Hello my dears. I would like to thank linusfan13 and Tie-Dyed Broadway for the lovely reviews. I would also like to thank those of you who have followed and favoured since my last update.
So as its Christmas I thought I would give you a nice long chapter filled with some mushiness as my present to ya'll to make up for all the pain and angst I've put you through. Also I feel the need to tell you that this story will finish in one or two chapters more.
Hope you like your present (even if it is slightly bitter sweet) and happy Christmas and happy new year to all of you.
Disclaimer: I don't own supernatural.
Dean arrived promptly at 6 the next evening to pick Cas up, though he was still just wearing his work clothes. It wasn't like it was a real date or anything, so what did it matter right? Arriving at Cas' office he found the man in question just leaving the room and locking the door. When he turned to face him, Dean started to wish he had changed. Cos while Cas was still wearing what he would normally wear to work, it was still a shirt and tie and looked damn smarter than what Dean had on. And sexier he had to admit, the shirt Cas was wearing was one he didn't think he had seen before and it matched the docs eyes to a tee. Wow, that effect was pretty awesome.
"Dean? Shall we go?" Castiel asked when the other man just stood there looking at him with wide eyes. He liked to think there was appreciation in them, but he didn't want to read anything into it. Nor was he going to tell Dean that in his lunch break today he had gone out and brought his new shirt in the hopes of looking his best. Just because he was meeting Dean's friends as his boyfriend of course, it had nothing to do with the fact he wanted to wow his patient. Yeah okay, even he wasn't believing those lies anymore. He knew he had brought this shirt to impress Dean, he just hoped it worked.
"Yeah sure, just... umm maybe… here-" with that Dean moved into Castiel's personal space making his breath hitch as he removed his tie from around his neck and opened the top button of his shirt.
"Yeah that's better." Dean said taking a step back, surprised his hands weren't shaking from the feel of Cas' skin beneath his fingers as he worked his button and removed his tie. Damn he needed to get a hold of himself, though at least tonight any outward show of affection he had for this man could be passed off as an act for his friends. He just had to make sure he remembered to keep it to a minimum until they got to the bar.
"Thank you. I hadn't even though of that." Castiel replied with a genuine smile as he took the tie from Dean's hands and placed it in his coat pocket. It was time for them to leave before he did something highly inappropriate, even if he had started to think of Dean as Missouri's' patient more than his. Strictly speaking he was still on Castiel's books, but not for tonight. Tonight they would have to pretend to be boyfriends, and that would require a certain amount of physical contact and crossing a line that, as Dean doctor, he really shouldn't cross. But it was just one night, and it was pretend, for now. No he must stop thinking like that.
With that both Dean and Castiel made their way out of the office building and into the parking lot where they got into Dean's car so he could drive them to the bar.
Pulling up outside the bar Dean turned off the engine and hesitated, though whether that was because he was going to go into a bar and not drink, or if he was going to go inside and pretend to be Cas' boyfriend he wasn't completely sure. Both were seriously nerve racking ideas and put the two together and he felt like he could barely breathe.
"Dean are you alright?" Castiel asked when he noticed Dean's movement's still and his breathing start to accelerate. When the man next to him didn't respond Castiel placed his hand on Dean's arm getting him to turn to him.
They then sat there in silence just staring into each other's eyes, Dean finding the physical contact and Cas' understanding gaze more therapeutic than anything else he could think of. Finally he found his heart rate return to normal.
"Yeah, I'm good. Shall we go?" He asked his charming smile once more breaking out on his face making a matching expression appear on Castiel's.
"Yes lets." Castiel replied.
With that they both got out of the car, and once it was locked Dean grabbed Cas' hand and walked with a purpose to the door. It was time to get this show on the road.
They entered hand-in-hand looking as if this was nothing out of the ordinary. Though that was more because Dean needed the physical contact to keep him sane, and Cas because he was here to do a job. Though it was starting to feel more natural than something he had agreed to do as a favour for Dean.
