Chapter Text
[January 7, 2008]
Group Chat: Gayz II Women
Members: Dean Winchester, Sam Winchester, Charlie Bradbury, Kevin Tran, Jo Harvelle
[3:49 PM] Dean Winchester: dude i swear to god
[3:49 PM] Jo Harvelle: what is it now
[3:50 PM] Dean Winchester: i don’t care if this motherfucker is on the swim team and i don’t care if he’s the captain, if he puts another rescued snail in my locker because it was lonely, I’m gonna dump shit into his pool
[3:51 PM] Kevin Tran: what shit?
[3:51 PM] Dean Winchester: how depraved do you think i’ll go
[3:51 PM] Sam Winchester: ugh dean ew
[3:51 PM] Sam Winchester: i can’t stand you omg
[3:52 PM] Charlie Bradbury: dean do NOT shit in the pool
[3:52 PM] Dean Winchester: this swimming pool ass wipe is making it very tempting
[3:53 PM] Kevin Tran: dude just find his locker and put the snails there
[3:53 PM] Sam Winchester: i literally don’t know what i did to deserve a dumb ass bitch like dean for a brother
[3:54 PM] Dean Winchester: shut up you would do the same in my position
[3:54 PM] Sam Winchester: I WOULDN’T SHIT IN THE POOL?????
[January 9, 2008]
Group Chat: Gayz II Women
[11:06 AM] Charlie Bradbury: are you guys going to meg masters’s party
[11:06 AM] Kevin Tran: what, for valentine’s day?
[11:07 AM] Charlie Bradbury: she hates the holiday but it’s a reason for a party
[11:07 AM] Jo Harvelle: could be fun
[11:07 AM] Jo Harvelle: sure i’ll go
[11:08 AM] Jo Harvelle: are the rest of you coming?
[11:08 AM] Dean Winchester: why not
[11:08 AM] Dean Winchester: sure
[11:09 AM] Dean Winchester: who else is gonna be there
[11:09 AM] Sam Winchester: uhh i think i heard something about bela talbot going???
[11:10 AM] Jo Harvelle: she has a mansion but she chooses to attend a party in a smelly apartment
[11:10 AM] Kevin Tran: meg’s apartment isn’t that bad
[11:11 AM] Dean Winchester:
[January 12, 2008]
Group Chat: Elite Gayz II Women
Members: Charlie Bradbury, Dean Winchester
[1:49 AM] Charlie Bradbury: i love that this chat is just us
[1:49 AM] Dean Winchester: we need more people
[1:50 AM] Charlie Bradbury: hey isn’t the swim team captain gay
[1:50 AM] Dean Winchester: i am Not asking mr lonely
[1:50 AM] Charlie Bradbury: mr lonely SNAILS
[1:51 AM] Charlie Bradbury: he’s so cute pls
[1:51 AM] Dean Winchester: don’t take his side lesbian
[1:52 AM] Charlie Bradbury:
[January 17, 2008]
Private Chat: Dean Winchester, Sam Winchester
[3:02 PM] Sam Winchester: DEAN
[3:02 PM] Sam Winchester: i saw the swim team boy putting snails in your locker again
[3:03 PM] Dean Winchester: did you stop him
[3:03 PM] Sam Winchester: who do you think i am
[3:03 PM] Sam Winchester: of course i didn’t
[3:04 PM] Dean Winchester: fuck you man
[3:04 PM] Sam Winchester: he left a note this time tho
[3:05 PM] Dean Winchester: what does it say
[3:05 PM] Sam Winchester: who am i, your maid???
[3:05 PM] Sam Winchester: go read it yourself
[January 17, 2008]
[Found in Dean’s locker with a snail and Reese’s cup]
Hello Locker 275:
I apologize for leaving snails in your locker. It’s the only one I can slip a snail into that’s near the pool. Mine is too far away.
Here’s a small token of my appreciation. I hope you’re not allergic to peanuts. Let me know.
