AN: Prepare for some meddlesome families!
Grinning, Gabriel stood at the bottom of the large staircase, holding a megaphone. Balthazar gave him the thumbs up, a grin plastered on his face. Flicking the switch, Gabriel lift the megaphone to his mouth.
"FAMILY MEETING! EVERYONE GET IN THE KITCHEN! NOW! ON PAIN OF DEATH!"
A few moments later, the sounds of people moving could be heard up the stairs. Gabriel and Balthazar went to join Crowley in the kitchen, helping themselves to some coffee. Anna was the first to enter the kitchen, texting as she made her way to the table.
"Finish what you're doing, Anna, then give me your phone," Balthazar sighed, holding his hand out. Anna huffed and finished her text before slapping her phone in to Balthazar's hand. The twins finally made their way in to the kitchen, pushing and shoving each other. Zacharia was the last to stroll in to the kitchen, looking like Gabriel's announcement had woken him up.
"Good, we're all-"
"-What about Castiel?" Lucifer interrupted. Gabriel sighed.
"He's out, and this is about him..."
Balthazar nodded and stood at the head of the table; "right, we're all aware of Dean, right?"
The table nodded, mumbling a few things.
"Right, well, I really shouldn't be sharing this information, but I need all of your help. Seeing as I'm leaving tomorrow - I'd do it all myself otherwise. Can I count on you all?"
Balthazar paused, watching everyone nod again, suspiciously.
"What is it?" Anna asked, fidgeting from being phone-less.
"Well, our little Cassie has a crush. On Dean."
A few sniggers were heard around the table.
"So?" Zacharia asked, fingering the handle of his mug. Balthazar and Gabriel glared.
"I'm asking you all to help play match-maker."
"But I already set Dean up with Lisa!" Anna argued. Crowley grinned.
"That didn't go so well, Anna. He dumped her on Balthazar and spent the night with Castiel instead."
"...Oh."
"But isn't Dean straight?" Michael asked, before giving his twin a sharp elbow in the arm. Lucifer responded just as violently. Gabriel shook his head.
"Apparently not. He's up for anything, and we think he not-so-secretly likes Cas too. So, we're plotting how to get them together."
Lucifer snorted; "so why is it just us in on this? Why not Meg and Lil and everyone?"
"Because," Balthazar started, leaning on the table; "we're deadly serious about this. We tell the others, they'll blab instantly. The last thing we need is Meg and Lil spreading this around and making things harder. We've already got our work cut out for us - Castiel being completely clueless and awkward, and Dean too afraid."
Gabriel nodded; "so we've never done this before, but, we need to pull together! Invite Dean over as much as possible to get him with Cas, Michael, Lucifer, I'm giving you the task of babysitting Sam. He plays World of Warcraft so that should be something, and... Just, give them a nudge."
Crowley laughed; "they need a bloody booting in the right direction, not a nudge."
Gabriel grinned; "well, let's start off slowly, or Cas will get the wrong idea."
"So where's Cas now?" Anna asked, trying to reach for her phone Balthazar had put on the table.
"Out with Dean... Let's check up on them!"
Gabriel pulled his phone from his pocket and scrolled to Castiel's number, ringing it and putting it on speaker-phone. He kept the microphone closer to his mouth so Castiel wouldn't suspect anything. Finally, it clicked.
"Hello, Gabriel."
"Cas! What are you up to?"
Everyone shuffled around the table, closer to Gabriel to hear.
"I'm doing homework."
"...Is Dean there?"
"...Yes."
"So, uh, where are you?"
"I'm not telling you, Gabriel. You'll only come and interrupt."
Anna giggled, getting a nudge from Crowley, and Balthazar hissing "shut the fuck up" at her.
"...Who's there?"
Gabriel glared at Anna; "just Anna, giggling away on her phone as usual. Anyway, I'm not going to come and disturb you two! I just, want to know. We're thinking of going out for dinner tonight."
"Where?"
"Tell me your location and I'll tell you mine."
Castiel sighed; "Java."
"Ooh, nice and cosy on the sofas?"
"We're doing the History project, you know, the one you and Anna are supposed to be helping with!"
"If you want we'll come and help."
"No, thank you, Dean and I can manage, plus your idea of helping is just distracting Dean from work. Anyway, where are we going for dinner?"
Gabriel looked to Crowley and Balthazar who shrugged; "um... Alfredo's!"
"Ok."
"Coming? Bring Dean!"
There was mumbling on the other side of the phone before Castiel returned; "Dean's not sure."
"Oh come on, Balthazar's paying! Nice meal before he goes!"
