c00kie | Romeo and Juliet (Had Nothin' On Us, Babe.) Arc Three

The day before her sixteenth birthday, Cas cuts her hair off in an act of rage brought on by Pamela sticking a piece of gum in it without her knowing. For the rest of the day the other students keep staring, laughing and pointing and no one, not even Dean, will tell her why. So the moment she gets home and Raphael inquires as to why she has gum in her hair, she runs up the stairs to the bathroom and starts cutting before she can stop herself. It’s just too much.

She messes up though and cuts it too short, so instead of ending up just above shoulders like she intended, it comes to the place where her neck and shoulders meet. At least, it would in theory. Instead it goes up and out and even curlier than before.

“It’s defiant, just like you,” Michael says, standing in the doorway.

Cas closes her eyes, urging the tears welling up to go away. The last thing she wants to do is cry in front of her older brother. “I’m not defiant.”

He gently chuckles, reaching out to pull her into his chest, “You, Angel, are the most defiant person I know.” He kisses the top of her head. He doesn’t tell her to clean up the mess, because he doesn’t need to. She sweeps up the pile of hair on her own.

Missouri doesn't’ say anything about Castiel’s hair, but she makes Cas’ cheeseburgers, Cas’ favorite, for dinner and tells her that whenever she wants to talk, she’s there.

The next day her science teacher, Mrs. McNamara, smiles at her and says she looks pretty. Cas frowns at this, because other than her haircut, she hasn’t done anything different. She’s not wearing any make up and her clothes are nothing special, just a pair of second hand jeans and one of Dean’s old tee shirts that no longer fits him.

Pamela calls her Medusa and Meg hits on her during chemistry but neither of these things are new. Beckett Rosen hugs her and gushes about how cute she looks and Chuck gives her a shy smile. At lunch Dean talks to Chuck about their comic book and draws crude sketches on his napkin of her as a bad ass angel (his and Chuck’s words,) with her new hair.

Even as a sketch, it still looks like her. Or at least, what she imagines she would look like if she was an angel on a mission from God to help a hunter and his brother save the world. Cas doesn’t know if she’ll ever stop being in awe of Dean’s talent.

“I’m coming home with you after school,” Dean tells her, poking at her shoulder.

“Oh,” Cas replies, taking a bite of tomato, “I have practice.”

“Cool, it all works out then. I should probably put in my weekly appearance at the Gazette anyway,” Dean snags a piece of pepperoni out of Cas’ salad.

“Great, I’ll be sure to put up the streamers,” Victor jokes, rolling his eyes. "Speaking of,
Happy Birthday," he throws a card at her.

"It's not Superman is it?" Castiel asks, hesitantly opening it.

"Man, I'm never going to be forgiven for that am I? Dean broke your arm and you forgave him!"

"I didn't break her arm!" Dean snaps. Castiel rolls her eyes and opens the card and laughs.

It's pink, for one thing, with glitter and a unicorn coming out of a cake. On the inside it reads, To my sandwich buddy, happy B'day. Stay golden.

"Stay golden?" Dean reads over her shoulder. "You know your life isn't ’The Outsiders,’ Right?"

"Whatever, Sodapop." Victor smacks his lips together, enunciating the last P.

Dean rolls his eyes. "Whatever, Darry."

"Does this make me Ponyboy?" Chuck asks.

"Nah, Sam's Ponyboy, you're Johnny Cade," Victor retorts, earning a French fry thrown at his person.

"Awesome," Chuck sighs. "Make me the murderer," he shakes his head and looks at Dean. "It’s good you’re coming, we need your story today.”

Dean blinks. “What story?” At Chuck’s frown, he gives a flippant shrug, “Whatever, I’ll write it in Study Hall.” Cas sighs, wishing he wasn’t so indifferent about school. He excels in his English and Mechanical Arts classes, but everything else he coasts by with Cs.

“Do you care about anything, Dean?” Cas asks as they walk together to her next class.

“I care about you,” he tells her sincerely, moving a strand of her hair, “Kick ass at practice.”

Michael likes to tell Cas their mother used to say that to be a Paradis is to have two religions, Catholicism and Baseball. Cas might be the only one who still regularly attends Mass but damn if all three of the Paradis siblings don’t play ball. Michael says Cas playing is destiny and maybe it is. She knows she loves the game, how sometimes it goes by in just a blink of an eye and sometimes it lasts through the later hours of the night. She loves the feel of her glove in her hand, the beat of the sun on her skin. Like most shortstops though, her weakness is in hitting, which means longer hours at the cage. Coach Ellen instantly sends Cas to the cage with Jo who sets up the machine.

“You need to loosen your stance,” Jo says helpfully and Cas takes her friend’s advice.

"Has Dean been acting weird to you?"

"Dean's always weird," Jo snorts. "Focus. We have a game with Atchison coming up."

Cas nods, hating Atchison as much as Jo. "Yeah."

The ball comes towards her, she swings and it goes to the left.

"No," Jo comes over to her and steps behind her, taking Cas' hands. "Like this," she guides Cas through the motions. "Try to hit it right in the center of the bat." Jo steps aside as the next ball comes. This time Cas hits it right down the center. Jo nods, satisfied. "Keep going."

They spend the rest of practice in the batting cage. By the time they get back, the rest of their teammates are already in the showers. Castiel always feels awkward undressing in front of the other girls, as though they're all watching her, judging her flaws. While she washes her hair, she listens to them gossip.

"I made him wear my panties," Rhonda, their left fielder says, popping her apple bubble gum. Cas shares a look with Jo and goes back to rinsing her hair. Of course it figures they're talking about sex. They rarely talk about anything else. Turns off the water and grabs her towel, wrapping it around herself. She has nothing to add to the conversation.

"We're not offending you, are we?" Jamie asks. There's nothing foul about her question, she's genuinely worried. Castiel shares another look with Jo and laughs.

"I have three brothers," Cas reminds them, "I've heard and seen much, much worse. Just…" she looks over at Rhonda, "Please tell me the boy you made wear our panties wasn't one of mine."

Rhonda laughs, pulling on her sweat shirt. "It was someone who goes to KU."

Cas breathes a sigh of relief.

"Although," Rhonda says thoughtfully, "I wouldn't mind seeing Dean in a pair of pink lacy boy cuts."

Before Castiel can even process the image, Jo makes a disgusted cough. "Thanks, Rho, I'm going to have nightmares now."

"Yeah, yeah," Rhonda waves her hand, dismissing Jo. "Dean's fine. What I want to know is why you're not hitting that."

Finding that everyone is looking at her, Castiel can't even come up with an answer to her question. She's sixteen, she has permission to date now, she's in love with him. It should be easy.

"It's complicated."

"No it's not," Lisa says, "I'd kill for a guy to look at me like Dean looks at you. Jump him already."

Risa comes in at that moment with a chocolate cake with red icing saying, "Happy Birthday, Cas!" and a candle in the middle. She lights it and Cas is pushed forward. She blows out the candle as her team mates sing Happy Birthday to her and then they devour the cake.

Dean's waiting for her after practice in his car. He's got his text book open and the car doesn't smell like a French whore house for once. He cocks a grin at her after she climbs into the front seat, puts in Zeppelin 4 and drives out of the parking lot. She watches him as he taps his fingers on the steering wheel. It's a nice, autumn day so she rolls down her window and puts her hand out, feeling the wind against her skin. Her brothers and Missouri are gone when they get there.

It's eery for the house to be this quiet during the middle of the day. She turns on the television just so there's some back ground noise as she makes them sandwiches to eat while they do their homework. Or rather, while she does her homework and he messes around and tries to distract her. Today he seems intent on staring at her while she works on her Geography.

"Do I have something on my face?"