- The very sorry but grateful guy who leaves the snails
[January 19, 2008]
[Found on Dean’s locker]
Snail dude:
I like Reese’s. All good on that end.
But can you stop leaving snails in my locker? Cleaning up the slime is a bitch.
[January 20, 2008]
Group Chat: Gayz II Women
[11:42 AM] Dean Winchester: SNAILS
[11:42 AM] Dean Winchester: SNAILS THIS SNAILS THAT
[11:42 AM] Jo Harvelle: he left them again?
[11:42 AM] Dean Winchester: after i asked him not to
[11:43 AM] Dean Winchester: I HATE IT HERE
[11:43 AM] Charlie Bradbury: why don’t you try keeping one of the snails as a pet
[11:43 AM] Dean Winchester: i am not keeping one of his stupid snails
[January 20, 2008]
Private Chat: Dean Winchester, Sam Winchester
[8:29 PM] Dean Winchester: what do you think of the name chevy
[8:29 PM] Sam Winchester: i think it’s the name of dad’s car
[8:30 PM] Dean Winchester: just tell me
[8:30 PM] Sam Winchester: fine i think it’s okay
[8:30 PM] Sam Winchester: why???
[8:31 PM] Dean Winchester: chevy the snail
[8:31 PM] Dean Winchester: it has a ring to it
[8:32 PM] Sam Winchester: CHEVY THE SNAIL?????
[8:32 PM] Sam Winchester: HELLO????
[January 23, 2008]
[Found on Dean’s locker with a photo of Chevy the snail]
Snail dude:
I kept one of the snails. His name is Chevy.
[January 24, 2008]
[Found in Dean’s locker]
Locker 275:
Chevy is a nice name. Isn’t it a type of car? Apologies if I’m mistaken, automobiles aren’t my area of expertise.
[January 25, 2008]
[Found on Dean’s locker]
Snail dude:
Yeah, named him after my dad’s car. Chevy Impala, 1967. I’m supposed to get the car soon.
[January 27, 2008]
Group Chat: Gayz II Women
[9:12 PM] Kevin Tran: I REALLY WANT TO GO TO MEG’S PARTY RIGHT NOW NOT GONNA LIE
[9:12 PM] Kevin Tran: i wanna meet someone there and fall in love
[9:12 PM] Jo Harvelle: omg fall in love w me kev!!
[9:12 PM] Jo Harvelle: jk i hate men
[9:13 PM] Kevin Tran: i know
[9:13 PM] Kevin Tran: all men do is disappoint me
[9:13 PM] Sam Winchester: you are a man
[9:14 PM] Kevin Tran: did i say i was exempt
[January 29, 2008]
[Found on Dean’s locker]
Snail dude:
Are you going to Meg’s party on V day?
[January 30, 2008]
[Found in Dean’s locker]
Locker 275:
No. Parties aren’t my scene. You?
[February 1, 2008]
[Found on Dean’s locker]
Snail dude:
I am. Maybe I’ll see you there, maybe I won’t.
[February 3, 2008]
Group Chat: Gayz II Women
Charlie Bradbury added Garth Fitzgerald
[4:39 PM] Charlie Bradbury: i met him today and i love him already
[4:39 PM] Garth Fitzgerald: hey everyone
[4:39 PM] Dean Winchester: hettie
[4:40 PM] Garth Fitzgerald: sigh
[4:40 PM] Garth Fitzgerald: unfortunately
[February 5, 2008]
Group Chat: Gayz II Women
[8:04 AM] Garth Fitzgerald: i need help
[8:04 AM] Kevin Tran: the gays are here
[8:05 AM] Garth Fitzgerald: i have a crush on this girl but idk the first thing about wooing a girl
[8:05 AM] Jo Harvelle: who the fuck says WOO
[8:05 AM] Charlie Bradbury: heteros
[8:05 AM] Dean Winchester: garth, my man
[8:05 AM] Dean Winchester: this is easy
[8:06 AM] Dean Winchester: just take her to a cute dinner and get her a rose
[8:06 AM] Sam Winchester: don’t overcomplicate
[8:06 AM] Dean Winchester: shut up the expert is talking
[8:06 AM] Sam Winchester: says the one that can’t ask out snail guy
[8:07 AM] Dean Winchester: i don’t want to
[8:07 AM] Dean Winchester: anyway garth you got this
[8:07 AM] Garth Fitzgerald: thanks dean i’ll try that
[February 6, 2008]
[Found in Dean’s locker]
Locker 275:
If you want to, can you come to the pool after school and fish out all the snails with me? We could move them to the garden or something. If you want.
