People — what have you done —
locked Him in His golden cage.
Made Him bend to your religion —
Him resurrected from the grave.

- "My God," Jethro Tull

"No, no, tell me is it or is it not true that the San Francisco riot started because you deliberately showed up as an outside influence and a rabble rouser to…"

"The 'rabble' was already roused. What happened there was already happening, because the Omegas there are sick of being punished because other people won't bother trying to control themselves. They want to …"

"But the entire situation only escalated because a mob of Omegas was ratcheting up the tension, and the Alpha protesters reacted to the …"

"So they're protesters, and we're a mob?"

"… reacted to the stimulus of a dangerous number of Omegas bringing aggression, anger and violence, and pheremonally influencing the…"

"There are two Omegas still missing and you're a hell of a lot less worried about them than you are forgiving whoever took them. Are you seriously going to sit there and tell me that we're responsible for our own rapes because they can't control themselves, and responsible for the violence against us when we speak out against them because they can't control themselves? If they're so damn off-the-rails they can't handle being around an Omega without losing control somehow, maybe the laws should regulate them."

Bobby takes his hat off, sighing silently, and it's sign enough that Dean's letting his temper push him into saying things he shouldn't. The bright light of Bobby's uncovered lamp is leaving him with spots in his vision when he looks at him past the computer screen and camera. It's just the dining room chair Bobby dragged into his library Dean is perched on stopped being comfortable forty minutes ago, he hasn't slept right since the riot, and this foaming at the mouth supposed reporter is seriously going to feed him that line? It's too damned early in the morning for him to want to deal with idiots, but thinking about it he realizes that tongue-in-cheek suggestion is going to be twisted into a real perspective of his, some extremist view they can use to crucify him online and in media, so he speaks over the reporter's burgeoning indignation.

"I'm not saying they should. I got nothing against Alphas as a rule, but blaming Omegas for …"

"… All the time we have for now. Thank you for joining us…"

The feed goes dead, the indicator on the camera goes off, and Dean chucks the microphone clipped to his collar at the desk, shoving himself out of the chair and turning away from Bobby, head tipped back to glare up at the ceiling and fingers buried into his hair.

"Well that was all kinds of a train wreck." Bobby intones after a moment, screwing the shade back onto his lamp and closing his laptop away. Dean barely bites back a smartassed retort to that, because Bobby didn't have to let him use his library for these interviews so that he could get it done without the kids interrupting, but he did. "Guess that's to be expected with those idiots at Fox. That it for the three ring circus today, then?"

Dropping his shoulders, leaning his head against one of the lines of dusty books behind him on the shelf, Dean thunks his head against the wood a couple of times before turning to face Bobby again, the old mechanic's lined face sympathetic without pushing the line into uncomfortably knowing. "Yeah, that's it for today. I gotta get back to Cas, promised I'd pick him up for the Sunday crap."

Bobby gets to work putting his room back in order so Dean isn't being stared at as he strips the suit jacket back off. "What's he trying this time?"

"Beats the hell out of me, man. I just drive the car." The look Bobby shoots him is flatly unimpressed, and Dean glares back at him. "He's going around trying out religions, fine. That isn't my thing and you know it, though."

"Yeah, and this ain't 'my thing,' but there's a lot of folks pretty damned involved in it for you." Bobby hooks a beer out of the fridge for himself, holding one up questioningly at Dean, and hell yes he needs that right now, even if it's bait to keep him here and talking for a minute.

The beer is cold and comforting in its familiarity, and he perches on the arm of the couch to not let himself get comfortable as he takes a deep swig. "You're not doing this for me, none of you…"

Bobby snorts, dropping himself into a battered arm chair and watching Dean impatiently, his own beer resting on his knee. "Save it, kid. I heard all about your speech at the Roadhouse from Ellen. You wanna tell yourself that it doesn't matter that the people you love are doing this because of you, you tell yourself that. But there ain't nothing wrong with getting involved 'cause it matters to someone you love, either."

