Hopelessly Devoted (Part 2)
Title - Hopelessly Devoted (Part 2)
Length - 14,545
Author - lafleurdumal85
Rating - PG-13
Summary - Have you ever really wanted to read a Dean/Castiel fic based on the musical Grease? No? Well, I've written one anyway.
Warnings - CRACK. Complete violation of the plot of Grease. Extreme silliness.
Spoilers - Um... if you've seen Grease then you're good.
Disclaimer - I own nothing, I earn nothing. I can only apologize.
A/N: As promised, here is part 2 of the ridiculous Grease fic I wrote for ladypapalade. Part 1 is HERE.
“You’re gonna need to change,” Coach Rufus told Dean.
“I know,” Dean said. “That’s why I’m here, because I wanna change. You know, do something with my life.”
The coach gave him a look. “I mean you need to change your clothes. You can’t work out in biker boots and jeans.”
Dean laughed nervously. “Uh, I don’t do shorts.”
“You do now. Get changed and we’ll try you out with football first. You’ll like football, I reckon.”
Dean did like football. Unfortunately, the rest of the team didn’t like him considering he’d been mocking them for years, and it escalated into a full-on wrestling match between Dean and Raphael Jones. Rufus decided that maybe he should just play to Dean’s strengths and apparent aggressive tendencies and tried him out for the wrestling team. Sadly, Dean forgot the rules about no biting or crotch-punching. So then Rufus thought that he should go the other way and try Dean with a sport that didn’t involve any contact at all, like basketball. Michael Smith ended up getting smacked in the face with the ball after telling Dean he was bow-legged.
Rufus pulled him aside before he had too many lawsuits on his hands.” Maybe you’re just not a team player. You might want to try something that, you know, doesn’t involve other people at all. Like track.”
“You mean running and shit?”
Rufus breathed in deeply through his nose and reminded himself that he really needed Dean on board. Maybe he could convince some of his good-for-nothing friends to attend gym class occasionally, and then Rufus might actually be able to pass them. “Yes,” he said. “Running and shit.”
...
Castiel was feeling bad about how he’d left things with Dean. He knew that it was nothing less than what the guy deserved, but it bothered him just the same. Especially the part where he’d let Dean think he and Balthazar were dating. Cas liked Balthazar, but they were never going to be anything more than friends. And then he felt bad about losing his temper and telling Dean he wasn’t doing anything worthwhile with his life. That hadn’t been fair of him. After all, he’d been the one who had listened to Dean over the summer when the other boy shyly told him about his hopes of going to community college to study engineering, and maybe one day opening up his own garage. Maybe Castiel had been unfair, he thought as he sat next to Balthazar on the bleachers, pretending to be interested in what his friend was saying about the decor for the school dance. Maybe he’d expected too much from Dean. Maybe...
Was that Dean on the track? Running? And wearing sexy red shorts? Castiel’s heart sped up a little. Dean was looking up at him, and gave him a tentative smile when he saw that Castiel was watching.
Then he tripped over his own feet.
Castiel was running down to the track before he could think about it. “Dean! Are... are you okay?”
Dean got up, an embarrassed flush creeping up his neck. Castiel just wanted to kiss him all over. “I’m fine,” he growled. “God, I suck at this! I’m all for working out at the gym, but this is just... this sucks.”
Castiel cocked his head to one side. “Why are you doing it then?”
Dean sighed. “Because I... I wanted to prove to you that I can do something with my life. I wanna be good enough for you, Cas. I really do feel bad about what happened, and I-”
Castiel interrupted him with a kiss.
After a moment, Dean pulled back and smiled dopily, resting his forehead against Castiel’s. “I take it I’m forgiven.”
Cas laughed softly. “It would appear so.”
“So... do you maybe wanna do something tonight? You know, just something quiet so we can catch up. We could maybe go to the burger bar, cause they do this amazing peach pie on Tuesdays that you’ve just gotta try.”
Castiel took his hand as they headed back to the locker rooms. “I’d love to.”
~*~
Dean hadn’t expected the place to be this full; he scoped it out before dragging Cas through to one of the tables at the back. He hoped none of his friends were going to come in. It wasn’t that he was embarrassed by Cas, it really wasn’t. Okay, so he wasn’t the type he usually went for, and as far as high school went, they belonged to completely different worlds. But it wasn’t really that. It was just that the way he was around Castiel and the way he was around his friends... well, the ways didn’t mesh. He wanted to be honest with Castiel and not hide how he felt, but... other people expected him to be a certain way. It was useless trying to explain that to Cas, he’d never understand. Still, Dean was determined to change. Castiel was too important to him not to try.
Dean placed the menus so that they hid the two of them from the front door. “Just wanted some privacy,” he said in answer to Castiel’s questioning look. If they could only have a night to themselves, just the two of them, Dean might feel a little clearer about where to go from there.
“What’ll it be, hon?” the waitress asked.
“Um, I’m not really that hungry,” Dean said. “I’ll just have the double cheeseburger, with a cherry soda and a slice of peach pie with whipped cream.”
“That sounds good,” Cas said. “I’ll have the same.”
Dean looked up at him with surprise. “I... figured you’d order salad.”
Castiel shrugged. “I like to eat.”
Dean grinned at him. He’d almost forgotten how awesome Cas was.
“Dean! Hey, Dean!”
Dean shrunk down further behind the menus. Why the hell did Sam have to turn up now? Maybe if he pretended he hadn’t heard, Sam would take the hint and go away.
“Mind if we join you?”
Maybe not. Sam slid himself into the booth next to Dean, and Jo sat down opposite.
“I didn’t know you guys were gonna be here tonight! Hey, some of the others are in town tonight, I’ll text them and tell them where we are.”
“Sam!” Jo hissed. “Look, I... I really need to talk to you!”
“We’ll talk later,” Sam replied, not really listening. Jo threw herself back in her chair with a huff.
“Cas and I were actually on a date, Sam,” Dean said pointedly.
“Good,” Sam replied. “I’m glad you guys worked it out.”
“And we were hoping to be alone.”
“It’s okay,” Cas said. “I don’t mind.”
Dean glared at him. Traitor.
“There you guys are!” Gabriel yelled from the other side of the restaurant. “Come on everyone, they’re up here!”
Before Dean knew it, all their friends were crowding themselves around their table, shoving their way in, stealing Dean’s fries. So much for his catch-up date with his possible boyfriend.
“So, uh, Anna,” Adam said, squeezing in next to the redhead. “Uh... um.”
“You’re Adam, right?” she said.
“Ye- yes. Adam. Uh, are you... uh...”
“Do you have a date for the dance yet?”
Adam shook his head.
“Me either!” Anna grinned. “We should go together.”
Adam mouthed wordlessly at her for a couple of moments before Dean kicked him under the table. “Ow! Yes! Yeah, that’d be great.”
Anna nodded with satisfaction. “Awesome.”
“Sam!” Jo yelled over the babble. “I’m serious, I need to talk to you about something!”
“We’ll talk later!” Sam replied. “Come on, you’ve been in a crappy mood all day. What the hell is wrong with you?”
Jo narrowed her eyes. “You know what Sam? I can’t believe I actually thought you were different. Well we won’t be talking later because we’re done!” She grabbed her purse and stormed off.
The expression on Sam’s face would have been comical if Dean had been capable of finding anything amusing at that point. “Wha-Jo, what did I... Jo, wait up!”
Dean’s soda was spilled as Sam hurried after his girlfriend. He’d had had enough. “Cas, we’re going.”
“Why?” Castiel looked confused as Dean grabbed his hand and dragged him out of the booth.
“Because the whole point of this evening was so that I could spend some alone time with you. And that is what I’m gonna do, whether you like it or not!”
...
Becky decided to stay at the burger bar after everyone else had left. She was friends with the waitress, so it wasn’t much a problem for her to stay after closing time. Besides, she really didn’t feel like going home; her mom was not going to be happy when she discovered that Becky had accidentally dyed her own hair pink in tinting class. She sighed and slumped down in her seat. Going to beauty school really wasn’t what she thought it would be, and she was starting to think that she had been a bit too hasty when she’d dropped out of high school. But at least being a beautician was an actual plan. The only thing Becky really loved doing was writing, but it wasn’t like she was ever going to make a career out of producing homoerotic fanficition. Sadly. If only she had a guardian angel who could tell her what to do...
Becky thought she had dozed off at first when she noticed that strange red glow, and that smell of... was that sulphur? If not, she’d have to tell Vi that the drains needed seeing to again. She shook her head and pinched herself, but no, the flickering red glow was still there, and it was getting brighter. Suddenly, the floor in the middle of the burger bar cracked open, issuing flames and sounds of torment from the fiery pit below.
Becky was about to run away in terror, when a man climbed out of the chasm. He was handsome in a rugged way, with scruffy blond hair and a wicked glint in his eyes.
