Chapter Six

Cas felt as though he were floating much of the time. He loved his job, and working with Dean every day. They spent most of their weekends together, going on day trips, or taking each other to new restaurants and cafes. April arrived in a shower of warm rain, and Cas took the children out every day to watch the frogspawn in the pond turn into tadpoles.

He and Dean still hadn't been intimate, nor had they been inside each others' apartments, but Cas didn't mind. Dean's gentle touches and kisses were enough for him, though the way Dean looked at him sometimes made him squirm.

Just as they were tidying up the classroom one afternoon, Dean caught him by the arm.

'Hey, uh, can I put my brother's number in your phone?' he asked anxiously. 'Just in case.'

'Of course.' Cas handed his phone over and waited while Dean put Sam's number into it. 'Is everything all right? Are you starting to feel bad?'

Dean shook his head and passed Cas his phone back. 'No, I'm just getting a little paranoid, I guess,' he said. 'It's been too long.'

'Isn't that a good thing? You get more time to spend the way you want to.'

Dean smiled at him. 'That's true.'

'Try and enjoy it, Dean.'

Dean cupped Cas's face. 'I'll do my best,' he murmured, before kissing Cas tenderly. 'Oh, by the way, do you want to lead the class on Thursday?' he asked when he pulled away.

Cas's heart thrilled but he nodded.

'I'll be able to take some real notes this time, so we can work on your methods.'

'Sounds good,' Cas said, but his voice was slightly strained.

'Hey, don't be nervous,' said Dean, running a hand down his arm. 'The kids love you, you'll do great. And I'll take you to dinner after.'

'Well in that case…'

Dean kissed him on the tip of his nose. 'Go on, get outta here. I'll see you tomorrow.'

'Goodnight, Dean.'

Cas drove home and threw on some pasta for dinner, then opened his phone to text Sam.

Hello, Sam. This is Cas. Dean put your number in my phone for emergencies.

It took a few minutes, but Sam texted him back.

Hey, Cas, good to hear from you :) I've saved your number too.

Satisfied, Cas put his phone down and checked on his food, then finally set about replacing the frame for Gabriel's picture. He'd bought a good quality mahogany frame, and lovingly removed the photo from the old frame. He made sure there was no dust on the new one, then carefully placed the photo inside.

'Much better,' he said to Gabriel, standing him back up on the table. 'I hope you like it.'

Cas finished cooking then sat down at the table with Gabriel. Just as he took a bite of his food, the frame fell over.

'Are you kidding me?' Cas said exasperatedly, through a mouthful of food. 'Is it the table?' He grabbed the table and wobbled it, but it seemed sturdy. Cas swallowed his food, then picked Gabriel up and placed him on the coffee table in the living room instead, where he sat still.

'Gabe, if that really is you, stop messing with me,' Cas said to the air, then shook his head. 'What am I saying? You would love messing with me.'

Gabriel's picture didn't move again, but Cas was still thinking about it when he got to school the next morning.

'What's up?' Dean asked, when Cas wordlessly handed him a cup of coffee.

Cas sipped his drink. 'Do you believe in ghosts, Dean?'

'Yeah, sure,' Dean said without hesitation.

'Really?'

Dean nodded. 'My mom. She died when I was little, but when I started to get sick, I just got the feeling that she was there, you know?'

'That sounds nice.'

'Yeah, it helped,' Dean smiled. 'Why do you ask?'

Cas hesitated. 'It sounds silly but the picture I keep of Gabriel keeps falling over. I even bought a new frame but it keeps happening. Do you think that means he's around?'

'I don't see why not,' Dean smiled. 'He's your big brother. I'd haunt the crap out of Sam if it was me.'

Cas chuckled. 'I suppose that settles it then. I'm not sure how to feel about it.'

Dean put an arm around him. 'I recommend feeling comforted. If it's him, it just means he wants to hang out with his brother.'

'I'd lean more towards him wanting to annoy the crap out of his brother.'

'Same thing really,' Dean grinned. 'Come on, kids'll be here soon.' He kissed Cas's cheek, then led the way to their classroom.

After school, Cas went home and warily approached Gabriel's photo, kneeling in front of where it was still sitting on the coffee table.

