Chapter Ten

Dean could feel his palms sweating as he pulled up in front of Castiel's building. Castiel was sitting quietly in the passenger seat, his eyes trained out the window.

It had been the best date Dean had ever been on. He'd learned that Castiel's favourite food was anything with red meat; burgers, steak, it didn't matter, as long as it was meat. Is favourite colour was green (he'd blushed as he said it, and Dean hoped it was because he had green eyes) and his favourite animal was the bumble bee.

He really liked bees. And he knew everything about them, too. Not because he had to for some class he'd taken at Oxford, but just because he liked to learn about them. He also put honey on anything he could, like toast and ice cream and even steak. His honey steak was the best, according to Gabriel and Balthazar.

Dean was sad to see the night end, but he was kind of hoping that it wouldn't. The only way this night could get any better was if Castiel invited him upstairs for coffee and they ended up naked in the author's bed- or on the couch, the floor, Dean really wasn't picky.

When Dean switched the engine off, Castiel turned to look at him, his bright blue eyes soft and his lips turned up in a smile.

'I had a good time,' he said, and his rough, glass-over-gravel voice made Dean shiver.

'Yeah,' Dean nodded and swallowed thickly. 'Me too.'

Before he could ask if Castiel wanted him to come up for the night, the older man was stepping from the car, and Dean rushed to follow. After Dean had shut the door he looked up to see Castiel staring at him, one eyebrow raised, his head tilted slightly.

'What?' Dean asked.

'Are you walking me to my door, Dean Winchester?' Castiel asked.

Dean felt his face heat up and Castiel chuckled softly.

'You mostly date women, don't you?' Castiel asked. When Dean nodded sheepishly, Castiel said, 'You don't have to walk me to my door.'

'Maybe I want to,' Dean shrugged and stuffed his hands into his pockets. He had the feeling he wasn't getting laid tonight, and he was surprisingly okay with it. Normally he and whoever he'd spent the evening with would by now be half naked and rutting against each other. Or, like usually happened when Dean picked up a guy, they'd be fucking over the closest flat surface.

But Dean knew that Castiel wasn't a one-night stand; he didn't want Castiel to be a one-night stand. Just spending time with Castiel- talking, laughing, and just being together- was really, really good. Dean wanted more nights like tonight. Hell, he wanted more days like they'd have earlier in the week. Castiel was... different. And Dean liked it.

Castiel smiled at him in amusement before inclining his head and heading for the front door. Dean followed Castiel into the building, and watched as the older man checked his mail before leading Dean into the elevator. He pressed the button for floor three and he and Dean stood in silence as the lift whisked them up.

When they exited the lift Castiel turned left, and Dean followed in silence until they reached the door at the far end. '3D,' Dean nodded, trying to look serious, 'good apartment number.'

Castiel snorted and turned to face Dean. He leaned against his apartment door and titled his head.

'What?' Dean asked.

'I had a good time tonight,' Castiel said, looking slightly bemused by the fact. 'A surprisingly good time.'

Dean raised both eyebrows. 'Don't have a lot of good dates?'

'Not since...' Castiel began but shook his head. 'No, not really. Not for a long, long time.'

'Right,' Dean nodded. 'Well, I'll just have to change that, won't I?'

Castiel smiled softly at him. 'You already are,' he said.

'That's good,' Dean grinned. He took a step closer. 'So...'

Castiel reached out, but rather than grabbing Dean and dragging him in- like Dean really hoped he would- he placed his palm flat against Dean's chest. 'As much as I would like to,' he said, his breathing slightly deeper than seconds before, 'I don't put out on the first date, Dean.'

Dean could admit that he was a little disappointed. Hell, anyone could see that Castiel was gorgeous, and Dean really wanted to see what the blue-eyed man looked like out of his clothes. But Dean could wait. He'd wait for Castiel.

'That's fine,' Dean said. He moved a bit closer and Castiel let him, his eyes dropping to Dean's lips. 'How do you feel about second dates?' Castiel's lips twitched in a smile. 'Or third? Fourth? Tenth?' Castiel chuckled. 'Can I get an estimation?' Dean asked.

'What if I said twenty dates?' Castiel said. He looked back up at Dean. 'How would you feel about that?'

Dean smiled. 'I'd be perfectly fine with that, Cas.'

