Castiel didn't ask for any more details about what my father said and I began to relax and enjoy the trip into town. Alexy preferred boutiques over the more common shops found in malls, but he had taken me here several times throughout the months we had been friends. I noticed with interest how much prettier the usual sites looked with a thin layer of pure white snow on top of them.

I asked how Demon was during the ride and Castiel spent the rest of the drive telling me stories of Demon's latest adventures. It felt so good to laugh and I wondered why Castiel put on such a harsh outer shell towards everyone when it seemed like he was a genuinely good and kind person at his core. The drive took less than fifteen minutes and Castiel was pleased when he found a spot right outside the food court.

"So what are you looking for?" I asked as we walked together towards the mall entrance and I held out one of my gloves to try and catch some of the falling snow

"I'm not sure. We can just wander around until I find something I want," he said with a shrug and I shrugged back in acceptance which caused him to smirk at me in amusement.

As we walked through the doors the sounds and smells of the busy food court, even at 10:30 in the morning, were impressive. I followed Castiel as he weaved his way through the various small tables set up in the eating area and past the many different restaurants. We finally came to the aisle and I looked first left then right, wondering where we should start.

"What is your favorite shop in here?" Castiel asked while unzipping his black jacket, showing off the thin black hoodie he was wearing underneath.

"I like the stuffed animal shop," I answered without hesitation. Castiel laughed and smirked at me, his grey eyes dancing with amusement.

"Why does that not surprise me?" he asked and I shrugged, not seeing any point in lying to him. "Well then, lead on," he said, gesturing towards me and I blinked in surprise.

"You want a stuffed animal?" I asked and he rolled his eyes.

"There's a first time for everything I suppose," he replied noncommittally but shoved my shoulder lightly in a silent prodding for me to take him there so I smiled and turned right.

I took off my gloves and placed them in the pocket of my jacket that did not have my phone in it then unzipped my jacket as well. I was surprisingly comfortable as far as the temperature went, so I left my hat on for now. It didn't take long to get to the store that I always came to see whenever Alexy dragged me to the mall and I looked up at the colorful sign with a smile before walking through the open entrance. The store was one of the smaller-sized ones in the mall, but they had shelves going all the way up the walls displaying stuffed animals, animal-themed blankets, animal hats, and much more. I wandered over to the wall of stuffed animals, ignoring the higher shelves with the supersized toys, and walked along the medium-sized aisle until I found what I was looking for.

"Look, Castiel," I said happily, pulling the black stuffed dog with brown ears and socks from the wall and showing it to him. "Doesn't this look like Demon?" I asked happily and Castiel quirked an eyebrow, not looking convinced.

"Its ears are all floppy. Demon's don't do that," he pointed out and I rolled my eyes.

"I didn't say it was an exact replica," I retorted with a chuckle before lovingly placing it back in its spot.

"How did you know that was there?" he asked, giving the dog a dubious glance before looking back at me.

"This is my favorite store. I've considered buying that before, but it's a little big. I prefer smaller stuffed animals since they fit on the bed better," I said with a shrug, moving on to look at the animal blankets. Castiel followed me as I browsed around, pointing out an item here or there that I thought was cute until we got to the area where the animal-themed hats were.

"What the heck is this thing?" Castiel asked with a grin, pulling down a brown hat with what looked like a bill poking out of the front.

"I think it's a platypus," I replied, picking up a cute ladybug spotted beanie.

"Try it on," Castiel demanded, pushing the platypus hat towards me. 

I glanced down at it in surprise. It was mainly brown with two large white and blue eyes woven into the fabric above a patch of black fabric that stretched over the bill and it had flaps with long tassels that were supposed to keep your ears warm.

"Why?" I asked with a chuckle, thinking that it actually did look pretty cute.

"Because I told you to," Castiel replied as if that were obvious.

I rolled my eyes but pulled my own hat off, handing it to Castiel who took it in trade for the platypus hat. Flipping it upside down I pinched where the flaps met the hat and then pulled it on, letting the flaps fall down past my ears. I was surprised when the hat seemed to fit pretty well. Castiel instantly started to laugh and I placed a hand on my hip but just smiled as he laughed. Unexpectedly, Castiel reached into his pocket and pulled out his cellphone.

