Peppermint.

Snowed in.

Castiel heaved a small sigh as he looked out his window, seeing the snow continue to pile up. He lived in a small condo, as he had no use for the extra living space, since it was just him. But the small home was cosy. It had a fair sized kitchen, that connected to the living room. Just down the hall, where the bathroom and the room in which he slept.

His mind wandered slowly, as his eyes followed, his gaze moving around his house. Without warning, his eyes snapped back to the window he was standing in front of. He still wore his trench coat, over his suit jacket, white shirt and tie. It had become his look.

Looking around the neighbourhood, he took in the familiar surroundings. He had never really gotten to know anyone else in the community, there was no need, he didn't quite talk to anyone anyway.

He tilted his head softly, staring out the window. Slowly, he decided he recognized a moving figure. Why would someone be out in this kind of weather? He wondered, his brow furrowing with thought as he watched quietly. With a small huff of breath, he turned back to his home, deciding to wait for the snow storm to end.

He began to walk back to his room, deciding to get some sleep. He was only beginning to get used to being human. Sleep was foreign to him, an activity he still didn't quite understand. Though his needs caved him, and he laid down on his bed, closing his eyes. Progressively, he began to drift into sleep. He still didn't dream though, which marvelled him.

Hours later, though what seemed like moments later, he opened his eyes to the sound of scraping by his front door. He made an attempt to blink the sleep from his eyes, giving a soft grunt as he sat up. By the view from his window, he guessed it was about three in the afternoon, but that it had also stopped snowing.

Thanking the lord quietly, he got out of his bed. A feeling of confusion we washed over him at the stiffness of his limbs, before he recalled that he had to stretch. Lifting his arms above his head, he stretched them before leaning back for his back and lastly stretching out his legs.

Since that was cleared up, it brought him back to another thought. What had been that scraping by his front door? Carefully, he made his way out of his room. His half asleep state caused him to nearly walk into the door frame, though he recovered himself and stepped to the window that gave him a view of his front yard.

He could now see far more clearly, due to the snow having stopped. But his driveway didn't seem as snowy as other people's, which he took notice of. Cautiously looking around, he searched for the reason. Maybe trees leaving over it, stopping the snow or something. He guessed. Until he saw someone with a shovel, finishing off the end of his driveway.

Instantly, he guessed it had been the person he'd seen hours before, shovelling during the snowfall. He hesitated, multiple options running through his mind. He could just leave it, and not thank him. Or he could.

Thanking him seemed like the much more humanly option, but it was also kinder. He paced over to the door, his footsteps almost silent in his socks. Calmly, he slipped on his boots. He'd found out the hard way that dress shoes didn't work well in the snow when he'd gotten home one day with soaking wet feet and cold socks.

He didn't bother pull a coat on, since he still wore his trench coat. It would keep him warm enough. He decided as he opened the door and stepped out. Meticulously, he stepped down the driveway, nearing the unfamiliar figure. He was sure he knew him from somewhere, most likely from around the neighbourhood, but they'd never spoken.

Once he was close enough, he stopped. Keeping a good distance in between them incase it made the human uncomfortable.

"Hello."

He spoke calmly, his deep voice finally shaking off the effects of sleep. The man spun around, the shovel ready as a weapon had it been needed. Castiel had been right, any closer and he would've likely gotten the shovel in some unpleasant way.

"Jesus, you scared me."

The man huffed, taking a few deep breaths. His breath came out in puffs in the cold air, causing Castiel to watch the air instead of the man.

"I'm not Jesus."

Cas stated, his eyes slightly blank as he looked over the man. He wore a large winter coat with worn out jeans as pants. The musty leather jacket poked out from beneath the jacket, though barely noticeable. He had bright green eyes, that caused Castiel's breath to hitch slightly in his throat. Though he was clean shaven and muscular.

"I- that's not what I meant. It's a figure of speech."

The man explained, shaking his head a bit. It took Castiel a moment, but he recalled the meaning of 'figure of speech' and understood what the man had been saying.

"I'm sorry for scaring you."

He spoke bluntly, his baby blue eyes still seemingly blank. The man nodded softly, his heart rate having finally slowed back to a normal pace.

"Don't worry about it. I'm Dean, by the way."

The man, or Dean, introduced himself finally. Castiel blinked in thought. He knew he'd heard that name somewhere before. But he just couldn't place it.

"I'm Castiel."

He replied back, deciding to follow suit. He had nearly forgotten what he'd gone out there for. Before Dean had another chance to speak, Castiel spoke once more.

"Thank you. For shovelling my driveway. Would you like to come over for dinner?"

He offered, hoping Dean would take him up on it. He seemed to enjoy the company of this man, though he hadn't known him for long. Dean chuckled softly, nodding a bit.

"You're welcome. But thank you, I'd love to come."

He decided briefly, a feeling of relief washed over Castiel. Though new anxiety replaced it. He would have to go put something together, on his own. He was only just getting used to cooking for himself. Let alone other people.

"Thank you. Around six, I suppose?"

Castiel finally asked, earning a small nod from Dean as he finished off the driveway.

"I'll see you then."

Dean smiled warmly at him before he walked off to begin and finish other driveways. Castiel exhaled a breath in relief and worry. This would be interesting.