A/N: So first I want to thank everyone that has left comments recently. They've been very nice and I really appreciate them all. It's helped me a lot recently. I haven't had a lot of time or energy to write recently but today I got the urge and finally finished this chapter. It's shorter than I usually like, but I needed to get this out. My updates will probably still be slow in coming as I'm now full-time at work and don't have a lot of free time anymore, but I will not be abandoning this story. Thank you all for reading!

Dean cursed Sam and his big mouth throughout that Saturday. All he could do was think about what he said and what he'd learned in class about angels and mates. It was true that many of the behaviors Castiel displayed were indicative of an angel with their mate, and he knew that angels mate for life, but he didn't think that was what was happening. It couldn't be, right?

He was interrupted from his thoughts when Castiel sat across from him with a worried expression. He had already asked Dean a couple times if he was feeling okay. Dean smiled at him and leaned back against the couch. Castiel still looked worried.

'Don't worry about me, Cas.' Dean looked at his hands and tried to keep his expression neutral.

Castiel knew something was bothering Dean but he had no idea what it could be. If it was anything serious, he's sure Dean would've said something. He left him alone and did some sketching while Dean watched television.

It wasn't until later that night that they really spoke to each other again. Castiel was changing for bed and Dean was standing by his bed and watching him. He had taken off his shirt and Dean was appreciating his wings as Castiel stretched them out and ran his fingers through them carefully.

Dean licked his lips and cleared his throat. "Cas, can I ask you something?"

Castiel turned to face him and nodded.

"Can I…uh, would you be alright if I…," Dean stopped and ran a hand over his forehead. He didn't know why this was so hard to ask.

'What is it, Dean?' Castiel got a little closer, worried about how Dean had been acting all day.

"Would it be alright if I touch your wings, Cas?" Dean's heart was thudding loudly in his chest. He knew that wasn't something Castiel would allow lightly.

Castiel's eyes widened slightly. He hadn't expected that. Usually that was something only allowed by those very close to angels. He had thought about Dean doing just that though, many times.

He could see hesitation in Castiel's face and shook his head. "It's okay if you don't feel comfortable with it. I don't know why I even asked after all that's happened to you and…"

Castiel silenced him by pushing up and pressing a kiss to Dean's lips. As Castiel pulled away, Dean chased his lips briefly with his own.

"Is that a yes?" Dean smiled.

Castiel laughed and nodded. 'Just be careful. I don't want you to hurt yourself.'

"Of course." Dean couldn't believe that Castiel agreed. He licked his lips and fidgeted with his hands nervously. He wasn't even sure how to approach this.

Castiel could tell Dean was lost so he moved closer and took Dean's right hand. He locked eyes with Dean as h slowly guided his hand to his left wing.

His fingers lightly brushed Castiel's wing when the angel moved it forward to meet his hand. The feathers were softer than he imagined. They still had a rough feeling that warned of the sharp edges they had if rubbed the wrong way.

Castiel released Dean's hand once he felt he was comfortable. He studied Dean's face as he carefully raked his fingers through his feathers. A slight feeling of pleasure coursed through him from the attention and a small smile pulled at his lips.

Dean took a step closer as he let his hand sink a little deeper into the wing. It was so different than the first time he'd seen Castiel and touched his wing. Although that time had been to help Missouri fix it so he didn't really feel it much. His feathers had all grown back and were cleaner than they had been while he was alone. He followed the ashy colored feathers down and was careful not to pull on any.

Castiel's eyes closed as Dean grew more confident with his touches. Pleasure was spiking through him even more. His wing twitched involuntarily when the back of Dean's hand brushed the bone at the top of his wing. Heat shot through Castiel's spine at the touch.

"Sorry!" Dean pulled his hand back, eyes wide worried that he'd hurt him.

Castiel grabbed his arm and shook his head. 'It's okay. It didn't hurt.'

"It didn't?" Dean let out a sigh of relief as Castiel nodded.

They were still a moment as Dean considered whether or not he could or should continue. He wanted to, but he could tell it was affecting Castiel and didn't want to overstep.

Castiel could see Dean thinking and wondered if he would stop now. He wasn't sure if he wanted him to or not. He'd never really had anyone groom or appreciate his wings since leaving his parents, and this was different.

"I guess I should get ready for bed." Dean rubbed his fingers together, still feeling the wing against his fingers like he hadn't stopped.

Castiel nodded and looked down at his hands. He felt a slight pain of disappointment. He'd hoped Dean would ask to keep exploring his wings but it seemed the spell was broken. He pulled his wings in behind his back as Dean walked around him to change.

As Dean took of his shirt, he furrowed his brows as Castiel's seemingly sad expression. Had he wanted more from Dean? Was he too afraid to ask? He shook the thoughts away and put his pajamas on.

When Dean walked by him to get in bed, Castiel gently grabbed his elbow. Dean turned to face him with a question in his eyes.

Castiel wanted to say something, ask for something, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. Dean titled his head, reading as much on his face. Castiel smiled and pulled him in for a brief kiss. He knew there'd be plenty of time later for more of what he wanted.

Dean smiled into the sweet kiss and brought his free hand up to cup Castiel's face. Their noses brushed as they broke the kiss. Castiel nuzzled into Dean's neck quickly before pulling back and lifting his hands to sign.

'Goodnight.'

"'Night, Cas."

