Author's Note: The one where Dean is a romantic and Cas learns to love surprises

This had to be some sort of joke.

Castiel stared gaping at the door, watching it shut behind Dean's retreating figure. Had he heard him right? Had he just asked Cas to meet him at the-

"The park?" Gabe cried incredulously, a hint of humor in his voice.

Cas continued to watch the door, thinking that maybe Dean would walk back through and tell him he had just been kidding. The park was an incredibly romantic place in Castiel's eyes, a place where couples went to walk around holding hands and show the public just how happy they were together. Did Dean really think they were ready for that? Hell, Cas wasn't even sure whether they were "dating" or not!

"Wow, Cassie, I never pegged Dean as a romantic," Gabe chuckled, lifting a steaming latte up from off the counter, "next thing I know, you'll be telling me about your movie dates and how Dean-o has a cande-lit dinner planned."

Castiel turned sharply, shooting Gabe an angry scowl. Bastard.

"I'm sure I'll be hearing about you and Sam doing shit like that first," Cas growled, staring back at his boss with an icy glare and triumphant smirk.

Gabe rolled his eyes and turned to look out at the few customers present, most of which were sitting quietly by themselves with a laptop open in front of them. And Sam Winchester just so happened to be one of those lonely customers.

"Yeah, yeah, you just keep telling yourself that," Gabe muttered, strutting away with Sam's latte in hand.

Everything about Gabe's demeanor screamedI'm so happy, I could explode, from the little bounce in his step to the smile that had been plastered on his face since the moment Cas had come into work that morning. Of course, Castiel wasn't surprised. As promised, Sam had been showing up at the coffee shop shortly before Dean for the past few days, something that seemed to have come as a surprise to Gabe.

As Castiel watched, propped up against the counter, Sam gratefully accepted his drink from Gabe, smiling up at him as he wrapped his fingers around the brown styrofoam cup. He chuckled something resembling "this better be as good as the last one", eliciting an overzealous cackle from Gabe. Cas couldn't make out the shorter man's response, but he could only imagine what it was based on the huge grin brightening Sam's face.

He really wished that there was some way he could convince Gabe to explain his history with Sam. The whole thing was so mysterious, and although Cas wasn't nosy, the somber way his boss talked about it certainly piqued his interest. He only knew that Sam had once been a regular customer at the coffee shop, the reason behind his disappearance remaining a closely-guarded secret.Curiosity killed the cat, his mind quickly interjected.

And then he remembered what was really important: Dean had just invited him on a walk through the park. That was practically like asking him out on a date, right?

His shift ended at four o'clock today, roughly nine hours from now. Nine fucking hours of nothing.

He would have to run home, find something to wear, fix his hair… he was so screwed.

It had been almost a week since that day in Dean's office, the moment when he had admitted how truly insecure he was about physical contact. His experience with intimacy was basically non-existent, considering he had just shared his first kiss that month, and thinking about… sex made him incredibly uncomfortable.

The whole thing was so confusing. He wanted nothing more than to know what it would feel like to fall apart beneath Dean's experienced touch, to feel their bodies pressed together, bare skin against bare skin. In his head, sex with Dean sounded nothing short of incredible, but he knew the truth. He wouldn't be able to go through with it, at least not now.

"Hey!" Gabe suddenly called from across the room, pulling Castiel from his frustrating thoughts, "Come here, Cassie! Sam just told me the funniest joke!"

Cas blinked, finding his way back to reality. He supposed the two lovebirds would be a good enough distraction for now.

"It's beautiful, huh?"

Castiel swallowed nervously, glancing down at he and Dean's clasped hands. They were walking through the park, holding hands.

"Oh yeah," Cas agreed, looking back up again at their surroundings. They were walking along a gravel path, surrounded by lush green grass and tall elm trees, their branches providing shade for the happy couples seated beneath them. The Sun's rays struck the brilliant blue surface of the small pond off to the left, illuminating the sleek feathers of the ducks casually peddling across it. Wooden benches were arranged around the pond, ready to be filled by people fishing, as well as alongside the path, a welcome break for runners. Everyone there seemed so happy, so carefree, so peaceful. He certainly wasn't lying- the park looked absolutely breathtaking on a gorgeous day like today.

"But you're just trying to change the subject again," Castiel continued, nudging Dean playfully with his elbow as they walked, "What's in that bag?"

A large tote bag hung from Dean's right arm, just out of Cas's reach. The top was sealed, keeping all of it's contents a secret, hidden away from Castiel's prying eyes.

"I told you, Cas," Dean sighed, glancing over at him with a smirk, "It's a surprise."

