Two nights later, Dean was meticulously folding the laundry, creating a neat stack of clothes on his bed and then, when the air seemed pretty quiet, he walked over to the stereo and flipped it on. The intro to 'Hotel California' drifted through the speakers, and nodding in satisfaction to himself, he returned to the heap of clothes that had come from the red basket. And as he hummed along to the song, the words bringing back memories of he and Sammy questioning their dad about the existence of the hotel, there was a soft rap on the door.

It was Cas.

He was standing there, still in his trench coat, black shirt and black pants with his tie twisted. Just a simple fault on his attire; something that always presented the angel as a sophisticatedly cute being with a little bit of a rebellious side. Like now. Cas hesitantly peeked into the room as if he was surveying the space for one of the monsters they had hunted.

"Hey you," Dean chuckled to himself, wondering why the other man was being so cautious. Folding another shirt, he pressed it onto the growing pile. "Sexy thing."

"Can I come in?" that gravelly voice asked. The angel narrowed his eyes but there was a faint smile on his face.

Dean frowned. "Cas, you don't have to ask to come into my room."

"I'm still…" the angel shrugged after stepping over the threshold, "…learning about boundaries and how relationships work. Forgive me if I…seem like a circle trying to fit into a square shaped hole."

"Holes, huh?" the grin on the hunter's face flushed Cas' cheeks and those green eyes lowered. "You are adorable. You know that?" Dean's heart was melting. "So, freaking adorable. Everything about you."

"As you've said several times, yes." Frowning at the growing heap that was about to topple over, Cas collected half of the lot and created another pile. Then, carefully he perched on the edge of the bed, palms pressed upon his thighs and eyes eagerly assessing the folding process that had somewhat paused.

They were finally at a place that felt very comfortable between them. Very soft. Very stable and recently, Cas was feeling quite contented with the way they had evolved their relationship. And Dean, well he was rather eager to prove that what they meant to each other was real. That what they shared together was sufficient enough to change his life.

Now, there was a soft glow around his countenance. "So, if you want to sleep with me in my room tonight, you could."

"On the floor?" Cas bit in his smile.

"I'm talking about in my bed," Dean groaned. "Come on, don't pretend as if you don't know what I'm talking about. Here," the hunter gestured on his bed that was neatly made. "With me. You know, that way I can get to cuddle you, hold you in my arms. Like a huggy bear."

Cas inhaled deeply. "Okay, I accept."

"Just like that, huh?" Dean chuckled, rested another folded shirt onto the pile and he walked over to the dresser, pulling open a drawer. The depths smelt faintly of Irish Spring and baby powder…the scent of the new fabric softener Sam was obsessed with.

"Well it's only natural that we keep each other warm during the nights. Plus, I can watch over you whilst you sleep. You know, chase all your bad dreams away."

"Honestly, Cas, I haven't been having any kind of bad dreams since we've had…," Dean grinned nevertheless as he collected a pile and took it over to the opened drawer.

"You can use the term 'sex', Dean. It's not a bad word," Cas was studying the hunter's every move. From his graceful fingers collecting the pile, taking it over the dresser, then neatly placing each shirt into the space. All of this, he tried to memorize because he liked to absorb the little things about the other man.

Dean, however, was blushing deeply now. "It feels weird because…" now he was obviously bashful, as he stayed by the dresser and their eyes connected, "…I mean, with a woman, when you say that you've had sex, it only means one thing. But with a guy, there's like so much more that embodies that word. In the lake," those green eyes were sparkling, "I…um, well…I did my thing…with you…"

"You did your thing…" Cas was trying hard to bite in his grin. "Is that what Dean Winchester calls it? The act of having sex with me is you doing your thing—"

"Cas, come on," Dean was blushing so deeply, he evidently caused the angel to adore him a little more, if that was even possible. "You know what I mean…"

"You penetrated me."

"You can't just…say it like that," Dean protested, reaching at the back of his neck and scratching an imaginary itch. "Well, sure, I stuck….something…somewhere but—"

"Your cock. In my ass."

"Don't say it like that!" Dean stared wildly at a grinning Cas. "You can't just…look, man," pressing the back of his hand over his mouth, the hunter stared at the angel who was almost toppling over from chuckling. "Cas, you have a dirty mouth, you know that?" and although he was trying to subdue his smile, Dean grinned. "For someone who was created with holy intentions, you're far from it."

