Okay, sorry this is so late. Again. Sorry. I am so not lying, I got strep throat and an ear infection. My life sucks, I know. Also, WAAAAAAY OOC in this chapter. You meet Ellen and Jo, which I had no idea how to go about writing. I just kind of fit them into the characters I needed them to be. ALSO! *****THIS BIT IS KIND OF IMPORTANT SO IF YOU SKIP AUTHOR'S NOTES JUST READ THE BIT AFTER THE ASTERISKS***** I kinda sorta maybe go on a brief little kinda longest paragraph in this chapter about religious views on homosexual relationships. It is positive, I promise. These really are my views, and the views of the church I go to. I do not wish to offend, merely give a brief informative from Castiel. If you don't wish to read this, just skip it when you come to it. I italicized it for easy skipping. I do not plan for there to be many more religion heavy moments in this story, so if religion isn't your thing, I won't throw it at you will be a touch of it here and there, but keep in mind this story is set in the Bible Belt. I just felt that Castiel and his religious stance needed an explanation. I just hope I did not muddle it up too much.

Chapter Rating: T (Language and Religious Themes) *Offense to any religious or non-religious group is not intended*

Castiel had not heard from Dean the entire next day. It made the young man worry, though not as much as he would have thought. He realized that Dean might need some time to collect himself after the emotional ordeal and to cope with the implications of what had occurred between them.

And oh, the implications. Castiel could not help but smile at the thought. He had kissed Dean. Really kissed him. And not only that, Dean had kissed him back with equal fervor. Dean liked him. Castiel was on very uncertain ground as to the extent of what was between them, seeing as it had only been a week since they had met. At least there was hope.

Gabriel sat down next to Castiel at the kitchen table, smiling mischievously. The younger brother barely spared the older a thought. Gabe just continued to smile as though he knew a secret. Michael came in about ten minutes later to the odd sight of his youngest brother staring intently into the distance while his middle brother stared intently at the former as though the former was a particularly sugary treat. It was very disturbing, to say the least.

"Gabriel, why are you staring at Castiel like a crazy person?"

"Because, dear brother of mine, our youngest sibling has a new boyfriend."

This statement promptly broke Castiel out of his haze. The startled look on the man's face was enough to make Gabriel laugh out loud and Michael twitch his lips (which was the equivalent to Gabe's reaction in terms of Michael).

"What? Gabriel, I do not-"

"Have a boyfriend? That is a lie, Cassie. Lying is a sin you know," Gabe interrupted snidely.

"You do have a certain air of contentedness about you, Castiel. You are normally this way when you have begun to date someone new. It is a logical assumption to make at this juncture."

"Stay out of this, Mike!"

"Oh, it's official. Cassie's got himself a man. Not only raising his voice in the presence of the oldest, but calling him by the Great Taboo. That's a two for one."

"I have to say I agree with Gabriel and resent your previous outburst."

"Sorry, Michael."

"Well, do you have a boyfriend now?" Gabriel inquired.

"It's complicated."

"Oh, God. He's not straight is he? Cassie, remember Kevin..."

"Kevin was an honest mistake and you know it!"

"Calm, siblings."

"All I am trying to say is that my, uh, relationship is not written in stone. We are still figuring it out."

"Can we at least know who you're being complicated with?"

"No."

Castiel did not know how he managed to get Gabriel to shut up. He would never know. It had happened before, a couple of times. There were just some occassions where Gabe would truly leave something be. It was rare, and Castiel savored every single moment of blessed silence that followed.

Lunch was its usual awkward self. Michael tried to make small talk that just lead into Gabriel telling some insane story or another. Castiel never talked much. In fact, he would have preferred to live alone, but he could not begin to afford it.

The rest of Castiel's day passed the same way as most. He did traditional things like laundry and vacuuming (which was a passion of his). After the chores, the young Novak sat himself down on the edge of his bed to read. It was nearly evening when the buzz of Castiel's phone brought him back to the world of nonfiction.

Castiel answered on the second ring.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Cas. It's Dean."

