I'm so sorry about the delay in this story. We're back on track now and I will be posting on a semi-regular basis. Chapter six is right around the corner. Again, my appoligies. I hope you will all enjoy.


Early October

(Dean POV)

Dean tried to calculate how long it would take for Castiel to get home on Saturday. He guessed it wouldn't be more than probably an hour. If the guy looked at the computer as soon as he got home Dean would possibly get a phone call after two. He deliberately didn't give Cas the password. He didn't know if the guy even needed it but he hoped he did, then he'd at least receive a text.

The afternoon went by without any form of contact from Castiel. Sam came over in the evening and the two of them went out to a local pub. Dean kept his phone close by and would look at it every so often. Sam started to question his antics, "What's up? You're acting a little strange." Sam panned the room, "I'm amazed that you haven't tried to chat anyone up yet."

Dean was getting drunk, he wouldn't have revealed anything otherwise. "I, uh, I met a guy." He sighed heavily, waiting for Sam's reaction.

"A guy? Uh, well you're definitely playing the whole field then." Sam chuckled. "But why so antsy? Were you supposed to meet him tonight?"

Dean shifted a little, "I…no." He lent forward, placing his elbows on the countertop and covered his face with his hands. "I don't even know him that well, he's just, just different." He quickly swallowed the whiskey he just ordered and signaled for another. "Sam I'm so screwed. This guy is probably straight and—"

Sam started laughing. "I think you'd deserve that! You're such a slut!" He patted his brother's shoulder, "I mean that in a loving way." Dean scoffed.

"Seriously Sam, I've never, you know…I just want to get to know him and then see where it goes."

He contemplated on whether or not he should tell Sam the whole story, but after a few more drinks it was inevitable. Sam ended up supporting him on the way home and wasn't laughing so much anymore.

"Well I hope he'll call. It would be sad if he did all this just to steal your computer." Sam gave a crooked smile before shoving Dean into his room and closed the door.


Sunday was horrible. Dean didn't have bad hangovers very often but the one that hit him was worse than ever. The fact that Cas hadn't called or even texted made the day almost unbearable. Sam had spent the night in his old room up in the attic. He'd come to offer Dean some food but the smell of fried eggs and bacon was nauseating.

Dean ended up in his room the entire day, leaving only to go to the bathroom. When night came without a call from Cas, Dean was about to give up. He was dreading that both Castiel and the laptop were lost causes.

He made his way to the store the next morning and just as he turned the key to unlock the door he got a text message. It was with relief that he replied and as soon as the text was sent he saved Castiel's number to his contacts.

Work was busy, allowing Dean to think of something other than Castiel for a while. After closing he whipped together some food before he made a decision. He had to call him. He had to call him so he wouldn't lose his mind.

When Cas answered with that soft, beautiful voice, Dean had to take a breath before he spoke.

He asked about his computer's well being, then thought," seriously Dean, ask how he is doing." The conversation he had with himself was interrupted by Cas explaining what was wrong with the laptop. Dean was trying to muster up the courage to ask Cas out when the guy started to rant about time off and that he really didn't need a vacation. Soon after Cas started apologizing for bringing up his personal life.

Dean didn't know what happened, or how for that matter, but he heard himself asking Cas if he wanted to join him at the cabin. What a ridiculously stupid thing to do; the two of them alone, for a week—alone—it would be rough since Cas seemed to be afraid to even shake Dean's hand. He took a breath to bring himself back to reality. It probably wouldn't be a problem, Castiel would definitely say no.

"I uh, okay? Yeah." Cas' voice was barely audible but Dean heard him as if he'd screamed it. Dean nearly started hyperventilating and had to clear his throat a few times before he could speak again. "Cool. We'll be leaving Saturday, that okay?" Cas' voice was still very weak when he answered, "That, that's okay, but I, I've barely been out of the city. What should I bring? Or wear?"

Dean had managed to calm down somewhat and was now on familiar grounds. "Whatever you're comfortable in, comfortable clothes? Good shoes. It's a long walk through rough terrain." He paused waiting for Castiel to say something, but only a small "Oh!" came through. Dean continued, "I can make you a list. We also have some appropriate clothing at the cabin that you can borrow."

