Monday morning came and with it the delicious thought of a full day in Dean Winchester's company. He didn't know enough about him, but regardless, he wanted to know everything he could. The time spent out getting food for the restaurant would be necessary, but it would also be a pleasure.

He normally enjoyed Mondays immensely. The crisp spring sunlight was already calling to him from the window. He rushed through breakfast and gave himself a second appraisal in front of the hall mirror. He took in the dark blue jeans, a tight fitting black t-shirt, a black jacket with more pockets than would ever be necessary. He found the look passable. He smoothed a hand back up through his hair in an attempt at taming down the wildness. Time for a haircut.

He picked up his keys and was out the door in three short steps. He considered the season and the menu options that would go with the appropriate items that he would find at each stop. His mind was a whirlwind of possibilities. He wondered if Dean would have anything to contribute. He hoped that he would. Dean. He had thought the name seven hundred times at least since he had woken up that morning, and probably a few hundred more before he slept.

He considered what it would be like working with him. He considered a great many other things too. He considered the way Dean moved, like he was perpetually hearing music in his head. He considered the way his face expressed his thoughts, an eyebrow raised just so and a subtle smirk. He considered the way his hands looked on the table, around his coffee cup, hanging at his side. They were strong hands, fingers itching to touch something. The feel of Dean's fingers on his cheek the night before still lingered in his memory.

He got to the restaurant without a thought for the world that passed by outside of the van's windows. If pressed, he wouldn't be able to tell about even one thing that he saw between his house and the restaurant. He could tell you about the paths between Dean's freckles, the way his eyes looked in the dimly lit restaurant, and the exact hue of his lips as Dean's tongue grazed a path over them.

He pulled up to the side of the restaurant and saw that Dean's Impala was already parked in front. Dean was outside leaning back against the side, reading something on his phone. Cas strolled over, convincing himself that they really should take Dean's car and not his van. It was hideous really, and he was actually 100% embarrassed by it. Clearly, Dean was a car guy. The Impala was impeccable. The chrome was polished to an intense shine. The black shone brighter than that color had any right to. Cas wanted to feel the pull of a car with a real engine and not the sputtering lag of what he had been driving.

"Hey, Cas." Dean voice was cheery and already brought a smile to his face.

"Hello, Dean." He schooled his tone into something low and gravelly. "If you would like to drive, I'd love to do this in your car. If not, the van will be our chariot." He motioned back to the creature already nearly forgotten in the alley next to the restaurant.

"I'll never turn down a chance to drive." Dean popped off the side of the car and circled to the driver's side. "Hop in and lead the way."

Cas got in and told him the first address. Dean knew the location, a small farmer's market on the other end of town. Cas had items delivered to the restaurant throughout the week, but Mondays were his days of inspiration. He went to the local sources and chatted with the farmers and local vendors. He liked to know that what he served had a point of origin that he could see. True some things couldn't be bought locally, but he tried to make the effort. At the very least his inspirations came from the visits that he made to the local farms and the local vendors.

Cas managed a couple of sidelong glances as they drove. Dean looked happy. His smile bright, a complement to the spring day. God, he's gorgeous, he thought as he redirected his focus to the front and the road ahead of them. In time they made it to the market. Dean rounded a corner and took a parking spot that opened up not far from the entrance. Cas decided to explain the plan for the day as they got out of the car. "So the way we usually do things, is I look for items that will inspire a meal or two this week. If you see anything promising, you should definitely say something. Any and all suggestions greatly appreciated." Cas came around the car to Dean's side and they headed into the vast parking lot full of vendor booths and crowds of early bird shoppers already milling about.

"I'm not sure how much help I'll be at this. I usually just pick items from the vendor that Ellen has out to the restaurant."

Cas asked, "You tell her that you're working for me yet?"

"Yeah, this morning."

"How'd that go?" They came to a booth that sold apricots. The vendor held out samples to each of them.