Balthazar glared at Gabriel, who grinned in return. Castiel conferred with Dean on the other end before sighing.
"Fine, what time?"
"I'll get back to you, need to make reservations first."
"It's a Saturday night, Gabriel! They won't have any!"
"Sure, but not for the Novaks!"
Castiel sighed again; "fine."
"Goodie, I'll ring you later."
"Goodbye."
Gabriel hung up and grinned; "...Aww! Those two on another date!
"And another tonight!" Crowley laughed, giving his cousin a high-five.
"What a cheap-skate," Zacharia snorted, getting up from his chair.
"Hey! Not all of us can afford to go eat out whenever we want! And Alfredo's is not cheap! Cassie probably mentioned that! Stop being a dick!" Balthazar scolded. Zacharia shrugged and left the room, stomping back up the stairs.
"Sorry Balth, first thing that came to my head," Gabriel said, going to help himself to a drink from the fridge.
"It's fine, it just means not all of you can come. And Gabe, you can chip in!"
"So are you just taking Gabriel?" Anna asked, finally grabbing her phone.
"Yeah, make sure Cassie and Dean talk to each other. Anyway, I'm off for a beauty-nap, let me know if you make the reservations."
Everyone dispersed to go back to their own things.
Dean and Castiel were hunched over a book together, reading about Adolf Eichmann, both finding they had nearly the same reading speed. The only thing that Dean didn't distract Castiel from, was work. If they were doing anything else, he'd have been paying attention to the fact Dean's thigh was pressed against his, or the fact his hand was dangerously close to his own. He'd also have noted that their heads were almost touching and that Dean smelled like coffee and aftershave. For a moment, his concentration wavered when he noticed Dean glance up at him before looking back down at the book. Castiel found himself counting the freckles on Dean's face for a few moments before realising he was distracted. He went back to reading, but Dean was ahead of him. He'd just started the final paragraph when Dean reached the turn the page. He quickly put his hand on Dean's, to stop him turning over, and kept it there until he'd finished all the words on the page. He removed his hand and felt his face burning, realising he'd just been effectively holding his hand.
"Sorry, I lost concentration."
Dean grinned; "it's fine dude, I'm finding it hard to stomach what some of these guys did. Especially that doctor guy you told me about."
Castiel nodded; "I know... It's just..."
"I think I need another drink."
Castiel jumped up; "I'll get them."
"No, Cas-"
Before Dean could properly protest, Cas had hurried over to the counter. Dean sighed and picked up his notebook and pen, quickly writing a few things down before Castiel came back. He enjoyed how close they were getting, even after less than a week. His dad dumping him and Sam on Bobby was the best thing to ever happen. Sam had a good-looking girlfriend and friends, and he had some pretty awesome friends himself, it was only a matter of time until he found someone of his own. Castiel returned, smiling and carrying two cups of coffee and set them down on the table, sitting himself next to Dean, making sure to leave a gap between them.
"You can't keep paying for things, Cas," Dean sighed, reaching for his cup. Cas frowned.
"Why not? I have the money, and nothing else to spend it on, why not you?"
Dean shrugged; "because... I don't know. It just makes me feel a bit... Inferior."
"You're not inferior, Dean. And I certainly don't think I'm better than you, especially just because I have a ridiculous amount of money. But... All I can contribute to this relationship, friendship, is to pay for things."
Both boys blushed when Castiel accidentally said "relationship". Dean looked down at his cup and took a sip, Castiel looked away and hit himself on the forehead, wanting to curl up and not be seen by anyone. His phone vibrating on the table grabbed his attention. Gabriel had sorted the reservations, and insisted they dress smart. Dean groaned.
"I don't own anything smart..."
"Just a shirt, and nice jeans will be fine. Balthazar refuses to wear anything that might cover up his chest, you may have noticed... You can borrow a tie if you like."
Dean grinned; "the Justice League one!"
Castiel laughed and picked up his drink, the "relationship" slip-up seemingly forgotten; "you can keep it, I'm never going to wear it. I have more ties than I could wear in a year."
"Seriously?"
"Yeah... If I'm honest I've been looking for someone I can pass it on to, you don't want the rest of those ties, do you?"
Dean laughed; "you trying to turn me in to you? With all the ties, what's next, waist-coats?"
Cas smiled sheepishly; "not at all, I'm sure you look nice all dressed up, but, this is how you dress, I don't want to change you."
"Why, am I perfect as I am?"
"Yes!" Castiel replied, trying to force a laugh along with it. Dean grinned.
"Aren't you sweet. you're not so bad yourself... Anyway, shall we do as much of this as possible?"