'Really?' Castiel questioned, and Dean nodded. 'Interesting.'

'I'd wait forever for you,' Dean admitted, and blushed at how chick-flick moment it sounded. But honestly, he couldn't give a rat's ass; he was willing to wait.

Castiel nodded slowly and tugged lightly at the fabric of Dean's shirt. 'I don't share, Dean,' he stated suddenly, and his blue eye's caught the taller man's. 'I'm sorry, but-'

'Hey,' Dean interrupted and shook his head. 'I really don't want anyone else, Cas.'

'You don't?' Dean shook his head again. 'Even if you don't get laid by date ten?'

'Nope,' Dean shrugged. 'You're worth it. I like you and I want you, not anyone else.'

Castiel blinked rapidly at him and frowned, head tilted, as though he was staring straight into Dean's soul- he did that a lot, Dean realised. He must have found what he was looking for, because eventually he smiled, and a blush stained his cheeks. 'I want you, too,' he admitted softly.

'That's good,' Dean chuckled. He hadn't realised he'd moved even closer to the older man until Castiel had to tilted his head to look up at Dean properly. 'So... I suppose this is goodnight?'

'Yes,' Castiel nodded. 'I...' His eyes once more trailed down to Dean's lips, and Dean watched as Castiel bit his own. Suddenly Castiel's fingers were digging into Dean's shirt and chest and dragging him forward, and before Dean could blink, Castiel's mouth was pressed against his own.

Dean was totally okay with a goodnight kiss.

Castiel's lips were warm, already wet from where he'd been biting the lower one. They moved against Dean's softly but confidently, and Dean reached up to grab Castiel's shoulders, needing to anchor himself somehow. He tilted his head to deepen the kiss only slightly and felt Castiel shiver against him. The older man stepped away from his door, and suddenly his body was pressed flush against Dean's, and there was something very interesting nudging against Dean's hip.

The kiss stayed somewhat chaste, and gentle, despite how much Dean wanted to fuck Castiel's mouth open with his tongue. He could feel Castiel holding himself back, too, and when they finally drew apart Castiel made a sound of annoyance low in his throat.

'That...' Castiel breathed heavily. Dean opened his eyes to see the shorter man lick his lips, as though he was chasing Dean's taste. 'I...' Castiel shook his head and looked up at Dean, his normally bright eyes dark. 'More,' he ordered and dragged Dean back in.

This kiss was heated and passionate, full of biting teeth and hard lips and licking tongues. Dean dug his fingers hard into Castiel's shoulders and couldn't bite back his moan if he tried. Castiel's tongue was a wicked little thing, tracing Dean's lips and teeth before licking against his own. Dean was sure his legs were going to buckle as Castiel dragged him closer, both of his hands tangling in Dean's shirt and jacket.

When their groins came into contact Castiel groaned and rolled his hips, and Dean swore into Castiel's mouth. Goddamn it, he was gonna come in his pants at this rate.

The sound of a door down the corridor opening made them break apart, and Castiel fell heavily against his front door, his chest heaving as he panted. Dean stood blinking at Castiel as he tried to catch his breath. His eyes glanced down at Castiel's swollen lips and he almost groaned again. Damn, that was a good look on Castiel.

'Castiel?'

Dean turned to see an elderly man, probably around eighty or so, locking the door to the apartment at the other end of the corridor. He looked between the two younger men and smiled when Castiel cleared his throat.

'H-Hello, Mr Hallab,' Castiel tried, his voice hoarse.

'Evening,' Mr Hallab nodded. He walked towards them but stopped at the lift and pressed the down button. 'It's about time you brought a handsome young man home,' Mr Hallab continued, making Castiel blush. 'Sasha won't stop talking about you needing to find nice boy.'

'Um... w-well,' Castiel stuttered and looked between Dean and Mr Hallab with wide eyes.

Dean chuckled softly and turned towards Castiel's neighbour. 'Dean Winchester.'

'William Hallab,' the man replied. 'Nice to meet you.'

'You too,' Dean nodded. He wondered just how dishevelled he looked, because Mr Hallab ran his eyes over Dean and smirked. It looked weird on a man Mr Hallab's age. Dean had half expected the guy to start shouting about what they were doing.

'Castiel,' Mr Hallab looked back at Dean's date, 'make sure you come over for dinner soon. I know you like Sasha's chicken.'

