After the End

Chapter Nine

All throughout their meal, Dean kept his eyes to his food, and nowhere else. Besides the occasional glance at Charlie when she spoke to him directly, he wanted to make sure he wouldn't look at Cas. He was formulating some kind of apology in his head. Something he could say to Cas when they got home to make this all go away. He couldn't handle going much longer without Cas talking to him. It would drive him absolutely crazy. So while he ate his food, and sometimes talked to Charlie, he came up with what to say to the angel when they got home. He played the conversation over in his head multiple ways, preparing for all the different ways Cas could react to his apology.

    While Dean was deep in thought, he didn't realize his father was right behind him until John put his hand on Dean's shoulder, making him jump. He looked up from his food, meeting his dad's eyes as the older man smiled. "I see you boys found your way here," he said, glancing between Sam and Dean as he talked. "I planned on coming to get you, but I got caught up in some other business. Being in charge of this place, well, it gets pretty hectic," he explained, and Dean really tried to look like he cared, but he was still wrapped up in his own head, trying to work out the kinks in his apology.

    "No big deal," Dean promised, keeping his head down. "Charlie here was a great tour guide," he commented, sparing a teasing glance at his new friend, earning him a sweet smile in return.

    John squeezed Dean's shoulder fondly, a small breathy laugh leaving his lips. "That's Charlie for you," he agreed. "Anyways, I cleared my schedule tomorrow morning so I can give you the full tour of the neighborhood. I'll assign you your jobs, introduce you to some people, take you to see Bobby-"

    "Wait, he's-" Dean started, suddenly very attentive in this conversation. "Bobby is here? He's alive?" he wondered, turning to meet John's gaze, searching those eyes for the answer. John wouldn't joke about that, right? Dean felt a spark of hope in his chest, the kind he should have felt when he saw John for the first time in ten years. Bobby was more of a father figure to Dean than John ever was, and they weren't even blood.

    "It'll be a nice surprise for him too when he sees you boys. Doesn't know you're here yet," John answered, patting Dean on the back before taking a step back. "I've got more business to attend to, but I'll see you in the morning."

    "See you later, dad,'" Sam called from across the table. Dean gave a small wave, trying to ignore the fact that John didn't tell them first thing that Bobby was alive and in the same place as them. Dean would have gone to him immediately, but now he had to wait until tomorrow with that information just swimming around in his head.

    After John was gone, Dean felt himself relax, though he didn't realize he was even that tense until afterwards. When he looked up, he found Cas watching him, that worried look in his eyes. Dean froze, forgetting that he was trying to avoid the guy until they got home. It felt nice to receive some kind of emotion from him other than anger, or just outright being ignored.

    They walked home together the same way, Sam and Cas chatting about books Sam read to pass the time, while Dean and Charlie walked behind them. This time, Jack walked beside Dean, rambling on about all the things he was looking forward to doing now that they were here. Charlie was very helpful in giving Jack even more great ideas, while Dean talked about all the trouble he got into as a young kid, leaving out the parts where John made his life a living hell, of course.

    When they made it back to the house, Dean waved the other three inside, hanging back to talk to Charlie. She hugged them all, promising to talk to them more tomorrow. Once they were all inside, Dean turned to face Charlie, shoving his hands in the pockets of his jacket awkwardly. Charlie grinned, as if she knew exactly what he was up to.