Chapter 2

Thus it happened that Dean Winchester, for the second time in one week, did something he'd never thought he would do by choice – he got up early on Saturday morning, drove to the nearest coffee shop to get breakfast for two, and walked into the animal shelter ten minutes later.

"Hi. Uhm." He rubbed his neck self-consciously. "I would like to help out here today, if that's possible. And I'm looking for, uh, Castiel Lord?" He couldn't help but letting it sound like a question.

The lady at the counter smiled widely at him. "Hello! Of course you're more than welcome to help. As for Castiel, he's at the cat house. Just go through here-" she gestured down a hallway, "-and then turn left. He can show you around."

Dean thanked her and went to find the cat house.

With every step he grew more nervous and repeatedly asked himself why he was doing this, but then Castiel's horrified face before he ran popped up in his mind and his determination to make this right came back.

When he arrived at the door to the cat house, he forced himself to open it and walk right in without further hesitation. He looked around the rather large room. In the far corner Castiel sat on the floor, surrounded by numerous cats, a happy smile on his face and looking so content and downright adorable, that Dean couldn't help but smile, too. And before he could take a mental double take at the fact that he just called this man 'adorable' in his head, Castiel looked up and stared at Dean, absolutely shocked.

"Dean!" He flushed, then corrected, "Uhm, sorry, Mr. Winchester. What are you doing here?"

"It's fine, Cas, call me Dean." And yeah, he was blushing again, damn it - and did he just give Castiel a nickname?

"And I'm here because I wanna talk to you," Dean explained. "Plus, I brought breakfast." He held up the paper bag, grinning sheepishly. Castiel stared at him with wide eyes, so Dean walked over to him, sat beside him on the floor and handed him his coffee. "Double Espresso Caramel Macchiato. I heard that's your poison." He winked and grinned.

Cas took the cup, still petting the cat in his lap absentmindedly with the other hand. He took a sip. "That's perfect, thank you. But... how... why... what are you doing here?"

Dean took a deep breath, sipped on his own coffee (black, one spoon of sugar), and started to explain.

"Look," he said, "I felt really bad for what happened the other day. I went back and talked to Gabriel and he explained your reaction, and he told me where to find you and how to bribe you to forgive me." Dean gave Castiel a cheeky grin, then continued before he could reply. "Nah, don't say anything. Listen man, I'm real sorry. I wasn't laughing at you. I thought you were messing with me and I wouldn't have said those things if I had known that it would hurt you, believe me." Dean took a breath and handed over the wrapped-up breakfast he'd brought. "Now, eat your burrito, and after that you show me what I have to do here. I told the lady out front that I'm here to help today, so I guess that's what I'm gonna do."

Castiel took the offered burrito, his favorite kind of breakfast. He finally responded to Dean's smile with one of his own. "Thank you," he said sincerely.

Before either of them could prevent it, their eyes met, and once again they were inexplicably captured by each other's gaze. This time they smiled at each other like idiots, and they kept smiling until one of the cats jumped onto Dean's lap and they both looked away, chuckling about the needy little thing.

Dean would honestly never have thought it possible to have that much fun with someone he barely knew, and at an animal shelter of all places, but he had one of the funniest days in a very long time that Saturday.

He and Cas – yeah, the nickname stuck, because Castiel seemed to like it – finished their breakfast and afterwards emptied the litter boxes and cuddled the cats, then Cas showed Dean around the shelter.

Dean, to his own astonishment, found himself to be willing to do a whole lot of things to make those blue eyes crinkle in a smile. It didn't even faze him in the slightest, when a huge Labrador tackled him in the backyard and sent him straight to his ass, licking his face excitedly, because, when he looked up at Castiel, he saw him grin wider than ever before.

Castiel relaxed visibly while talking about the animals, his work at the shelter and later his day job as a tax accountant – things he knew and liked. He grew more comfortable around Dean as the day progressed, and Dean was surprised to notice that he already made plans in his head for what they could do the next time they met. There was something about this guy that made him want to get to know him. Just like everything else that had happened since they met, that was something Dean couldn't explain. But, undoubtedly, he very much felt he'd like to become better friends with Castiel.

