Chapter Seven

Cas stood under the spray of the water for a while. His body was still sensitive, and tingled everywhere he touched. There were bruises already forming on his hips and thighs, and he shivered as he brushed his hands over them. A smile played at his lips as he thought about Dean's fingers gripping him, moving him in rhythm.

He dried himself off and dressed, then went back to his bedroom to check on Dean. He was still in bed, under the covers, but he was sitting up, scrolling on his phone. He looked up as Cas entered the room, and the sparkle returned to his eyes.

'Feeling better?' Cas asked.

'Much,' Dean grinned. 'You got a towel I can use?'

Cas nodded and took a fresh one out of the cupboard.

Dean swung his legs out of bed and got to his feet. He stumbled slightly, but refused Cas's arm to hold.

'I got it,' he smiled, taking the towel from Cas.

'I'll make some dinner,' said Cas, and Dean kissed his cheek before making his way to the shower.

Cas waited, listening for the sound of the water, before he went to the kitchen and considered what food he had. He hadn't been expecting company, but he had enough for some homemade ramen, so he set about chopping the vegetables he wanted, while listening closely for any indication that Dean might need help. Just before he began stir frying the vegetables, he went to the bathroom and knocked on the door.

'Dean?' he called. 'Are you all right?'

'I'm good,' Dean called back.

'Can I come in?'

'It's your bathroom,' said Dean, amusement in his voice.

Cas pushed open the door. 'Oh,' he said as he saw Dean sitting on the floor of his shower. 'Are you sure you're all right?'

'Totally,' Dean said, holding the shower head to his chest. 'It's just easier to sit.'

Cas nodded. 'I'm making ramen, I just wanted to know if you like it with hot sauce.'

'Are you kidding? Hell yeah I like hot sauce.'

'All right, just yell if you need anything.'

'Don't worry, I'll be out in a minute.'

Cas went back to his cooking, boiling broth and eggs, and served it in bowls just as Dean emerged from the bathroom.

'Whoa, I thought you meant that instant stuff, I didn't realise you were making the real thing,' Dean said, spotting the bowls.

'You think I'd make my boyfriend instant noodles on his first time to my house?' Cas laughed.

Dean shrugged. 'I wouldn't have minded.' He gave Cas another quick kiss. 'Let me just get some clothes on.'

Cas waited patiently at the table.

'So this is Gabriel?' Dean asked, bringing the picture with him to the table.

Cas nodded.

'Nice to meet ya, Gabe,' Dean said, gently placing the picture down. 'You think he'd like me?'

Warmth spread through Cas's chest. 'Yes, I really think he would.'

Dean beamed at him, then dug into his food.

'Damn, Cas, if you can cook like this, why are you always bringing such crap to school?' Dean asked through a mouthful of food.

Cas chuckled. 'It's usually the last thing on my mind when I'm thinking about class.'

'Maybe you can cook for me more,' Dean said, and squeezed Cas's knee.

'I'd love to.'

Dean cleared his bowl, then sighed.

'I'm getting real tired,' he said. 'I'd better get going.'

Cas bit his lip. 'You could stay,' he said hopefully.

Dean smiled at him and took his hand. 'I wish I could, but my meds are at home.'

Cas nodded. 'Well… if you were up to it, we could always go get them and come back,' he suggested.

Dean chuckled. 'You really want me to stay, huh?'

'I do.'

Dean gazed at him for a moment. 'All right, then. You can help me grab my stuff, come on.'

Cas took the dishes to the kitchen, then followed Dean out to the car, and he heard Gabriel's picture fall over as he closed the front door behind him.

Dean's house wasn't far, in the opposite direction of the school from Cas's apartment. He pulled up the driveway and parked in front of a garage.

Cas got out of the car and looked around at the neat lawn and clean white paint on the door and window frames.

'What?' Dean asked, watching him.

'Nothing. It's not what I expected,' Cas told him.

'What were you expecting?'

Cas shrugged. 'More of an apartment like mine. With a little more Dean flair.'

'Yeah well…' Dean's smile fell. 'I need the space.' He approached the door with his keys and hesitated. 'Just… don't laugh, okay?'

Cas frowned, but said nothing and followed Dean inside.

