"So, you've told her that you'll be there," Dean said as he looked at Castiel from across the library table. A small bag of pretzels as well as two coffees sat between their textbooks. "You didn't think to confirm with me?"
"…Dean…" Castiel sighed, looking up at the person sitting across from him. His fingers fiddled with the corners of his text pages, and he put his head in his hand. "She hasn't even given me the date yet. Besides, Lex is still my friend, and this is important to her,"
"Just a shot in the dark here," Dean said as he looked down at his book pages, flipping without looking back up to Castiel, "I wasn't invited."
"She doesn't really know you that well, Dean," Castiel said, trying not to sound too exasperated. It was mid afternoon on a Saturday, which meant the library was far from empty. "And I really couldn't ask her if you could come, because no excuse would sound genuine as to why I wanted you to be there,"
Dean frowned still, still glaring at the pages of his book before he looked up at Castiel. His expression softened. "…yeah, I know… But I can still be a little…" he dropped his voice "..jealous, can't I?"
"Wouldn't have it any other way," Castiel said with a small smile, letting his knee brush against Dean's under the table.
"My feelings aside," Dean began, "make sure you wish Lex good luck for me. You know she might be…" he shook his head a little, "..but so far, she's been a good friend to you, and for now that's enough. Let's just hope that nothing changes her mind of you,"
"Yeah, here's hopin'," Castiel agreed.
Castiel had not said anything yet to Dean of his suspicions that Lex liked him. That was the last thing he needed: a jealous boyfriend. He knew he loved Dean with all he was, but he never liked seeing that side of him. Lex was harmless so far, and Castiel just hoped that it stayed that way. He had doubts, though… maybe at the meet he would have to gently let her down… tell her that he did not see her that way, but he did not want to lose their friendship. He'd already started trying to write out what he wanted to say, but so far he was having trouble wording it without making her suspicious.
If Lex became suspicious, Castiel knew that that would be the end of everything. The end of their friendship. The end of school… and the end of him and Dean, unless they ran off. But if they did that… what then? How would they live…? Not that he wold not try at least…. he would do anything for Dean… but would Dean do the same? He remembered the way Dean had been before the two of them had gotten together… would he go back to living that way?
—
Castiel lay awake in his bed Sunday morning, not even looking at the poster on Crowley's wall. His attention was focused on the ceiling. Dean was still a little upset that he was going to Lex's meet without him, but he had gotten over it, mostly. He at least seemed to better with the fact Castiel was going when he said that Lex was going to invite another friend of hers, from her archeology classes.
It was only when his phone chimed, announcing a text message, that Castiel tore his eyes from the ceiling, and looked at his phone. A message from Lex, letting him know when the meet was. It was in a week, the next saturday. In the morning, too. She mentioned in another text that was smart since there was actually going to be a training football game. Really, just the first and second string of the team, mixing up and playing together. It was apparently a lot of fun, and tended to draw a crowd.
After a few moments he responded to Lex, saying he would be there, and possibly be at the game, too, but that he would possibly be watching with Dean. He then messaged Dean, telling him when the meet was, and about the game that was that same evening. Moments later he received a message from Dean. Naturally he was not happy about losing most of a Saturday with Castiel, but that he would be more than happy to "watch" the football game with him. That pulled a smile to his lips.
"What's got you so smiley?" Crowley asked from his side of the room. He was lounging slightly, looking up at Castiel from the Autobiography of Dick Roman, and as always, there was a scotch in his hand.
"Just making plans for next weekend," Castiel said casually, smiling a little more. The way Dean had worded the text, he knew that he was not planning on actually watching the game at all… and that was completely ok with him. They had far too little time together lately any way.
"From your face I would say that the plans are rather good ones," Crowley observed, before taking a sip from the glass. "Care for a morning drink? To celebrate your grand plans, with, I can only assume, Lex,"
Castiel glanced up at his roommate from his phone, focusing his eyes on the man on the bed instead of the one on the wall. He was only left to stare at a smaller face of Roman, instead of the poster… not much of an improvement. "I've said before, Crowley, I don't drink,"
"Ah yes of course. You're a good boy, how could I forget," Crowley said before sipping his drink once more. "How boring," he added, rolling his eyes a little before setting his drink down. Well, Castiel may be a good boy, but he had not turned in Crowley yet for having his scotch.
