Cas texted Dean the next day, just to talk. They hadn't known each other for that long, but Cas still felt like he never had before when he talked with Dean. They continued texting each other a lot over the next few weeks and Cas quickly started to consider Dean his best friend.

One day, when Aaron was at work, Dean asked Cas if he wanted to hang out for the day. Cas agreed and Dean said he'd pick Cas up.

"So where are we going?" Cas asked as he got into Dean's car not long after.

"Where do you want to go?" Dean asked in return. Cas blinked.

"What?" He asked.

"Where do you want to go? It isn't a trick question, Cas," Dean said, smiling. Cas thought for a second.

"Could we maybe... go to the zoo?" He asked timidly, afraid Dean was going to laugh at him, or worse. Dean just grinned and he shook his head.

"I should've known. You are such a zoo guy," he said. 

***

When they got inside the zoo, Cas instantly started rushing for the animals. Cas and Dean acted very much like any other little kid with their loving parent, except that they were both twenty-five. When they found the Red Pandas, Cas was ecstatic.

"Look, Dean! Aren't they cute?" Cas grinned.

"Yeah, adorable," Dean said. Cas sat there and watched the Red Pandas for ages before he moved on. By the time he had, he had named them and given them jobs and favorite colors.

Cas loved all of the animals, especially the big cats. It felt like they must have spent hours watching them.

As they were leaving, Dean said he had to go to the bathroom, so Cas waited by the monkeys as he did so. Cas wasn't there long when someone spoke behind him.

"Castiel." He jumped at hearing his full name, and turned around, seeing, as he had known he would, his sister Naomi.

"S-S-S-"

"You still have not overcome your stutter, I see," Naomi said. Cas ducked his head in shame. "Your family has almost gotten over your loss. I won't tell them that I've seen you, of course, it is better to not open old wounds. Especially Gabriel. He almost liked you, Castiel." Cas still didn't say anything. He was starting to shake. "Where did your little faggot protector go? Aaron, was it? Shameful that such a man be named after a great leader of Israel. I almost feel sorry for you, Castiel, that you left your family for someone who doesn't truly love you. But remember," Naomi stepped close to Cas, he could feel her breath, "if you ever repent, I am willing to help you. I can still fix you, Castiel." She spoke softly. Cas took a step back and Naomi turned and walked away. Cas heard Dean calling his name from far off, but he couldn't respond. He was shaking badly now, tears began to rush down his cheeks, and suddenly he rushed to the trash can a few steps away and vomited into it.

***

Once Cas had gotten himself mostly under control, with Dean hovering around him, worried, he wiped his face and looked around at Dean.

"Cas are you okay?" Dean asked.

"I- I- th-think so," Cas said, standing up and walking back towards the entrance.

"What happened? Who was that?" Dean asked.

"My sister Naomi. Please take me home, Dean. I'll tell you. I'll tell you everything, just not here. Take me home," Cas said. Dean agreed, and when they got back to Cas and Aaron's apartment, Cas began his story.