"Alright, I'm going to put the history books here…and science over here. There are a lot of science books for some reason."

Sam explained to Gabe how the books for the sale were being organized outside of the diner. They had brought a bunch of collapsible shelves from home and set them up in the empty spaces out front.

"Okay," Gabe said, nodding but not really paying attention. They were still keeping quiet about their apparently relationship, which bothered Sam a little but Gabe was real worried about prejudice or losing his job. Sam respected that, but for how long? Harboring secrets never leads to good things.

"You know, you don't have to help me," said Sam.

"But I wanna." Gabe insisted. Sam looked at him and smiled.

"Well then that's fine. So anyway, these are all fiction. I've divided them somewhat but not a whole lot; general fiction, romance, sci-fi/fantasy."

"Cool, cool."

Gabe bent down and picked up a couple books then started placing them on the appropriate shelf. Sam kept doing the same. They didn't talk much as they worked, since they needed to be paying attention to what they were doing, but after a while they were approached by someone who broke the silence.

"Um. Is this open?" a female voice asked.

"I guess it doesn't really open or close," said Sam. He turned around, straightened up and saw a young woman with red hair standing behind them.

"Oh, okay, cool. So uh, what is it, exactly?"

"We're selling books," Sam explained. Gabe was still shelving them. "$2 each unless it's real big, then it's $4."

"Gotcha, but ummm," she smiled nervously. "Why are you selling them? If you don't mind me asking. Seems like a strange place to just decide to have a book sale."

"It's for the diner," said Sam. "Just a second."

He went inside briefly to grab one of their explanatory flyers. He handed it to the woman and she read it over.

"Ohhhh," she said. "That's terrible. Why would they do that?"

"I don't know. Big business. We're really at their mercy and it's horrible."

"Okay, well then I'll have to buy some of your books. And that's fine. I have eaten here and I like it, plus it's always sad when someone's dream has to die, don't you think?"

"Oh, yeah, believe me, I know," Sam said with a sigh. Gabe looked over at him and frowned.

"This diner is real special to you, isn't it?" the woman asked.

"It is to my brother," Sam admitted. "Basically the whole thing was his idea."

"But you work here, right?"

"Yes."

"You don't like it?"

"This is personal, but no, I'm not so crazy about it. I took a year off from school to help out, but I've overstayed and I'm just getting tired of it now."

The woman began to look over the shelves as Sam spoke, every now and then pulling a book out to read the back. She kept a couple in her arm but replaced the greater majority. "Does he know? Your brother, I mean."

"Of course he knows, but he doesn't care. This diner is basically his child and he's obsessed."

"Ohh," she said. "I see."

"No, no he's really obsessed!" Gabe randomly chimed in. "It is his child!"

The woman laughed shyly. "You two are funny."

"I guess so?"

"I'm Charlie, by the way."

"Nice to meet you, Charlie. I'm Sam and that's Gabe. My brother inside is Dean, and his husband in the kitchen is Cas."

"So this is a family affair?" Charlie asked.

"You could say that."

"That's sort of cute that he runs it with his husband. So it really is like his child."

Sam nodded and hummed a little, visibly sickened at the thought of Dean's obsession.

"Do you have any more family?" asked Charlie.

"No. Well, not that we know of. Once upon a time our dad existed, but he's so far out of the picture I couldn't tell you anything about him."

"That's so sad!" Charlie gasped. "So, so then the diner is your last scrap of keeping the family together."

"Y-yes, you could say that…" Sam's voice trailed off. As Charlie stared up at him, mouth turned into a sad frown, he couldn't help but feel bad. A second that felt like minutes was spent like that, staring at her and considering what she said. But she perked up and held out the books to Sam.

"I'd like to buy these," she said.

"Oh, right," Sam snapped out of his thoughts. "That's uhhhhh-$12."

"Easy. And a good bargain, too."

Charlie smiled real big as she took out her wallet and handed Sam some bills.

"Do you want a bag? We have them."

"Nope, I'm fine. Thank you, though. I'll tell my friends to come and buy books, too," Charlie grinned.

"That would be awesome. The more, the better."

Then Charlie's expression drooped as her eyes darted side to side. "Now um, I just need to find some friends." She laughed nervously and started to walk away. "Bye, guys!"

"Bye, Charlie."

Once she had disappeared around the block, Gabe leaned into Sam and whispered, "I think she liked you."

"What? How do you figure?"

"'Cause why not? You aren't obviously queer."

"I don't consider myself entirely queer."

