The smell of coffee and pancakes drove Dean to the kitchen in the morning. His mouth tasted of minty toothpaste, his face was washed and dry, and his hair…well, his hair was still not brushed, but he was with family so he wasn't here to impress anybody.

He was glad to see that everyone was already sitting at the table, even though Cas was in front of the stove making pancakes. Dean greeted them briefly before he headed behind Cas to pour himself a cup of coffee.

"Hey, Dean, I didn't even hear when you got home last night," Adam said. "You lucky dog."

Dean filled his mug and added some cream and sugar, holding back a smile. "Oh, yeah, I'm the luckiest dude in this room."

Behind him, Cas made a grunting noise of discomfort. When Dean turned, the other man didn't say a thing, so Dean shrugged it off.

"Well, sweetheart," Mary called. "I'm just delighted to see you so happy this morning. Cassie was always a sweet girl."

Dean turned around, taking a careful sip of his coffee. He went to stand beside Cas, who had his head bowed, eyes fixed on his work. "Yeah, Cassie and I are going to stay in touch from now on. Maybe I'll swing by more often to see her."

Cas gave a sad laugh that was quickly turned into a cough. "Sorry," he mumbled, flipping a pancake over onto a clean plate. It was burned. "This one's for you." Cas slid the plate over to Dean, and when Dean looked up, Cas was staring at him with a frown and inscrutable blue eyes. Something was bothering him, but he wasn't going to come out and admit it.

Dean sighed. "Pancake's a little too burned for my taste, Cas."

Slowly, Cas formed a tight smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Why don't you go ask your old friend to make you a nice set of banana pancakes, then?" His voice was barely more than a whisper. Cas turned away from him and continued working.

"Come on, Dean, tell us more about your awesome date last night," Jess said. "Adam said Cassie seemed like she was really into you."

"I don't know if I buy this whole thing," Sam said, chewing on his food. "Two days ago, Dean said he met someone at the bookstore he was very interested in, and now he's going out with an old girlfriend? I know that I was opposed to the idea of Bookstore Man, but Dean, what happened?"

Dean felt all sorts of tension in his side of the room, from both him and Cas. The other man's shoulders clenched and he bit on his bottom lip. Dean considered telling his brother the whole truth, telling his entire family the truth. But the look on Castiel's face, that look of doom, made Dean question his decision. It wasn't just his secret to spill, and Cas was obviously reluctant.

"I guess I realized it was a waste of time to go after an impossible," Dean said softly, trying hard not to look to his side. "I'd rather not talk about it."

"Wait, Dad, you like a married guy?" Emma said, dropping her fork on her plate and rising from her chair.

Dean swallowed, but he was unable to look away. "He's not married. He's in a…committed relationship." He wasn't sure that was right, but that was the lie Cas and Adam were living in.

Emma gasped, covering her lips with a hand. "Oh, Dad, I'm so sorry. First of all, why didn't anyone tell me about this? I have a gay dad. How modern. Second of all, we need to solve this issue ASAP." Emma picked up her plate and orange juice and walked up to Dean. "Grab your breakfast and follow me outside. We need to discuss this in depth."

"What?" Dean stared around the room, but everyone looked as confused.

"Hurry up, I don't have all day," Emma said. She smiled. "I'm lying. I'd give up my entire day to help you. This is my favorite topic. Love drama. I can't tell you how many people I've counseled and ultimately hooked up. I'll be out in the deck when you're ready, Dad."

And just like that, Emma was gone, and Dean was still trying to process what had happened.

"Okay, let me get this straight," Emma said, holding up a hand and leaning forward on her chair. "This man you like, is he attractive? Or is this simply just an emotional connection? Because I can work with both."

"Emma, this is really strange," Dean muttered, sipping his coffee.

"Why? I'm your daughter. Trust is a two-way street, you know."

Dean nodded. "You're right. But I've gone over this plenty of times. It's not that complicated. I like him, but he's with someone else, which means he doesn't feel the same way about me. Case closed. Let's go inside."

"No, wait a damn minute." Emma leaned forward, tilting her chair to face Dean. She locked eyes with him and did not look away. "You're not going to give up that easy, you hear me? You go and take what you want because nothing will be handed to you in a silver platter."

