PLOT! Yay! Okay, no smutish in this chapter, but I already have a special not-so-little something whipped up for the next chapter. As always, thank you for the reviews and favs and follows. They really mean a lot to me. Also, I just realized I never explained the Sam-Dean age difference. I made it three years instead of four because I wanted them to be in high school together. That settled, without further ado...
The week leading up to homecoming was probably one of the worst of Dean's life. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday were almost unbearable as the surge to figure out who is date would be continued. The football guys joked about it, the cheerleaders bitched about it, and the general population gossiped about it. Dean could have sworn that in all his years of being popular, he had not been talked about more. It must have been the air of mystery or else the lack of drama elsewhere to occupy the minds of the school's youth.
It was Wednesday night. Homecoming less than two days away. Dean invited Benny, Ash, and Jo over to watch a movie and have pizza, but he had an ulterior motive. He wanted to tell his best friends about he and Castiel before Friday and explain everything to them. They needed to know, and Dean knew he needed their support in the future. Besides, he figured that if they could be in on the secret then Cas could hang out with the group when they get together. Dean really wanted these two important parts of his life to come together. He could only pray that nothing bad would happen.
Dean began to sweat as Benny and Ash arrived together. Jo was running late after a particularly long shift at The Roadhouse. Mary knew what Dean was planning on doing and supported him fully, making herself scarce for Dean's privacy. John would be working late at the auto shop. Sam had promised to stay with Dean to provide any moral support Dean might need. Who knew this whole coming out of the closet thing was so hard?
"Honey, I'm home!" Jo yelled as he thundered into the Winchester home. The boys all leapt up from where they had been lounging on the couch to greet her.
"Hey, Jo!" Dean said warmly. He hugged his best-female-friend roughly and gave her hair an affectionate rumple. The rest of the guys welcomed her in much the same way, treating her just like one of the guys, not that she was complaining. She had always felt more at home with her "brothers" than anyone else, other than her moms.
"So Dean, we finally have the resident vagina here, let's get this party started!" Ash's comment earned him a hard punch in the arm from Jo, to which he gave her the look of a struck puppy. She playfully ruffled his mullet and all was forgiven. Dean started to sweat anew and cleared his throat.
"Actually guys, I wanted to invite you all over to tell you something important," his friends took note of his very serious tone and nodded. They were a rowdy bunch, always teasing, but they knew when it was time to be mature.
"Dean, brother, does this have anything to do with your mystery chick? The one you still haven't talked to us about?" Benny asked, always knowing exactly what was on his best friend's mind.
"Actually, yeah. Though it's, uh, a bit more complicated."
"Come on, let's sit. I have a feeling this is a sitting down kind of conversation," Jo added wisely before Dean could progress. She gave Dean a wary looked and perched on the arm of the sofa, Benny and Ash plopping down, and Dean taking one of the armchairs to the side. Sam had already taken his seat in the armchair across from Dean.
"Out with it," Jo waved her hands in a gesture clearly meant to convey the message of "spit it out".
"Well guys, I don't know how to really tell you. This is about the person I've been dating in secret for the past few weeks. It's just that, fuck..."
They all looked at him expectantly. Dean's friends tried to give him a reassuring look. They wanted to know what was eating up their friend. It was partly selfish as well, since they wanted to know about the mystery person, but that was not the main point.
"Well, the person I've been seeing is a guy. I'm bi."
Dean had started the sentence with a low voice but got louder at the end, finishing by looking up from his lap to his friends' eyes. Jo was wearing her poker face, Ash was starting to smirk, and Benny was fishing out his wallet. It was the final observation that had Dean frowning.
"Benny?"
"One second, brother. I owe Ash here a twenty, and I keep my promises."
"Wha-"
"Dean, let me explain," Ash began, "after you told Lisa you already had somebody and whatnot, Benny and I were trying to figure out who it could be. We were trying to think about who you would not want people to know you were dating. We made a little bet. I bet you were seeing a guy, and Benny bet it was somebody from Lawrence Evangelical. I win!"
The fact that his best guy friends were making bets about his love life was almost as disturbing as the fact that Ash had assumed he had been seeing a guy from the beginning. Benny had his wallet out by now and was starting to thumb through the bills. There was one problem though.
"Uh, Benny, I wouldn't go paying Ash..."
"Why? I lost my bet, Dean. Unless..."
