The next morning, Dean stood making a burger for himself, when Sam walked into the kitchen.
"Morning, Sammy! How goes it?"
Sam flashed him a sleepy grin, taking lettuce and chopped eggs out of the fridge. He caught Castiel staring at him from the table, the newspaper in his hands upside down. The angel made a slicing motion across his throat. Sam coughed, diverting his attention to making a salad. He hurriedly put together the ingredients and rushed to the study-slash-dining room.
On his part, Castiel sat back in the chair. He flipped the paper right side up, hoping his acting was better than it seems to him, just as Dean sat down in front of him. The burger on his plate was bigger than any he'd ever seen.
"Want one? I can make another if you want," Dean suggested when his burger was halfway to his mouth. Castiel shook his head. Dean shook his. "Your loss." Castiel realized he was staring and returned his gaze to the paper he'd been "reading." After a large bite, Dean asked, "So what's Heaven up to?"
Frowning, Castiel answered, "I'm not sure. Gabriel is busy trying to seduce Sam and I have more important things than Heaven on my mind."
"Like what?" Dean asked.
Castiel flushed fifty shades. He hadn't meant to say that. "Nothing you want to hear about." It wasn't a lie, since Dean wouldn't talk to Castiel if he knew the truth.
"I'm sure your thoughts are much more interesting than mine," Dean smiled.
Castiel dropped his head. "I just have somebody to think about. I have to make sure they're safe, that they know- that they know they mean something- to the world." He stumbled through the words, frustrated. He needed to be more careful. He couldn't bear to have Dean pick up on any clues he might let slip.
"The world, huh?" Dean smirked inwardly.
"Yes. Why are you so interested, anyway?"
Dean shrugged, avoiding the angel's narrowed eyes. "Is it a bad thing if I am?" He asked.
Castiel wasn't having it. "Answer my question," he commanded.
Dean dropped his smile, staring directly at the angel in front of him. "Alright. Fine," said through gritted teeth. "Look, Cas..." Dean couldn't say it. It was there, oh god was it there, but Dean just couldn't admit it. What would his dad think of him now? His mother? What about Sam? Why did it have to be so hard? He thought Castiel felt different, but may-
No.
Dean cut his thoughts off, shut his brain down, and leaned across the table. He did the unthinkable.