"You telling me you wouldn't give a shit about what happens to Omegas out there if I weren't in here?" Dean's temper flares, but Bobby doesn't back down from him. The stubborn old cuss folds his arms, beer tapping out a rhythm against his elbow, and meets Dean's eyes.

"I'm tellin' you that even some of your people might not have known what the hell was happening if it weren't for a pissed off jackass getting fed up with the bullshit, and his dumbass idealist brother wading in with him. That takes a lot of guts, and I know it ain't easy for you. But you look at most people, they got no idea the bigger picture of it either. I see something, I stand up against it, but most people weren't seeing it until you made it part of their lives. Some folks, that's by being on their TV. But us? Hell, boy, you're family. You gonna tell me you wouldn't do anything for family if you saw 'em getting a raw deal…?"

"No, I would. But you guys …"

Bobby puts a hand up, a look in his eyes that snaps Dean's jaw shut. "I ain't trying to argue with you, son. Not about this. What you're doing out there, even fightin' with the talking heads, it's too damned important for any of us to walk away from. So are you, pain in the ass though you might be when you wanna fight. But you ain't gonna convince me that you don't see people as important too. That includes your husband, and his stuff may not be 'your thing' but he sure as hell is, and it's important to him. Especially since the idjit has it in his head he's doing it for you."

Dean grimaces, the truth of that stinging more than he'd like, and finishes his beer quietly, Bobby content to let him stew with a thought, not pressing him for more. "You looked into all this crap, Bobby, but you're not religious either." It's a question of sorts, an invitation to give Dean some sort of insight, and Bobby rolls his shoulders in a lazy shrug.

"I ain't churchgoing, but that don't mean it's all crap. Either way, your boy told the head honchos of the biggest Christian church in the world to bite him after pretty much signing his life over to 'em. It doesn't really endear him to most of the other 2.4 billion Christians in the world, but he's still trying and putting it all over the Internet as he does. Only person not supporting this in your family is you, idjit. You may as well go see."

Rising to his feet, Dean drops his beer in the trash can, grabbing his suit jacket again, and he pauses at the kitchen door. "What would you do?"

Bobby pulls his hat down low on his eyes and puts his beer on the end table, dismissing Dean without saying as much. "I wouldn't've married a damned priest."

xXx

Gratitude warring with nervousness on Cas's face pretty much seals the deal in the end.

He'd been rattling out how long Dean could expect church to take, pointing out where on the curb he'd meet him so he wouldn't have to unstrap the kids and get out, and Dean cruises into a parking space at the edge of the lot and steps out to get Mary's carseat, jerking his chin at the diaper bag packed into the floorboards by Jimmy. "Help us get in and settled, then you can go quiz whoever you need to here. What is it, pastor, minister, priest…?"

Cas has done this since moving to Sioux Falls with him, never more than once a month, never wanting to push it past that and inconvenience Dean. Dean goes to get the grocery shopping done on a Sunday morning, drops Cas off outside of a church, picks him up again afterwards where he's inevitably too quiet, seething or morosely unhappy and ready to offer in clipped tones and few words what the faith he tried out believes or demonstrated or said that he can't accept, or arguments he had with faith leaders in their community. Then once the kids are asleep, he writes the whole thing up, comparative religion or religious social tolerance or whatever, and sends it on to Jo who reads it over, adds editorial footnotes that often poke fun gently at Cas, and has Ash publish them online. Dean always figured The Roadhouse crew drew the short straw there: Dean's been told his "Twitter," run by Charlie, is hilariously sarcastic. Dean doesn't go reading Cas's stuff, but he hears enough about what ticks Cas off.

So Dean has a good idea of some of the things Cas doesn't want out of religion, now, but no clue what it is he's looking for. Whatever it is, he seems to be stretching far to find it. The first churches were bigger than this… Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist… but this place and the last have been 'Community Churches' with overly peppy names, and Cas was frustrated and withdrawn after last time, too.

