In Over His Head

Chapter 6

It took a few days before you were finally able to look at Castiel again and not blush. You still had a job to do and you couldn't let your growing feelings for Castiel interfere with how you cared for Claire. You couldn't let it affect her. You didn't know that Claire really did see everything as well as hear it. You found out one day when you were driving her home from school.

"Do you like Uncle Cas, Y/N?" You gazed at her through the rearview. "What do you mean? Of course I like your uncle. He's nice." Claire's brows furrowed. "No. Do you like him the way mommies like daddies?" she asked as you pulled into the driveway. You nearly slammed on the brakes. Once the car was in park, you turned to look at the girl. Her eyes were full of innocence and confusion. "Y/N? Did I say something wrong?" You shook your head. "No, Claire. Let's just get inside and get you a snack, okay?" Claire smiled and hopped out of the car, temporarily forgetting her question. You sighed, grateful for the distraction.

Castiel returned home early that day, ready for the three day weekend. When he opened the door, he heard the sound of your voice coming from the kitchen. "Claire, this really isn't an appropriate conversation," you were saying and you sounded exasperated. Castiel made his way into the room. Claire was pouting and you looked upset about something.

"Is everything alright?" he asked, setting his briefcase down on the table. You jumped a little and turned to face him. "Everything's fine, Professor. Claire was just asking a question she doesn't need the answer to," you replied. Claire looked up at her uncle with wide eyes. "And what do you so desperately want to know?" he asked her. You closed your eyes, awaiting the embarrassing question for the third time. "I just wanted to know if Y/N liked you. The way you like her."

Your eyes flew open to gauge Castiel's reaction. His face betrayed nothing. All he did was squint a little before turning his eyes to you. Without looking away, Castiel answered Claire, "Y/N was correct. This is not an appropriate conversation. Why don't you go do your homework? I need to talk to Y/N. One of us will be up to help you in a moment." Claire pouted again, but got up from the table and ran off to her room.

You ran your hand through your hair and tried to busy yourself cleaning something. No way did you want to talk to him about this. It was far too embarrassing and awkward. You should not feel for him the way that you did. And you certainly should have hid your feelings better than you did. "I'm sorry, Y/N. I had no idea Claire could be so...intrusive." You shrugged a little, feeling like you were back at square one.

"There was something else I wanted to talk to you about. I wanted to give you tomorrow off. I know it's not your usual day off, but I am having some friends and family over for a bit and we can take care of Claire." You nodded. You felt a little hurt, but you thought the time off would do you some good. "Why can't Y/N come? Mr. Dean is coming and Miss Donna! I want Y/N to meet Miss Donna!" Claire's voice came from around the corner, making you both chuckle.

"I thought your uncle told you to go start your homework," you told her. She came fully into the room and stood between you and Castiel. "Please, Uncle Cas. Can't Y/n come? I want her to come too!" Castiel's electric blue eyes darted between you and his niece before he relented. "If she wants to. She does live here after all." Claire looked up at you with those eyes, the same ones Castiel always fell for, and you couldn't refuse. That's how you found yourself sitting in the shade of the patio the next day. That was how you met...him.

el:

(a/n: Who could it be?)