They walked first into a wide entryway, and Cas's eyes immediately fell on a wheelchair pushed up against the wall, as well as several walking sticks and a set of crutches. Then he saw the stairs with a reinforced railing, and a stairlift. Dean was watching him nervously, so Cas gently rubbed his arm.

'What do you need?' Cas asked, and Dean visibly relaxed.

'I'll get my bag ready, can you go to the kitchen - through there - and grab a shake from the fridge?'

'Of course.'

Dean began climbing the stairs, and Cas made his way through to the kitchen.

It was also spotless. There were rails attached to the walls all the way around the room, and there was a stool on wheels next to the sink. As Cas approached the fridge, he saw a set of buttons on the edge of the sink and, curiously, pressed one. The sink whirred and dipped down slightly lower. Satisfied, Cas put the sink back the way it was, then took a protein shake from the fridge and went back to the front door to wait for Dean.

He hadn't used the stairlift, but Cas saw him gripping the railing tightly, and his knees shook on each step, so Cas took his free hand and helped him the rest of the way.

Dean stopped at the front door to catch his breath.

'Thanks,' he said, taking the shake from Cas and tucking it into his duffel bag.

He still looked anxious, so Cas kissed him and said, 'I like those buttons you have for your sink.'

Dean's face lit up. 'Pretty cool, right? So I can sit and still do the dishes. I can turn on the water with it too.'

Cas glanced at the wheelchair again. 'You're not embarrassed, are you?'

Dean shrugged. 'Sometimes.'

Cas kissed him. 'Needing extra help is nothing to be ashamed of. And I think these devices you have are very interesting. Tell me more on the way back?'

Dean smiled again. 'Okay.'

As they drove back to Cas's apartment, Dean enthusiastically described the armchair he had that was designed to lift him to his feet if needed, and his bed that had a similar mechanism.

'I like my shower chair the most, though,' he said. 'It's built into the wall and I can turn the water on and off with buttons on it. That way no one has to help me, unless it's really bad. Let me tell you, you have no idea how embarrassing it is for your little brother to have to lift you in and out of the bath, or hold you up in the shower.' Dean glanced at Cas and grinned. 'Maybe I'll show it to you sometime. It's pretty strong, I bet you could sit in my lap.'

Cas chuckled. 'Sounds like fun.'

Dean patted Cas's knee, then sighed. 'Honestly, though, if I didn't have this stuff, I don't know if I could still teach.'

'You don't have to explain yourself, Dean,' Cas said kindly. 'You need it because you need it, and that's okay.'

'You're right, you're right,' Dean nodded. 'Thanks.'

Once back at Cas's, they settled down on the couch together to watch movies, but Dean didn't last long before he was falling asleep where he sat.

'Dean,' Cas murmured, cupping his cheek. 'Would you like to go to bed?'

Dean rubbed his eyes. 'It's still early,' he protested.

Cas chuckled fondly. 'Why don't you go and lay down for a while? I'll do some studying and join you later.'

'Are you sure?'

'Of course.' Cas kissed him softly. 'Rest, Dean.'

Dean got unsteadily to his feet. ''Night, Cas,' he said, then disappeared into the bedroom.

Cas watched him go, then let out a long, contented sigh, butterflies in his stomach. He could hardly believe his good luck that a man like Dean wanted to be with him.

He made a cup of chamomile tea and studied on the couch for a couple more hours, but he couldn't concentrate past the knowledge that Dean was asleep in his bed. He closed his books and crept into his bedroom, where Dean was fast asleep, changed into his pajamas and carefully slid under the covers.

Dean didn't stir, until Cas wrapped an arm around him. He sighed in his sleep and nestled closer to Cas, but didn't wake.

Cas kissed his cheek, and breathed him in until he drifted off with Dean in his arms.

Cas's eyes fluttered open as the morning sun filtered through the blinds and warmed his eyelids. Dean had rolled over in his sleep and was now curled into a ball against Cas's chest, still deeply asleep. Cas smiled to himself and let himself doze, propped up on his elbow and gently stroking Dean's hair. He listened to Dean's breathing, slow and steady, with the occasional snore that made Cas's heart swell close to bursting.