Castiel rolled his eyes a little. "Yeah, I'm a good boy," he muttered before he stood up. "I'm going out, Crowley," he said, grabbing his bag and heading out the door. He sighed a little once he was outside of the door. He felt like he could breath a little easier now that he was away from Crowley. That man was pressing, and Castiel had a feeling he would never leave him alone.
Eventually, Castiel reached one of the courtyards at the school. It was pretty empty, and he was glad for that as he sat on the ground, leaning against a tree. As he leaned his head back against the trunk, he closed his eyes, breathing in the fresh air deeply. This was good… he needed more of this. More time outside, in the fresh air. Away from Crowley, and his toxic influence.
His peace was broken when a small group entered the courtyard, and settled down. Their conversation took on the topic of who they thought Roman's heir was. It was spreading fast, and most of his classmates immediately started talking like they went at their school. It seemed to be the hot topic lately, one that Castiel could not escape. Hopefully, Dean was staying away from it.
"You've heard a lot of people think that the freshman Crowley is the heir, right?" one of them said.
"So I heard," came a voice that sounded not only less-than-amused, but also had an accent. "Most people can't seem to stop saying it," he added. "What do you think, Lexxy?"
"Don't have any classes with him," she said. "And I really only met him once, more or less in passing, so I really can't have an opinion on if he's the heir or not," came Lex's reply.
That made Castiel's head shoot ip and he opened his eyes. The small group hadn't seen him, and he was glad for that. But the fact alone that Lex was with this group only cemented in his mind that she was what he feared…
"I've no classes with him either," the one with the accent said. "But I have heard quite a lot about him. And if the rumors of him are true, he certainly seems the type,"
"Balthazar, you can't make an opinion on a person you know next to nothing about," Lex pointed out, amusement in her voice.
Balthazar chuckled. "You've got me there, Lexxy," he said. "Still, it is intriguing, isn't it? The fact that the progeny of the great Dick Roman could very well be going to our school. Rather think it's the most exciting thing that's happened here, don't you agree?"
"You're not wrong," one of the others said. "I've read up on the school's history. Nothing interesting happens here at all,"
A few of them laughed. "I have a class with Crowley," one of the boys said. "He's the picture for Roman's heir. In our Romanite club we're planning on voting him the president,"
"Well, good for him," Balthazar said. "Now correct me if I'm wrong, but we did come outside to work on the group project for class, yes?"
Lex stifled a laugh. "There you go again, Balthazar, always taking charge,"
"It's what I live for, dear," he said with a chuckle. After a few groans, the group's conversation died, and they started working.
Castiel was frowning. They way they had been talking. So casual about it. He shook his head a little before standing, making sure that he was not seen as he left the courtyard, seeking somewhere else to relax.
His mind reeled a little but he tried to shake off the conversation he had just over heard. Maybe he was over thinking it? Lex was a good friend… she was a nice person. You thought the same thing about Naomi in middle school. A small voice in his head said. He shook the thought away. That was not something he wanted to think about.
Naomi. He hadn't thought of her in a long long time… Castiel shook his head once more. No time for that. He just wanted some place to relax, have a little peace and quiet, but he also wanted fresh air. He decided to try one of the other less popular courtyards on campus. Hopefully there would be less of a crowd. Or at least: less people talking about Roman's progeny.
Castiel breathed a sigh of relief when he reached the Western courtyard. Not as popular later in the day as there could be less shade, but he didn't mind. There were less people here, what was more they were not talking very loud. He nodded approvingly, going over to one of the trees and sitting down, leaning his back against the warm bark. His silence was disturbed after not too long, however it was not done so in a harsh manner.
"..You're Castiel, right?" came a rather soft voice that Castiel recognized.
His eyes flitted open and he blinked, finding himself looking up at Dean's roommate. He almost did not recognize him without the hat. "Yeah, that's me," he said with a nod. "You were… Alfie, right?"
Alfie nodded. "Yeah," he said, adjusting the books in his arms. "..Do you mind if I sit by you while I study?" he asked after a moment. "Just that there's this group that tends to pick on me a little whenever I'm studying alone, and I thought-"
"No need to explain further," Castiel said, offering the younger a small smile. "Pull up some grass," he added.
