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).

Castiel gathered up his papers and iPad. He needed to get back to the hotel in time to change for his plans tonight. As he walked out into the lobby of Crowley's office, Crowley moved to intercept him.

"Castiel, what are you thinking? You didn't sign anything!" Crowley protested. "You can't disappear now, we're in this too deep!"

Castiel chuckled. "Relax, Fergus … Singer isn't going anywhere so there is no need to panic. I will be back tomorrow morning." Glancing down at his phone, Castiel was glad to see confirmation of tickets delivered to the hotel. He turned to walk out of the office, Crowley trailing behind.

"Castiel, where on earth are you going?"

"I have a date." Castiel said, smiling. He found himself doing that a great deal more.

"With the rent-boy?" Crowley sneered.

Castiel froze and turned to face Crowley with a dark expression. "Be cautious, Fergus."

Castiel kissed along the line of Dean's collarbone under the hot spray of the shower. He tried not to groan too loudly as Dean's soap-slick hand drifted up and down his cock. He didn't succeed. Panting against Dean's shoulder as he came, Castiel bit down and sucked a dark mark into the warm, wet skin. Dean gasped and shivered.

"Never figured you for the whole 'marking' thing, Cas," Dean said when Castiel's breathing was a little more even.

Castiel smiled and licked over the bruise. "Neither did I, Dean."

Castiel's hand slid down Dean's spine and over the curve of his ass. Dean chuckled. "Thought we had to hurry up and get ready, Cas?"

Castiel sucked one of Dean's nipples through his teeth and smiled at the hiss it brought out. His hand moved between them and he began a slow, finger light stroking of Dean's very prominent erection.

"We won't be considered impolite if we are a bit late," Castiel whispered in Dean's ear. He relished the short gasps escaping Dean's lips and truly enjoyed the faint groaning cry Dean released when he came.

Afterward, Dean stepped out of the bathroom clad in only a towel. Castiel had already pulled on his boxers and he smiled as he indicated the clothes set out for Dean. Earlier in the day, Castiel had spoken with Charlie and ordered a tuxedo for Dean along with a few ... special accessories. Dean unzipped the suit bag and grinned at the tuxedo. It was when he looked at the accessories that the broad smile Castiel enjoyed so much emerged.

"Dude, are you serious?" Dean asked, looking down at the silk bow tie, silk pocket square and the Prince of Wales checked socks.

Castiel nodded with a shy smile. "I thought you might enjoy a little ... rebellion against convention while still remaining very stylish."

Dean laughed. The 'rebellion' Castiel spoke of was the designer's penchant for putting skulls on the accessories for his line of clothing. The tiny white craniums were subtly worked into the patterns on each piece, unnoticeable from a distance. Dean chuckled and got dressed. When he emerged from the bedroom, Castiel handed him a small box.

"Cas, you don't have to keep -"

"I wanted to Dean ... it isn't much, just cufflinks," Castiel replied.

Dean opened the box muttering, "Dude, nothing is just anything with you. I – Cas, is that ... are those steering wheels?" Castiel nodded. Dean suddenly looked back at the box.

"Alfred Dunhill ... hey wait, I know that name -" Dean frowned and then snapped his fingers. "Yeah! They're a British company – made um, car accessories ..."

Castiel blinked and then leaned in to put a soft kiss on the end of Dean's nose. "And this is why I tell you that you are more than what you or others perceive you to be."

Dean blushed. "Cas, it's not like I discovered how to cure cancer or somethin'. I just know most stuff dealin' with cars."

Castiel took Dean's wrist and fastened the cufflinks. "I was rather surprised myself when Charlie gave me a brief summary of the company founder."

"Yeah ... he made the articulating rear view mirror," Dean said absently as he tied his shoes. Castiel paused in putting his own bowie on and glanced over at Dean. Dean looked up at the silence. "What? Don't look at me like that, Cas ... hell, you know I like car stuff."

Castiel finished setting the bow and shook his head. "You do not give yourself enough credit, Dean. You consider yourself to be lower in intelligence than your brother ... but it is only that your interests are not the same. Your knowledge of automobiles is not inconsiderable."

Dean didn't look up. "Yeah, well ... bein' good at cars don't mean anything. So I can fix a carburetor. Who gives a shit? Sammy's gonna really be helping people, Cas. You ... you got power and influence, Cas ... people know who you are – I see the way they fall over themselves to do whatever you want, me included. Like I said, you and Sam are the kind that change the world. Me, I just change the oil and check yer tires."

Castiel tilted Dean's head up. "I did not mean to dampen tonight's mood, Dean. You are still amazing to me, no matter what you feel about yourself. Do you still want to go?"

