Chapter Text
Castiel got used to seeing things in only black and white.
He never really thought he’d ever get the chance to see it in color like so many other people get the chance to, finding a good love with someone else, even if they’re not their soulmate.
That is what Castiel at least hoped for.
It hasn’t happened yet, but Castiel is only 22, so there’s still plenty of time.
Castiel is slowly losing that childhood dream, though.
But then something super unexpected happens.
He’s a sophomore at UCLA, working on his major to become a teacher, making sure he’s as far away from his shitty father, Chuck Novak, as possible.
It was the first day of classes, and everyone was settling into seats, people finding their friends and sitting with them, or they were like Castiel, awkward and by themself.
Castiel has been here for a year and hasn’t made any lasting friends. He’s mostly just been by himself.
He’s very socially awkward, and having autism doesn’t help. He doesn’t have it bad; he is just very socially awkward and doesn’t get all of these references or is up to date with the lingo.
Which then weirds some people out when they learn that Castiel is working on his education degree to be a teacher.
Except Castiel is going to be a Kindergarten teacher. He’s always been really good with kids, and he’s not awkward around them at all.
But as Castiel is getting his supplies out on his desk, preparing for class, the final wave of students swarms in, filling in the rest of the seats, one of them accidentally knocking Castiel’s notebook onto the floor.
Castiel sighs to himself, quickly reaching down to pick it up, but someone beats him to it, kneeling on the ground to grab it for him.
The first thing Castiel notices about him is his scent: a woodsy, masculine, perfect scent.
Castiel leans back in his chair as the other man holds it up for him, his raspy voice saying, “Here you go.”
Then Castiel looks into his eyes and instantly sees emerald green, softly gasping because he can see color now.
The other man, who is the most beautiful thing Castiel has ever seen, slowly rises to his feet after Castiel finally takes his notebook.
“Whoa,” the stranger whispers, staring deep into Castiel’s eyes as he stands up.
Then the professor starts to introduce himself, snapping the charming stranger out of his trance, and then he rushes to find a seat, a pretty pink blush in his cheeks.
The most fascinating thing about finally being able to see color is that you immediately know what every color is.
Castiel’s favorite color is green, especially emerald green.
Castiel can’t stop thinking about those eyes, that face, that scent for the rest of the day—or night.
He’s been completely hypnotized by those emerald eyes, and he’s ready to dive right into those eyes and never look back.
Castiel did learn from the first day, when every student introduced themselves, said their name, major, and year at the school, that the stranger’s name is Dean Winchester; he’s a freshman, and he’s a business major.
Castiel is in love. He’s fallen so hard.
And he’s never even said a single word to Dean before.
Though that changes the next time Castiel walks into the classroom—he always walks into class ten minutes early because he just has to for his mental sanity— because Dean is already there, clearly staring at the doorway, now at Castiel, waving him over with a smile that makes Castiel’s heart race in his chest.
Castiel clutches the books in his hands tighter as he gulps, making his way over to Dean, his hands shaking slightly from nerves.
The desks seat two; they’re more like tables, really, and Dean seemed to have saved the other seat for Castiel.
Castiel takes a seat and gets everything situated in the particular way that he likes it organized.
Dean seems to find it amusing and laughs lightly.
Castiel looks at the man with a frown, which makes Dean laugh a little louder, covering his mouth and looking around the room in embarrassment.
Castiel smiles.
Dean then turns to look at him again, just staring into Castiel’s eyes for a few moments before asking, “You’re Castiel, right
Castiel nods.
“It’s kind of an odd name and a handful to say every time. Mind if I call you Cas?”
Castiel just smiles. “I’ve never had a nickname before.”
“Well now you have one, Cas.”
Castiel just simply blushes.
Then the professor starts class, Dean making him laugh quietly with jokes and comments he makes from what the professor says.
And then when class ends, Castiel expects that to be the last of it until next Tuesday—it’s a Tuesday, Thursday class—but Dean walks with him out of the classroom.
“Where are you heading next, Cas?” He asks, sliding his brown leather jacket and backpack on.
