Chapter 1

I walk into the grocery store very early on a cold morning in January. Bouquets of flowers cover the tables near the entrance. I notice balloons tied to the display with text reading "Be my Valentine" surrounded by hearts. Hearts are a symbol of Love to humans. Love… Something I do not quite understand as an angel. My brother Gabriel tried to explain it to me once.

"It's a feeling as though everything stops and starts with one person," he explains. "Everything revolves around that person and you would do anything for them."

"Like God?" I ask

"No not actually our father, but in a way they do become a sort of God to you. Imagine feeling the same respect, same faith, and trust you feel for Dad but also a little bit extra. Something that makes your blood warm, your heart race, your wings soar, and your head spin." Gabriel looks far away for a moment.

"Sounds terrifying."

"It is buddy, it is." He concludes, slapping me on the back.

I remember the Saint, Valentinus. He was a devout man and he died for this love. This flower and chocolates tradition would seem trivial to him of course. I head towards the bakery and scour the displays for the perfect….cake. I see one, very large with curls and fluffs of luscious chocolate frosting. My mouth waters, I have a weak spot for chocolate frosting. While I am picking up the container I realize I don't have enough cash with me for this cake. None of the other cakes have chocolate frosting, just white and various colors. Damn. I could take it but that would be unethical. I look around for a moment and realize they must sell frosting or at least the ingredients to make it. I walk around looking for someone, a clerk I could ask. It's late 2 maybe 3 in the morning, there is no one in sight. I see a sign that reads "baking." Cakes are baked... right? I head down the aisle and I finally see someone stacking cans on a shelf near the floor. He is wearing a red apron meaning he is an employee of this establishment. I see him notice me out of the corner of his eye and I approach him.

"Where would I find chocolate frosting?" I ask as he starts to rise.

He looks me in the eye and I am immediately enthralled by how bright his soul is. I have to tilt my head and squint to see past it. His eyes are just as striking. So green I am mesmerized. I hear him say something but I am lost for a moment. I start to feel… I can't describe it, a sort of numbness. I recognize it as adrenaline but there is no da…

"You okay, man?" he asks me. I am still confused by the adrenaline. He is looking at me with real concern.

"Yes." I try to shake the fog out of my head.

"Here. I'll show you." He places his hand on my arm and starts to usher me down the aisle. His touch is resonating through me. The adrenaline is passing but my heart is racing and when he takes his hand away I feel its absence. "It's a little late to be baking a cake." he is saying with a smile. The smile changes his face completely and I find myself noticing his lips. They appear full and soft. I shake my head again trying to focus. He is talking to me I must answer.

"No, no cake I just need frosting," I manage to say, still entranced.

"Yeah, I'm more of a pie guy myself." He licks his lips and I am captivated by a feeling of eagerness that is completely unfamiliar to me. "What flavor?" He looks at me with a smile again and the only thing I can think of is how his lips would taste. How odd?

"Uhh.." this fog, I am in a daze. He turns around and surveys the containers on the shelf. I find my eyes are surveying him.

"We have cherry, strawberry, vanilla, and chocolate." At the word I remember my purpose here.

"Chocolate." He grabs the container of frosting off the shelf and reaches out to give it to me. He is smiling still. I notice his name tag and say, "Thank you, Dean." He blushes and looks down for a moment. I take the container from his hand and as I do so we touch for a moment. It feels electric, like a current passing through my entire body. I can tell he feels it too because he appears startled. He blushes again as he pulls away. It is then I realize it is attraction. I am attracted to Dean.

"Is that all?" he asks. For a moment I feel like asking him for more touching, but I realize he means in the sense of needing to find anything else in the store.

"No this is all I need for now."

"Okay I'll check you out… I mean ring you up." He is blushing again but still smiling. He walks toward the register and I follow. His walk is confident and I notice how his jeans hug his ass. His movements are very sure and casual. He looks strong and feels powerful. He "rings up" the frosting and my mouth is watering again. I hand him the money and we touch. Another current passes through me. He looks at our hands still touching and smiles again. He shyly takes his hand away. He is still smiling when he quickly hands me my change. "Have a great night. Enjoy." He winks at me and I smile. It has been a long time since I have done that and I am fascinated.

"Thank you again, Dean. It was nice meeting you." I say still smiling, still fascinated.

"It was nice meeting you too, uuuh?" He looks at me expectantly. I am perplexed and my face must give it away because he laughs and sort of looks up. "What's your name?" he sounds exasperated.

"Castiel" I put out my hand for him to shake, common gesture among humans. He shakes my hand slowly. I am thrilled by the excuse for the prolonged contact.

"Nice to meet you Castiel."