"Great actually. She said that Ash was coming back this week and that my timing was near perfect." Dean slipped the apricot past his lips. A little of the juice of it lingered at the edge of his mouth.

"Glad to hear it." Cas ate his piece and found it to be quite pleasant. He was thinking of what could be done with apricots.

Dean came to some conclusions about the apricot first though. "We should buy these."

"Yeah, you got some plans?"

"So many," Dean's lips curled up into a half grin. Cas couldn't help but feel that he was repeating his tone from the night before, and that Dean had only pretended not to have heard him. He felt heat rising in his face and looked away at some other items.

"What would you do with the apricots?"

"Maybe a chutney, not sure. They're really quite good though. Worse comes to worst, you could have your pastry chef whip something up with them."

Cas turned his attention back to Dean then to the vendor. "Hey Margie, you mind sending over about ten pounds of these to the restaurant, and giving us a bag to take now?"

"You got it Cas. I'll send Bill with the invoice. You can settle up then. You got someone to receive these later tonight?" Her small frame came with a voice that was a little grating. Cas had grown use to it though.

"Yeah, Kevin's there 'til four. Have Bill call if it's locked up."

"Will do, Cas." She passed over a small bag of apricots, and Cas thanked her.

Cas handed Dean an apricot and he took one for himself. They ate and walked, sucking the juice from their fingers as they went.

There was a large display of vegetables in a booth at the end of the row. Cas moved into the space and let his fingers dance over the various offerings. "Oh, Mr. Novak, a pleasure to see you again." A large man made his way around to the front of the display. He pulled Cas into a hug. His tan shirt made him seem to be practically nude. He turned to Dean then with a wide grin on his face. "And who is this?"

"This is Dean Winchester, my new sous chef." Cas waved a hand toward Dean, "And this is Herb." Herb was already pulling Dean into an unexpected hug.

"What's happening? Uh, Cas." Dean stuttered past the rib crushing hug. "I don't like this."

"Nobody likes it. It's just how Herb shakes hands." Cas laughed a little at the moment.

Herb stepped back with the big grin still stuck on his face. "You all act like you ain't never been hugged. That's what's wrong with this world, not enough affection." He redirected to the other end of the booth, beckoning Cas over as he went. "Now, these here little broccolis were raised with so much love. Just look at their happy little crowns."

"Cas, I think we just took the short bus to crazytown." Dean was starting to edge away. Cas just leaned into the space that Herb had indicated.

"Those look great. You got any spinach, raised with love of course?" Cas smiled and considered what he would do with the broccoli. I'll need sea scallops, and maybe some marcona almonds. His mind drifted down alleys of flavors and then he glanced at Dean lips all pink and wet. He wondered if he tasted like the apricots. Apricot chutney. He figured he could pair that with the sea scallops.

Dean came back to his side, his posture conveying his discomfort. "I've got so much spinach. It's all looking pretty good too. Oh, and you need onions. I've got all the onions you'll need."

"You got some ginger?" Dean asked.

"Oh, do I ever. I've got it over in the root section here." He threw an arm over Dean's shoulder and directed him. Dean picked up some of the ginger, and Cas joined him.

"Grab some of the turmeric root too." Cas leaned into his arm.

Dean picked up the right root. Cas smiled. Man knows his stuff. "You still testing me?"

"You mind?"

"Not a bit."

"Then yes, yes I am." Dean bumped him a little as Cas answered. It was an affectionate moment, and completely unlike the many hip checks that he and the others had endured under Katja's regime.

They left Herb's booth not long after that with a few bags containing their selections and a scheduled delivery of the rest of the items to follow. They made their way through several more stalls adding items here and there. Everyone knew Cas. He was a regular after all. They headed back to the car, items in hand and prepared to head off to their next destination. "Where we going next?"

"An apiary just outside of town, then to my meat vendor, then a small farm before we head back. Unless you're worn out. I know this is a lot for a first day on the job."

"Worn out? How old do you think I am, Cas?" He plopped on down into the driver's seat and let the door close with an emphatic slam. Cas got in on his side.

