Dean has had a crush on his best friend Cas for as long as he can remember, it evolved in high school and only got stronger as they both began their first year of college together. He never told Cas, and as a guy, he was terrified of telling him because he had never seen Cas with other guys.
It didn't help he'd been raised by his severely homophobic father, who swiftly put an end to Dean's only relationship with his friend Lee when they were young teens.
And Cas never judged him when he talked about Lee or whenever he'd make heart eyes at the guys on their school's football team, he would usually tease him about it, but it was always good natured.
Cas would even sometimes tease him and their friend Benny about being a couple because of how they acted around each other, Benny often retorting that if anyone in their group would be a couple, it'd be him and Dean, which usually led to Dean being quiet for the rest of the day.
So when Cas announced his plan to get an apartment off campus because he couldn't stand his dormmate and practically begged Dean to move in with him, well, it's safe to say Dean panicked at first but ended up agreeing to the idea of sharing a tiny two bedroom apartment just half an hour from their college.
-_-_-_
"I think that's everything from the truck." Dean announced setting the final box of stuff onto the couch turning to look over at Castiel with a big grin before glancing around the small living room that was mostly taken up by their possessions all boxed up. It felt weird seeing everything they owned together in one place.
"Well, I suppose now we should start unpacking and put everything away." Castiel responded, hands on his hips as he surveyed the tiny mountain of boxes. Dean couldn't help but stare at him, hands resting on his hips hugged perfectly by unnecessarily tight jeans, topped by his gray dress shirt that made his already too blue eyes seem even bluer.
"Seriously? We just packed like two days ago... Can't we just chill for a day and then unpack our shit?" Dean groaned flopping himself down onto the side of the couch not occupied by boxes. He watched as Castiel seemed to be considering his suggestion.
"I guess it wouldn't hurt, but we at least have to find the box with our bathroom items, unless you prefer to go without toilet paper." Castiel answered with a playful smirk, the type that made Dean's dick jump like an eager puppy. Fuck. Dean's eyes narrowed accusingly at the pile of boxes.
"Eh, I'll worry about that later... Come, sit down and relax for a minute, Cas." Dean offered patting the empty space beside him on the couch, looking up at Castiel. Moving away from the front door, Castiel came and sat down right next to Dean, his knee bumping Dean's as he settled into the couch.
Dean leaned back, glancing sideways at Castiel, unable to stop himself from thinking about how downright attractive he looked with a bit of sweat gleaming on his face and exposed forearms as he had rolled up the sleeves of his shirt.
Dean was also a touch sweaty, with obvious stains on his worn out Led Zeppelin T-shirt, they had spent the better half of the morning moving everything upstairs from their moving truck Dean's dad had helped them rent.
The bigger items, like their beds and couch had been brought over in his uncle Bobby's pick-up because he said it'd be cheaper to rent a smaller truck to haul over the rest of their things.
"I still can't believe this is our place, it's gonna look so cool when we get it all set up... Hey, we should host an apartment warming party if we get everything settled by Friday." Dean announced excitedly, flashing Castiel his best smile. Castiel smiled back, a soft chuckle escaping him.
"Yes, that sounds like a great idea. We can have everyone over, maybe even play some games... Your little brother is a tech wiz, he could set up our sound system for music." Castiel suggested turning slightly to face Dean, who couldn't help but notice how close Cas was to him now.
"Sammy would love that, and I got the perfect party playlist," Dean replied pulling his phone out of his jeans' pocket with a flourish, holding it out towards Castiel. Castiel took the phone and clicked on the music app, bringing up the playlist titled 'Best of the oldies', he looked up at Dean with a smile.
"I can see if Gabriel can supply us with beer, since he works at the liquor store downtown," Castiel offered handing back Dean's phone, their fingers brushing as Dean accepted it. Dean quickly stuffed his phone back into his jeans and stood from the couch suddenly.
"I, uh, think I'll search for our box of bathroom stuff now..." Dean offered, praying Castiel didn't notice the slight stutter in his voice as he walked over to the pile of boxes in the middle of the living room. Smooth Winchester, smooth... Dean thought to himself.