“Who are you?” Becky breathed.
“I’m Lucifer,” he told her with a charming smile. It looked like the devil really was a gentleman.
Becky took a deep breath and tried not to fly into a blind panic. “What are you doing here?”
“You were asking for a guardian angel. And though I’m not exactly in Heaven’s good books right now, I still have the credentials.”
“So... you’re here to help me?”
“Sure. In between planning the apocalypse and pretending to be the dead girlfriends of cute guys so I can make out with them, I offer advice to teenage girls who have reached a crossroads in their lives and can’t decide what to do.”
Becky pulled a face. “Seriously?”
Lucifer sighed. “Look, I know, okay? But this is the only way I could be involved, and I happen to have a charming singing voice. Trust me, I find this whole thing as awkward as you do, so let’s just get this over with so I can get back to my whole Prince of Darkness gig, okay?”
“Uh... sure,” Becky replied. “Well, I’m kind of confused. See, I dropped out of school to go to beauty college because, you know, it’s an actual career, but I really don’t think I’m good at it, and now I don’t know what to do.”
Lucifer nodded sagely. He cleared his throat, and strange music began to swell, coming up from the crack in the floor. Then he began to sing.
Your story’s sad to tell, and though I’m trapped in Hell,
You make me feel like my life’s not that bad.
You made a bad decision, you had such cloudy vision
You didn’t stop to think of what you had.
Beauty school drop-out, curling hair’s just not your style.
Beauty school drop-out, you should do what makes you smile.
At least you could have taken time to think about your skills set;
The gay smut you write is so good, all my demons have renounced het!
Baby, get moving, you could be making hot boys kiss.
What are you proving? You should have bigger dreams than this.
If you go to college you could one day write a book - don’t be a fool!
Just keep that hope alive and go back to high school.
Beauty school drop-out, follow your heart and you’ll be fine;
Beauty school drop-out, as an author you would shine.
You’re just not good with makeup, oh dear Becky, be astute -
The only women you could style are ones of ill repute.
Baby don’t sweat it, get your diploma and you’ll do well,
You won’t regret it: beauty school is just like Hell.
And think of all the holy types you’ll shock with your gay fiction;
That makes me want to root for you - you have my benediction!
Baby, don’t blow it, your fic’s outstanding and you’ll go far.
Becky, you know it - take it from the Morning Star.
Now I’ve played my part, take it to heart, and now I’ve gotta split,
I have to go back to the salon in the Pit.
Lucifer blew her a kiss and stepped back into Hell. Gradually, the music faded away and the floor closed up again, until there was no sign that anything had ever happened apart from the lingering smell of sulphur in the air.
Becky took a deep breath and tried to stop her hands from shaking. Was he right? Was she really talented enough to write a book? Then again, was it really a good idea to take advice from the devil? Becky bit her lip. The guy had had a point: she really did suck as a beautician. And she did love writing. And he had had a lovely singing voice.
Becky made up her mind. In the morning she was going to return to Rydell.
~*~
“So you’re still not talking to Sam?”
Jo frowned. She loved Gwen, but the girl had a habit of sticking her nose in where it wasn’t wanted. “Nope.”
“You wanna talk about it?”
“Nope.”
“Well... what are you gonna do about the dance? It’s this Friday, and you’re a great dancer. It’d suck if you didn’t have a partner.”
Jo heaved a sigh. They were sitting on a bench outside of the cinema eating ice cream, but Jo didn’t have much of an appetite. She really wished Gwen would stop trying to talk to her about Sam, it only reminded her of how much she missed him. Still, Jo wasn’t the kind of girl who let herself fall in love like that. She knew she’d probably overreacted. She knew there hadn’t been any real reason for breaking things off with Sam before it had even begun. She knew how messed up she was, but she couldn’t seem to help it: if she let herself fall for Sam, that meant she was vulnerable. And that meant she could get hurt.
“I don’t need Sam to have a date for the dance,” she said, her eyes trained of the opposite side of the street where Crowley had just pulled up in his red Ferrari. “In fact, I’m already considering other options.”
...
Castiel had never attended a school dance like this before; the exclusive academy he’d attended in New York didn’t go in for that kind of thing. Balthazar had certainly done a good job with the decorations: the theme was ‘heaven and hell’, and half the school gymnasium was decorated with cotton wool clouds with a bubble machine to represent heaven while the other half had paper flames and a smoke machine to represent hell. The students had dressed themselves as angels and demons.
“You know, I thought angels were supposed to have white wings,” Dean had said when he’d picked Castiel up, eying the black feathers attached to his back.
Cas had pressed a kiss to his lips. “I’m a fallen angel,” he’d whispered, enjoying the look of desire in Dean’s eyes. He really hoped that things were okay between them. When they were together things were perfect, but Dean still hadn’t wanted to have Cas around his friends. They barely saw each other at school, and he was starting to feel like Dean really was ashamed of him after all. This was the first real time they had been out in public together, and Castiel could tell that Dean was nervous.
They danced a couple of numbers together, Dean steering clear of Gabriel who looked like he was planning something stupid with Ash. Castiel caught sight of Adam and Anna making out furiously in a corner. It was good to know they were making up for lost time. He blushed slightly when he thought that maybe that’s what he and Dean should be doing instead of dancing awkwardly, neither of them sure which one should be leading. He couldn’t help feeling that he wasn’t giving Dean what he needed.
Then he saw Jo, looking stunning in a tight-fitting red dress and devil horns dancing with the boy from the other school with the fast car that Dean hated so much. She wrapped her arms around the boy, glancing back at the door.
Castiel followed her line of vision and spotted Sam, staring at Jo with a face like thunder, a dark-haired girl wearing a black dress that defied all laws of physics on his arm.
“I don’t believe it,” Dean growled, looking at Sam too. “He brought Meg? God, you think he’d know better by now!”
“You know her?” Castiel asked, keeping his voice neutral.
“Uh, a little. We hung out a couple of times.” Dean was definitely uncomfortable.
Castiel narrowed his eyes. “Hung out?”
“Yeah. No big deal. It’s just that Sam knows what she’s like, and he should have better taste. Ugh!”
Sam had turned away from Jo and had pulled Meg in for a passionate kiss, which she returned with enthusiasm.
Castiel’s eyes immediately went to Jo, who looked like she’d been slapped. She pushed away from her date and ran out of the hall, tearing the devil horns out of her hair and throwing them to the ground.
“Shouldn’t you go and talk to Sam?” Castiel suggested, giving Dean’s arm a squeeze.
Dean shook his head. “Nah, he’s a big boy, let him make an idiot of himself if he wants to. Besides,” he laughed. “We don’t talk about that shit.”
Castiel frowned. “Perhaps you ought to.”
Dean didn’t reply. They danced some more, and then Cas needed to get something to drink. He was just returning with a couple of colas when he saw that Dean was no longer sitting by himself where he’d left him. Meg was there. And she was practically giving Dean a lap dance. Castiel watched, horrified, as she grabbed Dean’s hand and pulled him to his feet, rubbing up against him like a cat in heat. Dean, to be fair, didn’t look happy about it, but he wasn’t exactly stopping her either. Castiel had seen enough. He slammed the drinks down on a nearby table and stormed out. It was one thing Dean being reluctant to spend time with Castiel in public, it was quite another to have him let someone else dry hump him when he was supposed to be out with Castiel. It was about time Dean started to show him some damn respect.
~*~
Jo felt like crap, and she didn’t know why she’d let Anna, Gwen and Becky drag her out to this stupid drive in theater. She’s been so upset about the whole thing at the dance with Sam turning up with that girl from Hades High who slept with everyone (not that Jo hadn’t driven him to it, a horrible little voice in the back of her head kept reminding her), but that was the least of her worries now. She glanced at herself in the ladies’ room mirror and thought that she looked impossibly young and scared.
“You okay?” Gwen asked from the doorway.
Jo faked a smile. “Sure!”
Gwen crossed her arms. “Bullshit. What’s going on?”
Jo took a deep breath. She felt queasy. “I’m late.”
“Huh?”
“I’m late. You know, I missed my appointment.” She gave her friend a meaningful look.
“Oh.” Gwen’s eyes grew wide with realization. “Oh! Oh my god, Jo!”
“Shut up! I know, okay!”
“Is it Sam’s?”
Jo grimaced. “Who else’s would it be? Look, you have to promise you won’t say anything okay? I mean, I’m not even sure yet and I don’t want anyone finding out.”
Gwen nodded, giving her a fierce, tight hug. “Of course not. I won’t breathe a word.”
In retrospect, Jo figured that she should have known better. Gwen might be a good friend, but she also had the biggest mouth in all of Kansas, and there was no way she should have been trusted to keep a juicy piece of gossip like that to herself. She had barely made it back to her car when she was approached by Sam himself, eyes wide and panicked.