Eventually, a ray of sunshine brushed Dean's cheek. He inhaled deeply and stretched out his legs, looking blearily up at Cas. 'Morning,' he mumbled, a sleepy smile spreading across his face.

'Good morning, Dean,' Cas murmured. 'Did you sleep well?'

Dean's smile widened. 'I did.' He slipped his arms around Cas's waist and pulled him down to meet his lips.

Cas could feel Dean's stubble on his face, but he didn't mind. Dean's hands wandered up and down his back, sending shivers down his spine and flooding him with heat. Then Dean sighed into Cas's lips, and Cas reached for the waistband of Dean's pants. At the touch of Cas's fingers, Dean abruptly pulled away with a small gasp. He gently took Cas's hand and moved it away.

'That's gonna take like five to seven business days to go again,' Dean said. His tone was joking, but Cas could see the anxiety in his eyes. 'But I could… help you out, if you want.'

Cas lifted Dean's hand and kissed it. 'I'm usually more of a giver,' he said. 'Thank you though.'

'I appreciate the enthusiasm,' Dean added. 'Do me a favour though? Just… don't stop trying? I know it sucks when I can't… but it would really make me feel better to be reminded that - that you still want me.'

Cas's heart wrenched, and he ran a finger down Dean's cheek. 'I can do that,' he said. 'Just let me know when you feel up to it in return, all right?'

Dean nodded.

'But I've said before, Dean, it's not a requirement for me. I don't mind if we can't very often.'

'I mind a little,' Dean said, his smile returning. 'Do you know how hot you are?'

Cas laughed. 'That's kind of you to say.' He kissed Dean one more time. 'Breakfast?'

Dean grinned. 'I thought you'd never ask.'

They both got out of bed and made their way to the kitchen. Dean's gait was still slightly unsteady, but much improved from the night before.

Dean rifled through Cas's fridge and began pulling out things he wanted for breakfast.

Cas watched in amusement as a pack of bacon, sausages and mushrooms came out.

'Eggs as well?' Cas said, reaching around Dean to get the carton from the door of the fridge.

'Oh, for sure,' Dean grinned. 'You don't mind, do you?' he added, noticing how much food he'd taken. 'I get hungry in the mornings.'

Cas shrugged. 'It's there to be eaten.' He rolled up his sleeves and began cooking alongside Dean, but as the sausages were sizzling, Cas's phone rang.

'Oh, it's my mom,' he said, squinting at the screen. 'Do you mind if I-?'

'Go for it,' Dean said, scrambling some eggs.

'Good morning, Mom,' Cas said.

'Morning, sweetie,' she said.

'Is everything all right?'

'Yeah, we just haven't heard from you in a little while, I just wanted to make sure you're okay.'

'I'm sorry, I didn't mean to worry you, I've just been busy.'

'I bet. How's school? How are things with Dean?'

Unfortunately, the volume on Cas's phone was turned all the way up, and Dean started at hearing his own name.

'You told your parents about me?' he said with a sly smile.

'Who was that?'

Cas's cheeks burned. 'I - I - yes, I told them about you,' he admitted. 'It's Dean, Mom, he's here.'

'What's he doing there so early?'

'We're just cooking breakfast,' Cas said evasively.

'Breakfast?' Then she gasped loudly. 'Did he stay the night?'

Dean couldn't help but snort, and Cas pinched the bridge of his nose, wishing the ground would open up and swallow him whole.

'Yes, Mom, he stayed the night.'

She squealed so loudly that Cas winced and had to pull the phone away from his ear.

'I'm happy for you, Castiel,' she said.

'Thanks, Mom,' said Cas, rolling his eyes. 'Can I call you later? I don't want to burn the food.'

'Of course. Talk to you later, honey.'

'Bye, Mom.'

Cas put down his phone and Dean broke into laughter.

'Oops,' he sniggered, flipping the sausages in the frying pan.

Then Gabriel's picture flopped over on the table.

'This was your doing somehow, I know it,' Cas said fondly as he picked the picture up again.

'I see what you mean about that thing always falling over,' Dean said, eyeing it up as he began plating breakfast.

They sat down together to eat.