"Really, Dean? Not only a guy but a guy from Evangelical?" Jo finally burst out, exasperated. "I am cool with the whole bisexual thing, by the way, I am just pretty pissed that I didn't see it coming and that you were stupid enough to go at it with a boy from our rival school."
"It gets worse," Sam commented, earning a look from Dean that could kill. Why did his little brother have to be such a bitch?
"Dean..." Jo groaned. "What could possibly make this worse?"
Benny was very quiet. Jo looked at Dean expectantly. Ash was grinning like he had just won the lottery, drinking in every second of the drama he found absolutely hilarious. Dean took a deep breath to steady himself. He might as well just go all in. These were his best friends, and he wanted them to meet Cas in just a couple of days, so he might as well.
"Well, he plays football and-" he was cut off by a brief sputter from Benny, but he managed to stay on track and continue. "Guys, I'm dating Castiel Novak."
You could have heard pin drop forty miles away. Sam was trying to give Dean a comforting look as the older Winchester took in the shocked faces of his friends. Even Ash looked a little aghast at that pronouncement. Benny's mouth hung open wide enough to catch flies. Jo just gave her friend a very thoughtful look before throwing her head back and cackling like a maniac. The group looked at her like she had finally snapped. She kept laughing for a full minute before wiping at her watery eyes and wheezing herself back to a state where she could actually talk.
"Oh my god, Dean. Do you realize how crazy this is? I felt like I just stepped into a high school rom-com!"
"Jo, this isn't funny!" Dean protested.
"It's FUCKING hilarious, is what it is. Dude, I support you; you're my brother-from-another-mother, but this is ridiculous."
"Jo..." Benny rested a hand on the girl's forearm. She looked down at the hand then up to his face. Benny had his serious expression on, and Jo quickly sobered.
"Do you really like Novak?" Benny asked sincerely.
"Yeah, I do. I really like him a lot. I think you guys would to if you got to know him."
"No doubt, brother. Anyone that's good enough for Dean is good enough for me. I'm cool. I think we all are. We good?" Benny asked the group. Everyone nodded, and Dean smiled brightly.
"So have you two fucked yet?" Ash asked. Dean blushed the deepest shade of red known to man.
"Ash, can we not talk about that part of my love life? Please?" Dean practically begged.
"Yeah, I don't need to know all that," Jo said. Benny had made a choked croaking noise in response. Sam laughed awkwardly. All in all, it was going better than Dean could have hoped. It was more uncomfortable than bad, and at least his friends accepted him.
"Guys, I really want you to meet Cas. I invited him to homecoming," Dean mumbled the last bit, but Benny caught it.
"Wait, what? Dean, brother, let's consider this before we get carried away-"
"No, Benny, I mean I am bringing him as a friend. I'm not outing myself."
"Dean, what about your date? You told Lisa you weren't going to go to homecoming with her because you were going with someone else. Wouldn't it be a little suspicious if you showed up with a guy, let alone the captain of the Evangelists?"
"I thought about that. I figured you guys could help me out. I was going to say my date had to cancel at the last minute so I decided to bring Cas as my friend. Say that I think the rivalry is stupid and want to make peace."
"No one would believe that."
"If you guys got in on it they would. Four football players and one of the hottest girls not on the cheerleading team would definitely make it more believable."
"Why even bring him to homecoming, though?"
"He didn't get to go to his own, and like I said, I really want you guys to get to know him."
"Oh God guys, Dean is in it big this time," Ash commented.
"Whatcha mean?" Benny asked.
"I mean Dean is really ass over heels this time. He's in love."
"I'm not!" Dean protested quickly.
Jo made a content noise and smiled at Dean, not believing a word. There was no way Dean did not at least have some significant feelings for this Castiel Novak, or else he would not be so adamant about him meeting the gang. And the Winchester had been on cloud nine for the past few weeks, so clearly the guy was making him happy. That was enough for her. She would help Dean with the craziness. Dean was her 'brother' after all.
Benny felt the same way as Jo. He had known Dean almost all his life. They were as close as two non-related people could get without sex. He had had no idea that Dean was not one hundred percent straight, but he was cool with it. It would take a lot more than that to get Benny to stop being his friend. As long as they did not grope each other in front of him, he would be fine. He wanted to be there for his friend no matter what.
Ash was just along for the ride. Nothing really fazed him. Dean liked dick. No biggie.