"Dude, I don't even know where we're going," Dean protested.

Castiel smiled. "It is a surprise, but I think you will like it."

"Hey, I'm game if you are," Dean said, standing and pulling Castiel close. "And ... if I forget ... I had a really great time tonight, ok?"

Castiel cocked his head sideways and regarded Dean with amusement in his bright gaze. "Thank you, Dean. I did as well."

Dean blinked when they pulled up to the private airstrip beside a Lear jet. "C—cas?"

Castiel turned to see Dean turning very pale. "Dean, are you alright?"

"Uh ... I- dude ... you didn't tell me we were flying ..." Dean stammered.

"We do not have to go, Dean, it is alright. I simply never thought to ask," Castiel replied, concerned.

Dean took a deep breath. "No ... no it's ok ... uh, there gonna be any like beverage service?"

"It has a fully stocked bar, Dean. We'll have dinner during the flight if you think you can eat?" Castiel's hand rested on Dean's arm.

"I'm gonna need a drink. A strong one," Dean said with a weak smile.

Castiel regarded the young man for a moment. "We should go back to the hotel -"

"No!" Dean said abruptly. He looked at Castiel. "You got halfway out onto the balcony ... I can handle a flight to San Francisco."

Castiel drew his fingers down the side of Dean's neck, eliciting a shiver. "Perhaps I can help keep you distracted."

The flight wasn't as bad as Dean expected. He barely noticed after his first glass of whiskey and the steak dinner they were served in-flight. When they reached the Davies Symphony Hall, Dean's eyes widened. Castiel smiled and led him to the box he'd reserved. Dean looked down at the gathering musicians and the choir.

"Cas, you gotta see this," Dean said smiling down at the stage.

"I've seen it already, Dean," Castiel said, sitting back from the railing.

Dean chuckled. "And you get seats up here why?"

"They are the best, of course," Castiel said.

Dean sat and looked at the program. "Car - "

"Carmina Burana, Dean. In the 1930s Carl Orff arranged 24 poems from the Carmina Burana text into a libretto ... the theme is of the changing fortunes of life – happiness into grief, joy into bitterness and back again," Castiel explained, his voice sliding into a rich tone Dean had never heard before. He could see Castiel's passion for the topic in his face. "It is very powerful and moving."

Dean nodded and turned as the lights dimmed. He was unprepared for the opening movement which raised goosebumps along his arms. The next hour was nothing like the boring and dry affair he'd expected. He was actually on his feet at the closing movement. Blushing, he turned and saw that he was not alone. Many others were doing the same, Castiel included. Castiel saw the high color in Dean's face and smiled knowingly.

Dean locked his mouth on Castiel the minute they were alone in the hotel. He pushed him back toward the bed and settled himself over Castiel's frame. "Cas ..." He unbuttoned Castiel's shirt. "... that was amazing." He undid Castiel's belt. "It was ... I don't even have words, dude," He tugged boxers and pants off. "I just ... god it was just ... "Dean slid off the bed and undressed quickly before rejoining Castiel. Naked, they pressed against one another, limbs locked and both of them straining to find the perfect friction. Nipping at Castiel's bottom lip, Dean whispered. "Thank you, Cas."

"You are welcome, Dean ... very welcome," Castiel breathed against Dean's ear.

Afterward, lying tangled around Castiel, Dean asked. "Cas ... why don't you take the day off tomorrow? Like, not go to work?"

Castiel stared at the ceiling. "I suppose I do own the company ... but me? Not work?"

Dean laughed. "I promise ... you'll enjoy it."

Castiel did enjoy the day. He walked in the park with Dean and ate horribly unhealthy food for lunch and dinner. Dean told him about his childhood growing up in Lawrence, Kansas. Castiel listened as Dean shared story after story about his younger brother Sam.

"You truly love Sam, don't you, Dean?"

"Yeah," Dean agreed. "He's ... he's everything I'm not, Cas. He's the best of both of our parents. Dad might not have gotten it right later but when I was little ... he was so brave and strong. Sam's like that – maybe that's why the butted heads so much when Sammy got older. They were too much like each other."

Castiel sighed. "Dean ... someday I hope you can see yourself as your brother probably sees you. How I see you ... you are selfless to a fault and loyal ... I doubt I would have sacrificed half as much as you for my own brother. You do not consider yourself brave but yet you took on a city you hardly knew and did what you had to in order to survive. There is more to you than you dream, Dean. So much more."

"Whatever, Cas ... you keep sayin' that, but it doesn't change anything. I'm still a hooker and you're still ... Donald Trump," Dean said with a smile.

Castiel rolled his eyes. "I'm far better looking than he is."