"Blame yourself," Cas shrugged. "For making me fall in love with you and falling prey to physical needs. I can't help it if I've rebelled against everything that's holy because of you. I'd rather have every inch of you inside of me than return to Heaven."

"You…tease," Dean stared back in bewilderment and shook his head. "God, you're such a…you're making me... Are you going to take the trench coat off? Or will you sleep with it?"

Slowly, Cas rose from the bed in all his glory embodied in a soft, squishy being that could become so ferocious, and then he went to the door, pressed it close and turned to lock eyes with Dean. Slowly, he shrugged off his coat, draped it across the desk where a pen rolled away. And still, with his eyes on the hunter, Cas began to unbutton his black shirt, slowly at first. But then, those blue eyes took on a much more intense look. And that smirk…

"What…are you doing?" Dean was tongue-tied.

"I like to sleep without my clothes on," Cas shrugged innocently. "Is something wrong with that?"

"No," Dean cleared his throat. "No, nothing's wrong with that at all. But you never done it before…is all I'm saying."

"Perhaps things have changed so drastically between us that your mere presence makes me hot and bothered…"

"You are…hot and I'm not bothered," Dean replied and hated himself before he sounded so dumb. "I mean, sure. Whatever. It's fine. Okay."

Nevertheless, he stood there and drank in every second of the angel peeling off the layers of his clothes until, he was down to his black boxers and nothing else on. Then and only then did Cas rake his fingers through his already disheveled hair, looking goddamn sexy and illegal. And Dean couldn't help but stare, literally feeling all the blood rush down south and collect inside his gut like a volcano until, he was straining inside of his blue jeans.

Pulling back the covers, Cas climbed in and tucked himself under the blanket. But those blue eyes never left Dean's green ones. In fact, Cas kept gazing at the other man intently, trying to draw him closer and quite aware of the effect he had on the hunter.

He settled on the bed, inhaled the lingering smell of Irish Spring and Dean's perfume and Cas' eyes fluttered close eventually. His toes curled and although he was on display for the other man, there was nothing else in the world so amazing like being back in Dean's bed.

"I'm going to…get a glass of water and uh," Dean was struggling to appear composed although every part of his body was screaming to jump into bed, "…brush my teeth. Be right back."

"Okay," collecting one of the other man's books from the bedside dresser, Cas settled in and began to slowly peruse the contents. As if he wasn't even remotely affected by the turn of events.

When Dean slipped out of the room, the angel remained in the peacefulness of the room for almost ten minutes. Then after growing quite curious by the many fascinating details about Dean, he lifted the blanket and got off the bed. Quietly, Cas went to the hunter's small dresser made of polished oak that he had only brought into his room a few months ago. And the angel pulled open the topmost drawer where Dean had moments ago packed his shirts in.

He smiled at the delicate colors of the other man's boxers. The particular way he folded them. Dean had evidently fitted himself into a routine where he had literally changed everything about himself except his feelings for Cas. Where he folded his clothes in squares. His room was spotless, with no dirty plates, beer bottles or pizza boxes around. And then…those eager blue eyes rested on the same red velvet covered box tucked in the back of the drawer. It was wedged between two piles, peeking out like the most beautiful surprise.

Cas touched the box, tenderly at first. His fingertips caressed the material, soft and certain. And his heartrate quickened when he realized that without a doubt, the day would come when Dean would propose to him. When Dean would find a convenient quiet place within his heart, mind, body and soul to make the move. And when Cas reflected on what that moment would entail; the details of when and where and how Dean would propose to him, he melted. He became so soft and so elated at the same time, as he returned to under the covers, there were butterflies in his chest.

"You wouldn't believe what's going on out there," Dean slipped into the room almost as if he was an imposter in his own room. Eyes wide, he pressed the door close. "Sam," he unbuttoned his red and blue plaid shirt, still staring, "is out there, like totally making out with Mala on the kitchen table."

"Really?" Cas smiled.

