Author's Note: I'm so sorry, Everyone, I've been neglecting you guys! It's just that since school began, I've had LOTS of homework to do and then I created another Destiel story that you can find on my profile (self-promoting much?), and then I had to finish up on the last book of the Mortal Instruments series...look, I could go on with my many of excuses on why I haven't been updated as much as I would like to, but I know you don't want to hear all that. So just get onto reading then!

Dean's classes went by in a blur and soon he found himself once again heading into the lunchroom with his stomach making more moans than an amateur porno movie. Alastair and the others tried to rope him into sitting with them, but after the eye-opening talk with Cas, the thought of selling himself out just to associate with those numbskulls made him feel physically sick. So instead he waved the off and sat with his real friends as he plopped down in his usual seat, waiting for Joanna Beth to get her ass in gear and get over here so he can snack on her homemade lunch (she packed it herself this time since Ellen's still a little pissed about Jo chasing away customers by making a scene and everything Bobby even attempts to cook always turns to black ash in the first ten minutes).

Luckily, he only had to wait just another minute or so before Sam and Jo (along with Charlie by her side, making him wonder if the two could ever separate from each other for the life of them) joined him.

"You got what I ordered, Harvelle?" Dean asked, arching an eyebrow.

Jo rolled her eyes and dug around in her huge paper bag until she finally drug out a greasy burger wrapped in tinfoil with the "Harvelle Roadhouse" logo written on it, "One bacon cheeseburger with ketchup, mustard, extra pickles, onion, and thinly sliced tomato in that order."

"And?" Dean demanded, feeling slightly angered that she had forgotten the best part.

Jo sighed as she shoved the flimsy black container to him, "And one slice of cherry pie."

Dean grinned at her as he took a big bite out of his burger and groaned blissfully, "I love you, Jo Harvelle."

"Who doesn't?" The ever so modest blonde replied coolly, earning a quick sideways glance from Charlie.

Sam crinkled his nose at his brother's disgusting food choices, "Dude, do you know how many calories are in that?"

"Do you know how many fucks I don't give?" Dean shot back as he mimicked Sam's tone before promptly taking another bite of his heaven on a bun. Praise God for the culinary genius of Ellen Harvelle. His annoying little brother opened his mouth to reply when Ash's sudden voice cut him off.

"It's official, everybody," He announced as he flopped down in the seat between Sam and Jo, "I'm in love."

Jo rolled her eyes, "Again? Just last week you told me you were head over heels for the weather girl on channel nine?"

Ash sighed, "That Ms. Toshiba was a babe and we had some pretty fun times on my fantasies and all, but another luscious beauty has now caught my eye."

"Who, dare I ask?" Charlie asked, knowing he wouldn't let it go until he spilled his guts to them.

"The lovely Ms. Pamela Barnes," Ash stated dreamily, smiling like a kid at a candy store just by the woman's name.

"The Latin teacher?" Dean scoffed, rolling his eyes, "Dude, you do know that she's engaged, right?"

"Nope, the wedding's off actually," Jo informed him before Ash got the chance, "Apparently, Pamela caught Jesse screwing another chick and kicked his ass to the curb." She paused before shrugging, "Sucks too since she already got his name tattooed on her."

"So single and depressed," Ash said with an unnatural amount of giddy, "Now that's my type of woman."

"You're leaving out desperate, too." Jo teased, earning a mocking glare from her foster brother in return.

"Shut up, JoJo. At least I actually admit my love when you haven't even spoken to your crush!"

"What?" Sam, Dean, and Charlie demanded in sync, though Charlie seemed the most shocked.

Jo paled and sunk lower in her chair, "Nothing. He's a lying bastard."

"Joanna and Benny sittin' in a tree, doing a lot more than K-I-S-S-I-N-G!" Ash sang cheerfully, causing the rest of the table's jaws to drop.

"Benny," Dean said slowly, his mind still trying to calculate the situation, "Like, my Benny?"

"Yes, okay! Now shut up!" Jo growled angrily, glaring at Ash so severely that Dean can guarantee that Ash won't be sitting down comfortably any time soon once the two Harvelles go home.

Dean grinned gleefully at this news and until he moved his gaze over and saw one of his best friend's reaction. Charlie was sitting dead still with a blank expression on her face, though looking down at her shaky hands that was fiercely gripping her fork proved that she was anything but ecstatic. She's probably just pissed that Jo didn't tell her about her stupid little crush, Dean thought to himself as he shrugged, girls are weird like that.

