"That's pretty groovy, Cas," said Dean, nodding towards the easel Castiel was painting on.
The young art student just smiled and turned back to his work. Dean should have known better than to have disturbed him while he was in his element.
"Thanks, Dean," Cas said after a while, carefully applying brushstrokes to the canvas. His canvas was a swirl of colors, some Dean couldn't even name. When Dean asked him what his inspiration was, all he said was "Life, man."
Dean flipped on his stereo, the Stones' "Gimme Shelter" blaring from the speakers. He proceeded to flop down on the couch with a soft "flump."
"Hey, easy on the couch, man. What did it ever do to you?" asked Sam as he walked in the door, Gabriel behind him.
"I know, Sammy, karma," said Dean with an eye roll.
"No, that's the only couch we could find, remember? That painting's far out, Cas," said Sam, nudging his brother to move over on the couch.
"Thanks, Sam," Cas said, never looking up from his canvas.
"Looks good, little brother," said Gabriel, patting his younger brother on the shoulder. He sat down in their dilapidated armchair, which groaned in protest.
"Damn, we need new furniture, man," said Dean, scrubbing his fingers through his shaggy hair.
"Well, maybe if you stopped spending all your money on weed, records, and car wax, maybe we could," said Sam, shaking his head.
"Sam and I talked to Coyote down at the community center. Word is that something groovy is happening out East. New York, I think, some big concert," said Gabriel, changing the subject.
"Far out, we should go," said Dean, pulling a joint out of his shirt pocket and lighting it.
"Really, Dean? I have class everyday this month and my professor says..." said Sam, trailing off because he knew Dean wasn't listening.
"C'mon Sammy, loosen up. Maybe a change of scenery would be good for you."
Sam stammered. "I - um, uh, I can't," he blurted, leaving the room as quickly as possible.
That had all been a front. For only he and Gabriel knew what the real plan was.
Get Dean alone with Cas.
And soon.
Gabriel snickered to himself as Dean passed him his joint.
"What's so funny?" Dean asked, puzzled.
"Nothing, man, just enjoying my buzz," said Gabriel with a grin.
Dean turned his head away, watching Cas's every move. The way his shoulders moved as he applied paint to his canvas, his tongue poked out in concentration. He was awestruck by the young man before him.
Gabriel watched Dean's expression as he watched his younger brother. He saw what Sam had described, a man in love.
"That's it, we're going to that concert," Gabe thought to himself.
And that concert was Woodstock.