Chapter Text
Castiel is in love with Dean Winchester.
Deep down, he had known since the moment he touched Dean's soul and dragged him from the depths of perdition. He may not have understood then, but he does now.
As time went by and the apocalypse neared, Castiel could feel himself gradually fall as he became friends with Dean. After the apocalypse, when Sam and Dean managed to end it all and still make it out alive, it hit Castiel how much he truly cared about Dean and what it meant. Once he knew how helplessly in love he was, he embraced it and accepted it fully.
Now, he wanted to act on it. He finally got his chance to during a case with Sam and Dean. They were walking by a newspaper stand, on the sidewalk when the he noticed the magazine.
"How to get the man you love to fall in love with you!"
Castiel thought of how little he knew of humanity. All of the little things he just did not understand, but still made all the difference. He then thought of Dean and how much he wanted him, but confronting him about it was not going to work. It took seconds for Castiel to weigh all the possibilities in his mind before he swiftly grabbed the magazine and quickly joined the brothers before they noticed his absence.
***
Castiel was spending most of his days with Sam and Dean now. While Heaven was still open to him, he had chosen to stay with the brothers and help them on hunts. Right now, they were in their motel. Castiel had made an excuse and disappeared so he could read his magazine in private. He was currently sitting on top of the motel roof and staring intently at the first step on the page.
Tip 1: Wear perfume. This is a subtle way of getting your guy to notice you, but without saying outright that you want him. Just spray a little on and notice how he looks at you differently!
Castiel could hardly see Dean as the guy to notice if some one was wearing perfume or not. But what did he know? This magazine clearly knew more than him on this topic, and he was going to trust it to guide Dean into his arms.
The next second, he was in a department store staring at a huge arrangement of colognes and perfumes. He had no idea there were going to be so many choices. He looked around him, confusion settling around him with every second. He spotted an employee and approached them.
"Hello."
The employee jumped slightly before turning around, "Hi there, can I help you with something?" she asked politely.
Castiel thought for a moment, decided telling the whole truth would be best considering he had no experience in this field, then said, "I am in love with a man and I need to find a cologne that will make him subtly notice me, without revealing my love for him."
The employee paused and then smiled widely, a look of amusement clear on her face.
"Umm, alright then. I'm not sure I can help with such specific needs, but I can help you find a cologne you like."
Castiel nodded, expression unchanging, and followed the employee to the perfumes.
He then spent an hour at least, sampling every cologne until deciding on Dark Temptation Axe Body Spray because it seemed fitting. He had heard of it and seen it advertised often. Castiel figured since it was so popular, Dean must love it. The employee was certainly more cheerful when Castiel was done and leaving the store. Once outside, he flew back to the motel, landing in front of the door. He sprayed the cologne all over, making sure to get every inch. The more the better, right? He then tucked it away with his magazine before entering the room.
Sam was at the library, according to Dean, who was lying in bed watching television lazily. He didn't move as Castiel came over to sit on Sam's adjacent bed. As Castiel came nearer to Dean, Dean sniffed experimentally. He scrunched up his face, turning to Castiel.
"Do you smell that?"
"Smell what, Dean?" Castiel asked, with a faint tone of smugness in his voice.
Dean sat up then, sniffing the air, trying to find the source that was almost burning his eyes. He leaned toward Castiel before abruptly leaning back again.
"Dude, are you wearing cologne?" Dean asked incredulously.
"Yes," was all Cas said. His face was an unreadable mask, except for a small pleased look in his blue eyes.
"Um, why on Earth would you ever wear cologne? It is literally burning through my nostrils and eyes, Cas." Dean chuckled slightly before lying back down and fanning a pillow in Cas' direction.
Castiel frowned, confusion lighting his features. He did exactly what the magazine had said. He didn't understand why it had the opposite effect on Dean then intended.
"You don't like it?" Castiel asked, hiding his hopeful tone and settling for an indifferent one.
"Hell no, Cas, you put way too much on. Plus, you don't even need it." Dean glanced at Cas quickly, but couldn't help noticing a hint of disappointment in the angel's eyes. "Why did you?"
Castiel stood abruptly. "I have to go."
Dean jumped up. "What? No! - I mean, why? You just got back."
Castiel walked away, lost in thought of how else to get Dean to love him. "What? Oh, sorry, Dean. I'll be back shortly." With that, he disappeared, leaving Dean standing in the motel slightly frustrated and immensely confused. Castiel pulled out his magazine and stared intently at the words as soon as he was alone.
His first attempt went horribly wrong. Next time, he will plan it much better.