So when Cas told Dean they were finished for the day around two p.m., it only felt natural for Dean to try and prolong their time together. The loud growl of his stomach at that moment gave him the perfect opportunity. He rubbed his neck, a little embarrassed, and he put the other hand on his belly, not even bothering to hide the fact that he'd blushed once again.

"So, uhm... wanna go grab some lunch?"

And he couldn't help but feel that the small, sincere smile Cas gave him before nodding in agreement was really worth all the blushing and embarrassment.

*#*#*#*#*

"That was fun." Dean grinned at Castiel over the table of their booth. They had decided to eat at the cozy diner across the street from the shelter, which Cas knew pretty well, since he ate there most Saturdays.

"Yes, it was." Castiel smiled back. "Thank you for your help, Dean. And the breakfast."

"No problem. I had to make something up to you after all."

For a few moments they sat there in silence, smiling at each other, until they were interrupted by the waitress coming to their table. "Hello," she smiled at Castiel. "The usual?" He nodded. "And for you sir?" she asked Dean.

"I'll have the bacon cheeseburger with fries and a coffee please," he answered with his brightest smile, but in return the waitress just laughed and winked at Cas before skipping off to place their orders. Dean shot Castiel a confused look and saw him smiling in amusement. "Ah, okay - let me guess. The 'usual' is a bacon cheeseburger with fries and coffee?"

"With iced tea actually, but apart from that, yes." Castiel's blue eyes twinkled.

"Well, I guess that explains her reaction." Dean chuckled now too. "So, Cas, what do you do when you're not helping at the shelter, helping people with their taxes or helping your brothers by pretending to be a car dealer?" Dean held his breath for a moment, waiting for Castiel's reaction, afraid he may have crossed the line. But he was relieved to see the other man smile at him, obviously finally able to see the entertaining side of the incident.

"Well, I don't really do much else. Mostly I'm at home with my cat, and if I don't have work brought home with me, I read a lot. Sometimes Gabriel comes home early and we have dinner together, but most nights he stays out late, meeting with friends, having dates. Things like that, I think." Castiel looked at Dean, a little melancholic. "My own life must look sad and empty to an outsider."

Dean shook his head - he only was surprised by one thing. "You live with Gabe?"

"Yes. I... I had a rough time a few years back. Since Gabriel and I are the only ones of our siblings that aren't married, or in some other kind of relationship - therefore some sorts of outcasts in our family - we had grown quite close. So he took me in. It worked well; he didn't need the room otherwise, thus Jasper and me stayed."

"Jasper's your cat?"

Castiel nodded.

"Cas and Jas. Cute," Dean chuckled, before realizing what he just said and immediately turning crimson again. Cute? Wow, real smooth Winchester!

Thankfully that was the moment the waitress finally brought their food and Dean thanked her enthusiastically. He was still thinking about what the hell was wrong with him these last few days, when he noticed the flirtatious smile the waitress gave Cas while placing his food in front of him. He had no idea why he suddenly had the urge to take Castiel and leave this place, but what was even weirder was the oddly pleased feeling he got when he saw that Castiel was utterly oblivious to the waitress's advances, and-or completely uninterested. He looked at her briefly to thank her for the food, but then his eyes immediately travelled back to Dean.

Dean had no clue where these sudden possessive feelings towards Castiel came from, but he could only assume it was due to the fact that he had very few close friends and he wasn't willing to share this potential new one just yet.

"Cas and Jas... You really have a thing for nicknames, don't you?" Castiel's words pulled Dean from his musings.

"What?" Dean said.

Castiel's head tilted to the side, waiting for a reply.

Dean shook his head to stop himself from staring again. "Oh, yeah. I guess so. I usually shorten the names of people I like. Sometimes I do it with people I don't like, too, to mock them. Like your brother Luci," Dean grinned.

Castiel laughed and Dean was rendered speechless for a moment by the way that action seemed to transform his whole face. He was a very good-looking man in normal situations, gorgeous even, but now, laughing carefree, with white teeth and twinkling blue eyes and his deep, dark voice, he was just stunningly beautiful.

"Now I hope you're not calling me Cas to mock me," Castiel chuckled.

Dean, still not able to use his full brain again, answered before his head could catch up with his mouth, completely honest: "No. You, I like."