"Nah," Dean grins, "I just like looking at you."

Sometimes, like now, Dean will say things like this to her and she doesn't know what to do with them. There's a slight notion he's flirting with her, but it's Dean. He flirts with anyone with breasts so she pushes it aside. "You really should do your homework."

"Why?" Dean whines. "It's not like I'm going to any of these places."

"Knowledge is-"

"Spare me the knowledge for knowledge's sake speech, Cas," Dean turns and falls back on the couch, grabbing the remote and switching the TV off. "Let's go up to your room."

They've finished their sandwiches anyway, so Cas takes the paper plates, tosses them into the trash.

"I left something in my car," Dean says, shifting his feet like he does whenever he's nervous,

"I'll be right there."

Figuring he's going to have a cigarette, Cas narrows her eyes but eventually relents and goes up to her room. She stuffs her stray undergarments into her dresser, shutting it just as Dean walks in, holding a small box wrapped in newspaper.

"Happy Birthday, Cas," he says softly, holding the box out to her. It's long and rectangular, only slightly bigger than her hand. Her hands shake while she tears the wrapping off it and opens the lid to the white card box, revealing a diecast model of the Batmobile from the 1966 TV show.

"Wow."

"You said you wanted the Batmobile," Dean shrugs, like he hasn't just given her the best present ever. Carefully, she puts it on her dresser along with the rest of her collection and goes over to hug him, whispering thank you into his ear. He doesn't let her go though, so she finds herself locked in his arms, listening to the sound of his breathing and the beating of their hearts. She can't say who pulls away first, or who leans in first, but the next thing she knows, they're kissing.

At first, it's nothing more than a light sweeping of lips across lips, but then Cas dares to open her mouth more and Dean's tongue darts in, meeting hers. Someone growls, deep down in their throat, it could be her, she's not sure, and it's all over then. The kiss deepens, becoming something more powerful than she could have ever expected.

"Damn," Dean laughs when they pull apart for air. "If I'd know all it would take for you to do that is to get you the Batmobile, I would have done it a lot sooner."

She's still kiss dumb, but she catches on. "You wanted this?"

"I’ve always wanted this," Dean tells her with quiet honesty. "You?"

Castiel wants to laugh, but she's afraid he'll take it the wrong way. "Always," she returns instead.

"Cool," Dean says with a nod of his head. "Awesome. So uh, now that we've just crossed that line, what now?"

"Movie?" Cas suggests.

They get all the way into the scene in "Goonies," where they find the treasure map in the attic when Dean puts his hand on Cas' thigh. It's this, not the kissing, that makes it real.

"Dean," she starts, but it's swallowed by his mouth.

The movie continues.

Her brothers take her out for dinner to a fancy Italian restaurant that requires her to wear a dress and for them to wear dress shirts. It’s worth it though, to see Gabriel in a tie, or as he calls it, “The man’s noose.” Of course he puts on the tackiest tie he can find, partly because he likes them, but mostly because it pisses Michael off.

“Would it kill you to be responsible?” Michael asks him, eying the lime and fuschia polka dot tie. “This is Castiel’s birthday, you should show more decorum.”

“And you should relax, bro," Gabriel retorts. "Have you tried getting laid? Or even better, how about you get someone to pull the stick out of your ass?"

"This is fun," Castiel says to Raphael while the other two argue.

Raphael nods and sets down his ice water. He pulls an envelope out of his suit pocket. "Here you go."

She opens it, taking out a sheet of paper. "You gave a donation to the NRA in my name?"

"It is important your second amendment right be protected, Castiel."

"Don't worry, Casafras," Gabriel says to her, "my gift's better."

"I returned your gift," Michael says, "It was inappropriate."

Gabriel sticks his tongue out at Michael. "Shows what you know, I got her two of 'em."

"Are you ready to order?" The waiter asks. Castiel looks at her brothers, all three whom are arguing now.

"I'll have the risotto," she replies, then she points to her brothers one by one, "He'll have the chicken marsala, he'll have the butternut squash ravioli and he'll have the steak, rare, with sautéed spinach."

"Excellent," the waiter puts his pad into his front pocket. "I'll be right out with your salads."

On Friday night after her game, which they win 6 to 3 thanks to Jo's current homerun streak; Dean takes her to White Castle for dinner.

"I think Sam has a crush on a girl. He says he's going over to her house to work on a project, but I doubt it."

Cas swallows her food. "Yes, because God forbid they're just friends."

"Please," Dean snorts into his milkshake. "Everyone knows guys and girls can't be friends."

"Look at us."

"Exactly, look at us. The only reason I waited so long to make a move on you was because I knew you couldn't date until you were sixteen."

His words hit her hard, right in the chest. "Are you saying our friendship means nothing to you?"

"No," Dean quickly shakes his head, as though realizing he's just put his foot in his mouth. "No, of course not. Hey, you know what sounds good? Pie. Let's go get some," He stands but Castiel doesn't move. Slowly, Dean sits back down, cursing under his breath.

"You… seduced me with Batman."

"No, I didn't."

Castiel can't hold back her shock. "You…tainted his good name."

Dean's eyes roll up at the ceiling. "Okay, we seriously need to do something about this obsession of yours. I didn't taint Batman's name. You were the one who said you wanted the Batmobile, I got it for you. You're the one who stuck her tongue down my mouth."

"I recall it being the opposite."

"Well, you weren't complaining," Dean retorts, "Just like you haven't been complaining about the others, unless by complaining you mean grabbing my ass and pulling me against you, in which case, keep on complaining, baby."

Castiel looks at the Formica table top. "Maybe we're making a mistake, Dean."

Dean reaches out, taking Cas' chin and raising it, forcing her to meet his eyes. "Cas, you and I are a lot of things, but a mistake isn't one of them."

"How am I supposed to believe that when you just told me you've been waiting to get in my pants?"

Dean laughs bitterly. "Do you honestly think that's what this is about? I'm fucking crazy about you. And yeah, okay, I want things, but it's like I just said, I'm a guy and you're hot.” He takes a deep breath,”But it's more than that."

She keeps her arms crossed, but he's breaking through her walls, just like he always does. "Go on."

"Here?" Dean looks around at the crowded White Castle.

"Yes," Castiel replies evenly. "Here."

"You know, you've been ordering me around since the minute we met. It's a damn good thing I love you because I'm not sure you're worth this much aggravation otherwise."

She blinks, stunned again. "You love me?"

He throws his hands in the air. "Welcome to the freaking party, Cas! You just now got that?"

"Well, you never said," her anger is quickly leaving her and she can tell by the way Dean's expression softens that he knows. He wipes his hands on his jeans and stands, taking her hand and telling her to come on.

They drive to a spot that overlooks the river. He leaves the radio on and pulls a blanket out of the trunk, spreading it on the ground.

“You know, if I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were trying to seduce me,” she jokes, sitting down and stretching her legs out in front of her.

Dean laughs as he sits beside her. “I’m not sure how I feel about being Mrs. Robinson in this scenario.”

“Does it help that I think you’re prettier than Anne Bancroft?”

“A little,” Dean admits, slinging his arm around her shoulder, “and you’re way hotter than Dustin Hoffman.”

Castiel can’t help the blush that spreads across her cheeks. "Dean-"

He places his finger on her lips, stopping her. "No. Let me, because if I don't say it, I'll lose my nerve and you deserve to hear it. I haven't been waiting to get into your pants. I've been waiting because you weren't allowed to date until now. If you really want to back off, then we will.” She opens her mouth to thank him but Dean continues, “I'm still going to tell people I'm your boyfriend.” He informs her with a casual shrug. “So you might as well just accept it."

She squints. "I'm not sure that's fair."

