Dean was surprised to see Castiel at the shelter so early, but the sight of him handing people supplies so that they could wash up at the significantly small common bathroom still brought a smile to his face. The man always had a kind smile and an open expression when he interacted with the homeless, which wasn't common for a shy guy like him. That was definitely the behavior of a person who cared about his fellow man.
It was no secret Dean felt drawn as soon as the man spoke to him directly that faithful night. Sure, he had noticed him around before and was always curious about what laid beyond that small smile, but it wasn't until Dean's presence was fully acknowledged that day that Dean got to see the smile flare up. And then he spent some time with him and they talked a bit, the conversation flowing as same as the silence, nice and not at all awkward, and... Things were just simple.
Dean wasn't used to simple. Every relationship he ever had got complicated at one point with the things he wanted and with the things his partner wanted. Aaron got a better job and wanted Dean to move with him, and maybe if it felt right, if it felt like what they had was substantial, Dean would have done it. But both knew they were never going to work. Dean did have such high hopes with Lisa and he just adored her son Ben, but in the end, what they had just didn't have that spark and both decided to part ways before Ben got hurt, much to Dean's dismay.
But Cas... It felt like there might actually be something there. And Dean, he wanted to find out what it was so badly, but his own actions set him back and he knew he had to work on this, on earning the man's trust and show him he was reliable and honest.
However, he wouldn't get there if he kept eavesdropping whenever he got a chance. It wasn't as if he was doing it on purpose though. It's was just that he always happened to be right around the corner to hear things, which was extremely helpful in his line of work. And that's what was happening now too. He wasn't snooping around, he just happened to be close enough to overhear Cas and Balth talk.
Apparently Crowley (and how weird it was to hear Cas address him as Mr. Crowley?) agreed to give Cas some cash and he was headed to his publishing house to pick it up. Huh. Did Cas need money? Why cash? Sure, Balth didn't have much, so Cas couldn't have asked him, but why not ask his step-brother? Gabriel, was it? And speak of the devil, where was he? Dean hadn't seen him in a few days.
Once again, Dean's journalistic curiosity spiked and for the first time, he hated that it did. Cas was not someone he should even consider writing about so, no. Just no. He wouldn't think of him as yet another subject, he would not. His insubordinate brain would just have to focus on something else. Like breakfast. He had breakfast to make. And oh, how he wished for some pancakes right now. Maybe he could rent one of those carts with crepe makers and just pop one after another free of charge, of course. Maybe Balth would provide with the ingredients if Dean managed to get the cart. For now, he would have to settle for corn bread and oatmeal.
Castiel was not there for the servings, nor for the clean up, so Dean saved him some corn bread, hiding the last of it from Meg, while there was plenty of oatmeal left. He couldn't help but wonder where the man was, and his thoughts kept circling back to what he overheard, about cash and about Crowley.
Crowley was a somewhat known persona in his world. He used to be a paper pusher, working forCity StyleMagazine, a fashion magazine with terrible covers and even worse articles. But somehow, Crowley managed to climb up the ladder, earn himself a share in the magazine and eventually take it over and remodel it into a publishing company. One thing Dean would be willing to admit to, Crowley was a good business man. But not a good person.
So it was a surprise to learn that he did give Cas the money. Dean wasn't eavesdropping again, he just happened to be right there next to Balth when Cas returned and told him about it. Even bigger surprise was that Crowley forgave Cas for apparently destroying his property (his laptop), and he was willing to pay for all the work Cas had done so far, and just a smidge more too. What was Crowley's angle here?
Dean's phone suddenly rang, starting not only him, but Balth and Cas too. They snapped their heads in his direction as if they weren't aware he was there, and it made him feel guilty. Made him feel like he really was snooping around.
"What is it, Naomi?" Dean answered after he excused himself to take the call.
"I need a status report, Dean."
"Nothing to report yet, I am working on something and as soon as I see if it pans out, I'll let you know." Dean said with slight irritation in his voice.
