2 Months Later

"I don't see why he couldn't just visit us." Dean grumbled as the pair stepped out of his car. Castiel smiled, shaking his head softly.

"He's my best friend and we haven't met up in ages. I want him to meet you, and besides, he's too busy with work to visit, it'll just be a quick stop for lunch." Castiel assured, walking around the car to join hands with Dean. He nodded and smiled for Cas' sake before he squeezed the hand he'd grown so used to holding in his own.

Together they walked up the small steps to his house, Dean admired the car parked in the garage while Castiel hummed along to the birds chirping in the tall trees surrounding the area.

"What if he doesn't like me?" Dean suddenly blurted when they reached the door. Castiel sighed, smiling wide.

"He doesn't really like anyone. If he can tolerate you, then that's a step in the right direction. You two have a lot in common anyway, I'm sure it'll be fine." Castiel used his free hand to knock on the rustic wooden door precisely three times.

"Coming!" They heard a voice shout from inside. Dean gripped Castiel's hand tighter, swallowing nervously. Castiel rubbed small circles with his thumb over Dean's hand which he'd recently found calmed him. Dean smiled slightly as if to say thank you and Castiel smiled back as if to say no thank you for doing this.

The door swung open violently revealing a man in jeans and a black shirt, a scruffy beard apparent from what looked like lack of time to be bothered shaving.

"Cassie!" He exclaimed, pulling Castiel in a bear hug. The two men laughed, clapping each other's backs as Dean stood awkwardly behind them. Cas pulled away from his embrace and nudged Dean's shoulder slightly.

"Balthazar, this is Dean." He beamed as if showing off a prize. Dean's heart swelled in admiration, but he had to focus on the task at hand. Castiel had said the two had known each other since they were in diapers. He was basically the only friend that didn't leave him for being himself, being gay. This was an important lunch, Dean could tell. He was meeting one of the most influential people in Castiel's lives, it was almost like meeting parents and grandparents.

Dean held out his hand for Balthazar to shake, but he grabbed his arm and pulled him in for a hug as well, clapping him on the back. "So you're the guy that has saved me these last six months from watching any more ridiculous movies with this guy?" Balthazar grinned and they all laughed. The words were spoken in a strong British accent that had girls melting.

Dean nodded, smiling. "I guess I am. Castiel's told me a lot about you, I'm glad we could finally meet."

Balthazar laughed, beckoning them inside. "All good words I hope?"

The couple followed Balthazar into the kitchen where bar stools sat along side a bench, snacks awaiting on top. Dean put one hand in his leather jacket pocket and continued to hold Castiel's hand with the other. They sat down and Castiel couldn't help but smile at the way everyone was getting along. The two most important people in his life right now.

"Oh of course not!" Dean laughed. "He's already told me how the pair of you tried to ditch school that one time-"

"Dean! Shh!" Castiel interrupted chuckling. Balthazar moved swiftly across the tiles to the cupboards, grinning as he brought out three glasses.

"Oh I remember, is it that one where young Cassie forced me join his little plan of running away forever, only to end up with me stuck on top of the fence while you were hiding in some shrubs on the other side, meanwhile my pants were ripped from the spikes and all of year 7 and 8 were laughing and taking photos? Do you mean that one?" Dean and Cas started laughing again while Balthazar sighed, trying to suppress a grin.

"Okay, well now you know my horrendous childhood trauma, may I ask what you'd like to drink?" He smiled, offering a selection.

-

They talked for a while, Balthazar serving as a bartender, friend and chef all at once.

"So what are you doing now, Dean?" Balthazar asked as he poured another wine for himself. Dean swivelled on his chair to face him, leaning an arm on the bench. He'd taken his leather jacket off and it was hanging limply on a rack a few feet away. Castiel had taken off his shoes and was sitting cross legged on top of the stool, balancing.

"Well I do a bit of auto repair, cars and stuff. Cas' been helping up in shop too. It's great."

"Just until you find a job or indefinitely?" Balthazar asked Cas, eyebrow raised as he took a sip of the white alcohol.

"I don't know. I've been applying, some have said they'll keep me in mind, but I think they were just being polite. Dean's work is great though, it's... comfortable." He smiled, sharing a secret smirk with Dean when Balthazar's head turned to the window.

Work was more than great. They stole kisses under the bonnet when they thought no one was looking. They stole more than just kisses when they knew no one was looking. They had lunch together everyday and at the end of each one Cas got to see a sweaty, greasy Dean which was both disgusting and hot at the same time. "I learn a lot about cars, which is great 'cause then I learn more about Dean."

"Thanks angel." Dean winked and grabbed Castiel's hand, squeezing it for a second before returning it to his drink, lifting the beer to his lips. Castiel blushed at the name. It was new, but he kinda liked it.

"That's great Cassie." Balthazar said, seemingly distracted. He looked around the kitchen quizzically. "Hey Castiel, did you bring that salad for lunch?" He asked and Castiel's eyes suddenly widened, remembering.

"Oh! Yes, it's in the car. I'll just grab it for you." He slid off his seat and grabbed Dean's keys to the Impala. "I'll just be a second." He assured when Dean started to nervously fidget in his seat. They heard the front door shut and Balthazar immediately turned to Dean, arms resting on the bench.

"Do you love him?"

Dean coughed, almost spilling his beer. "W-what?"

Balthazar sighed, moving to the stool Castiel was previously sitting in. "I can see the way he looks at you, the way you look at him. I've known him since I can remember, I know when my Cassie is in love. Do you love him too?" Dean sat in his seat, nervously playing with the beer in his hands. He thought about Cas's morning hair and the time he forgot his hands were covered in grease and he wiped them all over his face. He thought about the coffee they share in the mornings now that Cas was temporarily moved in until he could pay rent again. He smiled, shaking his head at all the little things Castiel did. He didn't even realise, but these little details were the thing that did it. All the little things made Dean Winchester fall in love.

He nodded slowly to answer the question. Balthazar grinned like a proud mother and Dean smiled in response.

"You be good to him. He's had past relationships that ended so unfortunately for such a nice kid. He didn't deserve it, but I can tell you wont be like that. He hasn't been this happy since he moved out on his own, and that's saying something. Be good to him." He repeated, returning to the other side of the bench when he head the front door click open.

"I will." Dean whispered, standing and helping Castiel with the food when he returned.

-

They stayed longer than a few hours. They ended up staying all the way until it was almost too late to drive home.

But it wasn't too late, and so that night when the couple drove home under the city lights and the few stars peaking out from behind the clouds, he said it. Dean Winchester told Castiel Novak he loved him. He chewed his gum anxiously as stress relief like always, his knuckles going white around the steering wheel. The wind was pushing around their hair through the open windows and the moonlight glowed against their cheekbones. Music was playing softly and everything was calm, everyone was happy.

That night Dean told Castiel he loved him, and that night Castiel said he loved Dean back.