Chapter Text
Castiel’s entire body rebels against him waking up. He’s been working a job for half the night and has barely gotten any sleep yet. But the noise is overwhelming. What the hell are they doing next door?
Castiel grumbles and rolls over to look at his phone. 3:53 AM. Fucking assholes. He knows that they just moved in but they’re hardly putting furniture together at this time of night.
He rolls out of bed. Briefly considers grabbing his gun and just shooting them in the head but that probably wouldn’t be good for the sense of community in the building. He sighs deeply and instead opts for stalking angrily out to pound on his neighbours’ door.
The door opens to reveal tan skin and freckles. The man in front of him is only wearing jeans, leaving his toned chest exposed. Castiel forces his attention to the man’s face instead. He has brown hair, the greenest eyes Castiel’s ever seen and long eyelashes. He also looks tired and panicked. And the noise is still happening, now paired with some weird screeching.
”What the hell is happening in here?”
The man just stares at him, looking like a deer caught in headlights.
Fuck this shit.
Castiel pushes past him into the apartment. ”It’s the middle of the fucking night”.
The apartment seems to be a studio unit and Castiel is immediately met with the sight of a toddler manically banging something metallic into the floor.
The man is finally kicked into action. He rushes past Castiel. ”Sammy, Sammy, stop that” he lifts the kid who immediately starts screaming.
”I am so sorry” The man offers over the wailing child. The child hits him in the face with the metallic object. Which appears to be a hip flask.
”Jesus, Sammy” The man puts the kid back on the floor and the banging resumes. The man offers him a helpless shrug.
”Castiel Novak. I live next door”
”Dean Winchester. We just moved in”
Dean shakes his offered hand in a firm warm grip. Castiel draws the handshake out past the point of politeness before letting go.
”Yes. I can see that” Castiel gestures to the empty room. The only things in here are a sleeping bag and a duffel.
Dean blushes prettily, the flush spreading down his neck to his chest.
”I don’t really have any toys for Sammy yet. I kind of wasn’t expecting him” Dean rubs his neck.
Castiel frowns ”Was it his mom’s week?”
”What?” Dean looks at him in confusion ”Oh, nono. It’s not... He’s not… He’s my brother” He offers. Which doesn’t do anything to make Castiel less confused. Dean is definitely younger than himself but surely not... Has he been ogling a teenager?
His horror might be visible on his face because Dean rushes to elaborate ”Half-brother. Our dad just dropped him off a couple of days ago. With no warning” Dean winces ”sorry, you don’t care about that” He flashes a smile ”Just... We’re both still getting used to it. I promise it will stop being armageddon in here and you can go back to…” Dean gestures vaguely at Castiel. He looks down. Oh right. He didn’t put on any clothes before marching out into the hall so he’s just wearing black boxers.
Castiel sends Dean a smile that might in other situations be described as wolfish. Other situations being situations that doesn’t include a child on the floor between them.
”You might want to get him something else to play with if you want your deposit back” Castiel turns and leaves as Dean notices the state of the floor and swears ”See you around, Dean”.
XxXxX
It’s the next morning when the boxes start to appear.
At first it’s stuff for Sammy and Dean figures that their dad is finally trying to do something right.
Then it’s groceries and Dean is so relieved that he won’t have to let Sammy starve that he doesn’t question it.
But suddenly it’s a couple of days later and there’s a man trying to deliver a pull-out couch to him and something is definitely going on.
”I’m sorry. This is not mine” Dean tries to explain with Sammy on his hip. The little gremlin is pulling at his hair and giggling.
The delivery man looks down on his clipboard ”Says here it’s for a Dean Winchester. That’s not you?”
”Er, yes. It is”
The delivery man shrugs.
”Listen, I didn’t order this”
”Well, it’s in your name”
Dean lowers his voice ”I can’t pay for this”
The delivery man looks at him like he’s stupid ”Lucky it’s already paid for, eh? Now, where do you want it?”
XxXxX
Okay, so when Dean implied to his hot tattooed neighbour that the lack of furniture and general chaos was because they were still moving in he might have been exaggerating. Or maybe more like downright lying.
He doesn’t have any furniture.
Or money to buy it.
He has been living in his car. Until he suddenly had a 1 year old to look after that is.
He had to sell the car (he pointedly doesn’t dwell on that) to add to the money he had been saving for school to get enough for the deposit for the apartment.
School was a stupid idea anyway and he definitely could not live in a car with a toddler for an indefinite amount of time.
If Dean’s own experience is anything to go by his dad could be gone for weeks or months. So Dean is getting ready to be a single parent for the foreseeable future.
