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Chapter Text

“Someone moved into the house down the street.” Mary says one morning, as she fixes Sam’s breakfast. “I saw a red-haired woman and her daughter picking up boxes and bringing them into the house.”

“Interesting. We should go say ‘hi’ later.” John says, giving Mary a quick kiss in greeting. “What smells so good?”

“I made some eggs, if you want any omelettes.” Mary smiled. “Even added some bacon, since that’s the only way to get you guys to eat anything slightly healthy around here.”

John rolls his eyes. “Come on Mary, you know bacon does the body good.”

“Yeah, and too much of it hangs around.” Mary smiled playfully, patting his stomach. 

“You hinting at something?” John said, elbowing her in the side playfully. “Because I’ll have you know, I’m a perfect weight for my height.”

“Sure you are.” Mary laughs. “When Sam’s soccer game is over, do you want to bring over the cookies?”

“I can.” Dean said quietly.

He was used to the old adage “seen, but not heard”, but in this case it didn’t seem like he was seen either. Not that he wasn’t used to it. He didn’t bother mentioning that he also had a game today. It’s not like they’d be there anyway, he thinks morosely as he spoons soggy cereal in his mouth. They really only focus on Sam. 

“Oh, would you?” Mary said. “Then we can grab food after Sam’s game.”

A part of Dean wanted to snap “What about me? Or did you forget you had another child?” but he held his tongue. It wouldn’t do to get into shouting matches with his parents, especially when nothing would change.

“Yeah.” he said, instead. “Sure.”

“Perfect!” she clapped her hands together. “Now, I have to make sure Sam is ready, he likes to dawdle sometimes in hopes we forget.” Mary heads upstairs, and John turns to him. 

“We’re going to be gone for a while. See if you can get some practice in today. I’ll be heading up to Bobby’s in two weeks, and I want your aim to be better than last time, okay?” 

Dean suppressed a scowl. “Fine, I’ll practice.” He supposed he should just be happy he didn’t have to practice with real bullets today. The last time he almost hurt himself, so he was banned from those for a while.

“Don’t give me attitude, boy.” John said, scowling. “Now, go take these cookies before you forget.”

Dean snatched the plate, went to put his shoes on, and headed out. It was a warm summer morning, and he knew by the end of the day it would incredibly humid. He walked by the park and saw a red haired girl. Figuring he would have better luck with her, he headed over.

She was sitting on the swing alone, not really swinging, and staring at the ground morosely. He walked up to her, and her head snapped up. He saw she had a Star Trek shirt on, and that piqued his interest. He hasn’t had any actual friends in school, just people he was friendly with. Getting along enough to work together and hang out during school, but once the bell rang they went their separate ways.

She looked up at him and said, “What do you want?”

Not a great start, he thinks. But I can make it work. 

“Uh…did you just move into the house on the corner?” Dean asked her. “I brought welcome cookies. My mom made them.”

She squinted. “What kind?”

He shrugged. “Um, chocolate chip? She didn’t know preferences, so she went with the kind everyone likes.”  He wasn’t sure that was true, but it’s not like this girl would know otherwise. 

She grinned. “Yup, we did. Me and my aunt.” She grabs one of the plates. “Mmm.” With a mouthful of cookie she says, “I’m Charlie.” 

“You like those?” he laughed. “I’m Dean.”

She holds out her hand. “Nice to meet you, Dean.” 

“You too.” he says. “Where did you live before this?”

“Oh…” she trails off. “Far away.”

He can sense that he stepped onto a topic she doesn’t want to discuss. “So,” he says moving to another topic. “You a fan of Star Trek?”

“Of course!” she said. “You too?”

“Obviously.” he scoffed. 

A moment passed before she crooks a smile. “You’re all right Dean.” 

And that, as they say, was how a beautiful friendship was born.

A week passed and Dean saw the girl, Charlie, again. She was sitting out by the playground, playing a game on whatever it was she held in her hand. He had never been interested in consoles, only Sam had, so he never got any of them as he was growing up.

“Hey, Charlie, right?” he said, sitting on the swing next to her.

She looked up. “Oh, hey Dean.”

“How’s the move going? Settling in alright?” 

“You sound like my aunt.” Charlie laughed. “Are you going to ask if I’ve made any friends yet also?”

Dean felt his face heat up. He was sure if he looked into a mirror he’d be bright red. Charlie giggled. “It’s cute when you blush. It makes your freckles stand out.”

A spike of fear tore through him. He didn’t know how to deal with a ill-advised crush. He would hate to have to end the friendship over that. “Ummm…”

She laughed again. “Dont worry about it. I don’t mean it like that.” 

“Like what?” 

“Like I want to date you or anything.” Charlie said, going back to the device. “You are so not my type.”

“Hey, I’m everyone’s type.” Dean joked with her. 

“As in, you’re not a girl.” Charlie scoffed, rolling her eyes.

“Oh.” Dean said. At her raised eyebrows he hurried to say, “I don’t mean that in a bad way! That’s cool.”

She shook her head in amusement. “I’m glad. I would hate to have to end the only friendship I have here.”

Dean grinned. “Yeah, me too.” 

Charlie gave him a look. “I find it hard to believe you don’t have any friends.”

“Well, not any I would want to hang out with after class.” Dean says, shrugging. “They’re not exactly out-of-school friends, you know?”

She nodded. “Yeah, I get it.” After a moment of silence she said, “Hey, what do you think about Buffy?”

“A teen who fights vampires? What’s not to like?” Dean said. “I mean, I doubt vampires would act like that in real life, but it’s still interesting to watch.”

“Okay mister vampire expert.” Charlie laughs. “I didn’t realize you were so knowledgeable about vampire lore.”

Not like I really had a choice in the matter.

“What can I say, I’m not just a pretty face.” Dean says. 

Charlie grins. “I can see that.” She smirked at him. “So then, tell me Dean, what do you say about having some fun around here?”

“I thought you’d never ask.” Dean grins.

A few days pass by and he thought by now his parents would ask where he was spending his time, since he was not home very often. They, of course, did not, and continued on with their daily lives.

He almost didn’t felt bitter about it.

He had learned that hoping his parents cared about him or what he was doing always ended in disappointment. So often, he didn’t try and engage them in what was going on with his life. It seemed like they had completely forgotten about the new neighbors, and were busy scheduling Sam’s events. Birthdays, end of the school year parties, planning summer hangouts with his friends. 

All in all, it took up most of their time, as well as them having to go to work. 

Dean tried to remember the last time they planned something for him. He thought it had maybe been last year, but he wasn’t entirely sure. Sometimes, he thought that they forgot about him, and would continue to do so if they didn’t see him at dinner. 

It seemed like the only person who actually cared about him was his dad’s mom. He wished she didn’t live so far away in Lebanon, or he would see her more often. 

He was alone again, which was no surprise to him, when the phone rang. Looking at the number, he recognized it was Charlie’s.

“Hello?” Dean asked tentatively. “Charlie is that you?”

“Yep!” Came the chipper reply. “How are you?”

“Fine…?” Dean said, frowning. “Is that the only reason you called?”

“No, I’m calling because I wanted to see if you wanted to hang out, maybe play some candy land?” Charlie said. “I knows it’s child play, but I think with two of us, we could figure it out.”

“Right…” Dean said to her. “Where are you?”

“At home. My aunt is even there now. Just tell her I invited you over.”

“I’ll be there soon.” Dean said, before hanging up. “Man, that was a weird call.”

He finished eating his sandwich, and started to head over to Charlie’s house, and knocked on the door. A woman more suited for a lavish mansion answered the door. She had long curled red hair, a floor length black dress, and Dean could have sworn she was wearing heels. 

All in all, she looked very put together, and Dean thought she was honestly a bit intimidating. 

