Content: In which Dean and Castiel swap some stories about their respective lives after graduation and tentatively start to get to know each other.

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Author's Note: Happy Christmas Day everyone!

As the summary already tells you this time around Dean and Cas just get to talk with each other and get up to speed with the other one's life. Of course there's more to follow in the next chapters, questions you won't find answered that easily, but it's a start for both of them ;)

And once again, you're the most amazing people, THANK YOU!

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They find their way to the stables, walking in companionable silence at first and Dean enjoying the occasional brush of Castiel's fingers against his, not giving a damn that they're so close they're practically holding hands.

It's nice.

Really freaking nice.

Dean can't even remember the last time the proximity of another person had him so giddy and yet so relaxed at the same time.

"So, what have you been up to since graduation?" Dean can't help asking nonetheless because he's just burning to know.

Castiel shrugs. "The usual. Went to college, graduated, found myself a job."

He sounds so freaking casual about it, as if it's been something he did along the side, merely something small and unimportant that's not worth mentioning at all.

"And what did you end up doing?" Dean asks curiously. "Wait, don't tell me! You became the President of the United States, am I right?"

Castiel raises his brows, for a moment obviously considering whether Dean's serious or not, and in the end he chuckles at the lame joke. "Well, Dean, I sincerely hope you would have noticed if I had become the President."

Dean grins lopsidedly. "Don't count on that. As father of a five-year-old a lot of things just pass by. I miss a bunch of stuff these days."

It's not even untrue. It took him about six months to realize that the formerly vacant apartment across from his had been rented anew.

"If it's not the president job, you're probably some senator or at least a mayor, right?" Dean smirks as he watches Castiel grimacing. "Or the CEO of some super important corporate firm? A hot shot lawyer? A doctor? Astronaut? Professor? Scientist?"

Castiel seems quite amused by Dean's attempts of guessing. "A doctor," he declares finally, pulling the other man out of his misery.

Dean feels something warm pressing within his chest. Of course Castiel chose to become a doctor, making it his life mission to help people and simultaneously use that awesome brain of his on a regular basis.

"I knew it," Dean says, his smile spreading wide. "What kind? Surgeon? Cardiologist?"

"Veterinarian."

Dean raises his brows. He actually didn't really expect that answer. "Seriously?"

Castiel quirks his head. "For a long time I desired to become a physician. But during my studies, while actually working with real patients … well, I realized that my 'people skills' will never be 'not rusty'." The dork uses actual air-quotes and Dean feels how his insides starts to melt. "An adviser of mine suggested veterinary medicine to me. And since I always felt a special connection to animals, I gave it a shot."

Dean smiles. "And here you are."

"Granted, I still have to deal with the owners and it's not easy sometimes, but my work is rewarding nonetheless," Castiel continues. "After my graduation I opened an animal clinic right at the town's center, next to the post office. You might have noticed it."

Well, that certainly answers the question whether Castiel still lives in Lawrence. Dean feels his heart jolt with happiness.

He can't suppress a dazzling grin, most likely looking like an idiot doing so.

"Yeah ..." he finally responds after spotting Castiel's expectant gaze. "I … I might have noticed it. In passing."

He vaguely pictures a gray building with a big parking lot right next to the post office, but Dean never really bothered to read the huge sign at the entrance any further. He doesn't own a pet, so naturally he doesn't have any kind of need for an animal clinic.

"So, you own that place?" Dean wonders and he's unable to keep the awe out of his voice.

There is a mild pink tinging Castiel's cheeks. "Well, yes," he confirms. "Gabriel … he was looking for some investments right after I graduated and offered this opportunity to me. For a while I actually considered to decline because I didn't feel very comfortable doing business with my family, but in the end I simply couldn't resist. The offer was too good." Castiel chews his lower lip. "However, I made sure I didn't get the whole thing on a silver platter. I got myself a loan and organized everything from start to finish. The interior, the right equipment, my employees – every single detail had to be taken care of."

"Sounds like a lot of work," Dean says.

"It was." Castiel nods in agreement. "And it's been worth every single moment."

He seems so proud, so happy, with what he achieved in life that Dean can't help feeling thrilled either.

"So … you're still living in town?" Dean attempts to appear as innocent as possible, just a casual remark and nothing more, but for his ears it sounds he's way too desperate for information.

