Work Text:
Shut Up and Dance
Dean watched as his younger brother Sam danced with his date. He was awkward and clumsy, but his date didn't seem to mind. She was laughing with him and guiding him along. They were having a good time. He didn't quite like that Sam was on a date. He was only a freshman. He needed to focus on school, not girls. Sam was gonna be the one that went to college, not Dean. He was gonna make something of himself. He was gonna be a lawyer.
Of all the girls' Sam could be with, Dean was happy it was Jessica Moore. Jess was their neighbor. She had moved in a few years ago. Sam has been smitten ever since. He had tried and failed several times to ask her out, only to lose the courage at the last minute or fumble over his words. It was adorable to watch, really. In the end, it had been Jess who had asked Sam to the dance. She had been aware of his attempts and thought it was time to put him out of his misery. Sam has been overjoyed. He had run and told their mother the good news. She had been happy for him. John, while happy for his son, asked Dean to go with him and keep an eye on Sam.
Dean didn't do dances. School dances were lame. The music usually sucked. Girls spent way too much time on their hair and makeup, and dresses. The Guys didn't spend enough. Everyone fought over the theme. It was just a bad idea. It was not Dean's thing, for sure. He'd rather be at home working on his car with Bobby and John.
Only for Sam would Dean suffer through this dance. That and John had threatened to take his car away if he didn't go.
"Someone looks grouchy."
Dean looked up as his best friend, Castiel Novak, sauntered over. He slid into the empty seat next to Dean. He leaned over, nudging him lightly.
Dean had known Castiel his entire life. Castiel lived on the other side of the Winchesters. They had been best friends since before they could talk.
"I don't do dances, Cas," Dean stated.
"And yet here you all, barely dressed up, sitting all alone at a school dance," Castiel teased, poking the other boy in the chest. His grin grew as Dean slapped his hand away.
"I'm not alone. You're here," Dean replied smoothly.
"Will you two just bang already and get it over with?"
A curly hair brunette slid into the seat next to Castiel. She was grinning from ear to ear as Castiel turned bright red at her comment. He looked down at the table as she slung her arm over his shoulders, cackling.
"Meg." Dean greeted their classmate with a glare. "Just because Cas and I are the only two guys in our class, man enough to admit we like other men, doesn't mean we like each other. We are best friends."
"Sure, sure, the sooner you admit it, the better you'll feel," Meg said, waving a hand at them. She turned and looked across the dance floor, bored with this conversation already.
"That exchange student has the hots for you," Dean replied, pointing across the room.
"Fergus? No way, no how," Meg said, shaking her head.
"Come on, the sooner you admit it, the better you'll feel," Dean mimicked her earlier statement.
"Ok, I get it. It was a joke. Lighten up, Winchester," Meg replied.
"I'm afraid he was born the way."
Dean inwardly groaned as Castiel's brother Jimmy joined them. Dean wasn't sure why he and Jimmy didn't get along, given he was Castiel's twin brother. They were complete opposites, and it seemed Jimmy had it out for him. Jimmy was just plain annoying. He was Castiel's evil twin brother. Ever since they were little, he had it out for Dean. He was always putting him down and trying to turn Castiel against him. Dean didn't understand why he hated him so much. Dean would rather dance than sit here with Jimmy. He sent him a glare wishing for him to leave. He knew that wouldn't work with Meg. She was a different story. She was glued to Castiel, it seemed. She was always trying to get Castiel a boyfriend, despite most of their classmates claiming to be straight. Meg and Castiel had a weird dynamic. Dean didn't understand why Castiel put up with her.
"Listen here, Novak-" Dean started.
"You knows he's a Novak too," Jimmy pointed at Castiel.
"Yeah, but he only calls you Novak," Castiel chimed in.
"Exactly, Cas here is actually nice to me," Dean said, forgetting his threat.
"So why are you here, Dean," Meg asked again.
"Someone's gotta watch Sammy," Dean replied, glancing around the room until he found his little brother with his friends.
"He's fourteen, Dean, time to cut the cord. Let the kid have some fun," Jimmy said, following Dean's gaze to the younger Winchester.
"I know, it's not me. Trust me, I'd rather be anywhere else, but my dad is threatening to take my car if I don't stay," Dean replied honestly.
"And there it is," Jimmy laughed.
"The joys of being seventeen, almost an adult, yet our parents still treat us like kids," Castiel sighed.
"Dean!"
"Charlie," Dean greeted the redhead as she forced herself in between him and Castiel. Castiel chuckled and scooted over for her.
Charlie was his other best friend. She had claimed they were best friends in first grade when she moved here with her aunt, and that was that. They were best friends. Castiel, jealous at first, had come to understand their dynamic. He knew better than to get between Charlie and anyone she set her eyes on.
"Watching Sam, huh?" She asked.
"Someone's gotta make sure you don't bug him and embarrass him in front of his date," Dean teased.
"Me? Embarrass him?" Charlie asked, shocked, causing the table to laugh.
"Always," Dean replied.
"You've been his babysitter for years now," Castiel added.
"Oh, I've got the dirt, alright," Charlie said, laughing evilly. "Not just on Sam." She added with a grin toward Dean.
"Have I mentioned how pretty you are tonight? That dress looks amazing on you," Dean replied.
"Good boy," Charlie said, petting Dean.
"He's not a dog," Castiel laughed.
"Shh," Dean said, shushing him. "She doesn't need to know that. Let her have her delusions."
"Delusions?" Charlie asked. She paused a moment before nodding her head. "Yeah, yeah, I can't argue there." She shrugged with a goofy grin.
Suddenly the music shifted, and Walking on Sunshine came on. Dean groaned as Charlie jumped up. She looked at him with the biggest grin.