“Jo, what the hell is going on?” he hissed. “Gabriel just told me that you’re... pregnant.”
Jo glared at Gwen, who was back at the car already talking to Becky. “Wow, good news really does travel fast.”
“It’s true?” There was a quaver in Sam’s voice and he looked like he was going to pass out.
“It’s nothing for you to worry about.”
“Are you kidding me? Look, Jo, I know I don’t have a whole lot of money right now, but I’m a hard worker, and I care about you a hell of a lot no matter what’s going on between us. I’ve cared about you for a while. And I want to help.”
She looked up at him, and her heart broke a little at how earnest he was, in spite of how freaked out he must be. She knew he meant it too - he really would take care of her. But Sam was smart. He was smart enough to go off to college and make something great out of his life. Jo wasn’t about to hold him back from that. She forced her face into a grin. “Who says it’s yours?”
She almost apologized immediately as a look of pure hurt crossed Sam’s face. But then his eyes grew cold and his jaw set. “Thanks a lot, kid,” he said rigidly.
Jo watched him walk away, and tried to tell herself it was for the best.
...
Dean wasn’t entirely sure what he could say to Castiel to make things better. The guy had been frosty with him all evening, and nothing that Dean did seemed to thaw him. He was surprised Cas had agreed to come to the drive-in at all.
“I told you,” he sighed. “She just grabbed me! I got away from her as quickly as I could, but it wasn’t like I could hit her or anything!”
“I still think you slept with her,” Cas said.
“No, I... Look, it was a long time ago and it didn’t mean anything. You know I wanted to spend the other night with you, and I really am sorry it got messed up.”
Castiel sighed heavily.
Dean closed his eyes tightly. He’d never been in a proper relationship before, but he guessed that this was one of those occasions that called for a grand gesture. He reached behind his head and undid the clasp of his amulet.
“Uh, Cas? Look, I know you’re mad, but I... I want you to wear this. I haven’t taken it off since I got it and it really means a lot to me, and... and you do too. Will you wear it?”
Castiel’s eyes softened. “Of course I will! Dean, this is... this is really... thank you.”
Dean reached over to fasten the ties around the other boy’s neck. His hand lingered there for an instant, and he couldn’t resist. He kissed Castiel hard, practically clambering on top of him even though there really wasn’t room for that in the front seat of the Impala, his left hand moving downwards to slide into Castiel’s pants.
“What the hell, Dean?” Castiel gasped. “What are you-what do you think you’re doing?” He shoved Dean away.
“Well, I...” Dean was panting. “I mean, we’re cool now, right? I gave you my amulet, so...”
Castiel glared at him, and Dean backed away to the other side of the car. “Are you kidding me?” Cas yelled. “I am not going to have sex with you in the front seat of your car with half the school walking by! If by getting me to wear your necklace you thought you could have an immediate free pass to get into my pants, you are sadly mistaken. If that’s all it meant to you, you can take it back!” He took the amulet off and threw it in Dean’s lap. “Maybe you should give it to Meg” he growled before slamming out of the car.
Dean groaned and let his head fall back on the headrest. How the hell had he got into this situation? Last year, he’d been spoiled for choice with girls and guys who’d been willing to put up with no end of bullshit for a few hours of his undivided attention. But now the one person who he’d actually managed to fall for just wasn’t satisfied with what Dean had to give. He’d asked Castiel to wear his amulet for chrissake! Didn’t the guy get what a big deal that was?
And now Dean had been stranded at the drive in, branded a fool. He winced to think of what everyone at school would say on Monday if they caught wind of this. Couldn’t Cas see that he was in misery here? They’d had such a good start to their relationship, the best month of Dean’s life, and now they just couldn’t seem to figure things out. There was nothing left for him, it seemed. Maybe one day, after high school was over, they might be able to be together and it would be perfect, but until then... perhaps their two worlds were just too far apart. All he could do was pray that Castiel would stay around long enough, would give Dean another chance. Couldn’t the guy see that Dean was helpless without him? All he could do was sit there and hope, and wonder why Cas had left him.
Dean heaved a sigh. “Oh, Castiel...”
~*~
Jo tried to ignore the stares and whispers that followed her wherever she went now. It wasn’t like she didn’t know what they were all saying. It galled though. She might not have been overly friendly with everyone, but she’d never been fake, and she’d never judged. It just went to show that she’d been right - you couldn’t trust people. Today was the day of the big race down at Devils Gate, and she wanted to go and be there for Sam, but she couldn’t face it. He probably wouldn’t want her there anyway after what she’s said.
“Jo, are you okay?” Castiel always did that, appeared out of fucking nowhere and scared the crap out of her.
“Are you okay?” he repeated.
Jo looked at him, and saw with surprise that his concern was genuine.
“I’m peachy,” she said.
“Um, I know we’re not close,” he said. “But I want you to know that... that if you need a friend...”
Jo smiled shakily, her bravado crumbling away. “I’ll be fine. I’m tough, you know? I can take care of myself and anyone else who happens to come along. But... thank you.”
Castiel smiled gently. “Any time. Are you going to the race?”
“No,” Jo sighed. “But... tell Sam good luck from me.”
She felt a little comforted as she watched Castiel walk away. The feelings of comfort immediately turned into anxiety as she caught sight of Sam working on the Impala out in the car park, and she hid herself in the doorway. A couple of girls from the year below walked past her, shooting her dirty looks.
Jo inhaled deeply. What right did they have to judge her like that? At least Castiel had seen that she was a person who could feel, just like everyone else, in spite of how much she’d teased him. There were worse things she could have done than slept with a couple of boys. Maybe they were right, and she was trashy and no good, but so what? At least she wasn’t a hypocrite. She could flirt with everyone and make them think they had a chance with her only to refuse to let them past first base. Or she could stay at home night after night with dreams that would never come true of a knight in shining armor who would never come along, and waste her life away. Worst of all, she could be like them, all the people who were judging her. She could hurt someone like herself, out of spite or jealousy. She wasn’t a bad person - she was honest and strong and brave. The only thing she wasn’t brave enough for was to show the fact that she was also scared and vulnerable, and that she’d fallen for Sam. Because it was one thing to cry alone at night in her room where no one could see, but to shed tears in front of Sam, have him see her as she really was... that was a thing she could never do.
...
Bobby had insisted on accompanying the boys to Devils Gate for the race. “The amount of time and money I’ve spent on this car? Of course I’d want to be here. Never let it be said that I don’t support my own. Give ‘em hell, Sam.”
Sam grinned nervously. “Will do, Bobby.”
Dean dragged Sam aside. “The car’s all ready. She’s as good as she’ll ever be.”
“Thanks, man. Hey, Dean, I... I need to ask you something. Would you... I mean, if something happens to me, there’s... there’s no one else I’d trust to... You’d do it, right? You’d drive in my place?”
Dean grinned. “Of course I would, man! Come on, you know I would.”
Sam laughed and pulled him into a rib crushing hug. The trouble with Sam was that he really didn’t know how strong he was, much like a two-year-old Labrador who still thinks it can jump up on your lap.
“Do you two want to be alone?” Gabe called.
“Bite me, Gabe,” Dean said half-heartedly. He wasn’t going to get into a fight now. This was the day they were going to make those arrogant assholes from Hades High eat their dust.
He’d been happy to see most of their friends turn out to show their support - Becky and Gwen had already come over to give Sam a penny they’d found for good luck - but he hadn’t seen Castiel. Not that he’d really expected to, Dean hadn’t made any effort to include Cas in this part of his life, but still... it would’ve been nice.
Dean wasn’t sure how it happened. One minute Sam was giving the engine one last check, then he bent down to check the tires at the exact same moment that Ash threw the door of the Impala open to get out. The door bashed Sam in the head, and he fell backwards onto the concrete, dead to the world. There was always something innately comical about Sam’s moments of clumsiness simply because he was so tall, but this was the worst possible timing.
Dean was at his side in an instant. “Sammy? Sam, can you hear me? Sam!”
Sam’s eyes opened and he looked up at Dean blearily. “What the hell happened? Why are there two of you?”
“You got hit on the head, you idiot. Can you get up?”
Sam tried, but swayed on his feet so dangerously that Dean had to grab hold of him to stop him falling again.
“There’s no way in hell you’re driving,” Bobby growled. “You’re dangerous enough on your feet.”
“But I have to,” Sam said pathetically as Dean lowered him back down to sit on the ground.
“Not with a concussion you don’t.”
Sam looked up at his best friend. “Dean?”
“Dean nodded. It’s okay Sammy; I got your back.”