"Yes..."
Castiel smiled to himself and pulled his notebook closer, picking up his pen.
That evening, after dropping Castiel off at his house, Dean drove home as quickly as he could, jumping in the shower. Down in the kitchen, Bobby was sharing suspicious looks with Sam.
"Now what's going on?"
Sam shrugged and helped himself to slice of toast; "no idea. He's been out with Castiel all day though."
"Something weird's going on. How does your brother befriend the loneliest Novak so quickly?"
"Maybe they fell in love!" Sam laughed, taking a large bite of his toast. Bobby sighed and poured himself a cup of coffee, taking his paper in to the front room. Sam grinned and took his toast upstairs and lounged on Dean's bed, in time for Dean to get out of the shower. Dean stopped abruptly at the doorway.
"What are you doing? Get off my bed!"
"Where are you off to? Hot date?"
Dean glared and pulled the wardrobe open, grabbing his black shirt and good jeans. Sam's grin got bigger.
"Is it a hot date? Really?"
"No! I'm going for a meal!"
"A hot date kind of meal? Or-"
"-Will you fuck off? I'm not going on a hot date!"
Sam laughed and sat up, crossing his legs; "so, meal for what?"
Dean began scrubbing his hair dry with another towel, playing with the buttons of his shirt; "Balthazar's last night before he goes back to college. He's taking us to some swanky restaurant."
"Nice... Who's us?"
"Me, Cas, Gabe, and him I think..."
"Aww, how nice."
Dean glared; "shut up, and actually, get lost, I need to get ready!"
"Get ready for your, uh, hot date?"
Sam ducked out of the room before Dean got to hit him, laughing all the way down the stairs. Dean grumbled a few choice words before getting dressed, making sure he looked somewhat presentable - a nice ironed shirt with no stains, and a pair of jeans with no rips, fading or stains. Once he dressed, he padded across to the bathroom, doing his hair and splashing on some aftershave. As he stared at himself in the mirror, he realised that this was the first time in a very long time he'd actually gotten spruced up for something. It had been a while since he'd been invited out for a meal, and any other outing, casual clothing was acceptable, so he'd worn that.
He wondered if, to Castiel, smart dress meant a tuxedo, or something similar, seeing as his casual was everyone else's smart. He finally tore his eyes away from the mirror when his phone went off. It was a text from Gabriel.
"Balth. and I are taking the Dodge, so Cas needs a ride. Come get him."
Dean rolled his eyes and wandered back to his room, grabbing his smart jacket and keys from the bedside table. He ran out of the house before Bobby and Sam could call him back and made his way to the Novak house. When he got there, Castiel was waiting for him on the front porch, sat stiffly on the bench, reading "For Whom the Bell Tolls". He looked up when he heard the rumble of the Impala's engine and smiled, setting his book down on his knee. Dean grinned and climbed out, walking slowly to meet Cas. He was wearing all black, and for once didn't have a waist-coat - black shirt, tie and jacket.
"Nice, Cas."
"Thank you... Do you want the tie?"
"Hell yeah!"
Castiel chuckled and pulled it from his jacket pocket, going to hand it to Dean when he held up his hands.
"I uh, can't tie them."
Cas smiled and put the tie around his own neck; "fair enough, want me to teach you?"
Dean nodded and watched as Castiel did the tie up on himself, before loosening it and lifting it over his head.
"I'll show you another time, or else we're going to be late... I can't believe they took the two-seater on purpose."
Dean nodded again as Cas hooked the tie around his neck and stood close, tightening it and loosening it so it fit perfectly. Dean grinned and looked in to Cas' eyes when he looked up.
"Thanks, Cas."
Castiel blushed, not aware he was stood so close; "it's fine... Shall we go?"
Neither went to move, and stared at each other for a few moments until Castiel coughed, realising he'd forgotten to breath. Dean smiled and clapped him on the back.
"You all right?"
Castiel nodded and followed Dean down to the car, smiling when Dean opened the door for him and closed it after he'd climbed in. Dean ran around and climbed in himself, getting the car back on the road almost instantly. He glanced over to Cas and noticed he still had the book in his hand.
"What's that called?"
Castiel looked at Dean curiously before understanding; "oh, 'For Whom the Bell Tolls', it's a Hemingway."
"Ah... It's also Metallica."
"...Isn't Metallica a band?"
Dean chuckled and nodded; "they have a song called the same."
"Oh... Is it about the Spanish Civil War too?"
"Um... I don't know... It sounds like it's about a war... You'd have to listen and decide for yourself."
Castiel nodded; "ok."