And when Cas turned beet-red at this and smiled, Dean for once was glad to have spoken without thinking first.

*#*#*#*#*

Castiel was still in some kind of daze when he entered Gabriel's apartment two hours later. They had finished their meal, talking about everything that came to mind. Dean had been appalled at Castiel's lack of pop culture knowledge, and Cas was equally shocked about Dean's less-than-expert knowledge about classic literature.

"Don't look at me like that," Dean said in mock defensiveness, "I do read! Vonnegut is great. And I dig 'The Lord of the Rings'. I just don't have that much time to read, and besides, I'm not the smart Winchester, that's Sam. I'm just a high-school-dropout who works at his uncle's garage."

"I don't think that's true. I think you are a very smart man, Dean Winchester." Castiel spoke earnestly, making sure to look straight at Dean, so he could see that Cas meant what he said. Dean immediately blushed and started to fidget. His eyes shot away from Castiel's and he looked everywhere but at the man before him. It was really quite adorable.

"Yeah, right," Dean snorted and stuffed three fries at once into his mouth, but Cas saw the little pleased smile on his lips nonetheless. Castiel decided to drop the subject; he didn't want to make Dean truly uncomfortable.

Castiel was genuinely surprised by his own behavior; he'd thought he would freeze up and never be able to talk again, should he meet Dean Winchester a second time. But here he was, laughing, talking, teasing, and all of that with the man he'd thought he couldn't face again without dying of embarrassment.

Dean had been so sincere when he apologized for having made Cas run away, that Castiel couldn't feel uncomfortable around him any more. Castiel had quickly found things to talk to him about, since the work at the shelter gave him plenty of things to explain, and after that it just felt natural to talk about everything else as well. Just being there with Dean, spending time together, felt natural, and for a moment, while they both ordered pie for dessert and laughed about their similar food tastes, Castiel worried that this wonderful experience was slowly coming to an end. From past experience, Castiel knew that people like Dean didn't become friends with people like him, so he decided to enjoy every moment of this while it lasted.

He was dragged from his thoughts by the sound of Dean's voice, saying, "So, Cas, how much do you like your 'stay at home and read a book' evenings?" Dean grinned hopefully. "Wanna do something different tomorrow night? Maybe go for a drink or something? Or any other day if tomorrow doesn't work for you."

For a moment Castiel stared at him, surprised. His first impulse was to say yes, but then he asked himself why Dean would want to do this and his suspicious side took over. "Dean, you don't have to do this," Castiel sighed. "It's nice of you, but unnecessary. You more than made up for laughing at me by helping at the shelter today, and you really don't have to spend any more time on me out of pity or charity." Castiel knew he would regret this when sitting alone in his room later, but it was his only chance to preserve a last bit of dignity.

Dean didn't answer right away; he just stared back, dumbstruck. After a long moment, he finally seemed to find his voice again. "What? Cas, what are you talking about? That has nothing to do with pity or charity. I meant what I said earlier. I do like you! And since I'm not one with that many friends either, I figured it couldn't hurt to spend more time with you." He shifted in his seat, giving a bashful smirk. "Besides, somebody's gotta take charge of your pop culture education, don't they." He gave a wink to lighten the mood, but he had been so candid while talking, that Castiel chose to believe him, even though he had absolutely no clue why Dean Winchester would like him.

For once, Castiel decided to try and take a good thing that was presented to him. "Well, then," he said, "I think drinks tomorrow night would be nice." He smiled at Dean, still a little shy and cautious. But as soon as those words had left his mouth, Dean broke into such a sincerely happy smile that Cas knew he had made the right choice.

While finishing their pie, they settled the time and place to meet – Sunday, seven p.m. at the Roadhouse Bar & Grill – and then it was time to go their separate ways. Dean was invited to his brother's place this evening, so he needed to go home to take a shower and a change of clothes before that.

Castiel... well, there was always a book waiting for him at home. Suddenly that prospect wasn't as appealing as it normally was. Dean offered to drive him home, but Castiel declined, since it wasn't far and he didn't want to steal even more of Dean's time. And furthermore, he really needed some time to process everything that had happened and he didn't think that being locked inside a tiny metal box with this breathtaking man would help with that.

