Cas is trying to read but Dean is such a distraction

Winter Stars

"You know as well as I do that telling him to stop isn’t going to do much good," Dean says sadly as he collapses with a huff onto the couch outside the training room. He’s sweating and feeling exhausted after a session with the robots. They’re depowered now, void face tilted to the floor.

"I hate them," he says lowly then gets up to head up to leave the training area. It used to be one of Dean’s favorite places, now he cannot stand it. "Come on, lets go have shower sex."

He grins and swats Cas with his towel then waits for him to catch up before they take the elevator up to their apartment. “Maybe we can figure out a way to deactivate all of them, or get a virus in them that makes them self destruct.”

Dean looks up at the camera in the corner of the elevator. “Probably shouldn’t say that too loud, they’ll come drag me from my bed for treason.”

It’s a joke but the police force is already using them and Dean fears they’ve already fallen into the hands of bullies that are going to use them to torment the weaker. This isn’t what he wanted, this was supposed to be a better time.

He looks at the human shaped hunk of metal and tightens his fists.  They make him nervous.  They learn from them and can share that information with other units.  They're more efficient than HYDRA could have ever hoped he could be.  For one, they didn't need to sleep or eat.  They were perfect.  Wouldn't disobey orders.

He jumps as he's swatted with the towel and scowls at Dean.  "You know I'm not good enough to cook something like that up.  I'm just an amateur."

"HYDRA could get a hold of them so easily.  Or they could learn and rebel.  These, these Ultrons aren't going to help us, Dean.  They're going to replace us.  Maybe even replace the human race if Tony doesn't get this right."  It's the most cynical kind of thinking, but Cas found it so easy to fall into that headspace.

Cas shakes his head and heads into the apartment.  He's not really in the mood since all he can think about is the potential threat the robots are.  He needs to talk to Pepper.  Maybe she'll talk some sense into Tony.  After all, this can't be a profitable venture for Stark Industries.

He strips out of his clothes as he heads to the bathroom and looks back to Dean.  Cas gives him a wink and a playful smile.  He figures he may as well forget about all of the robot stuff.  It's easier to just have fun with his boyfriend while they still can.

"You're going to regret asking for shower sex.  We're not even going to get clean," he says with a laugh and gets the water going and heated up.

Winter Stars

Dean could get used to this, driving across country with Cas, the dog in the back seat, sleeping peacefully. He feels like he’s in one of those super deep coming of age films that Charlie makes him watch and he pretends not to like. It’s like he’s on the cusp of something great yet intangible. Or maybe that’s just the excited feeling people get when they’re in love and everything is working out.

It’s business as usual when they get back to New York. They train, they visit kids in the hospital, they do missions to take out sleeper cells of HYDRA operatives. Dean and Cas work well together, so much that they rarely need much in the way of a support team.

The interviews are more supportive. They ask Dean when they’re getting married, how tough was life when being gay was illegal. Now he doesn’t mind answering the questions, even if he still hates press junkets.

When he’s not training or doing missions Dean draws and when he gets bored with that he watches Tony work on a new robot that will be used in case something like the Battle of New York happens again. They need an Army, one without a pulse, so that human lives are not lost.

The robot troubles Dean. He doesn’t like that it’s being taught to think for itself. Sure, he gets that it should be able to remember what it has fought in the past and being able to share that with the other robots so they can fight seems like a good idea. Robots were not human, they didn’t have a setting for mercy, though Tony assures him that’s in the works.

He goes along with it, since ultimately he has no other choice and he trusts Tony to do the right thing.

In the time since their return from DC, they've moved in together and share an apartment to just make things easier.  It's not like he really minded anyways.  He liked staying with Dean and this way, he didn't have to go back down to his apartment for a change of clothes.  Stark seems pretty alright with the change too.

He's gotten better at doing interviews too, even if he still hates them.  They've gotten a little easier to handle though.  A little easier to just keep talking and keeping on topic and avoiding all the pitfalls and traps of the interviews.  He can almost say he's as good as Dean now.  Though he knows Captain America will always be the media's favorite and laughs every time they assume that he's the one getting fucked.  He won't give away any personal information like that though.

