Chapter Text
Dean Winchester hurried out of the classroom as fast as he could, shoving his fellow classmates out of the way with little regard for them. His class had run ridiculously late and trust it to be one of the only class’s he didn’t share with Cas. His boyfriend.
That’s right Castiel Novak, science geek, all round incredibly good guy and model student was for reasons unknown, dating Dean. Dean, who had had more detentions than commendations, who’s Dad was on first name terms with the principal and who had been failing most of his classes at the beginning of this his senior year, not from stupidity but from shear laziness. That was until he’d been forced into getting a tutor to get his ass into gear. And that tutor had turned out to be Cas. Something he’d be thanking fate and the world for til he died. He hadn’t looked back a day since.
As soon as the sessions had started Dean had known he was a lost cause, the first time he looked into Cas’ endlessly blue eyes and they had their first epic staring match, which their friends had taken to calling epic eye sex due to both its intensity and frequency. But it wasn’t just that Cas was attractive, which point in fact he most definitely was, that was the reason that Dean liked him. He was so genuine and unintentionally funny, he put up with Dean’s monologues about his car, watched the movies with Dean that no one else wanted and didn’t mind his music blaring when they went for a drive. And he was the only one who could pull Dean out of his own head when he started thinking about his mother’s death or his father’s detachment.
So yeah, if it wasn’t obvious already Cas meant a lot to Dean. He’d even recently admitted to himself that he was probably in love with him, but he had yet to share this with Cas. Not because he didn’t want to or believed that Cas wouldn’t want to hear it but because the moment wasn’t right. He had something very special in mind for that.
Finally, after running along the school corridors, an action which was expressly forbidden but he wouldn’t be Dean Winchester if he didn’t break a few rules, he pushed open the door that opened onto the court yard that was framed with trees, where he was to meet Cas for lunch. He didn’t want to keep him waiting any longer. And ok, he was kind of impatient to see him too.
Quickly he scanned the surrounding area full of picnic tables and many chattering students, attempting to find the familiar head of dark hair with its customary just been fucked style. After what felt like much too long his eyes alighted on just the boy he was looking for and he felt a smile grace his face, the one reserved solely for Cas. But as he took in the scene more fully a hot coil of something settled in his stomach.
Sat on the same side of the bench as Cas was another boy who Dean didn’t recognise. This was strange in itself as Dean pretty much knew everyone that went to this school. He was blonde and fairly athletic looking and not entirely ugly. He was wearing rather expensive clothing from what Dean could tell and he appeared intelligent, for all that intelligence can be gauged from someone’s appearance.
It wasn’t so much that the boy was sitting with Cas that was making Dean feel weird. It was the WAY he was sitting with Cas that was putting him on edge. He was much too far into Cas’ personal space in Deans opinion, placing his hand on Cas’ arm as he spoke to emphasise a point and flashing him smiles, some of which would definitely be classified as flirty. And that was so not ok. Dean took in Cas’ form for a moment and it was obvious from his posture that he wasn’t inviting this other boys advances nor did he particularly wish for them, which made Dean happy to see at least.
But then he saw this mystery boy stare for far too long at Cas’ lips and yep, that right there was Dean’s breaking point. He stormed over there like there was a hell hound on his tail. Cas was his and nobody but him got to look at Cas like that.
As Dean reached the table Cas glanced up as he heard him and broke out into a grin that had Dean’s temper cooling somewhat. But this stranger still had his hand on Cas’ arm and was sat much too close and Dean’s brain was screaming MINE, MINE, MINE!
“Hey Cas” he said as he squeezed his way on to the bench on the other side of his boyfriend and plastered himself to his side. Cas settled back against Dean without conscious thought, an action that spoke of familiarity and affection. Dean could tell that this had not gone unnoticed by their mystery guest.
He looked Dean up and down with evident disdain, eyes flicking over him and then settling back on Cas with a look of puzzlement. Dean just knew he was wondering what a boy like Cas in his neat shirt and tie, glasses still perched on his nose was doing with a boy like him, in his oversized leather jacket and t-shirt combo. Ruff around the edges to Cas’ polished and prim. He’d seen a fair few of these looks in the past months they’d been together. Honestly, they didn’t get any easier to see. The sting was just as sharp. Sometimes he did think Cas was way too good for him but Cas vehemently denied this and Dean was maybe starting to believe this too.
That’s why he knew Cas hated those looks as well. And as he caught sight of it on this boy’s face, he felt him stiffen against him. Dean slipped his arm around his waist, as much to reassure Cas as to reassure himself.
Cas turned in his seat until he was fully facing him and then all but attacked his mouth with his own. Dean knew it was an act of claiming on both their parts and he deepened the kiss, possessively wrapping his arms around his boyfriend prompting Cas to moan quietly against his mouth and Dean couldn’t help but chuckle. As their lips parted they once again became aware of their audience. They didn’t move apart any but Dean cocked his head and asked “Who’s your friend?”. Cas looked like he had no idea what Dean was saying before realisation dawned and he blushed slightly, remembering how intimate the moment before had gotten.
“This is Balthazar, he’s new” Cas supplied as he straightened his tie. Dean smirked as he saw this and the uncomfortable look on this Balthazar’s face. At least he wasn’t touching Cas anymore.