He hadn’t been prepared to race today - this was Sam’s thing. But he’d promised to be his friend’s second, and if it meant taking that smug son-of-a-bitch Crowley down a peg or two then hell yeah, Dean was up for it. He climbed into the Impala and pulled up to the starting line where Crowley’s car was already waiting. It was about time someone taught those rich Hades kids that they didn’t have the run of the town after all.
Meg, wearing a jumpsuit that was designed to show off every curve, waved the flag. The rules were deceptively simple - the first car to complete a circuit of the track was the winner. However, Devils Gate was not the racetrack it once was: it was full of potholes, weeds were growing up through the concrete, and the surface was uneven meaning that it was only too easy to lose control if you were a less than capable driver. Dean gripped the steering wheel tightly as he sped along, adrenaline coursing through him. He’d just pulled ahead when Crowley edged his car closer, and Dean heard a horrible rending noise. Crowley laughed and Dean glanced sideways to see what the hell was going on. The bastard had somehow attached blades to the side of his car and they’d torn into the paneling on the Impala. Dean swerved away, and Crowley pulled into the lead.
“I wasn’t aware that this was Wacky Races, you son-of-a-bitch!” Dean yelled.
Come to think of it, there was something Dick Dastardly about Crowley. Actually, scrap that, the guy was Muttley.
Well, Dean was not adverse to getting his hands dirty.
He pulled up the side of the track where the concrete sloped towards the top, got a little ahead of Crowley, then swerved sharply downwards. Crowley was forced to spin the wheel to avoid a collision, and his wheels skidded on a patch of oil. He tried to regain control, but it was too late. The Ferrari aquaplaned into the pool of water at the middle of the track. Dean did not stop to watch. He was already speeding past the finish line amid whoops and cheers from his assembled friends.
...
Castiel had watched the entire race from a distance. He’d seen Sam’s accident, and when Dean had decided to race in his place. His heart had leaped when Crowley had tried to sabotage the Impala, and he’d wanted to jump for joy when Dean won. He watched as his possibly-boyfriend had got out of the car and been embraced by his friends with a strange, wistful feeling. He wished that he could be down there too, but he knew that he didn’t really belong.
It was then that something struck Cas. Dean was a good person: he was a loyal friend and wanted to do right by everyone. He couldn’t help the fact that he was also a typical eighteen-year-old-boy. He’d really made an effort with Castiel, tried to change for him, tried to include him in things even though Cas knew how different he was from Dean’s friends. And what had Cas done in return? He realized that perhaps it was time that he made a little bit of an effort to do something for Dean.
Castiel knew that there was more to him than what people saw. He was tired of his pure reputation, he was through with being scared and unsure. He knew that he must start anew: he knew what it was that he had to do. He held his head up high, and took a deep breath. It was time to wave goodbye to the old Castiel.
Becky had caught sight of Cas and was running up to meet him. “Did you see?” she squealed. “It was amazing! Dean was amazing!”
Castiel nodded seriously. “Yes, I saw.”
She looked at him with concern. “Cas are you okay?”
“No, not really.” He smiled at Becky. “But I think I might know how I could be. I’m going to need your help though. And the other girls, if they’re willing.”
~*~
The carnival was a pretty big deal in Lawrence. It came to town every September, and everyone went. Dean was hoping that Castiel would be there; he’d called the other guy up but Cas had been really vague about it, saying that he might see Dean there. Dean was miserable. He knew that he’d managed to screw up again, and he wasn’t sure if Cas was ever going to forgive him this time. He knew that they were good together, but they were just so different, and Dean was beginning to wonder whether their differences were going to tear them apart. Still, he wasn’t done trying. He was going to prove to Cas that he could change, and that their relationship was more important to Dean than his reputation.
“Dude, what the hell are you wearing?”
Dean winced. He’s really been hoping he wouldn’t run into his friends just yet. There they were, all leather jackets and jeans, looking impossibly cool, staring at Dean in horror.
“Dean...” Sam looked as though he wasn’t sure if he was really looking at his best friend. “Dean, is that... are you wearing a cardigan?”
“And a tie?” Ash added.
Gabriel burst into raucous laughter.
Dean felt himself grow hot with embarrassment. “Look, guys, I know this is weird, but... but I really wanna show Cas how much he means to me.”
“By dressing up as captain of the chess team?” Sam said incredulously.
“This isn’t just about the clothes! I want to show him that I don’t care about my reputation.”
Adam looked confused. “But... what about us? Are you... are you not part of the gang anymore? Are you gonna drop us?”
“No!” Dean protested. “You’re my guys, of course I’m not dropping you. You’re important to me, but Cas is important too, and I need to do this for him.”
Sam’s eyes had grown very wide and he was looking somewhere over Dean’s shoulder. “Uh... I don’t think you’re the only one who got the idea to play dress-up, dude.”
Dean turned around and almost had a heart attack. He wasn’t even sure that it was Castiel at first. The guy standing with the Pink Ladies was wearing a skinny white t-shirt and black leather jacket along with black pants that were so tight he must have been sewn into them. He was fixing Dean with a look that could only be described as smouldering.
“Cas?” Dean choked.
Castiel’s lips curled into a smile. “Tell me about it, stud.”
“I told him to say that!” An ecstatic Becky whispered to Anna.
“Cas, what’re you... you look... Holy crap.” Dean had chills that were multiplying through his entire body; he felt like he was losing control. There was some kind of power that Castiel was giving off now, and it was frankly electrifying.
Castiel gripped the Dean’s tie and walked him backwards until his back was pressed up against the wall of the Shakin’ Shack. “I like your new look,” he breathed against Dean’s lips.
Dean made a squeaking noise. “Uh... I like yours, too.”
“You’d better shape up, Dean,” Castiel said, his eyes intense. “I need a man, and I’ve got my heart set on you. I have to be true to my heart, there’s nothing else for me to do.”
“You’re the one that I want, Cas,” Dean said.
Castiel grinned. “You’re the one that I want, too. The one I need. And if you do have feelings for me but you’re not sure where you stand... I suggest you feel your way.” He grabbed Dean’s hips and pulled him in close, grinding against him slightly.
Dean was definitely losing control now. He pulled Castiel inside the Shakin’ Shack and pressed him up against the door. He figured they could use a little privacy.
“I’m gonna shape up,” Dean whispered, his mouth against Castiel’s neck. “I’m gonna prove that I can keep you satisfied.”
“Yes,” Castiel gasped. “Yes, show me that my trust in you is justified.” He pulled the stupid cardigan off and began to attack Dean’s shirt buttons.
“Are you sure?” Dean asked, not wanting Castiel to do anything he wasn’t ready for.
“Yes, I’m sure,” Cas replied. “I’m sure deep down inside. You’re the one that I want, Dean.”
And that was how Castiel ended up losing his virginity in the Shakin’ Shack.
...
When Sam finally found Jo, she was riding the big wheel with Gwen.
“Jo, get the hell off that thing!” he yelled. “I don’t care if it’s not my kid, you shouldn’t be doing that in your condition!”
Jo laughed and jumped off the ride, flinging her arms around Sam’s neck. “It was a false alarm!”
“What?”
“I’m not pregnant, you idiot!”
Sam whooped and twirled her around.
“Sam, I’m so sorry,” Jo said. “I’ve been acting crazy, and I was freaking out about you, and I didn’t mean to-”
Sam kissed her. “I know,” he said. “You’re worth the wait. Hey, did you hear about Dean and Cas getting it on in the Shakin’ Shack?”
Jo laughed. “Well, about damn time!”
The rest of the day was one of the best Jo had had in a long time. She’d made up with Sam, her friends were all around her, and it felt like maybe they all went together, and things would work out after all.
~*~
Dean and Castiel had decided to swap clothes.
“This really isn’t you, is it?” Castiel said, picking at the green cardigan Dean had been wearing, as they lay together in the Shakin’ Shack.
“Not really, no.” Dean sighed. “I just wanted to show you that you’re more important that my image.”
Castiel kissed him. “Dean, I don’t need you to change for me. I love you just the way you are, and maybe if we both just compromise a little, that’s enough.”
Dean laughed at this. “You’re one to talk. Stud.”
Castiel blushed. “I just... wanted to show you that I can make an effort too, and that I really do want you, and...”
“But, Cas, I like you the way you are. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve got no complaints about the sex, but... I like that you’re kind of nerdy and you wear glasses and... do you wanna swap clothes with me?”
“Yes please,” Cas said pathetically. “Dean, I don’t know how you wear those pants all the time, they’ve cut off my circulation.”
Dean laughed. “Well, you looked good in them. And, you know... you can keep the jacket on. If you want.”
So Castiel did. That day, for the first time, he felt like he was really part of Dean Winchester’s life and not just a summer fling. He waved to their friends as he and Dean drove off in the Impala together into the sunset, Dean’s arm slung around his shoulder, and he knew that even though things had been difficult he’d made the right choice.
