[ He stops in his not-counting of each step to regard him almost carefully. ]
Even if I... considered it, I don't think it's possible.
[ Because it's not like he hasn't been by that room a thousand times, and because it's not like he knows he can't actually enter it or anything either. Nope!!!! ]
[ dean stops at that, turns to look at cas. he's not-- actually, he's not entirely sure himself. he has such mixed feelings, everywhere from you're my best friend no matter what to i still can't trust you, i don't think i ever can -- to things he has no idea how to put into words.
even the simplest stuff is hard to say, so he sighs. ]
You know, half the time I don't what my opinion of you is either.
[ He's glad for it, the honesty. Castiel assumes he's not worth that much, not after everything he's done so far - in being dishonest - but it's something to know Dean feels that way. Still, he has to press a little more, a little harder. ]
But what is your opinion of me now?
[ In that moment? Are we friends? They can be allies without being friends, and he doesn't know if he can handle that much truth. Yet, he needs to know. ]
[ He'd never thought such a small word could cause so much insecurity. Castiel pauses, feels the entirety of him waver over it. What does he say? What should he say? ]
The circumstances aren't as they should be. [ Back home or here--is there really a difference now? ] I understand. [ Except he doesn't, but he says nothing beyond that. He starts walking again. ]
No, Cas-- [ dean steps after him, hand sliding to cas' arm. ] It's just none of this is simple, okay? You were here before-- and at the beginning? You were nuts. Just-- back to bumblebees and stuff, y'know? And after that, I don't know, it was a good thing if I got any signs of life from you. Ever.
Then back home...
[ everything is so complicated. cas had tried to kill him, and now he doesn't know if cas is alive back home or not anymore. ]
I want to trust you, man. I want things to be okay but it'll just take some time.
[ The touch to his arm stops him, but it's not as if he has anywhere else to go. ]
I can't anticipate what it is you need from me, Dean. This is the first time you've spoken of them, and I don't know how to explain what I don't remember. [ Which bothers him. You don't know how much. ] What happened back home?
[ Since he's addressed it, they might as well discuss it. ]
[ It's that he can't trust himself, but that's for another time entirely. Castiel doesn't break Dean's gaze as he says it, as earnest as he can be with such powerful words. ]
[ there's that pure honesty which dean remembers from cas from a time long gone. maybe some things don't really ever change but at the same time he has a hard time believing it. ]
Okay. Then... If something comes up, you come to me, okay? No matter what it is.
action.
Well, if it ever gives you anythin' nice and you're too busy bein' difficult, you know which room to drop it off at.
action.
Even if I... considered it, I don't think it's possible.
[ Because it's not like he hasn't been by that room a thousand times, and because it's not like he knows he can't actually enter it or anything either. Nope!!!! ]
action.
[ don't be so vague bro he'd let you in ]
action.
[ And other things, but let's just have an honest party up in here. ]
action.
even the simplest stuff is hard to say, so he sighs. ]
You know, half the time I don't what my opinion of you is either.
[ at least he's honest? ]
action.
But what is your opinion of me now?
[ In that moment? Are we friends? They can be allies without being friends, and he doesn't know if he can handle that much truth. Yet, he needs to know. ]
action.
I want to trust you, y'know. I kinda have to, here. We'll be in such deep shit if I don't. But... [ but it's not that easy. not after everything. ]
action.
The circumstances aren't as they should be. [ Back home or here--is there really a difference now? ] I understand. [ Except he doesn't, but he says nothing beyond that. He starts walking again. ]
action.
Then back home...
[ everything is so complicated. cas had tried to kill him, and now he doesn't know if cas is alive back home or not anymore. ]
I want to trust you, man. I want things to be okay but it'll just take some time.
action.
I can't anticipate what it is you need from me, Dean. This is the first time you've spoken of them, and I don't know how to explain what I don't remember. [ Which bothers him. You don't know how much. ] What happened back home?
[ Since he's addressed it, they might as well discuss it. ]
action.
A lot. Look-- all I need is for you to be around, okay? No hiding.
[ no running away. ]
action.
[ He glances at Dean's hand to avoid eye contact. ]
action.
Somehow I feel like I should be asking for more. Should there be something?
action.
I don't know what else there is to give you. [ I don't know what you could possibly want. ]
action.
[ or trying to, since they both seem to suck at that. ]
action.
[ It's that he can't trust himself, but that's for another time entirely. Castiel doesn't break Dean's gaze as he says it, as earnest as he can be with such powerful words. ]
action.
Okay. Then... If something comes up, you come to me, okay? No matter what it is.
action.
[ Even if he thinks he's could do nothing to help, even if he might soon be powerless. Those are his terms. ]
action.
Yeah, you got it. [ he'll try his best, and if cas does the same then maybe... maybe they can be as they used to. ]