[He hesitates for a moment, unsure if he should try to speak of what's on his mind after all.]

Rachel...would it be alright to consult you on a certain...personal matter? [It's common in her world, maybe it won't be too great of a burden.]

Sure!

[ Jumps up to sit with her legs crossed, picking up one of her ferrets. ]

I'm all ears.

[How to say this. This is so awkward for him as can be clearly seen by the flush on his cheeks and how he struggles with his words.]

In your worlds...is there...a term for someone who...finds both women and men appealing? Is that - a thing that happens?

[ a moment of blinking before - ]

Yeah. Of course it's um, bisexual people. They're considered a part of the gay community but usually when we say gay we talk about people who prefer the same sex but bisexual totally counts.

[He nods. Bisexual. He'll remember that. And -- he doesn't actually know how to take it from here.]

...I think there's beauty to...bisexual people. Since they don't love a....certain gender they love the person. No matter if he's a man or a woman.

[ Rachel Berry. subtle. ]

[That's actually...a very nice way to think about it, and it makes him smile a little.]

Yes, I suppose you're right.

In a way that's what...liking a person is all about really, isn't it? I mean -

Do you remember I told you about Jesse?

The boy who - [broke that egg, goes unsaid.]

..Yeah. When we met he sang to me Hello. Our theme that week in glee club was songs to say hello with and well - that's a love song but it's a song about meeting someone and wanting to say hello to them because you like them without even knowing them and I think - I think that's what this is all about. A person can just be a person for someone to like them.

I think it is more...caring for a person because they're that person. [For him. There are many good looking men around Anatole, but he doesn't wonder about what kissing them sober would be like. No, he's always been the kind to love wholeheartedly and not just give into random temptations.]

Is it normal for someone to come to such a realization...later in life? [In his old age of. Mid twenties.]

Of course. Sometimes it takes a lot of time to understand who we are and what we want.

[So then could it be real? Could he truly...feel for a man? He's still so confused.]

How do you...know?

Well -

[ she tries to think about how to explain it. ]

I think you just...know. I mean when Finn and I sang together for the first time I sort of knew I liked him more than just a friend. I think that you just get to know someone and like them in a way that you don't like other people.

[And that's how easy it was with Gwen - a few glances, a few words, and he was hooked. But Cas...could it be because he never allowed himself to consider anyone else? Could it be because he never allowed himself to consider a man? He still has to think so much.]

Thank you, Rachel.

Don't -

[ she thinks about it. ]

Pressure yourself. Just...let it be. I think that what needs to happen will happen.

[But he doesn't want to keep Cas hanging like he's been for so long, and that is a lot of pressure on him.]

I will - try.

Sometimes it takes a lot of time to understand what we want. Finn hurt me a lot in the days when he wasn't sure if he wanted me or Quinn. I think you need time, mostly.

[ She really wonders what happened to the girl he liked but doesn't ask. ]

[He'll tell her if she asks, but won't volunteer the knowledge otherwise.]

I don't want to hurt anyone.

I know. Which is why I think you need to calm down. Try not to over-think it. It's something that will unfold itself, I think.

How do I keep from doing that?

[It's been on his mind constantly since it first happened.]

[ thinking about it. ]

Is it...over? Between you and...that girl?

[Have a small, sad smile.]

It never really was. [No matter how hard he tried, Cas was right the first time they spoke.]

But your feelings for her - are you still in love with her?

I will always love her but...I think I've begun letting her go for...a while now.

[And maybe that love is changing, maybe he could come to love Gwen as he loves Merlin, Arthur, Morgana...as a friend.]