Dean blinked, stunned. "Who told you that?"

A smile spread on Emma's face. "Mom did. Who do you think helped me get my first boyfriend?"

"You had a boyfriend?" Dean nearly squealed. "You mean, you've had boyfriends before?"

Emma arched an eyebrow, exhaling a breath. "Dad, I promise you I'm being totally careful." She looked at her hands and studied her fingers. "I like this guy. I really do. And he's really smart and funny and he told me he really wants to meet you."

"Because he sounded so charming over text," Dean said bitterly.

Emma rolled her eyes and folded her arms. "Dad, you shouldn't have read my private messages. We weren't doing anything wrong. I've just missed him, and he's missed me. I'll invite him over for dinner when we get home, and I'll let you interrogate him if you want."

Dean chuckled, folding his arms. He didn't realize they were both doing the same thing until he spoke. "Oh, I'll definitely want to interrogate him. He'll have to fill out an application, too."

"Dad."

"Don't argue with me, young lady," Dean teased, chewing off a grin. "Come here." Dean spread out his arms, inviting Emma in. "You'll hug Cas, but you won't hug your own father?"

"Jealous much?" Emma said, going in for the hug. She wrapped her arms tightly around him and let herself be squished by her father. Dean couldn't be happier. He kissed her cheek until she pushed him away. "You're so slobbery. God. No more."

Dean laughed. "Go steal me a couple more pancakes, would you?" Dean offered Emma his empty plate. "Cas gave me all the burned ones."

Emma took the plate and scratched her head. "He's been acting weird all morning. Have you noticed? Uncle Sam asked him about last night and Cas said no more than two words before he started making pancakes. It was my turn to make breakfast, but he said he'd take over. And then I heard him sniffling, but when I asked him, he said he had allergies. His eyes were all red." She shrugged.

Was Cas crying?

Dean felt his chest compressing. He was angry, but he was also upset because he knew that Cas was acting this way because of him. Because that look in his eyes as Dean drove away with Cassie said everything.

It was almost noon and his family was scattered around the house. He was looking for Cas, but he didn't want to make it that obvious. Adam was on another business call, so Dean knew the next best place to look was their bedroom. He knocked on it, but it was empty. He bumped into Jodie in the hallway on the second floor and he apologized a million times before she held him by his shoulders.

"What's wrong, Dean? Spit it out," she demanded. "You've been running around the house for a while."

Dean licked his lips and shifted his feet. "Have you seen Cas?" he whispered.

Jodie nodded. "He's in the bathroom. And if you want to go, you should tell him now because he said he was going to shower. Downstairs bathroom is broken."

Dean nodded, his eyes lighting up. "Okay. Thanks, Jodie."

Jodie grinned, patting his shoulder. "No problem. That's what I'm here for." And she stalked off.

Dean made his way to the bathroom, but instead of knocking on the door, he let himself in, closing the door behind him. Cas was in the middle of shaving in front of the sink.

"What the hell?" Cas complained, staring at him in the mirror.

"You are driving me nuts," Dean muttered, stepping closer. Cas rolled his eyes and continued shaving. "Listen to me!"

"I am," Cas said blankly. His face was clean and stubble-free when he turned around and faced Dean. He reached around Dean's waist for a towel and dried himself.

"See?" Dean said, trying to control his voice. "You see? You have no boundaries. We have no boundaries. You just touched me. You can't touch me like that."

Cas wrinkled his forehead in confusion. "I needed a towel."

Dean lifted his arms, frustrated. "When are we going to end this? This fucking weird thing we have going on? Are you ever going to tell Adam? Am I allowed to tell him?"

"Dean, what do you want to tell you brother? That I touched your waist to get a towel? You came into the bathroom!"

Dean snorted. "You're impossible. Are we still pretending nothing is going on? Are we just going to ignore what's happening?"

Cas stepped closer, inches from Dean. His eyes had turned a shade darker, and they flickered from Dean's eyes to his lips. "Tell me, Dean. What do you think is happening here? You don't want to go after an impossible, right? Neither do I."