"You don't have to do this, Dean." The words conflict with the way Cas has his eyes fixed on Dean over the top of the car, the way he's staring at Dean like he's somehow amazing and kind for not just abandoning him to deal with his faith issues alone, and now Dean does feel like an asshole for ignoring how much this has been bothering Cas. It's not just research, to him. Dean's used to religion being miserable and frustrating, so maybe he didn't put enough thought into how bad that has to be for Cas, for whom it used to mean everything. Cas probably could have done with Dean getting involved a while back.

"I don't have to do crap, but I want to and I'm already dressed up today. So hand me Jimmy, get the bag yourself, and show me what the hell we're doing here. Let's case this joint."

Castiel ducks his head to hide a smile of amusement, passing over Jimmy in his seat to Dean as well once he rounds the car, leaving him carrying the twins per his request. Dean would rather watch Cas at work here, try and see what he sees, and figures it'll be easier if he's got the kids and doesn't have to interact as much with others. He falls in beside Cas, as Castiel gestures at the building and the playground sequestered safely in a small fenced area outside, foam chips over grating to keep the ash from building up. "Personally, the first thing I'm looking for is a place for children. Youth services, Sunday school, a nursery. Any church that doesn't look to the children or value them misunderstands scripture."

Dean agreed awhile back that Cas could raise their kids Christian if he wanted to: it's not like religion inherently bothers Dean, he just doesn't care about it or believe in it. His Mom had been Christian, though, as he told Cas on the day they met over John's last rites. He doesn't know what denomination or anything, but he remembers enough to know she had some kind of faith. "So, kids. Check. I mean, I get that for the practical aspect for you and the kids… no sense joining a church with the kids if they don't do kids…"

Castiel smiles and leads the way towards the church. It's been a while now since Dean's seen Castiel like this, quietly teaching, assured in his understanding of something. He's not confident in what he's doing, but he's confident in his knowledge. "Practical, but it's also about faith. 'Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.'" Cas can still drop scripture from memory even now, years after he walked away from the church, but he doesn't do it in normal conversation and they widely skirt religion in day to day conversation, even with Cas apparently taking on churches for their Omega beliefs. This isn't really a surprise though, the reverential way he talks about kids fits everything Dean knows about him: Dean's pretty sure loving kids is just an aspect of Cas, but he built it into his understanding of the world. "Children are not an inconvenience to church, or an interruption to faith. They're gifts from God, meant to be cherished, protected, and elevated, and any church worth belonging to will recognize that. A church without regard for children will rarely hold appropriate regard for others, either."

Well that sounds a hell of a lot like a priest, that's for sure. Running his tongue over his teeth, Dean's silent a shade too long as they trek their way across the lot, and Cas turns slightly, arching a brow at him knowingly until Dean gives in to the silent prodding and asks his question. "So those stories about priests and kids…"

Castiel's jaw bunches, and he looks away, tension settling in his shoulders that Dean really didn't want to put there. "Religions are formed from the people, and there are good and bad people in each. For those who'd abuse their station that way … 'If anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.' A sentiment I agree with entirely."

Dean huffs a bitter laugh, nodding slightly. "Kind of Old Testament, but I can get behind that."

"That's all New Testament, actually. First book of it, Matthew."

"Kinda brutal for New Testament, isn't it?"

"Perhaps. But…" Castiel cants a head at his husband, eyes narrowing slightly, and considers him for a long moment. "Dean, I was a Jesuit priest and beyond that a military chaplain."

And he leaves it there like that should make everything make sense. And maybe it does, kind of, taking in Henriksen's words in court about Cas's order being called the 'soldiers of God,' and about Cas's time in the military. Cas probably has more in common with crusaders than the pacifist turn the other cheek crowd. Maybe that reflected in his religion, and wasn't just a manifestation of his personality. So Dean shrugs it off, watching as Cas lets himself be approached by a woman in a floral dress with a program in her hands and a too-wide smile on her face for the newcomers.

