Chemistry For Beginners 3/3
Chemistry For Beginners 3/3
Fandom: Supernatural AU
Pairing: Dean/Castiel
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: ~15,000 in total
Summary: Castiel Novak is the new kid in school. His life takes an unexpected turn when he's paired with popular jock Dean Winchester for a science fair project.
A/N Ok so this I wrote for the 2010 SPN Big Bang when I was still downfall35. Beta'd by hunters_retreat.
PART 1
PART 2
Friday morning came painfully slow. Cas was awake most the night, not able to switch his brain off and only managing to fall asleep sometime after one am. He didn’t know how he was going to face the day. Maybe just maybe Dean would be better and things wouldn’t be so bad.
That small shred of hope dissipated quickly though as Cas saw Pam that morning before class started.
“Why did Dean Winchester just tell me to let you know he’s changing your meetings from your place to the library from now on? Do I look like a messenger?” Her pretend to be pissed off attitude ceased when she caught sight of Cas’ hand. “What happened to you?”
“I,” Cas started but the words wouldn’t come out when he saw Dean standing there surrounded by the majority of his teammates chatting as if everything was fine. “I’ll tell you later,” he settled on, making his way to class before the bell rung.
The throbbing pain in his hand was the only thing that reminded Cas that this wasn’t just a dream as he sat in math staring at the board silently. Part of him wanted to fake being sick just so he could go home, but he resisted and told himself that he shouldn’t be so dramatic. He knew this would happen if he tried anything, he couldn’t blame Dean for storming out of the place. In truth the only person Castiel had to be angry with was himself. If he’d just listened to Pamela then he wouldn’t currently be in this mess.
At lunch Cas didn’t eat, he preferred the empty feeling in his stomach, thinking food would only make him feel worse. When Pam sat down opposite him, he cut her off before she could even ask what was wrong. Like a dam wall bursting Cas spilled, trying to get it all out before his brain caught up with his mouth and shut him up, the events of the past twenty four hours replaying in his head as he spoke.
When he looked up; Pam was silent, the girl with all the answers seemed to be struggling just to keep her bottom jaw from falling off.
“What are you going to do?” She finally managed to ask.
“I don’t know,” shrugged Cas. “Hopefully I can avoid getting a fist to the face.”
“You don’t think he’d go that far do you?” a hint of horror laced Pam’s voice as she spoke.
“You didn’t see the look on his face,” countered Castiel, eyes falling to the table top.
They sat in silence for the remainder of lunch, a quick squeeze on the shoulder told Cas that Pam wished him well as they parted ways for afternoon classes.
By now the knots in Castiel’s stomach had increased tenfold. He had science in last period and had no clue what was going to happen. He at least knew that Dean wouldn’t make a scene in front of other people so he’d be relatively safe.
This was one day when Cas wished PE would never end, but when that bell finally rang he quickly changed and headed off towards the labs still not wanting to be late. A detention would only be the perfect ending to his shitty day.
A quick scan of the room let him know that Dean was already there, sitting at the back as usual. Cas took a deep breath and tried to not let the steel gaze boring into his back get to him. Thankfully Ms Harvelle had an actual lesson planned instead of letting them pair up and work on their projects. He didn’t once look back during the lesson, trying his hardest to keep his eyes on the board letting the discussion of atoms and electrodes distract him as much as possible.
When the bell sounded the end of the lesson Castiel shot up out of his seat intent on leaving as quickly as possible until the unexpected happened.
“Mister Winchester,” he heard Dean’s name, looking up Cas saw Ms Harvelle staring at the other man. “I need to see you for a minute,” her gaze drifted across the room. “You too Mister Novak.” Cas froze, did she know? No, that was impossible, still his heart began to race as he panicked.
Sitting back down, Cas took a deep breath as Dean sat beside him.
“I’ve been talking to Coach Singer,” she began her attention completely on Dean. “And we’re both
concerned about your grades.” Dean groaned about to protest but a stern hand kept him silent. “You’re failing a couple of classes and barely passing the rest. If you want to keep playing you need to improve your grades.”
Daring a sideways glance Cas could see the anguish on Dean’s face.
“Neither Coach Singer nor I want to see you cut from the team so if you can get at least a B in this project I’ve agreed not to have you put on probation.”
“A B?” spat Dean, thinking that was impossible.
“That shouldn’t be a problem,” Miss Harvelle smiled. “You and Castiel here seem to make quite the pair. And judging by the research you two have already shown me I have no doubt you will manage.”
Castiel wanted to repeatedly smack his head into the desk and he was sure Dean must be having similar thoughts. If only she knew how wrong she was about everything.
When she left, Dean didn’t even acknowledge Cas, instead he got up and headed to the door cursing under his breath about how unfair this all was and how he was screwed. Even after all that had happened Cas still felt bad for the other man. Baseball was everything to Dean and now he was on the verge of losing it.
Finally alone, Cas sunk down into his chair. He really should have asked Dean when he wanted to meet up again to work on their project but the words just wouldn’t come. When did his life turn into one of those shitty teen drama shows?
The walk home took much longer than usual, Cas keeping a snail’s pace as a million different thoughts zoomed around his brain.
