It was cold, that was for sure. The new year seemed just as ordinary as any other day, the holiday cheer dying down for the year and leaving the world in a winter swirl that no one seemed to enjoy. Dean Winchester pushed his way through the local supermarket, a hand basket cradled in his right arm, a fresh supply of basic essentials stacked there. He stood in line, bouncing a leg in impatience, wondering why the hell there where so many people out and about, shopping in the middle of the day on a Thursday. He was happy to be off of work in the middle of the day but he hated shopping when the sun was up. It was always busy and while he didn't exactly have somewhere to be, that didn't mean he wanted to spend his day standing in line. This must be what hell feels like.

Looking over the denim clad shoulder of the guy in front of him, Dean glanced ahead of the line, counting at least a half dozen people before him. He let out a sigh, heavy and filled with annoyance. The guy in front of him glanced back at Dean, an understanding smile on his face as he leaned up against his cart. Dean hadn't meant to be heard, "Sorry, man, I just can't believe that there are this many people out."

The man rotated slightly as he focused his piercing blue eyes on Dean, chuckling, "Yeah, guess I picked the wrong time to get groceries."

Dean smiled, "Strange, I'd think someone like you wouldn't have to worry about lines." The dude was cute. And Dean was single.

The man let out a stifled laugh, covering his mouth with his hand for a moment. Well, at least Dean was lucky enough to stand in line with someone he could flirt with to pass the time. Dean eyed him up and down, he couldn't quite put his finger on it but he felt like he may have met this man before. He racked his brain trying to remember if he had hit on a mop of raven hair, deep blue eyes, and a toned body that was hard not to look at recently.

Dean didn't think so.

When the man spoke next, Dean focused on the gravely tone of his voice, it was unexpected from the mans stature but Dean somehow knew it fit. "That was smooth, I'll give you that."

Shit. Had he worked on this dudes car before? Seen him at the local coffee shop? Passed him on the street? It was beginning to drive him crazy. He swears he knows this guy from somewhere.

"Well, I'll be honest, I surprised my self with that one. Usually I save my charm for the second date."

The man laughed, a short barking sound, as he shook his head, "I don't mind so much. It's better than stressing over my shopping list the whole wait. I still feel like I forgot something. I just don't want to have to make a second trip."

Dean chuckled, " I get that, one time in this nightmare a week is about my limit."

"Not a fan of crowds?"

"I don't mind them. I'm just impatient. But, than again, you probably already figured that out."

The man's smile grew wider, he extended his hand, "Castiel. Nice to meet you."

Dean took it eagerly, the man's, Castiel's, hands where averagely calloused but warm to the touch, "Dean. Like wise. You from around here?"

"Not originally, I'm from the east coast but I moved down here about 5 years ago."

"What could possibly pull you away from the coast to be, well… here?"

"College. But I'm currently taking a leave."

"Shit, that's farther than I ever got in college. As in, I never went. Smart and pretty, looks like you have your work cut out for you."

Castiel smiled again, opening his mouth to reply but an impatient throat clear made him turn around, "Sir?"

The cashier was tapping her foot at the empty belt before her, waiting for Castiel to put his items up for her to scan. He payed a hasty apology, putting all of his things on the belt as quickly as he could. He pushed the cart forward and pulled out his wallet as Dean found a divider and set his hand basket on the belt, side-eyeing Castiel as he swiped his card. God damn, where did he know this guy from? You wouldn't think that Dean would forget such a hot man.

Castiel (that's not a name Dean could imagine he would forget either) caught him staring. He smiled again and focused on the task at hand and Dean fought to keep a straight face, "Sorry for distracting you."

Castle looked over at him again, "You are pretty distracting."

It was Dean's turn to laugh in embarrassment.

"Paper or plastic?"

Castiel cleared his throat, "Um, paper, please."

Dean laughed louder. Castiel turned on him, his humor showing, "What's so funny?"

"Oh, ah, nothing. Nothing at all… Grandpa."

Castiel laughed, "Excuse me? What is that supposed to mean? Is there a problem with my paper bags?"

"No, no. Nothing wrong with paper bags, you know, as long as you're 80 and not worried about being judged."

"Well," Castiel shot him a seductively wicked grin, "I AM not worried about being judged."

Dean considered asking for his number, hoping that if he did know the guy that it would come to him eventually if he got to know him better. It was too late, however, when the cashier handed him his receipt and wished him a good day. Castiel turned one final time, offering Dean a smile, "Well, it was nice to meet you Dean." His 2 large paper bags were already packed into his basket and he pushed the cart forward, headed towards the parking lot.

Dean let out a sigh, watching after him and wishing he had gotten to it. But, the moment was over and he probably would never figure out if he had met the man before or not.

He waited as his things were scanned, the haunting image of bright blue eyes flitting through his mind. Dean hadn't been with, or even hit on, a lot of guys in his time, it was sparse. But, he thought he had done pretty well.

Dean payed for his groceries, pocketing his change and carrying his single plastic bag out of the store. Dean made his way towards the parking lot, headed to the second row of cars when something caught his eye.

A mop of black hair crouched on the ground behind a Lincoln Continental, trunk open, as he picked up various food items laid out over a ripped bag.

Dean approached, feeling awkward at not being noticed right away, trying to make his presence known without startling Castiel. He cleared his throat as he drew near, crouching down beside him to assist. Castiel looked surprised at first but a smile quickly found his lips, "Well, looks like I just can't get away from you. Thanks by the way."

Dean matched his grin, "I'm not an easy man to get away from. And no problem, I have occasionally been considered people's knight in shinning armor."

Castiel chuckled, "Well, you're certainly mine in this moment."

"Well, I don't mean to be 'that' person right now, but that's what you get for trusting a paper bag."

"I-" He stood as they retrieved the last fallen items, packing them into the trunk of what Dean figured was the other mans' car, "-can't exactly defend them right now."

Dean trailed off, staring, knowing that this was his cue to leave before he decided to lay his cards on the table, "Hey, I was already kicking myself for not asking this before but would you maybe like to go out for dinner or something sometime?"

There was a pregnant pause, one that stretched on a few seconds too long and made Dean feel like he may have overstepped his boundaries before Castiel nodded. He smiled as he leaned toward Dean, motioning for him to hand over his phone.

Castiel punched his number into the dialing pad and hit call, the sound of his own phone vibrating in his pocket. He saves the number in Dean's phone and handed it back, "alright, just promise you won't drunk dial me in the middle of the night."

"I'll only do that if you ignore my calls." Dean hesitated for a moment, the up turn of his lips lingering.

Castiel chuckled, "Well, thank you again, Dean."

"Of course, no problem."

"So- yeah, um, I'll be seeing you."

"Looking forward to it."

There was an awkward shuffle as Dean departed, Castiel shutting the trunk of his car and moving around Dean to get in.

After Dean finally had his back to the man he let out a sigh, grumbling, "shit, man, get it together.

Maybe he would find out if he really knew the man after all.