"Then what?" Gabe asked, folding his arms and looking somewhere between serious and teasing.

"I don't know," Sam said quite as a matter of factly. "I never put much thought into it."

"Hmmmm," Gabe hummed. He took a few steps to the side and kicked loose gravel on the ground. His voice grew low. "But you like dudes, right?"

"I like you," said Sam.

"And you really do, right?"

"Yes. I really do."

"But you aren't gay?"

"Well, to be gay I would have to not like women, right? And I like women. I've dated them, I find them attractive, I enjoy sex with them. But I also find you attractive and enjoy sex with you."

"Okay."

Gabe looked a little glum.

"I don't think it does any good to get hung up on these little things. Right now, you're the only person I'm interested in."

"Okay," Gabe said, this time sounding a little happier.

"And," Sam added, putting his hands on his hips but still speaking quietly. "I think we should tell Dean soon."

"What? Why?" Gabe reacted as if Sam said something horrible. His eyes widened.

"Because it's not doing any good to hide."

"But—but what do you think Dean'll do when he finds out?"

"He'll probably be cool with it. Um. I'm pretty sure he will. How can he hold it against us? He's gay and works with his partner. You know, the more I think about it the more I'm certain he'll be fine."

Uneasily, Gabe folded his arms and frowned. "I guess," he muttered.

"Then we can think a little longer. How's that? No decision today, just consideration."

"Okay."

"$1,092."

By the end of the week, the totals from the book sale were added together and Cas marked a new line on his thermometer chart. "$1,092."

"That's awesome, baby," Dean said. He snuck up behind Cas and put his arms around him. The diner was closed for the evening and Sam had already gone home. Cas put the red marker aside and leaned back into Dean's embrace, closing his eyes. It was so nice and quiet in the main dining area. "You ready for tomorrow?"

"Well that depends," Cas said in a throaty whisper. "Am I allowed to know what the plan is?"

"Not yet."

"Then I can't say if I'm ready or not."

"Clever," Dean said with a smirk. He pressed his lips against Cas' neck. "Babe? Can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"You think I'm being hard on Sam?"

Cas couldn't help but giggle. "Hard on?"

Dean laughed. "Yeah, yeah. I know I'm being hard on you," he said, bucking his hips against Cas' rear. "But seriously. Am I?"

"Hmmm…we've talked about this before. I think you should consider everything."

"Like what?"

"For instance, Sam wants to go back to school but we also need him here. He isn't entitled to stay, but we are his last bit of family. I think that's worth something. But if he truly feels inclined to head off to school again, we can't stop him."

"I know that, I know that. You've said that a million times."

"To be perfectly honest, you have been rather bitchy."

"Yeah, I thought so," Dean said with a sigh. He smoothed his hands across Cas' chest, feeling the soft fabric of his shirt but looking sad. "I feel bad for him, but seeing this diner fail just tears my heart out. It's like…it's like as long as the diner is running, my mom is still alive."

"Oh, Dean…"

Cas turned around within his arms and hugged him real tight. They embraced in the dark restaurant, holding onto each other for a while in silence. Dean was doing everything he could to hold back tears. "I just want to feel like we're still a family," he said, stiff with restraint. "I don't want Sammy to leave 'cause then I've only got you, and two people aren't a family."

"Dean…"

"I know, it's stupid."

"It's not stupid, deerheart."

"No, no, it's stupid. I should just let it all go to hell. We aren't gonna raise enough money anyway."

"Dean…"

He let off of Cas and sulked away. "It was a stupid dream."

"Dean!"

Cas got mad. He grabbed his husband by the arm and pulled him back. With a bitter frown, he glared at Dean and loudly said, "Stop feeling sorry for yourself! I'm not going to tolerate it. If keeping the diner is what makes you happy, we will raise the money and we will keep it. And if you think two people doesn't make a family, then we will keep Sam and we will be happy. Just don't be such a fucking asshole about it!"

Dean cleared his throat. He looked surprised. It took a lot for Cas to raise his voice like that. "A-alright," he said softly, patting Cas' gripped hand on his arm. "Okay. Then, alright. Yeah."

"You're my Dean and I love you, but sometimes you are such a fuck-hat. Now kiss me." Cas closed his eyes and pursed his lips. Dean laughed. He pressed his lips to Cas' and smiled, then tousled his smooth, dark hair.

"Thanks, babe," Dean said with a tight smile. "You know how to straighten me up. So are you ready for tomorrow now?"

Cas was all smiles again. That boyish, innocent glow came back to his beautiful eyes and he nodded. "Yes, I think so."