When the pair pulled into the parking of a bar Castiel couldn't find it in himself to be surprised as he turned his eyes away from the window. As they exited the car Cas found himself looking the medium sized bar up and down and spied a sign the read "The Roadhouse." Cas's ears twitched at a contented sigh from Dean and turned to see the wolf stretching his arms over his head with a small noise,
"Man! it's been so long!" he sighed, looking over to Cas with a grin.
Cas felt himself tilt his head and twitch his ears in confusion. "I take it you've been here before?"
"Hell yeah!" Dean cried as they ascended the front steps "This is the best place ever! Jo's mom runs the place."
Dean was smiling like a child and Cas couldn't help the small smile that tugged at the corner of his mouth.
The two climbed the rest of the steps and opened the double doors cautiously. There weren't many people around as they entered and Dean chose a large half circle booth with a reserved sign on it. Dean swatted the sign away and took a seat in the middle, eyeing Castiel who'd remained standing.
"Sup Cas?"
Cas's tail curled inwards in caution as he glanced toward the fallen sign "Well…was this not reserved?"
"Oh.. don't worry about that. You'll see in a sec." Dean huffed a laugh and patted the cushion next to him "Take a load off."
Castiel sat stiffly next to the wolf and took a moment to admire his surroundings.
The place was quaint, with license plates from all states and other intriguing items littered the walls in a purposefully unorganized pattern. The place was an old, but cared for, wooden building. There was nothing flashy or particularly colorful but the simplicity seemed to let the atmosphere speak for itself as the place emitted a very accommodating aura. Not to mention that everything seemed to scream Dean, from the welcoming exterior to the calming and warm interior. Even the smell seemed to replicate Dean's as Cas inhaled the heady woody scent, mingled with a hint of aftershave that was floating around. Cas felt the wolf tense beside him and he took a deep breathe of the forest scented bar, his ears twitching and swiveling in delight. He was however, stopped abruptly when a voice jarred him from his daydreams.
"I knew if you showed up you'd take your regular booth!" An older, blonde woman stood beaming down at the pair. "I put that sign up as soon as Jo told me you were back in town!"
Dean stood as he pulled the woman into a tight hug over the table "Ellen! It's great to see you!"
"Likewise Winchester. Where's the squirt?"
"You mean Samsquatch? He's at home. I'll bring him next time. For now, I'm just here with a friend."
For the first time since the woman, Ellen, appeared, she seemed to notice Castiel and he found himself squirming under her calculating gaze.
"Hmm.. friend Dean?" she smirked and stared Dean down, causing him to fidget uncomfortably in his seat.
"Yes, Castiel is a new friend. I'm taking him out to dinner as a thank you for showing me around campus today."
"I don't know Dean. You two are sitting awfully close for such a big booth."
Castiel flushed as he glanced upwards and for the first time, and he noticed this booth could easily hold 5 to 6 people. And yet here they were, sitting smack in the middle of it, knees grazing as Dean slid further down into his seat.
"How about you Castiel? How do you feel about this chucklehead?"
The kit flinched at being addressed so suddenly and glanced up through narrowed lashes. He found that despite her jarring voice and confident attitude, Ellen possessed a warm smile and Castiel felt his nerves begin to soften.
"Ellen! I told you-"
"I find him very kind and intelligent. Not to mention, of course, I find him quite aesthetically pleasing." Castiel shrugged.
Dean turned to stare at him open mouthed while Ellen whistled.
"Huh. I like him Dean, he's honest. Maybe he'll rub off on you. Anyway, I'm guessing you'd want a bacon cheese burger and a beer. How about you Castiel?"
"I'll have a regular cheese burger and a water, please."
"Alright, be right back."
Dean was still gaping at Cas as he settled down into the cushions and turned to look at him.
"Is something the matter Dean?"
"Aha… you're funny Cas. So straight forward."
"How do you mean?"
"Well…admitting you think I look good, like it's no big deal." Dean muttered quietly "As well as helping me out in the library." He added with a wink.
Castiel blushed slightly, causing Dean to laugh out loud, just as Dean arrived with their food.
"Here you go boys, have at it." She said warmly as she sat down 2 fresh burgers and a fry basket.
"Oh man!" Dean crowed excitedly.
"Glad to see your tastes haven't changed." Ellen laughed "Enjoy!"
Dean was beaming as Ellen walked away, he took a bite of his burger and moaned as he ate. Making Cas suppress a shudder.
"Dude you gotta try this." Dean said, looking over to Casexpectantly.
Castiel side eyed Dean, and when he didn't look away Cashuffed a laugh and picked up the burger cautiously taking a bite.