Home at last, Castiel threw his bag at the bottom of the stairs and headed for his room. His father was at work, so at least he’d get a few hours alone to wallow. Lying in bed he stared at Dean’s number on his phone and contemplated calling him to find out what they were going to do. After twenty minutes he chickened out and sent a text message instead. Two seconds later his phone beeped, far too quick for a human reply. His text had been rejected, which could really only mean one thing; Dean had blocked his number. Chucking his phone to the other side of his bed Castiel gave up and just went to sleep.
The sound of birds outside his window woke him very early the next morning. It was just before five am when he slumped out of bed, in the semi darkness, still dressed in his clothes from the previous day. The problem with going to bed so early was waking up just as early the next day. He managed a good minute before the haze of sleep wore off and he remembered why he felt so bad.
Taking a quick shower Castiel’s stomach finally convinced him that he needed to eat so he forced down some cereal as he sat alone in the quiet kitchen. Once properly feed and fully awake, lucid thoughts came back to Castiel and he stopped feeling so guilty over all of this. After all Dean kissed him. If he wanted to freak out and be angry then that was his prerogative, Cas was over it. He hated feeling sad when he really wasn’t in the wrong. Dean could keep acting like a macho dickhead for all he cared. Placing his empty bowl into the sink Castiel knew what he had to do and set off towards the garage.
********
By Monday morning Castiel was feeling much better about himself. He’d even forgotten about hoping that a certain black car would be waiting for him in the driveway as he left. Instead he gathered his things and got a lift to school with his father.
Usually once at school Cas would go to his locker or seek out Pam but this morning he had an alternate agenda. He had science first period so with twenty minutes before class started he headed towards Ms Harvelle’s office, intent on getting rid on the problem that was Dean Winchester.
To say Castiel felt good when the bell rang would be an understatement, in fact he felt great as he left his teacher’s office and followed her towards the labs to start the lesson.
Sitting in his usual seat Cas noticed Dean walk in a few minutes later as he headed for the back row. The weekend seemed to do some good for Dean or at least that’s what Castiel thought when he couldn’t feel a death stare trained on his spine.
“Let me start the morning by letting you all know that one team has already successfully completed and submitted their project,” Ms Harvelle said, settling the class down instantly.
Several students could be heard mumbling things like ‘nerds,’ ‘losers’ and ‘geeks’ including Dean.
“Now usually I’d wait for all projects to be handed in before marking but seeing as how these guys were finished a whole week early I marked it on the spot,” walking as she spoke Ms Harvelle handed a piece of paper to Cas and then headed towards Dean to do the same.
Frowning, Dean looked down at the evaluation sheet which read ‘A-’ at the bottom. He was beyond confused as he turned his gaze from the paper to the teacher.
“Mister Novak did your presentation this morning, he told me that you couldn’t be there because you take your little brother to school but he filled me in on how much you participated.” Dean still had a stunned look on his face. “The mark may be open to change when I review it next week but congratulations, guess you get to stay on the team,” she added before heading back to the front of the classroom.
When Dean turned to look at Castiel, the smaller man wasn’t looking back. Instead his smug gaze was firmly aimed at the front of the room. Dean was pissed.
When class ended Cas was one of the first to leave the room. Walking down the hall Castiel was on the way to feeling better. He’d saved Dean from being cut from the baseball team whilst also managing to cease their need to interact anymore, which on a karmic scale had to be a win.
He was on his way to English to tell Pamela the good news when a hand suddenly pulled him to the side of the corridor where the row of lockers stopped.
“What is this?” asked Dean, holding out the copy of his grade from this morning.
“A piece of paper,” replied Cas, shaking his arm free of Dean’s grasp.
“Don’t be a smartass,” retorted Dean. “I didn’t need your charity.”
“It wasn’t charity,” Castiel answered trying to look serious.
Dean laughed coldly. “Sure, then why did you finish the project by yourself and lie about my involvement?”
“So I could get rid of you,” Cas answered. The truth sounded more painful than it had in his head.
“What?” Dean seemed taken aback.
“You’re free now don’t you get it? No more having to hang around with the ‘gay kid’,” Cas waved his arms around for dramatic effect. “Now we have absolutely no reason to ever speak to each other ever again.”
“Cas,” the nickname still knotted Castiel’s stomach when Dean said it. “I don’t care about you being gay, it’s just I-”
“Forget it,” Castiel cut in. If he let Dean speak now he’d lose his nerve. “The assignment’s done, you got your grade and get to stay on the team. Now we can go on as if this never happened.”
Dean wanted to reply or at least thank him but Cas had already taken off down the hallway and no matter how hard he tried Dean couldn’t seem to get his feet to work. It shouldn’t bother him that he had no reason to hang out with Castiel anymore. Really it shouldn’t, but somehow it did. He cursed under his breath as his fist collided with the side of the locker in front of him.
********
“You really let him have it huh?” Pam smirked at Cas’ re-telling of the day’s events.
“I wanted to,” he admitted. “Had a speech planned and everything but I just couldn’t do it. Instead I just told him that we didn’t have to see each other anymore and that it was best to just forget everything.”
Pam went to retort but a stern look and a ‘quiet’ from their teacher ceased their conversation as Cas straightened up and went back to writing an example of ‘a popular discourse in high school.’
The rest of the day seemed to get better as it went on. Cas didn’t see Dean again and for once that didn’t seem to bother him. Sure he still liked the other guy but now that Castiel knew where he stood in Dean’s mind, his crush had subsided and rationalisation had taken over once more.
