The Footman

1.2

April, 1913

"Dean, are you actually going to use that footman of yours or not?" John demanded over afternoon tea. Dean didn't really like flavored water much. He preferred coffee that was black as the night and made his tastebuds dull.

Dean chewed on the question for a moment, thinking of the possibility choices. "Yes, father. I will be needing the services of my," he paused. "My footman tonight and from now on."

"Well don't tell me that! Tell him." John took a sip at his tea. "Oh, tonight for dinner, Robert is coming to dinner with Karen."

Dean smiled. He was always very fond of Robert, who Sam and he called "Uncle Bobby." He owned an auto business that did quiet well. Karen was his wife and they were madly in love with one another.

Jessica entered the room with a spring in her step. "What was that, John?"

"Robert and Karen Singer are coming for dinner, tonight. I want you and Samuel on your best behavior. I don't want any funny business." John looked at Jess sternly.

"Oh, I love Bobby! He is such a character. And that wife of his, Karen, she is just an angel. Oh, I am terribly excited now!" Jessica playfully batted her eyelashes at John.

The father rolled his eyes and drank his tea. Jessica sat next to Dean, sipping at her own tea that was brought to her by Zachariah. She flipped through some of Dean's sketches lazily. Dean had ripped the sketches of Castiel out and hid them in his pocket so no one would see them.

"These are good, Dean. Have you ever considered being an artist?" Jess looked up from the pencil artwork.

Dean eyed his father, "No, I haven't. I enjoy my work now. Drawing is just a hobby." He smiled a little, looking over at his work.

The day rolled by slowly and soon enough it was dinner time in the Winchester home.

"Bobby! How have you been? How's the business?" Sam hugged the greying haired man.

"I don't wanna talk about work. This is dinner, not a board meeting, boy." He replied.

Sam hugged Karen who chuckled at her husband. "Oh, Sam, don't mind him. He gets grumpy when he's hungry."

Bobby sent a look her way.

"He's grump all the time." Dean noted aloud. Bobby glared at him as he sat down next to him.

"You better keep your mouth shut, boy." Bobby grunted id'jit under his breath as he got comfortable. Dean smiled. He knew Bobby was just a grumpy old man and he knew he loved Dean. Bobby was more like his second father and even if he didn't show it, Dean knew he loved him and Sam.

Dinner went along smoothly. Jess was witty and didn't have an end to her supply of things to talk about. Dean kept mostly quiet unlike the rest of them. He laughed along and put in his own input from time to time, but his mind hadn't pulled away from Castiel and his lips and his eyes and the way he looked at him in the garden.

And of course, Castiel had to lean over with a platter of chicken and make that quick eye contact Dean was starting to love.

After dinner, the man made their way into the study and were greeted by whiskey. John and Bobby talked business, with John still refusing to not call him Robert. Sam and Dean stayed on the borders, nodding and acting like they really cared.

"I just bought a new car," Bobby said after a long talk about money. "1910 Schacht Roadster. From Cincinnati. She's a real beauty."

John nodded respectfully, "I heard those Schachts are quiet beautiful. What color is she?"

"Red." Bobby said proudly. Dean quickly lost interest. He couldn't recall back to it later in the night. Dean could only think about was what if he had leaned in to Castiel. What if they had kissed? Would Castiel have kissed back with the same lust Dean felt? How would Castiel kiss? Slow and smooth? Or hard and pressuring? Dean's insides tingled and his fingers felt like stars had pricked them.

"Dean? Dean? You feeling well?" Sam asked quietly.

"Huh? Oh, yeah. I'm fine. Just tired." Dean reassured his younger brother.

Bobby and Karen bid their farewells when it was 23:12 and both were certainly a little tipsy, but all around glowing with warmth and the happiness from family. Before they departed, Bobby grabbed Dean's arm and brought him close.

"I hope you know what you're doing with that footman, boy. Be careful." Bobby said quiet enough for just Dean to hear. Dean's breathing stopped and his eyes widened. Bobby looked him straight into his green eye and nodded solemnly. He patted him on the back and left with his wife holding his arm. Their chauffeur drove them back home in their shiny new automobile, leaving Dean feeling exposed and vulnerable.

"Dean, you sure you're all right?" Sam scowled at his big brother.

Dean shook himself out of it and smiled, "Yeah, yeah. I think it's time for bed. Goodnight." He bid farewell and went up the stairs. Before he made it far, Castiel stopped him.

"Master Dean, will you be needing my assistance tonight?" Castiel said from the first floor.

Dean looked down, "Yes, you are my footman, aren't you?"