Thankfully, outside of all the interviews and press conferences, they've fallen back into a rhythm.  Cas still has those shaky moments with flashbacks, but he doesn't freak out anymore.  He just goes quiet and then waits them out.  If Dean wants to talk about them, he will.  It helps him get over them.  And if Dean isn't there, he goes to run some laps through the gym or for a training session in the danger room.

It's after one of these training sessions that Cas hears about Tony's latest projects and he shakes his head.  "I don't like the sound of those robots.  It's more or less a cheap way of mass producing Winter Soldiers."  He wipes the sweat off of his brow and takes a drink of his orange juice.  "You should tell him to stop.  Or he might get us killed someday."

Winter Stars

Dean laughs too when he sees that they’ve drawn the same style. “Hey, when we’re sick of saving everyone’s asses we can just draw for kids cartoons,” he suggests with a wide grin. That would be more in line with what he wanted to do back in the thirties than what he does now anyway.

When he sees that Cas is starting a new sketch he turns the page and starts a more realistic one as well. “I don’t think the wax is what they’re going after. They like the honey and they get just enough protein from the bees. Can’t imagine they notice the stings or that they hurt too much or else they’d find something else to eat.”

Once they’re both finished Dean heads over to the lions and finds another bench for them to sit on. The lion is sleeping and his mate is sitting practically on top of him, licking her paw. That will make for a good drawing but Dean takes a picture with his phone just in case they move.

"If you get sick of this let me know, I can always go for another art museum or laying around in bed. You just know we’re going to have to hit the training hard again when we get back to New York."

Dean goes for realism again but he quickly flips back to the cartoon bear and draws a cartoony version of the lions as well. “They’ve been going soft on us, as soon as they see we’re doing well they’re not going to be so relaxed.”

As he follows Dean tot he lion exhibit, Cas is still thinking about Dean's idea.  That they could retire and draw childrens cartoons. Hell he'd settle for comic strips, but cartoons.  That's a lot of work.  He wants to try it though, but they'd have to get someone else to write the story.  Cas was never that good at writing stories, fiction or non-fiction.

Looking at the lions, Cas sits down next to Dean and smiles.  "Hey, I like drawing too, so don't think I'm going to get bored now."  Like Dean, he takes a picture of the ridiculous felines and then sends the picture to Jo and Charlie, knowing they'll like it.

"I'm going to miss all the fast food we ate out here.  Never had food quite like that back in the day, am I right?  Everything was boiled and kinda bland.  Your mom somehow managed to make everything taste so good though.  I remember her meatloaf.  I'd beg you to invite me over on those nights."  Cas laughs softly at the memory.

Dean has a point though and as much as Cas hates to admit it, he has to give up all the good food for fighting ability.  Though there's no convincing him to stop buying all the ice cream without Pepper's permission.  "I hope Rumlow never sees the light of day again.  I don't remember everything, but I know I've worked with him before.  Bastard's insane."

Cas attempts to draw the lions when he realizes he's just been staring at them this whole time.  He goes for cartoony again and keeps the female sitting and grooming on top of the dozing male.  He finds it pretty funny and cute.

They spend most of the day at the zoo and have another fancy dinner that goes much better than the first night.  And they spend the night touching and curled up in one another.  It's a good last day and night to their brief vacation.  But the next morning sees them leaving for New York with Stark dozing in the back seat of the Impala and Cas attempting to use a drawing app on his phone.

Winter Stars

"Actually I have an otter," Dean says as they head towards the sun bears. "Well, technically we all do. A litter of six was born right after the battle of New York and the aquarium named them after the Avengers. They have something on the internet where you can watch them all the time. It’s a good way to pretend your paying attention to your computer."

They stop and Dean leans against the handrail. He laughs politely at the terrible joke then looks at the placard. “They’re also called honey bears because they mostly eat honeycombs. They’re real life Winnie-the-Pooh bears.” He smiles widely and pulls out the sketchpad to balance it on the railing.

