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“All the work that needs to be done imminently is done, so you can go home early if you want Dean.” Bobby said, as he checked off the work that needed to be done by Monday as done.
Dean looked at his watch and then up at his uncle/boss, unsure as to whether he was serious or just telling a joke. “Really? It’s only 2:30.”
“I am aware Dean, but like I said, all the work is done.”
“Well, what am I supposed to do all afternoon then? I have nothing else on today.” Dean complained. If anyone else complained like this to their boss about finishing early probably wouldn’t get off as easily as Dean could, but that was a perk to having your uncle as your boss.
“Stop whining you idjit. I’m giving you time off, take it.” At Dean’s silence Bobby looked up to see him looking like he was thinking really hard, potentially trying to solve a really hard equation. “It’s not rocket science boy, why don’t you go visit Sam? Have a night out with him.”
At the mention of his brother Dean’s face lit up. “Yeah, I’ll go see Sammy. It’s so quiet in the apartment since he moved into the dorms.”
“I’m sure it is. Now go, or I’ll find extra work for you.” Bobby threatened, causing Dean to laugh, and thereby resulting in Bobby also laughing. “Say hi to Sam for me.” Bobby said as he turned and worked towards his office at the back of the garage.
Dean practically ran out of the garage towards his beloved Impala, barely managing to yell bye to his uncle as he went. He thought about texting Sam to let him know he was coming but decided it would be nicer to surprise him instead, and the campus was only about a 15-minute drive away anyway. When he reached the dorm, Dean found a spot and parked his car, then practically running inside before he remembered that he didn’t know the room number of Sam’s dorm room. He was about to ask someone when a door opened, and a familiar mop of brown hair emerged on a six-foot four giant. Even though his back was to Dean, he was entirely recognizable. Smiling as big as was possible, Dean called out a name that would leave no doubt who he was talking to. “Samsqatch!” Sam turned, and an equally as large as Dean’s smile was spread across his face. “Dean!” Dean walked quickly toward his brother and hugged him tight.
“Heyy Sammy. How are you doing?” He asked.
“Good. What are you doing here though? Shouldn’t you be at work?” Sam questioned, looking suspiciously at his brother.
“We finished everything of importance and Bobby let me go early. Thought maybe we could hang out for a bit, maybe get some dinner later as well.” Dean explained.
“Ohh, I’d love to Dean, but I still have a class today.” Sam said, looking upset that he had to say no to hanging out with his big brother.
“How long is the class? Maybe I could just hang here and wait for you.” Dean suggested.
“It’s from 3 – 5:30. You would have to wait 2 and a half hours for me.”
“Maybe I could come to the class with you then. I’ve never been in a college class, could be fun. What class do you have?”
Sam laughed thinking of the class he had, Dean was going to be bored listening to this lecture. “Literary theory and criticism.”
Dean groaned, but also looked at his watch. “That sounds so boring, but we better go if you don’t wanna be late. Do we need to walk or drive to the building?” They started walking out of the building as Sam now looked at his watch to see the time.
“Better drive now, just to make sure.”
They walked to the car and chatted a little about what they had both been up to recently as they made there way to the lecture hall where Sam’s class was supposed to take place. As they walked into the hall Dean looked at the layout and considered where they should sit.
“Where do you normally sit?” Dean asked.
“I normally sit in the second row, but since you’re not actually in this class maybe we should sit in the back just incase Professor Harris realizes you aren’t a student.”
Dean nodded, he didn’t want Sam to get into trouble for sneaking him into a class. Moving towards the back of the room, Sam changed his mind and ducked into a row about halfway back, instead of the real back of the room. They sat down and as Sam got out his books, Dean looked around, interested in what was happening around him. Dean had never gone to college himself, instead taking a full-time job with his uncle straight out of high school in his garage, where he had worked part time for a few years previous. Sam had decided to go to college locally to study pre-law, hoping to then get into Stanford for his law degree. Which suddenly had something in Dean questioning things. “Sam?”
“Yeah?”
“You’re studying pre-law aren’t you?” Dean asked.
“Yeah I am, why?”
“So why are we in a literary whatever class then?”
