Castiel is comfortable in Dean's company. The fear is diminishing and he enjoys just being there. He does wonder a little about how Dean will act among other people. He also wonders how he himself will act among other people.
Late October
(Castiel POV)
They worked seamlessly together cleaning up from their meal, washing, drying and putting the dishes away. It was nice. Once the last dish was put away they made coffee. With a cup each they headed for the couch, sat together and stared at the fire.
Castiel took a sip, letting the warmth permeate through him, "So what are going to do today? The weather is, less than ideal to be outside in." Dean rolled his eyes, "We won't get bored if that's what you're worried about. Being cooped up inside all day has its perks," he said as he patted Castiel's thigh, "but we do have to pack and tidy up."
Cas just looked at him, "And after we've done that? Then what?" Dean smirked, "I'm sure we could come up with something." "Something that could result in us eating a lot? I don't think I want to carry all the food and drink back with us." Dean laughed, "I can agree with you on that," he stood up, "You know, I can check if the Harvelle's are at their cottage; if so, they'll let me use their washing machine."
Castiel blushed and was fairly certain that Dean was referring to the soiled sheets on the bottom bunk. "The Harvelle's?" he asked. Dean nodded as he entered the bedroom, "Yeah, the ones who let me use the ATV, remember? They usually come up on weekends and since they weren't here when we got here, they're most likely up here now. I'll try going by a little later." He came out of the room with his arms full of bundled up sheets and blankets. "I'll uh, I'll take care of these," a light pink tinged his cheeks, "You, uh, you find out what we can eat today. Anything that will keep over the winter can stay."
Cas' mind caught up with the bundles in Dean's arms, "What are we supposed to sleep with tonight?" He wasn't prepared to go to bed without a blanket, the fire dies out and the cool that filters through would make it a rather uncomfortably chilly night. "I, I mean, I just, I don't want to freeze to death." Dean just smiled, "We've got a spare blanket, we, we'll only need the one, right?"
Castiel knew what Dean was implying—they were going to share a bed again. "Sure, yeah, okay." He could feel his cheeks flush with heat as various thoughts ran through his mind. He had to close his eyes for a second to compose himself. The thought of Dean's body so close to his in bed was actually comforting. He was surprised that only a small part of him was slightly disturbed, but he wasn't terrified of the thought.
While Castiel sorted through the food, Dean was sorting through all of their clothes and packing everything that they wouldn't need for the remainder of their stay. With a small 'goodbye' Dean set off for the neighbors.
With the mesh up of various food items before him Castiel was having a hard time configuring recipes that didn't sound too outlandish. His eyes kept lingering on the two apples he found; the idea struck him and he went with it. In a matter of minutes he had all of the ingredients for a pie in front of him—he smiled.
He knew the apples weren't the correct type for baking, they weren't tart enough, but he was going to make it work. He decided to use less sugar than he usually would. It was going to be a small pie, but it didn't matter, he was determined to do this. He couldn't find an actual pie pan—he wasn't surprised—but settled on a small dish with raised edges hoping it wouldn't crack in the oven.
He prepared the crust and baked it and chilled it as per the requirements. While the crust was in the fridge he began to put together the filling.
He let the pie sit; all it needed at this point was to be baked. He spent two hours cleaning up the kitchen and making sure all the dishes were clean. Their next meal was ready to go, potatoes and carrots were already boiling on the stove top, the remainder of the non-frozen fish sat in a pan ready to be fried up. Castiel headed to the couch, picking up a book from the shelf while he waited for Dean to return.
Cas felt himself begin to doze, his head fell back but he jerked himself awake. He heard footsteps on the porch and stared at the door. It opened, revealing Dean with a bundle of linens in his arms, "They're not dry, we can hang 'em up in front of the fireplace." He dropped the bundle on the table and went back outside, returning with an old, worn clothes rack, "I don't think they'll be dry by tonight, but that won't matter."
