thank god for balthazar ; post-mommy dearest, pre-the man who would be king

The first time Castiel kissed him, Dean had just finished showering. The bathroom door opened to reveal the elder Winchester wearing nothing but a towel. Cas saw him jump when their eyes met.

"Jesus, Cas, don't do that," he said, self-consciously adjusting his towel. Cas stared as if to say, do what? and all Dean could do was sigh. "Nevermind. But please tell me you just got here. Your timing really isn't helping the 'he doesn't live in my ass' argument."

"I arrived exactly two minutes and four seconds ago," said Cas, as if it was common knowledge.

"Great." Dean cleared his throat. "Good to know you're not some sort of creepy stalker perv guardian angel." Dean shifted uncomfortably when Cas didn't say anything and simply nodded instead. "Uh, Cas? Hello? Earth to Cas?" When he leaned closer to wave his hand in front of Cas' face, Cas closed the space between them, pressing his lips to Dean's.

Dean had to take a moment to comprehend the situation before pulling away. "Whoa there Castiel. Personal space, remember?"

"What?" said Cas, confusion flashing on his face.

"Balthazar dared you to do that, didn't he." It was more of a statement than a question, and Cas frowned, looking vaguely indignant. It was hard to tell with the One Expression Wonder sometimes.

"No, Dean, it was my idea. I was under the impression that 'kiss and make up' would be an appropriate course of action given the fact that I haven't always been there for you, and I wish to apologize."

"And kissing me was really necessary?" Cas didn't say anything and looked away. "Look, it doesn't matter. You came when it was important, that's what matters." He clapped a hand on Cas' shoulder for reassurance. "And, Cas, 'kiss and make up' is just an expression. Like, if Bobby told me and Sam, 'You stupid idjits, just kiss and make up already,' that doesn't mean he literally wants us to kiss."

Cas frowned. "Then why say it at all? Why would anyone say it unless at one time it was taken literally?"

Dean rubbed his hand over his chin, getting a little agitated that he was still standing there in only a towel and that they were even having this conversation. "I don't know, Cas. Just... at least warn a guy before you decide to lay one on him, okay?" He raised his eyebrows expectantly.

"I understand," said Cas, nodding. "Next time, I will give you ample warning before attempting to 'lay one on you' as you so eloquently put it."

Dean opened his mouth to respond, but promptly closed it, looking slightly horrified as his brain processed Cas' words.

"Is something the matter, Dean?" As if he didn't know, that sly little—

Dean took a deep breath, letting it out in a heavy sigh. "Cas, you do realize there isn't going to be a next time?"

"Dean, you do realize that in approximately one minute, I am going to attempt to lay one on you."

"Cas—!" At the flutter of wings, Dean cursed under his breath, then darted down the hall and threw on a pair of jeans, for his own sake.

( Meanwhile, downstairs:

"Should I go up there...?" Sam asked, throwing Bobby a sideways glance.

Bobby rolled his eyes. "Don't be an idjit. You really wanna walk in on their little marital spat?"

Sam could only imagine how awkward that would be. "Right. Good point."

"Just leave 'em alone, they're big boys. I'm sure they can work it out on their own. It ain't your job to be their marriage counselor."

Sam nodded and went back to his research. He'd need something to distract himself from his wandering thoughts... )

"Castiel, your wings are mine! You hear that? I will mount them above Bobby's mantle! No more disappearing and reappearing—" Dean froze, staring Cas in the face.

"You didn't mean that about my wings, did you?"

"Don't be stupid. I didn't even know you could kill an angel until you showed me."

"That is irrelevant. You could find a way, if you wanted. Winchesters always find a way—"

Dean's mouth was on Castiel's then, ever so briefly; kiss and make up. "You can keep your wings," he said. "They wouldn't fit above Bobby's mantle anyway." Cas stared, apparently still dazed from what had just happened. "But if you tell anyone what just happened, I will find a way."

Cas watched Dean disappear down the stairs, and, as he fluttered away, replaying that moment in his head, silently thanked God for Balthazar.