"I can hook you two up if you want," Dean offered, "But it might take awhile. He's still not over that Andrea chick." Aka his girlfriend of five years that dumped him for his role model and ex-best friend.

"I don't want your help, Dean," Jo said lowly, as if she's afraid someone was listening in even though there's not even a soul in a ten yard radius of them, "I don't want anybody's help either for that matter. Actually, this little piece of information will never leave this table, you understand? Seriously, if I ever even hear a peep about it from someone else, I'm going to kick everybody's ass whether you're the one that snitched or not."

Dean threw up his hands in surrender, "Okay, lay off the bitchy pills. We get it." He then switched his entire focus onto more important matters, "Hey, Charles, we still on for Mario Party tonight?"

She didn't answer him for a few moments as she just stared down at her plate of "totally not horse meat taco surprise" before she finally said sourly, "I can't tonight. I have to go to a meeting at Moondoor to discuss to discuss this Saturday's battle strategies." Dean raised an eyebrow at the girl's sudden mood change but decided not to comment.

Neither did Jo as she just added cheerfully, "Yea, and after that we're gonna go to an all-night showing of the Lord of the Rings movies, right?"

"Maybe," Was all Charlie sighed out before abruptly standing up from her chair, "I gotta go to the bathroom. I'll be right back."

Jo shrugged and started getting to her feet also, "I'll go with you—"

"I mean alone, Jo." Charlie snapped and before anyone could even think to reply, she was already storming out of the cafeteria.

"What's up with Charlie?" Dean asked Jo, who was the only one that could possibly have an explanation considering she knew the redhead better than anybody.

Jo appeared as confused as he was (and maybe even a little hurt since Charlie had never spoken to her like that before), "I don't know. She seemed fine last period," She paused for a moment before saying, "Maybe I should go after her to—"

"Sissy, what part of, 'I mean alone, Jo' did you not get?" Ash pointed out coldly before softening his tone and adding, "Look, she's probably just upset since her mother's birthday is next week."

When Charlie was only thirteen years old, both of her parents got into a horrible car accident. Thankfully, Charlie wasn't with them (she was staying the night at the Harvelle household) but it was like a semi-truck hit her emotionally since her father was killed instantly and her mother was put into a coma. Charlie tried hard to keep her mom on life support but soon the insurance money ran out and the hospital was forced to let her pass. Because of this, Charlie's usually very unstable and depressed around this time of year, so it's best to always stay upbeat and cheery just long enough to distract her until the month is finally over with. But out of all the years Dean's known her, Charlie's never been that hostile to Jo before. Never. Which Dean finds very peculiar but he wouldn't dare ask her about it. That's basically a death sentence.

Sam, picking up on the unwanted tension, thankfully switched the subject, "Anyway, I'm thinking about staying after school Monday to go to try-outs for the debate team.

"That's great, Sam," Dean said in mock cheer, "Just don't forget to bring your pocket protector for good luck."

Sam rolled his eyes, "Wow, like I didn't see that coming."

Jo smiled and laid her hand of Sam's, "Don't listen to that ole Grinch, Sammy, it sounds awesome."

"Yea, soon you'll have dorky groupies from the chess club following you around at the academic meets." Ash added, earning a grin from Dean and a kick under the table from Jo.

Dean opened his mouth to tease his brother some more (because seriously, when does it ever stop being fun?) when a sudden chill went down his spine. He didn't know what caused the strange reaction but he found himself moving his gaze over to the lunchroom entrance. And sure enough, as soon as his eyes switched to the door, he found himself staring straight at Castiel standing there in all his trench coated glory. Cas was joined by Meg Masters and he was apparently listening intently to what she was saying as she chattered on and on. Not entirely in control or conscious of his sudden actions, Dean stood straight up out of his chair and found himself moving directly to Castiel.

"Hey, Cas, wait up!" He called out that made Castiel stop dead in his tracks, dragging Meg to a stop with him.

Meg turned her head in the direction of his voice and smirked once she saw it was him, "Hey, Losechester, you look like shit. Is that the style now?"

Dean sighed and rolled his eyes, "Meg, find a friend who cares." He paused before adding, "Better yet, just find a friend."

Meg scowled and opened her mouth to retort but Cas put a hand on her shoulder and stopped her, "Please, Meg, be nice." Meg rolled her eyes but surprisingly shut her mouth, causing Dean to raise an eyebrow curiously.

