DISCLAIMER: This is a work of fiction using characters from the Supernatural universe. I do not claim any ownership. This work is solely for entertainment purposes and is not considered film or tv canon (not by a long shot).

Dean gripped the handle of the limo behind his back until his knuckles whitened. Castiel chuckled.

"Dean, let go," he asked.

"What if someone recognizes me, Cas?" Dean asked in a panicked whisper. "I can't do this, Cas."

Castiel laughed again. "I doubt they will, Dean … these people do not spend much time on Hollywood Boulevard."

"Yeah, that don't mean anything – you were there," Dean protested. His hands were beginning to sweat.

Castiel reached around Dean's hips and took hold of his wrists. "I was lost, Dean. Please let go."

Castiel tugged again at Dean's wrists until he finally released the handle. Dean looked at Cas, his hazel eyes sparkling in the sunlight and filled to the brim with worry. Castiel leaned in and pressed a kiss between Dean's eyes. Dean blinked and looked around wildly. "Cas … someone'll …"

"Dean, my sexual proclivity is no one's business but my own. That being said, you are not the first man I've spent time with in public," Castiel explained softly.

Dean looked at the blue eyes regarding him with warmth and no little amusement. "I'm not sure whether to be relieved or insulted by that, Cas."

"You will notice none of them are here with me today, Dean," Castiel said.

Dean sighed. "Alright, alright."

"Excellent," Castiel said. He took Dean's hands in his own. "You look very handsome, Dean. You look like a young gentleman and I promise you will have a wonderful time. You can do this."

Dean looked at Castiel uneasily but he nodded. Castiel pressed a kiss against Dean's jaw then took his elbow and guided him away from the limo. "Stop fidgeting, Dean … and try to smile."

Dean slapped his go-to confident, easy-going grin on and prayed it didn't look too fake.

Dean walked up to the announcer's platform with Castiel. Castiel smiled broadly and gestured to two women – one announcing and the other standing nearby.

"Dean, meet Bela and Ruby – two lovely ladies who are partners in one of the most successful divorce law firms in Los Angeles. If ever I had married, they would no doubt have ensured I was properly punished at the end of the union," Castiel teased lightly, earning him a dark look from Bela.

Dean smiled at them both. Castiel touched Dean's arm briefly and walked off to greet someone he knew. When Dean looked back, Ruby was regarding him with a smirk and Bela had turned her dark gaze on him.

"So … you're the new flavor – Cassie must be bored. He never brings his boys out in public," Bela said with a sneer.

Dean kept the polite smile on his face as Bela turned away from him. Ruby chuckled and sipped her champagne.

"Oh don't pay attention to her, she's been trying to land Castiel for years – he's one of our most eligible bachelors," Ruby said with a laugh.

Dean smiled broadly. "That's alright – I'm not tryin' to land Castiel ... just fuckin' him." He walked away before he could see the expressions on their faces.

Dean spotted Castiel standing nearby watching the polo match. Dean had no clue how it was scored but after a play, Castiel and the crowd clapped.

Castiel shouted "Well done!"

Dean echoed him. "Well done!"

Then he let loose a piercing whistle that startled several people around him. Castiel laughed. Dean's enthusiasm was beginning to win out over his nervousness and Castiel found himself stealing more and more glances in his direction.

Dean leaned over to Castiel. "Remind me again why we're here?"

"Business, Dean."

Dean looked around him. It resembled more of a fashionable one-up contest with horses and champagne but whatever. "So what ... you just uh, mingle?"

"Exactly."

An accented voice called out from near a garish yellow tent. "Castiel!"

Turning, Castiel saw Crowley waving at him with a glass of champagne. Taking Dean's arm, he guided them over to where his lawyer stood.

"Castiel, great to see you!" Crowley gushed.

"Hello, Fergus ... I'd like to introduce you to a new friend of mine, Dean Winchester," Castiel gently guided Dean forward with a hand in the small of his back.

Dean shook hands with the short, stocky man with a receding hairline. The smile and handshake he got were both plastic and fake. Dean had teased Castiel the first night about being sharp and useless but Crowley - Dean had dealt with more than one john like Crowley ... all smiles and good-natured until they had you where they wanted you – then the humiliation started. If you were lucky, you got out of it without the accompanying pain.

