Let's do the time warp again.

[aprofoundbond]

[It all happens in a flicker of a moment, a rush of time that moves so fast, it only leaves ashes in its wake.

One moment, Castiel is in Mathias, cozy and content in their house on 1301 Philips Drive; going about his life with Dean, Sam, and Claire, his usual routine. In a blink of an eye, Castiel is no longer in Mathias; instead, he now lives in New Jersey, a charming little town called Westview, sharing a charming ranch house with his best friend and roommate, Dean Winchester. Castiel is Castiel Novak, employed at the local business in the center of town, a glorified paper pusher. But a job is a job, and his pays better than most. He has a home, he lives with Dean, and he has a steady, well-paying job. What more could he possibly want?

(Well, there's the slightly alarming fact that he seems capable of summoning fire and bending it towards his will, able to manipulate it as such that they never actually require firewood to keep their home warm. He tries not to think on that too much, or use that ability in front of their neighbors. One of many things he tries not to do in front of their neighbors, in fact.)

Castiel is on his way home after a long day at the office, looking forward to a good dinner and a hot bath. He's waving to his neighbors as he makes his way up the path to their front door, a door that seems to shift between blue and green the longer one stares at it. He opens the doorknob, pushes open the door, and makes his way inside, calling out to see if Dean is also home.]

Dean? Are you home?

[Castiel has a bag of groceries with him, some essentials, of course, as well as some of Ms. Agnes' delightful vegetables from her garden. He figures they can make a nice salad out of them, even if Castiel winds up being the only one to eat that salad.]

Comments

[cholesterol]

( Dean goes down a blaze of fury, desperation and --

Dean wakes up, a mild mannered construction worker, good with his hands but not with hearts. He is quite the heartbreaker the neighborhood whispers. He goes on dates like it's out of style. He's always a gentleman, however, paying for popcorn, keeping an around around her neck at the drive-in.

As for Dean's power, telepathy and mind reading. For a closed book like Dean Winchester, it's downright out of character for him to be in anybody's minds. He minds his own mind, thanks! But, ever since that morning, he's woken up different. And Cas, his roommate just doesn't blink. Dean will finish a sentence, or clip a thought off at the head before he even voices it, and Cas just laughs.

Dean's home already. There was an accident at work (Dean let his boss' wife's pregnancy out of the bag, oops, telepathy) and he took a half day with the others none the wiser.

Dean's in the kitchen, a simple, grey (not frilly) waist apron being used )

In the kitchen.

( He looks up though, as he kicks the oven close with his foot and sets the hot pan on top. Salad. Again? Before he even sees what's in those paper bags... )

Cas, just because Agnes has a pet rabbit doesn't mean I'll be yours.

[aprofoundbond]

[Castiel greets Dean with a fond, teasing smile at his remark, carefully setting the bags down. He has some groceries for them, as well as a couple of surprises.]

As much as I still think you'd make an amusing pet rabbit, Dean, I assumed I would be the only one eating the salad I'm planning on making with them. But there's enough if you'd like any carrots for yourself.

[He says, carefully unpacking the vegetables and setting them aside as he brings the other bags forward. He opens the first, revealing a fine cut of steak he purchased at the butcher's.]

I brought some other goodies, too. Mr. Vision and our boss have been rather generous with bonuses this week.

[And now for the piece de resistance, the one stop Castiel made specifically with Dean in mind, as one always does for best friends and roommates. He pulls out an immaculately made apple pie, still warm, and smelling like cinnamon, baked apples, and everything good in the world. He sets said pie in front of Dean, grinning. He's damn proud of himself for this one.]

And for dessert tonight, I thought you deserved something special.

[cholesterol]

Only if they're a side to chicken wings and ranch.

( Then he would. That steak, though. If he weren't already finished with the burger casserole he made, he's fry that steak up.

His lower lip drops as the thought hits him first, then the smell. )

I must be getting better at this whole thing, cause you heard me from across town. ( He hovers over it, crouching down and getting eye-level to the pie. ) Hey, baby. You're looking good.

[aprofoundbond]

It's a miracle your heart hasn't given out yet.

[Castiel says, as of he doesn't enable Dean's eating habits by bringing him pie for dessert.

He waits and watches for Dean's reaction to the pie, and he's not disappointed. He grins, gaze lingering in a distinctly unroommate way at the way Dean's lower lip drops.

At Dean lowering himself down and speaking to the pie, Castiel snorts.]

Planning on taking that pie to bed with you?