She raised her eyebrow at him, as she looked him up and down. “Yes, can I help you?”

Dean was shocked at her Scottish accent, since Charlie didn’t have one. “Hi, um, I’m Dean…Charlie asked if I wanted to hang out, is that okay?”

“Oh, you’re Dean! Charlene has told me so much about you! I’m Rowena, her aunt.” She said, clapping her hands together. “Unfortunately, she’s not here right now.”

Dean frowned. “Then why did she invite me to play board games?” He shook his head. “Well, thanks anyway.”

“Hold on.” Rowena said, frowning. “Did she say which one?”

“Which one what?” Dean asked.

“Which board game.” 

“Uh…” Dean thought back to the weird call. “Candyland? It was an odd choice, that's for sure. She did call it ‘child’s play’ too. All in all, very strange.”” 

At that, Rowena let out a curse that had even Dean’s eyes widening. “Thank you, Dean. I appreciate you stopping by so I could meet you.” Rowena says, smiling at him. Then in a voice almost so low he didn’t hear her, she says, “I have to go rescue that girl.” 

“Wait, what happened to her?’ Dean asked her. “Is she okay?”

“She’s fine.” Rowena said, distractedly. “Thank you Dean, you were a lot of help.” 

She hurries off without him. After that whole interaction, Dean is still puzzled. So, Dean wants to make sure that Charlie is okay, so he decides to follow her. He figures it’s the easiest way for him to find out about Charlie. 

After all, Dean thought as he watched her walk away, What’s the worst that happen?

The worst, as it turns out, was finding out that his new best friend was a witch. Along with her aunt. Who was not only a witch, but a very old, very powerful witch. It sent his head in a tailspin. He had always been told that all monsters are bad, and none of them can ever be good. That they only care about themselves and not who they hurt. 

But, he knew Charlie. And she wasn’t like that. Plus, he really didn’t want to give up his only friend over something so small. He just had to endeavor to not let his father find out, or he wouldn’t be as kind. 

He made sure he was well hidden while the exchange went down. He knew there was something off about these three guys. Something about them almost stink, and he didn’t mean it literally. 

“Rowena,” the man said, “Nice of you to drop in again.”

“Magnus, please, must we do this again?” Rowena said, “Can’t we sort it out like witches, instead of turning to violence?”

“You stole from us.” Magnus said. “And I want it back.”

“I didn’t steal a single thing from you.” Rowena said. “Now hand over the girl, or things will get messy for you.” 

“You know we can’t do that.” Magnus said. “We won’t do that. Not until you return what you stole from us.” 

“Well then, I suppose I will have to teach you a lesson.” Rowena said, her eyes flashing purple. “How unpleasant.” 

Charlie whispered something, and the men fell over, as Rowena said another incantation, and they began coughing blood until they passed out on the floor. Or Dean hoped they passed out on the floor. He didn’t want to find out. 

“Dean, you can come out now.” Rowena said to him. 

Dean rose up from his hiding spot and went up to Charlie. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah.” Charlie says. “Why are you here?”

“Isn’t it obvious dearie, he’s a hunter.” Rowena said, going over to Charlie. 

Charlie’s eyes widen, and she takes a step back. Dean won't deny that it hurts. She looks hesitant, and Dean mirrors the same. He decides to bite the metaphorical bullet, because he can see that Charlie would be too nice to say what she wants to say. 

“It’s fine.” Dean says quietly. “I think it’s probably best if we go our separate ways. I’ll…see you around…I guess.” He turns to Rowena, “Can you send me back to your house? I left my bike there.” 

“Of course, Dean, thank you for your help. You were an invaluable resource to have.”

“Didn’t do much.” Dean said. 

One movement he was in the abandoned house with Charlie and Rowena, and the next he was in front of their house, He grabbed his bike, and made the trek home. Strangely, he felt upset, like he was genuinely sad that the friendship was ending. Dean chalked it up to never having a real friend before, but he supposed Charlie was just another school friend, even if they had hung out a lot outside of school. 

He went home, past his mother, father and Sam, who hadn’t noticed he’d been gone since they had just gotten back. He went to his room, closed the door, and flopped onto the bed. He stared at the ceiling, thinking about the afternoon he had just had.

It had been a shock to learn about Charlie and Rowena’s pension for witchcraft. He never would have guessed Charlie was a witch. He knew that pretty much killed any chance of long term friendship, as evidenced by their friendship break up earlier, He sighed and turned over, burying his head into his pillow.

He would just have to get over it.

A hunter and a witch could never be friends. 

About another month passed, and Dean had gone out of his way to avoid Charlie. They had sat on opposite sides of their classes anyway, so that hadn’t been an issue. He instead would avoid the cafeteria where she had been. It’s not like he had people wanting to hang out with him, so he spent his lunch mostly in the library reading books, since he never usually ate lunch at school anyway. He sighed during his latest read, which had been something he wasn’t caring for and was thinking that he was going to power through so he could finally be done. 

Instead, he found a red headed girl in his usual seat. He sighed and went to find a new seat, only for the girl to put the book down and reveal her face. “Hey, I didn’t do this dramatic reveal for you to walk away.” 

Dean gives her a look. “Are we talking again?”

“Yeah,” Charlie says, looking sheepish. “I was going to talk to you the first week, but I didn’t know what to say.” 

Dean nodded. “Me either.”

Charlie sighs again. “I was dumb, and we should be friends again. I miss our talks.”

Dean laughs. “You mean our arguments?” 

“Exactly.” Charlie grinned. Her face got serious when she said the next thing. “Listen, I know that hunters and witches don’t really mix but, I think we could still be friends. If you want.” 

“I’d have to think about it.” Dean says, only to see Charlie’s face drop. He laughs and jabs her in the shoulder. “Of course, Red, I could never leave my queen behind.”

She grins. “Well, I’m glad. I need at least one friend for high school.” 

Dean rolls his eyes. “Right. Because I’m sure you're going to be so friendless.”

“Well, if I stick with you I might.” Charlie says. “You’re kinda goody looking.”

Dean rolled his eyes again at her. “You’re hilarious.”

Charlie grinned back, and held out her hand. “Best friends?”

Sure, they may have had their ups and downs, but Dean knew the friendship he and Charlie had would be rock solid, and only strengthen over time. It was a lifelong friendship, one he knew would never break.

And in the future, he would be right. That they remained friends for many years to come, always silently, and not so silently, supporting each other from the sidelines, or right there with the other person.

But for now, Dean knew that Charlie would be a good friend to have. 

So, with that in mind, Dean shook her hand. “Best friends.”

Chapter Text

Benny heard a girl sing a song as she was walking by him. He spotted what looked to be a boy and girl his age walking down the sidewalk.

“You know, everyday I regret meeting you.” The boy next to her said. “Just a little.”

She pushed his shoulder. “Shut up. You know you love me.”

Benny watched as the two laughed. He had just moved here from Louisiana, and he had yet to make any friends. He was sure if his parents were actually around, it would have been easier, but they weren’t exactly known for their parenting skills.

He still had their latest postcard from Bali to prove it.

He wasn’t bitter or anything. 

Suddenly, he felt two pairs of eyes on him, so he hurriedly looked back to his book. A few minutes passed, and they were no longer there. He settled in his spot under the tree, shade blissfully cool, and went back to reading. 

He put the thoughts of the two out of his mind.

It’s not like he would ever see them again, anyway. 

He did end up seeing them again. A few times, in fact. He stared at the new postcard his parents sent. ‘Wish you were here!’ it claimed, the palm trees bright against the background of the card.

What a joke, Benny thought, throwing the card in the trash. He had long since stopped responding then. Benny figured that as long as they paid for the house and all the bills, that’s all that mattered. 

He pretended it didn’t bother him, but in all actuality, it did. Not that he would ever admit it though.

