AN: It's been a while, sorry guys, it's been hard trying to get this right! So, this chapter is more of a 'filler' for what's coming up...

Dean sighed, his handwriting getting progressively worse as he attempted to get down all the information on the board before the teacher changed the slide. Letting out a deep breath, he gave up, writing a note in the margin to get the notes from Cas later. He dropped his pen on the desk, flexing his wrist when a ball of paper hit him in the head. He glanced around, but no one looked like they'd tossed it; he unfolded it and read the note scribbled inside.

"It's going around school you're dating Castiel Novak! You'd better watch out, people aren't happy. He's way too good for you. We'll make him realise."

Dean sighed and screwed the note up, not sure what he was most angered by: the fact people already knew, or the fact people were already determined to break them up. He also dreaded the conversation he'd have to have with Cas later. He didn't get any more notes that lesson, and sent a quick text to Cas to meet him at dinner by his locker. When the lesson ended he all but ran to his locker, Cas already waiting. He smiled when he saw Dean, but instantly frowned when he saw the look on Dean's face.

"Is something wrong?"

Dean let out a sigh; "we need to talk, do you know anywhere more private?"

"Come with me."

Cas took a hold of Dean's sleeve and pulled him up the corridor to the library.

"Library? Cas, that's not-"

"-It's empty right no... And no one will interrupt us."

Dean sighed in defeat and let Castiel pull him over to his chair.

"So, what do we have to discuss?"

Dean let out another sigh; "right..."

"You're sighing a lot. I'm taking that as a bad sign?"

"They know. Well, it's still in 'rumour' phase, but already people want to break us up..."

Castiel frowned; "...Oh?"

"...Oh? Just, oh?"

"I don't know what to say, Dean... Is this the point we come out, or...?"

"You're not angry about people wanting to break us up?"

"Of course, but I'm more concerned by the fact you think they'll succeed."

"I don't know... I'm afraid they'll make you realise how... Shit I am..."

Castiel smiled meekly, and reached across and cupped Dean's face; "you're far from 'shit', Dean. I really like you, you know I do. I'm also somewhat insulted by the fact you think I'd listen to stupid gossip, especially about someone I care deeply about... Dean... There's nothing they can tell me that, I either won't already know about you or, wouldn't change my feelings for you in the slightest."

Dean managed a small smile; "sorry Cas, I'm just, more damaged than I thought."

"Don't apologise, it can't be helped."

"...I really do not deserve you."

Cas sighed; "if you say 'deserved' to me one more time in relation to us as a couple, I'm going to..."

Dean smiled; "...Going to? Learn how to make threats?"

Castiel smiled too; "yeah..."

Dean put his hand on top of Castiel's and stroked it softly; "perhaps we should go get something to eat? Or are you happy fondling me in the library?"

Cas chuckled and swiped his thumb across Dean's lips before standing up, offering a hand. The larger boy took it and slipped his arm around his waist, pulling him in to a quick embrace before leading the way out of the library. They both quickly got their lunches and joined Chuck and Becky. Becky grinned when they both sat down in unison and began eating at the same time. Chuck rolled his eyes and pushed his food around his plate.

"You two were a while..."

Dean nodded; "we needed to talk."

"Aww, what about?" Becky squeaked, picking up her drink.

"Just... People know, or think they know. And they want to split us up."

Chuck frowned; "what? But, I thought they were ok with you."

"As a friend, clearly I'm not boyfriend material."

"Clearly the student body don't know what they're talking about," Castiel chipped in, smiling up at Dean. Chuck smiled.

"How do you plan on dealing with them, then? These guys aren't the type to just give up."

"Maybe we could set Balthazar and Gabe on them all?" Dean chuckled; "Balth will just sass them all in to submission!"

Cas' smile got bigger; "we could talk to him about it... I know Gabriel will help."

"Imagine letting Gabriel loose on the school!"

"...Maybe we shouldn't ask Gabe..."

Dean grinned and knocked his knee against Cas', winking, before continuing eating his lunch. The four of them made idle small talk as they ate, before going in their own directions. Dean and Castiel meandered up the corridor slowly, occasionally bumping in to each others' shoulders.

"Oh hey, can I borrow some notes from you? The teacher flicked between slides like they were loaded to blow or something."

Castiel smiled; "of course, come on."

He pulled on Dean's sleeve to lead him back up the corridor to his locker. Dean noticed a couple of people glaring as they passed, some huddled together and whispered. Castiel stopped and opened his locker; Dean glared around at everyone watching before leaning back against the locker next to Cas'.

