Sorry about the delay. My Beta worked too many hours this week. I'm so happy with her. This is good. Jenamy: I think I love you a little. This is chapter two. I'm satisfied.
Still not really M rated but be aware.
(Dean POV)
"I'm Cas, hmm, Castiel. You can, you can call me Cas." His blue eyes were piercing as he lifted his hand from the table and reached out to shake Dean's. Dean took the offered hand but Cas reacted as if he had gotten burned, pulling his hand out of the grip quickly. He looked down into his empty cup, "Sorry, I'm sorry." Dean scoffed and rolled his eyes. This guy was weird.
The waitress tapped his shoulder, "The usual?" She offered a tired smile and Dean nodded.
"You sure you don't want anything?" He asked Cas again but the guy just shook his head and sighed.
"I…no, I, I should leave."
Dean startled. He didn't want Cas to leave. He couldn't explain why but he was curious and little bit taken with him. Dean searched for an appropriate line but couldn't come up with anything that made sense.
"One more cup of coffee?" He threw out before a little chuckle and adding, "For the road."
Castiel looked a little puzzled but remained seated. Dean shifted in his seat, "I'm sorry, was just thinking about a song. Dylan. I was trying to be funny."
Cas didn't seem amused but he did signal for the waitress to give him a refill. "I don't know that song."
Dean shrugged, "Doesn't matter. So, you from around here?" He was happy that Cas decided to stay a little longer. Sure he was curious but it wasn't only that, the guy was kind of cute.
The waitress came back to their table with Dean's food, poured more coffee into Cas' cup and gave him a slight frown before turning away. Cas looked down into his cup, "I guess she's tired of only giving me refills but I…" His voice faded as he put a hand under his chin and his elbow on the table. Dean watched him and he could swear the guy was about to start crying. Cas composed himself quickly and rubbed his forehead with is free hand. "You were going to, you were going to help me with…" His hands fell to the table.
Dean took a bite of his burger, chewing and swallowing before he let himself meet Castiel's eyes. "About that, you uh, you have to go to the police station to pick up the form." He took another bite, hoping that Cas wouldn't leave when he realized that he couldn't help him right there and then.
"Oh," Cas didn't sound disappointed, just surprised. "I thought, okay, I, I could do that." He didn't seem so desperate anymore and Dean was pleased.
"I can still help you with the form if you'd like." He wiped his hands on a napkin and placed one on top of Cas'. The reaction was instant. Cas pulled his hand away immediately and Dean could've sworn he heard a whimper.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I just, it was, it, it was to reassure you, that I'll help you."
Castiel was frantically rubbing at his temple and it was obvious he was holding his breath for what seemed like an eternity. Dean was taken back by his reaction and wondered what was eating the guy up.
"I'm sorry," he repeated, "It's just, you look like you could use some help and…" He paused when Castiel took a breath and met his eyes. Dean could see fear but he also saw resignation. He took a deep breath himself and closed his eyes a moment, "I mean, sometimes, sometimes it's easier to talk to a stranger." He wasn't sure if he was going to proceed but the shy smile Cas gave him encouraged him, "I'm here and I have nothing better to do. I've got the rest of the day off."
Castiel took a sudden interest in his cup of coffee. Dean let the guy think while he finished his burger, peeking up every so often but Cas was still staring into his cup. At least he didn't just leave. Dean found that he was extremely pleased by that.
Castiel looked sad and tired, but beneath the quite miserable first impression, Dean could see that he was a very handsome guy. Those blue orbs were possibly the most beautiful eyes Dean had ever had the pleasure of seeing. The perfectly cut jaw beneath an adorable coat of stubble made Dean want to stroke his cheek and tell him everything was going to be alright.
Cas finally looked up and furrowed his brow, "Why? Why would you want to help a stranger?" His tongue darted out, licking his lips. Dean's nostrils flared but he was sure that it was the only visible reaction to the sight of the man licking that perfectly formed upper lip. On the inside though, it felt like his blood was boiling. Luckily the waitress came by and Dean ordered two pieces of blueberry pie and refills for their coffees.
He looked at Castiel, "I don't know. It's just that I'm generally happy and I like everybody else to be happy too." It sounded lame but it wasn't too far from the truth.
The pie slices came and were set on the table, Dean slid a plate in front of Cas and urged him to eat. "Pie always makes me smile. Try it."
