The End of All Things

Chapter Five: The Stars, The Universe, and Everything In Between

"Dean....this is too dangerous....they're bound to notice...," Cas grumbled, digging his feet into the ground to keep Dean from dragging him into the cafeteria.

"Cas, please, I don't want to sit there without you," Dean insisted, tugging on his arm again. Cas craned his neck to peer into the cafeteria and his nervous frown deepened. He shook his head.

"No. I'm not going to risk getting you hurt." Dean groaned and scrubbed a hand over his face.

"Okay, you have two options. Sit with me willingly or I will carry your ass into that cafeteria and strap you to the damn seat. Your choice," he said and folded his arms, staring Cas down. Castiel folded his arms as well and studied him a moment with narrowed eyes before sighing and unfolding his arms, shoulders slumping in defeat.

"Alright, fine; I'll go willingly," he grumbled and Dean grinned in triumph, striding confidently into the cafeteria with a reluctant, pouting Cas at his heels. After they grabbed their lunches, they headed for Dean's usual table.

"Dean, I'm not sure about this...," Cas muttered, eyeing the table nervously. Dean sighed and shook his head.

"What are you even worried about? It's not like we're gonna make out or hold hands or anything."

"But...what if they like....pick up on the fact that I'm gay?"

"They don't have built in gaydars, you weirdo. Unless you come out and say it, they won't even notice. Besides, what if they get mad and start yelling about my injury? I'll need you with me then." Cas' eyes hardened and he locked his jaw, taking a deep breath. He flashed to the image of Dean bloody and beaten on the ground and then nodded to Dean. Keep him safe, he kept chanting to himself.

"Alright, let's go then," he muttered. Dean smiled to himself, feeling triumphant, and marched over to the table.

"Hello, boys," Dean said, sinking down into his usual seat. Cas stood there awkwardly for a moment, not seeing an empty seat for himself. Dean noticed and looked to the dark haired boy next to him, wracking his brain for the kid's name.

"Trenton, move so Cas can sit there," he said and thumped him on the back of the head. Trenton scowled, but stood and Cas threw him an apologetic look before sinking into the chair hesitantly. Everyone was staring at him and he was seconds away from puking.

"Boys, this is Castiel. Cas this is the lacrosse team," Dean said, munching on a French fry casually as he introduced each boy by name. Cas smiled shyly and nodded to them.

"Dean tells us you're a boxer," Tony acknowledged, leaning forward and raising an eyebrow at Cas. Cas bit his lip and shrugged.

"Sorta. I mean, I know how, but I don't compete," he admitted.

"Yeah, he mentioned that too. Said something about you punching too hard?"

"Um, yeah....," he muttered, flushing with embarrassment.

"How'd they find that out?"

"I shattered someone's jaw during a practice round while training when I was eleven," he said it so bluntly that the whole table seemed baffled. Dean just grinned proudly while Cas curled in on himself.

"What got you into boxing?"

"Anger management issues..." This was approaching dangerous territory, stuff he'd only ever talked about with his mom and therapist. He hadn't even told Dean yet. Dean raised a surprised eyebrow. Tony, however, decided it wasn't that interesting.

"So, why'd you move here."

"My dad is a brain surgeon and a very skilled one. He wanted to work in a small town though so he took a position at the hospital just outside of town, the only one available."