"Hello, Dean. Are you doing alright?"

"Yeah, I guess. Better than yesterday."

"Your family seemed very upset."

"My dad was just scared. We Winchester men have a hard time dealing with stuff like that. Sam was always the best of us. He just talked to me and asked how in the world you were the one to snap me out of it. He called you my guardian angel, can you believe that?"

"Well, I am the one that held you tight and raised you from perdition."

"What?"

"Nevermind."

"Well, the reason I called is because I took this morning to do my soul searching and to have my sexual identity crisis, and I was wondering if you, uh, well, Christ."

"Dean?"

"I was trying to be smooth. Fuck that. Cas, do you want to go out tonight? With me? Like on a... date?"

Castiel's heart fluttered in his chest. Dean had just asked him out on a date. Dean was flustered as he asked Castiel out on a date. He was- (It was in this moment that Castiel realized his internal third-party narration loved to restate the obvious worse than Charles Dickens, and he began to collect himself.)

"I would love to, Dean."

"Oh, that's good. Very good. Okay. Well, I would pick you up, but I don't know where you live."

"And if my brothers got one look at you... You just have to understand that Gabriel is an idiot and Michael is a little bit protective."

"Oh, no! Castiel is running off into the sunset with some ruggedly handsome cowboy which is completely his right as an adult!"

"They mean well."

"I figure. It's the same way I am with Sam. He dated this girl once, Glitter or Cherry or some hooker name, and I had to practically slap sense into him. She was not good for him. So, I get where your brothers are coming from. I just haven't ever been on the receiving end of that before."

"It's annoying, but appreciated."

"Oh, we got off topic. Date. You-me. Tonight."

"Yeah. Where? I can meet you there."

"There's this diner/bar down I-30 a little ways called The Roadhouse. Best food ever, in my opinion. The owner's name is Ellen and one of the waitresses is her daughter, Jo. They're good friends of mine. I kind of went by there this morning to get some advice. Ellen insisted on meeting you."

"Oh, that sounds wonderful. It really does. Just... Dean, what are we?"

"What do you mean?"

"May I call you my, uh, boyfriend, or-"

"That's fine. Great. That's great. It's a little high school for two adult men, but I'll deal. Just no chick flick moments."

"Alright, no chick flick moments. So Ellen and Jo know that I am coming as your date?"

"Yeah, they're cool. They understand what's going on. They won't spill the beans unless I give the okay."

"Okay, Dean. What time should I be there?"

"Seven alright?"

"Yes. I will see you there. Bye, Dean."

"Bye, Cas."

The line went dead as Dean hung up. Castiel's mind was whirling with a thousand different thoughts that would not lay still long enough to be considered. Dean had agreed to be boyfriends and had even told someone about it. This was crazy and wonderful and- God! They were going on a date. Castiel looked at the clock. They were going on a date in an hour and a half. AN HOUR AND A HALF.

Castiel jumped up from his bed and began to rush through his room like a hurricane. He changed shirts no less than three times, and finally decided on his blue barrel riding shirt. He tucked it into his nicest pair of jeans and tuck the hem of the jeans into his boots. After a frantic moment in the bathroom trying to tame his perpetual bedhead, Castiel grabbed his phone, wallet, and keys and hurried towards his front door.

Gabriel sprung across the entrance at the last moment, blocking Castiel. The older Novak brother let out a low whistle.

"You're lookin' good, baby brother. What's got you all dressed up?"

"Nothing, Gabriel. Let me through."

"Not until you tell me where you're going!"

Castiel glanced down at his watch. He had looked up directions to the roadhouse, but wanted to have at least thirty minutes to find it to be safe. He was already ten minutes into that margin of error and could not afford to lose any more time.

"I'm going on a date, and I will be late if you do not let me through!"

"Oh, the mystery man."

"Yes, and he will stay a mystery to you for the time being. Let me out of this door Gabriel, or I will go through you. And if you stalk me again, I swear to God, I will press charges."

