Hey y'all! Sorry it has been so long between updates! Life hit me full in the face the past couple of weeks but excuses aside I've written almost twice as much for this chapter to make up for it! I'm loving the feedback! Let me know how you liked this chapter!
~JustARedHerring17~
"Hey Winchester!"
Dean turned to the red haired girl, resigned to his new inevitable fate of constant befuddlement.
Putting on his best customer service smile he replied, "What can I do for you?"
"So formal Dean-o!"
"I'm sorry do I know you?"
Dean may have had his share of one-night trysts but he didn't think he'd ever forget a face…the occasional name…but he remembered faces.
"You can stop the frantic mind-running through your list of victims Winchester, trust me you're not my type. I'm a friend of Castiels."
Dean sighed, "Look lady-
"Bradbury, Charlie Bradbury." This was empathized by the strategic raising of finger guns.
Dean fought back a smile, "Alright then, Charlie. Look I'm sure you're just here to yell at me for being a slut and just trying to get into Cas's pants but you're wrong. It doesn't matter how many people I've slept with and it doesn't take a genius to see how special he is. I've only known him like two fucking days and I can see that. This isn't a conquest and if he sent you to tell me to back off I will but—"
"Golly gee willikers Batman calm your tits! You have successfully quelled all my doubts with your crazed ranting so you have my blessing!"
"I wasn't aware your blessing was a necessity for our relationship."
"Aw 'your relationship', you two are so adorable!"
"Listen up Red, no one calls Dean Winchester adorable!"
"Mmm Castiel is gonna eat you up! Listen up Dean-o, Cassie's been burned one too many times. He's tough enough but don't fuck him over. Now Gabe's letting Cassie pick up the car in an hour so be good—keep it in your pants for an hour and maybe you bitches will stand a chance!"
Dean's jaw dropped as his stomach did a nervous flop. Cas was coming here and he…he liked Dean! Damn when did I turn into a 13-year old girl? But he had to like him or Charlie wouldn't have bothered to come here. Dean was so lost in his elation and worry he didn't notice Charlie heading out.
"S'later bitches," she called out giving him a Vulcan salute as she sauntered out. He just might get used to that girl.
An hour had past (and no he wasn't counting the minutes) when Dean heard a car pull up to the garage. He was finishing up on Cas's car and he had to stop for a moment to settle his nerves. He heard a honk and someone yelling. Finally looking up from the finished car he saw Bobby greet the slender dark haired man… Taking a rag to his hands he squared his shoulders and approached Cas.
Deep Breaths…Deep Breaths…
Castiel spent most of the day trying to get a hold of Charlie to find out just what exactly she was planning. Gabriel wasn't answering his texts either, which concerned him more. If Gabriel was involved in a scheme it was likely to get out of hand rather quickly. Castiel had resigned himself to letting this go when he walked out of his bedroom to see his brother sitting on his couch watching television. Castiel no longer questioned how he was able to get in without a key card. He heard Charlie's voice repeating 'One does not simply walk into Brenner Hall…' Smiling he took the remote, turning off whatever ridiculous reality TV trash he was watching and inquired, "What are you doing here Gabriel?"
A clearly exaggerated hurt expression took over Gabriel's face, never once dislodging the mischievous gleam that had been in place since Castiel walked in the room. He took a lollipop out of his pocket and unwrapping it replied, "Aw Cassie I'm hurt! What makes you think I need a reason to come see my little bro?"
"Gabriel…" Castiel knew he could convey quite a bit to his brother with just his tone and this particular timbre just said 'please not right now Gabriel.'
"Oh alright Cassie I just ncame to take you to the auto shop. Your car is done and taken care of."
"Oh. Okay good. How much is it going to cost?"
"Taken care of." Gabe repeated, "Which means you owe them a pleasant phone call—both mom and dad."
Castiel groaned. His relationship was tense with his parents. Just when they had come to terms with his sexuality, he had announced that he was not following in his father, sister and twin older brother's footsteps by going into law. The idea of their precious Castiel 'throwing away all that promise' to paint pretty pictures had not been well received over Sunday dinner. While he knew they meant well in wanting him to pursue a lucrative career, he had tired of the constant disapproval and jabs at his chosen career path.
"Fine Gabriel but I could have taken care of it myself."
"Hey consider yourself lucky, I had to convince them to not just buy you a new car."
Castiel rolled his eyes; he did not doubt that in the slightest. The Novaks had always been, let's say blessed financially. And while Castiel knew his parents' generosity was genuine it also had a high inclination to be tethered to quite a few strings.
"I'll call, thank you for helping with all this Gabriel, you're a good brother."
Gabriel was the only other Novak that had deviated from the path. He had dropped out of law school one semester in to go to culinary school, basically on a whim. He now owned a bakery and coffee shop near campus. The Novak parents had given up trying to steer Gabe back and with the success of his shop, all attention towards career change had been directed at Castiel.
"Aw I love you too Cassie, now let's go pick up that POS that you hold so dear."
"Hey you watch your mouth Gabriel, Megan has been a very decent automobile."