Cas closed his eyes and felt a purr bubble out of his throat as hummed in appreciation. He chewed slowly, savoring everything but when he opened his eyes, he flushed when he found emerald eyes boring into his own. He allowed himself to glance down at those plush kissable lips that were tilted up into a lopsided smirk. Cas returned to reality when he heard Dean clear his throat, startling the kit out of his trance.
"My apologies.." he stammered, his ears flattening in embarrassment.
"Don't worry about it. But I must say, last time someone looked at me like that…I got laid."
"I…but- it was not my intention to.." Castiel's face was on fire as he continued to stumble over his words.
"Haha! Oh god, Cas. Dude chill. I'm just messing with you."
"Oh…I see. Dean you are quite forward yourself." Cas mused once he'd calmed down. "You flirt so easily. But why did you react with such disdain to the librarian?"
It was an honest question and Cas sensed no anger from Dean. But his earlier tension returned as he tightly griped the table.
"It's just… as a wolf I'm seen as a trophy or some kind of damn status. I'm gawked at like I'm some kind of piece of meat, and it sucks. I've got feelings too! It just sucks man. I'm not some kind of toy or object to mess with."
Dean's jaw was clenched as he relayed his story. His face was red, but whether or not in embarrassment or anger Cas wasn't sure. But Dean didn't stop at the librarian, he told Castiel of the torment from where it began.
After his mother died his father went off the deep end and left Dean and his brother, Sam, to fend for themselves. Dean would usually attract attention as a wolf and had to do some…unsightly things just to get by. Not to mention the constant harassment for his origin. Being told he dishonored the wolves before him and that he was an abomination to his kin.
Once his tale was finished Dean was a tense wreck and Castiel was afraid he was either going to cry or punch the next thing that moved.
So Cas decided to go off instinct and did the first thing that came to mind. He placed an encouraging hand on Dean's shoulder, comforting and unwavering, even when Dean's head snapped up and turned to stare at him. Big earnest blue eyes met green and Cas felt Dean's body relax.
"Dean." Castiel sighed, "Dean if anyone can relate to your parental issues…it's me."
Dean's ears perked up and he cocked his head to the side, but remained silent as Castiel continued. "I come from a very religious family, and was locked away from the world at a very young age. My father...never took responsibility as the caretaker of myself and my numerous sibling and cousins. Resulting in the older siblings taking charge and running amuck. But even with such chaos, my father would never lend a hand and if I remember correctly.. He was almost never even home. The only sign he was alive was the steady stream of income that the older kids took and kept for themselves. And seeing as how I was the youngest and last to be born... The others would take sport in beating me.. Especially after presenting as an omega."
For the whole time this far, Dean had been at silent attention, ears straightening and dropping at certain statements. But at the thought of Cas being hurt, Dean saw red.
His ears flattened as low as possible atop his head and he bared his fangs at an invisible threat as he growled; low and dark.
"I'll kill them.."
Cas was moderately panicked, but more flattered than anything else. "Dean, it's alright."
When the alpha didn't react to his he cupped his cheek and forced Dean's eyes to his own. He was surprised, to say the least, when he met Dean's gaze and found his pupils shrunk to dangerous levels. Dean's alpha was taking over.
"Dean." Castiel cooed softly "Dean it's okay. I'm still here.."
At Cas's sweet time Dean's eyes fluttered shit and he nuzzled Castiel's palm. When his eyes opened again his gaze was much softer.
"Hey Cas..." He croaked
"Hello Dean. How are you feeling?"
"M' fine. Continue Cas. I wanna hear your story."
"Are you positive?"
"Yeah.."
"You are quite stubborn aren't you?"
"So I've been told. Continue."
Cas hugged an endearing laugh, "There's not much else to say, I left my home at about 17 years old and traveled the country. At least until I was found by my brother Gabriel. He told me that he, Michael, Lucifer and Anna were sick of our violent siblings and were currently renting a house in Kansas. Michael, Lucifer and Gabriel all have jobs so after taking me 'home' they insisted on supporting me and Anna until we are able to find apartments of our own."
Dean nodded enthusiastically "Good on you guys! I'm sure I would've done the same for Sammy."
Cas felt a small smile tug at his lips. "You are a good older brother Dean."
Dean blushed and stuttered at the sudden compliment "Y-yeah...well... Simone had to take care of the squirt."
Deans expression grew distant as a timid smile replaced his usual cocky smirk. "Ha! I remember the time I got caught pick pocketing for him, and ended up getting scolded."
"What?! He asked you to steal for him?!" Cas cried incredulously.
