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Metal chains creaks under Sam's weight. He pushes his feet off the ground, he doesn't move much before his feet drag against the dirt.
Sam shifts his gaze from the grooves in the dirt to the setting sun. Blue melts into orange and yellow, a pool of yellow-orange rests on the horizon. Sam peeks over at Castiel and Dean, who are engaged in a conversation. He's not entirely sure why Dean dragged him along just to have him excluded.
Sam rolls his shoulders and shifts his gaze back to the sky. He can see the moon in the changing light, stars beginning to become visible as the sun dips lower behind the horizon. Distantly street lamps flicker on, long shadows over take the surrounding area, blanketing Sam in darkness. He should just leave, should have told his brother he wasn't interested in going out, but they spent so little time together not worried about hunting; or the end of the world. Sam would never admit it, but he missed how it used to be. However awestruck he was finding out angels are real (which lasted until they started talking, who knew they could be such assholes?), it was not worth this new strain on their relationship. Not that Sam had no hand in worsening it. He exhales heavily letting his head rest on the chain.
"Hello, Sam."
Sam jolts in his seat, the metal groaning in protest. He hadn't heard the angel approach. "Hey Castiel," he smiles meekly.
Sam stares at the angel over his shoulder, about to stand, but to his surprise, Castiel walks around the partnering swing and takes a seat. He shoots them a curious look.
"You need something?" Sam asks. Castiel opens their mouth and shuts it. Their brows furrow and they turn their attention to the sky.
"Do you like the stars?"
Not what Sam was expecting him to say. Somehow, he knows that's not what Castiel intended to ask, nevertheless he nods, a smile pulling at the corners of his lips involuntarily. Castiel's gaze is fully on him, serious as always.
"I do."
"I've seen the sky long before stars were created, traveled the vast emptiness of space, saw the first star be born and yet I still marvel at the sight of them. I could see them forever and still be in awe."
Castiel's gaze is unwavering and intense. Sam isn't sure how to respond, even if he could the blazing stare targeted at him rendered him speechless. The moment is ruined by Dean, of course.
"I'm gonna grab a bite to eat, if you're hungry," Dean says. Sam breaks eye contact first.
"Alright, wait for me."
Dean heads off blindly into night. Sam rolls his eyes, sparing a glance to his right. Castiel was gone. Letting out a long suffering sigh, he pushes himself off the swing and follows after Dean.
--
The following weeks are a confusing mess. If Dean were not involved he would think it's hilarious but watching Castiel fumble so hard was... difficult. It's funny at first, seeing his attempts at what Dean guesses is romance fall flat especially when the guy on the receiving end is Sam of all people. If it were any other person Dean would help, well no thats too strong a word, but he would offer something- maybe helpful adjacent, which when considering it, is definitely not the case.
But, this was Castiel and the guy wanted to peruse a relationship with his brother, which is weird. Dean never had friends interested in anything Sam was doing, ever. Let alone angels ment to be guarding them or whatever it was Castiel did. That didn't stop the angel from not so subtly asking for his help. The first time Castiel had come to him, Dean was almost convinced it was an unrelated third party, but Castiel was a shit liar so it wasn't hard to see past it.
He'd tried to divert Castiel to Sam for help, but he doesn't think it worked since that's who Castiel's trying to get with apparently. As humorous as it would be to mess with them, Dean doesn't think it's worth the fury of an angel of God or Sam... especially not Sam, whom he lived with. Not that Dean didn't sprinkle it in when could. What kind of brother would he be if he didn't kinda ruin it? He can hear the argument to be made that it makes him a total asshole, which unsurprisingly sounds like Sam.
"Not to be the barer of bad news Cas, but I really don't think a dog is winning anyone's affections." Dean knows it's Sam he's trying to win over. He's unsure if Castiel realizes he's privy to this information. But he keeps it to himself for now.
The look Castiel gives him is downright pathetic, but has no effect on Dean. Okay a little, but not enough for Dean to offer better than he gave.
"It's not a real dog," Castiel protests. Which Dean isn't stupid and can see. It's a stuffed animal. The uncanny resemblance to his brother makes it understandable why he had it in his hands.
"Duh. Look man," Dean sighs biting his lip. He looks away from Castiel and shakes his head. "Just tell him, you'd be surprised what impact words have."
Castiel has the gaul to look confused. He really was becoming more human as the days went on.
"Tell who what?" Castiel asks. He's being completely serious. Dean feels his heart rate pick up and a throbbing sensation starts at his temple. For a spilt second he looks up to the ceiling, before shutting his eyes and waving his hands dismissively.
"Nevermind, let's go."
Castiel doesn't put the dog back and Dean ends up paying for it along with the medication he had gone for. He doesn't know why he let Castiel come along, he always ended up with random bullshit.
Sam takes the dog from Castiel. He is confused, and for good reason. Not everyday your sorta friend/guy you're into just hands you a toy.
"It made me think of you," Castiel explains. Sam smiles up at them, unconsciously petting the stuffed animal.
"Thanks Castiel."
They don't quite beam, but they are quite pleased with this reaction. From what Dean expressed at the drugstore, they assumed Sam would hate it- really Castiel shouldn't have gotten it, but they couldn't just leave it there. He was prepared to have to keep it for themself after it was rejected. He had no where to put it, but that wasn't a problem now.
--
Bugs chitter around Sam. He rests on the river bank, exhaustion weighing on his body. Dean is farther up the river lying on the muddy ground. They'd fought a kelpie, which was a surprising turn of events. Sam guesses its migration is due to the inevitable end of the world. Bobby mentioned one of the hunters he knew dealing with a Morgwar off the Gulf of Mexico.
Sam rubs his face in the crook of his elbow. He smears the mud rather than removing it. He hears a ruffle of feathers and the distinct chemically smell Castiel has permeates the air.
"Hello, Sam."
"Hi," Sam yawns. He stretches his sore limbs. Castiel sits down beside Sam on the mucky ground.
"I've been meaning to have this covered with you for weeks, but I couldn't find the right words. I think I have them now," Castiel stares intently at Sam. Their eyes glance off to where Dean is, he makes no move to get up, so Castiel continues.
"For a long time I was confused about what I felt. I was under the impression that I desired only friendship from you. I have since realized that is not the case."
Castiel pauses thoughtfully, his face unreadable. Sam rubs at the seam of his jeans. Hope bubbles in his gut.
"I understand if you do not feel the same way, but I believe you deserve to know," Castiel finishes. They search Sam's face for a moment. Disbelief and hope mix on his face. Sam bites the inside of his cheek, a smile tugs at his lips. He tamps down the negative thoughts, taking in a deep breath.
"I'm not romantically opposed to you," Sam replies. Castiel rolls his eyes, reaching for Sam's muddy hand. The angel squeezes their hands together, his once clean hand now streaked with muck.
"Is this when we kiss?"
"Yeah," Sam chuckles. He leans in and Castiel meets him halfway. They bump noses at first. Fumbling for a moment before their lips connect. It's awkward and messy but Sam couldn't imagine a better first kiss.
"You- never mind." Dean coughs. He turns away, but Sam can see that stupid smile even in the dark. Sam clenches his jaw. Pressing his lips together to prevent a smile of his own. He spares a glance over to Castiel who couldn't look happier. He stands, puling the angel along with him. Sam'd forgot about the hand holding; he felt no rush to drop Castiel's hand.