Day Seventeen: Spooning

It was the third time Dean checked the clock, hoping the numbers were wrong. Cas was late. Really late.

Maybe it was a busy night at the restaurant? It's a Thursday, the restaurant is never busy on a Thursday.

Dean was about to dial Cas' number when he heard the door open and slam shut.

"Thank God, where have you been? I thought something-Cas what's wrong?" Dean jumped off the couch and ran to Cas' side.

Cas had thrown his tip money, pen, and notepad on the counter. He didn't look at Dean, but stared at the coffee maker like it was the most magnificent thing in the room.

"Cas?" Dean laid a hand on Cas' shoulder, but he shrugged it off. 'Cas, come on, what's wrong? Did you not make a lot tonight?" Dean tried joking, that just made Cas more angry.

He pushed past Dean and went into his room. Dean stared after him. What the hell was wrong? Had Dean done something? He tried to think about what he may have said or done that day that would've upset Cas, but nothing came to mind. It was a normal day for them, and the last time he saw Cas, he was smiling and using his signature goodbye.

Cas came out of the room in his boxers and without even a glance at Dean, he went into the bathroom, shutting the door and locking it behind him.

For once in his life, Dean wasn't sure what to do. He had never seen Cas this upset before. He hadn't even said 'hello' or assured Dean that he was fine or explain why he was late. It worried Dean, what could've happened between this morning and before he walked through the door tonight?

Dean didn't want to push it until Cas was ready to talk. So he reluctantly sat back on the couch and continued his mindless channel surfing.

He heard the shower shut off and Cas get out. He heard the sounds of Cas brushing his teeth and using mouth wash. The door unlocked and Dean waited for Cas to sit with him on the couch, but he never came.

He turned and saw the room was empty, the bathroom light was shut off, and the bedroom door was half closed.

What the hell?

Dean shut off the TV and went into the room. Cas was lying in bed on top of the sheets, facing away from Dean. He heard him sniffle and saw his hand come up to wipe at his face.

Was he crying?

"Cas?"

"Go away."

Dean cringed at the harshness in Cas' voice. What had he done? "Cas, talk to me…what happ-did I do something wrong?" He asked from the doorway, afraid to walk any closer.

Cas mumbled.

"What?" Dean chanced a step or two forward.

"Nothing, Dean. N-nothing happened," he said, his voice cracking.

This wasn't like Cas, not at all. Dean crawled across the bed to Cas and tried putting a hand on his shoulder again. Cas shrugged it away.

"You gotta speak to me, Cas. Why are you upset?" Dean sat cross legged on the bed, waiting for Cas to respond.

Finally, Cas rolled onto his back, but still didn't look at Dean. His eyes were red and puffy from crying and his bottom lip trembled.

"Oh…Cas," Dean brushed Cas' fringe off his forehead.

"They lied to me," he whispered.

Dean furrowed his brow, "Who?"

"People at the restaurant. They said they would be at the bar down the street at ten, I waited, but they didn't show up." Cas played with the string on his sweatpants. "As I was walking home, I saw them. They were in a completely different bar."

"Maybe you got the bar name wrong?"

Cas shook his head, "No, Dean, I didn't. I know what bar they told me. They lied to me so I wouldn't hang out with them."

"But, why would they lie if they invited you?"

"They didn't exactly invite me; I kind of expressed interest in joining them. As we were rolling silverware, I overheard them talking about getting together and I asked them what bar they were going to. I wasn't expecting to be invited, I just wanted to know." Cas wiped away a few tears, "They told me the bar and then asked if I wanted to come. I was happy that they were including me; it made me feel like I was part of their little restaurant family…finally.

"At first I thought they didn't like me because they made fun of me if I mixed up orders or whatever, but I thought it was playful teasing. I didn't think they actually hated me."

Dean took Cas' hand, "You don't know that. Maybe they changed their mind-"

"Then why couldn't they tell me they changed where they wanted to go? Let's face it Dean, I'm never going to make friends on my own. I don't understand human life yet, I make everyone feel awkward, I say stupid things that just get me weird looks…I should just mind my own business, I don't even know why you talk to me."

Cas rolled back over on his side, away from Dean. He was hurt, crushed, that Cas would say something like that. He loved Cas, everything about him. He loved that he didn't always understand his references, he loved that Cas was still learning, and he loved how hard Cas tried to fit in.

He lay out behind Cas, wrapped an arm around him and tried to calm him. His shoulders were shaking from his sobs and it ripped at Dean's heart. Cas was good, kind, loving, and meant no harm to anyone. How could you be so rude to someone who was just trying to fit in?

He had never seen Cas cry like this before. These emotions Cas was feeling probably scared him. He was an angel who was becoming human more and more each day, and this was happening to him because he loved Dean, because he wanted to be with him.

Dean pressed his chest against Cas' back and entwined their legs. He nuzzled his face in Cas damp hair and whispered, "I talk to you, because I love you, because you're more than awkward and different. You put a smile on my face when I'm having a bad day. You made me realize what love really is, and I'll tell you right now, those guys are wrong. They don't realize that they just lied to an incredible person…who happens to have a very protective boyfriend who hates seeing you upset."

Cas chuckled through his tears. He reached for Dean's hand and threaded their fingers. Dean hugged him tight and kissed his shoulder and neck. "I love you, Cas and I'm sorry those people were rude to you. You didn't deserve to be lied to. You still got me and Sam and Merlin and Arthur, and everyone from University."

Cas nodded against the pillow, "I know, I just want to make friends on my own too, I mean, that's part of being human right? Being able to make friends?"

Dean rested his head on Cas', "Yeah, it's one of many things you have to be able to do as a human. It may take time and a few tries, but don't let it get you down, okay?"

"Okay…Dean?"

"Hmm?"

"I love you, too."

Dean smiled and kissed Cas' head. They fell asleep with Cas snuggled safely in Dean's arms, legs tangled, and holding each other's hands.