If only he had any kind of useful skills. He abandons the oatmeal he has been trying to make. It looks more suited to put up wallpaper with anyway. How is it possible to screw up something so simple?
Sammy is clinging to his leg and babbling louder and louder while Dean searches the cupboards for something to feed him. Can you feed a toddler cereal? He pours some into a bowl, adds milk and sits down on the floor to feed it to Sammy. He seems appeased with Dean’s offering, though he’s more interested in grabbing handfulls directly from the bowl than eating from the spoon. Dean closes his eyes and leans his head back against the kitchen cabinets.
They barely have anything. There’s a fully functioning kitchen and bathroom and now they also have a couch/ bed. Though that’s probably gonna come back to bite them.
They are completely out of money. He used the last of it to buy the basics for the kitchen. And he has no idea how he’s going to earn more. It’s not like he can roll up to his old job at the bar with a toddler in tow. He has been looking at childcare but the costs alone would swallow up so much of his pay that he can barely breathe thinking of it.
Being dead-ass broke has been terrible in all the years he’s experienced it but with a child added to the mix it’s downright terrifying.
On the bright side, Sammy is starting to adjust. The first couple of days has been pretty rough. There’s been a lot of screaming (mostly Sammy) and crying (both of them). It must be pretty traumatizing to be dumped with a near stranger all of a sudden. Dean hugs Sammy tighter. Sammy turns his head to look at him and offers him some soggy cereal from his grubby little hand.
XxXxX
Sammy is finally taking a nap and Dean would like nothing more than to take one himself but the paper the delivery guy gave him is burning a hole in his pocket.
The name and address are definitely his so at least he hasn’t accidentally stolen someone else’s couch. Or so he thinks until he looks at the payment info. The couch belongs to his neighbour. Seems like a weird mistake but mixups happen.
Dean looks wistfully at the couch. He would love to keep it but stealing from his neighbour seems like a terrible idea.
Dean feels reasonably confident that he would be able to hear Sammy through the paper thin walls so he slips out into the hall and knocks on his neighbour’s door.
Castiel opens the door, drying his hands on a dishtowel. This time he’s wearing a black T-shirt and dark jeans. His tattoos on his arms and neck are on display and if Dean’s mouth waters it’s probably just because he hasn’t had lunch yet.
”Hello Dean”
”Hi Cas”
Cas is just staring at him so Dean plows on ”So, crazy thing, right, I just had a couch delivered, in my name and everything but it looks like maybe it belongs to you?”
Cas shrugs ”No, I bought it for you”
”I’m sorry what?”
”I bought it for you”
”Yeah, no, I heard you. Just... what?”
”You don’t like it?”
”No, I like it. I love it. But what the hell?”
Cas’ brow creases in confusion ”Is there a problem?”
Dean laughs disbelievingly ”Um, yeah, there’s a problem”
Cas just stares at him without blinking.
Dean awkwardly shoves his hands in his pockets ”It’s a very nice present” he chews his lip ”Maybe a bit too nice?”
Cas shrugs ”I just wanted to help out”
Now, the words themselves sound innocent and you might call him a paranoid son of a bitch but he has heard this whole ’just being friendly’ routine too many times to count. It always, without fail, ends up with Dean getting screwed. Either literally or figuratively. Often both.
So when Cas invites him in for a cup of coffee and asks where Sammy is, Dean has got his number.
He actually considers saying no, God help him. He’d promised himself that he was done with this. But having Sammy to care for changes the entire game and doing this one more time is hardly gonna make a difference in the grand scheme of things.
So Dean shrugs and follows Cas inside. At least he’s crazy hot.
There are a couple of rules to pulling this off successfully.
Rule Number 1: Always make sure you’re actually getting paid enough to make it worth your while.
There isn’t much to be said for giving a blowjob in a dark parking lot for money but at least it’s clear what the service is and how much you’re getting paid. This part is more tricky here.
He saw the pricetag on the couch and even if he gets nothing else it would be the most he’s ever been paid for sex. A couch isn’t cash, though. But it does signal generosity.
Generosity, however, doesn’t mean shit if they don’t have money. Dean takes in the apartment and, yeah, that ain’t an issue. Dean’s apartment could be a converted walk-in closet from this one. There are beautiful hardwood floors and so much space. There’s even a proper entryway.
Cas leads him into a large industrial kitchen and starts opening cupboards. Dean leans back against the wooden worktop next to him and watches him make coffee.
Rule Number 2: Never talk about the set-up. They don’t like to feel like they’re paying for sex. If they wanted that they wouldn’t be going about it this way. Fortunately, there are other ways of making sure everyone gets what they want. Which leads to Rule Number 3: Figure out what they want and give it to them.
