... I'm sorry? Heh... heh?

I really am. Everything got so busy in my life and I'm still really unwell. I have a stomach ulcer. It's slowly healing. And I also signed up for the DeanCas Big Bang this year! Yay! I'm 28k words in and not even halfway done so that's taking up a fair chunk of my time but I promise to give this baby a little more love and attention.

Also... *attempts to whisper but ends up screaming* I MET MISHA! AND RICHARD! AND MATT! AND MARK SHEPPARD! My friends got me a ticker to All Hell Breaks Loose V in Sydney for my birthday and it was a couple of weeks ago now but I just felt like sharing anyway. I know some of you follow me on tumblr so you probably saw my photos that I put up and heard the story of how Misha teased me mercilessly whenever he saw me that day I just wanted to say something. I still can't believe it happened. And they're all so amazing. Like I don't even have words. It was the most incredible day and the karaoke was so much fun. I can't wait until next year!

Okay, so, let's get on with the chapter, shall we?

TW: ableist comments made about Cas; derogatory remarks about Dean and Cas's relationship. Please don't hate, Luci, I promise to punish him for his callousness but he doesn't mean it, still it's pretty nasty and quite a low blow

They stayed at Inias and Hester's since it was closer and they didn't want Michael and Dean driving back late. Michael and Lucifer moved upstairs to the spare bedroom while Hester brought down blankets and pillows for the teenagers to sleep in the living room. Balthazar and Samandriel chose to forgo their beds in favour of joining the impromptu slumber party.

Cas wriggled under the same blankets as Dean and wrapped his arms tightly around the older boy's waist. Dean chuckled as he tiredly pressed his face into the soft cotton of Dean's sleeping shirt. He could feel eyes on them and when he looked up found Balthazar glaring but it was different this time. Previously his glares had been distrusting and suspicious now... Dean was concerned that the younger teen was planning his gruesome death right now.

He shook his head and snuggled down into the blankets, holding Cas close and smiling. He still couldn't find it in himself to believe he could actually have something this good in his life. He was kind of terrified of screwing it up.

The morning came with a huge breakfast and lots of hugs as they left. Dean had Cas, Sam and Gabe in his car and he glanced in the rear view mirror as he pulled out of Inias and Hester's driveway to see Sam already nodding off against Gabriel's shoulder. He looked back out the windscreen as Cas waved to his cousins one last time.

Dean noticed Balthazar talking to Lucifer, gesturing angrily towards Dean's car. He frowned in confusion. His heart jolted, however, when Lucifer turned and glared towards the vehicle. That couldn't be good. He had no idea what Balthazar was saying but he was already on thin ice with Lucifer, it probably wouldn't take much to have him punching Dean in the face.

He felt worried and growing steadily more anxious on the drive back to Lawrence. Cas seemed to notice because he slid across the seat to be closer to Dean, bright blue eyes intent on his face.

"'M okay, Cas," Dean assured him quietly. He glanced in the rear view mirror to see Gabriel also asleep, head resting on Sam's. He smiled. "Cas, get my phone out of my pocket and take a photo of our brothers would you? We could use some blackmail material."

Cas frowned and looked back at them. A soft smile appeared on his face and he carefully reached across Dean to remove his phone from his left pocket. Dean bit his bottom lip and concentrated on the road. No inappropriate thoughts about his younger, very new boyfriend. They only shared their – technically – first kiss the night before.

Cas turned around in his seat and carefully lined up the phone with Sam and Gabriel and took a few snaps.

"Thanks," Dean smiled. Cas settled back in his seat and looked over them, nodding in satisfaction. Dean switched the hand he was holding the wheel with and placed his right hand on the seat, waggling his fingers. Cas looked down and smiled, taking Dean's hand. He brought it up to his mouth and kissed his knuckles gently.

Dean couldn't think of a more perfect drive than this. Sam and Gabriel were silent, dead to the world, in the back seat and Cas was awake and settled and happy, holding Dean's hand and tracing the smattering of freckles on his forearm intently.

Gabriel jerked awake when they stopped at a red light coming into town. He looked around in confusion for a moment and then down at Sam, a smile softening his expression for a moment before he caught Dean's eyes in the mirror and flushed.

