Castiel came out of the bathroom a few minutes later, his face flushed. Dean didn't look at him when he slipped in beside him, but he did say moodily, "Was it good?"

He heard Castiel's sigh before he answered, "Not as good as when you do it."

Dean huffed. "I offered ya know."

Castiel didn't reply for a bit, but then he said quietly, "I'm sorry I didn't do what you wanted earlier. I... as you say, chickened out."

"Dude you had your fingers up my ass and then you started rimming me."

Castiel cringed and Dean could practically feel the heat of his blush despite the fact that they were sitting further apart than they usually did. Dean turned so he could look at Cas while he said, "You could've fucked me and I would have been fine with it, happy as hell actually."

"I know," Castiel sighed, running a hand over his face. He looked at Dean out of the corner of his eye, his gaze traveling over Dean's chest and arms. He licked his lips a few times before saying, "I'd like to be with you in that way, but-"

"But what?" Dean interrupted, "If you're gonna say it's cause of sin or the Jesus book or some other shit, let me remind you that my dick has been down your pretty, heavenly angel throat."

"That's not the reason," Castiel snapped. "I haven't... ever..."

He trailed off, and Dean lifted his head from the pillow, eyebrows raised. "Cas, are you telling me that you've never had sex before me?"

Castiel went a deeper red and Dean let out a "Shit." He'd fucked a virgin, a virgin angel who he was trying to have real super duper gay anal sex with. Although Cas had been jerking off in the shower for some time, which meant that he as least knew how it worked.

"I've never had penetrative sex," Castiel said, looking anywhere but Dean.

Dean snorted. He would have never had this conversation with anyone but Cas. Sex was always something that he'd been doing. He'd lost his virginity as a human when he was like 16, or it might have been younger, he honesty couldn't remember anymore. But here was Cas. Beautiful, amazing Cas, who Dean had been pining after since they met. Cas had certainly had time to explore the sexual realm. So why hadn't he?

"Is abstinence like some Heaven angel thing?" Dean asked, shifting so he could look up at Cas.

"Sex isn't encouraged," Castiel replied, "Although some of my brethren do engage in it."

"But I bet none of them have a catch like me," Dean teased, flashing Cas a smile.

Castiel's lips quirked upward a bit and he looked over at Dean affectionately. Dean sought out Castiel's hand under the covers and squeezed it as he asked, "Are you nervous about being with me in that way?"

"It's not so much nerves," Castiel answered, "I just don't want to do it wrong and disappoint you."

"Well if it was anything like earlier, you're gonna be great," Dean said with a smile.

Castiel grinned and then inched down under the covers so he could kiss Dean, opening for him and letting Dean suck nosily on his tongue. Castiel had left his boxers in the bathroom so they were very much naked when Dean pulled Cas flush against him while licking into his wet mouth.

He drew back to look at Cas. Cas's eyes were hooded, his lips slightly parted, red and slick from spit, his tongue resting against the backs of his top teeth as he looked at Dean with unfocused eyes. Dean rubbed his thumbs over the stubble on Castiel's jaws and then his lips, kissing his way over the roughness and laving his tongue against it, feeling the scrape along it. Stubble burn was something that he loved and he'd often run his fingers over the raw skin after a night of Cas nuzzling the insides of his thighs before sucking Dean off like a pro.

Castiel's perpetual stubble was one of the things Dean loved about him. He loved running his fingers over it in the morning, loved how their stubble felt when they hugged cheek to cheek, how it was always there for him to admire. He didn't even want to think about a clean shaven Cas, it just didn't seem possible. Cas had stubble and Dean was the only one who got to lick his way across it.

As of late, Dean had been making a sort of mental list about the things he loved about Cas. There were his eyes of course, and that stupid smile that he got when he'd wake Dean up in the morning with a kiss to his nose. Dean loved every part of Castiel's vessel, the way his fingers were so long and those little shadows that his eyelashes left on his cheeks when he looked down. Dean loved a lot of things about Cas, but he didn't want to admit that he might love Cas as in Cas.