The night progressed much like any other hangout would for the gang. The only difference was the fact that mixed in with all the usual sexual jokes was more gay related humor, most of which came from Ash. The teasing was not bad, though it made Dean blush. He could not have asked for better friends. He knew that they were still getting used to the idea and that no doubt they thought taking Castiel to homecoming was a bad idea, but the support meant everything to him. After a few hours everyone left except for the residents of the Winchester house and Benny, who was spending the night. Dean texted Castiel about what had happened, blushing when Cas replied mentioning how brave and wonderful he was.
The next day at school was just like any other day. The gang talked at lunch, maybe asked a few questions about Cas, but all in all there were no changes from before. The sky did not change color. Gravity still worked. Dean had admitted he was bi to his friends, and the world had not ended. He was taking his boyfriend to homecoming, albeit platonically, and his non-blood family was eager to meet him. The group worked to start spreading around that Dean's date had to cancel. By the end of the afternoon many proposals had been made, but Dean responded to them by saying that even though he could not bring his originally intended date, he would stay loyal and not go with anyone else.
Finally Friday rolled around, and Dean was more excited than he had been in a long time.
Castiel could not sit still in his AP Trig class. The clock at the front of the room seemed to scream its ticks and tocks out just to drive him insane. The minute hand crept around slowly, taking its own damn time to reach the marker that would signal the end of the school day. The teacher droned on, and Cas thought he might just snap and scream.
Uriel was sitting in the desk directly to the right of his friend, giving him an annoyed expression. Cas fidgeted again, and the other player thumped him on the arm. Castiel jolted and gave him a scathing look. The bell finally rang. The Novak leapt up from his seat, not wanting to get stuck talking to Uriel.
"Castiel, wait!" Uriel called just as Cas was about to pass through the classroom doorway.
"What, Uriel?"
"What is going on, man?"
"I really have to go."
"Not until you say why you have been all fidgety. Normally I would call them game jitters, but we don't have one tonight."
"I just have somewhere I really need to be."
"Where?"
"It's none of your business."
"I'm your best friend. Of course it's my business. You are my captain. I need to make sure you aren't slipping like you did a few weeks ago."
"I am fine. If you must know, I am going to be spending the evening with some friends of mine from another school."
"You have friends from somewhere else? You hardly have a social life here."
Castiel just scoffed and walked away, trying to hide the hurt in his eyes. Uriel had always been honest to a fault, but he had been an even bigger jerk recently. Yeah, Cas was pretty shy off the field. But he did not need his teammate to point that out to him.
"Novak, stop! Sorry. I didn't mean to sound like a dick."
"I know."
"Please, just tell me who you are going to be with. We worry about you, Castiel."
"We?"
"The team, coach, everybody."
"I don't see how any of this matters to you at all."
"It matters a lot."
"Fine, I am going to Lawrence High's homecoming with some friends from there. Alright?"
"What? Lawrence High? Really?"
"Yes, really."
"Of all the places to have friends from..."
"Don't start on that, Uriel. The rivalry is stupid."
"Where did this new and rebellious spirit come from?"
"Rebellious? I would not call it that. I have just seen the error of my ways. Why can't we just have normal friendly competition? Why does it have to be so vicious and personal? I don't see the point anymore."
"I understand, Castiel, really I do. Just make sure your loyalties are not divided."
"My loyalties, Beck? This isn't a war. This is high school."
"Oh, it's pretty much the same thing, Novak."
With that, Uriel pushed past his captain. Castiel was left to stand there awkwardly, feeling really creeped out by the whole conversation. How had he not seen the crazy in Uriel before now? The Novak shook himself and continued to make his way to the exit. The sun was shining outside. That, combined with the excitement, quickly lifted the boy's spirits. Gabriel was in town this week and had planned to stay home all day, so he let Castiel take his car to school.
Cas folded himself into the tiny Kia Soll and made the quick drive home. To his pleasure, he found that his father's and Lucifer's cars were not in the driveway. The young man had hardly made it through the front door before a small missile launched itself at him, wrapping its short limbs around his torso.
"Hello, Gabriel," Castiel said calmly, unfazed.
"How is the Blueberry?"
"Your car? It's fine."
"Good. How was your day?"
"You ask about your car first and then my day?"
"We all have our priorities, Cassie!"
