The snow finally let up, and as predicted, Dean got swamped. He put in a lot of hours, but Cas had taken over cooking when Dean had to work late.
"I'd forgotten how nice a home cooked meal is, Dean." he said one night, when they were sitting on the couch after doing the dishes.
He was wearing yet another faded and worn band shirt and his bare feet were on the sofa. The light caught on his third earring. He'd come home from shopping one day, wearing it.
"I found this... look, Dean, it has a tiny cuff, which attaches this chain to the stud..."
It turned out Cas used to wear three earrings, way back in highschool and college.
Dean had thought it frikken hot and his dreams that night all featured that piece of jewelry.
Once the panicked rush of owners of broken down cars subsided, Cas' vacation was in it's last week. They switched turns cooking, and settled in a sweet routine.
"We should go somewhere, Cas." Dean suggested one night, near the end of the week.
"A movie or something. We never got to celebrate your vacation."
Cas looked thoughtful, his blue eyes rolled up and his pink lips pouting. Dean nearly drooled.
"I'm not working at the bar tonight, but I heard there was a local cover band playing... we could go see them."
Dean sat up straight.
"What do they cover?"
Turned out the band covered a lot of classic rock, so Dean was on board in no time!
They got ready, and when Dean saw Cas don his black coat, his mouth ran dry.
The all black outfits made Cas look dark, but add that coat and he looked dark and badass.
"Lookin' good there, bud. You ready to go?"
Cas nodded, a slight blush colouring his cheeks.
"Can we take your car, please, Dean?"
Dean chuckled as he grabbed his keys. Of course he would take Baby, but he couldn't resist teasing Cas a little.
"You afraid your Mark 5 will stall?"
Cas shot him a bitchface to rival Sam's and just crossed his arms.
He looked so domineering, Dean flushed.
"Just get your ass to my Baby... she'll match your colourscheme..." he quipped, hiding his eyes.
As Cas turned, Dean gulped down his arousal.
He was sure his dreams would feature this dark Cas tonight. Damn he was HOT!
Cas turned his head and quirked a questioning eyebrow.
"Comin'!" Dean called and finally moved.
They got at the bar early and Cas vanished to the back to help out a bit.
Dean looked around, nursing his beer.
This bar had become his hang out with Gabe.
Especially when Cas was working.
They'd laugh, banter and listen to the bands playing.
This band was one Dean hadn't heard yet, and he was eager to learn more.
He drained his beer and sauntered backstage, where he was pleasantly surprised
The band was actually made up of quite a few people Dean knew.
"Ash!" he bellowed as he clapped the lanky guy with the perpetual mullet on his shoulder.
"Well, I'll be damned! Dean Winchester!" Ash replied, pulling Dean into a hug.
"Dude... long time no see. You still with whatsherface?"
Dean scowled. "Naah. Free man... for now."
Ash chuckled. "Still not swinging your way, pal."
He glanced over Dean's shoulder and grinned.
"But he might... looks hot. Just your type too, Dean." he whispered in Dean's ear.
Dean followed his gaze and smirked.
"That's actually my new housemate. Cas! C'mover here!" he called and motioned him over.
Castiel tilted his head and sauntered over.
"Hello." he said kindly, and Dean smiled warmly.
"Ash, Cas. Cas, this is my old pal Ash."
Cas smiled politely and shook Ash's hand.
"Housemate? Like..."
"Like he pays me rent and we share my house. It is too big and pricey to live alone."
Cas blinked his eyes innocently, and Dean smirked.
"Sorry, Ash. Cas has this ability to cut of innuendo before it even roots."
Ash was grinning and eyeing Cas up. It made Dean uncomfortable, until the guy nodded and waved his hand at the band equipment.
"Dudes, you're right on time. Our roadies have not shown..."
Dean chuckled and had to ask.
"Who are they then? And are you sure they aren't baked like 4/20?"
Ash pursed his lips in thought.
"Andy... could be, but Gordon..."
Cas tilted his head at Dean.
"Dean... wasn't there a Gordon at the Salvage?"
Dean realised why this particular guy hadn't shown.
"Shit... Ash, is that Gordon Walker?"
Ash nodded, brow furrowed in concern.
"Yeah. Why? What did Gordy do this time? Did he glue his leg to a tyre again, or what?"
Seeing Cas widen his eyes at that, Dean chuckled.
"Naah. He hasn't done that in two months. He slammed a car door on his fingers. Two shattered, one broken..."
Ash paled even more.
"Holy Hellballs. Well, then he ain't showing anytime soon, huh?"
He asessed both Dean and Cas.
"Could you...?"
Dean already had his hands on a big amplifier.
"Glad to help, mr. Ash." Cas said and picked up a slightly smaller amp.
"Dude! No mr! Just Ash..."
Dean grinned widely. Cas would fit right in with his old friends.
"Or dr. Badass... right?" he quipped, and Ash laughed out loud.
"Dude! That's ancient! But, yeah... If you put that amp there, Dean, and Cas, yours goes right next to it."
Dean loved lugging around the stuff for Ash. He kinda felt like part of the band.
Not only Ash was playing in it, but also Roy, Walt and Viktor.
Dean joked around with them and Cas, while feasting his eyes on Cas doing some heavy lifting. It was perfect.
Around the time the band was set up and ready for sound check, Cas sat with his back against a big amplifier-speaker set, legs pulled up, crossed at the ankles, his arms on his knees.
The black leather bands on his wrists looked stark against his pale skin, his silver jewelry shone in the light, and Dean had only seen Cas this relaxed behind the stove, or on the sofa.
An easy smile played around his mouth as his eyes followed Dean and his friends around.
Dean's heart beat harder and a warm glow filled him.
'Crap... I think I'm... oh no... double crap... Am I... in LOVE?'