Chapter Five

Cas was early to work the next morning. Though he was tired from staying up so late, his excitement eclipsed it. He went right to the staff room and began his usual routine of tidying up and putting on a pot of coffee. He felt a thrill every time the door opened, but Dean was the very last to arrive.

Cas smiled and blushed when he saw him, and brought him a cup of coffee.

'Good morning,' he mumbled, his stomach tying itself in knots.

'Morning,' Dean grinned, taking the mug, lightly brushing Cas's hand as he did so. 'Come on, we're doing patterns today. Gonna need lots of colours and glue.'

Cas nodded and followed Dean to the classroom.

Once there, Dean put his cup down on his desk and turned to Cas.

'Are you okay?' he asked gently. 'You seem a little nervous.'

Cas shrugged. 'I'm all right,' he said. 'I'm just…' he looked around for the right words. 'Out of sorts, I think.'

Dean nodded, then glanced at the door before facing him again. 'Will this help?' He leaned in and kissed Cas softly.

Cas's heart flipped and he stammered for a moment when Dean pulled away. 'I - yes - I - I think that helped.'

Dean laughed. 'All right, then. That better last you the day, I can't give you another one til the kids are gone.'

Cas blushed again, but he put it to the side as he heard footsteps running down the hallway.

He turned his attention to the children, helping them cut shapes out of coloured paper for their patterns. He had to tell Charlie to put her tablet away, as usual, and several times had to stop the twins Mikey and Adam from causing mischief. Now that the excitement from the holidays had worn off, they were restless, waiting for something to keep their attention.

Cas watched Dean expertly joke around and direct their attention, without losing track of the lesson.

'You're really good at this. Teaching,' Cas told him at lunch.

Dean smiled. 'Plenty of practice. You should have seen my first year. Meltdowns and tantrums almost every day.'

Cas grimaced. 'I hope it won't be that bad for me.'

Dean patted his shoulder. 'Nah, you'll be great. Kids love you.'

'And I have a great teacher.'

'Jeez, Cas, you're making blush at work,' Dean laughed.

'It's about time, you do it to me often enough.'

'That's fair.'

Dean took his usual seat at the back during storytime, and Cas couldn't help but notice a shift in Dean's gaze. It was still soft and fond, but somehow, it seemed deeper than that.

At the end of the day, as promised, Dean kissed him again, only he drew it out as long as possible, and seemed loathe to let go.

'Sorry,' Dean said with a self-conscious smile, when he finally pulled away.

'Why?' Cas chuckled.

Dean shook his head. 'I'm trying not to be too much.'

Cas took his hand. 'Don't do that. I like all of you, you don't need to hold anything back.'

A flicker of uncertainty crossed Dean's face, but then he smiled and kissed Cas again.

'I gotta go, my brother's cooking tonight. Do you mind finishing up here?'

'Not at all,' said Cas. 'See you tomorrow.'

''Night.'

They continued in much the same way for the next few weeks. They went on dates almost every weekend, taking it in turns to pick the venue.

Every time they had to part, Dean caught Cas at their cars and kissed him fiercely. His hands were always running up and down Cas's back, or gripping him at the hip and caressing the back of his neck. However, every time Cas thought they might be taking the next step, Dean forced himself to stop and said goodbye instead.

It got to the point that Cas's veins felt as though they were on fire whenever he saw Dean, so he decided that he would bring it up the next time they went out together. It was his turn to choose, so he brought them to a quiet café. They made small talk for a while, until Dean started stroking the back of his hand and he couldn't take it anymore.

'Dean, can I talk to you about something?' he blurted out.

Dean didn't seem surprised, and gave a resigned sigh. 'You want to know why I haven't - why we haven't -'

Cas nodded, holding Dean's hand to reassure him. 'Obviously you don't have to, but it feels like you want to, and I - I would really like to -' He felt his cheeks burn, and he couldn't meet Dean's eyes.

'It - it's not you,' Dean said, equally red-faced. He looked around to make sure no one was listening. 'It's just that sometimes I - I can't - I mean, I try, but sometimes nothing happens, and I want it to be good for you…' He trailed off, but he didn't let go of Cas's hand.

'Oh,' said Cas. 'Because of…?'

'Yeah.'

'That's nothing to be ashamed of. It happens to me too, sometimes…'

Dean looked surprised. 'Really?'

Cas tried to shrug it off. 'I get nervous,' he admitted. He took a deep breath and pushed aside his embarrassment. 'It's all right, Dean, we don't have to do anything. It isn't something I need for a relationship, although I wish you had told me sooner. I would rather you hadn't spent all this time worrying about it.'

Dean smiled at him. 'If we try and I can't…?'

'Then we'll put on some comfy pajamas and fall asleep watching a movie.'

Dean laughed, his tension draining away. 'You're a really great guy, Cas,' he said. 'I think I got lucky.'

'That's kind of you to say.'

They finished their coffee and Dean kissed him goodbye at their cars.

'See you Monday,' Dean said, taking a regretful step back to his car.

With that conversation out of the way, Cas finally relaxed into the tentative beginnings of their relationship, though he was always careful not to let any of their students notice.

