Chapter Text
It was strange how something as small as a piece of paper could excite Castiel. Ever since he and Dean had started exchanging notes, he found it was much easier to get out of bed in the morning. Getting up meant that he could check the door to see if Dean had left him anything. Even if he hadn’t, Cas would check again after work and then once more before going to bed. Not that he ever had to wait long mind you. Dean was very punctual with his responses, something that thrilled Cas. Maybe Dean was as happy for the conversation as he was. He could only hope.
It had only been a couple of months since Cas had found the blueberry muffin on his porch, yet he felt like he had known Dean for years. There was a strange comfort in writing to him, something he hadn’t felt with anyone for awhile. It was a little odd, feeling so fondly for someone he’d never even seen before, but surely it couldn’t hurt anything.
Castiel pulled the plastic container out of the microwave, spearing a piece of lemon rosemary chicken that had been left on his porch a couple days earlier. He couldn’t remember the last time he had tasted anything so delicious. He walked back across his kitchen and sat down at the table, his eyes scanning over Dean’s last note.
Cas,
Work sucked, as usual. Not sure why you ask. Working with the public usually sucks, so I guess it’s pretty typical. I checked for that book you asked about; ‘The House in the Cerulean Sea’. We didn’t have any, but I’ll try and put in a shipment and let you know when they come in.
Your niece sounds like a little troublemaker. I’m sure she keeps everyone on their toes. Good. That’s what kids are for, I guess. Sammy’s talked about having kids before. Maybe if he ever gets up the nerve to propose to Eileen, I’ll have a little ankle biter to chase around too. Wouldn’t be so bad, I guess.
Send some thyme. I’ve got a chicken and dumpling recipe you should try.
Dean
He’d started making requests, which Cas found humorous. It was as if he were a tiny local grocery store for one specific man. Not that he minded. It made his life much easier if he knew what plant to send. He’d be sure to pick some fresh thyme after dinner and leave it on Dean’s doorstep before the night was over.
Dean was always quick to brush off the topic of work in his notes, which surprised Cas. He clearly didn’t enjoy his job at the bookstore, but insisted on working there anyway. Maybe he just had a deep love for books that kept him from quitting. Cas often wondered what it would be like to work in a bookstore. Other than plants, books had been his contact companion for the last few years of his life. It was a cheap and simple way to escape the sad confines of his tiny duplex. Maybe Dean felt the same.
Cas knelt down in front of his side table, glancing over the spines of a few books before grabbing an orange hardback and turning it over in his hands. “Where the Crawdads Sing.” Cas couldn’t remember the last time he’d loaned someone a book, but the thought of sharing something so precious with Dean tugged at his heart. He smiled and placed the book on the counter, already impatient to send it along.
Dean,
Thank you for checking. It’s one I’ve been looking forward to for awhile. Perhaps you would enjoy it after I’m finished. In the meantime, here is another one of my favorites. I’m sure your job keeps you busy, so hold on to it as long as you need to.
Claire is definitely something of a handful. She is far too rebellious for Jimmy to keep an eye on. But she’ll be a strong woman one day, mark my words.
I am sure any child would be lucky to have you as an uncle. Your brother does seem very fond of Eileen, so maybe you won’t have to wait long. It’s always nice to have visits from family.
Castiel