"Stick your tongue out at me," he directed with a grin and I blinked, feeling my cheeks warm up.

"What? No," I said, glancing around to make sure the few other customers in the shop hadn't heard.

"Come on, just do it," he wheedled, training his phone on me. 

I glanced around the store again. Looking up at his expectant face though I sighed before looking at the little camera on his phone and sticking my tongue out at it. Castiel tapped his phone and grinned, turning it around to show me the picture. I blinked then laughed at how ridiculous I looked.

"Delete that, that is such a weird picture," I said through my giggles while removing the hat but he pocketed his phone and handed my hat back to me.

"No, I like it," he said with a grin and I shook my head.

"You have weird tastes," I informed him and he chuckled.

"Maybe I do," he agreed, giving me a look that I couldn't quite read before he nodded his head towards the hallway. "I don't think I want to buy anything here though. Let's try somewhere else."

We spent almost two hours wandering through the mall, ducking in and out of shops that seemed interesting and I was surprised at how goofy Castiel was acting. Again I wondered why he put on such a tough guy act if this was his real self. As we visited store after store my morning waffle became a distant memory. I was starting to get hungry but I didn't want to say anything since I hadn't brought my wallet and I didn't want to assume Castiel was planning on buying me anything on this trip.

"Let's head back to the food court, all this walking has made me hungry," he said after he put back the amplifier he had been inspecting in the music store we were perusing.

"Okay," I agreed, grateful that he said something before my stomach growled. 

We walked back to the food court in companionable silence. I was just about to ask what he was in the mood for when a familiar face came into my peripheral vision. Surprised, I stopped and turned just as Amber did the same thing.

"Opal? What are you doing he..." Amber stopped mid-question as Castiel realized that I had stopped and started walking back to me. Her eyes followed him and then she lowered a glare at me. I felt a lump begin to form in my throat. 

"Opal, what's the holdup?" Castiel asked me, not having noticed Amber yet, and I saw her cheeks flush daintily as he followed my gaze and saw her.

"Amber! I told you I was only going to be a minute. If you don't want me to shop with you I'll just go home," a familiar voice called from behind me and I turned to see Nathaniel walking towards us. Nathaniel's expression changed to surprise as he recognized me and then hardened when he saw Castiel standing with me.

"Hey, Opal. What brings you here?" Nathaniel asked, stopping a few feet from us. 

Just as I opened my mouth to answer a rough shoulder connected with mine, causing me to stumble a step forward as Amber flounced past me.

"Oy, princess, watch where you're going," Castiel growled, placing a hand on my shoulder as Amber took her spot next to Nathaniel. Amber's flushed cheeks reddened with anger and she glared at me.

"Why are you two together?" she snapped. 

I brushed Castiel's hand off my shoulder before smiling awkwardly at Nathaniel and Amber.

"Castiel asked for my help to pick something out with the money he won at the talent show," I explained. Both Nathaniel and Amber looked at Castiel, who folded his arms.

"Got a problem with that?" he growled at them both and Amber's glare softened into something almost vulnerable.

"I would have gone if you asked me," she said without her usual bite but Castiel scoffed derisively.

"I didn't ask you for a reason, princess. I have no interest in you whatsoever, I'd prefer to never see you again if I can help it," he said sharply.

Without thought, I smacked Castiel's arm with the back of my hand angrily. He glowered down at me but I watched Amber's face drop and then screw up as if she was trying not to cry from the corner of my eye.

"Castiel, that was going too far," Nathaniel said angrily, standing in front of Amber as if to try and protect her from his cruel words. 

Amber straightened, attempting to mold her expression to something like her normal haughty one. I thought I could see moisture gathering in her eyes though.

"You two go ahead and have fun then. Who cares about you anyway? And I hate your haircut," she sneered before stalking past us and towards the large clothing store behind us.

"Glad to hear," Castiel called after her at the same time as Nathaniel called out her name and started going after her. I held out my hand, catching Nathaniel's jacket sleeve as he passed me. He looked over at me with a mixture of surprise and hurt.

"Wait, Nathaniel, please," I asked and then turned towards Castiel. I frowned lightly at him which he returned with a glower of his own. "That was uncalled for, Castiel," I stated firmly and he spluttered in indignation.