"Hell no! I mean, he'd yell at me if he knew I stole for im. It's just... Sammy's a good kid, always has been. And he deserves good things. So when my dad stopped caring for us... I'd.. I'd steal a little to support him. Or get him a nice present for a holiday or some shit."
"Dean.."
"Don't you do that Cas."
"Do what?"
"Don't look at me like I'm some sorta hero... I shoulda put Sammy in foster care or something.. Instead I forced him to stay with me and grow up barely managing to get by."
"Dean, as a younger brother myself I can say he wouldn't leave you in the first place. Leaving my siblings was the hardest thing I ever had to do. As. I've never had a better feeling than when they'd come looking for me. Trust me Dean... You are a great big brother." Cas then chuckled a bit "At least you don't beat random alphas half to death for looking at your brother the wrong way."
Deans smile returned "Well can you blame them?" He purred, sliding into Cas's personal space, ears flattened in suggestion. "Can't say I wouldn't do the same if someone hit on you while I was around. You even seen yourself in the mirror?"
Cas laughed and shattered Dean playfully, earning a lopsided grin. "Dean, all joking aside I believe you really are a good brother. As well as a sweet and caring person."
Dean's ears flattened again, but more in embarrassment then anything else. "'M nothin special.."
"Dean..." Castiel began in the you're-about-to-get-scolded voice.
"Deean..." He mocked
"Dean I-"
"Dean I-"
"Seriously Dean?"
"Seriously Dean?"
"Dean!"
"Dean!"
The wold was now mimicking Cas's face in what he was sure was a pretty decent bitch face.
Castiel swatted him playfully again. "You're such a child Dean."
"No way!" Dean pouted "I'm a grown ass man!"
"Of course you are Dean." Cas mocked with a face.
Dean pinched the kits cheeks and laughed as Cas tried to nip at his fingers "Who's the kid now?" He chuckled.
The night progressed like that for the rest of the night. The playful banter continued to bounce back and forth with Ellen and Jo appearing here and there to tell tales of a young that made the wolves turn red.
Suddenly it was 11:30 and Cas was feeling pleasantly buzzed as they descended the steps of "The Roadhouse."
"Are you good to drive Dean?" Cas managed with a little difficulty.
"Yeah I'm fine. I'm not a lightweight like you are." Dean laughed as they walked up to the car.
"M not a lighweigh." The kit slurred, his tail wiggling and stretching as he tried to keep his balance while getting into the car. "Th grounds uneven."
"No you're a little drunk man." Dean chucked again as he got into the driver seat.
"M not."
"Aw c'mon Cas, it's cute."
The kits eyes widened and he felt his cheeks heat up as he stared at the wolf.
"Okay I might be a little drunk."
Cas laughed at that. And they continued chatting idly until they pulled into Castiel's driveway. And by that time, Cas had managed to down some water and was feeling more like himself again.
Cas exited the car, followed by Dean who had insisted on walking him to the door.
"Dean.. I had I great time tonight. Thank you for taking me out."
"It was no trouble. Sorry for dumping my whole life story on you though. But even though we just met.. I just... Feel like I know you."
"I feel the same Dean. And I'm glad you chose me to talk to. So in light of our conversation and friendship I'd like to formally invite you and your brother to dinner tomorrow night. So as we can get to know each other better."
"Oh c'mon Cas. You don't have to do that. I mean tonight was a thank you from me."
"And now this is one from me. I'd like you to meet my family and I'd like to meet yours. I believe we could all get along swimmingly." Castiel suddenly felt a heat rise to his cheeks. "I mean it's alright if you would rather not. I may be making you uncomfortable and I apologize."
Nah Cas it's nothing like that... You know what? Sure. We'd love to come over for dinner tomorrow."
Castiel brightened, and a huge smile lit up his face "R-really? Thanks fantastic! I shall speak to my brothers and give you the details tomorrow!" He beamed and through his arms around Dean.
Who stiffened at first but easily slid his arms around the kit, tightly holding the warmth in the chilly autumn air. "I'll look forward to it."
Cas back away slowly and smiled "Yes Dean."
Dean suddenly leaned in without thinking and allowed his lips to brush the kits cheek. Who's tail fluffed and ears stood straight in response.
"G'night Cas.." He said hurriedly.
"Ah.. Yes uhm.. Goodnight Dean. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Uh huh.. Yeah. Then uh. Bye."
Dean quickly ran back to his car, his ears and face burning as his turned to look back and noticed Castiel's siblings all falling atop one another in the window. However they all scrambled and ran away when Dean caught them. Which only caused the wolf to blush harder as he waved goodbye to Cas and quickly got in his baby and drove away.