A/N : here's the same story but told in a less formal manner...

Dean's POV

"We can't afford it."

"We can, Dean. I have a lawyer's salary now. I'll pay the rent and with what you make at the garage, you can pay for food and supplies."

Sam's face should be illegal. Of course as the professional debater he damn was now, he would overturn it and then Dean would still be faced with a six-foot-five-tall puppy. He sighed and shut up.

The apartment was on the second floor, with no balcony but a nice view to the street trees. Sam smiled and Dean felt home, for the first time ever.

There were all kind of tenants, some really rich, other more like him and Sammy. In general they were nice but they kept to themselves. Dean was okay with that, he didn't like people poking in his business.

Sam was making friends at his job, he was good at that. Dean fit in at the garage, he went for beers with some of the other mechanics. Life was good.

There were a few hot chicks in the building like the Talbot girl, all blond and big-boobed. Dean was thinking about asking her out one evening, as he parked his car when he spotted a man struggling with his grocery bags. Dean smiled and went to his rescue. He was rewarded by a very nice smile. When he got to his own apartment, he handed the bags back and wished him good-night. As he went to bed, he thought that Miss Talbot looked nice but snobbish. No need to try his luck.

Every morning after that, he looked around for the dark hair and the shy smile. One day, he saw him but he was frowning down at his car. Dean knew that look, it was the one you had when you tried to scold your engine into starting. Dean chuckled and offered his assistance. As it turned out, the man had forgotten to turn on his lights. It was an easy fix and they talked a little as the battery got charged. They exchange first names. The man had a voice that porn stars would kill to have. Dean blushed but luckily it was barely dawn so you couldn't see it.

One day, he borrowed Sam's laptop. There was a big cheesy picture of a cat as a background. Now that was good. Dean couldn't wait and confronted Sammy the same evening:

"Kitties, Sammy, really? Shall I order your crochet kit?"

Sam's bitchface was strangely forced. He actually looked hurt, which was weird, Sam was always a good sport when it came to teasing, especially with Dean. Even his reply: "Sure, we can put it next to your guitar scores" was half-hearted.

So, Dean, who loved his brother more than anything else in the world (including his car) decided to go look for a kitten.

One day, he walked around the building, to stretch his legs. As he finally spotted 'Novak' on one of the third floor doors (one of the most expensive apartments), he decided they were stretched enough and walked downstairs discreetly.

He ran a few scenarios in his head, as in asking for sugar but they all seemed lame. He would have to wait to randomly run into the guy and work it in the conversation. He could do that, he was a strong, confident man.

On Saturday, he walked to the vet to ask about kittens. As he waited for his turn, he looked at the ad board. There was no poster about litters but there was a very very weird photo of a cat. Dean really hoped the animal didn't actually have red eyes, or fur this color. Whoever took the photo sucked at it big time. His mocking grin changed when he saw the name at the bottom: 'Castiel Novak.'...

He had no idea how you even pronounced that name, but in a way, it fit the guy. He looked different, unique. And what do you know, there were little pieces of paper with his cell number on them. There were three left and Dean felt selfish. He looked around and when he was sure nobody would see, he snatched all of them.

"Excuse-me sir."

Fuck! He had been seen, and by the secretary, just his luck.

"Yes, ma'am?"

"Could you tell me if there's any phone number left on that ad?"

"Hum... No?"

"Oh, then I'll take it off. My boss doesn't want the space to be wasted. He says that if there's no number left, people won't know who to call so it's going into the trash. Could you be so kind and hand it to me?"

Dean felt horribly guilty. Casteeal... Castiieel... Cas, must be feeling bad without his pet and here he was, lessening the chances. He took a quick decision.

"Well, in that case, do you mind if I take it? I have to be sure I've really seen the right cat."

"Oh of course, great idea. So what can I do for you?"

But Dean wasn't in the mood for kitten searching anymore. He could come back later, Sam wasn't in a hurry, while there was a lost cat to find and bring back to a grateful owner... A mission worthy of Dean...

He toyed with his cell, opening and closing the text app until Sammy sighed:

"Why are you so nervous tonight? Something wrong at work?"

"No, no... it's nothing serious."

"Good, then can you stop pacing like that? You're getting me nervous."

Dean flipped him the bird but his heart wasn't in it.

He erased the text that were too bold or too stupid or too flirty until he was left with zero ideas. He went to his room and looked at the cat's picture. Who could love that thing? Dean liked cats in general and would admit to it under enough torture, but some cats were just creepy.