“You look like a kid with a lot on his mind.” A guy said to him as he took a seat near him, waiting for the bus. “You’re too young to look that defeated.”

Benny laughed, and shrugged. “I guess.”

The man shook his head. “Did you just move here?”

Despite the warning signs he had always been told to look out for, he knew this guy wouldn’t bring him harms And Benny figured that if he tried, he would be able to defend himself anyway.

“Yeah.” He said, finally.

“And where are your parents?” 

“Listen…” Benny said. “I have to get going. It was nice meeting you.” 

He quickly walked away from the man, feeling unsettled now. He had been alive for a long time, and he could take people in a fight, but there was no reason to tempt fate. He didn’t want to have to move again. Not so soon anyway.

The next day found him with the red headed girl he had seen before, with the other guy with green eyes. Benny almost thought that it was unfair that someone so attractive had it naturally, and it wasn’t even enhanced with supernatural beauty. 

The girl smiled at him, and looked up from her worksheets. “Hi, I’m Charlie. You're Benny right?” 

Benny raised an eyebrow. “How did you know?”

She rolled her eyes. “All the girls have been gossiping about you. They think you’re really handsome.” 

“And you don’t?”

She laughed. “I mean, I don’t think so. But I’m also not interested in guys, so my judgment is a bit skewed.” 

Benny’s eyes widened and he nodded. “I see.”

“Plus,” Charlie continues quietly. “It’s nice to see another supernatural being around here.”

At that, he froze. How could she have figured it out so quickly?

She saw his hesitation, and rushed to reassure him. Still whispering she says, “Sorry, sorry, Dean says I can come on too strong. I didn’t mean to startle you. I’m a witch, and it’s glad to see others somewhat like me around, that’s all.” 

“Right.” He said slowly. “Well, it’s nice meeting you?”

“You too!” She whispered, grinning. “You should meet my best friend Dean. I think you guys would get along really well.”

“What, is he a demon or something?” Benny whispered, rolling his eyes. “Are you trying to make an occult club?”

Her eyes sparkled. “No, he’s human. But that would be so fun! But no, Dean is on the baseball team.”

Benny’s head snapped. “Wait, is his last name Winchester?” 

She tilted her head in confusion. “Yeah, why?”

“He has a batting average of 0.350, and the amount of home runs and steals he’s gotten is almost like high school hall of fame.”

Charlie shrugged. “I don’t know anything about baseball, but judging by your excitement, I’m guessing that’s good?”

“For high school baseball? Yeah.” 

Charlie shrugged again. “Well, as great as this conversation is, I think that if we don’t stop talking and start working, Mrs Robinson is going to give us detention.”

Benny looked over to their aforementioned teacher, and nodded in agreement with Charlie. 

“So, for number one it looks like we need to mix the red and blue liquid together…”

“Sam has a science fair today, so we’re going to be gone when you get home. Don’t forget to lock up when you get back.” Dean hears his mother say as she closes the door behind her. 

He glared at the door which had shut with a quiet click!

“Right.” Dean muttered to himself. “But don’t bother telling me. Why would I need to know?”

Dean had gotten to the point that he didn’t even fight for their attention any more. It was clear that he was not a child that they particularly cared for. Sam was the golden child. Sam could do no wrong. These were the undeniable facts that was Dean’s everyday life. It was exhausting sometimes, to be so alone and to want for someone to pay attention to just him.

Sam had 364 other days of the year, was it so wrong for Dean to want just one day about him?

He couldn’t remember the last time he had a birthday party or even a day with either one of his parents. Not that he particularly wanted to spend time with them one on one, but still. It was the thought that counts.

He pulls out of his musing to find his phone was buzzing. It was Charlie. He knew she was the only one who ever called him. 

“Yeah, Charlie, what do you want?”

“I’m going to the park, want to meet up?”  

“I guess.” Dean said. “I don’t have much else to do.”

“Your parents left with Sam?” Charlie asked dryly.

“Yup.” 

“Well, I’ll meet you there then.” She said. “Oh, I’m bringing someone new! I bet you guys will be good friends.”

“Charlie don’t-” Before he could finish the rest of his sentence, she hung up the phone. 

He looked down at his phone blankly. 

“Great.”

Just what he needed. More of Charlie trying to force him to have more friends. Like he needed any. Or wanted any, for that matter. 

He shrugged a coat on and headed over to the park. He arrived there to see Charlie standing with the new kid. She waved frantically, and the guy next to her seemed uncomfortable. Dean could tell something was off about the guy immediately. Something about him showed up on Dean’s radar, and it was not anything good. 

Since Charlie’s introduction to his life, he had to learn the hard lesson of some monsters not being bad. That some can live a relatively human life, and be normal functioning members of society. The teachings his father drilled into his head had taken him much time to unlearn, as it was an ongoing process. 

Didn’t mean he trusted all monsters now, just meant that not all of them were bad.

“Dean!” Charlie said, grinning, “I’m glad you’re here. This is Benny. Benny, this is my best friend Dean.”

“Hey brother, what’s up.” Benny said, smiling. 

“Dean don’t freak out.” Charlie said to him. “But I thought this would be best. A little exposure therapy, if you will.”

“Charlie…what is this?” Dean asks her. “Do I need to be worried?”

She shakes her head. “No, it’s nothing bad.” Taking a deep breath she says quietly something he can’t understand. 

Dean rolls his eyes. “Charlie, you know I can’t understand you when you do that.”

She mumbles again, but one hard look from Dean has her blurt it out.

“Benny is a vampire!” 

An automatic reflex of grabbing his knife and clutching it takes hold of him. He takes a step back, ready to get into fighting stance if he needs too. “And you brought him here?” 

Benny has a deer in the headlights look that almost makes Dean feel bad for him. If he wasn’t a blood sucking freak that is.

Benny looked ready to bolt, so Charlie grabbed his arm to stop him. He stares at her arm before she says, “Dean stow the whole hunter act. He’s a nice guy. We’ve been talking all day.”

“You’re a hunter?” Benny said, now actively pulling away from Charlie. “Listen, let me go and you’ll never see me again. It’ll be like I was never here.”

Dean sighed, and with the help of Charlie’s glare, he lowered his knife. “Fine. You can stay. But,” he says, pointing the knife at Benny. “Any funny business, and I reserve the right to gank you as soon as I can.”

Benny gulped nervously and Charlie grinned. “Wonderful.”

She put down the picnic blanket and eyes the two of them. “Well? Come on. This food won’t eat itself.” 

They both sat down gingerly. 

It was the beginning of a very awkward picnic lunch.

It had been a few weeks since Benny had a run in with the Hunter, Dean, and he felt like he was walking on eggshells the whole time. He could feel the eyes watching him when he was at school, and he did not particularly like it. 

Dean plopped down next to him and said, “Dude, you have got to stop acting like I’m gonna lop your head off anytime I move.” 

“Well, can you blame me?” Benny asked him. “You are a hunter after all.”

Dean rolled his eyes. “I’ve been watching you the past few weeks.” Benny tensed up at that admission. “But you seem fine. I’ll keep your secret as long as you don’t hurt anyone.”

Dean held out his hand, and Benny shook it. “Does that make us friends then?”

“How about reluctant allies?” Dean said, grinning?

Which is why he decided what to do now. He walked into the woods to clear his head and get some nice fresh air, when he heard the sounds of fighting. Drawn to the sound he gets to the clearing only to find Dean.

Only, he isn’t sitting there enjoying nature.

He’s fighting vampires. Three of them, in fact. And Dean was winning. But Benny saw out of the corner of his eye that another one was about to attack Dean. So, in an instinctual move, he decided to attack the vampire that was beelining for Dean. 

“Behind you!”

