After Sam gets back from the hospital, things start resembling the 'Winchester normal' again. Sam is no longer hanging out with Ruby-who Sam didn't press charges against, much to everyone's dismay- and he's regularly seeing his therapist. He's getting closer to Gabe, though, much to Dean's displeasure. It's one of those rare days where everyone is at their own houses, doing their own things.

Sam is at the kitchen table doing extra credit work for his classes, Adam is in his room doing god knows what, Bobby is out on 'not a date' with Crowley, and Dean is currently lounging on the couch trying to find something to entertain him. He's already finished the work he had planned for his senior project. There's nothing on television and he has no more homework to do, and he wishes he has something to do. He can hear Sam in the kitchen bad talking his advanced Calculus teacher, Azazel Smith, which makes him chuckle.

Dean is interrupted out of his thought by the doorbell. He lets his head fall onto the back of the couch. "SAM!" He calls, too lazy to get up.

"GET UP, YOU'RE CLOSER!" Sam hollers back from the kitchen.

Dean groans and slides off the couch, before heading to the door. He opens it part way, covering the gap inside with his body. He's not expecting Cas and Gabe to be at the door. Gabriel doesn't wait for an invite; he just pushes the door open and barges inside.

"Yeah, Gabe, come one in Sam's in the kitchen." Dean calls out sarcastically.

"Thanks Dean-o!" Gabe's answer is happy and not at all condescending, which puts Dean on edge.

"I'm sorry about Gabriel, Dean, but I wanted to come over and I don't own my own car."

"You could have said something after school, I'd have given you a ride." Cas ducks his head before shaking it.

"There were things I had to do at home first." That's when Dean notices Cas is hiding something behind his back.

"What's that?" Cas fidgets, and counters with, "May I come in?"

Dean steps aside and closes the door after Cas. Dean notices that Cas is hiding whatever he's holding.

"Sit on the couch and close your eyes." Cas tells him.

He thinks about protesting but decides against it. He sits down on the couch, props his feet on the coffee table, and lays his head back with his eyes closed. He hears Cas moving around, and he think's Gabe comes out of the kitchen, but he's not sure since he can't see and no one is saying anything.

"Cas? What's go-"

"Keep your eyes closed." Cas reminds him.

"They are closed." Dean wants to snap, but it comes out calm. "What's going on?"

Instead of a verbal reply, something settles in his lap. His head comes up and he raises an eyebrow at Cas without opening his eyes. Whatever it is, it's circular and cold-not ice cold, but colder than room temperature-and smooth. It's kind of like- "Is this a plate?" He asks.

"Open your eyes." Cas sounds nervous and excited all at the same time.

Dean opens his eyes and looks at his lap. There is one of the many various plates from Bobby's kitchen. It's one of the white ones with small pink and green paintings around the edges. But that's not what has Dean's full attention. There, on the plate, is Apple pie. Not just any apple pie, but some of the best-looking apple pie Dean has seen in a long time.

"Cas?"

Cas worries his lip, looking expectantly at Dean.

"Cas, what-"

"I made it for you, since you've been having such a hard time and all." Cas plays with the hem of his shirt.

Dean stares blankly at Cas, then looks down at the pie speechless. He picks up the fork and hesitantly spears it into the pie, not wanting to mess up its beauty, but curious to know what it tastes like. He hesitantly takes a bite and it's wonderful. It honestly tastes like Mary's home baked apple pie. It tastes like a little bit of heaven.

He manages to swallow the bite before he places the pie on the table in front of him. He looks at Cas, who's staring holes into the carpet. "It's amazing Cas." He licks his lips before biting them.

Cas looks up at him and it's the same hesitant and afraid expression. His heart jumps to his throat and his stomach ties itself into knots.

'Damnit,' he thinks to himself, 'I promised I wouldn't fall for Cas.' But he knows he's been in love with Cas way before now. He's probably always been in love with Cas.

"Really?" Cas' voice is small, and all Dean can do is nod.

Cas doesn't look convinced so he picks his plate back up and continues eating the heavenly pie. He doesn't expect Sam to wander into the living room and try to snag a piece. Dean, without thinking, slides down the couch until only his upper back is resting on it and his lower half is completely lying on the coffee table. He kicks Sam in the side as he shields his pie.

"What the hell, dude?"

"Get your own."

"There's no way you're eating an entire pie." Sam throws bitch face # 16 at him.

"Watch me." He stuffs the last of his piece in his mouth before letting the pie pan rest on his lap in its place.

"Dude, just give me one piece!" Gabe walks into the living room to find out what the commotion is all about.

"No. My angel made this one, so back off."

Dean see's Cas blush, looking at him like a deer caught in head lights and decides it's worth the slip up. Sam just gives the same look their mom shot him when he said something he'd regret. Gabriel has this shit eating grin on his face, but he doesn't say anything yet, for which Dean is infinitely grateful.