Time skip alert! We are jumping forward a month so the next few chapters we are in the time of late October/Early November. Please forgive typos as I'm not editing at this point in time. I'm too annoyed by the Glee finale so I'm posting this to cheer myself up. I'll edit it whenever I get around to feeling up to it.

Thanks for all the reviews, you guys are awesome! The first scene of this chapter is my favourite part in the entire story so I really, really hope you guys like it. It's just precious.

Also: sneak peek of the next chapter to anybody who correctly guesses (guess isn't really the right word since I know ya'll just going to go and check your copies for the sentence but that's cool, it'd be cooler if you knew right off though) which chapter of Harry Potter Dean is reading in this :)

Enjoy!

Dean discovered a month later – when he was held back for detention – that Castiel could play the piano. And damn he could play well. He was heading down the hall to the exit so he could leave when he heard piano notes drifting through the halls and a voice proclaiming "Perfect, Castiel!"

Dean halted in his steps and listened as the teacher informed him that would be the end of his lesson but the music didn't stop, the song simply changed into a different one. Dean headed towards the music room where after school lessons were held and he leant in the doorway to observe as the teacher packed up, checking her watching and looking at Castiel.

She looked around and saw Dean who smiled and beckoned to her, not wanting to disrupt Castiel by alerting him to his presence.

"I'll wait with him for his family to get him," Dean assured her. "You can go if you have somewhere to be."

"Thank you," she smiled and headed off. Dean frowned a little – she hadn't even asked who he was – before shrugging it off and concentrating on the music. The song Castiel was playing was mournful and low but at the same time beautiful. Dean knew it must have some meaning to Castiel since there wasn't even any sheet music in front of him so he knew it by heart. He approached slowly, not wanting to startle the boy.

He had been friends with Castiel for a month and half now but he had no idea that he played music. Dean had been introduced to Michael and Lucifer properly in this time both of whom intimidated him. He and Castiel had also moved onto the third Harry Potter book and Castiel was still rapt by the story. Dean had learnt his subtle reactions for when he was excited, amused, happy, sad, angry and confused by the story. He was enjoying Castiel's reactions to it almost as much as he was enjoying rereading the series.

But why had nobody told him how amazing he was at making music? He looked so at peace. Calm. It was... it was beautiful, Dean realised, watching as Castiel's eyes shut as he moved on to a more complicated section of the song.

Dean sat down on the bench, leaving enough room between he and the youngest Novak so that he wouldn't freak out. He learnt his lesson last time. Castiel didn't event react, his fingers never faltered as they danced across the piano keys. Dean watched them for a moment and then got a tiny smirk as he reached out and pressed a key.

Castiel froze immediately, hands hovering above the ivory. He didn't look at Dean but he didn't continue playing either. So Dean pressed another key. And another. Making up a ridiculous and disjointed melody that was really, truly awful. He just kept going until he got the shock of his life when a pair of hands caught his and stopped him.

Dean looked at Castiel in wonder but the boy didn't return the stare. Instead he gently placed Dean's hands over the keys and then returned his own. He pressed a key and then waited. It took the older boy a moment to realise Castiel was waiting for him to copy so he pressed the key on his half of the piano that corresponded with Castiel's.

Castiel pressed another two notes and Dean copied him.

Then they started again, adding two more notes this time before going back to the start. By this point Dean realised he was being taught how to play the song Castiel had been playing when he'd interrupted. He was at the higher end though so his melody wove beautifully through Castiel's, taking away the mournful edge Dean had been worried about when he'd first heard the music.

He continued following the younger boy's lead even as he floundered, marvelling over the fact that Castiel had touched him willingly. Castiel, whose siblings couldn't even hug him without him screaming and crying, had chosen to take Dean's hands to stop him ruining music forever.

Dean eventually started grinning as he got the hang of the song and they played it all the way through together. Twice.

Then Castiel withdrew his hands and placed them in his lap, beginning to twirl his fingers, staring down at them as if they held all the answers to the world.

"Cas?" Dean said gently, not moving and trying very hard not to startle the boy. "Uh... thank you."

He waited a moment and then Castiel finally looked at him, just a very quick flash of azure eyes, before hesitantly reaching over and patting his hands where they still remained on the piano keys. Dean stared at the hand on top of his. That made twice.

A gasp broke the silence, showing they weren't the only shocked ones – the gasp itself breaking into the bubble that had formed around them as they played and frightening Castiel causing him to leap to his feet and back away, shaking his head.

"Cassie, Cassie, I'm sorry!" Gabriel approached warily. "It's just me. I didn't mean to frighten you. It's just Gabe, Cassie, no need to be scared. It's me. It's your big bro."

Dean watched as Castiel calmed down, picking up his bag and waiting motionlessly for instruction to leave.

