AN: This is why Cas was apprehensive in Ch 12

Both still 28

The next day, Cas wakes up bright and early and is already dreading everything he needs to do. He puts on his church clothes and goes over his notes while waiting for Dean, he hadn't realized just how stressful this would be when he said yes.

The past few months he had been relearning Latin, as it had turned out he hadn't really forgotten the language that was drilled into him at such a young age; but the brush up did him good. Even though it was technically a dead language he knew how to speak and read it fluently, when this little fact got out the Esther Church of Antiquities had asked if he would be willing to do a mass in Latin.

Since the church was a universal one and each week another new and wonderful side to various religions was explored they thought it would be a treat. Castiel had agreed, for reasons still unknown to himself and he was regretting it.

"Ready?" Dean asks, causing Cas to jump out of his skin. "Calm down," he chuckles, "You've got this, besides only god will know if you mess up."

"That is not helping," He lies, looking up at Dean with the deer in the headlights expression.

"Whatever," he shrugs, "It is only a fifteen minute chunk of the service."

"True," Castiel nods, taking in a deep breath.

"Let's shake a leg," Dean pulls him along so they won't be late.

The service went extremely well, he didn't mess up and no one fell asleep; which was a small miracle considering Dean was there. Dean did have an odd appreciation for the language though, once the service was completely over many of the patrons stopped to shake his hand and thank him for sharing his talent.

"I know I'm going to hell," Dean smirks, throwing his arm around Cas's shoulders as they head back to the Impala.

"Dare I ask," Cas smirks, now that one weight had been lifted from him.

"Because…" he drops his voice low so only Cas can hear it, "All I could think about was how fucking hot you where up there."

"It was fairly pointless," he smiles, "For all they know I could have just been talking about cocks the whole time."

Dean smiles, "Please tell me you where!"

"You can't bring me down with you Dean," Cas chides him as the slip into the car, "Plus that one would be obvious."

They stopped at home, Cas changing into his jeans and a v neck tee shirt. He had to go to the gallery and help set up for tonight.

"You want a ride?" Dean offers, as he reads the paper on the sofa.

"No, I'm going to walk," Cas informs him, "If I don't get back please bring the clothes I pulled out with you, tonight."

"Will do," he smiles up at him, Cas leaning over the back of the sofa to kiss him chastely.

"See you later."

Cas walks briskly into town arriving at the Mon Carlo art gallery, the sign says closed so he knocks on the door waiting for Stephen to open it for him.

"There is my artist!" Stephen greets him enthusiastically, ushering him inside the modern white space. "How was church? I'm sure you did wonderful," He smiles.

Cas, nodded, "It went well, Stephen," he rumbles. No matter how much he tried he could never quite prepare himself for interacting with the gallery owner; he was definitely a small doses personality.

"Where is your that hunk of burning lover or yours?" He wonders as he takes Cas to the back room where the pieces that aren't hung yet are.

"I didn't want him to see it yet."

"Oooh, always so mysterious with you Castiel!" He shakes his head.

They hang up the last couple pieces and Cas helps Stephen set up the bar as the servers start to show up.

"All right Mr. Artist!" Stephen turns to him, "Get your boney ass home and shower up, so you can be somewhat respectable tonight," he winks, "Scoot!" He shoos Castiel out.

Cas goes home to get ready, Dean's in the driveway finishing washing the car.

"Hey babe," Dean smiles at him.

"Hello Dean."

"Everything all set for tonight?"

"Yes, I'm going to go shower," Cas heads towards the door.

"I'll probably be up in second," Dean informs him.

Cas allows the warm water wash over him, relieving some of the tension for the stress of the day. He was still apprehensive about how Dean was going to react to some of the pictures he made, but on the plus side he hadn't had a cigarette since last night. That though instantly peeked his craving, but the thought was quickly replaced, by a familiar body pressing behind him. Sadly they didn't have time for anything more than brief groping as they washed up, Cas slipping out first.

"Don't come till 6," Cas instructs Dean while brushing his teeth.

"Yes, sir!" Dean calls from the shower, "I don't get why you're so worried about you pictures, babe."

"They are just very personal," he admits solemnly.

"Whatever you say."

Cas throws on his clothes and leaves to go back to the gallery, when he arrives there are all ready a couple people milling around and the nerves start to kick. He grabs a flute of Champagne off the tray and starts to down it, as Stephen appears clapping him on the shoulder.

"Don't you clean up nice!" He calls, Cas sucking in a breathe and refilling his glace. "Relax, you will be a hit!" Stephen rubs Cas's shoulders harshly.

"I'm going to slip out back for a second," Cas flees, lighting a cigarette as soon as he's in the back alley. He's weak he knows, but it's just to help calm him or so he rationalizes.

A while later he goes back into the show, seeing tons of people he knows milling around and he feels naked.

"Cas!" A semi familiar voice calls causing him to turn to see the giant form of Sam.

"Hello Sam, Jess," he greets stiffly as Jess give him a hug.

"They are beautiful," She smiles warmly at him, "You can feel the emotion in each of them," she gushes.

"Ya, man," Sam agrees, "They are really good, congratulations," he claps him on the shoulder.

"Thank you, I'm glad you could make it."

"Where's Dean?" Sam asks.

"He should be coming soon."

"Has he seen these yet?" Jess wonders.

Cas just shakes his head, "That's what I'm worried about."

"You have nothing to worry about," she assures him as Sam nods in agreement.

He excuses himself and mingles around, drinking flute after flute as he goes until he sees Dean standing in front of his favorite sketch. Cas steps next to him, pretending to just be another admirer as he finishes off his glass.

"So…" Cas starts, rocking on his heels a little.

"That's…" Dean starts, mildly stunned.

"Yes it is, Dean," Cas states flatly.

"I…wow," he settles on that, completely at a loss for words.

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