Dean awoke tangled in Cas, again. He detangled their limbs, noting with amusement that Cas really was a heavy sleeper, and dressed himself before turning off the alarm so it wouldn't wake Cas and trudging downstairs to make breakfast for the three Cas, Sammy, and himself. He made French toast, stacking it high on a plate and setting it in the middle of the table before walking back upstairs, banging on Sam's door and yelling that food was ready. He then walked back into his bedroom and crawled into his bed, hovering above the sleeping Cas. He lowered his lips down to Cas' ear before whispering.
"Get up, Angel. It's time for breakfast." Cas' eyes blinked open suddenly and he looked confused before he noticed Dean above him. He smiled, then, and crawled out of bed, dressing himself before waling downstairs with Dean. Sam was already eating by the time they got to the kitchen. Dean grabbed two plates, handing one to Cas, before sitting down at the table and piling his plate up with toast, covering it in the syrup that Sam had left on the table.
The three ate in mostly silence, focused on devouring the food in front of them before they had to leave for school. After they were done, Dean cleaned up and Sammy went upstairs to get dressed. Cas walked downstairs with Sam, his and Dean's backpacks in his hand and Dean sent him a grateful smile. The three loaded up in the Impala, Sam refusing to listen to Dean when he told him to let Cas ride shotgun. Dean sent him a glare, but Cas smiled at him from the backseat and Dean figured if Cas was okay with it then it wasn't that big of a deal.
They arrived just as the bell rang and Sam and Cas nearly jumped out of the car, running toward the school with rushed waves over their shoulders. Dean took his time, walking at a comfortable pace, and slid into his seat right as the bell rang.
Jo looked up at Dean and gave him an expectant look; Dean knew she wanted to know what had happened after the party. He simply motioned to Anna, insinuating that she would tell Jo. It wasn't that Dean wasn't proud that he had gotten Cas; he was damn proud. But the weekend had turned bittersweet quickly and it just seemed wrong to brag about getting Cas in the light of what else had happened that weekend.
Dean didn't really pay attention through his first two classes. He took sloppy notes and did his best to look like he was paying attention while really zoning out. He walked into art, though, excited to see Cas. He knew it was foolish and stupid to look forward to seeing the other boy so much, but he didn't really care. He walked in to find Cas already sitting in his normal seat. Dean walked in, a huge grin on his face, and took the seat opposite Cas, as usual. Cas looked up when Dean sat down and mirrored Dean's smile.
Dean opened his mouth to talk to Cas, but the teacher walked in at that same moment, so Dean shut his mouth and listened to what the teacher had to say. He still wanted to interact with Cas, though, so he reached his foot out and rubbed it along Cas' leg. Cas eyes widened and he looked at Dean, his mouth open slightly and his cheeks red before he settled into a shy smile and rubbed his feet along Dean's. Dean knew it was really cheesy to be playing footsie with Cas under the table, but the look on Cas' face made it worth it.
"Okay, Class," the teacher spoke at the front of the room, and Dean turned to look but still kept his feet on Cas'. "Today, we will be drawing something a little more personal than all our other assignments. It's going to take longer and be worth more than your other assignments, as well. I want you to draw a picture of a significant moment in your life. It can be whatever you want, and it can be as simple or intricate as you'd like. Today, I simply want you to decide what you're going to draw and maybe work out a rough sketch and a list of the techniques you are going to be using. I am giving you one week to complete this assignment, so I expect you to put some effort into it. You may begin."
Dean pulled out a blank piece of paper and grabbed his pencil, thinking about possible ideas for his assignment. He pondered for a moment, before beginning to make a list or possible ideas. There was the day Sammy was born, that was pretty significant to him, especially seeing as he now damn near raised the kid on his own. There was the day his mom died, the fire would give him an opportunity to present a lot of detail. But, that might be a little too personal for him. He put it on the list anyway, but put a question mark next to it. He continued doing this for the rest of the class, not really feeling like working on anything. He almost talked to Cas, but he was looking at his paper with such concentration that Dean decided against it. When the bell was done, Dean waited for Cas and then walked out of the room with him.
"Hey," he greeted with a smile. "I wanna eat lunch with you. Is that okay?" Cas' smile faltered a bit, and Dean tried to rectify the situation. "We don't have to sit with my friends, that's fine," he said, hoping that was the problem and that it wasn't just that Cas was getting tired of Dean. "I can sit in the library with you. Is that okay?"