"Ah, pleased to meet you, Dean – Fergus Crowley ... this is my wife, Lilith," Crowley introduced the thin blonde beside him.

Lilith cocked her head to one side and gave a cold smile. "It's always nice to meet one of Castiel's boys."

Dean froze and Crowley cleared his throat. "Um, dear, isn't that an acquaintance of yours?" he asked, pointing vaguely to a crowd of people farther down field.

Lilith smirked and waved as she sauntered off. Dean held back a shudder as she walked away and he felt slightly uneasy after her comment. Castiel said he'd spent time with other men in public. Dean was beginning to wonder just exactly where he landed on that list.

Crowley sighed. "Well, I didn't marry her for her tact, darlings. Castiel let me get you something to drink," Crowley handed his champagne flute off to Dean. "Here, kid, you can start with this." Crowley turned back. "Oh, Castiel? Did you notice that Senator Adams is here?"

Castiel smiled. "Of course I did, Crowley. I invited him."

Crowley smiled broadly. "You are heaven sent, my friend – Dean, this man has my utter loyalty. Back in a flash!"

Dean put the flute on a passing waiter's tray. "Real stand-up guy there, Cas. Who is he?"

"Fergus is my lawyer, Dean. He's not so bad once you get to know him," Castiel replied.

Dean snorted. "Yeah ... you could freeze ice on his wife's ass."

Castiel huffed a laugh. "We can try that later, Dean."

Dean looked at Castiel abruptly and saw that he was teasing. "Cas ... you're the ultimate straight man." Dean glanced around. "Seriously, dude – are these people your friends?"

Castiel blinked. "I do spend time with them, Dean. Why?"

Dean shrugged. "Now I know why you kept me around, Cas."

The announcer called out for the audience to help replace divots on the field. Dean frowned. "What are we doing, Cas?"

"I will show you, Dean," Castiel said. He walked out onto the field with Dean and flipped a divot over and stomped down on it to pack it back into the ground. "As the game progresses, the horse's hooves punch divots into the ground. It is tradition at the half for spectators to replace them."

Dean shrugged. "I'm never going to understand rich people."

Castiel laughed and Dean began to have fun pressing the turf back into place. He talked idly with some of the other spectators, none of whom treated him as though he didn't belong. Dean grinned – he was beginning to blend in. Looking over, he saw Castiel talking with Lilith. It made him nervous for some reason.

"He's pretty, Castiel ... wherever did you find him?" Lilith's child-like voice grated on Castiel's nerves. He had never really liked the woman, but her comment to Dean earlier had cemented that dislike firmly in his mind. He was not inclined to be polite so he replied glibly, "1-900-STUD" and walked away, leaving Lilith with a blank look on her face. It mirrored the one Bela and Ruby had displayed earlier at Dean's sarcastic comment.

Walking over to Dean, Castiel slid his arm around his waist and, in what was now a familiar gesture, pressed a kiss against Dean's cheek. No matter how forward-thinking society might have become, Dean knew Castiel was taking a chance letting others know his sexual preferences. Still, he couldn't find it in himself to complain when Castiel looked at him with those too-blue eyes. He grinned and nuzzled against Castiel's ear. Neither of them noticed the dark cloud fall over Crowley's face.

Later, Dean waited for Castiel to finish chatting with business contacts. He heard his name called and turned to see Jo Harvelle-Singer walking over to him. She was wearing a chocolate dress with white polka-dots and Dean thought she looked awesome.

"Dean! I didn't know you'd be here," Jo said cheerfully.

Dean nodded toward Castiel. "Apparently Cas is a big sponsor to this thing ... he had to come make an "appearance". At least that's how he explained it to me."

"Well, I'm glad you came," Jo's eyes twinkled as she watched Dean. "So … how serious is it?"

Dean looked back at her with a frown. "What? Me an' Cas?" Dean shook his head. "Nah ... it's um ... it's just casual."

Jo smirked. "Dean ... I've been walking these circles for most of my life and no man of Castiel's power and influence is going to bring a "casual acquaintance" to a business dinner and then out into what is quite possibly one of the major social gatherings of the season. I think he's taken with you."