'It's sweet of you to keep an eye on me,' he said to it, feeling a little silly. He had talked to Gabriel's picture plenty of times, but he never expected to believe anyone was actually listening. 'I hope you're just hanging around for fun. I'd hate to think I'm holding you back from something.' He stared at the photo, willing it to move, but nothing happened. Cas sighed and straightened. On one hand, the picture not moving could mean it was just a photo, but on the other, it would be just like Gabriel to keep him guessing. He wasn't convinced either way, but a part of him wished it really was Gabriel.

He put it out of his mind and pulled out his notes, so he would be ready for his first official day leading the classroom.

He was nervous, and showing it when he arrived at school.

'Don't worry, I'll be there the whole time,' Dean said, an arm around him as they had their morning coffee together in the classroom. 'It's okay to get things wrong, you're learning.'

Cas nodded and stood at the front of the class, ready for the children.

Once they were settled, Dean quickly addressed them.

'All right, everybody, Cas is in charge again today,' he said, and took Cas's usual spot at the back of the room with a notepad.

Cas thought the morning went quite well. Dean had only had to intervene once when he caught Charlie on her tablet under her desk, and confiscated it until lunchtime.

Cas had brought his own lunch, but Dean put it aside and brought him a bowl of homemade meatballs in marinara sauce instead.

'You're doing great,' he said, handing Cas a fork as they watched the kids play. 'Just keep up the energy.'

Cas nodded, gratefully eating the food. It was miles better than the sad ham sandwich he'd made for himself.

Then they were back at it. Cas faltered a couple of times, struggling to keep the childrens' attention as their energy wore down. Adam and Mikey flicked paper balls at each other until Cas threatened to separate them. Cas was highly relieved when story time came, and he settled into his usual role.

At the end if the day he said goodbye to everyone, and watched them run down the hallway, making sure they were all collected by their parents. Once they were all gone, Cas closed the door and let out a deep sigh.

Dean laughed and kissed him. 'Still sure teaching's for you?'

Cas smiled. He was tired, but thrilled. 'Absolutely,' he said, and set about tidying up the room.

Dean tucked his notepad into his jacket and waited for Cas to finish tidying. 'Come on, dinner's on me, and we'll go over these notes.'

Cas followed Dean to a quiet restaurant with a cosy atmosphere, and they sat together at a large round table with comfortable chairs. Dean ordered them a burger each and some fries for the table, then set his notes out on the table. Unfortunately, the light in the room illuminated Dean, making each of his freckles stand out and his green eyes glitter, and Cas struggled to pay attention to what he was saying. Dean stopped half way through his notes, noticing the way Cas was gazing at him, and chuckled slightly.
'Cas, do you need this in an email?' he said with a smirk.

Cas cleared his throat, embarrassed. 'Sorry,' he said sheepishly.

Dean closed his notebook. 'Don't be. I take it as a compliment.' He took his notes off the table and shifted closer to Cas. He put a hand to Cas's cheek and stared into his eyes for a moment, before kissing him softly, his hand drifting into Cas's hair. They hardly noticed when their food arrived, savouring their kiss until Dean's stomach rumbled and he broke off with a laugh.

They ate their dinner and chatted amiably, Cas staring at Dean the entire time, before they said goodnight at their cars.

'See you tomorrow,' Dean grinned, unable to resist kissing Cas once more before getting into his car.

When Cas got home, he found that Dean had already sent him an email containing his notes. He smiled and settled down on the couch with his computer, reading through Dean's observations. According to Dean, Cas was great at getting through the lesson, but he tended to lose focus on what the kids were doing, which was why they felt they could get away with acting up in class.

Don't feel bad, Dean wrote. You did a great job, you just need practice.

Cas smiled at how hard Dean had tried to encourage him. Once he had finished reading, he put the laptop away, and Gabriel's photo caught his eye. It still hadn't moved, and somehow, Cas was disappointed. He sighed. 'I miss you, Gabriel,' he whispered, then got up to get ready for bed. Just as he was about to climb under the covers, he felt something ruffling his hair. His immediate thought was that it was the breeze, but then he reminded himself that the windows weren't open, and a shiver ran down his body. He stood stock still, but nothing in the room had changed. 'I love you too, Gabe,' Cas whispered, before finally slipping into bed. He dreamed of Gabriel as he slept, of the days they'd spent together as children, running along beaches, climbing trees. Of Gabriel showing him new magic tricks and his being fascinated by them. When he woke, he felt warm and safe. He saw that Gabriel's picture still hadn't moved, but it didn't matter. He felt close anyway.

