Sarah woke up to something tickling her face. She grunted as she slowly became more aware of her surroundings after the deep and relaxing sleep. She opened her eyes just a crack and squeezed them shut again when the brightness of the room assaulted her eyes. She opened her eyes again and saw Castiel’s face only few inches from hers, a soft smile on his lips.

“Morning,” he said and brushed a strand of hair behind Sarah’s ear.

“Morning,” Sarah replied, still drowsy. “Did you sleep well?”

“Like a baby,” Castiel grinned. “You?”

“Wonderfully.”

She nuzzled against Castiel’s hand that still rested on her cheek and kissed his palm.

Castiel leaned closer and pressed a quick kiss on Sarah’s nose. She chuckled and wrinkled her nose, kissing Castiel on the lips.

He hummed and wrapped an arm around Sarah, pulling her closer. Sarah snuggled against him; Castiel was so warm. They exchanged lazy kisses and soft touches. There was no need for anything more when they enjoyed the calm and slow morning. There was no rush and no need to get out of bed early.

Sarah sighed, content and happy. She loved spending time with Castiel like this, in mutual and wordless agreement that kissing and cuddling were enough. While she had liked the events of the evening, she really enjoyed this calmness and softness. Sometimes their hands trailed lower but without any intent of making a move to a more energetic direction. Sarah’s eyes fluttered and she sighed.

“I’m gonna fall asleep again,” she muttered.

“Let’s just sleep all day,” Castiel said. He had no objections as long as he could hold Sarah close.

“Tempting, but we should probably get up.”

“Yeah, probably.”

Neither of them made any attempt at getting out of bed for several minutes. They breathed in the same rhythm. In the silence Sarah could hear voices from downstairs. Castiel’s parents were awake.

Sarah stretched her body long like a cat and sighed. She sat up and rolled her shoulders. Her skin rose to goosebumps from being exposed to the cool air of the room. It had been so warm and cosy under the covers.

“Come on, time to get up,” she said, turning to look at Castiel.

“Do I have to?”

“Yes.”

Castiel looked content staying in bed. In fact, he tried to wriggle into a more comfortable position with a devilish grin rising on his face.

“How about you make me?”

Sarah huffed in amusement. She weighed her options for different approaches and decided that it’d be best to start with removing the protective shield Castiel was hiding under. She lunged forward and grabbed the edge of the covers, pulling them away before Castiel had time to grab them.

He did try and managed to catch the corner of the blanket, gripping onto it, and yanking back. Sarah held on tight.

“Come on now. Get up.”

“I don’t think I will.”

Sarah laughed and pulled the covers again, pulling Castiel along. But when it looked like he was almost in a sitting position, Castiel let go of the corner of the blanket and slumped back to bed laughing.

“Hey, that’s not fair!”

“You have to try harder,” Castiel said and stretched on the bed. The muscles on his body flexed, drawing Sarah’s attention to them. She shook her head to ignore the obvious distraction but couldn’t help glancing a few more times to his stomach and arms.

Sarah leaned closer. Castiel’s body tensed, as he waited for what she’d do. Sarah smiled and poked her fingers on Castiel’s sides.

Castiel squirmed and pulled his arms from above his head as a protection. But Sarah grabbed his hands fast and heaved him up before he could register what had happened.

They sat on the bed face to face, noses only few inches apart. Sarah held Castiel’s hands.

“I win,” she whispered and booped Castiel’s nose with one finger.

Castiel’s eyes softened with fondness and affection. He smiled but soon it turned into a grin again.

“Are you sure? Because I’m falling back down again. Look at me go.”

“No. Stop. You’re not allowed!” Sarah laughed.

She tried to keep him still, but Castiel used all his weight and managed to pull Sarah down as well. She was lying on his chest which rumbled from supressed laughter.

Before Sarah could say anything, Castiel rolled them over, now hovering above Sarah, pinning her hands against the mattress. Sarah’s heart picked up a faster pace.

“You put up a good fight,” Castiel admitted. “Good girl.”

