Exam week was there and all Dean's senses were filled with Castiel; Cas' feet on a lower tree branch, the leaves around him falling alone until a willing step forward was taken. Someone pushed him that far; someone broke him into that many pieces. Dean looked at Cas now, looked at the beautiful, independent and self-reliant man he'd come to know, and just couldn't see it. But Michael had painted a very vivid picture. He sat in the café at the end of that week, the only chance he had to see Cas again since Wednesday's barbecue.

He watched as Cas sang through several different songs, all cover tunes that were good and Dean had grown accustomed to nodding his head to songs he'd never before considered worth listening to. The songs that Castiel sang to him were sweeter in ways old favourites couldn't accomplish. Castiel's voice carried across the room, he moved with every beat and had mastered a stage presence to captivate every audience member. Dean included.

His performance suggested his insight into what had happened two days before, like he knew Dean and Michael had discussed his pain, his anguish and destruction. Had Michael told Cas? Or was it just a sixth sense? Or maybe the fear of betraying a pseudo-older brother had weighed down on Dean enough that each song spoke to him in a specific way.

Cas smiled at everyone and ran a hand up into his hair, wiping some sweat off his brow. "Have any of you ever loved someone more than words could tell?" He asked the crowd and many of the Friday night bar scene crowd actually replied. Granted the bar was a café by day, it was probably a much different crowd than the places Dean used to frequent. "How many of you were hurting so badly before you met that one person, thought you could never do it again, but they proved you wrong?"

Again, the room responded loudly, clapping hands and some whistling. A lot of people had bad experiences, everyone in fact; Castiel's face flinched a little just to hear it. "I'm so sorry you've all been hurt. For those of you who haven't found the person to dispel your pain, I'm so sorry. I'd like to ask you to hang on, and when hanging becomes too painful I hope someone is there to support you."

It was a reference that Dean would never have understood if he hadn't spoken to Michael. How many times had Castiel said something like that? Something with such a strong back-story to it, and Dean had missed it?

"I have something I'd like to dedicate to that special someone in our lives, Bless the Broken Road, by Rascal Flatts." Cas exhaled slowly as the band behind him started to play. Dean watched the strangers behind Castiel, they'd never been introduced and Cas didn't bother even saying hello. It didn't take a genius to know that they weren't friends, or maybe they were actually at ends with one another. It was hard to believe that someone disliked Castiel, but you can't please everyone.

"I set out on a narrow way, many years ago. Hoping I would find true love along the broken road. But I got lost a time or two, wiped my brow and kept pushing through. I couldn't see how every sign pointed straight to you. Every long lost dream led me to where you are. Others who broke my heart, they were like northern stars, pointing me on my way into your loving arms. This much I know is true, that God blessed the broken road that led me straight to you."

Dean could feel each lyric, could picture Cas climbing that tree for what he thought would be the very last time. He could imagine those strong hands shaking, tying a noose around a tree branch, and then getting a phone call from an older brother he thought was far too busy for him anymore. All that pain, all of that hurt from a past was enough to make him stay away from it all, enough to get this beautiful caring man to stop loving.

And Dean was enough to shatter Castiel's oath, they'd met, flirted, went out on one date and wound up as the other's boyfriend. After hearing Michael's retelling, Dean had no idea how he managed to do it. How was he special enough? It made him twitchy, anxious even. Dean didn't see himself that way; he couldn't imagine the things that made him special to Castiel. How? How could someone like Cas like someone like him? Sure, they had fun and the sex was good but Dean couldn't see much more than that, he didn't understand what personality traits Castiel might have been attracted to or what he saw.

The rest of the evening he was left thinking, hearing every word from Castiel's mouth and loving the sound but still stuck on himself. The entire evening should have been perfect and it was all so amazing to witness, Cas had never been more alive up there. It was two days after he'd met Dean's mom and dad, after he'd, in theory, become part of the family. Dean didn't know how close Castiel was, but it was so obvious by his smile.

The night ended with Chasing Cars again, Castiel had really grown to favour it, like it was his new finale and nothing hurt. Dean could see the laugh lines on his face, see the wrinkles by his eyes because he smiled so much, and it was beyond what he thought he deserved.

