Neither breached the subject until they were inside the Impala driving to Dean's house. Cas had texted his mother not to expect him, under the guise that he was at Hannah's again. Dean still didn't want to ask who Hannah was, for his own sanity more than anything. Cas' other friends were none of his concern.

"I owe you some explanations." Cas said in the middle of a Queen song.

"Only if you want to."

"I do. I just...I don't know how you'll take them."

"So long as nothing's life altering I'll be fine." Again, Dean tried to make the situation lighthearted. But this time it had the opposite effect.

"I figured you'd say that."

Dean sighed, pushed a hand through his hair, and glanced sideways at Cas.

"Okay. I can deal with life altering. The world, remember?"

That got him a small smile from Cas, much to his relief.

"Yeah. Alright. So. You knew for how long?"

"Sixth grade. You made it kinda obvious though. I mean, sure, Zac Effron was good-looking, but Cas, he wasn't that hot."

Cas blushed again, but he laughed. "Whatever. You totally had a thing for Lindsey Lohan."

"Don't remind me." Dean groaned.

"So you're really okay with it?"

"Yep." He responded as he parked the Impala. They hopped out and headed for Dean's room. Luci greeted them at the back door by jumping on Cas and almost knocking him down again. Sam strolled in after her.

"Hey Cas! Great to see you again."

"Hello, Sam. You too. How's school?"

"Easy so far. I can't wait for a real challenge next year."

"And how's Jess?" Dean threw Sam a smirk, to which the younger Winchester stuck out his tongue.

"She's fine."

"Damn fine." Dean muttered, winking at Cas. They cracked up as Sam rolled his eyes and groaned.

"Dean! Stop that."

"Nah. We'll be in my room. Hungry, Cas?" He waved at the cupboard as they passed it, "Help yourself."

"I'm good, thanks Dean."

"Yep."

Luci followed them into Dean's room, and Cas closed the door behind her. They sat on Dean's bed, and Dean looked to Cas expectantly.

"I meant to ask, what happened there?" Cas pointed to the broken and boarded window.

"I broke it. Last year. I wasn't having the best of days."

Dean had come home from losing a big game of the season. Not the biggest, but close enough to mean that his team was done for the season. He'd glared at the ceiling for hours, letting his train of thought tumble down dark paths. First he thought of his parents. He'd always felt responsible for their accident. If only I'd just come home... was his usual thought.

"I'm sorry Dean."

"Ah, it's not your fault Cas."

Dean knew he was lying, though. The second thing his train of thought had led him to that night was Castiel. Castiel, his best friend, who had abandoned him. Just like his parents. All of the people he'd loved, felt closest to...on that day, it felt as if he was alone in the universe. And for whatever reason he'd felt like chucking around a baseball that eventually went through his window. And brought in Sam and Luci. Which was a nice reminder to Dean that he was not, in fact, alone. He still had his brother, and hell, he still had his dog. If that's all he was gonna get, he'd take it.

"So, are you gonna tell me why Meg was looking at me yesterday?"

They sat on the bed at the exact same time, then adjusted to give each other space. Cas wrung his hands and glanced intermittently between the ground and Dean.

"Like I said, she was approving of you."

"But, why?"

"She...I don't know. Was approving that you are Dean Winchester."

"Cas. I need you to speak English."

"I may or may not have talked a lot about you. To Meg."

"Seriously?"

"Yeah."

Dean grinned and waggled his eyebrows at Cas, to which the other boy rolled his eyes. "What'd you tell her?"

"Stories from when we were kids."

"Cute."

"Shut up." Cas gave Dean a slight push with his shoulder, and they ended up in a pushing match for the next few minutes before Dean managed to push Cas onto the floor.

"You're mean."

"You're a sore loser."

"Depends on what I'm losing."

Dean smirked. "Deep, man."

Cas just shrugged awkwardly on the ground. Dean rolled around so that he was laying on his stomach, leaning on his elbows, and looking down at Cas. Didn't this happen two days ago? I guess Cas really likes floors.

He watched as Cas' eyes roved around his room, or at least what he could see of it, before looking back up at Dean.

"Where's your baseball card collection?"

"Stashed it."

"I thought it was your pride and joy."

"Nah, man, have you even seen my ride?"

Suddenly, Cas' phone buzzed, and he pulled it out and answered it.

"Hi, mom. Yes. Wait, you called her? Since when did you...Um, I'm at Meg's. Of course I hang out with Meg, she's my vice...No. Of course not. Why would I be? He hates me, mom. Fine. I'll be home in ten. Bye."

"Did I get you in trouble?" The words rolled out of Dean's mouth before he really thought about them. Cas chucked his phone away and shook his head. "No. I don't know why she called Hannah. She's never done that."

"Do you think someone's told her? About us?"

"God, I hope not. I guess I'll have to find out."

They got up and left Dean's house, nabbing their shoes and Cas' backpack on the way. Dean dropped him off at the same two blocks away, and like yesterday, Cas hovered in the car.

"I have a bad feeling about this."

"It's not like you're about to fight a monster, Cas. She's just your mom." Dean chuckled, giving Cas a pat on the shoulder.

Cas nodded. "Hey, Dean? Can you do me a favour?" He asked hesitantly. He pulled his phone out of his pocket and handed it to Dean.

"Could I have your number? Just in case."

"Yeah." Dean took the phone and typed in his number for a new contact, then handed it back to Cas. He noticed that his friend's hand was trembling. His mom really scares him. Jeeze.

"Uh, Cas?"

Castiel paused in the middle of getting out of the car to look back at Dean. "What?"

"If...something does happen, call me, okay? Doesn't matter when or where, I'll come get you. 'kay?"

"'Kay."

Dean made sure Cas got across the street safely, then he turned the Impala around and headed home.

A/N: This has to be the longest fic I've written. Also, season 8 does not help with writer's block. Just a PSA. Hope you guys are enjoying! ~Tharesa