Suddenly a burly guy waved at them from across the room and they both recognised Benny. As such they made their way over to him.
"Glad you two could make it. Cas this is the rest of the sorry lot that work with Dean. This is Garth, Gordon, Annie and Rufus. Guys this is Cas, Dean's better half." He said in a joyful tone. Castiel was glad he had done the introductions, one look at Dean and he could see that he would not have been able to pull them off.
"Hello all." He said smiling round at the people who spent so much time with Dean. He was intrigued to see this part of the man he knew. For while they had had many sessions, they had never really discussed his work relationships, finding there were much more important things to talk about. Or at least there had been in Castiel's mind, he was sure Dean would dispute that fact.
That was greeted with a round of hellos from those around them and then offers for a drink. He sensibly asked for a soda just as Dean did, which while causing eyebrows to raise, was exactly what they were both given. It seemed while Dean's friends didn't understand why he wasn't drinking they respected him enough to not make a scene out of it. And for that Castiel was glad.
And so the evening progressed and Dean steadily relaxed into his role of boyfriend. Finding that he favoured the position of having his arm around Cas' shoulders, pulling the man close to his side. And Castiel, well he certainly had no problems with this. He placed his own arm around Dean's waist and curled into him, finding he was just the right height for him to lean his head against Dean's neck when listening to the other talking. And Dean, well, in such a position he got to spend his time smelling Cas' hair. It took away the smell of the bar and could make Dean believe, if he closed his eyes, that he wasn't in one of the many places he used to get wasted in, but instead in some meadow somewhere, he was so gonna have to ask the guy what shampoo he used for that scent. It was heavenly.
Benny watched his best friend, he could see that at first Dean was unsure about having Cas with the rest of them, and when the pair of them continued ordering sodas all night he could understand why. Maybe this Cas guy was a tee-totaller, not that Benny had any issues with that. As long as he didn't try to force it on him. But it did seem Dean had given up drinking for the guy which told Benny just how much Cas meant to him. So he tried to be nice to guy, which in all honesty wasn't that hard. He was a genuinely good guy, and extremely easy to talk to. Though the reason for that became clear when he told them he was a shrink, but hey it was just a job right? What did it matter to them what he did? Though he could see some getting funny with it, mainly Gordon, but then he had been the one who was most pissed about Dean stopping going out with them. He and Dean had used to drink a lot after the rest had left. Benny had stayed with them a couple of times, but when Gordon got drunk he wasn't really sure he liked to be round the guy. He had a habit of getting violent which Benny was not cool with. But it seemed Cas was up to the challenge of matching, if not surpassing, wits with Gordon and soon the guy shut up. He could see why Dean liked Cas with those one liners in his repartee. Turning to look at them as Gordon moved to the bar grumbling about getting everyone a drink he caugth the two just looking at each other, almost as if they were having a conversation without words. It was pretty adorable really, but he also got the impression that Dean would like nothing more than to pull his boyfriend into his arms and kiss him as a reward for the way he had disabled Gordon. And well Benny wasn't one for stopping romance, hell he was all for it. So he decided to make sure Dean knew they were all cool with the soppy stuff. As such with a smile on his face he yelled loudly to the couple. "Oh just kiss already will ya?" making all there friend turn to look at Dean and Cas.
Dean was pulled from staring at Cas in amazement at how he had managed to diffuse every slightly nasty comment Gordon sent there way by Benny's yell and looked up embarrassed about what the guy was trying to do. He couldn't kiss Cas, I mean they guy was here as a favour to him. That would just be wrong.
Castiel on the other hand could think of nothing he would rather do than obey Benny's yell. As such he when saw Deans eyes widen and he knew he was going to pull away from him and make up some sort excuse as to why they wouldn't, he moved so he was standing in front of Dean and placed his hands on either side of his face and pulled him down until their lips met in a Chaste yet endearing kiss. Pulling back and blinking his eyes open he looked into Dean's shocked expression with a smirk.
