Dean stood dumbfounded before Ellen Harvelle. The scowl on the woman's face shook him to the core.

"M-mrs. Harvelle." Dean said nervously and started to cower underneath Ellen's glare. "Is Jo home?" Ellen raised an eyebrow at Dean and then nodded. She stepped aside and waved Dean into the house. Dean cautiously stepped inside. Ellen swung an arm around him and led him to the kitchen after kicking the door shut with her foot. Dean swallowed hard.

"So Dean." Ellen pulled out a chair from the table and sat down. "Come on in and sit down." Dean tried to calm himself, but his heart was racing just at the thought of what Jo's mother would do to him. "Jo's just finishing up some stuff in the back yard. She should be right in."

"A-alright." Dean took a seat and blew out a nervous breath. "She left early from camping. I thought I would stop by and-"

Ellen cut him off. "And apologize for making her upset." It wasn't a question. Ellen was demanding Dean's apology to her daughter.

"Yes Ma'am." Dean nodded. Ellen quickly nodded back at him and then looked over her shoulder towards the glass-paneled door that led out to the backyard. Jo was walking towards the house with dirt on her clothes. Dean stood up, pushing his chair back.

Jo opened the backdoor, wiping her dirty hands on her jeans. "Hey mom, I planted those ferns. Was there anything else you wanted me to do-" when she looked up she expected to only see her mother, but when she saw Dean her heart stopped. "D- What are you doing here Winchester?" She asked, a hint of hatred under her voice.

Dean looked from Ellen to Jo and back at Ellen. He was essentially corner between two pissed off women. He gulped. "Jo, can we talk?" He asked. Dean looked over at Ellen who was nodding at her daughter.

"Sure. Whatever." Jo shrugged and left out the back door. If she was going to talk to Dean, she didn't want her mom to be there. Dean followed her outside and closed the door behind him.

"Jo." Dean followed her to the far corner of the yard. There were a pair of lawn chairs set up under a tree. Jo sat down and crossed her arms over her chest. "I know I'm a terrible person for treating you that way this weekend, but I can't say sorry for-"

"Being gay?" Jo raised an eyebrow. Dean stood straight in front of her and tensed up. "Threw that one at me, didn't you? Couldn't say that, ya know, when I first met you?"

"Hey." Dean said defensively. "I don't know what I am. So don't assume that all of this makes sense to me as it does to you." Dean sat down with a grumble. "Okay." Dean crossed his arms like Jo and looked over to her.

Jo's dark eyes were wide. "Dean..." Her voice was calmer and her expression softened. "What goes through your head? Because I know I like, well, liked you. I thought you felt the same, even though you were always with those other girls."

"They didn't mean anything. Something to pass the time before my family moved onto the next state." Dean thought he wasn't going to stay at the same school for long. When he found out he was going to be there until the end and even after that, things changed.

"Same with me?" Jo asked.

"We're just friends. Or we were." Dean frowned. "We kind of messed that up." Dean relaxed as well and leaned back in his chair.

"You sort of did that all on your own." Jo chuckled. Dean grumbled, but after a few passing moments. The two were laughing together. Jo leaned forward in her chair and plucked some grass from the ground. She rolled it into a ball and threw it at Dean. Their smiles faded after the relieving laughter. "I'd say we're friends though. As long as you promise me something."

Dean's mossy green eyes lit up. "Sure, as long as I don't have to kill anyone or rob a bank." Dean leaned over and rested his elbow on the arm of the lawn chair. "What is it?"

"Stick with him if you really do, ya know, love him." There was sadness in Jo's request. "It just feels like he needs someone and you're a great someone. An anyways friend."

"Anyways friend?" Dean raised an eyebrow.

Jo smiled. Though the sadness was still there. "A friend that no matter what happens, they are there for you anyways. You're that kind of guy, Dean. You may not realize it, but you are. Just being here, made me realize that."

Dean took it all in. He sat back in his seat and stared up into the tree. He watched the leaves sway in the breeze. "Thanks, Jo." He clicked his tongue at her and smiled.

After another hour of talking, Ellen walked outside and saw the two laughing with each other. Dean rubbed his knuckle on Jo's head, messing her hair up. They parted and playfully punched each other. Ellen broke it up by handing Jo her open cellphone. "Charlie's on the phone."

Jo took the phone and pressed it to her ear. She chatted with Charlie and Ellen nodded with approval at Dean. Everything was finally okay and that made Dean feel great. He still wanted to make it up to Jo somehow so he interrupted her call for a moment. "I'm having Cas over for swimming on Friday if you want to come over too. I can invite Gabriel too and maybe Charlie wants to drive over?"

Jo's eyes widened and she got a great idea. "Hey Charlie. Dean is going to have a small swim party on Friday. How about you sleep over then?"

"Sounds awesome! I'll ask Chuck for the day off.

Jo nodded at Dean and then said goodbye to Charlie. She hung up and pockets her phone. "Friday sounds like a plan." She grinned.