Valentine's Day came around, and Cas repurposed the halo he'd made for Halloween for the day. He took off the silver tinsel and replaced it with pink and red paper hearts, and a few fake roses twisted onto it with wire. To complete the look, he painted pink circles on his cheeks and made his way to school. He was going as a cherub, complete with a handmade pin in the shape of a bow and heart arrow.

Dean looked delighted when he saw Cas's efforts, and though he hadn't made much of an effort himself, he gave Cas a risky kiss in the staff room before anyone else had arrived. He also took the opportunity to hand Cas a single rose.

'I reserved a table for us somewhere fancy,' he said, a nervous blush spreading across his cheeks. 'If you wanna go, I mean.'

Cas took the rose from him, beaming. 'Tonight?'

Dean nodded.

'I'd love to.'

Dean grinned, relieved. 'I'll pick you up. Make sure you wear something nice.'

'What, this isn't nice enough?' Cas laughed, twirling in the soft pink ruffly shirt he'd chosen for the day.

Dean chuckled. 'It's great and all, but I'm pretty sure you can do better than that.' He had a twinkle in his eye.

'I'll work something out.'

He carried his rose to the classroom and put it in a cup of water, out of reach of the kids until he could take it home.

The class were full of giggles at what Cas was wearing, and they all wrote silly Valentine's cards for him, Dean, and each other.

When they finally left for the day, Cas took off his halo to help tidy up. There were scraps of paper everywhere from where the kids had been practicing cutting out heart shapes for their cards.

Dean picked up the halo and put it on. 'How do I look?' he said with a mischievous grin.

'It's a good look for you,' said Cas, 'but you forgot something.'

'What?'

Cas reached up and switched on the LED lights, illuminating Dean's face in pink reflected light. Cas admired him for a moment, then kissed him, his tongue darting between Dean's lips. He felt Dean gasp, then his arms snaked around Cas, tickling his back. Dean's fingers dug into him, and it was all Cas could do to make himself stop. He chuckled and used his sleeved to wipe off the paint that had come off on Dean's face.

Dean kissed his hand and grabbed his rose for him, then walked him out to his car. 'I'll pick you up at seven.'

Cas nodded and went home to change, and scrub the paint off his cheeks. He put his rose in a fluted vase and set it on the table, next to the picture of Gabriel.

'What do you think?' Cas murmured to the picture. 'Nice rose, right?' But, as always, there was no response, and the picture just fell over as he stepped away. Cas sighed and picked it up again. 'Don't let me forget to get you a new frame. Can't keep having you fall on your face.'

He put on his best suit and blue tie, and swung a beige overcoat around his shoulders, just in time to hear a knock at the door. He dropped his keys into his pocket and hurried to open it.

When he saw Dean in the doorway, his heart stopped and his breath caught in his chest. Dean had combed his hair back, and his suit was impeccably fitted, highlighting his chest and shoulders.

'Hey, you look great,' Dean said.

Cas made an odd stammering sound, unable to form words, and Dean laughed.

'I'll take that as a compliment. Come on.' He took Cas by the arm and led him to his car, that looked as though it had been washed especially. He opened the door to the passenger seat for Cas.

'After you.'

Cas sat on the soft leather, immediately feeling relaxed in Dean's car, and waited patiently for Dean to get in.

He seemed eager to get there, and chatted about nothing in particular all the way.

'You weren't joking when you said fancy,' Cas said as he got out of the car and saw the restaurant.

'Yeah, we were lucky to get a table,' Dean said, locking the car and taking Cas's hand. 'But you're worth it.'

Cas smiled. 'That's sweet.'

The restaurant was quiet, but for a low murmur of conversation, and the piano and violin being played in one corner.

'Wow. I might have to step up my game,' Cas said as they approached the host stand.

'Don't worry about it, it's a special occasion.'

They were shown to a table for two, in an intimate spot near the musicians.

Dean pulled out Cas's chair for him and made sure he was comfortable before sitting down himself.

There was a spray of baby's breath and deep red roses in the center of the table. A server in a crisp white shirt brought them menus and took their drink orders. Dean insisted that Cas get something fancy, so he ordered a rich glass of red wine, while Dean settled for a glass of sparkling cider, since he was driving.

Before opening the menu, Cas reached across the table to take Dean's hand.

'This is so nice,' he said quietly. 'You didn't have to do this.'

'I wanted to,' Dean smiled.

Cas took a sip of his wine and looked over the menu. When he looked up at Dean, however, he noticed that Dean seemed overwhelmed by the choices.

'The salmon looks nice,' Cas prompted, 'but you seem like you'd enjoy the steak more.'

Dean grinned at him. 'Good call,' he said.

With their food ordered, Dean just held Cas's hand for a while, stroking it with his thumb and gazing at him until Cas squirmed in his seat.

'So I've been thinking,' Dean said, a hint of anxiety touching his voice. 'Do you - um - wanna make this… official?'

Cas blinked in surprise. 'Really?'

Dean nodded. 'Yeah, I think so. If - if you want to.'

'I'd love to!' Cas exclaimed, a little too loudly causing the people at the tables around then to glance over at them.

