Work Text:
Cas:
He hasn't been human long but he is starting to enjoy it more this time around. Maybe that's the home cooked meals Dean has been making him talking. They hadn't talked about it, it being Cas' confession. But he had suspected they wouldn't so it wasn't something he worried on too much. Life has been nice, the occasional hunt, training the new generation of hunters and just being human.
Tonight Dean wanted to have friends over and drink, Cas wasn't looking forward to the social aspect of it but he loves his family. It's just Jody and Donna anyway. So Cas was in the bunker kitchen preparing by grabbing glasses.
Dean glides in humming a song and stops to watch Cas while he retrieves the last one. Cas idly wonders what about the action could have elicited Dean's small smile he now wears.
"You look so at home, it makes me happy."
"Thank you?" Dean lets out a small chuckle at Cas' confused response.
He doesn't entirely understand what it means when Dean does this. But he's too amused by his happiness and genuine smile to care. Dean places his hand on the small of his back as he shuts the cupboard. He wonders why Dean has been so touch oriented as of late. A hand on his back here and there. It fills him with anticipation and excitement. He's trying not to dwell on it as he would have in the past because Dean knows how he feels now. So there's shouldn't be any reason he would be doing it otherwise. For as cruel as his angry words can be, Dean isn't a cruel person. He wouldn't toy with Cas and he isn't in love with him. Dean is generally a physically affectionate person and they haven't fought or argued since he'd been pulled out of the empty. Dean had given Cas a long hug and refused to let go for far longer than he has before. Sam had told him that this time had affected him more intensely so he's assuming Dean is just letting himself be more affectionate freely. Cas was proud of him for opting to do better by himself.
When Jody and Donna arrive at the bunker it's with booze and burgers and the girls, all of them. Cas nearly gets knocked over by Claire hugging him fiercely.
"You're not allowed to die again. Got it?" She says while she squeezes.
"Got it."
"Good." She let's him go and goes to Dean next whose just been hugging Alex and Patience.
The girls went to binge a show in the Deancave after Dean talked Claire out of inviting herself to drinking. So that leaves the four of them around a library table laughing into their drinks. That's when Jody asks the question.
"So Dean, find anyone to settle with yet?"
"Uh, yeah I, might have my eyes," He flushes when he realizes Cas is watching. "Someone but I'm, kinda chicken shit."
Cas doesn't understand entirely what that means but he catches the blush still on his cheeks and eartips that it's embarrassing to him. He wants to be supportive but that sharp feeling in his stomach won't go away. He remembers how it used to feel more terrifying when he had his grace, now it's just a normal human emotion. He hates every second of it. Being his friend needs to be enough. He swallows the rest of his drink, chasing that feeling away for now. Dean looks at him with a frown.
"Come on Dean," Donna speaks sweetly "anyone would be honored."
"Let's talk later about this."
Dean's eyes briefly linger on his own when he speaks. Cas mirrors Dean's embarrassment. Cas pours himself a new drink and quickly polishes it off. Dean gives him a strange look of concern like he knows exactly what he's thinking and responding in turn. It's unnerving.
*****
Dean:
"What do ya say we do some shots?" Jody suggests.
"I'm game, Cas?"
"I agree."
Dean is lining up the shot glasses while Jody pours them. Cas has been fidgeting since his love life was brought up. Dean wonders if it made him uncomfortable. He really has been planning on talking about it but every time he tries Cas dissappears to talk with Jack. Dean admits his timing sucks ass but at least he's trying his best. Sam has also been in the room way more often than Dean wants him to be. He loves his brother and spending time with him but he wants a moment alone with Cas and he's making that impossible.
They all throw back their shots with practiced precision, even Cas who doesn't have as much experience as the rest of them. Dean watches his throat work with a hunger barely held back. Donna catches him ogling his best friend and let's him see a private knowing smile. He hides his embarrassment in another shot, Cas joins him in taking another. Dean can feel the warmth spreading through his body. Numbing his nerves and sliding down his throat into his waiting stomach. It's a comforting feeling to him. He likes the way the buzz makes his thoughts fuzzy and unclear.
Sam joined them and they've been shooting the shit and laughing for a about half an hour when Cas gets up to use the bathroom and stumbles over himself and falls, right into Dean's open lap. He freezes as Cas looks up at him and hiccups. He's fucked up and Dean can see it in the way his eyes are unfocused.
"Oops." Cas deadpans but Dean knows he means it. "Sorry Dean."
Cas tries to pull himself up when his grip on the table slips and Dean has to place a hand on his waist to keep him from falling off his lap. He's internally losing it.