Their conversation carried on, ending after Castiel decided he'd come to the store to pick out appropriate attire for the trip. He'd come in Friday and Dean promised him a discount on whatever he needed.

It took a while before Dean as able to do anything after their phone call had ended. His thoughts turned to the one—and only one—time before that he had brought someone to the cabin. He and Lisa hung out for a few weeks prior, but after the trip to the cabin he'd ended their relationship knowing that he wasn't really in love with her. She'd been pissed at first but thanked him later for not leading her on.

The thing was that Dean preferred to be there alone. He'd had a hard time adjusting to Lisa's presence. That trip had only been for a weekend, this one would be an entire week. Dean was a little bit scared but Castiel was different than Lisa. He had a feeling he wouldn't have to constantly entertain the guy. Lisa felt ignored if Dean went for a walk in the woods alone or when he went fishing early in the morning hours. It had been stressful and annoying.

He decided to let his worries rest. The decision was made and that was that. He was going to take Cas to the cabin and they were going to have a good time. Dean knew he wanted this guy in every sense one person could want another person, but had a feeling that he should take his time with this one. None of his old lines were going to work. And there was the possibility of Cas being straight.


(Castiel POV)

Castiel closed his eyes and leaned back on the couch. So he was going away with Dean, for a week. It was somewhat scary. Cas had never had a real friend before and he hadn't really missed that notion either. When he was younger he hung out with kids in class but he'd been shy and was always just one more in the crowd. After college and uni he'd been even more of a loner. Work took up most of his time and even if he did go out with coworkers for a drink or two, he never felt that any of them were actual friends.

What scared him the most was not knowing why Dean wanted him to come. They barely knew each other and he didn't want Dean to seem him as some charity case, someone that needed to be saved. Castiel decided then that he was going to show Dean that he was perfectly capable of taking care of himself, he wasn't going to be in the way and he wasn't going to make Dean do anything differently from when he was there alone. Fishing and hunting was not something Cas had any actual experience with so he would just relax and let Dean do whatever he wanted.

The next few days went by in a haze. At work he managed to focus on his tasks but being cut off every day from any overtime, his evenings became very long. Mr. Crowley had been happy when Castiel told him he'd be taking the next week off and had promised Castiel new and challenging work upon his return.

Every day he felt the need to tell Dean but he would stop himself. They had an appointment on Friday. He could wait.

At home on Thursday night he wrapped up the work on Dean's computer and was about to put back in the backpack when he noticed something in the bottom of it. He pulled out two condoms—which made him blush—and a receipt for a liquor store for a bottle of Jack Daniels. Cas quickly tucked the items back in a hurry before he placed the laptop inside.

It was a casual Friday at work, something Castiel had never paid any attention to. He always wore his cheap suits to work no matter what. This time he decided to wear something else. He knew he was doing it for Dean, knowing that he was going to be seeing him at the store after work. Blue jeans were out of the question, but he chose a pair of black ones and a light gray tee with a blue dress shirt. He came to work feeling very under-dressed but no one seemed to care.

During lunch he sent Dean a message asking for a good time to come by. The reply didn't come immediately but as Castiel settled back in his work chair he felt a little vibration from his phone, "Anytime. We're open till eight. If you come later just call."

After work he went out for a quick meal before he headed for the train-station to go to Dean's store. Castiel was excited. He knew he liked this guy a lot. He'd never in his life act upon his thoughts, and anyway he was positive that Dean was straight so hanging out with him would be completely safe.

He was not in love. Being in love with a man was not in Castiel's plans for his life; the fact that he liked Dean a lot didn't mean anything. He needed a friend. He wanted a friend. Dean was a friend.

The whole way there he kept repeating that mantra to himself. When he stood outside the store he had made himself believe that this was the truth and nothing could change that.

Seeing Dean again felt very good though. Cas didn't know what to say as he walked through the door but turned out he didn't have to worry. Dean came towards him with a smile on his face, "Great, come on, let's find out what you need."