"Well, I am your boyfriend." He sassed at the man making him blink some more before a smile spend across his face. It was at that point the rest of the world came back to Dean and he could hear the wolf whistles and cheers from his colleagues making his shake his head at them. And even as he went back to the bantering that was a part of his friendship, part of him was still in wonder over that kiss, could still feel the phantom of Cas' lips on his. Feel the tingle that contact enticed. Damn, he really wanted to be able to do that again. But he couldn't, Cas wasn't he real boyfriend. He was here as a favour to him. But for the first time Dean found himself actually wishing to have a relationship with someone. And that someone was Cas. It wasn't just some dream, some fantasy he would never be able to obtain because he was gay, he actually wanted it. And wow was that ever a head rush of thoughts.
And so the evening continued. All having fun, up until the point, later in the evening, Dean was handed the drink someone had ordered for him. He raised the glass to his mouth, but luckily was also taking in a breath through his nose at the time and as such the smell of the alcohol in the glass hit him full force. Without thought and in an instinctive reaction he removed the glass from his lips and slammed in down on the nearest surface to him and pushed it away. He was not going to drink that. Not now and not ever, he was done with that crap. He didn't realise he was shaking until he felt Cas' hand on his chin turning his eyes from the offending glass to the blue eyes of his friend.
"Dean what so wrong?" Castiel asked once he knew Dean was looking at him and nothing else.
"Someone spiked my drink." Dean replied with barely control furry flowing through him. The idea that he almost destroyed his run of sober days just because one of his so called friend thought it would be fun, was unbelievable to him. How could they do this? Why would they do this? Was this because they didn't like him being with Cas? Was that it? A way to split him from his supposed boyfriend cos people like them didn't deserve happiness?
"Dean, what's wrong?" Benny asked noticing the change in atmosphere from their end of the group.
"Who brought that drink?" Dean demanded between clenched teeth. He wasn't having anyone treat him like this. No way.
"I don't know, why?" Benny asked moving so he was beside Dean and Cas ready to intervene if fists started flying, though looking closer, he could see Cas and a firm hold of one of Dean's hands, a hold he didn't think he would be giving up anytime soon, which was a good thing right now.
"Because it contains whiskey." Dean replied glaring at him as if this was all his thought. Benny couldn't see what the problem was, unless he had told Cas he was tee-total as well. And if so, well they really shouldn't start a relationship on a lie in his mind, but what did he know? Though that wouldn't make him act like Dean was a non-drinker, cos that would be the biggest lie out there, and he didn't like to lie.
"And? Sorry but isn't that your drink of choice?" he asked trying to conciliatory.
"Not anymore." Dean responded turning to glare at the offending glass as if it would tell him who had brought it.
"Right… any reason for that?" Benny asked, I mean he, as much as anyone, had wondered about Dean not drinking. If Dean didn't want Cas to know he drank he should have told them at work.
"Because I'm a recovering alcoholic Benny, I though you of all people would be able to work that out." Dean replied through gritted teeth. He hadn't meant to say it. And when he looked round he realised his hissy fit about the drink had caught everyone's attention so they had all heard his confession. He just wanted to curl up in a ball and die, or have a nice black hole to open up in front of him to jump into. He had just told them all his secret, now they would want to probe, find out why he was such a freak that he couldn't hold his liquor, god he was such a friggn' mess.
"Okay. Well let's get you a soda then, unless you want to go somewhere else?" Benny replied after a beat silence at Dean's words. Suddenly a lot of things made sense to him. And looking at Cas he realised that he already knew. Well there was definitely a story there, but he wouldn't ask for it. Dean would tell him when he wanted to and not a moment before. But right now he needed to get that drink away from Dean and get him something he could have.