He leaned down to kiss her, and it felt like their bodies melted together from the warmth that radiated off them. Sarah’s cheeks were flushed, and Castiel’s cheeks were rosy as well. Castiel’s grip on Sarah’s fingers tightened for a moment but soon he pulled away. It’d be better to stop now.

“I admit defeat. Let’s go get some breakfast.”

Sarah sat up and watched Castiel get out of bed. There was a tiny tinge of disappointment in her chest. But she followed after him to get dressed and ready for the day.

Castiel’s dad was watching the midday news with a cup of coffee in his hands. He turned his head when he heard noise from the stair.

Castiel, what are you doing? Put me down. Castiel, we’re gonna fall. If we die, I’ll kill you.

A smile tugged the corner of Franz’s mouth.

Castiel carried Sarah down the stairs for no other reason that he had wanted to. He had scooped her on his arm on top of the stairs. She had squealed and laughed and wrapped her arms around Castiel’s neck.

“See? We’re both alive. You’re welcome,” Castiel said as he let Sarah down. He kissed her forehead.

“You’re crazy,” she huffed. Her face was flushed, and she was out of breath.

“Good morning,” Franz said, and Sarah jumped.

“Good morning.”

Sarah tried to hide her embarrassment. Had Franz heard everything?

“Morn.”

Castiel walked to the kitchen, and Sarah followed. Castiel’s mother was cooking lunch. Ares jumped to his feet when he saw Castiel.

“Morning Cassy,” Audrey chirped, “and Sarah! So nice to see you. Did you sleep well?”

“I did. Thank you for asking. How was your evening?”

They climbed over the gate and were immediately cornered by Ares who demanded attention. He had been so cruelly abandoned the previous evening. Two humans in the house and he was all alone.

“Oh, it was wonderful. We had wine and an amazing dinner. It was so nice to catch up with old friends.”

Castiel kneeled on the floor to pet Ares.

Sarah gave the dog a few scratches on the bum.

“Will you stay for lunch, Sarah?” Audrey asked.

“Oh, I don’t know. I don’t want to impose.”

“Nonsense,” Audrey waved her hand, “you’re always welcome here. And you haven’t eaten in hours I bet. Did Castiel even give you any food last night?”

Audrey’s eyes fell on Castiel who scratched his neck.

“Umm, no…”

Castiel realized that Sarah probably hadn’t eaten anything the entire night. Did she even have a snack at the bar?

Audrey clicked her tongue.

“I knew it, but I’m still disappointed. I can’t believe you’d keep your girlfriend starving. You’re eating with us Sarah.”

And with that it was decided. Audrey ushered the teens out of kitchen to relax while she continued preparing their lunch: savoury pancakes. Sarah had caught a little glimpse of them, and her mouth was watering already.

Castiel and Sarah took Ares with them and moved to the living room. Franz was flicking between different channels but settled on some documentary about the oceans.

Castiel sat on the other end of the couch. Sarah glanced at the empty spot between him and his dad and settled down on the floor. She immediately got Ares sitting on her lap.

“You can sit on the couch too. I don’t bite,” Franz said.

Sarah blushed.

“I know. I just…want to give Ares some scratches.”

They sat in silence for a few moments, listening to the narrator talk about blue whales’ migration patterns. Sarah sent her mother a quick message that she’d be staying for lunch, and more importantly letting her know she was still alive and well.

When the ad break started, Franz turned his attention to Castiel and Sarah again.

“So, did you have a nice evening?”

Franz’s tone was casual and the question (mostly) innocent, but both Sarah and Castiel blushed deeply.

“It was nice.”

“Totally normal.”

A smile tugged Franz’s lips again. Before he could say more, a call for lunch came from the kitchen.

The table was set with a big stack on pancakes in the middle, surrounded by different filling. Sarah took in the different options while taking a seat next to Castiel.

“This one’s smoked salmon and crème fraiche, this has spinach and ricotta, and this is bacon, chorizo and sweetcorn,” Audrey explained pointing at the different fillings.