"I don't honestly know how old you are. Not old, certainly."

Dean laughed at him. "I'm 36, not dead. Takes a Hell of a lot more than a hippie farmer's market to tire me out."

Cas laughed at him now too. "Well then we'll see how you feel after the hippie bee farm, hippie meat market, and hippie farm and commune."

"Oh. Well, go big or go home. Lead the way to hippie town, Cas." Cas directed him out onto the main highway and to the west. Dean reached over and turned on some music. It was some sort of hard rock. He drummed at the steering wheel as they shot down the road.

Cas rolled down the window and felt the blast of crisp spring air on his skin. He felt exceedingly happy. The signs of the city shot by and gave way to the rolling green pastures and crop rows. The sky above was bright blue and dotted with puffy white clouds. He'd sing with the music if only he knew the words. Instead he drummed at the window frame with his arm angled out into the air that rushed by. Dean shot him a glance and a smile. Cas returned it.

Dean reached over and turned the radio down. "Could I ask you a question?"

"You just did." Cas pulled his arm back into the car.

"Funny." Dean scratched a trail up into his hair. "You have any family?"

"Yeah, everyone comes from somewhere." He turned himself a little in the seat and pulled his knee up between them.

"Is it a sore subject? I mean asking about family bugs some people. I didn't mean to be too personal."

"I've got some siblings, busy people, the whole lot of them. Got a dad that went out for the proverbial smokes when I was younger. Haven't spoken to him since. Mom's interesting. She never seems to approve of my life choices."

"Is that code for being gay?" Dean turned to him with the question then quickly directed his gaze back to the road ahead.

"Not so much. She's more unhappy with the men that I have bothered to introduce to her. I swear, she'd find a way to shoot down every last man on earth, just to have me stay her single child forever. No one will ever be good enough for her. I don't introduce anyone to her anymore, not that there has been anyone to introduce in quite a few years." Cas hadn't meant to share so much and felt a little awkward toward the end. He didn't like Dean thinking that he was a bit of a loser in the dating arena.

"Well, at least she cares, and knows who you are. That matters, even if she's a bit misguided."

Cas felt like Dean was telling him something more in that, so he asked, "So you have some family?"

Dean laughed a bit and parroted Cas with, "Yeah, everyone comes from somewhere."

"Well, tell me about them. I feel like I over shared, and I might need your story now to ease that feeling a bit."

"You didn't overshare. My family is just complicated. My dad's a bit of an alcoholic. Mom died when I was young. I got a brother though. He's a good guy, but don't tell him I said that. Don't need him getting an ego." Dean smiled suddenly with what seemed to be pride and added, "He's a lawyer. Graduated from Stanford. Boy genius."

"Like his brother, huh?" Dean's cheeks grew rosy with the compliment.

"Nothing like me. He's better. Way better. I mean, he has this way of seeing things. He also gets me. It's nice having at least one family member that does." Dean's tone felt a little melancholy then.

"Is he gets me code for he gets that I'm gay?"

"Pretty much. I mean, bi, but yeah. He knows. Dad doesn't get that information. He wouldn't know what to do with it anyway except to treat me like an oddity. I'd rather just not deal with that."

"You date much? I mean, should I figure you'll be asking for Fridays off every now and then?" Cas felt a slight stirring in his gut as he asked the question.

"Nah, I'm a bit out of practice on that front now. I use to get around a bit, but lately if I can get a meal in with someone, I count it as a great accomplishment. Life is busy and I am a little old."

Cas reached over and gave his shoulder a squeeze before saying, "Didn't you literally just say not half an hour ago that you were not old? Last I checked 36 is not old. If it is I'm ancient."

Dean cocked an eyebrow then and asked, "How ancient we talking?"

"Oh, a good millennia or two." Cas laughed and Dean laughed too. "Just turned 40 a few days ago actually."

"Oh, shit, happy birthday old man." Dean reached over now and gave him a light punch to the shoulder, adding, "And so not ancient."