He felt like, after all, they belonged together.
Length - 14,545
Author - lafleurdumal85
Rating - PG-13
Summary - Have you ever really wanted to read a Dean/Castiel fic based on the musical Grease? No? Well, I've written one anyway.
Warnings - CRACK. Complete violation of the plot of Grease. Extreme silliness.
Spoilers - Um... if you've seen Grease then you're good.
Disclaimer - I own nothing, I earn nothing. I can only apologize.
A/N: As promised, here is part 2 of the ridiculous Grease fic I wrote for ladypapalade. Part 1 is HERE.
“You’re gonna need to change,” Coach Rufus told Dean.
“I know,” Dean said. “That’s why I’m here, because I wanna change. You know, do something with my life.”
The coach gave him a look. “I mean you need to change your clothes. You can’t work out in biker boots and jeans.”
Dean laughed nervously. “Uh, I don’t do shorts.”
“You do now. Get changed and we’ll try you out with football first. You’ll like football, I reckon.”
Dean did like football. Unfortunately, the rest of the team didn’t like him considering he’d been mocking them for years, and it escalated into a full-on wrestling match between Dean and Raphael Jones. Rufus decided that maybe he should just play to Dean’s strengths and apparent aggressive tendencies and tried him out for the wrestling team. Sadly, Dean forgot the rules about no biting or crotch-punching. So then Rufus thought that he should go the other way and try Dean with a sport that didn’t involve any contact at all, like basketball. Michael Smith ended up getting smacked in the face with the ball after telling Dean he was bow-legged.
Rufus pulled him aside before he had too many lawsuits on his hands.” Maybe you’re just not a team player. You might want to try something that, you know, doesn’t involve other people at all. Like track.”
“You mean running and shit?”
Rufus breathed in deeply through his nose and reminded himself that he really needed Dean on board. Maybe he could convince some of his good-for-nothing friends to attend gym class occasionally, and then Rufus might actually be able to pass them. “Yes,” he said. “Running and shit.”
...
Castiel was feeling bad about how he’d left things with Dean. He knew that it was nothing less than what the guy deserved, but it bothered him just the same. Especially the part where he’d let Dean think he and Balthazar were dating. Cas liked Balthazar, but they were never going to be anything more than friends. And then he felt bad about losing his temper and telling Dean he wasn’t doing anything worthwhile with his life. That hadn’t been fair of him. After all, he’d been the one who had listened to Dean over the summer when the other boy shyly told him about his hopes of going to community college to study engineering, and maybe one day opening up his own garage. Maybe Castiel had been unfair, he thought as he sat next to Balthazar on the bleachers, pretending to be interested in what his friend was saying about the decor for the school dance. Maybe he’d expected too much from Dean. Maybe...
Was that Dean on the track? Running? And wearing sexy red shorts? Castiel’s heart sped up a little. Dean was looking up at him, and gave him a tentative smile when he saw that Castiel was watching.
Then he tripped over his own feet.
Castiel was running down to the track before he could think about it. “Dean! Are... are you okay?”
Dean got up, an embarrassed flush creeping up his neck. Castiel just wanted to kiss him all over. “I’m fine,” he growled. “God, I suck at this! I’m all for working out at the gym, but this is just... this sucks.”
Castiel cocked his head to one side. “Why are you doing it then?”
Dean sighed. “Because I... I wanted to prove to you that I can do something with my life. I wanna be good enough for you, Cas. I really do feel bad about what happened, and I-”
Castiel interrupted him with a kiss.
After a moment, Dean pulled back and smiled dopily, resting his forehead against Castiel’s. “I take it I’m forgiven.”
Cas laughed softly. “It would appear so.”
“So... do you maybe wanna do something tonight? You know, just something quiet so we can catch up. We could maybe go to the burger bar, cause they do this amazing peach pie on Tuesdays that you’ve just gotta try.”
Castiel took his hand as they headed back to the locker rooms. “I’d love to.”
~*~
Dean hadn’t expected the place to be this full; he scoped it out before dragging Cas through to one of the tables at the back. He hoped none of his friends were going to come in. It wasn’t that he was embarrassed by Cas, it really wasn’t. Okay, so he wasn’t the type he usually went for, and as far as high school went, they belonged to completely different worlds. But it wasn’t really that. It was just that the way he was around Castiel and the way he was around his friends... well, the ways didn’t mesh. He wanted to be honest with Castiel and not hide how he felt, but... other people expected him to be a certain way. It was useless trying to explain that to Cas, he’d never understand. Still, Dean was determined to change. Castiel was too important to him not to try.
Dean placed the menus so that they hid the two of them from the front door. “Just wanted some privacy,” he said in answer to Castiel’s questioning look. If they could only have a night to themselves, just the two of them, Dean might feel a little clearer about where to go from there.
“What’ll it be, hon?” the waitress asked.
“Um, I’m not really that hungry,” Dean said. “I’ll just have the double cheeseburger, with a cherry soda and a slice of peach pie with whipped cream.”
“That sounds good,” Cas said. “I’ll have the same.”
Dean looked up at him with surprise. “I... figured you’d order salad.”
Castiel shrugged. “I like to eat.”
Dean grinned at him. He’d almost forgotten how awesome Cas was.
“Dean! Hey, Dean!”
Dean shrunk down further behind the menus. Why the hell did Sam have to turn up now? Maybe if he pretended he hadn’t heard, Sam would take the hint and go away.
“Mind if we join you?”
Maybe not. Sam slid himself into the booth next to Dean, and Jo sat down opposite.
“I didn’t know you guys were gonna be here tonight! Hey, some of the others are in town tonight, I’ll text them and tell them where we are.”
“Sam!” Jo hissed. “Look, I... I really need to talk to you!”
“We’ll talk later,” Sam replied, not really listening. Jo threw herself back in her chair with a huff.
“Cas and I were actually on a date, Sam,” Dean said pointedly.
“Good,” Sam replied. “I’m glad you guys worked it out.”
“And we were hoping to be alone.”
“It’s okay,” Cas said. “I don’t mind.”
Dean glared at him. Traitor.
“There you guys are!” Gabriel yelled from the other side of the restaurant. “Come on everyone, they’re up here!”
Before Dean knew it, all their friends were crowding themselves around their table, shoving their way in, stealing Dean’s fries. So much for his catch-up date with his possible boyfriend.
“So, uh, Anna,” Adam said, squeezing in next to the redhead. “Uh... um.”
“You’re Adam, right?” she said.
“Ye- yes. Adam. Uh, are you... uh...”
“Do you have a date for the dance yet?”
Adam shook his head.
“Me either!” Anna grinned. “We should go together.”
Adam mouthed wordlessly at her for a couple of moments before Dean kicked him under the table. “Ow! Yes! Yeah, that’d be great.”
Anna nodded with satisfaction. “Awesome.”
“Sam!” Jo yelled over the babble. “I’m serious, I need to talk to you about something!”
“We’ll talk later!” Sam replied. “Come on, you’ve been in a crappy mood all day. What the hell is wrong with you?”
Jo narrowed her eyes. “You know what Sam? I can’t believe I actually thought you were different. Well we won’t be talking later because we’re done!” She grabbed her purse and stormed off.
The expression on Sam’s face would have been comical if Dean had been capable of finding anything amusing at that point. “Wha-Jo, what did I... Jo, wait up!”
Dean’s soda was spilled as Sam hurried after his girlfriend. He’d had had enough. “Cas, we’re going.”
“Why?” Castiel looked confused as Dean grabbed his hand and dragged him out of the booth.
“Because the whole point of this evening was so that I could spend some alone time with you. And that is what I’m gonna do, whether you like it or not!”
...
Becky decided to stay at the burger bar after everyone else had left. She was friends with the waitress, so it wasn’t much a problem for her to stay after closing time. Besides, she really didn’t feel like going home; her mom was not going to be happy when she discovered that Becky had accidentally dyed her own hair pink in tinting class. She sighed and slumped down in her seat. Going to beauty school really wasn’t what she thought it would be, and she was starting to think that she had been a bit too hasty when she’d dropped out of high school. But at least being a beautician was an actual plan. The only thing Becky really loved doing was writing, but it wasn’t like she was ever going to make a career out of producing homoerotic fanficition. Sadly. If only she had a guardian angel who could tell her what to do...
Becky thought she had dozed off at first when she noticed that strange red glow, and that smell of... was that sulphur? If not, she’d have to tell Vi that the drains needed seeing to again. She shook her head and pinched herself, but no, the flickering red glow was still there, and it was getting brighter. Suddenly, the floor in the middle of the burger bar cracked open, issuing flames and sounds of torment from the fiery pit below.
Becky was about to run away in terror, when a man climbed out of the chasm. He was handsome in a rugged way, with scruffy blond hair and a wicked glint in his eyes.
