Work Text:
1.
Belle has never had to work very hard to pick up men. They often came to her, offering a drink and a fun night. Which she’d accept. Though very rarely would it pass that. She doesn’t mind, she supposes. Setting down wasn’t always on her to-do list. The idea seemed nice, though having divorced parents, she isn’t sure she quite believes in that happily ever after with that one person.
And her mom is doing just fine. Big fancy house and lots of cash in the divorce settlement. She spends her time sipping Mai Tais and flirting with younger men.
Belle’s had a few serious relationships, but whenever talk of commitment comes up, somebody bails. Normally the guy, but once Belle left when the guy said he didn’t want kids.
Belle hadn’t even thought she wanted kids that badly until the option was almost taken away from her, and she realized she really wanted them. She loved caring for her dolls, or babysitting the neighbor’s kids when she was old enough. Her mom said it’d be a waste to put her body through that, or to be “chained” down to the commitment of a family. She’s well aware of her mother’s own regrets in her life.
But Belle just hit forty last month, and her biological clock is, well…
Which is not a big deal she reminds herself. She’s never been opposed to adoption.
And she is tired of waking up alone. The thrill of one-night stands has long since lost its appeal.
Which is why, this particular Saturday, Belle had canceled her usual brunch with her best friend, and instead spent an extra couple hours doing her hair and picking out an outfit.
Because she’s going to ask Farmer’s Market guy on a date.
She normally goes every Saturday early in the morning. She’s one of his first customers, and he always remembers her name, and Belle always buys a jar of honey. She doesn’t even use honey that much. She’s bought so much she started giving it away to her friends and coworkers.
She’s told Lila about him and Lila’s convinced he’s just being nice and doing his job and not flirting with her. But Belle has to take the chance, because what if he is flirting with her.
So Belle clears her weekend schedule, and dresses up particularly nice. Maybe it is a bit presumptuous, but what if he’s the one? Plus, he said he has a kid of his own! And she shortly weaseled out of him that he is not married. So months and months later, after flirting over jars of honey in the early Saturday mornings, she’s going to ask him out, since he hasn’t yet.
So she walks past the stalls, the blades of grass poke at her sandaled feet. She’s glad she picked out a sundress, the sun is a lot warmer this late in the morning. She wonders if Cas noticed she wasn’t there this morning.
She spots him at his stall. There’s another man with him, slightly taller, his hair is lighter. The taller man is holding a three year old on his hip. The child is tucking a small yellow dandelion behind the man’s ear before being passed onto Cas. And boy, does her heart melt when she watches Cas plant a kiss on the child’s cheek. Let it be said that something happens in the brain when someone sees an attractive man being sweet to a child, that makes everything short circuit. It must be biological to ensure humans keep procreating or something.
This must be his kid! She hasn’t met him before, he’s never there this early in the morning. The taller man points and says something before backing away. Belle decides not to take the moment for granted, and walks up to the stall to greet Cas.
He smiles when he sees her. “Belle,” he says and she melts at the way her name sounds with his voice. “Missed you this morning. You look lovely.”
He missed her? He missed her! And he thinks she looks lovely! Good sign, Belle!
The child in his arms looks at her and smiles before offering her a dandelion, just like the one he put in the other man’s hair, and like the one that’s now tucked behind Cas’ ear.
She accepts the dandelion with a smile and pinches the sides of her dress awkwardly. “Aw, well thank you,” she says, shyly. “Is this your son?”
Cas smiles brightly, adjusting the child. “Yes, this is Jack.”
“Hello!” Jack says holding a hand up, in a stationary wave.
“Hi, Jack! Nice to meet you.” She smiles at the boy before turning back to Cas. She’s not sure if it’s proper etiquette or not to ask someone out in front of their kid, but she doesn’t think Jack’s old enough to fully understand what’s going on. Then again, she doesn’t really know kids that well.
Belle clears her throat and smooths out her dress. Cas starts opening a bag with one hand and placing her usual purchase inside, while Jack attempts to grab the bag and help him.
“So,” she starts as he places the bag at the edge of the counter. “I don’t normally do this, but would you like to get something to eat sometime?”
Cas squints his eyes in a way she’s seen a couple times when he’s confused. “You don’t normally eat?”
“No. Well, yes. I mean I do eat. I mean I don’t normally, you know, ask people out. But I’ve seen you around for a while, so.” Her confidence is wavering, but she presses on. “I was wondering if you were free this evening.”
Cas squints at her a little longer before his eyes widen slightly at realization before schooling his features in a neutral expression. “I have plans,” he says simply before narrowing his eyes in more determination than confusion. “With Dean,” he adds, with intent, leaning in slightly to stress.
Dean? She remembers him mentioning him, quite a few times. Was that the man that was with him earlier?
She’s torn between suggesting another time or letting it go. Maybe he’s letting her down easy, or maybe he really does just have plans that night. Though if he does just want to reschedule, that’s his call, the ball is in his court so to speak.
So she pays for her honey, and mumbles, “Maybe another time,” with a smile she’s hoping doesn’t give away her rejected feelings.
