No more

Chapter 1: To walk

"I don't understand" started Castiel. He and Dean were walking down a lonely side street with a couple of shops on either side. It was nice, not to busy, and Cass found comfort in the stroll. Although, he was very concerned. Dean had called with urgency in his voice, so Cass was on guard at every second, waiting for some disaster to occur.
"What is the point of this mission Dean? Where is the danger?"
"There is no danger, man. It's a walk. For, you know, relaxation." Replied Dean.
"Oh." He was confused. "I don't get much time for relaxation, with all of the things going on with heaven and Metatron and the mark of Cain,.." Cass paused as Dean looked at him with disapproving eyes.
"Sorry." Cass said in a hushed voice.
"Come on, don't apologize, this is supposed to be fun! Just you and me, takin a walk down the street, I mean it's San Francisco for cryin out loud! I've wanted to come here ever since I was a kid. I remember dad drove down here on a hunt once but he didn't ever let us get out of the car. I mean I don't get what's so bad about this place anyways."
Four people honked their car horns and directly behind them a TV was thrown out of a window from the 4th floor of some building.
"My point is," Dean began, frustrated from the display of events that had just happened. "that this is time off! No hunting, no screaming, no Fightin with Sammy, just a break."
"Okay Dean. So, what do you want to do?"
"I was thinking we would walk for a bit, maybe get some food, do some window shopping, take in the scenery, you know?"
"You seem to have this very planned. Why did you not invite Sam? He's human, which means he also eats. I'm sure he would have appreciated it."
"Sam doesn't know I'm here. You know how he's been, with this damn thing on my arm he's not letting me out of his sight. After what happened with the book of the dammed getting burned,..."
Cass looked down. He didn't like not telling Dean the truth. Every seconded he thought about it, it made him hurt. Dean continued.
"He's been keepin me under lock and key like a friggin criminal."
"It's not good to lie and deceive your brother Dean."
"Shut up Cass, we're here to have a good time, not to stress me out."
He was right.
They reached a small red door with a fabric patio cover that said, 'best burgers in town!' Dean stopped and inhaled deeply through his nose. He hadn't eaten since yesterday and the scent of that delicious food made his mouth water.
"This is the place. Doesn't that smell delicious?"
"You know I don't eat right. I got my grace back."
"Are you kidding? No srew you your tryin one of these puppies."
Dean stomped inside and and sat at the nearest table. Cass sat across from him, awkwardly positioned so that he seemed taller than he was.
After the waiter brought the food Dean immediately put his elbows on the table and picked up the beefy sandwich. He didn't take a bite, just held it and impatiently looked at Cass who was staring out the window.
"Cass,...the burger." Dean said, clearing his throat.
"Oh, right." He said, picking up the burger and taking a bite. Dean still had his eyes fixed on Cass, who was chewing.
"Well?" Dean asked.
"Oh, um..." He thought for a moment.
"It's like heaven in my mouth." Cass said, a wide grin on his face. Dean did not respond.
"It was a 'joke' Dean."
"Yeah. Hilarious." Dean was unamused, and began eating his own burger. He smiled and looked up at Cass for praise of a good burger place. Cass smiled back.
Castiel took a moment and looked at Dean. But not like a glance, not like the look you give someone you're passing on the street, but a deep meaningful look. Cass looked into his eyes and saw only pain and suffering. Behind that beaten smile he wore on his face there was nothing but sorrow and fear.
How alike they were, both abandoned by their father, both betrayed the ones they love, but both, caring so deeply for the people around them. It was beautiful, in a way.

***

The waiter came and Cass took the bill, the way he always did when he could tell Dean was stressed.
"Come on, let's go." Dean said in a husky voice, grabbing Cass's shoulder and pushing him forward. They left the restaurant and began walking down the sidewalk. The breeze was gentle and as the clock approached noon more and more people started to gather onto the street.
'Many people own dogs here.' Cass thought. Every few minutes another dog would pass buy them and look up at Castiel. He thought this might be because of the angelic presence he was giving off, or perhaps a disturbance caused by the mark of Cain. Sometimes the dogs would whine, other times they would simply bark. It was hard to tell what was causing it.
The two of them walked in and out of shops for hours it felt. Dean didn't want to go back. He new he had such little freedom at the bunker. He just wanted to enjoy the moment.
"Dean?" Cass asked. He was holding a dark blue T-shirt in his hand that said, 'fathers little angel'.
"What do you think of this shirt?"
Dean chuckled for a moment. "That's awesome dude! You should totally get it." He said, humored by the thought of Cass wearing a t-shirt.
Cass returned to looking at the shirt and chuckled as well. 'I suppose it is fairly amusing.' He thought.
Dean's phone began to ring. The screen lit up and read, 'Sam calling'
"Crap." He whispered to himself.
"What is it Dean?" Cass curiously asked.
"It's Sam. I have to answer."
Dean knew he could sneak out, but he hadn't planned on being gone this long. Sam had to have noticed he was gone by now. He answered the phone.
"Sam I can explain,..."
"DEAN. I need you home NOW."
"Woah, Sammy, take it easy. What's wrong what happened?"
"Dean it's CROWLEY. He's coming to find you."
***