"Dean?" Sam asked from the doorway the next morning. Dean didn't answer.

"Dean, please." Dean rubbed his eyes.

"What?" He snapped. Sam shrank back and Dean sighed.

"I'm sorry, Sammy, I just..."

"Blame yourself," Sam filled in.

"Because it was my fault," Dean said.

"No, Dean, it wasn't! It was horrible, but it wasn't your fault!" Sam exclaimed, walking all the way into the room. Dean just turned away.

"I never should've left him. If I hadn't left him, I could've stopped it. I shouldn't have left him..." Sam grabbed Dean's shoulders and shook him.

"Then why are you leaving him now?" He demanded. Dean blinked.

"What?"

"You keep making such a big deal about how you left him, but now you're hiding from him like a coward!" Sam said.

"I... I love him, Sam. I can't hurt him," Dean said quietly.

"If you love him, go fight for him!" Sam exclaimed, giving Dean one final shake before letting him go. Dean just picked up his backpack and headed down towards the car.

Dean spent all of his morning classes thinking about what Sam had said. Cas was better off without him, right? Cas, with his bright blue eyes and his quiet shyness... Dean stood up suddenly. He heard his teacher say something, but he just walked out. He had to find Cas.

***

The bell had already rung by the time Dean found Cas. When Cas saw Dean he rushed over, looking nervous.

"Cas, I... I'm so sorry, I... I never should've left you..." Cas put a finger to Dean's lips, and that's when Dean realized Cas was shaking. Dean watched as Cas took a deep breath and opened his mouth.

"I... love... you..."

Dean was so shocked his knees almost gave out. Cas' voice was croaky and raspy, but it... it was there.

"What?" Dean was just staring at Cas, barely able to believe it.

"I love you... Dean," Cas repeated. And suddenly all thoughts flew from Dean's mind but one.

"I love you too." And with that he leaned forward and kissed Cas, and Cas kissed back, and this time no one interrupted them. There were a few wolf whistles, but Dean ignored them. All he knew was Cas. All he needed was Cas.