Castiel had gone to Sam's room and asked him about where to eat. After explaining to him the different types of places and what they gave, Cas chose a small diner near the house that apparently was one of Dean's favorites.
He walked downstairs dressed in yet again one of Dean's old band shirts, something called Foo Fighters apparently according to Sam, and a pair of jeans. His wings were visible through the shirt if you looked hard enough at them, the way his back stood out at a strange angle in certain parts gave it away.
Sam assured him that he would be fine and that he shouldn't be scared or nervous, people in this part of town didn't really care one way or another who you were. Castiel followed him into the garage and into the backseat with Sam right beside him, telling him about some story he read earlier in the day.
Dean watched them through the rearview mirror as they drove, a smile on his face. He was glad that they were connecting, even if it was mainly Sam talking. Cas always seemed to be interested in what he was saying and asked questions when appropriate.
Dean would be lying if he said he wasn't nervous about taking Castiel out of the house. Most of the people in the area wouldn't really care as long as he behaved himself but then there were the ones that thought they were the scum of the earth. Every time Dean went out, he always encounter at least one group of them, wishing death on the 'feathered freaks'.
They pulled up to the Road House and Dean got out, followed by Sam and Castiel. He could practically feel the fear pouring off of Castiel, almost seeing the regret on his face. Letting Sam walk in front of them, Dean moved to walk next to Castiel, a soft hand on his back.
"Its alright…we are going to be here the entire time and if we need to, we will leave." Dean said quietly to which Castiel nodded, shaking his back slightly before walking inside the diner.
It was already sort of busy for the dinner rush, Dean noted as they were guided to their seats by some new peppy blonde chick. Normally Dean would be hitting on her the second he locked eyes on her, but Castiel was the focus of his attention currently. Sitting down in a booth, Dean looked at Sam who was reading over the menu, seemingly oblivious to everything around him.
They managed to get through ordering and the food getting sent out to them before he heard it. Dean looked over at Cas to see if he had, the tears in his eyes obvious that he had. A big burley and most like traditional man was glaring at them from a few tables away, ranting about the need to just kill all angels.
One of Castiel's hands was working the fork in the pasta he ordered, which Sam recommended and was actually very good, the other balled in a fist under the table. Dean ate as well but kept his eye on Castiel, making sure he was doing okay without saying a word.
When Castiel heard him mention the 'blue eyed freak' he jumped due to the close proximity of it. He looked over at Dean, silently asking if they could leave.
"Go to the car…Ill be there soon okay?" Dean said and Castiel nodded, walking out of the diner with Sam in tow behind him. They had only gotten halfway to the car when he was grabbed by the shirt by someone, his feet going out under him
"Why don't we just do the world a favor?" One of the men snarled as he pulled out a knife, making Sam shout and Cas look over at him. Without saying a word and with just one glance, Castiel told Sam to stay there and whatever happened, happened.
As the man pressed the knife to his neck, Castiel closed his eyes, waiting for the blade to dig in. He felt the concrete under him hit the back of his head, making his vision blurry when he snapped open his head. Sam had run over to him, pulling him away from what looked like Dean attacking the men.
Swallowing thickly, Cas pushed himself to his feet and staggered a few steps. "D-Dean." He managed out, making everyone stop. "Lets g-go home."
Dean narrowed his eyes and nodded, pushing the man to the ground before walking over to Castiel, walking with them to the car. He had a cut on his forehead that was bleeding down the side of his face but he made no move to wipe it away, staying silent the entire drive home.
One they finally got home, Cas ignored Sam's attempt to talk to him, brushing past him and going straight to his room. He shut the door behind him and pulled off the shirt, walking into the bathroom attached to his room. Unfurling his wings to full size, Cas stared at them in the mirror, pulling one close to his chest.
"Stupid wings." He muttered, looking over it slowly, running his hand through it and tugging the feathers lightly. Castiel swallowed thickly, looking at the scissors on the counter and then at his wings, reaching for them. Maybe if he disfigured them even more, they would be able to hide under his shirt, maybe he would be able to go in public, maybe everyone wouldn't hate him. As he grabbed them and unfolded them so it was more of a knife than a pair of scissors, Dean opened the door to the bedroom, his heart stopping in his chest.
"Please don't Cas." He whispered, not moving from his spot by the door, Castiel's hand above the wing, the scissors poised to stab down into them.