“Looks wonderful,” Sarah sighed.

Castiel was already stacking pancakes on his plate, scooping a big pile of bacon and corn on them. Sarah decided to start with spinach and ricotta.

“So, tell us how the contest went,” Audrey said after they had all managed to take a few bites of the food.

“We came second.”

“That’s amazing! I’m so proud of you.” Audrey grabbed Castiel’s hand and gave it a tight squeeze.

“Did you get a prize?” Franz asked.

“A trophy and two hundred dollars.”

“That is more than I thought. Congrats again.”

“Thanks.”

“They were really good,” Sarah said. “All the hard work paid off for sure.”

“Castiel always does well when he just puts his mind to it. It just happens less often than I’d like,” Audrey sighed.

Castiel rolled his eyes and took a fourth pancake.

“Rachel was there too,” he said after a bit of silence.

Castiel’s parents stiffened.

“Did she talk to you?” Castiel’s mother had a colder tone in her voice.

“Yeah. She wanted to get back together,” Castiel scoffed. He pushed the corn and bacon around on his pancake.

“What? How did she dare? I wish I had been there. I would’ve taught her a lesson.”

Audrey reminded Sarah of a lioness. She was caring but ready to hurt someone if they messed with her child.

“I told her to fuck off.”

“Good. I can’t believe. The audacity… After all she did…,” Audrey grumbled.

Franz touched her shoulder.

“Alright. How about we calm down. Castiel already took care of it.”

Audrey took a deep breath. Her husband was right. But she would still give a few chosen words to that girl if she ever run into her. First, she broke Castiel’s heart and then tried to worm back into his life? Unbelievable.

The discussion turned into more casual topics about the contest and the food Castile’s parents had eaten. Castiel’s phone buzzed in his pocket.

Yo, do you want to go celebrate today? You, me, Amanda and Sarah?

Castiel turned to Sarah.

“Leon asks if we want to go out to celebrate yesterday.”

Sarah’s brow furrowed slightly. “I need to ask mum first.”

Sarah needs to ask her mum. I’ll let you know soon. Castiel typed.

Sarah took out her phone too.

Hi, mum. Could I be out a bit longer? Leon and Amanda invited me and Castiel to hang out to celebrate their second place in the contest? We didn’t go yesterday.

It took way too long to get a reply, at least it felt like it, when in truth it was only a few minutes.

Okay. But you have to be home before seven. No negotiations.

Thank you so much. I love you.

A smile beamed on Sarah’s face when she put her phone in her pocket.

“I can go.”

Castiel immediately texted Leon, and they agreed to meet up in an hour.

They finished lunch, and Sarah and Castiel returned to his room after Castiel took Ares out.

Sarah sat on the edge of Castiel’s bed. She was so excited to hang out more with Leon and Amanda. She hadn’t really done that before, not counting the two occasions in the past two days. She’d be spending time with friends outside of school.

An hour later the group was gathered to a cosy café in the town centre. Castiel and Sarah had walked there hand in hand, and the small gesture had caused Sarah’s heart to throw somersaults. They were like all the other couples on their walks. Sarah had squeezed Castiel’s fingers, and he had squeezed them back and smiled.

They sat at a table for four, Amanda and Leon on one side, and Castiel and Sarah on the other. Everyone had a slice of chocolate cake in front of them. Sarah had a mug of steaming herbal tea while the other had coffee.

“For our fabulous second place,” Leon said and raised his mug on a toast. Everyone clinked their mugs together before taking a tiny sip of the drinks that were still too hot to enjoy properly.

“I’m really proud of you guys,” Sarah said. “You worked really hard and it paid out. Some of the other bands looked pretty professional but you still beat them.”

Some of them had had at least five members and a full set of instruments but two boys and guitar had beaten them. It must’ve stung quite a bit.

“Yeah. Even if you didn’t win, you did great. It was really tough competition, in my definitely not biased opinion,” Amanda added and smiled. “Next time you’ll smash them.”

