Chapter Text
His hiding place had been discovered. His shift started 12 hours ago and Castiel managed to succesfully avoid Charlie through all of them. But now, while sipping this sixth coffee of the day in the inconspicious broom closet, he was going to enjoy his three minutes break, before his pager would inevitably call him back to the ER. Unfortunately, his dream of having a momentary respite from the chaos was ruined when the beeping from his pocket betrayed his location.
"I can't believe you paged me just to find me."
He glared at the nerdy redhead smirking at him from an open door.
"Castiel, I didn't expect to find you back in the closet."
"Very funny, Charlie. I don't have time for your meddling. Just like I don't have time for computer updates, weird live games, or blind dates. Just leave me alone."
"No."
"Why?" Cstiel ran his hand through his already messed-up black hair and groaned.
"Because I need your help. And I promise, you're gonna love this guy. He's super handsome! One double-date, Castiel! And I promise I will do all your updates for you, and I will make sure your computer always works without a hitch, keeping your patients' data safe forever."
Angel Grace Hospital was a relatively new 30-bed hospital, with three ORs and a 17-bed emergency department with two trauma beds. Being a resident in the facility was an opportunity Castiel could not afford to reject. Their equipment was state-of-the-art, but tablets and computers were not really Castiel's forte. Hence the frequent need to call in for help from their dedicated IT support, which was really just one person, Charlie.
The redhead could be easily mistaken for a happy-go-lucky harmless nerd, but in reality, she was a love-obsessed monster. As they became closer acquaintances due to Castiel's never-ending technical issues, she quickly sniffed out that he was gay too and tried to bond with him over shared sexual orientation. Which would be fine, but it wasn't just her love life she was interested in. It was everyone else's, with a laser focus on Castiel. Recently, she got it into her head that she needed to set him up with a man who, according to her, was supposed to be the love of his life. Castiel fought her tooth and nail, but after weeks of not getting anywhere by discouraging her, he changed tactics and started to hide. Only now did he start to think that maybe just going on the stupid date would be easier.
"Fine."
Her squeal was probably breaking some laws of safe noise levels.
So they met up in a nice restaurant—not too fancy, but cozy and pretty close to the hospital. Castiel was past the crazy hours of the junior doctor schedule, but he still worked the ER at least one week a month, and those could be really hectic. So, he appreciated the practical location of the meetup. It was close enough that he had left his car in the hospital's parking lot. Charlie was already there waiting for him and almost bouncing off the walls in excitement, which he simply couldn't share.
"Castiel!"
"Charlie..." He tried not to grimace and even smiled a little while Charlie introduced him to her girlfriend. They shook hands, shared a few jokes, and ordered some drinks. Charlie's girl ordered whisky for Castiel's still-absent date—her colleague, who was a prosecutor.
"His schedule is even crazier than yours!" Charlie was very enthusiastic when talking about the man, which after the first drink kind of let Castiel open up to the possibility of this whole blind date thing not being a total waste of time.
The man showed up 20 minutes late. He was tall, dark, and handsome.
Castiel tried to appreciate his immaculate looks, but apparently Ketch wasn't really his type. He looked like Ken missing his Barbie.
Castiel's date hastily apologized for being late but also instantly brushed it off and started to talk about the case that made him arrive late. Once he started talking, he never stopped. An hour and a half later, Castiel wasn't even sure if he managed to introduce himself to the man.
Arthur Katch was British, with a strong accent and a stick up his ass the size of the Burj Khalifa. He laughed only at his own jokes and strangely grimaced at Charlie's on the rare occasion she managed to put in a word. Castiel did his best to not frown, but possibly failed at that anyway. Which was fine because maybe it would end that catastrophe sooner. For the last ten minutes, he busied his mind with formulating an excuse to leave and end the torture, but then Ketch suddenly apologized and did it for him.
"I am terribly sorry, but I still have to go through my speech tonight. It was lovely to meet you."
