// Castiel

He wasn't completely sure if he regretted it or not.

Castiel opened his eyes when he smelled the bacon and heard his stomach growl in anticipation. He glanced at the red numbers of the clock staring at him on the nightstand.

12:56

Castiel groans and does his best to go back to sleep, but his stomach and the smells from the kitchen just wouldn't let him. So he sits up and yawns extremely loudly. He stretches as well as he can and just kinds sits there, trying to collect himself for the day.

"Dean, is that all for Cas?" He hears Sam say.

"Yes. So grab some left over pizza from the fridge." Dean replies and Sam groans. Dean laughs loudly and tells him he was only joking.

"So...what's with you and Cas anyway?" Sam asked, taking a bite of something. Castiel does his best to listen to the hushed voices. There's silence for a really long time before Dean sighs and silence falls again. Cas isn't sure what happened in the kitchen. He rubs his eyes and gets up from the bed, earning a small creaking noise from the furniture. He hears Dean shush Sam. He puts on the old slippers Sam let him borrow and slowly makes his way into the kitchen and smiles sleepily at the two boys.

"Good morning, Sam, Dean." He says, taking in the smells that are now stronger. He sees Dean making bacon and there's a stack of pancakes next to him.

"Morning, Cas!" Sam flashes a toothy smile in return and takes another bite of what Cas now sees is toast and not pizza. Dean grunts in response and focuses on the bacon.

Castiel goes into the restroom and washes up before coming back out, feeling more awake and refreshed. He wished he could have taken a shower (ever since he took one with the water pressure the Winchester's had, he just wanted to stay there all the time), but it was pretty late and he was afraid Dean might scold him.

Dean had set the table and had the pancakes in the middle, a small plate of bacon next to them.

"Dig in." Dean says, smiling at Cas. Castiel looks at him and shakes his head, turning to Sam.

"This can't all be for me!" The Winchesters only nod and motion for Cas to sit. He complies and Dean quickly begins setting eggs and bacon and pancakes on his plate and Sam just sort of watched the exchange of food happening before him.

"Please Dean, give Sam some- and you eat too." Cas whispers. After several moments of arguing, Dean ends up giving Sam almost all the pancakes and he ends up with the bacon. They sit quietly and eat their food. Castiel does his best to ignore the butterflies forming in his stomach. He managed to sort of trap them in a corner.

"So Cas, you excited for today?" Sam asked, smiling up at him, taking another bite of the pancake.

Castiel looked up at him, slowly chewing on some eggs. He must have seemed confused because Dean smiled and continued for his brother.

"Your job interview." He said. The butterflies escaped their trap and practically flew out his mouth. He chocked on his eggs.

Dean quickly stood up and began slapping his back. Castiel coughed a few more times before laying his head down on the table.

"You good?" He was asked this several times before he lifted his head and sighed.

"I'm nervous." He whispered.

Sam laughed.

"Don't worry! I'm sure you'll do great! Dean told me that you called the company yesterday and the offered the interview, so I think you've got a really good shot." He said stealing some bacon of Dean's bacon.

Castiel bit the inside of his cheek and smiled. Sam was right. If they offered the interview, that means he had a chance. He breathed deeply and continued eating his breakfast.

After they finished the Winchesters ushered Cas away to dress in his best outfit.

Castiel didn't have many options.

So Dean had to lend him some of his old clothes. He let him wear a black t-shirt ((black is the only acceptable color)) and a button-up to put over it; "leave it open," Dean said. He wore a pair of dark jeans- those were his own.

Not the fanciest outfit that was put together but Dean didn't really own anything fancy. Sam clothes probably wouldn't fit Cas anyway.

1:45

"Come on Cas, you're gonna be late." Dean grabbed his hand, his keys and ran to the door.

"Good luck!" Sam called behind him- Castiel thanked him many times.

+

2:07

"You ready?" Dean asked quietly, placing a hand on Cas' knee. Castiel looked out the car window at the tall, gray building in front of them. He tightened his grip on his portfolio. He was already late.

It wasn't until Dean moved his hand to touch his arm that Cas realized he was shaking.

"Hey, look at me." Dean instructed. Castiel looked up at him and bit the inside of his cheek. Dean narrowed his eyes and smiles.

"You'll do great! Go kick some ass, baby." He said, quickly kissing him and turning him around. Castiel felt his cheeks heat up but he composed himself and walked into the building, leaving Dean there outside. He walked passed the glass doors and took in the sight of people in formal attire. Different colored ties and dresses.

Castiel felt underdressed.

He walked up to the receptionists desk and smiled at the woman with the long black hair. Her bangs covered her entire forehead and she was filing her nails as she spoke into the headpiece she wore.

"Yes...mhm. Yes sir.  No sir....he's busy." And she was done talking, so Castiel awkwardly cleared his throat.

"Excuse me?" He asked, but she continued to file her nails. So he tried again and no response. Castiel cleared his throat loudly and she finally looked up at him.

"Can I help you?" She asked quite loudly, smacking her lips. Castiel gulped and smiled at her. He felt smaller here. Everyone had turned to look at them. People had begun to eye him up and down. They were whispering. Castiel just wanted to cower away.

"I- I have an appointment with Mr. Avery?" He said. She narrowed her eyes at him and dialed on her phone.

"What's your name?"

"Uh, Castiel."

"Mr. Avery, there's a Castiel here to see you." She spoke into her mouthpiece. Castiel put his wait on the heels of his feet and puffed air into one of his cheeks making it a bubble. He used the folder he had to fan himself quickly.

A woman in a tight black dress walked by him and glared at him.

Why do they have to look so formal? I thought this was just simple art for albums...

"Mr. Avery will see you now. He is on the 48th floor. Here you'll need this to get in." She said and handed a blank badge to him, but before Cas asked for directions on how to find his office, the phone rang and she was busy again.

Castiel sighed and headed for the elevator. He clicked the 48th button and prayed no one else walked in when a man and woman walked in.

Castiel immediately wanted to crawl into a hole and die. Elevator rides were one of the most awkward places to be with someone.

The man stood at the very door of the elevator while the woman smiled at Cas and stood by the left wall. She looked familiar.

Apparently, she thought Cas looked familiar as well because she was looking at him with that look. You know which one.

The man got off on the 14th floor and finally, the woman spoke.

"I know you." She said, placing a finger on her chin. She kept nodding her head, causing her wavy brown hair to bounce before exclaiming in delight.

"You're the painter guy from the other day!"

Oh. Ohhh.

"Hannah?" Cas gasped in realization.

"The one and only." She laughed and hugged him. "Thank you so much for the art! They really gave my apartment the perfect feeling. What are you doing here anyway?"

"Ah, I'm here for a job interview with Mr. Avery." Cas smiled.

"Mr. Avery? Well good luck getting that job! And if you do get it, good luck trying not to get fired." She said.

"What do you mean?" He asked.

"I don't know much about him, but he doesn't usually take in many people, and when he does he always ends up firing them or they quit."

"You don't work with him?"

"Oh, no! I work in fashion. Floor 30." The elevator dinged. "Well I better go. Feel free to visit anytime! Good luck with the interview!" She smiled and hugged him once more before stepping out into the room.

Castiel managed to catch a glimpse of a few people and they were not dressed as formally as they were in the lobby.

He was alone on the elevator now.

He watched the numbers on the small screen go by. 36...37...38

His palms were sweating. He took deep breaths and counted to ten multiple times to try and relax.

45...46...47

Castiel opened his eyes as the elevator slowed down.

48

There was a ding and the doors opened. Castiel stepped out the elevator and took in the sight of the hallway he was in. It wasn't crowded at all. There was only one other elevator across from him. The walls were white with a gold lining and there were plants on every corner. Cas realized he was closed in. There was a set of tall glass doors with a key pad next to it, it's light red.

He quickly pulled out the badge he was given and held it in front of the pad. The red light went green and Castiel was able to push the door open.

Outside the sets of doors was another reception. A couch, another plant,  coffee table and a tv on the wall that was off.

Castiel walked up to the woman at the desk who was typing away on her computer.

"Excuse me?" He asked. The woman had a tight pony tail, winged eyeliner and dark red lipstick. She looked up at him and Castiel knew that if looks could kill, this look could send him to hell and back.

And then she spoke.

"Hi! How may I help you?" She asked in a cheerful voice and Castiel was taken back. He sighed in relief and smiled at her.

"I have a meeting with Mr. Avery? I'm his 2:00."

The woman- Charlotte - smiled widely and picked up her phone, dialing a few numbers and waiting.

"Mr. Avery, there's a man here waiting fo- " she was silent. "Yes sir- " she looked up at Cas nervously. "Y-Yes sir...I'm almost done with the archives- no sir...yes, sir."

She quickly hung up and took a deep breath. She smiled at him again, "Go down this hall, take a right and he'll be the last door on the left."

"Thank you." Cas smiled and thanked her, following her directions. He wondered what had made her seem nervous. But he didn't think about it too much before he was at a large wooden door, closed, no window, just a gold door knob. There was a name at the top.

'Frank Avery' with braille underneath it. Castiel took a deep breath and pressed his portfolio close to his chest before quietly knocking on the door.

"Come in!"

Castiel took one more deep breath and slowly opened the door. The office itself was pretty big. There was a large bookshelf across the wall with many pictures and little office decorations. The carpet was a light cream color and there were plenty of binders and stacks of papers on small counters and on the floor. At the end of the room, there was a large computer atop a black, glass desk, there were more papers and pencil holders on the desk. Across from that one was a medium size version of the same desk- messy papers everywhere. Did this guy ever clean?

Mr. Avery was typing at the computer. Castiel awkwardly stood at the doorway until Mr. Avery peeked from behind the monitor.

"Don't be shy! I won't bite!" He said, smiling an incredibly white smile. Castiel hesitated and walked inside.

"Would you mind closing the door?" Mr. Avery asked, going back to his computer. "There's having a party in the board room across the hall. Too much noise."

Castiel went back and closed the door.

He didn't hear any noise.

In fact, he hadn't really seen anyone apart from a few people and Charlotte.

He stood awkwardly at the door again and Mr. Avery finally stood up. He was a tall man with dirty blond hair and a fair amount of stubble on his face. He was in a dark blue suit. Deep brown eyes and he was smiling at Cas. He was a fairly attractive man. Castiel wondered why he didn't pay much attention to him when they had first met.

He gave Cas a once over before outstretching his hand towards him.

"Frank Avery." He said, smiling. He had a deep southern accent.

Castiel took his hand a shook it firmly. "Castiel Novak. Sorry I'm late."

Mr. Avery smirked. "Oh don't worry! Pleasure to meet you. That's a great grip you have."

Castiel immediately let go of his hand. He scratched the back of his neck and stared at the floor.

"Let's get started with the interview, eh?" He motioned for Cas to sit down on a random chair as he sat on his own.

"So...I just have a few questions for you." He smiled, crossing his legs.

Castiel nodded, motioning for him to continue.

"How long have you been in the art industry?"

Castiel bit the inside of his cheek. "I actually...um- I don't really have any experience in a company."

Mr. Avery raised an eyebrow. "How long have you been into art?"

"Oh, all my life, sir!" Cas said, thankful that he wasn't asked anything else off of the first question.

"Why are you interested in working here?"

Castiel laughed. "You um- gave me your card. I realized I needed a job."

He was really bad at this whole interview thing. Mr. Avery didn't look very pleased with his short answers.

"I- I have a portfolio that I would like you to look at! If you want..." Cas said, extending the folder towards the other man.

He smiled kindly and took the folder, reaching out far enough that his fingers brushed Castiel's knuckles.

He sat the folder in his lap and opened it, going through the different art projects. Most of them were rough sketches but others were the full acrylic or water paint works.

Castiel fumbled with his fingers nervously as Mr. Avery eyed each and everyone of his pieces. He was slowly nodding and narrowing his eyes at certain things.

"Do you get inspiration from the real world, or do these just come to you naturally?" He asked, not looking up from a page that was covered in different poses of Dean.

Crap. Dean.

"Um, I get most of my inspiration from the real world. I do try to do things from the top of my head of course, but I'm used to going out and seeing something first." Cas said. "I can get the details just right." He mumbled looking at the freckles he had placed on one of the Dean sketches.

Mr. Avery slowly nodded and turned to the last page where he raised his eyebrow again in amusement. "Are you also a photographer?" He asked.

"Pardon?" Cas asked in confusion. He looked at the folder and found that Mr. Avery was looking at a two photographs. One of the city and people hurrying by, and another of Dean and himself- the sort of selfie that they had taken when Cas had met Mr. Avery.

"Ah! No! Those were taken by my... " Cas hesitated. "My...friend..."

The other man looked up at him and chuckled and closed the folder. "I might also have to recruit him." He joked.

Castiel laughed awkwardly and took back the folder, the man's fingertips touching his own.

"Well, Castiel, I think that's all for this interview. I'll gather with some more people and have my secretary call you soon." He said standing. Castiel also stood and shook his hand.

"Thank you for having me." Cas smiled.

"I'll walk you to the door."

It's literally right there. "Uh, okay."

Mr. Avery walked him to the door, opening it for him and smiling. "I will hopefully see you soon- working here I mean."

Castiel gave him another awkward smile. "Likewise. Thank you again for having me."

"Thank you for coming." He said as Cas stepped out. He watched Cas walk away and finally closed his door.

Castiel ran to the receptionist room as fast as he could.

"How did it go?" Charlotte asked.

"I'm not sure." Cas said. "Good I think." He used his badge to open the glass doors and stepped into the elevator hall, bidding farewell to the receptionist.

He went back to the lobby and as he was walking out, past all the disapproving looks of the fancy-clothed people when a thought came to him.

How the hell was he going to get home? He didn't know how long the interview was going to last and he didn't tell Dean when to pick him up! He didn't even have a cellphone to call him on! Crap.

Castiel considered asking some of the people for their phone to call but 1) Castiel did not have the courage for that. And 2) he didn't know Dean's number by heart.

So Cas was left with going outside to wait for Dean to show up.

Only when he got there, Dean's car was parked outside and Dean was leaning on the passengers side, sunglasses and leather jacket on and he just ugh why was he so attractive.

When Dean noticed Cas walking out, he pushed the glasses to the top of his head and smiled widely.

"Cas!" He called, running up to him. Castiel waved at him but was pulled into a tight hug.

Cas laughed and returned the hug, breathing in his scent, remembering his conversation with Mr. Avery.

Those were taken by my... my...friend...

Dean pulled away and placed his hands on Cas' shoulders, smiling down at him like the proudest person in the world.

"How'd it go?" He asked.

Cas sighed. "I think it went well- it was pretty fast. He didn't ask much." He looked up at Dean and reGReTtEd it because the sun was shining onto Dean's face so perfectly, making his freckles stand out and his eyes sparkle.

"Were you here waiting the whole time?" Cas asked.

Dean scoffed. "Of course not!" He laughed nervously. "I totally went somewhere else. Pfft."

Cas bitch-faced him and placed his hands on his hips.

"Don't do that. You look cute doing that." Dean said, poking his nose, taking his hand and dragging them back to the car. "I actually did go somewhere though. I got us some lunch!"

"Dean, you didn't have to."

"Yes, Cas I do. You're my... " he stopped. "Anyway, you must be tired from the interview, so don't complain about lunch."

Cas smiled at him and got inside the car. Dean had to bags, he placed one in Cas' lap and kept the other in his.

"Ellen made these." Dean said, starting the car. "You're favorite."

Castiel's eyes sparkled. "Thank you!" He gasped.

Dean laughed and drove away.

They exchanged secret glances at each other when the other wasn't looking. Somewhere along the line, they ended up holding hands again and they had their burgers at the park where they met.

Cliché but hey, it was the only park they knew.

More kisses were exchanged there and neither of them knew what to call this.

Hope you liked it! It took me a whole week to write. This chapter was a jumbling mess but it's all I could come up with and I'm trying to get back on track of updating frequently so yeah. Sorry for any hiccups!

Thank you for reading!

Love you!

{ Ana }