Crowley woke in a better mood, although he was still drooling puddles. His cheeks weren't as red and he wasn't as warm. He also managed to eat most of his lunch. He was playing happily around the table as Dean, Sam and Cas had another go at translating the parchment. Dean looked down just as the minute hell dweller was weaving his way through the chairs and table legs.
"Careful there Fergus, you're gonna bonk your head." Dean warned just as Crowley tried to stand up under the table, successfully bashing his head against the underneath.
He let out an ear piercing scream, exhaling so long Dean was worried the little guy was going to pass out.
"Okay dude, breathe, breathe." He said as he picked Crowley up.
He gently blew a breath into Crowleys screaming face in the hopes he would shock him into inhaling. Fortunately Crowleys lungs emptied of air and he took a large gasping breath in only to release it in another drawn out painful cry.
"Oh, you poor little guy." Dean cuddled him and ran his hand carefully over Crowleys head looking for any bumps.
"Is he okay." Sam asked looking over.
"Yeah, but I think we've found the reason he's been so miserable lately."
"Why?" Sam asked.
"I think he's teething…or horning?" Dean replied.
"He's what?"
"Feel here."
Dean shuffled his chair over a bit as Sam moved Cas to his other knee and leaned over and felt the top of Crowleys head. He gasped when he felt two small, hot bumps on his head.
"He's actually getting horns?" Sam asked.
"Well he has a tail, why not horns?" Dean said with a shrug.
"Poor guy. They must be hurting like hell." Sam said.
"Hehe…hell." Dean chuckled to himself.
"Uh, Ammy?" Cas smacked on Sam's chest to get his attention.
"Yeah Cas?"
"Owley ow?" He asked, pointing to the still sobbing demon on Deans lap.
"Yeah Cas, he's got an ow."
Cas looked over at Crowley and began to squirm in Sam's lap until Sam finally loosened his grip. Cas climbed onto the table and crawled across to where Dean was sitting with Crowley.
"Careful Cas." Dean warned. "We don't need another injury."
Cas just threw Dean a baby bitchface and sat on the table in front of him. He reached out one chubby little hand and touched Crowleys bump with a finger. There was a small glow of blue light then Crowley stopped crying and gasped, a full body shudder running through him as Cas took away his pain. Crowley coo'd happily and leaned back against Deans chest. Cas sat back and smiled. He pointed to Crowley then grinned over his shoulder at Sam.
"Yeah Cas, you fixed him." Sam smiled approvingly.
"Yeah, great job!" Dean said as he held out a fist.
Cas surprisingly understood and bumped his tiny fist against Deans then crawled back to Sam.
…
Sam and Cas continued their translation at the table while Dean distracted Crowley. They sat on the floor and played with the blocks. The little guy was still drooly, but the little bumps on his head were no longer hot and he didn't cry when Dean touched them to check.
The translation was going slowly, even more so than before. And it had nothing to do with Sam having to filter through any possibly meaning of a particular word and more to do with the fact that Cas was watching Crowley like a hawk and had to keep being directed back to the parchment. Eventually Sam just let Cas wriggle to the floor and go be with the little demon. Any time Crowleys temperature would start rising or he became the slightest bit distressed, Cas would wander over and touch him, allowing a small amount of grace to soothe the demons pain.
They played together for a little while longer, Dean and Sam building block towers and Cas and Crowley delighting in knocking them over. It became a race for the brothers to see how high they could build them before the miniature celestials could knock them over. Eventually Crowley yawned and lay down on the blanket, his chubby little hand gripping a red block while he sucked on his tail, while Castiel entertained himself running around the library and giggling wildly.
"Think we maybe should have bought them some pacifiers?" Sam asked as he stroked Crowley hair.
"Nah, it sets bad habits." Dean replied. "Plus those things are too easy to lose and then where would we be? I mean we lose their cups all the time and those things are huge and bright."
"Fair enough."
Cas finished running his latest crazy circuit of the library then plonked down on the blanket next to Dean.
