Trigger Warning! Homophobic Slurs.
Bullying
Mild Angst (but not really, just Cas being worried and stuff)
Castiel stays home for the whole weekend. All of them, Castiel's parents and Gabriel spend their Saturday playing board games. Even tough Gabe keeps cheating,their mother, Becky defeats them by a mile. Her usual victory-dance receives groans from everyone, Gabe tries to shield his eyes behind his arm while their Dad, Chuck just laughs at his wife before he stops her dancing with an affectionate hug. Castiel smiles at them fondly while his younger brother makes a gagging noise. His Dad looks at the younger boy, turns back to look into his wife's eyes, strokes her blonde hair behind her ears and kisses her fully on the mouth. The kiss deepens quickly and the brothers run out of the living room, where the game is left on the table, and hurry up the stair into Castiel's room. Cas' room is the furthest away from their parent's bedroom, the boys turn up the stereo as loud as possible.
The alarm rings at exactly 7:30 am on Monday morning. A black mess of hair can be seen peaking out from under the blue covers at the shrill sound, quickly followed by a smooth hand smashing against the alarm clock, silencing it for a solid seven minutes.
Castiel was about to hit the snooze-button for the third time when something small landed on his body and shouted into his ear:"Wake y-wakey!"
"Get off me, Gabe" is the grumpy reply, muffled by the bed sheets.
The younger brother sneers and informs Castiel that the bus will be there in a few minutes, while rushing out the room.
Castiel hurriedly stands up, only to stop in the middle of the bedroom. His hand held against his head to fight against the dizziness that threatens to overwhelm him. "Fuck" he grumbles while putting on his black pants and reaching for his sweater, he nearly trips over on the process but manages to catch himself in the last second against the window.
"Cassie! Bus is here!" Gabe stresses. The older Novak grabs his rucksack runs down the staircase, reaches for shoes and jacket and runs out on the street wearing only his sleep-socks.
In the bus he puts on his sneakers while Gabe points out his colorful socks and laughs at the pink and blue dots on them. "Could you please stop forming voices with your mouth, brother?"
Gabe just giggles and keeps bragging about the date he has on Saturday.
Castiel shuts him out, he has heard that speech twice the day before so he won't miss anything important. He leans back against the gray bus seat and tries to relax before school begins.
His mind wanders towards his classes. First Philosophy, were the current subject is Anaximander and the boy grows a fondness towards that philosopher. Second hour is math and third is Italian.
"Oh no." he mumbles, his heart beating a little bit faster as he remembers that he has to face Dean so soon. Now he would have to lie at his face. Cas groaned at that thought and let his head fall heavily against the seat. Gabe has since long stopped talking and is now eating a lollipop while Castiel tires not to freak out to much.
The older boy is so deep in thought that he barely realizes that they have reached their destination, the school.
Slowly and dreading the lessons he makes his way into the building, past his locker and into the classroom. The bell rings, the last students run into the class and finally the professor arrives, greets them, and starts the lecture. Castiel concentrates on the subject, he takes notes and nearly forgets about the soon encounter with the green-eyed teen.
The time passes and sooner than Castiel hoped, the bell rang for the third time that Monday morning. With his head held low and a thumbs-up from Anna, who shares his math class, he loafs to Italian.
The teenager sits down on his usual seat and buries his head in that weird book for English. He pretends to read but is actually looking out for Dean Winchester.
He can't help but stare as the other boy rushes into the room. His hair a bit messier than usual, his flannel a little out of place and his shoelaces undone. Dean practically falls in his chair and sends a warm and charming smile directly towards Castiel.
"Couch made me run an extra mile, even though he knows exactly that we don't have enough time to shower and change clothes as it is. Fucking asshole." green eyes complain.
"Hello to you too." Castiel says with a smirk which makes the other blush and look down on his table. "I should thank Couch Balthazar then."
Dean just stares at him in confusion, eyebrow raised and lips pouting.
"I prefer your hair… messy." Castiel explains with a hint of red covering his cheeks.
