Dean wished more than anything that he could have died right then and there but there was nothing he could do. Michael was along for the ride; he was unappreciative of the Impala, which only started off the great day they were going to have. Staring at the old Chevy Michael made a face, his brow slowly knitting together as he inspected it from afar.

"We're riding in that?"

Dean stopped his eye twitching as he glanced at Castiel who gave him a sheepishly innocent smile in return. "Yeah, she's my baby." Dean smiled back at Michael who sighed and shrugged.

"She?"

Yep, Dean could feel just how awesome it was going to be meeting Michael. Of course, from what he'd been told already, Michael would have been tearing him a new asshole if he'd known about Dean and Cas, so maybe he didn't know? Dean could only guess, it seemed like Michael had no clue, just extremely judgmental of the company that Castiel was keeping.

It was a little difficult to ignore but Dean managed to pretend he hadn't heard Michael's disdain for his car. They climbed in and, to Dean's dismay; Michael claimed the front seat next to him, leaving Castiel in the backseat. Dean knew that older brothers usually claimed the front seat but it just seemed weird to sit next to your brother's friend, wouldn't it have been more comfortable in the back? He decided not to ask, despite the nagging thought in his head. Maybe it was just him being a little grumpy about not being able to sit next to Cas.

It was supposed to be their special day goddamn it.

A bright sunny day greeted them as they walked into the zoo, there were crowds of people and though Dean would have just as likely backed away from it all he knew he was there for Cas. He looked over to his boyfriend who seemed just as confused and agitated at Michael's presence as himself. But regardless Michael wasn't going anywhere so they were about to spend some quality time with the guy. Dean tried to walk closer to Cas as they strolled down the cobblestone walkways. Michael seemed to be in good spirits though, he was a little uptight but there was a smile on his face as he looked around at the different habitats that were already present in the entrance to the zoo.

Dean watched him and saw a similarity to Castiel, there was a caring man hidden under the business and bureaucracy, he had a feeling. How could there not be? Dean could only imagine how busy their father had been, that would leave Michael in charge of two little brothers, one as crazy and rebellious as Gabriel and the other Castiel, a sensitive and emotional person. No one could handle their little siblings like that without being hated, Dean was certain of it. And Cas didn't seem to hate Michael per se, just annoyed at the guy's timing.

Michael looked at Castiel briefly and motioned toward a stand nearby, "I'm going to grab a map, you want one too?"

"One's fine," Castiel smiled at him as he walked away, then immediately turned to Dean and whispered, "I'm so sorry, I had no idea he was coming until he showed up at my door!"

"It's okay," Dean shrugged, "I was bound to meet, maybe it's better this way."

"Alright," Cas sighed and ran a hand through his hair, "I just didn't expect this."

"Don't worry about it, babe." Dean winked quickly then stood at attention when Michael approached them again, a few extra things in his arms. "Good to go?"

"Yeah," Michael tossed them each a t-shirt, "They were giving these away and I figured you'd like one."

Castiel unfolded it and looked at the front and chuckled at the childish cartoons welcoming people to the zoo. "Cute," he glanced up at his brother to see there wasn't anything in his arms, "Wait, you didn't take one?"

"You and I both know I wouldn't wear it," Michael shrugged and started walking, "Might as well leave for someone who would."

"I don't think anyone is wearing these," Dean rolled his eyes but stuttered to a stop when he noticed the sheer number of people who had actually put them on. "Oh... scratch that."

"Yeah." Michael smirked back at him, "Thought so." He turned his attention back to the map, his tongue coming out to quickly lick the tip of his finger so he could get a little more friction when unfolding the slick sheet of paper. "So there are a few places we can start with, did you want to go exciting first thing or save that for the end?"

Cas leaned over his big brother and stared at the map intently, "Start big, definitely. Let's go check out the bears!" He waved his hands excitedly and started down the left path. Michael smiled and casually followed suit, adjusting the sleeves of his jacket that Dean now noticed was probably one of the most intricate suit jackets he'd ever seen. Michael had some style and class; his outfit was detailed and complicated to look at, definitely customly designed for him.