“And at least we beat Rachel. That’s what truly matters,” Leon said raising his mug.

Castiel laughed. True. As long as Rachel was left empty handed, Castiel didn’t care if he was in second or twenty-second place.

Sarah cut into the cake with a spoon and closed her eyes when the rich flavour of chocolate filled her mouth. She was pleasantly surprised to taste a little bit of sharpness among all the heaviness of the chocolate; raspberries were mixed in the filling.

“What plans do you have for Christmas?” Amanda asked.

“Family Christmas since my parents are home,” Castiel said and didn’t sound excited at all.

“I’m going to my grandparent’s place for almost the entire Christmas week,” Sarah told.

“Okay. Leon and I are also leaving town for Christmas. We’re going to his parent’s house. I was thinking we could’ve had a little get together, but it sounds like everyone’s busy.”

“Yeah. I have some school stuff I still need to get done before the break,” Sarah sighed.

“We could have a New Year’s party though?” Leon suggested.

Little spark of excitement lit up in Sarah’s chest. She had never been in a New Year’s party.

“That sounds fun.”

“I wouldn’t mind it,” Castiel said. It definitely sounded like a better idea than Christmas party.

“Where would we have it?” Amanda asked.

Leon glanced at Castiel, who shrugged his shoulders.

“I don’t know if my parents are home. I can ask.”

“Nice. We could have it at our place too although it’s a bit smaller,” Leon said.

“Would Morgan be fine with it?” Amanda asked.

“Probably. He’d probably go out with Lucy. Or we invite her too and they’ll be focused on making out with each other.”

“Gross,” Castiel scoffed.

Leon grinned.

“You’re one to talk. How did your night go? Got much sleep?”

Sarah’s cheeks flushed, and she tried to hide it by taking a long sip of her tea.

“Probably less than you did,” Castiel said and sipped his coffee, looking completely unbothered.

Sarah knew they were both joking but her face burned in embarrassment.

Amanda rolled her eyes when Castiel and Leon continued to bicker about the topic.

“Can you stop thinking with your crotches for a few moments?” she asked. “We’re trying to plan a fun party.”

The guys stopped their snickering. Sarah couldn’t help but chuckle.

“At least we know now who wears the pants in your relationship,” she grinned.

“Now? I think it’s been clear this whole time.”

Amanda laughed when Leon first puckered his lips in a pouting gesture but then pecked a kiss on her cheek.

“I know I don’t need to be jealous when she gets to boss me around,” Leon snickered.

“I don’t boss you around,” she protested, “I just keep you in check.”

“Hard to imagine anyone would need to keep you in check,” Sarah said, “you always seem so calm.” She blushed a bit at her words. Was it a weird thing to say?

Leon and Castiel laughed.

“That’s just a terribly good front he keeps up,” Castiel said.

“Really?”

“I do have a more mischievous side,” Leon said, “but only when I’m around good friends.”

Sarah was surprised. She had thought Leon was the calming balance to Castiel’s hot temper but maybe there was more similarity to them than she had expected.

“Castiel on the other hand keep his heart at his sleeve. He’s so easy to read,” Leon said grinning.

Castiel’s chest puffed.

“I’m not.”

“See?” he asked and winked at Sarah.

She patted Castiel’s arm as a consolation. It was quite adorable how he showed his feelings so easy. At first, she hadn’t really noticed it but after spending more time with Castiel, it was clearer to her.

Castiel didn’t reply. He refused to take part in Leon’s games. He was clearly on a mood to make fun of him. Castiel didn’t want to give him a chance to do it.

“But yeah, I’m down for a party on New Year’s. I guess if it’s just the four of us, we don’t really need a big house for it. So, we could do it at my place,” Leon said, directing them back on track when he saw he couldn’t pull a reaction out of Castiel.

“Sounds good,” Castiel commented.

He didn’t have anything against it, although he did hope Lucy wouldn’t be there. He found the loud and nosy girl rather annoying.

“We can talk about the details later. I also wanted to ask is it okay to buy you guys Christmas gifts?” Amanda said.

