Textbooks and LARPing
Chapter Eight: Clichés Matter, too
Castiel arrives at the restaurant, his palms sweating and his heart pounding. Sitting there at an isolated table are his father and eldest brother, sticking out like sore thumbs.
Well-coiffed, attractive, sore thumbs.
All the woman, and quite a few of the men, keep peaking over at them in awe. The waitresses are arguing over who gets to serve them. It always amuses him how popular they are.
"Excuse me," A boy calls, grabbing Castiel's attention, "Are you looking for someone?"
"I am actually looking for them." He motions towards the two everyone is staring at.
"Oh," The boy laughs a little, "I guess I'll be beating out the women today." He muses, leading Castiel to the table.
Michael is the first to look at Castiel, and then the boy. "Hello, thank you for bringing my brother over." He says, flashing the teen a broad smile and making him blush a little.
"Ah, well, yes. If you would like to order something to drink I can get that for you while you decide on your food." The boy mumbles and Castiel has to keep himself from rolling his eyes, especially when he notices the group of heart broken waitresses in the corner.
They place their orders and Michael gives him another pointedly seductive smile, making the boy hurry off to the kitchen. "Michael, try not to tease the waiter." Castiel mutters and his eldest brother chuckles under his breath. The older Novaks enjoy their power plays. Whether in business, the family, or romance, the older Novaks seem to have a compulsory need to rub in that they are better.
It's part of what lead to the downfall of their family unit.
Castiel finds it disgusting.
"My apologies. I'll be nice to the boy." Michael concedes before their father finally speaks up.
"Castiel," He begins, looking at the boy like he has personally offended him. Which, to be fair, there is a good chance he has. "I hear something interesting about you from your university." His eyes turn cold. "Something about you looking up lewd things on their computers."
Castiel goes rigid. He'd completely forgot about that horrible prank by Dean. How does his father know, though? It was cleared up within a few hours. Even if it hadn't been, colleges do not exactly go about telling on their students to their parents.
"Wondering how he knows?" Michael asks and Castiel hesitantly nods.
"I give them generous donations to keep tabs on you and Gabriel. Of course Gabriel is a lost cause, but I am very much concerned about you." His father explains, looking to Castiel with more annoyance than concern. "They say a fellow student did it to you. Are they still bullying you?"
"No, it is fine now." Castiel frowns, "It was partially my fault." He admits. "I did something to upset him and never apologized. We have worked through it, father, and I believe we are good friends now."
Michael looks amused, but their father looks angry.
"Friends with someone who would stoop so low as to force a good Christian child to watch porn just to get back at him?" His father asks, clearly not finding any amusement in the story. "I will not allow you to fraternize with such useless people. We lost your brother Lucas to that, those people even went so far as to get him to change his name to Lucifer! Then of course even Gabriel has strayed because of the company he keeps. Stick to Balthazar. You only truly need one friend in this world, and he will never get you into trouble." The reason for him being called out is clear now. It is exactly what Castiel feared. Thankfully the soon-to-be-tirade comes to an end when his phone rings. "Michael, talk to your brother. I must take this." He huffs, getting up and walking away.
"Sorry, Castiel." Michael gives him a sympathetic smile, "It isn't wise to befriend those our father disapproves of."
"Dean is a good person," Castiel assures him, "I would not associate with unsavory people. He is a bit odd, but very kind."
"So his name is Dean, is it?" The older Novak muses, making Castiel tense up. "I want you to live a happy life, Castiel, but I will not let you get involved with bad people either."
"Dean is not bad." Castiel insists, looking Michael dead in the eyes, "I beg you to trust my judgement."
Michael looks torn for a moment before giving Castiel a stern look. "It is not my place to trust your judgement. It is my place to trust father's judgement."
"Umm," The waiter begins awkwardly, "I have…your drinks."
"Oh, right, yes." Michael smiles at the clearly uncomfortable teen. "Thank you. I believe our father has left for business, so it will just be my brother and I now."
"Alright…what can I get for you?" He asks, taking down their orders and vanishing again.
"Bottom line, Castiel, father is against this." Michael frowns, "Are you really going to continue?"
"Yes, I am fond of him and his younger brother." Castiel admits, "I will continue being friends with them."
"We'll be keeping an eye on you, then. As well as this Dean and his brother."
"They are good people, Michael, I promise."
His brother smiles at him, a tired smile that makes Castiel feel a little guilty. No one really acknowledges it, probably because they are unaware, but Michael dotes on Castiel as much as Gabriel and Lucifer do. Perhaps more strongly, given how he does it. While Gabriel and Lucifer have always been eager to play with him and shower him with affection and gifts, Michael has been quick to defend him. He will soften the blow when father gives Castiel orders, or work tirelessly to prevent some of their father's more ridiculous ones.
