So, crazy story. One time, this woman comes into the department store I work in. Rumours start flying that she's a diplomat, or a princess. No one is sure, but she's putting loads of stock on hold. Thousands of pounds worth of stuff, all over the store. She goes out to the rest of the mall with reassurances from her entourage that she'll be back to buy it all. About half hour after she's gone, the store has been talking to other stalls in the mall, like Hugo Boss and French Connection. She's done the same thing all over the mall.

We actually think it was some average girl doing it out of boredom, but it was irritating to hold so much stock on limited space and then have to put it back when it was clear she wasn't returning. She was definitely the inspiration for this chapter.

Castiel had accidentally fallen asleep, replaying the moments with Dean from the night before. He woke up picturing Dean's face as he came towards the bed, the look in his eye just before he bent down to kiss Castiel. It took him a moment to realise that he wasn't alone in his room. Meg was on the bed next to him, picking through her hair.

"He awakens!" She smirked when she saw him blink.

"What time is it?"

"About two. You've been out for hours."

Castiel sat up and rubbed his eyes.

"Sorry, I had a … well, a pretty awesome night last night."

"Mmm, I heard. You fucked that artist."

"How did you hear?" Castiel frowned. He didn't like the way that Meg reduced it down to merely fucking, but that was the way Meg was. She was never a hearts-and-flowers kind of girl.

"Balthazar was blabbing as I came in. I think he was trying to get to me." She was dismissive, and Castiel's frown deepened.

"Why would it get to you?"

"Right? Your brothers are such assholes." She stretched, and nudged his shoulder. "Come on, I'm bored, I want to do something with someone who has taste."

He sat up, and ran a hand through his hair, rubbing his head to rouse himself.

"Sure, give me a minute, I want to text Dean."

He searched his pockets, but his phone wasn't there. Instead, it was lying on the bed between himself and Meg. He reasoned that it must have rolled out of his pocket in his sleep as he unlocked it and started tapping.

-I fell asleep as soon as I got home. Just woke up. Guess you wore me out. Thanks for an amazing night, Dean.

He pocketed his phone, and got off the bed.

"Okay, Masters, what are we doing?"

Meg laughed, and climbed off the bed as well.

"It's a surprise."

The day was not what Castiel had been hoping for. Especially when Meg said it was meant to be fun. Her idea of fun was shopping, Meg style. Shopping was dull enough, in Castiel's opinion, but Meg's version included going into stores, making sure everyone knew exactly who she was, getting huge piles of couture put on hold for them both and then walking away from the store, never to return.

For the majority of the time, Castiel ignored it, and kept returning to the night before, to the way Dean felt in his arms, the things they had said to each other. He kept checking his phone, but there were no new messages. He wasn't too worried, because he knew Dean was busy making sculptures, knew that he got absorbed in his work and didn't always keep track of the world when he did so. But he missed him already, and couldn't help sending off more messages.

-My accountant should have sent you the money by now, Dean.

-When do I get to see you again? Don't tell me I have to wait as long as your art show.

-I am going to kiss you so hard we're both going to forget to breathe. That's a promise.

-Last night was incredible. Can't get it off my mind. I never do that, but it felt right with you. Or am I coming on too strong here?

-Don't work too hard. Don't forget to eat, or sleep. Can't wait to see what else you make for this next show.

"Castiel, come along," Meg gestured, and he followed her out of yet another store. "Your cell is going to run out of battery soon. What's lover boy been saying?"

"Nothing. He's probably in his studio, getting stuck in to a new sculpture. He's very creative."

"So you're sending him a bunch of messages and he's not replying? Desperate much, Castiel?"

"Dean won't mind."

"Oh, I'm sure. It must be a huge ego boost, being chased by a billionaire."

Castiel felt a weight in his stomach, as he followed Meg along to the next store.

"It's not like that."

"Of course it's not. He's an artist on a limited budget, but of course there's no motivation like you investing in him to keep him interested. Panic attacks are sexy."

Castiel felt strained from the direction that this conversation was going in.

"He's not motivated by my money. And he's been really understanding about my anxieties. I didn't even have to tell him, he just knew."

"Wow. I'd love to be on his pedestal."

"Meg, stop."

"Seriously, Castiel. What was in it for him?"

"Well, why are you friends with me?"

They had stopped in the middle of the street, staring at each other. Castiel felt uncomfortable around Meg for the first time ever. She had never liked his partners, but she had never made him feel six inches tall about any of them. With Fergus she was adamant he was worth more, with April she told him over and over he was being used and he needed to open his eyes, but asking what he could give a potential partner? That was a new low.

"I am friends with you because we fit together, Castiel. Because I understand you and you understand me. Because we both need to survive the crappy families we were born into, and we help each other with that. I just don't like seeing you bringing down all your defences and throwing yourself at a guy who barely has two cents to rub together."

"So you think he's after my money?"

"If not your money, then your position. I mean, does he know about your influence in the world he's trying to exist in? Having you on side means he has his pick of art shows, his choice of clients. But what does he give you? It can't be worth getting head."

"Like I said, he understands my problems without me having to say anything. That's not easy to find, Meg."

She shrugged, and sighed. "Its your life, I guess. I'm just trying to protect you."

"I know. Thank you."

She looked at the next store, and smirked. "Come on, Clarence. I want to see what Yves Saint Laurent can hold for me."