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Chapter Five

"Quick," Adrian whispered to Dean.

"Quick what?" Dean asked him as he kept an eye on Cas as he moved through the lunch line.

"What happened? I heard Cas totally lost it," Adrian said.

Now that Dean was on full time guardian duty he didn't see Adrian everyday like normal, but they made plans to have lunch together today.

Dean shook his head. "It was no big deal," he said.

"Screaming and running away from fake Strigoi sounds like some kind of deal to me," Adrian replied.

"Just drop it, okay?" Dean said. He didn't want Cas to overhear them. "He's coming back to the table."

Adrian opened his mouth to protest, but shut it as Cas set his tray down and joined the boys at the table.

"Am I interrupting something?" Cas asked when he noticed the conversation ceasing.

"Just Adrian making a dumb joke," Dean replied.

"You just have no sense of humor," Adrian retorted.

Cas chuckled. "I wish I had a friendship like you guys. Most people around here don't even want to talk me," he said.

"Maybe it's because…" Adrian started and then stopped when Dean stomped on his foot. "What the actual fuck?"

"Sorry, accident," Dean said innocently.

"As I was saying," Adrian replied. "Maybe it's because you're so quiet." He gave Dean a pointed look.

"Yeah, I guess that probably isn't helping my case," Cas agreed.

"I heard rumors about a party next weekend. It'd be a good way for you to meet people," Adrian said to Cas.

"That does sound fun," Cas said at the same time Dean said, "We won't be going."

Adrian snorted. "I didn't realize you spoke for Cas," he commented. "And come on…parties I attend always end up being legendary."

"Yeah, up until the moment they're busted," Dean pointed out.

"Maybe it's not a good idea," Cas relented. "I wouldn't want Dean to get in trouble in the midst of his exam."

"Suit yourself," Adrian said with a shrug as he got up. "Eddie and I will just have all the fun then."

Eddie, who was stationed behind Adrian, discreetly rolled his eyes as they walked away.

"I like him," Cas mused.

"Yeah, he's kind of got that way about him," Dean had to agree.

"Are you guys like a thing?" Cas asked him.

Dean nearly choked on the sip of water going down his throat. "What? Why would you ask that?"

"Oh, I'm sorry…I just assumed you were..." Cas trailed off. "It's not big deal if you are. I am," he said.

"You are what?" Dean asked, nearly choking again.

Cas' started looking a little nervous. "You aren't like one of those guys that…" he stammered.

"What? No! I mean you…be who you want to be or whatever," Dean assured him. "Wave your own flag and stuff." He felt like the temperature in the room had increased by ninety degrees.

"You sound like an inspirational poster on the guidance counselor's wall," Cas joked.

Dean laughed out loud at that one as both boys started to relax. "So…what we talked about before. Your magic. Do you want to start practicing?" Dean asked him.

Cas was nodding his head eagerly before Dean could even finish his sentence. "Right now?"

"Slow down there, young grasshopper," Dean said with a laugh. Cas' enthusiasm was kind of adorable. "First, I need to know a few things."

"Ask away," Cas encouraged him.

"Are you good runner?" Dean asked him.

"Not particularly," Cas admitted.

"Do you know how to throw a punch?" Dean ticked off.

"Not a clue," Cas replied.

"Do you know how to dodge a punch?" Dean tried.

Cas thought for a moment. "Yeah, I could probably duck in time."

"Well, that's a start then," Dean decided.

…

When classes were over for the day Dean guided Cas to the training room where the guardian combat classes were held.

"What's first, sensei?" Cas asked.

Dean fought the urge to laugh. "The first thing they teach us here is…if you can avoid a fight…avoid it. That's why I asked if you could run. We guardians can run four miles straight and not even take to take a breath."

"That seems physically impossible," Cas replied.

"I was just trying to make a point," Dean snickered.

"I can't always make it to the stop of the stairs without getting winded," Cas said.

"Then we'll start with throwing a punch," Dean said.

Cas raised his fists. "Okay, I'm ready," he said. "Who's my target?" he asked.

Dean shook his head. "Put your fists down," he said to him. "First of all, you're going to hurt yourself if you punch someone like that. And the goal is to hurt them."

Cas examined his fists and looked at Dean helplessly. Dean stepped over and put his hand over Cas'. "Put your thumb here," he said guiding his digit. "That will pack more of a well…punch." Cas held his fist out as Dean instructed him. "And try to stand so you can step back and then forward. It'll give you momentum. Give it a try."

Dean reluctantly stepped away from Cas and gave his fist and stance a once over. "How's that?" Cas asked him.

Dean nodded his head. "So far, so good…now wind your arm back like you're going to shoot a bow and arrow," he instructed him.

"Yes, something I have a lot of knowledge of," Cas said dryly, but did as he was told.

"And after you make contact bring your arm back like you just touched something hot," Dean replied.

Cas punched the air a few times. One Dean was satisfied with his attempts he brought a dummy over. "Try it out on old Phil here," he said.

"Sorry, Phil…" Cas apologized as he struck the dummy.

Dean gave him a few notes but overall Cas wasn't half bad. When Dean told him so the Moroi grinned like an idiot. "When are we going to get to the stuff where I can use my magic?"

Dean had kind of been hoping Cas would forget about that. The whole idea still made him uneasy. "Are you sure?" he asked him. "I mean I…er your guardian will always be there to protect you," he said, quickly trying to cover up his slip of the tongue.

"Please…it's important to me," Cas said sincerely.

"Okay, fine…well, you lucked out in specializing in the element that can kill Strigoi…so good on you," Dean said.

"I was thinking a fireball might be the most effective," Cas explained.

"You'd probably have to catch them off guard, though. They can move pretty fast," Dean said…or so he had been told.

"I'd need to practice on a moving target then," Cas reasoned.

"Who'd be stupid enough to volunteer for that…oh God you want to practice on me," Dean surmised.

"It's for the greater good," Cas insisted.

"You're a worse influence on me than, Adrian," Dean said with a shake of his head as he obliged. "Hit me with your best shot," he said as he ran to the other side of the room.