"Too bad, babe. I'm done being fair when it comes to you."

The next weekend they have a game out of town. By now, the entire school knows about Dean and Cas, mostly because whenever someone approaches her, Dean's there, draping his arm across her shoulders and giving the guy, or girl, the death glare until they leave. When they get back from their trip and Jo drops Cas off, she runs in, showers and changes, says hello to Missouri and then hops on her bike and rides to the Winchester’s house. The Impala’s in the drive way but Mary’s is gone. When she enters the house she can heard the steady beat of Dean’s stereo, a sure indication he’s home alone. After grabbing some snacks, Cas goes up stairs to Dean’s room.

He’s lying on his bed with his eyes closed, arms crossed under his head and his feet are bare, mouthing along the words to “Thank You” by Led Zeppelin. Carefully, Cas steps into the room, shutting the door behind her with a soft click. The music is loud enough that he doesn’t hear it, because he keeps singing along. Cas puts down the snacks and tip toes to Dean’s bedside. For a minute she studies him, waiting for him to realize she’s there, but he’s too engrossed in the music. Clearly, she has the element of surprise. This is probably best as otherwise she’d lose her nerve. Taking a deep breath and hoping that all goes well, Castiel sits on the bed next to Dean’s feet. Instantly, he stops singing and his eyes open, flickering with embarrassment.

“I can explain.”

Honestly she’s glad he was doing this and not masturbating like Gabriel does whenever he’s home alone. Or really, all hours of the day. She worries about her brother, she really does.

“Really?”

“Uh, Dad’s working and Mom and Sam went to the Zoo,” Dean says, placing his hands on her hips.

“But you didn’t?”

“Nah, didn’t feel like it,” Dean tells her, moving her off him and then swinging his legs over to sit up. “You wanna watch a movie?”

She shrugs, really what she wants to do is make out until their lips are dry and they run out of breath. “Sure.”

Cas watches as Dean bends down to take a movie off his bookshelf; his shirt rides up slightly, revealing his tanned, muscled skin. She’s seen him with his shirt off course, and she’s felt his skin when they’ve hugged before but somehow it feels different now she’s going to be the only girl who gets to touch him. He turns off his stereo and, gets the snacks off his desk and sits back down next to her, handing Cas her grape soda.

Really, she’s actually impressed they make it past the opening credits before they’re on each other. Or more specifically, Castiel’s on top on Dean and his hands are in her hair and their legs are tangled together and she's tracing his teeth with her tongue.

"Where the hell did you learn to kiss like that?" Dean asks and she can hear the jealousy so she laughs.

"Books," she answers, kissing him soft and sure, "and intuition. Do you want me to stop?"

Dean's eyes darken at her question and he crushes his mouth to hers in response. She decides to take it as a no.

Michael takes the news of her and Dean dating as well as Cas predicts. Which is to say he has a fit that makes two year olds seem reasonable. “I’m going to kill him.”

“You will do no such thing,” Castiel orders, pushing Gabriel’s banana and nutella sandwich at him. “I love Dean and if you can’t accept that, then you can piss off.”

“Piss off?” Michael repeats, eyes growing wide as saucer's. “Is Dean the one teaching you that language?”

“No, that was me,” Raphael says, mouth full of peanut butter and orange marmalade. They all ignore him though as Michael glares at Castiel’s back while she makes her own Bologna sandwich.

“Don’t you remember what he did to you?” Michael seethes. “How he made you cry?”

“I remember,” Castiel says coolly. “But we’re past that now.” They’ve been over it since the day they talked at the stream, but for some reason Michael doesn’t want to forget or forgive.

She gives a lighthearted shrug as she eats, trying to ignore the way her brother gapes at her like she’s grown another head. She does note however that he hasn’t touched his hot ham and cheese and this for some reason angers her more than his disliking of Dean. If she’s going to take the time to make him food, the least he can do is eat it.

“It’s just as well,” Michael eventually sighs. “Teenage romances never last.”

Gabriel snorts. “Speaking from experience there, big bro?”

Castiel’s curiosity rises. She never much liked Anna Milton, but Michael was completely smitten with her. Michael’s eyes are haunted, but when are they not? She watches as he tries to keep his face passive but there’s too much raw emotion underneath the surface that it almost makes Cas want to apologize.

“What happened between Anna and I is none of your concern,” Michael tells them, keeping his voice level. “Least of all yours, Castiel.”

Instantly, Cas is put on edge. It’s typical that Michael keeps her out of the loop when it comes to his own life but has no problems butting into hers, and it never ceases to frustrate her. She glances over at Gabriel, silently questioning, knowing he’ll tell her the truth.

He licks his fingers, “Anna thought she was pregnant and dumped him.”

The world stops at that moment and silence falls so hard and fast it feels like a train has crashed into their home. She doesn’t know what to think, let alone say. She does know one thing though, and that is she’s no longer hungry. Throwing her sandwich in the trash, she storms out of the house, letting the door slam behind her. Then she rides her bike to the school, using her key to get into the batting cages. Every muscle in her body feels tight with anger and she needs to hit something to get relief.

Cas practices for the rest of the day and into the night until she hears her brother’s voice.

“You need to loosen your shoulders.”

She ignores Michael but heeds his advice all the same. “Better,” he says. She can’t help the bit of pride that swells in her chest. He might be on her shit list at the moment, but Michael remains her brother and she loves him. She continues batting while Michael continues coaching her. They keep away from dangerous subjects, sticking only to baseball, but eventually he gives in.

“I was not much older than you and we made love a few times and the next thing I knew she was telling me she missed her period.”

Castiel shuts down the automatic softball machine and goes to sit next to Michael on the bench. She knows that now the secret is out, he’ll tell her, but he has to do it his own way, on his own time. She can’t push.

“I was ready to do the right thing,” Michael eventually continues. “But I was seventeen and the way I saw it I already had two kids. Even though it turned out not to be real, Anna took my hesitance as a sign I wasn’t ready for a real commitment.”

She’s stunned by the sadness in his voice, but still, she keeps her resolve. “Did you love her?”
Michael takes a deep breath and looks up at the sky for a minute before answering. “At the time yes.”

“Are you still in love with her?”

“Of course not,” Michael says, a little too quickly. “I have far too many responsibilities to think about dating.”

Cas thinks he’s not answering the question, but doesn’t say anything. She does however, take Michael’s hand. “I need you to listen to me now. This thing between me and Dean? It’s real.

It’s not a high school infatuation that will end in a week. Yes, he was a jerk for a few years but he’s more than made it up to me.”

Michael sighs. “Cas, I know you think that now-”

“No,” she cuts him off, unable to stop her hand from shaking, “I know it.” She can't explain how she knows it, but it's the same faith she has in God and both are completely unshakeable.

Thankfully, Michael’s smart enough not to say anything else. They sit in silence for another few minutes before Michael stands up and says they should go home. He puts her bike in the back of his beloved Jeep and then gives her a ride home.

On Sunday afternoon Raphael knocks on her bedroom door despite it being open. “I don’t suppose you want to work tonight?” Raphael asks. “We could use an extra hand.”

“Sure,” Castiel shrugs and smiles at the older boy. He does a double take.

“Really? I thought you’d want to spend time with Dean.”

“Nope,” Cas replies but when they stare at her she finally relents. “Fine, the new Batman comes out next week and I need the money.”

“Ah, okay,” Gabriel says behind Raphael while they both nod knowingly. “Good to know you still have your priorities, Casafras.”

“I don’t know what that means,” Castiel says but they shrug her confusion off.

“You want a lift?” Raphael asks.

“No, I’ll ride my bike, thank you.” She doesn’t have the heart to tell him she can’t stand the way he only listens to conservative talk radio.

