A loud burst of laughter from the group behind them shattered the moment, and Castiel pulled away from Dean's hands and all-too-enticing body. He ducked his head, fearful that the group was laughing at him making a fool of himself in front of a man who was not only unavailable, but playing for a different team. He chanced a glance at the group and relaxed only the slightest when he saw their attentions all on Benny. Castiel took the opportunity of the distraction to turn around to flee down the steps. Benny's words stopped him before he made it to the first step.

"...So he comes runnin' outta the bedroom in nothin' but a pair of pink, satin panties, an' a cowboy hat, wavin' his shirt around his head, and singin' 'Dude Looks Like A Lady' at the top of his lungs!" The group on the deck dissolved into violent fits of laughter; wiping their eyes and holding their sides. Dorothy had her knees pulled up to her chest, her eyes watering with mirth. Sam was slunk down in a chair, one arm around his middle and the other extended as he pointed at his older brother, Benny guffawed and slapped his knee with a giant hand, and Charlie was literally rolling on the ground with laughter, her hair a wild tangle of red on the deck.

"WHAT THE FUCK, BENNY!" Dean lunged at the larger man. "Dude, so not cool! My little brother doesn't need to hear shit like that," he punched at the man's solid frame, "besides, IT WAS A BET!"

That was it. That image would be what finally killed Castiel. His tombstone would read 'killed by a pair of green eyes and pink, satin panties'. He was sure Dean could hear his heart pounding across the six foot distance that separated them. Dean turned to see Castiel's face. There was so much shock there, Dean was worried he had offended the man.

"Cas, don't listen to these idiots," Dean tried to sooth him as though he were a frightened animal, "they're just a bunch of asshats."

Castiel nodded, his eyes still wide. Sam noticed how uncomfortable the dark-haired man looked and called out to him, "hey, Cas, don't worry about Dean...he's just got his panties in a bunch!" The laughter began again, stronger than before. Castiel couldn't help but laugh at the joke.

Dean visibly relaxed at the small smile on Cas' face. "You, uh...you want another beer, Cas?" Dean offered.

"Th-" Castiel's voice broke. He cleared his throat and tried again. "Thank you, but, no. I really should be getting home..."

"Aww, come on, Cas, just one more," Sam pressed. The group voiced their unanimous support of the idea, and Castiel broke into the first genuine grin since he had arrived in the state. The sight made Dean's knees go weak. Sam leaped up, taking Castiel's smile as consent to join them a little longer.

"Hey, Sammy," Dean called after his brother as he headed for the door, "grab a six-pack." He smiled as the realization sank in on Sam. Sam beamed back at his brother and slipped inside the house. Dean grabbed a couple of the deck chairs and moved them over to where the small group was gathered and sat down in one.

"Come and join us, Cas," Dean patted the chair next to his. He smiled up at Castiel and his green eyes sparkled in the warm glow of the light spilling out from inside. Castiel moved slowly toward the chair. He thought for sure this was a dream. In a moment he would wake up in his empty bed back in Michigan. Sam returned with a round of beers – including one for himself – and sat back down.

They laughed and joked until almost two in the morning. Castiel did little more than observe the interactions between the group around him, but never once felt out of place. It was so unlike him. He only ever stayed at parties long enough to not seem rude. Yet here he was, hanging in there til the end.

Charlie had found her way up to Dorothy's lap and was curled up there like a cat, Dorothy absently stroking her hair. Benny's head drooped to his chest as the conversation lulled. Sam's eyes looked heavy, and Dean had zoned out. Castiel cast his glance around the group and stood to leave.

"Thank you so much for a wonderful evening," Castiel said formally. The group turned lazy eyes to him and smiled. "I really should be getting home now." He was met with variations of 'g'night, Cas' and 'see you soon'. Dean stood from his chair and stretched his arms up over his head. His shirt stretched along with him. Castiel knew he was staring, but couldn't stop himself. The sharp lines of Dean's toned stomach drew his eye. Castiel clenched his fists to keep them from reaching out to touch, to trace the lines of muscle.

"Come on, Cas," Dean clapped him on the shoulder, "I'll walk you back." His other hand reached up his shirt to scratch his stomach. Castiel had to turn away.

"No, it's fine, Dean. I can make it. It's not that far, I'm only next door," he headed down the steps and tried to wave Dean off, but the man would have none of it.

"I gotta close up shop in the garage anyway. It's no big deal," Dean insisted, following closely behind him. They walked through the doorway into the garage and past the big, black car.

"Your car is very...beautiful," Castiel faltered. He didn't know what the right words were to compliment a car.

Dean chuckled. "Thanks, Cas." They passed through the garage and out onto the driveway. Castiel stopped before crossing the small strip of grass that separated the two drives.

"Dean," Cas began, "I just...I want to thank you for the warm reception to the neighborhood. I'm not one who normally enjoys events like this, but I...did. I really did. Your friends are all so kind and welcoming." Now that he'd started, the words came pouring out. Without knowing it, he moved a little closer to Dean. "I honestly didn't know what I was going to do. Moving here was a spur of the moment decision, and I was terribly worried I would regret it. I can see now those fears were unfounded."

"Uh," Dean rubbed the back of his neck with one hand, the other slipped into his front pocket. He inched closer to Castiel. "Yeah, anytime, Cas. We're glad to have you." They were so close, once again. Dean could feel the heat radiating off of Castiel. They stood, suspended in the moment, until a loud peal of laughter from the deck snapped them back to reality for the second time that night. Castiel smiled and stepped across the grass to his own driveway. He turned back to face Dean. The eight inches of grass between the two driveways felt as wide as the sea.

"Thank you, again," Castiel smiled softly. Dean nodded, a crooked half smile playing across his lips. Castiel turned and walked across the driveway and up the steps to the side door of the little brick house. He looked back over his shoulder before slipping inside and gave Dean a small wave. The green-eyed man waved back.