Sure he'd thought about it a lot, and they'd never really had the conversation about it after Sam had asked if they were in love. There were nights when they'd lain together in complete silence and Dean could have brought it up, but the words always go tangled on his tongue.

Sometimes he felt as though this thing they had was so fragile that it would break if he said the wrong word. Sure Cas seemed to very much enjoy the sex and the cuddling and being able to kiss Dean over his bowl of cereal, but love was an entirely different matter. The fact that apparently Castiel didn't have a soul also made Dean concerned. Could you love without a soul? Or was Castiel just this way with him because of the pleasure that Dean gave him.

The thought left a sour taste in his mouth and Dean must have made a face because Castiel lifted his head from Dean's chest to ask, "What's wrong?"

Dean took a deep breath before saying, "What do you think about love?"

Castiel's eyebrows lowered, but he replied, "I believe that love is one of the driving factors of the universe and that it's taken too lightly nowadays."

"What about love as far as you see it?" Dean asked, his heart beating fast as he became suddenly nervous as to Cas's answer. He tried specifying, "Like is love the same thing for from the ass crack of time angels as it is for humans?"

Castiel pursed his lips. "I don't think my brethren have given much thought to the matter. We love each other in terms of a family, but if you're talking romantic love, I'd have to say no."

"Is it cause you guys don't have souls?"

"Maybe. I'm not sure. I've never looked into it for myself." Castiel looked up at Dean. "But why are you asking me this?"

Dean went red and stuttered, "No reason. I was just curious."

"Does it have to do with us?" Castiel asked.

Dean closed his eyes. Shit. He was stuck now. It was either lie through his teeth or say it outright, neither of which were appealing to him. Castiel said his name as a question and Dean mumbled, "Maybe."

Castiel's eyes flicked down to the sheets and he said, "Dean I understand that you were human once, so this subject means much more to you than me. I won't even pretend to understand what love is. I'm honestly not even sure if I have the capability to have it."

Dean put his hands over his ears before Cas could continue. He didn't want to hear Cas tell him that he didn't love him. He was already emotionally challenged and the confirmation that he wasn't loved was gonna hurt like a bitch. He'd had love rejected before and he almost didn't make it through that night after she had left him.

Fingers pried his hands away from his ears and then Castiel's lips pressed against his palms. He didn't meet Castiel's eyes as the angel said, "I'm not sure if I know what love is, Dean, but I'm positive that this," He put a hand over Dean's heart and Dean could feel that phantom heat as Cas continued, "This is something that I've never felt before. I've felt things with you that I've never experienced before and it still amazes me. I don't mean to take the word lightly, but I do mean it when I say that, if it's possible for an angel to love, that I love you, Dean."

Dean looked up at Cas in awe and he wasn't at all prepared for the tears that were swimming in front of Castiel's eyes. He grabbed Cas by the shoulders and pulled him in for a rough kiss that quickly turned soft, just the lightest press of lips until Dean felt the wetness of tears on his cheeks as well.

He wiped the tears from Castiel's face and kissed him once more before saying, "Cas I love you too."

Castiel laughed, wet through his tears and then he pressed his lips to Dean's once more. They kissed slowly for a few minutes, just enjoying the feel of how their teeth clipped at each other's lips, their tongues sliding together in a slow sort of dance. Dean didn't even know how to describe the feeling in his chest right now. He'd never had someone say those three words to him and mean it before and fuck did it feel so good. Even better considering that it was Cas who had said it.

The next couple of days went by fast. They went rollerblading and then to an amusement park on the day before Sam was set to ship off for school. Dean made Cas go on the rollercoaster's with him and Cas threw up in the waste bin afterwards, but not before punching Dean hard in the arm. Sam won a ton of prizes at the little games you could play and Dean sorta regretted letting him keep the giant stuffed bear which blocked his view the entire drive home.

