"Ah-Achoo!" Dean couldn't stop sneezing. It had begun the minute he walked into the bunker from getting groceries. Sam smiled with amusement across the room.
"You okay?"
"Yeah, I just...must be some sort of freak allergy thing."
"But the only thing you're allergic to is-"
"Cats." A familiar deep voice spoke, sounding apologetic. Castiel appeared in the room, holding a small kitten. It was gray with white tipped ears, and it was so fluffy it looked like a little snowball. Its hair was all over Cas' trenchcoat, and no doubt floating around the room causing Dean's allergy attack.
"Cas, what is that doing in here?" Dean said between sneezes.
"I found her wandering alone outside the bunker. I was unable to locate her family."
"There's an animal shelter down the road, dude."
Cas clutched the tiny kitten to his chest. "No! What if they put her to sleep? I researched the place before I would consider leaving her there."
Dean looked at the way his friend was holding the animal, hugging it as if it were a child. It was obvious that he was already attached to it. "Well what do you suggest we do, Cas?"
The angel looked down. "Can...can we keep her?" He asked hesitantly.
"Cas, buddy, you know I'm allergic."
"That can easily be fixed." Cas reached out to touch Dean's forehead. Instantly, his symptoms stopped. The incessant sneezing ceased, and his eyes stopped watering.
He blinked. "Wow."
"So can we keep her?" Cas smiled hopefully.
"I don't know..."
"Come on, Dean. you gotta admit, she's pretty cute." Sam gently reached out to pet her. "Aww, she's so soft."
Dean reluctantly touched her. "This is the first time I've pet a cat without sneezing my face off." He muttered.
"Well?" The angel and his little brother were looking at him, anxiously awaiting his answer.
He sighed. "You two are like children, I swear."
"Please?" Sam gave him the puppy dog eyes, and Dean knew he couldn't say no.
"Fine," He caved.
"Yes!" Cas exclaimed excitedly. Sam was grinning from ear to ear. Dean chuckled. This was the first time in a long time he'd seen them both so animated about something.
"What are we gonna call her?" Sam asked thoughtfully. There was a moment of silence where they all contemplated what they should name the kitten.
"Ember." Cas suggested.
"I like it." Sam agreed.
"Alright, Ember it is." Dean patted the kitten gingerly on the head.
"Here, hold her." Before Dean could protest, Cas was placing the animal into his arms.
"Woah, there." It took him a moment to get used to the tiny, furry body, but he couldn't help but smile as she nestled herself under his chin and began to purr. She was so soft, and so warm.
"She likes you!" Cas was beaming.
"Of course she likes me, I'm awesome. Man, this feels weird. It's like there's a little lawnmower at my throat."
Sam laughed. "She's much cuter than a lawnmower, I'd say."
"Definitely." Dean grinned. Maybe having a pet wouldn't be so bad after all.