Okay, so the obvious answer to this is sex. But they want more than that. They want a specific dynamic. A specific version of him. The important question is which one?
Dean already has some information to go on. This is happening based on a single, very short, interaction. This interaction featured Dean confused and stressed and in need of help. And also shirtless. Apart from the last one that’s not really what he usually aims for when angling for a hook-up. This guy likes the helplessness. He liked to be the one discovering that Dean doesn’t have any furniture. And he definitely liked the embarrassment and the blushing. He wants to be in control, the one with power. This can be a great big red flag but it can also mean more money and Dean’s willing to take his chances. If the guy’s a nutjob they’re already in trouble anyway, living next to him and all.
A pretty safe bet is that he wants Dean sweet and docile. But also as an enthusiastic and willing participant. So Dean dials up the charm and waits for Cas to make the first move.
Dean focuses on the way Cas’ shirt moves over his muscles as he reaches for cups. When Cas looks over at him he makes sure that Cas catches him look before he quickly looks away.
Cas hands him a cup of coffee, with milk in, yuck. Dean takes the cup and when their fingertips graze eachother he doesn’t have to feign his interest as his pulse spikes. He looks up and smiles ”Thanks, Cas”.
”Sure” His eyes are dark as he watches Dean’s mouth.
Dean waits for a beat but Cas is just watching him. Okay, more foreplay first, noted.
”So, this is a nice apartment” Dean takes a sip of the coffee and in a show of impressive impulse control he manages not to grimace at the milky texture.
”Thanks” Cas simply says.
”Is this kitchen custom?” Dean puts his cup down and trails his hand along the worktop as he moves toward one of the big windows, letting Cas watch him.
Cas just grunts in affirmation. Real talkative this one.
Dean turns his back to Cas as he reaches over the worktop to touch the leaves of one of the herbs growing on the windowsill. He knows exactly how he looks when he looks over his shoulder, slightly bent over the table, the sunlight from the window giving his hair and face a golden glow and catching on his eyelashes.
He sees the exact moment Cas’ control snaps. Cas puts down his cup with too much force, coffee spilling over the rim. He stalks over to Dean and roughly turns him around to face him. Dean grips the edge of the counter to keep his hands off Cas as Cas trails his hand from Dean’s shoulder to his face. He cradles Dean’s face and traces his upper lip with his thumb, the intensity in his eyes making the gesture more possessive than tender. Dean looks Cas directly in the eyes and parts his lips just enough that Cas can feel the tip of his tongue on his finger.
The hunger in Cas’ eyes turns ravenous and the finger is replaced with his mouth. The kiss is all tongue and teeth and Dean opens for it but waits for a second before returning it. He’s still gripping the table to avoid reaching for Cas.
He wishes that the whimper that escapes from his throat was staged but it’s completely real. Cas has one hand in his hair in a grip tight enough to skirt the edge of hurting. He uses his other hand to push Dean’s ratty Metallica shirt up and then his hand is directly on Dean’s skin.
Cas loosens his grip on Dean’s hair, slides it to his neck and starts to push down. It’s assertive and hot as hell. Dean is growing painfully hard in his pants. He’s on the verge of dropping to his knees, mouth watering at the thought of tasting Cas’ dick.
That’s the moment Sammy starts crying. It’s a lot like getting hit with freezing cold water. Dean pulls back and Cas immediately loosens his grip on him ”Shit, shit, shit. I’m sorry, I have to…”
Cas briefly closes his eyes, nods and step to the side ”Of course” his voice is pure gravel.
”Right, I’ll…” Dean indicates the entryway.
”See you around, Dean”
XxXxX
Dean thumps his head back into the wall he’s sitting against, Sammy is playing on the floor next to him.
Being attracted to his customers is great. Makes the whole thing more enjoyable. But the way he wants Cas is not good. It’s gonna make shit complicated and it’s a big fucking problem. In a way the interruption wasn’t all bad. Or, that’s what he’s trying to tell his frustrated body anyway.
”Okay Sammy, let’s go” Dean claps his hands together.
Sammy looks up and smiles at him ”Bo?”
”Yes, go. You’re gonna help Uncle Dean look for a job” Okay, so he’s obviously not the kid’s uncle but Brother Dean sounds like he’s a damn priest and he wanted a title, so sue him.
Sammy gets to his feet and excitedly staggers over to get his little shoes while screeching ”Bobobo”. It’s adorable, at least until he decides that Dean is taking too long and waddles back to push the shoe directly into Dean’s face. Sole first.
”Yes, lovely, thank you” Dean wrestles the shoe from Sammy, places him in his lap and starts mashing his tiny feet into the shoes.
”Bobobo”
”Yes, we’re going” Dean kisses the top of his brown curls, making Sammy crane his head the entire way back to look quizzically up at him.