"Is this because of Cassie? Fuck, Cas, you don't know anything." Dean stepped away, running a hand through his hair. "I'm fucking tired of being in this house with you. I hate feeling this way. Do you want me to be honest? Yeah, Cas, it hurts when I see you with him. It feels like a punch to the stomach. I don't like it, but I'm dealing with it." Dean leaned against the door. "What do you feel?"

Cas blinked at him, his chest heaving. "I—"

The knock on the door made both of them jump. "Cas? You in there?" It was Sam. "I know you're about to shower, but I really got to take a piss. It's cold outside. Other bathroom doesn't work."

"Shit," Cas hissed, running over to the bathtub and turning on the shower. "I'm already in the shower," he called out.

"I promise I won't see you," Sam said. "I just drank three glasses of orange juice. I don't think the family wants me to pee in an empty bottle, or I'd try that."

Cas stared at Dean, horrified. "Get in the shower," Cas mumbled.

"What?" Dean asked, eyes widening.

"Get in the shower," Cas said, pushing Dean in the tub. The water ran down Dean's body, soaking his clothes against his skin. "Hang on a sec," Cas called out to Sam.

Dean couldn't believe his eyes when he realized what Cas was doing. He was undressing himself. His shirt came off, followed by his pants and then his boxers. Dean gaped at him, forcing his eyes to look anywhere but below his waist. Then Cas stepped in the tub in front of Dean, completely naked. He wasn't even trying to cover up. He stood there with a hand on his hip and a hand on top of his head. Cas was standing on the other side of the tub, therefore he wasn't getting any of the water.

"You can come in now," Cas called, glancing at Dean. He pressed his index finger in front of his lips.

Dean heard Sam open the door. "Thanks, man," Sam said. "I won't be long."

The water was hitting Dean's head with pressure, but his vision wasn't blurred enough not to see Castiel's shaped torso in front of him. The man was lean, but he had plenty of muscle.

"Quit ogling me," Cas whispered, squinting at Dean.

"Sorry," Dean mouthed.

Cas smiled after a moment, stepping closer. "I'm cold," he said. "I need water."

Dean couldn't move back anymore, so Cas stepped even closer, until they were both right under the shower spray—Dean clothed, and Cas in the nude. They were almost chest to chest, and Cas was staring right into Dean's eyes. They were almost the same height. Dean was an inch taller, maybe.

"I'm done," Sam announced. "Not going to flush for obvious reasons."

"That's fine," Cas called.

"I'll lock the door on my way out," Sam said. Dean relaxed when he heard the door open and close.

Cas was still pressed close to Dean. "You're going to have to get out through the window."

"No."

"Yes," Cas said, laughing. "Try not to be seen."

"Cas," Dean warned, running a hand over his face, clearing away the water that was still running. "We're on the second floor."

Cas wrapped his arms around Dean's waist, and Dean held his breath. Castiel's hands were delicate as they held him, but then Cas lifted a bar of soap in one hand. "Just getting some soap. I am taking a shower, after all."

"Fucker," Dean mumbled, closing his eyes.

"It's clear down there," Cas said. Dean opened his eyes and saw Cas staring out the window. "There's a bush. You'll land safely there. If not, here's for the times we had." Cas wrapped his hands around Dean's neck, pulling him closer. Cas pressed his lips gently to Dean's cheek, pressing his nose to his temple. He held him for a short moment before he stepped back. "Go."

Dean nodded, sliding the window open. It was tall, so Cas had to help hoist him up to the windowsill. He felt a hand on the small of his back, and Dean jumped. The fall wasn't that frightening when his mind was a dazed mess.

No one saw Dean hit the bush and roll on the grass, groaning in pain. It hadn't been that bad, but his muscled ached all over. He felt like he'd been run over by a bus. Dean leaned up on his elbows, drench in water. He had no idea how he was going to sneak back inside the house without explaining his clothes.

He was already freezing. Sam was right, it was cold outside. Soon enough, he would turn into a Popsicle. Dean got on his feet and headed inside the house.

Everyone in the living area turned to him when they saw him.

