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Cas and Anna sat in their seats in the empty classroom. They both liked to arrive early before everyone else, it made it easier for Cas to move around the school without holding onto Anna in fear of being trampled on by unaware classmates.
It let him use his senses to be independent.
He could easily glide his fingers against the wall to find his own way.
"Anna, can I ask you something if you promise not to laugh" Cas whispered his fingers gently stroking the edge of his desk, the cool hardness smooth against his skin.
Anna frowned swivelling in her chair until her feet where resting on Cas's legs. "Of course" she spoke softly, concerned at the sudden change in mood. Cas never usually spoke like this.
"Am I handsome?" Cas asked bitting his lip, regretting his choice of words as soon as they left his mouth. He'd already listened to countless people try to describe what he looked like, but the description meant nothing. He wanted to know how other people actually saw him.
Anna pushed her desk towards the left until it was side by side with Cas's.
"Castiel, I'm only going to tell you this once, because if I have to tell you this again people might start to call you vain" Anna giggled reaching out to grab Cas's hand. "Believe me you're a catch".
Cas opened his mouth to complain that being his best friend she had to say that.
"No" Anna protested cutting him off. "I'm not lying. Seriously. If you weren't like a brother to me I'd be all over you".
Castiel smiled, gently caressing Anna's hand with his thumb. "Thanks Anna". He whispered trying to believe her words.
The bell rang as more people started to fill the room.
"What's with this sudden interest in how you look?" Anna asked letting go of Castiel's hand to reach in her bag for her books.
"Just curiosity" Castiel replied listening to the chatter of the room.
Anna quickly moved her table back into its original position once the teacher walked in, leaving Cas to his thoughts.
Cas felt a gentle tap on his shoulder as Dean walked past.
"Morning Castiel" Dean smiled at Castiel's nod. Over the past week Dean had quickly confirmed his friendship with both Cas and Anna- much to Anna's delight.
The class grew silent as the lesson begun. "Okay everyone" Their teacher begun pointing to the board. "Over the next few weeks we are going to be learning more about Greece, so I'd like to set an assignment for you all to complete in pairs".
Cas grinned as Anna tapped on his arm excitedly; confirming that he had no choice in who he'd be with.
"However." The teacher continued. "Pairs will be girls with girls, and boys with boys, okay?"
Anna sighed as she dropped Castiel's arm in disappointment.
"The girls will be learning about Sparta and guys about the Athens".
Castiel listened as the class grew louder with people choosing their partners.
"Hey Cas". Dean tapped lightly on Casitel's shoulder forcing him to turn around. "Can I work with you?"
"Sure". Castiel smiled feeling relief wash over him. For the first time he wouldn't have to rely on the teacher to assign him a partner; hearing the protest as no body would want to be paired with the blind kid.
No one except Dean.
"I mean I know it's easier to get loads of books and will be silent and everything, but I mean really at what cost". Anna complained throwing up her arms in the air as the three walked home. "If anything the library's going to make me work slower because it's so boring!"
Castiel smiled as Anna continued to complain about having to do the report with someone other than him.
"You're so lucky you two can do it together" Anna whined glaring at Dean and Cas as they started to laugh.
"It won't be that bad Anna" Dean winked walking next to her. "I actually met Bella today she was really welcoming".
"I bet she was" Anna whispered under her breath causing Cas to stifle his laughter. Bella had quickly begun to hang around Dean's desk shamelessly wearing shorter skirts day after day.
There was something so relaxing about the other boy, that it seemed anyone who met him instantly became his friend. Yet despite his popularity he still want to walk with them
Dean had so fit into their friendship so easily, it was surprised Castiel.
Cas stop as the familiar melody of Beethoven's 'Fur Elise' chime through his pocket.
Sighing Cas didn't need to look at the caller ID to know who it was. Quickly he pressed the decline button, not in the mood to listen to whatever concern his mum was worrying about today.
"Who was it?" Dean asked raising his eyebrows?
"My mum" Cas sighed putting his phone back in his pocket. "Her over-protectiveness means that a simple task like going to town for a report is too risky for a blind teenager apparently".
Dean cleared his throat frowning. "If its easier we can do this somewhere else?".
"No!" Cas replied forcefully. "She cant control me forever, I'm blind not useless".
Anna laughed as she ruffled Castiel's hair playfully.
"So you're into classical music?" Dean asked raising an eyebrow at Anna.
"Oh you have no idea Dean. Cas has a special ringtone for everyone". Anna laughed elbowing Cas in the side.
Dean smiled continuing down the road. "So why classical? I never really got into it myself".
"I like the emotion behind it". Cas replied nudging Anna back as she rolled her eyes. "It doesn't need lyrics to convey anything".
Dean hummed in appreciation as the three continued down the path. The sun was hot on Castiel's back but he liked the way the day felt- like they hadn't just spent a whole day at school. It was like it was summer.