Castiel got up and moved to help him but Dean waved him off, "No, I, it's fine, I got this. I'm actually kind of hungry, any food ready? Ellen offered me some food but I, I'd rather eat here with you," he said with a smile. Cas smiled back and headed towards the kitchen, "Food's coming up, but don't peek!"
Castiel served them their meal and they ate in a mixture of comfortable silence and small talk. Once finished Dean was about to get up with the dishes but Castiel stopped him, "No, I'll do it, you, you just sit. Wait here."
He had popped the pie in the oven before they sat down to eat; opening the oven door caused the scent to quickly fill the room and he heard Dean's voice call out, "I smell something good, what is it?"
Castiel was glad the dish hadn't broke during the baking process and hoped the pie tasted as good as it smelt. "Be patient, all will be revealed in due time. Do you want any coffee?" He didn't bother waiting for a reply and poured coffee into two mugs and carried them out into the living room. He returned the kitchen twice more, once for plates and forks, and then to fetch the pie.
It wasn't his best but Dean's praise could've fooled anybody. "Oh my god, you made pie! I'm, uh, this, this is so good." He leaned over and kissed Cas on the cheek, leaving behind a sticky line from the filling. "Sorry, let me get that." He wiped Cas' cheek with a napkin and sighed, "You know Cas, if, if there was any doubt before," he peeked over at Cas, "Really there wasn't, but if uh, if there was, this pie alone would give me reason enough to keep you."
Castiel playfully scoffed, "Seriously it wasn't that great, but thanks." He chuckled a little, "If, if we were in my kitchen, with all the right ingredients," he offered a shy smile, "I, I could make you a pie that is to die for." Dean's gaze immediately went down to his plate while he licked his fingers clean, "Really?" He finally looked up at Cas, who nodded, "Yeah, really."
Castiel felt a little awkward talking about his own cooking like that, and as if Dean had read his mind he uttered, "I don't know you that well but I don't think it's quite your style to brag." He looked at Cas, "Your pie making skills must be awesome." Castiel could feel himself blushing, "It is and, and now I've, I have someone to bake for, right?" Dean got up from his chair and went to Cas, hugging him and placing a kiss on the top of his head, "Definitely."
Once again they both cleaned up the dishes, working around and with each other. They retired to the couch, slumping into comfortable positions with a book in hand. Castiel felt comfortable despite the silence lingering between them, but he noticed that after a while Dean seemed a bit antsy and tried to ignore it. It wasn't that he didn't care about Dean's feelings, but he was enjoying just being there with him. After everything that had been said this week, and especially the last couple of days, the term awkward silence didn't exist between them. However, it appeared that Dean was not of the same opinion.
"Hey Cas, are you okay?" Dean glanced up from his book, "I mean, you're, you're awfully deep into that book." Castiel chuckled and let the book rest on his lap, "Yes Dean, I'm fine. This is actually quite perfect." He shook his head, "Don't worry, I don't need to be entertained." Dean frowned a little, "Oh, it, it wasn't like I was going to," he sighed, "I do worry when you're so quiet though. I'm afraid you're bored and I am your host here."
Castiel had to laugh, "I thought I had dibs on the worrying." He glanced down for a second, "I'm really never bored Dean. This is perfect. Just being here with you and not being afraid, not feeling scared about, about everything. It, it's, this is something I could get used to." Dean scooted closer and took Cas' hand, "Me too." He kissed Cas' fingertips before returning to his book. "Can, can I just sit here?" At Castiel's nod he placed his head on the other man's shoulder and shifted till both were comfortable.
A while later Dean cleared his throat, "Ellen and Bill invited us over tonight, the Harvelle's." He scrunched his face as he moved so he could look at Castiel, "I should've told you before but I really didn't know if I wanted to go." Castiel didn't know if he wanted to go either, he didn't know those people, "Whatever you want is fine with me." Dean shook his head, "No, no, don't say that Cas, be honest."
