Hello.

Not that I need another story, let alone another AU, but I watched "A Woman of Affairs" the other day and fell in love with it. I thought, why not turn it into a fic, so here I am.

WARNINGS: AU obviously. OOC will be present. All human (one day I will tackle my first relatively canon to SPN fic). Multiple pairings will be presented, but Dean and Cas' relationship is the underlying one.

If you're at all familiar with the film I am basing this off of, kudos for you! It's a 1928 silent film. I will be following that plot, so if you want to spoil it, search it, if not, just wait and see. That being said, there will be character death. Do not heed that lightly.


"Do you really have to go?"

I squeezed the hand in mine gently as I awaited the inevitable sigh that would escape those lips I loved to kiss and nibble—there it was.

"Will you pull over up there, please? And stop being so stubborn about this."

I moved my thumb back and forth along the back of the hand, letting my fingers curl around the pinky and ring fingers trapped within my grasp.

"I love that tree."

"I know you do, that's why I asked you to take me here."

I finally took my eyes off the road and looked at the body riding shot gun. I met those too blue eyes that always rendered me incompetent for at least three seconds each time I saw them, and I smiled.

I pulled off the back road and into the field just beneath our tree. I let go of his hand to turn off the ignition and then climbed out of the car to follow him to the one spot at the base of the trunk we always sat curled together.

He took my hand in his as we walked towards the tree, linking our fingers together.

"Thank you for doing this today."

He was looking at me with such adoration, so open and honest—his eyes could never hide what he was feeling, not from me.

"You know I'd do anything for you."

His lips quirked down and I knew I had just ruined the peaceful atmosphere that remained. He released my hand and began to remove his outer coat, this god-awful trench that I haven't seen him without since we were fourteen. He laid it out and sat down, leaning his back against the tree and motioned for me to maneuver myself down between his sprawled legs.

"I love you, you know this, but I can't rely on your money Dean. This is a chance for me to go and make something of myself, to, to earn my own fortune so I can take care of you for once. If you love me as much as you say you do, why can't you let me do this for you?"

I was glad to only be kneeling before him, not sitting ensnared in his arms—that was probably his plan. To hold me without a means to escape, he was stronger than his lean form appeared. My hands grasping the lapels of his sports jacket, I froze. I'm a Winchester, I'm used to getting what I want and what I want is to be able to—well it's not him leaving for some sense of self pride. I'm far too selfish for that.

"Cas, how, how can you ask me something like that? Of course I love you, and what's wrong with me taking care of you? You take care of me too, you always have! Remember when we were twelve and first found this place, this tree? You kissed me here for the first time then."

The wind rushed through my hair, my tie blowing over my shoulder as I raced ahead of Michael and Castiel on my bicycle. We had just left my family's estate and were venturing towards one of the various dirt roads that lead out into the country side for a small adventure before returning to work on homework. I loved whatever reprieve I could get from academic work, and the longer I got to spend in Castiel's company the better.

"Come on Castiel, Michael's catching up with me, I want you to win!"

I had turned around to look back at the boy whose name I just called out. I shouldn't have taken my eyes off the road in front of me.

"Dean!"

Michael's call came too late, my bicycle and body collided with a tree trunk and we both—my bike and I—fell to the ground.

Michael reached me first, falling to his knees beside me, brushing my hair from my forehead. I opened my eyes, hoping and wanting it to be Castiel; I knew the disappointment at finding Michael above me was evident on my face.

"Dean! Dean, are you alright? Michael is he alright?"

I felt a body fall on my other side, I curled into the warmth of Castiel's body, allowing his arms to wrap around me and I glanced up at him.

"Cas?"

"Hush Dean, it'll be alright."

He leant down and pressed his lips to my cheek, and then my forehead; I couldn't fight the slight smile that erupted on my face.

"I want to be able to provide more than just comfort for you Dean, as a man and your potential husband I should be able to. I cannot rely solely on your money, or your family's."

I sat back on my knees, removing my hands from his chest.

"It's four years Cas, what if you forget about me? I can't wait four years to marry you. I've wanted to marry you since we were young."

"I have a sense of pride, sometimes that's greater than love."

I scowled. I knew it was selfish and childish and highly inappropriate of me, but I had to know his reaction.

"If you leave, I won't wait for you. I will marry and you know Michael will ask me. What then? Will you let someone else love me? Kiss me? Touch me? Do the things to me that I've only ever let you do?"

He shifted forward so quickly I was unaware he even moved until his arms were around me and his lips were pressed against mine. He peppered my face with kisses before pulling back, but keeping me firmly in place within his arms.

"No one else can have you. You're mine. We'll discuss this tomorrow at Michael's game. You should go though; Michael and Sam are awaiting your arrival, neither will be pleased that you've been with me."

I pressed forward, kissing him as if were the very breath I needed to survive. I loved and hated that he could reduce me to such a state. Only he ever saw me like this. To everyone else I was either aloof or rather hard edged, never letting anyone in, except for Sammy.

I felt his fingers smooth down my hair and fiddle with my coat, and then he cupped my face and brushed his thumb across my bottom lip.

"I'll walk back darling, I've a flashlight in my coat. You've kept them waiting long enough."

"No pet names."

He smiled.

"You call me Cas."

I gave him a quick kiss and stood up, holding my hand out to help him to his feet as well. I pulled him in for a hug and just stood there a moment longer; no one but the trees and Baby had to know that I liked to cuddle with Cas—or that I actually liked it when he called me darling.

"Go, I'll be fine. I'll see you tomorrow, just remember my father will be there."

I let go and stepped back, glancing down at him; I really did hate parting ways.

"My biggest fan."

He snorted.

"No, that would be Michael."

"Sarcasm still isn't your strong suit Cas. Give him a break. I love you, I want to marry you, alright, Michael is just the third wheel; he's always been the third wheel."

He gave me a curt nod and turned away from me and bent down to gather his coat. He didn't turn around to face me again while he brushed it off, or while he shrugged it on. He pulled out a small flashlight and turned it on and began walking off into the darkness. I stood there and watched as he got further and further away from me.