After school had finished, Cas felt up for a walk. He took a detour towards the tiny cluster of shops a couple blocks west of his house. He’d been told that the cafe there had the best milkshakes in town and he also wanted to check out Ash’s Books & Comics store.
At the counter of the cafe Cas ordered a chocolate milkshake to go. He was on his way out when he heard his name.
“Cas!” shouted a familiar voice from one of the booths to the right and Cas’ stomach clenched. Suddenly he remembered who it was who told him this place had the best milkshakes. He turned to see a bright faced Sam Winchester looking up at him. Dean sat opposite his brother and just gave a faint smile in recognition of the other man’s presence.
Part of Cas just wanted to keep on walking but he knew he had to at least say something. “Hey Sammy,” he greeted the youngest Winchester knowing his conscience would nag him if he didn’t acknowledge their presence.
“Dean got me ice cream,” Sam grinned.
“Lucky you,” Castiel smiled.
“Are you staying?” Sam asked, sliding over in the booth to make room. He didn’t notice the way his brother’s body stiffened at the words.
Cas just shook his head. “I’m busy,” he held up his take-away drink for added effect. “Maybe another time?”
Sam nodded understandingly before Dean cleared his throat. “Need a ride anywhere?”
Caught off guard Cas was silent for probably longer than normal, but he hadn’t expected Dean to speak to him, let alone offer him a lift. “No,” he said in the end. He figured that Dean most likely only offered because Sam was so fond of him. “I’m only going next door.” He purposely left out the ‘thank you,’ which made him feel like a six year old and left straight after, cutting off any chance for either of the two brothers to speak again.
Castiel paced around the comics a few times and even checked a few novels on the other side of the store until he heard the roar of what he hoped was Dean’s Impala pulling out of the car park and heading far, far away. Cas soon left the store and headed home without buying anything. He’d lost interest after the little encounter in the cafe.
He spent the night doing homework and watching a bit of TV. Weeknights dragged on so much during a school term, especially when he was home alone.
The following morning Castiel walked to school, not even hoping that Dean would be outside his house waiting for him.
He was a little early, walking down the corridor where several students stood in pairs or groups chatting and laughing about what they’d done during the previous night. He frowned a little when he saw something small sticking out of the vents on his locker. No doubt a printout telling him about some pep rally or upcoming dance but as he got closer he saw that none of the other lockers had anything sticking out of them. He unlocked it and opened the door to find a comic book sitting there. ‘Deadpool: Merc with a mouth,’ Castiel smiled as he read the title, he’d been waiting for this issue for weeks. His eyes then fell on the post-it note that was stuck to the cover with the words ‘I’m sorry,’ written in capitals. He knew the hand writing. While he really loved the gift, his pride made him too angry to appreciate it. Just what kind of game was Dean Winchester playing?
Castiel contemplated confronting Dean during lunch seeing as how they didn’t have science today but he held back figuring he’d wait till the end of the day when there were less people around. Last thing he needed was to make enemies of every jock in school.
Just after three pm Cas headed towards the car park. Most students who drove were already gone but the familiar black Impala was still there so Cas leaned up against the boot and waited.
“You’d better not scratch the paintjob,” came a warning from behind. Dean was standing by the driver’s side door.
“What is this?” Cas asked, throwing the comic book across the car roof landing it in front of the other man.
“A comic book,” said Dean picking it up.
“Now who’s the smartass?” snapped Castiel. “Why’d you get it?”
“I got it as a thank you,” replied Dean.
“How’d you even know?” Cas wasn’t going to say he loved it out right and he knew he was meant to be mad but that fact that Dean knew exactly what to get him was a little freaky.
“Well I kind of went back to that book store last night after you said you were going there. I spoke to the owner Ash who’s a family friend. He told me this was the issue you’d been waiting for, so I got it for you, a couple of days before it’s due to be released,” Dean shrugged lazily. “I hear it’s the one where Deadpool teams up with a female Deadpool...whatever that means.”
Cas was trying his best to look angry but it was a look he knew he could never pull off. “Why?”
“Because I maybe, kind of overreacted last week and I’m...I’m sorry,” he explained once again.
“You mean you were feeling guilty for being such an ass?” Cas interrupted his words.
Dean rubbed his nape. “Okay I deserve that.”
“What do you want from me?” Cas really didn’t want to fight, he just wanted to go home.
“I’m trying to apologize here,” Dean said, taking a few steps closer. “I kind of freaked out last week and I’m sorry, this is new to me, I’ve never liked another guy before so I’m kind of flying blind here.”
“I don’t want an apolo...Wait what?” Cas was definitely confused by now because surely he hadn’t just heard what he’d heard.
Dean swallowed hard, wanting to hit himself. He’d just blurted out the truth like an idiot and running away was not a real option. “I said I like you Cas,” There was no point dancing around the subject now. “I have for a while, tried to tell myself that I didn’t but when I kissed you and realized that I actually enjoyed it I didn’t know what to do so I bolted. These past few days I had no clue what to say to you so I just tried to give you some space while I sorted some things out.”
“And yesterday in the corridor after class?” Cas hadn’t forgotten about the arm that had dragged him aside and Dean’s attempt to yell at him when all Castiel did was help him.
“Well I meant what I said then; I don’t want or need anyone’s charity. But I was also a little upset because I didn’t have an excuse to hang out with you anymore, so I’m sorry if I hurt your arm.” Dean sighed as he spoke. He hated chick flick moments for a reason; he was really bad at them.
