"Are you sure? Your soul seems exceptionally weary, even before we landed here. I would recommend resting until you've recovered some. It would be dangerous to practice with your abilities while you aren't fully mentally fit."

There's a long pause. "I-if you think that's best, sir?" he says quietly, watching the man out of the corner of his eye, looking for somewhere to curl up if he said it was okay.

"Yes, I think that would be best. There is an empty house just across the street. You can rest there." Castiel turns and walks towards the house, which for some reason is not nearly as old and beat up as the buildings surrounding it.

Nova follows, head ducked low. He doesn't really want to, he doesn't want to know what the man wants. But. For now, better not to anger the man. So he follows.

Castiel shows the boy to a bed where he can sleep, but doesn't immediately leave. "Do you have any questions you want answered? It's been a long day, and you seem confused."

Nova bites at his lips, hands clutching at the hem of his t-shirt. "I- Did you. Want. Something, sir?" (There's no clear impression of what exactly he's asking there, but he sounds almost resigned, and definitely scared.)

Castiel frowns, confused. He doesn't make a move towards the boy, though, since he is obviously anxious about Castiel's presence. "No I do not need anything from you. I was just asking you that question."

He is confused, but... He isn't even sure what he needs to ask to change that. (If he could even bring himself to ask in the first place.)

He shakes his head instead, watching the man out of the corner of his eyes. "No sir," he murmurs.

"Alright then. I'll leave you now." Castiel back awkwardly out the door, shutting it quietly behind him. He has no idea how to deal with this boy, and its seems like every move he makes is the wrong one at this point.

Nova stays frozen in place for a moment, making sure he's honestly being left alone. Once he's sure, he tucks himself under the bed frame, and curls up as far under it as he can get. (He shouldn't hide like this, but it's safer for sleeping, no-one can just grab him.)

He sleeps fitfully, but is (thankfully) never at risk of setting the bed on fire.

Angels do not sleep, so Castiel keeps watch in the main room. He is sitting in the same spot the next morning, and waits for Nova to wake up.

Nova wakes up early (he had to if he even wanted a chance of getting fed). He is very clearly not anticipating encountering anyone in the main room when he enters it.

"Hello Nova. We're you able to get adequate rest?" Castiel stands and moves towards the kitchen. "There is food in the refrigerator if you are hungry."

"Uh. Yes sir?" Nova nods, following Castiel towards the kitchen. (Although he keeps a reasonable distance between them.) He looks at the refrigerator, but doesn't make any move to approach it, despite being hungry. His stomach growls audibly, and he flinches.

Castiel notices that he won't come any closer, but doesn't comment. He opens the fridge and sticks his head inside, rooting around for something the boy might like. "What is your favorite food? What about eggs? There are three cartons in here."

He doesn't have an answer to the first question. He ate what he was given and was thankful he was fed.

"Eggs are fine, sir," he agrees quietly.

Castiel nods and pulls one of the cartons out, setting it on the counter. He doesn't move to start cooking though, instead staring warily at the food as if it was some unknown alien lifeform.

"Um. I can. Make them, sir?" Nova offers quietly after a moment. (He's pretty sure he can manage scrambling or boiling an egg.) "No need to. Put yourself to any trouble. Sir."

"Hm?" Castiel looks up, and then glances confusedly back down at the eggs. "Alright. Thank you." Castiel steps back out of the kitchen and moves to stand against the wall, making it easier for Nova to take over.

Nova is still slightly hesitant, but he moves over to the counter. He's definitely not an expert cook, but he manages to make some scrambled eggs without burning them. He's made more than enough for one, but only takes a far-too-small portion for himself, the rest clearly meant for Castiel.

Castiel glances down at the rest of the eggs, and pushes them back towards Nova. "I do not require food. It is all for you."

Nova stares at the rest of the eggs, looking completely confused, and a little bit sick at the idea of that much food.

"You...don't...?" he's definitely confused by the idea of that. (And panicky, because he needs to be useful.)

"No. I am an angel, and we do not require basic human functions to survive. You seem weak for a human, though. You should eat."

Oh. Yeah. That. He'd been...trying not to think about the angel thing. He still doesn't get why he's not being told he's damned by a supposed angel when that's all he'd ever been told before.

He looks at the plate of eggs again. It's far too much for him. He knows it is. But. It's wasteful, and being wasteful is at least as bad as being a glutton. He licks his lips, and starts eating, reminding himself to eat slowly (rushing was ungrateful, and liable to get food taken off him), but not too slowly (dawdling wasn't tolerated, and could have the same result). He barely gets a third of the way through the plate before he's too full. He tries to keep eating (he feels sick). (He keeps darting looks to Castiel, trying to figure out how mad the man's going to be.)

Castiel doesn't move any closer to him, but is obviously concerned. "You're in distress. What happened?"