Truth or Dare ~ A Destiel High school AU

Chapter: Sixteen

Dean's POV

The door slams shut and I just stand there. It wasn't until the bell rang for second period that I forced myself out of the bathroom and moved to whatever class I needed to go to.

***

My body went on autopilot for the entire day but my mind didn't rest at all. All my thoughts surrounded the same topic. Cas. And I can't even ask why he didn't tell me. Because I can make up about twenty reasons why. He can probably make forty.

I was walking to Baby when I heard a shout from across the parking lot. Cas. I sprint over and find Alastair with Crowley. Crowley was holding Castiel up while Al punched him in the gut. Cas double over, spitting out the blood from his cut lip. Crowley spotted him and grinned. "Come here, Squirrel. We're seeing how many punches it takes for our little fag here to cough up his lungs." Cas looked at me, terror in his eyes. Like he thinks I haven't changed. And the thing that scares me is that he might be true.

Castiel's POV

I looked at Dean, getting ready for the betrayal that I knew was headed. I squeeze my eyes shut, not wanting to see the look on Dean's face. Because I know what I want him to do, and what he will do. There's a difference between fantasy and reality. I hear the gravel crunch underneath Dean's boots. He takes both my shoulders and pulls me from Crowley's grasp. The sneers on their faces melt into confusion when Dean doesn't start throwing punches. I, too, look at him in confusion. His eyes meet mine and I can't seem to figure out why he's doing this. "Stay. Away from him." He says. They both back away slowly but they throw glares at us over their shoulders as they walk away from the school compound.

I wanted to say that he didn't have to do that, that I was fine and what gives him the right to intervene. But I can't. Because, well, I wasn't fine and I guess I don't have enough- anything to muster up for that. I feel weak. Probably because I am. I push myself away from him and walk away. At least before I collapsed. Dean rushed over to me, but I tried to get up on my own. I don't need him. Well, fake it till you make it- right? "Cas- just let me help you!" Dean cried. Spitting out the blood that was pooling in my mouth, I sneered at him.

"Why? Cuz you played hero for five seconds, and now you get to ask for favors?" His face remains stoic.

"Please, just let me do this for you. And then I'll leave you alone." My mind screamed no. Don't do it. But when I opened my mouth-

"Fine."

And to be honest, I can't say that I hated the look he gave me. The way he would light up like a Christmas tree. He helped me into his car and basically it was the most awkward car ride I have ever experienced in my entire life. It felt like I've been holding my breath. For hours. Like I was waiting for something to happen. For him to say something. For me to think of something to say. But no, that just didn't happen.

We get to his house and he comes to my side of Baby but this time reject his offer to help me out. I'm an independant strong young man. Until I practically fall on my face. Dean catches me like the fucking super hero he is and I have to look away because of how close he is to my face. This is the cheesy part of chick flicks where we are supposed to lean in and kiss but this is not going to happen so I step back and try to distract myself from the lingering looks he gave me throughout the car ride and right now. We head inside and it's empty- thank god.

I sit on the couch while Dean heads in the kitchen and comes out with a bowl of water and a small hand towel. He lets the towel soak in the water while he checks my injuries. Squeezing out the excess water and then starting to clean off the dried blood from my face. He looks sad. Or just upset. "What's the matter with you?" I blurt out. My eyes widen when I realize that it is not socially acceptable to point out people's weirdness in public- even if you're alone.

"You're.. So broken." He comments. That's when I try to remain as calm as possible. But my mind is racing. What does he know. Does he know something? What?? But I just reply with the last part. With less suspicion.

"What?" I reply with the most amount of smoothness I can muster. Dean puts the towel back into the bowl, the blood now mixing with the clear water. He squeezes the rest out again and places the cool towel back on my face- even though all the blood has already been wiped off.

"It's just the way you used to hold yourself and how you do now after what.." I shake my head. Not wanting him to delve into it. It's already really weird between us and at the moment I just want to sit here. "Your eyes. They're so cold." He put down the towel and took my cold hands into his warm ones. This seemed real intimate and right now my brain couldn't handle anymore mixed signals but I let him.

I shook my head and pulled my hands away from his grasp. "No one cares that I'm broken." No one cares that you're broken, Cas.

"Why would you say that?" He replied, reaching for my hands and this time I tried to pull away immediately but his grip was firmer. I tightened mine as well because for some reason saying this was going to hurt me more than it would hurt him.

"Because. Y-you." I couldn't get the words out. You said that to me. You said that. But it was like the words were caught in my throat and no matter how hard I tried I couldn't say it. He let go of my hands and brushed a stray tear away. Great, I'm crying now. He pulled me into a hug and I tried to push away from him. I don't need this. I'm fine. I don't need him. Then I started to crumble, and break, and when I opened my eyes again, his arms were around me and I was engulfed in his scent. "Friends don't do this." I say, my voice strained.

"Of course they do."