"...Ok? You want to listen to Metallica? I mean... You could always just, google the lyrics..."
"I don't mind, Dean. I'll listen to them if you want me to. You all ready have me watching films."
Dean grinned; "awesome, well... I'll show you after dinner."
Castiel smiled; "ok."
They quickly got to Alfredo's; Dean was a little suspicious about letting a valet park his car, but gave in when Castiel reassured him. When they walked in to the restaurant, Balthazar shouted them over; Castiel cringed and hid his face as Gabriel joined in, causing a scene. Dean gripped Cas' shoulder reassuringly, and guided him over to the table, smiling meekly as Gabriel didn't lower his voice much as they sat down.
"Looking awesome, Dean!"
"Thanks, Gabe... You didn't really get dressed up, though."
Gabriel shrugged and began playing with his napkin; "nah, never do. But, I am wearing my good shoes, and I brushed my hair."
Dean grinned and glanced around the restaurant, noticing it was even more posh than he'd first imagined. As he looked around at the clientèle, sending glares their way at their lack of decorum, he noticed Castiel nervously playing with his tie, Balthazar sat across from him, grinning.
"So, um... What's this dinner about, exactly? And it just being the four of us?"
Balthazar swapped his intense stare from Castiel to Dean; "because, I'm not forking out for the whole family! And because, the four of us make a good group, don't we? You're good friends with Cas and Gabe, and I'm good friends with both, ergo, we're bound to be good friends!"
Dean nodded sceptically; "all right? Not that I'm complaining or anything."
"Just enjoy yourself, Dean. And make sure Cas is home for midnight."
Gabriel laughed and began folding his napkin in to a paper hat, wearing it proudly on his head. When the waiter came over, he tutted at Gabriel and handed them all menus, glaring at them all.
"Dean, order whatever you want," Balthazar warned; "don't dare look at the prices!"
Before Dean could insist he really did actually wanted the cheapest things on the menu, Castiel leant over and covered the prices with his napkin.
"Don't, Dean. Just enjoy yourself, we're friends remember."
Gabriel grinned and nodded; "exactly, if you want the lobster dipped in champagne served with caviare, you damn well have it!"
Dean grimaced; "eww!"
"They do nice steak?" Castiel suggested.
"Yeah! It's like a burger for posh people!" Gabriel laughed, flicking through the pages of his menu. Dean shrugged and began scanning the list himself.
Throughout the dinner, Dean and Castiel found themselves sat in an awkward silence as Gabriel and Balthazar held their own conversations in hushed voices. The two would glance over at each other and smile when they met each others' eyes; Balthazar and Gabriel grinned at their "couple behaviour": Castiel pouring Dean his drink, Dean lightly wiping away a bit of sauce from the side of Casiel's mouth with his napkin.
During desert Dean insisted Cas try some of his pie, holding some on his fork in front of his face, grinning. When Castiel refused, Dean reminded him he'd tried his "diabetes drink" and forced the pie in to his mouth. Gabriel laughed and broke away a piece of cake from the main piece.
"Diabetes drink? The caramel mocha latte?"
Dean nodded; "with added extras, and four sugars!"
Castiel shrugged and shifted the pie from one side of his mouth to the other, trying to take in all the flavours. Dean grinned and helped himself to another bite.
"So what will you kids do afterwards? There's a pretty fancy peep-show down by that old jewellers," Balthazar grinned, winking at Castiel.
"No thank you, Balthazar. Anyway, Dean was going to introduce me to Metallica."
"What? I've been trying to get you to listen to them for years! Oh, but when Dean asks it's 'of course Dean! Anything for you Dean!'" Gabriel moaned, pouting. Castiel shot a glare over at him.
"I never said I'd like them, I said I'd listen to one song, at least. Besides, he already has me watching an enormous list of films, why not listen to music too?"
"...What films?"
Dean grinned; "nearly every film in existence! He's watched, nothing! Last night we popped his Indiana Jones cherry!"
Balthazar laughed; "sounds dirty."
"It wasn't actually that bad," Castiel mused, scraping his spoon on his plate. Gabriel bit back a laugh, stuffing some cake in to his mouth to try and mute himself.
"So um, what's next?" Balthazar asked innocently. Dean shrugged and shoved the last piece of his pie in to his mouth, chewing a few times before answering.
"Depends, maybe Blade Runner? A Clockwork Orange? If we have a day to spare, Star Wars marathon!"
"Whole day? Wow Cas, something to look forward to!"
Castiel kept his eyes on his plate, trying to keep calm as his brothers attempted to wind him up. Luckily, Dean was just that little bit too dense to understand and shrugged.