AN: You can't believe how happy you made me with your reviews! ;w; For awhile now, I've been really unsure about my writing, so getting reviews saying that the writing is good made me so glad! Thank you so much and I hope this chapter will be as good to you as the first one.
Oh, and I forgot to say in the previous chapter, but English is not my first language. Though I'm fairly fluent, I'm bound to have mistakes, but I hope they won't bother you much! (:
With a coffee cup in my hand I settled in front of my laptop that I had turned on a few moments ago. It was barely 9 o'clock and I had crawled out reluctantly from my soft and warm bed on a Saturday morning because I had a shift at the restaurant starting in two hours. Before that I thought I would check the info Balthazar had sent me about that gallery opening.
It seemed like the basic stuff, they want one or two pieces from each artist, all wrapped around by the common theme. It was good enough for me, since I hadn't done any of these things in a long time. Yeah, just the basic stuff and maybe if I was lucky, someone would be interested in buying my painting.
I rolled down the email when my eyes found the set theme. I frowned and read it two or three times more before I snatched my phone and searched for Balthazar's name from the device's phonebook. "Do you know what time it is?" He moaned from the other end after a few rings. I had to admit, I felt strange enjoyment as I suspected that he was experiencing a major hangover.
"Morning sunshine," I laughed and took a sip from my coffee. "I'm so sorry that I woke you up, but I have a question about that gallery opening."
I heard sheets rustling and Balthazar yawn. "I take it that you have read my email then?" I could imagine the playful grin spread on his face right now. I knew I should have asked more details first before agreeing. It was definitely strange that Balthazar asked me to participate in a gallery opening when I had barely gotten over with my artist's block. "What do you think about the theme?" He was so close to cracking up and we both knew it.
"Very funny Balthazar." I said in monotone voice. "'Heart's obsession?' That is really corny theme and you know it." I spun in the chair and for a second I caught a glimpse of the three paintings resting against the wall. "Has this something to do with Dean?" I questioned, finally stopping as nausea started to take over me.
"Dean?" Balthazar snickered and I remembered I had referred to him as 'Winchester' until now and I didn't even know his first name before yesterday. "Since when you have called him Dean?" He was barely holding back his laughter and I, on the other hand, was filled with embarrassment for my slip up.
I bit my lip, wondering how I should phase my sentences so I could avoid any more misunderstandings from Balthazar's side. "Since yesterday," I stated quietly. "He came to the restaurant on a date and I was serving as their waiter. Obviously, he had seen me so many times that he recognised me."
Balthazar was still chuckling and it honestly started to annoy me. "Yes, yes. I hope he won't be freaked out after he finds out about your obsession or that you have harboured feelings for him for quite a long time."
There was a knock at my front door, which surprised me as I wasn't expecting anyone coming by that morning. It wouldn't have been weird if it had been Balthazar, because his random visits were normal, but of course it couldn't have been him. "I don't 'harbour' any feelings for Dean." I sighed as I opened the door, the impossibly green eyes being the first thing I saw. "Dean." I muttered in confusion.
"I heard you the first time, there was no need to repeat," came Balthazar's comment from the phone.
"Sorry Balthazar. I'll call you back later." I said and hung up, turning my complete attention to Dean. I would have expected him to have a hangover too, but there he was standing and seemed to be completely fine. Though his hair was a complete mess and he wore clothes that were more casual than what he was wearing yesterday. "So, did you need something?" I leaned against the doorframe, trying to look as calm as possible while the previous night's kiss flooded into my mind.
Dean smiled and I thought how absolutely amazing he looked while smiling. "Sorry, did I interrupt something?" He asked, glancing at the phone in my hand, which started ringing. It was just Balthazar trying to call me back, so I just disregarded the call and shook my head. "Okay. Look, I just thought I should repay you in some way. I must have been quite a pain in the ass for you last night."
I frowned and watched Dean fidget nervously. I wondered why he was doing that. "There's no need." I assured, looking him in the eye. "Besides, it was Anna, the hostess, who convinced me to do it after she heard I was your neighbour. I'll be getting an extra day off thanks to getting you home safely." I tucked my hands into my sweats' pockets and wondered if that would be enough to convince him that I didn't need to be repaid. I just wanted to have that non-existent relationship we had as neighbours.
