Jo beamed at Castiel the moment Dean opened the door. "You're real!"

Castiel smiled, glancing down awkwardly.

"I mean, I believed you were, but…" the blonde shook her head, looking the man up and down. "Wow!" She frowned, then. "You look like you took some serious hits to the face. You feeling okay?"

Dean caught her gaze and shook his head, silently begging her to drop it. He gave a quick sigh of relief when she nodded and immediately changed the subject.

"Y'know, my mom's got a great healing drink recipe for this kinda thing. Instant painkiller."

"We're not gettin' Cas smashed on his first day," Dean chuckled, putting his arm over Jo's shoulder in a jokingly condescending manner before she playfully shoved him aside.

"Hello, Castiel." Anna stepped closer to her brother. Or, whatever. Dean still didn't get that whole deal.

Castiel smiled at the other fallen angel. "Anna. I'm glad to see you're doing well."

"I thought we'd lost you," Anna said.

Castiel visibly tensed. "Raphael…," he trailed off, lowering his head.

Anna gave a deep nod. "He needs to be stopped."

Dean frowned, looking between the two of them. "Yeah, well," he said, taking his arm off of Jo and laying it lightly across Castiel's shoulders, "one thing at a time, right?" He didn't know who this Raphael douchebag was, but he sure as hell wasn't letting Cas go after him for a good long while. Or ever.

"So, have you had your first meal, yet?" Jo asked, moving to sit on the back of the living room couch.

Castiel smiled and nodded. "Dean made us pancakes for breakfast," he said. "We just finished peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch."

"The ability to appreciate food is one of the best things about being human," Anna said. "Jo made me french toast last week. It was great."

"Damn right it was," Jo said, motioning for her girlfriend to sit next to her. When Anna joined her side, she said, "What other human experiences have you had so far?"

Cas glanced upward, as though trying to recall the events of the past few hours.

"He slept for the first time," Dean supplied after a moment. "And watched TV."

"I had trouble sleeping the first week after I fell," Anna said. "I'm glad you were able to get some rest."

Castiel nodded, giving a wistful half-smile. "The damage that had been done to my body exhausted me. I don't think I could have stayed awake if I'd wanted to." Dean clenched his jaw as Cas continued, "I walked here from the site of Dean's accident."

"What, the car wreck?" Jo asked with a frown. "The angels left you where Dean almost died?"

"Yes." Castiel explained, "Dean actually did die there. That's how I first met him." His gaze shifted to the man in question. "Not that he remembers."

Dean awkwardly met Jo's stunned stare. He didn't know why he was suddenly so shy about the fact that he'd died, but it felt like someone had just pantsed him in public. "Surprised me, too," he mumbled.

"Jesus Christ, Dean," Jo blurted out, eyes watering, "you died?! You could've been gone forever. Shit, Castiel. When you heal up, I think I'm gonna hug you."

Castiel tilted his head. "Why?"

"You brought him back, didn't you?" Jo asked.

"Oh," Cas said. "Yes. I did. That's why I was forced out of heaven."

Dean tried very hard not to read that one the wrong way, but all he heard was, "If I hadn't saved him, I'd still be in heaven." Still, Castiel had smiled softly as he said it. This is what he wanted, Dean tried to convince himself. Hell, he looks proud of it.

Jo shook her head. "Wait, wait, wait. Why in the hell would they drop you there? Why not leave you with Dean in the first place?"

"Angels are very into symbolism," Anna said. "They thought they were making some sort of point about what he was giving up his grace for."

"I suspect that they also knew I'd have to walk to find shelter," Cas added, "and they wanted me to suffer further."

Dean thought his teeth would crack from the tension in his jaw. "Alright, enough about those sick fucks."

"Agreed," Jo said, eyes wide. "They're startin' to stress me out." She turned to Castiel, then, with a bright smile. "So, are you excited to get out and see the world?"

"Yes," Castiel said, a soft smile crossing his lips, "but Dean says I am to stay here until I heal."

Jo rolled her eyes at Dean. "Oh, come on, we can at least take him on a drive around town."

"He's in too much pain for that," Dean said, shaking his head. "The vibration from the roads alone would probably agitate his wounds." He shrugged at Cas. "I'm sorry, man, but I don't want to see you in pain."

"I don't particularly want to be in pain," Castiel said, "so I suppose I understand that."

"Well what're we gonna do, here, then?" Jo sighed. "Watch a movie?"

