Against All Odds -Destiel

Chapter 14

Jojo was a man who thought he was a loner
But he knew it wouldn't last.
Jojo left his home in Tuscon, Arizona
For some California grass

Get back, get back
Get back to where you once belonged
Get back, get back
Get back to where you once belonged
Get back Jojo

-The Beatles 'Get Back'

Mashed potatoes, bacon, frozen corndogs, and a fruit cup was being served up for dinner at the Novak house. Dean scooped the blob of potatoes on his plate together in mound and imagined savory gravy spilling over the sides. He looked across the table where Gabriel sat. "Hey, Gabe? Could you pass the ketchup, please?"

"Aww," Lucifer remarked sadistically. "That is so adorable." He pursed his lips slightly. Gabe laughed softly and slid the half empty bottle of ketchup across to Dean who looked confused.

"What?" He asked.

Cas put a hand on Dean's back. "Babe, if you want some ketchup- in this house- you just lunge across the table and snatch it out of the other person's hand without apology. Manners are a fantastical thing here."

Dean smiled. "Sorry. I think I still prefer to ask politely though."

"You know," Gabe's voice was loud and comical. "we could definitely use that around here. Some politeness and some manners would be nice." He looked to Lucifer. "Luci, would you please make something other than dry ass mashed potatoes and frozen dinners that are still cold in the middle and actually feed us something that won't make us gag? Thank you."

He smiled wide, showing his teeth, and nodded at Dean. Silverware clacked as Lucifer dropped his fork and tilted his head towards Gabe, scowling. "How's the dating life, Gabe?"

Gabriel looked back at Dean and Cas and, ignoring his brother, asked "So, you two are really back together now?"

The boys glanced at each other and held hands under the table. Cas said, "Yeah. For real this time."

"Just gotta figure out a way to confront my dad." Dean said in a low tone.

"Have you thought of anything else?" Cas and Dean had been brainstorming ways to talk to John about their relationship. Would they do it together? Would it just be Dean? Would his mom have to be there? Would it be someplace public? Or Private?

"No." Dean said.

"So your boyfriend's dad doesn't approve of you, Cassie?" Gabriel laughed, hovering his hand over his mouth.

As soon as Gabe had said this, Dean was reminded of the time he was having dinner with his family and Sam asked a question about their dad and grandfather. He turned to Cas, "I just thought of something."

"What?" Cas asked as he chewed his food.

Dean paused to think, then explained, "You need to talk to my dad."

Cas's eyes grew wide like Dean had officially lost his mind. "Why?"

"That's how my dad earned my grandfather's respect. He was in a similar situation when he was dating my mom, but when he finally talked to my grandpa and explained how much he cared for my mom, things were much better between them."

"Okay." Cas shrugged. "You'll have to help me plan a few things out though."

Dean nodded.

The boys ate their food without speaking for some time. It was actually a pleasant meal, not because of the food, but because it wasn't awkward or tense. Dean and Cas were back together after a long conversation, the Novak brothers weren't quarreling, and things were beginning to look up again. Then a thought came into Castiel's mind, making him panic.

"Lucifer, I did something really stupid today."

"And that's unusual for you?" His brother teased with a mouthful of food.

"I dropped out."

"Really?" His voice held no real reaction or emotion.

"Yeah, I told MacCleod I wanted to drop out and he apparently made it official and Dean and I tried to take it back but he wouldn't so now I'm stuck with my dumbass decision." His voice shook with nerves and anxiety.

"Hm." Lucifer replied.

"That's it?" Cas choked, needing something more from his older brother.

Gabriel looked to Lucifer in hopes of seeing him be a better brother.

"He can't do that." Lucifer said simply and even toned.

"What?"

"Nope." Lucifer swallowed his food. "Even if you really wanted to drop out and you told him that over and over. He can't just say to everyone you're no longer a student. He needs some sort of consent. You're not eighteen yet so you need a guardian's consent to let you drop out. I had to get Dad to let me drop out. Wasn't a big deal for him since I was already getting negative percentages in classes and not doing much else otherwise. But, no, MacCleod can't do that. If he has, and the school says you're no longer enrolled, he can probably get fired."

Castiel's eyes filled with hope and excitement. "Are you serious?"

"Yeah, go to school on Monday. I promise you that you're still enrolled." He shoveled more mashed potatoes into his mouth.

"What happens if they don't let me-"

"Oh, they'll let you." Lucifer nodded, smiling devilishly.

Cas smiled too, thanking his brother.

Because if they didn't let him back, Lucifer was going to march in there to that creepy principal and dictate to him that his brother was still going to get an education and was going to do his absolute best and would graduate with his class and go off to do amazing things with his life. Things that MacCleod couldn't even dream of.