"And I mean, like really going at it. I'm talking…buttons popping, hair being yanked, panting…" Dean draped his shirt on top of Cas' black shirt and he unbuckled his belt. "We have our cups of tea in the morning on that table, dammit."

"To be fair," Cas was grinning, "we have done things on the map table, haven't we?"

"Yeah but—"

"And by the kitchen sink."

Dean sighed. He toed off his jeans, one leg at a time and then quickly, he made a dash for the bed and tumbled onto the sheets. The entire pool of sheets drifted along with Dean's plunge and Cas scowled and yanked the blanket onto his side. Then growling, he pulled the entire soft material into his chest and narrowed his eyes at Dean who was suddenly laughing.

"Don't," Cas warned. "Don't you dare wrap yourself into a cocoon like you always do."

"Or else what?" Dean's eyes shone from tears. "You're going to tickle me with the feathers on your wings? I'm so scared. Look at you, looking all cute with your blue eyes and kissable lips."

"Dean."

"What?"

"Don't make me."

"Don't make you what?" Dean was trying to bite in his laughter. "Huh?"

"Don't make me mad!" Cas was on the verge of letting out a fit of laughter too. "I'm warning you, Dean. You do not want to tease me right now."

"Or else what?" the hunter raised an eyebrow and with a mischievous glint in his eyes, he tugged on the blanket that was wholly claimed by the angel. "Go ahead, tell me what you'll do to me. I dare you."

Suddenly, Cas bunched up the blanket and tossed it into the furthest corner of the room. The soft sound it made as the material collided with the dresser was then overridden with the bed creaking as Cas lunged at Dean. Not too rough though. But with just enough determination as he pinned the hunter under his bare thighs. Skin on skin. Hot like steam and then he kissed Dean until the other man squeaked. Until Dean's mind twirled around from Cas' hot tongue seeking out his.

The passion erupted between them, causing that volcano in the pit of Dean's gut to swell over. And just when he thought that he was going to suffocate in the most blissful moment, Cas boldly found Dean's cock inside his light blue boxers and he wrapped his fingers possessively around the hunter's shaft. Seeking out what was his and unearthing a low moan from Dean that was swallowed between their kiss that was ignited by hunger. So much hunger.

Cas wanted to take all he could.

His lips grazed a pathway from Dean's parted lips to the hunter's jawline, then all the way down to the softest spot on Dean's neck. And Cas kissed the other man's skin until his pores were excited. Until those green eyes widened, staring up at the ceiling when Cas began to suck Dean's neck, with the intent of leaving bruises.

All of it was so full of possessiveness that Dean felt the fire bubbling up within his soul with so much intensity that he couldn't just lay there and take it all.

Instead, he used all his energy, wrapped his arms around Cas' waist and flipped them over as the bed springs groaned in protest. And when Dean ended up pinning Cas down onto the twisted sheets, those blue eyes staring up at him with wild fascination, he leaned down and pressed the softest kiss onto parted, swollen lips. Tasting. Feeling. Dean kissed Cas like he was tenderly trying to seek out the most beautiful reaction from the other man until he got exactly what he wanted.

Cas moaned long and deep into Dean's mouth, and the hunter savored the low rumble within the man's heaving chest. The way Cas relaxed onto the sheets and kissed him back slowly. Biting Dean's bottom lip and pulling, and allowing their eyes to meet. Allowing so much love to pass between just one gaze.

The meeting of eyes. The longing to kiss each other again. And again. Dean kept breathing into the other man's lips with their eyes connected and a wild kind of fascination entered green ones. The kind of look that signaled a crackle of fireworks. The opening up of his imagination and his thirst to go in again for another kiss and this time, he kissed Cas until the other man was breathless. Tasting Cas' lips like honey and ginger and everything else that kept Dean alive. Feeling how soft those lips were.

Dean regretted pulling away eventually though. He slowly began to trail a pathway of kisses down Cas' perfect chest. His skin so soft and on fire. Cas' lungs obviously screaming out for air as his nipples were captured between bold lips and sucked. And Cas' chest heaved uncontrollably under Dean's control. He was so awakened by the feel of the hunter's dominant touches and kisses that he writhed and ran his fingers through Dean's already disheveled hair. And when Dean's lips captured the line of the angel's hips, twisting under his perfect skin, Cas gasped.