Dean frowned at the sudden buzzing in his back pocket. He held a finger up to Jo, then backed out of the room as he pulled his phone out. "Hello?" He made his way into his bedroom, leaving the door cracked as he leaned against the wall beside it.

"It's me," Charlie said, in an almost apologetic tone. "I just… I wanted to make sure you were okay."

"I'm fine. I'm- Cas. Cas is here." Dean bit his lip. "Like, actually here."

"Oh my God, are you serious?!"

Dean threw his head back, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Why is this so unbelievable to you guys? You saw the friggin' handprint."

"Wait, does Jo know?"

"Yeah, she's, uh, she's actually here right now. With Anna." Dean swallowed, feeling somewhat guilty for waiting so long to fill Charlie in. Then again, he hadn't even told his own brother anything beyond that he had a boyfriend. Shit, he needed to take care of that. "Look, I'm sorry I didn't call earlier, I just… I don't want to overwhelm him on his first day here. His first day… human."

"Oh my God," Charlie gasped. "Really? Wow! Okay, no, I get it, it's okay. I'll swing by when he's ready. And when you're ready. You've probably got enough going through your head without having to worry about entertaining guests."

Dean smiled. God, he loved Charlie. "Yeah, thanks for that. I'm okay though, really. I mean, my freakin' angel boyfriend is actually here. I'm great, seriously."

Charlie rolled her eyes. Somehow Dean knew this was the case. Hell, he was rolling his eyes at himself. "Right. Not overwhelming at all," Charlie teased. "Well, I can't wait to meet him! I mean, I can. I can wait."

"I'll, uh, I'll let you know when he's ready for more visitors," Dean said. He felt a hand on his back, and turned his head to come face to face with a very curious Castiel.

"Is that your brother?" he asked.

As Dean told Castiel who he was talking to, Charlie excitedly asked, "Is that him?!"

"Hello, Charlie," Castiel said, in a formal, almost flat, but still warm voice.

Dean pulled the phone away from his ear when Charlie screamed, "Oh my God!"

"Is she going to come over, too?" Castiel asked. Dean tried to read him for signs of exhaustion, but he couldn't really tell behind the cuts and bruises.

"Not today," Dean replied. "She'll visit later, once things calm down around here."

Cas tilted his head. "'Calm down'?"

"One thing at a time," Dean said, a little more forceful than he intended.

Castiel's eyes widened slightly, as though he had an "a-ha" moment. "You need rest," he concluded.

"No, you need rest."

"Dean."

"Dude, I'm fine. I'm not the one who got all fucked up over a loser like me. I'm good."

Both Castiel and Charlie replied in unison, "Dean!"

Dean sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Look, I'm… Okay. Fine, you're right. You're both right, you freakin' happy? I'm not fine."

Castiel's expression softened, and he reached up to take the phone from Dean's hand. "Dean will call you back, Charlie," he said into the device. "I look forward to meeting you someday."

Dean heard Charlie say, "Take care of yourselves," before Castiel nodded and set the phone down on the dresser. He avoided the fallen angel's gaze and mumbled, "I don't need you taking care of me, man, you're… you're the one who's hurt."

"Dean, my pain is physical. It will heal on its own. You… I want to help you."

After swallowing thickly, Dean gave a short nod. "Fine, we'll help each other, okay? Let's, uh, let's get back to our guests."

Castiel followed Dean out of his – their – room, and back into the living room.

"Everything okay?" Jo asked.

"'S fine," Dean said, plopping down on the couch with a sigh. "It was just Charlie."

"She'll be visiting at another time," Castiel said.

Jo took a seat on the back of the couch once again, turning so she could look at Dean. "What about Sam?"

Dean groaned. "I know."

"Does he even know Castiel exists?" the blonde asked.

Castiel nodded as he carefully took a seat next to Dean. He tried to lean back against the couch, but sucked in a breath and ended up leaning forward.

"He knows I have a boyfriend," Dean said, gently pulling Castiel to lean against his side, "but that's it."

"How's he recovering?" Anna asked. "Does he suspect anything?"

"You mean does he think you saved him from a demon?" Dean shook his head. "I don't think so. And he's recovering just fine. Good to go home in a couple days, I think."

Jo blew a puff of air from her mouth. "This angel/demon shit is mind-blowing."

"Tell me about it," Dean said.

The four of them talked for a couple hours, mostly about all the fun places and things Jo wanted to introduce to Castiel. By the time the sun went down, Dean was eager to usher the guests out so he could breathe. It wasn't that he didn't normally love being around Jo–or Anna, for that matter; he was just incredibly tired, and wanted to keep Cas to himself for a while. So, as the women left the apartment, Dean asked Castiel what he wanted for dinner.

