A Step Away | Destiel AU

Chapter 2

Dean slipped into his normal seat at the bar, pulling his jacket tighter around his body as he drew in the warmth of the bar. Castiel dipped his head to him in greeting, finishing the drink he was making and sliding it to the man that ordered. He made his way over to Dean, leaning on his arms and tipping his head at him.

"Hello, Dean. The usual?" Castiel asked, is voice tinting with the warmth of their three week friendship. Dean nodded, giving the bartender a cheery smile.

Dean began going to The Rose and Crown everyday after either work or therapy, finding Castiel to be rather interesting and the drinks amazing. His particular favorite was Castiel's specialty; the Purple Nurple.

Castiel set the drink on the counter, Dean taking it thankfully and knocking it back. It burned his throat as it went down, the taste making his jaw clench in a pleasing way as he let out a soft sigh, smiling at Castiel.

"As good as always, Cas." Dean commented, setting the empty glass  on the counter. Castiel glanced at him, a small smile appearing on his face that made Dean's own grin from before grow. He had never seen the bartender smile.

"You look good when you while." Dean said, an almost teasing tone in his voice as Castiel turned away. A customer farther down the bar called for his attention, and Castiel hurried over, but not before Dean could catch the slight red tint of the bartender's cheeks.

Dean let out a pleased sigh, relaxing with his arms on the bar and letting his gaze wander around the bar. His eye caught a pretty brunette, who was sitting at the end of the bar, nursing a drink in her hand. He debated on going to talk to her, only to sigh in regret as a man walked over, her face lighting up as she saw him.

Yet, the man looked familiar to Dean, and he couldn't help but watch them, his eyes narrowed in focus as he tried to recall who he reminded him of.

Cold hands slick with his blood, a dark smile, yellow eyes....

Dean jerked out of that mindset, turning back to the bar with a troubled frown on his face. His heart had picked up pace, thrumming in his chest and sending chills down his spin. It wasn't until he felt a warm hand on his shoulder that he looked up, meeting the eyes of Castiel.

"Are you alright, Dean?" Castiel asked, his head tipping to the side in the way that it always did. That movement eased Dean's heart, if only slightly, and he hadn't realized he was holding his breath until fresh air stung his kings.

"I-I'm fine, Cas." Dean replied, unable to keep his voice from quivering. Castiel's concern only strengthened in his eyes and he leaned closer.

"Wait here, okay?" I'll be right back." Castiel assured before walking over to the other bartender. They both spoke for a moment before the bartender nodded, waving her hand in a dismissing manner before turning back to the customers.

Castiel walked out from behind the bar, disappearing into the employees' room he had taken Dean when the'd first met. He was gone for only a moment before he returned,a trench coat on as he approached Dean.

"Come on." Castiel said, motioning for the door. Dean frowned in confusion but didn't argue as he got off the bar stool and headed for the front door. He refused to look at the couple as he passed, swallowing the lump that was forming in his throat as he entered the fresh, cool air.

"What are we doing, Cas?" Dean asked, looking at the trench coat clad bartender. Castiel motioned to the right, lights light the sidewalk as traffic hummed past.

"Let's go to a bar and get drunk." Castiel offered, making Dean arch one eyebrow at him.

"Then why did we leave a bar to go to a bar?" Dean asked, not really understanding Castiel's logic. The bartender scoffed at Dean's obliviousness, motioning to the bar behind him.

"Because I work there and my manager wouldn't be pleased to find out I got off my shift early to get drunk." Castiel replied, rolling his eyes as he grabbed Dean's hand, tugging him down the sidewalk despite his protests.

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"I can't believe you're doing this." Dean commented, his mind warm and fuzzy as he looked at Castiel with a smile. The bartender nodded, pulling the bottle to his lips and taking a long sip before resting it on the table.

"I couldn't let you get drunk by yourself when you hard that look on your face." Castiel replied, his voice warm and comforting. Dean felt lulled in by it. He subconsciously leaned closer to Castiel, a soft sight leaving his lips as he twirled the bottle aimlessly between his fingers.

"I'm fine, Cas. I promise." Dean said, hesitating before he took another drink. He was anything but fine, but even in his drunken state, he knew to not let it show.

"Well, Dean. I'm glad to har that." Castiel said, letting out a pleased sigh. Their shoulders brushed together, but Dean couldn't bring himself to care.

"Do you live here alone?" Castiel asked after a moment of silence. Dean looked down at the bar, setting his drink on the table.

"My brother goes to Stanford. He's not that far away, but yeah, I'm alone." Dean said, though he couldn't bring himself to be depressed about having no one. He was a mess, and wouldn't curse anyone to deal with his sorry ass anyway.

"Do you get along with your brother?" Castiel asked, his eyes only intensifying as Dean met his gaze. Dean nodded, smiling softly as he thought of Sam.

"Of course. We've always been there for each other, no matter what happened. We could face hell itself and come out on top when we work together." Dean said, feeling a small sense of pride. How could he not? Sam saved him when even he had given up on himself, and he could never be more thankful to his kid brother.

Castiel frowned, however, seeming to catch onto something that Dean hadn't voiced. "Dean..." Castiel trailed off, confusion in his gaze as Dean looked at him. "Was your childhood bad?"

Dean's mood snapped from foot to terrible in an instant. A frown crossed his features and he felt a burning in his chest as he down the rest of his drink. "I'll see you tomorrow, Cas." Dean said, giving him a blunt pat on the shoulder before pulling out some money and throwing it on the table.

Castiel tried to protest Dean leaving, but Dean was already out the door.