Dean's POV

The first thing I see when I walk into the cafeteria is Cas sitting next to a short, blond boy. That must be his brother, I think. I smile and wave, insides cheering at the expression on Cas' face in response. I get in line for food, humming Metallica softly.

Tray full of spaghetti, I quickly stop by my table to check in with my friends.

"Hey guys. I'm eating somewhere else today, sorry."

They all turn to stare at me at once.

"What?" I say defensively. "Can't a guy eat where he wants around here?"

"Who is she?" Jo asks, and I roll my eyes as I turn, saying, "Not a girl," over my shoulder.

As I walk over to his table, Cas has that horrified look on his face again. I wonder what that's about.

"Hey, Cas," I say, grinning at the way his eyes light up. "Sorry, just had to tell them where I'd be. They worry, you know?" I sit down, and am introduced to Gabriel Novak. I've heard countless stories of his escapades.

I'm trying to remember what else I've heard about the Novaks when I hear Cas speaking, and quickly try to figure out what he's saying.

"Did you get in trouble for being late, as well? Mrs. Lancaster held me after class."

"Oh, shit! I'm sorry, Cas. I didn't want you to get in trouble. Yeah, I was late, but my teacher didn't really care. I'm sorry." I got Cas in trouble, 'cause I was stupid and asked him to eat lunch with me, and now he's in trouble, and I feel awful.

"So, Cas," I start, desperately trying to fix the situation. "Tell me about yourself." I rest my chin on my fingers, cringing inwardly at how cheesy this is.

Gabe throws his arm playfully around Cas and says, "Well, Cassie here likes long walks in the rain, and romance novels, and chick-flicks."

"Oh, the horror!" I say, playing along. "Not chick-flicks!"

"Yes, chick-flicks! And bad pop songs, too!"

"Gabe!" Castiel looks like he wants to disappear.

I want to tell him that I actually think he's cute, all flustered like this. I barely contain the thought before continuing, "Enough from your brother, Cas. What do you really like?"

"Well, I don't know, I really like art."

"Really? You paint?" I ask. Castiel as an artist seems to fit so perfectly into my mental image of him.

"Yes, but I prefer black and white drawings."

"That's so cool. Can you show me sometime?" Why am I so fascinated by this boy? I ask myself.

"I suppose, if you want, I can show you what I'm working on right now. It's in the art room." Yes is the immediate answer my brain shouts to me.

"Great. Just let me eat first. And you should do the same. You've barely even touched your food," I say, pointedly looking at his still full tray.

"Well, I'll let you two do that, then. I for one am more interested in my food than in art. Sorry Cassie. You'll have to just go without me," Gabe says.

I don't know why, but my heart flutters slightly, and I start to feel nervous.

"Oh, my God," I whisper. "Cas, this is amazing." I stare awestruck at the half completed painting in front of me. It is a simple painting of a man with indistinct features: boots, jeans, a dark gray shirt, all earthy colors. He stands proudly, chin tilted upwards. But the truly captivating part about the painting is that the man has wings. Two huge, black masses, so incredibly detailed that I cannot tear my eyes off them. Black streaks run off the wings and slowly turn to the most brilliant emerald green. It almost looks like blood dripping of the wings.

"Holy hell, Cas. What inspired this? And the wings…" I look up at Castiel, who has been watching me with a hopeful expression on his face.

"You actually like it?"

"This is the most incredible painting I've ever seen." Okay, way too much of an exaggeration, but it's definitely up there.

Cas' eyes grow wide, and he stares at me like I'm the most beautiful painting he's ever seen.

"You… You think so?"

"Really. All of the detail, it's just… It's perfect, Cas."

I don't see it coming. Cas closes the gap between us and clutches me to him in a tight hug. I'm a little surprised, mostly because Cas doesn't seem the type to appreciate physical signs of affection. I grin and wrap my arms around him tightly.

"Thank you, Dean."

I don't know how long we hug for, but it feels like at least a minute. It just feels so right. When I finally let go, Cas keeps his gaze focused on the ground. I can tell that everything between us is riding on what I say next. I want desperately to say the right thing.

"Come on, Cas. Let's go get our stuff for class. Wouldn't want you to be late again, now, would we?" He smiles as he puts his painting away again, and his shoulder brushes mine as we walk out of the art room.