"Do you know how many times I have nicely told her she's not my type? She doesn't get the hint!" he argued angrily and Nathaniel came to stand next to me.

"That was over the top though, Castiel. She wasn't even asking you out," he growled and I was reminded of how defensive Dajan was the other night at the hotel. I was glad that Amber had a brother to stand up for her.

"I said what I thought," Castiel rebutted with an annoyed growl and I took a step closer to him, drawing his eye to me.

"I know you were annoyed that she hasn't given up on you yet, but that just goes to show how much she really cares for you. Even if you don't share her feelings, you should still be respectful of someone who likes you so much," I said as logically as I could. 

Castiel rolled his eyes while stuffing his hands into his pockets. "So what? Do you want me to apologize or something?" he asked angrily.

"If it was sincere I think an apology would be appropriate," I encouraged, trying to remain logical and calm. 

Castiel glared at me, his anger and frustration obvious in his steel grey eyes, but I didn't waver. After a few tense seconds, he expelled a gust of air and brought his hands out of his pockets.

"Fine. Wait for me at the food court," he growled and I smiled with relief up at him.

"Thank you, Castiel," I said happily and he grunted, turning and marching towards the store Amber had disappeared into.

"Did you seriously just convince Castiel to go apologize?" Nathaniel asked with obvious shock in his voice and I turned to look at him with a tired smile.

"He wouldn't have done it if he didn't feel at least a little bad about it. I don't know why he acts so mean sometimes," I said, watching him walk into the store entrance and start to look around.

Slowly I turned towards the food court and wasn't surprised when Nathaniel followed me. We sat together at the first table we came across. 

"So, do you hang out with Castiel like this a lot?" Nathaniel asked and I shook my head.

"Not really. I think this is the first time we've hung out without Demon," I said, relaxing into the metal chair and pulling my feet up so that the heels of my boots could rest on the chair while I wrapped my arms around my legs.

"Demon?" Nathaniel asked and I smiled.

"Castiel's dog; his name is Demon. He is the cutest and sweetest dog I've ever met. I absolutely adore him," I gushed happily and Nathaniel nodded slowly.

"So, how many times have you hung out with Castiel and his dog?" he asked. 

I tilted my head as I thought back. "Mmm. Two or three times I guess. I met Demon for the first time during summer vacation. Auntie took me with her to Coral Bay and when she had meetings I went to the beach. Demon ran away from Castiel but he came up to me when I called for him. We ended up spending the day together," I said, smiling at the memory of first meeting Demon and how I instantly fell in love with the big puppy.

"Do you enjoy spending time with Castiel?" Nathaniel asked. 

I blinked, bringing myself out of my memories to look at Nathaniel and I wondered why he had such a serious look on his face.

"I do," I answered simply. 

I knew that he and Castiel disliked each other and I didn't want to say anything that might cause friction between them, but I also wasn't going to lie just to keep the peace. Nathaniel frowned at my answer and leaned forward.

"Why? You're smart and kind and he's cruel and lazy. Why would you waste your time with him?" he asked, barely containing his obvious anger. 

I looked at him for several minutes, wondering how best to answer him without making him angry.

"Castiel... makes me feel safe," I said after a long pause. Nathaniel blinked mutely making me wonder if that had come as a surprise.

"What do you mean?" he asked with a small frown. 

I hugged my knees closer to me and leaned my chin on top of them as I contemplated how to explain.

"Castiel... has certain qualities that make me relax around him. Like, because I know he's going to tease me no matter what I do, I feel like I don't have to try to be perfect all the time... Does that make sense?" I asked while smiling uncertainly at Nathaniel. He slowly leaned back in his chair, his face going from angry to mildly dubious.

"I'm not sure," he replied carefully and I sighed, leaning back against my chair as well, but keeping my arms wrapped around my legs.

"I'm not sure how else to say it," I apologized, searching for a word to describe why I enjoyed spending time with Castiel. Closing my eyes, I thought back to this morning and how he had been able to banish the numbness that had trapped me since last night. "Maybe... it's his bluntness?" I mused aloud, tilting my head as I inwardly struggled to explain even to myself what it was about Castiel that I found so soothing yet frustrating at the same time.