“So what you think a comic book’s just going to make everything okay again?” Cas was sure Dean’s stubbornness had rubbed off on him as he still wouldn’t back down.
“Don’t I get a few points here? I’m trying okay? I don’t exactly have a lot of experience with situations like this.” Looking around to make sure they were secluded enough Dean took another step towards Cas bringing him dangerously close to the smaller man’s personal space. “I know I should have handled it a bit better that night but I’d just been told that the guy I liked actually liked me back. And then you cut yourself and things were kind of a blur from then on. I just...” he paused. “I just want to start again.”
Cas felt the heat in his stomach build. “Start what again?”
“You, me, us,” Dean elaborated. “I know I fucked up but I’m serious about it this time. I know you probably think this is rushed seeing as how just last week we went from friends to-”
“You hating me,” cut in Castiel.
“I didn’t hate you, I was just confused, this is all so new to me, and if anything I hated myself. I like you Cas and I know at least some part of you likes me.” There was a certain pleading tone in Dean’s voice that led Cas to believe that he was telling the truth.
Castiel wanted to protest. There was still so much that didn’t make sense if Dean in fact liked him as much as he said he did.
“Come on, Sammy hates me because he thinks we’ve broken up because you are no longer on our car rides to school. He even asked me if we were going to get a divorce. I told him two people needed to be married before they could actually get divorced so now he wants to know when we’re going to get married,” Dean was smirking as he spoke. “And that just led to one long awkward conversation.”
Although he tried not to, Cas smiled at the story. He could totally picture Dean’s younger brother saying all that without realizing the position his brother was in.
“Aha,” Dean was beginning to sound victorious. “You can’t be mad at me if you’re smiling.”
Cas wanted to point out that Dean’s logic wasn’t exactly sound but he refrained. “Tell me one thing then,” he stood up straight and knew he had Dean’s full attention. “If you weren’t angry then why did you block my number? I texted you but it never went through.”
Dean furrowed his brow but after a moment or two he figured it out. “I didn’t block you Cas,” he smirked. “I dropped my phone in the change rooms after practice and damaged the SIM card. The phone company disconnected my number for me till I can sort out getting a new one.”
“Oh,” Castiel really didn’t know what to say, that was a reasonable explanation. In fact everything Dean had told him seemed to fit and explain all of his questions.
“So,” Dean leaned in closer, placing a hand on Castiel’s side. He grabbed Cas’ hand and pulled it up to his face, placing a gentle kiss on the almost healed cut on Castiel’s thumb. “Do I get another chance?”
“I feel like an idiot, so I’m going to say no to a second chance,” Dean’s face sunk, awaiting rejection as Castiel spoke. “Instead can we just wipe the slate clean and start over?” Cas wanted to make sure they could put the last few days behind them completely and never, ever speak of them again.
“Sounds good to me,” Dean nodded his head in agreement before leaning in to kiss the other man. Cas was unreceptive at first but soon leaned forward into Dean’s embrace. It didn’t last for very long because while they were partly secluded someone might still see them together. “So,” Dean was smiling as he let his hand travel down the side of Cas’ cheek. “When do we get to have sex?”
A rather sudden burster of laughter escaped Castiel. He pushed Dean back a bit so he could breathe and cradle his ribs.
“What?” Dean thought he’d said something wrong.
“Only you, Dean Winchester, would admit to being newly gay and then want to have sex not five minutes later.” Castiel chuckled a little bit more.
“So no sex then?” Dean seemed disappointed.
A serious look covered Cas’ face. “I don’t know. You’d have to meet my father first.”
Dean’s lips went flat and his body tensed, clearly not happy with the idea.
“But then again he’s out of town on business and won’t be home until tomorrow afternoon so I guess meeting him can wait, which means...” Cas knew that he didn’t even have to finish his sentence judging by the wicked grin Dean was now sporting.
“I’m such a good influence on you,” Dean leaning in for another quick kiss. Seconds later he pulled away and walked over to the passenger’s side to unlock the car door for Cas.
“I’m not sure others would use the word good,” joked Cas.
********
When Castiel woke on Wednesday morning, he instantly knew he wasn’t alone. Dean’s arm was firmly wrapped around his waist holding him close. Their night wasn’t too explicit. Dean rung his mother to tell her that he was staying the night at a friend’s place. They ordered pizza and watched the first two movies in the Matrix trilogy; Dean didn’t like the third one.
As the night went on the pair just shared slow lazy kisses with a bit of under the shirt action - Dean could be rather persuasive it turned out. They decided on taking things slow so neither of them would freak out.
Strangely the black Impala looked like it fit in rather well as it sat in the driveway of Castiel’s house.
Eventually as the days turned to weeks their relationship progressed. It didn’t take Pamela long to notice. How could it when all of a sudden Dean was spending every lunch with them, sitting next to Cas, their legs just touching as they grinned like loons. There was also the fact that Cas blushed every time Dean whispered in his ear. But other than Pam no one else knew. Cas understood Dean’s unwillingness to let them be public knowledge, high school was still high school no matter how popular you were and Cas agreed to having a quiet, less stressful relationship.
Castiel still bore the faintest scar along his thumb, a reminded of the simple small mass weight scale that started everything (even though Pam insisted that it was her pushiness and a sports photography favour that led to their first meeting). Cas even thought about majoring in science at college the following year, seeing as how the subject had quickly become his favourite.