Cas had to think about it for a while. He didn't know if they would believe that he and Dean were just friends but regardless it could be nice to go there just to be with Dean amongst other people. It could be like a trial-run before they went back to civilization. Cas nodded to himself and turned to Dean, "Yeah, we should go. They seem like nice people."
The weather was even worse than it had been earlier. Castiel wasn't quite sure but it looked like it was snowing a little higher up in the mountains. The wind had definitely picked up, but the coat and pants Cas had bought upon Dean's insistence from his store did their job at keeping him warm the whole way to the Harvelle's. His blisters weren't fully healed but with the proper band-aids it wasn't so bad.
When they finally arrived Ellen greeted them at the door and urged them to hurry inside. "It's really cold out tonight, but welcome." She gave Dean a quick hug and turned to Castiel, "And this is?" Dean was busy getting his coat off and stopped with a slightly apologetic look on his face, "Oh, sorry Ellen, this is Castiel, Cas," he hesitated before he wrapped an arm around Cas' shoulders, "He's a very, very good friend." Ellen gave Cas a wink before she practically shoved them into the living room. "I see, well a friend of the Winchester's is always welcome here."
She stopped in the entryway to the room, "Bill, will you get the boys a drink." Bill was busy tending to the fireplace. He got to his feet once satisfied with his job, and reached a hand out to Castiel, "Bill, and you I guess are Castiel. Interesting name." His eyes wandered from Cas to Dean and back again, then shrugged and patted Dean's arm. "Well Dean I, I'll get you boys some drinks."
Castiel closed his eyes for a moment; the expressions on Ellen and Bill's faces when they greeted him told him that they knew. They knew that he and Dean shared something more than friendship. He wondered if Dean had told them or if they just guessed. They didn't seem to have a problem with it so Castiel tried to not let it bother him.
Dean sat down on the couch and patted the seat next to him. Cas sat down and a few minutes later a young girl came out of the kitchen with four cups on a little tray, Billy right behind her. "Irish coffee, just to get you warmed up after the long walk." He smiled and turned to the girl, "Jo, this is Castiel." Jo put the tray down and held out her hand, "Jo," she mumbled with a fake smile.
As soon as Jo and Castiel had finished their handshake the girl abruptly left the room. Ellen apologized for her behavior, "Sorry, she's really a nice girl bu—" Before Ellen had finished, Jo's voice came from the kitchen, "Mom, shut the fuck up!" Castiel startled at the harsh words and wondered if she would be reprimanded for cursing. Ellen turned and walked into the kitchen and said something to Jo but Castiel couldn't make out the words being said.
Dean leaned over, "She's always had a crush on me." He chuckled, "But I've never looked at like anything other than a little sister." He squeezed Cas' hand, "She'll come around when she gets to know you. It'll be fine."
After they had all finished their coffees Bill began mixing drinks. Dean settled for beer telling Cas that Bill wasn't the best bartender in the world. Castiel would've preferred a glass of wine but out of politeness he braved a few of the concoctions Bill served up. They weren't too bad but Cas had little experience with alcohol so he got up and went to the kitchen to get some water.
Jo was sitting by the counter with a magazine and listening to music on her ipod. Her eyes followed him as he crossed the room; she pulled out an ear bud, "Are you his boyfriend?" Cas startled a little from the direct question and attempted to busy himself by searching for a glass in the cupboards. Jo got up from her seat and approached him, "Glasses are here." She handed him one and stared into his eyes, "So, are you?"
Cas shifted a little on his feet, feeling a little uncomfortable under her scrutinizing stare, "Uh, well, we've, we've only known each other for, uh, not so long." He had to turn away from her, "It's just, well it's, it's sort of," Cas filled up his glass and lifted it to his lips. Jo lent against the counter, her gaze softening just slightly but there were still a small frown on her face, "I've known him for forever and I've never seen him look at anyone the way he looks at you." Suddenly her frown turned into a bright smile, "I've always loved him, but I knew, I just knew that he'd end up with a guy."