Cas climbed into the Impala where Dean waited patiently, they kissed in the way that they always did, a smile and a quick hug. It wasn't enough. Dean shook his head and got out of the car, motioning for Cas to follow him.

"What's wrong, Dean?" Cas looked worried now and it was such a small expression and so insignificantly miniscule in comparison to the imagery Dean had from Michael's story.

Without another word he pulled Castiel close to him, his boyfriend's first reaction was to hug back which was good but Dean found he couldn't hold on tight enough. "Cas, I love you." He whispered softly, his hands finding their way into the soft, slightly dampened hair of his partner. Dean knew he wasn't supposed to let Castiel know what Michael had said, knew it was all so useless and that if he'd said a word about it he might get the shit kicked out of him but he just couldn't say nothing.

"What happened?" Cas leaned back, looking up into Dean's eyes with some confusion. Dean's tone of voice was disturbing in a way he couldn't describe properly, like he'd gone through something awful and Cas hadn't been there to help him. "Why all of this so suddenly?"

Dean laughed a little and lifted his hand to touch the softness of Castiel's cheek, his thumb sliding over the stubble. "Nothing happened, I just wanted you to know I love you, and I needed to hold you for a bit."

Cas stared at him, blue eyes shifting slightly as he glanced back and forth from Dean's right and left eyes. He'd done it a few times in the span they'd known each other, Dean always wondered if he did it because he wasn't sure which eye to focus on or if he was searching for some extra information that he wasn't currently getting. "Michel." Cas frowned, his lips pursed together as he watched Dean's reaction. "What did he say to you? Is he bullying you, Dean? Is he trying to-"

"Michael yelled at me but he isn't bullying me, there are no threats other than the obligatory 'if you hurt him' line." Dean took Castiel's hands in his, smiling all the while, attempting to be reassuring. Cas still looked skeptical which was fair to an extent, though Michael came to mind, the imagery of him sprinting to a tree etched into Dean's head. "But if he were trying to bully me, what would you do?"

"I'd tell him to knock it off and you not to listen." Cas frowned, his expression determined and showing a fire that created little explosions of joy in Dean's thoughts. "I know he talked to you, I know he can be persuasive and I just want you to know that you don't have to do anything you're not comfortable with. In fact, right now I'd prefer if you didn't try to profess your love publicly."

Dean blinked incredulously, "How'd you know I was going to-"

"Because I just do." Cas smiled and moved in to hug Dean again, "I want you to do it when you're ready, not when Michael's patience runs out. I haven't waited this long for you to be dishonest."

Dean rested his head against Cas and closed his eyes, worries troubled his mind but he didn't know how to express them to Cas. What if his determination fell through again? What if he wasn't actually ready? He smacked himself in the head the moment the last thought crossed his mind. 'Then Cas isn't wrong, is he? Wait a little bit, if you're still ready then you're ready and it's time to do this.' "Alright, makes sense."

"Good, now let's go home, I have something I want to do." Cas hopped into the Impala again, motioning for Dean to do the same.

He chuckled and walked around the front of his car, it was sweet to hear Cas refer to it as 'home' even though Cas was the only one that actually lived there. Climbing into the driver's side again Dean shuddered, "It's getting pretty cold out there again, huh?"

"Yeah," Castiel sighed happily and leaned back in his seat, "Winter months can be the warmest though."

Dean looked at him for a second before looking toward the road and driving off the parking lot, "With the right person, I guess."

Cas glanced at him and furrowed his brow, "Dean, is there something on your mind besides what Michael told you?"

"How do you know what he told me?" Dean was immediately defensive, he couldn't remember saying anything, no he definitely hadn't. Did Cas actually know? Dean was a pretty bad liar most of the time and the thought of trying to keep something from Cas when Cas knew made him all the more anxious.

"I just know he tried to force you to say something..." Cas' eyes narrowed a little, "What else did he tell you?"

Dean was sweating now, swallowing nervously and shaking his head, "Nothing. Michael didn't say anything else."

"Dean..."

He looked at Cas' suspicious expression and then back to the street. "...shit..." He shifted uncomfortably and glanced back at Castiel who hadn't changed in the last few seconds. He had to lie. Cas didn't know yet and Dean had no intentions on throwing Michael under the bus, so to speak. Lying was his best option and really, what made a good lie? Basing it on the truth. "It wasn't about you... we talked about me and he gave me some advice that's all."