“Who are you?” Becky breathed.
“I’m Lucifer,” he told her with a charming smile. It looked like the devil really was a gentleman.
Becky took a deep breath and tried not to fly into a blind panic. “What are you doing here?”
“You were asking for a guardian angel. And though I’m not exactly in Heaven’s good books right now, I still have the credentials.”
“So... you’re here to help me?”
“Sure. In between planning the apocalypse and pretending to be the dead girlfriends of cute guys so I can make out with them, I offer advice to teenage girls who have reached a crossroads in their lives and can’t decide what to do.”
Becky pulled a face. “Seriously?”
Lucifer sighed. “Look, I know, okay? But this is the only way I could be involved, and I happen to have a charming singing voice. Trust me, I find this whole thing as awkward as you do, so let’s just get this over with so I can get back to my whole Prince of Darkness gig, okay?”
“Uh... sure,” Becky replied. “Well, I’m kind of confused. See, I dropped out of school to go to beauty college because, you know, it’s an actual career, but I really don’t think I’m good at it, and now I don’t know what to do.”
Lucifer nodded sagely. He cleared his throat, and strange music began to swell, coming up from the crack in the floor. Then he began to sing.
Your story’s sad to tell, and though I’m trapped in Hell,
You make me feel like my life’s not that bad.
You made a bad decision, you had such cloudy vision
You didn’t stop to think of what you had.
Beauty school drop-out, curling hair’s just not your style.
Beauty school drop-out, you should do what makes you smile.
At least you could have taken time to think about your skills set;
The gay smut you write is so good, all my demons have renounced het!
Baby, get moving, you could be making hot boys kiss.
What are you proving? You should have bigger dreams than this.
If you go to college you could one day write a book - don’t be a fool!
Just keep that hope alive and go back to high school.
Beauty school drop-out, follow your heart and you’ll be fine;
Beauty school drop-out, as an author you would shine.
You’re just not good with makeup, oh dear Becky, be astute -
The only women you could style are ones of ill repute.
Baby don’t sweat it, get your diploma and you’ll do well,
You won’t regret it: beauty school is just like Hell.
And think of all the holy types you’ll shock with your gay fiction;
That makes me want to root for you - you have my benediction!
Baby, don’t blow it, your fic’s outstanding and you’ll go far.
Becky, you know it - take it from the Morning Star.
Now I’ve played my part, take it to heart, and now I’ve gotta split,
I have to go back to the salon in the Pit.
Lucifer blew her a kiss and stepped back into Hell. Gradually, the music faded away and the floor closed up again, until there was no sign that anything had ever happened apart from the lingering smell of sulphur in the air.
Becky took a deep breath and tried to stop her hands from shaking. Was he right? Was she really talented enough to write a book? Then again, was it really a good idea to take advice from the devil? Becky bit her lip. The guy had had a point: she really did suck as a beautician. And she did love writing. And he had had a lovely singing voice.
Becky made up her mind. In the morning she was going to return to Rydell.
~*~
“So you’re still not talking to Sam?”
Jo frowned. She loved Gwen, but the girl had a habit of sticking her nose in where it wasn’t wanted. “Nope.”
“You wanna talk about it?”
“Nope.”
“Well... what are you gonna do about the dance? It’s this Friday, and you’re a great dancer. It’d suck if you didn’t have a partner.”
Jo heaved a sigh. They were sitting on a bench outside of the cinema eating ice cream, but Jo didn’t have much of an appetite. She really wished Gwen would stop trying to talk to her about Sam, it only reminded her of how much she missed him. Still, Jo wasn’t the kind of girl who let herself fall in love like that. She knew she’d probably overreacted. She knew there hadn’t been any real reason for breaking things off with Sam before it had even begun. She knew how messed up she was, but she couldn’t seem to help it: if she let herself fall for Sam, that meant she was vulnerable. And that meant she could get hurt.
“I don’t need Sam to have a date for the dance,” she said, her eyes trained of the opposite side of the street where Crowley had just pulled up in his red Ferrari. “In fact, I’m already considering other options.”
...
Castiel had never attended a school dance like this before; the exclusive academy he’d attended in New York didn’t go in for that kind of thing. Balthazar had certainly done a good job with the decorations: the theme was ‘heaven and hell’, and half the school gymnasium was decorated with cotton wool clouds with a bubble machine to represent heaven while the other half had paper flames and a smoke machine to represent hell. The students had dressed themselves as angels and demons.
“You know, I thought angels were supposed to have white wings,” Dean had said when he’d picked Castiel up, eying the black feathers attached to his back.
Cas had pressed a kiss to his lips. “I’m a fallen angel,” he’d whispered, enjoying the look of desire in Dean’s eyes. He really hoped that things were okay between them. When they were together things were perfect, but Dean still hadn’t wanted to have Cas around his friends. They barely saw each other at school, and he was starting to feel like Dean really was ashamed of him after all. This was the first real time they had been out in public together, and Castiel could tell that Dean was nervous.
They danced a couple of numbers together, Dean steering clear of Gabriel who looked like he was planning something stupid with Ash. Castiel caught sight of Adam and Anna making out furiously in a corner. It was good to know they were making up for lost time. He blushed slightly when he thought that maybe that’s what he and Dean should be doing instead of dancing awkwardly, neither of them sure which one should be leading. He couldn’t help feeling that he wasn’t giving Dean what he needed.
Then he saw Jo, looking stunning in a tight-fitting red dress and devil horns dancing with the boy from the other school with the fast car that Dean hated so much. She wrapped her arms around the boy, glancing back at the door.
Castiel followed her line of vision and spotted Sam, staring at Jo with a face like thunder, a dark-haired girl wearing a black dress that defied all laws of physics on his arm.
“I don’t believe it,” Dean growled, looking at Sam too. “He brought Meg? God, you think he’d know better by now!”
“You know her?” Castiel asked, keeping his voice neutral.
“Uh, a little. We hung out a couple of times.” Dean was definitely uncomfortable.
Castiel narrowed his eyes. “Hung out?”
“Yeah. No big deal. It’s just that Sam knows what she’s like, and he should have better taste. Ugh!”
Sam had turned away from Jo and had pulled Meg in for a passionate kiss, which she returned with enthusiasm.
Castiel’s eyes immediately went to Jo, who looked like she’d been slapped. She pushed away from her date and ran out of the hall, tearing the devil horns out of her hair and throwing them to the ground.
“Shouldn’t you go and talk to Sam?” Castiel suggested, giving Dean’s arm a squeeze.
Dean shook his head. “Nah, he’s a big boy, let him make an idiot of himself if he wants to. Besides,” he laughed. “We don’t talk about that shit.”
Castiel frowned. “Perhaps you ought to.”
Dean didn’t reply. They danced some more, and then Cas needed to get something to drink. He was just returning with a couple of colas when he saw that Dean was no longer sitting by himself where he’d left him. Meg was there. And she was practically giving Dean a lap dance. Castiel watched, horrified, as she grabbed Dean’s hand and pulled him to his feet, rubbing up against him like a cat in heat. Dean, to be fair, didn’t look happy about it, but he wasn’t exactly stopping her either. Castiel had seen enough. He slammed the drinks down on a nearby table and stormed out. It was one thing Dean being reluctant to spend time with Castiel in public, it was quite another to have him let someone else dry hump him when he was supposed to be out with Castiel. It was about time Dean started to show him some damn respect.
~*~
Jo felt like crap, and she didn’t know why she’d let Anna, Gwen and Becky drag her out to this stupid drive in theater. She’s been so upset about the whole thing at the dance with Sam turning up with that girl from Hades High who slept with everyone (not that Jo hadn’t driven him to it, a horrible little voice in the back of her head kept reminding her), but that was the least of her worries now. She glanced at herself in the ladies’ room mirror and thought that she looked impossibly young and scared.
“You okay?” Gwen asked from the doorway.
Jo faked a smile. “Sure!”
Gwen crossed her arms. “Bullshit. What’s going on?”
Jo took a deep breath. She felt queasy. “I’m late.”
“Huh?”
“I’m late. You know, I missed my appointment.” She gave her friend a meaningful look.
“Oh.” Gwen’s eyes grew wide with realization. “Oh! Oh my god, Jo!”
“Shut up! I know, okay!”
“Is it Sam’s?”
Jo grimaced. “Who else’s would it be? Look, you have to promise you won’t say anything okay? I mean, I’m not even sure yet and I don’t want anyone finding out.”
Gwen nodded, giving her a fierce, tight hug. “Of course not. I won’t breathe a word.”
In retrospect, Jo figured that she should have known better. Gwen might be a good friend, but she also had the biggest mouth in all of Kansas, and there was no way she should have been trusted to keep a juicy piece of gossip like that to herself. She had barely made it back to her car when she was approached by Sam himself, eyes wide and panicked.
