1 - Have you seen this dork?

Horknath threw a startled glance at this. "... oh. Oh I'm sorry- I didn't want to give you the impression that I don't like this", he quickly said, sounding mortified. "To... hold hands, and all that. It's just all a little new for me, and... you might have not noticed it, because I'm very subtle about it, but actually I'm not all that used to being close to girls", he added, his lips stretching into a joking smile. "Especially if they're. You know. As beautiful and confident as you are." He scratched his cheek with his free hand, a little embarrassed. "I hope I'll get used to it. Talking with you actually helped a lot, actually."

Dean sighed. "Yeah, well. Usually it's that they pretend not to be douchebags, and they do it very well until it becomes clear they won't be getting what they're after any time soon - then their masks usually fall down", he remarked bitterly. "The problem is that usually they are all built like wardrobes, you know what I mean? And, well. Thankfully she's got me, and her brother that can step in if things start to get out of control." From the way he talked it was quite clear that it had happened before. Maybe more than once.

Carleen's expression softened, and she squeezed Horknath's hand gently again. "We'll take it easy, don't worry. I actually didn't contradict Dean just before when he called you my boyfriend, but... Nothing's official yet, if that makes you feel better. We can just enjoy the day together... Then our real first date on Friday. And we'll decide whether or not we want to give it an actual try." She smiled at him. "But just so you know, it's a 'yes' to me so far."

Castiel's face grew grim. "I see. Well- Horknath might be built big and sturdy, your friend has nothing to worry from him indeed. He's the most gentle and kind soul I know." He held back a smile. "I probably shouldn't say this, but he was very nervous about meeting your friend tonight. He was endlessly concerned about causing her any wrong in any way."

Horknath hesitated a little. Then he smiled at her. "That sounds... very reasonable", he said softly. "Thank you. For... taking so much care about my comfort zones. I can't say everyone would be this thoughtful." He squeezed her hand in his. "And it's- a yes to me as well, so far." He reached his apartment complex with her, and guided her on the elevator, to reach the third floor. "It won't take long", he assured her when they got in front of the door to the place he divided with his brother. As soon as he stepped inside, a sudden noise of fretting paws could be heard coming down some wooden stairs, and suddenly a very happy, very drooly bulldog came into view, stopping right in front of Horknath with his little stubby tail wagging like crazy and his belly already up, ready to be patted. "You are shameless", Horknath immediately reproached him as he held the door open for Carleen. "Thankfully we don't keep you for guard purposes. Say hi to Carleen!" Spike woofed, still laying on the floor and wagging his tail. Horknath rolled his eyes, still smiling. "That means you can pet him if you want", he said to Carleen, smiling softly at her. "I'll go fetch his stuff."

Dean left his sullen expression, a little smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Cute. Is that why he brought you over? To ease up his nervousness?"

Carleen almost squealed when she saw Spike, and she crouched next to him as soon as Horknath invited her to do so. "Look at you! You're such a cute boy!" She started to scratch his belly with a grin. "I've gotta thank you, you gave me a good chance of finding your daddy today! Yes you did!" Classy, princessy Carleen was definitely not above using an overly sweet voice to cue at a cute pup. She could be a goof too sometimes.

"I actually offered to come with him when I saw how nervous he was. It helped him to calm down." Castiel let out a short smile, that soon faded. "But I also wanted to make sure that he wouldn't be alone if this turned out to be a mean-spirited prank. I wasn't thinking your friend would prank him, but- someone might have impersonated her with the intent on mocking him."

Spike was clearly thriving with all those belly rubs he was getting, and even though he probably did not understand a single word Carleen was saying - maybe except for daddy, he knew who that was supposed to be - and soon enough was trying to lap her hand to show her that HEY he liked this new friend a lot!!
Horknath chuckled, and secretly gushed because Carleen baby-talking his dog was very cute and he was not prepared to handle that. He took a deep breath though, and soon enough headed for the two of them again, with a bag and a leash in his hand. "Want me to leave the two of you alone?", he joked with a little grin as he crouched next to Carleen to give some affectionate pats at Spike too.

Dean tilted his head, frowning. "That sounds like you've had that experience yourself", he said carefully, clearly trying to gauge whether Castiel was comfortable with talking about it or not. "You've got catfished? That sucks. Only dirtbags do that kind of stuff."

Carleen chuckled. "As cute as Spike is, I'll have to break the news to him one day and let him know that I came here for his daddy." She smiled at Horknath while petting Spike some more, before she stood up and looked at her hand, that was covered in drool. "Hm- do you think I would wash up quickly before we get out?"

