A/N: So I've been distracted by life and numbers. The complications of just about everything. I'm sure the last thing you want to read is my personal life, so lemme just continue on with this story, shall I?
To be completely honest, Dean isn't sure what propelled him to bring Gabriel and Castiel to the bunker. He also hadn't known that Gabriel would be able to save Sam from the Pit. But hell, that had been worth a try. And it certainly was worth a try.
Dean is staring at his brother across the table. Staring in such a way that it's kind of weird. And mostly creepy.
Sam glances up from his salad and looks at Dean in confusion. Then he glances to the side and then back at Dean. "Uhm…"
"It's just...are you...okay?" Dean sets aside his mug of coffee and frowns.
Sam blinks. "Yeah, Dean, I'm fine."
"You've got your soul right?"
Sam smiles his usual puppy-like smile and Dean knows everything is going to be okay. "Yes, Dean. Here I am, eating and sleeping and smiling and understanding. Being completely human."
"Good. Good." Dean smiles and stands up. "Man, it's good to have you back."
"It's amazing to be back. Just so you know." Sam makes a little emphasis on his words and resumes eating his salad. "It's just...what about Cas and Gabe?"
"What about them?" Dean cradles his mug of coffee in his hands.
"How long are we going to keep them here? And why are we keeping them here?" Sam sets his fork down again and sighs, leaning back in his chair.
Dean looks down while he tries to come up with a logical explanation. He doesn't actually have one other than that he finds aesthetics in having extra company. With all that's happened, with all the loneliness that had endured, it's just nice having… "Friends, Sammy." Dean hides his fear behind his grin and drinks some coffee.
Sam notices the difference and the forced smile, but decides to not comment on it for the time being. Perhaps...if it happens again. But hopefully, it won't happen often, if at all ever. So he only nods, a smirk on his face. "Oh yeah, what if the Trickster tries to kill you again?"
"He wouldn't do that in front of his brother."
"You never know. I'm quite the wild card." Gabriel has suddenly appeared in the middle of the library, a Kit Kat bar in hand. "And if Cassie never sees, then it's an added bonus."
Dean groans and runs a hand down his face. "Why am I keeping you here? You can leave whenever."
"But Cas likes it here." Gabriel takes the liberty of seating himself right next to Sam. Despite all of the open seats around the table. But Sam doesn't seem to notice.
Dean hides his smile behind his cup of coffee. "I don't get why. We all but kidnapped him."
"You had my permission." Gabriel sees the little smile on Dean's face. "I think he's taken a liking to you, Dean."
That gets Sam's attention. Sam looks at Gabriel in shock and shakes his hair out of his face. "Who would wanna like Dean?"
"Harsh, Sammy." Dean looks taken aback. Two days his brother has been back from Hell, two days, and already Dean is being insulted. What's family without a little sibling rivalry? Or at least, that's what helps to lessen the blow that Sam had fired at him.
"He's kind of right." Gabriel chimes in. "I mean...you're so angsty and you're kind of a dick. You don't communicate well. You eat too many burgers and pie. I'm sure you love alcohol more than anything else. You take a liking in killing things to cover up the feeling of emptiness inside of you. I think-"
"You can stop." Dean leans forwards and places his mug back on the table. "Whenever you feel like it."
"Hey, as long as you get the point. Just don't go breaking my baby brother's heart."
"He's not even your real brother." Dean says. "And who the hell says that we're getting together? We've known each other a day."
"Lifetime." Gabriel's tone is absolutely serious. "In one instant that you two looked at each other, you were both lost. And in that instant, the both of you travelled through your short existences with each other, until death do you part."
Sam snorts. "Yeah, like Dean is ever gonna fall in love."
"You know what?" Dean stands up and pushes his chair in. "I'm just gonna go. You know. Upstairs. Down…" He breaks off a moment. "If we have a downstairs, I'll go there. Just not here."
"You're just upset because you don't know the powers of love!" Gabriel calls as Dean leaves the library.
Maybe deciding to live with an archangel was a bit of an overshoot. Well, perhaps not live with, but spending an extra amount of time with said archangel. Not that Dean is planning long-term living arrangements with people that he barely knows. Definitely the last thing on his mind. Spending time with people...like he needs that.
Dean rounds a corner with the intention of heading to the garage and almost runs straight into Cas who looks at him quizzically.
"Hello, Dean." Stoic and impersonal as always. Or at least 'always' being the last couple of days of knowing each other.
