Well this took a lot longer than I thought.
Dean stared at his phone for a good five minutes before deciding to send a simple, "Hey its dean," because he was a fifteen year old girl apparently. He got a reply almost instantly.
Hello, Dean. I apologize for Gabriel's behavior this afternoon. He thinks I need friends.
Its all right. I know what its like having an embarrassing brother.
You have a brother?
Yeah, sam. Hes a lawyer.
You must be very proud of him.
Yeah I am
He immediately began tapping out another message once the last one sent.
I was wondering if you wanted to have lunch with me tomorrow?
Castiel took a few minutes to respond to that one. Long enough for Dean to worry that he'd read the situation completely wrong.
I would like that very much.
Dean breathed out a sigh of relief.
Awesome. I know a great place. Hope you like burgers.
I love them.
The Roadhouse was pretty crowded when Dean arrived. It took him a bit to spot Castiel sitting in a booth by himself.
"Hey, sorry I'm late," he said as he slid into the seat across from him. "Traffic was a bitch."
Castiel smiled. It's fine. I haven't been waiting long.
"Good, because I would feel like a dick otherwise."
Castiel smiled again and passed Dean the menu he'd been perusing. Would you mind ordering for me? I can't decide what to get.
He took the menu and glanced at it. "No problem." He put the menu down. "So how was the rest of your day yesterday?"
It was pleasant. Thank you for asking. And yours?
"Good, it was good."
They were silent (well, Dean was silent) until a waitress came over.
"What can I get you guys?"
Dean looked up at her and smiled. "Hey, Jo. How's your mom?"
"She's over at the bar wondering who your friend here is." She pointed over her shoulder at Ellen, who was wiping down glasses and glancing over at their booth with interest.
"This is Cas. Cas, this is Jo Harvelle. Her mom, Ellen, owns this place," he explained.
Jo held out a hand towards him. "Nice to meet you. I can tell you embarrassing stories about Dean."
He shook her hand and waved with the other.
"Mute or deaf?"
"He's mute," Dean said.
Jo pushed Dean over to the other side of the seat and sat down, sliding her notepad across the table. "So how did you two meet?"
"It was at-" Dean started, but Jo elbowed him. "Ow!"
"Shut up, Dean, I asked him."
Castiel quickly jotted down the cliff notes version of their meeting the previous day. He handed the notepad back to Jo.
"Your brother is kind of a dick," she said after finishing it.
It's not his fault. He had been having a bad week, he signed. Dean relayed it verbally.
"That explains it, but it doesn't justify it." Jo looked over at Ellen. "Well, I've gotta get back to work." She took down their orders and left with a promise that they would be out soon.
She seems nice.
"Yeah, Jo's great."
Are you and she? He let the rest of the sentence hang.
Dean scoffed. "Nah, she's like a sister to me. Besides, she's dating Charlie."
And Charlie is the other barista from yesterday?
"That's her. I introduced them after I started working there."
You seem to be very good friends.
"Yeah, well." Dean shrugged. "What about you? Who do you hang out with, other than your brother?"
I usually spend time with Gabriel and his girlfriend Kali. I do occasionally meet up with an old friend from college though. He grimaced. We used to date.
"Still friends with the ex, that's good at least. Did you part on good terms or reconcile later?"
It was mutual. He no longer felt comfortable with my disability and I didn't want to date anyone like that.
Dean nodded. "I can see why that would be problem."
Castiel exhaled sharply; probably his version of a laugh. I'm glad we're on the same page.
"Oh yeah, sure. Thanks, Jo," he said to her when she returned with their food.
She put the plates down in front of them. "Have fun, you two." She winked and moved on to the next customers.
Dean picked up his burger, indicating for Castiel to do the same. "You're gonna love this. Ellen's burgers are the best."
He watch as Castiel sunk his teeth into his burger. The expression that passed over his face was one of pure bliss.
He freed one hand long enough to sign, This is very good, before diving back in.
Dean looked on in amusement for a few more moments before starting his own burger.
They made small talk until it came down to deciding who would pay.
"Dude, I was the one who invited you out. It's only fair."
Really Dean I insist.
"I even ordered. Why won't you just let me pay?"
Because if you pay I'm going to start thinking this was a date.
Dean sat back into his seat. "Wasn't it?"
Castiel blushed. Did you want it to be?
"Well, I kind of hoped it was..."
Castiel's hands stilled and dropped into his lap, which Dean took to mean, "Oh."
I, his hands faltered. I had also hoped that this was a date.
Dean smiled and opened his wallet. "Tell you what, Cas. You can get the next one."
I would like that.
Sam may or may not be showing up in the next chapter. Stay tuned. And yes, "this is very good" can be signed with one hand, technically. He could totally do it with a burger in his left hand. I'm very serious about this stuff.