{Word Count: 969}
A few weeks passed and Dean and Cas talked during History and art. They still sat at separate tables during lunch, but Cas didn't mind. He had gotten used to Dean's baby, as he called the car. Dean would bring him home some days or pick him up to hang out somewhere. Dean and Cas spent more time together than Dean and Benny did. Dean had introduced Cas to Benny and he seemed nice enough to Cas. Dean even stood up for Cas sometimes. Cas was growing more and more attached to Dean. He was never anxious in Dean's presence because he knew Dean would protect him from anything. He hoped Dean felt the same although Dean was more than capable of taking care of himself.
"Hey, Cas, wanna hit the record store down town after school?" Dean asked as he caught up to Cas on the way to lunch. Cas smiled. "I would love to." Dean smiled in return. "Cool, meet me at the usual spot," Dean told him before they parted ways in the cafeteria. Cas enjoyed himself more than usual that lunch period. Probably because Sam mentioned going to Kevin's house after school meaning he and Dean would be alone. When the last bell of the day rang Cas walked outside with an extra pep in his step. The usually strange looks and rude comment here and there seemed to bounce right off of him as if he were rubber. "Hey, man, you ready?" Dean asked as Cas approached. Dean was leaning on the car and the way the light caught his jacket and features made him look like something from a movie, something just too good to be true. "Yes," Cas answered with a small smile and the two got in the '67 Impala.
Cas took a breath through his nose and enjoyed the familiar smell of leather and Dean's cologne that reminded Cas of suede and a warm summer breeze. They rode in silence for most of the ride, not that either of them minded. Dean made the occasional comment about a girl walking down the street, he even made a few about guys which Cas had to admit he appreciated. Dean was trying really hard to make sure Cas felt welcomed and not belittled. It was more effort than anyone, outside his family, bothered to put in for Cas and it felt amazing to him. They pulled up to the old record shop and Dean killed the engine.
"There's a party at Ash's tonight. You should come," he told Cas before either of them moved to get out of the car. Cas stared at Dean surprised for a moment. He had never been invited to a party before. "Are you sure?" He couldn't help but ask. "Of course, it wouldn't be the same without ya," Dean assured him with a breath taking smile and Cas couldn't help but promise he'd be there. A bell rang when Dean opened the door. "Welcome to Angel Radio," a bored voice droned. "Hey, Ash," Dean greeted. The guy behind the counter perked up at his name. He had a mullet that Cas was pretty sure was out of style. "Hey, man! You still coming tonight?" Ash was much more lively now. "You bet. Cas here is gonna tag along as my plus one," Dean gestured to Cas. Cas gave him a nervous smile half expecting Ash to tell him he couldn't come. "Awesome! See you guys tonight!" He cheered.
Ash went back to flipping through his magazine about computers and Cas and Dean went to browse through the different albums. They would pick one up here or there and either make fun of the album cover or artist. At one point they reached for the same Led Zeppelin CD and their hands brushed. Cas's cheeks immediately lit up and he jerked his hand back. "Sorry," he mumbled and busied himself with another CD trying desperately to ignore the butterflies in his stomach. Dean chuckled. "You don't have to get so weird. We're friends, you don't have to act like you're gonna catch some disease if you touch me. I'm clean, I can almost guarantee," Dean joked. "Almost guarantee?" Cas questioned through a chuckled. Dean just smiled and winked in return causing the butterflies in Cas's stomach to go crazy.
Out of nowhere, Cas's phone began to ring. "Hello," he answered. "Cas, where the hell are you? It's Friday, Raph is here," Michael hissed through the phone. Cas had completely forgotten thanks to being under Dean's spell. "I forgot, I'm sorry. I'll be there in a few minutes," he promised. "You better be. If this doesn't go well he'll take you with him you know that," Michael told him obviously distressed. "I promise, Michael. It will go fine. I'll see you in a few minutes." Cas hung up and met Dean's curious green gaze. "My brother is visiting and it's very important. Can you give me a ride home?" He asked worried. "Of course. I love meeting your family anyways." Dean smiled and led the way out. "Raphael isn't like my other brothers," Cas told them as they got in the car. "What's he like?"
"Well, for one thing, he's adopted from Canada," Cas started. "Canada?" Dean questioned. "Yes. He's very serious and hardly ever jokes around." Dean's eyebrows raised. "He sounds like the completely opposite of your other brothers." Cas just nodded. "I probably won't make it to the party with him here. He'll expect me in bed at a timely hour." Dean snorted and Cas looked at him curiously. "You're seriously going to let him ruin your weekend? Cas, you're coming to the party," Dean told him. "How?" Cas questioned. Dean looked at him with a goofy smile. "We're gonna sneak you out."