"Cas, buddy, you okay?"
"I feel great." He smiles, "Better now." He looks Dean up and down.
"Okay, easy there, let's get you to bed, yeah?"
"Fine."
"Sam why don't ya show everyone where they're sleeping while I take care of drunk boy over here."
"Works for me." Sam responds.
"I'm fairly old, boy doesn't seem fitting." Cas chimes in.
"Yeah yeah okay." Dean gives Cas a squeeze. "Let's get you off my lap, yeah?"
"Pity." Dean feels the flush creep up his skin, enhanced by the alcohol.
Dean guides Cas off his lap with a hand on his waist and the other under his arm. Cas stumbles as suspected and Dean stands and places Cas' arm around his shoulders. It feels nice to support his weight against him. The closeness outside of combat is a welcoming feeling. They start to walk towards the rooms.
"Thank you Dean." He whispers into his ear. Dean shivers.
"Anytime. Just be more careful next time, yeah?"
"Yeah."
They stumble slowly in the direction of the rooms. Dean makes a choice come Cas' room and walks them past the door and to his own instead.
"Why did we pass my room."
"Because you're staying in mine tonight. At least."
"You're beautiful, you know that?"
"And you're drunk."
"Yes, I am aware."
"Thank you, Cas."
"Of course, Dean." Cas sighs. "You really are, all of you."
"Easy, I'm not having our first kiss when you're like this."
"Our what?" Cas stops walking.
"Don't worry about it."
"You want to kiss me?"
"Nor are we having this conversation when I'm not even sure you'll remember it."
They keep walking until they reach Dean's room. He opens the door and guides Cas toward the bed. Cas reaches for his button and struggles to make any progress. He tries again and fails. Dean carefully guides him onto the edge of the bed and Cas looks, aroused. Dean knows now is not the right time but fuck if he doesn't want to make Cas forget everything but him right in this moment. With just one look, he's starting to harden. Once Cas is safely sitting on the bed, Dean carefully and slowly undoes the button and zipper. His fingers lightly brush Cas' length, he doesn't mean to, but he finds Cas also has a semi. It takes every bit of self control he has not to make his move now.
"You uh, work on pulling those off and I'll be right back. Don't get hurt while I'm gone. Kay?"
"Okay." He starts removing his pants.
When Dean returns it's with a glass of water and some medicine for the inevitable headache Cas will have in the morning. Cas is sprawled across the bed with his pant hanging off one ankle. Dean tsks quietly. So, his angel is a messy drunk, cute. He saunters over and carefully removes the pants from where they were discarded. He grabs Cas' wrist and hoists him up and Cas wraps his hand around Dean's in turn to make it easier. Once he's upright he looks at the water and smiles softly. Dean wants to melt at the open softness of the expression. He lifts the glass to his lips and Cas drinks carefully. He wraps a hand around Dean and tips the glass back further to chug it.
"Thank you."
"Course man." He doesn't bother to hide the affection in his voice as he says it.
Cas unceremoniously scoots himself to the top of the bed and scrambles to get under the covers. Dean walks around the bed and sets the glass and pills down on the nightstand. Once his hands are free of the items he begins to pull the covers back to let Cas climb into them. Cas hums happily when Dean pulls the bedspread over him and lightly tucks him into it and the sheet that is under it.
Dean moves to take his own pants off and Cas legitimately wolf whistles at him with a goofy grin. Dean rolls his eyes affectionately before pulling them down in one swift move. He then flips the light off and slides into bed next to Cas. He's trying to play it cool that Cas went to the side of the bed Dean has left empty for years without being told which side was Dean's. Maybe he already knows with the large number of times he's seen Dean on his side of the bed yet it fills him with warmth nonetheless. Once settled next to him, Cas nuzzles into Dean's side and lies his head atop his chest. Dean wraps his arm around his shoulders hesitantly at first then decidedly gives his shoulder a squeeze.
Once Dean is certain Cas has fallen asleep, he places a kiss on his temple. "Tomorrow, I'll tell you everything."
*****
Cas
Cas still hasn't gotten used to waking up, the disorienting feeling of becoming aware of one's surroundings. He takes in the darkness of the room and discovers his head is spinning and splitting with pain. It hurts when he moves it. Dean is asleep next to him, snoring. The last thing Cas remembers before drifting off were Dean's soft words and that sweet press of lips against his own temple. He's comforted in the fact that Dean said they'll talk, about it, about everything. At least he hopes that's what he meant. He rests his painful head on Dean's pillow and wraps his arm and body around Dean's own before falling back to sleep.