Sugar, We're Going Down

Is this more than you bargained for yet
Oh don't mind me I'm watching you two from the closet
Wishing to be the friction in your jeans
Isn't it messed up how I'm just dying to be him
I'm just a notch in your bedpost
But you're just a line in a song
Drop a heart, break a name
We're always sleeping in, and sleeping for the wrong team
We're going down, down in an earlier round
And Sugar, we're going down swinging
I'll be your number one with a bullet
A loaded God complex, cock it and pull it

Castiel glanced down at his watch as he made his way to the campus library. He was meeting Dani to study for their Biology test and he was running late. When he entered, he didn't see her so he went ahead and took their regular table and unpacked his books.

He yawned as quietly, causing him to think about how the last couple of days had drained him both mentally and physically.

Meg had left the apartment in the early morning but didn't bother to wake him up even though he had asked her to. They had shared the same bed for a few nights, the first couple she'd waken up with nightmares. He'd wake up and sooth her and allow her to fall asleep in his arms but it was never much more than that. He was surprised that after their argument at the hospital she had managed to sleep soundly.

He knew she was still angry that he'd left her in the waiting room of the hospital the night of Jo's ordeal but he couldn't help knew that the fact that she knew Jo's attacker would be held against her..especially since she didn't say anything. He was surprised Bela hadn't marched out and berated her. Not that Castiel had to be nervous for Meg. There was no doubt in his mind that she could defend herself against anyone. He just hadn't wanted the scene. But he got one anyway when he chased her down the hallway.

"You're thinking awfully hard over there." Castiel heard a female voice comment.

He looked up to see Dani, her black hair messy in an oversized sweatshirt. For some reason he liked seeing her like this better than seeing her all dressed up.

"Danielle, I saved your seat," he said as he gestured toward her usual chair which she pulled out slowly and began to take her seat.

"I'm sorry I'm late, my history class ran over."

"I just got here myself, "Castiel replied as he searched his messenger bag for his pencil. Searching all the pockets, it was nowhere to be found. He looked up to see Danielle holding a pencil out to him.

He smiled "You know I think you're the only college student that still uses wooden pencils."

She frowned for a second "You know you love them."

As she organized her stuff, Castiel noticed her silver cuff bracelet. "That's a lovely bracelet Danielle, is it new?"

"Um,yeah, kinda," she said turning it over so he could see the design. "This symbolizes the interdependency of nature. This, the relationship of man and Earth. This, the unity of knot of lovers."

Castiel looked up from her wrist and grinned "Unity of lovers?"

Danielle chuckled softly and pulled her wrist back "That's what some archaeologists believe. The Celts didn't leave many records so no one knows for sure."

He reached across the table, grasped her fingers in his warm palm and lightly tugged her hand toward him. "I've never seen a lovers knot that looked quite like this."

Danielle looked at him surprised and tried to pull her hand free without thinking but he tightened his grasp. "Well you won't find it in Maxim or Busty Asian Beauties or whatever it is you and Dean read."

He chuckled deep in his throat, a soothing sound, and let go "I guess that explains it." He looked into her eyes for several long seconds before looking down at his notebook.

Danielle's fingers were still warm from his touch and it took her a bit to refocus.

Just as they were about to begin their study session, a handsome young man walked up their table.

"Hey Dani, how's it going?"

Dani looked up at him and smiled at the boy "Ryan, are you stalking me?"

"No just running into you in a completely pre-meditated manner.." He said laughing he leaned against the table.

"Castiel, this is Ryan, he's in my English class," she introduced as Ryan offered his hand.

Castiel took it and shook his hand solidly. Dean always said you can determine a lot about a person by their hand shake. "Nice to meet you."

"And you too," Ryan replied before turning his attention. "Dani, are guys still playing the Roadhouse?"

Castiel looked up at the boy and how easily he flirted with Danielle. He thought he had done a good job but this boy seemed to have it down to an art form. A pang of unexpected jealousy hit him solidly in the chest as she smiled at the silly jokes the boy made. Apparently he was a musician as well that had much in common with her.

