Dean's body aches when he wakes up, all a result of the night before. He's naked and cold but Castiel's body is a reassuring weight behind him. He needs to shower and get dressed but he just wants to lay in bed all day. Sam, Dean remembers. Sam didn't scream in his sleep last night, which is progress. Dean tries to roll onto his back, ass still aching from the night before. He stirs Castiel awake and the older man watches Dean as he climbs out of bed.
"Morning," Castiel says, his voice rough with sleep.
"Morning. I'm going to shower," he tells Castiel, slipping on his shirt and shorts.
"Wait for me," Castiel forces himself out of bed, lazily scratching his head as he tries to remember what he's doing.
"Yeah sure, I need to grab clothes still," Dean starts for the door when Castiel catches him by the wrist. He silently unbuckles the collar from around Dean's neck, Dean nearly forgot he was wearing it.
"Oh, thanks," Castiel nods, placing the collar in the drawer of his nightstand. Castiel is quiet as he pads around his room looking for clothes.
Dean heads to his room and grabs an outfit and clean socks. Castiel is still in his room when Dean goes into the bathroom and starts the shower. He strips, laying his clothes on the sink counter. All of his marks are a bright purple now, standing out against his pale skin. He turns to check his back and finds a few more bruises on his ass and the back of his shoulders. The ones on his wrists will be hard to hide and he worries for a moment because he can't wear a coat all day. For a moment, Dean regrets last night, but he tries to quell the thought.
Castiel shuts the door behind himself as he walks in and startles Dean. The shower is warm now and steam is slowly filling the bathroom. Dean steps into the tub, tugging the shower curtain closed behind him. He thinks about how he's going to hide his wrists from Sam and from the school. He can wear sweaters every day until they're gone but there's still a risk of someone seeing. Cas steps into the shower behind him and wraps his arms lazily around Dean's waist. Dean feels himself stiffen, tense from his thoughts, and knows Castiel feels it too.
"You okay?" Castiel asks. His chin rests on Dean's shoulder, which aches from being pulled by the rope all night. He shrugs Castiel away and rubs at the sore spot.
"Just sore," Dean says. He's being a dick and he knows he should apologize instead, he grabs a wash cloth and body wash. Before he clicks the cap open, Castiel pulls it from his hands. There's a word on the tip of his tongue when Castiel turns him around so the water is falling against his back.
"Don't lie to me," he says in the voice that always rattles Dean. Dean watches Castiel's hands as he lathers up the wash cloth before brushing it against Dean's skin. He starts at his chest, being careful not to press too hard over the bruises. Dean bites his lip and feels uneasy in a way he hasn't since his first night in Castiel's house.
"The bruises on my wrist are really noticeable," he says. He holds his arms up so Castiel can inspect them. Castiel continues to scrub, moving on to Dean's arm now. He pulls it out so he can wash the full length of it and turns it to get each side.
"They'll fade soon enough," Cas says. He makes sure to wash gently over Dean's wrist and presses a kiss to the soap covered bruise.
"What if Sam sees it?" He says, addressing the real issue. Castiel pauses before cleaning the next arm.
"I'm sorry," he sighs. "I'll turn the heat down so you can wear something with longer sleeves." It's not a real solution but Dean knows he's trying.
"Thanks."
Cas continues to scrub him, he finishes Dean's other arm and moves to his legs. He has to bend at the waist to scrub Dean's calves and ankles. Dean feels a little silly having an older man scrub him as if he's incapable of doing so himself. He lets Castiel finish though. Castiel kisses the tip of Dean's dick before he stands and turns Dean so he's facing the water again. Castiel washes Dean's back, pressing a kiss to each bruise as he does. He rinses the cloth and places it on the rail attached to the wall.
Castiel uses his hands to wash the soap from Dean's body and then he pulls Dean towards him and tilts his head back. The shampoo is cold against Dean's scalp when Castiel begins to work it into his hair. Dean relaxes into the feeling of Castiel's hands caressing his scalp and forgets why he was so worked up a moment ago. Castiel guides his head beneath the water and washes out the shampoo thoroughly. He squeezes the excess water from Dean's hair before he applies conditioner. It smells like lavender which, Dean knows Sam will tease him for. He doesn't mind though, Castiel's fingers feel so nice as they scrub his scalp.