"I need more then that, Dean. Your last article cooked up a storm, so I am gonna need something just as big or a follow-up. What have you been up to, Dean? I know you aren't sulking around your apartment and you haven't been around the office, so who are you looking into? I need a breadcrumb here." Naomi could get so annoying, but it was her job to push him, and despite how he loved to push back, he knew he would have to give her something soon.
"Tomorrow, Dean. Bring me something, anything." She added before she hung up, and Dean just closed his eyes for a moment and sighed. What was he going to do?
"Everything alright?" Balthazar asked, coming close and when Dean looked up, Cas was nowhere in sight.
"Yeah, just work. Where's Cas?"
"He had an errand to run, should be back later to help serve dinner... You sure you're alright?" Balth repeated the question, making Dean finally focus on him and not trying to find Cas in the crowd. When he met the man's stern, but curious gaze, he realized Balth wasn't asking because he was worried about Dean. No, Cas wasn't the only person whose trust he needed to earn after his little stunt.
"It's... It's my editor. She is pushing me into coming up with something soon, but I... I am just drawing a blank... I... I dunno..." Dean said with another sigh, running his hand over his face. Maybe Balth didn't care about his life and his small troubles, but Dean wanted to be open about it all, so that there was no room for misinterpretation.
Balthazar sized him up, frowning as he contemplated something before finally giving in. "Come with me." He said, and lead Dean to his small office. There he sat at his small desk and motioned for Dean to take a seat and the small chair next to it. Balth opened a drawer, pulled out two glasses and a half empty bottle of cheep whiskey, poured one for himself and one for Dean.
"I know you are a big-shot in some circles. And I know what your articles do for this city. You have a big impact on a lot of things. This latest work of yours poured millions into nonprofit organizations that are helping expand shelters. You do good work. And that's why I decided to let you help out around here, and let you try and show Cas that you are different..." Balth started and Dean's eyes widened when his little speech took a turn towards Cas. He opened his mouth to say something, but Balth just waved him off and carried on.
"That said... If you are interested in expanding on your previous article, I could help with it, connect you with some people who do what I do, and you can show... A different perspective." And strangely, that made sense. The simplest example Dean could think off was the food. When he was... Playing homeless, he would often wonder why they couldn't make anything else besides the stew or oatmeal but to see the logistics problem behind such an endeavor never crossed his mind until he started working there. Maybe there was more to explore.
"You... You would be willing to do that?"
"If it helps raise even more awareness and helps other shelters too, then yes. I would."
"And you..." Looking at the man, his bright blue tired eyes and his age wrinkles, Dean couldn't help but wonder... What was Balth getting out of all this? Out of all this hard work and his sacrifice?
"You... You would be willing to let me interview you? Maybe write about you?" Dean asked, a thought forming in his head. Balthazar agreed and Dean thanked him, his mind working out the pieces of how he might be able to approach his new idea.
He had been too busy thinking about it all, he cooked practically on autopilot, but still, his chicken curry on rice came out as if a five star restaurant made it (alright, four star). Cas came back just in time for the servings and Dean's thoughts were back on him, slight concern flaring inside of his at the sight of sadness, tiredness and defeat in Cas's eyes. Something was happening there, Dean was sure, but he couldn't just ask and he really didn't want to poke around. It wasn't his place, not yet.
"Oh, wow. This is really good." Cas commented after they cleared the dinner servings and sat down to eat themselves. It was the first genuine smile Dean had seen on the man's face, and just knowing he was responsible for it, made his chest feel all warm and fuzzy.
"Yeah?" Dean asked, watching Cas chew with delight.
"You really do have talent." Balthazar commented and Alfie hummed in a typical teenage way (that's as as good as it gets from him).
"How come some man didn't make you his wife already is beyond me." Meg said and Dean would have given her a death glare if he wasn't too distracted by Cas' sudden coughing fit. He helped him by gently tapping his back and offered him some water, while Meg just laughed.
"That is enough, Megan. You should show more appreciation." Balth scolded, making the girl roll her eyes.
"Yeah, sure. It's good, the food... Maybe you missed your calling, Dean. Should have been a chef instead of a reporter." Meg responded, smirking at him.
