Waking up to an over-sized little brother stumbling his way around the kitchen and the gentle hum of happiness from an angel was probably the best way Dean could think to wake up. It was only made better because Sam was happy, because Amelia would be there the next day to spend Christmas with them. There was the minor problem of Riot, and the inevitable battle between dog and cat, but Alice had taken to sleeping and resting upstairs recently and preferred to keep to herself unless she wanted something.
Cas was sprawled out on the sofa with his coffee and a book. His new favourite way to pass the time was reading human novels and learning a few references of his own, which only served to baffle Dean completely. Dean made himself coffee before padding into the living room and lifting Cas' feet to sit down on the sofa. He replaced them over his lap and let out a long sigh.
The angel's wings were still visible, although they were more a shadow of their true form. They were a faint, grey and blue shimmer, and Dean enjoyed watching their behaviour. They were currently relaxed, sprawled out across the living room, feathers trailing along the floor. Dean drew in a long breath, and was reminded by the sweet smell drifting from the kitchen to ask the angel what on Earth he was cooking. "Are you baking again?" he asked as he rested a hand on Cas' leg.
Cas smiled at his book but didn't reply, turning the page silently before taking a sip of his coffee. Sam came into the room and settled himself down into a chair, folding up his long limbs and balancing a mug of coffee in his hands. "It's still weird," Sam grumbled as he carefully placed the mug down on the table.
"What is?" Dean murmured, one eyebrow raised. Cas lifted his gaze from his book to glance over at Sam, a small pulse of amusement coming across from him.
"Seeing you happy," the younger brother chuckled before picking up the newspaper and settling down. "And I thought we avoided the Apocalypse."
"Shut your mouth, I'm allowed to be happy," Dean said with a grin. He propped his feet up on the table and let Cas stretch out over him. "What are you baking, anyway?" He looked at the angel but Cas simply returned to his book.
"It's a surprise. If you can't tell by the smell then I'm not sure if you deserve it," Cas mused gently, eyes scanning quickly over the words in front of him. He was a fast reader, often getting through one or two books a day. They had taken to getting him second hand books, trading in his old ones for ones he hadn't read yet, because he was simply too fast at reading. Dean swore if they kept all his books when they were done then they'd be swimming in books.
He took in a deep breath, trying to place the delicious smell that was wafting in from the kitchen. Something was just beginning to cook in the oven, the scent sweet and sugary. "Is that apple?" he asked, narrowing his eyes at the angel. Cas smirked and didn't reply, and Dean was left to wonder.
When Dean returned with Sam from doing a run into town for milk and bread and various things for Amelia's visit, Cas had been doing something with a lot of flour. He was brushing his hands down and wiping the kitchen table with a cloth, brushing away the excess flour. "Okay, what are you baking?" Dean asked, the smell of apple now strong in the kitchen.
"If I told you it wouldn't be a surprise," Cas said softly, wiping the table clean with ease. "You'll just have to wait." Dean groaned and moved over to the angel, wrapping his hands loosely around his waist.
"I don't want to wait," he whined. Cas raised an eyebrow and looked up at him, a smile tugging at his lips.
"Well you can't eat it raw. So you're gonna have to wait," he said as he tapped Dean's chest lightly and pushed him away. Dean left him to clean as he finally sat down for a few beers with Sam. It was the first time in a long time and he was certainly looking forward to it.
Dean was just into his second beer when he felt Cas call him more than he heard the soft call of his name from the kitchen. He glanced to Sam who pulled a shrug using both his face and shoulders. Dean snorted and stood up before padding through into the kitchen. He was greeted by the sweetest smell he had experienced in a long time and the angel just placing probably the most delicious pie in creation on the table.
He felt his mouth water immediately, and his stomach let out an appreciating growl as he moved to Cas' side. "Is that what I think it is?" he asked as he reached out to the pie. Cas tapped his hand lightly, causing Dean to moan like the big child he was.
"It's hot," Cas scolded lightly. "And if you think it's an apple pie, then yes, it's what you think it is." Dean couldn't do anything but hug Cas tighter than he had possibly ever hugged him before.
"I knew there was a reason I married an angel," he muttered against the mess of dark hair. Cas chuckled lowly and wrapped his arms and wings back around Dean.
"I do have my perks. Let it cool a bit first," he mumbled against Dean's neck. Married really was what they were. In fact, it was beyond marriage. Stood there in the kitchen surrounded by angel and the scent of fresh pie, Dean, for possibly the first time in his life, had absolutely no doubts about his choices, and no worries about his future.