Neither of them mentions it.

It's not something that Dean can really bring up into conversation naturally. Castiel isn't any more tense or awkward than usual around him, but Dean feels like he's pussyfooting every time he's in the same room as the ex-angel, which is a lot. Sam notices. Because Sam notices everything that Dean wishes he wouldn't.

"What's up with you?" The younger Winchester asks.

Castiel's in the shower, out of earshot.

Dean grunts. "Nothing,"

"You're being weird,"

"M'not,"

Sam scoffs, eyebrows raised at Dean's childishness.

"Is this about Cas?"

He's face down on his motel bed.

"No, I'm just tired,"

Why does everything have to be about Cas?

Because it's Castiel.

"Dean," Sam sighs; he's getting tired of this crap.

Dean knows, knows Sam sees it.

The way he's been looking at Castiel lately.

Or maybe he's always looked at him like this but it's only hitting home to Dean now.

He really doesn't know. Does he?

"You should talk to Cas," Sam mutters, and Dean hears the motel door open and close.

He doesn't move for about 2 minutes, and then begrudgingly rolls onto his back.

Castiel doesn't say anything when he emerges from the bathroom, dressed in a dark blue sweater and hair damp.

Dean watches him from his position on the bed. The ex-angel looks around, finally noticing the lack of Sam's presence.

"Where is Sam?" He inquires, and Dean shrugs, eyes still trained on Castiel's movements.

His blue eyes meet the hunter's and he hesitates.

"I'm… sorry Dean,"

He's about to question as to why but Castiel speaks again.

"I apologise for whatever it may be that I have done to upset you,"

Huh?

Dean sits up.

"I'm not mad at you Cas,"

"You're not?" His face contorts in confusion.

Dean shakes his head.

"But…"

"But what?"

"You have been avoiding me,"

And shit.

"Yeah," Dean admits.

Castiel's eyes squint slightly.

"May I enquire as to why?"

"I'm not really sure,"

"I'm confused?" He's sitting on his own bed now, facing Dean.

"I don't… really know," And it sounds like a question.

They're both silent for a minute.

Cas is never going to get it.

And fuck it.

"I think I like you,"

Castiel's eyes are on his face. He can feel a blush burning across his cheeks and down his chest.

"I like you too Dean, both you and Sam,"

And Dean isn't sure as to whether or not he's acting dumb.

"No Cas, not like that," Dean breathes "I mean, my feelings towards you have changed,"

"Is this because I'm human?" Castiel accuses, crease between his brows deepening.

"No, I just couldn't see it before,"

"See what before Dean? Forgive me but you're being rather ambiguous,"

"I like you Cas, like… like I liked Lisa,"

And then the realisation dawns on Castiel.

"Oh,"

"Yeah," Dean sighs, and God this is not a situation he thought he'd ever find himself in.

"That's interesting," Castiel states, and then he stands and returns to the bathroom.

Dean is left in a little stunned silence.

He's about to leave in a huff when Castiel remerges.

"Is this a joke?" Castiel snaps.

And Dean is taken aback by his anger.

He's standing by the door, leather jacket in hand. He chooses his approach carefully.

"No, not at all,"

Castiel exhales loudly.

"This isn't you," he mumbles

And what does that mean?

Just because he's Dean doesn't mean he's incapable of being honest about his feelings.

"I get it, it's not reciprocated," Dean snarks, shrugging his jacket on.

The look Cas gives him is an incredulous one.

"You like females," Castiel states

Or so Dean had thought.

"Don't put labels on me, not with this,"

"This is just difficult for me to comprehend,"

And Dean is so done then, because it's five fucking times harder for him to comprehend.

He stalks over to the shorter man and wraps his arms around him. Engulfs him in an iron grip and just holds him.

Castiel doesn't know how to respond. Does he want Dean this way?

Yes. He's always wanted Dean. But to actually have him?

"Come one Cas, it's just a hug," Dean mumbles against his shoulder.

At least give him this, he could use it.

And Castiel does, he encloses his arms around Dean and enjoys the feel of the hunter against him.

"This is so fucked up," Dean grumbles, face still pressed into Castiel's shoulder.

Castiel shrugs in the embrace.

"Perhaps,"

"No, no it is,"

"Why?"

"Because you're you and I'm me,"

The ex-angel chuckles at that and pulls away slightly to look Dean in the eyes.

"For the record," He states "It is very much reciprocated,"

And Dean bursts into full laughter at that, because damn he could use a drink.

Or a kiss.

No, not yet.

Let his feelings adjust.

Okay adjusted.

He leans forward and kisses Castiel, who's watching the hunter intently with what appears to be concern.

"Hmph," Castiel mumbles against the other man's lips.

Before relaxing and going slack against him. Meeting his kisses with equal fervour, delicately clumsy.

He reaches out to enclose his hand around Dean's elbow and Dean dips his hands to clutch at narrow hips.

Castiel tastes like a combination of lemon and mint. Bitter and tangy and unregrettable.

His mouth parts against Dean's, whose tongue seems to be attempting to feed moisture back into the pale plushness of those goddam chapped lips.

This was good. Too good. Fuck.

Castiel pulls away.

Dean thinks that maybe, just maybe, if Cas were still an angel he'd get smitted for the stunt he's just pulled.

"Couldn't help myself," Dean mumbles, lips slick and shiny.

Castiel nods his head briefly before his blue eyes meet Dean's.

"Can we do that again?"

And Dean breaks out into a grin, because yeah, they can do this forever.