Castiel smiled graciously at her for a moment before turning his attention to Dean, "Yes, Dean, did you want something?" Shit, did I?

"Um…" Dean trailed off dumbly before he finally created an excuse out of mid-air, "I was just wondering how your meeting with Naomi went."

Meg's head snapped to Castiel and there was something other than her usual snark and carelessness written on her face. It looked almost like…worry? No, that can't be it. An evil bitch like that can't possibly feel actual emotions, right?

"You what?" She almost sounded angry at him as her whisky brown eyes fired up, "Why the hell didn't you tell me?"

Cas locked his jaw and casted his gaze to the floor, "My apologies. I didn't know you had to know every little things that happens to me."

"Damn right I do if it's—" She stopped abruptly when she glanced at Dean in surprise, as if she forgot he even existed, "Dude, you're still here?"

Dean nodded, "Yea, I wasn't done talkin' to Cas."

She let out a tired sigh and looked to Castiel, "Can you please get rid of your mutt for, like, ten minutes while we talk about this?"

Cas put on a stony expression as he shook his head, "No, because we simply have nothing to talk about." He then looked to the eldest Winchester boy, "Now yes, Dean, what else did you want to talk to me about?"

"Uh, I was just um…" Dean floundered hopelessly as he rubbed the back of his neck, "I was just wonderin' if you wanted to maybe sit with me for lunch today. You know, so you can get away from Meg and the Drama Queen for awhile," He looked around and noticed something off, "Hey, where is Sebastian anyway?"

"He got held back after class since he gave Tom a shiny new black eye." Meg told him simply.

Dean furrowed his brow, "Why the hell did he do that?"

She started to smirk and tilted her head to the side, "I'm sorry, I didn't know you were obsessed with my other boyfriend, too."

Dean snorted, "Oh sweetheart, trust me, Cas can do so much better. But you and Sebastian? You two are perfect for each other."

Castiel sighed tiredly, "May I interrupt this war of words please?"

Meg smiled and bowed dramatically to him, "Why certainly, Clarence. I would hate to keep you from rejecting this poor bastard."

"Actually, Meg," Cas said carefully, his blue eyes flickering to Dean, "I was going to accept his offer." He paused as if he had just thought of something before he added anxiously, "You're not speaking of Alastair and his gang though, right? Because if you are, I don't think that would be a great idea—"

"No, no, not those assholes. I'm talking about Sam, Ash, Jo, and Charlie." It's downright embarrassing how quick he jumped to answer him.

But it was worth it when he saw Castiel's radiant smile reappear, "Splendid." He then looked to Meg and his smile dropped as he quickly added, "If that's alright with you, of course. I mean, I would hate to leave you all alone without Balthazar—"

"I'm a big girl, Clarence," She said soothingly in her seductive voice before pausing for a moment and adding a little more softly, "It's you I'm worried." Meg then looked to Dean and poked him warningly in the chest, "Listen here, Asshole, if you try to humiliate him two times in a row, your ass is mine, got it?"

Cas sighed bashfully and looked to the ground, actually appearing embarrassed, "Meg—"

"I wouldn't dream of it." Dean answered her just as sternly, not once cowering in his boots like the rest of the male population in this high school would've.

Meg narrowed her eyes and stared him down for a few moments, as if looking for any signs of trickery in his promise before finally sighing and leaning back.

"Whatever." She turned to Cas and pinched his cheek fondly, "You call me when he makes a total ass of himself, okay? I'll make him clean his own blood off the floor."

Cas rolled his eyes and removed her hand from his face, "I know, Meg."

Meg smiled at him and it wasn't her signature smirk of confidence she usually wore, but instead it was a true, genuine smile that shown the love she had for him written clearly on her face that reached even her regularly indifferent eyes. It reminded him of what people say he looks like when he looks at Sam…

"Anyway, laters, Cassie," She said before her eyes found Dean and her smirk found its way back on her face, "I would say it was a pleasure seeing you, but Clarence told me it's not nice to lie."

"Since when do you care about being nice?" Dean asked but Meg was already turning away and walking to her usual drama table.

"Well, that was fun." Dean said sarcastically as he took Castiel's arm and began to lead him to his table. Hopefully his friends won't be too humiliating…

But then he remembered who they were and knew that could never be the case.

Dean ignored the confused and curious glances from his friends as Dean made Jo and Ash scoot down one so Cas could sit by him.

