel laughs quietly, "Dean, it is time for lunch, not dinner."

"Well whatever meal it is, I'm starving. Let's go eat." Dean grins and Castiel nods, getting up and gathering the rest of the books.

"I would not oppose food."

"It's a date then."

Castiel falters, looking up at him in awe, "…What?"

Dean blushes a little, "I-it's just a turn of phrase." He explains and Castiel blushes a little.

"Right…yes, of course." Castiel nods before the study room suddenly fills with a thick tense silence.

Dean laughs a little awkwardly, "Right…so…want to invite Gabriel and Sam?"

"Yes!" Castiel says a little too quickly, making the tense silence return for a moment.

Well, this situation got really awkward really fast. Why does Dean have to be…so…Dean?

A/N: Seems kind of fillery...but...you know...awkwardness is always fun.