Track Two/ Even Angels Have Their Wicked Schemes
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It takes the better part of three days three days for Castiel, Michael, Gabriel, and Anna to settle into their new home. Gabriel mows the lawn and does most of the outside work, while Anna and Castiel do the "sissy stuff," as their older brother had put it. Michael's always, of course, at work. But he's pleased to see the progress when he gets home, and he even compliments Gabriel on it. Gabe had said "Whatever. Way to be a condescending bastard." But he does look sort of proud of himself.
Monday finally rolls around, and Castiel and Anna have to head to their new school for the first time. Michael tries to convince Gabriel to look for a job before he heads off to work himself, and Gabriel snorts.
"I already have a job, chief," He informs smugly while he's lying on the couch, one leg propped on the back of the furniture while the other hung lazily off the end. Michael raises an eyebrow. "Is that so…? And what does it entail?" Gabriel shoots him a cheeky grin. "Oh, just a little something known as: Being Awesome. I'm CEO, by the way. I don't get paid for it, but the benefits are pretty boss."
Michael's eyes get so narrow.
But either way, Castiel and Anna leave for school soon enough, and they walk side by side. Anna is rather talkative and excited, but Castiel is quiet and obviously preoccupied with thoughts and worries. His older sister keeps sending him worried looks.
The high school is nice and rather big, and there's a lot of students, but not nearly as many as there was back in Kansas City. Anna seems to sense her brother's anxiety, and she smiles wide at him, giving him a pat on the back.
"Castiel. Don't look so worried, okay? Everything's going to be alright, just you wait." She promises, and her brother opens his mouth to speak, but is cut off by the "put-put-put" of an engine. He turns curiously, and his eyebrows immediately shoot up at what he sees.
Cas knows squat about cars, but this one impresses him. It's a shiny, jet black Chevy, that much he knows, and it's a classic model. That doesn't mean it's not in immaculate condition, though. In short, if the phrase "bad ass" was a car, this would be it. Anna whistles appreciatively, but Castiel doesn't hear it, because the car parks not too far away, and Dean Winchester is stepping out. Castiel's mouth goes dry, and his sister blinks in curiosity.
"…Do you know him, Castiel? You've got this… Look… On your face," She says slowly. Her brother nods jerkily, and- Oh god, Dean's seen him.
Castiel's tense by the time Dean jogs his way, and Anna looks between them curiously. Dean grins when he comes to a stop in front of the teen he'd met not all too long ago. "Cas! Hey, man. Good to see ya, even if it's damn early." He claps Castiel on the shoulder, not seeming to notice the other man's flushed face.
"…It is nice to see you, as well, Dean." Cas manages, and Dean smiles at him before jerking his head Anna's way, who is still looking confused. "Who's this? Girlfriend?" He asks, straightforward, and Castiel sputters while Anna laughs. She offers her hand for a handshake.
"Nope, I'm his sister. I'm Anna, by the way." She grins when Dean shakes her hand warmly. "And what about you? Boyfriend?"
Castiel wishes that he could disappear. Still, Dean takes it in stride and laughs, not seeming too offended. "Nah, sweetheart. We just met the other day. But I sure can tell you guys are siblings now that I see you up close. You've both got those weird blue eyes."
Castiel blushes.
Anna averts her eyes with a terse nod, and glances her brother's way. Something seems to click, and she smiles. "Ohhh. Well, if you guys wanna walk together, I can…" She jabs a thumb towards the school, and Castiel hurries to object. But Dean's already patting his back and grinning, and Cas tenses, unsure.
"Sure. Catch you later, sugar." Dean waves as Anna blushes and hurries off, and Castiel actually chuckles, making his companion throw him a quizzical look. The shorter teen manages a smile.
"Usually, if a guy were to call her some pet names like you just did, she'd have kneed him in the nuts by now." He informs coolly, and Dean clucks his tongue. The pair slowly start walking towards the school.
"Ouch. Guess I'm just special." Dean seems pretty proud of himself, and Castiel goes quiet, pulling at his oversized hoodie's drawstrings. "…You have a nice car, by the way." Castiel murmurs, and Dean instantly lights up with the biggest smile.
"Yeah, thanks. She's my baby! Know much about cars?"
Castiel laughs softly. "No, not really." Dean laughs himself, and scrubs a hand over his short hair. "Guess it's not fair that my dad's a mechanic, though. Guy taught me everything he knows."
Cas perks up some at the mention of Dean's family life. He has a feeling that this guy is one of those people who never talk about private things like feelings and family, so he lets the topic go, until he glances up Dean's way again.
"Does this school… Have a show choir club?" He asks unsurely, and something flickers on Dean's face, but he chuckles. It definitely seems forced.
