Upside Down

Chapter 13

Castiel took a deep, shaky breath as he watched Dean's figure enter the inhabited church. He wished that last moment didn't happen because it will create a real awkward tension between them. They've only met today,  but Cas thought that Dean was trustworthy. He felt that he needed someone to talk to and interact with. He couldn't live in that bubble of his with his hell of a father and screwed up life.

"Are you coming or not? Staring at inanimate objects doesn't agree with terms of fun, I give you that." Dean was waiting, impatiently by the door.

Cas sighed, gave one quick glance at the dark black sky, and followed Dean. He didn't want to humiliate himself more than that. "So, we're here for fun, huh? Who knew what a guy like you got up his sleeves."

Dean smirked as they passed through the pews of the church. Cas could barely see his face, for the only illumination here was the dim light pouring from the moon and into the dusty windowpanes. Behind the altar was a small door, barely significant. But Cas could notice it because Dean was already heading towards it. There was a staircase and both of them began climbing. It was eerily dark and Cas couldn't help but feel a tinge of worry.

"Are you secretly a vicious serial killer and trying to kidnap me?" Cas thought out loud and bent his head down, biting his bottom lip for the sudden outburst.

Dean's eyes were lit with amusement and his lips twitched to a smile. "Kill you? But I actually wouldn't want to smear that precious blazer of mine with blood."

Cas gave a breathless laugh, despite his good looks, Dean seemed to be full of mockery. "Why did you give it to me if it's that precious?"

"It's cold outside," Dean stated.

Cas rolled his eyes, "Thanks for being so obvious."

Dean didn't reply since the staircase has reached to an end. There was an old casement window set on the wall in front of them. Dean opened it and was on the verge of climbing to the roof, but then gave Cas a look. "Are you going to come here or not?"

"So now I'm disobeying my father which means I'll face his wrath and punishment just to climb on a roof. Are you even serious?" Cas was furious, his fists clenched.

"For God's sake, Cas, you won't regret it. Just get over with and chill," Dean said, giving each word its emphasis. "Besides, I'll come up with an excuse."

Cas seemed to ponder over that, "What if he doesn't believe you?"

Dean scoffed, using his hands to gesture to his body, "Who wouldn't believe a handsome, young man like me?"

At that, Cas didn't want to deny it. Even if he did, Dean already climbed up to the roof. He predicted that Dean wanted to show him something important. Something valuable. And ruining a special moment with assuming and what if's would be fruitless. Gathering all his courage, he went after Dean.

Cas tried to balance himself, because one flawed step, and he'll end up falling. He hugged the leathery jacket to protect his body from the chilly weather. It was lovingly warm. Dean was already lying, his hands cushioning his own head.

As if on cue, Cas's eyes locked with Dean's. They say eye contact can behold a thousand words. Cas was mesmerized by Dean's green eyes; it was as if he was pulled to Dean's own world. Dean, on the other hand, appreciated Cas's good looks and strength. He thought he can see how Cas is internally struggling against his life obstacles through those blue eyes.Without hesitation or further invitation, Cas went to lie next to Dean. For a moment, he wanted to observe Dean's lips, which's an attractive attribute in Dean's perfect body. This was a different version of Dean. Dean was staring at the sky, as if a barrage of sad memories was thrown at him. Cas tore his gaze away from Dean to observe the sky and was immediately awe-struck by its beauty, a black canvass painted with countless, tiny, glowing stars. The scene was priceless, and Cas thought he'd trade all his tomorrows for something like that.

"What's your favorite constellation?" Dean suddenly asked out of the blue.

Cas was lit up with a new found interest. "Orion and Hercules... Perseus as well. You know."

"So you're into heroes?" Dean asked with amusement.

"They're fighters. Went through a lot of hard times," He said. "What about you?"

"My two favorites are the Phoenix and Pegasus." Dean said as if they had a deep meaning within their shapes. "They show freedom. I wish I can know what it's like to be free."

That left Cas speechless for a moment. There was a long pause until Dean spoke up again, "Don't those stars remind you of someone?" When Cas didn't reply, he continued, "It's like they show you that someone you love is waiting out there, watching you from above."

From his painful tone, Cas deduced that Dean has been through rough times, just as he had been. He was curious. He wanted to ask Dean who's that person he lost, he wanted to ask him about his brother, about his life, about his parents.

But right now, the silence that blanketed them was something beautiful and appreciable.

Cas tentaviely reached out for Dean's hand, to reassure him, to comfort him. And to his own surprise, Dean held it back. Their hands were perfectly intertwined.It was just the both of them against the world.