He offers her a smile, that widens into a much bigger beautiful smile, one she hasn’t seen before. But the smile isn’t for her. He’s looking behind her, as the man from earlier—Dean—rounds the corner of the stall.
Jack reaches out for Dean, flopping sideways until Dean picks him up by the shoulders and settles him back on his hip. Jack takes another dandelion from his batch in his small little fist and tucks in behind Dean’s other ear. “Daddy, my turn,” Jack says, holding the two remaining dandelions to his face.
Dean takes the weeds and tucks one behind each of Jack’s ears, before leaning over to press a kiss to Cas’ lips, who was watching them fondly, Belle completely forgotten.
Oh.
She turns away, trying to avoid looking like a frozen idiot for much longer. This is better, she thinks. She was rejected because he’s very obviously in a happy relationship with someone who Jack also sees as his dad. She still can’t help but feel disappointed and embarrassed, and a little bad for asking out a taken man.
She might need to find somewhere else to buy her honey, but at least she’ll be saving a lot of money.
2.
If someone had told Sam just a few years ago that Dean would be dragging him to the Farmer’s Market against his will, he would’ve laughed. And probably would still be laughing.
But here he is, as Dean very grumpily drives him in his ugly SUV, that Sam also would also not believe Dean actually drove , to the Farmer’s Market.
Jack’s in the back seat munching happily on some cheerios, Sam cringes as a couple drop onto the seat to join the others shoved into the cracks.
Sam’s stopped trying to talk some sense into his brother a long time ago. Dean’s got it in his head that ‘some pretentious tree-hugger is trying to steal his fiancé’ and that Cas doesn’t believe him.
Sam’s aware that Cas does believe Dean, but that he simply doesn’t care because he’s not going to leave Dean. But Dean doesn’t understand why he doesn’t just tell this guy to fuck right off. Cas had said it was because the man was just making conversation and there was no reason to assume he had any alternative motives, and Cas is running a business.
So tensions have been high recently, and Sam’s caught in the middle of it. Dean’s not mad at Cas, he just hates this guy.
“He sells fucking rhubarb, Sam,” Dean had said the other day, when he was convincing Sam to come with him. “ Rhubarb. What kind of pretentious fuck.”
Sam sighed and ran down his face. “And what do you want me to do about it? Be your backup while you beat up some guy?” Sam hoped it sounded as ridiculous as it was.
“What? No.” Dean ran a hand through his hair. “I need somebody to see so I can convince Cas this dude just wants to get in his pants! And moral support, isn’t that what you do?”
Sam’s face settled into a bitch face. “You’re being ridiculous.” But he agreed to go, if only to keep Dean from sucker punching the poor vender.
Dean groans and rolls his eyes as they approach Cas’ stall.
The man Dean claims is trying to “get in Cas’ pants” is leaning his hip against the table, arms crossed as he talks casually to Cas. The man’s hair is tied up in a bun and his facial hair is dark and well kept.
Sam spares a snort at Dean freaking out over a man with a man bun. Sam guesses that adds to his hatred of this guy.
“Seriously? Fuck, who the—uh—heck does this guy think he is.”
Sam tries not to find too much pleasure in watching his brother fumble around in a fit of jealousy.
Sam watches Cas as they approach. Perhaps if Dean saw that the way Cas looks at this guy doesn’t compare to the way Cas looks at Dean at all, then maybe Sam still would be at home curled up next to his girlfriend. But then again, if Dean was that aware, they would’ve gotten together many many years before they actually did.
Dean embarrassingly and dramatically makes his entrance known, interrupting their conversation to land a meaningful and suspiciously long kiss onto Cas’ lips.
Cas rolls his eyes affectionately at his fiancé’s antics, before placing a kiss on Jack’s forehead as well.
“Hello, Sam,” Cas says to him, though he can tell he’s a bit confused by his presence.
“Hey,” he says back and stands back awkwardly. He’s still not sure why he’s necessarily here.
Man Bun takes the pause in conversation to continue his conversation. “As I was saying,” Man Bun continues, and Dean makes an annoyed gruff. “I’d love to take a look at those apiaries, see how they’re set up.”
Dean gives Sam a look that says See , dude! Home wrecker!
Sam rolls his eyes. He almost misses Cas’ reply about Dean building them, when a notification sound goes off and Man Bun pulls out his phone. Whatever it is has him stopping and saying a quick “We’ll continue this later, Cas!” before power walking away.
“What did I tell you! He asked to see his apiaries! You don’t ask an engaged man to see his apiaries, that’s just wrong!” Dean tries to move his arms dramatically but the toddler in his arm restricts his movement.
“Dean,” Cas says exasperated.
To which Jack repeats in the same tone.
Dean looks attacked and defensive. “What? And he called you Cas!”
“That’s my name,” Cas deadpans with a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
“Well, he doesn’t need to know that.” Dean mumbles, kicking the ground.
Cas let’s the smile spread across his face as he leans and places another sweet kiss on Dean’s lips. Sam wants to pretend to gag at watching his brother be so gross, but he’s also so happy for him.