"Guys, this is Castiel Novak," Dean introduced before looking back to Cas and motioning to the rest of the table, "Cas, this is my army of minions. You can look all you want but don't get too close…they bite."

Cas seemed to take his warning seriously as he jumped slightly when Jo laid a hand on his shoulder, "Castiel, don't listen to that moron. We're not that bad." She then looked to Ash and frowned once she saw the hideous concoction he was mixing with all the toxic food items on his tray that had a shady pink color, "Well…most of us are, anyway."

"I thought your last name was Milton?" Ash asked innocently, though the question made Dean cringe internally at the overly sensitive topic.

Cas, however, handled the question surprisingly well and just calmly stated, "It is legally, but I choose to not be associated with that name for personal reasons. I prefer to go by my real last name; you know, the one I was born with and had in the first place."

Ash nodded, "Yea, I'm adopted, too."

Cas cocked his head, "Where did you originate?"

"Some small town in Nebraska," Ash answered with a shrug, "I sort of went through foster homes throughout the country before I finally made it here. You?"

"Pontiac, Illinois."

Dean furrowed his brow and looked to Cas, "How come you never told me that?"

Castiel shrugged, "You never asked."

"So, Castiel," Jo began, getting in on the conversation, "I didn't know you were friends with Dean."

"I didn't know myself until recently," Cas replied as his eyes shifted to Dean and his lips rose subconsciously into a small smile, "But I would like to think that we have too much of a…profound bond to be called just mere acquaintances."

Everyone tried to hide their growing laughter with terribly violent coughs at the "profound bone" part, but it was as though every surrounding sound was off somewhere in the distance as Dean's green eyes just lifted to meet Castiel's gaze straight on. And just as he caught sight of the wondrous turmoil of blues of all different shades, Dean suddenly felt like he was locked in an inescapable prison that prevented him to ever look away. His eyes appeared somewhat different in this lighting, Dean observed silently as he noted that in this brightly white room brought out the lighter speckles of sky blue that mixed flawlessly with Castiel's usual ocean colored irises. Dean wondered what other hidden hues are in the boy's eyes just waiting to pop out—

"Dean, you're staring." He heard Jo say in an obviously fake cough, finally dragging him back into reality. Dean jerked his head back (since when did he start leaning into Cas anyway?) and looked to his friends, who were watching him with the same expression of amusement and maybe with a dash of confusion at his actions.

"Anyway," Dean said eventually after a long pause of silence as he cleared his throat and settled his gaze onto his brother, "How has high school been treatin' you, Sammy? Anybody giving you any shit?" Sam opened his mouth to answer but Dean cut him off by adding, "Other than me, of course."

Sam rolled his eyes and frowned (something he does often when he's near his older brother) before replying, "Actually, it isn't as bad as I thought it would be. I mean, I don't know why you were so against Mr. Azazel, Dean. He's actually really nice."

"What?" Ash, Jo, and Dean demanded dumbfounded at the same time while Cas just stayed silent and watched the scene take place.

Sam shrugged, "Yea, he's pretty awesome. I've been, like, his favorite student the second I walked into his classroom."

"He does know your last name is Winchester, right?" Ash asked, causing Sam to roll his eyes.

"Yes, Ash. He knows who I am."

"And he likes you?"

Sam nodded, "I guess so. He likes a few other of my friends too like Ava, Jake, Brady, and Andy, but I'm his favorite."

"That sounds dangerous, Sammy," Dean warned him seriously, "You better watch yourself before he turns you into one of his demonic minions or something."

Sam sighed exasperatedly, "Dean, not everything good in life will eventually backfire."

"I believe Dean is correct on that assumption, Sam," Everyone jerked their heads around as Castiel finally became brave enough to add his two cents into the conversation, "Never believe anything that seems too good to be true. That's how most people draw you in and trust me when I say you'll regret it later in life."

Cas looked around to find everyone blatantly staring at them and, thinking he said something wrong, began to sink lower and lower into his chair.

Finally, Jo spoke up first, "Dean, I know this may bruise beautifully huge ego of yours, but I gotta ask," Her eyes flickered to Dean as she leaned in, "How the hell did someone like you end up befriending this amazingly intelligent human being?"

Dean scowled and kicked her from under the table, "Shut up."

"I don't understand why he wants to be in my feeble presence myself," Cas told her as he shrugged, "But I suppose you shouldn't look a gifted horse in the mouth," He thought about it for a moment before turning his gaze to Sam, "It seems I have contradicted myself by that statement, which means that my input on our previous conversation should probably not be taken to heart. My sincerest apologies, Sam Winchester."

