A/N: Okay, since I'm posting these up so quickly, there's a real danger that there is going to be grammar or spelling mistakes, so as always, if you spot one, let me know and I'll fix it. I also changed up my writing a bit, tell me if you like it, or if you want me to go back to the way I was writing before.
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They had made it the whole drive to the motel, and even managed to get Dean and Sam to bed before John had Castiel cornered in the sad excuse for a dining room. Castiel had managed to push himself so far into the wall that he was flat against it, and John was not backing down.
"Spill it, kid." He said, and Castiel looked at him with that same look he always wore when John used slang, he then looked at his hands and back up at John apologetically.
"I've got nothing to spill." He said sadly. John sighed; this was the sixth time Castiel had taken him literally.
"No. Tell me why we're in danger. Why do we need a prophet to protect us?" John was still iffy on the prophet thing. But Castiel insisted, so he played along.
"What you are after. It is a demon." Castiel told John, and John was taken aback a bit.
"But Missouri said it was too powerful to be…" Castiel cut him off.
"It is very powerful. Ancient." Castiel's eyes darkened slightly. "I do not know why it targeted your family, but there is a reason, it is best to be cautious."
"Is what I'm after now it?" John asked, his hands had subconsciously made it to Castiel's shoulders; the movement had made Castiel obviously uncomfortable.
"No." Castiel said bluntly, and John seriously wanted to punch something at that moment. As if Castiel sensed the urge, he shied away from John, pressing himself farther into the wall.
"You're going to help me find that thing." John said, fixing a Castiel with a look that dared him to say no.
"No." Castiel said, and his eyes grew impossibly large when John moved even closer to him. "You are too inexperienced." Castiel said in a slightly weaker voice. "Even with me in your alliance, the demon would destroy us."
John opened his mouth to say something until loud distressed cries erupted from the bedroom. They weren't high enough to be Sam's, so he could only guess it was Dean having nightmares again. He abandoned Castiel to run to the bedroom to check on and possibly wake up his son. When he threw the door open, he was surprised to find Castiel already on the bed, shushing Dean and running a gentle hand through his hair.
"Hush, Dean. Nothing can harm you." Castiel said as Dean started to calm down. "I won't allow anything to harm you."
"What about Sammy…?" Dean's sleepy voice said, startling John.
"Either of you. As long as I am here. Nothing will harm you." Castiel assured, and continued running his hand through Dean's hair. Dean sighed sleepily and soon was sound asleep again.
"Thanks." John said, startling Castiel so that he nearly fell of the bed.
"It is my duty." Castiel said. He slid off the bed and walked to John. "That is also why we cannot go after the demon now. Harm will come to Sammy and Dean." John nodded, albeit grudgingly.
"Fine. I understand." John said. His demeanor changed slightly, to a more cheerful one. He led them out into the living area again, as to not wake Dean. "Now, I'm not sure how old you are…." He trailed off seeing Castiel fight with himself again, finally he seemed to come to an agreement within himself and he looked up to John.
"I am 6 years of age." Castiel said. He looked more like a four or five year old, but definitely didn't sound like one, so John believed him.
"Yup. It's definitely bed time!" John said, and Castiel gave him a confused look.
"Bed time…? There is an allotted time for sleeping?" Castiel asked, and John nodded in seriousness. What kind of household has this kid even come from?
"Yeah. Do you have a routine for before you go to bed?" John asked and Castiel's brow furrowed.
"Routine… You don't just sleep?" He asked. John was getting more perturbed by the second.
"Wow! Your parents must have been horrible!" He accidentally said out loud and Castiel looked offended.
"My Father is wonderful and loving." Castiel said firmly and John nodded in understanding.
"Ah, so you only have a father? That explains it." John said and Castiel frowned disapprovingly at him. "Anyway. First thing to do is get into your pajamas." John told Castiel, and his face scrunched up in another confused look.
"Pajamas?" Castiel said the word like it was foreign.
"Yeah, your clothes that you sleep in." John elaborated.
"These clothes are not good enough for sleeping?" Castiel asked, motioning to his light blue jacket and jeans.