He coughed.

"So, uhm, I miss anything?" he asked.

Dean rolled his eyes and looked down at his and Cas's entwined fingers. He really couldn't find much of a reason to get mad at Gabriel if he did have feelings for his little brother. He didn't like the idea but it would make him a hypocrite so he didn't say anything.

He pulled up by the Novak's house and Gabriel woke Sam up. The four of them stumbled inside. Gabriel was planning on go back to bed while Dean and Cas headed towards the den. Cas slid into the piano stool and danced his fingers lightly over the keys, looking up at Dean with a smile.

"Play me anything you want, Cas, I'll probably fall asleep," Dean informed him, stretching his arms over his head. Cas pressed the middle C key twice before shifting towards the higher end and beginning to play. Dean loved watching Cas's expression when he first started playing. Within moments tension that before was invisible would bleed out and he would become relaxed and happy, lost to his music. It was beautiful.

They could hear when Michael, Lucifer and Anna arrived home. Dean was leaning against the wall, studying Cas with his undivided attention so he wasn't expecting being shoved bodily into said wall and having a forearm pressed to his throat. He struggled against the hold until he realised it was Lucifer and then he froze.

He'd never seen Michael's twin look so angry and, in truth, frightening before.

Cas gasped and leapt up, tugging at Lucifer's jacket.

"What the hell, man?" Dean demanded, shoving at the older man's chest but to no avail. The forearm on his throat pressed harder and Dean spluttered, his breathing suddenly very difficult.

"What the fuck is wrong with you?" Lucifer snarled, leaning close to him. Dean groaned and struggled weakly. "How dare you!"

"Lucifer!" Michael had arrived. "What happened to talking this out like adults?"

"I lied!" Lucifer snapped, looking back at his brother. "If this asshat thinks he come into our home and take advantage of our little brother then he has another thing coming!"

Cas made a protesting sound as Dean's heart leapt in shock.

How did he know?

"I'm not-" Dean's response was choked off by Lucifer pressing harder on his throat.

"Lucifer! Put him down!" Michael shouted.

"No!" Lucifer glared at Dean, pale blue eyes cold and hateful.

Michael grabbed Lucifer and wrenched him back. Dean dropped down and slid to the floor, choking and gasping for air. Cas's hands fluttered over him, eyes wide with horror as he knelt by Dean. He cast a furious look towards the twins.

"We said we were going to talk about this!" Michael snarled at Lucifer, pushing him back and stepping between Lucifer and the younger boys. Cas helped Dean stand and they moved away from the wall, close to Michael so Lucifer would have to get past him to wrap his hands around Dean's throat like it seemed he was thinking about.

"Talk? You want to talk?" Lucifer asked incredulously. He laughed. "Michael, there's nothing to talk about! This suck fuck obviously gets off on the idea of power. That's it isn't it? You befriended Cas to get close to him right? So you could make him think this is what friends have to do for each other? What is it? You like having power over people who don't know any better?"

"Lucifer!" Michael snapped and directed his twin to look at Cas who was glaring heavily at him, eyes shining with tears before pushing past Michael and storming out of the den. Dean made a move to follow but Michael laid a hand on his shoulder.

"Shit," Lucifer cursed.

"Indeed."

"I shouldn't have said that."

"That's true."

"I'm an idiot."

"You won't hear me arguing." Michael sighed. "Go attempt to apologise. I'd like to speak to Dean. Alone."

Dean's heart plummeted into his stomach.

"That sounds worse, Mikey."

Michael just raised an eyebrow at him and pushed him gently out of the den. He then turned to Dean and beckoned. He led him down the hall to the study.

"Sit." Michael pointed at the chair opposite his desk before settling behind it. Dean had never felt more intimidated in his life. He'd never gotten the 'what are your intentions with my daughter?' speech – thank Christ because the fathers wouldn't have liked his answer – but the upcoming 'what are your intentions with my brother?' speech seemed like it would be worse. And this time he had a good answer too.

"I want the full story," Michael said after a long silence.

"Well, it's kind of... Do you have to?" Dean asked, sounding dangerously close to whiny.

