Dean woke up suddenly in the morning to find Cas standing right next to his bed.
"I know the name of the illness I have. I believe it is love," Cas said.
"Dude! What are you talking about? Just-just get dressed. We need to get on the road," Dean said.
He and Cas climbed into the Impala a few moments later. Dean settled back with ease, but Cas looked tense. Dean felt bad.
"Look, man, I'm sorry I yelled at you. But seriously, love? How do you know what that even feels like?" Dean asked.
"I can feel it," Cas answered simply.
"How? You thought you were sick before. How do you know it's l-l-yeah, that word," Dean couldn't bring himself to say it.
"Because you are what I feel, Dean. I feel the way you smell when we return from a hunt. The way your chest moves when you are sleeping. And even the way you drum your fingers on the steering wheel of this car when your music is playing. Countless more things too, but all of it is you."
Dean couldn't breathe.
"That's a strong word, Cas. Hey, maybe you're still feeling the aftershocks of getting your Grace back," he said.
Dean didn't want to talk about this. He turned his music back on, while Cas sank back into the chair.
"I have music," Cas said, producing a burnt c.d.
"No one chooses Baby's music but me. I just had a c.d. player put in, I'm going to take advantage of that," Dean said.
Where on Earth had Cas learned to put music on a c.d.?
"I learned this skill at the library," he said, as if reading Dean's mind. "A very kind woman thought it was cute I wanted to know how to do it."
An unfamiliar feeling surged through Dean. Jealousy? Of someone else being with Cas? What was going on with him? He looked at the excitement in Cas' eyes. Sighing, he took the disc and put it in his player.
Dean was surprised. The music was actually good! Queen, Aerosmith, Def Leppard, Poison. He had rubbed off on Cas, he thought proudly. Soon, a Journey song came on, and Cas actually started to sing.
Dean felt his face go red as Cas sang about touching and squeezing. This could not be happening. There was no way Dean Winchester, lover of women, was into a dude.
"Where did you learn that song?" he asked Cas.
"I got the stomach pain we mentioned in Heaven, and I thought listening to some of Earth's music would help. The only thing I have much experience in is your music," he said.
Dean and Cas soon stopped for some breakfast at a shabby diner. Cas looked at Dean often, and Dean knew it was because the angel thought he was in love with him. Dean made small talk, but he couldn't help returning at least some affection in his gaze. After all, this was his best-friend, and he had missed him.
"Aw, how cute are you too?" a young waitress asked them, before pulling out a notepad. "Strange place for a date, but who am I to judge? Now, what can I get for you two?"
Dean was about to correct her, but the look of happiness of Cas' face stopped him. Ah, what the hell. Who cared if some stranger thought they were on a date if it made Cas happy? As long as Dean knew it wasn't anything more than two bros out to eat…right?
"I'd like the biscuits and gravy, and a water. Cas?" he asked.
"Oh, yes…let's see. The egg sandwich sounds good. And water to drink, please," he said, but Dean noticed a strange look pass over his face when the waitress smiled and walked off to place their order.
"What's wrong, man?" Dean asked.
Cas ignored him. He was watching the woman as though he was unsure of something. The woman returned soon after with their drinks. Cas put his hand on hers as she set them on the table.
"Your eyes," he said. "The smile doesn't reach your eyes."
"Oh, well-no, I suppose it doesn't," she stuttered.
"Would you care to talk about it?" Cas asked her.
"No, I'm sure you don't want to hear my problems," she replied.
Cas met her gaze with a look of concern.
"I assure you, I do," he said.
"Well…I'm about to go on break. I'll be right back."
The waitress sat down a few minutes later. Within five minutes, Cas had ordered her something to drink, and was listening to the story of how her husband had been killed in the war overseas.
"Please believe me when I tell you he's in a better place. One day you will join him. But life here is short, and meant to be lived. Heaven is eternal. Enjoy what you have here. I promise you, one day, you and your husband will be reunited," Cas told her.
The waitress dabbed at the tears streaming down her face.
"Thank you very much," she said, sniffling. "I really needed to hear that."
She stood to go back to work, and as she passed by Dean, she placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Hold on to this one. He's a real angel," she said with a smile.
Dean nodded. He certainly was.
"How do you do that, Cas?" he asked him as they climbed back into the car.
"Do what?" Cas said.
"Read people like that. Can you do it to everyone?" Dean asked.
"I used to be able to, when I was a full angel. Now it's only people with severe mental anguish."
"You made her feel safe," Dean said. "Was it true?"
Cas looked confused.
"You know Heaven is real," Cas said.
"Yes, but…will they see each other again?" Dean questioned.
"That depends on different things. But true lovers are rarely separated in Heaven. That is why I do not much care for traditional wedding vows, as they say 'til death do us part'. Even death cannot part love," Cas said.
"But you promised her," Dean said.
"Of course. I'm an angel, Dean, I do have some say is a person's eternal life. And I intend to do what I can to make sure they are together."
Dean and Cas rode the next few miles in silence except for Cas' c.d. Boston's song More than a Feeling came on. Dean cringed. It was hard enough to figure out his feelings for Cas on his own, much less with that song playing in the background.
He had always been straight! He loved women! But…he cast a glance toward Cas, who was dozing slightly in the seat. There was no denying it.
He was falling in love with Cas. With every bit of Cas. The quiet, confused side, and the powerful angel side. His stomach clenched at the thought of Cas standing in full warrior mode in a field of monsters, demons, and who knows what else.
He flushed, happy that Cas couldn't see him. Then he did something he would never do for anyone else; he reached over and turned the music off. Let Cas sleep, he thought.
A few hours later, after a quick lunch and ridiculous amounts of driving, Dean suggested they find a motel. He was tired from driving so much, and wanted to cut it off early to have a break.
Soon, the pair found themselves at a cheap motel. They paid and sat their small amount of baggage in the room.
"We stopped early today," Cas said.
"We did. I needed a break," Dean told him.
"How about we go fishing?" Cas asked.
"Cas, buddy, I don't have any equipment with me. Every inch of my trunk is filled with lethal weapons. How do you know how to fish anyway?" Dean said.
"I have lived a very long life, even before you. All we need is some line and hooks," Cas said.
"No rods? Reels? Bait?" Dean replied.
"Trust me," Cas said.
Dean knew he already did.