Relief swept over the young man's features as he sat down. "thank you so much for this," he said as he opened one of his books.
Castiel couldn't help but to smile as he watched Alfie. It was no wonder he was teased somewhat. After all, he was hardly sixteen, making him the youngest in their freshman year. Add in the fact he was one of the few that actually went out to find a job, he wasn't surprised that he was picked on. "What are you studying?" he asked him after a moment.
After a moment of shifting, Alfie showed Castiel the cover of one of his books. It was the same mythology text book that Dean had.
"Looks like you're taking the same class as Dean," Castiel said. "Do you have it together?"
Alfie shook his head. "I wish I did though. It would be nice to have a class with someone who didn't look down on me just because of the way I look,"
As though by cruel fate, a few laughs were heard as a small group approached them. "Look who it is. The Good Boy and the Littlest Freshman," Crowley smirked at the two sitting on the grass. "Having a little pow wow are we, boys?" he asked.
"Just. studying Crowley… nothing else.." Alfie said slowly, not looking up.
That made Castiel frown. "Leave the kid alone, Crowley. Don't you have better things to do?" he added. He might hardly know Alfie, but that was no reason to just sit by and let Crowley torment the kid.
Crowley sighed a little. "Always the good boy, aren't you, Castiel?" he said, putting his hands in his pockets. "Don't you ever get tired of following the rules? Have you ever considered how fun it could be to live on the edge?" he added before walking off with his little group.
If he only knew… Castiel shook his head a little before looking at Alfie. "If it makes you feel any better, he's my roommate," he said.
"My condolences," Alfie said, before managing a smile and settling down against the tree once more, holding his book. "Thank you for that, Castiel," he added.
"Don't mention it, Alfie," Castiel said in response before leaning against the tree once more, closing his eyes. He was more than willing to just waste the rest of the day away like this. Content in the courtyard, only the sounds of the breeze, and Alfie taking his notes. It was the perfect combination of soft noise and fresh air. More than once, Castiel nearly nodded to sleep. His peace was disturbed when a voice cracked the near silence.
"Hey, Dean!"
Those blue eyes would have snapped open if Castiel had no self control. Thank God he did, and he opened his eyes slowly, looking up to see Dean striding over. "Hey you two," he said as he sat down on the grass between them, facing the tree instead of having his back to it. "How is your fine Sunday going?" he added.
"Castiel got Crowley and his gang to leave me alone." Alfie said after a moment with a small smile.
"That's Cas for ya," Dean said with a smirk. "Always gotta be the hero,"
"Oh shut up," Castiel said, rolling his eyes a little. but he managed a smile. "He probably can't stand people who don't just follow his example blindly,"
"Explains his hate on us three then," Dean said as he picked up a long blade of grass and put it in his mouth, occasionally turning it with his tongue. "He seems to have a bit of thing for your girl Lex, though," he added.
"Who's Lex?" Alfie asked, closing his book as it was obvious a far more interesting subject had come up.
"She's just a friend," Castiel said, avoiding at all costs looking at what Dean was doing with that blade of grass. Was he trying to drive him crazy? The answer was probably yes, but Castiel shook the thought away. "Crowley has met her, seems that he likes what he saw," he shrugged.
"If she's just a friend, then why did Dean call her your girl?" Alfie asked, tilting his head a little as his light brow furrowed.
Dammit, Dean Castiel thought. "Because Dean likes to tease," he said. "Always has, ever since high school,"
"Old habits die hard," Dean said with a smirk as he leaned back on the grass, still twirling that one blade in between his lips. "Besides, it's my way of looking out for you," he added. "You're family after all,"
Oh his heart skipped to that. It was Dean's way of saying he was his, when talking to others. He learned that not long after they started dating. Family. "Yeah, yeah, I know…" he muttered. "Speaking of family, how's Sam doing?" he asked after a moment.