Castiel shrugged, but- Dean was one of Charlie's friends, and bound to become his roommate. He figured he could open up to him safely. "Back then, it really did suck. My siblings had all left for university, and I was left on my own. A... bunch of asses pretended to be a kind, cute girl. I suppose they didn't get all of what they wanted from me, but I still considered her a friend. I confessed a lot of things to them while they were using that mask, so- when it all came out in the daylight, i was beyond hurt. Thankfully that's when I met Horknath and his siblings." He let out a smile at that fond memory.

"That'll break his heart. Or maybe not, if you keep petting him every time you see him", Horknath commented, even though he couldn't hide how pleased he was with that answer - his ears were most definitely flushed. "Oh sure, the bathroom is over there. That door", he specified, pointing at it.
When he was (more or less) sure that he couldn't be heard, he whispered to Spike as he hooked the leash to his collar, "I bring you home a lovely girl that wants to pet you and you slobber all over her. What am I going to do with you", before starting to also scratch him behind the ears and lose himself into a circle of "Who's a good boy, yes you are, yes you are".

Dean made a face. "Sorry to hear that's happened to you", he said sympathetically. "I can say I have been pretty lucky with my online interactions - that's how I've met Charlie, and a bunch of other people." He smiled though. "That's nice. Were you in the same class or something?"

When Carleen came back, she smiled as she watched Horknath cooing at his dog. That guy was adorable, really. Even after so little time spent with him, she could tell he was different than the idiots she usually fell for.
"I'm back", she announced, as she got closer to pet Spike on the head - making sure her hand remained out of his tongue's range this time.

Castiel nodded, and held back a kind smile. He too had met Charlie on the internet, so granted... not all social interactions lead to a heartbreak. "Not at all. But they still came to me, after all that happened. I'm still thankful for that. They're great friends- and, well. Their build surely scares any bullies away," he ended with a smile. "At least they came in before anger and shame pushed me to get physical with those people. That would have gotten me in a lot of trouble."

Horknath smiled at her and got up from the floor. "Alright then - let's go." He let Carleen preceed him out of the door and then locked the apartment. "I hope you'll understand if I won't offer you to hold his leash", he added with an apologetic smile after a little bit, as Spike pulled hard on him when they got out of the elevator. He managed to keep him at his side just fine, but that dog could have easily made someone with a less firm hand trip on their feet.
Ask Aria.

Dean laughed. "Well, I understand. If they're all that big, I would think twice before trying to throw hands with one of their friends", he joked. "Well. Unless there's one of my friends in the middle. In that case I'm ready to fight." He tilted his head. "You didn't give me the impression of someone who would physically fight someone, though."

Carleen let out a chuckle. "Don't worry, I can see that! He seems quite excited about going out." She walked out of the building with him, and took out her phone. "My brother and yours are probably done sknce a while, but knowing Theseus he wouldn't let go of him regardless of who won. I'm asking him to wait for us in front of the building, that way we could go there with Spike!"

"It was a difficult time", Castiel replied with a shrug. "I did throw one on the ground, though, when their bullying almost got physical. I- well. I had been doing some aikido back then. Horknath actually stepped in when it happened." Castiel managed his neck, torn between embarrassment or amusement at the memory.

"He is too excited", Horknath nodded,glaring a little at Spike when he would try to run in front of him. "He has learned a little that when he walks with us, he's supposed to stay at our side - but sometimes he just... likes to overdo it, I guess." He hummed then when Carleen mentioned their brothers. "That seems like a nice idea. I just hope neither of them overdid it during the match!" From what Carleen had said about her brother, he definitely seemed like the type who would not settle for anything less than putting is everything into it. He looked down at Carleen's free hand, and gingerly passed Spike's leash to his opposite one - so that he could try and take a hold of hers, hoping she wouldn't mind.

Dean whistled. "Wow. Well. I sure hope I will never get you mad at me,then", he laughed. "Is there anything in particular I should know not to do in order to avoid your righteous aikido fury? Like - don't leave socks in the living room, don't go in the kitchen in only your underwear, don't eat my yogurt or so help me God?" Sam was like that every time he came to stay at his place for the weekend, when he felt like taking a breather from the capus air.