Sam was up and at em at the crack of dawn the next morning, rushing into Dean and Cas's bedroom and jumping on the bed until Dean finally cracked an eye open and groaned, "Sam if I look over at that clock and it doesn't at least read eight, I'm going to fu-"

Castiel cut him off by draping his arm over Dean's face. Cas had gotten very good at realizing when Dean was going to swear, and he could usually stop him before Sam was subjected to such colorful language. Cas kept his hand over Dean's mouth as he turned to look at the alarm clock.

He sighed and then whispered into Dean's ear, "Sam has to be at school in an hour and I suggest we make him a good breakfast."

Dean groaned but reluctantly got out of the bed, telling Sam, "Go get dressed and I'll make you some oatmeal. Cas can you help him get a good outfit together?"

Cas nodded and then ushered Sam out of the bedroom and into his own. Dean pulled on a t-shirt and sauntered into the kitchen to start making some oatmeal, even going as far to put fruit in it to make sure Sam would be having a nice, nutritional breakfast before he started his first day of school.

He would be attending a small primary school a couple of blocks down the road from Dean's apartment. Ben had gone there when he was young and Dean was watching him, so Dean knew the territory. He also knew that school could be a bitch and he was preparing himself for when Sam got into junior high and the hormones kicked in and fucked everything up. He was still hoping that Sam wouldn't randomly make some guy spontaneously combust because his powers decided to make themselves known.

For now though, Sam was just a seven-year-old, who was currently bounding into the kitchen dressed in a Spider-man t-shirt. He was followed by a sleepy looking Cas, rubbing at one eye while pulling up his sweatpants with the other hand, the pants that were actually Dean's.

Dean smiled and set a bowl of porridge in front of Sam. The kid dug in happily, tapping his fingers on the counter. "You excited, Sammy?" Dean asked, leaning back against the counter while Cas went to go make his usual morning coffee.

Sam nodded and Han came out of Sam's bedroom, planting himself right on Dean's foot. Dean glared down at him. Han seemed to think he owned the apartment, and that he could get away with sleeping on Dean's face when Dean would take naps on the couch. It didn't help that the cat was immune to pretty much everything. It appeared that the animal was alive for good, especially after it had eaten some rat poison that was in the corner of the laundry room and been completely fine, even though the vet had told Dean that the cat would most likely be dead by morning.

Dean picked Han up so he could walk without the cat on his feet. He set him on the counter next to Sam and he immediately went to nibble at some oatmeal that had fallen out of Sam's bowl. Cas was waiting impatiently for the water to heat up for his coffee and Dean nudged him in the back, right in the spot that he knew Cas hated to be poked in.

Cas stiffened and then glared daggers at Dean before muttering to himself as he prepared his coffee. Dean grinned and went to grab Sam's backpack and shoes from where they'd put them last night. He'd done the first day of school routine once with Ben and he wanted to make sure that he did it right with Sam. No mistakes.

Of course they were a few minutes late and Dean nearly tripped over a kid on his way to the classroom door. He opened it with a bang and ten pairs of tiny eyes turned to look at him, along with a pair of brown eyes belonging to the pretty, young blonde in the pencil skirt standing at the front of the classroom.

She raised an eyebrow at Dean and Dean said sheepishly, "Got a little bit of a late start this morning."

"I see," the woman replied before smiling at Sam, who was looking shyly at his shoes. She kneeled down so that she was on his level and said happily, "I'm Miss Harvelle."

"Sam," Sam said quietly.

"And I'm Dean," Dean told Miss Harvelle, offering a hand as she stood up. She took it with a smile and Dean gave her a grin and a, "Do I get a first name?"

Miss Harvelle gave Dean an unamused look, but replied, "Jo, but it's Miss Harvelle to you."

Dean gave her a salute. "Yes ma'am." He got an eye roll in return and bent down to turn Sam around so he could say bye to him. "Now you remember what I said bout being good, right Sammy?"

Sam nodded and Dean gave him a pat on the back and then pulled him in for a hug. "You have a good day, kiddo. Cas and I will be here to pick you up at three."