"Well, I feel ancient."

"Mid-life crisis there, Cas."

He laughed, "I'm old. I'm entitled."

"Well, enjoy that. I myself think that the forties might not be so bad. Kinda looking forward to being as old as I feel. I feel like with my forties I can finally yell at kids to get off my lawn and start calling Sam a whipper snapper."

"You're a whipper snapper." Cas laughed at the look he drew from Dean with that, something like a shocked O face. Cas noticed then that they were nearing the apiary. "You're gonna be turning up there at the sign."

"Cain's Bees," Dean read aloud. "You come here every week?"

"Nah, I just need to replenish the honey. I want to use it in the dressing this week. I also have some thoughts on a pork dish. The lavender around his place is blooming heavy, and I think that it'll add a fine layer of flavor to the honey."

"Sounds good. What're you thinking of doing with pork?" Dean asked as they pulled to a stop in front of a big old red barn. A man with a mess of salt and pepper hair was strolling out to them. His loose black pants were held up with a pair of suspenders running up over his white button up shirt.

"Was thinking pork and beans."

"Yeah right." They got out of the car and walked over to the man.

"Hey there Novak."

"Hey yourself, Cain. This here is my new sous chef, Dean Winchester. Dean, this is Cain. He's the bee man."

Dean reached out a hand and the two of them shook. "I reckon you'll be wanting the most recent honey."

"Yeah, how'd you guess?" Cas fell into step beside him and Dean trailed along behind them both.

"Oh, I know you and your penchant for lavender. It's good stuff this month. You'll like it." Cas opened up the barn, and they all strolled in. The sides of the main space was lined with row upon row of jarred honey. They were a golden showcase that could just as easily be called art.

"Wow," Dean whispered behind them as they entered.

"I know, right?" Cas moved to his side and ushered him in with a hand to his back. Dean let himself be led. Cain pulled a jar off of the shelf and held it out to Cas. "You got a spoon out here?"

"You know I do. Give me a sec." Cain disappeared into a side room and came back out with a spoon. "Okay, taste that little bit of heaven and try to tell me you don't want to buy it all."

Cas unscrewed the top and scooped out a small spoonful of the golden substance. He tasted it and felt his eyes close with the bite. "Yes to this." He opened his eyes to Cain grinning wolfishly. "Colette told me not to sell all of it to you. Said she wanted to keep some for her own cooking."

"How's she doing, by the way?"

"Oh, you know, great. Still too good for me, but I'm trying to keep from disappointing her too badly." Cain moved off to the office again and came back out with a crate. He started packing the jars of honey in the crate with a little newspaper added in to protect them during the ride.

Cas handed Dean the honey and said, "You should taste it."

Dean took the spoon from Cas and poured a little of the honey out onto it. He slipped it into his mouth and moaned around the spoon. "Damn good." Cas reached over and took the honey back and screwed the lid back on. Cain finished the packing and sent them off with a promise that they'd get an invoice sent to the restaurant.

Once they were back in the car, Dean said, "I may never eat food the same way again after this."

"Really?" How do you mean." Cas fastened his seatbelt and Dean started back out to the road. Cas directed him with a wave of his hand to the west and Dean went.

"I buy cheap stuff at the market. I don't think I ever go out to places like this for food, but I will now. The flavor is entirely different."

"That it is. Knew you'd like it." Cas was grinning away as they drove. Before they'd finish up with their morning, they'd hit up the meat market and the farm and commune. Cas would fill Dean's car with more vegetables, and a few crates of eggs. His meat guy would just deliver to the restaurant.

Cas had plans for their afternoon too. He wanted to test Dean some more, see what he could do with a whole lot of freedom. The sun was high in the sky now and the air was warm and a little sticky with noontime humidity. They were headed east now, and the restaurant was just a mile or so off. Dean was singing with the stereo. Cas found himself wishing once again that he knew the words to sing along with Dean, but just being like this was fine too.