Cas sighed and maneuvered around his hyperactive older brother. The older Novak was planning to spend the rest of the weekend in Lawrence before he drove back to school. He had already put spicy mustard in Lucifer's toothpaste, a tack on Castiel's desk chair, and a bucket of glitter over the kitchen door, which thankfully caught on the frame and did not spill over. The only person that seemed safe from Gabriel's tricks was Mr. Novak himself, and that was probably because Gabe would fear for his life if he ever pulled anything. Castiel, as annoying as he thought his brother was, loved it when he was around because it gave him a break from the other Novak men.
"You didn't answer my question, little brother!" Gabe complained as he followed Castiel up the stairs to his bedroom. Knowing there was no escape, Cas decided to get the conversation over with.
"It was fine, Gabriel."
"Fine. Fine. Fine. All you ever do is say it was fine. I never talk to you! I need to know what my little bro has been up to!"
"I have not really been up to anything."
"Yeah, but Lucy has been telling me that you have been acting strange the past few weeks and have been practically glued to your phone. And you got grounded, which never happens. Lucy wouldn't tell me about that though. You have to tell me all the juicy details. Is it a girl?"
"Why is everyone's first assumption?"
"Probably because it is obvious. You look positively glowing."
"I am not!"
"Whatever, brother. I'll leave it, but you will tell me eventually!"
"I am sure I will, Gabriel," Castiel said sarcastically.
"Anyways, I was thinking we could hit the movies tonight. TMNT just came out and you know how I love my giant talking turtles. And theatre candy. Especially the candy."
"Actually..." Cas began. How was he supposed to explain this. After Uriel, he was not sure it was a good idea to tell someone where he was going.
"What? Do you already have plans? Little Cassie is actually going to leave the house of his own volition for something other than school or football?"
"Yes. I have plans."
Gabriel frowned when Castiel failed to elaborate any further. Cas was unpacking his backpack and putting the various supplies in their proper place on his desk. Gabe sat on the younger Novak's bed and studied him as he worked. Finally, Cas could not handle the staring anymore.
"Gabriel, may I ask why you feel it necessary to sit on my bed and watch my every move?"
"I am just trying to figure it out."
"Figure what out?"
"What you have planned."
"By watching me?"
"Yep."
"You are so weird."
"Back at ya. I want to say it is a date. Is it a date?"
"No! Gabe, just leave it alone!"
"So it is a date!"
"I just said no!"
"'The lady doth protest too much, methinks!'"
"Don't quote Shakespeare at me!"
"Oh, but you love it!"
"Get out of my room, Gabriel!"
"Have fun on your date!" Gabe practically shrieked as he was forceable propelled from the room by a very pissed Castiel. Cas closed the door behind him and leaned against it. God, his brother was awful. He had no idea how Gabriel had come to the conclusion that his plans were a date. It was not far from the truth, but still. Was he really that see through?
Castiel began to get ready for the evening after finishing his homework. He changed into a pair of slim fitting jeans and a black, faded Metallica shirt. He stood in front of the bathroom mirror for nearly thirty minutes trying to tame his perpetual bed hair, but only managed to give it more of a 'I walked through a freak hurricane on the way here' look. Cas went back into his room and realized he only had about fifteen minutes left before it would be time to go. He laced up his blue converse and grabbed his tench coat for the cool Kansas night. Castiel would have to wait out by the curb for Dean to pick him up because the Winchester would need to hurry up to the school. From the texts they had exchanged, Cas knew that Dean had had to stay at the school all afternoon and early evening to get ready for the game and was only getting a forty minute break before it started to get food, which he was also going to use to grab Cas.
The young Novak made his way down the driveway and leaned against the mailbox. It was only a few more minutes before the dull roar of the Impala could be heard making its way up the street. Cas smiled and checked behind him for a curious Gabriel, but happily he did not see him.
Dean pulled to a stop right next to his boyfriend and leaned across the seat to pop the door open. Castiel got in and grinned at Dean.
"Ready for the game?" the Novak asked.
"As I'll ever be. The pressure is really on tonight," the Winchester answered, the stress clear in his voice. Cas leaned over and placed a gentle kiss on Dean's lips.
"I am sure you will play brilliantly. Hey, you were good enough to beat me."
"Only because I pulled a dick move."
"Yeah, well, I am sure you will be able to wipe the floor with these guys. And I look forward to meeting your friends."
"I think you'll like them. They are really cool."
"I just hope they like me as well. I know they are very important to you."
