Dean was on top of the world.

For once in his life, everything was going exactly how he wanted it to. He didn't have to hide around Cas, his parents loved his boyfriend, and Sammy thought he was awesome.

The weeks flew by, and Dean couldn't wipe the smile off his face. His teachers even noticed an improvement in his attitude, they even sent a letter home to his parents congratulating them on good parenting.

John and Mary thought it was hysterical.

Pushing the school doors open, him and his friends laughed and talked until they had to disperse to their own lockers. Cas' was all the way down the hall, much to Deans unhappiness, but that was alright. He was still hesitant to be overly affectionate with Cas in public, but small things like staring at his ass or looking into those pretty eyes wasn't going to attract attention.

He felt… happier, more so than he had in a long time. Looking back to before he knew Cas, or had so many friends, he actually might have been a little bit depressed, without actually realising it.

"Winchester! Are you going to answer the question, or are you too busy thinking about your next conquest?" One teacher he really didn't like was Mr Roman. He was such a dick. Which was ironic, really, since his name actually was Dick Roman.

It didn't stop Dean blushing like crazy. He could feel the heat creeping up his neck, and invading his cheeks. Charlie sent him a sympathetic look, but he just stared at his books. He hated being the centre of attention, but some teachers loved singling out the quiet ones, even if it made things about one hundred times worse for them.

Then Gordon opened his mouth.

"He hasn't got any conquests, sir." He sneered in Dean's direction, but Dean wouldn't turn to look at him. He wouldn't give the bully the satisfaction of a reaction. "He's too busy hanging out with that faggot Novak." Snickers and high fives met the comment, but all Dean saw was red. How dare that homophobe insult his boyfriend?

Before Dean could really think about what he was doing, he was over his desk and throwing his fist into Gordons shocked face. He managed to get a few good blows in before the dick bags friends' man handled him away, with Mr Roman shouting at them all to stop.

"Winchester, principles office, now." Dean was still panting, but at least he wasn't hurt. He collected up his things, and passed Charlies desk, when the red head grabbed his hand. She gave it a small squeeze, and tucked something inside his still clenched fist. He smiled at her softly, and left to find out what his punishment was going to be.

On the way, he opened the small, folded piece of paper, and smiled when he saw Charlies slanted scrawl.

Dobby has heard of your greatness, sir, but of your goodness, Dobby never knew.

Deans heart ached, because that was probably the nicest thing anyone had ever said to him. He folded up the note and put it carefully into his pocket.

The school principle, Naomi Tapping, was fair but strict. She didn't tolerate violence or bullying in her school, even though it happened all the time. The students just knew how to keep it a secret. Wasn't much of a secret if you punched someone in the face, right in front of a teacher.

Principle Tapping pursed her lips and frowned at Dean, almost as if she wasn't sure how to handle him.

"Can you explain to me why exactly you punched Mr Walker?" She didn't look pissed, just curious. Dean wondered if his parents had been called.

"He insulted one of my friends. I didn't appreciate the language he used to describe him, it was derogatory. So what if he likes guys, he can't use words like faggot." Dean huffed, because he hadn't actually meant to go on a rant. It was such a dirty word, there were far better ways to describe someone who liked guys.

"I appreciate that it was wrong of Mr Walker to use that kind of language, but that didn't give you the right to react the way you did." Principle Tapping laced her fingers together and gave him a stern look. "I have called your parents, and explained the situation. Because this is your first outburst since you started here, I'm letting you off with a warning and a week's worth of detention." She stood and opened her door, indicating for Dean to leave. "If I hear of any more of this kind of behaviour, I will not hesitate to suspend you, is that clear?"

"Yes, ma'am."

He was so relieved to be let off so easily; he didn't notice eyes following him when he left the Principles office to go to his locker. Class had been let out, and the hallways were full. As he unlocked his locker and started putting his books away, he became aware of the glances and whispering.

Rumours, it seemed, travelled fast.

"I heard that Novak guy is his boyfriend."

"He punched Gordon to stick up for him."

"Which one do you think takes it?"

"Why are the hot ones always gay?"

Dean felt sick. He hadn't realised one simple punch would start the rumour mill turning. Although, he should have seen it coming. Everything had been too perfect. He had been too happy. He could feel the blush on his face, clearly stating his lack of innocence in everything. His heart was beating too fast, sweat dripped down his back.

He didn't want anyone to know about him, unless it was his friends and family. He didn't want their judgements or ridicule; he knew what teenagers, hell, what the town, were like. Everyone would be watching him, trying to see what part of him was different.

Dean flinched when he felt a hand on his back, and he swung around, face draining of blood when he saw it was Cas. The one person he didn't want to be seen with, especially with everyone standing around.

