Sorry for the delay, bit of writer's block. Thank you to my beautiful beta lady 3 Enjoy. Only one more chapter till some major events.

It's Tuesday and that means Burger, beers and pool at the Roadhouse for Dean and Benny. It's Dean's first Tuesday back in California since returning from Chicago and he really needs this time with his friend. He even invited Sam along because…well Sammy.

'So how was Chicago? I didn't hear from you once! Which is surprising cause I know you're obsessed with me.' Sam taunts Dean from across the pool table were they are halfway through a game while they wait for Benny to get off his shift at the bar.

Dean rolls his eyes and takes his shot, laughing when the ball rolls into the pocket. 'Shut it, Samantha. The trip went fine. Adam and I found a place, the end.'

'Wow that was a moving story Dean,' He places his hand over his heart 'Thank you for sharing.' He takes a sip of his beer. He knows Dean, knows when something is eating at him and right now it's obvious that his big brother is hiding something. Sam might be grasping at straws with his thinking Dean's mood might have something to do with Castiel. Chicago is a big city after all but the worst that is going to happen is that Dean will call him a bitch and the conversation will be dropped.

'So get this…' He leans over the table and lines his stick up with the white ball 'I was looking at rings the other day and it got me thinking…maybe next time I go you'd like to join me and maybe look at something for Adam?' He takes the shot and misses, sighing he rose off the table.

Dean has frozen, beer in hand, eyes wide, mouth open. 'What did you just say to me?' He sets his beer down and invades Sam's personal space, hands on his 'little' brother's face. 'Did you just nonchalantly imply you went engagement ring shopping?...WITHOUT ME?!' He yells the last part so loud people turn their heads.

Sam chuckles. 'Yes Dean. I went shopping without you, try not to pout.' Dean pouts. 'Don't worry I didn't buy anything. You know I would never do that without you.' There's a moment, they both feel it but neither wants to comment on it. Sam clears his throat 'Plus, um ya know I thought maybe you would maybe want to get something ya know…for Adam.' He eyes Dean's reaction as they move away from each other towards the table.

Dean slides into the bench across from Sam and fiddles with his beer bottle, avoiding Sam's eyes. 'I don't know Sammy…I love him, I really do. We're moving half way across the country together isn't that commitment enough for now?' He grumbles and drinks his beer.

Sam puts on a bitch face, the one that makes him look constipated and suave all at the same time. 'Is there something you're not telling me?' Dean glares, Sam raises his hands in defense 'Ok sorry! Look, I'm not trying to push you into anything. I only brought it up because you mentioned it; remember? Before you two went to Chicago?'

Oh. Right. Dean groans and pushes the back of his hands against his eyes. What was the point in not telling Sam anyway, they told each other everything. Keeping him out of the loop would just be well…wrong.

'Adam and I got into a big fight in Chicago and before you start, I didn't do anything!' He pushes his bottle around as he attempts to find the words. 'We ran into Cas and ok yeah I never told Adam that Cas and I actually dated. It got brought up, Adam got upset. The end. Ok?' He flags down Jo in an attempt to order food and distract away from the conversation.

'Wait. What? You never told Adam you and Cas dated? But…we've talked about Cas with Adam…' Sam is met with only silence on Dean's end. 'Wow. So he just thought you guys were friends? That's…not cool Dean. Are you guys ok now?'

A basket of fries is set down on the table with a large ramekin of ranch, Dean smiles and thanks Jo before picking a single fry up and stirring the ranch absently. He licks his lips and lets his mind wander for a moment.

'I love Adam.' He states it firmly, and hopes Sam understands he means it. He lets the fry drop. 'But seeing Cas…it really messed me up Sammy.' He locks eyes with his brother 'When Adam and I fought I said some stuff. Stuff I hadn't said out loud in years, and hearing myself say them…' He trails off and chews on a fry. 'It made me realize that this whole time, these past six years I've just been skating by. Finding Adam was the first spark of romantic happiness I've had since Cas.' He pushes his lips together till they turn white, willing himself to stop talking. 'I'm happy, I really am. It just rattled me. Up until Adam I was honestly just biding my time until Cas and I met up again and magically got back together. Seeing him…it just solidified what I have with Adam, but it also made me miss him.'

Sam sat across the table surprised. He'd known how Dean felt about Cas, better than anyone. Knew how it crushed Dean's soul when they broke up and how terrible Dean felt for years, punishing himself hoping in someway it make up for his mistakes. Dean Winchester, ever the martyr.

'Well…you're moving to Chicago with Adam. You have a life with Adam. What are you going to do Dean?'

It feels like his life is flashing before his eyes, memories of times with Cas and times with Adam. He thinks about who he was and who he is, because he knows that even if he had Cas, if he had always had Cas and hadn't thrown it all away and they somehow made it through their freshman year of College he wouldn't be the person he is today. Without losing Cas he would have never moved to California, would have never gotten the amazing education he did, never gotten his job, never met Benny, never got to bond more with his brother, he never would have met Adam. He likes who he is. He likes his life. Everything happens for a reason.

He is nothing like his former self, not like 19 year old Dean.

Dean smiles. He's where he is and with who is supposed to be with. Fate had dealt him his hand. It was a pretty good hand when looked at objectively.

He has Adam. He loves Adam.

His ears perk up as he catches the last bit of what Sam is drabbling on about.

'I mean I'm the biggest Destiel fan around, but dude, I've seen you around Adam. You two are amazing together.' He shoves a few fries into his mouth and washes it down with beer.

Dean glares at his brother. 'Did you just say Destiel? Dude how many times have I told you?'

February 2014

Being single on Valentines Day officially sucks. Dean hasn't really noticed before, mostly because he was used to being single for so long. But damn being recently broken up with, single and new to a city really blew. Dean has only lived in Chicago a little over a month, but during that time the weather has made him miss Sunny California.