"I don't think you have anything to worry about. They'll definitely like you."
The two smiled at each other and gazed into the other's eyes. They must have stayed like that for a while, just staring, because Dean glanced down at his watch and grimaced.
"We better head out. I'm due back at the field in twenty minutes, and I have not eaten yet."
"Alright."
Dean shifted the Impala out of park and began the drive to Lawrence High. Castiel reached out his hand, which Dean took. They threaded their fingers together without really thinking about it.
Back at the Novak house, a very surprised and confused Gabriel flipped the blinds on the window closed and leaned against the wall, for once not having any sort of idea about what to do.
"Sorry, I have to run, Cas. Coach needs me back."
"I understand. Go. Have a good game. I'll be rooting for you."
"Bye!" Dean ran off towards the main athletic building, leaving Cas to stand awkwardly next to Sam Winchester. He had met the pair once they arrived and ate the fast food dinner they had stopped to get. Dean had had the Novak over to his home once more in the past two weeks, and Cas had the opportunity to talk a little bit with Sam. They were still mostly strangers to each other, but they were just comfortable enough that Dean thought they could hang out without him during the game. They would be meeting up with Jo when she got there and see Dean's main football friends after the game.
"So, Cas, since we are here early, we should probably head to the bleachers and save a good spot. They really fill up fast."
"Okay. You may lead the way. I have only ever been on the visitor's side of this field."
Sam nodded, acknowledging the comment but not responding. Castiel was socially inept at the best of times, so he did not try to facilitate any small talk between them. After a few minutes they were seated in the lowest and frontmost row of the bleachers, close enough to the field that only a chain link barrier and two foot drop separated them from the field. The stands were already starting to fill with people. Castiel and Sam sat far enough away from each other to have room for another person to sit with them. Dean was nowhere to be seen, probably in the locker rooms with the other players and his coach. Castiel was very excited to see Dean play. Sure, he had been on the field with Dean, but it was different than just being able to watch and enjoy the show. Plus, Castiel had a newfound appreciation for football pants, especially on one Dean Winchester.
About ten minutes passes with the bleachers getting more and more full before Sam speaks.
"So, Cas, I haven't been able to talk to you much."
"This is true."
"You said you are in advanced placement?"
"Yes, I am in several AP classes at Evangelical."
"I'm in a lot of pre-AP classes. They are hard, but I like the challenge. Do you know what you want to major in in college?"
"Honestly, I do not. My father wants me to go into religious studies to be a preacher like him, but that is definitely not the right thing for me. My older brothers major in law and liberal arts respectively. I have not idea what I want to do at the moment. You?"
"I have always wanted to be a lawyer, go to Stanford."
"That is very ambitious. It's good to set high goals for yourself."
"Yeah, I guess. So your older brothers..."
The conversation went on from there. It was a little tense at times when they ran out of things to talk about, but they were eventually able to think of something. They spent twenty minutes getting to know one another before Jo arrived. Sam grew to actually kind of like Castiel in that time, though he was still a little wary. Cas in turn liked Sam and found that they had many things in common, like their choice of reading material and love of learning. Though he still felt uncomfortable without his boyfriend around, Castiel was getting to the point where it wasn't unbearable.
But then came along Joanna Beth Harvelle.
The blonde practically bounced as she came towards the two boys, her hair swaying. She plopped down in between the two and gave a warm smile to Sam before turning her gaze to Castiel. The dark haired boy fidgeted slightly as she examined him. After a moment, she held out her hand for Cas to shake.
"I assume you are Castiel. It's hard to see faces under those football helmets. I'm Jo."
"Pleasure to meet you," Cas responded.
"Dean hasn't told us much about you."
"There is not much to tell."
"That can't be true. Well, I know this is awkward without Dean here, but the game is about to start. Afterwards we can talk more."
"Okay," Castiel smiled. Jo patted him lightly on the shoulder and turned to say some things to Sam. The next ten minutes were filled with some conversation, but for the most part Cas stayed quiet. He liked Jo. She was nice and funny, and he especially liked her sass and strong attitude. She reminded him of Dean a bit. Finally the game began and the Hunters rushed onto the field. The entire crowd launched up from their seats and cheered.
