deancasbigbang:

Title: A Cut Above

Author: coffeeandcas

Artist: Lotrspnfangirl

Rating: Explicit
Pairings: Dean/Castiel, Sam/Gabriel, past Meg/Castiel
Wordcount: 27000
Warnings/Tags: Autism, Aspergers, Parent Castiel, Fluff, Hurt/Comfort, Past Character Death, Injury, Alternate Universe, Angst, Romance
Posting: 11/23/2018

Summary:

Castiel hasn’t been on a date in a very long time. In fact, he can barely remember the last time he even had a first date. Long before the birth of his son, and the loss of his wife. It’s been him and Noah for years and he doubts he would even have room for a new partner in his life.

But when a new barber shop springs up in the centre of town, the owner has a certain type of roguish charm that he seems powerless to resist.

---

Saturday morning rolls around, and Castiel and Noah are walking through the city once more to go to the farmer’s market. Noah is carrying the list and scrutinising it intently as he walks, while Castiel holds him by the hand and stops him from walking into pillars, other people, or tripping over dog leads. As promised, Castiel had taken Noah back the following day to see the barber shop pole – and every day after that for almost a week. He’s pretty sure the guy who owns it, who he’s still never caught more than a glimpse of, probably thinks he’s a grade A weirdo by now but he’s long past caring what other people think. If he has to do something a little out of the ordinary to make Noah happy, so be it.

“Look, Noah. We’re right by the barber shop. Do you want to stop for a minute and look at the pole?”

“Yes, please.” Noah folds up the list neatly and reaches up to put it in Castiel’s pocket. They both stand for a moment, gazing up at the pole, Noah entranced and Castiel deep in thought about their plans for the rest of the day.

After a moment or two he reaches out for Noah who inches away from him, opens his mouth to say that they really need to get going, but the words never quite manage to leave his lips.

“Good mornin’,” rumbles a deep, definitely male voice from behind them and Castiel turns to greet the man in response but his reply never quite takes shape.

Leaning against the doorframe of Styles ‘n Smiles with his arms folded is, quite easily, the most handsome guy Castiel has ever laid eyes on. He’s tall and broad, dressed in a plain black t-shirt which hugs his biceps and soft blue jeans with ratty hems over comfy-looking All Stars. And he has such captivating green eyes that Castiel finds himself staring openly, wondering if their colour is real or if the guy wears contacts. It’s only when he realises the guy is staring back that he blinks, blushes, and fumbles for Noah’s hand.

“Sorry. We don’t mean to loiter. We’re just on our way…”

But his feeble apologies die on his lips as the guy gives him a warm, welcoming smile flashing his straight white teeth, then crouches down to Noah’s height.

“Hey there, buddy. You like that?” The guy points upward at the slowly revolving candy-striped pole above the barber shop and Noah nods, still looking at it. “I painted it myself. Kinda pleased with the end result, tell the truth. I’m not much of an artist but I think that looks kinda cool.”

“I think it does, too,” Noah says in a very small voice, inching closer to Castiel so that his father is within reach. “I like the colours. It looks like a candy cane.”

“It sure does. You’re one smart cookie.”

“I’m not a cookie. I’m a boy, and I’m eight years old, and my name is Noah.”

“Well, it’s nice to meet you Noah. I’m glad you like my shop.”