Hello again my dears. So here is the next, longer chapter. Hope you like it.
Disclaimer: I don't own Supernatural.
Castiel pulled up outside Sam Winchesters home, an involuntary smile splitting his face when he saw the impala parked perfectly in the drive and gleaming. Getting out of his car and making his way up the drive he heard music coming from inside the house, his first thought was that Dean was listening the radio or something, but then the voice singing registered and he realised it was Dean making the music. It was Dean singing a song he had never heard before, and wait, was that a piano? Who was there with him? For a second Castiel was tempted to just stand outside and listen but then he realised that that was just creepy. As such he pulled his shoulders back and knocked on the door. At that sound the music from inside stopped and a few seconds later Dean was there smiling at him as he opened the door.
"Hey come in. Sorry must have lost track of time, I'm not ready, but give me a second and I will be." Dean said with a smile to Cas, hoping that he hadn't heard anything as he made his way up to the house. I mean how was he to explain why he could sing and play the piano and guitar without Cas figuring out who he really was?
"That's fine Dean. I heard music." Castiel replied looking round the other man as he let him into the house to find that there was no one else there.
"Yeah sorry, just me tinkering about on the piano." Dean replied with a self-conscious shrug. He hoped that Cas didn't really know anything about music. It would be much easier if he didn't.
"You play the piano." Castiel stated with awe in his voice as he turned his stare back on to Dean. He had no idea that this man was so versatile when it came to music, and the way he played showed Castiel that he was as good at that as he was the guitar. The sounds from the house as he walked up the drive had been magical.
"Yeah, a little. My mom taught me when I was younger. She used to play the Beatles for me and Sammy, it was apparently the only thing that would calm us down." Dean replied, all thoughts of sweeping his ability under the carpet going up in smoke at the look of wonder in Cas' eyes. Damn, that stare was enough to make the strongest of men week at the knees, and Dean felt like he was going to topple over. There was no way he could come up with convincing lies at the same time as staring into Castiel's beautiful blue eyes.
"I never knew your mother had a passion for music." Castiel responded with, hoping to find out more about what made up the man Dean Winchester, not just the rock star.
"Yeah well she died when Sammy and I were young, but she instilled that liking in me, so I like to play, on occasion." Dean replied smiling at the faint memories he had of her sitting at the piano while he had Sam in his arms and she sang and played from the both.
"And your brother, does he play also?" Castiel asked intrigued about the mysterious history of the Winchester brothers.
"Sam? Hell no. he is completely tone death and has no rhythm." Dean replied with a chuckle at the idea of Sam actually ever trying to play, well anything. It would be entertaining to watch for about 30 seconds before his ears wouldn't be able to put up with the assault any more.
"Then why does he have a piano?" Castiel asked tilting his head at this thought. I mean why would someone who couldn't play use up space for something that was of no use to them?
"He knows I like to play. But that doesn't matter, where we going?" Dean asked trying really hard to change the subject away from why Sam had brought him a piano. Damn it, he was going to have to think of a good reason for that one, and soon.
But luckily, in Dean's mind at any rate, Castiel was no longer listening to him. He had once more looked towards the piano and seen something which made his breath catch in his throat. As such he found himself walking over to it, to the guitar, and brushing his fingers gently, reverently, carefully along its neck.
"This is a Gibson." He said in awe trying to give any reason that he would be touching Dean's guitar that wasn't a scary fanboy one, it was just… he had seen it so many times in Dean's hands on stage and in his music videos. Heard Dean pull such an amazing sound from it. Seen how Dean and the instrument became one when he put his fingers to the strings.
That sentence from Cas made Dean look at him with blinking eyes. He had no idea Cas had any idea about music, let alone instruments. But hell, anyone who was interested in guitars would be thrilled by his beauty.
"Yeah, she's my pride and joy, after baby of course. Sorry my car." Dean replied recovering from his amazement. I mean Cas really didn't seem the type of guy who could recognise a Fender from a Gibson. But hey, what would you know, he was obviously wrong.
"Of course." Castiel replied removing his fingers from it in case he damaged it in some way. With that they found themselves standing there in silence, not an uncomfortable one, just quiet, with Cas looking round the room and Dean looking at him.
Castiel was trying to get up his courage to ask Dean for the one thing he wanted more than anything else in the world. Finally taking a deep breath he turned towards the amazing man in front of him.
"Will you play something for me?" He asked with a pleading look in his eyes that with one look Dean knew he would never be able to say no to.
"Sure, what would you like?" He replied with a ruthful grin at his own stupidity. He was trying to make sure Cas didn't know who he was, and yet he agrees to sing and play from him. Not the best strategy in his mind, but what the hell. This was Cas.
"You choose." Castiel replied almost overcome with excitement as he sat himself down on the couch opposite the piano stool and gripped his hands together to stop them showing his joy that this was really happening. He was going to have a private concert by Dean Winchester in his brother's livingroom, how many people could ever say they had had that? It was going to be amazing.
And So Dean settled down at the piano rather than picking up the guitar. He was still trying to keep his secret here, and he had never actually played the piano in any of his songs. Sitting there, trying to think of what to play, the thought of his mom came back to him. And with it one song. The one she played the most.
