Author's Note...

Um, hey guys. Sorry for putting another author's note. I'm just here to tell you that I moved this up to Rated T because in a chapter coming soon, there'll be a little graphic image of boys kissing and all. If you don't like that kind of stuff, I suggest you don't read that chapter. You won't be missing much though (at least I think so. hmm.). I'll be writing another author's note on that chapter so you'll know what to do the moment you run along that chapter. Still, I think you should read that one cuz I really enjoyed writing it. Hihi.

I'm just doing this to play a little safe when I realized I only chose Rated K+. This is simply for safety measures. Even though I have a pretty good feeling you guys won't mind boys kissing much. :D

Anyways, enjoy and thanks to those who left reviews! :)

By Chance

I Want to Know You...

===3==

"What do you mean?" Dean asked, gaining a smirk from Balthazar.

"Well, Cassy and I grew up together. We're like the best of friends. Actually, there are three of us." Balthazar paused, thinking about the past. "Cassy, me and Michael. We all grew up together. We went to the same school even up to college and we even stayed in the same apartment; just the three of us." He paused again and became very thoughtful. His brows furrowed as he thought deeply.

"Castiel," he paused, saying Castiel's real name for the first time that night, "he has always been the lady's man since high school. Hell! He's even a heartthrob since...forever! A lot of girls at our school would be very much willing to die for him. Heck, even a one night stand would be okay with them as long as it's with Castiel." He chuckled a little at the thought. "Even men drool over him. Yes, he doesn't swing that way, but he just gave the men his attention, saying that it wouldn't be fair if he ignored them." He sighed slowly and deeply as he thought of how to continue the story.

"Michael and I were both 'school heartthrobs' ourselves," he said, putting emphasis on the words school heartthrobs, "But Michael and I do swing that way. We did sleep with some men during our high school. Both Michael and I are bi. Cassy's the only one straight among the three of us but he accepted and loved us anyways." He paused again and played with Castiel's neck tie on the table.

They were both silent for a while. Balthazar seemed to be thinking deeply until Dean thought of breaking the silence. "The people still accepted you guys even though they knew what you two were?" it sounded kind of offensive to Dean and thought of rephrasing the question until Balthazar looked up to him to respond. He didn't seem to be offended.

"Of course they did. We're bi, not gay. We don't put on make ups and do girly things." He said with a grimace. "We are sweet to whoever we're playing with but we still have our manliness. Both Michael and I played football with Cassy. Michael's the team captain of the said sport. I also wrestle and became the head of the wrestling team in no time. Cassy was the youngest basketball captain in our history. He sings well and plays four instruments as well. He's a B student and a responsible brother." He smiled and went back on playing with the tie.

"His biggest flaw though, is that he was a player. He never trusted anyone with his heart except for me, Michael and his older brothers, Gabriel and Lucifer." The smile slightly faded out of his face. "But we all know it's because of his father. He just left the three of them with their dying mother. Cassy was five at the moment. Lucifer, being the oldest, took great care of Gabriel and Castiel when their mother died. He was a very responsible man. He's ten years older than Cassy and two years older than Gabe."

"They were doing really well that time. Lucifer was able to have a business that grew well due to his amazing talent in business. It felt like nothing could go wrong for them anymore. Then, we were in sixth grade when the worst thing happened." He paused and swallowed thickly, the pain being evident on his face. "Lucifer's partner, and bestfriend, stabbed him." He choked. His breathing became slightly heavier; the topic being too hard for him to take. His eyes seemed to water. His brows furrowed to think and continue his story.

"Lucifer, died, right in front of Castiel's eyes." He stopped again, brows furrowing deeper and his breathing getting heavier. "Cassy was standing right there at the door. He said he heard the whole argument. He said that Lucifer was very much willing to lend his friend the money he needed. The friend didn't sound so happy for a reason he didn't understand. Then he heard things breaking. He didn't bother to knock anymore and simply opened the door in front of him. The man's back was facing him. He then saw his brother's wide eyes looking at him, leaning on his best friend. He said that he saw a tear roll down Lucifer's face and smiled sadly at him." He stopped once more, eyes closed, brows furrowed, mind deep in thought. He sighed shakily as he opened his eyes to stare back down at the table.

"Then he saw the man pull his knife out of Lucifer's abdomen, shaking. I'm sorry was the only thing Castiel heard him say and he knew it was directed at his brother. The man was sobbing as he slowly got down on the floor and laid Lucifer's lifeless body in front of him. The man crossed his arms over Lucifer's chest and placed his head on top of it. He was shaking and crying heavily at Lucifer's dead body. Castiel on the other hand was doing his best to keep the noise of his sobs down. He slowly backed away and called 911." He shook his head, taking the thought of Castiel's vulnerable expressions out of his mind.

