When he woke up the next morning, he felt lucky. He was awake before Sam. It took a minute for him to adjust to his surroundings, when he realized he was still sucking his thumb. He popped it out just in time for Sam's eyes to open. He almost sighed in relief. He rolled out of bed and went to the bathroom to take a shower. By the time he actually got into the shower, the dream was rapidly fading from his awareness, leaving him only with the sensation that it was strange. While he was in the shower, Castiel was busy thinking.

That dream of Dean's had to mean something. He pondered it for a long time, and eventually came up with a solution. He just wasn't sure how Dean would take it. So he spent a while trying to think of a way to break it to him in a way that would get him to say yes. But first he needed Dean alone.

There came a point in the day when the brothers were separated, and Castiel leapt at the chance to talk with Dean. When he appeared, Dean's only reaction was to nod in slight surprise.

"Hey Cas."

"Hello Dean."

"What's up?"

Castiel was still struggling to find the right way to broach the subject.

"Have you ever wished to be a child again?"

The question made his eyebrows shoot up in surprise.

"Why are you asking?"

"I wanted to know. What was your childhood like?"

Dean paused for a moment, reflecting on the childhood that he'd had. A score of memories flashed before his eyes- some good, some bad, and others neutral. He hadn't had much of a childhood, that much was certain. He couldn't remember much aside from hunting with his father and taking care of Sam.

"It wasn't ideal, but it was mine... And I guess I do sometimes." He said, a hint of wistfulness in his voice. Something about the question plucked a familiar string in his memory. He searched his mind for further information, but couldn't come up with anything.

"Would you... Would you want to have it back?"

"What?"

If Castiel had been capable of embarrassment, he likely would have blushed.

"I want to help give you the childhood you deserve."

"I..." Dean wanted to have a witty response prepared, but he had nothing. This was too weird for his liking. But even more, he couldn't even laugh about it because this was Cas, and he knew he was being completely serious. He needed a minute to process that. All that came out was a shocked "How?"

"I'd be willing to treat you like one. Whenever you aren't hunting with Sam and feel overwhelmed, you can come to me and I'll take care of you."

Dean opened his mouth to say something, but quickly closed it. "I don't have time to talk about this right now."

Castiel knew Dean was just making an excuse, but he allowed it because he knew the boy needed time to contemplate his offer.

"Very well. We will speak later on tonight." He said. Dean nodded woodenly. He was about to leave when Dean called after him.

"Hey Cas?"

"Yes?"

"You won't tell Sammy about this, right?"

"Not unless you want me to."

"Let's just keep this between us for now."

"As you wish."

With that, Castiel took off.

Dean went back to the hunt, but all the while was thinking about Cas' offer. It was when he was driving the Impala back to meet Sam that he made his choice. Once he had, he felt a sense of relief and was able to relax again.

Unable to help himself, Castiel looked inside of Dean's mind and was pleased with what he found. He knew he had to wait until nightfall to speak to Dean alone again, so he busied himself with menial tasks to keep himself occupied. When the moment finally came, he was at the motel in an instant.

Unlike the night before, Dean was wide awake, waiting for the angel to come and see him. When Castiel did appear he took in a shaky breath and led him into the bathroom for more privacy and so they wouldn't wake up Sam.

"Have you thought about my offer?"

"Yes I have."

"And?"

Dean hesitated. "If we were going to do this, where and when would it be?"

"I have taken care of the where. It's a remote cabin in the mountains. No one will bother us there. And the when is entirely up to you."

"But what about Sammy? I can't just leave him here..."

"Sam is going back to school very soon. When that happens you will be able to come and go as you please."

"I just don't know, Cas..."

"Dean." The tone of his voice made Dean's head shoot up.

"What?"

"You do know." He said, looking him straight in the eye. "You do know."

Dean wanted to protest, but found himself incapable. Even though he didn't want to admit it, the Angel was right. Dean sighed.

"Okay."

Castiel smiled. "Good." He said, smiling. Then he pulled a small wrapped package from his trench coat. "This is yours."

Dean looked at him in surprise, but unwrapped the gift. It was a light blue baby blanket that was softer than anything Dean had ever felt. Before he even realized what he was doing, he moved to nuzzle it against his cheek. A dim memory played before his eyes: himself holding a similar colored blanket around the house playing while his parents were in the kitchen.

"I touched it with my grace." He said, hoping to make the object more comforting. "Well? What do you think?"

Dean surprised both Cas and himself by flinging his arms around the Angel's neck.

"Thank you." He whispered.

Castiel smiled. "You're welcome." Dean pulled back from the hug (albeit awkwardly) and shifted his eyes to the floor.

"So... What do I call you now that we're... You know...?"

"Whatever you want, Dean."

Dean rocked back and forth nervously.

"Could I... I mean, if you don't mind... I could call you... Daddy?"

The flush that crossed Dean's face told Castiel how difficult it was for Dean to say that. He went up to him and lifted up his chin so that their eyes would meet.

"Of course you can." He promised. Dean smiled a tiny relieved smile and gave him another hug. "But now it's time for you to get to bed."

Dean frowned. "But when will I see you again?"

"Don't worry. I'll be here when the time is right."

"Okay."

He let Castiel lead him back to his bed for the night before letting himself be tucked in.

"Goodnight Dean." He whispered.

Dean snuggled up with his new blanket and smiled. "Goodnight, Daddy."

Castiel smiled and left. Dean held his blanket close and popped his thumb into his mouth before falling asleep.