"Hey, Cas...what brings you down here? Of all places?" Dean looks over at the staircase that leads up to the garage and raises an eyebrow.
Cas has the good grace to look sheepish. "I...was mapping the layout of your...bunker." He shakes his head. "I got lost. This place is really large."
Dean chuckles. "I know. I'm still learning rooms in this place. We've got a demon dungeon, I've learned."
An expression of sheer bewilderment crosses of Cas' face. "Is that...an innuendo for something?"
All of the blood drains from Dean's cheeks and he takes a step back from Cas. "No. God, no. It's just...like...an actual dungeon."
"Oh, okay." Cas glances down. "Because if you were hitting on me, I just want you to know that I wouldn't mind."
How the hell Castiel manages to say such innocent things without even batting an eye escapes all facets of Dean's perceptions. Innocent Castiel with the brilliant blue eyes and the sex hair and the tax accountant get up. And yet, beneath this exteriour, there's a scientist with a brain the size of the solar system. But somehow, basic human interactions escape him.
Dean's eyes widen and he stares at Cas blankly. "Alright, man. I'll, uh, I'll remember that." He hides his blush behind his cough, because, really, grown men don't blush. He searches his head wildly for a question to cover up this awkward silence. "Do you like it here?" A question that is seemingly harmless. Good job, Dean.
"Once I learn the layout of it, I think I'll like it more." Cas looks around the hallway as though just memorising the walls would give him extra insight to the rest of the bunker. "Do you not want me to stay?"
"No." Dean blinks. "I mean yes. Negatives are tricky. What I'm trying to get out is that you can stay here if you want. No one's forcing you to though."
"Gabriel might." Cas smiles and Dean realises it right then: He doesn't want Cas to leave. If Gabriel left, that would be fine, but Cas, on the other hand, can stay. For as long as he wants.
"Well, whatever floats your boat. I'm gonna...go clean my car. Good talk." Dean claps Cas on the shoulder and heads up the stairs to the garage. Cas watches him go with a small smile before heading down the hallway towards his borrowed room.
Once Dean is upstairs and alone, he mentally punches himself. He has never thought of himself as an awkward man, but there's something about talking to some men that makes him a little nervous. It's always been this way, from Nick back in high school all the way to the man with the gollum. And now with Cas.
He sighs and runs a hand down his face as he walks to his car. For as long as he can remember, taking car of his baby has always been relaxing. Not that Baby needs that much work, but she needs something… An oil change, why not?
So, Dean cracks his knuckles and get started. And he tries hard not to think of beautiful blue eyes and wind tousled hair.
"A case?" Dean stares blankly at his brother. "You think you're ready for a case?"
"Dean." Sam all but rolls his eyes and runs a hand through his hair. "I'm fine. And it isn't like we're going up against a wendigo or a djinn. It's...probably just a ghost or something. And it's our job to save people."
"Yeah, yeah, the family business." Dean looks at Sam's already packed bag. "Alright, so what about Trickster and Chuckles?"
Sam scoffs. "They can come with us. It'd be nice to have an Archangel on our side."
Covering up his flinch, Dean nods slowly. "Alright. What about Cas? He didn't even know about the supernatural until about a week ago."
"So what? We just leave him here? Alone?" Sam raises his eyebrows.
Dean searches his mind for possible people to come by. Garth? Off the radar. Charlie? Way off the radar. Bob- Never mind. "Fine. He comes with." He throws his hands up in defeat and sighs. Dean is in no way happy with a civilian tagging along.
"What could possibly go wrong?"
"You don't want me to answer that question." Dean shakes his head. "Alright. Lemme go talk to them."
"No need." Gabriel's voice sounds from behind them. The brothers turn to look. "We're already packed." And so they are. A duffle per brother. Although, Gabriel, technically, doesn't need one. But the joy of packing is irreplaceable. Castiel shuffles on his feet, looking absolutely terrified by the whole affair. But there's a sort of determination behind those blue eyes.
Dean shakes his head. "Alright. Fine. Just...gimme a bit to pack up and we can go."
A/N: Alright let me start by apologising. Let's start with that. I'm sorry that I've taken so long to update this. I've had to study for finals, plus I've been distracted by my personal life. Because...somehow I have friends. Beyond that, however. Meh. So my lovelies! Please review, because I will post more frequently when I receive more love. And also I'm sorry that this has taken a weird turn. I know where it's going so if you just stick with me for a few chapters this will make more sense as time continues. -Pyxie xx