So he wrote that and his thumb disobeyed him and sent the text. He bumped his head on the wall.

"Dean, what's going on?"

"Nothing!"

He went back to the kitchen. He would cook his own dinner (he and Sam had agreed to disagree and didn't look at the other one's plate anymore). When the cell beeped, Dean's heart ran a mile just for fun.

But the answer was not dismissive. It was also perfectly written. Dean grinned, charmed, and decided to keep up with the humor.

The guy was a writer? He must be selling well if he could afford 26A. Dean was impressed and a little humbled. But the next reply wasn't nice. He was so offended that he sat heavily on the chair, making Sam jump in surprise.

He sent an angry answer and regretted it immediately. Cas' next text was the last straw. He didn't know who he was. Dean threw the cell against the door. The battery came out. Sam looked at him with a smirk and Dean went to his room to keep the scrap of his dignity.

It turned out he didn't have any dignity left. First he looked up Novak and bought a book online (He never did that. Not that he didn't read but he liked bookshop better.) Then he wondered if he could find a cat that looked exactly the same in a shelter and try to see if it would work. His last plan was to find the cat and then bring it and sneer and look at the man feel bad for badmouthing him (and if instead he were grateful and wanted to thank Dean accordingly, well Dean could show some generosity). He managed to believe himself for about five seconds.

Then a cat showed up. It was a tabby just like the photo and Dean felt triumphant:

"Kitty, kitty, kitty... come here, come to uncle Dean" God, he needed help.

The cat came, like all feline did, cautiously and taking detours. He was finally sniffing Dean's hand when he felt an ass push into his.

The cat had vanished. Dean swore and prepared himself to yell at the interrupter but his words were caught in his throat.

When looks had been handed down, Cas must have been at the front. His eyes were so fucking blue, Dean decided it was his new favorite color (He never had one, he only had a favorite food).

He felt stupid when he saw the hope in his eyes and not only he hadn't caught the cat but it wasn't the right one. He was ready to go home, his tail between his leg when he heard:

"I appreciate you helping though, would you mind... I wouldn't want to impose... If we search together, it might be more efficient."

If someone had paid Dean a million dollars not to smile at that instant, he'd still be poor. In fact loads of money didn't compare to the blush on Cas' face. The man was awkward but he was smart and put two and two together. Dean couldn't catch a break.

Yet, somehow things turned out fine and he even gathered enough courage to lure him to his place. He had forgotten Sam was still there and warned Cas. He wondered what Sam would think about him. They were both nerds after all and a writer...

He didn't have to say any of that. Sam was carrying a big-ass bag. He was feeding wild cats. Dean felt bad for having postponed his kitten search but rallied when Castiel suggested his cat could be among the strays.

He felt like a stalker when he went to fetch the photo, but there was no time to lose. A happy Castiel would be easier to ask out (okayyyyy... Dean just wanted to make him happy, sue him!) He lied through his teeth about the phone numbers though. To balance it, he owned up to wanting to find Cas' cat and be his hero. Cas was still smart and saw right through him.

Up on the roof, Dean wondered about both his brother's and Cas' taste in animals. Shouldn't cats be cute? In that case, he shouldn't find a kitten. After all, Sam had found abandoned causes (Dean had an idea what that meant for his brother.)

But in the heap of ruffled fur and blind eyes, he saw a cat that was different. Unique. Dean felt a tug in his heartstrings. Castiel was a shit photographer but he knew how to pick pets.

He kept the cat in his arms until he was in the apartment and had to let it go. Castiel looked awkward and Dean realized he had missed his chance or maybe he never had it in the first place. The man was loaded and gorgeous and Dean was... Dean.

"Glad you've found it, Cas. I'll leave you alone, then."

"Wait!"

Dean didn't dare hope but he turned anyway. Castiel looked even more awkward and something clicked in Dean's brain. This was him trying to flirt. It was cute beyond words and Dean knew he was a gone man.

"Yes?"

"I would like to thank you for all your timely interventions. Can I cook dinner for you and your brother?"

Dean did a somersault in his head but stayed in control.

"Sure, Cas... You want me to bring something?"

Cas didn't answer and just stared. Dean gulped.

Cas stayed after dinner, even after Sam, who was yawning pointedly even after Dan kicked him under the table, went to bed. They watched a movie and at the end of it, he was in Dean's laps making out. Dean didn't know the guy who had lost Cas' cat, but he was buying him a Mercedes... well at least a fancy key chain.