Dean whipped around to see Benny. He hissed, “What are you doing here?” 

“Helping out your sorry ass.” Benny said. “Now come on, we can get the rest of these guys.”

A few moments later, and a few insults from the vampires spitting at him about 'betrayal', he watched the cooling corpses of the vampires laying on the ground. 

Dean turned to him. “Why did you help me?”

Benny shrugged. “You’re an alright guy. And Charlie is my friend. I’d hate to see her upset if something happened to you.”

Dean rolled his eyes, but Benny could tell there was no malice involved. “Right. Well, thanks.”

Benny cracked a smile. “Am I finally off your list?”

Dean gave him a look. “What list?”

“The list of monsters you’re going to kill?” Benny said, laughing. 

“No.” Dean shook his head. “You helped me out there. Without you, I would have been vampire chow.” 

Benny laughed and shrugged it off. “Just doing what I can.”

“Well I’ve had enough of this chick flick stuff. Chalrie and I are going to meet up at the fast food place down the street. Want to join us?”

Benny’s head snapped up. “Really?”

“Yeah.” Dean said, grinning. “Besides, Charlie considers you her friend, and you know how stubborn she is.”

Benny cracked a grin. “True.”

Dean nodded and they headed out of the forest.

It wasn’t quite a friendship, but it wasn’t not one, either. And Benny was content with that for now. For once, he finally felt like he had a place here. Friends, a life. People he might actually miss.

And that was all that mattered.

Chapter Text

“I actually hate him.” Dean said, dropping his lunch tray on the table. “He’s driving me insane.”

“Who?” Benny asked him. 

“Your brother?” Charlie said, munching on a dry. “Because if that’s the case, I don’t blame you.”

“No.” Dean said, sitting down. “Castiel.” He practically spit the name out like it hurt to say. 

Charlie rolled her eyes. “Of course.”

Dean felt defensive of himself. “What?”

“Nothing.” Charlie said, not bothering to hide her laugh. “That’s the fifth time you’ve mentioned him this week.”

“So?”

“It’s Monday.” 

Dean scoffed and rolled his eyes. “Whatever.”

Charlie rolled her eyes again. “What did Prince Charming do this time?”

“Well you know how he’s friends with Meg?” Dean asked her. “Well she was talking about how much of a shame it was that I quit baseball. Since our team had been doing so well. And he said I wasn’t even that good of a player.”

Charlie laughed at that. “Dean, you know you’re a good player, and besides, didn’t you hate baseball anyway? Not to mention how you’re on the football team now, so what gives? Plus, why does his opinion matter so much?”

“It doesn’t.” Dean huffed. “And you better thank me. I got your stupid occult group approved because of that. The principal practically strong armed me into agreeing to be on the team in exchange for that.” 

“And we’re all thankful for your sacrifices.” Charlie rolled her eyes again. 

He was glad they had the get together this year at Benny’s house. The annual “party” they had in the week after school started was a highlight he was glad to have. It was a tradition with Charlie they had started and now Benny was invited in. He was also in the mood to be able to hang out without being bombarded by adults. He liked Rowena, but sometimes she was a bit much. 

He turned to Charlie. “Are you ready to go? I have the movie queued up.”

“I think it was a mistake to let you pick.” Charlie said, laughing. “Since I already know what you’re going to choose.” 

“And what is that?” Benny asked. 

“Knowing Dean, probably some type of western.” Charlie said, rolling her eyes. 

“I will neither confirm nor deny.” Dean said, subtly scooting Tombstone out and putting Indiana Jones in. “Now come on, let’s go. Movie’s starting.”

They sat down, and Charlie grins at him. He steals himself because he knows what’s she’s about to ask is going to be embarrassing. 

“So,” She begins, grinning. “How is your crush doing?”

“He isn’t my crush.” Dean scoffed. 

“The fact that you know who I was talking about says otherwise.” Charlie said, grinning. 

“He’s creepy and weird.” Dean says, rolling his eyes. “I do not have a crush on Castiel Novak.”

Behind him, Charlie and Benny laughed.

The bell rang for class, and Dean headed to his English class, his least favorite class. All aside from one person. Castiel Novak. That guy grated on his nerves like no other. 

So, of course, it was just his luck that they got paired up together for a project. his snapped up when the teacher called their names.

“Castiel and Dean…”

Dean groaned quietly. 

Just great, Dean thought to himself.

He turned around to see Castiel standing there, awkwardly as he usually did. He was holding a notebook pressed against his chest, looking down at Dean before looking away again.

Dean glared at him. “Well, I guess we’re stuck with each other. You better not be dead weight.”

Castiel scoffed, putting his notebook down. “If anything, I should be worried about you.”

Dean glared at him. “Whatever.” He looks at the paper. “Do you want to go to my house or am I going to yours?”

“We can meet at yours.” Castiel says, looking uncomfortable. 

Dean figured he probably didn’t have a house he would want to show people. 

“Great.” Dean muttered. “Meet me by the buses after practice.”

“The school ones?”

“No.” Dean said, shaking his head. “They’ll be gone. The public ones. I hope you have a bus card. Or two dollars.”

“Are your parents not going to pick you up?” Castiel asked. 

It was an innocuous question, but it was one that left Dean in a bad mood. 

“No.” Dean said, slamming his book closed. 

The bell rang, and he got up to leave the class. He wasn’t looking forward to tonight, that was for sure. He scowled as he walked to class. 

“What’s got you so grumpy?” Charlie asked, as they sat down for their math lesson. 

“Castiel and I were paired for a group project.” Dean said. “And we have to meet at my house.” 

“Yikes.” Charlie said. “Sounds like your worst nightmare. Or biggest dream come true.”

“You’re hilarious.” Dean said, rolling his eyes. “I can hardly contain my laughter.”

“Bradbury, Winchester, eyes front! Don’t make me implement a seating chart.” 

Dean sighed. 

This is going to end terribly, he thought to himself. 

If only he knew how wrong he was.

A few hours later, they were at his house. Dean sighed as he opened the door, hoping no one was there. Sam had something today, so he knew the chance would be good the house was empty.

There was no one here. 

Something Dean figured he should be happy about. Castiel walked around, looking at all the pictures. There were many of Sam, but almost none of him. When he was younger, he was upset about that fact, now he found he didn’t care much. He had more than enough pictures at Charlie’s house with her and Benny.

“Want a drink?” Dean asked him. “We mostly only have Diet Coke. That’s Sam’s favorite.”

A look if confusion struck across Cas’s face. “What’s your favorite?”

“I’m more of a Pepsi guy myself. Though if I had to choose, it’s Dr Pepper.”

Cas nods. 

With the awkward silence amplifying, Dean sighs and asks him, “What’s yours?”

“I don’t really drink soda. Gabriel, my uncle, drinks a ton though. I think it’s amazing he hasn’t gotten cavities yet with all the sugar he consumes.”

“He must have good genetics.” Dean says, laughing. 

At that, Cas nods hesitantly. “Genetics, right.”

Dean files that weird reaction for later. “Okay. Let’s go over the project. We have a presentation and a paper to write.”

“I assume you want to do the presentation?” Cas says, taking the paper.

“No?” Dean gives him an annoyed look. “I may be a jock, but I’m not a dumb one. I was going to say we can split the paper and do the slides we wrote about. That way we both do the same amount of work.”

At least Castiel has the decency to be embarrassed, Dean thinks, as Cas looks at him quietly.

“I see.” 

“Let’s get started.” Dean mutters. 

He couldn’t wait for this project to be over. 

Dean sat down with Castiel at the mall. he figured it was even ground to get to know each other. They had to at least tolerate each other for the project to actually work. The last thing he wanted was to be stuck doing all the work and half the credit. 

He supposed Castiel felt the same way.