Saying 'You too' never felt harder. Castiel practically threw up the two words like the aftermath of some terminal disease.
"Castiel, we absolutely have to do it again."
At least he got Castiel's name right, even if the doctor's mood apparently went right over his head. He looked at Castiel with appreciation, like he approved somehow, but it clearly was not enough to get interested in what kind of person he was. Which... whatever. Castiel hoped he would never see the man again.
They split the bill and left, but just outside of the restaurant, Ketch showed his less than stellar manners and started to swear up a storm after noticing a wheel clamp on his Bentley.
"Bloody bastards! They have no idea who they messed with. I will ruin the pitiful soul who dared to do this."
Castiel sighed. He was giving Charlie and her girlfriend a lift anyway. It would be rude not to offer.
"Hey, I could give you a lift home, or to the police station."
"Really? You are a life's savior. Thank you. I would really hate to be forced to get into a cab. You have no idea how disgustingly dirty those things can be."
They started to walk toward the hospital, listening to Ketch tell them about a gruesome case of rape in the back seat of a taxi. At least Charlie looked as miserable as Castiel felt. He hoped it was enough to assure his right to refuse to participate in any other attempts to set him up.
In the car, Ketch gave it an apprising look.
"See, that's what I was talking about. Look at this, ladies. It's clean. You're a doctor after all. I should not expect anything less." And then the fucker ran his index finger over the dash board and grinned, seeing there was no dust. He finally started to show Castiel some interest, like he forgot to do it earlier and only now remembered it was supposed to be a date. He complimented Castiel's eyes, and, since he was riding shotgun, he stared at his face with a creepy smile.
They stopped on a red light, and just when it changed to green and Castiel put the car back in motion, he felt a hand on his thigh, high enough to be uncomfortable and make him jump.
Castiel's knee hit the steering wheel, and the car swayed to the right, straight into a lamp post.
"Oh, bloody hell!"
The doctor glared daggers at the Brit who was swearing in his passenger seat.
"Girls! You ok?"
"Yeah... we're fine."
They all stepped out of the car to assess the damage.
"I am terribly sorry, Castiel. It was all my fault."
To his credit, Ketch looked... maybe not sorry, but definitely embarrassed.
"I'll call... someone... I'll fix this. I promise."
Castiel ran his hands through his black hair, messing it up and ruining all the work he put into taming it before that joke of a date. He got back in the car and tried to start it, but the engine only coughed and died.
Ketch made a small, gulping sound.
"Ok, I will not actually fix it, but I'll get someone to do it. Obviously."
"Ketch..." Castiel had enough.
"Arthur! Please. Call me Arthur." Ketch grinned at the doctor, moving closer to him.
"Ketch." Castiel had enough of his shit. "Shut up for a moment!"
To everyone's surprise, Ketch actually closed his mouth, giving Charlie a chance to save, or more like salvage, the rest of the night.
"I have a friend I can call. Wait a minute."
She already had her phone to her ear.
"Dean!... No I'm fine. Sorry for calling so late. Please don't panic, but we've been in a small car crash."
The person on the other side was clearly panicking, which Castiel could hear from the phone.
"Dean! I'm sure! I'm fine! But my friend's car won't start. Could you get the truck and..."
She quickly gave the man the location but stayed on the phone with him until they saw him pull up in a tow truck 15 minutes later.
Charlie grinned at the tall, slim man who jumped out of the truck.
"That was fast, Dean!"
"Charlie! Are you ok?"
"I told you, I'm fine. Did you break many laws getting here?"
"It's pretty late. There was no traffic." The man hugged the redhead, not hiding the panic still clear in his huge green eyes. He looked Charlie over and finally seemed to deflate seeing she really was okay. Then he moved on to Charlie's girlfriend, giving her a brief hug and a quick once-over too.
"How are you, beautiful."
"Hi Dean, I'm fine. You're wearing the pyjamas I gave you!"