Dean glanced down at his casual wear, jeans and a leather jacket pulled over his grey t-shirt. Maybe wearing the stupid zoo shirt wasn't so bad; everyone else seemed to be doing it. Of course that wouldn't change the fact that he looked like a hobo next to this guy. "So that's your casual wear for the zoo, huh?" He decided to try and make some minor conversation seeing as how they were both older brothers, maybe he could find something he connected with Michael over. Not that clothing would be that thing, but it could lead to something.

Michael looked at him, an expression that either naturally looked condescending or was fashioned to appear that way Dean couldn't tell. "I hadn't been aware that Castiel had plans when I decided to visit him. This is hardly appropriate for a zoo but I'm willing to risk it."

"You could wear one of these t-shirts." Dean grinned and waved it a little to emphasize.

Michael didn't look at him again for that, "It's hardly appropriate for the pants I'm wearing. I would look ridiculous."

"You look kind of ridiculous now," Dean muttered but he was probably one of the only people who thought so. Women all around them took double takes; it was almost like fashionable suits were the same to women as lingerie was to men. Or something like that, Dean wasn't quite sure what they all saw. Well, he sort of understood, if he had Cas wearing something like that he'd tear it off of him. It was like unwrapping a present.

Castiel was excitedly perched by the bear habitat, staring down into the wide-open space at the giant fuzzy creatures. He leaned against the railing and sighed happily, he could have literally stayed there for hours and it wouldn't bother him. His two guests however might care. "Aren't they amazing?" He looked over at Dean who just smiled and nodded.

Michael, meanwhile, was reading the plaque they had set up for it. "'Black bears are classified as carnivores however 75% of their diet consists of vegetation.' Hm, I did not know that." He mused, "'Black bears communicate with body and facial expressions, sounds, touch, and through scent markings. Their average life in the wild is up to 20 years and have lived to be over 30 years in captivity.'"

"Wow," Cas looked down at the bears again, "Just lovely."

Dean knew Cas liked animals but he hadn't quite realized just how much. He wondered why they hadn't gone to the zoo before if Cas really enjoyed it that much. Unless of course Cas had and it was during volunteer hours. Regardless he knew that they'd have to make this a regular thing, he couldn't get enough of that bright, sparkling smile.

"Cas!" A female voice called out and all three turned to look, two because they were curious as to who would address Castiel, and the other looked for obvious reasons.

"Charlie! Hey how have you been?" Cas lit up and ran the rest of the distance to meet her, catching one another in a hug, which pulled back into a punch in the arm for each.

"Been good, the dolphins miss you, you know." She grinned wide, "So how's my favourite queen?"

"Excellent as always."

She exchanged an intricate secret handshake with Castiel before she turned to look at Dean and Michael. "S'up Mike?"

"Good afternoon Charlie." Michael smiled at her but Dean could see the little strain in it, evidently wanting to tell her to call him 'Michael' like he'd done to Dean only an hour before. "I trust you've been well."

"Always so uptight, you need to loosen up, bad boy, like you were in high school. What happened to our favourite rebel?" She teased, nudging at him with her elbow.

Cas looked over at Dean's confused expression and shrugged, "Charlie and Michael were in high school together. She's my age but she's a genius so she was in his grade. I volunteer here when they have openings."

"Thanks Cas," Dean smiled, glad to have someone there who was willing to fill him in. He tended to forget that the people he met had their own history, own families, stories, thoughts and lives to lead. It was nice to get a little insight. Especially into Michael, "So Mike, a bad boy in high school were you?"

"We all have a phase, that was mine." Michael shrugged, "I'm past it now, so both of you please call me Michael."

"Not a chance Mikey," Charlie winked at him and turned back to Cas, "So you decided to use those invites, eh? I'm so glad you're here, makes my day a little brighter."

Castiel nodded excitedly, "I'm so glad to be here, I had to get someone to take my place at the animal shelter on Elm Street for today but it's so worth it to see you guys again. How's your girlfriend?"

Charlie's eyes fluttered a little and she tried to shrug it off, "Oh, you know, she's good."

Dean pursed his lips but didn't say anything to that, obviously Cas would have other LGBTQ friends, it made perfect sense. He just hadn't expected to meet a lesbian. "Come on Charlie," Cas pushed a little, "You're blushing like a school girl, what're you planning?"

"Well we've been getting some cosplay together for the Comic Con in November and," she paused and looked around before leaning in, her voice an excited whisper, "I bought a ring!"