"Meg... One more out of you and I swear I will send you away without dinner." Balth said and was that fear in her eyes that flashed for a split second? Maybe there was more to Meg too then meets the eyes.
Dean felt eager to start on his new project, but not enough to bolt before lockdown. Still, he couldn't help but feel a small pang a hurt as Cas once again denied Dean to walk him home. He didn't want to come out as too forward, or even pushy, so he didn't ask why Cas wasn't going home yet. He just hoped that he won't be completely shut out and that Cas might come to consider his as a friend.
Even if Dean wanted so much more then that.
Next day:
"Frank is literally swimming in paperwork, they had a broken water pipe yesterday, but I still managed to coax him into seeing you. He'll be waiting for you on his lunch break." Charlie's voice chirped over the phone.
"That's awesome! I'll be back by the time dinner preparations start. Thanks, Red." Dean replied as he walked into the shelter and once again caught sight of Cas helping around with a smile on his face.
"You really are into this whole shelter thing, huh?"
"Yeah, I guess I am. It's just... It's different. Feels like I am actually helping, like I am doing something here. Writing articles to make others do something is good, but this feels more... Well, just... More."
"Immediate results. I get it. I help out at the nursing home, remember? Oh, shoot, I gotta go. Naomizilla is starting her rampage."
"Later, Charlie." Dean said as he hung up. Charlie, she really was something special. A world-class computer wizard with a sunny personality and the ability to not only see the glass half full, but persuade other's of that too. And a very good friend who would go to no extent to help her fellow man.
"Good morning, Dean." Cas greeted with a smile that seemed just a smidge brighter then the one he gave out to others, and Dean so hoped it wasn't his imagination.
"Mornin', Cas. How's everything, you need a hand?" Dean replied, completely unable to take his eyes off the man before him.
"No, um... I think we're all set until it is time to start on the breakfast. I believe we are having a buffet today." Cas replied, his eyes darting everywhere, but always coming back to Dean's. A little blush dusted his cheeks and his tongue would come out to wet his dry lips occasionally. Dean was a goner.
"A... A buffet?" Dean stuttered out his question as if he didn't already know what such breakfast entailed.
"Yes. The local market delivers small packets of jam, honey and butter, eggs and salami and some fresh fruit for half the price, so Balth puts out a buffet, with boiled eggs and the bread we make here." Cas explained and right then, his stomach decided to growl, making the man blush even harder.
"All this food talk is making me hungry. What do you say we go steal some apples from that delivery?" Dean wouldn't normally be caught dead eating something so healthy, but he was in fact hungry and... Well, he wanted to spend time with Cas, so...
"The delivery won't be here for another hour." Cas replied making Dean drop his grin.
"Oh... Well... How about a hot dog then? I saw a vendor down the street?" Dean asked hoping Cas would accept.
"I... I'm not..." Cas wavered, glancing back behind him as if someone might catch him doing something he wasn't supposed to.
"Please? My treat?" Dean tried and Cas's eyes snapped back at him. He stared at him for a few moments and Dean honestly hoped he hadn't crossed some kind of a line here, but before he could speak up and try to fix whatever he accidentally did, Cas nodded, much to his relief.
"Mustard man, huh?" were Dean's next words that dumbly spilled out of his stupid mouth after Cas ordered mustard on his hot dog. Could he be a bigger idiot?
"I don't mind ketchup either, as long as there is no mayo. I don't like mayo." Cas replied casually, with a shrug and Dean internally thanked him for not laughing at his idiotic statement.
"Don't like mayo either. Now, ketchup... That's as close to vegetable as I am willing to consume." Dean replied grabbing his hot dog and paying the vendor.
"Ketchup is made from tomatoes that are technically fruit." Cas deadpanned and Dean just stood there, blinking at him for a moment before he huffed a laugh, smiling kindly back at Cas.
"That's really..."
"Do you like watermelon?" Cas interrupted.
"I... Sure."
"Watermelon comes from the cucumber family, making it a vegetable, so there. That is one vegetable you eat." Cas said, and wow. The smile that spread across Dean's face was wide and genuine, a happy feeling spreading inside his chest. And over something as silly as this. Cas blushed again, but there was a smile on his face too, and by God, Dean was calling this day one of the best he's had in a long time, and it wasn't even 8AM yet.