"Isn't your house down there Anna?". Dean asked pointing down the street. There was no point her walking them both all the way to town just to watch them work.
Frowning Anna slowed her pace to glance at Cas."Yeah, but I'd thought I'd walk you to town".
"It's alright I can do it". Dean smiled stepping towards Castiel's right side.
"Okay fine. You're forcing me to go do work". Anna replied rolling her eyes as she was forced to go to the library with Bella. "Bye guys". She hugged both boys goodbye.
Castiel jumped slightly at the touch of Dean's hand against his own guiding it to the top of his arm. Dean laughed as Cas quickly forced Dean to switch sides until he was on Cas's left side.
Castiel hummed slightly as they begun walking in a lightly slower pace than before, with Dean attempting to talk and guide Castiel at the same time.
"So how long are we going to spend on this assignment?"Dean asked raising his eyebrow at Cas, with a hint of amusement in his voice.
"Please tell me not long". Cas laughed as the continued down the path.
Cas tightened his grip on Dean's arm as he stumbled slightly over a curb that Dean had forgotten to warn him was coming up.
Dean quickly grabbed Castiel's side catching him before he fell.
"Jesus, I'm sorry Cas". Dean shouted steadying Cas. He hated himself for being so careless. It was just that after a while of them walking it felt so natural that it was like Cas could see.
Cas smiled as he straitened his bag on his shoulder before reaching in to unfold his cane.
"It's fine Dean". Cas laughed holding Dean's arm as he used his cane at the same time. "You should have seen the scratches I got when Anna first walked me home".
"Okay I've had enough now" Dean moaned banging his head on the table as he threw down his book.
They'd been working on the report for at least an hour and despite being in a small cafe, both boys soon found themselves bored.
"I think we've done enough now anyway" Cas smiled closing his book, his fingertips sensitive from touch the rough braille. Despite being bored of the work, it was easy to be in Dean's company.
He was smarter than he acted and gave off a charm that Cas had never met before.
"How long have you been blind Cas?" Dean asked softly taking a swig of the cool water in front of him.
Cas smiled at the reluctance in Dean's voice. Obviously he wanted to be careful about what he said to Cas- yet treated him exactly the same as everyone else. It felt normal to discuss his condition with Dean. It wasn't awkward.
"I've been this way since birth".
Dean laughed straightening his posture. "So you've never seen Anna's face then?".
"Only from her descriptions, but she assures me that she's as beautiful as she sounds". Cas laughed reaching out to trace the pattern of the wood table with his fingers.
"Are you two together?". Dean asked causing Cas to freeze, before erupting with laughter.
The thought of him and Anna as a couple was hilarious.
Sure they had all the qualities that would make them perfect to be boyfriend and girlfriend, but they'd moved beyond that level. They were almost brother and sister. To him Anna was his family.
"No way". Cas giggled shaking his head. "She's like a sister to me".
"Got it." Dean laughed closing his book.
Cas ran his fingers through his hair before finishing his drink. "Now. Anymore questions for me ?".
Dean paused licking his lips."Actually yes."
"Go on".
"What's it like for you to watch a film?". Dean asked packing his books in his bag.
Cas smiled as Dean led him into the warm cinema. It was mostly quiet except for a few people speaking in hushed voice. Cas was pleased that the cinema was mostly empty, giving them the choice to sit in the emptiest past of the room.
As the film begun Dean lent closer to Cas keeping his head near his ear. Describing the things that Castiel could not see.
Soon Cas began to forget where he was. Drawn into a world where time was running out. Cas smiled as Dean described the film in such detail, that he was almost able to feel the soft fur of the dog left behind in an apocalypse. Feel the sand on his feet as the main characters enjoyed their final days on ear.
Cas had never felt more normal.
Despite a few shushes from a couple in front of them, both Dean and Cas had a constant smile on their faces.
When the film finished Cas let himself be lead home by Dean. Not bothering to use his cane.
"So thoughts on the film?" Dean quizzed glancing at the small smile on Cas's face.
"It was beautiful". Cas said putting his hand in his pocket. "I love how the main characters slowly opened up and became closer as the world changed around them. Even though the ending was so sad, the soundtrack gave the me a glimmer of hope. Despite the end of the world they managed to spend a short amount of time with the person they were destined to be with".
Dean grinned slowing his walking pace as he reached the white gates surrounding Cas's house. "I'm glad you felt that way. There's something about songs that put meaning into a situation that words just would be able to do- you know?".
Cas nodded finally letting go of Dean's arm to reach into his pocket to fish out his key.
As Dean moved to unlock the gate Cas let the happiness of the day wash over him.
This is what summer was destined to be like.
Easy. Peaceful. Surrounded with friends who you can truly be yourself with.
Maybe things would finally turn around for him this year.