Cas' smile returned and he nodded slightly, looking a bit embarrassed. Dean smiled back and followed him in the direction of the library. Cas sat down at a table in the back and Dean followed suit, sitting next to Cas and placing his backpack on top of the table.
"So what do you normally do here?" Dean asked, feeling slightly out of place. He never really came to the library, at least not to hang out. Even though he was here with Cas, he felt like he was unwelcomed. People were giving him confused looks and he turned his gaze back to Cas in order to avoid them. He didn't owe anyone an explanation.
"I usually just read or do homework," Cas replied, placing his hand on Dean's leg under the table in a comforting gesture. Dean knew Cas must have noticed his discomfort. He smiled back at Cas, then, thankful to have him. "Do you have any homework you need help with or anything? I don't have much to do, today, and I wouldn't mind helping you," Cas continued.
Dean blushed. Yes, there was work he needed help with, but he wasn't sure if he wanted Cas to know that. He didn't want him to think he was stupid. But when he looked up at Cas and saw the reassuring smile on his face, he knew he was overreacting. Cas liked him, Dean, for who he was. He wasn't the judgmental type.
"Uh, yeah, actually. Could you help me with my math homework?" Dean asked while pulling it out of his backpack.
"Sure," Cas smiled widely at him before pulling Dean's homework toward him and looking it over. They went over the whole assignment, Cas explaining all the concepts again, and by the time they were done, Dean actually understood what he was supposed to be doing.
"Thanks, Cas," he grinned at the other boy as he tucked his papers back into his backpack. They left the library a few minutes before lunch ended so that they wouldn't have to rush to English. They talked the whole way to class and walked in just as the bell signaling the end of lunch was ringing. They sat down next to each other and talked until the class filled up and the teacher walked in.
"Now, class," the teacher, Dean still hadn't bothered to learn his name, began speaking at the front of the classroom. "Since we are done with our projects, we will begin reading Of Mice and Men, today," he grabbed a stack of novels and began passing them out while all the students groaned. "Now, now, no complaining! You may read silently for the rest of the period. I expect the first three chapters to be read by tomorrow. Go," and it was then that Dean realized this teacher really was hands off, either that or just lazy. Not that he minded, though. It meant he was mostly free to do what he wanted with his time.
He did read, though, knowing that Cas would kick his ass if he messed around during class. He read the words slowly, letting them sink in. Dean never was one for reading, so he just muddled his way through. He had gotten a pretty decent chunk of the reading done by the time class was over, though.
Dean waved to Cas as they parted ways for the last class of the day, and Cas waved back. Dean walked to metal shop slowly, never in a rush to get to class. The class had been split up into groups and each had been given a junk car to work on. Dean's group mostly just sat around while Dean did the work, but he really didn't mind. He didn't like fixing cars with other people, anyway, unless it was Bobby. Most people just got in the way.
After class, Dean was walking out toward the front of the school when Lisa Braeden caught up with him.
"Hey, Dean," she greeted with a flirty smile, and Dean knew exactly where this was going. He gave her a weak smile back, trying to be polite but not lead her on.
"Hey, Lisa," he greeted in response, still making his way toward the front of the school.
"I was wondering if you were busy this weekend, maybe you wanted to do something?" she asked, pouting her lips in an attempt to be cute. Dean knew all the moves, and he would have fallen for it, too, before Cas. But, this wasn't before Cas; this was after Cas, and now, those lips just weren't so appealing anymore.
"Yeah, I don't think so, Lisa. Sorry," Dean responded. That got Lisa's attention.
"Why? If you're busy, we could always go another time. I mean, I promise to make it worth your while," she tried to tempt him, sending him a grin he knew was supposed to be sexy. But all Dean could think about was how the grin was nowhere near as sincere as Cas'.
"No, I'm still gonna have to pass, Lisa. Just not into it," Dean responded, trying to still be as polite as possible while also making it clear that he wasn't interested. Lisa stopped then, her mouth dropped open as if he had slapped her in the face. Dean snickered quietly, but continued walking, not interested in seeing what was going to happen next.
When he reached the front of the school he found Cas leaning against the railing, his arms crossed over his chest and an angry expression on his face. Dean's eyebrows scrunched up in confusion as he walked over to Cas. What had upset him so much? He'd almost never seen Cas angry.