"I heard what happened." Dean couldn't talk, couldn't even breathe. People were watching them, pointing and snickering behind their hands. "Dean? Are you alright?" God, Cas was just so good. Dean was a mess; he was going to destroy him.

He slammed his locker shut, and ran. Well, he walked as fast as he could without it seeming like he was running from his problems, because he totally was. He needed to get somewhere safe, somewhere quiet, where he could freak out in peace.

Dean made it home in record time, and he was surprised he hadn't been pulled over. He was probably driving erratically and he was sure he'd sped through at least one stop sign. Hell, he was lucky he wasn't dead.

He locked the door to his room and collapsed onto his bed, shaking and gasping. He couldn't believe everything had come crashing down with a single punch. Gordon was such an asshole. He had probably spread the rumour as soon as he'd escaped the nurse's office. Him and his buddies had probably text everyone they knew.

He cried harder when he thought of Cas, what he was probably thinking. Dean had just left him there, at school, to face everyone by himself. He had his friends, but it was different when you were together.

If we're even together anymore.

Cas would probably realise what a waste of space he was, and dump him for the pathetic lump that he was. He didn't think he could cry any harder, but apparently, he was wrong.

He didn't know when he passed out, but he was awoken by a pounding on his door. Great, now his parents were going to rip him a new one for bunking on school, just what he needed to finish a spectacular day.

Dean rubbed at his red, stinging eyes, and unlocked his door. He wasn't surprised to see his mom on the other side, but he was surprised by her tears.

"Oh sweetie. Sammy text me about what happened." Great, even the freshmen had heard. Fan fucking tastic. Dean didn't say anything; he just shuffled back to his bed and lay down in the foetal position. He just wanted to be swallowed up, and never have to deal with anything like it again. His mom followed him in and wrapped her arms around him. "Do you wana tell me what really happened?" He really appreciated that about his parents. They didn't just assume the rumours were true; they waited until they had the whole story before they passed judgement.

Dean relayed the whole story, from what Gordon said, right up until he managed to get home. He was sobbing again by the end, but his mom just held him and rocked back and forth.

"Do you think Cas hates me?" Dean's head felt like it was full of lead, and his nose was clogged as hell. He must have looked a right mess, but his mom just shook her head.

"Dean, that boy thinks the world of you. He is so mature for his age; I doubt a few high school rumours are going to put him off." Dean really hoped so, because if Cas did break up with him… he didn't know what he would do.

Mary and Dean both looked up when they heard a noise by the door. Sam, with his big puppy dog eyes, fiddled with his sleeve and kicked the door. Mary patted Dean on the back and kissed his head, because she knew the brothers needed time to themselves.

"So you punched Gordon." Sam didn't phrase it like a question, but Dean nodded anyway. Sam looked unhappy, but not angry about what Dean had done. "Was it because of what he said about Cas?" Dean's heart ached at the mention of the other guy, so he sighed to try and chase it away.

It didn't work.

"Yeah, he called him a fag, so I punched him in the face. I'd do it again, too." He was surprised, and Sam looked the same, but he couldn't deny that he was right. No matter the consequences, he would stand up for Cas every time. The thought made him proud of himself, but didn't dispel the unease he felt about what was going to happen.

"I'm proud of you, Dean." Sam drew him into a hug, and Dean gladly returned it. "For standing up for him, for showing Gordon that it's not ok to treat people badly."

"Thanks, man. That means a lot." Sam didn't realise how much his opinion meant to Dean. If Sam thought he had done the right thing, then he could rest a little easier.

He hadn't checked his phone, and he didn't want to. After Sam left him to do his homework, Dean didn't really know what to do with himself. He couldn't go on Facebook, because he was sure there would be all kinds of comments about him.

He played a bit of Age of Empires on his laptop, but he was restless. What he really wanted to do was talk to Cas, and apologise, but he didn't want to get dumped over the phone. He was surprised Chuck hadn't called, but his friend knew he would call him when he was ready, so he supposed that was fair.

Dean sighed, and had just started to think about dinner, when there was a quiet knock on his door.

"Come in."

His mom entered, and she looked concerned. "Cas is downstairs, honey. Do you want to see him?" Dean's heart leapt, and then plummeted. Did he want things to end in the living room, where everyone could see his heart break, or in the privacy of his bedroom, where he could then wallow in peace?

"Can you send him up here?" His mom smiled a little, and nodded. She trusted him.

"Of course, honey. I'll send him right up."

Dean sat up and tried to straighten his bed out. He brushed off his rumpled clothes and tried to tame his hair. He didn't know why he was bothering, Cas clearly only came to do one thing.