Fandom: Supernatural AU
Pairing: Dean/Castiel
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: ~15,000 in total
Summary: Castiel Novak is the new kid in school. His life takes an unexpected turn when he's paired with popular jock Dean Winchester for a science fair project.
A/N Ok so this I wrote for the 2010 SPN Big Bang when I was still downfall35. Beta'd by hunters_retreat.
PART 1
PART 2
Friday morning came painfully slow. Cas was awake most the night, not able to switch his brain off and only managing to fall asleep sometime after one am. He didn’t know how he was going to face the day. Maybe just maybe Dean would be better and things wouldn’t be so bad.
That small shred of hope dissipated quickly though as Cas saw Pam that morning before class started.
“Why did Dean Winchester just tell me to let you know he’s changing your meetings from your place to the library from now on? Do I look like a messenger?” Her pretend to be pissed off attitude ceased when she caught sight of Cas’ hand. “What happened to you?”
“I,” Cas started but the words wouldn’t come out when he saw Dean standing there surrounded by the majority of his teammates chatting as if everything was fine. “I’ll tell you later,” he settled on, making his way to class before the bell rung.
The throbbing pain in his hand was the only thing that reminded Cas that this wasn’t just a dream as he sat in math staring at the board silently. Part of him wanted to fake being sick just so he could go home, but he resisted and told himself that he shouldn’t be so dramatic. He knew this would happen if he tried anything, he couldn’t blame Dean for storming out of the place. In truth the only person Castiel had to be angry with was himself. If he’d just listened to Pamela then he wouldn’t currently be in this mess.
At lunch Cas didn’t eat, he preferred the empty feeling in his stomach, thinking food would only make him feel worse. When Pam sat down opposite him, he cut her off before she could even ask what was wrong. Like a dam wall bursting Cas spilled, trying to get it all out before his brain caught up with his mouth and shut him up, the events of the past twenty four hours replaying in his head as he spoke.
When he looked up; Pam was silent, the girl with all the answers seemed to be struggling just to keep her bottom jaw from falling off.
“What are you going to do?” She finally managed to ask.
“I don’t know,” shrugged Cas. “Hopefully I can avoid getting a fist to the face.”
“You don’t think he’d go that far do you?” a hint of horror laced Pam’s voice as she spoke.
“You didn’t see the look on his face,” countered Castiel, eyes falling to the table top.
They sat in silence for the remainder of lunch, a quick squeeze on the shoulder told Cas that Pam wished him well as they parted ways for afternoon classes.
By now the knots in Castiel’s stomach had increased tenfold. He had science in last period and had no clue what was going to happen. He at least knew that Dean wouldn’t make a scene in front of other people so he’d be relatively safe.
This was one day when Cas wished PE would never end, but when that bell finally rang he quickly changed and headed off towards the labs still not wanting to be late. A detention would only be the perfect ending to his shitty day.
A quick scan of the room let him know that Dean was already there, sitting at the back as usual. Cas took a deep breath and tried to not let the steel gaze boring into his back get to him. Thankfully Ms Harvelle had an actual lesson planned instead of letting them pair up and work on their projects. He didn’t once look back during the lesson, trying his hardest to keep his eyes on the board letting the discussion of atoms and electrodes distract him as much as possible.
When the bell sounded the end of the lesson Castiel shot up out of his seat intent on leaving as quickly as possible until the unexpected happened.
“Mister Winchester,” he heard Dean’s name, looking up Cas saw Ms Harvelle staring at the other man. “I need to see you for a minute,” her gaze drifted across the room. “You too Mister Novak.” Cas froze, did she know? No, that was impossible, still his heart began to race as he panicked.
Sitting back down, Cas took a deep breath as Dean sat beside him.
“I’ve been talking to Coach Singer,” she began her attention completely on Dean. “And we’re both
concerned about your grades.” Dean groaned about to protest but a stern hand kept him silent. “You’re failing a couple of classes and barely passing the rest. If you want to keep playing you need to improve your grades.”
Daring a sideways glance Cas could see the anguish on Dean’s face.
“Neither Coach Singer nor I want to see you cut from the team so if you can get at least a B in this project I’ve agreed not to have you put on probation.”
“A B?” spat Dean, thinking that was impossible.
“That shouldn’t be a problem,” Miss Harvelle smiled. “You and Castiel here seem to make quite the pair. And judging by the research you two have already shown me I have no doubt you will manage.”
Castiel wanted to repeatedly smack his head into the desk and he was sure Dean must be having similar thoughts. If only she knew how wrong she was about everything.
When she left, Dean didn’t even acknowledge Cas, instead he got up and headed to the door cursing under his breath about how unfair this all was and how he was screwed. Even after all that had happened Cas still felt bad for the other man. Baseball was everything to Dean and now he was on the verge of losing it.
Finally alone, Cas sunk down into his chair. He really should have asked Dean when he wanted to meet up again to work on their project but the words just wouldn’t come. When did his life turn into one of those shitty teen drama shows?
The walk home took much longer than usual, Cas keeping a snail’s pace as a million different thoughts zoomed around his brain.
Home at last, Castiel threw his bag at the bottom of the stairs and headed for his room. His father was at work, so at least he’d get a few hours alone to wallow. Lying in bed he stared at Dean’s number on his phone and contemplated calling him to find out what they were going to do. After twenty minutes he chickened out and sent a text message instead. Two seconds later his phone beeped, far too quick for a human reply. His text had been rejected, which could really only mean one thing; Dean had blocked his number. Chucking his phone to the other side of his bed Castiel gave up and just went to sleep.