"No. Those would be uncomfortable to sleep in." John said and Castiel's face took on an expression John recognized, the expression of a whiney kid.
"But I've slept in them before!" Castiel whined at him, and John hushed him.
"That might have been okay in your family, but it is not okay in my family." John said firmly, and Castiel opened his mouth to argue. "If you want to stay with us, you have to follow my rules." That quieted Castiel.
"Very well. What sorts of clothes are suitable for sleeping?" Castiel asked, and John went to Dean's duffle bag and dug through it for some pajamas. He emerged triumphant and threw a pair of matching pajamas at Castiel. He caught the pants, but the shirt draped itself over his head. "Mr. Winchester, I do not think this is how you wear these clothes." John laughed.
"Of course not!" He sighed, and helped Castiel get undressed, and then dressed in Dean's pajamas. "There you go. I guess you don't have to brush your teeth tonight, since you don't have a tooth brush… Go wash your face." John pointed to the sink in the bathroom.
Castiel looked at him, slightly confused before wondering into the bathroom. The bathroom was all white, with the exception of yellow rings in the tub and around the toilet. There was a large mirror that showed Castiel a view of his vessel's face. He looked at himself and sighed, unsure of what to do next.
Let me help you. Jimmy said cheerfully, and Castiel nodded. First get a washcloth. Castiel grabbed for a towel and Jimmy shouted at him. No! Not that one! It's smaller than that, but it's made of the same stuff. Castiel huffed and grabbed the correct cloth.
"I know what to do from this point." Castiel assured as he reached for the handle on the sink. He pulled it all the way towards him and yelped when the spout sprayed the water at such a high pressure that it splashed out of the basin and all around the sink. Through Jimmy's laughter he heard John knock on the door.
"You okay in there?" John asked, his voice slightly muffled by the wood. Castiel nodded, before realizing John Winchester couldn't see through walls and replied.
"Yes. The sink startled me." Castiel said truthfully, and Jimmy dissolved into another fit of giggles when John started laughing. He huffed and wet the wash cloth, rubbing his face with it, then reached for dry washcloth and dried his face. When he emerged from the bathroom his face was squeaky clean, he looked up at John who was leaning up against the wall outside the door, waiting for him.
"Okay, looks like you accomplished that okay." John said, and Castiel nodded.
"What now?" He asked earnestly, and John looked thoughtful for a moment.
"Okay, I guess I'll sleep on the couch and you sleep on the other bed." John said and Castiel glanced over to the couch.
"That does not look comfortable." He said, pointing to the piece of furniture. To be honest, it didn't. It had bits and pieces falling off of it, and there was a giant hole in the back of it where stuffing was falling out.
John sighed. "Okay, where do you want to sleep?" John asked, slightly irked at Castiel's defiant and or clueless behavior towards everything.
"With my youngest charges." Castiel said bluntly, and John blinked in confusion.
"I'm guessing you mean Sammy and Dean?" John asked, and Castiel nodded seriously.
"I can keep Dean's and Sammy's nightmares at bay, and if something dangerous were to come near, I would be awake and able to protect them." Castiel reasoned, and John nodded trying to hide a smile. Like this little kid could protect anyone from anything. He was a little weirded out by the nightmare thing, but he chalked it up to Castiel being a prophet.
"Alright then, soldier. Sleep with Sammy and Dean. I'm going to warn you though, Dean rolls and Sammy kicks." John said and Castiel nodded.
"That will not be an issue." Castiel said.
"Off to bed!" John commanded, and Castiel marched off to the bedroom, he half expected him to salute.
Castiel gently scooted in on Dean's side of the bed, the one closest to the window. The position was both strategic and on account of Sammy taking up the entirety of the other side despite his size. When he was situated and had adjusted the covers as Jimmy had directed him, Dean scooted closer to Castiel and sighed. Castiel patted his head tenderly before shutting his eyes. As he slept he was vaguely aware of Sammy's soft breaths and baby noises, as well as Dean's half snores, it was the best night's sleep he or Jimmy had ever had.
TBC...