Castiel rinses Dean's hair again and switches places with Dean so he can wash off. Dean watches as Castiel lathers himself and drinks in the site of the older man before him. Castiel doesn't spend a lot of time naked so Dean's happy they're doing this. Castiel is muscular and his torso is long. His thighs hold most of his muscle, like a runner or a biker. He watches as Castiel lathers himself with body wash and feels guilty when his dick twitches. He never planned on anything happening, especially with his ass being so sore still.
Castiel notices, his eyes focused on Dean's cock which is starting to swell up. Dean ducks his head and thinks he should step out so Castiel can shower in peace. Instead, Cas motions Dean forward with a flick of his wrist. Dean moves closer until his chest is pressed to Castiel's then, Castiel kisses him softly, no tongue and no rush. He melts into it and lets Castiel control him, both of his hands cupping Dean's cheeks. He thinks for a moment that this is what people do in relationships, they wake up with each other and kiss in the shower. His heart flutters with the thought.
Dean feels Castiel's hand grip his cock and give him a few tugs. He gasps into Castiel's mouth and thinks he's definitely on board with where this is leading. Cas sucks on his fingers and reaches behind Dean and gently pushes a finger into his hole. Dean stands on his toes and tries to ease into it. Cas continues like that, fingering Dean until he's loose enough for his fingers to slide in and out with ease. Castiel has abandoned Dean's cock so Dean grips it and strokes in time with Castiel's thrusts. His cheeks pink because he's already close and they've only just started but he blames it on the fact that it's still early and Cas really knows what he's doing.
"I'm gonna come," he whispers but it echoes in the bathroom.
"Come for me," Cas says. Dean moans, releasing into his palm. The water washes it all down the drain as it comes. Castiel pulls his fingers away and kisses him lazily as Dean recovers from his orgasm. He feels sleepy good and thinks today is good day for doing nothing.
"Good boy," Castiel says it right in Dean's ear making him feel filthy and good at the same time.
They finish showering and dress quickly, their clothes sticking to them from the buildup of steam in the bathroom. Dean makes sure to wear a shirt with sleeves, covering his marks perfectly. Sam is still asleep when they begin cooking breakfast, a mix of bacon eggs and pancakes. Dean helps with the pancakes by mixing the batter, a homemade recipe instead of the boxed kind he's used to. Castiel adds chocolate chips as Dean stirs them in. They're developing a routine again and for the first time since Dad passed away, Dean doesn't feel the guilt or shame.
Castiel is frying bacon when Sam finds them in the kitchen. His hair is a mess and he's still in his pajamas. Sam looks like he could use a few more hours of sleep but he sits at the table and watches as Dean and Cas move easily around each other, cooking pancakes and bacon.
"Morning, Sammy," Dean says.
"Morning. Need any help?" Dean looks around. He's covering the pancakes and Castiel will be making eggs as soon as he finishes the last strips of bacon.
"If you want, you can set the table and make a pot of coffee," he says. Sam easily slides from his seat and begins searching the cabinets for plates. Dean continues to flip and plate pancakes as his brother sets the table and starts the coffee maker. Soon the kitchen smells like coffee and bacon, two of Dean's favorite scents.
"Any plans for the day?" Castiel asks. He's plating the last of the bacon and sets the grease covered pan aside.
"I have a test to study for," Sam says. "My friend, Chuck, wants me to study with him later."
"I can give you a ride if you need one," Castiel offers. He places a much smaller pan on the burner and begins cracking eggs into a bowl.
"Thanks, he wants to meet up sometime around noon," Sam adds.
They finish cooking and Dean and Cas set food at the table while Sam pours himself a glass of orange juice. Sam tells a story about something funny that happened in class and Dean and Cas laugh along. Castiel takes Sam to his friends after they eat and Sam has a chance to shower. Dean has homework of his own to work on so he sets up at the kitchen table. Castiel ordered them desks so they can work in their rooms if they prefer but, Dean likes it out here. Plus, it gives him an excuse to procrastinate and talk to Cas instead of working on the ten math problems he needs to finish.