Castiel let out the girliest squeal Dean had ever heard him make. The two screamed together, a lot of gibberish and high-pitched excitement. Dean thought that only happened in the movies but clearly not because they were doing it. He glanced over at Michael who was just smiling, that earnest and caring smile that Dean could relate to. He'd looked at Sam that way many times, when he graduated high school, when was accepted into college, when he got that free ride, all of it. He supposed that Michael was just glad to be there every now and then, to be around to see Castiel smile that way, to hear his excitement and see the joy he felt. But it made him wonder just how much pain Michael had to see in Castiel for him to appreciate even the smallest amount of happiness?

"Congratulations, Charlie. I'm sure Anna will be just as excited." Michael went to shake her hand but Charlie caught him in a hug instead.

"Thanks Mike, we discussed it a long while back but neither of us really had the money to do anything about it." She grinned so widely that Dean swore he could have counted all her teeth, "I can't wait until November but so far I've managed to keep it a secret from her."

"I hope it goes well," Cas wiped his eyes and hugged her again, "Ohh I'm so happy for you!"

Dean could only stand there and smile at the group of happy friends, "I'm Dean by the way," he called into the mix, feeling a bit left out.

"Oh my god I'm sorry," Cas covered his mouth and looked at Charlie, "This is my friend Dean, Dean this is Charlie."

"Nice to meet you," Charlie gave Dean a once over as she shook his hand, her eyes immediately going to Castiel's face for some kind of indication as to what kind of friend. "He's hot Cas, are you dating him?"

"Yes Cas, are you?" Michael raised an eyebrow and Dean could have sworn someone lit a fire under him. Castiel looked to be panicking a little under the scrutinizing eye of his friend and brother but after look at Dean's wide-eyed face he shook his head.

"No, of course not, we're just friends."

Dean felt a sting of pain and knew that it was his fault. And what was worse he made Castiel feel this everyday. That thought that you were being rejected, neglected and thrown under a bus. But they both knew the truth; there was more love between them than anyone else cared to know.

Charlie made a face, "Boo, he's straight isn't he?"

"He is." Cas shrugged, "All the pretty ones are."

"You aren't." Charlie winked at him again and nudged him a few times, "Ah well, it's probably too soon after he-who-shall-not-be-named."

"Voldemort?" Dean raised an eyebrow at them and got a chuckle from the three in his company.

"Pfft don't even, that dick isn't worth being called Voldemort even on his best days." Charlie shook her head, "No there really is no good name for someone like that."

Dean was starting to feel antsy about it now, Castiel's ex had been mentioned by a few people now and each time it was either 'it was nothing' or 'he was a dick' or 'he's lower than Voldemort on the scale of scum of the Earth.' So which was it? Cas was the one to say 'it was nothing,' which only made Dean assume he was really that bad and Castiel just didn't want to talk about it. Until told otherwise that was what he'd assume. "So how long's it been since this asshole was around? I'd like to give him a piece of my mind." Dean figured it was worth a shot but Castiel was already shaking his head.

"Can we not, please? It's nothing, just leave it."

Michael gave Dean a look but said nothing more on the subject, "Come on, the wild cats are up ahead past the bears."

Castiel nodded and followed Michael's lead, waving to Charlie, "When you're on break give me a call, we'll get some food at the shack."

"Will do! See you later Cas!" Charlie waved and ran off back to her station, evidently already having wandered away from it for quite some time. "Nice to meet you Dean!"

"You too." Dean called back to her and waved before he went to catch up with Castiel and Michael. "Cas, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to-"

"You didn't do anything, don't worry about it." Cas interrupted him but still held that sweet tone so he didn't quite mind. "Anyway, you ready for some lions?"

"Tigers, and bears oh my?" Dean smiled and earned himself a laugh from Cas and a disgruntled moan from Michael. It was a good day after all.

Author's Note:

For anyone who is wondering, it's legal everywhere in this universe because it f*cking SHOULD BE.

Shout outs: fdolphin96 I'm not surprised PMA3 didn't make that list ahaha. ChickieG I'm also glad to be introducing Michael, Matt Cohen does it best I think. AmaranthEnchantment I'm glad you're so gleeful about the quick updates :) I hope to not disappoint with a decent story that goes with it! Welcome to the party Cj Quinn. PlotBunny you aren't allowed to complain about broken hearts, it's all your fault XD