They ate in silence for a while and Cas actually seemed to relax. When he was done he pushed the plate away and took a sip from his coffee before leaning back in his chair. "I guess you're right. I, I feel a little better now." Cas' bright smile made Dean's stomach churn but the smile faded almost instantly. "I, I'm sorry, but I'm not sure I need that gun anyway. I mean I'm, I'm sorry to have inconvenienced you."
Dean almost jumped in his seat, "Oh, no, don't even think about it. It makes me happy." Castiel's eyes widened as he realized that Dean was aware of his previous intentions. "Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to be so blunt about it." Dean could've beaten himself up at the moment.
Cas reached into his pocket and pulled a few bills out. "I think this will cover the coffee and the pie. I have to go." He got up from his seat and adjusted his coat. Dean took the money and placed it in Cas' hand, "My treat." They stared at each other a few moments before Cas started to walk off.
"Wait!" Dean called out. "Can I call you? Just to make sure you're okay?"
Castiel didn't answer at first but then he shook his head. "I don't... no. I don't think so." He sighed heavily. "I think I just want to forget this day. No offense."
Dean closed his eyes and struggled to cover up his disappointment, "Uh, none taken. I understand."
As soon as Cas had disappeared out of the door Dean regretted that he'd let him leave, just like that. He pulled some money out of his wallet and rushed to the counter, practically throwing the money at the waitress and grabbed her pen that she was holding in her hand. He quickly jotted down his own phone number on a napkin and ran out of the diner.
He spotted Castiel on the next corner and hurried to catch up with him.
"Hey, if you ever feel down you can call me." He handed him the napkin. "Anytime. If you need to be cheered up we can have pie." Cas looked a little surprised but he took the napkin and smiled. "Oh, okay." Dean squeezed his shoulder and could feel Cas tense, "Anytime, even if you're not sad."
Dean let go and watched as Castiel crossed the street, then continued onwards to the train station. He hoped he would turn at least once but he didn't. Dead didn't move until he couldn't see Castiel anymore.
(Castiel POV)
Castiel regretted that he didn't leave the diner already, especially after that initial introduction and awkward handshake. The urge to end his life had passed. He wouldn't need this guys help after all. Something made him stay though. Dean seemed so happy to see him, as if he were a long lost friend, it felt nice.
Conversation was slow, but just sitting there and watching Dean eat was relaxing. Castiel couldn't help but let his eyes travel over every inch of Dean's face. When Dean put his hand on top of his, he felt like he got electrocuted. He ripped his hand away but the shock waves traveled up his arm and seemed to settle in his gut.
His reaction terrified him and he wanted to flee but Dean's voice was so soothing he couldn't get himself to move. When the pie came to the table he wasn't sure he could eat but his stomach let him know it was hungry so he dug in. It did help. He felt instantly better.
He wanted to tell Dean the sorry excuse of a story that was his life. It would have been so easy to spill to a stranger. He could get it off his chest and leave. He'd never have to see Dean again. He knew where he could find him but there wasn't a reason for him to be straying into this neighborhood after Meg threw him out.
Instead of revealing anything he just told Dean he wouldn't need his help. He expected Dean to be disappointed, not the reaction he got. He noticed Dean practically jumped in his seat and smiled. The smile made him squirm. Dean knew why he needed the gun. The embarrassment was almost too much to handle.
He threw some bills on the table and got up. When Dean tucked them back into his hand, Cas felt another shock travel through his body. He didn't argue, he just needed to leave. When Dean asked if he could call him it was with a heavy heart he declined.
Walking down the street he knew he could go back there sometime. Dean had told him that he often had lunch at that little diner. He was pretty sure he would never actually do such a thing, but it was nice to know that he could if he ever wanted.
When Dean came running after him—just to give him his phone number—Cas felt his heart stop. He took the napkin and smiled. His entire body froze at the contact of Dean's hand on his shoulder but he managed to compose himself.
After parting ways and crossing the street he desperately wanted to turn around and see if Dean was still on that street corner. He didn't do it because he was afraid he wouldn't see Dean. He was afraid that he would not be able to walk away if he was.
Once settled on the train he entered Dean's number into his phone and wondered if he'd ever dial it. He was about to toss the napkin but hesitated. He smoothed it out and folded it nicely before tucking it into his wallet.
