"Then I won't ask you," Castiel said. Castiel had lied before, to his friend, as they faced death. He'd lied to himself too. At the time he had thought he was being loyal but it a loyalty to something he couldn't believe in any more. Loyalty to another lie didn't excuse much especially if you didn't know because you were only afraid to look.
He'd learned. He'd faced death only when he'd finally seen the truth and made his own choice. He'd faded death because a man who had become his friend was right. Now both his friends were here and he had, one again, told them he could manage. He wasn't sure it was a lie but it wasn't exactly true. He needed more than the mission now. He needed a place, food, knowledge, friends. Someone who understood too. He needed... a wingman. For now he'd settle for a friend.
"I can't promise you won't have to face death here," he said to Much. "Only that you won't have to face it alone." If there were lucky no one would.
"I don't plan to cross Robin Hood's gang," Cas said seriously. "I don't think they'd be interested in crossing me." He took the rack away and moved around the table to break. "To start the white ball must sit along this line. You aim to hit the lead ball." He rested the cue between his finger and thumb. "Then you tap the ball with the cue." Cas gave a hearty demonstration shot, sending balls in all directions, none of them unto pockets. Cas watched them in hope for a moment before offering Much the cue. "There, I didn't sink anything. So it's your turn now."