"Go on," he croaked, "take all you want."

"Tell me what you want me to do to you," Dean's voice was husky when their eyes locked. He discovered that one of his most favorite places was being between the other man's thighs. "Keep looking at me and tell me exactly what you want."

The room was filled with John Legend's 'Tonight'.

It was nearing 1am and neither of them cared about the time.

"I want you to…" Cas couldn't breathe when he felt Dean's bold hands tug on his boxers, then the hunter tossed the article of clothing into the dark.

"Go on," Dean teased, smiling from his position between Cas' legs. "I'll give you exactly what you want, darling."

"Take me. All of me," Cas was breathless, chest heaving uncontrollably, "in your mouth. I want to feel your mouth on me. Dean, I want you to—" tossing his head onto the pillow, Cas gasped when his wishes were granted. When he felt Dean's hot mouth close around his cock, he lost himself, somewhere between heaven and hell.

He couldn't breathe. Those blue eyes stared up at the ceiling, wide and unblinking. And Dean…Dean wasn't bashful anymore. He wasn't frightened of taking another man into his mouth and sucking, tasting, doing all the things he had been longing for. Instead, now he was obviously giving Cas the best blowjob he had ever received and Dean was…elated.

He held on to Cas' thighs, the angel's legs bent at the knees and he kept on going, until Cas was squirming under him. Until Cas' hoarse cries filled the room and Dean thanked the Men of Letters for making the rooms sound proof. Because Cas was never quiet when he was being fucked in any way possible.

He was loud and he oftentimes pleaded for more, for Dean to go faster like he was doing at the moment. Driving pathways through Dean's hair with his fingers and arching his back. Until he choked on not being able to function properly under the intensity of the passion rippling through his body. It was so overwhelming. So blissful. So unnerving to realize that he had lost control of his body and had given over all his willpower to the only other person he trusted more than himself. The only other person who could taste him, all of him and moan from satisfaction.

Cas was moaning and calling out Dean's name over and over again. Reaching for the hunter's hands, and entwining their fingers. Feeling how Dean took all of him inside his mouth and kept on going. Kept on steering his body down a path towards the edge of an earthshattering moment. And tears leaked from those blue eyes.

Tears of joy and bliss and everything else there was to imagine. And his body was softening. His nerves were alive and dancing and those butterflies in Cas' chest were replaced with a warm fire that grew and grew. Until he couldn't ignore how Dean was taking full control. How Dean was working up the pace and sucking skillfully and using his hands. Wrapping those fingers like a pro around Cas' cock and thoroughly enjoying every second of it. And then, when Cas came hard, his body convulsing when he grunted from release, Dean swallowed every single time. The room was filled with the musical sounds of the angel crying out hoarsely, of his breath intermingled with his moans and all the while, Dean held onto him with their fingers entwined.

"Are you alive?" the hunter asked sometime after with a smile. He was cradling Cas into his right shoulder, and gently stroking his sweat soaked hair. "Earth to my angel."

"Dean, that was…" Cas' chest heaved. Blue eyes were latched onto the ceiling. "Phenomenal. I…feel like every cell in my body has been stunned."

"That good, huh?" Dean chuckled and pressed a soft kiss onto the other man's head. "Figured that I'd blow your mind. No pun intended. Darling."

"It's almost 3am."

"And?"

"You should probably get some sleep."

Dean hugged Cas closer to him. "Getting rid of me so fast, huggy bear?"

"No, I…" the angel sighed. "Okay, fine. Stay awake until the sun rises. That's all I'd like. For you to keep talking to me. When you fall asleep, I'm left with the sound of you breathing and it's not quite an encouraging conversation to have."

"Aw," Dean felt himself growing warmer inside. "So, you miss me when I'm getting some shut eye? Ain't that the nicest thing someone has ever said to me. I miss you too, Cas. When I'm in la la land."

"Talk to me, Dean." Cas' chest felt warmer. The stillness of the night got deafly quiet. "Tell me what's on your mind."

"Well," the hunter stared up at the ceiling and felt nostalgic all of a sudden, "you're always on my mind. You're like breathing now. Cause I do it naturally. Think of you every single minute. And recently I've been thinking a lot about things that are for the most part, very permanent, Cas. You wouldn't believe what I did today. Remember when I was on the phone?"