Sam smiled and opened his mouth to reply, but Charlie's normal upbeat voice interrupted him, "You kidnapped someone while I was gone?" She asked as she plopped back down in her usual seat and pretended to pout, "Man, I always miss the fun." Dean could've sworn he saw Charlie's eyes look a slight pink color as if she'd been crying but he knew he was probably imaging it and pushed that thought aside.

Castiel's eyes widened as he looked to Dean and said slowly, "Do you take people with you against their will for entertainment often?"

"Nah, only on Fridays." Ash replied nonchalantly, sending the terrified boy a devilish grin.

Dean rolled his eyes and looked to Cas, "Don't listen to that jackass," He paused before adding with a smirk, "We do it on Tuesdays, too."

Castiel saw the humored smile on Dean's face and he sighed in realization, "You all are joking, aren't you?"

"Aw, and I thought we were doing such Broadway worthy performances!" Charlie said with a pout, earning a dopey smile from Jo though the redhead simply refused to even cast a glance at her, which Dean would find strange if he could keep his eyes off Castiel for one freaking minute.

Then the rest of the table went into a deep conversation about World Of Warcraft while Dean just smirked at Cas, "So…finish that beautiful portrait of that amazingly attractive male yet?"

"Patience is a virtue, Dean Winchester." Castiel said with a tired sigh, though there was a small smile planted on his lips as he spoke.

"So you agree," Dean began with a devilish smile and an arch of an eyebrow, "I am an amazingly attractive male?"

"Obviously," Castiel stated exasperatedly with a roll of his eyes, "I'm not blind, Dean."

Dean had expected some sarcasm or mockery, but this was something that seemed to knock the breath out of him. Sure, he knew he was handsome, of course; hell, he has a whole freaking fan club to prove it. And if it had been anyone else that gave him the offhanded compliment, he would've answered them with a confident smirk and cocky response. But when Cas said it like it was the most obvious thing in the whole universe, well…it made Dean blush heavily like a little school girl.

Shit, what the hell was happening to him?

Dean averted his gaze and just pretended to be greatly invested into staring at his burger, causing Cas to furrow his brow and look around the table anxiously, who all had stopped talking to stare at them, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make anyone uncomfortable. I meant it simply as just as an innocent statement like how I would find a landscape compelling or a sunset beautiful." Dean finally pried his eyes off his food and lifted his gaze to see Jo covering her mouth to hide her shit-eating grin.

"Shut up, Harvelle," Dean said as he subconsciously raised his hand to rest comfortably on Castiel's shoulder, "He, just like everyone else in this world, can't help but be a victim of the Winchester charm." And with an arrogant wiggle of eyebrows from Dean to prove he was joking, the atmosphere around the table lightened as the growing tension melted away. Dean internally sighed with relief and took another bite of his burger, smiling blissfully in content. His eyes drifted to Castiel as he swallowed and finally noticed that Cas was the only one at the table that didn't have a single item of food in front of him.

"Dude, no wonder you're as scrawny as a pole," Dean said as he held his burger out to him, "Here, have some."

Cas looked mesmerized by the meat but had enough willpower to weakly shake his head, "No, Dean, that wouldn't be fair. It's yours." He paused before casting his gaze downward and adding, "Besides, I don't know if I'd even like it."

"Well, you like burgers, don't cha?" Dean asked, causing Cas to duck his head in embarrassment.

"I've never had one," He admitted softly, "Naomi doesn't allow me to have such greasy and non-nutritious foods in risk of ruining my perfect health."

Dean felt his heart squeeze in sympathy, "Damn, she's one hell of a bitch."

"You seem to say that often." Castiel said with a smile, finally raising his gaze to settle contently on Dean's face.

"Hey, I'm just stating facts," Dean said with a shrug before sticking the burger further in Cas' face, "Now c'mon, try it." He smirked and added slyly, "I want to be the one to take you burger-ginity."

Like expected, the failed attempt of a perverted joke went right over Castiel's head as the boy subconsciously took a huge whiff of the intoxicating scent of freshly grilled cow meat and sighed, "You're trying to tempt me, aren't you? Like how the serpent tempted Adam and Eve with the forbidden fruit that resulted in them getting thrown out of the Garden of Eden."