"Hey blue-eyes, come here often?"

Castiel laughed and pulled his notebook from his locker; "three times a day, five days a week. Here you go."

Dean laughed too and took the books Castiel handed to him; "thanks. So..."

Cas shut his locker and folded his arms; "so."

Dean put his arms behind his head, smirking arrogantly, winking again. Cas smiled.

"Is this supposed to be some kind of come-on?"

"Is it working?"

"...Is this your way of letting people know we're together?"

Dean chuckled; "there's usually an easier way, but this is actually more fun."

"If you asked really, really nicely, I might let you kiss me."

"...Really?"

Castiel smirked; "probably not. Maybe... You could hold my hand?"

Dean smiled; "anything you want, and are comfortable with."

"Normally I'd be telling you to back off a bit, but seeing as everyone's against us being together, I'm feeling really obstinate."

"...Come again?"

"Stubborn."

"Right, good?"

Cas smiled; "yes, so, shall we go find Gabriel?"

He held his hand out for Dean to take; the larger boy looked at it before smiling and taking it, lacing their fingers together.

"Let's."

Castiel squeezed Dean's hand and let himself be pulled down the corridor, making a mental note to ignore people pointing and whispering, concentrating on the proud look on his boyfriend's face. As he looked up at how genuinely happy Dean looked, he couldn't help but wear a matching grin of his own. Dean glanced over at Cas, to check he was still comfortable with this public display of affection; they caught each others' eyes and smiled affectionately at one another, before looking ahead again.

"All right?" Dean asked, quietly. Cas nodded.

"Fine so long as I try to not think about it... It's not so bad really, is it."

"Just, let go and punch me in the kidney when it gets too much."

Castiel laughed; "I shall."

Out of nowhere, Gabriel bounced in front of them grinning, looking extremely shocked at the same time. He bounced from one foot to the other.

"I had to come see for myself! Public display of affection? Cassie, are you ok?"

He pressed his hand against Cas' forehead, only for it to be batted away.

"I'm fine. It's going around that Dean and I are seeing each other, so we decided to put an end to the rumours. Also, we need your help."

Gabriel grinned; "well good for you, Cas, be proud! And help? With?"

"People are already discussing breaking us up."

"...Already? Those bastards! So, need help with... Murder? Because that's really more Crowley's area of expertise, I mean, I could give it a shot, but-"

"-No, Gabe, what? We just want people to back off!" Dean interrupted, shooting a quick glare at a large football player who was scowling at him.

"Fine... I'll go find Crowley, he has the means to spread school-wide messages. We call it Meg."

Castiel smiled; "well, I suppose you have work to do?"

"Oh I get it. Get a boyfriend and suddenly I'm not good enough? Fine! I'll go get a plaything of my own!"

Dean smirked as Gabriel stuck his tongue out and bounced away. Castiel pulled Dean to look at him and smiled.

"So, what shall we do now?"

"Well, we can either give our adoring public a show, or scurry off and hide somewhere."

"...I'm all for hiding."

"Let's go then."

That afternoon, Dean was bent over the innards of an old Honda the owner was too attached to to actually admit it was a hunk of junk and trade in for a working car, eager to get home and talk to Cas. His life was currently revolving around Castiel, and he wasn't fulfilled at night unless he'd seen him at least once in the day. Sam laughed that it made him just as bad as thirteen-year-old girls who publicly declared their love for their day-old boyfriend; a comment which earned him a sharp punch in the arm and a sneer from Dean.

"I need a drink," Dean mumbled, dropping his tools and wandering to the office. On his way, he passed a sleek black Mercedes parked out front, and worried about having to deal with another snotty business man. He cautiously entered the office, Rufus and the owner of the Mercedes turned to look at him.

"Dean! Come here!"

The businessman smirked as Dean stood next to Rufus; "this is Dean, then. Nice to meet you finally."

He held out his hand for Dean to shake, Dean looked at it for moment before hesitantly shaking it.

"Pleasure to meet you? I think..."

The man chuckled; "I'm Raphael."

"Oh! Right! Um, hi."

"My boys have yet to stop talking about you and your brother, I thought I'd come see what all the fuss was, and to get my car checked out."

Rufus smirked; "I'll let you get to work, Dean."

"Can you make me a coffee then?"

Dean followed Raphael out to his car.

"So, you're what Castiel picked for a first relationship."

"Yeah, he did."

Raphael hummed and motioned to his car; "well, can you give it the once over? I can't pinpoint the problem."