"Speed draw," he announces as he pulls out a pencil. "May the best bear win."

Dean waits until Cas has situated himself with his own. “Five minutes, okay?” As soon as Cas is ready he says go then starts furiously drawing. His drawing isn’t serious. It’s another cartoon bear, this time holding a honey comb in one paw while honey drips off his other paw. There are angry bees flying over his head.

He steals looks to his watch occasionally until it’s been five minutes and he calls time and holds up his sketchpad for Cas to look at.

He won't admit it, but he is a little jealous that the Avengers each have an otter named after them.  That sounds kind of fun, actually.  He bets the ones named after Charlie and Jo are always holding hands.

He smirks at the speed draw challenge and pulls out his book and pencil to get ready.  When Dean gives the signal to start, he starts putting down lines as quickly and neatly as he can.

The bear he's drawing looks like it came straight out of a cartoon.  It's standing upright on stubby hind legs and it wearing a shirt.  The bear has a look of concentration on its face with its tongue sticking out and one paw holding a honey pot.  The other paw is reaching into the honey pot and obviously trying to scoop some of the goop out.

"I blame you," he speaks up when Dean calls time.  He raises his drawing to show his rendition of Winnie the Pooh and nearly bursts out laughing when he sees that Dean had gone down the same path.  "Yeah, I definitely blame you."

Cas flips the page and starts drawing the bear again, but more realistically.  His attempt at drawing a honey comb isn't too great, but the bear is happily eating the poor drawn food in his sketch.  "I wonder what bee's wax tastes like.  I imagine it can't be too tasty.  But the bee larvae are probably worth it for the bear.  And the stings.  Ouch."

Winter Stars

"Some superspy you are," Dean teases as he glances over at the sketchpad Cas is using. "You’re as bad as the people that think they’re being sneaky when they’re taking pictures of us. No one uses their phone completely vertical."

He laughs at Cas’ complaint then leans back to stretch before going back to the drawing. “I don’t think they would have let you go for seventy years. Fifty tops.”

He cranes his neck to look at Cas’ sketchpad. It’s an excellent likeness but Dean always thought they were at the top of their game when they were drawing each other.  He picks up one of the smaller books and does a rough sketch of a very cartoony panda with a metal arm, brandishing a bit of bamboo like a Kung Fu staff.

"Think this has already been done," he says sadly as he shows Cas. "At least I’m pretty sure I’ve seen the hospital kids watching a cartoon about a panda that does martial arts." He sighs, he might be good at drawing Cas but comics were his first love. "Pretty cute though."

Dean puts the small pad down and goes back to his charcoal of the pandas. It looks pretty good if he’s going to be honest with himself. “Lets go see the sun bear,” he says as he’s putting the finishing touches on the panda. “Or you pick this time. We have all day.”

He frowns as he's caught by Dean, but Cas continues to draw anyways and does his best to ignore the heat he feels in his cheeks.  "Yeah, well, no one taught me how to draw like a superspy.  Just, yknow, shoot shit," he mumbles and adds the little details to Dean's freckles and hair.  He loves how it shines in the light sometimes.

Cas looks up at Dean's drawing of a panda and nods.  "Yeah, that's Kung Fu Panda.  Saw that once with Jo.  Never really got it back then, but I guess it's something kids would like."

It takes him a moment to remember all of the characters, but Cas steadily starts to sketch them out and the team of the Fearsome Five starts to come to life on paper.  Luckily, he's always loved drawing cartoons, so this comes a little more easily to him than portraits.  He then points out the tiger, snake, monkey, crane, and praying mantis that made up this strange team led by an obese panda.

"Sun bears sound charming.  We can go look at them first and then I want to go see the lions.  I bet there's one named after you.  There was probably a runt and they weren't sure it was gonna make it, but it did and it eventually became the biggest male lion.  I bet there's a lion like that around here somewhere."

He's joking, of course, but it sure would be funny to find a lion named after his boyfriend.

Cas puts his pencils and sketchbook away as he gets up off the bench and Stark's already up, looking up at him expectantly.  He smiles and bends over to give Stark a scratch behind the ears before looking for the nearest zoo map and figuring out which way to go for the sun bears.  Figures they'd be nearby though.