"I'll give you my number." Dean said, surprising Jo that he had gotten a cell phone. He searched his contacts, knowing that his number was in there somewhere. "Haven't memorized it yet." They exchanged numbers and then Dean had to excuse himself. It was getting late and Dean wanted to text Castiel. "I'll see you later." Dean said, waving from the front door and heading down the street back to his own house.

He passed up the impala and smiled. "Hey, Baby." Dean said affectionately to his car for the summer. He took his dirty shoes off once he stepped inside and saw his mom and dad going over some papers on the kitchen table. "Sorry I'm so late."

John frowned, but Mary just nodded politely. "Have a nice walk?" She asked. Dean nodded quickly before sticking his head into the laundry room. He forgot his clothes in the dryer and wondered if they were still there. "In your room already. I left them in the basket for you to fold."

Dean groaned. He hated folding his laundry, but at least it have him something to do. He dragged himself upstairs and into his room where Sam was lying down on his own bed and playing a video game. Dean glared, but Sam just shrugged at him.

"Done being a pest?" Sam stayed silent. "Fine. Don't talk to me." Dean rolled his eyes at his brother and peered over. "Playing Zelda?"

Sam looked up from his game. "Yeah." He resumed playing and mashed buttons.

"I have a friend who can give you mad cheats." Dean boasted. Sam looked up wide-eyed. "I'll see what she can give up." Sam silently shouted yes to himself and lied back down to play his game. Dean was about to take a seat on his bed, but he pulled his collar and sniffed instead. "Yeah, shower time." Sam sniffed the air mockingly. Dean picked up his pillow and threw it at his brother before leaving the room for the bathroom.

Dean closed the bathroom door and locked it behind him. He pulled his cellphone from his pocket and placed it on the sink top. He then pulled his dirty clothes off and shoved them down the laundry shoot. Even then, when Dean was reaching nineteen years old, he still thought it was the coolest thing ever. He turned the shower on and while he waited for the water to heat up, he checked his phone. It wasn't so late that Castiel would be asleep, so Dean shot him a text.

Hey, my mom surprised me with a phone. Now we can talk whenever. DW. Dean waited a few minutes, steam filled the bathroom, but there was no response from Castiel and Dean was itching for a shower. He jumped in and lathered up with some soap. The suds felt good on his tired body. He ran a hand over himself and cleaned up. Then his phone buzzed. Dean popped his head out of the shower and wiped his hand off quickly with a towel. He grabbed his phone and checked his messages.

From 'Cas'

Hello Dean. I'm glad you have your own phone. This will be much easier. What are you up too? ~Angel~

Dean smiled at Castiel's signature. It was cute and all too fitting for his name. Dean quickly texted back. Showering. You? DW. He resumed showering for the next fifteen minutes, temporarily ignoring the buzzing coming from his phone while the water washed over him. When he was done and all clean he turned the shower off and stepped out. He grabbed a towel and wiped his face before drying off the rest of his body and wrapping the towel around his waist. He picked up his phone again and smiled.

From 'Cas'

I just took a shower myself. ~Angel~ Castiel had sent another message right after. The warm water was soothing. I have your mark all over. ~Angel~

Dean smirked, though he felt bad that Castiel was in pain because of him. He typed quickly. Sorry. DW.

His phone buzzed again.

From 'Cas'

It is pleasing. Much like your body was. ~Angel~

Dean smirked proudly at his phone before setting it down and running his fingers through his wet hair. He wiped the condensation from the mirror in front of him and watched himself in the mirror. His body was pretty fit. He was toned in all the right places and had a perfect muscular V that led to the family jewels. He picked up his phone and found the camera setting. Wiping the mirror clean again, Dean snapped a picture of himself with the towel wrapped around his waist. He sent it to Castiel.

Soon a reply came.

From 'Cas'

Why a towel? Are we not at that stage yet? ~Angel~

Dean stripped from his towel and snapped another picture. He ran his tongue over his bottom lip before pressing send and waiting for Castiel's response. Sure he had sent nude pictures like that to girls, but everything with Castiel was new. The response came back within minutes. Painfully slow according to Dean.

From 'Cas'

:) ~Angel~

The emoticon made Dean grin. He looked in the mirror once more and then wrapped the towel around himself and left the bathroom, phone in hand. He entered his room and grabbed his clothes right away, a pair of basketball short, his boxers and a T-shirt. Sam had left the room while he was in the bathroom, so Dean could change freely. He pulled his clothes on and then sprawled out on his bed.

Like what you see? DW.

It is a shame I have to wait until Friday to see you. ~Angel~

Dean frowned. It ached in his heart that he had to wait the majority of the week to see Castiel. He would love to have him over for dinner and experience his mom's cooking, but then Sam would pester him again about how abnormal is was between him and Castiel, which would lead to his parents finding out that their thought-to-be straight son was a little askew from the straight path. So Dean had to wait until they were gone. At least he had a week worth of work from Bobby to keep him occupied.

We are still having our date on Friday? ~Angel~

Dean realized he had momentarily forgotten to text back, leaving Castiel worried. Yeah, but the swimming portion will have a few extras. You can ask Gabriel if he wants to come along. I invited Jo and Charlie. DW.