"Dude, did we seriously have to bring naked people acting like rebellious teenagers into this conversation?" Dean joked before he said more soberly, "But seriously, Cas, try this before I pin you to the ground and shove it down your throat." One look at Dean's stern face and Cas knew he wasn't kidding either.

The boy sighed in defeat and reluctantly took the greasy burger into his hands, "As much as I would love to see you try, I suppose one bite can't hurt," He paused and looked at it thoughtfully before adding, "Actually, it is going to damage my cholesterol by clogging up my veins with this heart-attack on a bun, but I think you know what I mean."

"Cas," Dean began with a roll of his eyes, "You know I love your pointless ramblings as much as the next guy, but I'm starting to get a little impatient here."

Castiel nibbled his bottom lip in a way Dean so didn't think was adorable before he reluctantly took a small bite of the cheeseburger. Dean watched in awe as he saw Castiel's eyes light up when the flavor hits his taste buds and he suddenly felt a strange feeling in his chest. As Castiel finally swallowed, Dean reached to retrieve it for himself, but then Cas took an even bigger bite and closed his eyes as a dreamy smile found its way on the boy's lips. Cas let out a moan of absolute pleasure and this time the "strange feeling" didn't happen in his chest but instead in a more…southern location that Dean is too humiliated to even identify (let's just say he had to think up an image of Uncle Bobby naked for his…manly parts to finally return to normal).

"This is simply divine, Dean." Cas said with a full-blown grin once he downed his last bite, "Who knew that indulging in temptation could be so…rewarding."

"That isn't even the best part, Cas," Dean said with a matching smile as he whipped his pie out and put a big portion of it on his fork before raising it to Castiel's mouth, "Here, have a little slice of heaven."

Dean tried to direct his attention elsewhere but he still found himself staring hungrily at Castiel's lips as the boy slipped the fork into his mouth. Dean was so focused on watching Castiel's reaction that he didn't even notice the whole table was watching the two with bewildered expressions.

"Dude, did Dean just share his pie?" Sam demanded in a whisper, but Dean was so in his own little world that he probably wouldn't have heard him even if he shouted it to the rooftops.

"Quick, somebody hoist the sails," Charlie said evenly before she let out a squeal, "Because I am so on board with this ship.

"I can see it now," Ash said with a happy sigh, "The S.S. Destiel. Population: everyone who has eyes."

Dean smiled, oblivious to the people around him, and raised an eyebrow at Cas, "So?"

"I haven't had pie since I was seven," Castiel said so softly only Dean heard him, "My mother…she used to bake one every Sunday after we got home from church."

"Why did she stop?" Dean asked, causing Cas to get a sullen look on his face.

"She didn't," Cas said in a plain tone as his gaze shifted to the ground, "I'm just not there anymore to taste it."

"She's still alive?" Dean said in surprise before cursing himself for his insensitivity, "Sorry, I didn't mean it like that."

Castiel shrugged and gave him a weak, forced smile, "It's okay. I haven't thought about her for awhile now. We don't speak much."

"Why's that?"

"Life got in the way," Castiel said and went quiet for a moment before adding bitterly, "And I suppose Naomi and Michael blocking all her calls and hiding all the letters she sends me doesn't help the matter either."

Dean's eyebrows knitted together and he opened his mouth to reply when he heard him.

"Cassie?" He heard the obnoxious British voice behind him ask in confusion and suddenly the whole table turned their gazes to Balthazar, whose eyes were trained solely on Castiel, "What the bloody hell are you doing sitting next to…" His eyes found Dean and they narrowed, "…him."

Dean forced a smile and leaned back from Castiel (since he just now noticed how much he was in the other dude's personal space….not that Cas seemed to mind much), "Sebastian, a pleasure as always." He then arched an eyebrow when he caught sight of Balthazar's bruised knuckles, "What happened? Somebody say Grease 2 was better than the original?"

Balthazar smiled (though it looked like more of a sneer) and said evenly, "Dean, as Shakespeare once said in King Lear, 'Thou art a boil, a plague sore, an embossed carbuncle in my corrupted blood.'"

Dean arched an eyebrow, "Wanna speak a little English here?"

"It means fuck off in theatre talk." Jo informed him, earning a smile and wink from Balthazar before he turned his attention back on Cas.

"But seriously, Cassie, why the hell are you sitting here? Did Meg freak you out that much when she suggested a threesome?"

Everyone's eyes widened in shock (though Dean's were more in horror) and Balthazar just couldn't keep his cool demeanor as he busted out in laughter, "You chaps are a little mug, aren't you?"

