𝐈 𝐊𝐄𝐄𝐏 𝐑𝐀𝐌𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆, 𝐁𝐀𝐁𝐘

He's The Answer

tw:
a bit of homophobia from siblings
death / cancer mentions
mental health issues / mentions of it declining

It's a special day when you meet somebody that stays with you all your life, isn't it? Somebody that doesn't run from your side when you're having a hard time defending yourself? Somebody who accepts every flaw and issue you have?

To some, they couldn't care less for people like that. To others, it was the only thing they wanted.

Which one would you want?

That's the question everybody seemed to ask Dean. He always responded with something along the lines of: "I don't know, now leave me alone."

But, he did know.

Except, he couldn't find what he wanted.

......

It wasn't like he was happy to, but he couldn't argue with his family. Sam was sick, they all needed to leave Caigehill.

It took him two years to show any signs of improvement.

Then, the physical therapy started.

Next, he can walk again.

Finally, they could go home.

Dean wouldn't have to sleep in a stiff chair anymore; he could sleep in a bed without worrying if his little brother would wake up crying from the medication wearing off.

But, most importantly, he could be with his friends again.

Sam could be with his friends again.

......

"Charlie, don't tell me you ditched me for some rando kid." Dean smiled, leaning on the side of a table where two people sat.

"Nice to know you're still a drama queen after two years."

"Shut up, nerd."

"Geek!" She smiled as well, punching his arm. "And he's not a rando kid, he's been here since Sam, uhh- since you moved for awhile. If you stayed a week longer, you would've been able to introduce yourself."

Dean sighed, turning to face the stranger. "Well, I can now. I'm Dean. This is my first day back, like she said. It's a long story. What about you?"

"Castiel. Just don't call me that. Unless you want to lose your spot on the basketball team, that is."

"Damn, note taken. How'd you know I was on the team? Or, at least, might get my spot back."

"Two years is a long time to learn about the school you go to, believe it or not. As soon as I got here, you were on everyone's mind. I couldn't go a day without hearing your name in every class. You're... how do I say this nicely? Popular." He hummed, keeping eye contact.

Dean groaned. He absolutely hated that word. "Only because I can throw a ball around a court, buddy. I don't hang around the other people. I'm not in their little cult. I show up, play the game, kick a school's ass, go home."

The redhead nodded, quiet as the boys talked.

"I thought so." Castiel let a grin escape, soon replacing it with his usual neutral expression, his lips pursed.

"Class has started, everybody. Pick a seat and stay in it!"

Without a word, Dean picked the chair between Castiel and Charlie.

"Attendance, everyone. Say 'here' and only 'here', please."

The first name he knew was Charlie's.