[Castiel moves to start making himself a salad, smiling to himself still, enjoying both Dean's reaction and the smell of Dean's cooking permeating throughout the kitchen.]

Smells good in here Dean. Burger casserole?

[cholesterol]

( Something gives him pause, just briefly, when Cas mentions the word miracle, and then it's gone, fleeting like most moments as he shrugs and ignores Cas' advanced warning of his onset of health problems that are sure to come. )

Wouldn't be the first time.

( But, that was why they had ants that one morning. Worst. Morning. )

You know it. Used more ketchup cause I got distracted by the radio, so it might be more meatloaf than ketchup. A Very Mary Winchester recipe.

( Another quick, fleeting, pang. And then. )

Ever wonder why we sleep in the same room when there are four bedrooms in this house?

[aprofoundbond]

[Castiel sighs, shaking his head. No, he thinks, it wouldn't. Thinking about Dean's heart causes a flicker of an image in his thoughts, of Dean hunched over, leaning on Castiel, clutching at his heart. But that image dissipates almost as quickly as it appears; Castiel blinks, almost as if he's trying to clear particles of dust from his own eyes.

The mention of Mary Winchester also seems to strike at something within Castiel; an image of a woman, blonde and kind and strong. Someone Castiel knows, or knew; someone he cares enough for that he aches to think of her.

Castiel reaches out to the side of the counter, gripping it to keep himself steady as he wonders what might be going on. And then Dean asks that question, and Castiel glances back up at him sharply, tilting his head as he does.]

I didn't even realize there were four bedrooms in this house. Perhaps...don't all roommates usually share a room?

[Not when there were other rooms available, he doesn't think. Doesn't know? Castiel wonders if the reason is the way his entire being lights up in Dean's presence; the way Dean causes surges of warmth rushing right through him every time they stand close, or even just being in the same room together.]

Mary Winchester. She's...your family?

[cholesterol]

At college. Did - we meet in college?

( After? He doesn't know. He doesn't remember anything before Westview. It's the nights he sleeps that are worse, a grief unimaginable that keeps him restless and gives him bags under his eyes, grief that dissipates by morning. )

She's my mother.

( He just knows this, but anything more palpable and clear doesn't register. )

[aprofoundbond]

I don't know...Maybe? I remember some sort of library.

[Another flicker of an image, of a room with shelves, books, desks, chairs, and, off in one corner, some strange telescope device, though Castiel can't remember what it was used for, if it was even used at all. But in that quick glimpse, he sees himself and Dean, seated at one of the tables, discussing...something. He can't quite make the words out.

When Dean mentions that Mary is his mother, Castiel nods. That makes sense, he thinks, another puzzle piece falling into place.

In another flicker, Castiel has a vision of a town, remote, and cut off, a small, seemingly abandoned town, with rumors and whispers swirling constantly about its existence and what might be affecting it.

He shakes his head to clear it, taking the salad he's made for himself and moving to eat at the table.]

Perhaps I'm just hungry after a long day of work.

[He doesn't feel hungry, though. In fact, he can't remember the last time he genuinely felt hungry.]

[cholesterol]

I don't remember a library.

( But, why should he. He's Dean Winchester. He doesn't do libraries unless the library is named Marian and she's hot. Why does he know that and why does it unsettle him to know that. )

I thought our whole thing was, I eat us out of house and home and you look pretty. ( Heh. ) Not for nothing, but the last girl that bought me pie got real lucky, Cas.

[aprofoundbond]

Perhaps I was thinking only of the library in town. I do spend a lot of time there.

[But he felt so certain he recognized those stacks and shelves of books. But perhaps that is only memory and nostalgia playing mind games with him.

Castiel laughs at that, face nearly splitting in half from the sheet joy Dean's teasing brings. For some reason, laughing with Dean feels so natural; so right. So much more than roommates or even friends.]

Oh, I'm just supposed to be pretty then? It's a difficult job but I suppose someone has to pick up your handsome slack.

[He arches an eyebrow at the mention of getting lucky.]

How lucky are we talking here?

[cholesterol]

Cause you're a nerd.

( He's the bookish, high minded roommate. Meticulous, clean, and in need of a music and fashion overhaul if... Dean thought those thoughts. )

I drop no slack. I am without slack, Cas. ( Oh, well he can't lose this game of chicken. ) All the way. Home run. The no pants dance.

[aprofoundbond]

I may be a nerd, but I'm your nerd.