When they arrive at the sun bear exhibit, Cas is amused to find the dark furred bears sunning themselves.  "So, are they called sun bears because of their awesome tans?"

Winter Stars

Dean laughs at the purposely bad stick figure Cas shows him and nods. “Yeah, we might need to start from square one. I don’t think you’re ready to learn a new style.”

He gathers up their stuff and heads out of the train to follow Cas up the escalator to the street level. There are more tourists now, obviously intent on getting to the zoo like they are since there isn’t much out here. Dean has to laugh at the way Cas moves so purposefully, like getting to the exhibit he mentioned is his only mission.

They take residence on the park bench across from the exhibit. It’s a little far away but they can see the pandas sitting on their rumps and eating bamboo, being lazy in the early morning chill. “They’re really adorable,” Dean says as he gets one of the larger sketch pads out and places it across his thighs.

The pandas are not really doing much but that just makes them easier to draw. He uses charcoal to draw the animals which makes him have to use negative space since there is a great deal of white on them. This is the challenge he likes.

"When I put the charcoal over my eyes, I look like them," he says with a little laugh as they sit down on the bench.  Like Dean, he takes out his sketchpad too and a couple of pencils.

Cas starts off sketching a cartoony looking panda eating a big piece of bamboo with his new pencil, trying to get a feel for it.  Once he feels more comfortable, he looks down at Stark and draws a simple sketch of his puppy, lying down and looking relaxed and yet alert.

He looks over Dean's shoulder to get a look at Dean's drawing and then looks back down at his.  The difference in their skill levels is obvious, but he keeps trying to draw the way Stark's ear's stick up and the patch of black fur on his back.  He has to keep trying, because he'll never get any better if he just gives up.

But the former assassin switches his subject again and this time focuses on Dean.  He's trying to stealthily draw him without the other noticing so maybe he's holding his sketchpad at an uncomfortable angle.  Not that his metal wrist will complain.  It's locked in place and steady until he wants to move it.  Tony still drove himself nuts over how the Soviets managed to make an arm so sophisticated before he could.

"Drawing's hard," he complains, though the smile he's wearing makes it obvious that he's still enjoying himself while adding little details to Dean's hair in his drawing.  "Worth it though.  Just wish I didn't miss seventy years worth of art school."

Winter Stars

Dean peruses the aisles of art supplies slowly, liking that it’s not busy and he can look at everything without rushing or people getting in the way. He is carrying one of the baskets and any time he sees something even remotely useful for himself or Cas the item goes in. Money isn’t an issue and this is something they can do together, they should go all out.

He’s got pastels and good colored pencils, some oils for later and what Tony would refer to as ‘a metric fuck ton’ of brushes. There are nice quality books of several kinds of paper tucked under his arm. Dean finds Cas on an aisle and holds up the basket. “What do you have? I might have enough for both of us.”

He laughs sheepishly and heads towards the counter to pay, waiting for Cas to deposit his stuff with his before handing over his card. The owner is the one behind the counter and asks for a picture to put up on the wall behind him. Dean looks at the wall, they’re going to be up there with movies stars and the president buying stuff for his kids. To him they’re just a couple of kids that did what they had to do.

Dean throws his arm around Cas’ shoulder and holds him close, smiling widely. He’ll do this here, for the guy with the little shop but he won’t do it for the paparazzi. This made him happy, getting harassed on his way to his car, or trying to let the dog poop is just annoying.

They head out onto the street heading for the metro. It’s a bit busier now than it was in the earlier hours when they started out but Dean just shoulders the massive bag of supplies and guides Cas over to the metro. He loads up his card so they can get around and gives the map a quick glance to make sure he knows which train to take.

"I think I want to draw the pandas," he muses. "Though I bought a lot of color as well so maybe we should go see the birds too."

Cas feels a little guilty making Dean pay for everything, but he did pay for their meal, so it's even.  Sorta.  But he sets down the charcoal pencils he's gotten for himself, thinking he could get fabrics when they're back in New York.

