If you could see his wings right now, they would be at their absolute puffiest, the way hair and fur raise in Ghibli movies, to three times their size with the sheer embarrassment of watching Dean, naked, go stumbling and flopping everywhere. ]
I—
[ Didn't??? Think???? At all???? But thinking way too much, and also inappropriately, now???? Flushed from the neck through the scalp, Castiel looks pointedly away and his voice drops to new levels of strained gruff croaking. ]
Sorry. I'll just... meet you at the library.
[ And then he's gone again. Don't ask where. It isn't the library. But he'll be there by the time Dean arrives, and have already thrown himself into work, reading dozens of articles to thoroughly distract himself from.... the obvious. ]
Angels are the worst. He hasn't lied about that to a single damn person on the station. Jesus.
It takes him a minute to get to his feet and put actual clothes on, jeans and a tee and a shirt over top, sleeves rolled up. He's a little cranky when he comes in, flopping into a chair across from the angel, loudly, setting his travel mug down on the table with a clank. ]
[ Why would Dean need help?? All his bones were intact. He's physically unharmed.
When Dean arrives, Castiel chances a quick glance from the corner of his eyes to affirm that, yes, Dean is fully dressed, thank God, before turning back to the book on local history in his hands. ]
I read every issue of the town's newspaper dating back to its first printing. There's no mention of any deaths of a ten to thirteen year old child named Freddie.
[ Despite his focus on the problem, and the book, at hand, Castiel does take a moment to reach past the book and slide across the table in Dean's direction a clear plastic container containing a slice of apple pie. ]
[ Cas really is just a little angel in a meatsuit, sometimes. He shakes his head and leans over, peering at the book. ]
Weird. Usually with spooks there's a mention of at least something.
[ His irritation is immediately placated, attention diverted from ghosties when Cas slides the container over, perking immediately, expression brightening. ]
[ Castiel nods in agreement of Dean's assessment of the "ghost," thinking the same. ]
Unless it was somehow brought to Forsythe from elsewhere, Freddie is very unlikely to be a spirit.
[ At the praise, he looks tentatively over at Dean. It's kind of Dean to forgive him so quickly, but Castiel still feels compelled to make amends with more than just a sugary dessert. ]
I apologize for... interrupting earlier. I had no idea you'd be... in such a state.
[ Obviously. Who knew a "gym locker room" was for changing one's clothing? Humans certainly enjoy revealing themselves in public places, don't they? It's a wonder they ever evolved to wearing clothing at all. ]
True. Still don't trust him... I'd rather take all the precautions. Got the whole gig set up at my place.
[ He takes a big bite of pie, clearly enjoying himself right in the middle of a library.
It's annoyingly easy to forgive Cas sometimes, he's finding. Especially now that he's here. Dean's been here alone for almost a year now, and having his angel here is just..
Good. It's very good. ]
What, with my dick hanging out? [ He chuckles, glancing up to flash Cas a little smirk. ]
You're the one who had to see my floppy ass snake.
[ "The whole gig" is a bit vague, but Castiel nods all the same. Whatever this thing is, Dean is best equipped of all of them to deal with it. He's the most capable human, and the overall most impressive being, Castiel has ever met.
Although Castiel is instantly rethinking that conclusion at Dean's response to his apology. Damn it, Dean. Castiel finds himself flushed by the crass euphemism, and he casts Dean a reproachful look. ]
[ Of course he's thought about it. Thinking about sex is one of Dean's favorite pastimes. Though his conclusion in this particular instance has Castiel questioning, before he thinks better of it. ]
I'm an angel, Dean.
[ Being called "junkless" was insulting but accurate, and Castiel would very much like to go back to ignoring the fact that he's currently inhabiting a human body, thanks. Give it too much attention and it apparently starts misbehaving itself. ]
[ Dean's come so far. And yet Castiel is fresh off the apocalypse and still easily flustered by Dean's antics. A dimension aside, Castiel's wings bristle up to three times their normal size like a fat sparrow in a cold breeze. In the present dimension, Castiel's jaw tenses and his shoulders (just his shoulders, probably) stiffen. ]
This conversation is inappropriate.
[ For a public library, but also for life. Castiel looks around like someone must be on their way to say just that, but alas, no one is paying attention just now. ]
[ It's fun, to rile him up. Always has been, but this is in a different way.
Might be riling himself up a little, if he's being honest. Best to tuck that away for now. Cas is in a different category than his flings on board the ship. ]
So you have. Called it.
[ It's wildly inappropriate but that's rarely stopped Dean in the past. Besides, it's good for Cas to acclimate to more human stuff, especially since he's gonna be stuck here with Dean, of all people. ]
[ He doesn't even deny it, just puffs up further and looks away, incredibly uncomfortable despite Dean's apparent ease. Will Castiel ever truly acclimate himself to "human stuff" ? Especially the likes of which involve Dean Winchester's lewd sense of humor? Outlook not so good. ]
I tried reaching out to speak with Freddie in the Cooper's house, but there was no response.
[ Is it a cowardly ploy to distract Dean with ghostly investigations? Maybe. But the problem at hand, as it were, needs to be dealt with either way. ]
Perhaps we'd have more luck in the basement of the elementary school.
