Dean sits next to you, staring off into the distance absently. He rubs his sore hands gingerly against his cloak.

Alex is smiling a bit wearily. He lays back on the soft grass and smiles over at you. "Sorry about the inquisition. Ravenclaw specialty, I guess."

"It's okay. I really like your sister...she has the right to be concerned about who you're seeing." Dean draws his knees up to his chest and wraps his arms around them.

Something crosses Alex's eyes and he runs away for a second. "yeah." Mumbled under his breath. Then he turns back to you. "But she doesn't have any reason to be concerned... not with... not with you."

Dean stares off into space again. "She loves you, Alex. Just wants to protect you, I'm sure."

Alex nods absently and sits up again, pulling his knees to chest in an almost mimic of the way you're sitting. "I know. Thank you for coming though..." He puts his hand at the small of your back lightly, "It really meant a lot to me for you to meet her."

Dean winces slightly at your touch. "You're...welcome. I really liked her."

Alex notices you tense slightly and moves his hand away, wrapping his arms around his legs and turning to look at you closely. There's something..different... but he can't put his finger on it and decides that he's imagining it. "She liked you too."

"I'm glad...I was afraid of making a bad impression." he turns toward you and smiles weakly.

"No, no. You seemed a little... distracted... but Mags has that effect on people." He lays his head on his arms and beams at you.

Dean gazes at you still, the smile not quite meeting his eyes. "So...are you excited about the party tonight?"

Alex smiles and nods slightly against his arms, "I am. Been a long time since I just drank with my mates and relaxed." He pauses, looking at you intently. "Are you... excited?"

"I'm excited, yes. I fully intend to consume absurd amounts of alcohol." he rests his chin on his knees and sighs softly.

Alex is looking at you questioningly now. "Well, you can definately do that." He sounds cautious, then that mischevious tone seeps into his voice. "What sort of drunk are you?"

Dean squeezes his legs tightly. "Most of the time, quite an amusing drunk."

Alex's smile fades. "Dean... I. I get the feeling you're not having a good time with me today..."

"Alex...I love being with you. There's nothing I like better than spending with you. I'm just a bit...off today." he smiles and relaxes his legs a bit.

Alex looks at you again and then decides to let it drop, for now, shrugging his shoulders. "Well, we'll get a few drinks into you and you'll feel better." He leans his head close to yours and blushes. "I can't think of anyone I'd rather spend my birthday with."

Dean smiles genuinely this time. "I'm glad we get this time to be alone first though...I like having you all to myself a bit too."

Alex sighs and smiles. "Yeah. I know. It's nice. " He bumps his head against yours lightly.

"I hope this birthday is wonderful for you." Dean smiles at you and lets his arms drop from around his legs.

Alex leaned back and smiled, "I think it will be." He looks down and blushes. "Mostly because you're spending it with me." He drops his arms from around his legs to, and his hand brushes yours when they drop to the ground.

Dean winces and looks down at his hand. The hand hurts, but he's afraid to pull it away for fear of offending you.

Alex raises his hand and brushes it through his hair, laying back on the grass again. "This is nice. Just to be around you..."

Dean sighs deeply and closes his eyes. He brings the sore fingers up to his lips absently. "I think so too, Alex. I love being with you."

He reaches over absentmindedly and trails his fingertips along the side of your leg, feather light, and sighs. "I love being with you too. You're too good for me." He smiles.

Dean closes his eyes again, mentally steeling himself to your touch; he controls his breathing, trying to keep from bolting. "If anyone's too good, it's you."

Alex chuckles and rests his hand on his own stomach. "You shouldn't say things like that Dean. You're wonderful."

"But I should...you deserve to hear things like that" he sighs and looks at you again.

A soft smile and then that teasing tone again. "Well, then we're both wonderful then." Laughing.

Dean grins and touches your shoulder quickly before pulling his hand away. "You're just so...sweet."

Alex smiles and pushes himself up, slowly getting to his feet after looking at his watch. Then he extends his hand to Dean to help him up. "We should head over."

Dean takes his hand tenatively and stands, brushing off his cloak. "It's almost time then?"

Alex tightened his fingers slightly around yours and stepped close to you, smiling and still with that mischevious look, leaning in to whisper to you. "Yeah almost time."

Dean pulls his hand away quickly this time, his face etched with pain. He turns his hand over gingerly and looks at it. Quickly, he shoves the hand under his cloak trying to hide it from you. "Lets go then, shall we." he says stiffly.

Alex takes a step back and looks worried, then a little hurt, watching you. He shakes it off and smiles weakly, "Yeah. Um. Right. Lets go get that drink."

Dean looks away quickly, attempting to hide the tears that are now threatening his eyes. "Yes, lets go."

[And they go to the party]