The sound of birds outside his window woke him very early the next morning. It was just before five am when he slumped out of bed, in the semi darkness, still dressed in his clothes from the previous day. The problem with going to bed so early was waking up just as early the next day. He managed a good minute before the haze of sleep wore off and he remembered why he felt so bad.
Taking a quick shower Castiel’s stomach finally convinced him that he needed to eat so he forced down some cereal as he sat alone in the quiet kitchen. Once properly feed and fully awake, lucid thoughts came back to Castiel and he stopped feeling so guilty over all of this. After all Dean kissed him. If he wanted to freak out and be angry then that was his prerogative, Cas was over it. He hated feeling sad when he really wasn’t in the wrong. Dean could keep acting like a macho dickhead for all he cared. Placing his empty bowl into the sink Castiel knew what he had to do and set off towards the garage.
********
By Monday morning Castiel was feeling much better about himself. He’d even forgotten about hoping that a certain black car would be waiting for him in the driveway as he left. Instead he gathered his things and got a lift to school with his father.
Usually once at school Cas would go to his locker or seek out Pam but this morning he had an alternate agenda. He had science first period so with twenty minutes before class started he headed towards Ms Harvelle’s office, intent on getting rid on the problem that was Dean Winchester.
To say Castiel felt good when the bell rang would be an understatement, in fact he felt great as he left his teacher’s office and followed her towards the labs to start the lesson.
Sitting in his usual seat Cas noticed Dean walk in a few minutes later as he headed for the back row. The weekend seemed to do some good for Dean or at least that’s what Castiel thought when he couldn’t feel a death stare trained on his spine.
“Let me start the morning by letting you all know that one team has already successfully completed and submitted their project,” Ms Harvelle said, settling the class down instantly.
Several students could be heard mumbling things like ‘nerds,’ ‘losers’ and ‘geeks’ including Dean.
“Now usually I’d wait for all projects to be handed in before marking but seeing as how these guys were finished a whole week early I marked it on the spot,” walking as she spoke Ms Harvelle handed a piece of paper to Cas and then headed towards Dean to do the same.
Frowning, Dean looked down at the evaluation sheet which read ‘A-’ at the bottom. He was beyond confused as he turned his gaze from the paper to the teacher.
“Mister Novak did your presentation this morning, he told me that you couldn’t be there because you take your little brother to school but he filled me in on how much you participated.” Dean still had a stunned look on his face. “The mark may be open to change when I review it next week but congratulations, guess you get to stay on the team,” she added before heading back to the front of the classroom.
When Dean turned to look at Castiel, the smaller man wasn’t looking back. Instead his smug gaze was firmly aimed at the front of the room. Dean was pissed.
When class ended Cas was one of the first to leave the room. Walking down the hall Castiel was on the way to feeling better. He’d saved Dean from being cut from the baseball team whilst also managing to cease their need to interact anymore, which on a karmic scale had to be a win.
He was on his way to English to tell Pamela the good news when a hand suddenly pulled him to the side of the corridor where the row of lockers stopped.
“What is this?” asked Dean, holding out the copy of his grade from this morning.
“A piece of paper,” replied Cas, shaking his arm free of Dean’s grasp.
“Don’t be a smartass,” retorted Dean. “I didn’t need your charity.”
“It wasn’t charity,” Castiel answered trying to look serious.
Dean laughed coldly. “Sure, then why did you finish the project by yourself and lie about my involvement?”
“So I could get rid of you,” Cas answered. The truth sounded more painful than it had in his head.
“What?” Dean seemed taken aback.
“You’re free now don’t you get it? No more having to hang around with the ‘gay kid’,” Cas waved his arms around for dramatic effect. “Now we have absolutely no reason to ever speak to each other ever again.”
“Cas,” the nickname still knotted Castiel’s stomach when Dean said it. “I don’t care about you being gay, it’s just I-”
“Forget it,” Castiel cut in. If he let Dean speak now he’d lose his nerve. “The assignment’s done, you got your grade and get to stay on the team. Now we can go on as if this never happened.”
Dean wanted to reply or at least thank him but Cas had already taken off down the hallway and no matter how hard he tried Dean couldn’t seem to get his feet to work. It shouldn’t bother him that he had no reason to hang out with Castiel anymore. Really it shouldn’t, but somehow it did. He cursed under his breath as his fist collided with the side of the locker in front of him.
********
“You really let him have it huh?” Pam smirked at Cas’ re-telling of the day’s events.
“I wanted to,” he admitted. “Had a speech planned and everything but I just couldn’t do it. Instead I just told him that we didn’t have to see each other anymore and that it was best to just forget everything.”
Pam went to retort but a stern look and a ‘quiet’ from their teacher ceased their conversation as Cas straightened up and went back to writing an example of ‘a popular discourse in high school.’
The rest of the day seemed to get better as it went on. Cas didn’t see Dean again and for once that didn’t seem to bother him. Sure he still liked the other guy but now that Castiel knew where he stood in Dean’s mind, his crush had subsided and rationalisation had taken over once more.
