SuperPotterLock - The Order of the Phoenix

Hagrid's Tale

'Where are we going, Dean?' Cas asked, following Dean down the marble staircase.

'Outside,' said Dean. 'I thought it might be nice to take a walk in the snow.'

Cas frowned. 'We're not supposed to be outside after dark.'

'Really? I thought you were allowed.'

'Well, I am, but only if I have to.'

'You won't get in trouble, don't worry,' Dean reassured. 'It's okay to do things you like, just for fun sometimes, you know?'

Cas nodded uncertainly, but kept following Dean. Once outside, though, his face relaxed and he breathed in the smell of the snow.

Dean stared at him for a moment, watching the flakes drift into his dark hair. He reluctantly kept walking, bringing Cas with him. They walked in silence for a while, leaving their footprints in the snow as they walked around the castle. The few flickering lights from the castle windows were enough to light their way.

Cas was the first to speak. 'I've always loved the snow,' he said, crouching down and running his hand through the fresh, sparkling powder, the Whomping Willow just visible in the distance, shivering in the cold.

'Mhm,' Dean said, heart in his throat.

'Is something wrong?' Cas asked, noticing his nerves.

'No, no,' Dean said hastily. 'I just - I just - '

'Dean, what is it?' Cas asked in alarm.

Dean shook his head and took a deep breath, his heart hammering ever faster. 'I wanted to ask you - um - well -'

'Dean,' Cas said, 'it's all right. Take your time.'

Dean bit his lip. Cas's voice soothed him, and Cas's amazingly blue eyes watched him expectantly. 'Okay, okay...' Dean looked down at his feet. 'Cas, I really like you. God, I sound like such a dork, but I really want you to go out with me.' Dean cleared his throat. 'Tu veux être mon petit-copain?'

Cas stared at him, stunned.

'Was - was that okay? Did I say it wrong?' Dean said anxiously. 'That's how Fleur told me to say it-'

'No, that's correct,' Cas said, not taking his eyes off Dean.

Dean exhaled. 'I just think you're amazing, and really talented and smart. You have great hair, and I really like the way you fly, and I like your smile. Are you gonna let me keep talking or are you gonna say something?' Dean said nervously.

'You... want to be with me?' Cas said slowly.

'Well... yeah...'

'Why?'

'For all the reasons I just said?'

'I don't understand.'

Dean shuffled his feet in the cold. 'Do you need to? Isn't the question whether or not you want to be with me?'

Cas chewed a fingernail.

'So - so do you?' Dean prompted.

Cas looked away, then back again. 'Oui.'

Relief flooded through Dean. 'You do? Really?'

Cas nodded.

Dean puffed out a breath, then grinned widely. 'Wow, awesome.' Dean took a step closer to Cas, but Cas stepped back again.

'I'm -I'm not ready for - that - yet,' he mumbled. He hesitated, then grabbed both Dean's hands and squeezed them tightly. 'Is this all right for now?'