Act IV: Friendship!? Love!? Where are we, in a Shojo manga?? (yes)

Yusss UvU

On Friday, at six sharp, Selena home alone (her parents had decided to get out for a little date on their own), dressed up and ready to get out for her evening. She had picked one of the dresses Carleen had purposefully made for her, red, short and stylish for the time - she never had the right occasion to wear it before. It was her chance now! She looked even taller with her heels, and she knew that Raphael was quite short for a man, but she didn't care. She liked to look intimidating. When the butler came to tell her that 'her car had arrived', she thanked him and walked out of the house to meet with Raphael.

In the end, Michela hadn't been able to go. She had explained with a scoff that the aunt she lived with needed to be out the whole evening to work, so she needed to look after her ten-year-old sister. "Sorry. I can't call out on babysitter duty."
So now Horknath and Cas were going to fetch Carleen and her friend Dean to her place, and then they would get out to go to the ice cream parlor. "Will you be alright?", Horknath asked to Castiel for the hundreth time as he waited for his girlfriend to come out of her house.

Truth be told, Raphael was left speechless when he saw Selena, for she was even more gorgeous than he had ever seen her. He was just wearing a suit's dark pants, a white shirt with short sleeves and a blue stripped tie.
After gaping for air for a few seconds, he shook himself and offered his hand to Selena. "Uh. Hi. You look great." He would definitely struggle during the whole evening between his usual awkwardness, and the few tips he had learned about being a gentleman.

Castiel massaged his neck. "I will be. I mean- Dean and I haven't seen each other since that time he came at the club, but we've talked on the phone sometimes." Mostly to try and make plans and realize they sadly weren't available at the same time. Dean had a job aside from his studies, and Castiel- well. Castiel had just resigned from one of his two side-jobs to make room for Dean in his agenda. "Are you sure you don't mind me being there?"

"Thank you. I know that", Selena answered candidly, accepting his hand. She raised a brow, though, and held back a smirk when she took in his expression upon seeing her mise for the evening. "Too scandalous for you?", she provoked him, straightening up to showcase her impressive height.

Horknath shook his head. "Of course I don't. We don't get too see each other that much... well, outside of work, I mean", he added, looking suddenly embarrassed. "It will be nice to be able to pass some time with you too. 'sides, me and Carleen have already been on dates on our own. This is just an evening among friends!"

Raphael scoffed. "For my relatives, your outfit certainly is. But I- like it." He walked her towards his car, and opened the passenger door for her. He closed the door after her as well, and then finally sat behind the wheel to drive them.

Castiel smiled at Horknath. "I'm looking forward to it, then."
Meawhile, as she finally got out of her bedroom with a neat haido, Carleen beamed at Dean. "I'm sure you'll like Horknath. And Cas, too! I bet he'll make a good brother-in-law."

Selena blinked, but as she let Raphael accompany her to the car, she was definitely wearing a pleased - and mildly surprised - expression. he liked it, huh. Once he was sitting behind the wheel, she turned towards him. "So. What about those brothers I can't mention?" Yeah, she hadn't forgotten about that.

Dean rolled his eyes a little, a smirk on his lips. "Well - I do know Cas a little already", he reminded her as he got up from her bed (where he had been slumping for the past half an hour). "I've met him at the burger place some times. He's... nice", he said after hesitating a little. It would've been difficult to downplay his attraction towards the other man - but maybe he could trick Carleen into thinking they were just now hitting it off? Who knows!

Raphael sighed. "Well- in theory you shouldn't mention them. But feel free to do so to signal me you'd like to leave." He carefully drove out of her entryway, before he began to explain. "My parents divorced a long time ago, and had four kids. The first is Michael - you'll discover just how much of a prick he is. Then there was Lucien." He wet his lips, and paused for a bit. "I'd rather not talk about him. But if you happen to mention him, know that it might not backlash in the best of ways." He took a deep breath. "Then- Gabriel and me. We're twins. Gabriel is openly- bisexual, I think? Anyway, his sexuality is an issue to our relatives. Oh, and he's- played a role in a few minor movies. The ones you find in the adult-only room at the video store" He held back a smirk - he still couldn't believe how casually he had announced it to their mother to get rid of her.

