AN: Sorry it's been a few days. I've been doing random stuff. On the plus side, I finally got my AP Chem grade back into the B range. Woo! There's a slight twist in this chapter to the typical story line.

Chapter 5

Hey, hot stuff. The note fluttered down on to Castiel's desk. He glanced up to see Dean smirking down at him. Cas nodded in response, turning back to focus on the artwork in front of him. All week, they'd been learning how to draw different features of the face. Now, their assignment was to put it all together into a single portrait. And just as he had predicted, Castiel was completely inept. No matter how hard he tried, the drawing looked completely terrible.

That's all I get? A nod? Dean added to the note.

Sorry, Cas scrawled back quickly. Distracted. Work due soon.

Dean looked skeptically at the paper in front of Cas. That's your art project?

Is it really that bad?

When Dean didn't reply, Cas groaned and put his head in his hands.

That's it, Cas wrote. I'm not going to graduate. And all because I can't pass this stupid art class.

Suddenly, Dean's hand was on Cas's shoulder, rubbing it comfortingly. Instantly, Castiel felt himself relax slightly.

You're not going to flunk out.

Says who?

Says me. I'll teach you how to do art properly.

Castiel glanced up gratefully at Dean. Seriously? You'd do that for me?

Dean tapped his chin, pretending to ponder it. Well, let's see. You pass your art class and graduate. I get to bring a hot piece of ass home. Seems like a win-win situation to me.

Castiel shifted uneasily in his chair, still not used to having someone flirt with him. You know, Cas responded, you talk a lot of game, for someone who's never been on a date in his life.

I guess we'll just have to change that.

Seriously? Castiel raised his eyebrows as he wrote the note, finding his expressions matching what his tone of voice would be. After what I told you about being attracted to literally nobody, you're still going to try and get in my pants?

Dean rolled his eyes as he read the response. Dude, I'm deaf. It's not like it actually matters anyway. At least this way, I get to watch you squirm a little bit.

Was that meant to be sexual? Cas couldn't help but ask.

Guess we'll find out.

Castiel furrowed his brow at the cryptic response. Then he glanced back down at his so-called artwork with a sigh. He decided to let Dean's remark go, choosing instead to focus on his impending failure.

Alright, deal. Castiel handed the paper to Dean and stuck his hand out. Dean grinned as grasped Cas's hand, shaking it enthusiastically.

When and where do you want to meet? Cas wrote.

Well, I take the bus home after school. How about, instead, you give me a ride? We can work at my house.

Sounds good, Castiel wrote as the bell rang, dismissing them for lunch. I have to tutor a girl in math today during lunch. See you after school?

Dean nodded. I'll be waiting over by student parking.

Dean left quickly, as usual. Castiel packed up his things slowly, not over-thrilled about the tutor session he was about to have. However, he couldn't stop the small smile when he thought about what the end of the school day would bring.

When Castiel arrived at the gate that led to student parking, Dean was leaning casually against it. His hands were in his pockets, one foot propped against the chain link fence, his coat collar turned up against the cold breeze. Cas tried not to laugh as he realized Dean looked like something out of a movie.

Dean raised his eyebrows questioningly at the expression on Castiel's face, but Cas only smiled and shook his head in response. Dean looked at Cas suspiciously for a moment, but followed him through the parking lot.

When they arrived at Castiel's car, Dean's jaw dropped. He approached the car with near reverence, running his hand over the smooth paint. It was an old, classic '67 Chevy Impala with black finish. Dean turned from the car to Cas, mouth still hanging wide open. He hastily dug through his bag for a pen and paper.

YOU DRIVE AN IMPALA?

Cas laughed at both the urgency of the note and the intense look on Dean's face. Yeah. Why?

Dean looked like his eyes were going to pop out his head. Why? It's only the most amazing car in the whole entire universe!

Cas shrugged. It's an old, run-down, piece of junk. It's more trouble than it's worth to be honest. I was supposed to take it by the old auto shop after school to see if we could sell it.

ARE YOU CRAZY? Dean was writing so furiously he almost ripped the paper. You can't get rid of a car like this!

Why not? It barely runs anyways.

So let me fix it.

Castiel stared at Dean, eyebrows raised incredulously. You seriously want to fix this car?

Dean nodded eagerly. He dropped on his knees in front of Cas, hands clasped, face arranged in a puppy dog look that rivaled Castiel's.

Well, I don't see why not.

Suddenly, a pair of strong arms was wrapped extremely tightly around Cas's body. He felt all the air leave his body with a woosh as Dean hugged him forcefully. Then, just as quickly as it had come, Dean let go of Cas. Dean smiled, running his hand appreciatively over the car again.

After a few minutes of Dean just staring at the car in awe, Cas waved his hand in front of Dean's face. He nodded meaningfully at the car door, indicating they should leave. Dean ducked his head sheepishly, aware that he'd been gazing at the car for far too long. The two climbed in the car, Dean handed Cas a sheet of paper with his address on it, and they were off.