“It’s an elective subject. I thought I’d take a different class away from my degree for an elective. Something different for me to do.”
Dean just nodded, turning his gaze towards the door to watch the other students as a few more rushed in just before the class was supposed to start. One student in particular caught Dean’s eye. He was standing next to the door, on his phone, facing away from the room. From what Dean could see he was built nicely, lithe, although it was a little hard to tell properly from what he was wearing, which appeared to be a slightly too big for him suit. It almost looked as though he had perhaps borrowed the suit from someone else who was obviously bigger than him. As the guy was still on the phone, Dean turned back to Sam with a question about the class.
“So how does this work? Do you just sit here for two and a half hours and listen to some old guy talk?” Dean asked.
Sam laughed. “Well most of the class is listening to the professor talk and taking notes, but there is some discussion and questions, and halfway through he usually gives us a break for ten minutes as well. But mostly it is just listening to him talk yes.”
“Right. So it is going to be as boring as I thought.”
“Sorry Dean.” Sam did look sorry that Dean was going to have to sit through this. “If you want to leave I’ll call you when the class is done, and we can hang out then.”
Dean looked towards the door again and was about to agree with Sam’s suggestion, when the man in the ill-fitting suit turned around. Dean couldn’t draw his eyes away, his eyes were such a piercing blue that Dean could see there colour even from the distance he was currently sat, and his cupid bow lips looked perfect for kissing, among other dirty things that Dean probably shouldn’t think about in public. “Actually, I think ill just stay.” Dean said to Sam, not removing his gaze from the unknown man. “Is that guy in this class?” He tried to ask as casually as possible, hoping not to tip his brother off on the reason behind his question.
Sam followed his gaze and smiled. “Not exactly. He’s the TA.”
“The TA?” Dean questioned.
“Teacher’s assistant. He doesn’t usually wear a suit though.” Sam observed.
“What’s a teacher’s assistant?”
“It’s a student that helps a particular teacher with their work. They aid in helping students with the class, marking assessments, and sometimes even teach the classes if the teacher is sick and can’t make it themselves. It’s a good job to have as a senior as it gives you some course credit, and also you get paid for it.” Sam explained.
“So, they are essentially a second teacher for the class?” Dean was trying to make sure he understood exactly what Sam was telling him.
“Basically yes.
Dean was about to continue speaking when Sam looked pointedly towards the front of the lecture hall, and Dean turned to see the TA standing behind a desk, a PowerPoint loaded behind him looking as though he was ready to teach.
“Good afternoon everyone. As you can probably tell, Professor Harris is away today, he isn’t well, so I will be taking this class for him. I will also be taking next weeks classes for him as well, as he will be out for the week, so the homework that was due today I won’t collect just yet. I will allow some more time so for anyone who wants to hand it in today if they have completed it, can do so after class, for everyone else, you will have until Tuesday to get it finished. Now before we start the lecture does anyone have any questions about the last class, or about any pending assignments or homework?”
Dean was barely paying any attention to what he was saying, instead he was just watching the way his mouth moved as he talked, and the way the expressions on his face changed depending on what he was saying. The first half of the class passed that way, Dean basically just staring at the TA, so focused that he didn’t notice Sam watching him occasionally and laughing slightly. When the TA called for the break, Sam nudged Dean and gestured towards the door with his head. Dean wasn’t sure what Sam wanted, but he followed his brother from the room and down the hall anyway. Apparently Sam had needed to use the bathroom, so Dean waited outside for him, watching students rushing around to get to classes, or away from them to start the weekend, some students were sitting in little study nooks doing work by themselves or in small groups. It was fascinating to watch. When Sam emerged from the bathroom he raised his eyebrows at Dean.
“Soooo…” That was all Sam said, hoping Dean would take the hint and tell him what he wanted to know, but Dean decided to play it dumb instead, not giving in that easily.
“What?”
“Really Dean? You just spent the last hour and a bit staring at Castiel.” Sam sighed.
“Who??’ Dean asked, feeling confused.
“Castiel. The TA.”
“His names Castiel?” Dean asked, ignoring the initial interests of his brother.
“Yes, his name is Castiel, now are you actually going to pretend you weren’t staring?” Sam asked, getting slightly annoyed.