'I will,' Castiel nodded and cleared his throat again. 'Have a nice night.'

'You too,' Mr Hallab replied. The lift doors finally opened and he disappeared inside with a cheery wave in their direction.

When the doors had closed behind Castiel's neighbour, Dean chuckled and turned. He got into Castiel's personal space and leaned their forehead's together. 'That was awkward.'

'At least you don't live here,' Castiel muttered. Dean hummed and leaned down to press a chaste kiss to the corner of Castiel's mouth. Castiel responded, tilting his head slightly to the side to capture Dean's mouth properly. They kissed softly for about a minute or two, Dean lost track, before Castiel was pulling away.

'So...' Dean breathed, 'will I be getting lucky tonight?'

Castiel chuckled and Dean felt the older man shake his head.

'Didn't think so,' Dean said, pulling back with a smile.

'I'm sorry,' Castiel responded.

'Hey, no- don't do that,' Dean said sternly. 'If you're not ready, you're not ready. I'd never force you to do anything, Cas.' Castiel just nodded and Dean kissed him softly, this time as a goodbye. 'I'll call you, yeah? We'll set a time for our next date.'

'Okay,' Castiel agreed. Dean watched in amusement as Castiel fought to get his keys out and into the door. Finally he unlocked it and Dean caught sight of bookshelves- many, many bookshelves- before Castiel turned, blocking the view. 'I had a really good time tonight.'

'Me too,' Dean smiled.

Castiel bit his lip before darting forward to kiss Dean's cheek. 'Goodnight, Dean.'

'Night, Cas,' Dean responded with a smile. He turned and headed for the lift, trying not grin like an idiot. But seriously, that had been the best date Dean had ever been on.

'Dean.' The younger man turned to see Castiel leaning through the doorway, staring at the mechanic. 'I won't make you wait twenty dates,' Castiel said. Dean raised his eyebrows. 'Maybe five,' Castiel shrugged. He smiled when Dean blinked in surprise and gave a little wave before disappearing back into his apartment, the door shutting with a click.

Dean stood frozen to the spot, fresh lust pooling in his gut. Five dates... Dean could totally do five dates. He grinned as he made his way to the lift, trying to restrain himself from jumping up and down and pumping his fists in the air. He was still grinning like an idiot, even when he climbed into the Impala.

{oOo}

'Oh my God, you are hopeless,' Adam announced when Dean walked through the living room. The younger man was lying across the couch, reading through some booklets for local colleges. The TV was blaring some type of music programme, but Dean paid it no attention as he kicked his shoes off and left them near the kitchen doorway.

'What?'

'You so struck out,' Adam laughed. 'Seriously, you've been after this guy for weeks, and you don't seal the deal?' He tisked. 'What happened to the Dean Winchester seduction speciality?'

Dean scowled and walked over to try and whack his brother, but Adam ducked down, grinning at him. 'Sometimes it's more important to get to know a person before you have sex with them,' Dean stated.

Adam raised an eyebrow. 'Since when?'

'Since I met Cas,' Dean shrugged. He quickly reached out and tugged on Adam's hair, making the younger Winchester wince.

'Oi!'

'Get a haircut,' Dean told him and turned, heading for his room. 'Or are you going for the L'Oreal look like Sam?'

'My hair is glorious!' Adam shouted after him.

Dean flipped the twenty-one year-old off as he walked into the bathroom. He brushed his teeth, took a leak, and then ignored Adam's questions about the date as he went into his room. Dean slammed the door shut and quickly stripped to his boxers before flopping onto his bed.

As soon as he closed his eyes, memories of Castiel swamped his mind; Castiel laughing, talking about books, explaining what it had been like to grow up with so many siblings, smiling at Dean when Dean spoke about his own brothers, getting sauce on his chin and licking his lips when Dean brushed it away with his thumb, and finally, of Castiel's lips pressed against his, and his tongue in Dean's mouth, and his fingers practically tearing at Dean's shirt and skin in an effort to get Dean closer.

A stupid grin spread across Dean's face and he didn't bother trying to get rid of it. He just rolled over, tangled himself in his blankets, and let his mind throw up images of Castiel. It wasn't until he was on the brink of sleep that he realised Castiel hadn't mentioned the titles of his books.