The Way it Was-Destiel

        "Dean, I do not understand that reference." Castiel raised an eyebrow at his friend while Dean chuckled.
         "Shocker."Dean ran his hand through his hair and heaved himself onto the top of the Impala, a paper bag, with grease seeping out of a bottom corner, in hand. Castiel reclined back against the windshield next to Dean as the evening sun began to set. Castiel closed his eyes, feeling the warm rays engulf him as he listened to the rustling of the autumn leaves.  Castiel smiled contently as he heard another sort of rustling, Dean’s hand in the paper bag. The sounds fused with the beat of “Ramble On”, which was quietly playing from the Impala’s stereo. Dean pulled out the two hamburgers and took half of the wrapping off each. He carefully surveyed them as Castiel cocked his head. Dean finally smiled and handed the one in his left had to Cas.

     “This one’s got more cheese.” Dean held the burger out to Castiel, who just shook his head.

    “Dean, you know I do not need food.”

    “Oh, shut up. What’d you think? I was buying two for myself? C’mon, You know you want it.”

       Dean waved the burger in front of Castiel’s face; Castiel smiled accepting the burger. They sat in silence for a while, eating and continuing their conversation of Castiel’s search for his Father. Castiel complained but remained confident, Dean didn’t voice his doubts, not wanting to rain on Castiel’s parade. Besides, Castiel already knew Dean’s opinions on the matter anyway, even though Dean never voiced them. Dean suppressed a chuckle as Cas became riled up at the mention of Zachariah. Castiel calmed down once Dean coudn’t control his laughter any longer.

       “What?” Cas turned to look at Dean who just continued smiling and chuckling to himself.  Castiel relaxed and closed his eyes again, their vocal conversation turning into a silent one. As time passed, Castiel slowly felt the warmth of the sun fade away. His face became cool and the heat emitting from the Impala’s hood became noticeable.  He opened his eyes to see the orange haze glow along the horizon. He sighed thoughtfully.

      “I know.” Dean said softly as he looked out at the view in front of him. Dean seemed at a loss for words; how could a day like this even exist? He continued to take in the lowering sun as the glow disappeared and night settled around them. The brilliant stars began to emerge in the clear sky; Dean couldn’t resist resting his head on the windshield and staring.  Dean loved nights like these, nights off, a time he could just sit and relax and could just ignore the doom that constantly hung over their heads. Words couldn’t explain the appreciation Dean had for times like these.

        He missed when he had these nights with Sam, but Sam wasn’t up for it yet. Dean wished he could just forgive and forget about the whole demon blood thing, and all about the unlocking of Lucifer’s cage; sometimes Dean felt he had. But one of the two brothers always seemed to bring it up one way or another.  Dean was most upset because with the weight of the apocalypse resting on Dean’s shoulders, the person he had always turned to couldn’t be of assistance; Dean couldn’t go running to Sam every time he wanted to curse out the bastard that had started the apocalypse.

       Dean began using Castiel as surrogate brother, calling to him and complaining to him once he arrived. Castiel took all of Dean’s concerns to heart at first, making a mental note of every word, every pitch, every facial expression, and would go out to try and fix it for Dean, to relieve Dean of the burden he was forced to carry. But after a while, Castiel realized that what Dean really wanted was someone to talk to, someone who would listen. This revelation didn’t stop Castiel from running himself ragged trying to fix conflicts that arose for Dean, but it did make their times together more enjoyable. Castiel allotted himself a significant amount of time to spend with Dean; he did his best to quickly complete his angelic duties then go to Dean, however, on more than one occasion Castiel had abandoned his current responsibility to answer Dean’s call. Castiel started staying longer, and coming on his own; he came on his own accord just as often as Dean called him.

       Castiel opened his eyes and stared at the stars; the bright little orbs always captured Castiel’s attention. However, Castiel observed them it couldn’t help but notice a lack of luster; It wasn’t until recently that a pair of emerald eyes outshined them. The thought crossed his mind that this moment would be his heaven and all the details would be included: the chill of the fall air with the heat of the Impala’s engine radiating from the hood, the smell of Dean’s beloved cheeseburgers, the silent conversation the two were having and the constant brush of Dean’s shoulder against his own. Castiel turned his head toward Dean, Castiel’s cheek resting on the glass of the windshield. Dean wore a shy smile as he gazed at the sky and the charcoal clouds that peacefully invaded the night sky. Yes. Castiel thought, Yes, this would be my heaven.

