Chapter Text
Castiel looked up as someone tapped lightly on the divider of his cubicle. Anna smiled at him, but Castiel only tilted his head in response. Anna's smile faltered slightly, but she still kept strong.
"Several of us are going to get drinks after work," she started, "celebrating the end of the week and all. Would you like to join us?" Anna looked so hopeful that Castiel almost said yes. Almost.
"I'm afraid I can't, I've got a prior engagement." He said. It wasn't a complete lie. Castiel had been planning a grocery run since Wednesday, though he didn't strictly need to go today.
"Oh, I see." Anna said, clearly disappointed. "Next time?"
"Possibly," Castiel answered, attempting to smile placatingly at her. It fell short, if Anna's frown was anything to go by.
Castiel left work precisely at 5:30. He avoided his coworkers as he left, not wanting to be drawn into anymore unwanted conversations. They were all perfectly pleasant people, but, frankly, Castiel had no interest in getting to know them outside of work. For the most part they left Castiel alone, but one could never be too careful.
Castiel succeeded in getting to the parking lot without any confrontation. He quickly unlocked his car and got in, feeling a bit excited at the prospect of going home to read uninterruptedly for the weekend. He placed his key into the ignition and turned and -
Nothing.
Castiel frowned and tried again. The engine spluttered for a moment and then went out. Groaning to himself, Castiel angrily fished out his phone from his coat pocket and looked up nearby mechanics. There was only one open at this hour, Singer's Auto Service. Castiel pressed the call button and waited as his phone began to ring.
"Singer's Auto Service, this is Bobby. How can I help ya'?" Came the gruff voice. Castiel cleared his throat before speaking.
"Hello, my name is Castiel Novak. I own a Lincoln Continental, and I'm afraid that my engine won't start." He said.
"I'm sorry to hear that. I could send a tow truck your way, if you'd like. I will need your address." Castiel quickly gave the address of his company's building and listened as Bobby explained that someone would be by to tow his car soon. Castiel gave his thanks before hanging up. He wasn't sure if he should get out or stay in the car as he waited. He would rather be sitting, but any coworkers who noticed him might wonder what he was doing in his car. Castiel frowned, then he looked back at his phone to try and calculate how long it would take for the tow truck to arrive. Castiel figured his coworkers would assume he was texting or something.
Castiel only had to wait for about ten minutes before the tow truck entered the parking lot. Castiel got out of his car and waved at the truck. A few of his coworkers glanced at him curiously as they passed to their cars, but their interest faded quickly. Castiel watched as the tow truck stopped in front of his car. Then the driver's door opened and the driver stepped out.
Castiel could swear his heart stopped.
The driver was perhaps the most attractive man Castiel had ever seen. He had dirty blond hair, freckles, and, God, absolutely gorgeous green eyes. Castiel blinked and glanced away from the man's attractive face. Big mistake. The rest of the man was handsome too. He was tall and muscular, and Castiel thought he might die.
"Are you Castiel Novak?" The man asked, and, honestly, his voice was the hottest thing Castiel had ever heard. Castiel swallowed, mouth suddenly dry.
"Yes, I - " he coughed and cleared his throat, "I am." The man smiled, absolutely beautiful, and held out a hand.
"I'm Dean Winchester, nice to meet you." He said warmly. Castiel reached out to shake his hand, proud that he managed to keep his own steady. Dean was quick to attach Castiel's car to the tow truck.
"You can hitch a ride with me." Dean offered kindly. "If you'd like."
"Yes, thank you, that would be helpful." Castiel said, stumbling over his words. Dean only grinned at him, seemingly oblivious to how flustered Castiel was quickly becoming. Castiel joined Dean in the front of the tow truck.
"Any requests?" Dean asked, gesturing to the radio. Castiel normally listened to Classical, if anything at all. Something told him that Dean did not listen to Classical.
"No, I'm okay with anything." Castiel answered, biting his lip when Dean flashed him another grin.
"Hope you don't mind Classic Rock, then." He said as he pressed a button. The radio began to play some song Castiel was sure he had heard before, though he didn't know the title. Dean, however, clearly knew the song well. He hummed along and tapped against the steering wheel in rhythm with the song. Castiel tried not to stare, but it was a challenge not to. Castiel didn't believe in love at first sight, but he'd be lying if this wasn't close.
"So Castiel," Dean started, startling Castiel out of his thoughts, "whatcha do?"
Castiel frowned and furrowed a brow, "Pardon?" Dean laughed and amended his question.
"What do you do for a living."
"I'm an accountant." Castiel answered. He felt as though he should say more, but he didn't know what else to add.
"That's neat," Dean hummed, "lots of numbers, I'd guess."
"Ah, yes, there are quite a few of those." Castiel replied. Dean smirked at him.
"What about you, Dean?" Castiel said. He immediately felt like slapping himself.
"Or - I mean, obviously you work at Singer's Auto Service, I just meant - what is your official job title?" Castiel stammered as he tried to correct his mistake, feeling as though he was only making it worse. Dean only laughed and waved a hand at him.
"Don't worry, man," he chuckled, "I understand. I'm a mechanic, and I like to fix up cars in my free time too." Castiel nodded, blushing and looking down at his lap.
"Got any fun weekend plans?" Dean asked, and Castiel appreciated that he was still trying to make conversation.
"I'm going to the grocery store," Castiel answered, "or, I was. But I suppose I won't since my car isn't working. I'll likely read a book."
"Nice, man. What's your favorite?" Castiel thought to himself for a moment.
"I don't really have a favorite book, they all seemed interesting to me." He answered.
"How about a favorite genre?" Dean continued.
"No favorite genre either." Castiel answered. "Though my least favorite is probably tragic romance." Dean chuckled at that.
"I'm right with you there." He said. "Though I can't say I read much. What about a favorite movie?"
"I don't watch much television," Castiel admitted, "only the News." Dean shot him a shocked expression.
"Not even documentaries?" He questioned. "I feel like you're the type to enjoy Blue Planet or something."
"I haven't really seen any documentaries, so I wouldn't know." Castiel shrugged. "My brother is a fan of slapstick comedies, but I've never understood the appeal."
"You've got a brother?"
"I've got three."
"Three?" Dean gasped. "Shit, man. That sounds like a lot. Are you the oldest?"
"Youngest." Castiel corrected with a small smile. Dean whistled.
"I've only got one younger brother." He said. "He's in college now, at Stanford. He's going to be a lawyer." There was a note of pride in his tone that made Castiel grin wider.
"That's quite impressive." Castiel commented. "Good for him."
"Yeah," Dean said, smiling, "he's worked hard for it." He didn't say anything after that, seemingly in thought, and Castiel made no move to rekindle a conversation. He was content with the silence, for once experiencing one that didn't feel awkward.
Singer's Auto Service consisted of a small building in front of a large scrapyard. Dean parked, and he and Castiel exited the tow truck. Castiel watched as Dean unhooked his car and began to work on it.
"Main office is in there," Dean said, pointing to a door to the side of the building, "there's seats for waiting."
"Thank you, Dean." Castiel said. Dean grinned at him.
"No problem, dude." He said. Castiel felt himself blush, and he turned away quickly to head to the main building. Damn that beautiful man.