She wanted to remember her friends but not everyone liked gifts.

“You don’t need to give anything back if you don’t want to,” she added.

“If you really want to,” Castiel shrugged. He wasn’t big on buying gifts. It was always so hard to decide what to get.

“I don’t mind it,” Sarah said, happy about the thought someone would like to buy her a present. “I can get you guys something too, right?”

“Of course,” Amanda smiled.

Leon nodded as a confirmation as well.

Sarah smiled and glanced at Castiel. The realization that she should get him something hit her hard. Well, she didn’t need to get him something, as his indifferent attitude towards Amanda’s question suggested, but she wanted to get him something. Castiel was her boyfriend. Of course she’d get him a Christmas present.

They finished their cakes and left the café. It had started to snow while they were outside. Sarah closed her eyes when a large snowflake landed on her nose and quickly melted into a drop of water.

“Do you guys want to do something still? I have mum’s fitness and wellness voucher she got from her work but hasn’t used. She said we can use it.”

“Pilates isn’t really my concept of having fun,” Castiel said.

Amanda laughed.

“It works in a bunch of places. We can go bowling with it.”

The group shared looks with each other. ‘Should we go? Or not?’

“It could be fun,” Leon said, “it’s been ages since I was bowling last. And they also sell really good burgers if we want to grab food.”

“Bowling on a Sunday afternoon sounds like most middle-aged thing ever,” Castiel commented. It wasn’t very high on the top of his list of things he wanted to do.

“I’ve never been bowling,” Sarah said quietly. It’d be so fun to go.

Castiel looked at her with surprise in his eyes.

“Let’s go then. If it’s free, might as well.”

He grabbed Sarah’s hand and pulled her along. Amanda and Leon followed behind.

“He’s adorable,” Amanda chuckled. Sarah had only needed to say a word and now they were going.

Leon mumbled something Amanda didn’t quite catch. She looked at his boyfriend.

“I can tell you’re planning something. Don’t be too mean to him.”

“I’d never.”

Sarah grabbed Castiel’s arm and tried to slow down their pace.

“We don’t need to go if you don’t like bowling,” Sarah said, “I’m sure there’s something else to do.”

“It’s fine,” Castiel replied and slowed down his steps a bit. Amanda and Leon lagged behind, talking and giggling. Castiel had a feeling they laughed at him.

“Are you sure? I don’t want you to be bored there. It’s not fun if you don’t like it too.”

“I’m sure. Don’t worry about it.” Castiel’s voice softened when he pulled Sarah closer. “As long as you’re having fun, I’m having fun too.”

“You’re too sweet.”

“Just don’t let the others know. It’ll ruin my image.”

“Yeah, right,” Sarah laughed and poked him with her elbow.

Castiel wrapped an arm around her.

“I’m pretty sure they already know you’re a massive softie,” she added and leaned her head against his shoulder.

They arrived at the bowling alley and rented their shoes and a bowling lane for two hours. Amanda paid with her mum’s voucher, and they headed to the last lane which was being set up for them. Leon stayed behind to visit the bathroom. He promised to buy snacks on the way back.

Castiel put their names in the small computer that would then display them on the screen overhead along with their scores. Leon arrived with a carton of popcorn and a bag of crisps.

"Here’s some snacks,” he announced and set the treats on the table.

Amanda’s hand immediately moved towards the popcorn, and she grabbed a handful before Leon could swat her away.

“At least wait until the game starts,” Leon huffed, but he was appeased when Amanda offered him few pieces of popcorn.

Castiel instructed Sarah in picking the right bowling ball. They all felt so heavy, and Sarah wondered if she would be able to throw any of them. What was worse, all the pretty balls were unsuitable, and she had to settle to an ugly green ball.