With that, Gabriel was startled enough to shift a little, just enough that Castiel could push through the doorway. It took Castiel a few moments to calm himself enough to drive, and even then, he took the long way to the highway. Just to be safe.

The Roadhouse was a tired looking establishment. Like an old man that thought he should retire but never actually got around to doing it. The outside looked dilapidated and worn, with paint peeling and shingles hanging haphazardly off the roof. This was not the case with the interior.

Stepping inside the Roadhouse was like stepping into the old wardrobe into Narnia. The wooden floors were worn smooth with years of constant sweeping. The tables, chairs, and bar were all polished to a shine. Neon signs and other various light fixtures filled the space with a homey glow. There were a lot of people in the room, either sitting at the tables or bar, crouched around the two pool tables, or standing in the corners talking or dancing to the music played softly over a single speaker. It was by no means a run down place.

It took Castiel a few moments, but he finally managed to spot Dean at a table in the far corner of the bar. He was wearing a faded plaid shirt tucked into his jeans and had a leather jacket flung over the back of his chair. He seemed to be staring at the sweat on his beer bottle as if it held the meaning to life.

When Dean caught sight of Castiel making his way across the room, the Winchester's face lit in a huge smile. To be on the receiving end of such a smile made Castiel light headed. He sat in the chair opposite Dean and smiled back.

"Hey, Cas."

"Hello, Dean."

"Well, this is the place. I come here a lot. Doesn't look like much on the outside but-"

"I get what you mean. It feels very homey and warm here."

"Glad you felt that way, too. I think you'll see why when you meet Ellen. She kind of took me under her wing. Sam bonded with Bobby, but I always was closer to Ellen."

"She sounds great."

"She is. You'll like Jo, too. I tried to date her once in high school, but we were just too close, you know? She's like a little sister."

"Younger, not little, mister. You watch yourself," a young, female voice interrupted. Castiel looked up to see a pretty girl that was probably his own age standing before them. She wore a waitress's apron and held a pen and notepad. She must have been Jo.

"You must be Jo, I am Castiel. I am pleased to meet you."

"Likewise. I figured it was you. Dean came by this morning telling my mom and I that he'd be bringin' you around tonight. He never mentioned you were such a looker. I can certainly see what made him jump the fence." Castiel blushed at this statement. He noticed Dean blushing a little, too.

"Yeah, well, Cas and I are going to have the house special and beer."

"Don't be all dismissive on me, Winchester. I'll get your food, but when it's ready, mom and I are coming out and getting to know your man."

And with that, Jo was off to the kitchen. Dean looked apologetically at Castiel.

"Well, considering how well we get along, you couldn't really have expected any different."

"No, I guess not, Dean. She really is a lot like you. Nice, but very straightforward."

"That's not a bad thing I hope?"

"No, it's endearing."

"Aw, shucks," Dean teased laughing. Castiel started laughing as well. A different waitress stopped by with the beers. Dean set his to the side for when he finished the one he was on, and Castiel took a swig of his.

"So, Dean. We are on a date. In public. May I ask..."

"I think I know where you are going. I was thinking hard this morning. I really like you Cas, and I want to get to know you even better. I was thinking that if all went well tonight and next week when we start up practice again... I might tell Sam, Bobby, and Dad that I like you. This is kind of a test run. I still have a lot of questions to answer about myself."

"We don't have to move quickly at all. Let's take our time. I don't want to push you in any way."

"You are not pushing me at all. I will just say that I feel strongly about you. It's just different and new. I don't know how to go about all... this. I don't do chick flick moments."

"Well, let's just get through tonight. I don't expect anything special from this date. We are just hanging out, getting to know each other a little differently than before."

"You are amazing, did you know that, Cas?"

"What makes you say that?"

"You say everything I need to hear."

Castiel smiled. He understood what Dean was going through and only wanted to help. He remembered his first boyfriend after coming out. It had been terrible. The guy had only wanted into Castiel's pants, and he hadn't even been patient enough to help the young man through the transition of embracing his sexuality. That relationship had ended badly, to be sure. Castiel knew that the best thing to do was to be there for Dean and to be patient.