Castiel, however, doesn't pick up on that. "I went to Berkeley," he explains, as nonchalant as if he'd be talking about his grocery list. "But I never really felt at home there, you know? I always planned to come back eventually, even after my mother …" He halts, his lips pressed together, and Dean feels a surge of sympathy. "I inherited my childhood home after she passed. It's small and cozy and I seriously didn't want to sell it to another person or let it stay empty for years. I always felt safe there, loved, so it seemed logical to come back to this place."

Obviously Castiel doesn't regret that decision one second.

"Now I've got my own house, freshly renovated, my own business and a car that doesn't die on me every few miles." Castiel smiles brightly. "Definitely an improvement."

The last time Dean met a former classmate and heard the stories about how that guy's life turned out, Dean felt all kinds of resentment. It's been more than apparent that the moron only listed all the awesome things that happened to him after graduation to get a fix out of it. To make himself feel better by letting Dean believe he's a downright loser compared to the guy's renowned degree, his expensive sports car and his hot fiancée.

Dean got out of there before the bastard was able to begin rambling about his pedigree dogs.

But with Castiel – he doesn't tell this stories because he thinks himself better than Dean or anything. He doesn't wanna brag and be smug right into Dean's face.

He's just genuinely happy and likes to share this with someone else.

It's endearing.

"And what about you?"

Castiel's question jolts Dean out of his reverie, making him blink. He looks at Castiel's expectant expression, open and honest and bar any judgment, and can't help sensing a spark of something uncomfortable.

He feels suddenly small and unimportant next to this super genius who probably graduated with summa cum laude while at the same time saving the world from a Bond villain or something.

And what about Dean? He got stuck in this stupid town and still works the job he had since he was a teenager.

It's not exactly glorious.

So he shuffles his feet awkwardly and avoids Castiel's gaze as he replies, "I'm a mechanic."

He never felt really comfortable with sharing that information with his former classmates. Sure, there turned out to be even bigger failures in Dean's year – like Jeffrey Smith who still lives in his mom's basement or that weird kid from his Physic class that decided to move into a tree a few years back and hasn't come down since –, but he isn't exactly a success story either, particularly next to someone like Castiel, so it isn't always fun to admit that he never bothered with college and wasn't able to take at least a couple of steps forward since graduation.

He's still in more or less the same position as before and some folks thought this reason enough to pity or mock him.

Castiel, however, reacts in a way no one else did before: He smiles.

It's bright and genuine and takes Dean completely by surprise. He has to blink a few times to make sure he isn't hallucinating.

"It's good to hear that," Castiel says, sounding so freaking honest that Dean has no real clue what to do with that.

"Uh … it is?" he asks eventually, gobsmacked.

Castiel nods enthusiastically. "You have an amazing talent, Dean. Even back in high school. I don't know what you did with my car that day, but it's obviously been some kind of magic since it purred like a cat for many years. Although every single mechanic before you told me that it was a lost cause and I should bury it rather sooner than later. You proved them all wrong." His smile intensifies. "You were very skilled back then and I can't even begin to imagine how good you are now, over a decade later. People are lucky to have you take care of their cars."

Dean flushes all over. It's just so typical for Castiel, just bluntly telling his honest opinion in a way not even the closest of friends do all the time. Dean's got no clue if Castiel has seriously no concept of this or if he does indeed know what he's doing and doesn't give a damn about it, but Dean can't help feeling a certain appeal.

"Uh, thanks, I guess?" Dean pulls a face at his own awkwardness. "Bobby, my boss … um, he thinks of putting me in charge of his garage after he retires."

For some reason Dean felt the strong urge to add this tidbit of information. He never really voiced it out loud, actually scoffed when Sam brought it up, but right here and now – it just feels important that Castiel knows.

"He couldn't have picked a better man," Castiel says solemnly, looking so sincere that it takes Dean's breath away.

God, that guy is indeed still way too much.

Dean's quite certain that he's gonna be dead by the end of this weekend.

"Actually, thinking about that now, it's quite a shame that my car isn't such a wreck anymore," Castiel bemoans. "I could have met you again way sooner. Years ago."

Yeah, Dean finds himself agreeing. It's a downright shame.

