Skin to Skin

Chapter 9

Dean slammed the car door much harder than needed and Castiel jumped. He put the car in reverse and sped out of the driveway, when he did the three point turn he burned rubber when he went in drive. Castiel held onto the handle of the passenger door and gripped the center counsel. "Dean?" He touched Dean's shoulder and he shrugged it off. "Do you want me to drive." Dean looked at him and his green eyes were wild with rage, he backed off and just tightened his seatbelt. Castiel wondered if this is something John did before, maybe that's why Dean hadn't been home in so long. This time it was worse though, Dean had Castiel with him and he doesn't exactly look straight. "Dean, I'm sorry." ~*~
Dean did a double take that brought him out of his anger. Why is Castiel saying sorry? "You have no reason to be sorry. None at all, actually I should thank you." Castiel kept going with his apology even if Dean said it was okay. "I don't know if this has happened before with your father, I feel like it has. I feel like it I made it worse by being there because of how I look. I'm sorry." Dean pulled into a gas station, really needing to refill. "Get out of the car." Castiel got out as asked, kind of hesitant about the point Dean might be trying to prove. Dean pressed Castiel against the side of the car with his body, parted his lips with his tongue and kissed him, laced his fingers through sandy hair. "I am not ashamed of you. You stood up for me when I couldn't, or I should say wouldn't, stand up for myself." Dean kissed him again. "This is my hometown, everyone here knows me, knows my family. What am I doing right now?" Castiel swallowed loudly, the closeness making his heart race. "Kissing me in public." Dean nodded and answered softly. "Where everyone can see who I really am. Don't be sorry Castiel," He kissed him again before stepping away to pump gas. "I love you."
Dean finished pumping gas and got back in the car, looking at the beautiful man sitting in his passenger seat. His chest actually kind of hurt because of how happy he was. "Let's get some lunch and take it to a park." Castiel beamed at him and started listing off nice foods for a picnic and Dean kissed him to make him stop talking. "Calm down, " He couldn't believe Castiel was in his twenties, he acted so young, it was refreshing. "I was thinking something fast, like sonic or whatever." "That's fine too, can I get a milkshake? I really like the peanut butter ones." Dean kissed the back of his hand before driving off. "Anything you want." He loved seeing Castiel smile, he feels like Castiel probably didn't do it often before they met. ~*~ Castiel ran to the swings, milkshake in hand. He hadn't gone to an actual park in years and it made him feel like maybe he retained some innocence after everything that's happened. Dean sat in the swing beside him, probably watching the ever-changing emotions play across his face. "You alright?" "Yea, yea I'm fine. Just thinking that parks make me feel innocent again." Castiel smiled while sipping some off his milkshake, kicking his feet a little to make the swing move. It was sunny out, the trees as green as Dean's eyes, the wind blew a cool breeze. It was beautiful at this park. "Hey Dean, if I told you I'm not some perfect person, that I've made a lot of mistakes. Would you still want to be with me?" Dean chuckled, taking a bite of his greasy burger. "Cassy we've all made mistakes. Nothing short of murder could make me not want to be with you." Castiel swallowed the lump developing his throat, his anxiety ebbing back n forth inside of him, he suddenly didn't know if he could finish his milkshake. "I have a grant now for my education but when i first started, I didn't." He looked at Dean willing the man to read his mind so he wouldn't have to say it out loud. Castiel kicked his feet in the dirt, struggling through the emotions of shame and guilt. "I used to do things so I could have money. I needed food, clothes, a place to stay." Dean looked at him, understanding flooding his face.
"What about your family? They couldn't help some?" Castiel sighed, bile rising up his throat. " I don't have family, it's just me. I did what I had to then but I haven't in a year, I promise." He looked at Dean, his anxiety threatening to tear a sob from his throat. Dean smiled at Castiel and hugged him, the chains of their swings getting tangled. "Castiel, it's okay. I understand, I still love you regardless." Dean kissed him and it felt like a bittersweet kiss, his secret was out and he felt like shit. "It's okay."