For the Sake of Second Breakfast

"Dean, I think you would make a good hobbit."

This sentence was said without preamble by Castiel at the breakfast table.

The reactions from the rest of the room's occupants were priceless. Charlie accidentally breathed in one of her frosted flakes and started coughing. Sam had a similar reaction with his cup of coffee. Dean, on the other hand, managed to avoid coughing and just stared at the angel dumbfounded. The bacon on his plate went ignored though, so that was a definite warning sign.

Meanwhile, Cas just sat serenely at the table, munching on his own bacon. It was as if he hadn't just dropped a bomb into the middle of the kitchen.

Charlie was the first to recover.

"Well, uh, where did that come from?" The redhead asked, wiping away some stray milk from her lips.

"I re-read the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings books last night. You said that you wanted to watch the film adaptations soon, so I wished to be fully prepared." Castiel said as he finished off the last of his bacon and started glancing at Sam's plate as if contemplating snitching his bacon as well.

"Why the hell would I be a hobbit? Sam's the geeky one; let him be a hobbit!" Dean grumbled as he resumed eating.

Charlie could almost understand even though she didn't really like Dean's attitude. After all, hobbits were awesome in her opinion. She'd grown up reading their tales and wishing she was like them. Dean, on the other hand, probably would not like being compared to people who live in holes in the ground and, with the small amount of exceptions, enjoy not having adventures.

He had always shown more admiration for dwarves anyway.

Castiel took his question seriously though. "You enjoy excitement, much like the hobbits that are the main focus of these tales." He explained. "You never give up in the face of adversity and continue on even when it's hard. You're resourceful and a fighter."

Dean looked touched at the angel's kind words. Charlie almost wished that someone would compliment her that way.

"Also, given your love of food," Cas continued, "I figured that you would like the fact that hobbits have seven meals a day."

It took a moment for the words to sink in, and then Charlie and Sam burst out laughing. Dean looked slightly embarrassed with a dusting of red on his cheeks.

"Of course, the seven meals of the Shire." Charlie said as she wiped away tears. "Breakfast, second breakfast, elevenses, luncheon, afternoon tea, dinner, and supper: all part of a balanced diet."

"I could just see him having pie for everyone." Sam snickered.

Now Dean gained a thoughtful look. "Hmm. It wouldn't be too bad in that case."

Cas smiled at the hunter. "I'm glad that you agree."

"Hey, what about me?" Charlie couldn't help but ask. Cas was always analyzing things and it was interesting whenever he tried to fit people into categories from different stories or fandoms.

The angel gave her a long look as he was probably sorting through all of his information on Tolkien's universe as well as what he knew about her. Finally, he came to a conclusion. "I believe you would be either an elf or a human." He stated confidently. "However, whichever species you were, I believe that you would be royalty, much like you are in Moondoor."

"Sweet." Though Charlie could certainly agree with that. She didn't want to be a Mary-Sue or anything, but being royalty in Middle Earth? That did sound like her. She grinned at Cas.

She certainly didn't need to ask how Cas came to that conclusion.

"And?" Sam raised his eyebrows at the angel, curiosity brimming in his eyes.

Castiel gave him a small smile. "I believe that you would make an excellent elf."

Charlie snorted. "He's certainly got the height for it."

"I don't know." Dean said as he finished off the last of his food. "I don't think he's graceful enough for it. He's kind of a klutz, you know."

"Hey," Sam sounded offended as he face settled into standard bitch face position. Charlie held back a giggle, as it wouldn't be good to encourage Dean's childish antics.

Glancing over at Cas, she took in the fond look on his face as he watched the Winchesters. He took a sip from his own cup of coffee and glanced over at the nerd. He also looked at her with fondness too.

A warm feeling settled somewhere in her chest. It was always there when the four of them were together in the Bunker like this.

This is what it means to be a family. Charlie thought, as she finally let out a chuckle. The three looked over at her as it interrupted the Winchesters' bickering.

She turned towards Cas. "I think you'd be a wizard."

The angel blinked in surprise. "Really?"

"Yeah." And the more she thought about it, the more the idea grew on her. "You're intelligent, have powers most don't have, follow Gandalf's way of trying to help other people…"

"And as a result, you start sticking your nose where it doesn't belong and cause trouble." Dean finished, proving that despite his protests, he really was a fan of the series.

Castiel's affronted look made her laugh again. Immediately, he began protesting Dean's claim, but to his dismay, Sam backed up his brother.

Charlie sat back and watched the three most important men in her life (well, two men and one angel, but that just sounded like the title of a terrible sitcom). The conversation was moving on to what other people that they knew would be. Some names she recognized, either from the books or from actually hearing or knowing them, but some of them she didn't.

She realized that after all that they had been through, it was relaxing to just sit and argue about these trivial things.

So without further ado, Charlie jumped into the fray.

Because these moments probably wouldn't last, so they should be treasured.

AN: Sorry for the late update. I was going to try to get this up yesterday, but life ended up getting in the way. This story started when I saw various pieces of fan art of TFW cosplaying Tolkien characters. Then I thought of how hobbits have 7 meals and it just went from there. Still, I thought it was funny.