So they said their goodbyes in front of the diner, each somewhat reluctant. With a final "See ya tomorrow Cas. Lookin' forward to it," and a big, honest smile, Dean turned away and went to his car, while Castiel set off to Gabriel's apartment.

Throughout the journey home, Castiel was unable to lose the small, happy smile that had appeared on his face after Dean's parting words. He could barely believe his luck. Sure, Dean seemed to be interested in him only as a friend, and if he ever figured out Castiel's ever-growing, absolutely non-platonically interest in him, it could be a problem, but Cas was determined to have this man in his life in whatever way he could.

Having Dean as a friend was more than Castiel ever hoped for. The fact he felt so comfortable around Dean, like he could truly be himself - that would have been enough to desire the man's friendship, but Dean was also an incredibly warm-hearted, selfless, caring, smart and funny person, who seemed to genuinely enjoy Castiel's company, and Castiel felt lucky that such a person considered him worthy of his attention.

When Gabriel came home, Castiel had been sitting in his favorite armchair for almost an hour, Jasper on his lap, the book in his hands long forgotten, reminiscing about the day and the man he had spent it with.

"Cassie?" Gabriel called.

There it was, the loathed nickname his brother always used to annoy him. Dean called him Cas... and Castiel had allowed him to. Dean had been very apologetic after the nickname had slipped out this morning; he'd said that he really liked the name Castiel, but it was quite a mouthful in normal conversation. Before he could say any more, Cas had stopped him and told him that it was alright and that he actually liked the nickname Cas. The 'when it comes from you' part, he kept to himself.

"Cassie, you home?" Gabriel shouted again.

"I'm here Gabriel!" Castiel responded.

Gabriel came into the room, a disappointed look on his face. "Oh," he said. "I kinda thought you might be... I don't know... not home... yet," he muttered with a sheepish look.

"And why is that? I am always home at this hour on Saturdays." Of course, Castiel knew where his brother's thoughts were coming from, but he decided to play it safe.

"I don't know, I... thought you would maybe have... something better to do. Anyways. How was your day? Anything interesting happen?" Oh, now Gabriel was trying it the innocent way, Castiel noticed.

"No, not really," Castiel said, acting nonchalant. "Pretty much the same as every Saturday, although we did of course get much more work done than normally, thanks to the extra pair of hands. And the breakfast was very welcomed by the way, thank you." Castiel smiled at his brother.

Understanding dawned on Gabriel's face and he broke into a wide, happy grin. "He really came?" Gabriel cried.

"Yes, he did." Castiel smiled contentedly at his brother. "And we had a very nice time. Thank you, Gabriel."

"Tell me, tell me! I wanna know everything!" Gabriel clapped his hands together and sat down on the floor in front of Castiel's armchair, giggling.

"You are a child, Gabriel!" But Castiel couldn't help laughing and started to tell his brother about his day. He left no detail spared, as he had no reason to hide anything from his older brother.

"Oh, wow, Cassie, that sounds great! And you've got a second date already?" Gabriel was nearly ecstatic when Castiel had finished his story.

"Neither meeting was, or is a date, Gabriel! We're just friends. Or, I should better say, on the way to becoming friends," Castiel corrected himself sternly.

"Oh yeah, you're friends alright. Cassie, you're completely gone on this guy! You should see yourself talking about him. You get that dopey grin on your face that I get when I see candy. Oh, that reminds me..." He trailed off and pulled a lollipop out of his pocket with dreamy eyes and immediately started sucking it.

"Gabriel! I'm not..." Cas started to protest, but faltered under his brother's teasing gaze. "Alright, maybe I am a little bit... taken by him. But can you blame me? That doesn't change the fact that he's most likely not interested in me that way, though."

"Yeah, alright, we'll see about that," Gabriel winked. "But seriously, I'm happy for you, little brother. You deserve someone in your life to go and have drinks with, even if it's just as friends."

"Thank you, Gabriel."

The older brother smiled and stood up to leave the room. Just before he reached the door, he turned back one more time. "But just so you know Cassie, I'm gonna be your bridesmaid!" He smirked and ran out of the room laughing, just barely avoiding the book Castiel threw after him.