Later in the day, a social worker calls Castiel and tells him they will be visiting this week to ensure that Castiel's home is an appropriate environment for Dean and Sam. Dean knows Castiel's home is perfect, a little eccentric but nothing unreasonable. Dean spends the day emptying his stash of sex toys that Castiel bought him and he leaves them in Castiel's closet. Castiel keeps the gun safe there that his Dad's gun is sitting in now but he keeps the cabinet locked so no one can access it.
Cas and Dean clean for a good part of the day and check the smoke detectors are working properly. Dean is ready for a nap by the time Sam returns from his friend's house. He sprawls out on the couch and Sam complains that he's taking all the room.
"Fight me," Dean says. Sam flicks him on the side of his head. It's just a flick but Sam's fingers are boney and hurt. He sits up and lets his brother have a spot on the couch but refuses to share the remote. He's been watching the food network for a good while now and he's not going to miss who the winner of the bake off is.
"Have fun at Chucks?" He asks. Sam shrugs, engaged in the show now.
"We mostly studied and I helped him with his homework. He has a Play Station though so we played some video games," Sam says.
"Any good ones?"
"Grand theft auto was fun," Sam smiles as he says it.
They talk about video games for a while, discussing which ones are the best and which ones shouldn't exist. They argue about the classics because Dean thinks crash bandicoot is the best but Sam says Spyro is the real winner. Dean tells him about the inspection and he knows Sam is nervous because he's biting at his fingernails. He tells Sam not to worry because Cas is great and everything is going to be fine. Sam doesn't seem to relax though, tense even as they eat dinner.
The marks on Dean's wrists fade by Tuesday and the social worker stops by for her visit on Thursday. Dean can't decide if he should wear a polo or a regular t-shirt but settles for a Henley. Sam tries to busy himself with homework so he doesn't have to think about too much, Dean assumes. He, luckily, doesn't have much work today because it's almost Christmas break so his teachers are taking it easy for now. His birthday is coming up soon but he thinks he should hold off fighting for custody of Sam until he's finished with high school.
The social worker is a short woman with dark hair. She walks around the house, testing locks and searching for hazardous chemicals under the sinks. She marks something down on a paper attached to a clip board as Castiel shows her the house. She asks about Castiel's locked closet and he explains that the gun Dean inherited is locked away so she doesn't ask for him to open it. She checks each of their rooms and doesn't mention anything about the overwhelming amount of pastel and flowers around the house. Once she's finished the initial tour, she tests each smoke alarm and the C02 alarm. They each work perfectly, emitting a loud sound that echoes throughout the house.
She's mostly quiet as she walks around which makes Dean nervous. Once she finishes marking things on her clipboard, they sit around at the kitchen table. There's only four seats so Dean sits beside the woman and Cas sits across from her. He tries not to act nervous as she crosses her hands over the table and smiles at Castiel.
"Well, Castiel, your home certainly looks fit for two teenage boys," she says. "I just have a few questions for them and then I'll call you back and we can discuss this further." Castiel smiles as he leaves the room and then it's just Sam and Dean alone with her.
"So, boys, how do you like it here? Anything you'd like me to know or things that bother you?" She's mostly looking at Sam as she asks. Dean worries for a moment that Sam might say something about Dean and Castiel's not so paternal relationship. Instead he shakes his head.
"I like it here," Sam says, "Cas is nice and I actually have my own room," the social worker laughs at that.
"What about you Dean, any problems?"
"No, I'm good," he says. She writes something down again.
"Any issues with school. Dean, I know you were involved in a few altercations before and one recently. Want to tell me about it?" Dean sits back in his seat and crosses his arms over his chest as he remembers being beat in the hallway.
"Just another bully. The same guys have been attacking Sam and me all year," he says. He bounces his leg on the floor and remembers the time Gordon nearly broke it. "Cas talked to the principal though, so it's been dealt with for now," he adds.