Dean rolled his eyes. "Whatever ... why are you here?"

Jo pointed to one of the riders who was checking over his mount's tack. Dean squinted. "Well, he's cute I guess ..."

"The horse, smart-ass." Jo snapped and then covered her mouth primly.

Dean threw his head back and laughed. Jo blushed but before long she was laughing with him. Neither of them noticed Fergus directing Castiel's attention to the couple. Nor did they see the dark frown that emerged on Castiel's forehead.

"Castiel ... it's possible ... corporate espionage is not uncommon," Crowley protested.

Castiel shook his head with a faint smile. "Dean is not a corporate spy, Fergus."

"Really? I wonder because you will notice that he is awfully chummy with bloody Joanna Harvelle-Singer," Crowley growled, pointing to the laughing couple.

Castiel swallowed hard. He did not like the sudden surge of jealousy that rose in his gut. He definitely did not like Jo's hand on Dean's arm nor the way they laughed so companionably together. Still, he refused to make more of it than was necessary. It had to be nothing.

"I introduced them at dinner the other night," Castiel reasoned.

"And now they're besties? Castiel, this guy appears out of nowhere and suddenly he's talking to the girl whose father owns the company we're trying to buy? A bit coincidental, don't you think?"

Castiel shook his head but Crowley continued his rail. "Castiel, you cannot simply ignore this – he could be bringing information back to Singer ... he could be -"

"Fergus," Castiel cut his lawyer off before he could fret any longer. "Dean is not a spy. He is a ... he is a prostitute."

"Oh pull the other one, Castiel ... oh wait ... you're serious?" Crowley couldn't help it, he burst into laughter. Castiel frowned. "Castiel, you devil! You're the only millionaire I know who goes trawling for bargain basement street walker!"

Crowley's laughter followed Castiel as he walked away toward Senator Adams who was waving at him. "I regret telling you, Fergus," he muttered as he pushed past his lawyer.

Crowley chuckled and wiped his eyes before zeroing in on Dean's location. He stood alone by a tree watching the players limbering up their mounts by riding them on the field. Crowley eased in beside him. Dean glanced over and smiled.

"Ah, Dean ... having a good time?"

"Yeah ... yeah I'm having a great time," Dean replied with a genuine smile.

"It must be quite a change from Hollywood Boulevard," Crowley said softly.

Dean's smile faded. He stared at the field but no longer saw it. "Wh-what?"

"Oh Castiel just told me how you met ... quite amusing if you ask me. Don't worry – your secret is safe with me, Dean." Crowley said with a smirk.

Dean felt frozen to the spot. He wished he could slide into the ground and disappear. It barely registered that Crowley was gently rubbing the back of his hand up and down Dean's arm. Dean swallowed hard and waited for the inevitable.

"You know, Dean ... you really are pretty. I can certainly understand Castiel's interest. I tend to prefer the ladies myself, but I do know people who would pay quite well to spend time with you ... once Castiel leaves, that is. Would you be interested?"

Dean looked over with a sick smile. "Sure, dude ... why not?"

"Well, then ... I'll just be in touch. Enjoy the rest of the match, darling," Crowley said. He walked away and Dean stood with his stomach in knots. He scanned the crowd and met Castiel's eyes. Dean looked away and wondered when the hell he was ever going to learn.

Dean followed Castiel into the hotel room. Slamming the door, he took off his suit coat and tossed it on a chair. Castiel frowned and looked over at Dean.

"Dean, are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine, Cas." Dean said as he stalked into the bedroom.

Castiel sighed irritably. "Dean, that's the seventh 'fine' since we left the match – I know your vocabulary is more extensive than that."

Dean paused and glared at Castiel a moment before snarling. "'Asshole' – there's an expletive for our vocabulary lesson today!" He turned on his heel and went to the closet.

"I think I preferred 'fine'," Castiel muttered to himself.

Dean toed off his shoes and stood in the middle of the bedroom. "Just tell me one thing, Cas – why'd you bother dressin' me all up?"

Castiel frowned and walked into the bedroom. "The clothing was appropriate, Dean -"

"No," Dean snapped. "What I mean is ... if you were gonna tell the whole world I'm a hooker why the hell bother to clean me up? At least in my clothes, I can handle a guy like Crowley."

