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Coming soon for the @destielaureversebb: “Where We Belong” 

Author: quiettewandering @wanderingcas Artist: @eggchef

Rating: Explicit Archive warnings: None Length: 35,000 words Tags:  Alternate Universe - Small Town, Rancher Dean Winchester, Mutual Pining, Idiots in Love, Fluff and Angst Relationships: Dean/Castiel

Summary:  

Castiel never expected to see Dean Winchester again. But when he returns to his hometown in Challis, Idaho after 10 years away, an accidental tumble into a creek on Winchester Ranch throws him back into the path of his unrequited high school love. 

Dean never expected to see his high school crush Castiel Novak again and he certainly didn't expect to find Cas in his creek one Thursday morning. It's an uncomfortable reunion, made even more so when Cas is hired as the accountant to help the failing Winchester Ranch out of the red—and when Dean and Castiel begin to realize that their feelings aren't nearly as unrequited as they previously thought.

Excerpt: 

“I’m taking a walk,” Cas states, like it’s obvious. 

Dean stares, waiting for Cas to go on, but—he doesn’t. The hammer in Dean’s hand lowers an inch. “Into the creek?” he snaps. 

“That was clearly a mistake.”

“Well this is private property, asshole,” Dean growls. “Or did you miss the fence?” 

Huffing out an impatient sigh, Cas crosses his arms over his chest. He looks way too dignified for a guy that’s soaking wet. “I realize that it’s your property. I grew up around here. I got turned around, and—”

“If you grew up here, then how the hell’d you get 'turned around’?”

Cas’s eyes narrow. “It’s been a while.” 

Yeah. Ten whole freaking years. But Dean doesn’t say that, because Cas doesn’t seem to recognize Dean, and Dean’s not about to be the stalker that remembers a high school classmate who barely spared him a glance in the hallway. 

Instead, Dean gestures to Cas’s wet clothes. “So, what—you fall in?”

Cas’s glare deepens. “Obviously,” he grits out. 

“Why are you lookin’ at me like that?” Dean snaps. “I didn’t put the damn creek in your way.” 

“I’m not—” Cas’s shoulders slump as he looks away. “I’m having a bad day.” 

Dean appraises Cas, then slips the hammer into his back jeans pocket. “Wearing a trench coat for a hike was your first mistake.”

“The hike was a spontaneous decision.” 

Despite himself, Dean runs his eyes over Cas’s body. Under that trench coat is a white dress shirt, which is wet enough that Dean can see the pink of Cas’s skin, contrasted by the dark hair on his chest. Dean’s mouth goes dry at the sight. 

Baby whinnies and flicks her tail impatiently behind him. And, yeah—good fucking point. Settle down, Winchester.