Work Text:
Castiel stared at the flashing cursor on his laptop screen, the blank document almost mocking him. He had been sitting at his desk all afternoon trying in vain to get the words to form in his mind so he could transfer them to the open document that was meant to be his latest novel in his moderately successful series, but as soon as he tried to grasp at an idea, it seemed to fall through his fingers. He never had an issue with writer's block before, but a fast-approaching deadline and upending your entire life would do that. He had been divorced for a year now, but he had felt stagnant in his old town and old life, so he had moved to Lawrence only three months prior to ‘start a new life’, hoping a change in scenery would help him heal and finally move on. And since he was an author he could write from anywhere, he reasoned.
But that was easier said than done. Especially with the incessant din of people outside the window of his second storey apartment. He had thought living in an apartment above the small businesses on this quaint street would help keep him company, help him feel less alone. And most days, it did.
But today....today he found out that four times a year - in each season - the businesses (his neighbours) closed down the entire block and hosted a small street festival/block party. He blames himself really, he should have done more research about the neighbourhood before moving in, but he was charmed by the vibe of the street and he absolutely could not argue with the price of rent. There was also the incredibly handsome owner of the tattoo parlour across the street, all bow-legged, arms covered in tattoo sleeves, and his cocky smile. But that's hardly relevant. Not at all.
The party had started around noon and the volume had only increased. Castiel took a long drink of his tea and rubbed his eyes. Maybe if he put on headphones and some music, he could drown out the noise on the street below him. As if sensing his thoughts, a band began to play not far from his window, a loud booming bass drum beat vibrating his desk. He slammed his laptop shut in frustration, and rested his head in defeat on his desk. There was no way he would get any work done today for sure.
And of course, because his day couldn't get any worse, an excited knock rapped at his door. He thought of ignoring it, pretending he wasn't home, but the few people who knew him of course knew he worked from home and was rather hermit-like in his daily behaviours. Sighing with more dramatic flair than was probably needed, he stood up and went to open his apartment door, if only just to stop the noise. At his doorstep was his neighbour Charlie, the red-headed bundle of energy that lived in the other apartment in the building, on the third, topmost floor. Charlie actually owned the entire building and the store on the ground floor, a comic book shop/board game cafe, making her not only his neighbour but his landlord too. And, in her opinion, his new best friend.
She smiled brightly at Castiel and proceeded to walk directly into his apartment. “Hey Castiel! I didn't see you down at the party and figured maybe you needed a break from writing. This is your first festival living here, you should come down and hang out for a while! See what it's all about, meet more of your awesome neighbours!”
That was the absolute LAST thing Castiel wanted. He was already in a bad mood and being around a crowd seemed like hell. “What about your store Charlie? You shouldn't shut it down just to take me around the festival." He applauded himself for his quick thinking.
“I have extra staff in today just for the party,” she replied, waving him off. Sensing his reluctance (and overall surly demeanour), she stepped closer and put her hand gently in his arm. “Come on Castiel, please? Just for a few minutes. There are some great vendors and really awesome food, some great local produce now that the harvest has happened, even a honey stand,” she pleaded, giving him a knowing look.
Damn Castiel for trying to be sociable and mentioning his appreciation for the bee population and his love of local organic honey. She knew exactly what to say to tempt him, and with those hopeful doe eyes, he would have a hard time saying no without looking like an asshole. Charlie was one of the first people to welcome him to the neighbourhood (“us gays have to stick together Castiel!”), to give him a place to stay, and had tried repeatedly to get him to socialize and meet people on the block.
He grumbled under his breath and her smile slowly grew: she knew she had him. “Fine Charlie. For a few minutes. I need to get back to writing,” he replied begrudgingly, knowing full well he hadn't written a single word all day. Charlie squealed in delight and went to grab his favourite tan trench coat by the door, to put over his jeans and simple dark blue t-shirt. He slipped on his shoes and locked his door, and Charlie looped her arm through his and tugged him towards the stairs that led down to the main floor beside the door to her shop/cafe.
