Title; Just Like Riding a Bike
Author; Tarklovishki
Rating; PG
Warnings; Schmoop.
Spoilers; None.
Summary; Dean decides to teach Castiel how to ride a bike.
Authors Notes; Inspired by The Born Again Identity scene; "I'm sure it's just like riding a bike" … "I don't know how to do that either."
Just Like Riding a Bike
by Tarklovishki
"Cas, stop shooting me those looks, I've got the bike. It's steady," said Dean for what felt like the hundredth time with forced patience. "Just put your other foot on the pedal."
Castiel's breath hitched as the stolen (borrowed) bike wobbled a little as he lifted his foot up onto the other pedal. "I'm not sure that I like this, Dean," he said. What was the need for a bike when you could walk to wherever you wanted to go?
"You haven't even started riding yet," said Dean, rolling his eyes. "Right, I'm going to walk you forwards, and what I want you to do is pedal—push your feet down on those—"
"I know what the pedals are!" Castiel shouted, his nerves finally getting the best of him. He took a deep breath to calm himself as he caught Dean's stunned expression out of the corner of his eyes. "I'm sorry. That was out of line. I know you are just trying to help me."
"Yes. Well. Uh, whatever man. Just remember to pedal."
Castiel's eyes widened when the bike began to wheel underneath him as Dean walked. It was one thing to know how it worked just from studying it alone, yet another to experience it.
"Right, I think you've got the hang of it," said Dean. "I'm going to let go now. Just keep pedalling."
He let go. Castiel managed to keep the bike upright, although the handlebars wobbled initially.
"Dean," he laughed. "Dean, look! I'm riding a bike!"
Dean was clapping his hands loudly, cheering. "Go Cas, go! You can do it, man!" He pumped a fist in the air, doing a little mid-air jump that looked completely ridiculous and boosted Castiel's confidence.
That was, of course, when Castiel noticed that he was about to run right into the porch of the abandoned house they were squatting in and turned the handlebars sharply. He ended up spilling off the bike, missing the porch steps by inches, and landing in a clump of weeds sprouting through the cracked concrete. He cried out as the skin from his hands and knees was scraped. Perhaps even a bit of his face had come off, judging by the way his left cheek was stinging.
"Cas!" Dean shouted, beside Castiel in seconds, helping him to sit up by hooking their arms together. "Shit, damn it, are you okay?"
Castiel's breath hitched. "No." He was still unaccustomed to feeling pain as a human. The way it seemed to just lash out and grab hold of you, encompassing your whole body until you swore it was all you'd ever feel. "Is it bad?"
"You've done yourself a good one," said Dean grimly. "Blood everywhere. Come on, let's get you cleaned up before you get an infection or something."
Sam came running out of the house, no doubt alerted by Castiel's accident. "What happened out here?" he asked. "I heard someone shout." He caught sight of the blood on Castiel's hands and staining the knees of his jeans. He gaped. "What happened to you?"
"The bike lesson didn't go as well as I planned," said Dean. "Get the first-aid kit."
Dean escorted Castiel inside and sat him down on the nearest bed just as Sam came running in with the first-aid kit. He was quickly sent back out again for warm water and towels.
"Made a fucking mess of your hands," said Dean, tutting as he inspected Castiel's bloody hands.
"Hurts," said Castiel, biting his bottom lip.
"I'd be kind of worried about you if it didn't hurt," said Dean.
"Yes, but I think there's a bright side to all of this, Dean."
Dean raised his eyebrows. "Oh, yeah? What's that?"
"I managed to ride the bike," said Castiel, and smiled.
The End.