When everyone had their balls (Amanda got a pink one!), they started the round. Leon explained to Sarah how things worked, and she listened closely and nodded along. It didn’t sound too difficult. She would just have to remember not to throw the ball but more so glide it. She stared at Leon’s movements when he took his place at the beginning of the lane. Steady swing of the arm, one step forward and the ball was in the air. It hit the wooden lane and rolled steadily in the middle, taking down nine pins with a loud clatter. Leon made room for the next player with a confident smirk on his lips when he managed to take down the last pin with his second throw.

Amanda managed to take down all her pins on two throws as well, scoring six and four.

Sarah’s turn was next. She was clutching her ball while she stepped forward. Castiel followed her to give instructions.

“Do you need the borders?” he asked with a teasing tone in his voice.

“What? No, I’m not a baby,” Sarah huffed and took her position.

She stared at the end of the lane and tried to keep herself steady. Castiel looked from the side-lines, very tempted to instruct her, but he knew that Sarah wanted to try herself first. She took a deep breath and tossed the ball. It started rolling in a very promisingly but around the halfway point, the ball veered to the left.

“No, stop!” Sarah cried out, but the ball rolled in the gutter. Sarah groaned and trudged to the ball machine.

“It was your first throw,” Amanda consoled.

“At least it didn’t roll straight in the gutter, like when Castiel tried the first time,” Leon chuckled.

“Hey! I still won that game in case you have forgotten.”

“Like you would let us forget.”

Sarah chuckled while picking up her ball again. She stepped back into position, and Leon moved close to her.

“Let me help.”

He glanced at Castiel’s direction before leaning close to Sarah’s ear: “I just want to tease him a bit.”

“You’re so mean,” Sarah whispered as a reply. But she decided to play along.

When Leon placed his hands on Sarah’s arms and moved them in the right position, standing closer than it was necessary, Sarah tried to sneak a glance of Castiel from the corner of her eye.

Castiel was standing rigid as a pole, arms crossed across his chest. His mouth was pressed as a thin line. He knew this was one of Leon’s ways to push his buttons, but Castiel could help the spike of jealousy in his chest when Leon’s hands covered Sarah’s. He took a deep breath through his nose when Leon placed his hand on the small of Sarah’s back to correct her posture.

Sarah was trying her best to focus on the bowling, but Leon’s touches made her nervous. She was surprised to see this kind of side from the boy even after what they had talked about in the café. Usually Leon was calm, almost stoic, but now a mischievous smile played on his lips when he tried his best to tease his best friend.

Finally, all the build-up led to Sarah tossing the bowling ball again. This time is rolled straight to the middle of the pin formation and knocked down every single one of them. For a few seconds Sarah couldn’t believe her eyes, but then she jumped in excitement.

“I did it!”

“Great job,” Leon said and leaned closer. From the spot Castiel was standing, it looked like he pressed a kiss on Sarah’s cheek, but his lips hovered just barely away from her skin. The brush of warm air and the sudden closeness made Sarah flush tomato red, helping to set a picture of a kiss.

Castiel’s nostrils flared but he stayed rooted on his spot. He wouldn’t give Leon the satisfaction of interrupting.

“I hope I didn’t make you uncomfortable,” Leon said then before moving away.

“N-not at all,” Sarah muttered. Her heart was beating wild.

“But I’d say it was worth it,” Leon added and nudged his head towards Castiel.

Sarah looked and guilt struck her chest. Castiel looked upset even though he tried to smile. He was tense and his jaw was tight.

Amanda had watched the show from the couch and rolled her eyes when Leon walked to her.

“You’re terrible,” she said.

“I think I am,” Leon replied and watched how Sarah walked to Castiel and touched his arm. Thinking back, maybe it hadn’t been such a good idea. It had sounded fun in his head, but maybe he had gone too far? This would’ve been a lot better if he had done this before Sarah and Castiel got together. That would’ve driven Castiel crazy for sure.

“Are you alright?” Sarah asked from Castiel. The tenseness from his shoulders had disappeared only a little. Sarah’s heart thumped nervously.

“I’m sorry. I should’ve told him to stop. But it was nothing,” Sarah added, speaking quietly.

