It was two weeks since they had arrived back from tour and Castiel still didn't have his cat and Dean still hadn't rung his Dad. The first week they had been distracted by getting resettled in the apartment which meant they made new memories on every surface. Castiel isn't going to lie to anyone it was amazing and it was a great way to settle back into life in LA but he wants Dean to face his problems with his Dad. The cat can be postponed for now just as long as Dean gets his act together and contacts his father.
After the first week, Dean became distracted and vacant. He'd obviously been thinking a lot about the situation but he didn't get his ass into gear and do something about it. Castiel has no doubt that Dean is afraid and nervous not knowing where to start but the first thing he needs to do is contact his father and start the process of sorting it out. They aren't exactly short on money and if need be, Dean can just pay for his father to fly out to LA and put him in a hotel from the weekend or however long it takes for them to sort it out. One thing is for sure though, it needs to happen soon or Dean is never going to do it.
Castiel himself has been somewhat idle in their relationship for the past week. He's been back and forth between the store and the bank as he tried to make a deal in order to open his new store. With Balthazar's assistance, they found the perfect place about an hour drive from their current store. It was just up to the bank now to approve the loan and they could open it.
Of course, he had told Dean everything that was happening. Over dinner, which Dean usually cooked as he would be home most of the day and actually enjoyed cooking, Castiel would tell Dean everything that had happened which usually consisted of complaints about the bank were being idiots. Dean would sooth his worries and stress away with a relaxing massage that more often than not had a happy ending.
The thing that had annoyed him the most was Dean wouldn't open up. Dean had promised he would talk with Castiel about everything and they wouldn't fall back into the routine of just fucking mindlessly to avoid the conversations that they needed to have. Fortunately, Dean hadn't quite fallen into that routine. He would talk to Castiel just not a lot. He would tell Castiel he was still thinking it over and then fall silent. Castiel got the feeling that Dean did want to open up but he was just confused as to what his thoughts were. It was an improvement but Castiel couldn't help but feel the need to push Dean further. During his lunch hour at work, he decided that tonight was tonight he was going to force Dean into talking this through and making a decision because enough was enough.
As soon as he arrived home, Castiel shrugged off his trench which he had taken to wearing again now they were back in LA and hung it on the coat rack. His keys were placed in the bowl and he removed his shoes as he preferred to walk around in just his socks after a long day of standing on his feet. Dean was nowhere to be seen so Castiel guessed by the delicious smell that flooded his nostrils that he was currently cooking dinner.
Castiel followed his nose as he wandered down the hall and into the kitchen to find Dean slaving over the stove with the radio playing classic rock softly. Castiel stood in the doorway for a moment and leant against the frame and watched his lover. Dean was at such ease in the kitchen. His movements were fluid just as they were on stage and Castiel felt his heart flutter at the sight. Finally, Dean turned around to head to the fridge and jumped when he saw Castiel stood in the doorway.
"Jesus Christ, Cas. You freaked the shit out of me" Dean yelled
Castiel burst into laughter at Dean's shocked expression as he tried to calm his breathing. Once he controlled himself, he made his way over to Dean and hugged him before he claimed his lips in apology.
"I'm sorry, Dean" Castiel breathed across Dean's lips before Dean pushed the back of Castiel's head and forced their lips together again. Castiel laughed into the kiss before Dean deepened the kiss and let his tongue tangle with Castiel's.
"Mmm we need to get you a bell" Dean hummed "Then you can't sneak up on me"
Castiel placed his hand on Dean's chest and pushed himself back just enough to look Dean in the eye "You know what else has bells? Cats"
Dean rolled his eyes and groaned. He stepped away from Castiel and moved towards the fridge and retrieved the mayonnaise "Yes Cas, we will get you your damn cat. Just let me deal with my Dad first alright?"
Castiel saw the opportunity and pounced as Dean moved back to the stove to take the burger patties off the heat. "Speaking of your father, when are you going to call him?" Castiel saw Dean's shoulders tense from behind and was quick to continue "I just think you should ring him before the holidays. Sort it all out as soon as you can"
Dean was silent for a bit as he put together the burgers. Dean made the best burgers Castiel had ever eaten and was excited to eat dinner tonight but he really wanted to talk this through and get Dean to take action. When Dean didn't reply, Castiel continued. "I know you're scared and nervous as hell but the sooner you call him the sooner that will all go away. Just call him, Dean" Castiel made his way over to Dean and wrapped his arms around Dean's waist and smiled into Dean's neck as Dean leant back into the touch. "I hate seeing you so conflicted. It's not a good look for you" Castiel teased and kissed Dean's neck.
"I… I don't… I don't know what to say to him" Dean stuttered
Castiel smiled. He knew Dean was having trouble but now that he was finally opening up he couldn't help the relief that washed over him. He could finally help Dean through this "You just need to tell him that you and Sam want to hear his side of the story. Tell him you will fly him out and put him up in a hotel for however long and then go from there. Just take small steps Dean. That's all you need to do" Castiel soothed Dean by moving his hand up and down Dean's stomach. It seemed to work as Dean's breathing became even again.