Getting asked for a picture is a little unexpected, but if Dean's alright with it, then he is too.  At least the owner of a local art supply store and his wall of fame can't wreak havoc on their lives like a few misinterpreted paparazzi pics.

He accompanies Dean onto the metro and pets Stark for being so well behaved in the store and on their way here.  He's learned to expect nothing less from the intelligent little corgi, but Stark never really ceases to amaze him.  And he's glad to have a companion like him by his side.

"I'm just looking forward to practicing my drawing skills.  I know I haven't been practicing as much as I should."  Cas takes out his sketchpad and doodles a stick figure on it before showing it to Dean.  "See?  I'm terrible."

He gets a laugh out of his joke and puts away his things again as they arrive at their stop.  This time Cas takes the lead after looking at a map to figure out how get to the zoo.  The weather's chilly, which is to be expected with Winter closing in on them slowly, but the sun's out and everything is pretty nice.

Making their way in through the morning crowd, Cas makes a beeline for the pandas, figuring they have all day to look at the other animals anyways.

The End

Dean barely registers the words Cas speaks to him but the push of his Grace fills in the blanks. Good. Anna Marie was sleeping and the boys were being extra cuddly. He needs this and he’s going to hold Cas to having a big family. Even if he has to use the lame repopulate the world speech.

Not yet though, now he just wants to spend time with his little girl and rebuild a little. Maybe help with the planning. He drifts back off to sleep with his daughter on his chest and his sons on either side of him, not waking up until he hears Cas entering the room with their meal.

Well what he really hears are the boys getting riled up about breakfast in bed. Dean doesn’t have the heart to tell them this was probably intended more for him than them. He doesn’t say anything about that, nor about how he doesn’t want to put Anna Marie down. He’ll look silly and needy if he doesn’t though so he makes her a little nest in between pillows and places here there.

"Thanks for breakfast," he says as he straightens and takes the plate from Cas. "She only cried twice at night. I’m hoping that’s a good sign."

He can’t take his eyes off her. She’s perfect, laying on her stomach with her wings covering most of her body. Anna Marie looks very bit the angel that she is.

"We’re going to have to start figuring out how we’re going to rebuild," Dean says as he stabs at his vegetables. "This the time for a perfect do over. We need to take advantage."

"Robbie and Ike were pretty quiet too.  Guess we're just lucky," he says with a shrug.  Castiel smiles as he looks down at Anna Marie, the tiny fledgling sleeping so peacefully.  She's probably still exhausted from the transition of going between Heaven and Earth.

The boys look at up them as they stuff their faces with the eggs and the dark winged angel arches a brow at them.  "You have angelic knowledge and you still eat like children."  He chuckles and the boys grin but continue to stuff themselves.

He takes his first bite and chews slowly as he thinks about the rebuild effort.  "Well, we have an army.  We'll just focus on getting the infrastructure back in order first.  Then allow the humans to establish their own forms of government again."

"We can't control everything that they do.  You know that better than I do, Dean.  Humans were given free will so that they could use it."  He eats his vegetables, but it's difficult to hide his frown.  "Angels are not supposed to rule over humans.  It will only lead us to folly like Michael and Lucifer.  And I would rather not repeat their mistakes."

Castiel relents a little though and smiles weakly.  "I suppose we could encourage them to make use of cleaner forms of energy.  It would certainly help preserve the planet for future generations to appreciate."

"Heaven itself is damaged though and we need to also make an effort to repair it.  To create a new home for the angels and make sure they have some form of leadership that won't rely entirely on me or you if it isn't absolutely necessary."

Winter Stars

Despite Cas’ teasing about his headgear and sunglasses there are far fewer people giving them a second look as they head out of the hotel. In fact no one gives them a second glance. It’s nice just to be able to get somewhere without being stopped or hearing whispers of ‘is that Captain America’.

The diner is typical, several people eating, either tourists or people on their way to work. Dean takes off his hat and glasses as he sits and nods to the question of coffee when the waitress approaches.