"That's good," she says, her voice calming. "And how have your grades been?"
"Mine are great, I'm going to make honor roll again," Sam says, grinning from ear to ear. She smiles back and turns to Dean.
"They're alright, getting better now that," now that things are easy and Dean doesn't have to worry about Dad and Sammy all the time, he wants to say. "Now that I have a tutor I've been getting better," he says instead. She nods, and clears her throat.
"I know this maybe isn't a great time to ask, but how have you been since your father…," she doesn't finish but Dean knows what she's asking.
"I've been alright. We're Winchesters, we're tough," Dean jokes. She pinches her brows and laughs pityingly back.
"But have you talked to anyone? I understand this isn't the first parent you've lost now," her words cut at Dean more than he expects.
"Yeah, I've talked to my friend, and Cas a little," he bites his nails the same way he knows Sam is right now.
"And you?" She turns to Sam.
"Yeah, I have Dean," he says. The air has changed now and no one wants to speak, too much talk about death. Dean crosses his arms a little tight and scratches at the exposed skin on his arm. She seems to notice and marks something on her paper. Dean drops his arms and rubs his palms together in his lap.
"Well, I think that's enough, thank you both. You can get Cas now, if you'd like," Dean pushes away from his seat a little quicker than he means.
Cas is sitting in the living room, his leg bouncing on the carpet. He wore a sweater vest today which Dean would hate on any other day but thinks it's endearing today. Cas looks up at him, obviously nervous and unsure of himself. Dean itches to reach out and touch him, anything to comfort the man who is usually so put together. He doesn't want to risk it though, so instead he tells Cas that he can come back to the kitchen.
They're all uneasy when Cas returns to the table. Dean knows the house is perfect and Cas is perfect but he worries the social worker won't see the same thing. He wants to tell her that this is the best his life has been since his mother died but that means admitting John wasn't the best. He bites the inside of his lip and waits for her to speak.
"Everything here seems great, given the circumstances. I know this has been a difficult loss for everyone," she pauses and flips through her notes. "Based on what I've seen here today I have no doubt that you're an appropriate guardian for these boys," she smiles and shakes Castiel's hand as she stands. "Of course there will be another trial to award you custody of them, and more visits after that just to make sure everything is still good further down the line. For now though, I don't think there's anything for you to worry about." Dean exhales in relief and relaxes into his seat.
"Thank you so much," Castiel says. He shows her out of the house through the living room. Sam crosses his arms on the table and lays his head across them.
"Thank God," he says. "Thank, Cas too." Dean smiles and feels the urge to pump his fist in the air.
"We need to celebrate," he says as Castiel returns to the kitchen.
"No problem, I need to stress bake," Castiel says as he pushes up his sleeves and begins pulling mixing bowls out from their places. "I'm going to bake cookies and cupcakes, you two can order a pizza or anything you want," he says.
Dean orders enough pizza for everyone and adds on some breadsticks because he loves them. Castiel bakes two dozen cookies and enough cupcakes to feed an entire army of third graders. Dean's eyes are wide as he stares at the large amount of sweets that are filling the kitchen. He helps Castiel package them in the boxes he normally uses to transport his baked goods just so they're not all sitting out overnight. He thinks they should donate them or take them to school tomorrow so they don't go to waste.
Dean sits nervously in the court room as the judge looks over all the documents and decides if Dean and Sam will have a home or not. He fidgets with his tie, rolling up the end and dropping it again. Sam is beside him, bouncing his leg and staring wide eyed at the judge. It's not like what he sees on TV, it's just a room with a couple tables and a judge sitting before them. The only other people in the room are his social worker, Sam, Cas and him. The judge has been reading over their papers and talking to the social worker for what feels like an eternity now. Dean just wants an answer. The judge finishes reading, pulling off her glasses and folding them neatly before her.
"Well, Mr. Novak, everything seems to be in order here. The boys certainly do seem to enjoy living with you," Dean thinks back to the one on one meeting he had with the judge before they all sat in the court room. "From what I can tell you seem to be a good fit. They have a home, bedrooms, food and water. Most importantly they have a guardian who cares about them and has the means to support them." Dean looks up at the judge and hopes this is it, that Cas is finally going to be awarded custody.