Dean nodded before he answered "Alright. I'll call him after dinner and arrange it then"
Castiel planted a kiss to Dean's temple "Great. Come on let's eat those burgers they look delicious"
-
Dread ran through Dean's mind the whole second week of being home. The first week had been fantastic. The very first thing they had done once they had unpacked their gear and done their laundry was take out the Impala for a drive. It was just like his fantasy. Cas sat in the passenger seat and gazed out the window while Dean drove, and drove, and drove until his heart's content.
Baby pulled up into the car park of an abandoned beach and the two men climbed out and moved around to the front of the car to sit on the hood. The metal was warm under their butts as they curled into each other's side and gazed out at the ocean and watched the waves roll in. It was late evening and the sun was starting to set. They didn't talk but they didn't need to. It was perfect. Cas was perfect. They were content to just sit back and watch the sun set. With Cas at his side, his mind was clear and he really couldn't think of anywhere else he wanted to be.
When Cas went back to work after that first week, Dean was at a loss. He had so much time to himself that his mind ran wild with thoughts. He debated with himself more often than not and he really just couldn't get himself together. He knew he needed to call his father and sort it out or it would continue to plague him but he just didn't know how to. When Cas came home from work, his thoughts cleared and he'd be focused solely on Cas. He'd listen to his stories about his day over dinner and just get caught up in the world of Cas.
Questions would constantly flow from Cas as he asked what Dean thought about the current situation and every time Dean would freeze unsure how to answer because his thoughts were a mess. He had no clue what he thought and when he responded that he was still mulling it over, Cas would be disappointed. Dean knew that Cas thought he was falling back into old habits and not letting Cas in but in truth, Dean didn't know where to start. As soon as he sorted out his thoughts he would blurt it all out to Cas he would never fall back to their old routine. Ever.
Cooking was where Dean was in his element. When Cas wasn't home, cooking allowed his thoughts to clear. It was either that or work on Baby but there was only so much work that needed to be done on his Impala before he was just wasting money. Dean would focus on the meal for that evening and that would be it. He was an active relaxer. By doing such a simple thing as cooking a meal for Cas and him, he was able to let his mind at ease and just focus on the task at hand. He loved cooking for Cas and Cas seemed to enjoy his meals too. His face would light up in a huge grin after the first bite and compliment Dean on his latest creation which caused Dean's heart to flutter with warmth. He loved to please Cas and as the saying goes, the quickest way to a man's heart is through his stomach.
Burgers was Dean's speciality. He had made note that Cas loved burgers. Love might even be an understatement if the way Cas would wolf down a burger was anything to go by. As an apology, he decided to cook Cas' favourite meal for him and just sit him down and tell him that his thoughts were a mess and he didn't know what to do.
Luckily for Dean, he and Cas were on the same page and somehow Cas just knew how to push Dean's buttons and get him to open up. Cas said all the right things. He didn't push too hard he just told Dean what he was thinking and what he thought Dean should do and of course Cas was right. He was always right. From there it just flowed out. Cas told him what to tell his father and by the time they had finished their meal, he was ready to call.
With one look, Cas got up from the table and collected their dishes to take through to the kitchen and wash up. Dean sent him a thankful smile. Cas kissed him on the lips chastely with a murmured "good luck" and he was gone from the room.
The paper that his father had written his number on was like a dead weight in his pocket ever since they had come home. Dean had made a habit of carrying it around with him in case he suddenly knew what to say and could just pick up his phone and dial. Obviously, that hadn't happened. His hands shook with nerves as he typed the number into his phone. After he triple checked that the number he had entered was correct, he took a deep breath and pressed dial.
As the phone rang, his hands still shook and he still held his breath.
Ring.
His heart pounded in his chest as it threatened to burst out.
Ring.
He can't do this. Nope it's going to be a disaster.
Ring.
He's about to hang up. His hand slowly moved away from his ear about to bring it down and hang it up.
"Hello?" Came a gruff voice. Dean's breath hitched as his father's voice flooded his ear. "Hello? Is anyone there?"
Dean quickly cleared his throat and spoke "Dad? It's Dean"
"Dean" John repeated through the line. Dean was frozen on the spot. He didn't know what to say. His mind reeled as he tried to remember what Cas told him to say.
"I'm ready to talk this through" Dean said his tone surprisingly steady. "Where are you?"
John was silent for a few seconds before he replied "I'm still in South Dakota"
"Alright then. I'll pay for a flight for you to come out here for the weekend and put you up in a hotel and we will sort this out" Dean waited for a few moments and it sounded like his father was holding back tears.
"Thank you, Dean." John sniffed
Dean could feel the emotions well up inside of him. His father was desperate for this but he just couldn't help but feel the anger that it had taken so long for his father to find them and come to him.
"Don't thank me yet, Dad. You have a lot of explaining to do to both me and Sam. I'm not promising anything all we are offering is a chance for you to explain yourself and then we will go from there."
"I understand" John replied still sniffing.