Dean appreciated the enthusiasm, however, and beamed at him, squeezing his hand tighter. 'Okay,' he said, relief clear in his voice. 'You know that means we'll have to tell the school, right?'

'I don't mind,' Cas said, without hesitation. He saw that there was still uncertainty in Dean's expression, so he attempted to lighten it. 'You're asking me on Valentine's Day? That's a little cheesy, Dean.' This drew out the laugh Cas had hoped for, and all of Dean's hesitation vanished.

For the rest of their meal, Dean couldn't stop touching Cas. Even when his hands were occupied, his feet were brushing Cas's legs under the table.

When they were finished, Cas reached for his wallet, but Dean shook his head.

'Hey, put that away,' he said, pulling out his own wallet.

'But this place is expensive,' said Cas.

'I know that,' Dean smiled, waving away Cas's wallet again. 'This is on me. Besides, I know how much they pay you.'

Cas snorted, then put his wallet away. 'All right, but next time, I'm paying.'

'If you insist,' Dean grinned.

He paid and tipped, but they stayed at their table until they'd finished the last of their drinks.

Dean took Cas's arm and walked him back out to the car, taking his time to wander in the fresh air.

The wine had gone to Cas's head and he felt a pleasant buzz in his head, though it wasn't the only effect. Blood flushed his cheeks and rushed around his body, so when they reached the car, Cas leaned against it, pulling Dean with him. His kisses were slightly sloppy, but he relished the feeling of Dean's weight pressed against him.

Eventually, though, Dean broke away with a laugh.

'Come on, let's get you home.'

It was an effort to keep his hands to himself, but Cas managed the entire trip with only a hand on Dean's knee.

Dean pulled up outside Cas's apartment, but Cas wasn't ready to leave him just yet, grabbing him to kiss him more.

The air in the car warmed and the windows steamed up.

'Will you come in?' Cas asked, panting slightly.

Dean closed his eyes and sighed, then kissed Cas's fingers. 'I can't,' he said sadly. 'It's not happening tonight.'

Cas nodded and gave him a quick peck.

'I'm sorry.'

'Don't be,' said Cas. 'I can take care of myself,' he added with a sly smile that made Dean laugh.

'I bet you can,' he said, rolling down the windows to let out the hot air. He then got out and opened the door for Cas, helping him to his feet. He walked Cas all the way up to his door.

'A gentleman,' Cas giggled, the full effects of the glasses he'd had finally hitting him.

Dean kissed his cheek and opened his door for him.

'Make sure you drink some water before you go to sleep,' Dean said, in equal parts amused and concerned.

'Of course. Goodnight, Dean.'

Cas closed the door and let out a long sigh. He did as Dean told him and drained a large glass of water before getting ready for bed.

Fortunately, Cas was spared a hangover, and was early to school as usual. To his surprise, Dean arrived just as he was pouring himself a cup of coffee.

'Hi,' he said brightly, coming over to Cas. He reached for the mug, but Cas moved it out of his reach.

'What's in it for me?' he said with a smirk.

Dean bit his lip, fighting back the urge to sweep Cas up in his arms. Instead, he kissed Cas on the cheek.

'I suppose that'll do,' said Cas, finally letting him take the cup of coffee. He returned the kiss just as Jody walked in, and his cheeks reddened when he saw she'd noticed them.

'Aw, you guys are cute,' was the only thing she had to say, besides a smug look aimed at Dean.

Dean gave an exaggerated sigh, but smiled widely, and put an arm around Cas's waist.

'We might as well get it out of the way,' he said at Cas's questioning look.

Jo and Ash were delighted, but Bobby just rolled his eyes.

'Just make sure it doesn't interfere with work,' he said.

'It won't,' Cas said sincerely.

The giggles and questions didn't last too long, to their relief, and they let go of each other when they left the staff room.

Cas felt as though he were floating, unable to keep himself from smiling all day. Dean had a little more control of himself, but Cas saw Dean's eyes flicker up and down his body every so often.

Cas pulled him aside at lunch and murmured, 'Can I take you out on Sunday afternoon?'

Dean grinned, and briefly leaned closer to Cas, but thought better of it as one of the children squealed as they played. He cleared his throat and agreed.

When Cas got home that evening, he ordered Chinese food and sat at the table with Gabriel's picture.

'Sorry I didn't tell you about it yesterday,' Cas said to him, his mouth full of noodles. 'Apparently my tolerance isn't what it was.' He swallowed another mouthful. 'A real boyfriend though, how about that? I think you'd like him. He has a great sense of humour.'

It wasn't the same as talking to Gabriel when he was alive, and Cas sighed. Abruptly the picture fell over and Cas rolled his eyes as he propped it up again. 'Wait there.'

He grabbed a sticky note and wrote "Buy new frame" on it, then stuck it to the frame, chuckling as he decided it looked like a hat.

'I wish you could meet him,' he said sadly.

He finished the rest of his dinner in silence, and decided that it was too late to call his parents. He would call them another day.

Welcome back! Thanks to EmilyAnnMcGarrett-Winchester and Kathy for the reviews! See you next time :)