Wayword Sons

Dean awoke feeling hung over, even though he'd had only one beer the night before. He'd had crazy dreams and hadn't slept well at all, tossing and turning and thrashing all night long. His morning routine took a little longer than usual and he showed up to work at his normal time- around 9:30.

"Knew it wouldn't last," Bobby grumbled as Dean approached, wearing clean clothes that had somehow already managed to become rumpled. "Long night?"

"Actually, no," Dean sneered. "I cleaned my place and went to bed before 9:00, if you must know."

"Mhmm," Bobby murmered, and trotted away. "Oh," he stopped in his tracks and turned around. "That there came for you." He pointed to a cardboard box beside the desk.

"Sweet," Dean said, opening the box to find the water pump inside. He hopped over to the phone and had the receiver in his hand before he realized that he had no number to call. "Crap."

--

The morning was busy, with several walk-ins and one appointment right before lunchtime. Dean was right in the middle of an oil change when the phone rang. Bobby got to it first. "Winchester Automotive," he answered. "Uh huh. Yeah. He's got his hands full right now. Uh huh. Yeah, it's here. Mhmm. I don't know, hang on- Dean, you got any time for that water pump today?"

Dean peered around the hood of the car and called, "Yeah, absolutely. Is that Castiel?"

"The hell kind of name is that?" Bobby shouted back, then grumbled, "Castiel. Kids these days and their hippy dippy names. What's your name, sport? Castiel. Alright, well bring it on by. We've got time. Alright. Uh huh."

"What'd he say?" Dean asked.

"Said he'd come by in about an hour. That okay with you, sunshine?"

"Yeah, that's fine with me, princess," Dean retorted. Bobby gave him a whack upside his head as he passed.

--

Precisely an hour later, Castiel arrived, looking as prim and ludicrous as ever. "Man, we gotta get you some different clothes," Dean called out to him as he got out of the car. "It looks like your grandma dressed you."

"My grandmother died a long time ago," is all Castiel had to say in reply. Dean reached out his hand and Castiel shook it, this time with more conviction. "How you been, man?" Dean asked.

"I've been… alright. Is now a good time?"

"Yeah, it's fine. I just finished up for the day. Why don't you bring the car around here and I'll get to work."

Castiel stood stiffly by, watching Dean as he worked. "You had never fixed a Prius before?" He asked.

"Nope, this is definitely a first," Dean huffed. He was sweating again, and hoped that the repair would fix the issue and they could get someplace with air conditioning. He pulled the bottom of his shirt up to wipe his face and caught Castiel peeking at his abs out of the corner of his eye, but the man glanced away a split second later and began studiously examining an invisible spot on the side of the Prius. Dean let it go and pretended not to have noticed.

"So, Cas. What do you like to do, man? What are you into?"

Castiel gave it a moment's thought. "Well, I like gardening, and reading, and researching things. Before I left home to begin at the seminary, I used to spend hours in the library. I love learning new things." He trailed off suddenly, embarrassed, as Dean shook his head. "Why are you shaking your head?"

Dean laughed. "Nothing, buddy. You're just kind of a nerd." Castiel blushed again, and Dean smiled. He fought the sudden, inexplicable urge to say, "it's cute," and instead said, "Which is not necessarily a bad thing."

Castiel's mouth twitched up into a smile for a split second, and then returned to its normal straight line. Dean smiled back at him and returned his attention to the task at hand. "So you like to read, huh? You sound like Sammy. You'd like him. He's a good kid." Dean didn't really know why he said it, but he had a feeling it was true. He knew that Sam would find Cas a little odd, but they'd get along if they fell into some conversation about something geeky.

"So, you're busy all weekend?" Dean asked, tightening the sensors on the water pump.

"Yes. I have-"

"Mass and stuff." Dean finished for him. Castiel nodded. "Alright, well how about tomorrow night? Want to grab a beer or something?"

Castiel furrowed his brow, thinking. "I probably shouldn't go out. I have to wake up very early Saturday morning."

"Alright," Dean said, trying not to let the disappointment show on his face. "Well, if you're ever free sometime you know how to reach me." He screwed the last few nuts into place and wiped the engine down with his rag. "I'd love to hang out with you again." He shut the hood and stood back.

"That would be nice," Castiel admitted.

"Well, it's all done. Why don't you test her out?" Dean waved him toward the door. Castiel turned the car on and held his hands in front of the vents. Dean came to stand in the open door frame next to him, feeling the cool air blowing. He leaned into the car and said, "Alright?"

Castiel turned the car off and back on again, testing it. "It seems to be working. Thank you so much, Dean." He was only a short distance from Dean's face, and was smiling a little. Dean studied his incredibly blue eyes for a moment, and pulled himself away.

He patted the top of the car twice. "You're good to go, buddy."

"How much do I owe you?" Castiel asked again. For the second time, Dean considered it, and decided he'd give the guy another break. Plus, he told himself, if he gets a good deal, he'll come back. Which would be good for business. "On the house," he said, and flashed a grin.

Castiel cocked his head and began to protest, but Dean just held out his hand and said, "nope, no. It's on the house. You've spent enough money on gas driving all the way out here and back this week."

"Thank you, Dean," Castiel said again, and sighed. "Maybe I could join you this evening? That is, if you don't already have plans."

Dean's heart skipped a beat in excitement. "No, man, I'm free. Want to grab dinner or something?"

"Yes, I'd like that," Castiel replied.