Soldier Boy

Chapter Eleven

John was scheduled to return home soon, and Sam could wait a millennium for his father's return. Sure, he didn't want him hurt, but he didn't want him to return, either.

Sure, when Dad returned home, Dean stayed home more on the weekends, thankfully, but he also became like a robot. All he did was what John told him, barely even hanging out with his friends. Only Dean waited in anticipation for the oldest Winchester's return. All of Dean's friends and even Bobby, Ellen, Jody, and Rufus- Bobby's old friend and a local police detective- hoped that John Winchester's stay at whatever base would be extended once again.

Rufus, Jody, and Ellen helped the boys out when Bobby couldn't, and used to give the boys rides over to Bobby's auto-shop when Dean couldn't drive the Impala yet. Now Dean would drive Sam, Cas, and him over to the auto-shop. Cas typically would help Sam with his homework so Sam could join in helping with the cars sooner. Castiel was usually just content to watch them fix the cars, since Cas knew basically nothing about cars.

Of course, Rufus would come in some days because some police car got banged up in a chase or had something wrong with it. Bobby would fix it for free- unless it was super expensive- and then Rufus would bring in beers for Bobby as a form of payment.

Like today, when Cas was sitting in a chair against the wall, watching Bobby and the boys fix some truck. They were working on the engine, and Dean's shirt was soaked with sweat. Sam's hair was matted to his face, dripping with sweat, and Bobby's face was beaded with perspiration.

A honk was heard, and a glance outside said that it was one of the locals with their old car. Bobby said he'd take it and had Sammy tag along, leaving Dean with the truck in front of him. Finally, after a moment, Dean peeled off his shirt, sick of the sticky material. Castiel's eyes nearly bugged out of his head, watching Dean's muscles bunch and work just under his deliciously tanned skin. It was even harder not to make a sound of appreciation as Dean's jeans hung low on his hips, showing off some of his boxers.

Castiel tried to pull his eyes away, but to no avail.

As Sam and Bobby worked on the other car, Sam kept darting his eyes back to Cas. He found it funny and sad how neither would act on their obvious feelings, but everyone could see how they felt about each other.

"When do you think they'll get together?" Sam asked curiously, looking over to his brother and his brother's best friend.

"Get back to work, boy. If it's meant to be, it'll happen," Bobby growled grumpily, and Sam chuckled and went back to helping fix the car.

Bobby might be a grumpy old cuss, but he respected other people's privacy.

Ash showed up not too long later, this being Ash's actual job outside of school. When Rufus came in with another police car having trouble, Bobby went to work on it while Ash continued helping Sam.

"Hey, Cas! Get me that tool over there," Dean said, pointing to a tool Castiel couldn't recognize, his other hand still meddling with the engine. Cas did as instructed, coming into Dean's personal space to give him the tool and watch him work.

Dean started talking about how the guy had obviously not taken care of his car at all, but Castiel didn't understand what he was saying for two reasons. One- he didn't speak car. Two- he couldn't focus on anything but listening to Dean's voice that sent shivers down Cas's spine.

Cas had known for a long time that he was attracted to his best friend. Cas wasn't gay, he just was attracted to Dean. Cas had a girlfriend at one time- a girl named Meg that had brought out his bad side. Of course, Michael had scared her off not too long into that relationship, but Castiel had cared about her. He'd been attracted to her, definitely.

Dean was the only guy Castiel had ever been attracted to, so he wasn't gay. Just... he liked Dean.

But he couldn't be with Dean. Not even for a moment. Dean was straight and Castiel's family... had issues. No, they couldn't be together, and Castiel was content with being friends. He didn't want to ruin their bond. They'd been best friends since Dean moved in, almost instantly forming a profound bond, and hadn't spent a day apart ever since. Castiel wouldn't lose his best friend.

"Cas? Wanna go for a dinner run with me?" Dean asked, straightening. Castiel, not trusting his voice, nodded. "Good. I'll see what everyone wants," Dean said, putting his shirt back on- shame- and jogging off to ask the others.

After Dean found out what everyone wanted, he climbed into Baby, Cas doing the same, and they drove to the nearby bar and grill, run by Ellen Harvelle. "What can I get for ya, boys?" Ellen asked, smiling and drinking a beer behind the bar.

"House salad with chicken and ranch for Sam, double bacon cheeseburger for me, Ash wants the same, and Bobby wants a bacon cheeseburger. Cas?" Dean said, turning to the slightly shorter, younger boy.

"Uh, bacon cheeseburger," Cas said, shuffling his feet awkwardly.

"Coming right up." Ellen smiled, going back to the kitchen. "Crowley! Order up!" Ellen shouted gruffly to the cook, Crowley, a man with a British accent who had worked for her for years.

"You know, darling, you catch more bees with honey than vinegar," Crowley growled mock-politely, and Ellen narrowed her eyes. Crowley scurried deeper into the kitchen to cook.

Dean chuckled as the middle-aged man hid from the woman who'd been like a mom to him since he had moved in. Ellen was as tough as nails but could be sweet like sugar when she wanted. She also had a heart of gold, raising Ash when she found him wandering through town, homeless, and helping the boys cope with the loss of their mother. Ellen even helped Bobby after he'd lost his wife, though Dean and Sam hadn't witnessed that. Just heard about how bad it got.

Now, Bobby was practically in love with the barkeep, but he refused to make a move. He spent most nights after work here, making conversation with her at the Roadhouse.

Jo came out of the back of the bar and smiled at Dean and Cas, leaning over the bar. "Hey, Cas. Hey grease monkey," Jo joked, looking Dean over, who was covered in grease and sweat.

"Hey, kid," Dean replied, and Jo glared playfully at him. "I'm the same age as you, dork," Jo growled, and Dean laughed.

They talked to Jo while waiting for their food, then left to give it to their recipients once they got the food. Dean mocked Sam about his rabbit food for a bit, and all was right with the world.

Or, at least, their small corner of the world.