Dean lost Adam sometime after Thanksgiving, or maybe he let him go. He can't remember. Dean had pushed aside all his Cas related thoughts and was looking forward to his new life with Adam, but it seemed like Adam hadn't pushed aside his Cas related thoughts. In the end Adam won't let himself complete with a memory. He throws everything back in Dean's face, all the things Dean had told him, everything he said. He spits accusations and angry words at Dean and for once Dean fires right back. Just like that the man he had grown to love became his least favorite fan. One moment he is in love with Adam; full on, head over heels in love and the next it's all blown up in his face and he's…

Heartbroken. That's a feeling he's familiar with, a feeling he's comfortable with. Another failed relationship and he can't help but blame himself as he always does. He'd lost his boyfriend, moved away from his home, his brother and his friends all in the course of a month. He swallows his beer. Dean was on the search for a new Roadhouse and after only eating half his burger it appeared that search would continue.

He sighs. Raising his hand to flag down the bartender, he pulls some bills out of his wallet and throws them down as he stands. Grabbing his two jackets and his scarf Dean bundles up before exiting Texas Roadhouse. It's 17 degrees outside and the gloves don't help fight off the chill as he slowly makes his way down the street towards his beloved Impala. His boots fight against the snow that is threatening to overtake the city, his gloved hands fumble with the keys until he is able to jerk open the door and slide into the bench seat. He starts the car and pulls out his phone while he waits for Baby to warm up, pressing the home button the screen lights up with a picture of him, Sam, Benny, Jess and Jo. His heart takes a dive as he bites his lip to fight the sob that has been threatening to break loose for the past month.

He's Dean Winchester, he doesn't cry. Not anymore.

He puts Baby into first and pulls onto the street making his way back to his empty apartment. Maybe he should get a dog…or a cat. He scoffs at the idea. If no human being wanted to be around him, he wasn't about to subject an animal to his presence either. He turns on the tape deck and it blasts some Metallica at him. He drives past the Texas Roadhouse just as a limo pulls up.

He shakes his head. Fucking Valentine's Day.

February 2014

Balthazar had gone all out to impress and woo Castiel at the official beginning of their relationship and it appeared as though he was not letting up even after 4 months. It was endearing in a hopeless sort of way. Honestly now that Balthazar and Cas were an official item, Castiel was no longer blown away or enthralled by the exuberant spending that Balthazar seemed to be so fond of.

Tonight was Valentine's Day and Castiel had somehow been able to convince Balthazar to tone it down. Nothing over the top, no gifts, nothing fancy, just simple. Really all Castiel wanted was to have a Cheeseburger. It felt as though it had been ages since his last burger. Balthazar was more of a filet mignon type rather than a ground beef type. Cas was quite the opposite. Although Castiel was able to appreciate a fine cut of meat while Balthazar could not appreciate a simple burger patty. But in order to please and appease his boyfriend Balthazar had agreed to go to Castiel favorite burger place instead of some fancy stuck up restaurant.

It was 6:15 when Castiel's doorbell rang. He looks at himself in the mirror one last time, his reflection hasn't changed since he last looked. Sighing he runs his hands through his hair in an attempt to tame it, which proves ineffective as it fought against him. Leaving his hair his hand travels down the side of his face till it cupped his cheek, the stubble grating against his hand. His reflection still looked the same as it had 4 months ago and yet he felt like a completely different person. He felt new.

There was a knock on the door, reminding him of his waiting guest. Shit. He rushed out of his bathroom and quickly opened the front door of his apartment. The sight that greeted him was of two-dozen red roses, a box of expensive French chocolates and a bottle of Champagne. So much for no gifts. Castiel rolled his eyes good naturedly as he ushered his boyfriend in and helped set the items on the dining room table.

'Balth I thought I told you no gifts. Those' He points 'Look like gifts.' He wrapped his arms around his boyfriend's neck as he put on his best bitch face.

'I assure you my darling, those are the only surprises you'll get out of me tonight.' He kisses Castiel sweetly on the lips. 'In all seriousness though, I'm sorry. I had fully intended to honor your rule but I saw these things and I thought of you.'

Castiel smiles at his Balthazar before pulling away to grab his jacket from the chair. 'As romantic as you are, I am starving and your man needs his burger.'

The two of them exited the apartment building only to be met with a Limousine waiting out front. It was true Castiel had said no gifts, nothing fancy but in his experience when a person said that they meant the opposite. And if Castiel was choosing the location of their dinner Balthazar should be free to provide amble transportation. He puffed his chest up proudly as he felt Castiel freeze beside him when they caught sight of the car.

'Balth-'

'Please Castiel. The end location has not changed, just the manner of our transport. Let me do this.' He gestured Castiel forward as the driver opened the side door for them to enter.

Once inside Castiel felt out of his element. It was true that the thing that had initially drawn him to Balthazar had been the wealth, the parties, and the exciting life; but now that their worlds were meshing together Castiel was beginning to feel like a fish out of water. Just one night. Let him have this and then we can talk about it another time.

'Where to Sirs?' The driver asked through the window.

'9960 Joliet Road, Countryside' Castiel spoke.

The drive was pleasant, but short. They arrived less than 15 minutes later. Balthazar exited the car and offered his hand to Castiel for assistance. He held his hand as he stared at the sign.

Texas Roadhouse.

'Seems a bit odd to be called Texas Roadhouse in Chicago, doesn't it?'

Castiel smiled at the comment, bright headlights drive past as the two made their way inside. A limo at a run down Texas Roadhouse in the middle of Chicago, on Valentine's Day in a snow storm.

Fucking Valentine's Day.