“So,” Dean said awkwardly. “Tell me about yourself.”

He already knew it all, but it didn’t hurt to have an icebreaker.

Castiel sighed, and looked up from his burger. The sounds he had been making were not something Dean wanted to hear, so he was glad for this change in pace.

“I live with my uncle.” Castiel said, picking up a fry and eating it. “I don’t remember my mother at all, and have vague memories of my father. The only family I have is my uncle, everyone else is far away. Too far to contact.” 

It was sad, in a way. To have so little family. 

At least it seems as though his uncle cares about him, Dean thinks. Can’t say the same for my family.  

“Nice.” Dean says. “Is he cool? He sounds like it.”

Castiel pulled up a wry smile. “He is very…eccentric. He has a massive sweet tooth, and I often wonder how he has no cavities. But he is there for me when I need it, and that’s more than I can ask for, I suppose.”

Dean nods. He wonders idly what it’s like to have such a supportive family. One you can count on to help you up when you’re feeling down, to be there when you need them. To not constantly feel as though you were the spare kid until the one they really wanted came along.

“What about you?” Castiel says, shocking Dean out of his thoughts. 

“Oh,” Dean says. “Nothing special. Just my mom, dad, and brother. Like you saw at my house.”

“Were you adopted?” Castiel asks him, tilting his head inquisitively. 

The shocks a laugh out of Dean. “Do I look adopted?”

“No,” Castiel says, shaking his head. “But there was a concerning lack of photos of you around your house. I just wondered if it was because they adopted you later in life.”

“Nope.” Dean said, popping the ‘p’. “They are my biological parents.” 

Though, they certainly don’t act like it, Dean thinks bitterly. He tries to stuff the old hurt and blame down, but sometimes it rises back up before he can. 

“I see.” Castiel says. “Perhaps we should head back, the project won’t be done with us just lollygagging.”

“Yeah, probably a good idea.” Dean says, ready to change the subject form his family. “Let’s head back. The house should be empty again, so no interruptions.”

“Actually, Gabriel is gone for a few days, and won’t be back until tomorrow. How about we go to my house? There we can be sure of no interruptions.”

It beat staying in an empty house, so Dean nodded.

“Great,” he said, clapping his hands. “Let’s go then. Time waits for no one.”

Dean stared at his father in disbelief. It had been a few weeks since the semester had started, and today was a day he had a presentation due. 

“I can’t just leave school.” Dean said, that morning. “I have-”

“Nothing is more important than this hunt.” John said. “I got word that the thing that attacked your mother will be there.”

“I promised I’d be there.” Dean utters helplessly. He was glad the office staff couldn’t hear him as they had walked out.

“Too late.” John said. “I already called you out. So get in the car, we don’t have a moment to lose.”

Defeated, he got into the car. 

As they drove along, he hoped that Cas didn’t hate him too much. 

He had grown fond of him and his weird dorky little ways. He looked at the landscape passing the window, and sighed. 

He sat there, not moping thank you Charlie, until John pulled up to another low rate motel. It was run down and dirty. As they got out of the car, Dean supposed it could be worse.

They could be living out of them.

Thankfully, that was not the case here. Dean turned to see Bobby there. He felt a smile grow on his face. He liked Bobby, the grizzled hunter was like the father he wished John was. 

“Hi Bobby.” Dean said, bringing the stuff from the car in. “Dad rope you in to this too?”

“Someone needs to keep an eye on you, and that sure as hell isn’t going to be John.” Bobby remarked, rolling his eyes. “Glad to see you, Dean.”

“I don’t need to be babysat.” Dean said, rolling his eyes. “I’m 14.”

“That’s what I’m concerned about.” Bobby muttered. Dean pretended he didn’t hear him. If it was up to him, he’d be at the school doing his presentation.

Bobby cleared his throat. “So, what are dealing with?”

“Dad says it had to do with the thing that hurt mom.” Dean said, pointing to the map on the table. “Electric storms, cattle mutilation, the works.”

“He still has no idea what that thing is and he brought you?” Bobby said, looking at the information in the table. 

Dean shrugs. “He’s got a few ideas. But you know him, if there’s a chance he can kill it, he’s going to take it.”

“Classic John Winchester.” Bobby said.

“Alright, let’s head out.” John says, staring at them. “Well, let’s go. We don’t have all day.”

They head out to the area, looking at the area and finding nothing but a rougher bunch of vamps. After dispatching them, John scowls, grabbing the last one. 

“What-” Dean began, before he was hushed by his father. 

He saw the one his father had subdued tied to the chair. As the vampire awoken, he took in all the carnage and growled. 

He saw his father pull out a syringe. “Now, I have a few questions. And you’re going to answer them.”

The syringe was full of blood. Dead man’s blood to be exact. Something Dean knew was fatal to vampires. His eyes widened when he realized his dad was going to torture the vampire. 

“And if I don’t?” The vampire sneered. “You’re just going to kill me anyway.”

“I will.” John says, nodding. “It just depends on how fast you want it to be.”

The vampire said nothing, so John injected a bit of the syringe into him. The vampire groaned, like he was in physical pain. 

“Are you going to answer my questions now?” John asked. “I have all night.”

“Never.”

John plunged the syringe again, causing the vampire to groan again.

As so began the longest night of Dean’s life. 

“So much for not being a dumb jock.” Castiel said to him, the day he got back. “I guess it was too much to think you were telling the truth.”

“I’m sorry.” Dean said, involuntarily wincing. “I was sick.”

“The day we had the presentation?” Castiel says, raising an eyebrow.

“I can’t help when I get sick.” Dean says, rolling his eyes. “Trust me, if I could have stayed here, I would have. I didn’t have a choice.”

“Right.” Castiel said, skeptically. 

Dean didn’t know how to explain the situation in a way that didn’t sound like lying. It’s not as though he could have told the truth. That his father might have found the monster that hurt his wife, and needed Dean’s help to figure out what it was. 

No, better to have Castiel think he just skipped for no reason.

“Since you did the presentation itself you didn’t suffer too many points. Only lost a few because you weren’t physically there.” Castiel said, shrugging. “So I suppose I can’t be too upset with you.”

“Right.” Dean said, nodding. “So we’re good then?”

“I suppose.” Castiel said. “Perhaps, in the future, we can even be friends.” 

Dean saw the slight smirk on Casteils face. “Well if we’re going to be friends, I have to give you a nickname. So I’m going to call you Cas.”

Cas looked taken aback. Dean guessed he’s never had a nickname before. “I’m fine with that. It certainly beats what my uncle calls me.” Cas’s face shrunk up in disgust. 

It was kind of cute, in a way. 

Dean stopped for a moment, mentally rewinding what he just thought. Cas isn’t cute, he never was. And Dean had no idea why he thought that. 

He smiled at Cas and excused himself to Cas, and walked or Charlie. 

He slumped and out his head in the desk, covering his face. He knew if she saw the bright red of his cheeks, she would ask questions. Of course, he didn’t get off that easy, and she poked his side until he looked up at her. 

“What’s got you redder than a tomato?”

Dean shook his head. “Just dumb thoughts.”

“Oh, you finally realized your crush on Castiel?” She said, eyes twinkling mischievously. He knew that was her usual tease, but this time it struck home. Her eyes widened and she grinned. 

“I don’t have a crush on Cas.” Dean protested weakly.

“Sure you don’t, lover boy.” She said, rolling her eyes. “You only talk about him all the time, find him weirdly adorkable, and blush when you think about him. Definitely no crush here.”

“I never told you about the dorkiness being endearing.” Dean said to her. As she laughed, he realized his mistake. 

“Right.”

Dean put his head in his hands. He was so screwed. He couldn’t deny it any longer. 

This is just great, Dean thinks morosely. Just what I needed.  