"Hey, Cas, I'm just curious. If you don't mind me asking. I know you are religious and whatever, but you are also gay? Doesn't Leviticus something-or-other say it's a sin?"

"Yes. There are several verses in the Old and New Testaments condemning homosexuality. But, Jesus never condemned anyone. Not the woman brought naked before him to be stoned after being literally pulled from the arms of her lover in the act of adultery, not the man that collected unfair taxes from the Jewish people, not the Gentiles that the Jews had made outcasts for so long. In many cases, Matthew 19:1-8 is quoted as Jesus condemning homosexuals, but he was merely quoting Genesis 1's teachings on how God created man and woman to come together as one flesh. This is where things get complicated. Some people say that there is no such thing as a gay Christian. But the Bible once said that a man that cheats on his wife would be stoned to death. A man that was an alcoholic would have limbs severed. Someone who stole or lied or coveted would be brutally punished. This was the Old Testament, however. John 3:16 says "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." Would that be true if all Christians that were liers, cheaters, jealous, or alcoholics went to Hell? No. All of us sin at some point, and all sin is equal before God. So I do believe that man is intended to be with woman, but I think that God makes exceptions. I think he knows who your soulmate is the moment you are born. I believe that if God knows that this baby boy will not ever be happy with a woman, he puts a man in his life that he can be with happily. It's not that you were born gay or straight, it is that you are born with the knowledge in your soul of who your meant to be with. A few of us just happened to be matched with the same gender. As long as you believe in Him and live a good life, I don't think it matters who you spend this life with. Whether you consider it a sin or not, we are all on an even playing field in the end."

Dean just sat quietly through this little monologue, smiling a little wider with every point. By the end, he was holding Castiel's hand, but the other man was too caught up in what he was saying to notice.

"Wow, Cas. That is some deep stuff."

"Oh, God, I went on forever, didn't I? Sorry."

"Don't be sorry. That was awesome. You should be a preacher."

"Huh?"

"I feel like you know enough to be a great one."

"Oh, yeah, a gay preacher. That isn't ironic. Besides, the Catholics get enough flack for that already."

"Hey, I'm Catholic!" Dean and Castiel both looked towards the owner of the voice that had interrupted their conversation.

It took Castiel all of five seconds to realize that it must have been the famous Ellen. She not only looked exactly like an older version of her daughter, but she also matched the Roadhouse perfectly. Her clothes were worn and had patches everywhere, but not in a ratty way. It was more like the patches you always put on your favorite sweater as it wears out. The woman inside the clothes was exactly like the interior of the Roadhouse. She had a smile on her face that lit the room a little brighter, and a warm air of hominess. She looked like the type of mom that would sing a lullaby to her children every night, but also a mom that was fully capable of ripping a biker's throat out with her teeth.

"Oh, don't look like a deer in my headlights. I am just joking. I'm a Methodist, but don't go telling my Baptist church that. What can I say? Gotta' follow the heart."

"Hey, Ellen," Dean greeted, seemingly unphased by the sudden intrusion.

"If you don't mind, I'll sit myself down right beside your man, Dean. Jo'll be right out with your order. We got a new fry cook named Lilian that can't seem to stop blowing up the whole kitchen. I am a little scared to fire her, though. Oh, well. Sorry for butting in. I heard what you were saying, Castiel, and I agree completely. You got yourself a wise one, Dean!"

"Thank you, Misses," Castiel said.

"Oh, please, it's Ellen to you. I haven't been misses in many years now."

"I'm sorry."

"No need."

Jo came up balancing two huge plated in her arms. One she sat down in front of Castiel, and the other in front of Dean. The former took a bit of the hamburger in front of him and was not disappoitned by how good it was.

"So, Dean, you told us that you liked this boy. How'd you meet?"

"When Sam broke his leg, Castiel came to help. I needed a riding partner, and Cas volutneered. I guess it's all downhill from there," Dean replied with a smile.

"Well, it certainly doesn't look downhill. If anything you are up in the clouds, Dean."