[ He looks smug, but he allows Cas to change the subject, and as he stuffs a bite of pie into his mouth, he reaches for the book and flips a page. Hm. ]
That basement gives me the heebiejeebies. The whole place does, especially after dark. [ but they don't need to relive that hell trauma, now do they. ]
[ If looks could kill, the glare Castiel gives Dean certainly would. ...At least until Dean gracefully goes with the change of conversation, and Castiel sighs, as much with relief as with frustration. Inhabiting a human body is actually the worst. ]
[ Castiel's expression softens at Dean's frustration. He's right that they've done all the research they can, at least, and Dean's prepared for the inevitable confrontation. All that's left to do is, seemingly, is go back over previous contacts... And maybe research some other things that Dean doesn't need to be involved in. ]
Alright. I'll see what I can find. Call me when you plan to make contact with Freddie.
[ The newspaper on the table flutters to the floor as Castiel vanishes. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
If you could see his wings right now, they would be at their absolute puffiest, the way hair and fur raise in Ghibli movies, to three times their size with the sheer embarrassment of watching Dean, naked, go stumbling and flopping everywhere. ]
I—
[ Didn't??? Think???? At all???? But thinking way too much, and also inappropriately, now???? Flushed from the neck through the scalp, Castiel looks pointedly away and his voice drops to new levels of strained gruff croaking. ]
Sorry. I'll just... meet you at the library.
[ And then he's gone again. Don't ask where. It isn't the library. But he'll be there by the time Dean arrives, and have already thrown himself into work, reading dozens of articles to thoroughly distract himself from.... the obvious. ]
no subject
[ At least help him up!!!
Angels are the worst. He hasn't lied about that to a single damn person on the station. Jesus.
It takes him a minute to get to his feet and put actual clothes on, jeans and a tee and a shirt over top, sleeves rolled up. He's a little cranky when he comes in, flopping into a chair across from the angel, loudly, setting his travel mug down on the table with a clank. ]
There you are.
no subject
When Dean arrives, Castiel chances a quick glance from the corner of his eyes to affirm that, yes, Dean is fully dressed, thank God, before turning back to the book on local history in his hands. ]
I read every issue of the town's newspaper dating back to its first printing. There's no mention of any deaths of a ten to thirteen year old child named Freddie.
[ Despite his focus on the problem, and the book, at hand, Castiel does take a moment to reach past the book and slide across the table in Dean's direction a clear plastic container containing a slice of apple pie. ]
no subject
Weird. Usually with spooks there's a mention of at least something.
[ His irritation is immediately placated, attention diverted from ghosties when Cas slides the container over, perking immediately, expression brightening. ]
You're the best. You know that, Cas? The best.
no subject
Unless it was somehow brought to Forsythe from elsewhere, Freddie is very unlikely to be a spirit.
[ At the praise, he looks tentatively over at Dean. It's kind of Dean to forgive him so quickly, but Castiel still feels compelled to make amends with more than just a sugary dessert. ]
I apologize for... interrupting earlier. I had no idea you'd be... in such a state.
[ Obviously. Who knew a "gym locker room" was for changing one's clothing? Humans certainly enjoy revealing themselves in public places, don't they? It's a wonder they ever evolved to wearing clothing at all. ]
no subject
[ He takes a big bite of pie, clearly enjoying himself right in the middle of a library.
It's annoyingly easy to forgive Cas sometimes, he's finding. Especially now that he's here. Dean's been here alone for almost a year now, and having his angel here is just..
Good. It's very good. ]
What, with my dick hanging out? [ He chuckles, glancing up to flash Cas a little smirk. ]
You're the one who had to see my floppy ass snake.
no subject
Although Castiel is instantly rethinking that conclusion at Dean's response to his apology. Damn it, Dean. Castiel finds himself flushed by the crass euphemism, and he casts Dean a reproachful look. ]
Yes, well... I'll endeavor not to in the future.
[ For both their sake's. ]
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[ Devils traps, salt by the doors and windows, the whole nine yards. Can’t be too careful. ]
Don’t give me that face. You’ve got one too.
[ He’s though about it. Sue him. ]
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I'm an angel, Dean.
[ Being called "junkless" was insulting but accurate, and Castiel would very much like to go back to ignoring the fact that he's currently inhabiting a human body, thanks. Give it too much attention and it apparently starts misbehaving itself. ]
im the worst
Don't tell me you haven't waggled Jimmy's around.
[ Waggling indeed, cause that's what Dean's eyebrows are doing. ]
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This conversation is inappropriate.
[ For a public library, but also for life. Castiel looks around like someone must be on their way to say just that, but alas, no one is paying attention just now. ]
no subject
Might be riling himself up a little, if he's being honest. Best to tuck that away for now. Cas is in a different category than his flings on board the ship. ]
So you have. Called it.
[ It's wildly inappropriate but that's rarely stopped Dean in the past. Besides, it's good for Cas to acclimate to more human stuff, especially since he's gonna be stuck here with Dean, of all people. ]
no subject
I tried reaching out to speak with Freddie in the Cooper's house, but there was no response.
[ Is it a cowardly ploy to distract Dean with ghostly investigations? Maybe. But the problem at hand, as it were, needs to be dealt with either way. ]
Perhaps we'd have more luck in the basement of the elementary school.
[ Whatever an "AV club" is. ]
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[ He looks smug, but he allows Cas to change the subject, and as he stuffs a bite of pie into his mouth, he reaches for the book and flips a page. Hm. ]
That basement gives me the heebiejeebies. The whole place does, especially after dark. [ but they don't need to relive that hell trauma, now do they. ]
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Then what do you suggest?
no subject
Hell, I don't know. Graveyard? Harass the citizens again? This is getting us nowhere.
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Alright. I'll see what I can find. Call me when you plan to make contact with Freddie.
[ The newspaper on the table flutters to the floor as Castiel vanishes. ]
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Dammit, Cas.
[ FINE THEN ]