The other gives him a brilliant smile, leaves his hair messy and only straightens out his flannel and does the shoelaces.
"Buongiorno, raggazzi. Silenzio per favore."
The room turns silent as Crowley starts talking about stuff and things. Castiel really doesn't understand a thing, it's humiliating. At this point he dreads the studying with Dean, he is aware that he will make a fool of himself as always, and it makes him go nuts. He keeps glancing towards the other teen just to make sure he is real, and not just some weird dream.
"You know if you stop staring at me you wouldn't need my help." Dean whispers without looking away from Crowley.
Castiel quickly looks away and tries to stay focused on his teacher for the rest of the time, while willing his blush away. Dean just chuckles and continues to follow the lesson.
Five minutes before the lesson ends Mr. Crowley gives them their homework and let's his students take a break before the next hour starts. Dean immediately turns around to Castiel, before he manages to say something the professor calls Castiels name and heads towards him. Castiel shoots Dean a worried glance, the other answers with a subtle thumbs up and a smile.
"Yes, Sir?" Castiel stammers while biting his lips.
The professor hands him a pile of sheets before explaining:" Those are exercises. They start with the most profound grammar and vocabulary." he turns to Dean and continues,"it would be easier for Castiel if you could help him out. Maybe motivate him a little." His eyes wander between the two of them," They need to be done in one month exactly and then you have to make another test to prove you caught up all the learning matter by that time."
" Thank you, Sir" Castiel stumbles, his face has turned entirely pale, he swallowed visible when Crowley finally went back to his seat.
The boy slumps in his chair and runs his fingers through the dark hair.
Dean tilts his head and presses his lips into a tight line "Hey" Dean addresses in a soft voice."I'll help you with everything, I know you'll do great." A smile crosses his lips but as soon as he sees the devastated look on his friend the smile falls. The bell rings, Dean throws his things in the bag and puts a warm hand on Cas' hunched shoulders. The slightly smaller boy looks up and is greeted with a small smile.
"You got this, Cas. We can start today. After school good?"
"Yes. Thank you, Dean."
"You're welcome."
And with that Dean Winchester disappears into the crowds of people in the hallway.
Lunch and the next few lessons pass relatively quickly. Castiel's mind is preoccupied with thoughts of Dean Winchester and worries about Italian. He worries about making a fool of himself in front of Dean. He worries about failing the class, but most of all he worries about disappointing the people who put trust in him. Dean, his mother, his dad even his teacher.
He doesn't realize he is biting his nails until his mouth tastes blood. He hisses a "fuck" and searches for a tissue to stop the light bleeding.
The last bell of the day rings and at the same time his phone vibrates in the jeans pocket.
Meet me in the library in 10 -D.
Castiel slowly packs his things, he's the last one to head out the classroom. He lingers in the hallways before stepping towards his locker. It's one of those gray super old things, that have those locks you can open just by pulling a little stronger at the handle. Before opening the door of the locker Cas looks around and makes sure no one is in school anymore. He knows he is going to be late for the study session with Dean but his safety is more important. Everything seems clear so he quickly stuffs his books in the locker while grabbing simultaneously with his other hand the Italian textbook and his history book. He shoves them into his backpack but before he manages to get up the zipper a hard something collapses with the back on his head and his nose is pressed into the metal of his locker. A pained noise escapes his chapped lips his hand automatically reaches for his nose. He can feel the warm blood running over his lips, he can taste the metallic taste on his tongue and feel the fluid on his neck as it slowly make it's way into his sweater. His hand is swatted away as his body is jerked around to face his attacker
Another impact on the back of his skull as he slams once again against the locker turns his vision blurry. He's not sure if it's from the tears or something more terrifying like brain damage.
The attacker looks all to familiar, with that grin plastered on his face and that bobbing adam's apple that makes Castiel gag.
"Hey Fagstiel"
"Fuck off , Alistair." is all that Cas growl through gritted teeth, while trying to wiggle free from the iron grip on his upper arms. A knee is pressed against his stomach making it uneasy to breath.