"Yes, I remember," Cas peered up into Dean's face and their eyes met. And Dean…he had the softest look in those green eyes. His expression was mellow and warm and beautiful

"I was talking to one of the teachers at the orphanage." When the angel blinked slowly, the hunter swallowed. "About adoption. I mean, Chuck's pretty much AWOL and things have been pretty quiet for months now. Apart from Sam and I taking a few jobs here and there, there's nothing major going on. So, maybe this is me being completely stupid and jumping ahead but I just wanted to call and find out what we would have to do to…adopt…when the time comes."

Adopt. So this was what bliss felt like, as humans tried to write about and entertain in poetry. A toe curling, warm, fuzzy feeling of being in someone's arms and having both of you gaze into the future. Together.

"Dean," Cas croaked, his heart melting. Smiling, he captured the other man's face with his cupped fingers. "I love you so much." He pressed their lips together in a soft kiss.

The hunter sighed into the kiss, feeling his toes curl under the sheets. "I love you too, Cas," he whispered. "And I can't wait to start a family with you. With the state of mind I've been in since you came back, I'm ready to do anything with you. And I mean…anything. When I saw you with those two little girls that day…"

"Cindy and Delilah," Cas pressed a kiss onto Dean's right cheek.

"It's not too bad. I just need to get a job."

"You already have a job," Cas frowned. "Saving people, hunting things. It's a family business. Remember?"

"Yeah, I know that. But they want proof of income and a few more things but we can do this."

"Dean, don't worry too much about it," Cas assured the other man. "When the time comes, we will find a way. That's what you always tell me. There is always a way, always a choice."

Dean's expression was serious now. "But we need this, okay? We need to do this because it's something that we both want. More than anything else. Our family. You, me…"

When Cas listened to the other man explore the future with so much certainty, he wanted nothing more than to hold him in his arms forever. To kiss him every second of every day, if that was possible. To treat him like royalty. Like he was really and truly the king of his heart. And now, when he gazed into those green eyes and identified the magnitude of Dean's plans and how he felt like they deserved to start a family, Cas melted.

"Delilah's parents are from India and Cindy was found in a basket in a dumpster in Illinois. They arrived at the orphanage around the same time together and ever since, have been inseparable. I find that…Delilah rather much seems like the quiet one. Whilst Cindy is much more compelled to be daring. She reminds me of you, actually. She even has your eyes and it's stranger because Delilah has blue eyes. Maybe it's fate, Dean. Maybe we should adopt them…Dean?"

But the hunter had already fallen asleep.

"Well, after love comes marriage," Cas whispered as he adjusted the blanket around them. The night was still and beautiful because he was with Dean. "And then…after marriage comes babies…in a carriage. At least that's what Cindy kept singing when I told her that we're together. Dean, I can't wait for you to ask me." Cas nestled his face into the hunter's chest and curled up like a comma. "I'm going to keep waiting. For as long as it takes."


"You can't expect me to go on a road trip with you and then you don't even want me to drive your car," Claire scowled and the expression was very reminiscent of Cas, Dean smiled.

They had been called out on a hunt two towns away and since Sam was presently drowning in the throes of love, he didn't mind when Claire asked for Dean's company alone. In fact, she practically shooed all of them away, including Cas, demanding that she get to spend some quality time with the older Winchester.

Why? Dean had no idea until they were on the road, Claire not behind the wheel after begging and suddenly, she was talking to him. And when she started to open up to him, Dean realized that they had so much more in common than he had bargained for, it was strange. To know that truthfully, her biology didn't come in between her and Cas being her father, but with him…there were certain things that they shared. And the road trip turned out to be quite an awakening.

"I get that she's not a hunter and she's a Christian and whatever else there is," Claire was saying with a bag of Lays chips wedged between her legs. "But I really like her, Dean. And she likes me, but Jody and Donna just don't want me to get mixed up with her because they say that I'll put her in danger."

"Kind of reminds me of when I was becoming too attached to Cas, and Sam threw a fit about it," Dean gripped the steering wheel and smiled. It was damn good to be back on the road again. The feeling of flying. In Baby. Flying down the highway with the warm sunshine paving the way and nothing but road for miles and miles.

