Dean and Cas stood leaning against the trunk of the Impala, a beer in each of the men's hands.
Sam and Bobby had gone off to gather Intel… at a bar… hours ago.
They were both staring off into space, lost in their own thoughts, sipping at their beers every once and a while, Dean more often than Cas.
The bulge in Castiel's left trench coat pocket did not go unnoticed by the keen hunter.
He was curious, but wary of asking. The last time he had, the two ended up on a wild squirrel chase.
After a few more minutes of peaceful silence, Dean's curiosity got the best of him.
"Hey, Cas?"
"Yes, Dean?"
Dean turned to face his comrade, glancing briefly at the semi-hiding pocket.
"What's in your pocket?"
Cas tensed, a light blush appearing on his usually stoic face.
"Nothing." the angel answered, clearly nervous.
Dean watched Cas shift from foot to foot, his left hand reaching down to graze the bulging pocket.
"Mmm-Hmm." Dean hummed, obviously not believing the man's lie.
Dean watched as Cas fidgeted some more, nervously glancing at the hunter every few seconds. Finally, the brunette sighed in resignation, putting his beer down.
Dean perked up as Cas half turned away from him, using both hands to gentle scoop the something or other out of the pocket.
Cas turned back around to show Dean his prize.
In the angel's hands was a freshly woken up kitten, no older than a few weeks. It was long-haired and medium-light grey in color, it's chin, paws and tail tip dipped in white.
It yawned big, it's ears twitching and head shaking at the sensation.
Dean stared down at it and it stared up at him, blinking tiredly in the bright afternoon light.
Cas stood in front of the older Winchester, still fidgeting in unease as he explained.
"I found her yesterday under a bench at the playground. She was curled up in this tiny ball, shivering. She allowed me to pick her up without incident. She even cuddled up against me."
Cas held the kitten under her armpits, dangling the baby inches away from Dean's face.
Dean leaned back slightly, but the two continued to stare blankly at each other, not caring too much about the change in position.
"She was freezing, Dean." Cas continued. "And hungry and lonely. She doesn't belong on the streets all alone. She just wants someone to take care of her and love her."
As if to drive the point home, the baby nonchalantly licked the tip of Dean's nose.
Aw, Hell, Dean thought. They're in cahoots against me.
Unable to resist any longer, Dean scratched the kitten's snowy chin.
Castiel smiled as the feline immediately started to purr.
"If you can take care of her, then be my guest." Dean said, answering the unspoken plea.
Cas beamed as Dean finished his beer and tossed the bottle. When he stood and started for the driver's door, Cas carefully placed the kitten on Dean's shoulder.
Startle, Dean immediately grabbed the baby, holding the still purring bundle protectively against his chest, glaring at his companion.
"Do you wish to name her?" Cas asked, ignoring the glare and smiling even more at Dean's quick reaction.
"No." Dean answered shortly before turning back to his previous task.
He stopped at the door to hand the tiny feline back before opening the door and getting in.
Cas stood there, his smile widening even more.
Because he knows Dean so well, he had noticed the blink-and-you'll-miss-it moments.
The way his body relaxed, eyes softening when the baby licked him. The small smile when she stared to purr. The gentle way he held her. The brief pauses before refusing to name her and giving her back.
"Either get in the car or give me the cat. We ain't got all day." Dean grumbled through the open window, hand outstretched, startling Cas out of his revere.
"Hold on," he said quickly, chuckling as he dashed around to the passenger door.
Either Dean loved all babies I general (and honestly, Castiel was pleased to find he wasn't surprised by the idea) or Dean Winchester- the badass, stoic, destroyer of evil, warrior of Heaven- was a cat person.
Cas looked down at the bundle of fur sleeping peacefully curled in his lap. He then snuck a discreet glance at the driver and smiled again.
Dean was looking at the kitten out of the corner of his eye, a light, care free smile playing at his lips for the first time in a long time.
Either way, Cas decided, he was never going to forget this moment of peace or the two notions.
Cas watched as Dean reached over and rubbed the baby's head between her little ears.
He burst out laughing as Dean blushed and glared, returning his hand to the steeling wheel and eyes to the road.