Cas arrived at school feeling a whirlwind of emotions. The sight of Dean, was a welcome anchor. He rushed over, pulling Dean into a tight embrace.

Dean, surprised by the sudden display of affection, chuckled. 'Whoa there, Cas. Everything alright?'

Cas squeezed him tighter, burying his face in Dean's shoulder. 'Yes, just...needed a hug.'

Dean returned the embrace, concern flickering in his eyes. 'Okay, well, you're definitely getting one. Just try not to suffocate me in the process, alright?"

Cas laughed, loosening his grip slightly. 'Sorry,' he said sheepishly

Dean tilted his head, studying Cas's face. 'Anything you want to talk about?'

Cas shook his head. "It's nothing, really. Just...thinking about Gabriel again

Dean gave him a knowing look. 'All right, but if you change your mind, I'm here to listen.' He then flashed a bright smile. 'Now, guess who's the best teacher ever?'

Cas rolled his eyes playfully. 'I can't imagine it's me.'

Dean's grin widened. 'Maybe one day,' he teased, giving Cas a light punch on the arm. 'But seriously, I got permission for a field trip to the zoo next month.' His excitement was contagious. 'Are you up for it?'

Cas's face lit up. 'Absolutely. I love the zoo.'

'Awesome!' Dean exclaimed. 'I'm getting the permission slips made up, and we should be able to pass them out this afternoon. This is going to be so much fun!'

Cas nodded. The prospect of a field trip with Dean, surrounded by excited kids and exotic animals, was a welcome distraction.

Dean was more energetic than usual, and he could hardly wait to announce it to the class, practically jumping up and down as he did so. The kids were excited too, so they spent the morning talking about what kinds of animals lived at the zoo, and drawing pictures of them. Dean's good mood lasted all day, and he fidgeted during story time, unable to sit still. Cas tried not to let it distract him, but it was endearing, and he couldn't help but let his eyes flick over to Dean every few words. Dean noticed of course, and his gaze only intensified. Cas's tongue felt thick in his mouth as his heartbeat quickened. He stumbled over his words, much to Dean's amusement, and it was a relief to finish the story and say goodbye to the kids.

The abrupt click of the doorjamb echoed through the room as Dean, with an intensity that crackled in the air, crossed the space in three long strides. His lips met Cas's in a kiss, forceful enough to send him stumbling backward, until the backs of his knees hit the edge of Dean's desk and he landed with a soft thump.

Undeterred, Dean pressed into him, the hard planes of his body slotting against Cas's. One hand remained anchored at the nape of Cas's neck, fingers tangling in the shorter strands of hair there, while the other slid beneath the hem of his shirt, tracing a heated path along the skin of his waist. Cas's own hands instinctively found their way to Dean's shirt, bunching the fabric in his fists as he pulled him closer, desperate for more. His thighs tightened around Dean's hips, an unspoken invitation that Dean readily accepted.

The taste of coffee lingered on his lips and Cas couldn't get enough of it. Lost in the moment, in the intoxicating press of Dean's body against his, Cas was barely aware of the world outside of their shared space. But then, with a clatter that shattered the intimacy of the moment, a pencil pot toppled off the desk, scattering its contents across the floor.

The sudden noise jolted Cas back to reality. With a gasp, he broke the kiss. They both stared at each other for a moment, chests heaving, the only sound the harsh rasp of their breaths. Cas looked up into Dean's eyes, the green depths swirling with a barely suppressed hunger that mirrored his own. His pupils were blown wide, a silent testament to the desire that coursed through him.

A nervous flutter sparked in Cas's chest. 'Do you - do you want to come back to my place?' he asked, his voice barely a whisper. The question hung in the air, heavy with unspoken implications.

Dean thought about it for a moment, his eyes roving over Cas, then nodded. 'I'll drive.'

Cas's heart pounded the whole way home, squirming in his seat to alleviate some of the discomfort his pants were causing him. It didn't help when he noticed that Dean was in a similar position.

