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Dean parked behind the house and quickly patted the pocket where Pestilence's ring rested. He jumped when a hand brushed his shoulder. Castiel quickly removed his hand. "I apologize."
"No, no, Cas. It's fine." Dean smirked. "You're still like a freaking ninja."
Castiel's head fell to the side in confusion.
Dean laughed. "Nevermind."
Castiel nodded distractedly and turned to go inside. Dean jumped forward, his hands tangling in his shirt and jerking him back. "What you did today. You shouldn't have done it."
Castiel frowned. "We needed to get the ring."
"Yeah, Cas, but you could have been killed. You're not an angel any more; you shouldn't have taken that risk!"
"You and Sam are human. You took the risk."
"Cas, you've said so yourself; Sam and I are destined to be involved in this apocalypse crap. We can take the risk, you shouldn't."
Castiel jerked out of Dean's grasp, and instantly moved back into his space furiously. "I was a warrior in God's army long before you or any of your ancestors had even evolved enough to breathe oxygen, and you dare tell me that you have more of a right in this fight than I?"
Dean took a step back in shock. He always forgot just how intimidating the small man could be. But it was only for a moment, and then he was right back up in Castiel's space. "You're right, Cas! When you were an angel you had that right, but now you're human and things are different!"
Castiel drew back a fist; Dean readied himself for the blow. It never came. Dean looked up and watched as Cas dropped his hand and his eyes. "You're right, Dean. Things are different. Now I'm expendable." He glared back up. "All the more reason it should have been me."
Dean lunged and grabbed Castiel sharply by his lapels, yanking the smaller man up. "Never fucking say that." He punctuated each word with a hard shake. "You are not expendable, you got that?" He turned and pushed Castiel back against the Impala.
Castiel grunted when his back hit metal, and stumbled before he caught himself. He snarled at Dean. "Why should I deny the truth?"
In an instant Dean had Castiel pinned to the door, one hand hard against Cas's wrist, the other arm braced across his chest, holding him down. Castiel's free hand came up and tangled in Dean's shirt, trying to push him off.
"This is my show, Cas." Dean growled. "I call the shots. You've always taken my orders before, and now I order you to stand the fuck down. I say you are not expendable, I say you need to stay safe."
Castiel strained against his arms, struggling to get free. "I don't have to listen to you anymore, Dean. I am no longer your guardian."
Dean pressed down harder. "No. You're not. Now I'm yours." Dean surged forward, pressing his lips fiercely against Castiel's. The angel froze, and then kissed back just as hard, the kiss more a battle for dominance than anything else.
Dean pulled away briefly, then bit and nipped at Castiel's lips, before forcing his tongue back in, using his height to his advantage as he bore down on the man in his grasp. Castiel let out a soft cry, and tried to retaliate, but it was too much. He gave in.
Dean sensed the shift immediately, and backed off. Panting, the parted.
Dean rested his forehead against the Castiel's. "You're not allowed to try to die, Cas."
Castiel's eyes slipped closed. "Why not?"
"Because I need you."
This time when their lips met, it was gentle; they took their time mapping out one another. Dean's hands released their hold and instead sought to find skin, untucking Castiel's shirt and shifting upward, while Castiel's hands buried themselves in the hunter's hair.
The sun had gone down by the time they made their way inside.
Sam was sitting at the table scanning a website on his computer. He glanced up as the two walked in, and he instantly did a double take when he saw their bruised lips, and the marks barely hidden by Castiel's collar. "So. Have fun out there?"
Dean smacked his head playfully. "You're just jealous, bitch."
Sam rolled his eyes. "Just don't keep me up tonight, jerk." He kept his look disapproving until Dean walked passed him, then smiled and winked at Castiel. "About time you two got together."
Castiel blushed and hurried out of the room, catching up with Dean and grabbing his hand. Dean smiled.
Crowley stopped them at the stairs. He looked at their joined hands and back up, a frown on his face. "Hooking up with an angel, eh?" He sighed and turned to Castiel. "You could do better."
"Hey!"
Crowley shrugged and grinned wickedly, dodging a smack. "Have fun, kids!" He called, as Dean and Castiel made their way up the stairs.
"Well, your boy proved himself pretty well today, angel."
"My boy?"
"You know what I mean Aziraphale, Castiel? Your little brother?"
