Welcome Home (Destiel AU)

4. Star-eyed

Dean couldn't help but stare at the man in front of him. His blue eyes looked like someone had captured the sky and used it just for him. The light dusting of stubble across his jawline made Dean want to cry. He was so busy staring at Castiel that it took him a second to realize that he was talking.

Cas held the glass up to the light suspiciously. "Is this... blood?" he asked worriedly.

Dean cracked a smile. "Nah that's a special creation of Jo's. It's got cherries, cranberries, and pomegranite juice, with a additional red dye." He took a drink. "It's better than you might think."

Castiel took a careful sup and put the drink back down. "That is... interesting. Why all the red?"

Dean sighed tiredly, as though he had asked Jo this question many times. "She says that she likes to imagine that she's drinking the blood of her enemies." he considered the burger for a moment before taking a bite. "This is just the kiddie version. In the evening they serve ones that also have red wine and/or vodka."

Cas smiled slightly. "And in Hell that serve ones that are actually he blood of your enemies."

Dean laughed, his eyes shining. "I guess so. So, Cas, what brings you to Lawrence Kansas? Why would you choose to run an art store?"

Cas shrugged. "I'm a failed artist, but I still love doing it. This allows me to still be part of the art culture. As for why I came to Lawrence, I guess I was just following in my brother's footsteps. " He took a bite out of his burger. "Holy shit this is good!" he moaned, taking another bite.

Dean nodded. "I told you so."

They passed the rest of lunch I'm near silence, both of them too busy stuffing burgers into their faces. When both of them had cleaned their plates, they finally spoke.

"My god, that was amazing," Cas sighed. "I don't think that I've ever had anything quite so delicious."

Dean smiled. "Don't tell your brother that. He stands by the fact that his cinnamon buns are god's gift to men."

When they had finished payin for the food and Ellen had hugged both of them, (and scolded Dean again,) they made their way back to Cas' store-to-be.

"Thank you for showing me around and taking me to lunch," Cas said gratefully.

"No problem. That was fun," Dean grinned, patting Cas on the shoulder. "I'll see you later, Cas." He turned away, but something held him back. "Hey, would you want to go to a movie or something at some point?" He asked nervously.

Cas' face lit up. "Like a date?"

Dean shifted uncomfortably. "Yeah... I guess. So, do you want to? We could go to dinner and a movie, or something like that..." Dean was rambling now.

Cas nodded. "I'd like that very much."

Dean returned to the store, grinning ear to ear. When he entered the store, Kevin made a beeline for him.

"Money?" He asked hopefully.

Dean rolled his eyes, still smiling, and pulled out his wallet. "Ya greedy little shit," he grumbled, handing the boy 10 dollars.

Kevin smiled and left the store, slipping the cash into his pocket.

Charlie sat begin the counter, but when she saw Dean, she hopped up. "What are you smiling about?" She asked suspiciously, walking over to one of the comic book stands to straighten up the merchandise.

The cash register dinged as Dean closed it. "No reason. I just had a very... Enjoyable lunch."

He red head laughed. "I'll bet you did. Ellen called to tell me about you two starry eyed losers."

Dean groaned. "Damn it, Ellen," he muttered under his breath. "We're not starry eyed besides, we just met."

Charlie raised her eyebrows. "You are definitely starry eyed. As for just meeting, what about love at first sight? At least ask him out on a date."

Heat rose to Dean's cheeks. "I kind of did," he said quietly.

Charlie squealed. "Thank god! I don't think that I could handle it if you were all angsty and boring."

At this point the customers were staring. Dean blushed harder than ever and hid his face behind a 'Deadpool' comic book. Charlie snickered.

When 7 o' clock finally rolled around, the store had almost emptied except for a few stragglers, and Dean and Charlie were able to shoo them away without incident. As Dean shut off all the lights, Charlie hopped up onto the counter.

"You owe me a day off," she said, pointing at Dean. "I have covered for you more times than I can count, and Dot and I want to go on a date tomorrow."

Dean put his hands up in surrender. "All right, all right. Have fun ya crazy kids."

Charlie did a double take. "Wait, what? No problem? No bitching about it? Who are you and what have you done to Dean Winchester?"

Dean spread his arms defensively. "I would never do that!" Charlie raised an eyebrow. "Shut up. Besides, I just think that you deserve a day off."

Lies. Dean Winchester was a massive liar. Just two days earlier Dorothy had come to Dean.

Dorothy was going to propose to Charlie Bradbury.