"Hey Dumb ass. Leave him alone!"
Alistair and Castiel, both look towards the voice and catch Dean Winchester standing in the middle of the empty hallway. His legs apart making the o-legs more visible, his hands are clenched in fists and he seems to be breathing hard. Cas really can't see that much but at least the blurriness had disapeared.
Dean gets closer to the bully and while Alistair is distracted Castiel manages to kick his left knee directly into the attackers crotch. Alistair lets go of the other boy immediately, presses his hands to his crotch and groans in pain. Dean rushes forward kicks the boy literally in the ass and reaches out for Castiel. He grabs his arm and drags Castiel out the school,. They both run into the parking lot, where they both catch their breaths until Dean breaks out laughing. He holds his stomach and nearly doubles-over. Castiel is quick to join him and they are both messes, they can hardly breath, their stomachs are aching and their eyes are teary, but in the very best way. Dean is the first to calm down soon followed by Castiel as he hears someone scream his name, followed by swears and insults.
"Fucking Alistair." Dean swears," Let's getcha outta here."
He point at his black muscle car and motions for Cas to take the passenger seat. He's quick to obey as the voice grows louder and gets closer every second. Castiel's face turns pale again while listening to all the swears coming from that bastard.
Dean seems to grasp his discomfort, locks the door, turns on the engine and plays Led Zeppelin on full volume. With that they are out of school and danger.
After a while of mindless driving Dean turns down the music.
"Cas, are you hurt?" Dean asks, avoiding eye contact.
Castiel keeps staring at the window before he admits:"Just a little headache. The nose bleeding stopped but I could use an ice pack."
"Shit. Sorry I'll turn around and we go to my place? We have ice packs and I am the perfect mother hen." Dean sends a huge smile to Cas at that, before looking back on the street.
True to his words it's not long until they are parked on Deans front lawn.
"Here we are." Dean says, he cuts the engine and is about to open the car door when Castiel suddenly speaks up:" Thank you, Dean."
The smaller boy still doesn't look up so Dean reaches towards him and softly lifts up his chin.
Green meets blue. Deans brows furrow as he sees the teary blue eyes of his passenger. He doesn't hesitate to slide over to Castiel, directly into his personal space. He puts an arms around the others shoulder and hugs him close. Cas' head is now pressed against Deans broad chest, his fingers grab the soft fabric of Deans worn out shirt. Silent tears rush down his face as he lets himself being held by the other boy. Dean just holds him tighter as he feels the wetness on his shirt. He puts a small kiss on the others messy hair. Castiel wasn't sure if it was a peck or just Dean's chin on his, but the thought of Dean kissing his head makes him warm from the inside. He smiles through the tears as he thinks of Dean kissing him. The vision quickly turns into a terrible nightmare as he sees Alistair pointing at him and calling him names.
Castiel can't hold back the sobs and full on cries onto Deans shoulder, he wants to move away and curl into a ball but the other boy stops him and keeps him close.
Dean murmurs soothing words into the others ears until he's all out of tears and wipes the stains away with his sleeve.
"I'm sorry." he mumbles hiding himself behind a mess of hair.
"Don't be." Dean states calmly. He brushes the hair out of Cas' face and wipes remaining tear streams of his face. "C'mon let's get you inside, shall we?"
"Yes, please." Cas stutters.
Dean gets out the car and opens the door for Castiel. "Thank you, James." Castiel mocks and puts a smile on Deans face, who quickly turns it into a fake pout. Castiel just chuckles while shyly reaching for Deans hand. Deans hand is warm and feels very much like home to Castiel. Blue eyes look at Dean, who stares at his feet and fumbles for his keys.
He let's both into the house and reminds Castiel where the bathroom is so he can get cleaned up. Meanwhile Dean prepares two teas and an ice pack for Castiel. He carries everything upstairs into his room before going back down to wait for Castiel to be done.