#sometimes for fun i imagine random caps of dean as caps from some sort of dean/cas au #like maybe this is a still from some film about a man named Dean Winchester meeting Castiel Novak in the rows of some comic book shop #and maybe one day Dean takes a break from browsing the Enterprise models to browse through the store's trashy book selection #which in no way has anything to do with noticing the really hot tousled haired guy also standing there #and it's not like Dean starts regularly frequenting said shop for the hopes of glancing the guy again #and maybe through repeat encounters #and several not-dates at the coffee shop round the corner #Dean comes to learn all about Castiel and his quirks #and how he's actually one of his favourite sci-fi authors #he also comes to learn #that he's fallen hopelessly in love with him

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Part 5/?

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The phone rings wildly, off the hook. It clatters around on the floor until Dean Winchester picks it up. A moment later the phone rings again, and this time Dean picks up.

"Yo."

"Dean!" Castiel's voice appears relieved. "Look, I'm just about to take off for work, I'm going out of town. I was wondering if you'd like to meet up before I go."

"Work? Out of town?"

Dean is wondering why he's still here, then, in this sleepy burg, if Castiel moves on out of town every so often. It has a nice comic book shop and (yes, some of those Novak books are first editions) but not enough to keep him happy.

"Yeah, just for once." Castiel smiles, he can hear Castiel smile through the phone. "So, meet up?"

"Uh, yes," Dean says. "The coffee shop?"

—

The matron at the coffee shop bustles over as soon as the door jangles a welcome. "Castiel! Dean! Welcome. Welcome - what would you like to have to drink, dear?"

"Espresso," Castiel shoulders in before Dean can say anything. "Three of them."

Dean's eyebrows go up to his hairline, then try to go up more when the matron only nods and turns to him like this is a normal order for Castiel. What does an accountant do that need so much coffee? "Just a mocha, thanks."

They stare at each other for a moment, before Castiel breaks it with a fit of laughter. "Your expression, Dean. Please, I am a working man."

"With that much coffee?"

Blue-collar (Dean is wearing a neatly pressed shirt today, and he quite likes the feel of it) stares at white-collar.

Castiel grins. "I just really like caffeine. Speaking of which…" He rummages around in his sling-bag and pops up with a book titled Callahan's Lady, which he slides across the counter. "For you. I found it in a used bookstore last time I took a trip out, and I think it'd do you some good."

Dean stares at Castiel, and takes the well-used book. "Sure…?"

"You'll enjoy it."

Dean starts in with what they were talking about last week (Emberverse), and they spend a pleasant afternoon, basking in the sun.

It's only after Castiel is gone, and Dean finishes the book that Castiel gave him, that Dean appreciates the joke.

When Castiel comes back, his house has one custom-made additional blowup-doll of Dean Winchester, courtesy of Dean, a blushing sister, and a laughing-far-too-hard Sam Winchester.

(Sometimes Castiel sleeps with it at night, then avoids Dean's gaze at their weekly meetings the next day.)