The man's handsome face turned red as he looked down, and only then did Castiel notice that the man was indeed wearing his pyjamas. The bottom was red plaid, but the top was a black t-shirt saying, 'Don't talk to me after I've had my coffee either.'
It made Castiel want to smile, even though he had no reason to smile whatsoever, with his car parked in a lamp post and a ruined evening.
But then the man turned to look his way, and Castiel's heart actually skipped a beat. Charile's friend was gorgeous. He had pillow marks on one side of his face, his hair had a cowlick, and he had Scooby Doo slippers on his feet. He looked ridiculous, but Castiel could hardly breathe, and his stomach was in knots. He had never felt so out of his depth as in this moment. He knew he should speak, but his brain was drawing blanks.
The man was approaching him, awkwardly scratching his bedhead, and whistling at the sight of the crashed car.
"So, whose car is this? Is it Mark V?"
And Castiel still couldn't make his voice work, so Ketch, that stupid fucker, stepped in.
"Actually, it's my partner's. If you could please tow it and fix it, I'll cover all the costs. I'm Arthur Ketch, and this is my number."
Ketch did not offer a hand to shake and put his card into Dean's outstreched hand instead. Then he put an arm around Castiel's shoulders, and that snapped the doctor out of this weird catatonic state. He slapped the hand off.
"Please don't touch me."
"But... Castiel..."
"Look, it's been a long day, ok? I had to treat a man who degloved his penis sliding off a telephone pole, and I had been vomited on twice. Then I had the worst date of my life, and now I crashed my car."
"What? How can you say that?"
"I had dentist appointments more pleasant than this evening, so spare me your drama. Do you need me to call you an Uber?"
Ketch opened his mouth, but no sound came out.
Castiel quickly took his phone and started to order.
"To the nearest police station, right? Girls, do you need one too?"
Charlie confirmed that she was already doing it, so Castiel quickly finished and turned away from his date to face the confused mechanic.
"I'm sorry." Were the first words he spoke to the gorgeous man.
"I know." Dean raised his hands in a placating gesture. "You had a long day and a bad date. I'll just tow your car to my garage or anywhere else you want. Charlie's friends are my friends."
Castiel sighed, loosened his tie, and opened the top three buttons of his white shirt. Scaring off the Scooby Doo guy was the last thing he wanted.
"Your garage is fine. I'll go with you, if you don't mind, and then I'll call a cab."
"Fine. I'm Dean, by the way."
He was staring at Castiel with those green eyes opened wide, and his Adam's apple bobbed when he swallowed. He had a beautiful neck.
"Castiel Novak. And yes, it's Mark V. 1978."
Castiel offered his hand to Dean, who after Ketch's rude behavior clearly didn't expect that. He stepped closer, plushy dog heads shuffling over the pavement.
His hand was slim and, despite callouses, seemed delicate in Castiel's bigger hand. It was also warm and very nice to touch.
"I... Um... I'll bring the car."
Dean slid his hand out of Castiel's grip and turned, walking straight into the damn lamp post.
"Fuck."
Cas wanted to laugh, but if the damn thing broke his car, it sure as hell could break Dean's pretty face too.
"Are you alright? Let me see."
He took a hold of the man's face, which was tuning an alarming shade of red, but Dean gently pushed his hands away.
"Let me see. I'm a doctor."
Castiel's wrists were still in Dean's warm grasp.
"The only thing that got hurt was my pride. Then again, I look ridiculous enough that walking into a street lap shouldn't even register."
Castiel couldn't help but chuckle.
"I think you look adorable."
Dean just shook his head, turning around and groaning.
"No grown man should ever hear those words, Cas, ever. But I guess it's good that you still feel like teasing me after the day you've had."
The doctor grinned hearing a nickname from the mechanic's plushy lips. His day was starting to look up.
"I was just stating a fact."
"Now you're pushing it!" The man scowled comically, making Castiel laugh. Dean moved quickly, attaching Castiel's car to his truck.