Before her mother’s death and her father leaving, Paradiso’s had been in Cas’ family for two generations. But then their dad sold it, took the profits and split. Michael and Raphael have been working there since they were sixteen, slowly trying to save up the money to buy it back. A pizza parlor in a college town, Paradiso’s is known for being a popular hangout and tonight is no exception. Castiel’s grateful for the crowd and the noise that comes along with it as it silences her own thoughts but she’s pleasantly surprised when Dean and Sam walk in. Sam gives her a half hearted wave and goes to sit in an empty booth while Dean walks up to the counter to order.

“Hey.”

“Hello, Dean. Welcome to Paradiso’s, how may I help you?”

Dean looks her over. “I can think of a few ways.” Cas blushes as a warm feeling settles in her belly.

“Standing right here,” Raphael says from behind Castiel where he’s making pizzas along with another college student, John Uriel. Cas sticks her tongue out at him and turns back to Dean.

“I can’t stay, we’re just picking this up,” he tells her. Castiel frowns, disappointed. Dean studies her for a minute. “Hey, you okay?”

A lot of girls would lie and say they’re fine and then be mad at their boyfriends for taking them at face value, but Cas isn’t one of those girls. “Not really.”

Dean regards her for a moment before nodding decisively. “Right. Okay. Can you take a break?”

“She can,” Raphael states. Cas tries to feel annoyed at his eavesdropping, but she’s more gracious at the chance to talk to Dean.

“Large thin crust half meat, half vegetarian?” Castiel guesses at the Winchester’s usual order.

“I seriously don’t know what’s wrong with him,” Dean shudders. “I hope it’s a phase.”

Only Dean would hope wanting to eat healthy was a phase. She rings up his order and hands him two cups for the soda machine. “That’ll be ten fifty.”

Dean pulls out his wallet and hands her a twenty. “Wait, I thought the larges were fifteen.”

“Think of as a perk of being my boyfriend.”

“Oh,” Dean grins. “Are, there other perks?”

Raphael stares incredulously at them. “Again, I’m standing right here.”

Castiel takes off her apron and walks around the counter to join Dean at the booth. He gives Sam money for the video games. It’s too loud though to talk or think so Cas points outside. Dean nods and follows Cas out. They have to wait thirty minutes for their pizza anyway. They end up sitting on a bench outside and for a minute she remains silent, trying to collect her thoughts, but eventually everything Michael told her comes pouring out. Dean doesn’t say anything while Cas speaks and other than glancing inside every once in a while to make sure Sam’s okay, he listens intently.

“Huh,” he says, putting his arm around her shoulder. “What are you going to do?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, I know how much your brother’s approval means to you, Cas.”

She meets his eyes, anger coiling in her stomach that he would even imply what she thinks he’s trying to. “Look, you,” she pokes him in the chest. “I love you, Dean Winchester and I want to be with you. Both you and my stupid brother are going to learn to deal with it.”

He grabs her hand, circling his fingers around hers. “You’re hot when you’re pushy.”

“Really?” She asks, hopefully as he makes her feel all soft like butter.

“Really.” She’s leaning in to kiss him when Sam interrupts.

“Our Pizza’s done,” he tells them. “Oh and Raphael wants me to tell you two that you're disgusting and I agree.”

Dean sighs as they stand up. “I gotta go. But hey, you know if things get too rough at home you know you can always come stay in our guest room.”

Cas smiles at the offer but she knows she has to decline. “I wouldn’t stay in your guest room.”

Sam rolls his eyes as Dean grins back at Cas and they move into each other’s personal space.
“Seriously? Ugh.”

When she and Raphael go home that night, Missouri’s sitting in her favorite chair, humming as she knits. Michael and Gabriel are watching the X-Files and Gabriel’s making fun of Michael for liking Gillian Anderson, saying Mike clearly has a thing for redheads. So they’re okay at least. Then again, Michael’s never held Gabriel to the same impossible standards as Castiel.

“I’m going to be up in my room,” she says, starting to go up the stairs.

“Wait one minute,” Missouri says, stopping Cas. “What is this about you and Dean?”

Slowly, Castiel turns around. “Dean and I are going steady.”

Missouri peers at her thoughtfully while her brothers watch. Cas glances at Michael and doesn’t miss the hopeful look on his face. “Are you happy?”

Relief floods through Cas. Finally someone asked the right question. “Yes.”

“That’s all I need to know,” she says, looking over to glare at Michael when he opens his mouth to protest. “Don’t stay up all night talking to him on the phone.”

“I won’t,” Cas promises and runs up the stairs. She doesn’t call Dean though, instead, after changing into her pajamas, she re-reads “Batman: Year One” and listens to music until her phone rings. “Hello, Dean.”

“I like the way you say my name,” Dean says, “What are you doing?”

“Reading,” Castiel replies. “What are you doing?” That warm feeling comes back, not that it ever went away.

“Same,” Dean says. “How are things there?”

“I’m not sure yet,” Cas admits. “But I have good news. Missouri has given her blessing.”

“Uh, that’s cool, I guess?” Dean guesses. “Oh, so mom has this thing where apparently we’re not bonding enough so she’s taking me shopping after school tomorrow.”

Castiel doesn’t mean to, but Dean’s fear of malls is too funny not to laugh at. “Dean, shopping isn’t so bad.”

“It is when it involves my mother wanting me to try on Alligator shirts. Cas, if I ever willingly put on an Alligator shirt, it means I’m a pod person and you should kill me.”

“I will keep that in mind,” Cas retorts. If she knows Mary, she probably does it just to see the look on Dean’s face. They continue talking for a while, or rather, Cas babbles about whatever inane topic is on her mind at the moment. Noticing he hasn’t said anything in a while, and afraid she’s put him to sleep, she asks, “Are you there?”

“Yeah,” Dean’s voice is low and scratchy and it sends pools of heat into Cas’ stomach. “I’m here.”

“I’m boring you.”

“Nah,” Dean laughs, “You could never do that, Cas. I was just thinking.”

Her heart beats rapidly. “About what?”

“How bad I want to touch you,” It’s the first time, since the night they got together that Dean’s even implied sex. Maybe it’s the Catholic in her, but she really doesn’t know how she feels about sex. On one hand, she’s a teenage girl with teenage hormones and Dean has freckles on his shoulders she wants to count one by one with her tongue. On the other, sex has consequences and she doesn’t know if she wants to face them quite yet. But her curiosity gets the better of her.

“You do?”

“Yeah,” Cas imagines Dean resting on his stomach on his bed, holding the phone to his ear with one hand while the other…she doesn’t know where the other is. She doesn’t know what to say, seeing as she’s never done this before. It turns out she doesn’t have to worry though, because he changes the subject and they end up just talking for another hour.

Castiel’s on a mission from God. Cas knows it’s from God because she got the idea in Church while listening to Father Reynold’s sermon on desire. That and she’s been thinking about it since practically forever.

“Are you sure about this?” Beckett asks. Dean says he’s like a squirrel with ADD but Cas knows she can trust him with the important things, and that’s what matters. Jo’s on her knees, picking the lock on Gabriel’s door. She doesn’t know where Jo got that particular talent, but she’s not going to question it.

Cas tosses Becks a look. “Why wouldn’t I be sure about this?”

Shrugging, the boy replies, “I don’t know, it just seems like there’s an easier way to, you know, learn about sex than watching Casa Erotica?”

“It’s not the mechanics of sex I’m worried about,” Castiel tells him. She’s also checked out every book on the subject she can find at the library. Some have been more helpful than others. A part of her feels like she’s about to betray her own gender, but her natural curiosity outweighs her feminist instincts.

“What’s the big deal then?” Jo asks, “Enter tab a into slot b.”

