Dean wipes the drops of sweat off his forehead, glancing enviously at the completely unphased angel walking beside him. The sun hangs high in the sky, unobscured and mercilessly scorching. It would be the perfect weather for the beach. Not so perfect for getting lost in a foreign town with a three year old.
Though, Jack, with his usual kid resilience, doesn't seem to mind the heat too much. He keeps bravely marching on, with a sing-song chirping on his lips, only stretching his arms up to Cas and Dean in turns once his tiny legs grow too tired.
Dean could swear they've been walking on for hours, even though the sun refuses to sink towards the horizon. How the gas in Baby's tank managed to drain completely before Dean noticed is beyond him — he checked for a potential leakage before pushing her off the road where she'll hopefully be safe until they can get back with the full canister.
That happening any time soon got less and less likely with each turn he had to argue over with Cas who claimed to be the perfect navigator as if Dean hasn't spent his entire adult life behind the wheel without GPS. Now they can't use GPS because the reception in the middle of nowhere is a pain, and Dean might faceplant on the heated asphalt any moment and fry on spot if he doesn't get a drop of water or shade, stat.
"So I'm thinking, we defeated God…" Dean starts, peeling the front of his sweated-through shirt off his skin. "We should try to take on global warming now."
Cas raises an eyebrow at him. His white shirt looks freakin' pristine and it annoys Dean to no end. Dude would be walking around in his trenchcoat right now if Dean didn't make him leave it in the car.
"I think that would be a little more complicated."
Dean lets out a bitter chuckle. "A little more complicated than kicking God's ass, huh?" It would mean taking down corporations that aren't run by leviathans and getting into politics more tedious than a satan-possessed president. "You're probably right."
At least there are only a few weeks left of summer and fall will bring chill air and sweater weather, which is something to look forward to. Although right now, making it to the next minute, while the sun's hell bent on frying Dean's brain to a crisp even through his stupid Fish and Wildlife cap, feels like forever.
"Trees!" Jack squeaks, suddenly, pointing ahead from his vantage point on Cas's shoulders. "There!"
Dean's head perks up at that, but it takes a bit more walking uphill for the dark mass to present itself to him as well. The trees are still a distance away, but they're a hope of a shade; enough to reinvigorate Dean.
He picks up his pace just to make it to the tree line.
The difference is stark; getting off the direct sun and into the shaded park, hidden beneath the sprawling tree branches is an instant relief. It's still far from comfortable, but at least Dean doesn't feel like an ant under a magnifying glass anymore.
"I remember passing by this park on our way, we're a mile or so away from the motel," Dean decides. Which is still a mile or so too far, but now there's at least an end in sight.
Cas hums in agreement. "You and Jack can stay there and I'll find the gas station and drive the Impala back."
Dean discards his knee-jerk instinct at the thought of Cas driving the Impala, too busy dashing towards the nearest empty bench. He sprawls on its reasonably cool, shaded seat like a Victorian lady and doesn't plan to move until the temperature goes at least a few degrees down, not even for Cas or Jack; there's plenty of empty benches around.
But Jack doesn't care about the bench. As soon as Cas lets him down, he rushes right past Dean.
"Where're you going?" Dean calls after him, but he gets completely ignored.
Dean casts a sweeping glance around, looking around for ice-cream stands or fluffy dogs that could have Jack so enthralled, but there's nothing. There are no other kids playing around, either. Not surprisingly; no one leaves their house in this heat wave of their own volition.
He shrugs and lets his eyelids close. Cas can handle Jack as well for a while. Completely unaffected by the heat, the least he can do is chase the kid around the park.
But of course, Dean doesn't get to have his rest.
"Jack! No!" Cas's dreadful shout makes Dean jump right up to his feet.
He locates Cas farther down the pathway, standing like frozen with his head in his hands. Jack's nowhere in sight. Dean bolts for Cas, heart pounding.
"What happened?"
He can see it for himself before Cas opens his mouth. Jack is fine, frolicking on the small square in what must be the park's center, the stone beneath his feet dark and glistening. His clothes and bucket hat are soaked from the water that sprays all around him from the small holes in the ground. A ground fountain.
And it looks like the best idea ever.
"What'd you give me a heart attack for?"
"This can't be sanitary," Cas says.
"Sanit—" He's gotta be kidding. A splash of cold water in this heat is probably the healthiest thing for Jack today. "He'll be fine."
In fact, it would be the healthiest thing for all of them.
Dean grabs Cas's wrist and yanks him towards the fountain. Cas puts up little resistance, judging by the squint of his eyes, more from surprise than protest.
"Come on!" Dean encourages, a grin blooming on his face. "It's gonna be fun."
A little hesitantly, Cas lets Dean pull him into the spray of water.
Dean can't hold back a small delighted sound as it rains on him. The water is freaking cold and it's amazing. No shade or motel room AC could give them this kind of relief from the heat.
As Dean takes off his cap, he half-expects the droplets to evaporate as they hit his overheated head. With his arms spread wide, he lets the water soak through his clothes completely and cool his whole body down.
Beside him, Cas initially tries to shield himself from water with his arms, but it's pointless. Soon, he's just as wet, his hair plastered to his forehead, his shirt clinging to his chest. And he's laughing. All three of them are, and spinning and running around like a bunch of doofuses who've never seen a fountain before.
Just for a little while, Dean doesn't mind the heat anymore.