The days after their little run-in at the bar seemed to take an eternity. Dean occasionally saw Cas in the bar, and those are the moments he lived for. They'd sit there, Cas drinking his coke, Dean shirking off his responsibilities a tad, and they'd talk. They'd talk about silly things, and serious things, things Cas didn't understand like cars and things Dean didn't understand like medicine. With each word they got closer, stopping when they were a foot away from each other, Dean just able to feel Cas's hot breathe against his lips. It drove him wild.
Still though, they seemed to just be friends. Dean had no idea how they even got that far. One doctor's appointment, and now they're telling each other deep secrets, whispering quietly to each other like teenagers. He wasn't complaining one bit though. Dean didn't tell Sam about them talking and becoming close friends. He wasn't sure if he was embarrassed because he wanted a guy so much or because he was certain that he didn't deserve to be looked at by Cas, let alone have those moments where a hand brushes against a hand, or long thin fingers smoothing a wrinkle on Dean's shoulder casually, almost caringly, Dean liked to think. So he kept it quiet, seeing Cas for a couple hours ever three or four days. His tips were slipping a tiny bit from the girls he usually gives plenty of attention to, but he didn't care. It wasn't drastic. He'd still take a girl home occasionally, when he wanted Cas so bad that he needed to remind himself that it wasn't possible. The girl was always the same in two ways: dark eyes, short fingers.
Finally, after a month of this, it was time for Dean's check up appointment. Sam forced Dean to allow him to come, much to Dean's frustration and worry.
"Sam, it's just a final check up to make sure everything healed correctly. I'm fine!" Dean had argued pointlessly. Sam had bitchface #12 on, the most stubborn of them all.
"Dean, you are my brother, and I'm coming. I don't have any classes today anyways. Now come on, someone has to keep you from drooling all over that Castiel fellow," he teased, earning a sharp punch in the arm.
So that's what led to the shocked look on Sam's face when Cas greeted Dean so warmly, like an old friend.
"Dean, it is so very good to see you. I am fairly certain that this check up is unnecessary, seeing as I have been around to check your progress. You seem fine," he smiled, oblivious to the betrayal that was slowly building up in the younger Winchester.
"Shit..." Dean mumbled, glancing over at Sam apologetically. He tried to say 'It's not what you think' with his eyes, but he doesn't think it worked, seeing as Sam's eyes had gone darker. That's not a good sign. But Sam was still wearing his smile for Cas's sake.
"I just want to run a quick x-ray, see if everything is okay. Oh! I hope this doesn't come across as strange, but the bar is starting to mess up my eyesight, and I remember your deep love for pie," he did a crinkle smile, as Dean was coming to call it. "and a new pie shop just opened a few streets from my house. I thought we could go get some tomorrow. Say around... two? I've never known much about pie, and you could possibly teach me a thing or two."
The thought brightened Dean up for a second and he nodded eagerly. "Dude, that sounds fantastic! I frikkin love pie man." He grinned, then caught a look at Sam again. Sam was fuming.
Cas seemed to finally catch on to the tension radiating from Sam, and he tilted his head to the side in the cutest look of confusion Dean had ever seen, making his breath hitch. "I know you do not prefer pie as much, but you are welcome to come along Sam." How adorable that he thought that was the reason Sam was mad, and was completely willing to include him, but Dean quickly pushed that thought away. He was getting way too girly in his head.
Sam was thin lipped and shook his head from side to side a little too hard, his long hair falling into his face. He pushed it out of the way angrily. Cas's confused gaze fell on Dean and he looked back guiltily. He had to speak up, to let Cas know that the anger Sam felt wasn't Cas's fault.
"Oh, um... I forgot to tell Sam that you were hanging out with me at the bar." he admitted in a small voice before turning to Sam. "It's no big deal Sam, we've just been hanging out a couple hours or so on my shift. He keeps me company while I work." He smiled despite himself, sneaking a glance at Cas, who still looked like a confused puppy.
Sam huffed. "You could've told me dude."
