A/N: Short update. I've been getting back in the groove of writing again yay!

A few weeks later...

"Although most angels have wings large enough to seem like flight is possible, it is very rare for them to have the strength to actually carry an angel off the ground. Believe me, I've seen several of my friends try and fail hilariously."

A wave of laughter went through the class as Balthazar finished his lecture. It was Dean's final day of classes before Spring Break started. He was leaning back in his seat and chewing on his pen, his mind far away. He knew what he'd planned to do over the break and was quickly growing nervous about it. His attention focused back on the present when the other students began shifting in their seats.

"I see no reason to make you all suffer through your break with any sort of assignment so just enjoy yourselves and be ready to work when you all return."

Balthazar was releasing them from class early. Dean smiled and gathered his things as the room emptied. He had made it down the steps of the lecture hall when he heard the professor call his name.

Dean stopped and turned to the angel. "Yes, Professor?"

"I'd like to speak with you if you have a moment?" Balthazar leaned against his desk.

"Sure." Dean let his bag slip off his shoulder and rest on the floor.

Balthazar paused, considering his words before he spoke, "Have you thought about majoring in Angel Studies, or adding it as a minor? I'm not sure what your major is now, but considering that you're one of the highest grades in any of my classes, I'd say you'd do well."

Dean was speechless. He had thought about it in all honesty, but he never considered that Balthazar would think the same.

"It's just something you should think about." Balthazar could see Dean's surprise and smiled as he seemed to think it over.

"I will. I have considered it, but I don't know yet." Dean wasn't sure what he really wanted to do after school as it was, but maybe this would lead him somewhere.

The angel nodded. "Fair enough." There was a pause and Dean was about to pick up his bag again when Balthazar spoke. "How are you and Castiel? Any problems with anyone?"

Dean smiled as he shook his head. "Not recently. We're both doing good."

Balthazar nodded and seemed genuinely relieved. "That's good. Enjoy your break."

"You too." Dean picked up his bag and left the hall.

When he got back to his room, Dean told Castiel what Balthazar had said. They were both packing up for the break and deciding what they were willing to keep at the dorm while it was closed for a week.

'So are you going to do it?' Castiel signed to Dean while he put his books in his suitcase.

"I don't know." Dean turned away and shoved a couple bundles of clothes on top of his books. "It'll be something for me to think about while we're home."

Frankly, Dean had bigger things on his mind. He and Castiel hadn't talked about it much but they'd said enough to decide that this was the week that they'd tell the family about their relationship. Dean still wasn't sure what exactly to label them. "Boyfriends" didn't sound right but they weren't just friends either. He didn't even know how he'd bring it up, but he knew it had to be done.

Castiel could tell Dean was deep in thought as he furrowed his brows and forcefully shoved his things into his already too full suitcase. He had finished packing already and just had to wait for Dean to finish his afternoon classes.

It was close to five when Dean and Castiel had the Impala packed and started the drive home. Traffic was heavy with all the students leaving and parents coming to pick them up. Their usual 30 minute drive turned into an hour.

Dean was agitated with road rage when he could finally park in the driveway. Castiel squeezed his shoulder gently, hoping to calm him slightly.

Feeling Castiel's touch let Dean finally let out a breath. He looked to his right and smiled as the angel looked worried. "Don't worry, Cas. I'm fine." He put his hand over Castiel's briefly before exiting the vehicle.

They were walking to the door when John came out in full uniform. He looked agitated himself.

"Dad, what's wrong?" Dean paused, thinking something bad had happened.

"Nothing," John waved a hand, "I'm just going to help with some of the traffic accidents downtown. Guess there's a spike today and they need some extra hands."

"Oh, okay."

"I'll be back later." John nodded to them and walked to his police cruiser.

Dean and Castiel continued inside. They greeted Mary and Sam before heading upstairs to drop off their things.

They had dinner without John as he'd called to say he'd be late. Dean told the others about what Balthazar had told him. Mary thought it would be great and Sam seemed impressed that Dean had made such an impression on the professor. Dean would probably add a minor next year and see how it went.

The next day, John headed to work early so Dean decided to maybe tell the family about him and Castiel that night depending on his dad's mood when he got back. Just thinking about it made Dean nervous. He still had no idea how he'd even bring it up.

"Hey," Sam poked Dean as he sat beside him on the couch, "what's wrong with you?"

"Nothing," Dean snapped.

Sam raised his brows and smiled. "Nothing? Then why do you look constipated?"

Dean scrunched his face in disgust. "I don't, shut up."

"Okay, whatever." Sam brought his feet up and crossed his legs on the couch. "If you want to talk about something, I'm here."

Dean crossed his arms and frowned. He wanted to, but he still wasn't sure how to start. Castiel was upstairs reading and Mary was outside so he could talk to Sam alone, but would that help?

A few minutes passed before Dean said anything. "It's about me and Cas." Dean kept his eyes on the carpet. He saw Sam look at him, surprised that he was going to talk to him about it.

"What about you guys? Is something wrong?" Sam turned to face him, truly concerned.

Dean shook his head. "No, nothing's wrong. I was gonna tell everyone something this week and I don't…I don't know how to."

Sam had a thoughtful look as he chewed on his lip. "Something about the two of you?" Dean nodded. "Like what?"