"Like what?" Cas' eyes altered from mildly annoyed curiosity to concern in a split second. "What did you need Michael to help with?"

"I don't see how I... why you're staying with me." Dean drummed his fingers on the wheel anxiously, "I've never been worth your patience and other than good sex and some fun every now and then, I just can't see what you get out of it. I mean when I'm with you I feel better, I feel loved and cared for, like I could take on the world. What do you get out of it?" His mouth was tight and his jaw clenched, he was scared of the answer and he really didn't want to have that conversation but he had no other way of getting out of the other one.

Castiel reached over and took Dean's hand, "You've made me hopeful again," he whispered, squeezing lightly before lifting his hand up to touch Dean's shoulder. "You put light back in my eyes, you're the reason I wake up so quickly, and you're what I look forward to when the days are over. I know I'm loved, you taught me I don't need other people to acknowledge that to make it true. You bring out the best in me and I don't ever want to let you go."

Dean could feel tears in his eyes, Michael's words playing over in his head 'He's so invested in you.' "I love you, Cas." He said as steadily as he was able. He needed Castiel to know, it had become the most important thing to him for Castiel to continue to be unwaveringly in love, to never question Dean's intentions.

"I love you too," Castiel leaned over and kissed Dean's cheek. "And you're worth so much more than you think."

The rest of the ride was filled with a sweetness Dean wouldn't let go of for the world. Castiel led him by the hand to the apartment, through the halls and up the elevator to Castiel's place. "Close your eyes and wait here." Castiel instructed, leaving Dean by the door.

"Alright..." Dean was skeptical but he listened, slipping off his shoes with his eyes shut. He waited there for several minutes, started to get impatient but he didn't budge. He heard the soft padding of feet on the carpeted floor, Castiel's light steps hurrying toward him though clearly trying to not sound excited. Castiel passed by several times and Dean leaned against the wall as several more minutes passed. "Cas I'm tired-"

"Just wait!" Cas shouted angrily.

"Sorry." Dean chuckled to himself and leaned his head back, wanting to peek and see what his baby was getting ready for him but that would be pretty mean. Besides, after the words Castiel had shared with him, making him feel so important and lucky in the same breath, the least he could do was wait a little while.

"Sam told me how much you love your pie," Cas' voice finally came from down the hall, he sounded so innocently deceiving. Dean licked his lips and exhaled slowly, a shuddering breath that betrayed his attempted calm. "Open your eyes and come here."

Dean's eyes were hungry for whatever he was about to see, they flew open and he hurried to the bedroom, opening the door to the delicious sight of his boyfriend sprawled out on the bed. His body was stretched out, lean and muscled, cleanly shaved and waiting. What really got Dean though were the piles of whipped cream, the trails apple pie filling lining his torso and up his limbs, all mixed with crumbles of pie crust to add that extra bit of temptation. Dean's mouth watered, his excitement rising with every second it took him to reach the bed.

"When did you plan this?" He muttered, slowly lowering himself onto the bed to not disturb the art that Castiel had made of himself.

"After the barbecue, I couldn't resist rewarding you." Cas hummed softly, relaxing and closing his eyes for a second. "So, do you like it?"

"Oh... I like it." Dean almost drooled all over himself just thinking about tasting that. Of course the main display was over Castiel's groin but Dean managed to keep himself from ravaging the best looking part. Hell, all of Cas looked amazing, he couldn't believe he was being treated to something like this. "You are the best, Cas."

"I know," he chuckled, "Now come on, get going before I fall asleep on you."

"Oh hell no, I'm taking my time with this one." Dean grinned and went for a kiss from Cas' mouth. After taking what he wanted there, he slowly moved to the left side of Castiel's body and licked at the whipped cream dollop over his nipple. Cas gasped softly, the tingling rushing through his skin like fire, the burn running deep through his veins, pooling in his stomach and heading south. Each little twitch and flick of Dean's tongue had him fighting the urge to move into it, pushing back the need for more and stopping himself from demanding it.