Castiel had been to football games before when Lucifer and Gabriel were in high school, but something about watching this game was different. He got caught up in the excitement and cheered with the rest of the people. The opposing team came onto the field and the crowd jeered. The players bench for the home team was right in front of the group, and Cas could see Dean talking with his coach just a few feet away. He had his helmet off and looked to be concentrating really hard. Castiel could not control himself as his eyes slid from his already sweaty hair down the pad-covered chest to his VERY tight athletic pants. The Novak shifted his coat around to cover his front, afraid of what might start to show there. Dean started to move away, but Castiel yelled out before the Winchester left.
"Dean! Good luck!"
Dean turned and met Cas' eyes, giving him a thousand watt grin that made the other boy almost melt. He winked and put on his helmet, turning to start a team huddle. Castiel appreciated his view from this angle as well.
After the play started, the crowd settled slightly and took their seats. The excited atmosphere was still there, and they cheered and booed at all the right times. Castiel soon found that watching Dean play without having to focus on figuring out how to best him was his favorite thing in the world. Jo let loose a high pitched squeal when the Hunters scored a touchdown, after which she leaned into Cas and told him that if he ever told anyone she made that sound, he would have a slow and painful death. Castiel just smiled back at her, enjoying the antics.
Halftime rolled around with the Hunters in a very good lead. If they kept playing as they had in the first half, they would have the game in the bag. Sam got up and made his way to the fence separating the bleachers and the field. Jo followed him, so Castiel got up as well. They leaned against the chain link and waited.
A few moments passes before Dean and two other football players came towards the fence. They stopped to grab the huge ice chest behind their bench and drag it over. They stood on it to be able to talk to their friends more comfortably. The music for the cheerleaders' performance started, but the group ignored it.
"Hey, Cas!" Dean almost yelled, resisting the urge to wrap his arms around his boyfriend. He was wearing a long trench coat that hid his muscular body and made him seem just adorable.
"Hello, Dean," Castiel said back, gazing into the other's eyes. They must have started to stare because all of a sudden Ash let out a loud laugh.
"God, you two have it bad!" Dean shot the player a look, and he stopped talking but could not stop the chuckles still coming up. Jo was grinning at Dean.
"Have you been enjoying the game?" Dean asked.
"Yes. Jo and Sam make for very pleasant company."
"That's good. Well, these two are my friends Benny and Ash."
"Howdy, Castiel," Benny nodded.
"Hey," was all Ash said.
"Oh, Mom wanted me to ask if you guys wanted to head over to The Roadhouse after the game to celebrate the victory?" Jo blurted.
"We haven't won yet, Jo," Dean commented playfully.
"Yeah, but you will. Mom thought it would be more fun to hang out there than in the parking lot with all the other people. I know the team has something planned, but maybe you would skip out?"
"I think that'd be a great idea. You boys?" Benny asked.
"I'm good with that," Ash said.
"Good with me, too. Sam?" the younger boy nodded, "Cool. Is that alright for you, Cas?" Dean turned his gaze to his boyfriend and flashed him a dazzling smile. And God, could Cas ever say no to Dean when he smiled like that?
"That sounds great."
They spent the rest of the thirty minute halftime talking, Castiel actually participating now that Dean was there. Dean's friends tried their best to include Cas as much as possible, which was appreciated by both Dean and the boy himself. It was almost like they had not just met. By the time the period was over, Castiel felt like he could say he had made some friends.
"Winchester, Coach wants to meet with you before the third quarter starts," one of the other football players called out to the group.
"Be right there, Henriksen!" Dean called. The players got down off the ice chest with a few parting goodbyes and were off to get ready for the next half of the homecoming game. Castiel talked some more with Jo and Sam as they waited for the play to start.
The rest of the game went swimmingly. The Hunters won by a landslide, not for lack of trying from the other team. Dean seemed to be a monster on the field, playing more energetically than he had in a long time. He was riding a high. His friends and boyfriend were getting along, they won the game, and he would get to spend he rest of the night with the people who mean the most to him.
Dean, Benny, and Ash hurried to the locker room after their brief victory celebration on the field. They changed out of their uniforms and stuffed the sweat-slick gear into their duffles before making their way out to the parking lot to meet with the others. Jo, Sam, and Castiel were standing in front of the Impala, Jo tossing the keys to her own car up and down as they talked. The football players jogged up to the group. Everyone burst out in congratulations and hugs, and maybe Dean and Cas hugged a little longer than what was normally appropriate, but no one was going to say anything about it.