“I want to be prepared.” Cas says, ignoring the scrupulous looks they give her as the lock clicks open. They stare into the abyss that is Gabriel’s bedroom. “We’re going to get in, take as many as we can and then we’re going to get out of there.”

“Why the rush?” Becks asks, looking around frantically. “Is he going to be home soon?”

“No, I just know what he does in there and I’m afraid I might step on a used sock.”

They both make matching disgusted expressions. “Ewww. Are you afraid that his stuff will somehow get into your shoes and into your feet and make your feet pregnant with incestuous feet babies?” Beckett asks.

“Yes,” Castiel replies with no humor. Taking a deep breath, they enter the room. There are plates with leftover food on them, candy wrappers everywhere, clothes strewn all of the floor.
Which okay, she really shouldn’t judge Gabriel, but at least her clothes aren’t covered with unidentifiable white streaks. Incestuous foot babies are not out of the question.

“So what are we looking for, exactly?” Jo inquires, looking at the video tapes on the shelf.

“There seems to be some of everything.”

“Gabriel says it’s good to be well rounded,” Cas replies and Becks gives an approving smile.

“Get some of everything.”

Shortly thereafter, they are in the safety of Cas’ room with a bag of popcorn and matching inquisitive expressions on their faces.

“I don’t understand,” Cas says, “If the pizza man loves that woman, why is he spanking her?”

Their heads tilt in comical fashion, “Perhaps she has done something wrong.”

“Can I ask you something, Castiel?”

Cas pauses the movie, frowns at their so called sex faces and turns to her friend. “You can ask me anything, Beckett.”

Beckett rings his hands, “What’s being in love like?”

“I don’t know if I can answer that, to be honest,” Cas tells him. Becks’ shoulders slump as he gives a disappointed sigh. “I just don’t have anything to compare it to,” she quickly continues, “because I’ve always been in love with him.”

Jo frowns. “Even when he was a jerk?”

She briefly wonders why everyone keeps bringing that up, but then dismisses it. “Especially then,” Castiel replies, putting her hand on Becks’ shoulder. “Are you in love with someone?”

Beckett shrugs, “I don’t know. There’s someone I kind of like, but I don’t know how to ask and it’s uh, kind of weird because this person is um-”

“Male?” Castiel supplies helpfully.

Becks’ gulps, “Yeah, that. How…how did you know?”

“Intuition?” Cas guesses with a shrug. “Also, you’ve been staring at the guy in this movie.”
Beckett rest his head on Cas’ shoulder and laughs. He is pretty hot.”

“Better than the last guy,” Cas admits. “Why are the men so horribly unattractive? I hope for your sake the actors in gay porn are better.”

“Me too,” Becks admits while Jo chuckles in agreement. “So wait,” his hair falls into his eyes,

“You’re not upset? I know what the church thinks of-”

“The Church is not God, no matter how much it wishes it was,” Castiel interrupts. There’s a reason she was asked to never return to Bible Camp. “God loves you, Beckett Rosen, and so do I.”

“Do you think the person I like will?”

“If they don’t, I’ll have Gabriel put a skunk in their car,” Castiel promises. “Now let’s watch something else, this is boring.” She puts in one of the male/male videos and pushes play. “Oh that’s much better,” she says, happy that the actors are at least reasonably attractive.

“Thank you,” Becket says softy, taking Castiel’s hand. Castiel squeezes it back and they continue their education.

The next few weeks go by relatively easily. Castiel has her school and extracurricular classes to keep her busy but still, her mind is completely focused on one thing. Sex. Specifically, sex with Dean. From rumors and locker room talk she knows it’ll be good, and they love each other, there’s no doubt about that, but Michael’s words keep ringing in her head.

“I don’t think I like guys,” Jo’s announcement comes during study hall when Cas is trying to memorize Portugal’s gross national debt. As it is, she’s grateful for the interruption.

“Okay?”

“Yeah, I mean the other night when we were watching those movies, I felt kind of revolted at the sight of the men,” Jo nods as though she’s trying to explain it to herself more than she’s trying to explain it to Castiel. She really just wants to know what it is about porn that makes people question their sexuality.

“But you liked the women?”

Jo shrugs. “Maybe? I don’t know. We didn’t really watch anything with them.”

Cas has to admit that’s true. After Beckett’s epiphany, they did kind of get sidetracked.

Acknowledging that it wasn’t fair, Cas decides to take it up on herself to right the wrong. “I still have some of them if you want to come over after school.”

“Really? I thought you’d be doing something with Dean.”

“Dean’s doing a project for his Mechanical Arts class, it’ll be okay,” Castiel assures her.

It turns out Dean cares a lot. “You know,” he says, leaning against the lockers next to hers,

“I think I saw you more when we were just friends. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were avoiding me.”

She puts a smile on her face. “Avoiding you? Why would I avoid you?” She has been avoiding him, though. It’s just that she’s terrified of what could happen when they’re alone together.

Dean’s eyes are dark as they meet hers. “You tell me.”

“I’m not,” she moves her eyes to his feet because if she keeps looking him in the eye she’s going to push him against the lockers and have her way with him. Her hormones are out of control as it is.

“Great,” Dean’s voice says he clearly doesn’t believe her. “Then you’ll come over after school.”

She tries to look as apologetic as possible. “I can’t. I’m doing something with Jo,” and Dean’s hopeful expression falls and this look of kicked puppy replaces it. “Dean-”

“Forget it,” Dean shrugs her off. “I’ve got stuff I need to do anyway.” He walks away without kissing her and she feels like she’s been gutted.

“Is it true?”

Cas sighs. It’s her last class of the day and while she’s seen Dean since their conversation, he’s been quick to make it known he doesn’t want to talk to her. However, she really doesn’t want to talk to Meg.

“Is what true?” she continues to label the parts of the human brain.

Meg bounces up and down in her seat, her grin infectious. “You have girl on girl porn?”

Cas narrows her eyes suspiciously. “Who told you?”

“Oh everyone knows, Clarence. Fine, someone heard you and Jo talking and now it’s all over the school that you have some sort of porn addiction. I’m not surprised. I always knew you had a bit of freak in you,” Meg winks and clucks her tongue appreciatively.

Castiel puts her head in her hands. High school is worse than middle school when it comes to the rumor mill. “Oh god.”

Meg just laughs at Cas’ suffering. “I’m coming over. Don’t start without me.”

It occurs to Castiel during their third movie that something is definitely weird with this picture. Now she’s pretty sure that most girls their age don’t get together to watch porn, and she’s pretty sure they don’t get into a debate about which is better, big or small boobs, but here she is, doing just that. Well, she’s doing the first. Meg and Jo are doing the second and she’s trying to follow along.

“No see, the bigger the better,” Meg says with a decisive nod. “I like a chest I can use as a pillow.”

“No, no, anything more than a handful’s a waste,” Jo shakes her head, vehemently disagreeing with Meg’s assessment.

“Okay, okay,” Meg holds up her hands, “Who in school do you think has the best tits?”

“Lisa Braeden,” Jo says after a minute. “Also she wears really pretty bras.” It occurs to Cas her bras are all plain white cotton and not what anyone would deem as sexy. “What about you?”

“Jamie Miller’s.”

“Cas.”

“Cas!”

“What?” she asks softly, but she’s ignored as the two other girls high five each other.

“Yes!” Jo says. “I mean, she’s practically my sister so it’s weird, but yes.”

Realizing she’s been checked out by both of her friends, Cas blushes and giggles uncomfortably.

“Um, thank you?”

“Don’t thank us,” Meg winks, “Thank God for giving you that rockin’ body.”