Dean had no intentions of letting up, teasing Cas and watching the face he made was one of his favourite pastimes. His tongue lapped up the apple filling designs all over Castiel's abdomen, his hands starting to stroke up Cas' sides and gather a bit of the whipped topping. He leaned up again and feed it to his boyfriend, smiling down at the hot blush burning Castiel's cheeks. Cas looked up at him with pupils that had taken over the rest of the colour in his eyes, lust emanating from them like heat from a volcano. Cas opened his mouth to allow Dean's fingers passage, his tongue curling around each appendage skillfully taking the cream for himself.

The pressure in Dean's pants only tightened as Castiel moaned softly around his fingers before licking his lips. Fuck Cas was hot. Hearing from Michael what a good-natured person Castiel was only a catalyst in Dean, someone seemingly so pure and innocent now whoring himself out as a sexy apple pie for his lover, it made his blood rush.

"Fuck, Cas..." He murmured as he pulled his hand away from his hungry baby, Cas leaning up a little to follow the sweet taste of apple. He huffed back into the sheets; groaning low and shifting his body to draw attention back to it. Dean hadn't forgotten, oh hell no. He smiled and went to the other side of Castiel's torso, again going straight for the little erect nub of flesh that had Cas wriggling for him like a needy little thing. "You're too hot." Dean whispered, going after the little indents on Cas' body that the pie filling pooled into, crushing any bits of crust with his tongue against the roof of his mouth.

Cas whimpered softly, hips easing up and down very carefully; as if that was the answer he was going with. "Easy now," Dean hushed him, eyeing how Castiel's cock had started to lift up, the display created over top of it sliding off ever so slowly. "You're ruining the best part, Cas."

"S-sorry." Castiel stuttered, his cheeks all red now. "I had expected you to be hungrier."

"Oh I am, but I want to savour this." Dean moved up to kiss Castiel again, their tongues dancing together, pushing back and forth playfully until Cas let Dean win.

Castiel's torso was almost clean now, aside from some sticky residue but he didn't care. He lifted his hands and started palming at Dean's crotch through his pants, keeping the kiss locked where it was but giving off the distinct hint that he wanted a little more. Dean grunted and gasped with the sudden friction against him, feeling the anticipation building and want growing. "Cas," he breathed out his lover's name, letting the kiss fall where it was, just breathing and panting against his baby as Cas stroked him through his pants.

Dean leaned back and quickly removed his clothes, not much ceremony there; he was past that point in his patience level. The cool air met the wet tip of his dick and sent a shudder through his body. Cas' fingers gently and teasingly caressed the head, tracing the slit with mild amusement at the reaction it drew from Dean.

"You're as horny as I am, come on." Cas whined quietly, reaching forward a little and giving Dean's cock a few firm strokes. Dean's knees almost buckled right there, he took a little bit of precaution and climbed onto the bed again, hovering over his desperately lusting partner.

"You'd like that, wouldn't you?" Dean smiled and kissed Cas again, letting him taste the creamy, sugary remains of his treat. Making out started slow but picked up quickly as Castiel refused to be left alone, aching and restless. He bit at Dean's lower lip and dragged it between his teeth, groaning and growling the longer it took Dean to get the hint.

Dean laughed and kissed Cas' cheek, not acknowledging it verbally and just taking his cue as it was being given to him. The original apple pie display had been uplifted and then flipped on its head as Cas' cock had become fully erect, spreading the whipped cream out a little along his hip bones, waist and back up to his belly button. Dean started at the base, sucking Cas' balls into his mouth and gently paddling them with his tongue, which was getting quite the work out that day. Castiel mewled in response; his legs already stiff and shifting in the sheets, toes curling up at the anticipated touch. The strength of that wriggling pink muscle was astounding as Dean teased his junk, still going slowly and driving Cas up the wall.

Just as Castiel was about to complain again Dean started to ravage him, forcefully devouring the last of the pie and taking Cas' dick into his mouth. Immediately Dean had to compensate for the thrust of Cas' hips as he cried out, unable to stop himself from getting so into it. Dean choked a little but recovered quickly, bobbing his head to get a good rhythm going, his hand reached down between his own legs to stroke and massage the heavy, swollen member waiting there.