Dean nodded and went to the front of the Mercedes; "pop the hood? And start the engine."

"Very well."

Dean managed to spend five minutes checking the car's essentials before Raphael turned the subject from what might be wrong with the car to Dean.

"You met at school, I believe."

"Yes, sir."

"But you don't live with your parents?"

Dean rolled his eyes and continued checking the engine valves; "nope. My mom's dead and my dad travels a lot for work, so I live with an old family friends. He's a teacher at Kripke High."

"Hmm, very good... What are your aspirations, for the future?"

"Um, I don't know yet..."

"Castiel plans to study Accountancy and Business Management; he's going to take over the family business one day."

"Really? Awesome."

Dean tried to hold back the amount of sarcasm in his voice, but he couldn't stand this guy "dropping by" and preceding to brag about Cas whilst at the same time making Dean feel one inch tall.

"Are you going to college?"

Dean shrugged; "don't know, might, might not, I've not really decided."

"Well, you'd better get thinking boy... Castiel will be going to Harvard."

"Is that so?"

"Guaranteed a full scholarship, that boy's the brightest I've seen."

"He is... What about Gabe?"

Raphael frowned; "what about him?"

"Is he not moving on to big and awesome things?"

"Probably not. He doesn't apply himself."

Dean hummed and finally figured out what was up with the car. He quickly turned the conversation back on to the car, before fixing it and sending Raphael on his way.

The moment Dean got home he grabbed his phone and stormed up to his room, scrolling to Cas' number and pressing 'call'.

"Hello Dean."

"I met your uncle today," Dean huffed, flopping down on to his bed. He could hear some clattering about on Castiel's end.

"Really?"

"Yeah. I think he hates me."

"What? No, I saw him and... He said, you made a good impression."

Dean scoffed; "all his did was interrogate me about my plans for the future then continued to just show you off."

"Show me off? How?"

"Cas I going to Harvard, guaranteed full scholarship! I see you're doing nothing with your life!"

Castiel sighed, Dean was sure he could hear him tapping his pen on his desk; "don't, misinterpret him. He comes across as, arrogant and, a bit cold, but really, he's all right."

"He doesn't think his own son will do well in life!"

"Gabriel? ...Do you think he will?"

Dean frowned; "I can think what I want, he's not my son! He's not supposed to have, given up on him."

"If it's any consolation, and it's probably not, Gabriel and his father don't really see eye-to-eye."

"Eh. Whatever... What're you doing?"

The next day, Dean was harassed by nearly everyone the moment he entered the school grounds; people wanting to know if he was really dating Castiel and "how did you do it?". A couple of girls grinned and cooed over how cute they were, a member of the football team demanded to know how he walked in to the the school and managed to seduce Cas after only a week, citing he must be a Siren "or something". Overall, the reaction was positive, whatever Gabriel had done had worked, and people were laying off. He finally got to his home-room, and collapsed next to Chuck.

"You know what, it's damn hard being me."

Chucked snored and looked up; "oh yeah?"

"Yeah. Ever since I entered this building I've been harassed. By nearly everyone! Asking how I did it, how cute we are, whether I poisoned him or something..."

"That's what happens when you decide to date the most popular and famously frigid person in school."

Dean scoffed and dropped his head on to his arms, waiting for Castiel to arrive, thinking about what Chuck had said. It was patently obvious Cas was frigid, but not because he was afraid of sex, but because he just wasn't interested. Perhaps now having a boyfriend would make him interested, he had already allowed Dean to kiss him. But he had been pretty clear on his boundaries; sex seemed like a definite no. His phone buzzed in his front jeans pocket. It was from Gabe.

"How's school treating you my friend?"

Dean smirked; "a lot better, what did you do?"

"A magician never reveals his secrets, Deano! Cas might tell you later, or I might, if you're good."

"Well, thanks anyway."

"It's okie dokie, no problemo mi amigo."

Dean rolled his eyes and looked up, grinning as Cas strolled in. He shot a shy smile Dean's way as he sat down. Dean could feel himself almost melt when Cas smiled, knowing there were certain smiles reserved only for him. His mouth twitched at the corners in the same awkward way, but with Dean, his eyes lit up, looking genuinely happy. For everyone else, his eyes showed little to no emotion, as if he was just passing through the daily motions, being polite.

"You know, there's a noticeable change in Castiel since you got together," Chuck mused, not looking up from his notebook. Dean smiled.

"Yeah?"