“Jo, what the hell is going on?” he hissed. “Gabriel just told me that you’re... pregnant.”
Jo glared at Gwen, who was back at the car already talking to Becky. “Wow, good news really does travel fast.”
“It’s true?” There was a quaver in Sam’s voice and he looked like he was going to pass out.
“It’s nothing for you to worry about.”
“Are you kidding me? Look, Jo, I know I don’t have a whole lot of money right now, but I’m a hard worker, and I care about you a hell of a lot no matter what’s going on between us. I’ve cared about you for a while. And I want to help.”
She looked up at him, and her heart broke a little at how earnest he was, in spite of how freaked out he must be. She knew he meant it too - he really would take care of her. But Sam was smart. He was smart enough to go off to college and make something great out of his life. Jo wasn’t about to hold him back from that. She forced her face into a grin. “Who says it’s yours?”
She almost apologized immediately as a look of pure hurt crossed Sam’s face. But then his eyes grew cold and his jaw set. “Thanks a lot, kid,” he said rigidly.
Jo watched him walk away, and tried to tell herself it was for the best.
...
Dean wasn’t entirely sure what he could say to Castiel to make things better. The guy had been frosty with him all evening, and nothing that Dean did seemed to thaw him. He was surprised Cas had agreed to come to the drive-in at all.
“I told you,” he sighed. “She just grabbed me! I got away from her as quickly as I could, but it wasn’t like I could hit her or anything!”
“I still think you slept with her,” Cas said.
“No, I... Look, it was a long time ago and it didn’t mean anything. You know I wanted to spend the other night with you, and I really am sorry it got messed up.”
Castiel sighed heavily.
Dean closed his eyes tightly. He’d never been in a proper relationship before, but he guessed that this was one of those occasions that called for a grand gesture. He reached behind his head and undid the clasp of his amulet.
“Uh, Cas? Look, I know you’re mad, but I... I want you to wear this. I haven’t taken it off since I got it and it really means a lot to me, and... and you do too. Will you wear it?”
Castiel’s eyes softened. “Of course I will! Dean, this is... this is really... thank you.”
Dean reached over to fasten the ties around the other boy’s neck. His hand lingered there for an instant, and he couldn’t resist. He kissed Castiel hard, practically clambering on top of him even though there really wasn’t room for that in the front seat of the Impala, his left hand moving downwards to slide into Castiel’s pants.
“What the hell, Dean?” Castiel gasped. “What are you-what do you think you’re doing?” He shoved Dean away.
“Well, I...” Dean was panting. “I mean, we’re cool now, right? I gave you my amulet, so...”
Castiel glared at him, and Dean backed away to the other side of the car. “Are you kidding me?” Cas yelled. “I am not going to have sex with you in the front seat of your car with half the school walking by! If by getting me to wear your necklace you thought you could have an immediate free pass to get into my pants, you are sadly mistaken. If that’s all it meant to you, you can take it back!” He took the amulet off and threw it in Dean’s lap. “Maybe you should give it to Meg” he growled before slamming out of the car.
Dean groaned and let his head fall back on the headrest. How the hell had he got into this situation? Last year, he’d been spoiled for choice with girls and guys who’d been willing to put up with no end of bullshit for a few hours of his undivided attention. But now the one person who he’d actually managed to fall for just wasn’t satisfied with what Dean had to give. He’d asked Castiel to wear his amulet for chrissake! Didn’t the guy get what a big deal that was?
And now Dean had been stranded at the drive in, branded a fool. He winced to think of what everyone at school would say on Monday if they caught wind of this. Couldn’t Cas see that he was in misery here? They’d had such a good start to their relationship, the best month of Dean’s life, and now they just couldn’t seem to figure things out. There was nothing left for him, it seemed. Maybe one day, after high school was over, they might be able to be together and it would be perfect, but until then... perhaps their two worlds were just too far apart. All he could do was pray that Castiel would stay around long enough, would give Dean another chance. Couldn’t the guy see that Dean was helpless without him? All he could do was sit there and hope, and wonder why Cas had left him.
Dean heaved a sigh. “Oh, Castiel...”
~*~
Jo tried to ignore the stares and whispers that followed her wherever she went now. It wasn’t like she didn’t know what they were all saying. It galled though. She might not have been overly friendly with everyone, but she’d never been fake, and she’d never judged. It just went to show that she’d been right - you couldn’t trust people. Today was the day of the big race down at Devils Gate, and she wanted to go and be there for Sam, but she couldn’t face it. He probably wouldn’t want her there anyway after what she’s said.
“Jo, are you okay?” Castiel always did that, appeared out of fucking nowhere and scared the crap out of her.
“Are you okay?” he repeated.
Jo looked at him, and saw with surprise that his concern was genuine.
“I’m peachy,” she said.
“Um, I know we’re not close,” he said. “But I want you to know that... that if you need a friend...”
Jo smiled shakily, her bravado crumbling away. “I’ll be fine. I’m tough, you know? I can take care of myself and anyone else who happens to come along. But... thank you.”
Castiel smiled gently. “Any time. Are you going to the race?”
“No,” Jo sighed. “But... tell Sam good luck from me.”
She felt a little comforted as she watched Castiel walk away. The feelings of comfort immediately turned into anxiety as she caught sight of Sam working on the Impala out in the car park, and she hid herself in the doorway. A couple of girls from the year below walked past her, shooting her dirty looks.
Jo inhaled deeply. What right did they have to judge her like that? At least Castiel had seen that she was a person who could feel, just like everyone else, in spite of how much she’d teased him. There were worse things she could have done than slept with a couple of boys. Maybe they were right, and she was trashy and no good, but so what? At least she wasn’t a hypocrite. She could flirt with everyone and make them think they had a chance with her only to refuse to let them past first base. Or she could stay at home night after night with dreams that would never come true of a knight in shining armor who would never come along, and waste her life away. Worst of all, she could be like them, all the people who were judging her. She could hurt someone like herself, out of spite or jealousy. She wasn’t a bad person - she was honest and strong and brave. The only thing she wasn’t brave enough for was to show the fact that she was also scared and vulnerable, and that she’d fallen for Sam. Because it was one thing to cry alone at night in her room where no one could see, but to shed tears in front of Sam, have him see her as she really was... that was a thing she could never do.
...
Bobby had insisted on accompanying the boys to Devils Gate for the race. “The amount of time and money I’ve spent on this car? Of course I’d want to be here. Never let it be said that I don’t support my own. Give ‘em hell, Sam.”
Sam grinned nervously. “Will do, Bobby.”
Dean dragged Sam aside. “The car’s all ready. She’s as good as she’ll ever be.”
“Thanks, man. Hey, Dean, I... I need to ask you something. Would you... I mean, if something happens to me, there’s... there’s no one else I’d trust to... You’d do it, right? You’d drive in my place?”
Dean grinned. “Of course I would, man! Come on, you know I would.”
Sam laughed and pulled him into a rib crushing hug. The trouble with Sam was that he really didn’t know how strong he was, much like a two-year-old Labrador who still thinks it can jump up on your lap.
“Do you two want to be alone?” Gabe called.
“Bite me, Gabe,” Dean said half-heartedly. He wasn’t going to get into a fight now. This was the day they were going to make those arrogant assholes from Hades High eat their dust.
He’d been happy to see most of their friends turn out to show their support - Becky and Gwen had already come over to give Sam a penny they’d found for good luck - but he hadn’t seen Castiel. Not that he’d really expected to, Dean hadn’t made any effort to include Cas in this part of his life, but still... it would’ve been nice.
Dean wasn’t sure how it happened. One minute Sam was giving the engine one last check, then he bent down to check the tires at the exact same moment that Ash threw the door of the Impala open to get out. The door bashed Sam in the head, and he fell backwards onto the concrete, dead to the world. There was always something innately comical about Sam’s moments of clumsiness simply because he was so tall, but this was the worst possible timing.
Dean was at his side in an instant. “Sammy? Sam, can you hear me? Sam!”
Sam’s eyes opened and he looked up at Dean blearily. “What the hell happened? Why are there two of you?”
“You got hit on the head, you idiot. Can you get up?”
Sam tried, but swayed on his feet so dangerously that Dean had to grab hold of him to stop him falling again.
“There’s no way in hell you’re driving,” Bobby growled. “You’re dangerous enough on your feet.”
“But I have to,” Sam said pathetically as Dean lowered him back down to sit on the ground.
“Not with a concussion you don’t.”
Sam looked up at his best friend. “Dean?”
“Dean nodded. It’s okay Sammy; I got your back.”