Carleen scoffed. "You'll soon get to know my brother, you poor soul. He always overdoes things." She entwined her finger in Horknath's, and walked with him, happily oblivious of the fact that their brothers were actually still wrestling against each other.
What had been an impressive, quick fight at first had morphed into a challenge of pure strength for the last 15 minutes. Most of the audience had thought that Theseus was finally done for when he had grabbed Asterius' horns, only to be slammed down on the ring seconds later. To avoid the 10 seconds countdown to his defeat, Theseus had wrapped one of his legs around the bull-man's neck, and was now hanging in mid-air just above the ground. He kept on either pulling or pushing at Asterius' horns, or squeezing his leg harder around the back of his neck to get him to surrender. The effort was making him sweat at the temples. But he would not, nay, he should never surrender!

Castiel actually laughed, and shook his head. "Aikido is a self-defense sports, Dean. Unless you try to strangle me or actively harm me in any way, I won't deploy it on you." He smiled at him. "And I grew up with two and a half brothers, and a sister. Everything you've listed so far sounds quite normal to me."

To the people who would have asked him in the nearby future, Asterius would have certainly admitted, in all honesty, that underestimating Theseus' strength and his pure, obstinate stubborness had been a grave mistake - one that he would surely never make again. He had thought Theseus to be just like the others who had previously tried to pick fights with him, clearly after the 'glory' that would come for them if they'd best someone as large and strong as him. But when he hadn't managed to ground him after the first five minutes (like he usually did with others). When Theseus had actually opposed such a fierce resistence against his own brute strength. The second he had refused to let himself get grounded and had instead wrapped his leg around his neck? He knew how wrong he had been, to accept this challenge so light-heartedly. He was now on his knees, hands on Theseus' midriff as he tried to push him away from him - snorting and puffing through his nose with the effort, and he could hear the coach (after paying them both a sincere, awed compliment about what had been themost impressive match she had ever seen) starting to loudly complain and ask if this would have gone on for another half hour because there are other people who need that ring- He huffed, eyes boring into the man underneath him. "I'm afraid", he panted, "that if we want to be allowed in here again, we'll have to call a tie."

"Well - one can never be too safe", Dean protested with a grin. "Sam - my brother - once almost drop-kicked me for stealing his shampoo and using his salad as a stuffing for hamburgers. Then he had the galls to enjoy it! Can you believe the nerve of that man."

Theseus' brows furrowed in despair. No. No! They couldn't stop now, or he'd never know- they'd never know which one of them could best the other! Unless... "Swear," he breathed between clenched teeth, holding back a smile. Some would have called him a madman for that, honestly. "Swear that there will be a rematch, then. I can't leave a fight against an opponent as mighty as you on a draw."
The coach was groaning and pleading Theseus to not be so overly dramatic and just stop.
But only Asterius' answer mattered to him right now.

Castiel smiled at Dean "Well, for what's worth, I'll let you borrow my shampoo should you need to." He glanced at his watch. "I should go, however, I need to find my sister for dinner. I- Could I maybe have your phone number? That way we can discuss more logistics of our colocation during the next few weeks."

Asterius snorted, feeling a smile actually pulling at his lips. Heh. Well, he could appreciate a fighting spirit when he saw one. "Agreed." He got his hands off Theseus, since the conditions the other man had given to him for a draw had been accepted, and waited for him to let go of his horns and neck. "It's a date", he added then, echoing Theseus' own words from the day before.

"Sure thing!" Dean got his cellphone out and spelled his number for Castiel. "Yeah, I should get on the move too. I'd better get ready for tonight's dinner at Carleen", he mumbled to himself.

Theseus finally let go of Asterius, first with his leg and then he freed his horns, lowering himself down on the ring for a few seconds. He was panting, and all of his muscles hurt, and he had definitely taken a bad blow to his lower lip that bow looked swollen. But he was grinning. He probably got Asterius' help to stand back up and he gripped his hand to do so, only letting it go after a few long seconds. "Thank you, Asterius. I'll remember this match fondly, as our first one!" He finally got down the ring, wobbling on his feet. His leg muscle were strained, after remaining stuck in that position for so long.

Castiel registered Dean's number and sent him a text. "Alright. Well, then... I'll see you soon, Dean. Enjoy your evening." He packed his things, paid for his own drink and snack, and waved at Dean before he was out of the café, his heart a bit lighter than usual.

Asterius had indeed offered him a hand to help him stand up - only to huff and nod in response to those words (why did anything theseus said sound always so dramatic? A mystery), and leaving the ring at his side. "Careful", he commented when he saw him wobbling. "Do you need any help?" He did grunt in pain when he turned towards the other man, his neck stiff from the awkward position they had kept for so long. His knees did hurt as well - the wrestling ring's floor was not comfortable.