"Glee club? Ah, yeah, we do. Why? Your sister sing?" Castiel swallows and scratches the back of his neck, and Dean's mouth quirks into a smile.
"So you're the artist of the family?" Dean pats Cas' shoulder. "Hey man, don't worry about it. It's cool, really."
Castiel is obviously relieved, and Dean opens the school door for him. "So? What kinda tunes do you sing?" He actually sounds curious, so Castiel clears his throat.
"…Usually things akin to Coldplay and The Killers. And Matt Nathanson." Castiel sounds sheepish, and he starts to panic when Dean's face gets the most offended look to it. Finally, Dean shakes his head with a sigh. "Dude. Really? No AC/DC? Bon Jovi? The Who?" Castiel gives him a blank look that says all too clearly that he has no idea what Dean's saying.
"…Bon Jovi? They perform that song "We Weren't Born to Fol-""
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Stop!" Dean looks disbelieving. "You need, like, music rehab. We've got to hang out so you can listen to some real music." He informs, and Castiel feels his heart flutter. "…I'd like that." Castiel smiles sheepishly, and Dean scratches at his chin, looking determined.
"…You're gonna be auditioning for glee club today, right?" Castiel nods, and Dean fixes him with a serious look.
"Think you'll get in?" He asks nonchalantly, but Cas doesn't miss the faint hint of curiosity there. It's his turn to look serious, so he nods carefully.
"I am… Not a prideful person. But yes, I am fairly confident." Dean's suddenly grinning, and Castiel tries not to smile back but it's a losing battle, and his lips twitch.
"Tell you what, Cas. I'll go with you to the audition. Listen to your chops and all that." Dean says, and Castiel perks up some. The other teen smirks.
"And if you get in, hands down, no contest, I'll audition too,"
Castiel can't believe his ears. Does… Dean sing, too? He doesn't seem like the type. He seems like the jock, popular guy type, and that's why Castiel's mouth hangs open as he stares at the other man with in incredulous look. Dean's grinning.
"Deal? I'll be there right after I go and pick up my little brother from his school. See ya." He pats on Castiel's arm as the bell rings, and starts towards the school. Castiel takes a moment to get a hold of his thoughts and arrange them into something comprehensible, and finally swallows.
"Dean!" He hurries after him, and Dean turns, looking curious. Cas licks his lips. "What… What music do you sing?"
Dean's smile is unbelievingly charming. "Ever hear a song called 'Don't Stop Believing?'"
-x-x-x-
Castiel's first day of classes goes by unbearably slow. He pays attention, because he's a good student, but the day drags by. Dean is in his homeroom and biology, algebra, and gym classes (not to mention lunch,) so he sees the other through a good portion of the day. During lunch, Castiel dared to hope that he and Dean could sit together, but he ended up eating with Anna in the end.
Anna seemed to sense that her brother was disappointed, so she points out that Dean's a popular guy.
"Look at him; he's got a lot of friends," She had pointed out, "Soon enough, I'm sure he'll like you so much that he'll want to hang out with you above everybody else." Castiel snorted "Shut up," and reluctantly described how Dean might join glee club. His sister was very happy for him.
So now Castiel is standing just outside the auditorium, where his teacher had told him to go for auditions, fidgeting like crazy because god. Dean Winchester is about the coolest guy he's ever met. And that's including Gabriel and Balthazar and Brandon Flowers.
So to say he's "pretty cool" is kind of an understatement.
Just as Castiel is about to open his mouth to practice, it figures that Dean would show up, too. The guy's got crazy timing.
"Hey, Cas," Dean calls from down the hall, and Castiel snaps around, wide-eyed and startled, before smiling shakingly. "Hello, Dean…" He sort of trails off, because there's someone else with his classmate.
And shit, he's tall. Cas can tell that he's probably three or four years younger than either of them, but the kid's nearly Dean's height already, and he has dark brown, shaggy hair that nearly hangs in his eyes. He must be Dean's brother, but Castiel probably wouldn't have ever guessed. When they draw closer, though, he can see some of the resemblance.
The kid automatically smiles (charming smiles, Cas thinks, must run in the family,) and sheepishly sticks his hands in hoodie pockets. Dean ruffles the kid's hair, and before his brother can protest or introduce himself, speaks loudly.
"Cas, meet Sammy. He's not as much of a wimp as he looks, don't worry-" Dean laughs as Sam pushes the hand off his hair with a great huff.
"Hey, man…" The kid groans, "Get offa me! And I told you not to call me that…" Sam's pouting now, trying to fix his hair back into place, and his big brother's obviously trying to force down his big grin. Castiel finds himself smiling at the brotherly affection in front of him. It reminded him of himself and his big brother Balthazar. Dean finally pats on Sam one last time.
