It was a rainy Sunday morning, and Dean was watching Scooby Doo in the living room with a bowl of cereal. The game had gone well on Friday, and he had spent all day yesterday with Charlie and Benny. His homework was done thanks to his Thursday detention, and he was happy to just relax.

Before too long, Sammy had stumbled into the room with a large yawn and /major/ bed head.

Dean snorted, getting a good look at his brother's brown locks sticking out at every angle, "Dude, you need a haircut."

Sam eyed him suspiciously before sprawling across the couch, "You just wish that your hair looked as good as mine."

Dean laughed, nearly spilling his cereal, "You look like a moose, Sammy. Have you even looked in the mirror?"

Sammy scowled at his older brother for a long moment, but finally stretched out once more, "Who cares? It's Sunday."

Dean considered this quietly, choosing to fill the silence by crunching his cereal. The next episode began to play, and Dean grinned. This was one of his favorites. Sam left in pursuit of his own breakfast, returning several minutes later with toast and oatmeal.

After the next episode ended and their breakfasts were demolished, Dean reclined back in the chair, happy to scroll on his phone and relax. Sam glanced between the television and his brother, noting a distinct change in his demeanor. He had noticed many changes in his brother recently and couldn't quite figure out what had caused it. He finally decided to ask.

"Hey, Dean? Can I ask you something," he began hesitantly.

Dean glanced up from his phone with a raised eyebrow, "Uh, sure? What's up?"

Sam turned to face his brother, not sure how to begin. He looked down at his lap, feeling the awkwardness consume him, "It's just that you've been... different, recently. Like, you never used to do your work and now you have it done super early. Then there's the detentions. I think you've had more detention in the past few months than ever in school. And there are times when you are so happy, like the day you were singing in the car, but other times you just look so sad. I just worry about you, dude."

Dean paused, considering the tone of the conversation before tucking his phone away to talk to his brother. "I don't know, dude. A lot has happened in the past few months. I've got some really good people in my life now, and things are changing for the better. When I was with Lisa, I always did what she wanted. Now, I'm getting to do the things that I want. I have great friends, mostly great teachers, and I have you. What's not to be happy about?"

Sam smiled, thinking of the redhead that had recently entered both of their lives, "I like Charlie. She's really cool."

"Charlie is a bad-ass. Don't let her hear you call her anything but that," Dean warned with a smirk.

Sam laughed, thinking about what his next year in school would be like. He would have the opportunity to have Castiel in class, and he wanted to know more. He had seemed really nice and knowledgeable when Dean had introduced them. "Can I ask you a question about Mr. Novak? Like, Castiel?"

Dean's smile faltered for a quick second, which he disguised as a yawn, "What do you want to know?"

"What's up with you two," Sam blurted, quickly backpedaling at the look on his brother' face. "I mean, he gave you extra assignments so you could still play football, he pulled you off Benny, and he suddenly shows up to every football game?"

"You don't know what you're talking about," Dean snapped. "There's nothing 'up' with us. There is no us."

Sam winced, attempting a different approach, "Look, that's fine. I'm just saying even if there was, that's cool. I just want you to be happy, Dean."

Dean narrowed his eyes, picking at a worn spot on the recliner, "I appreciate the concern, Sammy, but I'm fine. He's just a cool guy that happens to be a teacher."

Sam sighed, looking down at his hands, "I...I saw you on Friday. After detention. I was walking back from the library, and I went past his classroom to see if you were still in detention, and... I didn't mean to intrude."

Dean's anxiety kicked up a storm inside, quickly consuming him. Shit. If his brother had happened by, then that could have been anyone. He wasn't sure if he was relieved or mortified. Maybe both. Yeah, both is good. "Sammy," Dean began, voice shaking slightly, "You can't tell anyone about that, okay?"

"I wasn't planning on it," Sam answered quickly, his eyes shining with sincerity. "I would never do that to you, and he seems really nice. It's just... has anything else, you know, happened?"

Dean blushed as he recalled the time Sammy had walked in on him and Lisa, and Sam was still mortified to this day. He never failed to knock now. "No way," Dean replied, shaking his head. "Nothing else can happen. Shit, Sammy, I don't even know if I would want anything to happen. I'm not...gay."

"Does Charlie know," Sam questioned, adjusting his position to hug his knees.

"Yeah, and she gave me the whole spiel about sexuality being 'more complicated than people think'," Dean shuddered, putting his face in his hands. "I'm just so freaking confused. I don't even know why I'm telling you any of this."

Sam nodded, trying to understand his brother's pain, "Well, I support you, no matter who you love."

Dean gave his brother a small smile, "Thanks, Sammy. It means a lot for you to say that."

"Anytime, dude," Sam smiled back, stretching to stand up. "Why don't you go for a drive? You always do your best thinking in the car. We can talk more about this later if you want."

"And what are you getting out of this," Dean asked, suspicious.

"I need a ride to Jess's house. We're working on our science project today," he grinned.

"Oh, well. Anything for the lovebirds," Dean teased.

Sam rolled his eyes, walking away, "And, the moment is gone. I'll be ready in 10." He jogged up the stairs, going to get ready.

Dean turned off the tv, unable to stop himself from smiling. Gotta love that kid.