After school had finished, Cas felt up for a walk. He took a detour towards the tiny cluster of shops a couple blocks west of his house. He’d been told that the cafe there had the best milkshakes in town and he also wanted to check out Ash’s Books & Comics store.
At the counter of the cafe Cas ordered a chocolate milkshake to go. He was on his way out when he heard his name.
“Cas!” shouted a familiar voice from one of the booths to the right and Cas’ stomach clenched. Suddenly he remembered who it was who told him this place had the best milkshakes. He turned to see a bright faced Sam Winchester looking up at him. Dean sat opposite his brother and just gave a faint smile in recognition of the other man’s presence.
Part of Cas just wanted to keep on walking but he knew he had to at least say something. “Hey Sammy,” he greeted the youngest Winchester knowing his conscience would nag him if he didn’t acknowledge their presence.
“Dean got me ice cream,” Sam grinned.
“Lucky you,” Castiel smiled.
“Are you staying?” Sam asked, sliding over in the booth to make room. He didn’t notice the way his brother’s body stiffened at the words.
Cas just shook his head. “I’m busy,” he held up his take-away drink for added effect. “Maybe another time?”
Sam nodded understandingly before Dean cleared his throat. “Need a ride anywhere?”
Caught off guard Cas was silent for probably longer than normal, but he hadn’t expected Dean to speak to him, let alone offer him a lift. “No,” he said in the end. He figured that Dean most likely only offered because Sam was so fond of him. “I’m only going next door.” He purposely left out the ‘thank you,’ which made him feel like a six year old and left straight after, cutting off any chance for either of the two brothers to speak again.
Castiel paced around the comics a few times and even checked a few novels on the other side of the store until he heard the roar of what he hoped was Dean’s Impala pulling out of the car park and heading far, far away. Cas soon left the store and headed home without buying anything. He’d lost interest after the little encounter in the cafe.
He spent the night doing homework and watching a bit of TV. Weeknights dragged on so much during a school term, especially when he was home alone.
The following morning Castiel walked to school, not even hoping that Dean would be outside his house waiting for him.
He was a little early, walking down the corridor where several students stood in pairs or groups chatting and laughing about what they’d done during the previous night. He frowned a little when he saw something small sticking out of the vents on his locker. No doubt a printout telling him about some pep rally or upcoming dance but as he got closer he saw that none of the other lockers had anything sticking out of them. He unlocked it and opened the door to find a comic book sitting there. ‘Deadpool: Merc with a mouth,’ Castiel smiled as he read the title, he’d been waiting for this issue for weeks. His eyes then fell on the post-it note that was stuck to the cover with the words ‘I’m sorry,’ written in capitals. He knew the hand writing. While he really loved the gift, his pride made him too angry to appreciate it. Just what kind of game was Dean Winchester playing?
Castiel contemplated confronting Dean during lunch seeing as how they didn’t have science today but he held back figuring he’d wait till the end of the day when there were less people around. Last thing he needed was to make enemies of every jock in school.
Just after three pm Cas headed towards the car park. Most students who drove were already gone but the familiar black Impala was still there so Cas leaned up against the boot and waited.
“You’d better not scratch the paintjob,” came a warning from behind. Dean was standing by the driver’s side door.
“What is this?” Cas asked, throwing the comic book across the car roof landing it in front of the other man.
“A comic book,” said Dean picking it up.
“Now who’s the smartass?” snapped Castiel. “Why’d you get it?”
“I got it as a thank you,” replied Dean.
“How’d you even know?” Cas wasn’t going to say he loved it out right and he knew he was meant to be mad but that fact that Dean knew exactly what to get him was a little freaky.
“Well I kind of went back to that book store last night after you said you were going there. I spoke to the owner Ash who’s a family friend. He told me this was the issue you’d been waiting for, so I got it for you, a couple of days before it’s due to be released,” Dean shrugged lazily. “I hear it’s the one where Deadpool teams up with a female Deadpool...whatever that means.”
Cas was trying his best to look angry but it was a look he knew he could never pull off. “Why?”
“Because I maybe, kind of overreacted last week and I’m...I’m sorry,” he explained once again.
“You mean you were feeling guilty for being such an ass?” Cas interrupted his words.
Dean rubbed his nape. “Okay I deserve that.”
“What do you want from me?” Cas really didn’t want to fight, he just wanted to go home.
“I’m trying to apologize here,” Dean said, taking a few steps closer. “I kind of freaked out last week and I’m sorry, this is new to me, I’ve never liked another guy before so I’m kind of flying blind here.”
“I don’t want an apolo...Wait what?” Cas was definitely confused by now because surely he hadn’t just heard what he’d heard.
Dean swallowed hard, wanting to hit himself. He’d just blurted out the truth like an idiot and running away was not a real option. “I said I like you Cas,” There was no point dancing around the subject now. “I have for a while, tried to tell myself that I didn’t but when I kissed you and realized that I actually enjoyed it I didn’t know what to do so I bolted. These past few days I had no clue what to say to you so I just tried to give you some space while I sorted some things out.”
“And yesterday in the corridor after class?” Cas hadn’t forgotten about the arm that had dragged him aside and Dean’s attempt to yell at him when all Castiel did was help him.
“Well I meant what I said then; I don’t want or need anyone’s charity. But I was also a little upset because I didn’t have an excuse to hang out with you anymore, so I’m sorry if I hurt your arm.” Dean sighed as he spoke. He hated chick flick moments for a reason; he was really bad at them.