They finished their hot dogs, and walked back to the shelter, the silence between them light and definitely not awkward, just like that night, and Dean found that to be so... peculiar. But in a good way. No. Unique. That was much better of a word.
Together they helped Balth make breakfast, and serve it too, working together so easily. Dean seemed to know exactly the right time Cas would need another pair of hands with a tray, while Cas seemed to have great timing when it came to Dean needing salt or a knife. Often than not they would flash each other a smile, Cas' one much shyer then Dean's, but still there.
Dean grabbed an egg and some salami after they were done with servings and Cas took some honey packets and butter to put on his bread, which Dean of course found interesting. Cas was just... A very interesting kinda guy.
"I have an errand I need to do, do you need any help here before I go?" Cas offered as Dean was starting to put away the dishes they washed and dried.
"Nah, I got this. Go do your thing." Dean replied. No need for both of them to get stuck doing this when he could handle it by himself. He had just enough time to wrap it up and go see Frank.
Cas thanked him and hurried off, while Dean finished putting the dishes away and clearing out whatever was left, so that they had a clean kitchen to work in for dinner. But right now, he had something else he needed to focus on. Frank.
Frank was a genius at finding things, but not just because he had easy access to government files, but also because he knew people. His job as the head of the local Social Security Administration office allowed him to delegate his work and focus on some other, much more lucrative tasks (Frank accepted cash and favors as currency).
By the time Dean reached the SSAO, he was completely focused on the information he needed Frank to get for him, so much so that he was caught completely by surprise by Cas' being there. He was having a discussion with Anael, poor guy not knowing he shouldn't argue with her.
"What do you mean you can't issue me a new Card? I need it, I lost... I don't have my driver's license nor my ID, and I need the card to..."
"I am sorry, sir, but in order to get a new card with your social security number printed, you must provide some other form of identification, either an ID, a driver's license or a passport. Otherwise, I cannot issue you a new card." She said with disinterest, a perfect vision of a government employee who didn't give a shit.
"Please, I need... Please." Cas pleaded and Dean felt his chest tighten at the despair in his voice.
"Hey, Cas..." He said as he approached the counter, smiling his most charming smile and gasping just a little at the fearful and devastated look in those beautiful blue eyes. "Thanks, Annie, I got it." Dean waved Anael and she huffed, clearly annoyed at him using that nickname. "Hey, Cas... What's up?" Dean tried as he pulled the man to the side, and out of the long line of people Anael was left to deal with.
"I... I lost my card and... My... My... My wallet, all of my documents. And... And my bank card and I need... I have to... I need..." Cas struggled and Dean fought the urge to stop him from speaking and just pull him into a big, comforting hug. His chest ached as he watched Cas trying to say, to explain and combined with that small panic that was growing more evident in his voice, Dean knew he had to do something.
"Alright, okay. Let's go see Frank, he's a friend, he'll help." Dean said and led Cas through the restricted area door.
Needless to say, Frank was not happy about the unplanned visitor, and was definitely not affected by Cas' pleading eyes, but when Dean stared him down and said he would make it worth his while, Frank agreed to help. Unfortunately, Cas forgot his last three digits of his SSN. Fortunately, Dean remembered that Balth took a copy of his ID when Dean enrolled to help at the shelter so he asked if maybe he'd done the same with Cas. Frank agreed that a copy of any ID would be sufficient to allow him to issue a new SSN card, so Cas ran out of there as fast as his legs would carry him, promising to bring that copy in fifteen minutes tops.
"You owe me big time for this, you know that, right?" Frank asked looking at a very pleased, very happy Dean. Dean just handed him a piece of paper, still looking in the direction Cas ran off to. "What's this?"
"Access passwords to Roman's personal computer. Charlie said this bomb would be enough to cover the next decade of favors..." Dean chuckled as he watched Frank's eyes go wide, shock followed by a disturbing grin flashing on Frank's face. Dean didn't really know what Frank had against the head of one of the USA's biggest companies - Richard Roman, but if it was Expose worthy, he knew he would find out eventually.