"Really?" Claire was curious. "When was that?"

"Couple years ago. Maybe…eight years back. I think Sam knew before I did…about my feelings for Cas, I mean. But at the time, he was only trying to look out for me. Just like Jody and Donna are looking out for you. Claire, you know that the lives we live aren't exactly peachy. And I get that you love this girl…Amy, right?"

"Yeah," Claire sighed and stared out the window. "Love is just never easy for me."

"Thing is…love ain't supposed to be easy," Dean said with certainty. They were almost there, and it was just around midday. "You've seen just how complicated things were between me and Cas. But we pulled through. Why? Because no matter what, at the end of the day, I'd rather have him. Now Sam probably acted just as Jody and Donna."

"What did he say?" Claire frowned. "And by the way, you and Cas are meant for each other. There's no if or but. You're perfect in like a whole true love way."

"Thanks," Dean smiled. "We're not perfect though. Anyway, so Sam and I were on a hunt and instead of going with something he suggested, I wanted to call Cas. You know, to get his opinion on things. And Sam…well he flipped out. He starting telling me how I was going at it the wrong way. I was placing all my bets on an angel that not so long ago, I didn't believe existed. He told me how getting close to Cas was dangerous because humans and angels weren't cut from the same cloth. Blah blah. That our friendship wouldn't work, if it even was a friendship. And some day, Cas was going to prove to me that his fate in Heaven was far more important than being friends with a human."

"Wow," Claire stared in awe. "That's harsh. Sounds exactly like what Jody told me a couple weeks ago when I told her that I couldn't let Amy go."

"But you see, that's the part where I disagree," Dean frowned. He focused hard on the road but his mind still wandered back to Cas' disappointed face when the car pulled away. "You're old enough to love who you want. If this chick has no problem with you being a hunter, I say go for it. Providing," he held up a finger, "that you don't put her in harm's way. Cause you know when monsters try to get to us, they go for the ones we love."

"So, you're saying that I basically keep her at arm's length mostly," Claire said, confused. "And also keep her in my life."

"Weird, I know, but if there's one thing I've learned, is that when you love someone, and you make a decision to not act on those feelings, you get angry. And you get depressed and weighed down by denial. Till eventually, you become like a walking time bomb, ready to explode on yourself. And then you start to make these risky decisions that lead you straight into danger…"

For a long time, Claire said nothing. In fact, she merely stared into the distance and chewed on the chips, one at a time. And those blue eyes were mellow. Her expression was so reminiscent of Cas, sitting in the same place and devouring his peanut butter sandwiches with quick little nibbles that Dean had to forcibly return his attention to the road. Because after all, Claire was literally Cas' daughter, whichever way you twisted or turned it. And a long time ago, he had claimed her as his own. He used to run after her, try so hard to get her to like him and when she finally softened up to his teddy bear gifts and the stuffed cats, Cas never let her go.

He checked up on her every single week. Actually, Dean realized that Cas had developed a routine where he did his regular checks, and he also made plans to meet her on special occasions. Like her birthday, on Easter to fly a kite although she despised the activities that made her feel like a kid again. He gave her the best Christmas gifts, and he sent a flower for her every Valentine's day, reminding her that she was special to him. And now when Dean gazed at Claire sitting there, beating herself up about the international injustice of love, he sympathized.

"Hey, you know that you kind of hurt Cas' feelings when you told him to stay behind, right?" Dean's heart ached still, from remembering the sad, lost look when they drove away and left him standing there in front of the bunker.

Claire sighed. "Look, dad and I spend enough time together already," she said with a sigh. "I hardly get to spend time with you."

"You have no idea how much this means to me, Claire," Dean stared ahead.

"What's that?"

"Putting the dad title on me. I mean, I get why you call Cas your dad. But me…I try my best. I really do, but I feel like I'm not always there for you."

"You're there when it matters," Claire said, throwing him a smile. "Like that time when I was three towns away in a bar and I was a mess because of Kaia and I was so high, I couldn't drive. And I called you. You came for me. Talked to me. You understood what it felt like and I know that Jody and Donna would do the same. But because you're a guy, it's different because you don't get all emotional and stuff like that. Or tell me that my clothes are too short or I'm showing too much cleavage."