"I fell in the lake," Dean said, holding up both hands. "Don't slow me down. I need to get to my room and get out of these clothes."

That seemed to work. No one stopped him to ask him questions, and Dean marched all the way to the basement, leaving a wet trail behind. John was already reaching for the mop.

Once dry, Dean went back upstairs. He heard singing coming from a room. He followed the soft sound. He knew that voice. When he reached the room, he noticed Charlie standing in the middle of the living room, holding up a paper and singing to Cas, who was on the couch. Fully dressed.

He felt like he was intruding, but when Cas saw him, he waved a hand, inviting him in. Dean walked into the room, heading to the large black piano sitting there. No one in his family knew how to play, expect for Dean. And the only reason he learned was because his grandparents gave the piano to his dad. Dean didn't think a thing of such beauty should go to waste, so he took private lessons until he could play well enough for his own ears.

Charlie was singing "Part of Your World," which was one of her favorite songs. Dean waited for the beginning of the next verse to play the piano. Charlie smiled as the keys matched her voice and she tried singing louder.

She finished and did a little curtsy at Cas before she turned to Dean, expectantly. "How was it?"

"You were amazing, Charlie. That was great!" Dean said.

"I know," Charlie said, smiling widely. "Cas told me he would teach me to sing better. I'm going to sing this song tonight in front of everyone. Grandma set up a talent show all for me."

"Talent show?" Dean raised an eyebrow. "Well, I'm sure you'll be the best one there."

"I know," Charlie repeated.

"You really were fantastic," Cas said. "Do you want to go over it again or do you feel ready?"

Charlie seemed to ponder that. "I think I can handle it. I'm going to go tell Grandma."

"Where did they all go?" Dean asked, but Charlie was already out the back door.

Cas shrugged. "I think they went to the store to get things for the show. Charlie tells me this is serious business."

Dean laughed. "My mom does this sort of thing all the time. I missed that."

"Well, you have a very talented daughter, Dean." Cas approached him, leaning against the piano. "She must get it from you."

Dean felt his face going warm and he glanced at his hands on the black and white keys. "We never finished our conversation."

Cas took a deep breath. "Play something. I'll sing."

"What?" Dean turned to Cas, confused. Cas was pleading with him to change the subject. He obviously didn't want to continue what they started. He wasn't ready to tell Dean how he felt. Dean understood that. This was a hard situation for both of them. "Okay," Dean finally agreed.

Cas cleared his throat, smiled, and started singing the same song they sang in the kitchen before.

Dean heard his familiar ringtone and he reached in his pocket. He was lucky that he didn't have any pockets in his clothes earlier, so his phone had been saved from the shower incident. Dean answered the call from his agent.

"Hey, Garth. How are you?"

Cas came to sit next to Dean, scooting him over.

"Dean, how's the family?" Garth asked. He was giggling. "I can't play dumb anymore. I'll just come out and say it. The Life of Kevin has officially gone into production. Casting starts in one week, and they want you to be as involved as possible. This is happening, baby."

"Holy crap." Dean turned to Cas, and Dean didn't know what to do. "I'm surprised, to say the least. This is amazing."

"You bet it is," Garth said. "You're going to see your characters come to life."

"Thanks for calling, Garth," Dean said. His throat felt dry, and he felt he needed to really process the news. "I'll call you back when I get home, alright? Thanks again."

"Enjoy your family, Dean. I'm sure they'll be happy for you."

Dean ended the call, turning to Cas again.

"Who was that? What did they say?" Cas asked, tilting his head.

"My book is going to be a movie," Dean said. "It's happening. It's actually happening."

Cas smiled, wrapping Dean in his arms, unexpectedly. Dean loosened his stiff arms and hugged Cas back. Cas squeezed him before letting him go. But even then, he held his face in his hands. "I'm proud of you, Dean. You deserve this and so much more."

"Cas," Dean breathed.

"Forgive me," Cas said, removing his hands.

"Why?"

"Because you don't deserve the shit I've put you through," Cas murmured. "You don't deserve to care for someone like me."

"Cas—"

Cas got up and took a few steps back. "I have to go find Adam."

And Dean had no way of arguing with that.