"You too!", Dean answered with a wave, before paying for his own drink and food as well and leaving the café a minute after Castiel, feeling quite satisfied with how that afternoon had gone by in the end.

"I do not," Theseus replied, way too proud to admit that he would need help. He did manage to go all the way to the lockers with Asterius however. Once there, he grabbed his bag and his face lit up with a smile. "Oh! Our siblings are apparently waiting for us outside! Shall we go and greet them shortyl before our ablutions?"

Asterius blinked. Horknath was with Theseus' sibling? "Hm", he simply nodded, deciding to simply dry himself of the sweat with his towel for now. "... you put up a good fight", he quietly complimented him as he cleaned himself a little. "I am impressed." He paused for a bit. "... ablutions?", he asked then, sounding definitely confused, tilting his head. Well. Horknath might have known those big words maybe, but he was majoring in a sport-oriented field, not in a literary one.

"Why! But you too were a worthy opponent! I've never fought against such an adversary, so you may count me as both impressed and pleased!", Theseus replied to Asterius with a grin, while grabbing a towel to dry his forehead. He scoffed, though, when Asterius repeated the word 'ablutions'. "Surely you don't intend on walking back to your own place without washing up a little, do you?"

Asterius' mouth twitched in a small smile. "Thank you." Then he blinked. "... no", he answered, phlegmatic as per his usual. After this kind of intense physical effort, he always felt calmer. "I have just never heard the word ablutions." He shrugged, thinking that probably Theseus just either liked to sound fancy or studied literature and had absorbed some big-sounding words. ... or maybe he was part of the theatre club. One of the three.

"Oh!" Theseus grinned. "My sister did tell me once that it might be old-fashioned. Come, this way! Let us not keep them waiting!" He guided Asterius out of the building with his own towel around his shoulders.
He was still grinning when he got outside, and spotted Carleen with Asterius' brother. What was his name again-

Carleen turned around when she heard someone exiting the building. She was smiling widely after petting Spike and exhanging words with Horknath, but all will to laugh left her the moment she saw her brother.
"THESEUS, YOUR FACE?!"

Asterius was rather surprised when he saw that girl - the same girl Horknath had bumped into the day before - standing so close to his brother. Horknath was usually quite shy around women, so he tended to keep all by himself on the side without attracting too much attention. So she was Theseus' sister! What a coincidence. When he spotted Spike at the leash he smiled. Ah, maybe she had seen the dog and asked to pet him - and they had found out their brothers were fighting together. He got startled, though, when she yelled that way, and stopped in his tracks.

Horknath just waved sheepishly at Asterius, and looked just as startled when Carleen seemed to be upset at the state of his brother's face. "What about his face?", he asked, confused. Sure, if he squinted he could spot a swollen lip, but it was kind of inevitable during a wrestling match-

"What about his face?" Carleen started angrily, before she calmed down, worried that Horknath had to see her on that kind of day. "He- we-" She took a big breath in, and pinched the bridge of her nose. "Sorry, it's just-" she was clearly upset, but she made her best to smile, shaking her hand. She wouldn't make a scene in front of Horknath and his brother while they barely knew each other. That wasn't right.
"It's not that important. Well it's important, but not critical, so let's not dwell on it. So, who won?"

Theseus was actually left speechless for a minute there, because epiphany seemed to strike him and he stood there, touching his swollen lower lip with his finger. There was a cut there. Oh. Oh, shit.

Asterius frowned a little and took a step forward, so that he could look a little better at Theseus' face. ... well, now that he looked better, it did look like there was an actual cut. He had thought it might have been only swollen, but... "Sorry. My fault", he huffed, straightening up. "It must have happened when I elbowed you to free myself from your hold. I apologize." He looked at Carleen, and then at Horknath - already knowing his brother would be surprised with the results as well. "We had to call a draw. We were blocked in the same position for fifteen minutes, and the coach was starting to get irritated that we were still occupying the ring."

Horknath had actually taken a step back when Carleen had answered aggressively to his question, looking surprised - even taken aback. He couldn't see what the big deal was still (he had gone back home with way worse from the few matches he had been into). Well- there was surely something he wasn't grasping, of course. ... was she upset because his brother had hit hers? Did she think they were a couple of brutes now? He felt his stomach twist into uneasiness, and all of a sudden he wasn't really looking forward to dinner anymore. He did manage to shake himself out of it and threw a hopefully convincing surprised expression in Asterius' direction. "No way. A tie? This might be the first time it has ever happened!", he commented, crouching down to pet Spike a little bit. "Finally found someone who can put you into a tight spot, eh?"