"Sammy's doin' good," Dean said with a small nod. "Usual high school troubles, but I've gotten less messages from him, so I figure he's alright. Still a geek. Got himself a little girlfriend, her name's Jess," he shook his head with a laugh. "It's really almost nauseatingly adorable listening to him talk about her," he laughed again. "I've gotten more than one call from him asking on dating advice. I think he may be starting to drive Bobby crazy,"
Castiel laughed a little, shifting in his spot, but keeping his back to the tree. "That's good to hear he's doing well," he said with a nod. Truth was, he cared for Sam as a brother as well. He was a good kid, never got in to trouble if he could help it. Straight A's and everything. Polar opposite to how Dean had always been. But in spite of that, no matter what Sam always looked up to his big brother. That was something Castiel always admired about the younger Winchester. In spite of his older brother's faults, Sam still saw Dean as his hero.
"You got any other family, Alfie?" Dean asked after a moment, his eyes fixing on his roommate.
Alfie shook his head. "No, it's just me and my parents," he said. "Sort of wish I had brothers though. It would have been nice to have someone there,"
"Tell you what," Dean said, sitting up. "Me and Cas, we're your brothers now," he said with a wide smile. "So, anything at all you need, you come to us,"
"…wait… you mean it…?" Alfie said slowly, his face starting to shine a little with hope. he looked from Dean to Castiel.
It was impossible to say no to a look like that. Castiel smiled and nodded, putting a hand on Alfie's shoulder. "Of course, Alfie," he said with a nod. "Me and Dean will both be there for you,"
Dean nodded in agreement. "Exactly. What are big brothers for?"
Alfie looked as if he was going to cry. "…th-thank you… both of you.." he said, his voice wavering slightly. "..that means a lot,"
"No problem," Dean said with a nod. "It's our pleasure," he added before leaning back on the grass once more
—
After Dean had essentially adopted Alfie as his and Castiel's brother, the three had started to get closer over the next week. None of the small group could say it was a bad thing, really. What was more, Alfie was having far less trouble with Crowley since Castiel had told him to back off. It seemed that Crowley at least had respect enough to follow the request of his roommate. Alfie did have a few afternoon classes on Wednesday, but he was invited to join them for breakfast, where he briefly met Lex, who had stopped into the diner for a cup of coffee.
"You're Dean's roommate?" she asked as she waited for her coffee to be brought out.
Alfie nodded. "I am. Dean and Cas have mentioned you so it's nice to put a face to the name," he said.
Lex smiled, brushing aside her hair. He was a sweet kid. "It was nice meeting you," she said as Jo brought over her coffee. "See you guys, see you in class tomorrow, Castiel," she added before heading out the door once more.
Alfie watched her leave before looking back to Dean and Castiel. "She seems really nice," he said, before looking at Castiel. "You sure she's not your girl? I think she likes you,"
Castiel paled a fraction at that, but recovered fast. "Pretty sure," he said, avoiding eye contact with Dean for all he could. "Lex and I are just friends," he assured him, though he was assuring Dean just as much. Dean had to know that, right? That there was no one else for him?
It would be saturday evening soon enough… Castiel was telling himself that. Almost Saturday, and he and Dean would spend the hours of that football game doing anything but watching it. Far too little time together, to just be together. What he would give to just be close…
—
Finally, not soon enough for Castiel, it was Saturday. First was Lex's meet, of course, and like he had promised, Castiel was in the bleachers. Not a big crowd, but then again this wasn't a major meet… He sat near the middle, just to ensure he had a decent vantage point of it all. As he scanned the crowd, he spotted a blonde head in the front row. Balthazar. It was good that Lex had invited him as well. Maybe he would be able to get away from the meet before she could ask him anything. Hell, maybe Balthazar would ask her first. But fate, he had come to learn, was rarely so kind.
It was a fairly impressive lineup. Several girls, and a few boys. Castiel noted that while most of the girls leotards were open in the back, Lex's seemed to be the only one that wasn't. It did have tasteful openings on the sides, though. He figured that was because of the tattoo he had seen part of on her back when he had watched her practice.
The meet today, was much like the football game that was occurring later that night. Not against another school, just those that went to this particular school. From what Castiel understood as he looked at the program, it was to make sure that everyone was up to par for the school's gymnastic team, and to decide who would be the front runners at all the official meets. What was more, unlike other teams, whoever won first would be made the captain, instead of having the captain voted it. This was to ensure that only the best would be in charge of the team.
