Let's Call It Off

Gabriel and Sam met in an alleyway a few days after the incident. They had to work something out to get Cas talking to Dean again. After all, they started this mess, so they might as well try to fix it. Dean had been non-stop praying to Cas, trying to get some sort of answer out of him. According to Gabriel, every time Dean would pray, Castiel would pace around Gabriel's house, getting all worked up over whether he should go or not. To be very honest, Gabriel could care less about the older Winchester now. He had hurt his little brother, and that was unforgiving. But Sam wanted them to make up, so Gabriel had to do something about it. He never could resist Sam's puppy dog eyes.

"Let's call off the challenge," Sam said, stuffing his hands in his pockets. "Just until our brothers become friends again," Gabriel was disappointed, but he nodded his head anyway.

"How do we do this?" Gabriel finally asked after a moment of silence.

"We should at least get them in the same room together. But I don't know how Castiel will react, so that might not be the best plan,"

"I think he'll be fine. He's already contemplated visiting Dean about a billion times," Gabriel gave Sam a small reassuring smile. "We'll meet you in the motel some time,"

Before Sam could say another word, Gabriel was gone. Sam sighed and turned around, walking back to the motel to wait.

It took some time, but Gabriel finally convinced Castiel to go see Dean.

"What if he doesn't want to see me anymore?" Cas asked just as they were about to go, "and what if he hates me now?"

Gabriel sighed and gently grabbed Castiel's shoulders. "Listen, Dean has been praying for you for the past few days right? Would he do that if he didn't want to see you?"

"Well maybe-"

Cas couldn't finish his sentence, for they were already in the middle of Sam and Dean's motel room. Cas kept himself at a distance as Dean stood in surprise.

"Cas, what the hell? Where were you?"

Castiel opened his mouth to apologize, but was cut off by Gabriel. "You owe an apology to my brother, Winchester,"

"What? Why?" Dean looked genuinely confused.

"You know why," Gabriel replied, glaring at him. When Dean gave him a look, he rolled his eyes. "You're so blind!"

"What the hell are you-"

"Shut up and listen for once,"

"Gabriel, I think that is enough," Castiel grabbed his arm and sent Dean an apologetic look.

Gabriel looked back at him and sighed. "Fine. You're lucky, Winchester." And with that, he disappeared.

Dean moved his mouth, but no sound came out. Cas groaned. "Gabriel made you mute," he said.

Dean looked like he should be yelling. He realized it was no use and got up to grab some paper and a pen. Why the hell would he do that?

Castiel's eyes shifted, like he would rather not answer the question. But he answered nonetheless. "He must think you talk too much,"

Dean crossed his arms, a small pout on his face. I don't talk that much!

"Not according to Gabriel," Cas shrugged and awkwardly avoided Dean's gaze. The tension in the room was going to make Castiel choke. He had never felt so conflicted. Part of him wanted to forgive Dean and have things go back to the way they were, but another part of him just wished Dean would stay out of his life.

He knew he could never allow the latter. So he had to forgive the oldest Winchester, but right now, he really couldn't bring himself to. After all, Dean didn't like him that way. He was always going to pick a girl over him, and every time, Cas would feel hurt. Maybe he didn't really have a place in Dean's life after all.

Castiel had never felt more relieved when Sam walked into the room.

"Castiel," Sam greeted, an unasked question in his gaze as he looked around the room. He set a large paper bag on the table. Where's Gabriel?

Cas jerked his head as if to say that he left. Sam seemed to understand and nodded his head. Their attention was turned towards Dean, who was banging his pen against the bedpost. When he was satisfied that he was being given attention, he held up his paper. Since when were you two telepathic?

"Since when did you stop talking?" Sam countered, his expression on the verge of a bitchface.

"Gabriel got upset and made him mute," Cas explained.

Sam smirked at Dean in amusement. "I'll be sure to thank him for that,"

Dean gave him the middle finger before turning his back on them. Sam grinned at Cas, who couldn't help but smile. He appreciated Sam helping him, but the Angel still felt off. He felt like he needed to tell Dean how he felt, but then again, he also feared being rejected. Suddenly in a bad mood, Cas sighed and slumped his shoulders. Sam patted his back before turning back to the bag. He ripped it open to reveal three different Styrofoam containers.

"I got Dean two burgers, so you can have one of them," Sam said, handing him a container and giving him an apologetic look.