“Nice to meet you Balthazar. I’m Dean” His tone of course, implied anything but. Balthazar, not being an idiot, picked up on this and gave Dean a tight smile.
Neither of the three appeared to know what they were supposed to do next, the tension obvious in the spaces between.
Dean was still watching Balthazar, so he saw as his expression changed to one of determination.
“Cas could I give you my number? You were very interesting to talk to and so I thought maybe we could get together some time and…talk” Dean all but bristled as he heard the unspoken words in what Balthazar was saying. Dean didn’t see how he had the balls to make such an offer right in front of him when he was obviously with Cas. And he clearly didn’t know Cas very well at all if he ever thought he’d cheat. Cas placed fidelity on a high pedestal and he knew how much he valued it in a relationship. Dean hadn’t so much as looked at another person since they’d became official, his reputation as a player be damned.
So Dean had anticipated his response being negative but he hadn’t imagined the look of righteous holy wrath on Cas’ face right now. He looked like he wished to smite Balthazar where he stood if he had the power at his disposal which thankfully for Balthazar, he did not.
“No Balthazar, I do not believe I require your number and I do not think I would enjoy the talking you have in mind. If I wish to “talk”, I have my boyfriend Dean here for that, thank you.” Be told Balthazar.
Dean couldn’t stop the full blown grin that broke out once Cas had spoken and he pulled his awesome boyfriend right to him and began to kiss him ferociously. He licked at Cas’ lips until the other boy parted them and allowed Dean entrance and Dean went to town on his mouth. He didn’t care he was mere feet away from the boy who’d been hitting on Cas, didn’t care that they were still in the court yard at school where all of the student body could see them making out. He just wanted Cas. And that’s when he realised this time was special enough. He knew Cas was as committed to them as he was, given the display just now there was certainly no doubt about that.
So Dean reluctantly pulled back and he heard the slight groan from Cas, announcing his displeasure at being parted even though normally he wasn’t so into PDA. But exceptional circumstances and all that.
Dean quickly stood up and held his hand out for Cas who readily accepted it and allowed Dean to all but pull him along in his wake, content to let Dean lead him wherever he was dragging them. As they exited the court yard Dean saw that Balthazar had disappeared and did a little victory dance inside.
Once they reached the student parking lot, Dean slowed down a little and groped about for his keys that were somewhere in his jacket. Once they were located he walked over to his baby, a 67’ Chevy impala, and opened the passenger door for Cas. A beautiful smile was shot his way and it sent warmth flooding through him. God did he love Cas. There was no two ways about it; he was so far gone already it wasn’t even funny. Dean closed the door softly and then hurriedly made his way to the driving seat.
He put the radio on quietly, to fill the silence and take away his nerves if only slightly. Fumbling in the glove box, he pulled out a small jewellery box, the type that obviously contained a ring. Feeling a flush of embarrassment, his palms slightly damp, he thrust it in the general direction of Cas with a mumbled “I wanted to give you this”
Wordlessly Cas accepted it and agonisingly slow for Dean, he opened it up. He gasped when he saw the ring nestled inside and reverently lifted it clear of its confinement. A look of wonder stole over his face as he took in each detail of his gift. It was a slim silver band, engraved with a startlingly realistic looking pair of wings, stretching as if in flight. It had taken a lot of his wages from his job at his Uncle Bobby’s garage to get it for Cas, including a fair bit of overtime but Dean knew each second had been worth it to see Cas in this moment here.
And then Cas noticed the inscription engraved inside. It read ‘Forever, My Angel’. Dean watched as Cas’ eyes misted over, tears threatening to fall at any moment.
“I love you” Dean blurted, breaking the hush. “I wanted to get you something to show you how much and it’s sort of like a promise. I know we’re technically too young to get engaged so this isn’t exactly a proposal but god, I do want forever with you Cas, if I picture my future at all its always with you by my side. So consider it a placeholder until I propose for real when I have something better to offer you in the future.” Dean gulped as he finished his speech, nervous now that he’d all but bared his soul.
He looked up and watched as one tear seeped from Cas’ right eye and then his arms were full of Castiel and he was kissing his lips, his cheeks, his eyes, his nose and it took a while for Dean to realise he was also breathing words into his skin. “I love you” repeated over again, so quietly it would be impossible to make out if they weren’t so close. Then Cas stopped, with his forehead resting against Dean’s and all he could see was Cas’ blue eyes, so full of love and happiness it would be almost overwhelming if Dean’s hadn’t been saying exactly the same to Cas.
“I love you too” Cas whispered, louder this time and Dean smiled, basking in the fact that he and Cas had this, could share this, forever if it were allowed them.
Cas sat back slightly and slipped the ring onto the fourth finger of his left hand. Dean was sure he’d never seen anything look more right in his life and Cas beamed as he admired the ring settled on his finger.
“Thank you Dean, it’s beautiful “
“It’s only what you deserve” He answered and when had he gotten so sappy? In for a penny in for a pound though, so he found himself saying “I mean it you know. Forever”.
Cas turned and looked at him so fondly then pressed a soft kiss to his lips.
“I’ll hold you to that. I have my ring now after all”
And Dean thinks that yeah, he’s ok with that.