Ten o'clock came and the meet began. Castiel recognized a few of the people participating, having seen them in the halls and even in classes. The one girl's name was Meg, if he remembered correctly. As he had told Lex, really he did not know too much of sports, but it was impressive to watch none the less. Every person that did their routines seemed to do so without fault, but then again he was not a judge so he wasn't really looking for faults.
When Lex came up, he unconsciously sat up a little straighter, and became a little more focused. When he realized he did so, he told himself it was because she was the reason he was here in the first place. She was his friend. The routine was a little different than the one he remembered watching her o before: it seemed she had taken his advice and added a few more complicated moves. When she finished he clapped, and noticed Balthazar doing the same, although Balthazar also whistled for her.
A few more performed, and then the awards were given. Lex won first place, but narrowly so, by only one point, according to the actual scores. Soon after the bleachers started to clear. Some people leaving right away, others were coming up to the participants they had come for, congratulating them or assuring them that they would do better next time. Naturally, Balthazar reached Lex before Castiel did, but he had no problem with that. He lingered in the crowd.
"You were absolutely brilliant, Lexxy," came Balthazar's voice as he smiled to Lex, giving her a hug. "Some of those moves were a little risky, but it certainly paid off," He handed her a single flower. "Congratulations on being captain," he added.
"This was just a meet between school you know, so it's not as though the awards actually matter," she said, but she was smiling. "But, thank you, Balthazar," Lex accepted the flower with a small smile.
"Any time, darling," he said to her.
"How did you know that I was going to win, or did you just think to have this in case?" she asked.
"Call it intuition," Balthazar said with a small smile.
Castiel finally came up to them, and smiled down to Lex. "You were great," he said, giving her a congratulatory hug as well. "They couldn't have a better captain,"
"Thank you for coming, Castiel," she said with a bright smile as she broke from the hug. "Castiel, this is Balthazar. Balthazar, this is Castiel," she said.
"Pleasure," Balthazar said as he held out his hand, taking Castiel's in a handshake. "Lexxy has mentioned you. It's nice to finally meet,"
Castiel nodded as they shook hands. "Likewise," he said. At the moment, Castiel was not sure what to think of Balthazar. From the brief bit of the conversation he had heard the week before, he was not entirely sure if this was a man he could trust. He wasn't jealous of Balthazar, but he was not sure what the feeling in his gut was. When their hands parted, Castiel stuck his in his pockets. "Listen, Lex, I would love to stick around, but Alfie and Dean asked me to help them with something at their dorm, I think they're building something and Dean should be supervised when handling tools, for everyone's safety,"
Lex laughed a little, and though it did not fully reach her eyes she nodded, a smile coming to her lips. "Of course. You go on ahead," she said. "Maybe I'll see you at the game tonight?" she added.
"Yeah, maybe," Castiel said, though he knew the chances of that were exceedingly slim. He did not plan to leave Dean's company for the length of the game, and he knew that they would not actually be watching it. There, yes, but their attention would be focused elsewhere.. "Congratulations again," he said, kissing her forehead before walking off, making his way to Dean and Alfie's dorm.
Upon arriving, there was a great deal of wood, nails and tools on the floor. Dean was cursing as he held a few bits of wood, and Alfie was standing aside, holding what looked like instructions. What stood out though was the look on his face. It was a cross between amusement and annoyance. When he noticed Castiel arrive, Alfie looked up. "Maybe you can talk sense into him," he said, holding out the papers. "He's convinced he doesn't need the instructions,'
Castiel pursed his lips in a laugh. "Dean, you really should look at the instructions if you want to finish this thing this century," he said.
Dean looked up, glaring a little. "It should be straight forward!" he said, sounding aggravated.
"And it is… if you read the instructions," Castiel pointed out.
After a moment, Dean's shoulders slumped and he sighed in resignation, holding his hand out. "Fine, let me see the damn instructions," he muttered.
After handing Dean the instructions, Alfie looked to Castiel, mouthing 'thank you,' before he sat down to try and help Dean with the actual assembly.
