A/N: Wow, I can't believe how far this story has come! This is probably the farthest I've ever written a fic, so I'm really really proud of myself. I hope you all enjoy!
X
It was Monday morning, and Castiel was still reeling from the events of Dean's birthday while he got ready for school.
They didn't have sex, but did almost everything else - what Castiel's brother Gabe would call "second base". Castiel had never gotten that far with anyone, but he quickly learned that it wasn't like how it was shown in movies, tv shows, or porn. There was a lot less unrelenting passion, and a lot more moaning, sweating, sloppy kisses, and whispers of things like "Is this okay?" and "How does that feel?" Truthfully, he didn't mind that it was different. It felt more real.
When they finished, they cuddled for a while until Dean had to go home. Of course, they'd been texting back and forth since, flirting constantly. Dean wasn't shy about bringing up their escapades, especially to tease Castiel or muse about how good it all was. That always earned an eye roll from Castiel, but he wasn't actually annoyed about it. In fact, he was kind of proud.
Castiel packed his books in his bag, thinking about Dean and his perfect hair, and captivating green eyes, and soft, sandy colored hair. He thought about his beautiful smile and his soft, gentle hands, especially when they were roaming his body...
Castiel blushed and shook the thought from his head, slinging his bag over his shoulder. Best not to get aroused before school. He headed out of his room and down the stairs to find Michael in the kitchen, waiting for him expectantly.
"Hey," Castiel said.
"Hey, bud," Michael replied. "Almost ready to go?"
Castiel nodded, slipping around his brother to reach the counter and start making toast.
Michael turned around and said, "Did you forget to grab the mail on Saturday?"
Castiel froze for a moment as he realized he did, remembering what he was more preoccupied with that day. "Uh, yeah. Must have. Sorry."
"No, it's okay," Michael replied. "It's just that you got a letter."
Castiel turned around to find his brother leaning on the counter, a full mug of coffee in one hand, and a small, white envelope in the other. "From who?" He asked finally.
Michael held out his hand with the letter for Castiel to take. "Yale." A small smile appeared on his face.
Castiel felt his heart sink into his stomach. Could it be? He reached out with a shaky hand and took the envelope. He carefully started to tear it open, his heart thudding in his chest. He felt like he wasn't even himself anymore, like he was standing elsewhere in the kitchen, watching everything transpire before him. He finally got the envelope open and pulled out the letter, unfolding it to read.
"What's it say?" Michael asked, raising his mug to his lips.
Castiel scanned the words on the letter, his hands now shaking more noticeably. He held his breath as he saw the words "We regret to inform you". His stomach sank lower and lower, and he let out a shaky breath. "I got rejected," he breathed.
Michael's face dropped, disappointment showing clearly. He set his mug on the counter and walked towards Castiel, pulling him into a hug. "I'm so sorry, Castiel."
Castiel said nothing. He knew he didn't talk a lot about college or where he applied, but he desperately wanted to get into Yale, and this rejection stung. He didn't understand how he didn't get in, what with his artistic talents and his great grades.
After a few seconds, Michael pulled away. "Are you okay?"
Castiel blinked slowly, seemingly breaking himself from a trance. "Yeah," he said slowly. He crinkled the letter in his hand and tossed it on the counter, turning and grabbing his bag. "I'm late for school."
"Woah, wait." Michael grabbed Castiel gently by the arm. "I thought I was driving you?"
"I'll take my bike," Castiel responded, not turning to look at his brother. He quickly shook himself from Michael's grip and moved around the counter and out of the kitchen, leaving Michael to watch him go.
X
Castiel was at his locker at school, grabbing the books he needed for the next few periods. He was trying to calm down from the events of that morning. It's okay, he told himself. Rejections happen, it's not the end of the world. He wanted to believe it, but he just couldn't shake the negative feelings.
Castiel was focusing on his breathing exercises sizes when he noticed someone approaching in his peripheral. He looked up just as Dean leaned against the locker next to him, a smooth smirk on his face. "Hey, hot stuff," the Winchester boy said.
Castiel couldn't help but smile back, momentarily forgetting about his Yale rejection. "Hi, Dean."
"So, you single, or do you got a boyfriend I have to fight?"
This earned an eye roll from Castiel as he pulled the last of his textbooks from his locker and shoved it in his bag. "Very funny," he said, trying to sound annoyed, but the smile that was creeping on his face showed otherwise.
Dean let out a light laugh, and Castiel felt his heart skip a beat. He loved Dean's laugh.