Dean bit his lip, wondering if that was okay with Castiel if people joined in. He never asked, just sort of went for it.

From 'Cas'

Dinner, just me and you though? ~Angel~

Of course, and you can stay over. If you would like? DW.

Dean hoped the answer was yes. He turned on his side on his bed, sleep creeping up on him. Sam soon walked in, kicking Dean basket of clothing as he walked to his side of the room.

"Mom said that you have to fold your laundry and not let it wrinkle." He plopped down on his bed. "She knows you won't fold anything when we leave and your here by yourself."

"Ah, shut up." Dean scowled. He sat up and reached for his basket and grabbed some clothing. They had already wrinkled, but he could care less. He checked his phone and Castiel hadn't replied yet. He set it down on his bed while he folded his clothes and put them away in his dresser. He hung some shirts and placed them in the closet. When his basket was empty, he checked his phone again. Still no reply. Dean sighed and just placed it on his nightstand, plugged in to charge, and crawled into bed.

"Texting your boyfriend?" Sam laughed, pulling his own covers on him and snuggling in for the night. Dean glared and threw a pillow at his brother. Sam dodged it successfully and laughed some more. "I'm right, aren't I?"

"Sam, I swear to god I will suffocate you with the next pillow." Dean threatened, grabbing his last pillow to make it more realistic in his brother's eyes. Sam yelped and hit under his blanket. Then Dean heard his phone buzz. He grabbed his phone quickly and checked it.

From 'Jo'

Hey, Dean! Want me to bring anything Friday? Food wise? *HunterGirl*

Dean sighed. Although he was now on good terms with Jo, he wished it were Castiel on the other end. He checked for other missed messages before replying to Jo. You make that awesome buffalo chicken dip, right? DW. His mouth watered at the thought. Jo promised to bring some that Friday. Thanks, Jo! DW.

When he wasn't receiving any more texts from anyone but Castiel, he got worried that he wasn't responding as quickly as he did before. He frowned at his phone, then is finally buzzed.

From 'Cas'

Dean can you come get me? ~Angel~

Dean looked at his phone with a confused look on his face. He was going to ask why, but his phone started to ring. Sam popped his head out form underneath his blanket. "Dean, shut that thing off. It's annoying." He groaned, rubbing his tired eyes. Dean didn't recognize the number, but he answered it anyways.

"Dean?" Dean got up from his bed quickly. He grabbed a sweatshirt from his closet and pulled it on, making sure to keep his ear close to his phone.

"Gabe, what's going on?" Dean found the impala's keys on his desk and grabbed them. "What's wrong with Cas?" Dean could hear shouting in the background.

"Michael's at it again. Another family feud over stupid shit.." Gabriel said in a harsh tone. Castiel said he didn't want to go anywhere with me, he wants you. But it's late-"

"I'm coming." Dean slipped his shoes on and walked out of the room. "What's your address?" Gabriel gave him the address and then ended the call. Dean quickly went down the stairs and his parents were still sitting at the kitchen table.

"Where are you going?" John asked gruffly. He saw that Dean had the impala keys in his hands. "I didn't give you those keys so you could just go out all the time." John stood up from the table. Mary eyed him wearily and then looked at Dean.

"I need to go pick up a friend. He's having family troubles." Dean said quickly. He paced back and forth eagerly. The shouting he heard in the background at Gabriel and Castiel's house was started to get to him.

"Are you his family?" John asked.

"No, sir." Dean answered right away.

"Then sit down. You're not going anywhere." Dean's heart sank, but he couldn't say no to his father. His mom wasn't saying anything either, which meant she agreed with him. Dean dropped the car keys on the table and sat down with his parents. "Call that friend and say you can't come." John ordered, eyeing Dean's cellphone. "It's late and you have work tomorrow."

"Yes, sir." Dean lowered his head. He called Gabriel back and explained the situation. "I can't come. It's too late." The yelling was still going on the background. "Tell Cas… I'll see him later." Dean felt horrible, but there was nothing he could do. His father and mother kept an eye on him. He handed them the keys to the impala regretfully.

"Dean can't make it, Cas." Gabriel said as he rushed his brother back to the guest room and locked the door behind him. "Cas, come one. You're bleeding." Gabriel hooked arms with Castiel and pulled him to the en suite bathroom. "Sit." Gabriel pushed Castiel to sit on the toilet and inspected his face. He lightly touched around Castiel's eye.

Castiel hissed. "Dean's parents won't let him come here?" He asked, cringing when Gabriel pressed a wet towel on his swelling face. Gabriel shook his head. He dabbed away the blood from the cut above Castiel's brow.

"Man, Mike clocked you a good one." Gabriel washed the blood from the towel in the sink. "I'll be right back." He left the bathroom and then the room. Castiel stood up and checked his face out in the mirror. The cut above his brow was small, but he figured the cut on Michael's knuckles was a lot worse. He pushed on his red skin and sighed. He then attended his own knuckles. They were cut up from the hit he landed right back at Michael's face. Although he was in pain, Castiel grabbed his phone and quickly texted Dean.

Thanks for trying. I'm okay. ~Angel~