They were just entering the lecture hall again now, so Dean was almost whispering when he responded. “Fine! I was staring. He is hot okay.”
Sam laughed. “At least you will admit it. Did you want me to get his number for you?” Sam asked, teasing now.
“Shut up.” Dean said, shoving Sam slightly as he was about to sit in his seat, making him miss and hit the edge of the seat next to him instead. Sam was laughing at Dean so much he didn’t even care, just righted himself and tried to stop laughing.
“Are you sure? Cause I can get it easily, he said we could ask for his number at anytime if we needed a faster reply than email when he started with the class.” Sam said when he had finally managed to control his laughter.
“I said shut up Sammy. I can get my own dates, don’t need my little brothers help.”
That was the end of their conversation for the moment, as Castiel had gotten back up to continue the class. Dean continued to spend the rest of the lecture staring at Castiel, at one point he even found those piercing blue eyes staring straight into his own green eyes when Sam raised his hand to ask a question. When the class was finally over and everyone was packing up to leave, Dean heard his brother’s name called.
“Sam Winchester, would you mind staying behind for a minute?” Castiel asked.
“Ohh, Sam’s in trouble!” Dean teased as they walked to the desk at the front of the room together.
“Castiel.” Sam said as a greeting to let him know he was there.
“Sam. I have been quite impressed with your work so far this semester. I was wondering if you were interested in potentially tutoring one or two students that are struggling a little bit with the class.”
“Thank you. Would I be able to think about it over the weekend and let you know next week?” Sam asked politely.
“Of course.” Castiel replied. “I know that between classes and jobs college can be pretty busy. It can be hard to find spare time just for yourself.”
“Yes, it can. I do already tutor some students as a job, I just am rearranging my schedule this weekend as some of those students need to change the times I tutor them, so once that is sorted I will know if I can fit any more in.” Sam explained.
“You do tutor already? I don’t remember seeing your name on the list of tutors for English students.” Castiel looked quite confused at this fact.
“Ohh, I tutor pre-law. That’s my major, I’m taking this class as an elective, something to give me a slight break from all the law subjects.”
“Oh, that explains that. Well you know you can email anytime over the weekend if you need any further information. Thank you for considering it. How are you going with the current homework and assignment? Any problems?”
“Ohh, I have the homework here actually.” Sam quickly rifled through his bag and handed Castiel some sheets of paper. “I also have my first draft of the assignment almost finished. I will finish it tomorrow, would it be okay if I emailed a copy to you for some feedback before I start the final copy?”
“Of course, I am happy to read it and provide some feedback. I’m actually pretty sure you are the only student who has even started it yet.” Castiel smiled at Sam as he said that. And of course Dean had to laugh quietly at his nerd of a little brother. Unfortunately he didn’t laugh quietly enough, and Castiel turned his eyes to Dean. “I don’t think I have seen you in this class before. Are you new?” He asked.
“No, I’m Sam’s brother.”
“He decided to surprise me with a visit and didn’t know I had a class, he was just sitting in so we could spend some time together after the class.” Sam quickly explained, hoping he wouldn’t get into trouble.
“Well, you looked pretty interested in my lecture, so I figured you were a new student. I’m Castiel.” He held out his hand to Dean, and Dean took it, shaking his hand without removing his gaze from Castiel’s face.
“Dean.”
Castiel and Dean stared at each other a moment, until some students from the next class started to file into the room. Castiel broke the look to glance at his watch and looked like he was about to swear when he saw the time. “I’m sorry, I have to go, I have a class to get to. Let me know what you decide Sam, and please email me your draft when it is done. It was nice to meet you Dean. Bye” Castiel hurried out of the room and Dean watched him go, slowly walking out himself with Sam at his side.
“Okay, so any more classes today that I should know about?” Dean asked.
“Nope, we can do whatever you want now Dean.”
“Good, lets go get some dinner then.” Dean said, smiling broadly as he walked back to the impala. When they reached the car they found a few people milling around it, admiring the old car. Dean just smirked slightly when the admirers moved out of the way to let Sam and Dean into the car. “So Sammy, where to for food?”