John got to the top of the stairs and pushed open the door to the attic bedroom. The room was minging with the smell of cum and sweat, he was pretty sure part of that was from Dean. He got over it quick enough, John had smelled worse and figured the teenagers were desensitized to it or maybe enjoyed the rank scent.

The bedroom was big and fully finished; obviously Angela went the extra mile to make her son happy with a room like this. There was a dormer put in on both sides freeing up wall space, they were covered in posters of the planets, constellations and the Milky Way.

From the ceiling hung model airships and rockets and on a work table was a model freshly started. John observed the boy's desk was very neat. The walls were white and clean as a whistle; he thought that was a real trick for a teenager. Instead of a twin bed there was what looked to be a double or queen parked under a skylight.

John didn't find anything strange so far, in fact he was impressed with the organization and cleanliness of the room. He clicked on a light and the first thing the Hunter noticed was two different sizes of shoes, one pair obviously Deans and other Cas. He rummaged through the hamper finding clothes mingled together including underwear and socks.

John opened the closet and pawed through the clothes hanging up, finding nothing but what he considered bad taste. He searched the floor of the closet and found the bag.

John dumped it out on the bed and there were the bottles of half used lube, gay porn and the two books on sex. He put everything back as it was except for one of the magazines. John planned on humiliating Dean with it later.

John noticed an old book sitting on the nightstand; it was a complete history of Angel Falls. Running down the index he saw the last chapters were about the legends and mysteries surrounding the area.

By the looks of where the bookmark was placed Cas had only read a bit of the boring things and had a ways to go before he got to the good stuff. John knew damn well that behind every legend there was at least a kernel of truth. He wanted to take the book but knew it would be missed so he left it.

Finally he got to the handcrafted box Dean had made for Cas. John traced the carefully carved heart and initials inside; he opened the top and found a soft piece of flannel lining the pine.

There was no mistaking the message from the heart, Dean was in love and he had it bad. John knew the pair was becoming inextricably bound on all levels. John needed to find out if they had done the deed, gone all the way then forcing Dean to live with Bobby Singer that spring would be a damn hard thing to accomplish.

He had a plan, be magnanimous to all and talk to Dean in private. John knew his son and the boy's weaknesses; he figured it would go smoothly.

….

On the way home Angie let Dean and Cas sit together in the back. It was ok, Sam wanted shotgun anyway. He clutched the box of left over pizza on his lap with a smile on his face. Angie glanced over, "What are you grinning about?"

"I'm glad Dean had a good birthday."

In the back Cas and Dean were holding hands under Deans coat draped over their laps. Cas was whispering to Dean trying to make him blush, "When we go for our drivers tests and pass then we can do that motel thing. I get to stick it in you right?"

Dean could feel the heat rise in his cheeks, "yeah, that's the plan. You better practice on me with your finger though."

Cas leaned right in with lips pressed against Deans ear, "I liked it when you rubbed my prostate."

Dean wrinkled up his nose and whispered, "That word is weird."

Cas pushed back his long, dark bangs and gave Dean a poorly executed wink, "Hey, let's call our cocks something so we can talk about them in front of other people and no one with know."

Dean mulled it over for about thirty seconds, "Let's call our cocks…candy."

The blue eyed boy ran his tongue along the shell of Deans ear, "Dean…do you want a piece of candy?"

Dean whispered as sternly as he could, "Yeah, next weekend you can stuff my ass full of candy, now stop talking."

Nimble fingers stroked the tight denim encasing the erection Dean was sporting.

He groaned, "Cas I swear you are gonna kill me."

….

John knew he was pushing his luck by snooping so after going over the attic room he went to the living room and started writing in his journal. Good timing because car lights came up the driveway about five minutes later.

Angie opened the door and then jiggled the handle with a frown on her face, "John if you busted my lock there is going to be hell to pay."

The boys filed by and then stood in the kitchen not sure what to do next. John came in with a big smile on his face and warmth in his voice. First he almost lifted Sam off his feet in a bear hug then said how much he missed him. Sam was surprised. The hug felt tender and honest, something Sam wasn't used to.

The eleven year old stammered, "I…I missed you too."