Gabriel watched him for a moment to be sure he was okay before looking at Dean with wide honey eyes.

"He touched you," Gabriel whispered. "I mean, I didn't come in because I could see you two playing the piano but... he touched you..."

"That wasn't the first time," Dean responded. "He put my hands on the right keys before he started teaching me."

Gabriel's eyes widened further and he went to speak but they were interrupted by the entrance of Lucifer who was looking down at a sheet of paper.

"Seriously Gabe? Does it take this long to grab Castiel? Or is he still...?" Lucifer trailed off when he noticed the stunned silence in the room. "What's wrong? Is he okay?" Lucifer turned almost frantic eyes onto Castiel who remained where he was, calm and unharmed. He seemed relieved.

"Luci... Cassie touched Dean," Gabriel whispered. "I took a while because they were in here playing the piano together but... then Cassie touched Dean's hands when they finished. I... I just... I mean the playing is new too so that's why I didn't interrupt... he never let us sit with him while he played." Gabriel was still staring at Dean as he spoke. "Who are you?"

Dean laughed. "Just Dean Winchester... I dunno... I guess I'm just incredibly persistent."

"But..." Lucifer shook his head slowly. "Wait until I tell Michael. This is amazing. I can't believe he initiated contact with someone. I can't believe he communicated with somebody." He was pulling out his phone, dialling his brother even as he spoke and Gabriel suddenly laughed and brushed a hand under his eyes.

Dean pretended not to notice, looking over at Castiel who was, in a rare display, paying complete attention. He was looking at Gabriel specifically, following the movement of his hand drying tears. Castiel approached his brother and stood there. He didn't touch Gabriel but he studied him closely, gaze questioning. It was clear what he was wondering.

"Oh, I'm not sad, Cassie," Gabriel said reassuringly. "I'm happy. I'm just... I'm so happy. Does... do you like Dean that much, Cassie? Does he make you feel safe enough to... touch?"

Castiel hesitated and then nodded, looking back at his hands.

Dean felt his heart swell.

"Well, then you can spend as much time as you want with him. None of us will stop you." Gabriel looked at Dean, eyes teary again. The older teen wanted to say something but he found himself choked up and then he found himself crushed in Lucifer's arms.

"That's from Michael," Lucifer explained. "He wants you to come over for dinner. You're not allowed to say no."

"Okay, let me call Sammy then so he knows where I am," Dean grunted. "You're heavy, get off me Luce."

Lucifer chuckled before planting a wet, loud kiss on Dean's temple that made Castiel look up again, confusion etched over his features. Dean met his eyes and smiled at him, prompting Castiel to drop his gaze but his facial muscles twitched... almost as if he wanted to smile back. He almost seemed... bashful.

Dean wondered what it was about the Novaks when he stepped through the front door to find himself crushed into another hug, this time from Anna. Michael kept a polite distance but his eyes were wide as he looked over Castiel before turning his gaze to Dean who was trying to breathe from the cage of Anna's and now Lucifer's arms – the older Novak had decided he liked trying to crush Dean's ribcage. From the few times Dean had met Michael he knew he was reserved which was why his hug came through Lucifer, though Dean had his doubts that Michael had even really wanted to hug him and that it was all his twin brother.

"Okay," Michael said, his voice coming out slightly croaky. He cleared his throat, sending a dark look at Gabriel who was snickering. "Okay, what's going to be for dinner tonight, everyone? Dean, what's your favourite dish?"

Dean blinked in surprise, floundering.

"Dean likes burgers," Gabriel offered helpfully. "We have that mincemeat defrosting."

Anna pulled a face and Michael smiled warmly, stroking a hand over her hair. "You can help me make some veggie patties for you. As for the rest of you, wash up and we'll get to work on burgers for tonight. Dean, would you mind taking Castiel up to his room, he has an after school routine."

Dean nodded numbly watching as everyone went off. He hadn't been to the Novak house so he had no idea that they all so easily deferred to Michael or that they worked together so seamlessly. It made him a little envious to think that it was usually just him and Sam since John went away on business. Or when Ellen, Jo, Ash and Bobby came over it was practically pandemonium. The harmony in this house was incredible.

Castiel was watching him curiously.

"Okay Cas, show me where your room is. And hey, I've got Prisoner of Azkaban in my bag. Maybe Michael will let us read some more after dinner," Dean said with a grin. Castiel smiled at him excitedly and started walking towards the stairs, pausing a few steps later waiting for Dean to follow him.

Dean followed Castiel into his sizable room and looked around in interest. Everything was neat and orderly as he'd expected, to help Castiel feel comfortable and in control, Gabriel had explained. Routine is important, it lets autistic people feel like they have some control in a world that is so big and confusing for most of them.