"Hey, Cas. You, uh, you okay?" Dean asked as he approached, trying to remain cautious. Cas was usually a calm person, but when he was angry, he was a force to be reckoned with.
"What did Lisa want?" he asked automatically, glaring daggers at Dean. Dean swallowed as he now knew the anger was directed at him.
"She asked me if I wanted to hang out next weekend," Dean answered honestly. Cas' eyes narrowed and he looked away. "I said no, Cas," Dean clarified, hoping that would ease the tension. Cas simply huffed and continued looking away from Dean, the angry expression still on his face. Realization dawned on Dean, and he couldn't hide the amusement in his voice when he asked "Oh, Jeez, Cas. Are you jealous?"
The glare Cas sent him was murderous and any hint of a chuckle Dean had been about to expose was gone. "No!" he defended, but Dean could tell he clearly was. "You didn't tell her about me, did you?" his voice was quieter this time, and the anger was being replaced by hurt. Dean's chest tightened; he didn't know what to do. How could he make this situation better? What did Cas want from him? In response to Dean's silence, Cas continued. "When she asked why you wouldn't go out with her, what did you say? And I know she asked, because a girl like Lisa Braeden doesn't just accept no as an answer. You didn't tell her about me, did you?"
Dean opened and closed his mouth a few times before finally finding his voice. "No, I just, uh, I told her I wasn't interested," he spoke softly, not wanting to worsen the situation.
"Are you ashamed of me?" Cas spoke in almost a whisper.
"No, of course not!" Dean responded immediately. How could Cas think Dean was ashamed of him? Dean was anything but ashamed. Cas was smart and clever and funny and way more than Dean ever deserved. Cas finally looked up, making eye contact with Dean. He still looked sad and tired.
"I don't want to be your secret, Dean," he stated quietly, sighing afterwards and looking away again. "I-I'm sorry. Forget about it, let's just go home." He unfolded his arms and began to walk toward the Impala, but Dean grabbed his arm and spun him around. The parking lot was almost full, now, kids walking out to their cars to drive home from school. Dean looked around him, at all the eyes, all the witnesses to this scene. Dean's stomach churned at the idea of what he was about to do. He was nervous about people finding out, yeah. But that didn't excuse him for treating Cas this way. And, hell, why should he be nervous? Just cause Cas is a guy? He's still fucking brilliant and perfect and anyone who had an issue with them can go to hell. Cas needed this, and Dean needed to do this for him.
Dean pulled Cas forward, slowly, giving him plenty of time to pull away. Cas just stared at him with a confused expression before Dean pressed their lips together, softly, this time, trying to convey affection instead of lust. He needed Cas to know that he wasn't ashamed, but proud, and that Cas mean more to Dean than the arbitrary opinions of their classmates.
Cas stiffened for a moment, his eyes going wide before they closed slowly and he relaxed into the kiss, throwing his arms around Dean's neck and pulling him closer. Dean smiled at that, placing his hand on Cas' back and pulling his body into Dean's, his other hand resting on Cas' hip. Dean heard a loud gasp to his right, and then a few 'oh my god's, but he didn't care anymore. He knew that the whole student body was staring at them, but all that mattered was making sure Cas was okay, that he was reassured.
Dean pulled out of the kiss and looked at Cas, the question prevalent in his eyes. Cas beamed at him, his eyes shining with a happiness and pride Dean had never seen in them. Cas grabbed Dean's hand and led them toward the Impala, through the crowd of gaping onlookers. Dean noticed Anna and Jo, both grinning like crazy, and Jo even gave Dean a thumbs up. Dean chuckled at that, walking over to the car to find Sam leaning against the trunk, a huge grin on his face. He clapped Dean on the back before turning around to stick his tongue out at the crowd, most of which were still staring. Dean knew it would be a shock when people found out, but, damn, he didn't think they would be this damn surprised. He and Cas weren't a circus attraction, just two people who wanted to be together. What was wrong with that?
The two boys climbed into the car, Cas grabbing Dean's hand as soon as Dean was settled in the driver's seat, and Dean pulled out of the parking lot, ignoring the crowd that slowly disappeared in his rearview mirror and focusing instead on rubbing soothing circles into the hand that was clasping his own.