Ketch's Uber was already waiting, and yet the man lingered, clearly trying to get Castiel's attention back, but the doctor ignored him completely and focused on putting Charlie and her partner into the other car.
"Castiel, we're really sorry about this. I'll do better next time, I promise."
"No. No, Charlie, there won't be next time."
"But..."
"No buts."
Charlie's face fell, but she dutifully moved to give Dean a parting hug and thank him for coming. When they were all gone Dean opened the passenger door of his truck for the doctor to get in.
"Your chariot is waiting."
"I don't really feel like a princess."
"I get it. We already established I'm not a prince charming either."
Castiel snorted unattractively. He couldn't help it. The mechanic was fun.
"How can you even drive in plush toys on your feet?"
"Honestly, I'm not sure. It is super uncomfortable. But I guess I didn't even notice in the rush to get here."
They moved through the streets toward the edge of the city, entering more suburban areas.
"It just shows how much you care about them."
"I do. So, you said you're a doctor. Is that how you know Charlie?"
Cas smiled at how uncertain Dean sounded.
"Yes. She helps me with all my updates, computer problems, and tablet malfunctions. She says I'm technologically retarded."
"Welcome to the club. She says the same about me. But, to her credit, not so long ago I was still using a flip phone."
Castiel snorted.
"How do you know her?"
"We've met by accident. Literally. She was in an accident, and I came to pick up the car. Somehow we ended up talking in my garage until morning. It was seven years ago. She's like a sister to me now."
"I never had siblings, but she does send an 'annoying little sister' vibes."
"I would tell you off for badmouthing her, but from what I'm getting, she set you up with the duchbag."
"That she did." Castiel's face turned sour.
"I'm sorry."
"Not your fault."
"It kind of is. Five years ago, I hinted to her that she should set my brother up with her friend Eileen. They have been happily married for almost four years now. Since then, Charlie thinks she has a gift."
"So, you are the one with the gift."
"Nah. I just know my brother well. He was so focused on his studies and work... I just had to do something, you know."
"What did he study?"
"Law at Stanford. He's super smart. And he's a genuinely good person, you know? He's not what you usually think abut lawyers. He's defending people who need his help, and he makes a difference."
Castiel's smile turned soft.
"You love your brother very much."
"Sure. He's my brother. So, why is a doctor with your face going on a blind date with a douchebag?
"Are you flirting with me?"
Cas grinned like a loon.
"Yeah, sure, I feel super confident right now. Then again, you went on a date with a douchebag. Why not a looser, single-dad mechanic."
"The only reason I agreed to that insanity was because your sister is that annoying. I realized that I was literally hiding from her in a broom closet! I guess I just gave up. I wanted it to be over."
"Yeah, once she gets it into her head that she's 'got a match' there's nothing that can stop her."
"You speak from experience?"
"No, she actually never did this to me. Yet."
"Why? How did you manage that?"
"I don't know. I guess she just can't picture me with anyone."
"That's crazy."
"It's not. I'm terrible boyfriend material."
"Why?"
"Because I work two jobs with awful hours, and what little free time I do have I spend with my daughter. I don't have time to date."
"How old is she?"
"Almost a year and a half. I'm sure I'm in for a charming night after I woke her up and dropped her at my brother's like this."
"Um... I don't want to be nosy, but... her mom?"
"Well, not the most original story. I've seen her mother exactly once, and nine months later I've been called into a hospital to pick up a baby. She's mine. Sammy forced me to take the DNA test, but she was mine the moment I took her into my arms. I didn't care about any stupid test results. I would keep her anyway."
Castiel's chest tightened with an alien emotion so strong it almost made him choke.
"They have that effect on you, don't they?"
Dean gave him a curious look.
"Ok, how old is yours?"
"Fourteen. I love her to bits, but sometimes I'm glad she lives with her mom. I don't understand teenage girls at all."