"So my hearing's tomorrow. I won't be here," Dean stated.
Castiel watched as the other boy looked away, a flash of something on his face. Fear?
Castiel's face softened at this, and he held out his hand and brushed Dean's arm gently. "I hope it goes well, Dean."
"Yeah," Dean mumbled. "Me too."
"Do you want me to come with?" Castiel asked, watching the other boy carefully.
Dean turned to look at Castiel. "It's during school hours, there's no way Michael would let you skip for that."
Castiel shrugged. "Michael doesn't have to know about it."
"So what? You act like you're going to school and you come with me instead?" Dean asked incredulously.
"Pretty much," Castiel said with a close of his locker door. "Walk with me."
Dean pushed himself up from the locker he was leaning against, and walked next to Castiel as they started for their next class. "So how do you propose we pull that off?"
Castiel thought for a moment. "You could come pick me up from home, act like you're giving me a ride to school, but instead go to the hearing."
Dean watched Castiel carefully. "And you're not at all worried that the school will call home and Michael will find out?"
Castiel shrugged, looking at Dean with a smile. "I guess I just don't care."
Dean's jaw dropped as he thought for a moment. "Who are you, and what have you done with my boyfriend?"
Castiel chuckled, running a hand through his already messy hair. Dean shook his head, chuckling himself, as they kept walking. It wasn't long before they found Jo Harvelle standing in front of them.
"Hey," she started, looking between the two boys. "I need to talk to you guys."
"Jo, what's up?" Dean asked.
"Well," she looked away for a second before continuing. "The whole school knows you two are dating."
"What?!" Castiel nearly shouted this. "How?"
Jo shrugged, her blonde hair falling from her shoulders. "I don't know who found out and who spread it, but that's the rumor that's going around."
"Son of a bitch," Dean muttered, lifting a hand to rub his face.
"So, it's true?" Jo asked, her eyes darting between Dean and Castiel.
Castiel sighed. "Yes, it's true."
A small smile crossed her face, her eyes lighting up. "I knew it! Well, I'm happy for you guys. You seem really cute together."
"Yeah, thanks," Dean said, dropping his hand. "But the real issue is Luc."
Jo's smile faded and she drew her lips into a tight line. "I know. He knows too."
Dean let out a groan, and Castiel felt his stomach lurch.
"That's just fan-fucking-tastic," Dean muttered, looking up at the ceiling in frustration.
"Who cares if Lucifer knows," Castiel interjected. "Who cares what he thinks?"
Dean let out a heavy sigh. "I don't care about what he thinks, I care about what he'll do."
Castiel's eyes fell on Dean, watching him closely. "Do you really think he'll do something?"
"Knowing him? Yes."
Castiel looked away, his eyes falling to the floor. He knew Lucifer could be a handful, but he didn't think he was that bad. Then again, he never spent more than five minutes with the guy if he didn't have to. Castiel was lost in thought until he felt a hand grab his arm softly. He looked up to find Dean watching him, a small smile tugging at his lips.
"Fuck it, I think it's worth it," he said, looking Castiel in the eyes. "I'd rather not have to keep everything a secret anymore."
Castiel smiled softly. "Are you sure, Dean? It could get really bad."
Dean shrugged, pursing his lips. "I've been through worse."
The two stared at each other for a moment, both smiling. They completely forgot that Jo was in front of them, until she cleared her throat and broke their gaze. "Wow, you guys are really obvious. I don't know how people didn't figure it out sooner," she mused.
The two chuckled nervously, a blush springing to Castiel's cheeks. Dean let go of Castiel's arm and lifted his hand, rubbing the back of his neck. "So, uh. I think it might be better if I sit with you at lunch, Cas. Give Luc some space."
Castiel looked up and nodded in agreement. "You're always welcome to join Garth and I."
The bell rang overhead, signaling the start of fifth period. The three jumped, forgetting they were on their way to classes when the conversation started.
"Oh shit, I gotta go," Jo said, pushing past them. "I'll see you two lovebirds later." She winked at them before running off to her class.
"I'll see you at lunch," Dean said to Castiel, smirking.
"See you," Castiel responded.
He watched as Dean turned and headed for his class, in no hurry to be on time. Castiel chuckled, wondering how he fell for someone who was the exact opposite of him, before turning and heading to his own class.
