Title: man's best friend
Disclaimer: not my characters
Warnings: future!fic
Pairings: implied Dean/Castiel
Rating: PG
Wordcount: 700
Point of view: third
Prompt: Dean/Castiel, newly human!Castiel decides to start a little family for himself by getting a dog
During all the eons he watched humanity, Castiel never truly understood the drive humans had to supplement their family life with a non-human component—namely, a "pet" of some kind, most often a canine or feline.
But now that he is human himself, cut off from Father and the garrisons, away from his family for the first time in—well, ever, Castiel is lonely. He has never comprehended loneliness, and if this is how humans feel all the time, he also finally comprehends why so many of them end their lives before Father calls them home.
Dean and Sam are often away, busy with hunting, trying to atone for sins that are not theirs, and refuse to listen when he explains that Father does not hold them accountable. That had been Father's last words to Castiel—tell those boys that they are free and should be at peace, My son, tell them I release them from all bonds—but Dean and Sam do not care. They feel compelled to seek redemption and do not believe that Father has absolved them.
Whatever their reasoning, they leave him alone often enough that he decides he needs companionship. Dean has forbidden him from interacting with other humans when left in solitude; he needs more lessons in being human, apparently, but Dean is gone most of the time. Sam is still uncomfortable around Castiel, avoiding his presence, unlikely to meet his eyes. Castiel has tried assuring him that there are "no hard feelings" but Sam shuns him nonetheless, out of shame, he believes. A completely human reaction that escapes Castiel, but Castiel can only give Sam time.
Anyway. Castiel is tired of how quiet the house is when he's alone. He doesn't like the TV and sometimes the radio refuses to work, since when Dean is home he tinkers with it, making "improvements" that increase the difficulty Castiel has in operating it.
Castiel goes to the pound the day after Dean and Sam leave on a hunt that should take them at least a week to complete. He has researched "pets" on the internet(often getting sidetracked by various things, so he has spent months seeking out the right kind) and decided that he wishes for a mixed breed canine. They seem to be the best—without many of the ailments purebred dogs suffer, and far more affectionate than any of the felines. Castiel has had enough aloofness.
The attendant shows him to the dog pens and he misses the days when he could understand their language. He walks amongst them, looking at their form and features with purely human eyes, unable to see beneath the skin to their hearts and souls. How to choose the right one for a companion if he cannot truly glimpse their being?
The attendant chatters on, naming them, explaining their histories. Once, Castiel could have known them in a single glance. Castiel hears her words but does not listen. His attention is caught by the dog in the final cage, lying in the corner while all his fellows demand attention. He has not even looked up. His ears are not raised like the others, trying to capture a heart.
"What about that one?" he asks, nodding to the dog.
The attendant says, "He's been here awhile. His last family was abusive; we found him wandering the streets, half-starved." She is sad as she tells him, "He'll probably be put down soon."
The dog has given up, Castiel realizes. He does not think himself worth saving.
"He is the one I choose," Castiel decides.
Castiel's dog, named Israel, walks out of the pound at his side, only perking up slightly. He will heal, though. Castiel will take care of him, and in return, he will love Castiel.
Once, he could have spoken directly to the dog's soul, assured him of his safety, soothed the aches and pains of a life full of suffering and sorrow. Now, he can only vow in feeble words that Israel shall want for nothing.
He will let his actions speak. He is human now. He is human, and dogs are called "man's best friend", so Israel will come to know in time what Castiel is saying.