       Dean slid off the hood of the car and cracked his back as he babbled on about an album Castiel would love. Cas smiled as he hopped down, his feet making a small thud on the damp ground. A small glint flickered from the grass and caught Cas’ eye. He bent over and examined the little wonder. Castiel found it to be a marble and he couldn’t help noticing the similarities the emerald glass had to Dean’s eyes.

        “I’m tellin’ you Cas, there’s nothin’ like the classi…Dammit Cas!” Castiel jerked up at the sudden outburst, the marble slipped into his pocket.

       “What is the matter?” Castiel stared at Dean, who seemed both surprised and happy, the anger melting from his face.
       “Oh, sorry, I uh, I thought I’d lost ya.” He chuckled a bit, wanting to drop the conversation that was sure to ensue. He had no such luck as Castiel peered at him confusedly. “I thought you’d poofed away or whatever.” Dean looked away from the soul piercing gaze of Castiel. He swung his leg aiming to kick the tire of the Impala, however, last minute he switched his aim and kicked a of clump dirt with the toe of his boot.

        “I would not leave without saying good-bye, Dean.” The hurt emotion in Castiel’s force brought Dean’s eyes up from the oh-so-interesting grass.

        “You have before.” Other thoughts and secrets bubbled to Dean’s mind but he forced himself to ignore them. A brief silence hung in the air, Castiel surely replaying every single departure. Castiel sighed sadly; he’d never noted before, how sudden a majority his departures were.

       “I know. I apologize, Dean…”
       “You don’t have to Cas. It’s not a big deal.”
       “It is important to you. Is it not?” Dean remained silent, answering a question Castiel already knew the answer to. “Dean, I wish to explain. Please, don’t argue with me about this. Thank you. Dean, good-byes are not a preference of mine. As you know, I have numerous duties to preform in heaven and quite often I’m forced to return. I’d much rather stay here, with you. And Sam,” Castiel added, “I try to say good-bye, but I am weak, Dean. The longer a good-bye, the more I convince myself to stay. Good-byes are my ‘kryptonite’.” Dean laughed, partially at the reference and how cautiously Cas had said it but mainly his stiff fingers making air quotes.

        “Yeah, Good-byes suck, no doubt about that. I get it.” Dean paused looking at the fog slowly creeping in the sky. “But still…”
        “You’d prefer a parting farewell.” Castiel finished his thought. Dean nodded as Castiel smiled and parted his mouth.
        “Hey, we still got a little time, right? Let’s not practice, right this second.” Dean then climbed into the car to escape the chill of the air. Castiel followed suit. Dean revved the engine but left the car in park. Castiel had unconsciously pulled the marble from his pocket, as he let it roll around in the palm of his hand.
         “What do ya got there Cas?” Dean peered over as Cas smiled sheepishly.
        “It is a marble. I found it in the grass.”
        “Is that what you were doin over there? What haven’t you ever seen a marble before?” Dean grinned.
       “Yes, but this one…this one is special.” Dean’s teasing grin softened to a serious smile. He held his hand out tentatively.
        “Can I see it?” Cas dropped the emerald orb into his palm and he examined it carefully.
       “I admit it Cas. It’s pretty awesome. Most gorgeous marble I’ve ever seen.” Dean handed back to Cas who looked at it once more before putting it back into his pocket. Cas thought about the marble and the shockingly identical comparison to Dean’s eyes. He agreed with Dean. Most beautiful marble I have ever seen as well.

It was quiet again for a moment as Dean places his hands in front of the vents. Cas looked over at Dean, who returned the gaze.

         “Dean, I would very much enjoy listening to that album you mentioned.” Dean smiled a toothy grin as he reached into the glove and grabbed the cassette, his cheek muscles aching slightly from the excessive smiling they’d been doing in the past couple hours.
         “You got it, bud.”