"At least that's what he told the judge." He shrugged. "The police then came and took the man. He went with them without any hesitation. That was when young Castiel built full metal walls that protect his life. Walls that stopped anyone from entering. Every girl he had a fling with didn't even know how many brothers he used to have. All they knew was that Michael and I were Cassy's best friends and that he's hot." He snorted at the last word. "I'm quite sure it's because that's all he let them know. Only Michael and I were the students at school who knew what happened and remained quiet; for Castiel." He said in a sad tone.

"Then, our second year in high school came. Things really got weird that time. That was our greatest time of glory as well. We were the sports stars, as I've said earlier." He said looking back up at Dean who simply nodded. "Both Michael and I, without really realizing it until second year, fell in love with our little Cassy." He said with a fond smile. "Who wouldn't fall for him anyway? He's handsome, averagely smart, athletic and very talented. He's also the sweetest man that has ever existed, ones his walls were brought down, that is. I was actually wondering why it took me so long to realize I was falling for one of my best friends." He said as he shook his head as he chuckled softly.

"When we both found out that we both have feelings for Cassy, we both agreed not to tell him atall. Cassy was straight and if things get awkward, we might lose him and he'll lose us. We don't want him to lose more after losing Lucifer." He went silent again, thinking deeply.

"What happened then?" Dean interjected Balthazar's thoughts. He looked blankly back at Dean. "You're story doesn't sound finished yet."

"Oh. Well, I noticed something different in Cassy when we reached our junior year." He smiled sadly yet with a hint of fondness in it. "Castiel smiled at Michael very sweetly. He seemed to be so relaxed with him. Well, he is relaxed with me too and very sweet to me as well. But I know there's something deeper in that. There are times that he'll just stare at Michael sweetly for a long while until Michael catches his eyes and return the fond look." He sighed heavily and smiled. "And then, everything made sense. Castiel's in love with Michael."

"When I realized that, I confronted Cassy. Of course, being the man filled with too much pride in his manliness, denied my words. He started to feel quite uneasy around me and Michael. Michael was wondering what was going on with Cassy. He was really scared as hell but never dared to ask. He just knew him too well."

"A week passed after my confrontation with Cassy. I went to Michael and told him to confess to Cassy. He was really mad at first but I explained everything I was able to observe. Still, he didn't confess. So, it was up to me to get them together." He smiled smugly and ran his fingers through his hair, eyes looked back at Dean. "I set them up."

"After that, Cassy accepted the fact that he really was bi like Michael and I. Everything went well until college. They joked about getting married after graduation; of who will propose and all. Ever so obviously, they were planning on making me their best man." He chuckled at the thought. "Michael never stopped thanking me for letting him have Castiel. All I said was that Cassy really belonged to him from the start." He smiled sadly at the thought of Castiel not belonging to him at all.

"Cassy was shorter than Michael and younger by almost a year which made Michael very protective over him. Cassy, missing the comfort of protection due to Lucifer's sudden absence, simply let Michael take care of him all the time. Castiel was still a part of the basketball team during college; Michael remained as a football player while I joined baseball for a change." He finished with a shrug, as if it was no big deal.

"Did they..." Dean started hesitantly—because he really had to ask—as he kept his eyes kept away from Balthazar.

"Have sex? Hell yes." Balthazar said with a smirk. He didn't need to hear the whole question to understand what Dean was asking. Dean looked back at Balthazar. "It took them three long years though, before Cassy got laid by Michael." He continued with a slight flushed expression and a small smile on his face.

"Why is that? I thought Castiel knew his way around these kind of things. Why is it different with Michael?"

"Because that was the first time he's been with a man, dumbass. Michael, no matter how much he wanted to do it with Cassy, restrained himself. He wanted it to be special for Cassy. He wanted him to make the first move. They enjoyed making out though. But it really took all of Michael's will power not to rip off little Cassy's clothes and get into his pants." He chuckled as he threw the neck tie in the air and caught it again swiftly. "Until our second year in college. It was Michael's birthday and he was giving off that vibe and told Michael he will be giving him his gift later."

"Michael, being almost as clueless of everything as Cassy, didn't get the catch. So I took the hint and left them alone. I said that I have some research papers to do even though I'll simply go to a bar and pick up some random girl or man to take to a motel." He smiled at the happy memory of his friends. "Then when I got home, they were in Michael's room; both are still naked under the sheets. Michael has his arms around Cassy while Cassy's head rested on Michael's chest with his arms wrapped around the older man's waist. They both looked so happy and contented. I was waiting in the kitchen, drinking coffee when Michael came out and told me it was the best birthday he ever had."