Dean tried to keep his emotions in check and not break down as his father audibly shed tears as he listened to Dean. "Good. I'll sort everything out tomorrow and send you through the details. Goodbye Dad"
"Goodbye, son" John replied. Dean hung up the phone as a tear dropped from his eye and down his cheek.
As if Cas had sensed the conversation was over, he was behind Dean in a flash and wrapped his arms around Dean's waist just as he had earlier. Dean leant back into the touch and let his lover embrace him. Cas didn't say anything just led him over to their spacious couch and lay down as he brought Dean with him. Dean settled between Cas' spread legs and rested his head under Cas' chin as they were pressed chest to chest.
Careful fingers raked through Dean's hair and small kisses were pressed into his temple. Dean didn't understand why he was so upset. His feelings overwhelmed him as Cas took care of him. He pressed his face further into Cas' chest as he succumbed to his emotions and let it all out. Seventeen years of not having his father with him and now he finally had a chance to hear him out and maybe start a relationship. It proved to be too much emotion for Dean as he drained himself against Cas.
"It's okay, Dean. Just let it out" Cas soothed.
Dean didn't know how long he lay there in Cas' arms but he didn't care. When he had eventually calmed himself enough, he wiped his nose with the back of his hand and let out a dry laugh.
"I think I'm growing a vagina" he joked which earned a chuckle from Cas.
"Don't be an idiot, Dean. You've had a hard time with this and you've just overwhelmed yourself" Cas replied ever the soother.
Dean told Cas what happened on the phone and told him he'd ring and tell Sam in the morning. He couldn't deal with Sam right now. He knew Sam had agreed to meet with John but Dean couldn't help but feel Sam would still argue with him when he told Sam he'd arranged it all. He just didn't want to deal with that tonight. All he wanted to do was stay in Cas' arms and pretend the rest of the world didn't exist.
"Hey Cas," Dean said after a while of peace and quiet. Cas' hand still ran through Dean's hair absentmindedly and Dean knew Cas was about to drift off to sleep. When Dean got a soft hum in reply, he continued "How 'bout in your lunch break tomorrow we go find ourselves a cat?" Cas' hand stilled in Dean's hair and Dean took the notion to shift his head so he could look up at Cas' face. There was a huge grin that beamed down at Dean which caused Dean to break out in a grin too. "I'll take that as a yes?" Dean asked even though he already knew the answer.
Cas quickly nodded and moved his head down to latch his lips onto Dean's in a loving tender kiss. Their tongues tangled and explored one another's mouths as Cas' hand resumed its movement through Dean's hair. It didn't get heated or rushed as neither of them wanted to take the moment further. They were content to kiss each other and show their love and affection with their teeth, lips and tongues.
"Have I ever told you how much I love you?" Cas asked when they parted for air.
Dean pouted his lips in fake thought "Hmm don't think so" he teased which earned a playful pull to his hair.
True to his word, Dean met Cas at the store to take him to the local pound to find themselves a kitten. Dean had already gone to the doctor that morning to get a prescription for his allergy. His doctor did tell him he didn't recommend adopting a cat simply because Dean was allergic but the worst that happened was that Dean sneezed. It wasn't life threatening so Dean just told him he had no option and the doctor wrote the prescription.
After a quick ten minute drive, Dean and Cas pulled up outside the pound. Cas visibly vibrated with excitement and Dean couldn't help but grin at the man. He was adorable when he was excited. He had fidgeted in his seat the whole way over and thanked Dean over and over as they drove. He told Dean of all the things they would need to buy and how they absolutely needed to buy one of those fun cat tower's for the kitten to play with. Dean just shook his head and chuckled. There was definitely going to be a dent in his bank account after this adventure.
Hand in hand, they walked into the pound and were immediately greeted by a friendly woman who guided them to the cat section. Cas was immediately going up to all the cages and peering inside to find one that he liked. He cooed and awwed at so many different kittens but eventually he came across one and stopped in his tracks. He looked over at Dean wide eyed and simply said "This one".
Dean walked over to Cas and peered inside the cage to find a tiny fluffy black kitten peering back at him with wide green eyes. He looked so small and innocent and he could tell straight away why Cas wanted this one. The kitten moved cautiously to the front of the cage when Cas put his fingers against the bars. The kitten smelt the scent of the intruder before rubbing his head into Cas' hand. Cas giggled as the kitten started to purr.
"Alright Cas, we'll get this one" Dean agreed knowing he had no choice in the matter.
One hour and a hefty dent in Dean's credit card later, they walked out of the building with a new kitten and a lot of supplies. Dean knew this wasn't going to be the end of it either. Cas was going to go on a shopping spree for the new kitten as soon as he had some time. Dean just knew it.
"What you going to name him?" Dean asked once they were back in the Impala. The kitten still in his cage on Cas' lap.
Cas didn't look up from where he gazed into the cage as he spoke "I don't know yet. Give it a few days maybe he'll tell us his name"
Dean just shook his head and laughed at his lover's absurdity. He just shrugged his shoulders and started the engine and drove them back to their apartment to welcome home their new housemate.
A/N There is a link on my profile to the kitten I imagined them buying