Selena dutifully took a mental note about everything Raphael was saying - before erupting into a chuckle. "Wait - your twin brother is a pornstar?", she asked with a grin on her face. "Wow. Your family is way less boring than Id' ever thought." She shrugged. "Don't worry, though. In case I really want to be kicked out, I can always do so without upsetting you in particular. I could say that my father is one of the biggest supporters to the Democrat candidate to the mayor seat - or that my brother Louie is gay. Or that his boyfriend owns an adult-oriented shop. Your choice."

Raphael remained silent for a bit, but he did let out a slight chuckle. "Well. It seems like you were the perfect candidate for this evening," he said with a smile and a glance towards her, before he wet his lips. "But I think it would be safe then to tell you then that my father is Charles Novak." The Democrat candidate for the mayor seat. Yes. Michael was running against his own father.

(And since I had forgotten Carleen like the idiot that I am:)
"Well, perfect, then!" Carleen smiled at Dean while going down the stairs. "Horknath told me he's his best friend. I hope we'll all get along fine, then! That way we could get out more together, the four of us!"

Selena let out an incredulous laughter. "Wait... your brother is competing against his own father?" She chuckled, settling down in her seat a little better. "That's... something. It's probably going to be a little embarrassing, if they can associate my surname with my father's." Wade had made several appearances at Mr. Novak's rallies and events, after all. He was a sponsor. "But if they're as ignorant as I think, they will probably not make the connection. I'm not that involved in politics." She was still going to vote for Mr. Novak, though.

"Oh, I'm sure we will", Dean observed with a smile. "Just don't try to get too friendly with your boyfriend while we are also around", he added, poking at her side with his finger.

Raphael smiled to himself when Selena mentioned that it might be embarrassing for that side of her family to know who she was. Because it certainly would be embarrassing for the latter. "I suspect my brother might make the link if he hears your family name. Don't worry, though. I won't mention it if you'd rather keep it secret at first."

Carleen snorted and waited for Dean to be at her level so she could playfully and lightly punch his side. "I'm not like that with Horknath! He's really sweet, and we're taking our time." She paused, and then pointed an accusing finger at him. "And you know it!"

Selena shrugged. "Fine. Let's keep it for ourselves. I'll have to give it out if I get asked, though." She paused, glancing at Raphael. "What did you tell to your mother, when you accepted the invitation?" She was curious - and she was most sure he hadn't said anything about the color of her skin.

Dean laughed, massaging his shoulder - more out of instinct than because Carleen had actually hurt him. "Yeah, yeah, I know - he's so sweet and romantic and you're totally not in a rush", he replied, repeating his friend's exact words.

Raphael wore his usual pokerface again, although it was a little more tense than usual, since his mother was mentioned. "I asked if I could bring a 'plus one'. She just made sure you weren't a man, and then she was thrilled about it." She had never been interested in him much anyway.

Carleen chuckled. "Sam's right, you are a jerk," she teased him before they finally got outside. She literally beamed, and waved at Horknath when she saw him. Oh, she was so excited!

Selena hummed in understanding. "Well. Let's make sure you won't ever be invited to a family dinner ever again then", she replied calmly (quoting his ad), rummaging in her purse to find her makeup trousse. She used a small portable mirror to make sure she was still perfect, but did apply a little more lipstick. That way she could leave a sign, if she decided to kiss Raphael's cheek before getting inside his mother's house.

"I know that", Dean admitted with a huge smirk. He waved at both Horknath and Castiel as he followed Carleen to the entrance - but concentrated his gaze particularly on Castiel, and his smile did get a little softer.
"Hi, both", Horknath exclaimed, waving back at them. He waited for Carleen to get closer to him before leaning in and kiss her cheek. He wanted to not embarrass himself in front of Dean and Castiel, if possible.

Raphael nodded, but didn't talk much for the rest of the ride, which wasn't too long in the end, since his mother still lived in the same city. He parked in front of a big house - certainly not as big as Selena's or Carleen's however - and took a deep breath. "Alright. Here we go." He turned to look at her. "Are you ready?"

Castiel did catch Dean's gaze - since he was looking at him too - and smiled back at him. Thankfully, Carleen didn't seem to notice it, since she was too busy kissing Horknath on the cheek as well. "Hey handsome. So! Let me finally introduce you. Horknath, this is Dean, and Dean, this is Horknath, my boyfriend. You'd better like him."