"Balthazar, what do you wish to say to me?" Castiel asked, heat rising to his cheeks in embarrassment.

The Brit pretended to pout, "Why? Gotten bored of me already?"

"Balthazar…" Cas began warningly, making the British boy roll his eyes and sigh.

"Look, I was just curious why you would rather sit next to this wanker than your own best friend."

"Best friend," Dean repeated sourly before he could stop himself and arched an eyebrow, "Is that a self-given title?"

Balthazar smirked, "Aw, the little bloke's jealous. That's cute."

"Hey, at least I'm not clinging onto Cas like a freaking octopus every time I see him." Dean hissed, making Sam finally speak up.

"Um…no offense, Dean, but you kinda do do that."

Dean's head jerked around to glare at his brother, "Whose side are you on anyway?" Sam held up his hands in surrender but the little bitch didn't even try to wipe the smirk off his face.

Dean was so focused on giving his brother dirty looks, he almost didn't hear Balthazar whisper lowly in Castiel's ear, "Cassie, if this tosser's holding you captive here, I can break out my jujitsu skills—"

"I am not being imprisoned here, Balthazar," Castiel said plainly, rolling his eyes, "I'm sitting here at my own free will."

Balthazar's eyes widened as he gazed at Castiel with a horrified expression. He jerked back and addressed the whole table with eyes wide as saucers and with almost life-like terror (after all, he is an actor), "You redneck animals, what have you done with my antisocial and alienated Castiel?!"

Dean tried his best not to react when Balthazar said "my Castiel" but by the knowing and slightly teasing look her received from Jo, it was obvious that he had failed.

Cas sighed, "Balthazar, we can discuss this later. But right now, I'm sitting with De—I mean, them for the time being."

Balthazar let his act drop as he stared blankly at him for a moment before his eyes widened in realization as his lips slightly lifted upward, "Well, fuck me. It's true."

Dean furrowed his brow, "What's true?"

Balthazar opened his mouth to answer but Cas shot him a warning look that made the Brit shut his mouth, though his shit-eating grin remained intact, "Nothing, Mate, just…nothing."

"Cas, what was he about to say?" Dean demanded as he turned to look at Castiel, who had shrugged innocently in response.

"Well, it seems that I have overstayed my welcome," Balthazar said as he bowed goodbye, "It's been a ball but I have to depart before Meg starts throwing punches when my friends ask her again what he favorite Ancient Greek play was." He then looked directly at Cas and grinned wickedly, "Cheers, Cas," He said Dean's nickname for him with mockery laced into it, as if he was teasing his friend but Dean wasn't sure how, "Give me a bell later for all the juicy details." And with that, he gave them a salute and sauntered off back to his table which, Dean had noticed, that Rachel was at as she stared over at him with curiosity in her gaze.

Dean tore his eyes off of the drama geeks and focused back on Cas, "Well, that was fun."

Castiel, who had his eyes glued down to the table, finally lifted his gaze to Dean, "I apologize; Balthazar can be quite…overwhelming to deal with at first."

"Are you kidding? He's freaking awesome!" Ash exclaimed, "Anybody who can make Dean that pissed in only five minutes deserves a freakin' golden globe."

"He didn't piss me off," Dean lied blatantly as he shrugged, "He just…makes me want to rip his head off every time I see him. I mean, how such a cheeky asshole got be friends with someone like Castiel is beyond me." He meant for his last statement to just be in his head, but by the way everyone was staring at him with a smirk proved he had let his lips take control.

"What?" Dean demanded in an insecure tone, "It's true."

Castiel narrowed his eyes at him and cocked his head, "Are you complimenting me or insulting Balthazar?" Both, his thoughts screamed.

"Neither," Dean said instead, ignoring his brain that seemed obsessed with Cas (not Dean, of course, just his brain. Dean's feelings for Castiel aren't obsessive, they're just…shut up, it'll come to him eventually…), "I was just stating a fact."

Jo grinned and Dean could tell she was about to say something that he would have to kill her for, and because he thinks that homicide is never the answer, he looked to Cas and asked something before Jo could even get the first word out, "So, Cas…you remember when you told me that everyone has something in it for them when they befriend you?"

Cas nodded, "Yes, other than you apparently. Which I'm still indecisive about."

Dean ignored his last statement and just continued on, "So what's in it for Balthazar?"