The sound of a heavy sigh made me open my eyes and glanced over at Nathaniel who was staring down at the ground with his elbows resting on his spread knees and his hands dangling in the open space between his knees. Concerned, I dropped my feet back to the ground and leaned forward, hesitantly reaching a hand out to him but stopping just short of his bowed head.

Slowly he raised his gaze from the floor up to me and I pulled my hand back towards myself. Nathaniel held my gaze for several seconds and I bit my bottom lip, wondering if I'd said something to offend him. 

"So basically he makes you feel special," he summarized in a tired voice. I blinked, feeling heat come up into my cheeks.

"I'm not sure about special..." I muttered, looking awkwardly down at my lap before glancing back up at Nathaniel who was frowning sadly. "Does it bother you that much that we're friends?" I asked him and Nathaniel laughed without humor.

"I don't like the guy, but as long as he isn't treating you poorly then I guess I have no right to say anything else," Nathaniel said, straightening in his seat once more and tugging on the ends of his sweater sleeves to get them back down around his wrists. "It's not like you would stop hanging out with him if I told you I didn't like seeing you together," he said in a voice that was part serious and part inquisitive. I blinked several times before shaking my head slowly.

"I'm sorry," I replied miserably but to my surprise Nathaniel chuckled and smiled at me.

"You don't have to apologize. I was the one being a jerk," he said with an apologetic grimace and I shook my head.

"I don't think you were being a jerk," I protested in surprise and he smiled at me.

"That's good. What happened at the basketball tournament?" Nathaniel asked and I grinned widely.

"We won! The last game was SUPER close, but Dajan made a last second 3-pointer and won it for the team!" I said, bouncing slightly at the happy memory. 

Nathaniel chuckled, prompting me to tell him more. We talked for several minutes about the tournament before I caught a flash of red out of the corner of my eye and I turned to see Castiel walking toward us with an annoyed look on his face.

"How did it go?" I asked, standing as he continued walking towards us.

"I apologized," he reported dully, sticking his hands in his jacket pockets. "And I told her as delicately and respectfully as I could that there is no way I am ever going to go out with her," he said, his words practically dripping with venom but I could tell he was telling the truth and I smiled at him.

"I'm surprised you know the meaning of 'delicate'," Nathaniel commented sarcastically and Castiel leveled a glare at him which Nathaniel returned with a haughty expression. Glancing between the two I sighed, wondering if they would ever learn to get along.

"Maybe if someone taught the little princess the meaning of the word 'No' then this wouldn't have happened," Castiel said with a growl. 

Nathaniel's cheeks flushed, whether from anger or embarrassment though I couldn't tell. Castiel turned his irritated gaze from Nathaniel back to me and I blinked up at him.

"And you. Don't make me do dumb stuff like that again," he said with a growl and I smiled.

"I didn't suggest you apologize; you came up with that on your own. I just said it was a good idea," I pointed out happily. 

Castiel opened his mouth to argue then his eyes widened and he smacked a hand to his forehead, making me laugh. He gave me a rueful look and shook a finger in my face, nearly brushing against my nose.

"Fine, smarty-pants, you got me. But don't expect me to do it again," he said in a mocking tone. 

I raised my hand to try and cover my grin and Castiel smirked at me. Blinking as I remembered that Nathaniel was still there, I turned to see a torn expression on his face. When he noticed me looking he quickly took on a nonchalant expression and I wondered if I had been seeing things.

"Princess said she was going to look for a new purse and that she wanted you to look with her," Castiel said stiffly while taking a step closer to me. When I looked over at him to see why though, he was giving Nathaniel a challenging look. Nathaniel frowned, glancing at me for a second before shrugging and taking a small step backward.

"Thanks," he said, seeming to squeeze the word past his teeth with great effort before waving at me. I returned his wave with a smile and he turned, leaving Castiel and me at the edge of the food court.

"What a pain," Castiel huffed as he watched Nathaniel walk away. Suddenly he clapped his hands onto my shoulders, turned me around, and began pushing me towards the food court.

"Let's eat already, I'm going to lose my appetite if I think about that guy any longer," he complained and I rolled my eyes.