Castiel smiled as he watched as Dean turned back to his pancakes, dishing them up on a plate and dousing both helpings in freshly cut strawberries and whip cream. Dean handed Castiel his own plate, and they both settled down at the table, eating their pancakes.

"So," Dean said through a mouthful of strawberry and whip cream. "Have you ever been to the beach?"

"Uh, no," Castiel said through his own mouthful. "I've always wanted to though."

"How 'bout we go? I've uh, I've already talked to your mom, and she said it was fine, and I've talked to Jakes mom, and she's okay with watching Sam for a few days. So….what do you say?" Dean was looking at him with such hopeful, sparkling eyes. Castiel had to admit, he was surprised. He'd never expected Dean to ask him to go somewhere alone with him, somewhere romantic, like the beach. Hell, he'd never expected to go to the beach at all.

"Of course I'll go, Dean," he said with a smile. Dean's grin widened and he leaned forward, kissing Castiel softly. Castiel kissed him back, eyes falling closed as the kiss deepened. Castiel grinned into Dean's lips, and pulled back.

"So, when are we going?" he asked excitedly.

"Oh, I don't know. How does today sound?" he asked. Castiel's grin widened.

"Fantastic!" he cried. Dean smiled.

"Good. Your mom dropped off a bag earlier. It's out on the front porch." Dean stood, shoving the last bite of pancake into his mouth and disappeared up the stairs. Castiel smiled, and stood, finishing his own pancakes and putting his plate in the sink.

"Hey, Dean!" he called up the stairs.

"Yeah?" Dean yelled back.

"I'm going to take a shower, alright?" he replied. Dean's head poked around the wall.

"Okay, the towels are in the closet across from the bathroom," he said, before his head was gone. Cas nodded and grabbed his bag from the front porch, grabbing a towel and heading into the bathroom, closing the door behind him. He took a quick shower, washing quickly and wrapping a towel around his hips. He wiped off the steam covered mirror and opened up his shaving kit. Inside, sitting neatly under his toothbrush where no one would look, was his small blade. He looked at the blood stained edges, and looked back to his wrists, before moving around it to grab his razor. He quickly shaved and then brushed his teeth. He didn't need to cut. Not today. Not with Dean. Not when he was finally happy. He pulled on a clean pair of boxers and quickly dressed, yanking on a pair of jeans and a sweater. He walked out, his bag slung over one shoulder, hopping on one foot, trying to shove his glasses on and get a sock on at the same time. Dean came down the stairs, having used the upstairs shower, running a towel through his hair with a toothbrush hanging out the side of his mouth, jeans on but no shirt. He chuckled at Castiel.

"That's cute," Dean said. Castiel rolled his eyes.

"Shuddup, Dean," he replied. Dean grinned and through the towel into the laundry hamper, finishing brushing his teeth in the downstairs bathroom. Castiel finally succeeded in getting his glasses and sock on, and pulled on the other sock. He quickly laced up his Nikes and headed up the stairs, looking for Dean. Dean was in his room, messily throwing a bag together. Castiel came up behind him, pressing a kiss to his bare shoulder blade. Dean shivered lightly.

"I think you're missing something," Castiel said, running his fingers over Dean's spine, smiling at Dean's shudder of pleasure. Dean turned, kissing him.

"Really?" he said, smiling, the corners of his eyes crinkling. "I didn't think you'd mind."

"Oh, believe me, Dean, I don't mind. But Were going in public- you need a shirt," Castiel replied, kissing Dean again before handing him a tee shirt. Dean smiled and pulled it over his head.

"There you go," Castiel said, before handing Dean his boots. Dean smiled and tugged them on over socked feet, lacing them up and pulling on his leather jacket.

"There we go," Dean said, pulling his bag over his shoulder. "Are we ready?"

"I believe we are," Castiel replied, smiling widely. Dean returned the smile, and offered his arm. Castiel linked his through it with an even bigger grin.

"Shall we go?" Dean smirked and Castiel laughed.

"We shall."