Castiel went silent for a moment, looking like he was thinking hard about his question and was trying to figure out how to answer it. Dean's shameful to say he was sitting on the edge of his seat waiting for his reply until Cas just shrugged and said, "I suppose I just simply amuse him." Okay, not the answer he was expecting.

Dean felt himself become slightly angry at Cas' statement as his eyes narrowed and his jaw locked, "So you're just a toy to him?"

Castiel rolled his eyes and sighed, "No, Dean, of course not. I mean that he is…'fascinated' by me, I suppose. An alien specimen under observation is perhaps a more suitable comparison."

His stomach lurched and Dean couldn't help but spit out, "Well, are you fascinated by him?"

"I once was, yes," Cas admitted breezily before adding, "But now I've come across a creature far more interesting than a Broadway British boy."

"And who would that?"

"A wayward son." Cas answered simply before picking up the empty plastic pie container and getting up to carry it to the trashcan.

As Castiel's words processed into his mind, Dean found himself breaking out into a slow grin as he took another meaty bite out of his hamburger. He looked up to see his friends' confused and slightly awed expressions as they stared at him. He furrowed his brow and asked with half a mouthful, "Whaa?"

"When you two get married, can I be the maid of honor?" Jo asked bluntly.

Dean choked on his food.

"What the fuck did you just say?" Dean heaved out once he got his coughing somewhat under control after a few moments of almost dying.

"Wait, which one would be in the dress?" Charlie asked, ignoring Dean almost on his deathbed.

"By the way he was acting when Cas came over to the house last night, he definitely doesn't deserve to wear the pants in the relationship."

"Shut up, Sam! Everybody knows you're the biggest chick at this table!" Dean snapped, praying that Cas won't return until he successfully puts muzzles on all his friends.

"This is so awesome!" Charlie exclaimed with absolute giddy, "I now have my own gay best friend!"

"I'm not gay," Dean snapped in an angry tone, "We just have a profound bond, alright?" He paused, "Wait, that didn't come out right."

"What didn't come out right?" Castiel asked with a tilted head as he sat back down.

"Nothing, Castiel," Jo told him sweetly, "We were just wondering if you wanted to sit here with us again on Monday."

"Is Dean going to sit here?" Cas asked, causing everyone's grin to widen as Dean flushed slightly.

"I don't know," Ash said before switching his gaze to Dean, "Are you, Winchester?"

"Yea, I am." Dean confirmed in an anxious tone, praying this lunch period would end soon so he can get out of this horrid nightmare.

Cas smiled at his answer and nodded, "Then yes, I would love to." Apparently, the boy didn't see anything wrong with his innocent question but Dean, however, knew he won't be hearing the end of this in a long time.

As Sam opened his mouth to further Dean's humiliation, the bell finally rang and the eldest Winchester son felt as though the heavens had just opened up. Saved by the bell, he praised silently.

Not wasting a second, Dean stood up out of his chair and laid a hand on Cas' shoulder, "That's our cue. Come on, Cas, let's go."

Castiel nodded and stood up to follow him, "Okay, Dean."

And as Dean dragged Cas out of the cafeteria and into the direction of the Latin classroom, Charlie sighed happily, "Oh yea, I'm so making this ship canon even if it kills me." Ash and Sam chuckled as they said their goodbyes and made their way to their separate fifth periods.

"Charlie, are you mad at me?" Jo asked as the two made their way to French class.

Charlie went silent for a moment before she finally looked to Jo and forced a smile, "Of course not, JoJo. I'm just a little…shocked at your confession of love for Benny."

Jo blushed as she mumbled, "I didn't confess my love for Benny. It's just a crush. I'll get over it soon enough."

"Good," Charlie said aloud as she smiled at her best friend, "You deserve so much better."

"Thanks." Jo said offhandedly and then went on to talk about something that had happened at the Roadhouse last night, completely oblivious to Charlie that was staring straight at her wondering if the blonde girl was either more thick-headed than she thought or was just ignoring Charlie's obvious feelings for her in hopes that it's "just a crush and she'll get over it soon enough."

Charlie's hoping it isn't the latter.

Author's Note: So...everything you wanted it to be? And before you say anything, it turns out that I had miscalculated and apparently Dean being forced to make "a tough decision" is next chapter. Sorry, that was all me, but I'm going to make up for it by writing next chapter almost entirely from Castiel's point of view! Yes, I know, I spoil you guys xD. And to repay me for my total awesomeness (egomaniac much?), you guys should review! Like, right now. Please?