Disclaimer: I do not own Supernatural, nor the wonderful characters. If I did, Destiel would be canon. All rights go to their respective owners.

Warnings: Slight mentions of abuse

The next morning, Dean found himself sleeping in for the first time in what felt like forever. He glanced over at his alarm clock, which read 9:00. He couldn't remember the last time he got to sleep in past seven. He didn't take many days off of work. How could he try paying for Sammy's college if he was lounging around, not working and not getting paid?

He stretched out his tired limbs as he basked in the warm sunlight coming through his crappy blinds. He smiled softly. Today was going to be a good day. He could feel it. He begrudgingly got out of his comfy bed and quietly padded down the hallway to search for something to eat. When he reached the small kitchen he and his brother shared most mornings, he was greeted with the delicious aroma of brewing coffee. He walked over to the steaming coffee pot. Stuck to the plastic top was a sticky note. He smiled as he read his baby bro's familiar writing.

'Gone out with Jess and some friends. Be back later. Have fun on your date!' He laughed as he brushed a thumb over the hasty smiley face drawn in the corner. His brother, ever the lovable dork. He happily poured himself a cup of warm coffee as he thought of all the ways he would tease his brother later when he got home. He grabbed a donut from beside the coffee maker and practically gulped it down. He leaned back against the counter with a content sigh, perfectly at peace sipping away at his drink as he let his mind wander, filling in the quiet of the world around him.

He was looking forward to his date, and noon just couldn't seem to come fast enough. He and Cas had agreed to meet up at the local café downtown for some lunch together, and then they'd stroll around the area, looking through the random shops and streets.

Dean let his mind sift through all the possible ways the date could end up going. He couldn't help the anxious flips his stomach did as his heart dropped. He thought back to the last time he had a date. He had very unwisely brought her home. Needless to say it hadn't ended well. He shuddered as he remembered how angry his father had been. John Winchester always had a temper, but that night he'd been drinking up a storm. He had greeted his son and girlfriend with a throwing knife in the door next to his head. Dean quickly drove her home, bidding her a last goodnight and goodbye, after he convinced her he was safe in his home and that 'no, child services did not need to be called'.

He guided himself away from his dangerous memories of painful blows and long nights. He didn't have to worry about them anymore. He and Sammy were far away from those times, safe and sound. He'd gotten them out, and their father was locked away somewhere, where he couldn't touch them ever again.

"Whoa. Dark thoughts much," he muttered to himself as he gulped down the rest of his drink, ignoring the way it burned his throat. He set the cup in the sink and made his way to the cramped bathroom at the end of the hallway to shower and get ready for the big day ahead of him.

His shower was quick, and cold enough to wake him up completely. He looked in the mirror at his reflection staring back at him. He had some stubble lining his jaw, and he contemplated shaving, but easily decided against it. Bright eyes continued to stare at him from the glass and he took in his appearance with some distaste. Too green of eyes, hooded by strangely thick lashes, nothing like the beautiful blue Cas had; the ones that had shined so bright last night when he had been talking about all the little things in life he liked. His face was tired from all the days and nights he worked himself to the bone, and dark rings lined his eyes. Maybe he did deserve this little break after all? His lips stood out, plump and feminine like they always were. A scar stretched along the right length of his jaw, white against his tanned skin, reminding him of days long past. He sighed deeply, never taking his eyes off his face.

"I know how you look in the mirror and hate what you see," he said quietly to himself, and even so he sounded loud in the quiet of the empty apartment. He took a deep breath and flashed the confident smirk he always tried to wear.

"But today's going to be a good day. It's gonna be great," he said firmly, and a part of him really believed it as he went back to his tiny room to get dressed. And as he slipped on a simple collared plaid shirt, feeling the familiar comfortable fabric on his skin, he let a real smile creep onto his face. He could do this.

The ten-minute ride to the Devil's Trap Café was mostly silent aside from the occasional honking of horns of cars- people just didn't know how to drive in this town. Devil's Trap was the place everyone came to hang out, whether you were a kid with your group of friends after school, or coworkers getting a drink before work. Everyone came here; except for all the church nuts of course. He didn't know why it was dubbed Devil's Trap. That wasn't even the actual name of the place. It was called the Roadhouse Café, but Devil's Trap just sort of stuck with everyone. He assumed it was the customers' joke, cause all the coffee and food was just so damn good, but know one really knew where it had first come from. But whatever. It was a cool enough place anyway. When he walked inside, his ears were greeted with the noise of chatting people and the grinding noises of coffee beans in the machines. His eyes immediately found the familiar dirty trench coat and the dark haired beauty it belonged to. He walked up to where Cas was seated, chatting with a barista behind the counter. She laughed at something he said, and he felt a tiny sting of jealousy as he sat down beside Cas.

"Hello Dean," Cas said, his eyes twinkling with a light happiness that made his heart stutter wildly in his chest. All previous thoughts forgotten he grinned widely at the man.

"Hey. Long time no see." It had been too long in Dean's opinion, and he kind of hoped Cas felt the same way. The man chuckled in amusement.

"Indeed, it has been long," Cas agreed. They smiled at each other as an awkward silence filled the space between them. The woman behind the counter coughed at Cas, glaring pointedly at him.

"I-I was just telling Ellen about you," Cas said, squinting his eyes at Ellen. Though the phrase sounded more like a question, like he was afraid of saying the wrong thing. The woman rolled her eyes at him and sighed. She turned to Dean, who nervously sat up a little straighter as he looked her in the eye, hands fidgeting uncomfortably under the counter.

"Hi, the name's Ellen Harvelle and I run this here roadhouse. It's a pleasure to finally meet you. Castiel has been telling me a lot about, ever since he first saw you at- where was it again? The burger joint across town isn't it?" Dean's eyes widened as he nodded, his mouth to dry to answer her with words. Cas had been talking about him? Since he first started coming in a few months ago? The thought sent a slow blush creeping to his face. He suddenly felt very small where he sat, and he had to resist the urge to fold in on himself and completely disappear. He peeked over at Cas who seemed to be having a similar reaction to Ellen's words. He was glaring intensely at Ellen, though the effect was thoroughly ruined by his bright red cheeks. 'God, he's adorable.' And it was just too much. Dean smiled at him, feeling bold as he reached over and grabbed his hand in his own. To his surprise- and relief- Cas didn't pull away. Instead he entwined their fingers together in a firm but gentle grip. And if Dean wasn't blushing before, his face was definitely burning now.

"If my Jo could see you now Cas," Ellen said, and they looked up to see her beaming at them. But the smile didn't quite reach her eyes. Dean looked over at Cas to see him giving her a sad smile in return. He assumed there was a story behind this, and whatever it may be; it probably hadn't ended very well for whoever this Jo person was. He decided it best not to bring it up.

"So what do you two love birds want? It's on the house." That seemed to lighten up the mood a bit, and after they had finished their vanilla bean iced coffees- which were superb by the way- they spent the rest of their time together wandering around town enjoying each other's company.

It wasn't until Dean was back in his car, halfway home to tell his brother all about his day that he got the phone call that sent his happiness plummeting back to where it belonged, and his world came crashing down around him. He pulled over along the side of the road, staring distantly at his steering wheel as a numb feeling engulfed him. He barely registered the tears streaming down his face as his chest heaved with silent sobs. His mind replayed the sheriff's words over and over again in his head, on an endless loop.

"I'm sorry to have to tell you this, Mr. Winchester. It's never an easy thing, but your brother's passed away. There was a fire, and he didn't make it out. I am so sorry."

Hope you enjoyed the chapter! I'll hopefully have the next one up soon! :)

~CosmicCreativity