"I know what you mean. But kids are great. I would never give up being around Emma when she grows."
Cas turned his face toward the window.
"I did. I was an army doctor. I took off for my first tour when Claire was born. Three tours later, I didn't really have a family to go back to."
"I'm sorry."
"Hey, you just picked me up from a disasterous date with a very male douchebag prosecutor. My marriage wasn't perfect. I know that."
"I'm still sorry that you couldn't be with your daughter. I can't imagine how hard that must have been."
"Thank you, Dean."
Dean met his eyes for a brief emotional moment, but then cleared his throat and tried to change the subject and lighten the mood.
"So was the date really that bad?"
"The worst. Just listening to him was bad enough, but then he had to put his grabby hand on my thigh just when I put the car in motion. I jumped and hit the wheel with my knee. You know the rest."
"I need to have a talk with Charlie. This has to end."
"Please do. Make her leave me alone. I suffered enough."
"So, do you want me to charge him for the repair?"
"No. I don't want to have anything to do with him again. Burn that card. Here. Let me give you my number."
"Just text me." Dean recited his number and soon heard his phone vibrate in his pocket.
"Maybe you want to fix your car somewhere else?"
"Not really. Are you any good with old cars?"
Dean grinned, and it took Castiel's breath away. The man was impossibly gorgeous. He had never seen such plush pink lips on anyone. And his face, all sharp angles but yet so delicate, and gods, those eyes...
"I'll show you how good I am. When we drop your car off, I'll take you home in my baby."
"You don't have to."
"I have to go pick up Emma, so no problem. And I love old cars. I didn't have a chance to take a good look at the bumper, but if it broke, I wouldn't be fixing it. You'll need a new one. I think I've seen at least three Continentals somewhere around my uncle Bobby's scrapyard. I may be able to fix you with original parts."
"Really?"
"Well, I'm a strong believer that classics can only run on original parts. Don't worry. Those will be free of charge. That is, if I can find what I need at Bobby's. I'll take a look around tomorrow."
Castiel's stomach did something funny. It was a strange, tight feeling, which Castiel, for some reason, didn't really want to stop. Like this evening, he didn't want this to end either. He would be perfectly happy to make it last forever. Which was insane, sappy, and just plain wrong. He had barely met the guy, but Dean was already not only the most beautiful man he had ever seen but also the kindest, and most selfless human being. He loved his family and friends, and seemed simply too good to be true.
"You don't have to do this, Dean. And I'll pay you for everything. Just name the price."
'No. You're Charlie's friend. I'll charge you if I pay for something, but not for the crap I get from Bobby's. That's not up for a discussion."
When he scowled, Dean looked positively edible, and Castiel was beginning to feel like some pervert. Maybe the duchbag roofied him or something? He couldn't keep his mind straight (pun intended) around Dean, and it was not normal.
"I could come with you."
"Where?"
Dean's face turned toward Cas, and his green eyes took Castiel captive again. No man should have eyelashes like these.
"Cas? Where?"
"Um... to... to the scrapyard. I'll help. I can't let you do this alone."
Dean chuckled, the sound low and husky, making Castiel's dick stir.
"I work tomorrow anyway. Don't worry. No skin off my back."
"But I want to help. Come on. Maybe I'll learn something."
"It's a scrapyard. The only thing you'll learn is that you should not wear anything you like to a place like that. Trust me, you don't want to be there. Especially on a hot day, and this weekend will be just that."
"But I want to come."
Dean shook his head.
"Suit yourself. I'll text you the address. I work until two, so we can meet there after."
Castiel couldn't remember the last time he grinned so wide. He could feel his face strain, but he couldn't help it. He was so freaking happy to be allowed to come with Dean that he just couldn't stop smiling.
Which Dean found particularly amusing.
"Man, you will be so disappointed. I hope you own something that isn't a suit."
Castiel looked down at his shirt, jacket, and tie.
"I do. My scrubs."
