AN: I would have kinda liked for them to have children, but that was just kind of messy and I worried because I know Cas would be too worried about failing as a father, due to his history etc...

Also: for anyone worried about a snap shot of them when their old and pass away, I will not write that... not because I can't just that it's too sad because I feel it's too unrealistic for them to both die together unless it was an accident or a few hours apart or something... but I can't do that too them so I'm just going to not do it.

Thank you all! ENJOY

Dean and Cas are 36

Dean and Cas where getting the guest room ready because Claire was coming to visit for the week. It was officially summer and Jimmy and Amelia had been invited on a couples retreat; so Cas offered to have Claire come out. It would be like her own vacation instead of just being left behind in Chicago with some of their friends.

They were making the bed and Cas had this sinking suspicion that something wasn't quite right with Dean. He was being awfully quiet today and he didn't seem excited that their niece was coming to visit.

"Something on your mind?" Cas questions nonchalantly.

"Nope," Dean breathes, turning his back to get the pillow cases from the window seat.

"Dean," he warns.

"Can you finish this up, babe?" he tosses the pillow back onto the mattress, "I just remembered I have to get something from the shop." Dean heads to the door

Castiel can tell he's lying and is going to go for a walk or maybe a drive to clear his mind, but he doesn't press him. "Very well," he sighs, "We have to leave by 5 to pick up Claire."

"Yep," Dean calls as Cas hears his boots on the stairs.

Dean makes it back with just enough time to shower before they leave for the airport. It's clear something is weighing on him, and Castiel hopes that he's not sullen for the entire week Claire's here. They park the car and go in search of their unaccompanied minor, following the signage that leads the way.

Claire's standing next to a well dressed Stewardess with her pink backpack and stuffed kola coming out of the top of it. Cas was a little taken aback at just how big she had gotten when it dawned on him that she was almost ten now.

"Where's the time?" He whispers more to himself, as the little blonde girl catches sight of them.

"Claire-corder!" Dean calls, kneeling down as she rushes into his arms. Cas can't help but smile as he remembers when Dean had given her that nickname, she had just learned to talk and would repeat whatever anyone would say.

"Uncle Dean!" She hugs him, before turning to the other man, "Uncle Casstie," She hugs, Cas's waist as he smiles.

"How's our favorite niece?" He asks, Dean heading off to square things with the flight attendant and get her luggage.

"I'm your only niece," She supplies haughtily.

Cas chuckles, "You certainly are smart."

"Duh!" Claire smirks as Dean returns to them.

"Who wants a piggy back ride?" He asks as Claire jumps up and down excitedly.

Cas taking the little pink luggage as Dean bends down so Claire can latch on. Something was still bothering Dean, but Cas was glad that he didn't seem to be any different with Claire.

The three of them head back to the house, stopping on the way to pick up some pizza. Claire watching in awe as they made it right in front of them. Tossing the dough up and catching it artfully. They eat out on the back porch, the sun setting over the water as Claire tells them about school and they figure out things she wants to do while she's visiting; which includes seeing both their places of work, church, a beach bonfire with smores and of course swimming.

After they're done eating Cas sends Claire up to get ready for bed as Dean and him clear away the mess.

"You going to talk to me?" Cas asks meaningfully as he stacks up the used paper plates.

"About what?" Dean feigns confusion as he heads inside with the pizza boxes.

Following him in, Cas throws away the trash and crosses his arms to sternly look at Dean, "You know what, Dean."

"Cas," Dean starts, tossing the pizza boxes in the recycling and facing the dark haired man.

Anything else he was going to say gets cut off, by Claire appearing, "I am ready for bed!" She announces, looking between the two men expectantly.

Dean and Cas continue to stare at one another for a beat before they turn their attention to their niece.

"All right, kiddo," Dean smiles forcibly, "Say goodnight to Cas," he instructs as she gives him a hug, the two men sharing another meaningfully look over her head.

"Sleep tight, Claire." Cas pats her head.

"Let's get you tucked in here munchkin, big day tomorrow," he takes her hand and leads her up stairs, leaving Cas to finish cleaning up.

Cas cleans the mess in record time, hitting the lights and slowly tramps up the stairs. He pauses briefly at the guest bedroom, watching as Dean adamantly regales the little girl with a story; not wanting to disturb them he heads off to the master bedroom and changes for bed.

Sometime later Dean pads into the bedroom, Cas propped up reading a novel as he too gets ready for bed.

"I'm still waiting," Cas informs him, pretending to still be reading his book.

"It's silly, Cas really," Dean tries to brush it off, "I'm not a chick, so don't worry about it."

"I do not see what that has to do with anything, Dean." He closes the book and places it on the nightstand, lying on his side to face Dean.

Dean sighs audibly, sliding into bed and avoiding Cas's gaze, "I know we never really talked about," he pauses, "I dunno, I guess I'm jealous."

"Of what?" Cas wonders, stroking Dean's arm soothingly.

"Before you I always thought I'd have kids someday, and now Sammy is starting a family and Claire's here and…" He stares at the ceiling, Cas shifting up to look at him.

"Dean," Cas calls softly, unsure what to say or how to process it.

"I'm not saying I want to go out and adopt a Chinese baby," He clarifies, picking up on Cas's distress as they make eye contact. "It's just not fair, you know…. It's selfish, but I'd want our kids to have your hair and my eyes or vice versa," Dean punctuates by running his hand through Cas's dark hair.

"You are the least selfish person I know, Meae," Cas informs him sternly, "Besides our hypothetical children sound horrible," He smirks, trying to lighten the mood.

Dean smiles softly at that, "Ya, they'd probably come out looking like Harry Potter, only ten times more broody," he winks. "Or they'd just be ridiculously good looking and cause panic in the streets."

"See there's a reason for everything," Cas nods, searching Dean's eyes before kissing him.

"Yeah," he agrees, "It's safer for the general public," the kiss again.

Cas pulling away, his hand resting on Dean's chest as he peers up at him, "They may not be ours," he starts carefully, "But we will have an impact on the children that do come into our lives."

"Thanks, Cas." Dean pulls the other man into him as they settle together in each other's arms. "I'm still surprised they let you around children," he jokes after a beat, his mood considerably lifted.

"They are minions of evil," Cas agrees humorously.

:)REVIEWS are sheer liquid wonderment! (as are suggestions)