Castiel wandered around putting things away and going into his bathroom to wash his face and hands, rubbing soap onto his hands with exactly five twists of his hands together. Dean smiled, endeared as usual by everything the younger boy did, how he functioned so well.

Dean wandered over to his bed as Castiel came out of the bathroom, looking more relaxed than he did during the school day. Dean smiled at him until something caught his eye and he grinned.

"Hey, I recognise this!" Dean chuckled, picking up his leather jacket from Castiel's bed, looking at the boy to find his eyes trained on the jacket, looking terrified. Dean hesitated. The jacket had been a gift from his dad and he missed it a little, as silly as that sounded, but looking at Castiel now, how afraid he appeared at the idea of Dean taking it away... "Hey come 'ere."

Castiel approached warily and Dean instructed him to hold his arms out. He slipped the jacket on, careful not to touch Castiel and then straightened the collar.

"I think this looks better on you," Dean hummed thoughtfully. "You should keep it."

Castiel's eyes lit up and he pulled the jacket closer around him, snuggling into its warmth and inhaling deeply. Dean blushed a little when he realised Castiel was smelling the jacket, taking in remnants of Dean's own scent. Castiel opened his eyes, peeking at Dean shyly with a blush colouring his cheeks, after he realised what he doing in front of Dean.

It was flattering, to say the least, and also incredible that Castiel could be this attached to him. No wonder Michael seemed ready to chain him up so he couldn't ever leave the house. If he could keep Castiel like this, stop him from freaking out and make him smile a little more... he would be willing to allow Michael to kidnap him. Anything to keep those deep blue eyes sparkling like that.

Castiel gently took Dean's hand and gave his fingers a tiny squeeze before letting go very quickly. His wordless version of 'thank you'. It was going to take a very long time to get used to even the brush of Castiel's fingertips if he managed to keep up enough courage to continue touching Dean. And he really, really hoped that he did.

"Don't mention it," Dean huffed gruffly. "Now, what say we watch some movies? Gabe said you like Disney movies?"

Castiel's eyes lit up again and he led Dean downstairs to the living room, going to the shelf and selecting the movie he wanted to watch. Dean hoped Michael would be okay with this – Lucifer walking by the den and nodding as Dean met his eyes assured him that this was allowed. Castiel had settled on the loveseat and Dean considered taking the recliner until Castiel looked at him somewhat pleadingly. Dean joined him, leaving a large enough gap between them that Castiel wouldn't feel stifled yet close enough that they were watching the movie companionably. Castiel looked pleased so Dean knew he'd done the right thing.

Dean had never been so attuned to someone's needs before, he knew he had to let the younger boy call the shots and that was hard for someone who liked being in control. However it was stranger that he just automatically knew – he knew how much space to keep between them, he knew when to speak and what to say, he knew when to keep quiet or move away. He just knew, without any prompting, what Castiel needed from him.

He wasn't even that attuned to Sam.

The credits had just started rolling when Gabriel called for them to come join the rest of them for dinner. Castiel's siblings had left the chair opposite his for Dean to sit which happened to be right between Michael and Lucifer. He wasn't how he felt about this turn of events. But it ended up being fun... until Michael asked the taboo question.

"Where have you applied for college?" he asked casually, sipping at his wine. Dean froze a little and cleared his throat.

"Uh... nowhere," he mumbled.

Everyone except Gabriel and Castiel stared at him. Gabriel because he already knew this and Castiel because he was too busy layering extra cheese on his second burger. Dean took a large gulp of soda to calm himself before meeting Michael's gaze, hoping it wasn't judgemental. It was surprised but definitely not judging.

"Do you mind me asking why?" he asked softly, as if worried about offending the boy, almost man, who was so important to his younger brother.

Dean shrugged, looking down at his plate. "Sammy's the smart one. Not me."

Michael exchanged a glance with Lucifer who shrugged before looking meaningfully at Gabriel. Dean missed all of this but he definitely didn't miss the little huff that had them all turning to stare at Castiel who was – in an act that shocked them all – glaring at Michael.

"Oops," Anna laughed.

"Don't upset Dean, Mikey," Gabriel teased. "You should apologise."

Michael looked sheepish but Dean just shrugged, smiling amusedly at the fact that now Castiel was protective of him. Who would have guessed?

"My apologies Dean, I didn't mean to pry," Michael said sincerely. Dean smiled and nodded, looking over at Castiel.

"Hey, Cas, it's okay. Why don't you go grab the book from my bag, I left it in the hall with my shoes? I mean... if that okay with you." Dean looked at Michael who seemed confused.

"Book?"

"Dean's been reading Harry Potter to Cassie," Anna explained. "But Cas won't let us join in."

Castiel glared at Anna too now.