"I want to." He assured, a sweet grin on his lips. "Tonight, you and me, burgers, my treat. I don't accept any objections." I tried to open my mouth, but Dean's finger moved to my lips to stop me. "I said I don't accept any objections."
I ran my fingers through my hair, sighing. "Fine. Can you come meet me at the restaurant after five? I have work today." I knew this is a bad idea, but it seemed like Dean was stubborn so I decided to comply.
His face brightened after I agreed. "Great! I'll pick you up at five then. I promise you'll get to eat the best burgers you've ever tasted." He seemed to head back to his apartment, but turned back before he made it. "I don't mean to be rude, but what was your first name again? I don't think I have heard it yet." I noticed a slight shade of red on his cheeks as he asked me.
I couldn't help but smile. "It's Castiel. Castiel Novak." I introduced myself. "I know it's quite weird name. My parents were religious and named me after an angel."
"I like it." Dean admitted and for some fucking reason, I was happy that he said so. "Well then, see you later."
With that, he was gone. I didn't want to admit it to myself, but I was already looking forward to our date. Except it wasn't a date. It was Dean showing his gratitude and maybe even trying to form a friendship, but definitely not that kind of relationship. I didn't even know why my brain wanted to think it as a date.
I couldn't believe how nervous I was. My shift had already ended about ten minutes ago. I had quickly changed back to my casual clothes and now sat at the restaurant's side, fiddling my phone in my hands.
"Castiel? Is everything alright?" Anna sat on the other chair and leaned closer to me.
I stared at her, my eyes narrowing and my head tilting slightly. "Yes. Why do you ask?" I'm immediately regretting that I told Dean to come pick me up from the restaurant. I should have just said that I'd go over to his place after work or something. Now I had to deal with Anna's and Gabriel's stupidly-knowing smirks once Dean would arrive.
"You're playing with your phone." Anna said, pointing at my hands. "You do that when you're nervous about something." Embarrassed, I glanced at my hands and then slipped my phone to my jeans' pocket. "Who are you waiting for?" She asked.
"N-No one!" I stuttered and like magic, Dean just happened to walk in at that moment.
He looked around the room before his eyes settled on me, the biggest grin spreading to his lips. Suddenly I remember how great it felt to be kissed by those lips. Oh god, how I wanted to throw all reason away and just grab that dark green canvas jacket of his and pull him into as amazing kiss, or even better, as the one from previous night. "Hey Castiel!" Dean exclaimed as he moved towards me. "Ready to go?"
I swallowed and looked at Anna, who now had that stupidly-knowing smirk I knew she would have, before facing Dean. "Hello Dean." I said, my voice low and hoarse. "And yeah, let's go." I jumped up from the chair and gave Anna a quick nod. "See you on Monday, Anna." With that, I headed towards the door with Dean and without looking back, I knew that Anna was already rushing to Gabriel.
It was somewhat nice, sitting in Dean's precious Impala, not to mention it was completely different when Dean was the one behind steering wheel. I had pushed myself as far as I could from Dean, focusing to the passing buildings and the classic rock that was blasting from the radio. "How was your day?" Dean asked, obviously trying to break the awkward air between us.
I shrugged. "Nothing special. It wasn't that busy because most of the customers come after four." I shifted my eyes from the window for a second and noticed Dean's frozen stare, sending somehow good-kind-of chills down my spine. "Dean-?" I said, clearing my throat. "Shouldn't you look at the road?"
Dean broke from his daze and turned his head to the road, embarrassed. "Ah, sorry." He muttered, quickly turning his head to his front. I kept examining him with my eyes, looking carefully at his facial structures and making notes of what I should still fix from my painting. The exact colour of his skin, hair, eyes, lips. I wanted everything to be the perfect match to the actual 'model'.
"Uh- We're here Cas." I jumped at the words, realising I had been staring at him for far too long. Dean looked slightly uncomfortable, but there still was a small, almost unnoticeable smirk on his lips.
"R-Right." I nodded before his words actually sank in. "Wait? Cas?"
Dean frowned. "Yeah. Cas as in short for Castiel. Sorry, you don't like it?" He rubbed his neck and looked to me. I might have imagined it, but I thought I saw slight uncertainty in his eyes. Of course, that was silly as from what I had gathered, Dean was one of the most confident people I had ever met.