"I mean, until I go shopping, your options are kinda limited," Dean said. "I can make some cheap burgers, or we've got leftover spaghetti in the fridge." At the thought of what had to be nearly week-old noodles, Dean made a disgusted face and shook his head. "You know what, nevermind. Burgers it is."

"Alright," Castiel said contentedly. He took a seat at the table, then looked up to Dean, who was getting the patties out of the freezer. "Is there anything I can help with?"

Dean just gave Cas a pointed look, setting the food on the counter with a smack.

"Right," Castiel said, lowering his gaze to the tabletop. "I'm sorry I asked."

"Nothin' to be sorry about, Cas," Dean sighed.

There was silence for a few minutes as Dean prepared the food, until he couldn't take it anymore. "So," he said, "what'd you think of Jo?"

"She was very welcoming," Castiel said, perking up in his seat at the sudden conversation. "I'm looking forward to having her show me around. She seemed quite excited about taking me to the Roadhouse."

Dean chuckled. "Yeah. I can't wait to see you drunk."

"I don't plan on becoming intoxicated."

"I don't always plan on it, either, but it sure as hell happens sometimes. Especially at the Roadhouse."

"I don't want to make a fool of myself, as I've seen you do."

Dean snorted. "Thanks, babe."

Castiel beamed at him as Dean set the finally finished burgers on the table and took a seat, already shoving the food in his face.

"What?" Dean asked, gulping down half the burger in one go.

"I'm content," Castiel noted aloud.

Dean smiled back at him. "Good. I'm…," he took a breath, then glanced at the clock. It was nearly seven o'clock, and he wanted to check in on his brother before it got too late. "I gotta call Sam," he said, getting up from the table and pulling his cell out of his back pocket. "I'll be in my–our room, if you need me." He dialed his brother as he walked down the hall. He left the door cracked, so he could keep an eye on Castiel. Paranoid, he told himself. I'm being fucking paranoid.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Sammy," Dean said, perking up his voice. "'S me."

"Hey, Dean," Sam grunted, presumably because he'd just shifted position in the hospital bed.

"You good?" Dean asked.

"I'm feeling a hell of a lot better than when I got in. Jess is taking me home to Bobby's tomorrow morning, actually."

Dean's brows shot up. "That soon?"

"Yeah, I mean, I'll have to take it easy for a while, but they don't really need to keep me any longer."

"Huh. That's, uh, that's good." Dean searched his mind for a way to inform Sam about his new roommate, but decided it'd be best to wait until they could meet face to face. Still, he thought, he should give the guy somewhat of a warning. "I've, uh, got some news for you."

"Are you going to finally explain what the hell you meant when you said you had a boyfriend?"

Dean smirked. "There's a bit more to it than that."

Sam snorted. "Well, yeah. Where did you even meet this guy?"

"I'll, uh… I'll get to that later. Like I said, this is a bit… much, Sam."

"I'm sure I can handle it."

Dean muttered, "That makes one of us."

It was silent for a moment. "Is something wrong?"

Shaking himself out of his worries, Dean said, "No, it's fine."

"Okay, sure." Sam sighed. "I guess you'll just have to fill me in on it later. I'll see if Jess can swing by your place on the way home tomorrow."

Dean gulped. "Uh, that might not be such a good idea," he said, glancing at his battered boyfriend through the cracked door. Sam would definitely have questions, and, even though he'd know better than to ask in front of Castiel, Dean didn't want to deal with that around the newly fallen angel. "I think we should talk first. Just you and me."

"Are you not alone? I heard Charlie moved out." There was a pause. "Is… this guy, is he living with you? Already?"

"As of last night, yeah."

"Wow."

Dean rolled his eyes. "It was kind of an urgent situation, Sam," he said quickly, lowering his voice so Castiel couldn't speak. He rested his head against the wall, closing his eyes for a moment.

"I'm not judging."

"Right you're not."

"I'm not! I'm just… surprised, Dean." Sam gave a light chuckle. "I mean, after all the 'no chick-flick' speeches, it's a little-"

"Yeah, well, when your boyfriend shows up at half past ass o'clock bleeding out and falls into your arms, then you can say something about it." Well, so much for postponing that conversation.

"Jesus Christ, Dean," Sam said, his voice small.