When they arrived at Dean's house, Dean handed Castiel a note asking him to park in the driveway so he could start working on the Impala while Castiel did his art project. Cas obliged and waited patiently while Dean opened the garage. He followed Dean through the small house until they reached Dean's room.

Dean held out a hand, asking Cas to wait outside his room. While he waited, Castiel took a long around. He was in a narrow hallway. Directly in front of him was Dean's room. A little to the left of Dean's room was another doorway, presumably leading to a second bedroom. Further down the hallway, on the same side as Castiel, was an open door, through which Castiel could see what had to be Dean's father's room. On his other side was a door that led to a bathroom. When they had walked through the house, Cas had caught a glimpse of a small, cluttered kitchen. The entire house screamed- well, Castiel hated to think of it this way, but there was no other way he could put it- poor. Clearly, the Winchesters were facing some hard times.

Suddenly, Dean emerged from his room, art supplies in hand. Castiel followed him back through the house and out to a garage, where an art table was already set up. Dean set Cas up with everything he would need before turning to survey the Impala. They both worked diligently for an hour or so before Dean felt Castiel tap on his shoulder.

I give up. I need help.

Dean grinned. He could practically hear-well, you know what I mean- the defeat in the note.

What's wrong?

Dean followed Castiel back to the table.

I keep drawing the jaw line like we were taught, but it keeps coming out all wrong! One side's longer than the other, or it's too narrow, or it's off center- no matter what, I can't get it right.

Show me.

Castiel obediently picked up his pencil and began to attempt his sketch again. Within seconds, Dean stopped him.

You're being way too choppy with your lines. Try being smoother.

Cas tried again, focusing on keeping his lines continuous, but he ended up with a comically rounded face on his sheet. Dean stopped him again, hand out, asking to show Castiel how to do it correctly. Castiel nodded, holding out the pencil for him. Instead, Dean placed his hand on Cas's, guiding the pencil gently over the paper. Within seconds, a perfect replica of the jaw line from Cas's picture was drawn onto the paper.

See? Dean wrote. You're over thinking it. You need to just go with it, flow. Understand?

Castiel nodded, slightly distracted by the close proximity between himself and Dean. Dean glanced down at the photo Cas had selected.

Who's the picture of? Dean asked.

That's me, when I was about eight years old.

Dean picked up the picture, studying it more closely. You looked really happy.

I was.

Dean sat without responding, looking sadly at the photo. He hadn't missed the past tense in Cas's note. Suddenly, a new question was dangling in front of him.

If you don't mind my asking, why do you go to a public school instead of one for deaf kids?

Dean hesitated, unsure of how to respond. He barely knew this kid, but for some reason, opening up was easy. It wasn't something Dean was used to.

My mom died when I was 4. Since then, my dad's been taking care of me and my kid brother, Sam. It's been really tough, especially since Dad's work doesn't give him great health benefits. He does his best, though. He's sort of like a traveling handy man. When someone has something that needs fixing, they call up my dad, and he drives to wherever they are to fix it. He's the one who taught me how to fix a car. He's great, he can fix anything you put in front of him. But it doesn't pay very well. Sammy's practically a genius, so we've got money put aside for his schooling. That on top of my doctor's bills doesn't leave us with enough to afford a specialty school for the deaf.

Castiel had to read the note twice for all of it to sink in. Your dad is paying for Sam's school, and not yours?

No, of course not. Both of them were all for getting me into a specialized school. I wouldn't let them, not if it could take away Sam's chance at a real education.

You must love your brother very much.

He's my pride and joy.

Castiel sat in a slightly awed silence at the simplicity with which Dean said that. No hesitation, no beating around the bush, just straightforward and obvious. Much like Dean himself, Castiel realized.

You're pretty special, you know that?

What makes you say that? Dean cocked his head to the side curiously.

You're making your life more difficult than it needs to be in order to assure your brother has a future. That's not nothing, Dean.

It's not like I've got much of a shot at a future, anyways. Not being able to hear does that to you.

I don't know. Seems to me like you'd be a pretty good art teacher.

Dean looked at Castiel with wide eyes. You really think so?

I do.

Dean frowned thoughtfully, turning back to work on the Impala. For a moment, Cas thought he had insulted Dean somehow. However, when he turned around to watch Dean work, there was a smile quickly growing on the boy's face. Castiel smiled slightly to himself, turning back to continue drawing. The rest of the afternoon passed quickly for the two as an easy silence settled between them.

AN: I don't know how long this will be. I can already kind of see a conflict and resolution coming up. Sorry for the long wait in between chapters. It's just been that kind of week. Also, I feel like this writing isn't worth of you guys, but it's all I've got right now. Sorry ^^