He hadn’t been prepared to race today - this was Sam’s thing. But he’d promised to be his friend’s second, and if it meant taking that smug son-of-a-bitch Crowley down a peg or two then hell yeah, Dean was up for it. He climbed into the Impala and pulled up to the starting line where Crowley’s car was already waiting. It was about time someone taught those rich Hades kids that they didn’t have the run of the town after all.
Meg, wearing a jumpsuit that was designed to show off every curve, waved the flag. The rules were deceptively simple - the first car to complete a circuit of the track was the winner. However, Devils Gate was not the racetrack it once was: it was full of potholes, weeds were growing up through the concrete, and the surface was uneven meaning that it was only too easy to lose control if you were a less than capable driver. Dean gripped the steering wheel tightly as he sped along, adrenaline coursing through him. He’d just pulled ahead when Crowley edged his car closer, and Dean heard a horrible rending noise. Crowley laughed and Dean glanced sideways to see what the hell was going on. The bastard had somehow attached blades to the side of his car and they’d torn into the paneling on the Impala. Dean swerved away, and Crowley pulled into the lead.
“I wasn’t aware that this was Wacky Races, you son-of-a-bitch!” Dean yelled.
Come to think of it, there was something Dick Dastardly about Crowley. Actually, scrap that, the guy was Muttley.
Well, Dean was not adverse to getting his hands dirty.
He pulled up the side of the track where the concrete sloped towards the top, got a little ahead of Crowley, then swerved sharply downwards. Crowley was forced to spin the wheel to avoid a collision, and his wheels skidded on a patch of oil. He tried to regain control, but it was too late. The Ferrari aquaplaned into the pool of water at the middle of the track. Dean did not stop to watch. He was already speeding past the finish line amid whoops and cheers from his assembled friends.
...
Castiel had watched the entire race from a distance. He’d seen Sam’s accident, and when Dean had decided to race in his place. His heart had leaped when Crowley had tried to sabotage the Impala, and he’d wanted to jump for joy when Dean won. He watched as his possibly-boyfriend had got out of the car and been embraced by his friends with a strange, wistful feeling. He wished that he could be down there too, but he knew that he didn’t really belong.
It was then that something struck Cas. Dean was a good person: he was a loyal friend and wanted to do right by everyone. He couldn’t help the fact that he was also a typical eighteen-year-old-boy. He’d really made an effort with Castiel, tried to change for him, tried to include him in things even though Cas knew how different he was from Dean’s friends. And what had Cas done in return? He realized that perhaps it was time that he made a little bit of an effort to do something for Dean.
Castiel knew that there was more to him than what people saw. He was tired of his pure reputation, he was through with being scared and unsure. He knew that he must start anew: he knew what it was that he had to do. He held his head up high, and took a deep breath. It was time to wave goodbye to the old Castiel.
Becky had caught sight of Cas and was running up to meet him. “Did you see?” she squealed. “It was amazing! Dean was amazing!”
Castiel nodded seriously. “Yes, I saw.”
She looked at him with concern. “Cas are you okay?”
“No, not really.” He smiled at Becky. “But I think I might know how I could be. I’m going to need your help though. And the other girls, if they’re willing.”
~*~
The carnival was a pretty big deal in Lawrence. It came to town every September, and everyone went. Dean was hoping that Castiel would be there; he’d called the other guy up but Cas had been really vague about it, saying that he might see Dean there. Dean was miserable. He knew that he’d managed to screw up again, and he wasn’t sure if Cas was ever going to forgive him this time. He knew that they were good together, but they were just so different, and Dean was beginning to wonder whether their differences were going to tear them apart. Still, he wasn’t done trying. He was going to prove to Cas that he could change, and that their relationship was more important to Dean than his reputation.
“Dude, what the hell are you wearing?”
Dean winced. He’s really been hoping he wouldn’t run into his friends just yet. There they were, all leather jackets and jeans, looking impossibly cool, staring at Dean in horror.
“Dean...” Sam looked as though he wasn’t sure if he was really looking at his best friend. “Dean, is that... are you wearing a cardigan?”
“And a tie?” Ash added.
Gabriel burst into raucous laughter.
Dean felt himself grow hot with embarrassment. “Look, guys, I know this is weird, but... but I really wanna show Cas how much he means to me.”
“By dressing up as captain of the chess team?” Sam said incredulously.
“This isn’t just about the clothes! I want to show him that I don’t care about my reputation.”
Adam looked confused. “But... what about us? Are you... are you not part of the gang anymore? Are you gonna drop us?”
“No!” Dean protested. “You’re my guys, of course I’m not dropping you. You’re important to me, but Cas is important too, and I need to do this for him.”
Sam’s eyes had grown very wide and he was looking somewhere over Dean’s shoulder. “Uh... I don’t think you’re the only one who got the idea to play dress-up, dude.”
Dean turned around and almost had a heart attack. He wasn’t even sure that it was Castiel at first. The guy standing with the Pink Ladies was wearing a skinny white t-shirt and black leather jacket along with black pants that were so tight he must have been sewn into them. He was fixing Dean with a look that could only be described as smouldering.
“Cas?” Dean choked.
Castiel’s lips curled into a smile. “Tell me about it, stud.”
“I told him to say that!” An ecstatic Becky whispered to Anna.
“Cas, what’re you... you look... Holy crap.” Dean had chills that were multiplying through his entire body; he felt like he was losing control. There was some kind of power that Castiel was giving off now, and it was frankly electrifying.
Castiel gripped the Dean’s tie and walked him backwards until his back was pressed up against the wall of the Shakin’ Shack. “I like your new look,” he breathed against Dean’s lips.
Dean made a squeaking noise. “Uh... I like yours, too.”
“You’d better shape up, Dean,” Castiel said, his eyes intense. “I need a man, and I’ve got my heart set on you. I have to be true to my heart, there’s nothing else for me to do.”
“You’re the one that I want, Cas,” Dean said.
Castiel grinned. “You’re the one that I want, too. The one I need. And if you do have feelings for me but you’re not sure where you stand... I suggest you feel your way.” He grabbed Dean’s hips and pulled him in close, grinding against him slightly.
Dean was definitely losing control now. He pulled Castiel inside the Shakin’ Shack and pressed him up against the door. He figured they could use a little privacy.
“I’m gonna shape up,” Dean whispered, his mouth against Castiel’s neck. “I’m gonna prove that I can keep you satisfied.”
“Yes,” Castiel gasped. “Yes, show me that my trust in you is justified.” He pulled the stupid cardigan off and began to attack Dean’s shirt buttons.
“Are you sure?” Dean asked, not wanting Castiel to do anything he wasn’t ready for.
“Yes, I’m sure,” Cas replied. “I’m sure deep down inside. You’re the one that I want, Dean.”
And that was how Castiel ended up losing his virginity in the Shakin’ Shack.
...
When Sam finally found Jo, she was riding the big wheel with Gwen.
“Jo, get the hell off that thing!” he yelled. “I don’t care if it’s not my kid, you shouldn’t be doing that in your condition!”
Jo laughed and jumped off the ride, flinging her arms around Sam’s neck. “It was a false alarm!”
“What?”
“I’m not pregnant, you idiot!”
Sam whooped and twirled her around.
“Sam, I’m so sorry,” Jo said. “I’ve been acting crazy, and I was freaking out about you, and I didn’t mean to-”
Sam kissed her. “I know,” he said. “You’re worth the wait. Hey, did you hear about Dean and Cas getting it on in the Shakin’ Shack?”
Jo laughed. “Well, about damn time!”
The rest of the day was one of the best Jo had had in a long time. She’d made up with Sam, her friends were all around her, and it felt like maybe they all went together, and things would work out after all.
~*~
Dean and Castiel had decided to swap clothes.
“This really isn’t you, is it?” Castiel said, picking at the green cardigan Dean had been wearing, as they lay together in the Shakin’ Shack.
“Not really, no.” Dean sighed. “I just wanted to show you that you’re more important that my image.”
Castiel kissed him. “Dean, I don’t need you to change for me. I love you just the way you are, and maybe if we both just compromise a little, that’s enough.”
Dean laughed at this. “You’re one to talk. Stud.”
Castiel blushed. “I just... wanted to show you that I can make an effort too, and that I really do want you, and...”
“But, Cas, I like you the way you are. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve got no complaints about the sex, but... I like that you’re kind of nerdy and you wear glasses and... do you wanna swap clothes with me?”
“Yes please,” Cas said pathetically. “Dean, I don’t know how you wear those pants all the time, they’ve cut off my circulation.”
Dean laughed. “Well, you looked good in them. And, you know... you can keep the jacket on. If you want.”
So Castiel did. That day, for the first time, he felt like he was really part of Dean Winchester’s life and not just a summer fling. He waved to their friends as he and Dean drove off in the Impala together into the sunset, Dean’s arm slung around his shoulder, and he knew that even though things had been difficult he’d made the right choice.
He felt like, after all, they belonged together.