"Jesus Christ didn't do shit for him." Dean wondered for a short moment if Jesus ever even existed, since everything the Bible taught about angels seemed to be bullshit. Not that he was an expert on Christian mythology–nor did he want to be.

"I'm sorry I said anything. I didn't–Is… Is he okay?"

"He's sitting at the kitchen table right now. I stitched him up, but he got attacked pretty bad. He's gotta stay here for a while."

"Well," Sam said, "I wanna meet this guy. But… I get it, man. I get it if you need some space for a while."

"He's the one I'm worried about," Dean said, gritting his teeth. "He's the one that fell; I've got nothing to 'need some space' from."

"Fell? What, like, off of something?"

Dean rolled his eyes at his own inability to keep his damn mouth shut. "We'll talk about it later."

"Yeah. Okay. Listen, Dean, I- I need to talk to you about something, too. But, later. I'll… Can I come by tomorrow, or is that too soon?"

Dean frowned. What in the hell could he have to tell me? "I dunno. I'll let you know tomorrow."

"Okay. Well, later, then."

"Bye, Sammy." Dean hung up, then hit the back of his head against the wall with a light thud. Sam had something to talk to him about. All Dean had to do was not spend every hour until then wondering what it could be.

After taking a deep breath, Dean headed back out to finish his burger. He took Cas's plate to the sink as the fallen angel asked how Sam was doing. "He's fine," Dean said, sitting down across from the fallen angel. "He's going home tomorrow. Wants to visit, if you're up to it. But I told him I need to talk to him, first."

"Are you going to tell him about angels? About… me?"

"Angels, demons. I think I owe it to him. He should know what almost killed him."

Castiel lowered his head. "And what didn't save him."

"What?" He cannot be serious.

"I… promised to look after him."

Dean clenched his jaw. "Your asshole superiors kept you from doing what you promised, I get it, Cas. I'm not holding it against you."

"I still feel poorly about it. I don't know that I will be able to look at your brother without feeling guilty."

"Cas, damn it, it wasn't your fault!"

When Dean's fists pounded on the table, Castiel looked up with a startled frown. "I-I know. I'm sorry."

"Then stop apologizing." Dean blew out a long breath. "Look, I'm sorry. I'm sorry for putting that responsibility on you, and I'm sorry for asking you to tell me the truth, and I'm sorry that I suck at making you feel better, and I'm-I'm sorry that you're stuck with me, in this shithole of a world. I'm-"

"Dean."

"I'm sorry. You deserve better than this. You're too innocent for this piece of crap life-"

"Dean, stop."

"You deserve better than me."

"Dean!"

When Dean finally met Castiel's gaze, there were tears in both their eyes. "I'm sorry, Cas," he whispered. "'M so fucking sorry."

"Dean, I… I thought we'd been through this. How can I convince you that I don't blame you for my fall?"

With a small, bitter laugh, Dean shook his head. "Yeah, well, the thing is, Cas, it doesn't matter if you don't blame me. I blame myself. That's all it takes."

It occurred to Dean, as he was speaking, how ridiculous he was being. Cas was doing all he could to make it absolutely clear that he was satisfied with his fate. But Dean didn't have it in him to fight his own accusations against himself.

Before the other man could say anything, Dean stood and took his plate to the sink. "I've gotta head out and pick up some things," he said. Then, he lowered his head, letting out a deep breath. "But I can't just leave you here alone. Shit, I should've had Jo stay longer."

"Dean, I'll be fine," Castiel said, reaching across the table to cover Dean's hand with his own.

"Can you promise me that? Can you guarantee it?"

Castiel sighed, looking down. "No. But, Dean-"

"No. I'm… I'm calling Charlie. She can come over and stay with you until I get back. In case you need anything."

"I can take care of myself, Dean." Castiel seemed to give up, heaving a sigh. "But, if it will make you feel better… I'd like to meet Charlie, anyway."

Dean nodded to himself, pulling out his phone again and heading into the hall. Castiel followed him, and leaned his shoulder lightly against the wall as Dean spoke.

"Charlie? Hey, about visiting Cas… you good to come over now?" Dean nodded. "He's fine, he just-I need you to watch over-" at Cas's cocked brow, Dean corrected, "-keep him company while I get some things. We need bandages, and we're running kinda low on food, and- Yeah, no, yeah 'course I'll wait for you to get here 'fore I leave, you think I'm gonna leave him alone for a goddamn second? That's the whole reason you're coming ov- Okay, good. See you soon, then." Dean hung up and glanced down at Castiel. "She's on her way."