He can't even begin to imagine how that would have turned out. Castiel suddenly appearing at his workplace, all smiley and grateful at Dean for taking care of his car. They swapping their respective life stories and perhaps eventually agreeing to meet up for coffee to deepen their conversation.

Castiel not being fooled that Dean's in a relationship with someone else.

Yeah, it'd have been awesome and Dean finds himself cursing Castiel's perfectly running car.

"Of course assuming you're still living nearby," Castiel corrects himself. "I mean, a broken down car wouldn't have done me any good if you're working five towns over. I'm presuming you don't live that far away, considering Jo and Kali are quite close and Kali never mentioned a long-distance friendship before, but I can't be sure –"

Dean chuckles. It actually sounds a bit like Castiel's rambling.

"I'm still living in Lawrence," he answers, smiling. "On the outskirts. It's actually quite close to our old high school. I didn't make it very far."

Castiel's face does something very complicated and hard to decipher as he replies, "I sincerely doubt that."

Somehow Dean gets the feeling that he's not talking about the distance anymore.

And it's way too overwhelming to deal with that right now.

So instead of getting into that, Dean clears his throat awkwardly and croaks, "So … best man, huh?"

Thankfully Castiel doesn't notice the lame diversion. Or he somehow learned in the last few years to just let it slide and respect someone else's wish for a change of subject.

"I was fairly surprised, I have to confess," Castiel says. "I actually didn't figure Gabriel would pick me. For instance, our cousin Balthazar would have been a more logical choice, they're both very much alike. But somehow Gabriel settled on me of all people." He tilts his head, looking all kinds of adorable. "I'm still convinced this is Kali's doing. She probably didn't want to deal with Gabriel and Balthazar being in charge of any important decisions."

Dean can't help but nod. He doesn't know that Balthazar dude, but if he's indeed so much like Gabriel, Dean would have intervened as well. It sounds like a nightmare no one wants to see coming true.

Still, he can't imagine Gabriel solely picking Castiel because he wouldn't wanna risk the bride's wrath. He didn't miss the tiny note of affection, underneath all the teasing and smug smirks, when Gabriel spoke with his little brother earlier.

"You're his brother, Cas," Dean says, shrugging. "It's probably as simple as that."

Dean at least wouldn't miss Sam on his wedding day even for a second. Sure, from the outside they don't seem much alike – similar to Castiel and Gabriel –, but even the sheer thought of Sammy not standing beside him, supporting him and most likely ruining his bachelor party by trying to convince the strippers to go back to school, is just too much.

And Dean can picture it being the same for Gabriel.

Though he probably would never say it out loud. In a million years.

"Maybe you're right," Castiel acknowledges. He still doesn't sound entirely convinced, but at the same he isn't dismissing the idea wholeheartedly. "The most important thing to Gabriel is family." He halts for a moment, obviously contemplating his own words carefully, before correcting himself, "Family and candy. And sexual innuendos. And humiliating people."

Jeez, Dean can't wait to avoid that guy as much as possible the next few days.

"Gabriel is a very complicated man," Castiel summarizes, his voice full of so many different emotions that Dean's unable to distinguish every single one of them. There is probably some exasperation, but Dean detects a hint of fondness as well.

They're two different people and yet they care about each other, no matter how irritating the other person might appear from time to time.

"But you probably wouldn't mind him becoming your best man either if you'd ever marry, right?" Dean asks and finds himself winking, most likely looking like an utter moron in the process. Way to go, Winchester. "I mean, in case you already aren't … well, involved with someone …"

Dean can't remember the last time his heart raced so fast while clumsily fishing for information and hearing the voice inside his head yelling, "Please say no, please say no," over and over again like a broken record.

He's not sure if he could survive seeing Castiel being all lovey dovey the whole weekend with a wife or husband or any significant other. He was barely able to stand it when Meg Masters took a shining on Castiel in high school and flirted with him over the course of every English lesson for a whole month (before eventually dropping it after Castiel only showed interest in their joint assignment) and that hadn't even been serious at the time.

But picturing Castiel all married and committed …

Well, of course Dean wants him to be happy and everything, but it would be a cruel reminder of Dean being a freaking coward back then for not going for Castiel when he still got the chance.