He had a crush on Castiel Novak, and it wasn’t going away any time soon. 

Chapter Text

“Dean,” Charlie said, giving him a look. “Are you going to stare at him all day or are you going to invite him to sit with us?”

“I’m not staring at him.” Was his immediate response. 

Charlie gave him a look that said she didn’t believe him. “Right.” Instead of disagreeing with him, she got up. 

Dean looked to her and hissed, “Charlie!” But she didn’t listen and headed over to Cas’s table. Dean groaned out his head on the table.

“There there.” Benny said, placating. “I’m sure it’ll be fine.”

Dean just groaned louder. A few turned to look at him but he didn’t care. Charlie was embarrassing him. 

“Are you okay?” A new voice said. “You look quite pathetic.”

“Wow,” Dean said, looking up and rolling his eyes. “Wait to kick a man when he’s down Cas.” 

Cas’s eyes glinted with a bit of mischief when he said, “It’s a special talent of mine.” 

Dean laughed. “I’m sure. Come on, sit down.”

He ignored the warmth in his chest and flutter in his heart when Cas sat down next to him. He smiled at Cas, who smiled back, and for a moment they locked eyes.

As always, Charlie had to ruin it. “So, Cas, huh? When did you start calling him that, Dean?”

“It’s just a nickname.” Dean said, rolling his eyes at her antics. “Like how I call you Red.”

“Yeah, but when is the last time you did?” She said, grinning. “Right Benny?” 

Benny nodded. “Sure.”

Charlie scoffed and waved her hand. “You’re no help.”

“I try.” Benny said, going back to his book. “Now leave me alone, I’m reading about witches.”

Dean froze for a second, before turning to Charlie who nodded. They would have to do damage control, if needed. But luckily, it seemed as though Cas didn’t catch onto the truw meaning of his words.

“Oh,” Cas says, eyebrows raised. “Is it a grimoire?”

That had Dean suspicious. Does he know?

Benny laughed, but there was a bit of uneasiness to it. “Oh no, just a historical documentation on the Salem Witch Trials. Pretty boring stuff.”

Cas nodded, and Dean took the chance to ask Cas a question to divert the attention. “So, how was Gabriel’s trip? You said it went well?”

“It did.” Cas said, rolling his eyes again. “If by “went well” you mean he drowned himself in sweets and other things.”

Dean nosed and laughed. “Where did he even go?” 

At this, Cas’s face scrunched up in displeasure. “Vegas.” 

“Ah.”

“How long do you think they’ll talk before remembering we’re here?” Charlie whispered to Benny. 

“Knowing both of them?” Benny said, thinking. “Probably a while.”

Charlie giggled and Dean shot her a look. He did not appreciate being made fun of. As he went to tell her exactly that, the bell rang off and they all split their separate ways.As Cas packed up and walked away, Dean couldn’t help but feel something he hadn’t felt before, as they drifted apart.

He really needed to get Cas’s number. 

Dean was an odd person.

That’s the first thing Castiel knew when he first saw Dean. For a half a year now, before they had even gotten to meet due to the project, he had been fascinated with the human that would one day be the “Righteous Man”. He wasn’t sure if it would even come to being, but he did think it was certainly possible. Dean was fiercely protective of his friends and people he loved, loyal and willing to help out people in trouble, and charming in his own way. 

He could see why so many girls of the school had crushes on him or giggled when he walked by. So it was a shame that when he finally met Dean he didn’t like him. 

He remembered that meeting, and currently had not thought Dean would be up to performing the tasks at hand. Gabriel had teased him many times about his “crush” on Dean, but he didn’t believe it to be true. 

“So,” Gabriel said, one day, grinning over his ice cream. “How’s that crush on that Dean kid going? Make any progress yet?”

“Don’t make me throw you in a wormhole Gabriel.” He said, scoffing. “I’ll do it.”

“You wouldn’t.” Gabriel said, grinning smugly. “You like me too much.”

“Only because we’re in public and I don’t need any hunters getting on my tail.” Castiel grumbled. “It’s bad enough we live so close to the Winchesters and Campbells.”

Gabriel rolled his eyes. “We could have lived anywhere but you decided to choose Lawrence as our next stop. So don’t blame me.” 

“Can you blame me?” Castiel said. “I wanted to see what the Righteous Man would become. Who he is. I’m destined to be part of his journey, so I want to know who he is.”

Gabriel laughs. “You’ve had an “interest” in him ever since you heard about him. I never should have left you alone with your father.” 

“I learned a great many things from my father.” Castiel says, shaking his head. A smirk appears on his face. “Making you be quiet is one of them.”

“Yeah,” Gabriel agrees. “But you wouldn’t use them on your favorite uncle would you?”

“Not presently, no.” 

Castiel looks down at his ice cream and sighs. They’ll have to move soon. Probably next year, if any indications of the others movement is to be correct. It’s a bittersweet moment. He liked being here with everyone. Meeting Dean and his friends was a great experience. Dean had this charm, this way of making you feel like you belong, even when you barely know him. It would be a pity to loose it, but they had no choice. They were almost caught last time and staying so close to a man that was monitored by their brothers and sisters was a recipe for disaster. 

They were lucky that as of now, Dean was of no use to them so they wouldn’t keep an eye on him. Ever since the accident that had befallen the Winchester home, there has been a move to no longer keep an eye on Dean or his brother. He was certain the demon blood had a small effect on how Sam Winchester had acted, but a majority of it came from how he was raised. Castiel had never cared for Sam, and from what he had seen, he was right not to.

“What’s for you thinking so hard?” Gabriel asks. “I can see the dream coming out of your ears.”

“Just thinking about when we’ll have to move.” 

At this, Gabriel’s eyes had softened a bit. “You know, it’s not all bad. We can stay, if you really want.”

“You know it’s not safe.” Cas said, shaking his head. “I mean we’ve gotten lucky that they haven’t found us. Staying so close to him…it’s a recipe for disaster.”

“It’s okay to be human, you know.” Gabriel said. “You can be upset about these things. You can want things.” 

“No.” Castiel says, looking away from his uncle. “I can’t.”

It was quiet for a moment, before Gabriel peeked up and something about his grin set Castiel on edge. “Dean! Over here!” 

Castiel looked over to where Gabriel was pointing and waving, and to his dread and horror, saw Dean was actually there. He pulled Gabriel’s hand down and hissed, “What are you doing?!”

“Bringing your crush over here. If I have to hear you quietly pine anymore I might actually go insane.” 

“Gabriel!”

“Hey Cas.” Dean says, walking over. “How are you?” He turns to Gabriel, his face displaying an unreadable emotion. “Who is this?”

“My uncle.” Castiel says, shrugging. “Gabriel, this was quite inappropriate. He was clearly here with his friends. We shouldn’t pull him away.”

“Oh no.” Dean says, shaking his head. “My parents dragged me here. I’ve been trying to escape for the last twenty minutes. My mom decided she wanted a “family bonding” night, so we were going to go shopping and heading to the movies. Ugh.”

“You don’t like hanging out with your family?” Gabriel asked him. 

“Nope.” Dean said, shaking his head. “Besides they won’t even notice I’m gone, since they’re shopping for Sam right now.”

“Is Sam…” Gabriel trailed off, like he didn’t know who Sam was.

“My younger brother.”

The boy with the demon blood, how interesting, Gabriel said to him, using their shared connection. He can feel a pulse of grace accompanying the thought.

Stop acting like this is new information, Cas replies back. You know this. 

“Interesting.” Gabriel says, instead. “How long have you known my baby brother?”

“I thought you were his uncle?”

“He is.” Castiel says, annoyed. “He just likes to call me that since we’re so close.”

“Despite Cassie wanting me to not call him that.” Gabriel grins. 

Castiel scowls. “Don’t call me that either.”

