Angeles

Cas doesn't fight the smile on his face as he takes the elevator up to his apartment. There's a forty-something year old man on the elevator as well, but he's too busy scrolling on his smartphone and talking into the Bluetooth in his ear to pay Cas any mind. 

The keys on Cas's keychain send out a small echo through the empty hallway as he goes to unlock his door. He opens the front closet and hangs his trench coat, slipping out of his shoes.

"Hey, bro," Gabriel says, suddenly behind him.

Cas jumps with a start, having not expected Gabe to be home at ten o'clock on a Saturday night.

"Gabe? What are you doing here?" Cas brushes past him to the kitchen, grabbing a glass out of the cabinet and filling it with tap water.

"I kidna live here, in case you forgot."

Cas rolls his eyes. "It's Saturday. I thought you'd be out."

"And miss my baby bro get home from his first date?" He wiggles his brows suggestively. "Pfft."

"It wasn't my first date," Cas argues.

"First one in a long time. And first one with Mr. Dreamy Guitar Player."

Cas's face contorts in a way that silently conveys, "Did you seriously just say that?"

"So how'd it go? Did you let him get to second base?" Gabe teases.

Reflexively, Cas's eyes roll. "We just went to dinner and talked. It was nice."

"Not even a kiss?"

Cas dodges his brother's gaze and looks down at his water before taking a drink.

Gabe's eyes widen in shock. "Seriously, dude? What, did he not make a move or something?"

"Not that it's any of your business," Cas bites, "but he did make a move. I just turned him down."

Cas starts walking towards his bedroom, but Gabe is hot on his heels.

"Why? I thought you liked him," Gabe calls out.

Just outside his bedroom door, Cas turns abruptly to face Gabriel. "I do. So I just want to take things slow. Can we drop it, please?"

Gabe sighs in surrender and Cas takes the opportunity to duck inside his room, firmly closing the door behind him. He exhales, loud and slow.

Cas wakes to his phone buzzing. At first, he thinks it's his alarm yelling at him to get up for work, but then he remembers that it's Sunday, and the bookstore's closed. Without untangling himself from his comforter, or even lifting his head from the pillow, he reaches over for his phone and unplugs it from the charger.

From Dean, 8:34 am: hey, got any plans for today?

Cas smiles, but it fades.

To Dean, 8:36 am: I do, actually. I have to write, edit, and send the weekly email detailing all the books being released.

From Dean, 8:39 am: how long's that gonna take?

Cas gnaws on the inside of his lip as he thinks about it for a moment.

To Dean, 8:42 am: An hour or two, I suppose.

From Dean, 8:47 am: do you wanna catch a movie this afternoon? i'm dying to see deadpool

Cas sets his phone back on his nightstand while he sits up to stretch, thinking of how to respond. He already had plans to see Deadpool this afternoon with Charlie. Would she be angry about him letting Dean tag along?

He's reaching for his phone when it buzzes again.

From Charlie, 8:54 am: How pissed would you be if I brought a date to our movie????

Cas perks up as he replies.

To Charlie, 8:55 am: Not at all...as long as I get to bring one, too.

The smile on Cas's face remains as he places his feet on the soft carpet of his bedroom floor. His phone buzzes multiple times, letting him know he has a phone call. It's from Charlie.

"You didn't tell me you were dating someone!" Charlie complained eagerly the second Cas tapped 'answer'.

"We've only been on one date," Cas informs her, running his hand through his bedhead.

"Still! I'm your best friend! You're supposed to tell me this stuff!"

"I was going to this afternoon."

"Well when was your date?"

"Just last night."

"Oh. Okay. I guess I can forgive you, then."

Cas rolls his eyes fondly, knowing that Charlie can't see it.

"Are you still seeing Dorothy?" Cas asks.

"Yep!" Charlie cheers. Cas can practically hear her beaming. "She's officially my girlfriend now."

"Girlfriend, really? It's been, what, four dates?"

"Four amazing dates and a lot of texting. Besides, we see each other outside of dates. I've known her for almost two months now; it's not like a met her yesterday."

"Yeah, alright, I surrender."

"How long have you known your man?"

Cas bites his lip. "Since Friday, I guess."

"You guess?"

"We met Friday night, but I was too busy making an ass of myself to have a proper conversation with him," Cas explains.

"But he still asked you out?"

"Yes."

Charlie squeaks with delight. "Yay! Oh my god, this is gonna be our first double date!"

Cas's face falls as he realizes that. "Is it too soon to go on a double date with Dean?"

Charlie gasps. "His name is Dean?! Oh my god! He sounds so dreamy!"

Cas rolls his eyes again. "Yes, his name is Dean. ...And he is quite handsome." He pauses. "But I don't even know all that much about him yet. Is it too soon?"

"Hmm," Charlie hums in contemplation. "I guess it might be. I don't know. That's up to you two, I guess. Different couples move at different speeds. Just ask him."

Cas's phone buzzes against his face, letting him know he has a new message.

"Hey, Charlie, can I call you back in a little bit?" he requests.

"Yeah, sure thing. Besides, I gotta call Dorothy anyway, let her know that she can tag along."

"Thanks, Char." Cas hangs up and checks his text.

From Dean, 9:07 am: sorry if that was too forward. we don't have to go

Cas smiles.

To Dean, 9:08 am: Sorry, my friend called me. Actually, my friend and I had plans to see Deadpool today. She's bringing a date. And I was wondering if you wanted to come with, as well. Or is it too soon?

Cas chews on the inside of his cheek as he waits for the response.

From Dean, 9:09 am: i think a double date sounds fun :)

Cas beams.

To Dean, 9:10 am: We're meeting at the Paragon at 3.

From Dean, 9:12 am: sounds great. i'll see you then :)