/For chrisenele_hime and Annie, my two most dedicated readers 3 Thanks guys! Also, Annie, I'm really sorry to hear about your Grandpa! I hope you're doing okay!/
"Is it weird that we're going out?" Dean asked once they had ordered and were waiting for their food.
"Of course not. Why would it be?" Castiel raised an eyebrow.
"Because you're my therapist." Dean stated blandly.
"The decisions I make in my personal life are completely separate, Dean. It shouldn't be a problem." Castiel said, matter-of-factly. So Dean moved on to other topics.
"Do you run the clinic by yourself?"
"No, it's owned by my brother, Uriel Novak. He owns the clinic, but he only sees to our wealthier clients. I am the only therapist who works there on a daily basis." Castiel took a sip of his water, and Dean couldn't help but watch his Adam's apple bob as he swallowed. "How are you and Sam doing?"
"We're fine. It can be kinda awkward, I guess, seeing how we barely know each other, but it ain't all that tough. I don't think Anna likes me much though."
Castiel considered this for a moment. "I believe the best way around this would be to talk to Anna directly, and try to understand her. You need not forgive her, but I am sure she had Sam's interests at heart."
Dean's eyes narrowed. "I don't really know about that. She makes me uncomfortable. I bet sometimes she wishes I had killed myself and spared Sam all this trouble."
Castiel's eyebrows scrunched up. "Do you wish that?"
Dean avoided eye contact. "I don't know."
Castiel's gaze increased in intensity. "You don't think you deserve to be saved…" He observed astutely.
Dean was saved from having to answer by the arrival of their food, and he gladly pounced on the distraction, digging in as soon as it was served.
Castiel, thankfully, got the hint, and the rest of their conversation was painless.
"What made you become a therapist?" Dean asked out of genuine curiosity.
Castiel shrugged. "It is what my entire family has been doing. My brother Michael works as a therapist in a private hospital in Boston and my brother Uriel owns the clinic I work at."
"So you and Uriel are the only two therapists there?"
"Yes, that's all we need, really. We provide services to a select class of clients, you see."
"So the wealthy and powerful." Dean raised an eyebrow.
Castiel gave him a sheepish smile. "Basically."
"I guess it's good money." Dean allowed.
Castiel didn't make eye contact, just took a sip of his water and shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "You were a mechanic were you not?"
Dean understood Castiel obviously had no interest in talking about money so he played along with the change in subject. "Yep. Had a garage and everything. Got it from Bobby."
Castiel nodded. "He was your father figure was he not?"
"Bobby was the closest thing to a dad I've ever had. It was hard, watching him suffer like that. Cancer is probably the worst thing to die from. It isn't peaceful-it's a whole lotta pain, all at once. When he died, I was relieved." Dean confessed. "I didn't want to watch him suffer like that anymore." Something about Castiel made him just blurt all his secrets and thoughts, like verbal diarrhea.
Castiel nodded, like he understood. "I never knew my father. My mother and her second husband raised my brothers and I."
"What was your step father like?"
"He was" Castiel hesitated here, casting a cryptic look at Dean. "Hard to get along with. Michael hated him, but Uriel his own, and very close to him."
Dean bit his lip. That could have meant anything. Castiel's step-father could have even been physically or verbally abusive. "Hard to get along with?"
"My mother married him because of how similar he was to her, and out of a fear of raising two children alone. She had Uriel shortly after their marriage." Castiel told him. "I was raised to be very religious."
"And are you?" Dean smirked.
Castiel gave him a shy smile. "They were overzealous and even at that age I realized that. So no, I cannot say that I became religious. I think that was why my father left my mother in the first place. I can't say I blame him, exactly."
"Is that why you three are all named after angels?"
"As far as I know it was my mother's idea." Castiel chuckled.
"You still talk to her?"
"She died a few years ago…Uriel took it particularly hard." Castiel cocked his head. "Michael did not even attend the funeral. My step-father died a few months after she did. I think he loved all along."
Dean ate his food without replying, painfully aware of how heavy their conversation was for a first date. Desperate to change the subject he began: "Is the weather in New York always like this?"
To that, Castiel only laughed.
"So I had a nice time." Dean shoved his hands into his pockets awkwardly in the reception area of Drs. Novak and Novak.
Castiel nodded solemnly. "As did I Dean."
Dean smiled shyly. "Could we maybe do this again?"
"Of course. It is nice to have lunch with someone. I usually eat alone."
"So tomorrow? Same time?"
"I will see you then."
"Alright…bye then!"
"Goodbye Dean."
Dean watched Castiel walk into his office, a goofy smile on his face. It wasn't until the door to Castiel's office clicked shut that Dean became aware of brown eyes boring into his.
"You've got it bad, haven't you?" Kali stared at him over her computer, a smug grin playing on her lips.
"What?" Dean stalled, bewildered.
"Uriel isn't going to like this." Kali sing-songed, returning her gaze to the lit screen casting a glow on her made-up profile.
Dean blinked. He didn't see any point in hiding what he felt for Cas because apparently Kali was perceptive (He was beginning to think it was a girl thing) so he challenged her instead. "And why would I give a fuck about Uriel?"
Kali sighed, seeming to think it was pointless to talk to him. "Uriel runs this joint you uncultured bumpkin."
"So?"
"Castiel doesn't know anything, Dean." Kali said, sympathy in her usually stony eyes. "He thinks these are the activities of a friend."
"What do you know?" Dean hissed. "Why do you even care anyway?"
Kali rolled her eyes, not bothered by his anger. "I'm trying to give you a heads up, you ignorant idiot. I suggest you leave Castiel alone and go back to your little village."
