Clipped Wings

[TWENTY ONE] Get a J-O-B

Dean was up before the sun rose the next morning. He fixed himself a mug of black coffee and turned on the TV. He kept the volume down low, being careful not to wake Cas sleeping in the next room.

Even though he had two hours before he had to be at work, he felt incredibly at peace just being awake and enjoying the morning. After all, he had a beautiful man sleeping in his bed in the next room, what more could he ask for?

Deep in the History channel, Dean barely heard Cas open the bedroom door and stumble into the kitchen. Cas sleepily made himself a cup of coffee with three sugars and wandered into the living room.

"Couldn't sleep?" Cas asked, carefully sitting beside Dean on the sofa.

Dean glanced over at Cas with a genuine smile. Cas's hair was a ruffled mess and he had small, dark bags under his eyes; obviously not a morning person.

"No, I slept really good actually."

"I'm glad to hear that," Cas said, smiling up at Dean.

Dean smiled back, his eyes trailing back to the TV. He still had an hour and half before he had to be at work.

"I've been thinking..." Cas began. He took his hand in Dean's and gave a light squeeze.

"Oh?" Dean asked, raising an eyebrow.

"... you've been working a lot and... I haven't been doing much of anything," Cas admitted, feeling guilty.

Dean gave Cas a silly look. "Now don't say that. You help out around here all the time."

"Sure, but what about rent? And bills? I don't have any money," Cas questioned. Cas pursed his lips, feeling uneasy. Would Dean kick him out if he wasn't contributing?

"Well..." Dean pondered, furrowing his eyebrows. "I could get you a job?"

"I don't have any chance at the grocery store. That manager woman really didn't like me very much," Cas shrugged, remembering the threats he received from her.

Dean cocked a smile. "Yeah. Naomi is a bitch most of the time."

Cas huffed in frustration. "I just don't want to seem worthless around you. I need a purpose, Dean."

Dean glanced at Cas with worried eyes. "You're not worthless."

Cas sighed. "Okay, but I'm not giving much worth just sitting around here..."

Dean looked away and stared out the window at the rising sun. The dark sky lit up with orange and red, leaving a gray tint on the stars.

"How about that Gas N Sip just down the road from where I work? This way I can just drop you off there on my way to work," Dean suggested. He thought over the idea in his head.

Cas would have something to do during the day and give him a purpose. Dean could slowly coach him into society maybe too.

Cas tilted his head in consideration. "Yes... yes, I like that idea a lot."

"Awesome," Dean smiled. "I can pick up an application on my way home from work."

"Thank you, Dean. I appreciate it," Cas thanked, offering him a kind smile.

"Of course, Cas," Dean chuckled and glanced out the window once more. "Oh, and Happy New Years."

"Happy New Years," Cas responded, bringing his mug of coffee to his lips. He curled up beside Dean, his head resting on Dean's shoulder.

==========================

After a pretty uneventful day at work, Dean drove down the block and stopped at the Gas N Sip on the corner. Surprisingly, the parking lot was empty except for one other car. He stepped out of the car and into the chilly early January air. He shoved his hands in the pockets of his leather jacket and hurried into the gas station.

Once inside, he was blasted with warm air that smelled like hotdogs and popcorn. Cas will like the normality of it all.

"Hey," Dean greeted the cashier. The young woman looked up from her phone, her blue eyes big and glossy.

"Hi," she greeted, blinking a couple times. "Can I help you with something?"

"Uh, yeah. I was hoping to pick up a job application?" Dean asked with a raised eyebrow.

The girl smiled big and blinked her eyes a couple more times. Dean wondered if she had chronic dry eyes or something.

"Of course. I'll go get it for you." She did a quick wink and turned around, her hips swaying slightly as she walked to the back room.

When she turned the corner, Dean quickly turned around and pulled out his phone.

Dean: HELP GnS lady trying to flirt with me???

Jo: oh man, sucks to be her. Why are the cute ones always gay??

Dean: ha ha, not fair. U have the rest of the male population, let me keep the cute ones.

Jo: whatever & dont u have Cas???

Dean: YES AND HE'S HOT

"Here you are," the lady said, walking back to the front counter. She quickly blinked her eyes again when Dean took the application papers from her.

"You can drop these off whenever and we can set up an interview," she explained, smiling sweetly.

"Oh, it's not for me," Dean said, shaking his head. "I'm just picking it up for my... boyfriend."

The lady blinked hard but only once. "Oh, my mistake. Just tell him to drop it off sometime this week and we can set up an appointment."

Dean nodded and pursed his lips. He expected a negative reaction. "Thank you, I'll let him know."

"Have a good night!" She said, smiling politely.

"You too."

Dean walked out into the cold winter air, the application tucked safely under his arm. Once seated in the Impala, he let out a deep sigh.

"Maybe it's okay to be gay," Dean mumbled. He let himself smile and chuckle to himself. He started up the car and backed out of the parking lot. He couldn't wait to see Cas when he got home.

What a great day to be gay.