"I think that's the nickname," Lucifer guessed. "Cas?"

Now he was being glared at.

"Cassie," Lucifer corrected and his brother was appeased. Dean was in a bit of shock.

Even more so when Michael suddenly burst into almost hysterical laughter.

"Um..." Lucifer looked concerned. "Take Cassie into the den, Dean. I'll... deal with my brother on the brink of insanity."

Dean nodded numbly and Castiel jumped up excitedly to retrieve the book before going into the den and curling up in a soft arm chair and hold the book out Dean as he took the one opposite.

"Okay... where we were?" he muttered absently as he continued to worry about Michael. He found his page and started to read. They were interrupted a few minutes in when Michael, now calm and with a smile on his face brought them apple pie and ice cream.

"Gabriel said it's your favourite," he commented. "Don't let me interrupt."

Castiel smiled at Michael, one of the bright ones he gave Dean when he produced the book they were reading each day. Michael stared at him before returning it slowly. Castiel nodded before turning his big, blue eyes back onto Dean expectantly.

"Okay," Dean smiled. "Let's see. The trip to Hagrid's, though far from fun, had nevertheless had the effect Ron and Hermione had hoped..."

They continued for a while, Castiel moving closer to the edge of his seat as the time increased, his eyes trained on Dean's face as he read, watching his expression closely. Dean smiled at him shyly before continuing. Castiel's growing affection with him was... confusing in some ways but mostly it filled him with an immense warmth he'd never felt before and wasn't sure how to interpret. All he knew was that today was one of the best days he'd ever had and he couldn't wait to go home and tell Sam every detail.

Castiel looked up suddenly and it took Dean a moment to notice. He paused mid-sentence when he noticed Castiel's attention elsewhere. Michael was leaning in the doorway to the den looking rather teary which he tried to cover up by gruffly instructing Castiel to get ready for bed and then come down to say goodbye to Dean as it was getting late.

Castiel obeyed though he looked very unhappy about it.

Dean marked the page and slid the book back into his bag as Michael came and took Castiel's chair.

"Thank you for everything," Dean said. "You didn't have to go to all that trouble."

"Oh yes, I did," Michael disagreed. He rubbed an eye, looking embarrassed. "Forgive me, I just never thought I'd see the day when my little brother would actually smile at me like he did tonight. You're healing him, Dean. I can never thank you enough."

Dean frowned. "Cas isn't sick." He was surprised by his own tone but Michael just laughed, shaking his head.

"I am very glad he met you. And yes, I know he isn't sick. And you knowing that is even more important so when I use the word 'heal' I don't mean that he's sick. I think that word has a lot of connotations that can be applied to it. And even if we know he isn't sick, we still know that he needs our help."

Michael twisted his fingers together, looking sideways as he thought. "There's nothing wrong with Castiel, not at all, it's just that the way he views the world is so different to the way almost everybody else does that he needs us to help him. He doesn't understand people on the same level that we do and so they confuse him and that confusion leads to fear which leads to him retreating which leads to the way people treat him which confuses him even more and the cycle just continues."

Michael let out a breath as Dean nodded slowly.

"I think I get it."

Michael smiled. "He needs someone to help him understand people, to understand that he doesn't have to be afraid and a friendly touch isn't going to hurt him so he doesn't need to be distressed by it. You're the one who's doing that for him, Dean. Nobody else has ever been able to. You're helping him feel like he doesn't have to burrow away from the rest of the world."

"I have no idea what I'm doing," Dean said with a half-laugh, a crease appearing between his eyebrows.

Michael smirked a little. "None of us do. But if it really does bother you that you don't know very much about autism, there are such things as books Dean."

"Oh, ha, ha," Dean rolled his eyes. He got up and started to get ready to leave, surprised when Michael clapped a hand on his shoulder to lead him to the door. The others shouted their goodbyes from upstairs where they'd each retreated after washing up the dinner things.

Castiel came down the stairs and stopped at Michael's side when Dean turned at the door.

"Thank you, again, Dean," Michael said softly. "You're welcome here any time."

"Same back to you guys, anytime you want to show my dad how to cook you're welcome to," Dean chuckled.

Michael laughed. Dean looked down at Castiel who tentatively held his hand out. Dean hesitated before gently brushing the tips of their fingers together, wary about anything more in case it was too much too fast. Castiel smiled and withdrew his hand slowly so Dean knew he'd done the right thing.

A touch of the fingertips was the limit right now and he could definitely work with that.

Michael was teary again but smiling as he squeezed Dean's shoulder.

"Take care," he said.

"Sure. See you later. And I'll see you on Monday morning," Dean said, winking at Castiel who nodded. With that he left the Novak house, a definite spring in his step and a plan for his Saturday morning.