"No," Dean said quickly.
"I love this song, come on!" She screamed.
She pulled Dean to his feet as Meg grabbed Castiel. The four made their way out onto the floor, Dean protesting the whole way. Castiel laughed and danced goofily with Meg and Charlie.
Dean stood there unsure of himself. This was the part he hated. He didn't want to make a fool of himself, but his friends didn't seem to care. They were all laughing and having a good time, ignoring all the looks they were getting.
Castiel took Dean's arm and pulled him close. Dean looked back to the girls, who seemed too preoccupied to notice them. He started to look for Sam. He had to keep an eye on Sam.
"Oh no, you don't," Castiel said, grabbing Dean's chin to make him look at him. "Don't you dare look back. Just keep your eyes on me, Winchester."
Dean swallowed thickly. That funny feeling when Castiel got close came back. His stomach felt like it was fluttering. His heart was hammering. He may be all cool on the outside and deny it, but he was head over heels for the raven-haired teen.
"Cas-" Dean started.
"Shut up and dance with me," Castiel commanded.
Dean smiled at the other boy. He gave in to the pressure and danced with him. He finally let go and allowed himself to have a little fun. Castiel was smiling and laughing as they moved together. It was like the whole world melted away. All that Dean could see right now was Castiel. His face was filled with joy and laughter. He was looking at Dean in a way that Dean didn't understand.
Then the music shifted from a fast pace to a slower song. The world came rushing back. Dean looked around, and everyone seemed to be finding their dates. They were smiling at one another and getting all gross and cuddly. Dean took a step back from Castiel, only to be pulled close again.
"Have you been holding back on me?" Dean asked, looking at the other boy, surprised.
"Shut up and dance with me," Castiel said yet again, his cheeks dusting pink in the dim lighting.
Dean smiled again. It was all he could do right now. He didn't know how this had happened. He was gonna stop it now.
They locked eyes. Dean got lost in the blue. He couldn't look away. There was just something about the raven-haired boy. He made Dean feel comfortable in his own skin for once. He was the easiest person to talk to. It wasn't hard to see that this boy was his destiny.
As they danced, he realized this was probably one of his last chances to tell a Castiel how he really felt. They would be graduating soon. There wasn't much time left. Castiel would be going away to college and moving away. Dean had to let him know how he really felt.
"Cas," Dean tried again. Castiel placed a hand over his mouth and shook his head. Dean grabbed his hand and lowered it. "Let me guess, shut up and dance?"
The music shifted again. Everyone started jumping and dancing to the new beat. Dean grabbed Castiel by the wrist. He led him from the gym. Once they were alone in the hallway, he turned to face the raven-haired boy. Castiel wasted no time and pressed their lips together in a kiss.
Dean wasn't surprised at all. He wrapped his arms around the smaller boy and pulled him close. Castiel responded eagerly, his hands coming up to Dean's hair. He pulled the taller boy impossibly closer. He did not want this moment to end. It was perfect.
Dean wasn't sure how long they stood there like that. A rush of relief washed over him as he realized that Castiel felt the same way he did. His fear of rejection seemed a little silly now. Eventually, Castiel took a step back, his chest heaving. He leaned against a locker, a goofy smile crossing his face. Dean grinned at him. They didn't need words right now. They had each other. Dean moved to stand in front of him. They locked eyes again. Deep in his eyes, he saw the future. He could see himself with Castiel for a long time. It both terrified and elated him. There was no place he'd rather be.
"Dean," Castiel grabbed his shirt and pulled him close.
"Cas," he said simply before locking lips again.
"Dean?"
"About time!"
"Get some Cas."
The pair separated as giggles were heard. Dean turned to face his little brother, who was blushing as he looked away. Jessica was giggling with Charlie and Meg. Dean rolled his eyes. Of course, they had an audience. He should have known better.
"It's almost ten. Dad said we have to be home by ten," Sam said, looking down at the ground.
"You heard the kid? I got a curfew," Dean said, grinning. Castiel nodded his head.
"I better go find Jimmy before he ditched me for Amelia," Castiel said.
"Too late. We saw them sneaking off a little bit ago," Meg said.
"I'll give you a ride home. It's not like you live across town or anything," Dean said quickly.
He placed his arm around Castiel's shoulders as he followed Sam and Jess out to his car. Charlie and Meg protested, trying to get details from the two. Dean just waved over his shoulder.
After an awkward car ride home, Sam and Jessica bolted from the car. Sam quickly walked Jess across the street. Dean got out of the car and hurried around to meet Castiel by his side.
"I think we traumatized the poor kid," Castiel chuckled.
"If that traumatizes him, he's in for a real surprise," Dean quipped.
Castiel smiled at the elder Winchester. Dean grinned. They hadn't spoken a word, yet he knew what was going through the other boy's mind. He hoped it was the same as his.
"So, this changes things," Castiel said.
"Only a little," Dean replied. Castiel gave Dean a look of confusion. "I mean, we will still hang out and do stuff together. The only difference is we can do this more often."
He leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to his lips. Castiel grinned again. He couldn't seem to stop. Dean didn't want him to stop.
"So, tomorrow night-" Castiel started.
"Of course, pizza and laser tag, except let's ditch Jimmy and Amelia this time," Dean chuckled.
"Sounds like a date," Castiel agreed.
"A date," Dean replied slowly. It was a little odd to say it out loud, but it felt nice.
Of all the ways this night could have turned out. Being forced to go to a dumb school dance and keep an eye on his brother. He hadn't had high hopes about the night. He was glad it ended this way. He had gotten to do the one thing he had always wanted to do since puberty. It ended up being better than he ever could have imagined it.