At that Dean seemed to choke on air.
"Yeah... those... would probably do. Did you say someone threw up on you today?"
Just the idea that Dean had actually listened to him earlier made Castiel's heart swell and his face smile.
"Yes. It's not so unusual, especially at the ER. But it wasn't the worst part of my day. The date was way worse."
Dean snorted, and it shouldn't be endearing... It shouldn't be anything but ridiculous. But it was fucking lovely.
"I still can't believe you just said it to him straight in his face."
"Well, I was honest. I was planning to be civil, but then he touched me and called me his partner. He's lucky I didn't punch him."
"Yeah, personally, I was afraid to shake your hand."
This time it was Castiel that snorted, his nose crinkled comically.
"I didn't mean to make a bad first impression."
"Wasn't... wasn't bad."
"You know, when you blush like this, I kind of start to understand a compulsion to grab someone's thigh when they're driving."
Dean laughed, a little breathless, but it sounded honest and amused.
"You better not. I don't have any more tow trucks. We can't crash this one."
"Yeah, you're right. I'll leave it for the second date."
Dean was laughing, looking all gorgeous and relaxed, and taking Castiel's flirting in all the wrong ways. But this was good. Dean seemed comfortable, and it was a good look on him. It seemed wrong to ruin it with serious flirting, especially since Dean made no suggestion that he even liked men.
"You think I'm that easy? If you want to get handsy below the belt, it will have to be at least the third one."
"Hmm. I'll remember that. Any more clues? Favourite flowers?"
"Flowers? Didn't know you were a romantic type?"
"Me neither! I think it's new. You already changed me."
Castiel batted his eyes at Dean with a wide smile, once again making the mechanic laugh.
"Cas, you're perfect the way you are. I don't EVER want you to change."
Dean was so much fun, playing along and making them both grin so hard their faces were starting to hurt.
"But Dean, you make me want to be a better man."
"God, you're such a dork. Where was Charlie hiding you for so long?"
"You call me a dork, and yet, it sounded like: Where were you all my life?"
"Jesus. You really are a dork. That's probably why it's so much fun."
"Compliments, huh? I may have to touch your thigh after all. I can't help it."
Cas teasingly pinched Dean's knee, discovering how ticklish the younger man was, and delighting in his surprised squeal.
"Fuck you! Don't do this. Didn't you learn anything today?"
"Oh, right! Third date."
Dean snorted again, this time wiping tears of joy from his eyes.
"I actually meant that you don't molest the driver!"
"If you're a douchebag. I'm a delight."
"You're a dork. We already established that."
"Dean, Dean, Dean. I can't remember the last time I laughed so much in one night. And I thought this evening was lost."
"Well, I'm glad you enjoy yourself, now move your ass. We're switching cars."
Dean parked the car in front of a garage, and they both got off.
"Come on, you'll meet my Baby."
"I thought your daughter was at your brother's."
Dean rolled his eyes and put his hand on Castiel's shoulder to lead him inside. His hand felt warm and solid, and Cas wanted to lean down and touch it with his face.
"Meet the Baby. My pride. My best reference letter."
Dean turned the light on and Castiel gasped seeing a beautifully maintained black Impala.
"Oh Dean, she's a beauty."
"Baby, meet the dork."
"Hey!" Castiel frowned at Dean comically, enjoying the weight still on his shoulder.
"Nice to meet you Baby. Don't listen to Dean. He's being mean, 'cause I didn't wait till our third date to get my hands on him. He's a prude like that."
Dean chuckled.
"Oh she knows I'm not. I actually lost my virginity on the back seat of this car."
"Let me guess. A quarterback."
Dean's smile turned into a grimace.
"No, actually a cheerleader. It wasn't my best performance, but what can I say. I was fifteen."
Castiel smiled but also stored all the information, trying to get the full picture of Dean, a single father, Charlie's friend, a devoted brother, and apparently quite a good mechanic.