Gabe burst out laughing and Castiel knew he'd slipped up and returned to his "robot talk" as Charlie and Gabe dubbed it. He had come a long way from the awkward, socially inept high school kid, but he still had trouble speaking casually.
"Oh Cassie, just when you seem like a real boy you remind us of your true self!" He was still laughing as he dragged Castiel out to his BMW, pushing him into the passenger seat. "I wanna stop at the bakery first. The guy that owns the shop is one crochety old coot and he makes me laugh so I want to bring some treats with me."
"That's oddly generous of you Gabriel."
"Oh please, I'm plenty generous and Mr. Singer was doing me a favor."
Castiel let the subject drop but didn't fail to notice the twinkle return to his brother's eye. Something was definitely up.
After picking up a large box of mini pies, they pulled up at Singers Auto Body.
"Okay Cassie, now before you freak out on me just hear me out. Dean is in there and he wants something real with you. Don't interrupt!" he cried slapping a hand over Castiel's mouth keeping the exclamation inside. "It's about damn time you get over Balthazar and move on to that yummy mechanic. I know you like him, Charlie knows you like him, now it's his turn to find out. Oh and apparently he has a strange obsession with pie. Ok bye, love you Cassie, Bye!"
Castiel was completely and utterly shell shocked. He was also being unceremoniously pushed out of Gabriel's car, pies in hand. He really had no other option than to go get his car and talk to Dean. He slammed the door shaking his head. He should have seen this coming from a mile away. Of course Gabe and Charlie planned this. Of course. Part of him wanted to run away, just get away from the garage and the inevitable rejection. The last time he had seen Dean he had yelled at him and accused him of many horrible things. He looked over as he heard the window roll down, Gabriel leaning over.
"You're worth it Castiel, just let yourself have this chance."
It wasn't often that Gabriel and him had sincere moments that weren't studded with sarcasm or practical jokes. He could tell that Gabriel himself had hurt seeing Castiel heartbroken. Despite everything Gabriel had always had Castiel's best interests at heart. So maybe…
Gabriel's face broke into his classic shit-eating grin as he honked his horn to startle Castiel.
"Use protection!"" he yelled.
Castiel's face flushed bright red as Gabriel sped off. He turned to see a gruff looking older man chuckling softly.
"Your brother's quite the character."
"That's one way to put it. You must be Mr. Singer, I'm Castiel Novak, and I'm here to pick up my car." Castiel reached his hand out and Bobby shook it roughly.
"'Bout time that boy found someone with some manners. Call me Bobby son, Dean's just finishing up on it."
Castiel was a little taken aback by Bobby's statements but followed him back into the garage. Bobby was telling him off about oil changes and whatnot but Castiel's nerves were not conducive to rapt attentiveness. He abruptly came to a stop when he saw Dean standing by his car. He was casually wiping his hands on a rag and only looked up when Bobby cleared his throat.
Castiel locked eyes with Dean. One part of him desperately trying to think of something to say, the other part trying to subdue all the mechanic fantasies he hadn't known were lying dormant in his subconscious. He had no idea what to start this particular conversation with and apparently neither did Dean. The two just stared, neither one noticing Bobby rolling his eyes at them.
"Alright ya idjits, ya know ya actually have to say stuff in order to have a conversation right?"
Dean ran his hand along the back of his neck sheepishly while Castiel flushed once more. Bobby turned to leave patting Castiel's shoulder, reminding him about oil before heading into his office.
Castiel was officially freaking out. Neither one seemed to be able to find the words. Dean opened his mouth to speak, "Cas—"
"Pie!" Castiel practically shouted it. Dean looked at him strangely and Castiel's eyes slammed shut in mortification. "Shit, I mean I have pie…for you…from Gabriel who's my brother but you knew that because that's what I told you and oh geez please shut me up!" he trailed off finally looking up at Dean. He took the pastry box from Castiel and set it down on the trunk of the car. Castiel covered his face in his hands; ugh I'm such an idiot, fuck! He felt his hands being pulled away to reveal Dean's perfect facing looking at him with an amused expression.
"Look Cas, I'm really sorry about coming on so strong. I didn't mean to make you feel like I just wanted sex…I mean I wouldn't mind…but that's not all…there's just something about you…and now I guess it's my turn to ramble…dammit…Cas I just—"
Dean was once more interrupted, this time by Castiel crashing his lips into Dean's. Castiel attempted to put all his emotions into this kiss, since clearly words had failed them both. He poured his fear and vulnerability but also his excitement into that exchange. He felt Dean's hands circle his waist and pull him tight to his body. Castiel turned his head to deepen the kiss, nibbling on Dean's lower lip as he did. The moan that Dean released rumbled through his body sending that excitement much further south. The need for air finally broke the kiss. Not wanting to lose the closeness, Castiel leaned his forehead against the mechanic's. Both men were panting from the intensity and after catching his breath Castiel found his voice.
"I'm sorry Dean, I never should have assumed—" This time Dean did the silencing and with another kiss, this one chaste and sweet, he soothed Cas's fears.
"Don't ever change Cas."
And for the first time in years Cas thought that maybe he could let himself have this.