"Well, mainly, he's just smiling more. It's not like a blatant cheesy grin, but, he used to look so... Emotionless. He just had this straight face... Now there's a smile there nearly all the time. It's only small, but, it's there... In fact, thinking about it, it's been there since you got here... Well, not straight away, but... Maybe from when you went out that time?"

"What, to the library?"

"I think so..."

Dean looked back up at Cas, he was drumming his fingers on his thighs; a random habit Dean couldn't help but find totally endearing. He loved all of Cas' nervous ticks - when he played with his tie, when he twiddled his fingers, occasionally clenching and unclenching his fists, drumming his fingers on random surfaces, usually his thighs, and Dean's favourite, when he chewed his bottom lip. When Dean watched Castiel chew on his lip - out of either nervousness or boredom - he found himself licking, and/or chewing his own lips in vain attempts to suppress his frustration of not being able to pounce on Cas and have him right there. He'd thought about telling him, but he didn't know how to say "stop chewing your lip because it makes me want to screw you seven ways 'till Sunday" without scaring him away. Instead, he calmly tried to ignore it, and had a long shower the moment he got in, or a quick cold one if people were home.

"Someone's deep in thought," Chuck drawled, elbowing Dean lightly. Dean smirked.

"Yeah, thinking about Cas."

Chuck huffed a small laugh; "wow, big surprise. Anything in particular?"

Dean shrugged, glancing at Cas before turning his attention to Chuck; "just, how beautiful he is."

Chuck frowned; "beautiful?"

"Yeah... I mean like, he is! I'm hot, and I'm arrogant enough to admit that, but, he's not 'hot', he's-"

"-Beautiful, right. In the same way fantasy princess' are, or-"

"-No, he's in a league of his own. You've seen him!"

"Yeah, but I don't look at him the same way you do. I mean... I can see he's an attractive guy, but, I don't know."

Dean shrugged; "fine... I know what I mean."

He went silent, eyes drifting towards the ceiling, deep in thought, before he snorted a quiet laugh. Chuck pouted.

"What's funny?"

"Just wondering what shade of red he'd go if I told him... I'd need one of those paint colour charts to see."

Chuck grinned; "that's jovially cruel!"

Dean grinned too and went back to watching Castiel.

Days and weeks passed; Castiel and Dean's relationship blossomed yet remained the same. They spent as much time together as possible, sitting together at lunch, going out after school for coffees or occasionally ice-cream, going for a drive, or going to Cas'. When they weren't together, they were busy with distractions - Castiel usually working on homework and studying, Dean either working extra hours at the garage or hanging out with Gabriel. On days where they got to spend little to no time together, they made sure to put time aside to phone one another before bed. On Day 21, Dean was pacing in the kitchen, waiting for the coffee to be ready, thinking to himself. Sam wandered in, stopping abruptly when he saw Dean.

"...Are you ok?"

Dean looked up; "hmm?"

"You all right? You seem tense."

Dean went back to pacing; "oh, yeah, fine... Just... You know what tomorrow is?"

Sam frowned and edged towards the fridge; "Sunday?"

Dean sighed exasperatedly but smiled; "tomorrow, will be 22 days since Cas and I started dating."

Sam whistled; "wow, the big 22 day anniversary."

"Don't mock me, Sammy. That's the longest either of us have been in a relationship! And..."

"...You want to show him you're totally serious?"

Dean stopped pacing and slumped against the cabinets; "yes."

Sam smirked; "but you have no idea how?"

"Well, I have an idea of sorts but... I want to bring him here."

"...Here? All right?"

"It's just..." he began pacing again; "we're always at his. He's never been here! Well, he's waited outside in the car but... I feel like, if I never let him come here, he'll never, be... I don't know, I'm not good at all this wordy crap - he's the one who can string a sentence together, but, do you know what I mean?"

Sam grinned; "can you stop pacing?"

Dean stopped.

"Thank you... And I think I get it. This is your home, you want to share it with him, you want him to see how you live, how you interact with this 'family', how you never tidy your room..."

"Basically..."

"So, why all the freaking out?"

"Several things; 1, Bobby! 2, I'm worried about what he'll think, I mean; he lives such an awesome, wealthy life and here we are, small run-down house, little to no money... and 3, Bobby!"

Sam laughed; "Bobby will be fine with it, just don't flaunt your gay love in front of him, and be yourself or he'll probably tear you a new one. And, I thought you'd already had that conversation with Cas? I thought he didn't care you're not as stupidly rich as he?"