"I am granting you custody of Sam and Dean Winchester. There will be a number of follow up visits by their social worker to ensure that your home remains suitable for them. During this time, if she finds anything alarming at all, your custody can be terminated. Do you understand?"
"Yes ma'am," Castiel responds.
"Good," she smiles and Dean feels himself smile too.
They have to sign a few papers before they can leave but once they exit Dean feels relief wash over him. He no longer has to worry about Sam being sent to some foster home and being separated from him. He hugs Sam a little tight once they're outside, refusing to let go even as his brother complains. Sam is safe and he's going to be safe from now on. He messes up his brother's hair and follows Castiel into the car, calling shotgun before his brother can. Cas has a permanent smile on his face as they drive home and Dean feels the same, his cheeks hurting from how much he's smiling.
Castiel prepares a larger dinner for them. Dean helps where he can, peeling onions and boiling noodles. They're finally on winter break and Dean's birthday will be coming up soon. He's decided he doesn't want to worry about putting Sam through another custody battle. Cas is good and doesn't show any signs that he'll throw them out anytime soon. Instead, he's preparing them dinner and Dean suddenly feels lucky Dad kicked him out a few months ago. He never would have met Cas if he wasn't forced out on his own and he definitely would have lost Sam to a foster home regardless. He could only lie to Naomi for so long before she found out the truth.
He steps away from his pot of boiling macaroni noodles to places his arms on Castiel's shoulders. He coaxes him away from what he's working on and kisses him. He doesn't worry about Sam seeing because he's almost 18 which means he'll be legal soon and he'll be able to kiss Cas whenever he wants. He kisses Cas for everything he's got and holds onto him as he does. When he's done, Castiel's cheeks are flushed and his noodles are about to boil over.
"What's that for?" Castiel asks.
"For helping me, and for helping Sammy," he says, his mouth hovering only centimeters from Castiel's. Castiel kisses him this time, soft and chaste. Dean doesn't have school tomorrow and Castiel doesn't have to work so he starts thinking about all the ways he can show Cas just how thankful he is. For now, he focuses on saving his noodles from over-cooking.
That night, Dean slips away to Castiel's room and knocks on his door before entering. Castiel is already in bed and prepared to sleep. Dean should just sleep because they're exhausted from an early morning, but instead he slips off his shirt and shorts to reveal a pair of soft pink panties. Castiel watches as Dean slips beneath the covers and curls up against him. Tonight he needs to be with Cas, needs to tell him, just needs to tell Cas how he feels.
Castiel kisses the tops of knuckles, pulling Dean's hand into his own. Dean curls closer and kisses Castiel, gently without his usual heat behind it. Castiel holds him by his waist and smooths a finger across his lower back. Dean can't get enough of Cas, how he's constantly easing the tension out him and Dean melts into him. He kisses Castiel's neck a moment before returning to his lips. Castiel shuts his eyes as if he's about to fall asleep but Dean needs him stay awake a little longer.
"Cas," he says, breaking the silence. The older man looks up at Dean, eyes so piercingly blue in the dark and Dean wonders if they've always been this bright. He sucks in a breath to steel himself because he's not the type to talk about his feelings. Hell, he's not even the type to date, let alone have whatever type of relationship he has with Cas. He fists his hands into Castiel's shirt to ground himself.
"What is it?" Castiel asks, brows furrowing. He places a palm against Dean's face and Dean leans into it.
"I, uh, I need to tell you something," he's whispering so quiet that Cas has to lean closer to hear him. "I don't need you to say anything, I just need to say it," he says. Castiel's eyes scan Dean's face for any hint of what he's trying to say. Castiel waits patiently as Dean finds the words he's searching for.