No internet in the house had originally been no internet period for Castiel. Michael pointed out this was foolish as schools required the use of internet and the world is heavy on the use of technology.
Balthazar was initially refused as well, when Castiel mentioned a boy at school who would not stop talking to him. His father told him to stay away from strange children, and that the name Balthazar was odd so his family is probably odd. It was Michael who pointed out that Balthazar was the name of a Wise Man in the bible, and that Balthazar's parents were in fact very important people to their father's business.
Even college, which his father had wanted him to attend online, was worked out through Michael who talked their father into allowing him to go on campus. He of course was not fond of the idea Castiel would be living with Gabriel, but the daily phone calls he demanded as part of the bargain ease that concern.
Slightly.
Castiel cannot truly fault Michael for being uneasy about him living with Gabriel, anyways. Before Sam caught his eye, Gabriel's apartment was a veritable den of iniquity.
"I'll do my best with father," Michael sighs, leaning back in his seat. "I cannot guarantee anything, though."
"I am sorry, Michael, I do not wish to cause you trouble."
"You're my baby brother, Castiel," Pale blue eyes meet with Castiel's, "I will do anything for your happiness, so long as it does not deviate from father's."
The younger Novak frowns, wondering just how much his father will give in this time. He's guessing not at all. The Winchesters have no benefit to the Novak family, his second biggest problem child is in love with a Winchester, and his youngest son is befriending them. It's all out of his father's hands and Castiel knows the man will not like that. He has a plan for his children, everyone was to have a specific future. Gabriel and Lucifer deviated from that, Lucifer even going so far as to change his name to a blasphemous one, and he knows his father will not sit back and allow Castiel to do any variation of the same.
"It will be alright," Michael assures him with a smile he reserves specifically for the youngest Novak, "In the meantime, if you truly want to keep this 'Dean' around, perhaps you should consider playing the part of the good Christian and help this boy achieve salvation."
Castiel stares at his brother for a moment, processing his words. He doesn't really think Dean needs to be saved, but he doesn't really know him all that well. Of course the man is a huge nerd but that's not something that calls for salvation. Still, if it is what his father and Michael want, he'll do his best.
Even if he doesn't know how exactly he is supposed to go about it.
After Castiel walks out of the apartment, visibly nervous, Sam stands rooted to the floor for a few moments. His eyes turn to Gabriel, who suddenly looks worn out, but is still quick to flash the teen a smile.
"Will everything be alright?" Sam asks, very much concerned. If there is one thing he understands about families, its difficult fathers.
"He'll be fine," Gabriel sighs, plopping down on the couch and patting the spot next to him for Sam to sit. "Michael is there and he is pretty amicable towards little Cassie."
"But doesn't he enforce your dad's weird rules?" Sam asks and Gabriel nods.
"He sure does. Father has always had eccentric rules, but with Castiel he goes overboard. Even Michael knows this, so he has been sure to keep father from becoming…abusive with his power over Castiel."
"I'm sorry," Sam frowns, "I didn't mean to pry."
Gabriel simply smiles at him quietly for a moment, making Sam more nervous, before he slides over to sit closer to the teen. "You know, my brothers and I were referred to as angels in our old town. Pretty much just 'cause of our names…well, except Lucy's of course. He was named after mom's dad, Lucas. Still got angel status though, until the town got to know us, and quickly stopped calling Lucy and me angels."
He stretches out, not-do-subtly placing an arm around Sam's shoulders as he continues.
"Cassie used to revel in being called an angel. Until he was about nine he thought that if he really became an angel he could go up and see mom in heaven. Then one day some asshole kid told him if you can't fly, you are an angel, so he decided to fly up to mom by attempting to jump off the roof of our old house. Maaannnnn was Michael piiissssssed! He snatched the little brat up and told snapped on him. I believe his exact words were 'I can't lose you yet, Castiel, so stop doing reckless things!' and then a long lecture. One that included a clause where he will only be an angel when he dies, from natural causes. A long time from now."
"You know, rather than tell me all this stuff about Castiel, I would rather hear more about you." Sam mumbles awkwardly, "If you want to tell me stuff, just, you know, tell me about yourself…"
"Myself, huh?" Gabriel hymns and haws for a few moments before shrugging it off. "Nah! What's there to tell? I was a cute and spoiled baby, then I became a toddler and was a little shit. Haven't changed much since then. Lucy is considered the heathen of the family, but I'm the one that's considered the failure."
"What? But why?"
"Sammy, let's not…"
Sam frowns and turns to face Gabriel head on, "I want to learn everything about you, Gabe, you are…important to me. Of course I care about Castiel as well, but I'll learn about him from himself-or more likely Dean-so from you I want to learn about only you."