“You’re no fun.” 

Dean laughs. The sun really brings out the beauty he has, and Castiel forces himself not to acknowledge that fact and pay attention to the conversation.

“So you’re the famous Dean I’ve heard about, then.” 

“I was wondering how you knew my name.” 

“Cas talks about you a lot. If I didn’t know any better. I would think he had a crush on you”

He can feel the blush that spread across his face. “Gabriel.” 

Gabriel rolled his eyes as Dean laughed. “I don’t think so. I’m so not in Cas’s league.”

The “That’s not true.” burst out of him before he could say anything. “If anything, I’m out of your league.”

Dean laughs, and before he can say anything further his phone rings. He answers it with short clipped sentences, all the warmth and humor gone from his tone. He sighs and clips the phone shut. “I have to go. Nice seeing you Cas. Nice meeting you Gabriel.”

As they left Gabriel turns to him. “Hey, at least he didn’t say he didn’t like you.” 

Castiel scowled at him. “That worm hole idea is looking real tempting right now.”

Gabriel rolled his eyes once more. “Yeah yeah. You’re a big and powerful nephilim. Now eat your ice cream.”  

Now it was Castiel's turn to roll his eyes. “Yes dad.” 

Cas talked about him a lot. 

Cas talked about him enough that his uncle knew him by name. 

Cas thought he was out of his league. 

The thoughts swirled in his head as he laid down, looking at Charlie through his slightly blurry vision. The last hunt had given him a concussion and he was now laying on Benny’s couch. Better than being at home with the sounds everyone was making. Here it was nice and quiet. 

“I think he likes me.” He said, looking at her. 

“Wow.” Charlie said, laughing. “Took you long enough.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Dean said, defending himself. 

“Neither od you are subtle brother.” Benny said, laughing. “You two may as well be making heart eyes behind the other's back.” 

“That’s not true!” Dean says, trying to get up. 

Charlie rushed over to him, pushing her hands on his shoulder to keep him down. “Stay down dude! You’ve got a concussion!”

“Fine.” Dean said, annoyed. “Why can’t you magically fix me again?”

“Because I don’t specialize in healing magic, you know that.” Charlie says, annoyed with him. It was not the first time he had asked her this, so he understood her annoyance with the question. Dean groans and rolls on to his back. “It’s time for your meds.” Charlie said, shaking the pill container. “You have to take them.” 

“Noooo.” Dean says, groaning. “They make me groggy.”

“They’ll help you.” Benny said, now rolling his eyes. “Do I need to hold you down again so Charlie can make you take them, or are we going the civilized route?”

Dean glared at both of them as best as he could. “Fine.”

He held out his hands and Charlie handed him the glass of water. He took the two pills and drank the accompanying water. He turned to Charlie again, and frowned. “You think he likes me? For real?”

“Yeah,” Charlie said, not looking amused. “I do.”

“But does he like me like me?” Dean asks them. “Ugh, I feel like a teenage girl asking that.”

“Yes Dean.” Charlie said, rolling her eyes again. “I do.”

“Fine.” Dean says. “Do you think I should ask him out?”

“Yeah.” Charlie agrees. “Please, put me out of my misery.”

Benny laughs at her apparent misery. “You’re just saying that because you want to win the pot.”

Dean scowled at both of them. “You’re betting on this?”

“Yeah.” They both said. 

“You two are terrible friends.” Dean said to them, vision getting darker. He could feel the medication taking effect on him, making him sleepy. 

The last thing he heard before he completely feel asleep was, “How much of this do you think he’ll remember?”

Dean groaned as he woke up. He had finally recovered from his concussion, and had unfortunately remembered the whole conversation he had with Benny and Charlie. Charlie had told him he needed to ask Cas out, or she would do it for him. That was not something he partially wanted, so that’s how he found himself on Cas’s doorstep that morning.

The door opened to Gabriel, Cas’s uncle. “Dean, what a surprise. Come on in.”

Dean walked into the house, following Gabriel behind. It was a nice house. It seemed warm and inviting, but something about it all was just the tiniest bit off. The hunter instinct that kept him alive on hunts most times flared to life, and it made him immediately suspicious. It was like a different type of energy was present here. If didn’t feel wrong or evil, just…off. Dean scanned for any signs of the supernatural that he knew. but came up empty. It seemed like every other normal house. 

With his senses going haywire, he didn’t hear Cas come up behind him. So when he heard a voice say, “Dean, hi.” It was instinct to turn around with his knife in his hand. Thankfully, he didn’t think Cas saw him, so he slipped it back into the sheath stealthily. 

“Cas,” Dean says awkwardly, “Hi.”

“What brings you here?” 

Now, Dean was nervous. He wasn’t sure he would be able to do this. He wasn’t the guy people asked out, and he never had a girl he wanted to ask out. Sure he was attractive, but all the girls thought he was odd, or too tough to date.

This suited him fine, he wanted to stay away from people anyway.

“I,” Dean says, unsure where to start. “Um, let’s go to the living room.” 

Confused, Cas nods slowly. “Okay…”

They walk to the living room, and Dean sighs, rubbing his shoulders. He don’t know where the smooth talking flirt he usually was with girls on cases went. It’s like everything went out the window. He supposed it was because he actually liked Cas, and it was going to affect his life for real if they became an official couple. He couldn’t just blow town after. 

“I have something to tell you.” Dean said, sighing. “It’s kinda important. But uh, I understand if this changes stuff and you don’t want to hang out anymore.”

“Dean,” Cas says softly, like he’s afraid of spooking Dean, “Whatever it is, you can tell me.”

“Okay, well, here it goes.” Dean says, mustering up the courage. Cas smiled at him as they connected looking at each other. He leaned in closer to Cas, smiling. It was quiet, and so he said softly as to not break the atmosphere they had created, “Cas, I-”

“Well, the good news is that they’re gone for now. Seriously Cassie, that was a close one. You’re going to have to be more careful if you don’t want to be found.” A new voice said.

Dean looks at the man who seemed to have appeared out of thin air. He had a low cut shirt and tight pants, adorned with a nice leather jacket Dean wanted to steal. His brain connected and he realized this man hadn’t been there before. He really did appear out nowhere. Instinctively, Dean jumped up out of his seat, dagger raised at him. 

“Who are you?” Dean said, glaring at him. “And how did you get in here?”

“I think the better question is who are you?” The man asks. “Cassie, just letting anyone in now without warning me are you?”

“This is Dean.” Cas says, rolling his eyes. “And I didn’t know he was here until a few minutes ago either, how could I have warned you?”

A slow smile spread across the man’s face. “The Dean Winchester? Oh my, what a treat.”

“Who are you?” Dean asked the man. “What are you?”

The man raised an eyebrow. “You haven’t told him? I thought as a hunter, he would already know about us.”

Alarm bells went off in Dean’s mind. The fact that this man knew what he was was not boding well for him. “What are you talking about?” His defensive stance didn’t go away. He was on edge, waiting for them to attack hm. He should have known Cas was luring him, trying to get him to trust him before he stabs him in the back.

Cas sighs, and the man laughs. “Dean, this is Balthazar. He’s my…cousin? I don’t know what we would call our familial relationship. He’s family.”

“And how did he appear in thin air?” Dean hissed at him. “Humans don’t just do that! And don’t think I didn’t hear him say “us”. What, did you trick me too? Well I have news for you, I won’t go down quietly.” He was prepared to fight, and he wanted them to know.

Cas, no Castiel’s, face looked pained. “Dean, please. I’m not going to hurt you. No one is.”

Turning to the man, Castiel said something to him in a language Dean had never heard. They were arguing, and that’s when Dean snuck out to his car. He had to leave now while they were distracted. 

