Mr. Shurley doesn't bother teaching on Rally days. He says the classes are too short and the students are too excited about shorter periods to actually focus on work. Dean can't focus on his work, but it's for an entirely different reason; he's going to do it today. Today's the day he's planned for three weeks; he's going to ask Castiel out.
In his mind, he'd though out a hundred different ways to do it but none of them seemed to work for some reason. Then Gabe had pitched this idea to him and he knew it had to be this one. Of course, he's nervous as fuck the entire week before. His nerves actually managed to double in the hours before the rally.
Cas has to have asked him what was wrong seven times already, but Dean just keeps brushing him off. When second period rolls around, Dean quickly shuffles off to the Cafeteria and waits until Benny, who is making sure everything runs smoothly, finds him and tells him he's about to go on.
Dean actually thinks about backing out, but he'd spent weeks pining over Cas and he'd spent fifteen days learning this damn song. So he goes out after Principal Waters calls his name and he knows that the only person who knows what's happening is Gabriel, who has, miraculously, gotten everyone to sit by the stairs like he'd asked.
So after lugging the guitar and giant bag – that he'd gotten the staff to hide all week –to the floor, he sits on the chair that Principal Waters had occupied and swallows the lump in his throat. He tries to calm himself down as he starts his song. That annoyingly catchy one that Cas is always singing. When it comes to it, he's surprised to find that his voice comes out strong and clear – no thanks to the crappy school microphone – and that he actually doesn't sound too bad. He thinks about Cas as he sings, and hopes that everyone can tell how he feels.
And all too soon, he's done and everyone in the gym is staring at him with dropped jaws and wide eyes. He takes the silence as the chance it is and grabs to microphone from its stand after putting his guitar down.
"This is entirely embarrassing but I could think of no other way to do this. I wanted everyone to know. Mr. Novak. It would be my pleasure if you would agree to … accompany me to dinner tonight."
For a while, Dean thinks Cas didn't hear him and is about to ask his question again, but Cas stands up. The dark haired boy walks right up to Dean and the taller boy's stomach is trying to do summersaults out of his body.
"Yes, I would love to accompany you to dinner, Dean."
And it's like every knot of tension in his body disappears. He smiles at Cas as everyone in the gym screams. Before he can stop himself, he steps forward and kisses the corner of Castiel's mouth. He hands over the gift he'd gotten Cas with a hesitant expression.
Cas lifts the large gift out of the bag and stares at it for quite a few seconds before smiling and hugging it.
"So, I'll pick you up around seven, yeah?" Cas just nods.
"You should get back to you seat." Dean pulls him into a hug before ushering him back to his seat and grabbing his own stuff to leave the floor area.
He spends the next hour in purgatory, trying to stop fidgeting while Benny gives him a look of consternation.
"He said yes, didn't he?"
"Yeah, I guess so."
And when the bells ring, letting everyone out, Dean rushes to Cas' third period. He catches Cas and Sam right before they get inside so he calls out Cas' name. Sam makes some excuse before making off with Cas' stuff.
"Hello, Dean." Cas greets, his small smile growing wider.
"Hey, Cas. Uh…there was something I wanted to do at the rally, but it probably would've gotten us both suspended and I can't have any more of that." Dean refers to their – technically first – meeting.
Dean stalks forward, grabbing Cas by the neck and kissing him, firmly but gently. He ends it quickly, but reluctantly, because he doesn't want to get them in trouble.
Dean pulls away and smiles at him, "So. I'll see you at seven." And he turns and walks down the hall to his own class.
He spends the entire day – as painful as it is – away from Cas. He still has class with him, and they still talk, but most of the time Cas' face is hiding behind Dean's gift so the brunet justs smiles and watches Cas squirm.