X
It was lunch time, and Castiel was sitting at his usual table picking at the food on his tray. Today's lunch was beef stew with mashed potatoes, which wasn't his favorite dish, especially because their school had a habit of making the most bland beef stew in existence. He wished it were spaghetti day instead.
Castiel had just scooped up a lump of potatoes and watched it fall with a light slap back onto his tray, when Garth walked up with his own tray in hand.
"Hey, Castiel," Garth greeted.
"Hey, Garth," Castiel returned, looking up at his friend.
Garth was a tall, lanky kid with short, brown hair and a large nose. He was on the track team - his event of choice being the javelin throw - and captain of the school's chess team. He wasn't exactly unpopular, but he wasn't popular either, which is why he and Castiel got along so well. Castiel didn't like the popular kids, which is why his attraction to Dean came as such a surprise, but he figured that he must have seen something in Dean that others didn't get a chance to see. And after dating for a month, he realized he was right.
The light slam of Garth's tray on the lunch table pulled Castiel from his thoughts. "So, you and Dean Winchester, huh?"
Castiel let out the breath he didn't even know he was holding and rolled his eyes. "Yeah, it's true."
"Holy shit," Garth replied, his face dissolving into a wide grin. "I can't believe you're dating a jock."
Castiel let out a chuckle. "Yeah, me either. But here we are."
"Well, I'm happy for you," Garth stated as he picked up his fork and started stabbing at his food. "So, when do I get to officially meet him?"
Castiel bit his lip before replying, "Uh, in a few minutes, actually. He's joining us for lunch."
"Seriously? Oh hell yeah, I can't wait!" Garth took a bite of his food and chewed for a few moments. "Don't worry, I'll be on my best behavior."
Castiel snorted in response, but before he could say anything else, he spotted Dean walking towards them with his lunch tray in hand. When Dean noticed Castiel watching him, he winked, a smile forming on his face.
"Hey, Cas," Dean said when he reached their table, setting his tray down next to Castiel's.
"Hey, Dean."
Dean sat down next to Castiel, looking over at Garth who was stuffing his face. "You're Garth, right?"
Garth nodded quickly, his mouth still full of food. When he finally swallowed he said, "Nice to finally meet you."
"You too," Dean replied with a smirk.
Castiel looked between Dean and Garth, his stomach full of butterflies. He hoped that Garth and Dean would get along okay. Garth was Castiel's best friend, and he cared a lot about what his friend thought.
"So, uh," Castiel started, attempting to break the silence that had befallen on the table. "Any sign of Lucifer?"
Dean half-shrugged, picking up his fork. "I saw him earlier, but I did my best to turn the other way and get the hell outta dodge."
Castiel nodded slowly. "Hopefully he backs off."
Dean snorted and shook his head. "Yeah, I doubt he will. It's Luc we're talking about here."
"Is he really that bad?" Garth piped in from across the table. "What did he do?"
Dean winced briefly before explaining, "He got kicked out of four different schools because of how violent he gets. He has a bad temper, and he doesn't know how to control it. I've only ever seen him get that way once, and it wasn't pretty. I wouldn't like to be on the receiving end of that."
"This is so stupid," Castiel whispered quietly. "We're practically adults, he shouldn't be acting this way. Not to mention, he literally hates me. Why does he care if you're with me?"
"Well, probably because he hates you," Dean answered. "He might feel like I'm betraying him by associating with you."
Castiel rolled his eyes and let out a groan. "Stupid."
"I agree," Dean said. "Besides, any friendship that tells me I can't be with someone I care about for a stupid reason like that is a friendship I don't want."
Castiel looked over at Dean, surprised. Dean looked back at him and smirked before grabbing his milk and sticking his straw in, taking a long sip. Castiel smiled back, warmth flooding his chest. Dean Winchester, man.
Garth watched the interaction in intrigued silence, smiling. "You guys are adorable," he pointed out.
They both chuckled and looked away, a blush jumping to Castiel's cheeks. He didn't realize that he and Dean were that obvious with their affection, but he thought back to Jo's comments earlier that day and wondered how people didn't find out sooner.
"So, Garth," Dean said after a while. "Tell me about yourself. I'd love to get to know my boyfriend's best friend."
Garth's face lit up. "Really?"
"Absolutely," Dean replied. "Any friend of Castiel's is a friend of mine."
Garth smirked and then launched into his backstory. Castiel glanced over at Dean, a wide smile on his face. Dean looked over, winked, and placed his hand over Castiel's, giving it a gentle squeeze before returning his attention to Garth and his story.
Dean fucking Winchester.