"Dean, I am responsible for Castiel. More than that, he is my brother and I've seen him very hurt when it comes to you. I think you owe me the full story and just know that unlike my brother, I'm reserving judgement until I've heard it."

Dean took a deep breath to calm himself before he started, hoping Michael would understand like he usually did.

"Cassie, come on, open the door, please." Lucifer leant his forehead on the wood of his youngest brother's door and sighed. He shouldn't have let his anger get the better of him. Cas was never going to forgive him for saying all of that.

"Luci, what are you doing?" Gabriel emerged from the next room, rubbing his eyes sleepily. Sam poked his head out behind him, also looking tired. Ordinarily this is where Lucifer would tease Gabriel mercilessly but he just winced, the typical jokes hitting too close to home.

"I was a jerk to Cassie and now he won't let me apologise," Lucifer sighed.

"What did you do?"

"I..." Lucifer hesitated. "I might have implied he was incapable of making his own choices and didn't know how to take care of himself."

Sam gasped. "You don't-"

"Of course I don't actually think that!" Lucifer snapped and then groaned when he saw the hurt look on the younger Winchester's face. None of this was Sam's fault and now Gabriel was glowering at him. Everyone would be pissed at him very soon if he didn't start thinking before speaking. "I know none of that is true... I was just angry..."

Sam sighed and moved over. He nudged Lucifer away from the door and knocked.

"Cas? Hey, it's Sam. Can you open the door for me?" he requested. "I won't let Luci in, I promise. I just want to talk."

They all waited quietly before they heard shuffling and the door opened a crack. Sam smiled warmly at Cas, his adorable puppy dog like eyes winning the youngest Novak over as they won everyone eventually. Gabriel shook his head in amusement as Cas reached out and tugged Sam's arm to get him through the door without opening it wide enough for his older brother to barge in uninvited. He shut the door behind them and Lucifer groaned.

"Why does he like the Winchesters more than us?" he wondered.

"Not more than us, except Dean, but they're just good to him," Gabriel shrugged in response. "And honestly? How could anyone not love Sammy?"

Lucifer threw a smirk at his little brother who blushed and slammed the door his bedroom as he disappeared inside.

"What Lucifer said to you wasn't nice," Sam sighed. Cas had his face pressed into Sam's shoulder and he was crying. Sam was shocked. Cas had held his hands a few times but he'd never allowed them more contact, not like this. Still, it felt nice to be useful and Sam patted his hair the way Dean did sometimes. It seemed to help calm him down. "But you know he didn't really mean it, right?"

Cas raised his head and gave Sam a dark look before returning to his former position.

"It's true. Sometimes, when we're angry, we say things we don't mean. It's kind of like... if you're trying to make someone understand how you feel you throw out what you think will hurt them most. But, Luci's not mad at you; I can't imagine him ever getting mad at you. Who was he angry at?"

Cas pointed towards his bed where Dean's jacket was folded as usual.

"Oh..." Sam bit his lip. "Did... Cas, did Lucifer find out about you and Dean?"

Cas nodded slowly.

"I'm sorry he doesn't understand... what do you say we go downstairs and talk to him? Try and help him see that you and Dean care about each other?"

Cas shook his head vehemently.

"Okay. You're angry, huh? I don't blame you. He'll come around though. He's just being protective, like Dean is with me." Sam hesitated. "Hey, can I tell you a secret?"

Cas raised his head. He wiped his eyes and nodded, looking interested.

"You can't tell, Dean, though, because I know he'll get way protective about it. I mean, he sort of knows but I think he's only joking, if he knew he was right... Promise you won't tell him?" Sam asked and Cas nodded. "Okay, I kind of have a massive crush on Gabriel."

Cas smiled slowly and then rolled his eyes, patting Sam on the head in what Sam was sure was meant to be a condescending manner. Cas was spending way too much time with Dean he decided when he blushed in response.

"Are you trying to tell me you knew? Does anybody not know?" he demanded. Cas's smile grew and he shook his head. "Damn it."

Cas hiccupped a tiny laugh and Sam grinned.

"Want to play chess?"

The smile he received in response filled him with warmth and Sam hoped Dean won't screw this up, he kind of wanted to keep Cas.