Dean grinned and shrugged. "Well, it's not about the wrapping. It's about what's inside."

As the car pulled up in front of the library where they were supposed to meet Claire's friend, she smiled lovingly at him.

"What?" Dean asked, frowning.

"I get why Cas fell for you," Claire said softly, rolling up the bag of chips. "You're such a soft teddy bear on the inside. You care about others more than yourself. But you're still a douche."

"Don't talk to your dad like that!" he scolded her with a chuckle.

Three hours later, after checking into their hotel rooms, the two of them had newspaper articles spread out on the large oak table dating back to 1970. Articles on disappearances that occurred frequently every ten years. Kids, going missing and turning up dead in sewers. Bite marks on their bodies and no fingerprints due to erosion from water and being exposed to nature.

"Call me crazy," Dean frowned the info they had obtained, "but I feel like we're looking for Pennywise."

"The clown from IT?" Claire laughed, stuck a pen behind her right ear and began to peruse another article. "Lucky thing Sam didn't come along."

"Really think we should have brought Cas with us," Dean rocked back in his chair and his eyes became distant.

After gazing at her hunter dad for a while, the blonde sighed. "You really miss him already, don't you?"

"More than you can imagine," Dean's voice broke a little.

"Call him," Claire said, fingering the edge of the page and feeling regretful. She could literally recognize the pain in Dean's eyes. And was reminded of what she would see when she looked in the mirror. Longing for Amy. Missing Amy like she could never miss anything else more.

"Yeah?" Dean blinked at her, his green eyes distant. "By now he's probably putting on the kettle, about to make tea for dinner."

"What do you think he's going to eat?" Claire rested her chin on her cupped hand and smiled lovingly at Dean.

The hunter sighed. He could see it all so clearly. Cas slowly approaching the stove, his feet nestled in those awfully cute blue rabbit slippers that were fuzzy and soft. Probably still in his trench coat because he lived in that damn thing. And because it was routine for him, Cas would reach for the jar that contained the assorted teabags and he would by reflex, take out two. Then, remembering that Dean wasn't there, he would return the second one to the jar and sigh.

"I think that he would try to eat as much peanut butter and jelly sandwiches tonight," Dean said softly. "More than usual."

"Why more than usual?" Claire frowned.

"Because…when he's sad, he gets the munchies. And believe me, he has an appetite. Remind me to buy two loaves of bread tomorrow when we're heading back," Dean collected his beer and took a sip. "Cas will probably eat a whole loaf tonight."

"Jesus, you two should get married already," Claire laughed, sitting back and folding her arms. "I mean, you're so domesticated. And you have the ring," she reminded him. "So, what's stopping you?"

"I get jittery, is all," Dean shrugged. He smiled at her.

"Why?" Claire dragged out the one worded question. "Come on. Cas would never turn you down when you ask him. He's probably just waiting for you to pop the question so that you could make him the happiest man ever."

Dean sighed. There was a small wind chime with little colorful butterflies by the window. The sound as the wind caressed it was haunting. "I don't know, man. I'm just terrified that I wouldn't get it right. That I wouldn't do it right. All my life, I never really put much thought into proposing. I mean, back when I was with Lisa, it felt more like something that could happen but it wasn't a big deal. But with Cas…"

"It's different, duh," Claire shook her head. "Dean, honestly, you're overthinking it, okay? And I get you. You're not wrong for wanting this to be perfect. But you have me. I can help you plan it."

"You?" Dean stared at her and smiled, "you've never come across as the type who gets all soft and loving when it comes to anything romantic."

"You might be surprised how much I've changed," Claire countered. She pushed the articles out of the way and cleared her throat. "Look, all you need to decide is where you're going to do it, who you want as witnesses and I can get Cas there without him suspecting a thing. I mean, all I have to do is call him and tell him that I want to spend some time with him and he's all in. Doesn't matter where or when."

"You make it sound so easy," Dean rolled his eyes.

"That's why you need to give someone else the job, douche," she smiled at him. "All you need to do is show up with the ring, looking as handsome as you usually do. Get your shit together and when the time is right, you'll do it. You'll go down on one knee and open the damn box and you'll say five words. 'Cas, will you marry me?' And then you wait until he says yes, and you take the ring out and put it on his finger. And you kiss. Viola!"