"Hey Bud, did ya have fun?" Dean asked.
"Yup!" Cas replied just before his belly gave a loud gurgle sound. He slapped his hands on his tummy and looked at the brothers with the cutest expression of shock.
"Hungry Cas?"
"Mmmhuh!" Cas nodded.
"Well, I guess we should feed these guys. Crowley looks about dead on his feet." Sam said.
"He's not the only one." Dean replied with a yawn.
"Are you sure you don't want me to do tonight's night shift?" Sam asked as they quickly pulled together meals for themselves and the toddlers.
"Nah, like I said before, no point us both being sleep deprived." Dean said as he flipped the grilled cheese sandwiches he was making for Cas and Crowley.
"Okay, but if you need some help over night, let me know." Sam offered.
"Will do."
"No you won't." Sam said shaking his head.
"Oh ye of little faith. Trust me. If it gets too bad, I'll dump one or both of them in your bed and lock you in." Dean pointed his spatula at his brother before scooping the toasted sandwiches out of the pan and onto a plate.
…
They got the mini celestial fed, bathed and dressed for bed with minimum fuss. Crowley was still being slightly clingy due to his erupting horns and Cas seemed to understand that and quietly sat with Sam and listened to the younger brother read them a book while Dean went to get changed. Crowley was blinking heavily and Cas had begun to yawn when Dean decided it was time for bed. With Sam's help they carried the toddlers to their room and laid them on the mattress, tucking them in tightly. Crowley had his chubby little fist wrapped tightly around his tail and snuggled down into the blankets, his other hand playing with the small mound on his head that would eventually be a horn. Cas insisted on three cuddles from Sam and wrapped his little arms around his neck and squeezed with all the strength he had, which for a baby angel was quite a bit. Sam eventually managed to extricate himself and after bidding Dean a good night, he left the room, switching the light off as he went.
Dean was awoken a few hours later by Crowley whimpering in the dark. He clicked on the lamp and went to check on the hell spawn. Crowley was sweating slightly and pulling at the hair around his erupting horn. He looked up at Dean with sad, watery eyes.
"Come on little man." Dean said holding out his arms.
Crowley scrambled up and clambered into Deans lap. He snuggled down and pressed his face against Deans chest. A small hand patted Deans arm.
"Dee?"
"Yeah Cas?" Dean asked looking at the little Angel.
"Owley, owie?"
"Yeah he is, Cas. His horns are hurting him again." Dean explained.
Cas nodded and looked thoughtfully at the tiny demon nestled in Deans arms. He looked at Dean and held up his finger, a small blue ball of grace glowing around its tip. Dean chuckled.
"Sure E.T., go right ahead. I'm pretty sure Fergus here isn't going to complain."
Cas frowned at Dean, tilting his head to the side.
"Nothing Cas. It's a pop culture thing. I'll show you tomorrow."
Cas seemed happy with Deans answer and touched Crowley on the hand. Crowley took in a shuddering breath and then relaxed in Deans arms. Dean could feel his temperature drop down to the normal, slightly warmer than a regular human, level he usually runs at.
"Better dude?" Dean asked, pushing Crowleys sweaty hair away from his now dry forehead.
"Uh-huh." Crowley replied nodding against Deans chest and drawing his tail up into his mouth again.
"Hmm, maybe we should have got you guys pacifiers like Sam said." Dean pondered. "Anyway, back to sleep guys."
Crowley whined and gripped Dean tighter the middle when he moved to lay the little demon down. Not wanting to spend another sleepless nights with a screaming Crowley he moved back to his own mattress.
"Okay Fergus, chill. You can sleep with me tonight."
Dean switched off the lamp and lay back down, holding Crowley gently in his arms. He felt the mattress move as Cas squirmed in beside them.
"You too huh? Okay, let's make it a slumber party." Dean smiled as he stretched out his arm and wrapped it around Castiels small form.
They all settled down and it wasn't long before all three were sleeping soundly again.
…