“I know. I’m just annoyed how easily he managed to make me angry,” Castiel sighed. “I knew what he was doing but still I got upset.”

“It’s alright. And by the way, he faked the kiss.”

Castiel let out a soft laugh and pressed a kiss on Sarah’s temple. He turned to look at Leon and raised a middle finger at his direction. But the smile on his lips reassured Leon that his friend wasn’t angry at him. So, Leon waved back and blew a kiss in Castiel’s direction.

“I’m gonna make sure he loses this round,” Castiel muttered to himself as he approached the bowling lane.

And he kept his word. Castiel won the whole game with only a few points difference to Leon. Sarah placed last, having scored more gutter balls than strikes. But still she had had a fun time with her friends.

They had decided to grab some food before heading home. Just like Leon had told, the place sold amazing burgers and fries. Sarah found herself salivating just from the sight of her chicken and bacon burger. It tasted as good as it looked. When she sunk her teeth in it, for a few seconds she thought she might cry from pure joy.

Castiel glanced at Sarah and stole fries from her plate. Sarah looked at him in shock.

“Hey, you have own fries still left,” she said.

“I had to taste if yours are better.”

“They’re literally from the same patch.”

“I had to make sure.”

“Alright,” Sarah huffed and in turn snatched a few fries from Castiel’s plate. She stuck out her tongue and shoved the fries in her mouth.

“Hmm, I think mine are actually better,” she said and grinned.

Castiel rolled his eyes but continued to sneak fries from Sarah’s plate. She pretended not to notice but did the same thing with Castiel’s fries.

Amanda smiled and dipped her fries in mayonnaise Leon had. She hadn’t wanted any for herself but of course she had to try it.

When they finished their burgers, everyone was teetering on the edge of food coma. Sarah and Castiel had eaten more of each other’s fries than their own. At some point Leon had joined on the food sharing and dipped his fries in Amanda’s strawberry milkshake. And then everyone had done that, the group had divided into milkshake & fries’ supporters and opposers. Sarah, Leon, and Amanda against Castiel.

“I had a lot of fun today,” Sarah said when they approached the spot where their paths would diverge. The snowing had stopped but the temperature had dropped, and Sarah shivered.

“Same. It was so nice to hang out,” Amanda smiled. “We need to do this more often.”

“I suppose it wasn’t terrible,” Castiel said, and Sarah elbowed him on the side. “Fine, I had fun too,” he admitted then.

“We’ll see you tomorrow,” Leon said.

They said their goodbyes and waved at each other before heading to their own directions.

Castiel took Sarah’s hand as they walked down the streets.

“So, you’re gonna go home now?” he asked after they had walked for a while.

“I suppose. I don’t want to push my luck with mum.”

It sucked that she had to go. Sarah had had such a nice weekend with Castiel that she didn’t want it to end yet. But it would be better to go home now, so mum would be more open to allow these kinds of things in the future.

Castiel squeezed her fingers tighter, and Sarah let their arms brush while they walked.

Way too soon they stood outside of Sarah’s house. Sarah patted her jacket looking for the pocket she had put her keys in when she realized that she had forgotten her bags at Castiel’s house.

“I’ll bring them to you tomorrow. There’s nothing important that you need, is there?”

“No. I have my phone, wallet and keys. So I’ll survive until tomorrow.”

“Good.”

Castiel wrapped his arms around Sarah’s waist and pulled her against him. Sarah looked up at him with a smile on her face.

“I had a great time today and yesterday,” she said.

“Me too. I love you.”

Sarah’s chest filled with warmth.

“I love you too.”

They kissed on the driveway as snow started drifting down from the sky again. But eventually, Sarah started to shiver again, and Castiel leaned back just enough to move his lips from hers. He brushed her cheek with his hand.

“I’ll call you later.”

“I’ll wait for that then.”

They exchanged one quick kiss for goodbye before Castiel left and Sarah headed inside. Right away she was greeted by her sister screaming in the living room. Sarah hung up her coat with a heavy sigh. The relaxing weekend was over.