Dean hates that. It gives him Stepford vibes, like they're trying too hard to prove they're the Godliest Christians of all, especially since after a cursory glance at him and a smile for the twins in their seats like she's tallying up potential growth for their church, she ignores Dean entirely. He has to remind himself that was the goal this time, and he's standing back on purpose, because it instinctively bothers him to be dismissed and he's not used to Cas being the outgoing one in social situations.

Not that Cas is necessarily being outgoing. Inquisitive might be a better word, grilling the woman politely, but every question reveals a little more of his knowledge of faith, and her smile only widens. She might not know his story, but she is pretty sure she's found a True Believer. Maybe there's some kind of signing bonus for recruiters, and she wants the prize. Dean's cynical enough to believe it, especially when she rests a hand on Cas's elbow, leading him inside and leaving Dean to trudge after them.

Dean tries to scowl a hole between her shoulder blades, but shakes off Cas's over-the-shoulder look of apology and worry, and blanks his expression when she turns to face Dean abruptly. "We have an infant care room upstairs, that overlooks the auditorium. It's soundproofed, but equipped with speakers to allow the room to listen to the sermon. There's also a volunteer-run nursery if you'd prefer to keep your Omega with you…"

She's talking to Cas. She's looking at Dean, but still talking to Castiel, and it's a wonder they can't hear his teeth grinding.

"Thank you." Castiel responds blandly, and he steps towards Dean, turning to face her at Dean's side, hand spreading across the small of Dean's back and as little space as he can manage between them with them loaded up like pack mules for hauling the twins around. "My husband and I will watch from upstairs then, to get a feel for the service."

Cas doesn't wait to see how the dismissal will go over, plucking the handle of Mary's car seat out of Dean's hands for himself, and marching up the stairs. Dean, for his part, lingers just long enough to let Cas get a few steps ahead, and to flash an infuriating grin at the flabbergasted greeter and a cheeky wink. "Thanks for the tour, sweetheart."

Okay, so that at least was fun. Cas is picking up Dean's more contrary habits, and putting his own deadpan spin on them. Score another point of attractiveness for his own personal Doctor Sexy: Dean's daily reminder that the man he loves is probably just as much of a convention-flaunting asshole as Dean is, in his way. A fact he cheerily shares with Cas as soon as he's up the stairs. "You're kind of a dick."

Cas doesn't pause in unstrapping Mary from her carseat. "As I said, all have good and bad people, and apparently insufferably tedious people, as well. Also, you enjoyed that."

No sense denying that. Dean flashes him a grin that softens when Cas immediately drops down onto the floor with their daughter in his lap, forgoing the empty pew in the center of the cry room for a space among toys in the children's area to the side. Cas works harder at being a father than Dean does, it just kind of comes to Dean. In result Cas dotes on their children, and is probably going to spoil them rotten, and Dean can't even bitch about it because Cas is just as devoted to him.

Unstrapping Jimmy, Dean settles beside Cas on the floor, amused as he watches Cas pull out sanitizing wipes from the diaper bag to clean some of the toys before giving them to Mary and Jimmy, unflinching when Jimmy immediately throws his toy food, the wooden broccoli bouncing off of his arm. "That's my boy. C'mon, they gotta have some wooden burgers around here for you to gnaw on… So, you wanna hand Mary over to me so you can watch?"

Cas blinks, looking up from his task, as if surprised Dean made the offer, and every time Cas seems grateful for Dean facilitating the religious stuff, Dean feels even more like a jerk for the past. In the church below them, the congregation raises their voices in song. "Thank you, Dean, but… I can see from here. If you can hand me one of the hymnals from the seats, though, I would appreciate it."

"This is my Father's world, O let me ne'er forget that though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet." Dean's pretty sure he and this place aren't going to agree on 'wrong,' but Cas is the expert here and he's going to sit back and let Castiel do his thing.

