cass did, reluctantly, allow pictures of himself to be taken right after he left that night. they’re in a folder in an envelope at the bottom of his duffel and he hates having to carry them around

he really hopes to someday trust balthazar again enough to ask him to hold onto them without ever looking at them, but then he beats himself up about whether or not that’s fair( part 2 )

okay but cass saying “no”

cass learning to say “no”

without having to equivocate, or bargain, or give his life story to explain why

without flinching, or having to look down, or make himself small

cass gaining confidence and admitting it feels good to say “no,” then blushing like, “i don’t mean i’m doing it intentionally”

but balthazar just laughs and like

gets him a tshirt

cass’ like, “what am i supposed to do with this?”

but every so often balthazar wanders back into the bedroom in the morning, to see cass, all bundled up in blankets, wearing the NO shirt, looking a little meh for wear

and balthazar’s like, “ah, i see. the day has been surrendered to netflix and digging potato chip crumbs out of every crevice. very well, i accept” and he dives right in

Cass arrives for dinner in the same oversized-hoodie-and-jeans combo he’d been wearing for coffee, and seems embarrassed for it when Balthazar answers the door in a crisp button-up (not all the way up).

“Oops,” he murmurs, very deliberately, rallying himself at least enough to joke.

“Wrong address?” Balthazar teases, ushering Cass inside.

Castiel enters slowly, craning his neck to look all around with the minimum of steps taken, as though he might reconsider staying at all.

“Sorry I’m underdressed,” he mumbles distractedly, peering into the living room.

“Now, now,” Balthazar coos. “Given I’m the one who can run and change, why don’t we agree I’m overdressed?”

Cass glances back over his shoulder, uncertain, then gives in to a soft laugh. “Sure.”

Encouraged, Balthazar offers him a slight bow. “May I take your coat, my dear?”

A slier glance, and Cass hums lowly, as though deep in thought.

“Hmm, you know, I’m not even sure I can afford to eat in a place like this,” he sighs, feigning bashfulness as he stares at his hands.

“Oh, not to worry, darling. It’s on the house,” Balthazar assures him. “The chef is quite taken with you. He send his compliments,” he adds, with an airy wave of his hand.

“His compliments on…?”

Balthazar offers only a sweetly suggestive smirk. “His compliments.”

A real smile spreads slowly over Cass’ face, until he looks away again, as though too embarrassed to laugh in front of Balthazar.

“What?” Balthazar calls, chuckling. “Have I changed too much?”

Cass scoffs, then does laugh.

“Or not at all, perhaps?”

Castiel turns and fixes Balthazar with a truly fond smile. “It’s not changed, so much as…” He thumbs his lower lip thoughtfully. “You’re just…more.”

“More…?” Balthazar raises an eyebrow expectantly, but Castiel gives only a very familiar, cheeky smirk.

“More,” he repeats softly.

“Oh, my.”

---

i’m really happy with this part in theory

i just don’t know if i’m getting the tone across right? it’s so cute but i’m a movie maker at heart, so i can see & hear it but i’m always too verbose when it comes to putting words to paper.