“You're going to love it Castiel, I promise! I think this is my favourite party of the year. There's something about crisp October weather and fall-themed… well everything. A lot of the kids that come with their parents even dress up in their costumes!” she said as she pulled him towards the first vendor stand outside their building. Sure enough, a little girl dressed as a witch ran right by him, hurrying to get to the stage where the band played and a bunch of other children danced and laughed while their parents watched and took pictures.
They meandered among the booths, still arm in arm. There were a lot of people and the band was too loud for his taste, but he had to admit, it seemed like a popular event that must be good for the businesses on the street. He even found a vendor that sold used books, and picked up an old hardcover copy of one of his favourite childhood books, The Hobbit, which of course caused Charlie to squeal yet again and ended up with an enthusiastic discussion of all things Tolkien.
They did a loop of one end of the street and as they started heading back to their building, Charlie pointed out the organic honey stand, run by a local apiarist named Cain. It turned out that Cain had his honey for sale not only on his small farm outside town, but every weekend at the little farmers market in one of the local parks, that Castiel had no idea existed but vowed to attend the next one.
He spoke with Cain at length, excitedly discussing how he established his hives, and after a while he could see Charlie bouncing on her heels, ready to move on. He said another thanks to Cain, and they started walking again, Charlie excitedly talking his ear off. Castiel had to admit, he was having an okay time, despite all the people and noise that he could feel starting to overstimulate him a little. He let his mind wander a bit as Charlie talked, knowing she was content just to chat and be in his company. The sun helped keep the chill out of the air, which smelled like apple cider and hay. Maybe a few more minutes and he would tell Charlie that he was done and needed to get back to his (non-existent) writing.
A loud, boisterous laugh pulled him out of his thoughts, and he turned towards the sound. Oh. That laugh had come from the ridiculously handsome tattooed man that owned the parlour across the street from his apartment. The man was behind a wooden stand with a long line of people, that was placed on the sidewalk outside the tattoo parlour. His head was thrown back in laughter, exposing his neck and the tattoo that poked out of the collar of his green flannel shirt. Castiel didn't even realize he had stopped until Charlie cleared her throat. He turned away from the unfairly gorgeous man with the green eyes and beautiful smile, to find Charlie grinning at him knowingly. She even had the audacity to waggle her eyebrows at him. He blushed and began to keep walking, when she reached out and grabbed his arm, pulling him to a stop.
“Wait, wait Castiel! We should go over to Dean’s stand, say hi. You haven't met him yet, have you?”
Dean. Wasn't that just somehow the most fitting name for this man that seemed to radiate warm and cause people to gravitate towards him like a moth to flame. Castiel didn't even realize he was staring again until Charlie poked him, causing him to flinch and he turned to glare at her. She just smiled innocently, took his arm again, and pulled him towards Dean’s stand. Castiel wanted to protest, he hated meeting new people, always awkward and kinda rusty, but his feet seemed to move on their own accord.
Charlie found the end of the line, and waved excitedly to get Dean’s attention. He noticed her and waved back, looking happy to see her. His eyes then slid over to Castiel, and his smile somehow seemed to brighten even more, before he turned to greet the next customer at his stand.
“Do you know him Charlie?” Castiel asked, since she knew his name and they seemed to have some familiarity.
“Oh yeah, Dean is one of my best friends. We actually met in high school and have been buds ever since. He's the one who encouraged and supported me to open my shop - conveniently across the street from his parlour of course,” she replied. Castiel nodded in understanding. “I've actually tried to introduce you properly a few times before, but you always seemed to have an excuse not to come to game night at my cafe,” she teased him. “He's single, you know…”
Castiel blushed again at being called out for being anti-social, even though he knew there was no heat or malice behind what Charlie said. He couldn't help it, he was an introvert at heart, more comfortable in his own quiet environment. Maybe being friends with Charlie would help bring him out of his shell a bit. He could tell she was the type to push but also know when not to, and he appreciated that about her.