Castiel sighed again. "Dean, I am very sorry about Crowley. He should never have said those things." Castiel followed Dean back into the seating area. "He is my lawyer and I've known him for a number of years ... he thought you were a corporate spy. He is a tad paranoid."

Dean chuckled grimly. "Yeah? You gonna be my pimp now, Cas? Newsflash - I ain't a party favor for you and your friends!"

Dean turned to walk away, but Castiel grabbed his arm.

"Dean, I am speaking to you ... I do not wish to belabor the obvious, but you are, in fact, a male prostitute and currently my employee!" Castiel's voice was louder than Dean had ever heard it.

Dean pulled his arm from Castiel's grip. "That's the way you wanna play this? Fine – you don't own me, Cas – I decide who to fuck and when!" Dean was now shouting.

Castiel stared at the ceiling for a moment before looking back at Dean. When he spoke, his voice was cold and hard. "I will not be drawn into this fight any longer, Dean. I will not spend the next three days fighting with you. I have expressed my apology and that is an end to it."

Dean blinked. He blinked even harder because he was surprised to feel his eyes sting with what couldn't be tears. "I wish to fuck I'd never gotten in your stupid car, Castiel Novak."

As he walked to the bathroom, Castiel retorted, "You had another more appealing offer that night, Dean?"

"You know what, Cas? Bite me – you – no john ever made me feel so fuckin' worthless," Dean snarled.

"I have a very hard time believing that to be true, Dean," Castiel replied.

Dean froze. His throat was tight and he felt like an elephant was standing on his chest.

Damn it, Winchester – you never fucking learn. Of course it got fucked – what else is new – stupid moron – you really thought this guy was – Dean's thoughts spun in his head. He changed briskly back into his jeans and t shirt. When he walked out into the sitting area, Castiel looked up.

"Where are you going, Dean?" Castiel asked, his eyes narrowing.

"I'm done, Castiel – give me what you owe me. I'm outta here." Dean said. His hands were jammed deep in his pockets and he refused to meet Castiel's eyes.

Castiel frowned but then decided to cut his losses. If Dean wanted out, he could leave. Pulling out his wallet, Castiel counted out several bills and dropped them on the bar. He went to look out the French doors onto the balcony.

Dean regarded the money. It was more than he could hope to make in a month – more than enough to send to Sammy and then some. He couldn't make his hand reach out and pick it up. Instead, Dean wiped at what definitely wasn't a tear and walked out the door, closing it softly behind him.

Castiel glanced over at the bar when he heard the door shut. He felt an odd sense of relief when the bills remained where he'd dropped them. He swallowed and headed to the door.

Dean stood impatiently at the elevator, begging it to arrive so he could escape. Dean had no idea why his heart hurt so badly right now – Castiel was a john. He was a guy who'd paid Dean to spend a week with him. Dean sighed because he knew he'd let it go farther than that and now he was paying for it. He jammed his hands back in his pockets and hunched his shoulders when he heard the room door open. Dean stared at the elevator button to avoid meeting Castiel's gaze.

"Dean ... I am unaccustomed to – I was not prepared to answer questions about us. What I said was cruel and stupid – I did not mean it." Castiel said softly. "I would like you to remain for the week, Dean. Will you?"

Dean looked at the floor before asking hoarsely, "Why, Cas?"

Castiel cleared his throat and replied even more softly. "You were talking to Joanna Harvelle-Singer – laughing with her. I- I did not like it."

Dean snorted. "We were just talkin', Cas. She's funny."

"I did not like it, Dean." Castiel said. He met Dean's eyes as the young man looked up.

Dean's eyes were bright with his pain. "You cut me pretty damn deep, Cas."

"Yes, I did." Castiel agreed.

Dean shook his head and regarded the man. "Don't do it again – next time I won't look back."

Castiel nodded and he let Dean precede him into the room. The elevator arrived a moment after they shut the door and Dennis peered out to see no one. He shook his head and took the car back down.

