'I don't think he's interested.' The phrase circled Dean's brain all night. After Castiel had said that, he and the host had briefly discussed gay rights, then the boys had left. Castiel hadn't become Cas until they were in the car. His shoulders slumped and his eyes drooped. Pretending to be outgoing can be absolutely exhausting. Dean held him until they got to his house. The chauffeur dropped Dean off then took Cas home. Dean had been watching the end of the interview on repeat since he got to his laptop. Did that mean that Cas was interested? Cas had told him not to call, he was probably gonna sleep until school tomorrow, maybe skip the rest of the week and 'recover'.

Cas wasn't in school the next day. During fifth period-around noon- Dean's phone vibrated in his pocket. Once the teacher wasn't looking he checked it, smiling immediately upon seeing it was from Cas- of course. He didn't bother hiding his phone as he replied- his math class had a sub anyway.

12:13 'Hello, Dean.'

12:14 'Hey, Cas. :)'

12:14 'How's math?' Dean allowed his smile to grow- Cas knew his schedule.

12:15 'Boring. Got a sub. :P'

12:15 'Sound fun. ;)'

12:16 'Oh yeah. How's not physics?'

12:16 'I just woke up.' Dean could feel the smirk from where he sat.

12:17 'Jerk.'

12:18 'Do you think you could come pick me up when you get out?'

12:19 'Man, you're rich. Why don't you just buy a car?'

12:21 'I cannot drive.' Dean raised an eyebrow.

12:21 'Really?'

12:22 'Yes.'

12:23 'Ok, sure. I'll be over after I drop Sammy at his friend's.'

12:23 'Thank you.' They texted for the rest of the class period, and throughout the entirety of the next one too. Dean made it to Cas's house about at about three. He knocked on the door and a moment later a very shirtless Cas was ushering him inside.

"Sorry, I'm not ready yet. I got writing and lost track on time." Cas blushed and gestured that Dean should follow him down a small hallway. It was the first time that Dean had actually been in Cas's house and he couldn't help but look around. The house was small and Dean thought it might be crowded for more than two or three people. There weren't a lot of pictures- just some of a red-head girl scattered around. The furniture was simple but looked comfy. The place smelled comforting, but he couldn't quite place the scent. Cas led him to the room at the end of the hall. "Sorry about the mess." Cas blushed again as he began rummaging through a large pile of clothes near the bed. "Would you mind if I took a really quick shower?" Dean shook his head and teased,

"I was hoping you would. You stink, dude." Cas smiled and pulled a towel from the mound of cloth.

"Five minutes." he promised, striding from the room. Dean would deny it, but his eyes may have drifted a little south as they followed the boy out. Dean chuckled to himself as he looked around the room- it looked like it had never been cleaned, though there were no dishes, unlike in his own room. The walls were pink and brown striped, and it almost made Dean cringe. The bed was huge with a dark blue bedspread. All the furniture was dark, shiny wood, and a laptop was open on the bed. Curious, he sat down and pulled in onto his legs. On the screen was a Word document. Reading a little of it, Dean discovered it was the third book in Cas's series. With a hasty glance around he scrolled to the top and began reading. The previous book had ended on a cliffhanger, and he desperately wanted to know what happened. Before he could get too far, the laptop was closed in his hands. Cas stood next to the bed, toweling off his dripping hair with one hand. He was still shirtless, but wore a different pair of jeans.

"No spoilers." he murmured as he took the computer. He tossed it to the foot of the bed with a smile. Dean had a witty retort ready to spew forth, but then he notice Cas's chest- it was almost completely covered in tiny white scars, that from farther away, just made him look pale. Dean wanted to ask, but wasn't sure how. Then he looked into the boy's smiling blue eyes and knew it would upset him- so he stayed silent.

"Were you gonna get dressed or just go out like that?" Dean asked, gesturing to the other boy's naked torso. Cas turned beet red.

"Sorry." Dean was amused to see the flush creep down Cas's neck and onto his chest before he turned and picked up a shirt from the floor, pulling it over his head. "Ok, I'm ready."