"Thank you, Sam," Cas didn't have to eat, but since it was offered to him, he opened the container and picked up the burger, avoiding Dean's gaze as he walked over and grabbed his own container. He could see Dean looking at him, so he took a large bite out of the burger to distract himself. The room was dead silent as the three of them ate. Cas kept his head down, knowing Dean was looking at him. When he was done eating, he finally gave in. He looked up and saw amusement on Dean's face.

He pointed to his cheek. Castiel shook his head. "There is nothing there,"

Dean rolled his eyes and pointed to Cas's cheek. Cas wiped at his face, but there was still nothing there. Dean finally leaned over and wiped his face with his hand, smiling when he was finished. He then picked up his paper and started writing again. I'm not sure what I did, but I'm sorry. Are we friends?

Cas smiled tightly. "Yes, of course. Friends. Just friends,"

Sam cleared his throat and cleaned up the room to keep out of the awkward situation.

"Grea - oh thank god, I can talk again!" Dean exclaimed.

"Gabriel must have taken pity on you since you apologized," Castiel didn't think it lasted long enough, but he wasn't going to say anything about it.

"Awesome. Hey uh, Cas," Dean looked hesitant, "why was Gabriel so angry at me?"

Cas sighed, his heart in his throat. "D-Dean, look, I-" he cut himself off, looking at his hands. "I just got upset the other night,"

"Why?"

"It's...look, if I tell you, we won't be friends anymore,"

"Cas..." Sam started, stopping when Castiel put a hand up.

"I should tell him, Sam," Castiel said softly, "if he hates me for it...then I will just have to find a way to become friends with him again,"

"Why would I...Cas, what's going on, man?" Dean had a hint of worry in his voice.

"Dean, I love you," Castiel finally confessed, looking right at him.

To say the least, Dean was stunned. He had no idea how to reply to that. "You mean in a...brotherly way, right?"

Cas cleared his throat, still avoiding Dean's gaze. "No...er...romantically," he stuttered. Cas wearily looked up at Dean, not completely surprised to find him looking over at Sam for help. "I'm sorry," Cas apologized.

Dean didn't reply. He stood and walked over to the window, his back to Castiel. "I think you should go, Cas," he finally said, his voice low.

"Go?" Cas asked, "you don't want me around?"

"I just need to think! Go!" Dean yelled. He rubbed his eyes and turned around, not at all satisfied at the empty space where Cas used to be. He looked over to see Sam giving him a glare.

"You just blew it, Dean," He said, shaking his head. "Cas is a good guy who loves and cares about you. I know you feel the same way. Yet you pushed him away. What for, Dean? Your reputation?"

Dean scoffed and gave Sam the cold shoulder. When he turned he found himself face to face with Gabriel.

"So you rejected Cassie, huh?" The Arch-Angel suddenly looked more intimidating than before. "I was right. You really are blind,"

"What, so the both of you are ganging up on me?" Dean asked, "is that what this is?"

Sam sighed and walked over to his brother. "No, Dean. We're just trying to get you to realize how you feel for Cas,"

Dean groaned and sat on one of the beds. "I don't know how I feel about this, okay?" He looked up at the both of them and shrugged. "I like girls, but I also really like Cas. It's just gonna end badly if I enter a relationship with him,"

"Or it could be amazing! Dean, I've seen the way you look at him! You've never looked at any of your girlfriends like that," Sam pointed out, sitting beside him. "Maybe it'll be good for you,"

"Just think about how you feel when you're around him," Gabriel said, "then you'll know for sure,"

Dean fell silent, thinking about all the good times he's had with Cas. What was he doing? He freaking loved everything about that Angel. How innocent he seemed, how peaceful he looked when asleep, how he always had Dean's back no matter what, and not to mention those brilliantly blue eyes. Castiel was amazing. Sam was right, he really did blow it.

Dean groaned and put his head in his hands. "You're right," he said, angry with himself. "I love Cas,"

Sam and Gabriel smiled at each other. "Let me go check on him and then you can apologize," Gabriel disappeared, leaving the two Winchester brothers alone. They sat in silence for a moment before Dean suddenly felt very worried.

"What if he doesn't forgive me?"

"This is Cas we're talking about, Dean. No matter what,he'll forgive you,"

Dean nodded his head, but he still couldn't help but feel worried. He just hoped that wasn't the last time he would talk to Cas. He wouldn't know what to do if it was.