"It's just you're the first person in my life, besides my mom I guess, to ever make me feel so, so good. Like I'm not completely worthless. And, I don't know, I guess I love you, or something." It's not the worst way to confess feelings to a sort of boyfriend, Dean supposes. He's thankful it's dark so he doesn't have to worry about the way his face grows warm. "It's not just about how good you make me feel in here either, it's everything Cas. It's how you always know when I'm beating myself up and you're always taking care of me. And how easy it is for me to fall asleep next to you. I guess, I just don't want this to be some fling or to leave right after I'm eighteen either. I just needed you to know," he rushes the words out and waits, each second agonizing, for Castiel's response.
Castiel kisses him and pushes him so Dean's on his back and Cas is propped above him, supported by his elbow. Castiel looks at Dean like he can see his past in his eyes, like he can read the pain and find a way to make it go away. Just like he did when Dean had nowhere to go and when John's car accident made them orphans. Cas strokes Dean's cheek and Dean closes his eyes and leans into his palm.
"I love you too," Cas says, so gracefully like it never required a second thought. Dean loves Cas even more for that.
"More than as just some fling?" Dean asks, because he's insecure and needs the reassurance. Castiel huffs a silent laugh, his breath ghosting over Dean.
"Of course," he says. He kisses Dean easily, his tongue presses to Dean's lip and he opens up to Cas.
They make out lazily, their hands roam and touch like they can't get enough. Dean pulls Castiel's shirt off and he knows they're both going to be exhausted in the morning but he needs Cas. He needs to feel Cas and be engulfed in all that he is. Cas slips Dean's panties off and onto the floor, only leaving Dean's lips a moment before they're kissing again. Dean helps Cas out of his boxers and then there's just the warmth of Castiel's body against his.
Cas grabs the lube and slicks up his fingers before slipping one into Dean. Dean moans as Castiel opens him like he has so many time before. Tonight is different though, Dean's not just doing this because he feels obligated to because Cas is paying him for it. Tonight, he wants everything Cas has to offer and give everything in return. Dean wants Cas to know that he's here for as long as he wants him and he shows him by pulling Cas against him and kissing him.
Cas slips his fingers out and before he can grab a condom Dean snatches his hand. He laces their fingers together and kisses Castiel's fingers. Cas seems to understand and lubes his cock instead, then eases it into Dean. It's overwhelming, Cas sliding into him and hitting home. Dean's been so used to resisting and hating the feeling of someone inside him and he begins to wonder when that feeling went away. Now, here with Cas, his whole body sparks with pleasure in a way it never has.
They move slowly against each other, kissing between thrusts. Dean clings to Castiel's back as Cas thrusts slowly, in no hurry at all. Dean gasps as Cas slides a little deeper and moans against Castiel's collarbone. Cas pulls him into his arms and flips them easily so Dean is seated in his lap. Dean wraps his arm around Castiel's neck and begins to push back on his cock. The angle is better and Dean takes it slow, swiveling his hips just right. He ducks his head against Castiel's collarbone and moans, his whole body suddenly feeling like it's on fire.
Castiel holds his hips as he thrusts into Dean, his hips making a quiet slap as they come into contact with Dean. It breaks the quiet they've built of silent moans and barely audible pants. Dean feels his orgasm build as Castiel's thrusts become rapid. He squeezes the pillow behind Castiel's head, gritting his teeth to fight the moan that escapes him as he comes. It dribbles onto Castiel's chest but Cas continues thrusting until he's coming and filling Dean up.
They pant against each other for a moment before Dean climbs off and pads as quietly as possible into the hall to grab a wash cloth. Dean cleans Cas off and then himself. He thinks about the glass plug hiding away in Castiel's cabinet. It's too late to grab it now, but it's something he'll have to remember next time. Dean's heart flutters a moment at the thought of next time, and spending his Days with Castiel. He tosses the wash cloth into the dirty laundry and rejoins Castiel in bed, fitting into Castiel's arms easily. Cas kisses his forehead and holds him tight, like Dean could disappear any moment.
"I love you so much," he says, enjoying how easy it is now that he knows how Cas feels.
"I love you too," Castiel says. He pushes a hand through Dean's hair and Dean relaxes into the familiar motion. "Stay here," he says. Dean can hear the forever that trails off under his breath.
"Always," Dean says. He holds onto to Cas, never letting go as he falls asleep in his arms.