Aziraphale smiled over his book. "That does not make him my boy, my dear."
Crowley laughed shortly, shaking his head. "An angel turned human taking out a horsemen. Pretty impressive, hm?"
Aziraphale beamed in the darkened room. "He was pretty amazing, wasn't he?"
He turned his face upwards, his eyes scanning the house's rooms and all of their occupants. He smiled when he found his brother wrapped around the elder hunter. Never one to pry, he turned away and back to his book.
Crowley watched Aziraphale read for a few moments before he grew tired of being ignored. With a deft hand he swept the book away and climbed onto the couch, straddling his angel's hips. "What are you reading this time, love?"
"A wonderful little thing I found in Bobby's study."
"You mean there's actually a book out there that you don't own?"
Aziraphale scowled playfully.
"Ready for bed, then?"
Aziraphale frowned, unconsciously wrapping his hands around Crowley's waist. "Bed? Why should we sleep, dear? We should be guarding this house while the humans rest."
"Angel, that old man has this place warded off of just about everything. I think they'll be fine." He quickly knocked Aziraphale back into the cushions and spread his limbs out, covering him completely.
"Crowley." Aziraphale warned testily.
"I can't hear you, angel. I'm sleeping."
"You clearly aren't."
"I am."
Aziraphale sighed in defeat. Crowley could be a right bastard when he wanted to be. He relaxed back into the couch.
Crowley hummed in approval and nuzzled into his neck.
Dean awoke the next morning to the sun peaking into his room. He ran his hands across Castiel's back and quietly shifted out from beneath him. Once he was standing he rearranged the blankets to keep his angel warm, and headed downstairs.
He paused in the living room.
On the couch Aziraphale and Crowley were wrapped around each other so tightly he was having a hard time identifying limbs. They looked… incredibly comfortable. Surrounding them was a mass of feathers as their wings gently covered the other, protecting each other even in their sleep.
Dean was mesmerized, and for a moment wished he'd had the chance to see Castiel's wings before the man had lost them.
In the light, the feathers seemed to shimmer, begging to be touched. Dean hadn't realized he'd extended a hand until a golden eye focused on him.
Crowley hissed softly.
Dean jerked back and hurriedly murmured an apology as he all but ran to the kitchen, and busied himself with breakfast.
In his arms Aziraphale stirred. Crowley forced his body to relax, and Aziraphale followed suit, drifting off once more.
Crowley opened his eyes twenty minutes later to the smell of bacon. Aziraphale was already up, staring at him, a small smile on his face. Crowley tugged him close, nuzzling at his face, and then he flexed his wings, groaning happily before they vanished. He pressed a kiss to Aziraphale's nose and moved to stand up, tugging the angel along after him into the kitchen.
Dean glanced up when they entered, a light blush crossing his cheeks before he busied himself with the stove once more, carefully avoiding looking at the two. Aziraphale cast Crowley a questioning look, but the demon only grinned.
Aziraphale made a disapproving face, and Crowley glared back sullenly. Finally the demon sighed and walked over to the hunter while Aziraphale miracled himself a cup of tea.
Dean didn't seem to notice Crowley's approach, and the demon used this to his advantage, getting impossibly close. "We all get tempted sometimes." He whispered into Dean's ear, smirking when the other man jerked forward. "It's nothing to be ashamed of. Relax."
Crowley took a step back and Dean turned. He was still tense, but then, knowing his history Crowley doubted Dean would ever fully be able to relax around a demon. His eyes seemed lighter though. The warm feeling that blossomed in his chest was starting to make Crowley a little twitchy, so he quickly turned his attention to the frying pan Dean held in his hand. He made a face. "I don't think those should be smoking."
Dean looked down. "Shit!" He pulled the pan off the stove quickly, and Crowley couldn't help but laugh as he struggled to save the eggs from turning black. Dean scowled over his shoulder. His face froze when Castiel walked into the kitchen. Cas's nose scrunched and Crowley was hit with another wave of laughter. Sam slid around Castiel. "You cooked breakfast?"
Dean glanced down at the pan. "Uh."
Aziraphale stood, taking Castiel's arm and pushing him into his vacated seat. "Let me take over." He said, taking the pan and turning back to the stove.
Sam raised an eyebrow. "I don't think those can be saved."