Dean bit his lip, more than a little conflicted by this point. To him it seemed like Kali was telling the truth but he was confused as to how Uriel came into play here. He shook his head. "I'll be back." He assured her, before walking out, footsteps brisk and firm on the parquet flooring.
It didn't leave Dean though. He had always been a bit of an overthinker (okay maybe a lot) and this new snippet was giving his head grief. He wasn't too sure why Castiel was so special. If it was anyone else, he knew he would've given up by now. He'd spent his entire life wallowing in the disrespect of others and the belief that he wasn't good enough, that he deserved to be treated the way he was. See, the thing was, Dean hadn't always been like this. Once upon a time he'd been full of hope and joy, especially when he was in Martha's Home for Boys. But then he'd grown too old to stay and the rest of the homes would never match up to Martha Jenkin's way of running things. She'd been the closest thing he'd ever had to a mother.
It wasn't like there hadn't been others. He'd messed around with a bunch of guys and girls, but nothing ever lasted. Eventually they were just looking for some way to push the pain to the back of their minds and give in to the mindless pleasure. That wasn't exactly a good foundation to base a relationship. Castiel was too pure, too good to taint like that. He wanted more. He wanted to curl up in Cas' arms while watching Lord of the Rings, and maybe Cas would make him hot cocoa on cold nights and maybe they'd stay in bed together on the weekends and maybe Cas would fall in love with him the way Dean surely was…
Oh. He was actually falling for Castiel Novak. This should be a problem, Dean thought. It shouldn't be this quick; this easy. Dean analysed as he walked, unable to find a flaw, his footfalls getting quicker and quicker. Part of him wanted to turn back, go back to Lawrence and leave this place, leave the life he was building here. Leave Castiel in the past and let time turn the memories to dust. Part of him wanted to go to Castiel and tell him exactly what he wanted, take him into his arms, and kiss him silly. Dean compromised. He went back to Sam and Jess' apartment and curled up into a ball on his bed.
"Hello Dean."
"Hey Cas."
"Greek today?"
"I do not know about you but I would prefer cheeseburgers at The Roadhouse."
"And pie afterward?"
"Cinnamon Apple."
And that was the exact moment Dean kissed Castiel, on a frosty New York pavement, snow drifting down around them, passers-by skirting around them, chilly air swirling around their red ears and hair, on their fifth lunch date. Castiel's lips were cold and chapped against his, dry and perfect. The moment they moved in tandem with Dean's, he let out a sigh, pulling Castiel into him. Moments later, they parted, eyes wide, mouths wet.
"So." Dean grinned.
Castiel gave him a smile in return. "I must say, Dean, I have been waiting for that to happen for a very long time."
"You know what, Cas? So have I." Dean slipped his gloved fingers into Castiel's and they continued down the sidewalk to the Roadhouse.
"I can't believe you've never watched Lord of the Rings." Dean told Castiel for what must have been the millionth time as he slotted Fellowship of the Rings into Castiel's DVD player. The other man lived in a large studio apartment rather near to Sam's and the living room was tastefully decorated in the minimalist style that was so popular these days. Dean joined his boyfriend sprawled out on the expanse of white softness that was Cas' couch, and Dean clicked the play button.
After their first kiss, things had moved rather quickly. One week later, Castiel had had dinner with Dean and his family (Sam and Jess) and here they were another week after that curled up watching the LOTR trilogy. They hadn't done anything other than kissing and making out, and maybe a little frottage, but Dean hoped that would change tonight.
"You'll have to change therapists." Castiel mused, fingers threading a lock of Dean's hair absently.
"Why?" Dean asked, as the opening monologue began, showing Sauron walking into the midst of a raging battle.
"It's unethical." Castiel's eyes were glued to the screen as the remnants of Sauron's chopped off finger blew away with the wind, leaving the cursed ring behind.
"Do I still need a therapist?" Dean asked doubtfully.
Here Castiel turned intense cobalt eyes on him. "You need therapy Dean. You're still healing."
Dean pressed a kiss into Castiel's jaw, pulling him closer into his arms. "If you say so, Doc."
"I was thinking of referring you to a friend of mine, Dr. Kevin Tran." Castiel traced patterns into the back of Dean's hand.
"Alright then." Dean mumbled, licking at a spot behind Castiel's ear. Castiel reacted in a completely unexpected way, releasing a surprised moan and jerking up in Dean's arms.
"Uhm." Castiel's cheeks were pink, his pupils dilated, breathing shallow.
"What the hell was that?" Dean asked incredulously.
"It seems you have found my…weak spot." Castiel muttered, eyes downcast, eyelashes casting a shadow on his cheeks.
"Oh really now?" Dean whispered, breath skittering over the exact same spot. Castiel shuddered, fingers sinking into the soft material of his couch.
Dean placed a kiss on that exact place behind his lover's ear, letting his tongue skate over it slightly. "Dean." Castiel murmured, melting into his arms like butter.
"I think we're going to have a lot of fun with this." Dean chuckled.
"You wait till I find your – ungh…" Castiel bit his lip as Dean nipped at the sensitive skin.
Dean smiled, pulling away slightly. "I'm sorry, were you saying something?"
Castiel pulled away, only to straddle Dean's hips, bracing his palms on Dean's chest. Slowly he lowered himself to whisper sensuously into Dean's ear. "I'm going to ride you until you explode." Dean's eyes widened and he stared at Castiel, mouth agape, who gazed down at him, a triumphant smile on his pink lips. Dean finally found his voice.
"Yes please!"