“So what you think a comic book’s just going to make everything okay again?” Cas was sure Dean’s stubbornness had rubbed off on him as he still wouldn’t back down.
“Don’t I get a few points here? I’m trying okay? I don’t exactly have a lot of experience with situations like this.” Looking around to make sure they were secluded enough Dean took another step towards Cas bringing him dangerously close to the smaller man’s personal space. “I know I should have handled it a bit better that night but I’d just been told that the guy I liked actually liked me back. And then you cut yourself and things were kind of a blur from then on. I just...” he paused. “I just want to start again.”
Cas felt the heat in his stomach build. “Start what again?”
“You, me, us,” Dean elaborated. “I know I fucked up but I’m serious about it this time. I know you probably think this is rushed seeing as how just last week we went from friends to-”
“You hating me,” cut in Castiel.
“I didn’t hate you, I was just confused, this is all so new to me, and if anything I hated myself. I like you Cas and I know at least some part of you likes me.” There was a certain pleading tone in Dean’s voice that led Cas to believe that he was telling the truth.
Castiel wanted to protest. There was still so much that didn’t make sense if Dean in fact liked him as much as he said he did.
“Come on, Sammy hates me because he thinks we’ve broken up because you are no longer on our car rides to school. He even asked me if we were going to get a divorce. I told him two people needed to be married before they could actually get divorced so now he wants to know when we’re going to get married,” Dean was smirking as he spoke. “And that just led to one long awkward conversation.”
Although he tried not to, Cas smiled at the story. He could totally picture Dean’s younger brother saying all that without realizing the position his brother was in.
“Aha,” Dean was beginning to sound victorious. “You can’t be mad at me if you’re smiling.”
Cas wanted to point out that Dean’s logic wasn’t exactly sound but he refrained. “Tell me one thing then,” he stood up straight and knew he had Dean’s full attention. “If you weren’t angry then why did you block my number? I texted you but it never went through.”
Dean furrowed his brow but after a moment or two he figured it out. “I didn’t block you Cas,” he smirked. “I dropped my phone in the change rooms after practice and damaged the SIM card. The phone company disconnected my number for me till I can sort out getting a new one.”
“Oh,” Castiel really didn’t know what to say, that was a reasonable explanation. In fact everything Dean had told him seemed to fit and explain all of his questions.
“So,” Dean leaned in closer, placing a hand on Castiel’s side. He grabbed Cas’ hand and pulled it up to his face, placing a gentle kiss on the almost healed cut on Castiel’s thumb. “Do I get another chance?”
“I feel like an idiot, so I’m going to say no to a second chance,” Dean’s face sunk, awaiting rejection as Castiel spoke. “Instead can we just wipe the slate clean and start over?” Cas wanted to make sure they could put the last few days behind them completely and never, ever speak of them again.
“Sounds good to me,” Dean nodded his head in agreement before leaning in to kiss the other man. Cas was unreceptive at first but soon leaned forward into Dean’s embrace. It didn’t last for very long because while they were partly secluded someone might still see them together. “So,” Dean was smiling as he let his hand travel down the side of Cas’ cheek. “When do we get to have sex?”
A rather sudden burster of laughter escaped Castiel. He pushed Dean back a bit so he could breathe and cradle his ribs.
“What?” Dean thought he’d said something wrong.
“Only you, Dean Winchester, would admit to being newly gay and then want to have sex not five minutes later.” Castiel chuckled a little bit more.
“So no sex then?” Dean seemed disappointed.
A serious look covered Cas’ face. “I don’t know. You’d have to meet my father first.”
Dean’s lips went flat and his body tensed, clearly not happy with the idea.
“But then again he’s out of town on business and won’t be home until tomorrow afternoon so I guess meeting him can wait, which means...” Cas knew that he didn’t even have to finish his sentence judging by the wicked grin Dean was now sporting.
“I’m such a good influence on you,” Dean leaning in for another quick kiss. Seconds later he pulled away and walked over to the passenger’s side to unlock the car door for Cas.
“I’m not sure others would use the word good,” joked Cas.
********
When Castiel woke on Wednesday morning, he instantly knew he wasn’t alone. Dean’s arm was firmly wrapped around his waist holding him close. Their night wasn’t too explicit. Dean rung his mother to tell her that he was staying the night at a friend’s place. They ordered pizza and watched the first two movies in the Matrix trilogy; Dean didn’t like the third one.
As the night went on the pair just shared slow lazy kisses with a bit of under the shirt action - Dean could be rather persuasive it turned out. They decided on taking things slow so neither of them would freak out.
Strangely the black Impala looked like it fit in rather well as it sat in the driveway of Castiel’s house.
Eventually as the days turned to weeks their relationship progressed. It didn’t take Pamela long to notice. How could it when all of a sudden Dean was spending every lunch with them, sitting next to Cas, their legs just touching as they grinned like loons. There was also the fact that Cas blushed every time Dean whispered in his ear. But other than Pam no one else knew. Cas understood Dean’s unwillingness to let them be public knowledge, high school was still high school no matter how popular you were and Cas agreed to having a quiet, less stressful relationship.
Castiel still bore the faintest scar along his thumb, a reminded of the simple small mass weight scale that started everything (even though Pam insisted that it was her pushiness and a sports photography favour that led to their first meeting). Cas even thought about majoring in science at college the following year, seeing as how the subject had quickly become his favourite.