Next John held out his arms and smiled at his son that was just about nose to nose to him in height. Dean was having a growth spurt and although his body was still slim it was quickly gaining muscle. "Sixteen looks good on you Dean, give your old man a hug."

Dean flinched when John went to him and gave Dean a warm embrace. His arms just hung at his sides because he wasn't sure what to do. Finally John released him, "Where were you guys?"

Dean rolled his eyes over to Angie, "We went out for pizza, me and Cas have our birthdays on the same day." Cas stood shoulder to shoulder with Dean to show their solidarity.

Sam pointed to the pizza box on the table, "Do you want some pizza dad?"

He messed up Sam's mop of wavy hair, "Sure, put a couple on a plate for me."

Angela stared at the man wondering where the real John Winchester had gone; this one was much too nice.

….

They all sat together in the living room catching up on things; Dean was mostly quiet. He usually let Sam do the talking for him when he wasn't sure how John would react. John even asked Cas if he had a nice birthday, the teen eyed him warily not sucked in by the sweet act like Sam and Dean were. Children wanted to see the best in their parents so any scrap of kindness from a dad like John was welcome. Cas couldn't blame them at all. If Cas had a dad he figured he would do the same thing.

John smiled at Cas, "So how is school going Jimmy?"

Cas frowned when he called him that, "Fine Mr. Winchester."

Angie sat next to John drinking a beer while she tried to figure out why he was being especially nice. "How long are you staying this time John?"

"A couple nights then I'm heading to the Upper Peninsula to check out some strange deaths. Dean, maybe you want to drive along and give me a hand."

Dean chewed his nail as he decided what to say, "I can't, I have school and my driver's test. Sorry Sir."

John let it slide, "I'm disappointed but school comes first and I know you want that license don't you boy?"

Dean relaxed his fists balled up on his lap, "Yes Sir."

"Just remember, driving is a privilege Dean so don't fuck up. I know how you think," John winked at his son, "most of the time you don't."

Dean's temper flared, "Why do you have to pick on me? Just once could you be nice and not follow it with a bullshit insult?" He stomped up to the room he shared with Sam and slammed the door.

It was the first time Dean had ever truly lipped off to his father. Sam covered his mouth so John couldn't see the smile on his face. It was exciting to see his big brother take a step toward independence from John.

Sam went after Dean to be sure he was alright.

…

Dean was in the process of punching the crap out of his defenseless pillow when Sam came in. "I knew it Sammy, I knew he was going to come here and be a jackass. I mean isn't a dad supposed to love his kid?"

Sam sat next to him and patted his shoulder, "Dad is messed up and I don't think we can fix him. The good thing is he hasn't mentioned us leaving this spring, maybe he changed his mind."

Dean looked around as if the whole world might hear him, "Can I tell you something and you won't tell anyone?"

Sam shrugged, "Sure, you are my brother and we tell each other everything."

Dean looked Sam in the eye and said, "I love Cas."

Sam waited for to hear the big secret. "Yeah and…?"

"I haven't told Cas yet."

Sam snorted then started laughing until Dean shut him down with a hard look. "Dean I know that already. You better tell him though."

"He knows."

"Yeah but it's not the same as hearing it out loud."

Somehow Deans little Sammy always put things in perspective for him, at eleven Sam Winchester was wise and patient beyond his years. Dean put his arm around his little brother's shoulder, "Thanks Sam."

Sam put his head on Dean's shoulder and batted his lashes, "I love you Dean."

"I love you too Bitch."

"Thanks Jerk. So when are you going to tell him?"

Dean smiled as he thought about their first time coming up, "I know exactly when I'll say it."

"When?"

"None of your business."

…

Cas had escaped to his attic room after the blow up and as soon as he walked in he knew John Winchester had been snooping around. Cas was furious, he wanted to go downstairs and pop John in his smug, unshaven face. Instead he opted to sit on his bed and fume.

He put on some music to calm himself down. Cas belted out the song and let all the fury melt away replaced by melancholy.

What is happening to me?
Crazy someone say
Where is my friend when I need you most?
Gone away

But I won't cry for yesterday
There's an ordinary world
Somehow I have to find
And as I try to make my way
To the ordinary world
I will learn to survive….