"Fine. Cas, you gotta call him Sam. I'm the only one that can call him Sammy, 'kay- Whoops! Easy there, Mike Tyson!" Sam had thrown a half-hearted punch his brother's way, which Dean had easily dodged. The younger Winchester finally seems to have given up on getting even with Dean, so he sighs and quirks an eyebrow Castiel's way.
"…So you're Cas?" Sam queries, and Castiel feels his ears get red.
"Oh… Um. Yes," He manages, and Dean swats at Sam's arm in warning. Still, his brother gets a mischievous look on his face and keeps talking. "Dean said he met you when he went to see Mom. The way he was talking, I thought he'd met a pretty girl- OW!" Sam yelps when he's elbowed in the side, and Dean gives a laugh, licking his lips afterwards. If Castiel were in his position, he knew he'd be speechless in embarrassment, but Dean's demeanour is pretty cool.
"Oh, can it, Sam. S'not like you don't talk about Tony Stark like he's your damn wet dream." That shuts Sam up abruptly, even if Dean's tone is teasing.
Cas is sort of left in the dust, and Dean claps him on the shoulder with an apologetic smile and raised eyebrows. "Sorry, dude. Forgot that we were even here to audition for a second there." Dean sighs. "Teacher should be here any second."
Castiel's smile is small but genuine. "You two are close…" Dean grins at that, and Castiel continues. "It's nice that Sam doesn't mind the…" Castiel's cheeks feel a little hot. "…The music." Sam smirks, but it doesn't look mischievous.
"Why should I? He can sing, so it's not like I have to tell him to stop 'cause he sucks." Dean flips his brother off. Sam's expression falls somewhat when he glances his big brother's way. "…'Sides, he loves it. It's just our dad… He doesn't like it much."
Castiel's gaze flicks Dean's way, but the other man is simply staring at the audition board. There's the click of heels behind them, and all three of the boys turn. Dean looks like he was about to groan.
The woman now in front of them smiles warmly. "Hi, boys," She greets with a friendly southern twang, "You can call me Missouri. I'm your glee coach."
Missouri is a kind-looking black woman who's, while a bit on the plump side, pretty. The woman doesn't really dress like a teacher; more like a fashionista. She looks like she could be strict, but Castiel isn't intimidated at all. So he smiles.
"It's nice to meet you… I'm Castiel Novak," He says shyly, and goes to introduce Dean and Sam, but she waves a hand, jewellery flashing.
"Oh, I know him. Dean and I are real friendly in detention." Missouri gives Dean a pointed look, and he averts his gaze after clearing his throat. The woman waves at Sam, though. "And this is Sam. Getting tall, boy."
Sam looks a little proud of himself, and Missouri claps her hands. "Well, let's get this show on the road! Go on in and get ready. Up the stairs to the right, yes." She shoos the three into the auditorium, "Did you bring sheet music?"
Castiel opens his messenger bag and pulls a few sheets of paper out of a folder that was obviously for sheet music, and Dean has to dig in his backpack for a moment to retrieve his from in between what looks like homework that was probably due two months ago. His is crumpled and wrinkled, and Missouri looks disapproving, but she doesn't say anything. Dean raises a finger.
"Oh, yeah," He mentions, "I'm gonna try out if this guy gets in." Dean says, pointing Castiel's way. Missouri smiles wide and nods. "You got it. Now get up there, Castiel."
Castiel hurries up on stage, flip flops slapping the only sounds in the auditorium, and hands the musicians on stage his music before tentatively coming to stand in front of the microphone, shifting his weight from foot to foot.
Dean and Sam don't bother to hide their excitement, while Missouri looks like she may be hard to impress. Castiel closes his eyes and takes in a slow breath. The music begins to play.
Fine. Let her doubt.
It wasn't that she doubted him. But Missouri had seen kids come and go, and a lot of them thought they had something that they didn't: Raw talent.
Castiel opens his mouth.
"It won't be easy. You'll think it's strange
when I try to explain how I feel.
That I still need your love,
after all that I've done.
You won't believe me…
All you will see is the girl you once knew,
Although she's dressed up to the nines
After sixes and sevens with you."
He opens his eyes, and looks up to see Dean. His heart skips a beat, because the other man looks almost enraptured. When Dean catches his gaze, he tries to smile, but it looks like it's beat down by some other emotion. Castiel assumes this is a good thing, and lets his eyes slide shut again.
"…I had to let it happen; I had to change.
Couldn't stay all my life down at heel.
Looking out of the window, staying out of the sun.
So I chose freedom.
Running around, trying everything new.
But nothing impressed me at all…
I never expected it to."