"Dammit," Dean was kneading his forehead, eyes squeezed shut. "Okay, fine. You can help." He was already so nervous and they hadn't even determined a date and place.

"Now take this," Claire held out his phone with a serious face, "and go call him. He's probably staring at his phone with that adorable scrunched up expression, waiting on you."

"Thanks, kid," he rose up, felt his knees weaken from still dwelling on the proposal, and Dean collected the mobile from her.

Ten minutes later, he had slipped into the afternoon that was fading into a comfortable darkness, illuminated by streetlights. And sitting on a bench just outside the restaurant that was quiet for a Tuesday evening, Dean speed dialed the one person who meant so much to him, he couldn't go a second without thinking of the magnitude of the love he had for the angel.

"Dean," Cas answered after the first ring, his voice husky and underlined by slight worry.

"Hey, darling," the hunter smiled in the shadows, crouching over a little and feeling quite overwhelmed. "How's it going over there?"

"Quiet and boring and depressing. Did you two find a hotel?"

"We did," Dean was savoring every word, and the sound of Cas' voice. "Might not get much sleep tonight."

"Did you eat?" there was the sound of china clinking on Cas' end.

"I did. Had a tuna sandwich. Claire had a burger with fries and extra cheese. She's like a mini me," Dean smiled from the fond memory of the blonde stuffing her face. "You getting your cup of tea, huh?"

"I actually took out two teabags and then realized that you weren't here…with me," Cas sounded so soft.

Dean smiled. "Knew you'd do that."

"Guess what I'm having for dinner…"

"Easy one," Dean couldn't stop smiling. "Your favorite, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Did you make like a whole bunch of 'em?"

"There is no bread left in the bag," Cas stated and the hunter could see him frowning through the phone. "Are you making any progress on the case?"

"Well, we're having our fair share of doubts here. Three bodies turned up within a week, and they've been on the prowl to find the bastard who did it. But I don't know. To me it feels like it's someone the town trusts but would never suspect. And I don't think that there's anything supernatural about it. Just a sadistic asshole who preys on children."

Cas sighed. "This is where you mention Pennywise the clown and you ask me if I remember the movie."

Dean was so taken aback by the reference, he laughed. "I'm that predictable?"

"Most times you are. But then I like when you surprise me. Please, do not check in the sewers. I'm already going crazy by not being there to protect you and Claire. So, Dean…"

"I know, I know," the hunter gave in to the other man's pleads. "Don't do anything stupid."

"Come back home to me in one piece," Cas croaked from so many miles away. "And take care of Claire. You also need at least five hours sleep. And a decent breakfast comprising of a cup of tea, and a fruit. I left a cooler bag in the backseat with snacks and apples and painkillers in case you get one of those awful migraines. There is also a pack of beef jerky –"

"Cas, you…" tears were in Dean's eyes, tears that he could not hold back. His heart was melting, and no matter how much he tried to subdue the softness, he was collapsing inside. "You packed a bag. With snacks. And apples. Cas. You are so amazing." Dean choked on his words. Pinching the tip of his nose, he breathed through his lips. "Man, I want to hug you so bad right now."

"I want to hug you too, Dean," Cas said softly. "Please don't cry. I do all these things because I love you. You are aware of that, aren't you?"

"Yeah."

"And my job is to take care of you in any way I can. And Claire too. But most of all you because Claire can take care of herself but you…you're so precious and sometimes you don't sleep enough or you don't eat enough and I need you to take care of yourself even when I'm not there to do it for you."

"You're making me cry," Dean said hoarsely although he forced out a chuckle. "I'm sitting in front of this restaurant and a couple just walked past and they looked at me like I'm a crazy person."

"Crazy in love."

"With my angel," Dean continued. He studied his hands, splayed out his fingers. "Tell me you miss me."

"I miss you," Cas said with as much feeling in between three words that he could muster up. "And I love you, Dean Winchester."

"I love you too, darling," he said softly before ending the call. Then after collecting the cooler bag from the backseat of the Impala, Dean walked towards the hotel with a softer heart and wet eyes.