[February 6, 2008]
Private Chat: John Winchester, Dean Winchester
[12:39 PM] John Winchester: You better come straight home after school.
[12:39 PM] Dean Winchester: i kind of had something to do...
[12:39 PM] John Winchester: Are you talking back to me?
[12:40 PM] Dean Winchester: no sir
[12:40 PM] Dean Winchester: sorry sir
[12:40 PM] Dean Winchester: i’ll go home after school
[12:41 PM] Dean Winchester: what about sam?
[12:41 PM] John Winchester: Tell him.
[February 6, 2008]
[Found on Dean’s locker]
Snail dude:
Sorry, can’t. I need to go home early. Maybe next time.
[February 7, 2008]
[Found in Dean’s locker with a snail]
Locker 275:
I don’t know where this one came from but it’s got a beautiful pink shell. I’m doubtful you want another snail but I thought this one could keep Chevy company.
[February 8, 2008]
[Found on Dean’s locker]
Snail dude:
Do you want to name it?
[February 9, 2008]
[Found in Dean’s locker]
Locker 275:
I was thinking of the name Clarence today.
[February 10, 2008]
[Found on Dean’s locker with a photo of Chevy and Clarence the snails]
Snail dude:
Chevy and Clarence. Don't they grow up so fast? Chevy's not used to sharing his space yet but he's getting by. Clarence feels right at home.
[February 12, 2008]
Group Chat: Gayz II Men
[7:31 PM] Jo Harvelle: THE PARTY IS IN TWO DAYS
[7:32 PM] Sam Winchester: anyone you’re hoping to see there?
[7:32 PM] Charlie Bradbury: god i hope the party is overflowing with lesbians
[7:33 PM] Jo Harvelle: it’s meg masters of course it will
[7:33 PM] Garth Fitzgerald: i hope bess myers is there
[7:33 PM] Dean Winchester: oh yeah how did the date with her go?
[7:34 PM] Garth Fitzgerald: GREAT!!! we have another one next week
[7:34 PM] Kevin Tran: a win for the heteros
[7:35 PM] Jo Harvelle: I’m so happy for you garth omg
[7:35 PM] Charlie Bradbury: THIS IS SO CUTE
[7:35 PM] Charlie Bradbury: speaking of cute
[7:36 PM] Charlie Bradbury: DEAN IS SNAIL DUDE GOING TO THE PARTY??
[7:36 PM] Dean Winchester: no :/ not his thing apparently
[7:36 PM] Sam Winchester: who knows maybe you’ll be surprised
[7:36 PM] Dean Winchester: maybe
[February 14, 2008]
Dean knocks on the door and checks his watch; he’s on time, Charlie told him to come then. Dean brought a rose as per Jo’s request -- if she didn’t end up meeting anyone, she didn’t want to go home without a rose to show for it, so Dean offered to bring one for her in case. The door opens and he’s greeted with a tired-looking boy his age with messy dark hair and these blue eyes that are both blank yet so full of soul. His lips press into a thin line. “Is this where the party is?”
The boy says flatly, “You’re on the wrong floor. The party is upstairs.”
Dean smiles, “So, you get that often?”
The boy gives him a tight sarcastic smile. “Yes. I come here often too. Yes, it hurt when I fell from Heaven. No, you can’t rearrange the alphabet.”
Dean laughs as the boy eliminates pick-up line after pick-up line and pulls out the rose from behind his back, joking, “I don’t want to rearrange the alphabet but I did want to show this rose how beautiful you are.”