"So, off to The Roadhouse, right?" Dean asked Jo, who nodded.
"Who's riding with me?" the girl asked. Ash raised his hand, and Jo sighed. She gave the other boys a pleading look before going off to her car with Ash in tow.
"So I guess it's us in the Impala. Cas gets the front!" Dean said excitedly as he unlocked his Baby.
"Hey! I'm your best friend!"
"And I am your brother!"
"Guys, my boyfriend gets to sit shotgun. The moment you start giving me hand jobs we'll talk."
Castiel blushed the deepest shade of red possible, which was he exact reason Dean had said the what he said. He opened the passenger door of the Impala and closed it after Cas got in. Benny playfully punched Dean in the arm while Sam's face turned a sickly shade of green at the mental images.
Dean turned the key as soon as they were all in, and the Impala's engine roared to life. Benny was talking to Dean about the game and Sam was adding in comments here and there, but Cas was content to just sit next to his boyfriend and listen. After a few minutes Castiel opened the glove box and pulled out the bin full of Dean's cassette tapes. He did not think much of it when he selected one of the Led Zepplin albums Dean had played for him before. He popped it in and chose the track, turning the music low so it would not disturb the conversation. It was then that he realized that the car was quiet save for the music now filtering through the speakers.
"What?" Dean asked the two passengers in the backseat.
"Did I do something wrong?" Cas asked.
"No, those two just went quiet. What's up guys?"
"Dean, you just let Castiel pick the music," Sam said.
"So?" his brother responded.
"What about your rule, brother?" Benny asked.
"What rule?" Cas questioned.
"Driver picks the music, and shotgun shuts his cakehole," Sam supplied.
"He never lets anyone pick the music but him. Ever," Benny stated.
"Oh," Cas smiled at Dean. The older Winchester was blushing faintly behind his bitchface expression. Castiel leaned over and gave his boyfriend a soft peck on the cheek, earning groans from the backseat. He could not help it. Dean let him do something he did not let anyone else do. It was the cutest thing ever, in Cas' opinion.
They pulled into the parking lot outside of The Roadhouse and parked near Jo's already stationary vehicle. The guys made their way inside, talking and laughing. Inside, they saw Jo talking with her mom as Ash saved a round table near the back of the restaurant. Ellen Harvelle waved at the boys over her daughters shoulder. Jo turned and gave them a smile before pointing in the direction of Ash.
Dean sat and beckoned Cas to sit next to him. Benny took the seat on the other side of Dean while Sam took a chair across from his brother. The only empty seat was for Jo, nestled between Sam and Ash. The young girl sat down a few moments later.
"Mom knows what we want. She remembers Castiel from the other day. Pamela will bring out the food when it's ready," she stated before anyone else could ask about food. "And Mom says it's on the house tonight since it's homecoming. Apparently there are a few other people here from Lawrence High. She's giving everyone free dinner."
"You mother has to be the kindest woman I know, Joanna Beth," Benny commented. Jo gave him a death glare but did not retort.
"Hey, Jo, is pie included?" Dean asked, always thinking the important questions.
"Yep, Mom made pecan tonight."
"I'm with Benny, the kindest woman alive. Pecan is my favorite," he added to Cas.
"I have never had it," Castiel replied, much to Dean's horror.
"This must be fixed! You've never had pecan pie?"
"No. I haven't ever had pie. My father does not allow sweets in the house. That's why Gabriel became so obsessed with them when he went off to school. He's trying to cram nearly twenty years of sugar into his body."
"This is a crime! Well, you get Ellen's pie tonight, then I'll make sure you get some of my mom's apple pie sometime."
"I would like that."
The two turned their attention back to the group. They talked until Pamela came up with a huge tray held up on one hand with her walking stick in the other. It never failed to amaze them that the woman was able to work as a waitress while blind, but that was just Pamela. She had always been a little with supernatural. The group conversed as they ate. Desert came later, and Dean was very pleased to find that Cas liked pie. He might have also needed to shift in his seat a little at the little noises of pleasure his boyfriend was making after each bite, but that was neither here nor there.
They stayed long after the last plate was cleared away. Castiel felt like part of the group. He even managed to carry on a conversation with Jo and Benny while Sam, Dean, and Ash argued about the new Call of Duty game. They were all exchanging numbers with the young Novak when he suddenly heard a voice he had really hoped to never hear again.
"Clarence!"
