Chapter Twenty-Eight

Cas didn't move much the next day, gingerly maneuvering his leg whenever he had to get himself comfortable again.

John came home from work early and approached Cas, who was sitting on the couch next to Dean.

'How's the leg?' he asked.

'A little better,' Cas told him.

'Good, good.' John hovered for a moment.

'Is everything okay?' Cas asked him.

'Yeah, of course, why?'

Cas smiled. 'You and Dean get the same nervous expression when you want to ask me something.'

Dean laughed.

'You got me,' said John. 'I was wondering if you wanted to practice driving with me. When your leg is better, obviously.'

Cas's eyebrows shot up. 'Oh.'

'I thought it would be good. You know, get some foster dad, foster son time.'

'I think I would like that,' Cas said.

'Okay. Awesome,' said John. 'Let me know when you're ready and we'll get started.'

John walked away and disappeared into the garage.

Cas looked surprised and Dean chuckled.

'He's not a big talker, but he likes you,' Dean explained.

'It's been a long time since I had any sort of father figure. I don't really know what to do.'

'Just be yourself,' Dean told him.

Cas couldn't kiss him with everyone still around, but Dean could tell from his expression that he wanted to, and that was enough.

'If it's clear enough tonight, you wanna go out with your telescope?' Dean asked, and Cas beamed at him.

'I'd love to.'

Dean winked at him.

There were a few clouds that night, but Cas decided there was enough clear sky to go stargazing, so Dean packed up the telescope. He made them snacks and flasks of hot chocolate. Cas was still limping, but he could hold up his own weight, and packed blankets into the Impala.

Dean drove them out to a quiet spot and watched fondly while Cas set everything up. For a while, Cas took pictures in silence, absorbed in his observations. When he stopped for a snack, Dean pulled him over and sat him down on the hood of the Impala.

'So - uh - I had something I wanted to talk to you about,' Dean said.

Cas adjusted himself so he was sitting up straight and listening to Dean intently, holding his flask in both hands.

'I wanted to tell you… There was someone after Rhonda.'

'Oh?'

'Yeah, his name was Benny.'

'Wasn't the last person who stayed with you called Benny?'

Dean grimaced.

'I see,' Cas said, taking a sip of his hot chocolate.

'I was talking to Tessa and she thinks he might be another thing causing a block for me.'

'Did he… hurt you?' Cas asked.

Dean shook his head. 'Not for lack of trying,' he said bitterly.

'What happened?'

'You know bits of it already,' said Dean. 'He's the one that tried to bite me.'

Cas nodded.

'He was cool at first. Charming. Had this confident attitude like he could do anything. He was older than me and he could tell right off the bat I was into dudes, and that I had a little crush on him. He didn't know what happened with Rhonda though, and I was kind of a mess.'

Cas reached out and squeezed his arm.

'Anyway, we did it. I'd never been with a dude but he was nice and showed me what to do.' Dean stopped, taking a break and gulping down some of his own hot chocolate. 'But after he just got really weird.'

'What did he do?' Cas prompted gently.

'Well, he got all protective and clingy. He started following me everywhere. The biting me thing was because he wanted to "mark me as his own".'

'Oh, Dean,' Cas breathed, 'I'm so sorry you went through that.'

'My parents don't know about it. Mom would blame herself because she let in the foster kids.' Dean took a deep breath. 'And if I come out to her, she might figure out what happened. She's real smart.'

'I understand,' Cas said. He gave Dean a thoughtful look, raking his eyes over Dean's face. 'Are you worried something like that might happen with me?'

Dean let out a short laugh. 'Stop being so smart, damn.'

Cas put a hand to his cheek. 'I understand. Really. And if we ever have sex, I promise not to go crazy and try to bite you.'

Dean knew Cas was being completely serious, but he couldn't help but laugh. 'I know that. When I can think, I know that.'

'But you can't help your panic response,' Cas said. 'If anyone understands that, I do.'

Dean put an arm around Cas. 'I really appreciate you being so cool about this.'

'I don't see why I shouldn't be,' Cas said, leaning into him.

Dean smiled, then whispered in his ear. 'By the way, it's when we have sex, not if.'

'I'm glad you're confident,' Cas murmured back. 'But I keep telling you not to push yourself.'

'It's okay, I've got this.'

They stayed put for a while, until Cas got tired and his leg was sore, and Dean drove them home.

Cas stayed in Dean's bed again, cuddling him close.

No nightmares came for Dean that night, and he took it as a good sign.

Early March was chilly, but bright. Cas came to them one morning with a request.

'What's up?' Mary asked, as he stood nervously in the doorway.

'I wondered if - could I stay with my sister for spring break?'

'Of course you can,' Mary smiled. 'You want any help getting flights or anything?'

'No thank you,' Cas said, relieved.

On their way to school, Cas turned to Dean. 'Are you all right with me going away?'

'You don't need my permission to see your sister,' Dean reassured him.

'No, but I would like it.'

Dean glanced at him. 'Yes, Cas, I'm totally fine with you going away for a while.'

Cas squeezed his knee. 'Thank you.'

'Sure thing. You want a ride to the airport?'

'I would appreciate that.'

