CHAPTER NINE

[A few months later]

Everyone had settled into routine, but not everything was going well.

"For the love of…grr!"

Everyone's head jerked back and gazes to Kalen's face. Her heated look was square on Dean and Castiel at the opposite end of the dinner table.

"Would you two just get a clue and a fucking room?!"

No one dared speak, which was good as Kalen plowed on. She turned her full attention to Dean who's mouth opened almost to speak but clicked shut at her glare.

"Listen here, you big dumbass. You're Castiel's Other Half, significant over, whatever the Hell you want to call it. You have a connection. Same as Same and Gabriel! They started swapping spit months ago and you don't see them tiptoeing around each other!"

Now done, Kalen slumped back in her chair with her arms crossed over her chest.

Gabriel sat back with a big shit-eating grin on his face while a red-faced Sam dropped his into his hands. Castiel stared at Kalen silently before slowly turning his gaze to Dean. All focus turned to the older hunter who had yet to utter a word.

He stared at Kalen with wide eyes and an open mouth. He did a fish out of water impression a few times before shaking his head and jumping to his feet. Shaking his head, he walked out of the room without saying a word.

Castiel sighed but climbed to his feet and slowly followed after the hunter.

"Five bucks says we find them kissing before bedtime."

Sam lifted his head.

"Make it twenty. It'll be another week."

Meanwhile, Castiel stood outside Dean's door. He wrung his hands together. He resented Kalen for throwing all of that information at Dean. At the same time, he was relieved it was out there in the air. Finally releasing a heavy breath of air, Castiel raised his fist.

"You don't have to knock, Cas."

He slowly lowered his hand to grasp the doorknob. He twisted it and entered. He found Dean sitting up in his bed with his arms crossed over his chest.

"Dean, I am sorry Kalen said all that," Castiel said as he stopped at the foot of the bed.

He stared down at his shoes, unwilling to lift his head to see the disgusted or angered look on the hunter's face.

"I'm not."

Holding back a gasp, Castiel lifted his head from his chest. Dean scooted over while patting the bed. The angel sat down on the edge of the side and faced his body towards Dean.

"I already knew about Sam and your brother. Caught them making out in the garage a few months ago."

Dean jerked his head side to side as if reliving the memory. Thankfully, they had been fully clothed but he still couldn't shake the memory of the archangel pressing his brother up against the side of the Kalen's truck.

Wonder if she knows what they been doing against her vehicle, Dean wondered.

"Cas…I know."

Castiel's eyebrows knit together.

"You…know? About…us?" he asked.

Dean chuckled, smiling.

"Yeah. Cas, man, I'd have to be blind, deaf, and beyond dumb not to see how you feel. You haven't exactly hidden it."

The angel's cheeks tinted pink. Dean's eyes fell on the hand tightening into a fist on Castiel's leg. He reached out to pry the fingers apart. Castiel stared as Dean curled their hands together. He squeezed firmly.

"Dean, I won't force you to do anything you don't want to," Castiel told him.

"Cas, shut up."

Castiel's mouth popped shut. He squeezed their hands again.

"No one and I mean, no one, forces me to do anything I don't wanna do. You know, it's been hard for me and Sam. Losing mom, Sam leaving, losing Dad, the whole apocalypse shit storm, everything. But one thing that's been constant has been you."

Castiel tilted his head. Dean chuckled. His thumb absentmindedly rubbed back and forth over the angel's hand. It sent shivers up the angel's spine, but he tried to hide it.

"Cas, you've always been there for me. And for Sammy. You and your…your brother were willing to turn on your family to save us. That goes deep."

Castiel wasn't sure where Dean was going with their conversation. He was afraid to say anything that would make Dean stop talking or holding his hand.

"I've had a lot of time to think about this. I know angels are, you know, different. I've still had to wrap my head around that. But I'm willing to try," Dean confessed.

Dean finally fell silent.

"You are willing to…try a more profound relationship between us?"

Rolling his eyes, Dean pulled him close. Castiel leaned forward but stopped short. His eyes still held a questioning glisten to them. Dean nodded his head as he leaned the rest of the way forward.

Their eyes slid shut as their lips met in a soft kiss. It was a light touch that Castiel started to pull away until Dean breathed out and chased after him. Their lips met a few times with light, breathy kisses.