Dean sighed and dropped his arms. "Like…" Dean sighed again and shook his head, lost for words.

"Like how you guys feel about each other?" Sam said it carefully, not wanting to upset Dean if it wasn't that.

Dean nodded. He knew Sam would be able to guess. Hell, the kid had told him about it before Dean was even aware of it.

Sam shifted and hummed in thought. "So, you two have talked about that finally?" Sam smiled when Dean looked at him. "What are you nervous about?"

Dean laughed. "You want me to list them off?"

Sam rolled his eyes. "What because he's a guy? Because he's an angel?"

"My angel, Sam. Legally I own Castiel and it doesn't sit that well with me. I'm sure that won't be lost on mom and dad." Dean tried to keep his voice down as he felt the fear rise in his chest.

Sam shrugged like the answer was obvious. "Then let Castiel be free."

"What?"

"Revoke your ownership. I'm sure there's a way to do it. Dad could probably even help you with that if you asked."

Dean had thought of that too, but he also knew that Castiel most likely wouldn't be able to live with him at school anymore or have coverage if he was sick or injured or be able to go to school or own any kind of property. He covered his face with a hand.

"I wish it could be that easy, Sam."

"Maybe it is."

Dean dropped his hand and looked at his brother. "How do I even start this conversation with them? Should I make it a big announcement or just say it?"

Sam shrugged. "I don't know. But, I don't think they'd be angry. No matter how they react at first, I think they'll be fine with it. I will, if nothing else." Sam smiled, trying to reassure Dean.

"Thanks." Dean chuckled. He did feel slightly better.

That night, they were all eating dinner together and Dean was having a hard time eating as nerves turned his stomach. Sam watched him in sympathy. Castiel would occasionally brush his back with a wing, hoping to comfort him.

"You okay, honey?" Mary asked with a frown. She could tell something was bothering Dean and he's barely eaten anything.

Dean looked up with his mouth open to respond. He stopped when he saw all the eyes watching him. His heart pounded in his chest a little harder than usual. He had to clear his throat before he could speak.

"Fine, mom. I'm just not that hungry." He glanced at Castiel before looking at his plate.

"You're not getting sick are you?"

"No, I promise." He smiled and picked up his fork.

They settled into silence again as everyone ate. Dean kept trying to think of what to say and wondering why it had to be this hard.

Everyone had finished their food and Dean was beginning to think he would just wait another day. He looked at Sam and saw him trying to silently encourage him. He shook his head and looked away.

"Dean had something he wanted to tell you." Sam spoke as Mary reentered the room after taking away the dishes.

Dean once again felt everyone's gaze turn to him. He closed his eyes and felt heat rise to his face. Sam was dead.

"What is it, Dean?" Mary asked as she stood next to John's chair, placing a hand on the back of it.

He glared at Sam, who just shrugged and gestured to their parents. His jaw clenched as he looked back to Mary.

"Uh, well…" he ran his hands over his thighs, they were suddenly sweating. He felt Castiel gently hold his elbow. Dean looked at him and got an encouraging nod. He took a slow breath and faced his parents again.

"What's going on?" Mary looked between the boys. They looked worried and she didn't like when they didn't feel like they could talk to her.

"It's not a big deal, really." Dean found his voice finally and tried to just say it. "It's just about me and Cas and how we feel about each other."

Mary tilted her head and looked confused. "What do you mean?"

Sam leaned forward a little bit and spoke before Dean could. "They like each other a lot."

"Sam!" Dean looked at his brother, who just raised his eyebrows and shrugged.

John and Mary shared a look briefly. "Is that true, Dean?" Mary asked.

Dean turned back to look at her and nodded. Her eyes shifted to Castiel and the angel nodded as well. She smiled as the angel moved his hand to cover Dean's on the table.

John was looking between them with a slightly pinched expression. He shifted in his chair like he intended to say something, but he didn't. Dean felt the fear creep back in.

"Let me hear it, dad." He knew he'd have to voice his side and he wanted it over with.

"Who else knows about this?" He didn't sound upset, just curious.

"Just you guys and Charlie and Jo." Dean felt Castiel's hand tighten around his. The support squashed some of the fear.

John nodded. "You know what others will think, Dean. What they'll probably say to you, do to you and Castiel. Your roommate came after you just because he assumed something like this. You understand what you're setting yourself up for, right?"

Anger flared inside Dean's chest and chased away his fear. "I don't really care what anyone else thinks, dad. We've taken care of everyone so far, we'll do it again."

"You could try to declare him a citizen, but that process isn't easy, or cheap. He would have a hell of a time getting anything once you did that." John hoped Dean understood that he was trying to help him, not fight.

"I would like to do that at some point. I'm sure we could do it. Even if things were different, I would want Cas to be free."

John held up a hand and smiled. "And when that time comes, I'll help you in any way I can. I just want you to understand what you're getting into."

Dean glanced at Castiel, who was smiling. "I do."

Mary squeezed John's shoulder and then sat back in her chair next to him. "Well, I'm glad. You had me worried for a minute that there was a problem. Don't scare me like that."

Dean huffed out a laugh and looked around the table. He had been preparing for the worst and was surprised with support from everyone.

Mary passed around pie for everyone and they were able to eat and laugh. Maybe Sam wouldn't have to die just yet.