"No here's fine, just please. Take that away." Dean asked after taking a deep breath to control his temper, no one here had known. No doubt they thought he would like being slipped alcohol while he pretended to drink soda.
"Sure thing bud." Benny replied moving and grabbing the glass as he made his way to the bar. With that everyone turned back to their conversations and resolutely left Dean alone with Cas. It was then he realised he was squeezing the other guys hand tightly enough to no doubt break bones.
"Sorry." Dean mumbled as he released his grip, though he didn't let go. He needed Cas to ground him right now. Needed him at his side.
"You didn't drink it Dean." Castiel stated with a proud sound in his voice making Dean turn to him with a frown.
"But I nearly did." he argued back, he had been so close to putting that drink in his mouth.
"But you didn't, and you have told your friend's about your problem so they will know better from now on." Castiel replied resolutely. To him Dean had just done the hardest thing he would ever have to do. He had a drink in his hand, hell he had had it at his lips, and yet he had turned it away. That alone was a sure sign to Castiel that they had won. Dean was firmly on the road to recovery and nothing would get in his way. He was strong, and now Castiel knew, he could do anything without it causing him to relapse. He was so proud of the man before him. He had changed so much from the one who had walked through his door at the beginning of all of this.
"Oh crap. I have haven't I? Oh hell Cas, what am I gonna do?" Dean said as he realised what he had just said to Benny, what had been heard by everyone. Sure when he said it he knew, but it didn't sink in until Cas had said that. He had just told them what a weakling he was, how could he have been so stupid?
"Would you like to leave?" Castiel asked seeing the realisation of what he had just done dawn on Dean's face. He would not make him stay if he didn't want to. He had done what was needed, he doubted anyone here would treat Dean differently for his confession, but that did not mean Dean believed it. It would be better if he stayed. Allowed them to show how much it didn't matter, but if he was uncomfortable Castiel would not make him stay.
"No. I want to stay. I am who I am, they either like it or they don't." Dean stated taking a deep breath and holding his head up high making sure he met his friend's eyes when he saw them directed his way.
"I'm glad you see that Dean. And if it is any help, I like who you are." Castiel replied with a smile on his face as he watched Dean ready himself for whatever battle was to come. Not that he anticipated one.
"I like who you are too Cas." Dean responded smiling down at the man beside him before moving so they joined the group once more and he could shout to the burly man at the bar chatting up the bar maid.
"Hey Benny, my soda ready yet? A guy could die of thirst waiting for you to get him a drink." He said with the jokey tone he always used with his friend.
"Well then, maybe you should have got your better half to do it instead. I'm sure he would have got served quicker, he has dimples." Benny turned to replied with a smirk on his face, glad to see the Dean he knew and loved back again. He had no idea what Cas had said to him, but it seemed to have done the trick. That guy was definitely good for Dean.
"Yeah I know, but they're my dimples." Dean responded turning Cas so he was in front of him and he could wrap his arms around him and rest his chin on his shoulder in what everyone thought was an adorably romantic gesture. Only Castiel could feel Dean shaking, and only he knew that Dean was using him to hide it from his friends. It was taking a lot more than he was letting on to behave his normal self after what he had just revealed, but he was trying and for that Castiel could not fault him and he would help him in whatever way he wished, including being his shield. He also rather liked the feel of Dean's muscular chest against his back. If only he could have there on a more permanent basis.
With that the rest of the night passed without incident, no one tried to give Dean alcohol again, all there respecting him for what he had said and obviously done. They had always been slightly worried about the amount he drank, but he was Dean, it was the way he was. But now, now they knew the truth they would support him in any way they could. And as he came as part of the package of Dean they treated Castiel with the same respect, assuming they had met in a meeting or something, both recovery from there problem. And both Castiel and Dean felt no need to correct them for that assumption, especially as Castiel didn't really drink anyway. They were both happier letting Dean's friend think that Castiel was also a recovering alcoholic rather than them finding out the truth that he was actually his doctor.