Monday morning had been painfully awkward for everyone. Dean had arrived at the school with Sammy at the exact time as Castiel, and he had blushed in embarrassment at the memory of Saturday night. Castiel, also blushing, had smiled at Sam, sticking his hand out to shake as Dean introduced the two of them. They chatted politely for a few moments, Cas asking Sam about the book in his arms, and beaming as Sam began to chatter excitedly. As they parted ways, Dean began to think back to the events of that night, even though he had thought plenty about it all weekend.

He was massively unprepared to round the corner and find Charlie dressed in chain mail, leaning against his locker. "Dude, I don't know what you're doing, but this is awesome."

"Extra credit for my history class, but I would be lying if I said I didn't feel like a bad-ass right now," she smirked, turning in a circle to show Dean.

"So, this is what you left me for? Are you fucking kidding me," snarled a voice from behind them. Of course. Lisa.

Dean turned to face his ex with a glare. "What are you even talking about, Lisa," he demanded, already tired of her games.

"Your new whore," Lisa smirked, crossing her arms to accentuate her cleavage. "You definitely downgraded, Dean."

Dean opened his mouth to respond, but Charlie beat him to it, "What's the matter, Braeden? Jealous?"

"Poor, Charlotte," Lisa said pityingly, "You couldn't have me, so you had to steal my boyfriend? How pathetic."

Charlie's confidence flickered for a fraction of a second before she pushed off the locker with a devilish grin, "We all make poor decisions in middle school, kind of like the time you drank all those cans of pop at Alicia's sleepover?"

Lisa's jaw dropped in horror, "Y-you wouldn't dare."

"Actually, I would," she smirked, "But I don't have to." She put her arm around Dean, not looking away from the other girl, "Sorry to disappoint, Lis, but I still dig chicks. Dean-o here doesn't meet the criteria. Shame though, I'm a much better kisser." She grabbed Dean by the front of his shirt, pulling him into a kiss, much to his bewilderment. After several seconds, she pulled away to give Lisa a pointed look and a victorious smile. Dean blushed furiously, still in shock.

"You bitch," Lisa shrieked, raising her hand to strike when it was caught from behind.

"That'll be enough of that, Ms. Braeden," Castiel warned, trying his hardest not to look amused. "I think you'd best accompany me to the principal's office." As she stomped past him, Castiel looked back at Dean with a knowing smile and a wink.

Alone once more, Dean finally snapped out of it, turning to Charlie, "What the fuck, Red? You couldn't have warned me first?"

Charlie snorted, patting him on the shoulder, "Don't act like you didn't enjoy it." She leaned in closer to whisper, "And what the fuck me? I'm not that one that has a teacher as a bodyguard! I saw that wink, what was that about?"

Dean shook his head, "It's not like that. He knows what happened with Lisa and Benny, he broke up the fight, remember? He heard her starting shit, and he intervened. If anything, genius, he was protecting you."

Charlie rolled her eyes, adjusting the chainmail she was wearing, "Bitch, please. I would've kicked her ass with or without this armor." The bell rang, signaling homeroom, and she pushed off the locker once more, "Live long and prosper, dude."

Dean saluted back, shaking his head at the craziness that had become his life. Collecting his belongings, he closed his locker, off to start his day.

The rest of the day had gone by relatively smooth, and Dean had a blast recounting the events of that morning to Benny, who had begged for a reenactment of the kiss. Charlie had called him a perv, and they had spent the rest of lunch arguing over who had the larger body count.

By last period, Dean had completely forgotten about the awkwardness between him and Cas. As he took his seat, he felt eyes on him and looked up just in time to catch Castiel looking away. Interesting.

He managed to focus throughout the lecture, noting several more glances in his direction throughout, and finally it was time for the bell. The room cleared quickly, and he and Castiel were suddenly alone. Castiel hesitated a fraction of a second before approaching him.

"Dean," he began quietly, "I know we said that we wouldn't talk about it again, and after today I don't intend to, but I need to apologize."

Dean shifted, leaning back in his chair, taking in the sight of his disheveled teacher. This was clearly bothering him. He had circles under his eyes, and his hair was messier than usual. Even his shirt was wrinkled. Since when the hell do you pay this much to his appearance? "Cas, it's okay. I was happy to endure an awkward encounter with your brother in exchange for knowing that you were safe."

Castiel blushed a deep red, remembering Gabriel's nonchalance regarding his sexual history, "Christ, Dean. I had no idea that he would say those things, and I am absolutely mortified." He took a deep breath, "I don't usually drink that much, or at all, really. I had just had a really bad night."

"Hey, I get it, man," Dean said softly, "You just lost your mom. I think people would understand if you needed to just, take a break from that."

Castiel sadly shook his head, "My mother's passing may have had a hand in my choices that afternoon, but it was not what started it. My brother had overdosed."

"Wait, what? Oh my god," Dean sputtered, concern flooding his features. "Gabriel?"

Cas shook his head once more, taking a seat on top of one of the desks, "There are four of us. Michael is the oldest, then Lucifer, then Gabriel, then me."

"Christ, Cas," Dean mumbled softly, "Is he okay?"

Cas sighed deeply, shoulders sagging in defeat, "I am uncertain. He survived the overdose, but when Gabe and I returned the next morning to take him to rehab, he was gone. Neither of us has heard from him since."

Dean stared at the floor in silence, his heart breaking for the man before him. He had lost his mother, and nearly his brother in under a week. Now he had no idea if his brother was okay or not. He winced, making a note to hug Sammy later, whether he liked it or not.

"God, I don't know why I'm telling you any of this," Cas lamented, standing to pace the room. "I am afraid that our entire relationship has become wildly inappropriate."

Relationship?

"I really don't mind," Dean reassured him, shrugging his shoulders. "I don't think we've done anything wrong."

Castiel regarded him for a long moment before breaking the silence once more, "Your sincerity is touching, Dean. Truly, it is, but we can't keep doing this. You are my student, and I am your teacher. I have my career to think of. You have friends and a future of your own." He paused, moving to his desk to retrieve an envelope, "Your work has been remarkable these past few weeks, Dean. I believe that you will pass this class without the extra assignments. This will be the last one. Then, you can go on with your life and I can go on with mine."

Dean frowned, feeling uneasy at his words. He knew Cas was right, but he would be lying if he said he hadn't enjoyed growing closer to the man these past few weeks. Weirdly, he had come to consider Cas as a friend, and thus felt the sting of his rejection more strongly. He swallowed hard, seeing it pointless to argue, and stood up, shrugging into his backpack, and taking the envelope, "Okay, Cas. If that's what you want. One last assignment."

Castiel clenched his hands painfully, turning away from his student, "Mr. Novak. You should call me Mr. Novak."

Dean did not respond, but Castiel could feel his presence, his sadness. He remained facing the board until he finally heard Dean's footsteps walking down the hall.

He let his forehead fall against the whiteboard in misery, attempting to collect himself. What the fuck.