After a few hours, many choice words from Dean, and laughter from both Alfie and Castiel, the shelf was finally finished, and put on the wall between their sides of the room. Dean exhaled proudly, and ran a hand through his hair. "Alright so, next time we'll look at the instructions right away," he said , looking at the other two with a slightly sheepish smile.
"Now that's a miracle," Castiel said with a small laugh, before he checked the time. "Yikes. The game will start soon, we should get ready and head over," he said, looking back up at Dean and Alfie. "I'll meet you there?"
Dean nodded. "Yeah, I could use a shower," he said. He then looked at Alfie. "You gonna come to the game?" he asked.
Alfie shook his head. "Football was never really my thing," he said. "I think I'll stay here, get the books transferred to the new shelf, maybe catch up on my reading,"
"Man with the plan," Dean said with a smile. "ALright so, see you up there then, Cas," he added with a nod.
Castiel nodded. "Yeah, see you there," he said. With one last farewell to Alfie, he made his way back to his own dorm to shower and change for the game. The game he would not even watch… that brought a smile to his face as he let the cold water run over him. He and Dean could finally have some time together.
—
Finally done and changed, Castiel made his way over to the football field. He knew Dean would be waiting for him near the entrance. And sure enough, he spotted him. It was not hard to do so. Dean was easy to spot in that old leather jacket of his.
"Ready to watch the game?" Dean asked Castiel with a small smirk once he was joined. Without needing a real reply, the two of them headed in together, though made a slight detour from the crowd. Thankfully they were unnoticed as Dean pulled Castiel under the bleachers.
"This sees a little cliché, don't you think?" Castiel asked, arching a brow as he was pulled into the shadows. "I mean.. the bleachers?"
Dean just smirked. "Yeah well, then we'll be cliché. No one's gonna be lookin' under here," he then pulled Castiel close, his eyes locking on to the shorter boy's. "Are you gonna shut up today, or will I have to make you?"
Castiel smirked, taking hold of the front of Dean's jacket. "You may have to make me.." he said after a moment. "According to you, I never shut up,"
That was all the invitation Dean needed. A moment later he had pulled Castiel as close as he could, pressing him to one of the beams under the bleachers as he sealed their mouths together in an almost desperate kiss.
The sounds of the crowd above them and the game behind them seemed to melt away… Castiel always noted that. Whenever he was with Dean, whenever Dean held him close, and those perfect lips were against his own, then the world melted away, and all there was was him. The warmth, the taste. The feel of the old leather straining beneath his fingers as he tried to pull Dean even closer.
They both found themselves wanting the game to go into overtime. For it to last for hours, even though it never did. It was always a short game. So they had to make the best of their brief time together. Just them. Perfectly together and alone, lost in the moments and each other.
But they were not as alone as they thought they were…
—
Castiel had slept that night with a smile. He didn't know who had won the game, and frankly, he didn't care. The entirety of the game was spent in Dean's arms. It had felt perfect. It was perfect. He made a mental note to make this a habit. Attending the games and not watching. He had a feeling that Dean would not object to it at all.
As he was finishing getting dressed, outside the door he heard a few catcalls and whistles, and they got closer to his room. When he heard the knock, Crowley was the one to open the door, and that familiar short blonde was there, rolling her eyes as she ignored the people behind her. "Well hello darling," Crowley said.
Lex sighed a little, before her eyes went to Castiel. "Castiel, I was hoping we could get a coffee," she said.
With a nod, Castiel stood once he had his shoes on. "Sure, Lex," he said. he grabbed his bag and said goodbye to Crowley, ignoring the wink that he received as he walked out, and left the dorm with Lex.
The campus was pretty empty, but that was not unusual for a sunday morning. Most people tended to sleep in due to mild hangovers from the night before. "I didn't see you in the bleachers for the game last night," Lex said after a minute of silence as they left campus for the small café.
A mild panic went through Castiel. How could he answer this? He was at the game, but he wasn't in the bleachers. "I was there," he said. "Maybe you were just in a different section?" he said, able to keep his voice steady, but it was hard. He was praying she would drop it at that.
"You weren't in the bleachers, Castiel. Balthazar and I were sitting near the top, we would have seen you sitting,"
"..I.. well, I don't know what to-"
"I saw you, Castiel," Lex said, her voice suddenly taking on a harsh tone. "I saw you with Dean."