He watched her brown eyes sparkle as they chatted about an upcoming concert that they both planned to attend. Castiel observed the boy carefully. It was obvious that he intended to ask Danielle if she wanted to attend with him but couldn't seem to make the words come out. Perhaps it was Castiel's presence that deterred him. Should he get up and leave? Allow them privacy.

"Cas?" Dani's voice dragged him back from his thoughts. "Are you ok?"

He blinked away his thought trance and turned to face her "Sorry, I was spacing."

Both Danielle and the boy laughed, a sound that irritated him more than he could have thought possible.

He closed his book quickly and packed up. "I've gotta run."

"Run?" Dani asked confusedly "I thought we were going to study."

"Yeah, sorry about that.." Castiel replied,placing his messenger bag on his shoulder "I forgot I have to meet Dean."

"Dean?" Dani asked incredulous

"Yeah, I'll catch up with you later."

"Um, okay," she replied frowning.

Castiel moved quickly from the library to the apartment. He was lucky to find Dean lounging gracefully on the couch.

"Woah dude, where's the fire?" Dean asked sitting up quickly as he noticed the look of distress on Castiel's face.

"I left Danielle at the library," Castiel blurted.

"Um, ok?" Dean added the question at the end of the sentence

"She was flirting..with another guy."

Dean's eyebrow lifted but all he said was "Girls will tend to do that."

"I didn't like it, it was….it made me angry."

"I'm very sorry," Dean offered sincerely.

"Don't be sorry," Castiel replied "Help me fix it."

"I can't really help you there," Dean shrugged "You've got Meg sleeping in your bed at night. Not enough room for Dani there too. Although that would make an interesting threesome."

"Dean, focus."

"What? You can't say that you haven't thought of that once since Megalosaurus came back."

Castiel's straight face told Dean that he had not considered it.

"Ok so it's too crowded."

"Crowded?"

"Get rid of Meg," Dean said simply.

"I can't do that, Meg needs me."

"Come on, Cas, Meg doesn't need you. There isn't a word in the English language for what Meg needs."

"I don't understand."

"Why doesn't that surprise me?" Dean asked running a hand through his hair "Did you tell Dani that you were jealous?"

"No, I just..left. I didn't know what to say."

Dean looked at his friend "Have you ever told Dani anything about your feelings?"

"Well, no" Castiel admitted "I have no claim on her but I like her. I have always enjoyed how she likes me. She's a friend, always there when I need her but…."

"But what?" Dean asked curiously

"Meg."

Dean shook his head before lying back down on the couch "I don't know what to tell you, buddy. You can't have 'em both. Gotta spare a few for the rest of the guys in the world."

Castiel frowned "This is a mess."

Dean pursed his lips and then spoke "I'm glad you're finally seeing that. But it's a mess you made..only you can fix."

Castiel sighed "Says the boy who loves the girl in the bedroom next to his."

Dean rolled his eyes "That's different."

"How? You're pining for Jo but are too stubborn to admit it." Castiel pointed out.

"I'll admit it to you."

"A fair lot of good that does you."

"Don't you mean a fat lot of good that does you?"

"Same difference. Your trying to divert my attention from your situation."

"Dude, you came in here asking me for help. Not vice versa." Dean replied as he placed his arm underneath his head.

Castiel seemed to consider that before asking. "Where is Joanna anyway?"

Dean lifted the remote and flipped the channels "Out with Ruby. Last minute wedding stuff."

"Have you two talked since.."

"Nope,"Dean replied quickly "Nothing to talk about there. Give me my beer."

"Denial," Castiel said hoarsely as he handed the bottle over. "Dean Winchester's best friend."

Dean shrugged as he reached for his beer and pulled a sip "The only way to live."

Castiel peered at Dean with a look for despair on his face."What a fine pair we make."

Dean lifted the remote and changed the channel and they sat in silence for a bit. "Which guy was it? The one with the eyeliner?"

Castiel looked at Dean incredulously "You know the eyeliner dude?"

Dean shrugged his shoulders "He's a band groupie. I've seen him at the bar."

"Is he nice?" Castiel asked curiously and Dean bristled "Cas, man, he wears eye liner…guy liner…"

"What does that have to do with his personality?"

"What doesn't it have to do with his personality?" Dean asked as if that explained it all.