"Yeah, well, I don't like surprises."

"I've noticed," the brunet chuckled, giving Cas's hand a gentle squeeze, "but this is a good surprise. I promise you'll like it, okay?"

Castiel sighed, turning away from Dean to look out at a boy excitedly showing off a wriggling fish to his father. He should be happy, shouldn't he? It was a beautiful day, and he was on a date with Dean Winchester. What more could he possibly ask for?

"Okay," he replied softly, "I guess you're right. I really have no idea what's in there."

"That's the point! I can't wait to see your face when I open this bad boy up."

Cas rolled his eyes, laughing softly under his breath. He loved it when Dean smiled at him like that, the little creases at the corners of his lips, the affectionate glint in his eyes. The gesture held more compassion than he was used to.

"You seem pretty sure of yourself," he chuckled, stepping around a particularly large rock, "What if your little 'surprise' isn't as great as you think it is?"

"Of course it is," Dean scoffed, "when have I ever done something that isn't great?"

"Oh, for the love of God," Castiel cried, lightly jabbing the other man's stomach with his elbow.

"I'm kidding, I'm kidding!"

"Sure you are," Cas drawled, flashing Dean a flirtatious grin. He was still trying to get the hang of this whole "flirtatious banter" the other man seemed to love.

"I swear," Dean insisted, "I'm not like that. People always think I'm this cocky son of a bitch, but I promise I'm not."

"I know, Dean. But I can see where it'd be hard to tell for someone who doesn't know you as well as I do."

"Yeah, I guess," the brunet sighed, glancing up into the drooping branches of a tree as they passed beneath it. A robin sat perched among the leaves, it's tiny head tilting to the side, watching them.

"Anyway," Cas began uncertainly, "I know you can't tell me what's in the bag. But can you at least tell me where we're going?"

Dean chuckled, a bright and joyful sound that perfectly fit the paradise-like scene. He would never get tired of hearing that laugh.

"Nope," Dean trilled, "I'm afraid I can't. That's also part of the 'big surprise'."

"You're such an ass," Cas mumbled, unable to stay serious and keep a smile off of his face. He secretly loved the fact Dean was going to all of this trouble for him. Over the past couple days, they had spent roughly an hour sitting around talking when Dean came in to pick up his daily coffee, discussing the simplest things.

One day, they spent thirty minutes talking about their favorite colors. Another day, they had a heated debate over which pizza toppings were the best and which ones shouldn't even be considered a topping at all. Yesterday, they came to an agreement about what name would be the best for a cat and which would be the best for a dog. Their favorite season of the year, favorite movie genre, favorite day of the week- really simple things.

But for now, the two walked in comfortable silence, soaking in the beauty of their surroundings. Dean seemed to have a destination in mind, choosing certain pathways and beginning to walk faster the farther they went. Castiel had been nervous at first, but his anxiety was quickly receding, replaced with excitement as the other man guided them along, a huge grin on his face.

Suddenly, Dean stopped. Cas almost tripped, caught off guard by the brunet's unexpected halt.

"Here we go," he muttered, gently tugging Cas in the direction of a group of large bushes, "this is what I'm talkin' about."

Castiel glanced over at him, his eyebrows furrowed in confusion. What the hell?

"Um, Dean?" Cas asked in a concerned tone, "What are you doing?"

"You'll see."

Castiel rolled his eyes and snorted. Typical Dean.

He pulled him along, looking from side to side as they approached one of the spaces between two bushes. Cas couldn't see anything past the damn things except for a bright stream of sunlight.

"Just follow me right through here, okay?" Dean insisted, gesturing to the space between the two bushes.

"Dean…"

"Trust me, please," he begged, fixing Cas with a pleading stare. It was the only time Castiel had ever seen Dean look vulnerable, maybe even a little scared. He actually seemed nervous, worried that he would scare Cas away or disappoint him. Whatever he had planned must be pretty special to him.

"Alright," Castiel sighed, ducking his head as he followed Dean through the bushes, shoving the short, leafy branches out of the way. His heart was beating wildly in his chest and his throat felt incredibly dry, the various images of what Dean might have in mind flashing before his eyes.

Cas pushed back one final branch and his jaw dropped. Nothing his imagination had created had prepared him for this.

It was a breathtaking sight, something straight from a movie. His eyes swept over the small field before them, surrounded by trees and filled with tiny purple flowers, their blossoms swaying softly in the breeze. In the middle of it all sat a short stump, caught in the spotlight of a single ray of sunshine, a few stray pink blossoms sprouting up from the ground around it. There wasn't a single person in sight, the entire space left open for them to enjoy.