"Come on, get in. I need to get my other baby from my brother's."
Castiel got into the passenger's seat and noticed a baby seat installed in the back.
"Do you mind if I pick her up first?"
"Dean, you are doing me one huge favor after another. I am eternally grateful for your existence, and I don't know what I would do without you."
"You know how to make a man feel special."
"I'm glad you noticed. And you still didn't tell me what your favorite flowers are. Now I will have to find out from Charlie."
"Yeah, she owes you for the duchbag."
"Actually, the more time I spend with you, the more I feel like I owe her. What are her favorite flowers?"
Dean snorted again and made Cas feel all gooey inside. Just seeing the man happy makes him feel on top of the world.
"Don't! If she gets it into her head to set us up, it will be a nightmare."
"Only until we actually get together. Don't forget I'm only two dates away from getting to touch your thighs again."
"Oh? So this is a date?"
"An accident-al one, as you would say! But yeah. And it's way better than the purposeful one I had before that."
"Sorry to disappoint you, but I don't go on dates wearing pajamas, and these aren't my date shoes either."
"Oh yeah, what's with the Scooby Doo? You're a fan?"
"Of course, dude, it's Scooby Doo!"
"Of course." Castilel had his deadpan expressions mastered.
"It was a gift from Bobby."
"Your uncle?"
"Yeah. The one who owns the scrap yard and the workshop I work at."
"They look lovely on you."
Dean snorts again, but soon an impossibly adorable smile spills all over his face.
"Emma loves them. She always laughs when I wear them."
"Does she look like you?"
"I don't know. I don't think so. I think she looks more like Sam with her fluffy hair."
"Who's Sam? Her mom?"
"No! My brother Sam. Her mom... well, she didn't leave me any clue as to who she was. I wasn't exactly a boy scout back then, and trying to remember a one-night stand from nine months back... you know... she left Em at the hospital with my name and address. I don't even know if Em looks like her. Which sucks, because I know that there will come a time when she will ask me that question. I don't want to tell my little girl that her mom didn't want her."
The atmosphere changed quickly. Dean's lovely eyes were not sparkling with mirth anymore, and it was almost painful to watch.
"She won't ask. She will be so in love with her daddy that she won't even think about it."
"Well, she does have a lot of people who love her to bits. Not just me. We're lucky. There's Bobby, Sam and Eileen, Charlie, Jody and Donna... Garth... We really are super lucky."
Fuck, Castiel was ready to rip his own heart out and give it to the man on a silver platter.
"I can't wait to meet her."
"We're here."
They parked in front of a very nice two-story house. Dean sprang out of the car getting to the door in three huge strides. Castiel sighed and got off too, just to watch Dean with his daughter. The door opened a ridiculously tall man, with longish hair and a dopey expression on his face. He carried a bundle in his arms and handed a sleepy girl to her daddy. Castiel's stomach tightened at the impossibly sweet scene. He couldn't get enough of looking at the handsome mechanic with his little daughter cradled carefully in his strong arms.
He was so fixated on them that he didn't even notice the other man approach him.
"Hi. I'm Sam Winchester. Dean's brother."
"Nice to meet you, Sam. Castiel Novak." They shook hands, and Cas was still wrapping his head around hearing Dean's surname for the first time.
"I just got off the phone with Charlie. She told me about the accident. Are you guys really okay?"
"We are. It was nothing serious."
Dean finished strapping his daughter into the seat and emerged from the inside of the car, softly closing the back door.
"You can trust his opinion on that, Sammy. He's a doctor."
"Oh, right. Charlie mentioned you work at the hospital. I won't hold you up. You had quite a night."
"Oh, you have no idea." Castiel shot Dean a discreet wink, which Dean answered by shoving his shoulder playfully.
"Dork."
He didn't miss Sam's eyebrow rising in question at their clearly too familiar behavior, but Dean pointedly ignored it and went to hug his brother.