And apparently she wanted to make it clear to newly-divorced Castiel that Dean was not only available, but also was interested in guys too. He felt butterflies start fluttering furiously in his stomach.
Pretty soon they were nearing the front of the line for Dean’s stand, and Castiel realized he didn't even know what Dean was selling. He ran a tattoo parlour, why did he have a booth outside his store? Maybe he sold art prints of his designs, or booked appointments?
He got his answer shortly: on the top of Dean's simple wood stand there was a hand-painted sign that read ‘Kissing Booth' and another smaller sign that said that the $5 fee would be donated entirely to the local food bank (and that any additional monetary donations would be welcome, with a jar provided).
Castiel turned to Charlie to protest: surely she didn't think that a kissing booth would be the best introduction between him and Dean?! She laughed at his obviously distressed face. “Like I said, if you had only come to one of my game nights….”
Castiel felt his mouth open and close a few times, his best impression of a fish apparently the most he could do. Charlie rolled her eyes with a smile. “Relax Castiel, you don't actually have to kiss him, most people have only been giving him the money to donate, or they just get a quick kiss on the cheek. This wasn't even his idea, he lost a bet to me and this was what I came up with,” she laughed with delight. “Don't worry, he's a good sport and I wouldn't have forced him to do it if he really didn't want to. Also, look at him, I knew he’d make a ton of money for a good cause.”
And Castiel did look. In fact he got so lost at looking at Dean that he didn't realize when it was their turn, until he felt Charlie give him a little nudge to propel him forward. This action of course startled him enough out of his gazing at Dean that it caused him to stumble just enough to fall forward, and he had to brace himself on the stand to keep upright. He felt two big hands on his arms, and he looked up to find Dean had reached over his booth, a look of concern on his face as he held Castiel to steady him.
Castiel felt his face get hot in both embarrassment and instant attraction. Dean was truly the most handsome man he had ever seen. They held eye contact, Dean's green eyes on Castiel's blue, until Charlie coughed behind them. Dean quickly took his hands off Castiel’s arms and stepped back, and Castiel pushed off the stand and dusted off his hands on his trench coat. He felt so incredibly embarrassed, an apology on his tongue, but Dean looked back at him with a wide smile that, if Castiel were right, was on the flirtatious side, which just made the blush on his face burn hotter.
He felt more than saw Charlie as she stepped up next to him and looped her arm back through Castiel's. “Hey Dean,” she greeted brightly.
“Charles,” Dean replied with a quick head nod of acknowledgement and cocky grin.
“This is my friend, neighbour and tenant Castiel. Castiel is the devastatingly handsome and newly-single writer I told you about, he writes that awesome series I love, the one with those two brothers that hunt the supernatural,” she said, gesturing to Castiel with a satisfied smile. Charlie really lacked all subtlety.
“Oh yeah right. I've seen you around a few times Cas, didn't realize you were the guy Charlie has been talking about,” Dean replied, blatantly looking him up and down and then meeting Castiel's eyes with a wink that made Castiel go weak in the knees.
Wait, Dean had noticed him? Castiel? Quiet, awkward Castiel that generally kept to himself and only left his apartment to go to the store or go for a run?
He realized when Dean’s smile began to dim that he hadn't responded to him. His brain urged his mouth to move. Speak, Castiel!
“...Cas?” Oh for goodness sake. That's the best he could come up with? Real suave there, Castiel, your literal job is WORDS.
Dean's confidence seemed to falter just slightly, a lovely pink blush spreading over his freckled nose and cheeks. “Oh, uh yeah. Sorry, I tend to give people nicknames. I hope that's okay, I know we don't know each other well yet…” he trailed off with a shrug, rubbing his hand on the back of his neck, an adorable idiosyncratic gesture that made those butterflies take flight in Castiel's stomach once more.