"Woohoo! I win the bet. Pay up, Sam!"

Castiel groaned as he pulled away from Dean. The hunter chuckled as he heard swearing and laughter out in the hallway. Castiel flashed him an annoyed look.

"How do you deal with annoying younger siblings?" Castiel asked.

The side of Dean's mouth flipped up in a small side smirk.

"Usually, I prank Sam."

He laughed when Castiel gave him a smirk of his own.

"Do you believe Gabriel would be willing to assist me?"

"Oh, I can guarantee it."

/…/

Dear Journal,

It's been six and a half months since I moved in with the guys. I'll admit it was awkward at first. Marbles liked the brothers and Gabriel. It took him a while to warm up to Castiel. I think he's still a little ehh around the angel, but they've come to an understanding. I saw Castiel sneak Marbles a treat yesterday.

"Grrrr."

Kalen glanced down. Marbles was staring up at her with a look in his eyes.

"Don't think I haven't noticed the extra pounds. Between Castiel and Gabriel, it's a wonder you can even stand," Kalen told him.

"Grrrrrr."

Castiel and I have started getting more used to each other. It seems he likes me a little bit after blowing up a month ago at his Other Half. Him and Dean have become closer. Apparently, Dean wasn't as blind as Sam thought.

"Was that you?" Kalen asked, looking down at Marbles.

The canine groaned as he shifted his head over his paws. She started writing in her journal again when she felt it again. She tossed her pen down and waited.

She gasped as she felt another wave of energy hit her back again. A few seconds later, she felt a different wave smack her in the face.

"Son of a bitch."

Kalen grumbled under her breath as she closed her journal with a hard snap.

"I'm gonna kill them later," she growled, leaving her room with Marbles right behind her.

/…/

Sam was rubbing the sleep out of his eyes when he stepped out of his room. He released a jaw-popping yawn while stretching. He groaned when he heard something crackle. A familiar chuckle made him open his eyes and glare.

"Sounding old there this morning, Sammy boy," Dean chuckled.

"You're four years older than me, Dean," Sam reminded him.

Dean glared back.

"Since when?"

Sam let out an annoyed growl, throwing his arms up. Dean rolled his eyes as they entered the kitchen. They skidded to a halt with the sight they found. All across the table, chairs, and counters were baked good. There were cookies, muffins, pastries, cakes, biscuits, and pies.

"What the Hell happened in here?" Dean demanded.

Instead of answering, Sam stepped forward and snatched up a paper he noticed was taped to the microwave. Dean watched Sam's face with his eyes widening and his cheeks gradually going from pale to bright pink.

"Sam?"

Squeezing his eyes closed, Sam jerked his hand to hold out the paper to him. Dean reluctantly accepted it. His eyes skimmed over the paper. His own grew wide as he read each word. Once done, his hand drooped to his side.

The hunters exchanged a quick look before yelling for their respective angels. Castiel appeared a second before Gabriel. Before either angel could speak, Dean shoved the letter into Gabriel's hand. Castiel stepped closer to look over Gabriel's shoulder as they read it together.

Good morning, Asshole Brothers.

I figured if I addressed it that way, it would address all parties involved. Did you know when an angel is having intercourse that they give off these sort of energy vibes? Picture them as sort of a keep away this is my mate kind of strong vibes. Well, multiply that by about a thousand and that accounts for two angels having intercourse.

No, I did not sleep last night. Hence, why the kitchen looks like a 24-7 bakery. I figured you could use the sustenance after a busy night.

I thank you for finally giving it a rest at four thirty-five in the morning. Although by that time, there was going to be no sleep for me. At least here anyway. I've left to find somewhere I can actually sleep. Don't worry about Marbles.

He's apparently unphased by the rolling waves of ecstasy emanating from an angel, an archangel, and their two lovers. Stupid dog.

I'll be back whenever.

Kalen

"Well, that figures," Dean grumbled as both angels disappeared.

He knelt down and snatched up Kalen's letter after it finished fluttering to the ground.

"Where…?" Sam started.

Dean flailed his arm about.

"Where do you think?" Dean asked.

Sam gave his brother a side look.

"Uh…Dean?"

Dean jerked his finger up in the air firmly.

"Not. A. Word. Sammy. You got me?"