He remained silently once more, remembering the content faces of his friends. The way Michael was just glowing after the night of intimacy between him and Castiel. The way Castiel smiled shyly seeing Michael's glow. The way Michael kissed Castiel with such love and passion. The way everything just seemed to be more than just perfect.

"So," he started again, snapping out of the memory. "during our senior year, Michael finally got down on one knee and proposed to Cassy." He smiled fondly at the thought. "It was the best day both of my best friends have ever had. Of course, I already knew the proposal. I did help Michael find the ring." He said smugly. "I was waiting for them in the apartment that night, knowing that Michael has given Cassy the ring, to congratulate them and celebrate it with them. The dinner has been fixed and was very sophisticated. My handy work, of course." He said with another smug tone. "Then the worst thing happened." He said sadly.

"I got a call from a hospital. A lady was asking me if I'm Balthazar McRaven. I was second on Cassy and Michael's speed dial. Of course you knew who their firsts were." He smiled half heartedly. "I said yes and asked her what was wrong. She told me to get to St. Claire Hospital right away because a Mr. Castiel Collin and a Mr. Michael McKnight was currently in the ER." He shook a little as he closed his eyes—brows furrowed—trying to erase that memory.

"Obviously, I rushed to the hospital as I called Gabriel. Five minutes later, after I arrived at the hospital, Gabe came in out of breath. I was sitting on one of the chairs, shaking and can't get myself to stop. Tears were falling quickly from my eyes when Gabe saw me. His eyes started to water as well as he rushed to me. He wrapped his arms around me and I just melted into the embrace, knowing that that was what I was needing." He leaned back on the seat and tilted his head back, eyes closed, seemingly stopping tears from falling.

"There was nothing I could do." He said in a mere whisper. "Both my best friends were dying and I couldn't do anything to stop that." He choked, tears finally falling from his eyes. "I couldn't save either of them." He said shakily as he stared back at Dean.

Dean's brows furrowed and felt the sorrow in Balthazar's voice. The one that seemed to be so cheerful a while ago turned out to be very lonely inside.

Before Balthazar could continue the story or for Dean to interject, someone was clearing their throat which caught Dean and Balthazar's attention. Castiel.

"That's not your story to say Balthazar." Castiel said bleakly as he gave him a half glare. Balthazar simply snorted to Castiel's statement.

"It is my story too. I just didn't focus on myself." he chuckled sourly. "How did you even know we were talking about you?"

"Because I know you." He said, matter-of-factly.

"Oh yeah. You're right." Balthazar replied as if it was the most obvious answer that he failed to see.

"How far did he get?" his attention was now on Dean, hoping that he got the question.

"Hospital." Dean replied plainly. Castiel nodded and became thoughtful.

"That's all there is to know." He said sadly.

"You're not...mad?" Dean asked hesitantly.

"No. It's not like I can erase your memory to forget the things you found out by getting mad." He said plainly.

"Right." Was all he could mutter as he looked back down at the table, fingers laced with each other. Castiel smiled at the reaction he got from Dean. The first fond smile he has done in front of anyone other than Gabriel and Balthazar after the accident.

He then sat back on the chair he was sitting on which was across Dean. He thought it would be fun to tease Dean a little. A smirk working its way on his face as he stared at the man in front of him.

"Where is your brother anyway? I thought you went to look for him?" Balthazar asked all of a sudden.

"He's with that tall guy over there," he said, nodding on the direction Gabriel was standing beside a tall man. "He said he'd your brother Dean." He said as he looked back at Dean. Dean's eyes moved back to Castiel. Castiel tilted his head to Sam and Gabriel's direction. Dean followed his gaze. His brows furrowed at the sight of Sam showing great enthusiasm in front of another person; a person that is not Dean.

"If you want your brother to remain sane and safe, I suggest you take him away from Gabriel as far as possible." Castiel teased a little.

"Nah. He looks happy." Dean smiled fondly at the sight of his brother smiling and having a real good time for the first time in a long time. Castiel smiled fondly as well while looking at Dean.

Balthazar noticed this sudden change on his friend's face. He has never seen Castiel smile that way after Michael's death. That was the exact same smile he used to give Michael. The exact same way he smiled when Michael seemed so lost about everything. The exact same smile he gave Michael when Michael tries to be funny. The exact same smile he gave Michael that shows great love.

"Huh." Balthazar said out loud, getting Dean and Castiel's attention.

"What?" they asked in unison. Dean turned red and looked down at the table while Castiel raised a brow with a smug look on his face. Balthazar smiled slightly at the reaction of the two men. This could be Cassy's second chance, he thought to himself and smiled thoughtfully.