Crowley grinned, settling into his own seat and stealing Aziraphale's abandoned cup. "A word of advice. Never try to stop an angel from saving something. They think everything can be saved." He winked. "They're a little naive like that."
Aziraphale pouted, but as he eyed the burned eggs he began to lose his resolve. He swallowed and had to force the words out. "What would you do, then?"
"Damn them to Hell, of course, but something tells me that won't work in this situation. Come on, angel. I doubt Gabriel cares if you whip up some eggs."
Castiel blinked. "No, Gabriel would not notice."
Crowley grinned. "See? The kid agrees with me."
"Michael would notice."
"Kid. Shut up."
"My name is not kid."
"I'm not saying your name is kid."
"Then why do you call me kid?"
"It's a – God damn – What the fu –" He turned to Dean.
Dean shrugged, not bothering to hide his grin. "Don't look at me, you started it."
He and Sam both laughed as Bobby wandered into the kitchen, his eyes touching every occupant before he settled himself at the table, unfolding a newspaper. He grunted as Sam leaned over and stole a section for himself. Dean pulled up a chair next to Castiel, pushing their thighs together, smiling when his angel blushed. The kitchen settled into a cozy silence.
At the stove Aziraphale sighed, and when he turned back to the table he had three large plates. One with light and fluffy eggs, one with pancakes, and one pilled high with crispy bacon. In the center of the table he placed a pot of tea and a set of mismatched cups. Crowley grabbed his hand when he sat down. "Was that so hard?"
Aziraphale had to work very hard not to roll his eyes.
They both looked up when Sam groaned loudly. "Oh my God. This is amazing."
"Of course." Crowley said. "You're tasting food created from literally nothing by a full on angel of the lord. This is a divine meal."
This time Aziraphale's eyes rolled of their own accord, much to Crowley's amusement.
Used to nothing but food bought from a diner or a fast food joint, the brother's dug in, eating as much as they could. Bobby ate at a slightly slower pace, and, still not used to needing to eat, Castiel poked at his plate.
Aziraphale watched all this over the rim of his tea cup. The brother's sparked amusement in his eyes, but he worried about his brother. Feeling his gaze, Castiel glanced up. They watched each other for a long moment before Castiel raised a fork to his mouth and ate some of the food. Aziraphale gave a small nod, and the moment broke.
None of the people at the table were used to a traditional breakfast. While he knew it was irrational, Bobby had a secret hope in his heart that maybe it could become something frequent. As he watched the boys he considered son's tease one another and play with the other, more supernatural occupants of the room, he figured they could open their family just this once and let a few more people into their circle. He could use a family. And lord knows they could use the family too.
After breakfast, Dean tugged Castiel outside, intending to show the former angel a few things about fixing up a car, and, if he was honest with himself, trying to get the man covered in grease. Aziraphale decided to join Bobby and Sam in the study, reading through books in the hopes of finding something to help with their inevitable confrontation with Lucifer.
Crowley didn't know what to do with himself.
He tried to stick close to Aziraphale, but it was so bloody boring. After he set a book on fire for the sixth time, Bobby kicked him out of the room, threatening to set him on fire and see how he liked it. Crowley, personally, was interested in seeing him try, but when Aziraphale physically threw him from the room, he figured he'd better stay out. He thought about joining the lovebirds, but when he looked out in the garage and saw Castiel pressed down onto the hood of a car, with Dean settling between his spread legs, he figured he'd better stay away from there too. It probably wasn't wise to incur the hunter's wrath by cockblocking him.
He wondered if there was a duck pond near by. With that idea in mind he moved to the front door, threw open the door and…
He tried again.
Scowling he slammed the door shut. Leave it to the damned old man to make sure he couldn't leave either. He was tempted to ask someone to break the seal for him…. He hadn't pissed off Sam yet, maybe he'd do it, but the idea of asking for help set his teeth on edge.
If only he…
And it came to him.
He walked into the kitchen and frowned. It was as big as he was hoping, but it was deserted at the moment, and he doubted anyone would bother him for awhile. He walked to the middle of the room and closed his golden eyes.
When they opened, the room was filled with potted plants; some hung from the ceiling and others decorated the floor, but the vast majority took up the table and the counter space. Crowley tucked his sunglasses away and dug a spray bottle out from under the sink, filling it with water and pressing a finger to the side to add his own kick. Then he snapped his fingers and Queen filled the room.
Oh yes. This would be fun.
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