"We are simply conversing, Sam. I do not understand the frustration you feel, though if there's any way I can soothe your anger, please let me know. Would you rather Dean and I do not go out for pie?" Cas was so worried. How very cut- no Dean no.
Sam's anger deflated, seeing the honesty in Cas's face. "No, no. It's fine. I was just frustrated that I didn't know."
Cas perks up a bit and continues on with his evaluation of Dean, and Sam seems to cheer up much more when Cas strikes a conversation with him about old literature... a little too much. Dean is suspicious now.
It turns out everything healed fine, and Dean is happy to be healthy once again. He's almost forgotten about Sam acting oddly cheery until they are on their way home. He glances over instinctively and sees Sam grinning like an idiot.
"What the hell are you being so goofy about?" Dean questions, raising an eyebrow.
Sam chuckles. "Dude, you have the biggest crush on Cas."
Dean spluttered and his face burned red. "I-i do not!" but it was completely obvious on his face.
Sam smiles. "I think he likes you too, You should ask him out on a real date tomorrow. You know, you have never had an actual relationship. Get on that, man."
"Sam, you know I don't have time for stupid stuff like that." he grumbled. And he's amazing and perfect and no matter what I do, I will never deserve him. Not that I like him that much. It's just a little crush anyways. "Isn't it?" he mumbled quietly.
"What..? Oh never mind. Seriously dude, you don't do anything for yourself! You better ask that doctor out, or I will throw a huge fit. And you don't want me to throw a fit." He softened a bit. "Dean, please. If not for yourself, then for me."
"Aw, dude. Low blow!" But he knew he was right. "... Fine." he grimaced. He was positive that Castiel would say no, and the thought made his insides cold.
-
The next morning, Dean spent an unusual amount picking out his clothes. He stared, brow furrowed, with his small collection of clothes spread out on his untidy bed. He finally decided on a gray t-shirt with a Bon Jovi logo on it and a pair of jeans with strategically placed rips to hopefully make him have a hot rugged look.
He was being picked up by Cas, something about carpooling; and though Dean wouldn't admit it, he was kinda looking forward to riding in that Porsche. The car pulled up with a slow hum and Dean's heart began racing a mile a minute. Thank God Sam was at classes, so he couldn't make fun of Dean for acting like a teenage girl.
He hops into the car, looking Cas up and down. He's wearing a white collared shirt and acid-washed jeans with a rip in the middle of his thigh. Suddenly, Dean's own jeans felt a little tight. He looked up and inwardly purred when he saw that Cas was surveying him with appreciation. Good start.
They got to the pie shop and Dean's mouth was watering. "Oh my pie," he mouthed, looking at the extensive menu. Over Forty Flavors!This was his fucking heaven. Cas smiled brightly. God his smile was lovely. It was going to make it even harder to be rejected by h- no, he's not gonna let that thought cloud his mind. It'll only make it harder.
Dean finally settled on a special berry pie, containing red and black raspberries, cherries, and blueberries. Cas got a simple slice of lemon meringue. They sat there talking and smiling, moving a little closer in that way they do without thinking. When they were at their usual difference apart, Dean cleared his throat nervously, causing Cas to tilt his head in that same lovely way of confusion.
Here goes everything he thought, running his hands through his hair, mussing it up a bit. "Um.. Cas?" he choked out and hated the way his voice cracked on Cas's name.
Cas smiled, nodding in encouragement. "Yes Dean?"
"Well, I was.. um.. Well, ya see.." Cas's hand slid on top of Dean's, filling him with warmth. The next words came out rushed and sloppy, and honestly a little bit too loud. "I-was-wondering-if-you-would-go-on-an-actual-date -with-me!" Several heads nearby turned at the sudden sharp tone, eyes wide.
Cas seemed a bit taken aback and stared deeply into Dean's eyes silently until Dean squirmed a bit. Then he grabbed Dean's hand more firmly.
"I thought you'd never ask." His smile literally lit up the entire room, face crinkling, eyes brightening, dimples showing. Perfect.
Now to make some date preparations...
...He's gonna need some help from Sam.