They both get into their beds and slept soundly.

Sunday they were going to be heading back to school and Dean didn't really want to. School meant responsibilities and homework and judgey people. Of course, here he had to deal with Sam and his stupid grin whenever he and Castiel were around. He rolled his eyes when Sam did that over breakfast and flung some scrambled eggs at him when their mom looked away.

It was around 1pm when Mary was helping Dean pack up a couple of his gifts and leftovers. Everyone hugged the both of them and watched them pull away in the Impala. They had only been in the car a few minutes when Castiel signed to Dean while at a stop sign.

'Dean, I want to tell you something.'

"Okay." Dean glanced through the intersection and didn't see any cars in the foreseeable distance and kept his foot on the brake pedal. "Shoot." He turned to give him his full attention.

'It's about what happened last night. I just want you to know that you can do that any time you want. I mean you should probably warn me first, but you can touch my wings whenever you want to.' He dropped his hands to let Dean know that was all he wanted to say.

Dean took a couple breaths. He wasn't sure he understood that correctly. Castiel would let him do that whenever he wanted? He knew how huge that had to be for the angel. After the abuse and pain he'd been through, to trust someone else with an extremely precious contact like that was major.

He opened his mouth to respond when a car behind him honked a couple times. Dean jumped and glared into his rear view mirror. He glanced at the intersection and drove through. It was a couple minutes later when he was able to say something.

"Really?" He saw Castiel's head turn to him out of the corner of his eye. "That's okay?" He chanced a look and saw Castiel nod and smile. There was a sparkle in his eyes as well that warmed Dean's chest. He looked forward again with a lopsided grin.

He turned up his music and sang along for the rest of the drive. Castiel just laughed and swayed to the music.

They managed to get everything up to their room in one trip. Dean plopped onto his desk chair with a sigh as Castiel pulled his dirty clothes out of his bag for the laundry. Dean had homework to finish for Monday and really didn't want to do it.

Castiel came up behind Dean and wrapped his arms around his shoulders and leaned his chin on Dean's shoulder. He turned his head to press a kiss to the spot right behind his ear.

Dean shivered and closed his eyes. He grew warm as Castiel pressed another kiss to the shell of his ear, grazing his teeth across it lightly. He shuddered and leaned into the kiss.

"Cas…" Dean brought a hand up to tangle in Castiel's hair. He really didn't want him to stop, but he needed to do his work.

Reluctantly, Dean pulled his head away. "I have homework to finish. Don't forget our rules."

He felt the burst of warm breath as Castiel sighed against his neck. His body shook again at the feeling. Castiel brought his hands up in front of Dean and signed as he leaned over the back of him.

'You never said anything about weekends.'

Dean chuckled. "I didn't, but I still need to finish my work anyway."

Castiel pulled his arms back and made to stand, but he brushed his lips against Dean's neck before standing.

The spot burned as Dean moved his chair forward. He hoped this wouldn't take long.

Dean hadn't quite finished everything when Charlie and Jo barged into their room with birthday hats and horns they were already blowing. Both Dean and Castiel had jumped at their entrance but soon laughed as they both gave them a hat to wear.

They spent the rest of the day eating a cake the girls had bought and drinking Charlie's "soda." Dean couldn't be mad about missing out on kissing Castiel as his friends surrounded him and all played a couple games of Cards Against Humanity.

It was close to 10pm when they left and Dean gave up on the remaining homework. He walked over to Castiel, only slightly drunk, and grabbed the front of his shirt.

"Come here." Dean pulled him close and kissed him. He hooked one arm around his shoulders and kept his hand wrapped in his shirt.

Castiel raised his eyebrows but kissed back. He grabbed Dean's waist, fingers slipping under his shirt enough to feel his warm skin. Dean made a small noise into the kiss and moved closer.

Dean felt the fingers on his sides and it sparked something inside that made him pull on Castiel's shirt again, although they really couldn't get any closer. He moved his hand up his neck and into his hair. His fingers curled and pulled the dark hair. Castiel nipped at his lower lip in response and Dean smiled.

They kissed for what felt like hours, but was just a few minutes. Tongues moved together and hands explored and grabbed. Eventually they broke apart and Dean stumbled back slightly. Alcohol was making him a little fuzzy.

Castiel walked him to his bed and helped him sit and take off his shoes. As Dean laid down, he grabbed Castiel and pulled him down next to him. The angel shifted so his wings would lay out over the edge of the bed and he was facing Dean.

Dean put an arm around his waist and pulled him so he was flush against him. They stayed there a moment just breathing together and touching. Castiel brought his hand up to play through Dean's hair, making him close his eyes in appreciation.

He was still long enough that Castiel thought he had fallen asleep, but then he tilted his face up and kissed Castiel. It was a deep slow kiss that warmed Castiel down to his toes. He could taste a hint of the alcohol Dean was drunk on as they kissed and hugged each other closer.

"I'm so glad you're here, Cas." Dean spoke between kisses. He could tell he was close to falling asleep by the sound of his voice. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

Dean kissed him again as the words hit Castiel in the chest. He'd never heard those words directed at him before. No one had ever seemed to truly appreciate his presence before. He kissed Dean and held him as he snuggled into him and fell asleep.

He could just barely reach the lamp from the bed and turned off the light. The alcohol was making him tired as well and he could definitely sleep well wrapped in Dean's arms.