The entire front wall of the room seems to be glass, looking down over a church that has a lot more in common with a school auditorium than the stained glass and sweeping architecture of the churches Cas used to take comfort in. It's got all the charm and personality of an airport, and Dean kind of wants Cas to call it quits on this place already. It just doesn't feel right for Cas, between the encounter with the greeter and the bland setting and the foreboding lyrics. Hooking a hardcover book from the pew beside him, Dean passes it over to Cas, who shifts Mary to sit with her back to his stomach, palm braced against her belly until she's steady, grabbing for toys herself and immediately shoving them in her mouth, curious green eyes taking in their new surroundings. Jimmy squirms in Dean's lap until he releases him to low-crawling to try and steal his own, and Mary seems to be torn between exploring with her brother and getting her attention from one of her fathers. Cas lets her gum one of his knuckles as she considers it, both her hands clutching one of his, his thumb stroking her cheek as he balances the book against his other knee, so he can turn the pages without her grabbing it.

Below them, Buddy Boyle steps up behind the pulpit, and Castiel turns half an ear toward him, still focused more on skimming their teachings.

Dean stretches out along the floor to block the twins from venturing towards a Lego set that has "choking hazard" all over it, idly moving toys they'd like into their line of sight and directing their attention as he keeps most of his on Cas. If he's going to do this then damnit he's not going to half-ass it. Even if this is the only time he goes with Cas to this crap, he sort of owes it to Cas now to know what's going on, because he gets the feeling Cas's abbreviated versions were to shelter him. "So what rules a place out for you. What ruled out the last places? Me?"

Cas inclines his head slightly, agreeing with that grudgingly, and answers slowly. "Two of them maintained that the Bible refers only to man and woman in marriage, and further cited Leviticus and other out of context pieces of scripture to support intolerance towards Omega males."

About what Dean expected. It's the argument he's most used to dismantling. "So okay, that's two. What about the other places."

Castiel turns a page in the book on his knee, still watching their children out of the corner of his eye as Mary's curiosity gets the better of her, and she rocks forward to go after the toys. "The last community church I was asked to leave for pointing out to the greeter that I found it unlikely that the only path into Heaven was accepting Jesus as your personal savior, as that condemned all non-Christian religions in the world to Hell, regardless of morality, merit, compassion or selflessness of the individuals. When he adamantly defended that doctrine against all other cultures mentioned, I cited scripture and further pointed out that Jesus was, himself, Jewish and 'did not come to comdemn the world, but to save it.' There were intolerant commentaries made, and it turned out the greeter I was debating with was the pastor's younger brother."

Dean narrows his eyes, watching Castiel closely, aware that Cas is deliberately not looking at him. From that response he gets two things Cas is clearly not saying: first, that he picked an argument before the sermon began but never called Dean to pick him up. He just waited until he wouldn't be interrupting Dean, until Dean was coming back anyway. Also, he's apparently graduated past just focusing on treatment of Omegas, and is also picking fights with potential churches for himself that argue that even a good person who doesn't believe in God or Jesus or religion are going to hell… and Dean would put money on the fact that he had a certain atheist in mind, too.

"Cas…"

"I am not going to raise our children in a church that condemns their father, regardless of their excuses for it, nor will I support religious intolerance when discussing it."

Castiel believes. His damaged faith has greatly repaired… and as ironic as it may seem, his strength of conviction is largely because he sees God's work in bringing him together with a stubbornly atheistic but inherently good Omega. They aren't together so he can prosthelytize to Dean, attempt to convert him into his faith by hook or by crook, but because they compliment each other regardless of faith. If a church teaches that it's a sin for him to love Dean, or that Dean is damned by circumstances of his birth, then the church is wrong: not God, who is love, and who created Dean to be the man he is.

Jaw bunched, shoulders tense, head ducked down and eyes narrowed, Castiel is prepared to bullheadedly argue any response Dean has to that, or maybe he's just ready to pick a fight here with this church based on their teachings. He's been coming into these places armed with only his conviction and his evolving theology, with about the air of wariness and distrust Dean takes into every interview. And he's been doing it on his own.

Dean registers Cas's surprise when he surges back to a seated position, and when instead of an argument he's being kissed before he can really guess Dean's intention. Kissing him back is immediate, soft and tender, his hand cupping Dean's cheek. It's brief, just a press of lips, but it's genuine.