Selena closed her mirror, pushing it back in her purse along with her trousse. "I am", she answered, turning towards Raphael. She tilted her head, looking critically at him for a couple of silent seconds before leaning in and pressing a kiss on his cheek. "There. Now you're ready too", she added with a smirk, settling back on her seat. "Now, the door, dear. Please."

Horknath chuckled at Carleen's introduction, but shook hands with Dean anyway. "Did you hear that? You'd better like me", Dean said, very seriously. "I think she was talking to you, actually", Horknath answered back. They did smile at each other, though, and Dean turned towards Castiel after remarking over the fact that he'd let that one go, but just because his hand was still in Horknath's, and that hand was huge. "Hey! There you are", he greeted him, smiling.

Raphael blinked a few times after Selena had kissed his cheek, but he eventually shook herself. He'd better not think too much about how warm he had felt when she called him 'dear'. "Right. Yes." He took his seatbelt off and got out of the car to open the passenger door for Selena, a bit nervous with anticipation.

Carleen chuckled when Horknath and Dean greeted each other, and she smiled kindly when Dean looked at Castiel. She didn't bother to introduce him, since they knew each other already.
"Hello, Dean," Castiel replied with a smile. He hesitated, but then extended his hand to Dean. "I've finally found the time to see you outside from work." He was thinking of his job at the dinner, buuut they had also met once at his other workplace. The main one. In which he was covered in glitter.

Selena elegantly stepped out of the car, using Raphael's hand to balance herself on her heels. She didn't let go of it, though - rather she brought him closer, and wrapped her arm around his. As they were this close, the height difference was even more staggering, and it made her smirk. "I think I should inform you that you've got a lot of lipstick on your cheek", she observed, closing the car door behind her.

Dean chuckled, a little nervously. Yeah, right. Outside from work. He forced himself not to think about Castiel dancing half naked and covered of glitter, and instead accepted his hand, shaking it. "Yeah, about time", he answered with a smile. He was sincere - they had been trying to see each other desperately, but their schedules were so all over the place! "So we're going to the ice cream parlor then, and with the two lovebirds. I hope it won't be too awkward." he immediately put an arm to his side to protect himself from a probable jab coming from Carleen.

Raphael scoffed and slightly touched his cheek with his free hand. "I guess I'll ask to use the bathroom right away, then. Would you be alright with waiting for me for five minutes ?" He walked her towards the front porch, feeling oddly small yet comfortable, at her side.

Carleen did throw a jab into Dean's side. "Keep talking and I'll have to actually pretend you don't exist," she threatened him. She was smiling, though, and went to Horknath's side to take his hand in hers. "But since you're taking it that way, maybe we should go in two separate cars. Or you can actually bear to see Horknath and I being lovey-dovey for the whole drive."

"I will be alright", Selena answered candidly. "You don't know me very well, but I am famous for never handling anyone a single ounce of control." Her specialty was rather to use that control. But that kind of talk definitely wasn't for now - and probably not with Raphael. After all, this was all a travesty, wasn't it? "If anyone says anything fishy, I will close myself in a dignified silence."

Dean rolled his eyes in a theatrical way. "You can come in my car. I guess I can keep my diabetes in check for one evening", he joked again, nodding towards the parking lot where the Impala was parked.
"I hope I'll fit in there. The roof seems a little low", Horknath observed as they walked up to the car, sounding a little worried.
"My brother is just a bit less tall than you and he fits fine", Dean answered.

Raphael seemed perplexed at first, but he quickly nodded. "Good." He paused in front of the front door, and finally rang the bell. He winced when he heard a cheerful feminine voice inside yelling 'Oh, that must be Raphael! I'll be right back!' Then, after a flew clacking noise of heels on a hard floor, the door swung open, just as Raphael plastered a fake smile on his face.
Rachel Christensen's own smile faltered significantly when she saw them, even though it was clear she quickly tried to reign herself in.
"Mom, hi," Raphael said in a flat voice, which soon brightened up slightly, however. It almost sounded genuine. "I'm happy to finally introduce you to Selena - the love of my life. Selena, this is my dear mother."