Cas was a panting, whimpering mess, wriggling and squirming beneath the skill of Dean's mouth. His hands floundered to the bedside table, grabbing the lube and condoms he always kept there. Dean had made fun of him for it a few times but he didn't care, it came in handy when he couldn't quite get up. "Dean," he reached down and ruffled his hand through Dean's hair, suddenly gripping and pulling when Dean sucked a little harder. "Ah! Ohh... Dean use this." He lowered the bottle, tapping it against Dean's shoulder until he finally looked up.

Dean was gasping a little, his lips reddened and swollen as he took a moment to recognize the thing being handed to him. Once he knew what it was he took it and slicked up his fingers, parted Cas' cheeks a little more and circled his wanting entrance. Castiel hummed quietly, trying to keep it down a little bit. They tended to get a bit rowdy, which his neighbours, he was sure, didn't appreciate. Of course that didn't last long as Dean stretched and massaged him open, already a seasoned professional at it, Cas had to stop himself from closing his thighs on his boyfriend, fumbling hands reaching and holding them open.

Castiel was lost to himself as Dean's fingers fucked him hard, stretching a bit further with a third one just to make sure. Cas whimpered once they were removed, he knew what was next but he wished there was a way to leave something in him as Dean traded his hand for his cock. Cas heard the sound of the condom wrapper, his eyes closed in anticipation as Dean crawled over top of him, leaning down to kiss his nose. "Cas," his name was whispered so carefully that he just had to look up. Dean smiled down at him, a gentle pressure against his hole slowly building as Dean's hips slid forward. "Just wanted you to look at me." Dean explained sweetly, bringing their lips together and kissing him until Dean was fully seated inside.

As always they started slowly, gently easing into it and opening Castiel further. Compared to the first time Cas let Dean have top, he had improved exponentially. He'd taken hints and tips from Cas, had watched and felt how Castiel had fucked him and learned from it. Cas was so flattered to see his own techniques picked up on and carried out without Dean ever having to ask. He'd paid attention, he was so aware of what Cas did, how he moved, that Dean could mimic it. Each thrust was meaningful, had a purpose and a target, and until Dean found his baby's sweet spot he didn't stop.

Their bodies moved together, sticky from the dessert, sweaty from the activity, and in sync. They breathed together, groaning and gasping in the same motion, until Dean shifted his hips a certain way and earned a loud cry from Castiel. "There it is." Dean grinned and picked up the pace, glad he'd found it before the friction had gotten to be too much for him.

"Ah! Ah ah ah ahhhnn... Dean!" Cas clutched at his back, digging his nails in a little as Dean pounded him into the bed. It was alright though, Dean didn't' mind the scrapes as Cas clawed and clung to him, battle scars were things to show off after all.

Dean grunted as he was losing his momentum, the bed shifting under him. He grabbed Castiel's hips and dragged him until he was laying across the bed side ways, stepping off the bed and bringing Castiel's legs up to wrap around his waist. Cas listened obediently, dropping his arms from around Dean's back and laying down, letting Dean hold his hips up and adjust them. Cas smiled dazedly up at his boyfriend for a second before Dean slammed him again, this time there was much more force and after a few second he realized he'd been screaming.

The last few moments were rough, raw, and loud before they both shuddered and climaxed together, Castiel reaching up and grabbing the sheets in the hopes it'd ground him. Dean wasn't paying attention but if he had been he probably would've discovered he was bruising Castiel's hips he was holding so tightly.

As they came down Dean lowered Cas onto the bed again, lying over top of and gasping from the exertion. Castiel had loosened his hold on the bed and laid very still, his mouth still open and feeling dry, his tongue darted out to lick lips again as he swallowed down air. "That was..." he had no words for it.

Dean didn't either. "Yeah..."

A few minutes passed and Castiel started to try and sit up, "Get up, I need to shower."

"Mm..." Dean grunted, his eyes closed. "Why?"

"I've got pie goo all over me, that's why." Cas smiled and smacked at him, "Come on, help me up." They were a little worn out and elated, but they fought the urge to sleep right then and there and went to clean up before bed.


Author's Note:

Thanks again for reading guys :) And the reviews indefinitely XD hope everyone's enjoying this so far, for those of you reading Chronicles as well again I apologize, I will end its hiatus after I'm done this story (which will be soon-ish) Please leave a review if you haven't already, let me know what you're thinking, if there are any discrepancies etc.