#pluckydean

“Excuse me?” Dean asks. “Are you Casteel?”

“Castiel,” Castiel corrects faintly. 

Dean looks him over, brief enough not to feel inappropriate, and smiles. “Hey, I’m Dean.”

He holds out his hand. Castiel takes it, palm tingling at the touch. He has felt Dean’s hand on him before, softly petting his feathers or offering him a comfortable perch. It feels different touching him as a human, more charged somehow, and Castiel knows he’s not the only one who feels that way when Dean’s hand lingers, dropping reluctantly only when Dean takes his seat across from him.

“Not to sound like a cliché, but have we met before?” Dean asks. “You look kind of familiar.”

He’s looking Castiel right in the eye as he says that, and Castiel flushes when he realizes that he recognizes the color.

So much for not pining. 

Castiel opens his mouth, fully intending to explain the situation to Dean but something stops him. What if Dean, like him, has been raised to believe that magic and romance don’t mix? What if he’s one of those witches who wouldn’t dream of pursuing their familiar? Some of them do consider it a form of bestiality, as incredibly insulting as that is.

“I don’t think so,” he lies. “I’m certain I would remember.”

He can’t regret laying the lie on so thick when Dean blushes prettily at the compliment, smile turning softer.

“Just getting this out of the way, Balthazar told you that I’m a witch, right?” 

Castiel nods, even though Balthazar did nothing of the sort. “What did he tell you about me?” 

“Well, he didn’t tell me you were so good looking,” Dean says, and now it is Castiel’s turn to blush. “Didn’t tell me much, really. Just your name, that you are his brother, and that you work at the animal shelter downtown.”

Castiel nods in confirmation. He knows he should tell Dean the truth now, before this goes too far, but he can’t bring himself to do it just yet. He wants the chance to get to know Dean as a human, before Dean’s impression is inevitably colored by the fact that he spends half his time covered in feathers. 

The date goes well, near as Castiel can tell. Dean is even more attractive when he is trying to be, all confidence, compliments and teasing grins. He tells Castiel some things he already knows, about his craft and his recently acquired familiar, and some things he didn’t, mostly about his family which he is clearly very fond of.

They finish their lunch and leave the café together. Dean takes Castiel’s hand once they’re outside and Castiel lets him, heart pounding harder when Dean’s fingers intertwine with his own. 

“You live close by?” Dean asks.

Castiel nods mutely. He feels a strange mix of flustered and guilty, the two conflicting emotions making his stomach churn unpleasantly.

“Can I walk you home, then?”

Again, Castiel nods. He needs to tell Dean the truth before this date ends, he decides then. Keeping up the deception won’t just affect any potential romantic relationship but their connection as witch and familiar as well. 

He takes them the long way home, both wanting to put off an awkward conversation and to hold Dean’s hand just a little bit longer. Eventually, though, they arrive at his doorstep. 

“I had fun,” Dean tells him, and the way he says it warm and low makes it feel like more than a routine statement. 

“Me too,” Castiel says. He draws in a deep breath. “Dean, I-”

That’s as far as he gets before Dean leans in, kissing him softly. It’s a brief kiss, just barely long enough for Castiel to catch on and begin kissing him back before Dean pulls away.

“Sorry,” he says, licking his lips. “I didn’t mean to interrupt you, I just wanted-”

Castiel cups his cheek and pulls him in, shutting him up with another kiss. They’re both smiling like idiots when they part.

“Wow,” Dean breathes. “Um. I’ll call you?”

“Please do.”

It’s only once Dean is gone that Castiel realizes that he didn’t tell him after all.

That evening, Dean summons him. 

They’ve spent more evening together than not lately so it’s hardly a surprise, but it puts Castiel on immediate alert anyway. He takes flight from his living room window with trepidation, too nervous to enjoy it like he usually does.

In too short a time he’s arriving at Dean’s home, landing on a perch in his kitchen that Dean set up shortly after they met.

“Hey,” Dean greets, smiling. He has changed out of his previous outfit into tattered jeans and a faded t-shirt, the kind of clothes more appropriate for potentially messy spell casting. “That was quick.”

Castiel responds with a trill, feeling a rush of pride despite his anxiety. 

“How was your day?” Dean asks, smile widening when Castiel replies with another trill. He can’t actually understand Castiel in this form yet but he likes to pretend he does. “Yeah, mine too. I had a date, it went pretty great. Hot guy, looks adorable when he blushes.”

Castiel inclines his head, knowing that if he could blush now he would.

“He had beautiful eyes, too.” Dean gives Castiel a fond look. “Kind of looked like, yours, actually. Who knew I was such a sucker for blue eyes?”

Castiel fidgets, the pleasure at Dean’s flattery turning into heavy guilt. He can’t keep this from Dean any longer.

He shakes his wings, kicking himself off his perch and transforming midair. Dean’s eyes widen, expression going from delighted surprise to recognition to plain shock in moments. 

“I enjoyed the date as well,” Castiel says. “I was hoping there would be another but if not, I understand.”

Dean stares at him wordlessly.

“Just please tell me that I can remain your familiar.”

Dean opens his mouth. Closes it again. “You lied,” he finally says. 

“I did,” Castiel admits. “But I wanted to go on this date with you and I was afraid that it wouldn’t happen if you knew the truth.”

Dean looks him over. “Did you lie about anything else?”

“No! I haven’t ever lied to a date like this before. If we continue our relationship in any way, I promise to be honest with you from now on.” Castiel cringes, reluctantly adding, “Of course, I understand if you can’t trust my word.”

Dean’s expression is closed off, impossible to read. “Guess I don’t have to call you, then.”

Castiel’s stomach drops. “I - I suppose not.”

“Summoning’s a lot more convenient, anyway.” Dean smiles and relief floods Castiel. “Cheaper, too. I don’t have a great data plan.”

“Dean, I - thank you.”

“You’ll stay on as my familiar, right?” Dean asks. He takes a step closer, and Castiel can feel the pull between them; it’s magic but it’s more than that. “I know some people have issues with mixing magic and romance, but I’m willing to try if you are.”