Oh Castiel was in trouble.
“Yes… um, yes that's perfectly okay. I just… no one's ever called me that before,” Castiel replied, stumbling over his words.
Dean smiled again, his confidence returned, and it was like gazing at the warmth and brightness of the sun. “Oh okay awesome.” They looked at each other, held eye contact for longer than Castiel had ever felt comfortable before with anyone else.
Charlie cleared her throat again, another knowing look spreading on her face. “Well now that we've made introductions, we should probably get this show on the road, the line behind us seems to be getting a little restless.” Sure enough, the line of people had grown behind them and a few people started to look impatient.
“Oh yes of course Charlie, we should be going. I need to get back to my writing soon anyway,” Castiel replied, and began to awkwardly walk away. “It was very nice to meet you Dean.”
“Whoa whoa Castiel wait!” Charlie exclaimed, grabbing the sleeve of his trenchcoat as he almost tripped over himself trying to beat a hasty retreat. “I just meant that we should probably make the donation.” She looked pointedly from Castiel to Dean.
Dean leaned forward to rest his forearms on his stand, and winked at Cas again. “Yeah Cas. It's for a good cause and everything.”
Castiel felt his eyes widen. He looked at Dean and then to Charlie, who grinned and nodded her head in encouragement. He fumbled for his wallet in the pocket of his trench coat, and pulled out a $20 bill. He handed it to Dean, who then made to hand Castiel his change. “No, no, keep it. Like you said, it's for a good cause.”
Dean beamed at him. “Well thank you Cas, that's fucking awesome.”
“You're welcome Dean,” he responded, and turned again to leave.
“Wait, Cas!” Dean called to him as he began to walk away.
Castiel slowly turned back to Dean, his eyebrow raised in query.
Dean seemed to falter for a second, before his confident self returned, and he walked out from behind his booth. He sauntered up to Castiel and stopped in front of him, close enough that Castiel caught the faint smell of his aftershave. Dean reached out with one hand and played with the lapel of Castiel’s trench coat. “It's a kissing booth Cas, don't you want a kiss?” he asked coyly.
Castiel knew he was an awkward person, that his people skills could use some work, but what was it about Dean that made him lose all sense and ability to speak? He felt himself try to respond a few times. In the end, all he could do was nod.
Dean beamed at him, and his beautiful smile turned sinful. Castiel turned his cheek towards Dean, expecting a quick, soft kiss.
But Dean cupped said cheek with his hand, his other hand reaching around to Castiel's neck. And Dean leaned in with a sultry but somehow also vulnerable look, giving Castiel a moment to politely decline if he had wanted to, before he smashed their lips together. Castiel was briefly taken aback, but quickly got it together and wrapped his hands around Dean's waist, his fingers slipping under the flannel and T-shirt to tease at the skin of Dean's back. Dean groaned in appreciation and opened his mouth up to Castiel's skillful tongue. The kiss was instantly passionate and they quickly lost themselves to the pleasure of it, the world slipping away.
A sharp, loud whistling cat call and a round of enthusiastic applause pulled them back to themselves, and they reluctantly broke apart, though their hands stayed looped around each other. Castiel looked out at the lineup behind him and the small crowd that had gathered, everyone cheering them on. Charlie looked positively ecstatic.
Castiel looked back to Dean, who laughed and shrugged his shoulders. They rested their heads together as they caught their breath, Dean's hand on Castiel's neck, playing with the hair at its nape. Castiel could feel his smile starting to hurt his cheeks. Maybe these street festivals weren't as bad as he thought.
Charlie stepped out from the crowd to the stand, took the sign that said ‘Kissing Booth’ and laid it face down. “I guess the Kissing Booth is closed for the rest of the day!” she exclaimed with glee. “Any further donations can be brought to my shop across the street!” The crowd laughed and began to disperse. Charlie leaned in towards Dean and Cas.
“Like I said, Cas. You really should have come to game night.” She winked and walked away.