She’s saved from further embarrassment by her phone ringing. At first she’s afraid it’s Dean, but she knows Dean can go a really long time not speaking to someone if he’s mad at them. It turns out to be Missouri though, wanting her to check on the milk.

“I can already tell you we need more,” Cas answers. “And I’d get more cocoa puffs too, Gabe had four bowls this morning.”

“Four… I can’t wait till that boy goes to college,” Missouri sighs. “Do you need anything?”

Prettier lingerie so when my boyfriend sees me in them he doesn’t go running for the hills. “More apples.”

“How could I forget? I should just invest in an orchard,” Missouri jokes, “I’ll see you in a bit,” Cas hangs up the phone and Meg unmutes the movie.

“Wow,” Jo’s mouth drops open, “I wish I could bend my legs like that.”

Cas doesn’t see what the big deal is. “I can do that.” It’s important to stay flexible for her position. Also, in case she’s ever asked to play Catwoman.

At once both girls stares at her. “What?” Jo squeaks.

“Do it!” Meg demands.

She scrunches her eyebrows together. “No.”

“Aww,” Meg whines. “Please, Clarence? Pretty, pretty please?”

Cas looks over at Jo for help but unfortunately her other friend looks just as eager to see Cas potentially make a fool of herself, so Cas sighs, moves over to where there’s some free space and slowly starts to raise her legs over her head. When she looks at Meg and Jo, they’re staring at her with what can only be described as lust. Cas straightens out her legs and shakes it off. She is a little unnerved though by their continuous staring.

“Yeah,” Jo says a minute later, “I’m definitely gay.”

“Right on!” Meg cheers, giving Jo a high five. The next thing Cas knows, Jo’s hugging her tight and she can feel Jo’s tears on her shoulder. Feeling awkward, Cas rubs Jo’s back. Jo and Cas are very much the same in the sense they don’t like being vulnerable, especially around other people. But as Jo mumbles a thank you into her shirt, Castiel knows that this is one of those rare circumstances where crying is permitted.

Cas raises her own head and meets Meg’s eyes, surprised by what she sees. There’s no lust or malice or sadistic pleasure she’s usually affronted with, but rather her expression’s soft and caring, like she knows exactly what it is Jo’s going through. And though Cas couldn’t possibly know what it’s like to be sixteen and gay in Lawrence, Kansas, she does know what it’s like to realize you desire someone and how scary it is.

Meg and Jo end up staying for dinner as Michael and Raphael are too busy at Paradiso’s to come home. However, Gabriel brings Balthazar and from the second they shake hands, Cas instantly wonders if putting Meg and Balthazar in room together will lead to some sort of disaster of Caligula type proportions. In her mind what happens is Balthazar straps Meg down to the table (it’s possible Cas has watched too much porn). But what actually happens is they all end up talking about an exhibit at the Spencer museum at the university. “Would you like to go this weekend, Castiel?” Balthazar asks.

“Sure,” Cas replies, ignoring the strange looks she gets from Meg and Jo.

“So let me get this straight, first you avoid me, then you ditch me and now you’re cheating on me,” Dean says when Castiel tells him about the museum in class the next day.

“I’m not cheating on you,” she hisses, leaning in the aisle. How dare he even insinuate it.

Dean leans back in his chair, eying her as he crosses his arms. “Really? Because last I heard going on a date with another guy qualifies as cheating, Cas.

“No, it doesn’t because it’s not a date,” the look continues. “It’s not,” she tries to assure him. “Even on the off chance he assumes it is, I will make it clear it’s not. But he’s my friend Dean and you have to trust me.”

Dean doesn’t say anything else to her during class. When she looks over at him, it looks like he’s taking notes but then she glances down and instead sees the outline of her nose and lips and the shadowy curls of her hair. They’ve come a long way from the days when he refused to draw her. The bell rings and Dean lets out a sigh, putting his things in his bag.

“I’m not happy about this.” He tells her, shifting his straps around his shoulders, “At all.”

Cas steps forward, steps on Dean’s shoes and stands on her tiptoes to kiss him. “I love you, Dean.” After school, she goes to Dr. Novak’s for a few hours. It’s a slow day so all she really has to do is clean the cages and walk the dogs.

They might be at the museum to see a Mark Rothko exhibit, but one look at his pieces and Castiel decides she just doesn’t understand it. She follows a line of red paint as it drips into black and decides she prefers the stained glass windows at the church.

“Let me guess,” Balthazar says, siding up to her, “You are thinking how you wish this was an exhibit of Bibles.”

“Not just Bibles,” Castiel smiles in return, “I would also enjoy early editions of classic novels and reference books.”

“Oh, how could I forget,” Balthazar laughs, “Well I can assure you the next time I find an old book, it will be yours.”

Balthazar’s generosity will never cease to amaze her. “Thank you.”

He shrugs. “Anything for you, Cassy,” and she has no doubt he means it.

They walk around the museum for another hour before leaving. “What do you think?” Balthazar asks.

She hasn’t been paying attention, lost in her own thoughts.

“About what?”

He smiles and it brings her back to when she was thirteen and had a small crush on him, but it was just that, a crush on her older brother’s best friend, but it doesn’t compare to what she feels about Dean. Dean is her guide, her partner in crime, the one she goes to when the world feels like it’s spinning on its axis and she can’t breathe. He’s the one she would do anything for if it meant he was safe and happy.

“About dinner. Surely you’re hungry by now.”

Her stomach growls right on cue. It’s true, she is hungry and a cheeseburger sounds really good right now, but she didn’t agree to a museum and dinner. “I can’t.”

“Oh come on, darling, I can hear your stomach growling from here, let me buy you lunch.”

She agrees, if for no other reason than she knows Balthazar won’t stop until she agrees. “Fine.”

“Good, I know a delightful French-”

“No,” Castiel holds up her hand, “Nothing fancy.”

Balthazar lets out a deep breath. “Fine, but they make their own marshmallows, I just hope you know that. Where do you wish to go?”

After a quick meal at a Taco Hut, Balthazar drops Cas off at Dean’s house even though she doesn’t tell him too. It’s good though, as it’s where she wants to be. The Impala’s hood is raised and Dean’s father and Bobby Singer are standing beside Dean as he works on his beloved car. Sam’s sitting on the grass, face planted in a book.

“Hello,” she greets and Dean turns his head to look at her.

“How was your not a date?” He sounds just like he used to in Middle school whenever Balthazar's name came up. She blinks as the realization hits her like a freight train. She makes note to bring up his jealousy later.

“Uneventful,” she answers honestly, sitting down next to Sam on the grass and taking the cold Cherry Coke John offers her, “Thank you.”

“He’s been moping about your date all day,” Sam informs her, not looking up from his pages.

“Have not," Dean growls under his breath.

Okay, maybe they're going to have this conversation sooner rather than later. “I don’t understand why you’re jealous, Dean. Balthazar is a friend where as you and I share a profound bond.”

Dean starts coughing, nearly hitting his head on the hood before he meets her gaze.

“Do they do this a lot?” she hears Bobby ask, but her complete attention is on Dean.

“All the time.” Sam moans, falling back in the grass dramatically.

“You get used to it.” John tells him, “Dean, car.”

“Sorry, dad.” Dean says, turning back to his project. Castiel smiles and turns her attention to Sam.

“What are you reading?”

“Metamorphosis.” Sam answers, showing her the cover, “Have you read it?”

Castiel nods. “I read it back in Middle school. What do you think of it?”

He shrugs. “It’s okay, I guess. Kind of depressing though, the way his family just turns their back on him."

“What do you expect, Sammy,” Dean says, eyes still on the Impala’s transmission, “he turned into a giant bug.”

Castiel’s the only one who doesn’t gape at Dean. He seems to feel the eyes staring at him so he frowns. “What? I read.”