Cas replies, “My educational psychology class. It’s just right across the street.”
Dean nods. “Cool. We should, uh, hang out sometime.”
Cas blushes as Dean holds the door open for him. “Y-Yeah i-if you want.”
Dean smirks, making Cas’s heart go haywire. “You’re adorable, you know that?”
Cas averts his gaze, ashamed of how this is affecting him.
Dean lightly bumps his shoulder. “So, Cas, what made you want to become a teacher?”
Cas looks back at Dean, clearing his throat, quickly getting lost in Dean’s emerald eyes. “I, uh, really love being around kids. They’re always so joyful.”
Dean grins that sly grin that makes Cas’s heart flutter. “That’s awesome, Cas.”
“Thanks.”
Dean chuckles as they cross the street. “In case you were wondering, I’m going into business because of my family’s company I want to take over someday.”
“I was wondering.”
Dean smiles. “You’re a weird little guy, aren’t ya, Cas?”
“I, uh, don’t know how to respond to that.”
Dean snorts, his dimples showing that Castiel just wants to kiss.
Castiel has always been gay, but he’s never realized how gay he really was until Dean walked into his life.
Dean holds the door open for him to the psychology and science building, smiling at him adorably.
“Don’t you need to get to class, Dean?” Castiel asks as he walks to the stairs since his class is on the second floor, Dean walking right next to him.
“No. I have a break between our history class and my business communications class.”
“That’s nice.”
Dean smiles. “Yeah, it is.”
Castiel then stops walking because he’s at his classroom.
“This is me.”
Dean nods. “See ya, Cas.”
“See you, Dean.”
Then Cas walks into the classroom, peeking over his shoulder, looking at Dean one last time before refocusing his brain on what’s more important: school.
Dean was sitting outside of Cas’s classroom the whole hour he was in there, reading through what looked like a business management textbook.
Cas can’t help but blush as he starts walking towards Dean.
“Hello, Dean,” he greets, immediately catching Dean’s attention.
Dean grins up at him, a sparkle in his emerald eyes. “Heya, Cas. How was class?”
“Good. What are you doing here?”
“Passing the time. Waiting for you.” Dean shrugs it off like it’s nothing.
Cas is so confused as to why Dean wants to spend time with him. No one ever does. “Why?”
Dean’s mouth tilts up in amusement. “You don’t leave any stone unturned, huh, Angel?”
Cas’s brows furrow. “I don’t have any stones.”
Dean laughs loudly, putting everything in his backpack and standing up from his chair. “I’ve got a few minutes before my next class. Where are you headed next?”
“My lunch break. I usually eat in the cafeteria and then go to the library.”
“So, I’ll see you in the library?”
“I…I guess…why?”
“Because I want to spend time with you and get to know you. You’re my soulmate, Angel.”
Cas’s eyes go wide. “Y-You see color too?"
Dean nods. “Yes. Ever since we met. You have beautiful eyes, by the way.”
“So do you, Dean.”
Dean then leans down—he’s just two inches taller than Castiel—and pecks his cheek.
Castiel blushes bright pink.
He’s never felt anything like this before.
Castiel loves this.
Just like he already loves Dean.
They spend time together between classes every day, memorizing each other’s schedules, getting to know each other.
And before Castiel knows it, Dean is taking him on dates in his Impala, the two making out in Dean’s car, or at Castiel’s dorm—he’s got a single dorm.
Castiel has finally found his soulmate, the person who was made for him and who he was made for, the one he’s going to spend the rest of his life loving, and the person who owns his heart.
Cas still sees those beautiful emerald eyes even when he’s sleeping, and even when Dean is asleep in the bed next to him.
He’s been completely hypnotized by those emerald eyes; he still is even when he and Dean have been married for 55 years—they got married the summer after Dean graduated from college, a year after Cas.
And I can't fight the feeling, I'm ready to dive
Right off the deep end in emerald eyes
That drug you're dealing is sealing a piece of my soul
Say you'll never let me go