"Ohoh, careful Sammy, I might just fall for you." Gabriel teases and the teen goes bright red, but refuses to avert his gaze.
"I wouldn't mind that. "Please do." He says, trying to sound indifferent and cool but the moment his voice squeaks a little that dream is brutally shattered.
Gabriel bursts into laughter at the awkward attempt, "Easy tiger, you're a bit too young to start with a pro like me." He points out, "And I don't see Dean too happy at the idea of his precious baby brother dating me."
"Da-? Er…honestly…I don't think Dean can see past Castiel's ass right now." Sam argues, "And even if he can, he'll relent because if he says no it could upset his precious new…whatever Castiel is to him. Stalker victim?"
The older Novak clearly cannot deny this, no one can really, so growing nervous himself, he points out a far more solid fact, "You're not into dicks, dude. Don't try dating a guy when you clearly want girls."
Sam frowns, "Well, it's true I have never thought of dating a guy before…and I've always been pretty by-the-book hetero…but…" A small smirk comes to his face and he leans closer to Gabriel, "I tend to make exceptions when it comes to angels." He teases, taking Gabriel's momentary surprise as an opportunity to kiss him.
The man doesn't fight it and instead kisses back, easily taking the reins from the relatively inexperienced teen. Before Sam can even register it, he has a one Novak on his lap, and in spite of himself is desperately hoping the other one doesn't come home tonight.
"You're a pretty pushy boy when you finally decide to go for something, aren't you?" Gabriel asks, licking his lips when he finally pulls back from the kiss. "Well, I tried to keep everything PG. Be sure to tell Cassie I put up a valiant effort and went down swinging."
Sam laughs a little, "I'll tell him I practically had to jump you."
"Atta boy, Sammy." The older man praises as he untangled his arms from around Sam's neck. "Now, we can be responsible adults and take this slow," He begins as one of his hands runs down Sam's chest before reaching into his pocket, "Or we can be horny teenagers and fuck like bunnies." Before Sam can really register what his fingers are doing, his hand is back up in sight with the teen's cellphone. "Either way I'm gonna take some precautions."
"Huh…?" Sam mumbles, not really grasping what Gabriel is doing with his phone because his other hand is currently running up and down the teen's abs.
"Don't worry about it." He texts something really quickly before putting it on silent mode and tossing it to the side, "Now then, Sammy, how responsible are we feeling tonight?"
The teen smirks and grabs Gabriel's hips, "About as responsible as a horny teenager."
Finally finishing with the dinner, Castiel parts ways with his brother for the night and checks his phone to find a text from Sam.
Subject: Sexiled!
Sorry, Cassie, I did my best but god damn little Sammy can be pushy. Find somewhere else to sleep tonight.
Love, Gabe
Castiel stares at the message for a minute, more than a little annoyed. Sexiled is not a real word, and just why must he sleep elsewhere? Gabriel should splurge and get himself a hotel room with Sam for the night.
He sighs and looks through his contacts. Balthazar is a pretty obvious answer, but after today, for some reason, Castiel finds himself hovering over Dean's name. If he is to save the man, he will have to spend more time with him, anyways. Giving in to his own reasoning, Castiel calls Dean up.
"C-Castiel? Is that you?" Dean asks, clearly stunned.
It's fair. Castiel never actually calls people on his cell and he's fairly certain he hasn't even sent Dean so much as a text since they exchanged numbers.
"Dean, I would like to come over for the duration of the night this evening." Castiel blurts out, wincing as soon as it's said. He was going to ease into it. Apologize for not inviting him over, tell him he can't go home. Apparently he still needs to work on his social skills. "If…that is okay with you."
There is a long pause on the phone, and for a moment Castiel thinks Dean abandoned it, until he notices the faint sound of the man breathing on the other end. "You…you want to come here?" He asks in apparent awe, "Even though Sammy is out for the night? Isn't he your favorite?"
"No," Castiel stares into space curiously, "He is not my favorite." He does not actually have a favorite, unless you can count Balthazar. "So may I stay at your house tonight?"
"Fuck yeah you can!" Dean exclaims, "Get your scrawny ass over here dude, we can marathon movies and shit! It'll be awesome!"
Castiel feels some of his tension he's has since receiving the news from Gabriel earlier that day ease just at the sound of Dean so happy, and the promise of such a simple and enjoyable evening with the man. "Thank you, Dean.
A/N: THIS IS SHIT ABSOLUTE SHIT I HATE ME SO MUCH! I FINALLY FOUND MY PLANS FOR THIS AND REALIZED I FUCKED THEM ALL UP LAST CHAPTER GOD DAMNIT. So yeah I have been spending a week trying to figure out how to work it out (well, you know, not ALL week. I do have a little bit of a life). Anyways, I apologize for this garbage.