Castiel takes in a quick breath, one hand pulling at the other's fingers in a sort of unconscious gesture.
"Don't cry for me, Argentina.
The truth is I never left you.
All through my wild days, my mad existence,
I kept my promise.
Don't keep your distance…"
The music grows louder, so Castiel allows himself to be as well, as he repeats the chorus, note for note.
"…Have I said too much?
There is nothing more I can think of
to say to you.
But all you have to do
Is look at me to know that
Every word is true…"
Castiel slowly lifts a hand as he finishes the last resonance, and there's an angelic smile on his face. This is his element; singing is what he's good at. He's not good at much, but singing is something he always could do. Something he could do to make his father and siblings (mostly Balthazar,) proud.
When Castiel opens his eyes again and the music dies down, everything is silent for a moment until Sam starts to clap and whoop, a big grin on his young face. Dean starts clapping next, and Castiel swears, even though he's sort of far away, that there's a sheen of tears over his eyes.
When his "glee coach" starts to clap, the world seems to be lifted from Castiel's shoulders for a moment. Missouri's grinning broadly, and finally stops clapping to yell, "You killed it, boy! You've definitely got some range! Yes, definitely yes."
Castiel wants to cry in happiness, and claps a hand over his mouth because he's a little dizzy.
"Welcome to glee club, Castiel."
Castiel leaves the stage quickly after collecting his music, and before he can even look to Dean and thank him for clapping, he gets practically tackled in a bro-hug. Dean pulls away all too quickly though, but Castiel doesn't mind because the other teen is smiling so wide it's a wonder his face isn't cracking.
"Dude… That was awesome." He compliments sincerely, "You kinda made me like that sissy song!"
Sam laughs. "Seriously. You're good, Cas." The boy leans against his brother, and Castiel smiles sheepishly, nodding in thanks before turning to Missouri. He bows his head. "…Thank you, ma'am." His voice is soft, and she pats on him with a lot of familiarity that doesn't unnerve Castiel, surprisingly.
"My pleasure, sweet thing."
Sam pokes his brother in the side. "Your turn," He says smugly, and Dean winces, but there's a smile on his face. "Fine, give me a sec…" Dean sighs, and gives Castiel's shoulder a squeeze before jogging for the stage. He hands the musicians the music, and moves to the microphone like he doesn't have a care in the world. Dean takes the mic with both hands and grins.
"Hit it!"
The band starts playing, and Missouri's eyes light up in recognition while Sam merely grins and whispers conspiratorially to Cas, "He's been practicing this all the way to school."
Unlike Castiel, Dean looks completely at home on stage, and he starts to sing with fervour.
"Just a small-town girl,
Livin' in a lonely world.
She took the midnight train goin' anywhere…
Just a city boy,
born an' raised in south Detroit.
He took the midnight train goin' anywhere."
Dean grins Castiel's way, and, right then and there, Castiel knows. This guy, with a singing voice that was deep and powerful and real, is going to rock his whole world and existence, in more ways than one.
Castiel is pretty sure that he's going to fall for Dean Winchester.
"Seein' her in a smoky room,
A smell of wine and cheap perfume.
For a smile they can share the night,
It goes on and on and on and on…
Strangers waiting,
Up and down the boulevard
Their shadows, searching in the night.
Streetlight people, livin' just to find emotion,
Hiding somewhere in the night!"
Dean punched the air once, a look of pure bliss on his face, as he waited through the music.
"Workin' hard to get my fill,
Everybody wants a thrill.
Paying anything to roll the dice,
Just one more time.
Some will win, some will lose.
Some will want to sing the blues.
And now the movie never ends,
It goes on and on and on and on…
Strangers waiting, up and down the boulevard.
Their shadows, searching in the night.
Streetlights, people,
Livin' just to find emotion,
Hiding somewhere in the night!"
Dean let the microphone stand swing forward like it was going to fall off the stage, but brought it close to him again by stepping back down on the mic's platform.
"Don't stop believin',
Hold on to that feelin'!
Streetlight people…
Don't stop believing'!
Hold on to that feeling!
Streetlight people…
Don't stop!"
Dean's head drops, and Castiel instantly starts clapping. Sam's beaming at his brother, and Missouri looks impressed.
Dean's off the stage a moment later, and hurries over. "So, what'd you- oof!" He makes a startled sound when his teacher slaps him upside the head. Growling, Dean gives her a confused look.
"The hell was that for?" He complains, and Missouri raises an eyebrow. "Why didn't you tell me you could sing, Dean Winchester?" She asks accusingly, and Dean merely glowers at her.
Finally, he looks Castiel's way, and they're both grinning like idiots at each other because they know that they can help this show choir club go places.
-x-x-x-