Sam shakes his head. “I’m just saying, if you woke up tomorrow an insect, I’d still love you.”

“Sam…”

“Oh, right, I forgot, no chick flick moments,” Sam sticks his tongue out at Dean and turns to
Cas. “Is he like this with you?”

She shrugs. “Dean says how he feels with his actions, Sam. I don’t need words.”

“She’s lying, son,” John laughs, “All women need the words and there will be hell to pay if they don’t get them. Right Bobby?”

“Damn straight,” Bobby agrees with a chuckle. “You better tell this girl you love her before she goes off with, what did he call him again?”

“I believe it was Mr. Spoiled Richboy Eurowhore and I won’t repeat the rest,” John replies, cracking open another beer.

Eventually, John and Bobby get bored and go inside, along with Sam. Castiel lies back in the grass and watches the clouds as they change shapes and travel across the sky. She’s in the middle of trying to decide if one particular cloud looks like a turtle or a porcupine when Dean finally speaks. “I do, you know, love you.”

Castiel smiles to herself as the cloud shifts into a woman dancing. “I know. I love you too, Dean.”

Their first time doesn’t happen the way Castiel expects it to. Not that she was expecting it to happen in any particular way, but like all girls, she often thinks about how it might happen. While she doesn’t expect or want romance of the rose petals on the bed variety, she doesn’t think it will just happen either. Yet, that’s exactly what occurs. It’s the summer and they’ve just come back from the pool. Castiel’s still in the blue bikini Meg made her buy and Dean’s in his swim trunks and neither feels particularly motivated to shower or move from the floor of Dean’s room where they’re watching Dirty Harry. Dean’s lying on his side with his head in Castiel’s lap as she absently plays with his hair. He has a three day old beard because of a lost bet with Victor that scratches Castiel’s skin but it manages to make him look rugged and handsome and she kind of likes the way it feels on her skin so she doesn’t say anything.

“He’s so cool,” Dean says, his breath cool against her still hot skin. “Don’t you think he’s cool?”

“He’s very cool, Dean,” Castiel agrees, knowing Dean will force her to sit through all of the Dirty Harry movies and possibly the Man With No Name trilogy and maybe even the ones he made with the Chimpanzee if she doesn’t. He seems to be placated by her answer though because he just goes back to watching, reciting lines verbatim. When the movie ends, she thinks he’s going to put in the next one, but instead he just pushes stop. For a few minutes, neither of them move and she thinks he might be asleep. But then he sits up and stretches his arms out. His skin body is muscled and tanned and his face has even more freckles on it due to being in the sun. She wants to kiss him so she does, reaching out and threading her fingers across the back of his head to bring him to her.

Somehow, they end up on the floor with him on top of her. His callused fingers are everywhere, running up and down her back and down her legs and up her sides, all the while sucking on the most sensitive part of her neck. The red light switches to green in her head, signaling to her that she's more than ready for sex. Of course, being somewhat rational, she asks herself if she's truly ready or if it's just hormones, but then she decides she really doesn't care and throws herself into it. She touches him everywhere she can, feeling the hot contours of his back, the smooth muscles in his arms. He smells of chlorine, engine oil and old spice and damn if the last two don’t drive her crazy, making her crazed with need. She lifts his head and kisses along his jawline, raking her teeth across in chin before pulling his bottom lip with her teeth.

“You’re going to kill me, Cas,” his hands cup her breasts, thumbs brushing across the cloth covered nipples. She can feel his cock twitch against her thigh.

She arches her back, breath hitching. “Good.”

She loves the summer. Hot, lazy days spent swimming, watching movies and making out. She likes the heat that radiates off of Dean’s skin and the way his fingers like to tangle themselves in her massive hair and the way he can kiss for hours.

“Lean forward,” he orders and she complies. Seconds later he’s untying her bikini top and pulling it off, throwing it across the room. She likes the way Dean’s beard scratches her breasts. He blows cool air across her nipple. Her breath hitches again when he starts flicking his tongue across it, then his mouth envelopes her, sucking hard until she’s practically twisting away. He keeps her still though, somehow.

Cas needs more than just this. Only problem is she’s not entirely sure what she wants, or more accurately, she wants it all. She just doesn’t know where to begin. He lets go and licks his way to the other breast. She looks down at the one he just had, it’s red and shiny with spit.
Pure want makes her push him to the floor and straddle his legs. “Cas-”

“Shut up, Dean,” she orders and his mouth clamps shut as she pulls down his swim trunks. His cock is hard, resting against his belly and leaking with precome. She thinks of the women in the Casa Erotica videos who can just take a man's erection into their mouths, but she's not one of those girls, at least, not now.

“Baby,” He rolls them over, pressing her into the floor. He unties the side straps of her bikini without even looking and yanks it off. She doesn’t know where it lands, nor does she care. All she cares about is the finger currently massaging the outside of her folds. “You’re so fucking wet.”

"You," she manages, and his eyes grow dark look with lust as he slips his finger into her.

“Shh,” he says as she tightens around it, “Relax.”

So she does what he says, breathing through the invasion as he lets her get used to it. Then he adds a second finger and it feels like her whole body is about to come undone. But then he takes his fingers away and she’s about to protest when he ducks his head between her legs. He starts slow, licking along her folds and pressing the occasional kiss to her clit, but then Cas arches her back, needing more. Rhonda and the other girls on the team talk about this, but she never actually expected it to be this good.

He gives it to her. He goes slow, licking her clit with soft ease, making her grow wetter with every flick of his tongue.

“I love you,” she gasps, feeling like she’s right on the edge.

“Mmm, love you too, baby,” Dean moans, continuing to do magnificent things to her. His fingers slide back in and with just a few pumps, she’s coming hard, thrashing on the floor and shouting his name.

It’s a damn good thing no one else is home.

“Holy shit.”

She’s too spent to reprimand him for his blasphemy. “What, Dean?”

“You’re so fucking hot, you know that? Look at you, you’re so fucking perfect.”

Cas smiles. It’s not true, but it’s a good sentiment nevertheless. “Do you have a condom?”

“Um, yeah.” He doesn’t argue with her, doesn’t ask if she’s ready or sure and thus annoy her.

She wouldn’t say anything if she wasn’t sure and he knows that. He just gets it out of his wallet and puts it on.

“I want to be on top.”

“Of course you do,” Dean grins, lying down on his bed. She straddles his legs, aligns herself with his cock and then that’s it. There are no bells that ring, no choir that comes down from the heavens and sings Castiel’s no longer a virgin. It’s just her and Dean and surprisingly enough, it isn’t as painful as the horror stories implied. She does the same thing as before, letting herself get used to the invasion before moving experimentally. She keeps her eyes trained on Dean’s face, watching as his eyes squeeze shut and the way he bites his lower lip.

“Dean?”

“Mmm?”

“I uh, believe this is the part where you fuck me.” It probably sounds more authoritative and sexy in her head, but it gets the job done. Dean grabs her hips and starts guiding her movements, letting her control the speed but matching them thrust for thrust. She rests her hands on his chest and leans forward to kiss him, but instead he rolls them over. His body nearly crushes hers as he slides back into her with one motion, but it’s a good feeling, one that makes her want press herself into him, so she does. He lets out a deep moan so she does it again, raising her legs around his waist.

She remembers what Meg said about her being bendy and thinks, there’s no time like the present so she lifts her legs up even further, arching her back. She hears Dean say something, but her mind is too gone with the feeling of yes, fuck, yes as he hits the right spot. Dean’s muscles are tight, his skin hot and slick with sweat to the touch, and Castiel can’t get enough of him.
But then her head bumps against the back of the headboard and everything stops. Or more accurately, Dean stops. "Are you alright?"

