Welcome Home (Destiel AU)

2. Family

The bell jingled as Dean opened the door to the comic book store. Charlie grinned at him from over the top of her coffee. "Good morning," she hummed.

Dean grunted in response. "How are you?" He murmured hoarsely, hanging up his jacket.

Charlie smiled. "Im fine. I think you should go get your morning coffee at the bakery." She raised one eyebrow.

Dean paused, turning slowly to look at her. "I was going to..." he began, narrowing his eyes. "just like I do everyday." He glared at her suspiciously. "Why do you care?"

Charlie smiled wider yet, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Oh, no reason, I just thought that you would want your morning coffee. On a completely unrelated note, that new shop owner, Castiel, is moving in." She opened up a comic book.

Dean rolled his eyes. "Is this 'Castiel' at all attractive?" He asked tiredly.

Charlie didnt look up from her 'Captain America.' "I hadn't noticed. I suppose that he might be some people's type..."

"Like mine?"

"Perhaps."

Dean smiles despite himself. He shook his head and began walking to the bakery, leaving Charlie grinning like an idiot.

Dean pushed open the door to 'Sweet Tooth,' ignoring the 'sorry, we're closed' sign. Gabe opened early for the other shop owners. The short man smiled from behind the counter, munching on a bagel.

"Deano! Coffee, black, coming straight up," he said, not waiting for Dean's order. He poured the coffee and handed it to Dean. "How was the moose's prom?"

Dean accepted the coffee gratefully. "Great, I think. Sam went to an after party and stayed the night, so I haven't seen since I dropped him off." He took a drink out of the cup. "Charlie said your brother is moving in today?"

Gabriel nodded. "Yeah, little Cassie. He just graduated, so he's putting his major in business and the arts to work."

Dean paid for his coffee, said goodbye to Gabriel, and exited the store. The sun was just starting to rise above the horizon, throwing bright colors across the sky.

Then Dean noticed the man. He was young, about Dean's age, with brown hair and dazzling blue eyes. As he dragged a box off of the moving truck and carried it to the store, his muscles tensed.

Charlie was right, Dean thought. Damn son.

The man returned outside, and Dean started towards him, unable to stop himself. It was as though his feet had a GPS, telling him, "hottie, straight ahead."

Dean extended his hand to the man. "Hey, you're Castiel, right?" he asked.

The man nodded. "Yeah, and you are?"

Dean's heart fluttered. This man had the voice of a god. He cleared his throat. "Dean. I run the comic book store with my friend Charlie."

Castiel smiled warmly. "Hello Dean, it was good to meet you."

Dean flushed and barely managed out a quiet, "Heya Cas."

Cas' POV

Gabriel was right, Cas thought. Damn son.

He was still thinking about the man. Dean. The guy who ran the comic book shop. The guy Gabriel had warned him about.

"Look Cassie, there's this guy named Dean Winchester. He runs the comic book store. You will see him and be like 'Oh shit, I'm hopelessly in love. Woe is me." Please don't go pining after him. I don't think I'm ready for Dean's dirty jokes about my little brother."

Well, Castiel hadn't followed his brother's advice. Dean was really attractive.

Every so often, Cas would look over at the comic store. He couldn't resist. The sun was high in the sky by the time Cas had finished unpacking the moving truck, and he was hungry from the work. He made his way across the street and to the building where he knew Dean would be working.

The shop was cool and dark, with posters plastering the walls and ceiling. Comic books sat on racks and on tables, filling the room. Dean sat behind the counter, manning the cashier. A red head was flirted around the store, helping people find things. Cas assumed that this was Charlie.

Castiel made his way up to the counter and waved at Dean. The green eyes met his, and Dean smiled. "Hey Cas. How are you?"

Cas fidgeted with the edge of his trench coat. "I'm kind of lost, and I was wondering if you would show me a good place to get lunch?"

Cas you liar. Gabriel had shown him around. But then again, Gabriel wasn't Dean.

Dean nodded, handing change to one of his customers. "Yeah, let me call Kevin. He's one of Sam's friends, but he helps out here sometimes."

Cas waited as Dean made the call. The store was filled with books, merchandise, posters, and god knows what else. Charlie bounced from person to person, helping them find what they wanted and giving them her suggestions.

As she led a customer to the other side of the store, she passed by Castiel and grinned. "Hey Cas. Dean has been telling me all about you."

Cas blushed as red as her hair.

"Alright Cas, Kevin's on his way. Let's go to lunch."