I shook my head, still surprised by the new nickname. "It's fine. Cas is good." I can't help but smile. I actually liked 'Cas' better than 'Cassie' that Gabriel constantly used, along with Anna and Balthazar, who used it occasionally. Truth to be told, 'Cassie' made me sound like a girl in my opinion.
"Awesome. Come on then Cas." Dean said before slipping out of the car. I followed, taking in the new surroundings.
We were at a local diner called the Roadhouse. I had passed it a few times, but never actually went inside. It seemed like any other diner and as I hadn't actually heard from anyone how the food was there, it never had raised my interest. Once inside, Dean led me to a corner table with not so many people around us. A blonde, quite beautiful waitress soon came to our table. "Well, well, Dean. It sure has been a while you've had a male date." She chuckled.
Dean's face flushed to crimson colour while his hand travelled through his hair. "It's not like that Jo. This is my neighbour Castiel." He pointed to me, but I barely noticed it as I was too busy being stunned. I never had actually considered that Dean would be bi. Multiple times I had witnessed him returning to his place with beautiful girls, the kinds I never would have imagined getting myself. Still, I didn't recall any times I would have seen him with a man in that way. Even that previous night's kiss I had considered as a drunken joke.
The girl, apparently called Jo, rolled her eyes. "How does that make a difference?" My eyes travelled between Dean and Jo, being really confused by the situation. "So, what shall it be?" She straightened herself and lifted her pen on the small notepad she had.
"Two burgers, I'll have a beer and-" Dean's voice trailed off as he turned to me with a questioning look.
"I'll have a coke." I said and flashed a smile to Jo. She took our orders before taking off with the usual 'I'll be right back' promise. Silence fell between me and Dean, during which we kept glancing at each other, the obvious question lingering in the air. I didn't even know why I wanted to know it.
Eventual sigh from Dean broke our silence. "I hope-" He started, but swallowed his words. "I'm not making you uncomfortable am I? Because I swing both ways." He was uncertain again, this time I was sure of it. He swallowed and looked at me with those eyes that made my stomach fill with butterflies.
I tilted my head, narrowing my eyes. It was a habit I did when I was confused. "Why would I be uncomfortable? I don't care what gender you are attracted to." I was sincere. Despite being raised in a Christian family, I never saw anything wrong in gays or bisexuals, unlike my father. It could have had something to do with the fact that I wasn't exactly religious type though.
A relieved grin seemed to spread to Dean's face because of my words. "Awesome!" He exclaimed and oh god that smile of his was so perfect. I would have very much liked to have that mouth on mine again, to my own confusion. Somehow I found Dean's attraction to both sexes a good thing, even though I was very confused of my own sexuality at the moment, considering my constant urge to kiss Dean.
Jo returned with our orders. We didn't say anything before she left again, but I recognised the knowing smirk I saw Anna, Balthazar or Gabriel often have. She definitely thought there was something between me and Dean. Well, she might not have been completely wrong. "How about you?" Dean muttered right after Jo left.
"What about me?" I asked though I had a slight idea of what he meant.
"Are you attracted to men?"
I liked my lips, wondering what I should answer. I was rather scared to say that I was bi too, because I wasn't exactly sure about it, but I had to admit that I wasn't exactly straight either. "I'm- Uh-" I poured some coke to my suddenly dry throat and I guessed my nervousness was probably shining from me. "I'm straight." I said without thinking, immediately regretting it.
Dean nodded understandingly and took his burger from the plate. "Dude, you have to taste these burgers. They're the best thing I've ever tasted." Then he hungrily bit into the burger, letting out a pleased moan.
I curiously lifted my own burger and took a small bite of it first. Seriously, the taste was much, much better that I had expected and took another, much bigger bite. I noticed a smug look on Dean's face as I devoured the burger. "This is delicious!" I admitted, already halfway through it. "This makes me really happy."
Dean laughed. "I told you dude. Best ones in the world if you ask me."
I was soon finished with my burger, but still felt hungry. "Do you think I could order another one?" I asked, staring disappointedly at my now empty plate. I remembered I hadn't eaten anything else that day and the just eaten burger made me realise how hungry I actually was.
"Come on Cas. Leave some space for the pie." Dean laughed as he finished his own burger "It's really good. Ellen, Jo's mom, is seriously one of the best cooks I know."
"Sounds good." I hummed. The evening might not have been so bad I expected.