Michael was staring out into the garden as Dean shifted uncomfortably on his seat.

"So...?" he said hesitantly, waiting for the swing of the axe. He was terrified that Michael's first response was going to be banning him from ever seeing Cas again. He wasn't sure if he could take that. This was all Balthazar's fault. He had seen Dean kiss Cas at midnight and had told Lucifer that morning. Dean wanted to go and punch him. What business was it if that smarmy kid's if he and Cas had a thing? They weren't hurting anybody and Dean definitely wasn't hurting Cas.

"You have romantic feelings for Castiel?" Michael finally said. "Really?"

"Yes, really. It... took me a little while to figure that out but they're definitely real," Dean muttered. He could feel his cheeks heating in response. He wasn't used to talking about his feeling in such a blunt manner.

Michael sighed and rubbed his forehead. Dean wished he would turn around so he could see his expression.

"I honestly thought I'd never have to have this concern. Not now anyway when he's barely fifteen." Michael pressed his hands to his face and his shoulder start shaking. Dean stared in horror, thinking the eldest Novak was actually crying until he recognised the sound as laughter. Was he being laughed at?

"Michael, uh... are you okay?"

He turned around and wiped his eyes. "I'm trying to decide if this is some huge prank."

Dean blushed. "It isn't." He glared and Michael sobered up.

"I'm sorry, Dean, I didn't mean it like that." He walked back over to his chair and dropped into it. "I'm sorry Lucifer tried to strangle you. He's... he overreacts sometimes."

"Yeah, no, kidding." Dean rubbed his throat. He knew it was going to be a while before he and Lucifer would be back to the way they were before.

"I'm... I have no idea how to feel about this, Dean," Michael sighed. He rubbed his eyes. "I'm tired. You're tired. Our emotions are going to be all over the place. We'll talk about this again later. Me, you, Lucifer and Castiel. For now, I'll just set some ground rules."

"What?" Dean opened his mouth to protest and Michael held up his hand.

"All parents set rules for dating. I didn't think I would have to for Castiel but I do. There will be an open door policy," he began. Dean knew that was standard practise. "He has a nine o'clock curfew on week nights and a ten o'clock curfew on weekends. There will be nothing inappropriate in this house and you aren't to be unsupervised at yours. Understand me now, Dean Winchester, if you hurt him, if you push beyond his physical limits because you're so used to your easy one night stands it will not be Lucifer who attempts to kill you next. Am I clear?"

Dean's eyes widened fractionally at the cold look in Michael's eyes.

"Very," he responded softly. Michael's expression softened.

"I know you wouldn't... maybe not on purpose but I'm still young Dean. I know how it is."

Dean blushed. "I promise, Mikey, it's not even on my mind, not really. I mean this whole... bisexual thing... I'm still figuring it out."

Michael looked a little relieved. "Okay... just... okay..." Michael hesitated and looked nervous all of a sudden. "If that's the case... I did the same-sex sex talk with Gabriel a few years ago when he came out me. If... if that's something you want we can... talk?"

He looked incredibly embarrassed and worried and though Dean felt mildly mortified he realised that he was too scared to do an internet search because his dad might check his browser history, he could never talk to John or Bobby about something like that... Michael's offer was genuine and Dean was almost tempted to talk him up on it.

"Maybe... maybe another time," Dean muttered. "I'd... thanks, Michael."

Michael looked vaguely relieved but he smiled. "Sure, another time. Right. I'm going to head up to bed where I belong. I would suggest you do too, but in the guest room please."

Dean blushed when he realised that Michael was going to be the strictest parent about dating that he'd known. Still, it might be worth it if he kept Lucifer from killing him which seemed more and more likely. It was going to be tense for a while in this house, Dean realised as he went upstairs to find Lucifer leaning against the wall outside Cas's door. He glared at Dean when he spotted him, who glared back in return. Dean debated going to check on Cas but when he drew closer he could hear Sam's voice inside and figured Cas was in good hands and he really was tired.

They all needed some sleep before trying to discuss this mess.

Next time: The dreaded talk is coming up - two different kinds, the talk and The Talk. Also Dean takes Cas on their first real date.