Dean entered and was sure to lock the door behind him. Cas didn't even notice, his eyes were closed and the boy was singing his heart out as he slowly removed his clothing. He waited until Cas was completely naked then moved up behind him catching his lips in a kiss, "No more sad songs Babe…not for us."

Cas turned around and hugged him tightly, "I wish your dad would go away."

Dean slid his hands down his loves smooth skin until he reached the swell of his ass, "Don't waste time thinking about him. Think about doing me, that always makes you smile."

Cas did smile, "I can't wait, it's going to feel so good, Dean you have a perfect butt."

He laughed softly at Cas with his big blue eyes staring up at him and that goofy smile on his face, "Thanks, try not to break it cause it's the only one I got." Dean heard voices, "I have to go."

He couldn't sleep with Cas, not with John in the house but that was ok. His future maybe have been uncertain but one thing Dean knew, Cas would always be in it.

….

John tucked his arms behind his head and relaxed as he watched Angie move around the bedroom like a goddess gliding on ice. "Damn, you are a beautiful woman."

She tossed a condom on his belly, "Don't forget to use this."

"Angela did I mention you are romantic?"

Angie stood at the foot of the bed with her hands on her hips, "Why did you have to talk to Dean like that?"

Before he could answer she stabbed her finger at him, "So help me John I'll wear your balls for earrings if you don't apologize to him tomorrow in front of Sam. Also get off your cheap ass and take him out for a birthday lunch. If that kid doesn't come home with a smile on his face…" she made s scissors motion with her fingers, "snip, snip."

He cupped a protective hand over his crotch, "Jesus, where did that come from? You aren't the boss of me woman! Those are my boys and I'll do what I want with them."

She snapped, "Fine, then get your duffle bag and haul your ass downstairs. The couch is pretty comfy. Maybe you can spend some time thinking of ways to be nice to your kids."

John grumbled but in the end he agreed to apologize and play nice by taking Dean out for a birthday lunch.

…..

Dean lay there thinking of ways to make it all work out. Finally his mind was too exhausted and his eyes heavy. Before he shut off the lamp Dean opened the gift bag that John had left him. Inside was a new olive drab tactile jacket complete with inside pockets made for ammo clips and a concealed weapon or two.

The jacket was brand new; Dean couldn't remember the last time he owned a new coat that Angela hadn't bought him. This one felt expensive and had all the bells and whistles and Dean knew his dad actually spent time picking it out.

In the bottom of the bag Dean found a note from his dad written on stationary from a motel called The Pines. The note said simply, "Happy Birthday, Love Dad."

"Why do you do this to me dad…treat me like garbage then buy me a gift…punch me then hug me…no more dad or I'll go crazy."

Dean looked over at Sam; the kid was asleep on his belly. His breaths came easy and Sam looked peaceful.

Ollie was curled up on Sam's bony little butt, eyes glowing in the darkness. It was Ollie's nightly routine and Dean had to admit, he felt better with the cat around. He was sort of an early warning system against things that went bump in the night.

Dean closed his eyes and as he drifted off to sleep a nightmare forced its way through, fire, screaming, running, the same old bad song. Then a good memory came and rescued him.

He was four again and Mary was looking down with a smile on her pretty face, "It was just a nightmare sweetheart, I'm here don't worry."

…

Ollie watched as a figure appeared and knelt next to Dean's bed, the cat could see clearly it was Cas and Jimmy. Humans saw a single boy but Ollie could see two right now, one to find the memory and one to speak the words.

Jimmy grasped Dean's hand as he fought his way through another nightmare. A deep, tender voice cut through the darkness, "It was just a nightmare sweetheart, I'm here don't worry."

Ollie jumped off his butt perch and approached the kneeling boy when two small wings emerged from his back; they were damp and began slowly moving in an attempt to dry off.

Ollie wanted pretty badly to take a swipe at the feathery enticements but decided against it when the boy looked over his shoulder with glowing eyes that rivaled Ollie's, "Naughty kitty." They folded and slipped back inside and Jimmy-Cas vanished.

TBC

A/N—The partial lyrics are from the song, "Ordinary World" by Duran Duran. It is a haunting song and a bit sad. As usual the fine print, I don't own it, not making money off it etc etc