They waited for Cas to return and Frank issued him a new card once he came back with a copy of his ID. The man was so giddy and excited, his smile so bright and happy as he took his new card in his hand. The big hug he gave Dean took Dean's breath away, not having expected to be given a chance to touch the man, much less have him in his arms, however briefly.
"Thank you, Dean. You have no idea how much this means to me." Cas said after he pulled away and it was Dean's turn to blush.
"Shucks Cas, you make it sound like I did something big. All I did was ask Frank to help you out."
"Well, it is big in my book. Thank you. And thank you Mr. Devereaux."
"Yeah, whatever." Frank was too engrossed in something on his computer to pay attention to the two of them.
"Dean?"
"Yeah?"
"You didn't follow me here, did you?"
Dean's eyes grew wide, surprise showing on his face at Cas' question. It hurt, a little bit, to find out the man thought Dean would do something like that to him. The shock must have been too evident on Dean's face because then Cas was apologizing and looking ashamed of his own words before Dean could even say anything.
"It's... No, I... Balth, he gave me a green light to do a story about him and the shelter and I thought..." Dean tried, stumbling over his words as he fought off that little sting in his chest. "... I know about him, about his... Past. And I guess I figured... I could at least try and find some of his siblings."
"Oh." There it was, the guilt and shame growing as Cas' face turned beet red, and the man tried to say something again, probably to apologize, but his mouth kept opening and closing as he seemed at a loss for words.
Wishing to get past this situation and to shove those feelings aside, Dean thought best to focus on what he originally came there to do. "Yeah, I already have some details, and I was hoping it might be enough, with Frank's help, to open some of the sealed court files and take a peek."
Thankfully, Frank speaking up broke that awkwardness that suddenly overtook them. "What have you got?"
So Dean turned to him and named the orphanage Balth ended up in, bringing up the names of four siblings he knew - Anna, Hannah, Ezekiel and Joshua and the approximate time they were all there, while Cas stood to the side silently and just listened. Once he was done, Frank asking a few questions and Dean answering what he knew, Cas also filling in on what he knew, Frank felt confident he could at least find those four, if not all six of them. If wasn't really good that Dean didn't even know the other two's names, but Frank would do his best.
"I really am sorry for insinuating that you were following me." Cas said as the two walked back to the shelter.
"That's alright, Cas. I mean... I kinda do that for a living, being an investigative reporter, I follow people sometimes... Not that I am following you or writing about you, I would never..." Dean trailed off. He wanted to say he would never do that without his permission, but he kind of already did. Whether it was him or his editor is nothing more then semantics, and therefore not relevant, so he didn't really have a good argument beside adding "... Not again..."
"Well, for what it's worth, I am glad you decided to do this for Balth. He certainly deserves it."
"Yeah, I think so too. Hey, you can't tell him, alright? I mean, on a chance that this might not pan out and that we don't find any of them, I just don't want to get his hopes up. And it will be an awesome surprise if we manage to locate at least one." Dean said and Cas nodded his agreement to keep quiet about it.
"Look, about that thing... I want to be honest with you. I really want to help out, with the shelter and everything, but I also... I was hoping that maybe you would consider being friends? I want to make it up to you, make up for what I did and show you I am not... I didn't mean to hurt you and if you'll let me, I really want to be your friend." Dean said in one breath. He knew it was a risk, to put this out in the open like that, giving Cas a chance to just say no, but he didn't want any more misunderstandings about his intentions.
Cas took a moment to think it over, looking at Dean, his gaze searching Dean's face, probably for any sign of a lie or a misconception on his part, and after not finding any, he offered a small smile. "I think I would like that. To be your friend."
Joy exploded in Dean's chest at the sight of that smile and the sound of those words and he wanted nothing more then to come up to the man and hug him tight, but held back, not wishing to make him uncomfortable. He was thrilled to be getting this much, it was far more then what he hoped for.
Maybe, with time, Cas could learn to trust him, really trust him and let him in even closer, but Dean dared not even imagine it yet, as not to jinx it. For now, he was happy to have this much.