Fortunately Castiel puts him out of his misery by answering, "Well, it's not on the horizon right now, but if I would ever find myself wanting to get married, I indeed wouldn't mind Gabriel becoming my best man. Though I wouldn't leave him in charge of my bachelor party."

Dean lets out a relieved breath, feeling the tension in his muscles vanish right away, and he can't keep himself from beaming at Castiel as if he just received the best news ever.

"It would get wild, huh?" he asks.

Castiel snorts, making it crystal clear that this is an understatement. "Let's just say I'm not allowed to organize his bachelor party right now as well. Our ideas of 'fun' are way too different."

Dean isn't capable of arguing with that, so he simply smiles, nods and feels his heart jump excitedly every time Castiel casts him a glance.

And that's a lot.

Dean doesn't even realize they almost reached the stables until he suddenly hears a horse whinnying not that far away. He blinks a few times, forcing his eyes to look at anything else than Castiel's gorgeous face for at least a second, and finally pays some attention to their surroundings.

He notices the gravel walk underneath his feet which they obviously had been following for a while. He sees the wide paddock right in front of him, with several horses grazing in the distance, enjoying the sunset and the lack of any humans disturbing their peace. And he finally spots the stables a bit to their right, the place where his little girl giddily pulled Jo toward to not so long ago.

"So, tell me about Emma!" Castiel suddenly says, his posture straightening while jerking Dean out of his thoughts. "Is there anything I need to know before I'll meet her?"

Dean can't help a little chuckle, his eyes finding their way back to Castiel without much effort. "You're asking for a manual?"

Castiel frowns and for a moment it sincerely seems as though he's taking Dean's words seriously and would like to demand the newest edition of "How to handle a child 101" the very next second, so he'd have some time to memorize the instructions before they would reach the stables.

His faces falls a bit when he eventually realizes that Dean was only joking and he starts to fidget awkwardly. "It's just … I'm not used to the company of children. I don't know whether …"

He trails off, looking unsure.

And Dean can't take that for longer than two milliseconds. "Don't worry, Cas," he hurries to reassure. "Emma is my little sweetheart. She won't bite you. I hope."

He laughs instantly, making sure for Castiel straightaway that he's only kidding.

"She's a sweet, little girl," Dean says, his voice getting overly affectionate all on its own. He's able to talk about his favorite sunshine for hours. "She likes to color, she likes to talk, she likes to collect rocks and leave them scattered around the apartment. She always tries to convince me to get a dog because "Uncle Sammy loves dogs and I do too". Sometimes she's too smart for her own good. I mean, she knows how to unlock my frigging phone and I've got no clue how she figured that out." He heaves a dramatic sigh. "Really, Cas, you don't have to worry."

Castiel does indeed look a little less tense after hearing Dean's words. "She sounds lovely."

Dean smiles brightly. "Oh, she is," he agrees. "Okay, I admit, recently she tends to be a handful occasionally. Bedtime, for instance, is more often a challenge than not. Or getting dressed in the morning. I guess it's just a mix of testing her limits with me and at the same time being kinda underwhelmed with our everyday routine while her friends are off on vacation with their parents, going on adventures."

Dean's actually able to relate. It must feel highly frustrating for a child to see all your friends go off to explore the world (or, in the case of her best friend Chelsea Plant, the second largest twine ball of the country) and have to stay at home with your old dad and no dog.

Dean probably wouldn't have been thrilled about that either at her age.

Hell, he most likely wouldn't be happy about that even now.

"So yeah, she was a bit cranky recently," Dean confesses. "But being here, I think it'll lift her spirits. At least she's really excited about meeting all the horses and seeing the bride in her dress eventually."

Castiel's expression gentles. "This estate is a great place for children. She's going to have a memorable time."

She won't be the only one, Dean find himself thinking.

"And I can introduce her to the horses if you're agreeable with that," Castiel proposes. "I know them all by heart since I grew up with them and am their vet now. I can help Emma getting acquainted with them."

Dean feels something warm gripping his chest hearing Castiel so easily offer himself to spend some time with Emma in the hopes of her starting to like him.

"You'll be her hero," Dean says, his voice somewhat croaky because it takes a lot of effort to dampen all those emotions trying to crawl to the surface.

Castiel offers him a broad smile in return. "Then what are we waiting for?"