So when Cas opened the door and launched himself at Dean, he was caught slightly by surprise. Cas was stronger than he looked, and practically tackled Dean onto the bed. All the air left Deans lungs in a huff, and then Cas was kissing him.

If Cas was dumping him, he was doing a pretty crap job of it. If it was the last time he was going to feel those gorgeous lips though, he wouldn't pass up the opportunity. He threaded his fingers through Cas' hair and held him close, moaning when Cas nipped at his bottom lip. Cas was relentless, and Dean was hard and shaking by the time Cas broke their connection to breathe deeply.

"I can't believe you punched someone for me, Dean." Cas was breathless, flushed and looked downright adorable. His big blue eyes shone, almost like they were reflecting his very soul. God, he loved him, he really, truly, loved Cas, and it broke his heart that it could all be over. Well, go out with a bang, and all that.

"I did it because I love you, Cas."

Absolute and utter silence met his confession, and Dean was terrified. He was sure Cas wasn't even breathing, but he hadn't moved from where he was stretched over Dean. After the day he'd had, he couldn't stop the tears that began to leak from his eyes, so he turned away to hide his shame, to let Cas leave without seeing Dean break open before him.

"Dean…" Here it comes, the first time you say those words, and he breaks up with you. "I love you too." Dean's eyes snapped open, just in time to see Cas' shy smile.

"You – you do? But I thought – I thought you'd come over here to break up with me." His fear was met with confusion. Cas tilted his head and Dean just wanted to start kissing him all over again. He didn't, though, because he needed to find out what Cas was thinking.

"Why on earth would you think that? Because of today?" Dean swallowed, and nodded. "Oh, Dean. I've had rumours follow me all my life. I wouldn't let them interfere with my relationships, especially not ones I hold so dear."

"So, we're good? We're ok?" Dean needed confirmation, because his heart really couldn't handle any more. Everything felt lighter when Cas smiled at him, his beautiful eyes crinkling in the corners.

"Yes, we are so beyond good."

Cas and Dean talked for hours that night, and by the time Cas had to leave for his own house, they had come to a decision.

Chances were, the whole school would already be talking about their relationship, so there really wasn't a better time to make it official, in school terms. They were lucky their school didn't have any rules against Public Displays of Affection, like some places. Dean read somewhere that at some schools, people weren't even allowed to hug or hold hands!

In his mind, there was nothing wrong with touching. It taught people to accept other people's boundaries and what was good and bad. If they didn't have that in public, the only place to learn was in private, and that could be dangerous.

So come Monday, Cas and Dean walked into school, hand in hand.

Dean was nervous as hell, and his stomach was actually painful with nerves, but he had Cas, and he didn't have to hide anymore. He was so proud that Cas was his. That he had managed to attract and retain such an amazing person. Cas was everything Dean wished he was himself, charming, confident and badass. He didn't take anyone's shit.

"So I'll see you at lunch time?" Dean turned to look at Cas, who was smiling happily despite people still looking at them. Well, fuck them. They could date whoever they liked without someone staring at them, so why couldn't Cas and Dean do the same?

"Yeah, save me a seat." Dean leaned over and kissed Cas, smiling into it. Cas bit his lip and laughed huskily when some girls behind them squealed.

"There's something just so naughty about freaking people out." Dean laughed and slapped Cas' retreating ass. It felt so freeing to be able to do what every other normal couple did at school.

Of course Gordon had to go and ruin it.

"So your one of them too, eh, Winchester?" Gordon and his minions crowded around his locker, blocking both of them from the view of the hall. A small tendril of fear wound up Deans spine, but he ignored it. Gordon couldn't do anything to him.

"I'm one of what, exactly? Your gonna have to spell it out for me, if you can spell?" He didn't know where all the snark was coming from all of a sudden; maybe he'd learnt it off Cas. Gordon just looked even more pissed.

"You better watch yourself, boy. Accidents happen."

Dean watched Gordon and his cronies stalk off, but he couldn't shake the feeling of dread that crept over him. He couldn't be sure that Gordon wouldn't do anything, especially not when Dean knew his dad was one of the biggest homophobes he'd ever met. Kids learn from their parents, and Dean was sure the apple didn't fall far from that particular tree.

He gasped when he felt a hand on his lower back, but smiled when he turned and it was just Cas. His boyfriend smiled at him, and Dean returned it. He wanted to kiss him so bad, but he thought they had given the other students enough fodder for one day.

"What did that asshat want?" Dean chuckled; Cas could certainly come up with some inventive names. Dean just slung his arm around Cas and steered them towards their next classes.

"Don't worry, it was nothing."