"Ain't gonna argue that, Cas." Dean said as he watched Castiel put away his papers in the briefcase he'd lugged out to the park. "What's that, Cas?" Dean pointed to a flash of red.

Castiel smiled and drew out a thin leather-bound volume. "Meg ... my now ex-girlfriend ... gave this to me when we first began dating. I would read to her from it occasionally."

Dean took the book and looked at it before scrunching his nose. "Shakespeare? Yawn."

"You thought classical music was boring too, Dean. Or was that not you who took charge rather ... aggressively ... last night?"

Dean blushed. "Yeah, yeah ... I didn't hear any complaints. And I can't understand half of what anyone talkin' Shakespeare says anyway."

"Then you have not had it read correctly," Castiel assured him. He flipped through the book and chose one of the sonnets. Clearing his throat, he read.

Weary with toil, I haste me to my bed,

The dear repose for limbs with travail tired;

But then begins a journey in my head

To work my mind, when body's work's expired.

For then my thoughts, from far where I abide,

Intend a zealous pilgrimage to thee,

And keep my drooping eyelids open wide,

Looking on darkness which the blind do see.

Save that my soul's imaginary sight

Presents thy shadow to my sightless view,

Which, like a jewel hung in ghastly night,

Makes black night beauteous, and her old face new.

Lo thus by day my limbs, by night my mind,

For thee, and for myself, no quiet find.

Dean listened but he watched Castiel's face as he read and suddenly he found himself understanding the words. And then he understood the words ... and blushed fiercely. Castiel smiled, his own face warm. It was as close as he was willing to come to admitting how he felt about Dean. He met Dean's eyes and wondered if he had gone too far. Dean had ducked his head to hide the warmth creeping across his face but he looked up shyly. "I think about you all the time too, Cas."

Later, Dean and Castiel sat at the counter in an all-night diner eating apple pie a la mode. Dean found himself unable to stop talking but Castiel didn't seem to mind. For the first time in his life, someone was listening to him. Someone was asking questions or making comments without sarcasm or condescension. Dean didn't even notice when they took one another's hand across the table until he went to gesture with both. He released Castiel's hand with something akin to disbelief. Castiel saw the look and smiled before taking hold of Dean's hand again and bringing the knuckles to his lips.

"Dude ... gettin' a little chick-flick on me again," Dean said softly - but he did not release Castiel's hand.

Castiel's smile softened even farther. "We would not want that, Dean."

"Nope ... can't have that," Dean agreed.

Dean didn't protest when they walked out of the diner still holding hands. Nor did he say anything on the limo ride back to the hotel when their fingers stayed intertwined. For once, Dean Winchester didn't feel the need to say anything at all.

Later, coming out of the bathroom after brushing his teeth, Dean chuckled when he saw Castiel leaning against the headboard, eyes shut and breathing even.

"So you finally decided to try sleepin', huh, Cas?"

Dean looked at the man who was his employer, but was rapidly becoming something else. Dean didn't examine exactly what that something was - he was too far into this already. Sitting down gently beside Castiel, he studied the usually stern face relaxed and easy in sleep. The straight nose, the soft lips now open slightly, the dark hair mussed – Dean didn't stop to think about the warmth wrapping itself around his heart. He simply leaned in and did what he said he never did ... he gently kissed Castiel on the mouth.

Blue eyes opened and Dean pulled back slightly but didn't retreat. They studied each other for a long moment before Castiel leaned forward and claimed Dean's lips in return. The kiss was tender and chaste at first – a light brushing of lips and tongue. Then Castiel slid his hand into Dean's hair, pulling him closer and opening his mouth to him. Dean's faint groan was lost in the intimate tangle of the kiss as it deepened.

Falling sideways to the bed, Dean and Castiel wrapped around one another as they struggled to get closer. Dean's hands roamed over the smooth skin of Castiel's back and he smiled as a faint moan escaped the lips he never wanted to stop kissing. Dean had never expected the heat growing between them and he certainly never expected the tenderness he was feeling toward Castiel. Even more amazing was that he could feel Castiel's movements against him expressing that same tenderness and passion. All beginning with a simple kiss on the mouth.

Later, Dean lay spooned against Castiel with the man's arm lying across his hip. Dean studied the play of shadows on the far wall and wondered when the hell he'd managed to fall head over heels in love with Castiel Novak. He couldn't escape the fact that he was happier in this instant than he'd ever been in his life – save when his little brother Sammy came home from the hospital and regarded his older brother with trusting hazel eyes that matched his own.

Heart full, Dean drifted off with a faint whispered, "Love you, Cas."

Castiel Novak did not sleep for a long time.