He pulled up to the house, still jittery. His phone had one line text message on it, from Charlie, asking how it went. He didn’t message her back. Instead, he went to his room, thankfully not having to deal with anyone from his family since they were all out. He started at the ceiling for a while, until his phone chimed with a text message. He don’t want to open it, but he eventually did. 

It was from Cas. It just said, Can we talk?

He really didn’t want to, but he needed answers. If Cas wasn’t human, it was his job to take him out for the good of the community. Why knows what Cas had done while Dean was living blissfully unaware of the tragedies that had been stuck. 

He texted back, Fine.  

A moment later, the sound of riddling winds filled the room, and Dean looked up, almost dropping his phone. There in front of his bed, was Cas. Dean blinked for a moment, and said, “Cas…is that really you?”

“It is.” Cas said, nodding. “I came to explain what you saw. Or offer to delete your memories. You’ll have no memories of this conversation or what you saw ever happening.”

“And if I choose that?” Dean asks.

“You won’t remember me at all.” Cas says quietly. “It’ll be like I never existed.”

Dean sat with that for a moment. Sure, he wished he could be blissfully ignorant, but it came at a high price. He wasn’t sure he could let go of all his memories of Cas. 

He sighed and said, “And the other option?”

“I’ll tell you everything you want to know.”

Dean thought for a while, and came to the conclusion. Cas being whatever he was didn’t change the feelings he had for him. Ones that had been bubbling under the surface for a long time. Ones he's ignored, but not for any longer. 

“Fine.” Dean said, with his arms still crossed. “Tell me. But I want to know everything.”

“My uncle and I, we’re in hiding.” Cas said, shifting awkwardly. “We move around pretty often, to make sure they havent found us.”

“Kinda like The Bourne Identity, huh?” Dean said, shaking his head amused.

“Like what?” Cas asked him.

“Dude, please tell me you’ve seen that movie.” 

“I'm afraid I haven't. I dont really watch movies much.”

“Well if you’re sticking around, then you’re gonna learn.” Dean said to him. “I'm very serious about my movies nights.” 

“You want me to stay?” 

Dean looks to Cas, who looked shell shocked. “Of course I do man. But I do have one question.”

“Ask me anything Dean, I’ll happily tell you what you want to know..”

“So the on the run stuff explains a bit, but why? What are you guys, in witness protection? Mafia turned wrong? What?”

At this, Cas looked a bit more apprehensive. “You won’t believe it.”

Dean laughed and rolled his eyes. “I’m a hunter, try me.”

Cas sighed, shaking his head. “My father is an angel. I am born of a human mother. So, I am what is referred to as a “nephilim.” We had to leave because of what I am. I am going to be very powerful, even more so than I already am. The others are scared of that, and some want to use me for their own benefit. Gabriel took me away when I was very young, and now we hide from those who do me harm until I am old enough to take care of myself.”

Dean blinked at him. “A half angel? Seriously. I mean, I knew you weren’t human, but what you're saying is quite a stretch.” 

“I told you you wouldn’t believe me.” Cas siad, clearly irritated. “But fine, I will show you so that you can trust what I’m saying is true.”

“Wait, if you have a mom, then where is she?” Dean asks him. “Can’t you just live with her?”

Cas turned away, looking somber. “A nephilim birth is fatal to the mother, always. She didn’t make it. Gabriel was in charge of her well-being while she was pregnant, and was to take me to my father upon my birth.”

Dean looked at Cas’s saddened face, and gave him a hug. Despite what he thinks about the truthfulness of Cas’s claim of his heritage, Dean couldn't stand to see Cas that distraught. “It’s not your fault. I’m sure she knew the risks.”

“She did.” Cas says. “I have a old camcorder filled with messages from her to me. It’s quite nice.” 

“See,” Dean said. “She loved you anyway. But seriously. A half angel?”

“Watch. I’ll only do this once.” Cas says. A few moments later, with the room darkening, Dean could see the outlines of wings projected on the back wall. Cas seemed to be glowing with a blue light, his eyes an ethereal blue. A few seconds later, the glow retreated and he looked like an average everyday teenage boy. 

“Wow.” Dean said. “I guess you’re telling the truth.” 

“I believe so.” Cas said. 

They sat in silence for a bit, while Dean sat and digested this new information. 

It had been about half an hour before Cas spoke again. “What was it that you were going to tell me, before we were interrupted.”

“It’s nothing,” Dean muttered. Even when he thought Cas was a human, he felt like he was out of Dean’s league. Now with all the new information, he knew for sure that was the case. 

There was no way he could ever be worthy of someone like Cas now. 

“You were going to ask me something.” Cas said quietly. “I think I would like to know what it was.”

“It was nothing.” Dean said, staring firmly at Cas. “Forget out it.”

“Dean.” Cas said, just as firmly. 

“Cas.” Dean responded back. “Don’t do this.”

“Fine.” Cas said. Dean considered the topic dropped. But then Cas squared his shoulders and looked at Dean. “I’ll ask.”

“What?”

“I like you. A lot.” Cas said, unaware that this sentence practically made Dean’s thought process stop working. “And I would like it, now that you now everything, and I’m staying, if we were to become a couple.”

“A couple of friends?”

“A couple as in a romantic pairing.” 

“Oh.”

Dean didn’t say anything, he couldn’t. All he could do was gape his mouth open like a fish. “Um, I, uh…”

“If that is not what you want, we can simply be friends.” Cas said, taking his silence for an answer. “I like your company either way.”

“No, no.” Dean said. “We can date, I just…since when did you like me? I thought you tolerated me, at best.”

“For a while now.” Cas said. “Getting to truly know you has been one of life’s greatest treasures.”

“Right…” Dean said, trailing off. “So, thats it then? We’re together?”

“I suppose so.” 

“Great.” Dean said, grinning. While not everything was solved, and they still had much to talk about, it was a step in the right direction. Something told him they would be together for a long time, and he had nothing to worry about. 

A thought came over him, making him shiver in what felt like fear. 

“Oh man.” Dean said, turning to Cas with eyes wide. “We have a problem.”

“And that would be…?”

Dean groaned out loud. This would, by far, be the most difficult part for how insufferable she’ll be.

“I have to tell Charlie.”

Chapter Text

“Wow,” Charlie said, holding a picture. “These are from high school, can you believe that?”

”Oh man.” Dean said, grabbing a picture from her. “What was I thinking? That ginormous jacket was not doing me any favors.”

”I thought it was cute.” Cas said to him, grinning. “It gave you a certain amount of charm.”

”Yeah, well you’re biased.” Charlie said, rolling her eyes. “You’re married; of course you’re on his side.”

“I think it’s more impressive that’s he’s on my side.” Dean said, shaking his head. “He likes to be contrary. And weren’t not married, we’re engaged. There’s a difference.”

Cas shrugs. “Sometimes you’re wrong.”

”Okay,” Charlie said, pulling the picture back from him, “That’s enough flirting. Let’s see what else we have.”

”Actually, I came over here to talk to Dean. The wedding cake tasting? That’s today.”

“That’s today??” Dean asked him. “Oh man, right. I’ve been waiting for this.”

”I know you have.” Cas said, shaking his head, amused. “We can look at memory lane later.”

”You’re right.” Dean said, nodding. “Let’s get going then. Charlie, we can talk about the company later. I think it’s gonna be a great idea.” 

Charlie gave him finger guns, and went back to rifling through the boxes. “Got it, boss.” 

“Well, then, shall we?” Dean said. “We got cake to taste. Not as good as pie, but-”

Cas laughed and shook his head. “Of course, Dean. Shall we go then? I’m eager to taste some cakes.”

As they disappeared, a single photo dropped to the floor, the one Dean had been holding before Charlie had taken it back. 

Charlie scoffed, shaking her head. “It’s like they’re trying to irritate me.”