Dean arched his back, trying to pull Castiel as far into him as he could. Castiel was a fast learner and he was getting a bit too proficient in driving Dean clean out of his mind. One hand wrapped around his own erection, Dean looked up into the dark eyes regarding him with a heat – a want - he'd never seen before – client or otherwise. Dean had no experience with being wanted simply for himself. He was off-balance – the exchange from earlier had betrayed Dean's growing feelings for Castiel. Every time he awoke next to the man, Dean found himself smiling. Found himself believing that maybe this might be more than just business, that Castiel might actually be seeing Dean. It was dangerous to think that way … this wasn't reality – it was money. He was bought and paid for – nothing more, nothing less. But as his fist sped up and dragged him over the edge into bliss, Dean let himself believe … just for this once … that maybe it could be different. Dean tried not to hear the desperate plea in his voice as he growled out Castiel's name. Someone was going to get hurt in this – Dean didn't doubt that it was going to be him.

Castiel knew he was in trouble – he was enjoying being with Dean far too much to keep things casual. He wanted the man like he'd never wanted anyone. He'd loved before, surely, but he was drawn to Dean in ways he'd never experienced previously. He wanted to know everything about him, about his past, about his dreams – he simply wanted. Did that qualify as love? Was it enough to simply want a person … Castiel refused to let himself believe he needed Dean but it was rapidly becoming apparent that he was falling for the young man. Were Dean a company, Castiel would begin finding weaknesses to exploit … he would make absolutely certain that he was in total control. Dean, however, was no faceless corporation or data to be manipulated. He was a man with a heart and emotions. Emotions meant complications and Castiel loathed complications. No – as he came with back arched and Dean's name escaping in a ragged cry – Castiel knew he was in deep trouble indeed.

Lying on his stomach, Dean turned his head to look at Castiel. He smiled when he saw Castiel was doing the same.

"Dean," Castiel began softly. "You know my history … how I became who I am. I know almost nothing about you. How did you come to be in Los Angeles?"

Dean closed his eyes for a moment debating with himself about what he wanted to reveal to Castiel. He took a deep breath and looked at Castiel who was waiting silently.

"I lost my mom when I was four, Cas. She was beautiful and strong and man I still miss her. Sammy, my little brother, was six months old. I think the last sober thing my dad told me was to 'take care of Sammy'. He started drinking and he never stopped. We moved around a lot and then he died when I was fifteen." Dean paused. "I hung in with school as long as I could but I had to drop out so I could get more hours so we could eat, have a place to sleep even if it was a dump."

"You had no family?" Castiel asked.

"Just Sammy. By the time he hit high school it was pretty clear that I was the pretty but dumb one and he was the hunk with a brain," Dean said with a laugh. "Sam got a full ride to Stanford … gonna be a lawyer just like I knew he would. I sold my car to move out here and managed to get this far."

"You chose this as a profession?"

"No one really plans this, Cas," Dean said. "I got out here and tried to make a go of it … waited tables, worked as a valet, tried to find a garage to work at but no luck. I couldn't make ends meet. That's when I met Gabe. He made it sound so easy … so I did it."

Never mind that I took an hour long shower and cried like a girl afterward, Dean thought, remembering that first time.

"Dean …"

"It's ok, Cas – I got regulars and found something I'm good at. Pays the bills and what extra I can, I send to Sammy."

"Does he know what you do to earn that money?"

"Nope and no one is going to make him the wiser," Dean said warningly.

"You could be so much more, Dean," Castiel said.

Dean huffed a laugh. "Pretty but dumb, remember? I know where I rank in the world, Cas. People like you and Sam … you have what it takes to do things – make a difference. Me? I'm just Dean … guy with a GED and a talent for fucking."

Castiel swallowed the lump in his throat. "You are so much more than what you perceive, Dean. You are selfless and genuine. The world has not been kind to you – and you still live every moment with such abandon and hope. When you smile or laugh, Dean – your entire being practically glows with joy. You make me see things differently … consider other viewpoints when all I've ever known is my own. And no one truly 'dumb' could navigate the social waters I live in – yet you have succeeded with grace and aplomb. You are an amazing man, Dean Winchester."

Dean felt his face grow warm and was grateful for the dark to hide his blush. "Bad stuff is easier to believe, Cas."

Castiel reached out and pressed his palm to Dean's face. "Perhaps, but that does not make it true."