Silent Angel:

That smile:

"Hello" Dean said, this was the third time him and Cas had been over this word. Why was it so hard for him?

"H-h-h" Castiel sighed in frustration again.

"It's ok. Do you want to take a break?" Dean asked, they'd been going over it for about an hour now and it didn't usually take Castiel this long to learn a word. Dean thought he knew why Castiel was being slow today, when Dean picked Castiel up for school that day Micheal had told him it was the anniversary of their dad's death. Castiel nodded.

"I'm sorry about you're dad, by the way."

Castiel shifted uncomfortably and tried scratching his back, but failing.

"Let me get that for you" Dean offered, digging his nails into Cas's back and scratching. "Good?"

Castiel nodded again and Dean removed his hands. He felt something under Cas's shirt as he scratched, he tried dismissing it but there was something weird about the way it felt.

"Is it hurting again?" Dean asked. Castiel nodded as he sat next to Dean on the couch.

"Want me to look at it?" Dean asked, "I might be able to do something?" Castiel backed up a little, shaking his head.
"Ok" Dean nodded, "that's fine. I just want you to know, I won't laugh at you, you know. If you don't want me to look that - that's fine. It doesn't matter. T.v?" Castiel snatched the remote from Dean and flicked on some cartoons. Dean smiled, typical Cas. He loved watching that cat go after that mouse. And Dean loved watching Cas smile as the mouse wacked the cat on the head with a variety of objects.

"Dean" Sam called down the stairs,

"What's up Sammy?" Dean yelled back as his brother came down the stairs.

"I'm just going out quickly. Ruby text me, says we need to talk, I gotta go, but I'll be back for dinner, ok?" Sam said throwing on his coat.

"Yeah, just don't bring her back!" Dean smiled, "Cas, is staying for dinner today, is that alright?"
"Yeah" Sam said, "bye Dean. Bye Cas." He closed the door behind him.

Dean looked back at Castiel who was just staring at him,

"What?" Dean asked the silent boy, "Don't you want to stay for dinner? Don't worry, you'll still get home on time... Watch your cartoons." Castiel smiled and turned his face to the telly again. Dean watched Castiel as his face lite up like a Christmas tree and he laughed like he'd never been happier (to be honest, this is the happiest Castiel had ever been). Dean had his eyes fixed on Castiel's. They were so blue and deep. The windows to the soul and only when he laughed and smiled could Dean see how damaged Castiel was. Like he was an angel who had lived forever and seen so much horror and the beauty of it all was, Castiel could still smile and laugh even after all he'd suffered. Dean smiled down at his best friend. Castiel looked up at him and titled his head in confusion.

"You look cute when you smile" Dean told him, "you should wear a smile more often."

Castiel blushed and turned his attention back to the t.v. Neither of the boys relised it but they were slowly and slowly moving closer together. Dean had his arm on the back of the couch, his hand almost touching Cas's shoulder and Cas's head was so close to Dean's should that one little move would make it so his head was laying on it.

"Den" Castiel said. Dean looked at him, knowing he was trying to say his name.

"What is it?" Dean asked smiling at him. Castiel pointed to the cat. "It's a cat. C-A-T. Cat."

"Ct"

"Cat"

"Catt?"

"Yeah. Cat" Dean laughed slightly. At least Castiel was keen to learn. Castiel was feeling rather pleased with himself and turned away with a constant grin on his face.

About an hour later Sam walked back in.

"I'm back" his voice sounded gloomy,

"Hey" Dean said not looking back at him, his eyes still fixed on Castiel.

"H-a-ll-o" Castiel finally said. Dean smiled more than ever, Castiel was getting better at talking by the second. "Cas, you said it!" Maybe Dean was pushing him to hard to learn, Castiel didn't need to be taken into a room and sit in silence while Dean spoke words at him, Castiel needed a fun learning space, the t.v, laughs, smiles and conversation. He had to deal with one school a day, he didn't need another one.

"What's the matter with you anyway?" Dean asked finally turning around to watch his brother sit in the arm chair next to the couch.
"Ruby, dumped me" Sam muttered.
"And you upset about that?" Dean asked, "she clung to you like a lost puppy! Did she tell you why?"

"No. She just...walked away."

"Sorry" Dean apologized.

"Why are you watching Bugs bunny?" Sam asked noticing the program they seemed to be so engaged in.

"Cas likes it. He seems to be doing well, learning I thought taking a break would be a good idea."

"Bu-s b-i-nn-y" Castiel stuttered a little more on that on but he got it mostly right.

"Bugs bunny, that's it" Dean said, "you're really getting good at this, Cas. Wanna help me cook dinner?" Castiel nodded and followed Dean to the kitchen, which was connected to the living room.

Castiel held a chip up on his fork.

"Chip"

"cip"

"Yeah" Dean nodded, "chip." Castiel blushed, again and looked away with his sheepish smile.

Sam chuckled. It was funny to see his brother flirt with Castiel and not even reliese he was doing it.

"Cas, your doing really good. I'm so proud of you" Dean smiled stealing a chip from his plate. Castiel frowned and stole from Dean's plate.

"Hey!" Dean shouted shaking his head with his playful smirk.

"So, well done today. I'll see you at school tomorrow. And - uh, yeah. Well done. Goodbye" Dean smiled his hands placed on the smaller boys shoulders. Castiel looked up at him,

"G-g" he hung his head.

"It's ok. You'll get there" Dean smiled, slowly he bent down and kissed Castiel's checks before getting back in his car and waving as he drove away. Micheal opened the door to Castiel and shut it after him.

"Are guys a couple yet?" Anna asked before he even had time to breath in the air. Castiel gave her a witty smirk.