As such he started to play 'Hey Jude' by the Beatles, singing along and losing himself in the music as he always did. Forgetting about the man who was sitting behind him watching and listening to him.
And Castiel, well he sighed in appreciation as he relaxed back and let the music sweep over him, watching the muscles in Dean's back bunched and realised as his dextrous fingers moved over the keys as easily as water falls over rocks.
At the end of the song Castiel couldn't help himself, he burst out into applause making Dean chuckle in embarrassment at such a response. I mean he really wasn't all that special. Though the song certainly was.
"That was beautiful Dean." Castiel said with a wide smile on his face as he looked at his idol.
"Na, I could never do that song the justice the Beatles truly deserve." Dean responded with a wave of his hand, he really did not feel deserved such praise.
"I think you did. Can you play something else? Maybe a rock song?" Castiel asked secretly hoping Dean would play and sing one of his own. Not that he would be so crass as to ask him to do so, he just hoped he would.
"Okay Cas, but I warn you. I haven't played this in a while, I'm better with the guitar." Dean responded after turning and checking that Cas was on the level with his request. He seemed to be. He seemed to have no idea who he was asking that question of, and that was good. Dean could just carry on covering others work and it would all be fine.
"You can play it on that if you like." Castiel said perking up at the idea of Dean playing his guitar as well as singing and the piano, but he wouldn't be greedy and demand it. He would let Dean choose what he felt the most comfortable playing. This was only for fun after all.
"No way dude, you got the challenge going now. I haven't played this since my college days. I used to play it a lot in our favourite drinking game, name the song and someone had to play it, you got a note wrong you downed your drink." Dean responded with a chuckle at all the nights he had spent playing that particular game with his friends, all of them getting extremely drunk in the process.
"And were you any good?" Castiel asked intrigued now. Yet more about the person Dean truly was, and that was someone Castiel would love to know everything about if he was given half a chance.
"Not bad, now shh, I'm trying to remember." Dean replied putting his finger to his lips and mock glaring at Castiel before breaking out into a cheeking smile and bringing his fingers down on the keys, starting an intro that pretty much anyone would be able to recognize, even if the piano was not the instrument it was usually played on.
With that Castiel sat forwards mouthing along to Dean as he sang Survivors 'Eye of the tiger'.
"That was very impressive Dean." he said once Dean had reached the end. He had never really thought that it could be played on the piano, but he was not surprised that Dean was the one to show him it could. He was learning that there was a lot about Dean he did not know.
"Yeah? You really think so? I'm pretty sure I would need several drinks for that if I was still at college." Dean replied with a self-deprecating smile at the number of bum notes he had hit during that performance. Thank god Cas had no idea who he was otherwise he would be horrified by the crap he had just produced.
"I didn't notice. I thought it was very good." Castiel responded with a sincere smile.
And Dean watching Cas, wondered what he would say if he played him one of his own songs. To hear Cas' opinion on something he didn't know he had written, it was an enticing idea, hell, that would truly be awesome in Dean's mind. So taking a deep breath, it had been a long time since he had played one of his songs for someone and they hadn't given him universal praise because he was Dean Winchester after all, he spoke.
"I've got another for you." He said, and without even waiting for a reply from Cas in case he lost his nerve he launched into his favourite song from his latest album, it wasn't the one that was the hit single, but he loved it. He remembered writing it, and the feel of completeness he had when he had finished. Those were always his favourites, the ones that made him feel warm inside and made him smile.
And Castiel sat the enthralled as he watch Dean Winchester play his favourite song from his latest album with such beautiful harmony, melody and grace. It seemed he was taking him to another world, as such it took half a second after the song had ended before he found his voice to response to such awe inspiring magic.
"That was beautiful." He breathed out in awe into the silence, though it seemed that the last notes hung in the air, awaiting a verdict before they died away.
Dean still had his fingers on the keys when he heard Cas speak. He wasn't sure what to expect, or what he wanted, but the honest praise in Cas' voice was more than he could ever have asked for. Turning in his chair he smiled like he had just been given the greatest gift on earth. Cas liked his song, he liked his music for what it was and not because he wrote it. It was an awesome feeling. The freedom he got from knowing that his music was good, not just because he made it but, because it was actually good. The only other person who ever made him feel this way about his music was Sam, and like he said his brother wasn't that great at hearing a good song. He had such terrible taste in music, it made Dean shiver just to think about it.
"Right, okay. Enough, show me the sights Cas." Dean finally found his voice to say. He had indulged himself enough now. I mean he could sit there all day playing for Cas, but that wasn't what the other guy was here for, and he didn't want to make Cas suspicious. So it was time to get out of here, away from the music and into the light of day.
"Very well Dean, are we taking your car, or mine?" Castiel asked standing from the couch without protest. If Dean did not want to play anymore than Castiel would accept that. He just felt so privileged to have had Dean play for him in the first place.
"Mine." Dean replied with as look at Cas as if to ask if he was insane. Did the guy really think they would be taking any car other than his baby? Really?
"Very well." Cas answered happy that he got to ride in the impala once more.
With that they both got together their stuff and made their way to the door to start on the sight-seeing trip around the small town.