Dean wasted no time in parking neatly outside Cas's apartment and let Cas unlock the door before pushing him inside.

'Bedroom?' Dean asked once the door was closed.

Cas threw down his keys and took Dean's hand. 'Through here,' he murmured, leading him through the living room to the bedroom door. He yanked the curtains shut, then, now in darkness, Dean tugged at Cas's clothes, brushing his lips along Cas's neck as he unbuttoned his shirt. Once both completely naked, Dean took a moment to admire him with his hands at Cas's hips. The way Dean's eyes travelled hungrily down Cas's body only made the ache worse, and Cas impatiently guided Dean to the bed.

There was another slight hesitation from Dean, but then he lay on his back and encouraged Cas on top of him, his fingers now holding Cas's hips so tightly they would leave marks, but Cas didn't mind. The world narrowed until it was just him and Dean, and the deep pleasure Cas felt with his legs pinning Dean beneath him.

'C-Cas,' Dean said hoarsely, his hands moving down Cas's thighs. 'I - sometimes I can't…'

Cas slowed down, but didn't stop. 'The fun is in the trying, right?' he said, his voice low, his hands stroking Dean's chest.

'Y-you won't be mad if I don't-?'

Cas shook his head, then leaned over and pressed his lips to Dean's ear, still slowly and deliberately gyrating his hips. 'I want you, Dean. Exactly as you are.'

This seemed to be what Dean needed to hear. All traces of insecurity disappeared from his face, and he bucked his hips underneath Cas to spur him on. Cas was more than happy to oblige. It went on for longer than Cas was used to, but he revelled in every moment. He loved the way Dean looked between his legs, the way his body moved, the way he grasped at Cas. Dean's grip on him tightened, his breath came in short gasps, and his whole body trembled. Dean used his hands to guide Cas, moving him in rhythm, and quiet moans escaped his lips. Hot electricity crashed through Cas, his muscles convulsing in the throes of his small death. Every nerve was fire, tingling bliss and ecstasy, but still he did not stop. He was determined that Dean, as much as possible, experience how incredible Cas felt in that moment. He grasped the headboard with one hand, every part of him now so sensitive that he couldn't help but groan with every movement. Then the way Dean was moving changed; faster and more desperate, and his fingers dug into Cas's legs, leaving yet more marks, until Dean stiffened beneath him. He threw his head back against the pillow, letting out a gasp and a shuddering moan at the moment of his release. Cas rocked gently back and forth, as Dean rode the wave of his pleasure. Finally his grip on Cas loosened, and Cas let his head drop to Dean's chest while they both caught their breath. Eventually, though, Cas started to get cold, and carefully lifted himself off of Dean and rolled onto the bed beside him, stretching his legs to stop them cramping. Dean put an arm around him and held him close, their hearts still racing together. Cas lay there for a moment, running a gentle finger over Dean's chest.

'I need to shower,' he murmured after a while, now that the sweat was drying on his body. 'Care to join me?'

Dean puffed out a breath. 'Gonna need a minute here, Cas,' he said. 'Still seeing stars. In a good way,' he added, giving Cas a lopsided, pink-faced grin.

But Cas noticed that Dean was still shaking. 'Can I get you anything?' he asked, concerned.

Dean thought about it. 'Water,' he said eventually.

Cas nodded and got up, momentarily stumbling on his weak knees, and went to the kitchen to grab a glass. Dean still hadn't sat up when Cas returned, but he looked embarrassed.

'Can you help me up?' he mumbled.

Cas set the glass down and climbed back onto the bed to help Dean sit up.

'It's been a while. I forgot how much that takes outta me,' he confessed. 'Sorry.'

Cas lifted Dean's chin with a finger. 'Don't you dare be sorry,' he said. 'I meant what I said. I want every part of you, including this.' He passed Dean the glass of water, but Dean struggled to grasp it, his hands were shaking too violently.

'Dammit,' he whispered. 'Can you-?'

Cas steadied Dean's hands with his own and helped him drink.

'Thanks.'

Cas set the glass down once more, then pulled some more blankets from his wardrobe and arranged them around Dean. 'Rest,' he said. 'I'll come check on you after my shower, all right?'

Dean gave him a tired smile, said, 'All right,' and lay back down to ease his trembling muscles.

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