The boy visibly cringes but he still ends up smiling. “I won’t keep you, you should go upstairs before you miss the party.”
Dean shrugs, “Nah, I wasn’t really into the party anyway. I was supposed to pass this to my friend but I’m sure she can wait. You don’t wanna go to the party?”
“Not my kind of social event,” he answers, looking Dean up and down as he leans against the doorway. “But I gather it’s yours.”
“What makes you think that?”
“Well, the leather jacket you’re wearing seems pretty creased, I’d assume you wear it pretty often,” the boy observes, reaching out to touch Dean’s leather jacket’s sleeve to show the visible whitened creases in the material.
Dean looks at him in amusement, “That doesn’t sound very relevant. I wear jackets to school a lot.”
“If you would let me finish,” the boy sighs. “There’s a stain on the breast of the jacket, likely from beer... Unless you drink beer in school and somehow get away with it, it’s likely from a party. Beer doesn’t clean out of leather unless you act quickly.”
“I spilled beer onto it at a party a while back,” Dean admits.
The boy nods and continues, “You drink, obviously. Even though you shouldn’t, we’re in high school, but you drink. I take it you don’t do it often because of your physique, but you clearly drink and don’t get to a toilet or home fast enough to clean the stain out. You didn’t try to get it professionally cleaned or get a new jacket, probably because you thought it would happen again in the future and didn't see any reason to put in the effort. Ergo, you attend parties often.”
“Wow,” Dean says, fanning himself dramatically. “Mr. Holmes, you’re amazing.”
“Elementary, my dear Watson,” he says wryly.
Dean asks, “Can I come in, or is that too stalker-like?”
The boy thinks about it before he shrugs, “Fine. I need a little more excitement in my life. I’m Castiel.”
“Weird name,” Dean notes. “I’m Dean.”
“Weird name,” Castiel echoes back falsely. He pours himself a glass of water and Dean notices the faint classical music playing. “If it makes you feel better, people have adopted the habit of addressing me as Cas.” He talks formally and it distantly reminds Dean of Snail Dude.
“Okay, Cas,” Dean nods, testing out the name. “I think I’ve seen you in school before.”
Cas glances up at the ceiling in thought before asking, “Aren’t you in my History class?”
Dean snaps his fingers in recognition, “You always sit at the front! I literally only know how the back of your head looks like.”
“Thank you,” Castiel says dryly. He changes the subject, questioning, “It’s Valentine’s Day, don’t you have a date or something to get to?”
“Just the party upstairs but I’m good with staying here,” Dean replies dismissively. “What about you? You look pretty hot, I’d think you’d have a date.”
Cas blushes -- blushes? Maybe it just got hot. His cheeks burn a light red and he says, awkwardly rubbing his neck, “I don’t have a date.”
Dean asks, “Have your eye on anyone? I like giving advice.”
“Don’t be a douchebag,” Cas says, rolling his eyes. His whole body moves with it and it’s endearing in its own way. “I don’t need your help.”
Somehow, it already feels like they’ve been friends for a while, not just the past ten minutes. Dean grins lopsidedly, “Hey, my friend Jo, she’s looking for a date.”
“Not my type,” Cas replies instantly.
Dean raises his eyebrows, “I haven’t even told you about her yet.”
Cas says, leveling a look with Dean, “You told me Jo is a girl.”
“Jo is a -- Oh. Oh,” Dean realizes. “Well, my pal Kev’s looking for someone.”
“I don’t need your help,” Cas repeats. “Thank you, but don’t bother.”
They end up talking for the next two hours about themselves, their friends, their schoolwork. They get along really well, which Dean honestly didn’t expect them to. But Cas is funny, if dry, and he’s intelligent in every way. Smart’s always sexy.
When Cas tells him his parents will be home any time soon, Dean leaves for Meg’s party but he leaves his number behind on the notepad by the landline:
Call me 202-555-0178
Dean