'That hits the spot,' Dean sighed happily, wiping his face.

'I'm glad,' Cas smiled, and made a mental note to make sure he had more food available for Dean in future.

'Did you have plans for today?'

'Just some studying,' Cas shrugged.

'Can I help?'

Cas blinked in surprise. 'Really?'

'Sure, I mean it's been a while since I did my certification, but I bet I could help with your notes.'

'All right. Drink your juice first.'

Dean grinned. 'Taking care of me already.' Dean drained his glass of orange juice, then got up to pour them both a cup of coffee. 'Let's get started.'

'You really can't resist teaching, can you?' Cas said as he pulled out his study materials.

'What can I say, it's my calling.'

They sat at the table together all morning, until Dean insisted on taking Cas out to lunch.

'It's good for your brain to take a break and get a change of scenery,' he said.

Cas had to admit that he felt refreshed when they came back to the apartment, but the trip appeared to have had the opposite effect on Dean.

'Are you all right?' Cas asked, guiding Dean to the couch.

'Yeah, I'm just tired,' he said.

'Do you need to take a nap?'

Dean smiled and held Cas's hand. 'No, I - Cas, this has been amazing, but I think I really need to go home now.'

'All right.'

'It's just that I have to be really careful with my weekends, otherwise I won't have enough energy for the week, and-'

'Dean,' Cas interrupted firmly.

'Right. Overexplaining. You're the best.'

Cas supported Dean back up from the couch, and walked with him to the door.

Dean gave him a long, soft kiss. 'See you Monday,' he said.

'See you Monday,' Cas agreed. He gave Dean's hand one last squeeze, then watched from the door as he drove away.

Once he was out of sight, Cas closed the door with a sigh and decided he ought to call his mother.

'Hi, honey. How's Dean?' She sounded deeply amused.

'I already regret this conversation.'

'Too bad, that's what parents are for.'

Cas sighed and gave in. 'Dean's fine, he went home. It wasn't a - um - planned visit.'

'I see.'

Cas could hear her struggling to hold back her laughter. 'How are you and dad?' he asked, deflecting the conversation away from Dean.

He couldn't get off the phone with his parents for over an hour, but he didn't mind. It was a relief that he hadn't expected to talk to them, and resolved to call them more often.

The rest of the weekend was relaxed, and Cas spent most of his time reading his notes, and Dean's annotations, with the radio playing quietly in the kitchen. He got a text from Dean on Sunday evening:

Don't make lunch, I'm bringing mac and cheese

He smiled to himself and put his notes away before bed.

As usual, Cas was the first to school, and he set about his usual routine, tidying the staff room and making a pot of coffee.

The rest of the staff filtered in, but Dean was nowhere to be seen.

Cas texted Dean but got no response.

'Has anyone heard from Dean?' Cas asked the rest of the staff, but no one had.

The time class was due to start crept closer and closer with no sign of him.

Bobby frowned, looking up at the clock on the wall. 'Cas, go get class started, I'll try and contact him.'

Cas nodded and made for the door, but it suddenly burst open.

'Sorry, sorry!' Dean exclaimed, stumbling, out of breath, across the room. 'Sorry I'm late. Overslept.'

The tension in Cas's shoulders loosened, and he passed Dean a fresh cup of coffee.

'Come on, let's go.' He hurried away, drinking his coffee with Cas trailing behind him.

'Dean - Dean, wait,' Cas said, grabbing him to slow him down.

'What?'

'Are you all right?'

'I'm fine, come on, we're late.' He made to move, but Cas didn't let go.

'You scared me.'

This finally made Dean stop.

'What? What did you think happened?'

'I don't know. You were hit by a bus, or something.'

Dean quickly glanced around to make sure no one was watching, and gave Cas a hug. 'I'm sorry, I didn't mean to worry you. I won't do it again.'

'Thank you.'

'Now, come on, we really are late.'

They made it to the classroom mere moments before the students did, but they were able to play it off.

Dean winked at Cas as the kids took their seats.

'All right, everybody, before we get started, who's got permission slips for the field trip?'

Welcome back! Thanks to EmilyAnnMcGarrett-Winchester and deansgirl19467 for the reviews! See you next time :)