There wasn't much time to spend together, between their increase in homework and packing for his trip, but they managed to get one night out with Cas's telescope the day before his flight. He wasn't his usual enthusiastic self, however, and he sat on the hood of the car with Dean.

'Are you nervous?' Dean asked.

'I haven't shared a room with her for a long time. She won't be as I remember.'

'But that's the point of the trip, right?' Dean said. 'So you can get to know each other again? I mean you're hardly the same person you were either.'

'That's true.'

'Hey, I bet you'll have a great time.'

Cas sighed. 'I wish I could find Gabriel, then he could come too.'

'You still haven't heard from him?'

'No.'

'Come here.'

Cas got up and stood in front of Dean. He put his arms around Dean's neck, and Dean pulled him close.

'I don't know Gabriel, but he seems scrappy.'

'He is,' Cas said, allowing himself a smile.

'See? I'm sure he's just fine.' Dean gently kissed him. To his surprise, he felt a tingle deep in his stomach, and his grip on Cas tightened, sliding from Cas's waist, down to his hips.

Cas responded to his touch with a small moan and tentatively slipped his tongue between Dean's lips.

Dean's heart raced, clutching at Cas, crushing their bodies together. Then, Cas suddenly pulled away, breathing heavily. He closed his eyes and pressed his forehead to Dean's.

'You all right?' Dean asked breathlessly.

'Yes, I just don't want to do it in the back of your car,' he said with a slight laugh.

'What, you don't think my car is sexy?'

'Not since your mom told that's where Sam was conceived.'

'Ew, oh my god, gross,' Dean complained.

'Now you understand,' Cas said, then they both laughed, and Dean loosened his grip on Cas.

'I think I'm done for the night. Let me pack up.'

Dean watched Cas carefully put his telescope away, a warm glow in his chest, and a tingle still in his stomach. He was proud of himself. His hard work was paying off, loosening the blocks in his mind.

They all went for breakfast at a nice diner the next morning, and Mary fussed over Cas, making sure he had everything he needed. Then Dean drove him to the airport.

'Could I tell Anna about us?' Cas asked along the way.

Dean snorted. 'I'm pretty sure she already knows,' Dean said. 'I accidentally called you cute in front of her.'

'You did?' Cas said, blushing slightly.

'Yeah,' Dean laughed. 'You can tell her whatever you want, don't worry.'

Dean insisted on holding Cas's suitcase through the airport until they reached security. He glanced furtively around, then kissed Cas before handing him his suitcase.

'I'll meet you here when you get back, okay?'

Cas nodded and moved off, waving to Dean as he went.

Dean tried to force himself to focus on studying for finals, but the more time passed, the more he missed Cas. They sent each other messages every day, but soon Dean got restless and paced around the house instead.

Sam spent most of his break in his room or out at a friend's house, excited to have a good chunk of time to play games.

Mary was back and forth between meetings and care planning, while John had work, so Dean was left alone much of the time.

It was on just such a day that Dean was home, the sky dark with heavy clouds, when there was a knock on the door. He opened it to find an older man with a scraggly beard and an old cap standing at the door.

'Can I help you?' he asked.

'Well, I sure hope so,' he said. 'My car up and died just down the street there. I heard there was a mechanic here.'

'Oh, that's my dad,' Dean said. 'He's not home right now though.'

'Oh.'

Dean looked down the road and saw the car had stopped right in the middle of the street. 'I work with him though, I can take a crack at it if you want.'

'If you can get it going again, that would really help me out.'

'Sure.' Dean stepped out of the house and helped the man push the car up the driveway.

'I'm Bobby, by the way,' he said. 'Bobby Singer.'

'Nice to meet you, I'm Dean Winchester.' He took a brief rest once they got the car in place, then opened the garage to bring out his tools.

'It made a pop sound and felt kinda loose while I was steering, then it just stopped,' Bobby explained, while Dean looked under the hood.

He took a deep breath and examined the engine. It was good to be in his element, his fingers moving from one part to the other, expertly determining whether or not it was in good working order. It was a nice engine, but old, and several of the parts were worn out.

'I've got a few parts I can use here. They'll keep you going for now, but I would probably take it in for some new ones,' he told Bobby. 'You want me to put them in?'

Bobby nodded. 'Go for it.'

Dean looked through the racks in the garage. It wasn't as large a collection as John kept at his shop, but it had most of what he needed.

Bobby watched closely while Dean deftly replaced what parts he could, and cleaned up the engine. He closed the bonnet and said to Bobby, 'Try it now.' Bobby hopped into the car and started it up. It came to life and Bobby gave it a few test revs.

'You're a natural, kid,' he said, leaning out of the window. 'What do I owe you?'

Dean shook his head. 'No charge,' he said. 'It's good to have the practice. I'm going to school for engineering soon.'

'Is that right? Well, I appreciate it.'

'If you want, you can take it down to my dad's shop, and he should have some newer parts for you.'

'I think I'll do just that,' said Bobby. 'Thanks again, kid.'

Dean watched him reverse off the driveway. It wasn't perfect, but the car was running as smoothly as he could get it with the equipment he had. He was pleased with his work and it felt good to have something to do with his hands. He resolved to take more hours at the shop after finals, and went inside to tell Cas all about it.