Man Bun returns to the booth. Sam knows because he sees Dean exaggerated disgust at the newcomer before Sam gets to look at him.
Man Bun brings up the beehives again before Cas politely shuts him down.
“I apologize, Connor,” Cas says. “That wouldn’t be appropriate.”
Dean only has a moment of satisfaction before Man Bun starts speaking again.
Man Bun—Connor—doesn’t look taken back. He just smirks, and says, “Freckles can come, too,” with a wink to Dean.
Sam probably would’ve laughed at the mutual stricken expressions on his brother and soon-to-be brother-in-law’s face, but he’s sure he’s making a similar—though slightly more amused—jaw-dropped expression.
Cas composes himself first before straightening and somewhat harshly declining and letting Connor know that he needs to serve his customers now.
Connor steps away with an, “Alright, your loss,” as he disappears in the crowd.
Sam busts out laughing.
Dean doesn’t know whether to look shocked or triumphant. He eventually settles on triumphant as he points to Cas and shouts, “I friggin’ told you!”
Cas relaxes his shoulders. “You were not aware he liked you, too.”
Dean blushes. “Well, no. But that’ll explain why he kept trying after I hinted we were together.”
Cas looks very amused. He holds up two hands in the form of air quotes. “You mean when you ‘hinted’ by kissing me and telling him straight up that we were engaged.”
“Shuddup.’
3.
“What an adorable little boy,” Margaret coos at the three year old playing in the grass.
Margaret’s not one to come to the Farmer’s Market often. But her daughter-in-law gave her a jar of honey from one of the venders here and she just ran out and decided to get some more. She recognizes the label on the glass jar sitting at this particular booth.
“Thank you, his name is Jack,” the man says proudly.
“Are you watching him and running the booth all by yourself?” She’s being a bit nosy, she supposes, but if he’s a single father making a living, she’ll definitely support his business more. Maybe she’ll buy some for her friends and direct them here.
He shakes his head. “No my fiancè is around here somewhere, probably getting distracted.”
She smiles warmly back. “Oh, congratulations!”
“Thank you,” he says kindly. He seems quite excited, she wonders if he’s newly engaged.
She makes her purchase, lavender honey, and rambles on about how her daughter-in-law, Jamie, loves his honey. When she makes a comment about him earning a new regular, he asks for her name.
“Margaret,” he repeats back to her as he tries to remember it. “I’m Castiel.”
She shakes his extended hand, smiling, before stepping away as a man takes her spot.
“Hey, hot stuff,” he says as he leans over the counter twirling a jar of honey with his finger. “What do you say, me and you get out of here.” He winks suggestively and nods his head to the side.
Castiel rolls his eyes, but allows a small smile to gather one his face. He makes a comment that he’ll be ready in 20 more minutes.
Absolutely no shame! Margaret notes that the man has a ring in his left hand and Castiel just told her about his fiancée. And here they both are flirting with each other! With Castiel’s child present no less, sitting innocently in the grass with a coloring book.
The poor child may grow up with split parents if this flirtation goes any further.
“Excuse me,” Margaret butts in.
Both men meet her gaze, the lighter haired one looks startled by the interruption.
“You two should be ashamed of yourselves.” She steps forward. “This man is engaged,” she says to the man about Castiel. Then to Castiel she says, “And, Castiel, you should be loyal to your fiancée, this behavior is inappropriate. “
The lighter haired man stands and leans his hip on the counter with a playful smile. He stands taller than Castiel. “You’re engaged, huh? Tell me, Castiel,” the man draws out his name like he’s tasting it. “Is your fiancé hot?”
Instead of looking ashamed or caught, Castiel smiles. “Yes, very.”
The man seems encouraged to continue. “Is your fiancé as hot as you?”
“I’d say more so.”
“Hmmm, not possible.”
Margaret clears her throat quite aggressively. Both men are startled again and this time they look a little sheepish. Good.
“Castiel, I am ashamed that you’re indulging this behavior. I’m afraid I cannot do business with you any further.” She’s torn between asking for a refund or just leaving her bag and walking away.
But then Castiel tenses and holds a hand out as if to pause. “Wait,” he still looks ashamed. “I’m sorry for the confusion, we got a bit carried away.” He smiles gently at the man who looks amused. “This is my fiancé, Dean.”
The man offers a little wave, “Howdy.”
Margaret’s surprised to say the least. She didn’t see this coming, but then again he could be lying in order to not come off as a cheater. Though she’s not sure what good that would do to try to convince a random woman who doesn’t even know him.
But any question she has is answered when Jack appears by Dean’s side tapping his leg with one hand and holding a coloring sheet with the other. “Daddy, panda!”
Dean smiles at the kid’s art work, ruffling his hair and offering a “great job, kiddo!”
Margaret feels embarrassed herself. Maybe her son is right and she does butt into other people’s business too much. She offers her apologies to the family and heads out with her new jars of honey. Dean lifts Jack up in the air as she walks away. The precious sounds of his giggles float their way through the last minute crowd as Dean spins him around like an airplane. The little family looks happy, and the way Castiel looks at his fiancé is clear devotion. They have nothing to worry about.