They have their issues, and Cas is a stubborn sentimental fool, and Dean doesn't understand half of this religious crap, but he wouldn't trade Cas for anything.

Someone clears their throat in the open doorway.

Castiel sighs against Dean's lips, forehead to his for a moment, and when he drops his hand Dean turns to their children, gathering them into his arms as Castiel pushes himself to his feet. He carefully sets the hymnal down on a pew before facing the greeter and a taller man, his blonde hair perfectly tamed, black suit and tie entirely nondescript, hands folded and face disapproving as he meets Castiel's gaze unflinchingly.

"Castiel Winchester, I presume? My name is Adam Bartholomew, I believe you've already met my wife." Cas doesn't seem taken aback by being recognized, and that's a little surprising to Dean: he's gotten used to being spotlighted, but Castiel has done his best to keep himself and the kids out of the news. Just how many waves has Cas been causing on the church side of this? "I had been told you were causing trouble at churches within our community, Mister Winchester."

"Doctor." Castiel corrects tonelessly, and Dean smirks at the rejoinder, Mary tucked in the crook of one arm, Jimmy in the other as he stands to join the conversation. Together like this with their children blinking huge green eyes at the strangers, Cas professorial in pleated slacks and tweed, Dean still in his dress shirt, tie and suit pants from the interview, they probably look like the least threatening disturbers of peace ever.

"I'm Mister Winchester. He's right, if you're about to start in on us all formal-like, you may as well get the names right."

It's to the guy's credit that he at least responds to Dean directly, as opposed to his wife, who is now trying to pretend he doesn't exist, again. "We are all completely aware of who you are, Dean. You've made South Dakota laughing stock. After this morning's newscast, I find myself unsurprised that this time you're joining your Alpha in making a mockery of faith. Did you need to shorten his leash, to 'control' him?"

That fucking interview, already. Damnit. Of course Cas is going to be the one left dealing with the aftermath of Dean mouthing off. Castiel rests a hand on his elbow, standing Dean down before he can make a fight of this, head cocked to the side and eyes narrowed slightly. "I don't believe my husband invited you to refer to him by his first name, and you know absolutely nothing about our relationship. I assume you've been asked to escort us from the church, and sent to do so while your congregation is distracted by the service, to ensure we don't in some way influence them. I'm happy to comply."

Happy to comply? Dean shoots a look at Castiel, annoyed at how passive he's seeming, and gets an unreadable blank expression back in return. They lock eyes long enough for Dean to get the point, if not the reason, and he turns back to Bartholomew with his own mask in place, a teeth-baring smile.

"Good." Bartholomew stands aside at the door, gesturing his wife back down the steps, and keeps his eyes on Dean with an intensity that sets off all of Dean's creep alarms, even with the wife in the room. "I believe you know where we stand on the subject now."

"It is abundantly clear." Castiel agrees amiably, eyes fixed on the Alpha staring at his husband even as he hooks the diaper bag back onto his shoulder, reaching out to accept one of the twins from Dean. "Your teachings are inherently hypocritical."

"Inherently…" The guy's wife splutters, stopped on the stairs to scowl at Cas, the insipid smiles now gone. "You're wrong."

"Am I?" Dean has to hand it to Cas, being able to blank his expression like that makes his calm demeanor a lot more disquieting. "Your sermons explain that marriage is sanctified only between a man and a woman, and further that God intends that marriage is for the upbringing of children." Cas turns away as he buckles Jimmy back into his car seat, pressing a kiss to his son's forehead before straightening again, spearing them with a stare. "You are married. How many children do you have of your own, ma'am?"

She flinches, even Dean blinks at the ruthlessness of the low blow, and the Alphas in the room square off again, Cas hoisting one of the car seats and leaving the other to Dean, eyes locked on Bartholomew.

"So as we said, I'm happy to take my family from here. I find the rabid pursuit of intolerance under a thin veneer of spirituality to be overdone. Dean…?"