"Dean's always up in the clouds, Mom. He just seems to be happy about it now," Jo chimed in. The three continued their conversation and banter as Castiel listened, fully content to remain silent.

"So, Castiel. Tell me about you. I need to know what kind of man you are," Ellen demanded. Castiel knew there would be no worming his way out of this conversation, so he figured the quickest way out was through. He told the two women about himself as he would with any acquaintance, definitely not in to as much detail as he had with Dean. Still, after answering all of Ellen's quite probing questions, Castiel felt very exposed.

Ellen eyed the Novak up and down for a moment. Jo gave him a similar once over. It seemed like a very crucial moment, so Castiel remained still. After a few moments, Ellen nodded at Jo, who returned the nod.

"Well, you have passed the inspection with flying colors Castiel. I hope you and Dean have a good rest of the night. The meal's on the house. Jo'll be around if you two need anything," Ellen said as she got up from her chair.

"I have to go and do my job, but flag me down if need be," Jo added.

"Really, Ellen, I can pay..." Dean tried to intercede.

"No way, Jose. You are enjoying your date with this fine young man on me. If I even see so much as a nickel left on that table, I will rain hellfire on you. Am I clear Winchester?" Ellen asserted.

"Yes, ma'am."

"I am happy for you, Dean. Castiel, you treat my boy right, now. Anyways, off with me. See y'all soon!"

With that, both Ellen and Jo left, the latter saying goodbye by kissing Dean and Castiel both on the cheek. Dean let out a huge breath and looked at Castiel with laughter in his eyes.

"You actually passed the Harvelle Hunt!"

"The what?" Castiel asked.

"Ellen and Jo Harvelle. Every time I bring a date here they know I am serious, which hasn't been often, mind you. Those two take it upon themselves to hunt out every demon in whoever I bring by. They seem to have given you a clean bill of health, which is mighty unusual. They are the best hunters I know. They always find something to dislike. I think they actually like you."

"We didn't talk hardly at all."

"Yeah, well, they are women, right? Got that special instinct or something."

"I guess so. I think I am glad they like me."

"I am certainly glad. It's a big deal to me."

Dean smiled at Castiel and reached for his hand, which Castiel gave. They sat talking for a while, eating with one hand. As the hours wound by, the connection between the two seemed to only glow brighter. It was reaching ten o'clock when Castiel, regrettably, mentioned that he probably should be getting home before his brothers send out a search party.

Dean, with much resentment, left with Castiel without paying for the meal. He followed his date to the parking lot and to Castiel's car. Before opening his truck's door, Castiel turned to Dean with a hopeful look.

"Dean, I was just wondering... Would you kiss me good night?" He knew it sounded cheesy and chick-flicky, but he did not care. He was with Dean. The moon was shining in the other man's emerald eyes. It was the type of thing that needed to be said in a moment like that. Dean just returned the inquiry with a smile.

As Dean leaned in closer, Castiel closed his eyes, savoring the anticipation. When Dean's smooth lips connected with his, the world lit on fire. Dean kissed more fervently than he had before. He kissed with intent. As Castiel slid his hands into Dean's hair, Dean slid his lips over date's, seeking entrance to the other's mouth. This permission was gladly given. The kiss deepened, breathing quickened, and hands began to roam. After a few glorious minutes, Dean pulled away.

"Good night, Cas," he said, grinning like a loon. Castiel was sure that he was grinning the exact same way. Dean turned and walked across the lot to his own truck. Castiel got behind his wheel and started the engine with a feeling of euphoria.

It seemed that his relationship with Dean had real potential. It was the first time that Castiel had ever been able to say that. It was a huge moment. Dean was interesting and funny and handsome. Castiel was also very pleased that he could get approval from two people that meant so much to Dean. If all of Dean's loved ones were as accepting as Ellen and Jo, everything would be fine. Dean was the best thing to happen to Castiel in a long time. According to Castiel, everything seemed right in the world.

Although the world has a nasty habit of taking every good thing and making it a total nightmare, but that is something to worry about for another day. Or specifically, another rodeo.