"Oh my God," Castiel whispered, "Dean-"

"Wait, it gets better!" Dean cried, dragging Cas in the direction of the stump, practically jogging as he pulled him along. He was so eager, expressing an endearing child-like innocence and enthusiasm that made Castiel's heart ache. It was the happiest he had ever seen Dean.

"Sit there for a second," he insisted, pointing at the stump. He raised their joined hands to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to Castiel's knuckles before reluctantly letting go and allowing him to take a seat.

Dean lifted the bag, holding it up and peeking around to shoot Cas a cocky little smirk. Castiel laughed, watching the other man swing his arm with a flourish, slowly unclasping the top of the bag, his gaze fixed on him as he did so. The bastard was having too much fun with this.

He then reached into the tote and pulled out… oh my God.

It was a blanket, decorated in a red plaid pattern. He raised it quickly above his head, allowing it to unfold and the edges to spread out before he gently laid it in the grass. Next, he pulled out two sandwiches, each individually wrapped and, based on the smears of mayonnaise and mustard on the wrapping, handmade. He held one up in each hand, turning them around like a salesperson trying to sell their merchandise.

"Easily the best sandwiches in this entire city," he trilled, holding one out towards Castiel.

Cas had lost the ability to think and speak the moment Dean had pulled the worn-looking blanket from the bag. This was… he had no words. He was the nerd that was never asked out on dates, and he certainly was never asked to share a romantic picnic at the park. He grabbed the sandwich, holding back tears as he examined the neatly stacked turkey and cheese within. He had taken the time to make him a sandwich, a fucking sandwich.

"You…" Castiel managed to choke out, "you did all of this? For me?"

Dean chuckled, reaching out and pulling Cas up onto his feet. He wrapped his hands around each of Castiel's wrists, bringing him over to take a seat on the soft, red fabric. He moved so that Cas could rest against his side, securing his arm around his waist.

"Of course I did," Dean replied, sighing contentedly when Castiel leaned back against his chest, resting his chin on the top of his head, the ebony strands of Cas's hair tickling his skin, "I would do anything for you."

"You were right about the sandwiches, " Castiel chuckled, tilting his head back a little to look up into Dean's emerald gaze.

"Hell yeah I was," he replied smugly, reaching up to cup Cas's face in the large palm of his hand. Castiel's eyes fluttered shut, savoring the comforting warmth of Dean's touch.

"Smug bastard," Cas purred, shifting even closer to him, resting his hand on his thigh. He felt light, so light that he may just float away in the breeze, swept away into the vast sky above.

"You know it," Dean whispered, leaning down as he spoke. His eyes slowly skimmed over Cas's face, stopping on his slightly parted lips. He knew what was coming, could see the anticipation in Dean's eyes, the longing. Castiel wanted it, wanted to feel the pressure of the lips he missed, the touch he craved.

Carefully, Dean pressed his lips to Cas's, their noses lighting brushing together as he closed the gap. They were so soft, so warm, so inviting. Cas sighed into Dean's parted lips, burying his fingers in the short strands of hair at the base of the brunet's head. He pulled him closer, he needed him to be closer.

Dean's hand moved down, snaking underneath the thin fabric of Cas's shirt. He trailed his fingertips across the smooth skin of his belly, tendrils of warmth spreading across Castiel's chest. Each touch was a gentle caress, born of true compassion as opposed to uncontrollable lust. Castiel had loved the way Dean had pressed him into his office desk, but there was something about this kiss that seemed to make it better. If he really wanted to, Dean could push him back onto the blanket and have his way with him. But he didn't. For Castiel's sake.

"Dean," Cas gasped, pulling quickly away as Dean's fingers brushed dangerously close to the waistband of his boxers, "we can't do this here."

"Yeah, yeah, you're right," Dean sighed, reluctantly pulling back his hand. He chuckled softly and leaned forward, giving Castiel a quick peck on the lips.

Both kisses seemed so innocent, strange for a man as experienced and confident as Dean. A man like him should be kissing Castiel senseless, leaving him lightheaded and his lips numb, almost as he had done that day in the office. But then Cas thought about it, he really thought about it, and realized that he was the first person Dean had actually kissed. The only person he had ever kissed.

Castiel leaned back against Dean's chest, breathing out a deep sigh. He closed his eyes, enjoying the rise and fall of the other man's chest, listening to his heartbeat.

There were many things he wanted out of life. Success, confidence, wealth- the kind of things most people wanted. But he was starting to think that there was one thing he wanted more than anything else, one thing he needed if he ever wanted to be happy.

And it was pressed up against his back, softly humming the tune to "Livin' On A Prayer". Dean.