Dean tips his chin in a nod, picking up Mary's seat and starting towards the door. He makes it past them both on the stairs, but Cas is stopped, Bartholomew blocking him at the door. From the foot of the stairs, Dean misses the first volley, but Castiel's grave response makes it down to him.

"Regardless of how your church has perverted the word of God, I'm fairly certain some segments remains the same." Dean swears he can feel the righteous fury rolling off of Cas, the tension between the two men on the stairs palpable. "Isaiah 1:17 and Psalm 82:3: 'learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed.' Jeremiah 21:12, 'administer justice every morning; rescue from the hand of the oppressor the one who has been robbed, or My wrath will break out and burn like fire because of the evil you have done—burn with no one to quench it.' Do not presume to tell me that I am betraying my faith by supporting my husband in his cause."

Cas definitely doesn't look the part of a meek, pious priest anymore, if he ever did. He's not shepherd to a flock, he's the protector at the gate, a shield of God as a carefully preserved inscription from Jimmy proclaimed within a destroyed Bible. Some use their faith to attack, to harm, and Cas pushes back just as hard in defense.

Cas marches when he's pissed, straight backed and steps ringing in the foyer as the singing starts again within the church, and Dean holds the door for him as they exit. Once the kids are settled back into the Impala, Cas drops into his seat, chin on his fist, scowling out the window angrily as Dean starts the car up with a roar of engine that seems out of place in the church parking lot, but entirely appropriate for Cas's mood.

"It always like that?" Dean finally asks, once they're clear of the church and on their way home. He turns the music on for their children just in case things get heated, drowning out the conversation for them with a version of Enter Sandman that sounds like it should be played by a music box.

"Not always, and not usually so quickly." Cas concedes, slowly loosening up enough to reply. Dean's usually pretty good at that, coaxing Cas into conversation again. When Cas steals his hand at a stoplight, squeezing his fingers gently, Dean doesn't pull away immediately. "I'm sorry about that. You're more recognizable than I am. An Alpha alone draws less attention, and contrary to their portrayal of my actions, I try not to be disruptive. People are also quicker to reveal their bigotry when confronted with the target of it."

"You got nothin' to be sorry for, Cas." He has to take his hand back to drive, but at least now the tension in the car has eased, Cas tabling his anger for later. "You gonna write this up, then?" Cas nods, looking out the window again.

"Unless you'd rather I didn't, then yes." There's a moment's hesitation, and Cas begins again. "Jo, Ash and Charlie have informed me that the posts where I mention you have the widest reach and most impact."

"You talk about me, too?" Dean really should have been reading this crap, clearly. Who the hell knows what Cas has said. Castiel, for his part, rolls his eyes and shoots Dean a look that makes it entirely clear how ridiculous he finds that question.

"Obviously, Dean. I thought you realized. You are a rather significant part of my life, to say the least. …Did you want me to stop writing about you? I can skip this month's, or find another church to…"

"No, it's okay. You write whatever the hell you wanna. Just, y'know. Try to make me sound like less of an asshole?" Dean drums his fingers on the steering wheel, unconsciously adding the percussion that the lullaby versions of his favorite songs are missing, as he thinks. "Lemme read it before you shoot it off to Jo? Kinda curious."

Which is how he ends up folded in the couch with his back to Cas's chest and Castiel's laptop on his knees once the kids are down for the night, arguing in footnotes with his husband, who is stupidly self-deprecating, adding sarcastic descriptions in brackets that make Cas laugh, and taking a paragraph below to address the stupid interview, to which Castiel adds his own commentary, as the apparently poor and 'controlled' Alpha mate to a 'radical Omega.'

Maybe it won't become a regular thing—Dean doesn't have the patience for the church stuff, and it's guaranteed that he'll end up saying something insensitive about it eventually if he keeps going with Cas—but if nothing else he'll pick up reading it. He can't ignore this about Cas just because it makes him uncomfortable.

But he's sure as hell not admitting to Bobby he was right, tomorrow at the garage.