Stand By Me

Consequences

✞2✞

*Ariel*

Today was the day I get to see Castiel again. There is something about him. He's different I know that. He's blunt and confused at times, but he's also mysterious, which is why I'm attracted to him. His fluffy brown hair looks so soft. When he speaks his gravely voice sends shivers up my spine. He can sound sweet, but also threatening at times. His eyes are what bought me though. Those big, bright blue eyes seem to sparkle and pull you into them. Their like a vast ocean, which I'd be happy to drown in. I've barely spoken to him, but I know we have something between us.

The day after he left the bookstore, I was sure that I looked fresh. I let my brown hair fall loosely in their waves and wore a tight fitted black tank top to enhance the green in my eyes. I wore high waisted white shorts to expose the expanse of my long tan legs. I even managed to put some eyeshadow on and payed more attention to my mascara.

The bell over the store's door jingled that someone was there. I lifted my eyes in hope, but sadly it wasn't Castiel. A young woman walked in and strolled up to the counter.

"Excuse me miss?" The small, petite blonde said.

"Yes?"

"Can you point me to the Nicolas Sparks books please?" I came from around the counter and stood next to her.

"Follow me." I led her to the fiction section and showed her the selection we had. As I was telling her which one my favorite, a tingly sensation started at my core. I knew that once I turn around Castiel is standing inside the front door. I spun around and saw him standing in his usual brown trench coat with a gray shirt underneath. He wore jeans that clashed with his coat, but once his blue eyes met me he got comfortable and took his coat off. I watched as his decent muscles flexed as he slipped the coat off of his shoulders.

"Here, let me take it." I said as I met him. He gingerly handed me his coat and I went and set it behind the counter. Castiel followed me behind the front counter and stood there awkwardly. "Go ahead, have a seat." Slowly, he sat down on one of the few stools we keep back here.

"How are you today Ariel?" His deep voice asked with a hint of a parental tone.

"I'm fine Cas, but you really should relax, I'm not gonna hurt you." I smiled at him and he returned the gesture, revealing his perfect white teeth. I glanced at the clock above the entrance. It currently was 7:30 pm. I smiled because that meant the bookstore would be closing in thirty minutes. I close the bookstore up at night, so that means I can pretty much stay here all night as long as I'm gone before 8:00 in the morning.

The woman from earlier finally made her choice on the book she wanted. She handed me the money for her book. "'Safe Haven' nice choice." I gave her back her purchase and she walked out of the store calmly. "Since I am assistant manager her, that means I can close up early." I gave Cas a smile and he nodded his head at me. I grabbed the store's keys and went and locked the front door. "Come on Castiel, I'll take you to my favorite place." I held out my hand so I could lead him upstairs. He looked at my hand with a weird face. "Oh come on!"

I finally took his hand and pulled him upstairs into the secret room. It's not really a secret, but most people don't know it's here. The room contained two love seats and two rocking chairs. It was painted a deep mocha and smelled like vanilla. When I take a lunch break, this is where I come. Castiel released my hand and started running his hands along the spines of some books. His gentle fingers lightly tapped on the books about supernatural lore on gods and such. His hand stopped on a book about archangels. If I didn't know better his face looked almost angry. Finally, he pulled away from the book and sat down on the love seat with a sigh.

"Are you alright?" I asked.

"Yeah I'm fine, just thinking." Castiel's eyes seemed to roam far away, as if he wasn't even in this room. I went and sat down next to him and placed my hand on his shoulder.

"I want to get to know you Cas, if you need help you can come to me." His eyes met mine solemnly. He looked upset.

"Thank you Ariel, but you should really try to stay away from me." He said sadly, almost making my heart break. I couldn't believe that this man I barely know, can make me feel so much love and respect towards him.

"Why would I do that?"

"You'd stay away from me if you want to live." Castiel bluntly put out.

"Wh-what do you mean?" I stuttered and pulled my hand away from him.

"I don't want you to get caught up in this war that's raging between me and some other people, or get caught up in the one I'm battling myself." He set his face in his hands and shook his head. "I don't know what I'm doing, I better go." Suddenly, he stood up and tried to leave, but I grabbed his arm.

"Stay, I'm going to have a nice time with you. Throughout the rest of this time though, you're not going to mope." I got up and roamed the shelves for a book. I finally settled on a book about a little boy who gets bullied, then becomes famous when he gets older, and instead of getting revenge on those who bullied him, he asked them to apologize and once they did he became friends with them. I sat back down on the love seat and set my feet on Castiel's lap, which he kind of stared at.

"Calm down Cas, they're just feet. Okay, 'young Ryder was bullied as a kid because he was abnormal....'"

In thirty minutes I read Cas the story who in the end had a bunch of ridiculous questions, which I didn't answer. We spent some time laughing and talking, mostly about myself. Castiel never wanted to share his childhood, which I wasn't going to push him to.

"Castiel, it's fiction! It's supposed to teach young kids a lesson!" I told him after he asked if they all became millionaires.

"Okay, okay! No need to yell!" We both broke out into another fit of laughter. All of a sudden a huge, muscular, tall man was standing in front of the love seat we were sitting on.

"What the hell? How'd you get in here? The door is locked!" I said exasperated.

"Uriel." Castiel angrily said.

"Wait you know this burglar?!" I looked at Castiel, but his eyes were glued onto this man named Uriel. "Cas who is he?"

"Who am I?" His blonde hair fell onto his face as he shook his head. "Castiel you're hanging out with her? And, you have no right to talk to me like that girl!" Uriel spat at me.

"Hey, you shouldn't be talking to me like that! I might look small, but I've been known to kick some ass every now and then!" I walked towards Uriel, but Cas got up and grabbed my arm. Heat sparked at where his hand touched me. Uriel barely glanced at me and kept his eyes focused on Castiel.

"Uriel, you shouldn't be here." Castiel said calmly. "Leave, now."

"Brother, you're taking her side now? Why?"

"Hold on!" I shouted. "You're his brother?" Castiel turned to me for a moment.

"Yes, I am. Now if you would please leave now Uriel."

"If the word gets to Rafael that you're hanging out with her, surely everyone will turn on you and I won't be able to help you." Uriel turned his back on us and descended down the stairs. I tried to run after him, but Cas still had me locked by the arm. After I kept tugging he let go. I sprinted down the stairs and looked around, but I didn't see any sign of Uriel. I checked the front door, which was still locked. What the hell is going on here?! I thought. Castiel came running down the stairs and grabbed his trench coat on the counter.

"Where are you going Cas?" I asked.

"I'm sorry, but I really must be going. Now if you'd please unlock the door so I can get out." I threw him the keys and he fumbled around with them before finally unlocking the door. He tossed them back to me and looked at me. "I'm really sorry how this evening turned out, but I'll be sure to tell you what happened in time." And with that, Castiel headed out the door towards his apartment-which he told me is where he's been staying earlier. The whole confrontation with Uriel left me confused. Especially how he got in and out of here. And why did Castiel leave in such a hurry? I only pray he's not in trouble in any way...