[Castiel says this without a single doubt, as though he believes it with his whole heart. And perhaps he does; from what he can recall through the haze of his memories, he and Dean go way back. They forged their friendship in the shadows and have been building on it ever since.

Though why Castiel keeps hearing screaming, as though a chorus of tortured souls, he doesn't know.

He snorts and rolls his eyes, fondly.] The no pants dance? Is that what the kids are calling it these days? I always thought it was the 'back seat bingo.'

[cholesterol]

Uh, speak for yourself, Cas. I'm my own man. You need to find a gal.

( He points at Cas, driving his point home, before grabbing plates and bringing them into their dining room. )

Beast with two backs. Horizontal mambo. I didn't know you knew the sexual lexicon, Cas. I suspected you were all eunuch.

[aprofoundbond]

[Castiel snorts at that, shaking his head. His coworkers at his job have told him the same thing, that he should take advantage of his bachelor status to find a nice gal to pal around with before settling down. He doesn't know how to explain to them (or Dean, for that matter) his true feelings on the matter. (Not to mentions the glimpses he catches of what feel like snippets of memory of him...confessing something or other to Dean.]

Perhaps I'll take Hannah up on her offer to grab a milkshake at the local malt shop some time, then.

[Castiel likes Hannah and enjoys her company, but, at the end of the day, that's all he feels for her: friendship.

While Dean grabs plates, Castiel grabs utensils, napkins, and what he can carry of any additional food, salt and ketchup and all the toppings they might need, following Dean info the dining room.]

Well, I'm full of surprises. I'm fairly worldly myself, despite what others might think.

[cholesterol]

You can even borrow Baby is you ask real nice, but the backseat gets messed up and you're detailing it personally.

( It's a lie, Dean details his own car. Always has. But, the threat looms! )

Worldly virgin? You can tell me.

[aprofoundbond]

You'd let me borrow Baby for a date?

[Surprising. But, Castiel, finds, also very touching; he knows how much that car means to Dean.

He catches another glimpse of what must be some weird dream when Dean starts prying about worldly virgins. Castiel frowns, his brows furrowing. Some woman named April? But she thought Castiel was her husband? Someone named Emmanuel? He's so confused.]

Not a virgin. I don't think, anyway. The details are kind of hazy.

[He knows Dean can't be a virgin, not with all of the fooling around he does.]

[cholesterol]

If you ever got a date.

( It's a surefire promise that won't backfire on him. )

Hazy? How high were you when you lost it? ...When did I lose it?

[aprofoundbond]

I suppose that all depends on whether or not Hannah agrees to my proposal for the malt shop.

[He doesn't particularly want to ask Hannah out on a date. But something about this conversation with Dean is egging Castiel on.]

I don't believe I was high, but it's...a blur, almost. I can't speak for you; I assume it was quite some time ago for you, the way you go through women.

[cholesterol]

Are you calling me a manwhore, Cas?

( That's it, that's the tag. )

[aprofoundbond]

That's one word for it. Personally, I've always enjoyed the word 'floozy.' It just sounds fun.

[Is Castiel enjoying giving Dean shit? Yes, yes he is. Habits one picks up when one spends so much time with Dean Winchester.]

[cholesterol]

I'll shove floozy where it doesn't shine, Cas, just you wait.

( But, dinner's plated and served and it's a nice one. More banter and innocuous chatter about work without any formal specifics, which feels odd enough. He remembers also, briefly, working in construction. The name Lisa appears and disappears but he doesn't speak it out loud.

He does the dishes because he's a good roommate, but only if Cas dries them.

It's later when they're getting ready for bed when Dean pauses at his bureau. )

So. ( he pauses. ) You wouldn't clutch your pearls if I slept naked tonight, would you?

[aprofoundbond]

[Castiel is about to remark with a smartass reply of his own, but dinner is served, and, Castiel has to admit, he gets distracted by Dean's cooking, appreciative of how good it all tastes, even the food he so often gives Dean so much grief about.

Castiel, of course, dries the dishes and puts them all away, taking care to make sure everything is organized and put back in its place. He has a flash of organizing objects of various sizes and abilities in a bunker of sorts somewhere, but he shakes his head, and the image vanishes before he can pursue it further.

When they're getting ready for bed, and Dean says that, Castiel arches an eyebrow.]

I think I can handle you sleeping naked in your own bed, Dean. Not like your nudity would kick off the apocalypse, or anything.

[He can feel his cheeks flushing as he says this, however; thoughts he's had, imagining what Dean would look like naked, circle around in his head.]