"I'm okay, Dean. Really. I get through just like everyone else." Cas assured his friend. "I'm better now." Dean reluctantly allowed Cas out of his embrace. "So, do you want to start sleeping in the guest room?" Cas changed the subject suddenly, shoveling a large bite of ice cream into his mouth.

"Uh... I guess, yeah. Thanks." They talked for a while before Dean declared his need for sleep.

"Goodnight, Dean." they exchanged a long hug and Cas also retired to his room, though he kept his door open and got out his notebook. He started typing, consulting the spiral-bound book often as he transferred his words to the computer. Cas was quickly lost in the world of his own creation.

"Cas? Why are you still awake?" a groggy voice asked from the doorway. Cas glanced at the clock on his computer- it had been hours.

"I'm sorry, did I wake you up?" Dean shook his head and shuffled his feet, rubbing his eyes blearily.

"Nah, sleep is for the weak." Cas chuckled.

"Come on in, then." Dean ambled into the room wearing only a pair of plaid pajama bottoms and lay himself on Cas's bed, so his head was near the computer. Absently, Cas began combing his fingers through Dean's sleep-mussed hair as he reread what he had written over the past few hours- he had deviated quite a bit from his first draft. "But really, Dean. Why are you awake?" Dean mumbled something that sounded suspiciously like 'nightmares' and pressed his face into Cas's thigh, nuzzling close to encourage him to keep petting. "Do you often have nightmares?" Dean nodded slightly, curling up into a 'c' shape. "How often?" Dean yawned.

"Almost every night." Cas nodded.

"What are they about?" Dean didn't answer, causing Cas to peel down at him- he was asleep. "Don't think this conversation's over." he chuckled, turning his attention back to his book. The hand in Dean's hair never stilled.

The next time Dean woke up, it had been light out for several hours. At first he thought he was alone- but then he spied Cas out of the corner of his eye. He was sprawled on the floor, busily typing away at his computer. As Dean's sleep-muddled brain slowly came to the conclusion that he wasn't in his room- or Cas's guest room- he could only form one thought.

"Dude," he licked his dry lips. "why is your room pink?" Cas laughed tiredly, rubbing at his eyes as he sat up.

"Good morning to you as well." Dean rolled his eyes even though Cas couldn't see. "It was this color when I bought the house. I keep meaning to redo it, but I don't think I can move the furniture by myself." Dean rolled so he could see Cas properly- he was still typing. Spying the dark circles under his friend's eyes, Dean asked

"How long have you been awake?" Cas glanced at his clock.

"About 27 hours."

"Jesus Christ. Why?" Cas gave a dry chuckled as he saved and closed his document.

"Sleep is for the weak."

"Why are we here, Dean?" Dean grinned as they entered the large store.

"I'm gonna help you paint your room."

"Really? Thanks you!" Cas smiled as they neared the paint section. Dean clapped his hands.

"Alright, you go pick out the paint you want. I'll go fetch everything else." Dean gestured to a large (hairy) man behind the paint section and strode away.

"Dean!" Cas hissed after him. When Dean didn't move to return, he squared his shoulders and made his way to the counter, fiddling with the hem on his t-shirt. "I... I'm like some paint, please." Cs whispered, pleased he managed to get the words out at all. He kept his gaze fixed on the wooden counter in front him, focusing on breathing.

"What'd you say kid?" The man's loud voice made Cas jump, his shoulders hunching in. He steeled himself to speak again, but the man beat him to it. "Spit it out and stop wasting my time, kid!" Cas took several deep breaths and opened his mouth to speak, eyes now locked on his shoes. "God, freaks like you shouldn't be allowed in public. Get outta here, kid." Tears at his inadequacy filled Cas's eyes and all he could do was take a shaky step back, nodding ever-so-slightly.

"Robert!" An angry voice called. "That is no way to treat a customer, let alone a human being. You're fired. Get out of my store." A man a few years older than Cas- but way younger than the baseball capped 'Robert'- strode into view. He was about the same height as Dean, and had spiky blonde hair and bluish-grey eyes. "I'm sorry about him." he shot a look at the shell-shocked man still standing behind the counter. "I'm Adam Milligan, store manager." Adam hooked his hands behind his back and smiled. "It's okay." he assured the trembling boy in front of him. "I'm actually really shy too. It's normal, you're normal. There's nothing wrong with you. I promised." Cas dared a glance into Adam's kind face.

"Thank you." he whispered, barely audible as his eyes darted back to the floor.

"Do you know what colors you want? You can nod or shake your head if you'd like." Adam suggested as he stepped behind the counter as Robert stormed away. A small hesitation, then Cas nodded, grateful he didn't have to speak again just yet. "Great. Do you want to point them out to me?" Adam pulled out a large book, pushing it to him. Cas nodded and flipped quickly through the large color boo, pointing to a dark blue and a black just as Dean walked up, carrying the other painting supplies. He put it on the counter and threw his arm around Cas's shoulders.

"You okay, buddy?" he asked, noting Cas's red-rimmed eyes. Cas nodded.

"Yes, Dean." Adam smiled at them both.

"Your paint should be ready in about twenty minutes."

"Thank you." Castiel whispered to his hsoes as he and Dean wandered away to waste a half hour, Adam watching Cas with a fond smile.

"Uh... Cas?" Dean called uncertainly as he fished the receipt out of the plastic bag. Cas poked his head in the room.

"Yes, Dean?"

"The paint guy at the store... he gave you his number and he wasnt you to text him..." Cas blushed and took the offered paper, meticulously folding it before putting it in his pocket, and Dean's eyebrows shot up. "Are you gonna? Text him, I mean." Cas smiled shyly.

"Maybe." Dean's eyebrows shot up higher.

"Wow. What did I miss, hmm?" Cas blushed harder.

"He... understands when it's like to be shy. He gets what's happening in my head. He-"

"Good for you. Help me move the bed." Dean interrupted shortly, not looking at the other. Cas did as he was bid, helping Dean move the furniture to the middle of the room.

At first, Dean wasn't real sure about the color choices, but by the time they were done he was convinced. Two of the four walls were black, the other two the dark blue with black trim.

"Looks good, Cas." Dean smiled at his friend, his earlier ire forgotten. Cas nodded his agreement.

"Thank you for your help. It never would have gotten done without you."

"Damn straight." Dean laughed, pulling Cas into his side with an arm around his shoulders. "Hey, I promised Sammy I'd come by while dad's at work so he can motherhen me. You wanna come?" Cas shook his head.

"I'm going to write. I think my muse is calling me." Dean nodded.

"I'll shower and head on out. We'll put your stuff back when I get back, yeah?" Cas smiled.

"Sounds good." Dean was gone within 15 minutes, leaving Cas alone in the quiet, empty house. Somehow, it didn't seem as lonely as Cas was used to- like something of Dean lingered behind with him. Cas smiled as he got to tying- but his words weren't flowing- he was distracted by thoughts of Adam. Cas pulled out his phone and stared at if for a long time. Then he pulled out Adam's number and stared at it. He rewrote a text six times before deleting it and putting his phone down. But he couldn't keep his eyes on the screen. He picked up his phone and slowly typed out his message, pressing 'send' with a shaking hand.

1:15 'Hello, Adam.' He stared at his phone for a long moment.

"I did it." he breathed to himself. "I really did it." he jumoed when his phone beeped, indicating it had recieved a message.

1:16 'Hello. You're the one I met at the store today, aren't you?' Cas flushed, nervous.

1:20 'Yes. I'm Cas.'