Castiel sat across from Maximus at the table of the fanciest restaurant in the town. It was their two year anniversary, and Castiel was nearly twenty years old. He'd grown used to Maximus and didn't hate him nearly as much, mostly because since he'd become so submissive Maximus didn't abuse him…much. He even treated Castiel as an equal at parties instead of degrading him to amuse others.
Maximus reached across the table and held his hand, stroking it carefully as he looked into Castiel's eyes.
"Two great years."
He smiled.
"Things have been excellent."
Castiel nodded and began to eat.
"Castiel…"
He glanced up at the man before looking back down at his plate as he ate.
"…I love you."
Castiel froze before looking up at Maximus. They'd been married for two years. Maximus mentioned falling in love with him, but he'd never told Castiel that he loved him. The former redhead (Maximus noticed his roots one day and cut off all his red hair, leaving only the black roots. His hair had grown back out and was just to his chest. Maximus thought this was sexy and never let him cut it) felt overwhelmed and started to get up. Maximus grabbed his hand and pulled him back to the table.
"No…no…stay."
Castiel stared at Maximus before going back to his seat. He was halfway down when he froze in place, staring past Maximus.
"What is it, baby?"
Maximus started to turn around when Castiel grabbed his face and pulled him back so they faced each other.
"N-nothing. It's just a surprise I had planned for you."
"Now, you know I hate surprises."
Maximus started to turn around again, but Castiel pulled him back again, pressing his lips to Maximus's as a distraction. Maximus closed his eyes and pulled Castiel in, savoring the kiss. All the while, Castiel was looking past him at the blonde who walked into the restaurant.
(At the door)
Nathaniel walked into the room holding his little sister's hand. Amber had been trying to cheer him up since he got out of the hospital. It had been just over a year since he finished hospitalization, medications, and physical therapy, yet he was still depressed about Castiel. The breakup changed him. He didn't finish school and didn't care to go back. He never wanted to eat or bathe. He really let himself go. Amber moved out and got her own apartment. She stayed by his side through the process, nursing him back to health. He thanked her all the time, but he simply could not cheer up.
"Come on, Nath. Sit down."
He pulled her chair out for her before taking his seat.
"What are you going to get?"
"I don't know. Maybe just a water."
"No. You have to eat today, okay? You don't have to eat a lot but you have to eat something."
He looked over the menu before deciding on the smallest side dish there. Amber sighed.
"I'll order something to go with it then."
Their waiter came and took their orders. Amber was sure to order an entire main course for Nathaniel with a drink before doing her own. As the waiter collected their menus, Nathaniel sat back in his chair.
"I'm gonna go to the restroom."
Amber looked up at him.
"Please be careful. I know you're depressed. Don't give me a reason to not trust you when you're out of my sight."
He nodded and went to the restroom.
(At Castiel and Maximus's table)
Maximus could barely keep his hands off of Castiel . The teen pulled away from him.
"I gotta go to the restroom."
"Great, I'll come with you."
"No no no! Someone has to…uh…be here when the food gets here."
"Nonsense! They won't forget we're here."
"I'd feel better if you kept an eye on the waiter though. You never know what they do to your food when you're not looking. We'd better not give them the extra time, right?"
Maximus thought for a moment before nodding.
"Yeah…yeah, you're right! I'll stay, but don't keep me waiting, baby."
"Okay."
Castiel hurried to the restroom.
(In the restroom)
Nathaniel finished washing his hands and was reaching for a paper towel when the door opened.
Castiel froze when he saw Nathaniel's reflection in the mirror. The blonde was looking down at his hands, and hadn't noticed when Castiel came in. It took all of Castiel not to jump on him right then and there.
Nathaniel turned around and started to walk past Castiel to the trash can.
"Nat?"
Nathaniel looked over to where the voice was. He hadn't recognized Castiel at first, but when he did, his sorrow was lifted and he ran over to him.
"Castiel?!"
Within moments, he was holding Castiel in his arms, kissing him lovingly.
"Nathaniel!"
"Castiel!"
They were so happy, neither knew what to do. They remained in each other's arms, crying tears of joy.
"I love you so much! Why did you leave me?!"
CLICK!
The bathroom door started to open and Castiel saw the tip of Maximus's dress shoes. He pushed Nathaniel into a corner and kissed him one last time.
"Long story! I'll explain later. Just get into one of the stalls and lock the door."
"Wha-"
"GO!"
Castiel shoved him into a stall before turning to one of the sinks. Maximus hugged him from behind.
"Hey, baby. Our food arrived. I watched that waiter for you."
"Good. I'll be out in a second."
Maximus looked around, frowning when he saw the nearby stall door that was closed. It was the only occupied stall in the men's restroom.
"Be glad someone's in here, or I'd be all over you by now."
He slipped a hand into Castiel's pants, cupping his bottom before leaving the restroom.
Nathaniel stepped out, more upset than before.
"Wh-who was that?"
Castiel sighed. Nathaniel had grown since they last saw each other, and was at least seven inches taller than Castiel, who rested his forehead on the blonde's chest.
"You needed a lung and I was running out of time to get it to you. I dropped out of school and worked three jobs to try to get the money, but it wasn't coming fast enough. I met him and he said he could give me the money if I kept him company, but he always told me he would pay for your operation in time and that he would give me the money when he felt like it. Eventually, he said that the only way he'd pay for it was…"
Castiel looked down at the ring on his finger.
"…if I left you and married him."
Nathaniel stared for a moment before pulling his necklace from his shirt. Castiel gasped. It was his old necklace with his ring still on it.
"I love you, though. You can't leave him?"
"I want to leave him, but he has power! Not just money though…he'll hurt me, Nat. I've given up so much for you, but the pain is too much to bear."
Nathaniel shook his head and kissed Castiel.
"B-but…I want you…what about us…"
"I want to be with you more than anything in the world, but I made a choice. It wasn't for nothing. You're alive, and I couldn't ask for more."
They kissed again.
"Castiel…"
"It's alright, baby. I know I didn't have to. I wanted to. I've been raped, degraded, and beaten to get that money, and it was worth it."
Tears rolled down Nathaniel's cheeks.
"I love you, Cas."
"I love you too, Nathaniel. I'll never forget you."
They separated, and Castiel returned to his table in the restaurant.