"Where is everybody?" Dean wondered aloud as they left the house. Cas tilted his head in confusion.

"What do you mean?" Dean gestured to Cas's empty house.

"You're only 17. You can't live alone." Castiel's eyes widened.

"I thought you were joking when you asked who I lived with. I'm legally emancipated, Dean. I've been on my own since I was 15."

"Oh." Dean drove silently for a while. "Is that why you like coming over?" Cas nodded.

"I used to be okay, but your house is so full of life. It makes mine seem empty and quiet." Dean took one on his hands off the wheel and entwined his fingers with Cas's, squeezing gently.

"I can't believe you forgot your brother! Do you know how terrible it was to lie to Mrs. Angel? I told her you had car troubles! Dammit, Dean! It's your job to look after Sam!"

"Dad, it's okay. They were coming to the neighborhood anyway!" Sam tried to protect his brother, but his dad just kept shouting. Cas and Dean had been upstairs for hours, listening to music and talking. Dean forgot to pick Sam up from his friend's house, so him friend's mom had driven him home. Cas was standing awkwardly in the doorway to the living room, wanting to defend Dean, but unable to overcome his shyness.

"Ever since you started hanging out with that Novak kid you've been ignoring everything you're supposed to do-" for the first time since the tirade began ten minutes ago, Dean looked at his dad.

"What the hell does it have to do with Cas?" he demanded, fists curling at his sides.

"Everything! You're so bust with him you don't have times for your baby brother anymore!"

"And what's your excuse?" Dean roared face turning red. "Why don't you have time for Sammy? Or me, or mom, or your fucking job?"

"What are you talking about, boy?" John Winchester's voice was dangerous, but Dean didn't back down, though he did lower his voice.

"Your boss called me. Wanted to know what hospital room you were staying in, so he could send you a get-well gift. Said to tell you not to rush yourself, to come back when you were feeling better. So, dad," Dean face darkened. "What's your god damned excuse?" he screamed. Dean flew backwards and hit the floor. While he tried to figure out how he got there, Cas darted into the room and took hold of Sam, who was trying to launch himself at John.

"Don't touch my brother!" he shrieked as the man took a step forward. "Don't you fucking touch him!" John took a step backwards, hands held high in defeat.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry, boys." Tears streaming down his face, Sam allowed Cas to lead him to Dean.

"What happened?" Dean shook his head, trying to shake away the pounding headache.

"He hit you." Sam replied, throwing an angry glare towards his father, who looked helplessly on. "The bastard hit you."

"Come on." Cas helped Dean to his feet. "Stay at mine tonight." he looked at Sam. "Both of you." Dean nodded and stalked from the room, pushing Sam in front of him, dragging Cas behind. Cas forced him to stop as he looked back at the eldest Winchester.

"I'll take care of them." he whispered, avoiding the man's eyes. "And send them back when they've cooled off enough." Cas had turned to leave when John spoke.

"Get the hell out of my house, and stay the fuck out." Cas allowed Dean to pull him from the room.

"Come on in, make yourselves comfortable." Cas murmured quietly as he flicked on lights, Sam and Dean following him in. Sam's eyes were still red and puffy, and Dean hadn't spoken the whole ride over. Dean plopped himself on the couch and covered his face with his hands, elbows on his knees. Cas passed his a quickly-made ice pack then turned to the other brother. "Come on, Sam. Let's run over to the store. It's only a few blocks away."

"But..." Cas gently pulled the protesting boy from the house, and Dean was glad. He needed to be alone for a little while. He didn't know how Cas knew, but he was glad he did. For several minutes, Dean just breathed. The house smelled like Cas- that's why it was so comforting. It smelled like Cas's shampoo, his laundry detergent, his toothpaste- shut up, sometimes when they slept their faces got close together and he could smell it. The smells calked Dean down enough for him to realize his cheek freaking hurt and make him put the ice on it and he leaned back on the couch, eyes close. His dad could pack a punch.