"Yes," she lies. Of course it hurts, but she's not going to stop for something as silly as a head wound. "Keep going."

"Mm," Dean kisses her temple, "kay," and starts moving again.

Her head bumps into the headboard again, this time harder and she can't help the, "Ow!" that comes out.

"Okay that's it," Dean sits up, "Let me see." He pulls her arms until she's sitting between his legs and he starts moving her hair back.

"Dean, I'm fine." She really wants to get back to having sex with her boyfriend.

"Excuse me if I don't want you bleeding to death," Dean says, "Well, you look okay, although there's no way of knowing for sure with that nest you call hair."

"Funny," Castiel pushes Dean on the bed, pinning his arms above his head as she lays herself across him.

"I uh, kind of came already," Dean says, flushing red.

"You did? When?"

"Um, when you hit your head the second time," Dean says, rubbing her back.

"Oh." She's sorry she missed it.

She rolls off him and molds herself in the crook of Dean’s arm, resting her head on his shoulder.

“So.”

“So.”

“That’s sex.”

“Yup.”

She closes her eyes, thinking she could stay like this forever. "It gets better," he tells her.

"Next time we'll put a pillow there, keep you from getting any concussions."

It’s on a typical Friday during their senior year that Cas opens her locker to find a mint condition, still in the package first edition, “Batman: A Lonely Place of Dying,” with a post it a post it on top that simply says, “From, Batman.”

“Look, Becks!” she holds up the comic, bouncing on her feet. “Look!”

Her friend gives her a that’s nice dear, look, kisses her on her cheek and goes off, probably to search for his boyfriend. It’s not her fault he can’t appreciate good literature. Cas puts the comic into her bag for safe keeping, makes sure she has her text books and journal before slamming her locker door shut. There’s still ten minutes before class, plenty of time to go find Dean. When she finds him, he’s leaning against his locker, listening to his Walkman instead of the sophomore girl trying to flirt with him. She stops talking though as Cas approaches. Dean opens one eye, smiles and crooks his finger at Cas in a come hither motion. So, she does. Leaning against him, she whispers a quiet thank you to her dark knight.

The girl is one of the brighter ones as she leaves pretty quickly. Others aren’t that smart, choosing to stay and continue to hit on Dean. Cas hates these girls, although a part of her does understand where they’re coming from. Dean is rather desirable. However, this does not give them permission to act coquettish around her Dean. Those girls are met with what Victor refers to as, “The stare of doom.”

Dean says she’s hot when she’s jealous, but Cas finds this suspect, as Dean’s always going on about how hot she is. She’s pretty sure Dean only thinks she’s attractive because he’s in love with her, and not because she is. When she tells him this though, he gets this dark look in his eye and proceeds to kiss her until she can’t breathe.

“Trust me, Cas,” he says when they come up for air, “I’m not that deep.”

In the present time, Dean grins, “I have something to show you.”

“Yeah?”

Dean nods, pulls out a piece of paper from his bag. On top of it is the letter B with a plus sign and a note saying good job. “Look.”

Cas grabs the paper, “Is this what I think it is?”

“Well,” Dean shrugs, “It’s not like I have anything better to do while I wait for you after school.”

It occurs to her that he’s not just studying for the sake of having something to do, but because he wants to deserve her. “Oh, Dean,” she coos, standing on her tip toes to join her lips with his.

“Get a room,” a passerby yells.

“Fuck off!” Dean yells back.

"Language, Winchester," A teacher reprimands.

Dean takes Cas' hand. “Come on, I’ll walk you to class.”

It’s during geometry that Cas decides she needs to do something in return for Dean, something that says I love you in a way that he knows she truly means it.

“I need your help,” she tells Missouri after Dean drops her off to go spend time with Sam. “I need a pie.”

“Do I look like a bakery to you, girl?” Missouri replies. “Go to the store and buy one of those frozen ones.”

“It needs to be fresh made.”

Missouri simply stares at her until Cas relents. “Fine, I’ll find someone else to do it.”

“Good for you, sweetie,” and Missouri goes back to folding the laundry, “and don’t forget to take your pile of clothes back up to your room with you! And put them in your dresser this time!”

“Yes, ma’am,” Cas shouts back, dialing the Winchester’s house. Luck is on her side as Mary answers.

“Cas? Dean’s not home yet.”

“I need to talk to you.”

“Oh!" Mary's voice instantly changes, "Alright then, what is it I can do for you?”

“I want to make Dean a pie, only I don’t know how.”

“I see,” Mary replies, “Well, I’m not sure when Dean’s supposed to be home. I imagine this is to be a surprise?”

“Yes.”

Mary hums, “Alright, well I am free for the next few hours, let me just grab a few things and I will come over.”

Delighted, Cas thanks the woman and hangs up. “Mary is coming over,” she announces, picking up her clothes.

Missouri glares, looking around the house, “Then you can help me pick up this mess before she gets here.”

An hour later, all three women are sitting in the kitchen, peeling granny smith apples and gossiping while Marvin Gaye croons in the background. “Now this,” Missouri sighs, “Was a sexy man.”

“You said it,” Mary agrees, sipping on her coffee, “I was more of a Paul McCartney girl myself.”

“Dean says you used to sing Hey Jude to him,” Cas says. “I want to do that…someday.”

Mary and Missouri share a look that Castiel doesn’t miss but before Castiel can defend herself, Mary laughs, “It’s alright, Castiel,” and the girl sighs in relief. “Now, I think we have enough apples.”

It’s while Cas is rolling out the crust that she decides two things, one, Dean better freaking appreciate what she’s doing and two, she’s never doing this again. She’ll make him all the sandwiches he wants all day long, but he’s going to have to get his pie somewhere else.

“Now what?” Cas asks, once the pie is in the oven.

“Now,” Missouri says, holding up the coffee pot, “We drink more of this delicious coffee and wait for the pies to be done.

Cas nods, holding up her cup for her foster mother to refill. Then she asks something she’s always wanted to know, “How did you and John meet?”

“We knew each other in high school,” Mary answers, “It was hate at first sight too. I thought he was the biggest pig headed jerk and he thought I was a stuck up know it all. Then one day he asked me out.”

“And you said yes?” Cas leads.

“Of course not, I said no. I really hated John. But he just kept asking every day until finally I gave in and said I would go to the movies with him. We dated for a year before he went to Vietnam. Then he came back and that was that. We dated for a couple years and then he asked me to marry him, we moved here and you know the rest.”

“That’s such a romantic story,” Missouri sighs. “Speaking of romantic stories, let me tell you how I met my George…”

Cas leaves the pie in the fridge with a note threatening the removal of body parts if anyone touches it. The next morning, she takes it to Dean’s house. He’s still sleeping when she goes up, so she sits the pie on his dresser and crawls into bed with him.

He blinks his eyes open, regarding her with a sleepy, “Heya,”

“Go to sleep,” Cas commands, wrapping her leg around his, getting as close as she can.

“Kay,” Dean replies, quickly drifting off. Eventually, Cas wakes up to find Dean stretching.

He’s barely dressed, wearing nothing but his underwear and it’s impossible to keep heat from pooling inside her belly. Dean is impossibly attractive.

“Why is there pie on my dresser?”

“I made it," she says proudly. It only took three attempts too.

Dean raises a brow, “Really, what’s with the pie?”

“I made it,” she repeats as Dean stands up. “Happy Saturday.”

Dean smiles, “Well this is awesome.” he brings over the pie with the two forks resting on top of it, handing her one. “Happy Saturday.”

Arc Two
Arc Four

Romeo and Juliet (Had Nothin' On Us, Babe.) Arc Three

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