Dean started a pot of coffee and was taking his first sip when Castiel returned with Kalen. Her eyes were dark with lack of sleep. Leaving Dean to fend for himself, Sam grabbed his own cup and quickly left the room with a short greeting and a ducked head. Kalen stared after him before turning her annoyed look to Dean.

"Morning," he greeted.

"I didn't sleep because of you and sweet cheeks here," Kalen grumbled.

Kalen got a little silent chuckle over the different faces Dean made. He went from a sort of proud look to embarrassed to unsure to little horror.

"Gabriel is writing sigils into the walls of Kalen's room. This will allow her to be able to sleep," Castiel explained.

"Thanks, Cas," Dean replied.

"So that we may continue…" Castiel started.

"Nuuh. Thanks, Cas," Dean stated firmly.

Castiel drew his eyebrows together.

"You're…welcome?"

Kalen snorted. She leaned towards the angel with a knowing smirk on his face.

"He's uncomfortable with the conversation and would like you to either shut up or change the subject," Kalen explained in a sickenly sweet tone.

"Oh."

Dean sighed as he put his coffee mug down.

"Thanks, Pix."

"I'm going to go sleep now. Anyone wakes me before two and you'll find out I go for the weak male areas first."

Dean bit down on the urge to cover his private parts. He simply smiled and watched her turn around and leave with his angel. Once out of sight, he released a big whoosh of air and collapsed down into his chair.

Out in the hallway, Castiel fell in line to walk beside Kalen.

"May I ask you a question, Kalen?" Castiel asked.

Kalen nodded.

"Why did Dean call you…Pix?" Castiel asked,

The half angel chuckled.

"It's short for Pixie. His little nickname for me," Kalen answered.

"For your short stature?" Castiel clarified.

This time, the laugh was a little more cheerful. She ended it with shaking her head.

"Really that's only part of it. The other part of pixie is short for pixie sticks. A pixie stick is a short thin straw with powdered sugar candy inside. People break open the straw and pour it right into their mouth," Kalen explained.

Castiel frowned. Kalen frowned back at him in confusion.

"Gabriel should not be allowed to have those."

"I shouldn't be allowed to have what, little brother?"

Gabriel stood leaning against Kalen's doorframe with a teasing smile playing on his face. Castiel softly shook his head.

"It was nothing, Gabriel. Are the sigils done?" Castiel inquired.

Gabriel pushed off from the door frame and gestured over his shoulder.

"Deep in the walls. You should be able to sleep now, kid," Gabriel said.

Kalen raised an eyebrow.

"Not going to apologize, are you?"

"Nope."

Castiel threw his arms up behind her with an exasperated look on his face. He dropped his head with a soft apology to the female. She reached behind her to pat him on the arm. She surprised him when she leaned back and pressed a light kiss to his cheek. She patted Gabriel firmly on the shoulder twice as she passed him.

"Oh, Gabriel?"

The archangel turned to face her as she closed the door.

"Yeah, kid?"

Kalen's eyes glowed a brief light blue before dying back down.

"Disturb my sleep like that again and I'm breaking out all the secrets I heard last night, including who's the loudest, who's the screamer, and who really doesn't want me talking. Spread the word, would you?"

Opting for silence, Gabriel gave her a little mock salute. Satisfied, Kalen shut the door behind her. Gabriel turned back to his brother and motioned with his head down the hall. The two angels walked side by side back towards the kitchen.

"Gabriel?"

"Yes, Cassie?"

"I notice everyone has a nickname for Kalen. You call her kid a lot, Dean calls her Pix, and I heard Sam call her Kay yesterday," Castiel stated.

"It's a natural thing to give someone a nickname, Cassie. Dean-o gave your nickname from day one," Gabriel reminded him.

Castiel sighed.

"I am aware. But I do not use nicknames," Castiel commented.

"Yeah you do," Gabriel shot back.

Castiel stopped him with a hand on his arm. He shot his brother a confused look.

"Sam is short for Samuel."

"But no one calls Sam that. Dean has called his brother many things, but Samuel is not one of them."

Gabriel shrugged.

"Don't overthink things. She still calls you Castiel, doesn't she?" Nod. "Then don't worry. If you decide to give her a nickname or she decides to drop one on you, then it will come with time."

END OF CHAPTER NINE