Castiel doesn't seem convinced. "Really? Humans, even ones who are part angel, tend to have a need for food, especially after exerting themselves."

"I- uh- It's- fine? I-" he didn't need that much. "I- gone. longer, on less?"

Castiel frowned. "There is no need to strain yourself more than you already have. It is no trouble. What do you like to eat?"

He gives a small shrug. "Eat what m'given, sir. Not fussy."

"Fruit then? I know there is some in the refrigerator." Castiel turns into the kitchen and rifles through the refrigerator for a moment before coming back with a loaf of bread and an egg. "Toast and eggs." He turns back to the stove with a pan and pops a piece of bread in the toaster. "It should be ready shortly. You can sit if you like."

He twists his fingers together, opens his mouth to offer to cook but...

He doesn't take a seat, not quite relaxed enough to do so, stays by the wall by the door, just...watching. (And waiting.)

Castiel is silent while he cooks, not attempting to start a conversation. When it's ready, he hands the plate to Nova and turns towards the kitchen door. "I need to go out, there isn't much food here, and you need to eat. I'll be back in a few hours."

He takes the plate with a quiet 'thank you'.

"I- don't need that much, sir, c'n eat less."

"Your health is important. That isn't a point of argument." Castiel reassured his, albeit a bit awkwardly. He paused for a moment, staring curiously at Nova, before taking off, leaving the boy on his own.

"As you say," Nova says to the empty space where Castiel just was. He stares at the plate for a few moments before settling down to eat. It's strange not being supervised while he eats, but also easier to actually eat.

He still can't quite finish the plate, but does eat most of it. He sits for a few minutes, thinking.

And then he sets about cleaning the house starting in the kitchen. He'll work his way through the entire house while Castiel is gone, thorough and efficient even with the lack of disturbance to the house so far.

The absence also leaves Nova unsteady and unsure - Castiel had left because of him, and Nova knew he was just a burden and needed to earn his keep any way he could. Knew that more than just learning to control his flames would be needed. (That wasn't payment, that was something else he owed for.) And he needed to make sure he was useful.

By the time Castiel gets back, Nova is on the verge of panicking, but somehow strangely calm, resigned and resolved.

Castiel is gone for most of the day, collecting groceries along with a few other errands. By the time he gets back to the house it's getting dark, but nothing else seems to have changed in the slightest. When he steps into the house, the smell of cleaning solution hits him strongly, but the angel ignores it and steps further into the house, calling for Nova.

Nova is quick to respond, hurrying into the hall. He doesn't immediately say anything, but does tilt his head, half-waiting for an instruction.

He walks into the kitchen, setting down a few bags full of groceries. "How was your day?"

"I- cleaned the house, sir," Nova responds quietly, following after Castiel.

(And indeed, the kitchen doesn't look like it's been used at all.)

"I- yours, sir?"

"Fine. I bought food and a few other necessities." He glances around the kitchen, surprised. "You didn't need to clean, Nova. I can clean it instantly. You shouldn't have to concern yourself with that."

He goes briefly still. "I- got to- earn my keep, sir? Somehow?" There's a slightly obscure offer in there.

"There isn't a need for that. You don't have to earn your keep here, Nova. You don't need to concentrate on anything other than your training."

He knows this game, it always hurts worse when they said he didn't owe them, that he didn't have to earn anything.

He steps closer, shaking now. "I- I can...make you feel good?" he offers, hesitates, and then drops to his knees.

Castiel stared down at him, confused. "What are you doing?"

...he has...no idea how to respond to that. No-one has ever been confused by this offer before.

"I-" he starts, and then makes a vague gesture towards Castiel's belt. "Could...that." (He doesn't seem comfortable talking about this, if anything, he seems scared.)

Castiel stares blankly down at him, "I don't understand." There is a long moment of silence between them, but Castiel's eyes suddenly widen in shock. He kneels down, uncertain. "Are you talking about sexual acts?"

He hesitates and the nods, lightning fast and just once. "Yes sir."

Castiel stands abruptly, backing away a few paces. "You're a child, Nova. I would never dishonor you in such a way." 

Nova flinches and goes still. "I-I'm- sorry, sir, I- didn't mean to-" (He doesn't seem to realise that it's his own honour Castiel is concerned about rather than Castiel's, like he missed the end of the sentence.)

"You don't need I apologize." Castiel tries to awkwardly reassure him. "It is the fault of whomever conditioned you to feel like you need to repay kindness with intimacy." He takes a step back toward the boy, hesitating. "You need not worry about here. I won't let any harm come you."