"Well yeah, but, it's one thing to discuss is theoretically and another to actually, see your boyfriend is the opposite of you... Financially..."

"Suck it up lover-boy, and admit it, Cas isn't with you for the money! ...Or the sex... Makes you wonder what he IS in this relationship for, because it's certainly not intelligent conversation!"

Dean scowled; "you suck, as a brother, and a human being."

"Dude, I'm fourteen! I know like, nothing about relationships! Jess and I are making this crap us as we go along! And the last thing I need is to be consoling you, on your big gay romance of the year! I don't want to hear about you doing anything with anyone, and I certainly don't understand how it works with two guys."

"It's the damn same except we've both got dicks!"

Sam held his hands up in defence; "whatever... Your coffee's done."

The next day, Castiel instantly noticed something was up with Dean as he climbed in to the Impala. Dean smiled nervously and got the car in motion, trying to avoid Cas' suspicious stares.

"What's wrong, Dean?"

Dean shrugged, a little too casually; "nothing! I'm fine, we're just going out for coffee, like usual."

Cas narrowed his eyes, as if it would help him figure out why Dean was acting strange; "but, Java's in the other direction."

"Oh yeah... Um..."

The smaller boy frowned; "don't lie to me, Dean. What's going on?"

Dean let out a loud sigh; "all right... We're going to mine."

Cas' eyes widened, almost comically; "what? We're going... To yours?"

"Yeah... Well... I just figured I'd, let you in to my life, the bits you're not in yet, and I realised that meant, where I live."

"Oh... Why?"

"Because... I, really like you? And, this is the longest I've ever been with anyone and... I just thought, you'd like to see? And... Appreciate now my house is also an option for... Hanging out?"

He glanced over nervously, a grin spreading across his face when he noticed Castiel was smiling. He reached out and squeezed Cas' knee softly, lacing their fingers together when Cas covered his hand with his own.

"You're sweet, Dean. And I do appreciate it, please, don't be nervous... And for the record? I really like you too."

Still grinning, Dean quickly pressed his lips to Cas' hand, kissing it a couple of times before putting his own back on the steering wheel. Castiel shuffled a little closer on the bench seat, gently resting his hand on Dean's knee, squeezing reassuringly. As they drove to Bobby's, they made idle chit-chat about Thanksgiving, and how they were spending it.

"You and Sam are welcome to join us, Dean. Mr Singer too if he wishes."

Dean grimaced; "yeah, I don't think Bobby will. He has this tradition of, getting a bucket of fried chicken and a six-pack, and... Wouldn't it be awkward for everyone, having 'Mr Singer' over for Thanksgiving?"

Castiel smiled; "well, I don't want to get in the way of tradition... May I ask... How did you and Sam spend it with your father?"

"Um... Depends where we were. More often than not, we'd play football in the park, go grab some greasy food then watch the football in a bar or something..."

Cas nodded.

"It'd be nice to have a family thing this year."

"Is that a yes to your joining my family?"

Dean smirked; "it might be."

They finally pulled down the private road to Bobby's house, which was more of a dirt-trail than a road. When they pulled up to the house, Dean eyed the beat-up red Pickup which was parked in his space. He frowned.

"Bobby didn't say he was having someone over..."

He climbed out of the car, Castiel slowly following behind him. The front door of Bobby's flew open, a large man sporting a grin flew out.

"Dean!"

Dean's eyes widened; "Dad?"

He was quickly enveloped in to a large bear hug, the air nearly being squeezed from his lungs, only being let go when he began spluttering. John Winchester, still grinning quickly apologised and held his first born at arms lengths.

"It's good to see you boy."

Dean smiled; "you too, what are you doing here?"

"I've got some time off! Thought I'd come spend Thanksgiving with my boys!"

His gaze suddenly flicked over to Castiel, stood awkwardly behind the Impala. Dean noticed and turned to look at what John was seeing.

"Oh, Dad, this is Cas."

John smiled meekly; "yeah? Friend of yours?"

Dean motioned for Castiel to join them, putting a hand on his shoulder when he stood beside him; "um, boyfriend, actually."

"Oh..."

Castiel smiled awkwardly and held out his hand; "pleasure to meet you, Mr Winchester."

John shook it firmly; "you too son... Dean, I didn't know you... You know..."

Dean shrugged; "um, well, I don't? It's, complicated, but, yeah, I'm not gay."

"Oh..."

John looked analytically between Dean and Castiel, forcing a smile on his face.

AN: So... I decided to go for the cliffhanger-y-ish ending... Don't forget to review (: