~Cas' POV~

Castiel was nervous for the entire ride to the Roadhouse. He clutched his guitar to his chest and took deep breaths to calm himself. This was irrational. He had performed in front of crowds before. But he was still jittery. Cas hoped Dean wouldn't notice.

Dean noticed. "Cas, it's okay. You'll be fine. Do it just like we practiced."

"But what if they don't like it? What if Ellen fires me?"

Dean laughed. "Cas, you're incredibly talented. They'll love you. And Ellen seems scary at first, but she's not so bad once you get to know her. You are going to be fine. You've done this stuff before."

They pulled up into the Roadhouse's parking lot and got out. Grabbing his guitar from the backseat, Dean led Cas in through the back door. People were already there, warming up their voices or drinking water. "Who are they?" Cas whispered, looking around fearfully. "Relax, Cas," said Dean. "They're just other performers."

They ran into Jo, who was checking off names on a clipboard. "Hey, Dean," she said before turning to Castiel. "You must be the new hire. We weren't formally introduced. I'm Jo, Ellen's daughter."

"Castiel," Cas muttered as he shook her hand. "Nice to meet you, Castiel. You're on right after Ruby and her gang. Dean, you're up following his act. Break a leg, both of you." She flashed them a thumbs-up and steered herself away, yelling "You're up next, Kevin!".

"Who's Ruby?" Cas asked, glancing around. "That one," said Dean, pointing at a girl with long dark hair who seemed to be conducting warm ups for a bunch of people. "She's the leader of an a capella group, Lucifer's Angels."

"Oh. That's an ironic name," said Cas as the next performer, a young Asian celloist, took the stage. Cas could hear him as he began to play a slow, sad song. He took deep breaths to calm himself. "Sorry, it's not often I get stage fright."

"It's okay. Happens to the best of us." said Dean. "Just do it like we practiced. A Team, then Yellow. You'll be great."

The a capella group took to the stage. Cas could hear them as they launched into a Twenty One Pilots song. Out of habit, he began to warm up his voice, going up and down the pitches. Dean joined him. Together they stood, experimenting with their vocal cords until Cas heard the applause. Dean clapped him on the back. "Go get 'em, tiger," he said with a wink. Cas felt his heart flutter in his chest, but he pushed his confusing feelings for Dean away. Slowly he mounted the stage.

He stopped in front of the microphone. "Hello. My name is Castiel Novak, and I will be singing a few songs for all of you tonight," he said into it stiffly. Then he cleared his throat and began the opening instrumental of the A Team.

White lips, pale face
Breathing in the snowflakes
Burnt lungs, sour taste
Light's gone, day's end
Struggling to pay rent
Long nights, strange men

He slipped into the rhythm of the song, enjoying the easiness in which his fingers found the right notes. His stage fright faded away. He was doing what he loved, for people who appreciated it; who stayed with him for the duration of the song. It was a new feeling, and Castiel loved it.

And in a pipe she flies to the Motherland
Or sells love to another man
It's too cold outside
For angels to fly
Angels to fly
Ripped gloves, raincoat
Try to swim and stay afloat

He could feel their eyes on him, but he he didn't care. The people faded from his mindview. Cas was in his own world, singing tenderly with all of his heart and soul.

An angel will die
Covered in white
Closed eye
And hoping for a better life
This time, we'll fade out tonight
Straight down the line

Cas took a moment to scan the audience. He could see Jo, manning the front desk, and Charlie, who was beaming at him. Most of the patrons were eating or talking quietly, but a good number were watching him with interest. Who was this strange guy in a trench coat singing Ed Sheeran?

It's too cold outside
For angels to fly
Angels to fly
To fly, fly
For angels to fly, fly, fly
Angels to die

The audience applauded, a dull roar in his ears. Cas smiled, waved, and when the clapping died down, started into his next song.

Look at the stars
Look how they shine for you
And everything you do
Yeah, they were all yellow

The rest of the night was sort of a blur. When he finished, Dean took his place and received a huge round of applause for his songs. Then they ate dinner together (Ellen's pie was excellent) and walked to Dean's car, unconsciously holding hands.

"Did you have fun?" asked Dean, swinging their arms a little. "Yes," Cas mumbled, his other hand deep in the pocket of his trench coat.

"You looked like you did," Dean said as he gazed into Cas' eyes. "Up on stage, you were in your own world, and you looked so happy."

Cas smiled as they reached the Impala. "Same time tomorrow, then?"