”Bo?”
Dean grins.
XxXxX
The rest of the day is not as nice. Since he doesn’t have a car anymore they have to walk. And since they don’t have a stroller either ’walking’ consists of Dean logging around a squirming toddler who would rather walk himself. Making Sammy walk sounds great in theory but in practice has proven to make their speed 0.2 miles per hour, most of these in circles. So carrying it is.
Dean’s entire body hurts by the time they get back.
They’ve dropped by every single shop in the area and it’s not looking too good. Most of them weren’t hiring and the ones that were looked very skeptical at the sight of Sammy.
If all else fails he can probably get some daytime shifts bartending at his old work. The pay sucks, though, the tips are worse and the day shift manager is a fucking pervert. So he’s still exploring his options.
He’s only just walked through the door, put Sammy down and thrown his keys onto the kitchen counter when someone knocks on the door. Dean opens the door to a young woman with two children hanging onto her yoga pants.
”Hi there. I’m Lisa. I live in the building” She holds out her hand and Dean shakes it with a smile.
”Hi, I’m Dean” He crouches down to grab Sammy before he can make a run for it ”And this is Sammy. We’ve just moved in.”
”Welcome to the building. This is Ben and Jack” she indicates the boys. Dean is a terrible judge of children’s age but they are definitely older than Sammy and… probably younger than kindergarten class? He wouldn’t put any money on it though ”So, I was talking to Castiel and he mentioned that you might be in need of a stroller?”
Dean’s eyebrows lift ”News sure travels fast here”
She laughs ”I have one I’m done using” she indicates the older boys and Dean can add ’too old for strollers’ to his very scientific age calculations ”Castiel thought you might want it?”
”Um, yeah, I mean, how much were you thinking?” Dean rubs his neck.
”Oh, nono, it’s a gift. If you want it?”
Dean is grasping for a nice way to tell the lady that he very much wants it but that he definitely can’t accept.
She makes a face ”Please just take it. I kind of owe Castiel a favor and it would save me a lot of trouble. I’ve put it out on the landing next to the exterior door”
”Um, okay. Thank you so much” There’s really nothing else to say.
”So, you and Castiel, huh” and she honest to God wiggles her eyebrows.
Dean laughs awkwardly ”I don’t really know. I just met him a couple of days ago” he narrowly avoids adding ’why, what did he say?’
She smiles knowingly which does nothing to keep Dean’s inner elementary school girl at bay.
”Well, I have to get started on dinner. Lovely meeting you” She starts to hustle her boys down the stairs (’old enough to walk on stairs’). Dean shoves his preoccupation with Cas aside. He’s wasting the perfect opportunity for gaining Sammy-related knowledge.
”Hey, actually” Dean calls after Lisa ”Do you know if there’s any good childcare in the area?”
She lights up ”My sister has a free spot in her daycare”
Perfect. They exchange information and now Dean just needs to find a job so they don’t get kicked out of the apartment. And maybe get some furniture at some point. If Cas doesn’t beat him to it.
XxXxX
Dean has finally put Sammy to bed after an hour of Sammy rapidly changing between manic laughter and crying. It’s not even 8 PM yet and Dean is exhausted. This child might kill him. At least that way he wouldn’t have to spend any time figuring out this situation with Cas.
The stroller is freaking him majorly out. The gracious way of seeing it would be that it’s a thoughtful gesture and that it’s gonna make Dean’s life easier. The less gracious way of seeing it is that it’s creepy as hell. For Cas to have noticed Dean’s need, discussed it with their neighbours and even called in favours to fix it all within days of them meeting. Doesn’t he have anything better to do? Why would anyone spend that amount of energy on Dean? And who the fuck has people owing them favours, like they’re the damn Godfather?
The stroller also calls into question who the baby stuff and groceries came from. Probably not from their dad who has on several occasions left teenaged Dean without money for food for weeks. Yeah, they’re probably from the guy who wants to fuck him. Story of Dean’s life.
On the bright side, if Cas doesn’t murder him this could be the solution to their money issues. Dean’s willing to take his chances. They need the money and he can take care of himself if it comes to it.
And if the thought of all Cas’ intense focus being directed at him makes his pants a little tighter it’s nobody’s business but his own.
Dean sighs and pulls his ratty GED preparation book out of his worn duffel. Probably a waste of time at this point but they don’t have internet so it’s this or knocking on Cas’ door. And that ain’t happening. Cas obviously likes having to work for it so Dean will have to wait for him to make the next move.
He really would have liked to have gotten his mouth on that dick, though. Jesus, Winchester, get it together. Dean opens the book on the chapter on geometry with more force than necessary.