"Okay," Sam replied quietly, eyeing the children who were sitting at the desks a few feet away.

Dean ruffled his hair once before saying, "Go get em tiger."

Sam gave Dean a nervous smile and then went to sit next to a pretty blonde girl with a Smurf's shirt on. She gave Sam a big smile and helped him get out his colored pencils. Dean gave Sam another wave, saluted Jo, er, Miss Harvelle and then went outside to where Cas was waiting in the Impala.

Cas gave him a questioning look as Dean slipped in and Dean said, "I think Sam's gonna be fine. Looks like he's already made friends with a cute little blonde. Kid's got game."

Cas shook his head and sat back further in his seat. He tapped his fingers on his knee lazily and asked casually, "You checked for demons and angels, right?"

"Well I didn't see anyone that gave me the heebie jeebies if that's what you mean. Pretty sure there's no demons though."

"Good," Castiel breathed.

He leaned his head back against the headrest and Dean watched the bob of his Adam's apple as he swallowed. He checked to make sure there was nobody around before he leaned over and ran his lips down the skin on Castiel's neck. Cas made a soft sound in the back of his neck and Dean shifted so that he was pressed up against Castiel's side, his fingers quickly slipping under Castiel's shirt and pressing against the hot skin there.

"Dean," Castiel hissed, "Someone... mmmmm... someone is gonna see."

"Let em," Dean growled, licking his way over Castiel's pulse point.

Castiel moaned and then he pushed Dean away with a stern look. Dean pouted at him and a smile worked its way onto Cas's lips. He traced his thumb over Dean's bottom lip as he said, "You know, we have a bit of time to ourselves before we have to pick up Sam this afternoon."

"And how do you suggest we spend that time?" Dean asked, already leaning in toward Cas again.

"Well," Castiel breathed, the puff of air beating against Dean's open lips, "I suppose we could clean up the apartment."

Dean raised an eyebrow and then kissed the corner of Castiel's mouth. "I think," he whispered, "That I'd much rather spend it in bed."

Castiel shrugged. "That could work too."

The drive back to the apartment was spent with hands intertwined and Dean was dancing his fingers up Castiel's thigh by the time they parked. They hurried toward the stairs and almost crashed into Charlie, who was with a pretty dark skinned woman. Both of them were holding coffee cups and Charlie's face split into a huge grin upon seeing Dean and Cas.

"What's up boys!" she cried.

"Not much," Dean replied, trying to sound casual despite the fact that he was fucking horny and just wanted to get Cas alone and rip his clothes off.

"Who's this?" Cas asked, looking at the other woman.

Charlie's eyes lit up and she said happily, "This is Gilda. Gilda Dean and Cas. They're my upstairs neighbors."

Gilda gave them a small wave and Castiel, ever the gentleman, offered her a hand with a, "Pleased to meet you."

"Likewise," Gilda replied.

"We were just gonna chill and watch Lord of the Rings," Charlie said, "You guys wanna join us?"

"We'd love too," Dean replied, "But Cas and I kinda have plans already so... rain check?"

"Sure," Charlie said, slightly disappointed.

"Okay, great."

Dean grabbed Castiel's hand and dragged him up the stairs before Charlie or Gilda could say anything else. Castiel shut the door behind them as they ran into the apartment and then Dean was pressing him against it, his lips latched onto Castiel's neck.

"Dean," Castiel gasped, "Dean I..."

"Mmm?" Dean groaned against Castiel's skin, already working at slipping Castiel's shirt over his head.

Castiel grabbed Dean's wrists and held them away from his chest as he locked eyes with him. "Dean I want to have sex with you properly today."

Dean's lips stilled and he gulped. He was all for Cas fucking his brains out, but it was so sudden that his mind was still trying to process the words. Castiel was watching him with hope and something akin to fear and Dean knew that this must be a big step for him.

Dean backed up so that he could take Castiel's hand, saying, "Sounds good to me."