Dean and Castiel sat at the dining table, eating supper in silence, neither sure of what to talk about. What kind of conversation do you have with a near stranger?
Dean was grateful for the home cooked meal, Castiel had fried up some pork and potatoes with a gravy he'd apparently made from scratch. It was probably the best thing Dean had eaten in a good, long while.
Gabriel was laid out in front of the kitchen door, absentmindedly gnawing on a pork bone Castiel had tossed him.
"Thank you for the meal..." Dean spoke after finishing the last bite of pork on his plate, sighing happily. He glanced up at Castiel and flashed a grateful smile, which Castiel returned in kind.
"I'll be honest, it was rather nice to cook for somebody other than myself," Castiel replied, pushing his now empty plate away from himself.
"If you're still hungry, I do have some pie in the icebox," he offered as he stood from table, taking their plates as he went. He set them into the sink before side stepping towards the icebox beside the kitchen counter.
Dean leaned forward in his seat slightly, eyes lighting up at the mention of pie. If it was anything like the meal he'd just had, he knew it would be good.
"I would love a piece," he said a little too enthusiastically, watching Castiel retrieve a pie tin out of the icebox and bring it over to the table with a knife, couple of forks and clean plates.
"Help yourself," Castiel nodded, cutting himself a small sliver of the pie and passing the knife across the table to Dean.
Dean cut himself a generous sized piece of pie and set it on his plate, eagerly digging in and sighing softly around the bite he'd taken.
"This is probably the best damn pie I've had in ages," Dean offered, grinning as he forked up another bite. Castiel smiled, unable to hide the tint of pink creeping into his cheeks at Dean's words.
"I pride myself on the recipe and the home grown apples in it," Castiel responded, still smiling.
Dean finished the last few bites with enthusiasm before pushing his plate away, only a couple feeble crumbs leftover.
He stood from the table, bringing his plate over to the sink to add to the others. When Castiel made to stand from the table, Dean held up a hand to stop him.
"I do insist, you did all the work cookin' after all..." Dean spoke, turning around to the sink to clean their dishes.
Castiel stayed in his seat, slightly turning in it to watch as Dean scrubbed the plates clean, as well as the cast iron Castiel had used to cook supper.
Dean was up an hour before dawn broke, eager to get a head start on the day, he'd slept surprisingly well after his bath and such an amazing supper the night before.
Leaving the bedroom, he made his way into the kitchen, smiling when he spotted Gabriel lounging in the armchair Castiel had been sitting in when Dean'd gone to bed.
He walked outside, Gabriel jumping up to follow him as he went, tail wagging happily.
Dean descended the front steps, following the path down to the barn and inside to let the horses out of their stalls.
"Hey Baby," Dean greeted the mare Castiel had introduced to, and offered to let him borrow for his duration as hired help.
The mare snorted at him, ears back in annoyance and Dean could've swore the horse had rolled her eyes at him.
"Look, I feel like I've been given a great deal of responsibility to take care of you..."
"And I do hope, with a bit of trust, you'll take care o' me," he spoke, offering the horse an apple he had taken out of the food chest before leaving the house.
The mare sniffed the apple curiously before taking it from him, eating it in just a couple bites. Her features softened as she pressed her snout into his hand, Dean smiled and petted her.
After letting the horses out for the day, Dean strolled down to the chicken coop, basket in hand and a bag of feed under his arm.
Gabriel wasn't far behind, all ready itching to chase and bark at the hens.
Gabriel growled and barked playfully at the hens while Dean gathered up eggs and tossed out feed for them.
Dean had to fuss at the rooster as it started to chase Gabriel in circles around his legs.
Castiel came walking up the trail to the chickens just as Dean was shoo'ing away Lucifer, Castiel chuckled at the sight as Gabriel barked at the rooster hiding behind Dean.
"Don't mind Lucifer, he's just being protective," Castiel spoke, announcing his presence to Dean and Gabriel, who came running over to him.
"Lucifer?" Dean questioned, watching the rooster trying to get at Gabriel now cowering behind Castiel.
"Yes, an old friend gave him to me as a chick... She named him, and I thought it was fitting," Castiel explained with a smile.
Dean shook his head, laughing to himself mostly. "I see it," he said with a smile.
Dean and Castiel walked together back up to the house, Gabriel running along behind them.
"May I ask why you hired me?" Dean began glancing at Castiel, studying his face.
He had the faint beginning of a beard, Dean noticed for the first time since arriving.
Castiel paused in his steps, crossing his arms as he seemed to contemplate am answer. He didn't really have one, other than he'd had a good feeling about Dean despite the fact he was a near complete stranger.
"I suppose I just had a feeling about you..." he finally answered after what felt like ages as Dean stood there watching him curiously.
Castiel took notice at just how green Dean's eyes were, especially in the morning light.
"I could be a ruthless killer for all ya' know, hiding from the law..." Dean smirked winking at Castiel, patting him on the shoulder.
"I stand by what I said,"
Castiel smiled faintly before adding "Even so, I've spent too much time up here by myself and I appreciate the company,"
Dean smiled at that, his hand still on Castiel's shoulder, quickly removing it as they resumed their trek to the house.
"So... How long have you lived up here in these parts?" Dean asked shutting the door as they stepped inside, turning around to face Castiel.