Carleen smiled. "Sam's really tall, but Dean is too. Don't worry, the front row of his car should be well adjusted for you. I'm afraid it's Castiel and I who will be cramped in the back. Well, especially Castiel."
"I won't mind," Castiel replied with a soft smile. "I'm used to it, my parents' car wasn't that big."

Selena noted - not without a certain amount of personal satisfaction - how much Rachel's smile had twitched upon seeing her. Good. She was here to bring exactly that amount of discomfort. "Ms. Christensen, what a pleasure to finally meet you", she said airily, offering her free hand to the other woman. Yes, of course she wouldn't let go of Raphael's arm. "Raphael always talks so much about you."

"Nobody will feel cramped, my Baby's perfectly able to hold on this challenge", Dean protested as he opened up his car.
Horknath eyed it still dubiously, but in the end he shrugged and opened the passenger's door, trying to get inside.
Granted, it proved to not be super easy - true, the height was not a big problem, but he was way bulkier than Dean or his brother -, but in the end he managed to sit and fasten the belt without many problems.
Dean, who had been observing worriedly how Horknath had struggled to sit comfortably, sighed with relief. "Well. After you", he said with a smirk, inviting both Carleen and Castiel to sit in the back before he could sit in the Impala and start it up.

Rachel seemed to need a few more seconds to finally take a hold of herself. "Did he, really? And yet he calls and comes home so little! But I suppose he might be busy with his studies." She shook Selena's hand a little awkwardly. "You may call me Rachel." She was clearly not at ease, no matter how hard she smiled at her.

Carleen smiled and climbed in the car behind Horknath, while Castiel sat behind Dean instead. And should we actually fast-forward that meeting a bit?

Selena shook her hand back. "Thank you, Rachel", she answered politely. "Indeed, Raphael is very taken by his studies. His classes aren't easy at all - it's a miracle that he manages to find some time for me", she added with a smile, retiring her hand to rest it on Raphael's forearm. "But I make sure he does, of course."

The trip to the icecream parlor was actually pretty nice - they had found a four-seat table free, and they had spent a good couple of hours getting to know each other better and laughing. Plus, there was ice cream, so it was all even better.
At some point, though, they were having some trouble deciding where to go - Dean insisted on a nearby arcade that had open quite recently and was filled with the newest videogames - inside there was a bar where they served beers too, in case they got thirsty. Horknath was honestly a little wary of going in the middle of all those people, and would have preferred to just take a walk in the park.
In the end, they amicably split up in two groups, deciding to find each other back at the car at midnight.
Dean happily strolled to the arcade with Castiel, while Carleen and Horknath would get to be a little by themselves at the park, walking hand in hand.
"Have you ever been to one of these places?", Dean was asking to Castiel as they got inside the arcade.

Rachel forced another smile. "Aren't you sweet. Oh, do come in- we're all in the backyard. Michael's already there- Though, Raphael, honey, you might want to take a short break to the bathroom."
Raphael arched a brow, although he knew why she was telling him that. He pulled on the collar of his shirt though, to his mother's horror. "Oh. Did your lipstick smear?" He asked Selena, with a playful glint in his eye.

Indeed, they had parted. Thankfully enough, Dean and Castiel seemed to get along just fine, so Carleen hadn't felt too guilty about turning that evening into a date on her side!
Little did she know, but Castiel too was a little glad about this turn of events. After all, Dean and he had been struggling to find some time to meet after agreeing to date, so this evening might count as one, right?
He tilted his head at Dean's question, and then shook it. "No, I don't think so. I've been to fairs, though, so I've already seen those machines with a hook you use to grab dolls with. I've never been good at it, however."

Selena held back a smirk. She picked her mirror back from her purse, looking carefully. "Hm - no, my lipstick's just fine, dear. That's what double layers are for", she added, throwing him a malicious glance. She reached for his shirt's collar too, pulling it a little more up, as if to help him hide something. "Be careful, there are some traces here and there, on your cheek." She purposefully added 'on your cheek' after a second of hesitation, just to make the panicked Rachel panic even more.

"Aah, then you're in luck, because I'm great at those", Dean exclaimed, throwing an arm over Castiel's shoulders. Hey, he had waited long enough for a date, he felt entitled to get a little touchy now! "I can teach you some tricks, if you want. Or we can just play a random game", he added, nodding towards the machines. "You have the shooting ones, the ones where you need to jump around and avoid aliens. Or pinballs."