"Night, Sam. Thanks for Em, and I'm sorry for this."
"Shut up. You know I don't mind."
"Kiss Eileen from me, ok?"
"Sure. See you Sunday. It was nice meeting you, Castiel!"
"You too, Sam. Goodnight."
They got back to the car, and Cas instantly turned to look at the sleeping girl. She was cute and really did have nice hair, like her uncle. But Cas was pretty sure that Dean's hair would be beautiful too if he ever let it grow.
"She's adorable. And clearly she gets it from her dad."
"Shut up, or I'll leave you out on a carb. Where do I take you?"
"That was direct. Where do you want me?" Dean snorted again.
"Shut up. I was asking about the address."
Castiel took his lower lip between his teeth but also gave Dean his home address.
The girl's eyes opened slowly and she blinked at the unfamiliar man staring at her from the front seat.
"Hello Princes."
The baby made a noise but mostly just stared back with her huge green eyes, and those were 100% Dean's.
Cas reached out and brushed his hand over the girl's knee to sooth her. Emma made another soft noise and reached out her little hand toward Cas, who accepted it and shook it.
"Nice to meet you too. I'm Castiel. But your daddy calls me Cas, which I only allow because he's pretty."
Dean snorted from his seat but didn't interrupt Castiel's 'conversation' with the girl.
"But you're pretty too, so I would let you call me whatever you want."
"Papa..."
Cas' grin was so wide that his gums showed.
"Oh? I'm afraid it may be a bit soon for that. You see, it's only our first date."
"Papa..."
"Okay, if you insist, I'll see what I can do to move things along with your dad."
Castiel winked at the girl, making her giggle and drool.
"Careful, Cas, she's a charmer."
"Yeah, I can see that. It's the eyes. I'm a sucker for green eyes."
Cas gave Dean a sultry look, gazing into his eyes as Dean reached out to his face and pushed it away.
"You're ridiculous. Should I turn here?"
"Yes, and then immediate left."
And a moment later, they were in front of Castiel's apartment building. Castiel turned to look at the younger man. When their eyes met this time, they were both serious, the inevitability of parting sobering them up.
"Thank you again, Dean. For everything. I know you did it for Charlie, but you really saved my night."
"Glad to be of help, Cas. And don't worry. I got you."
"So, where do I meet you tomorrow?"
"You seriously want to go?"
"You can't ditch me. You promised."
"I did not promise you anything."
"Playing hard to get again. Fine.What if I promise to buy you those flowers?"
"How about I'll text you the address if you promise to not bring me any flowers?"
Cas made a show of giving it some thought.
"Deal."
"Remember the dress code?"
"Obscene shorts and crop tops."
"Yeah, that, or jeans and a t-shirt. That would work too."
Cas hummed.
"Not sure I have those."
"See you tomorrow, Cas."
Turning his eyes away from Dean's face was the hardest thing Castiel ever had to do in his life. He tickled the bubbly kid squealing from the back seat.
"Good night, Princess. Take care of your daddy, ok?"
Dean was grinning, but he had a soft look in his eyes that made Castiel want to touch him. He did his best puppy eyes at the driver.
"Am I getting a good night kiss?"
Dean's smile widened even more.
"You should have asked your date that."
"Ouch! You can't be jealous, Dean. I didn't even know you back then!"
"You didn't know me an hour ago!"
"So? It's not about the amount of time. It's the quality that matters."
"That's what you call quality time? Driving around with a guy dressed in pajamas?"
"It was surprisingly enjoyable. Thank you for driving me around."
"You're welcome. Goodnight, Cas."
It was hard to find another excuse to prolong their time together. And it wasn't fair. Dean had a kid to put back to bed, and his own sleep had been rudely interrupted. From what Castiel already learned about the man, he was working way too much.
"See you tomorrow, Dean."
"Night, Cas."
The doctor stepped out of the car and watched the Impala drive away. He was so screwed.
TBC