"It was a confidence scam to sell butchured cats and dogs as pigs when meat was scarce," Dean responds looking at Cas over the top of the menu. "But I really hope and doubt that is what they are selling here."

It turns out pig in a poke in this instance is far less nefarious and is just breakfast sausages wrapped in biscuit dough and baked. Dean doesn’t order that though, instead going for the big protein breakfast with just about every breakfast meat and eggs possible. 

"Stuff has been quiet lately," Dean muses, thinking he probably just cursed them to have some great catastrophe happen.

Cas wishes he hadn't asked that question.  Eating cats and dogs?  Tricking people into potentially eating their pet?  The thought makes him feel sick to his stomach.

He takes a deep breath and pushes the thought from his mind.  He needs to eat or his body is going to hate him and he's going to regret it.  It also helps that Stark's laid himself over his feet and is pressing against his legs.  Knowing that his puppy is watching over him makes him relax.

He orders the same breakfast carnivore platter as Dean and sips at the cheap diner coffer while he waits.  It's not a bad brew, but he could make better back in the thirties.

"Too quiet," he says with a little smile and shoots Dean an amused glance.  "I don't mind, but, yeah, it can get boring."

"Knowing us though, things will probably get going again soon.  Who knows?  Maybe Tony will accidentally unleash a robot army on the world."  Cas is joking.  He doesn't really mean what he's saying, but imagining the possibility is really amusing.  "Can't wait."

Their platters arrive in a timely manner and Cas immediately starts digging in, feeling absolutely ravenous.

After their breakfasts, they head to the art store like planned and Cas heads down the aisles, looking at fabrics and pencils alike.  He's not sure if his next art project will be a drawing, a painting, or another doll.  Or maybe all of the above.

The End

Dean watches Cas and the boys wrestle, smiling to himself. While they’re expending their last little bit of energy he paces the room and whispers to Anna Marie that she means the world to him and that he loves her dearly. She’s asleep of course but that doesn’t stop him from talking to her. 

He sits on the edge of the bed and lets Robbie and Ike flank him so they can see their sister again. 

"She’s small," Robbie says, sounding disappointed. 

"She’ll be big soon enough," Dean promises. "You were even smaller, kiddo."

Robbie give his dad a look that clearly relates he doesn’t believe him. Then he realizes that he’s being allowed to sleep in his parents bed and smiles a little. He scoots to the center of the bed and wiggles under the covers next to his papa. Dean puts Anna Marie down next to his youngest son then lays down next to her, Ike to his other side. 

It’s not long before they’re all asleep, after talking about the first thing the want to do when the electricity goes back on. Ike and Robbie want to play Mario Kart. Dean wants to microwave something.

He has to get up twice with Anna, both times heading to Heaven to get her settled and fed. She’s not a fussy baby but she does make her needs known with very loud vocalizations and quiets as soon as she’s satisfied. Dean wants to sleep in but he has a funny feeling that the boys re going to wake him up.

Castiel is amused by everyone's plans for once the electricity come back.  But he has to admit, watching a movie with his family would be nice.  That's the first thing he would want to do.

He wakes up to Anna Marie's cries, but is glad that he's not the one who has to take care of her for the night.  Castiel will take his turn tomorrow, of course, but he's too comfortable and not all that worried about croats for once.  They're gone and they can start making the world a better place now.   There's no guarantee that they'll get everything back to the way it was before, but they can at least get society going again.

When morning comes around, Castiel is wide awake and waiting for Dean to come back from his latest trip to Heaven.  After Dean lands back in bed, Castiel is getting out and smiles at his mate.  "Stay with the kiddos.  I'll bring breakfast up to you guys today."

He heads down and checks on the chickens, feeding them  and gathering their eggs while they're distracted.  Castiel thinks it's his lucky day when he finds three eggs today.  So, of course, he makes omelets.  With fish and veggies and a little bit of the homemade fish sauce.  The apocalypse might be over, but the supermarkets sure as hell aren't up and running just yet.

He takes the plates and their utensils up to the master bedroom and with a little help from his Grace has a pitcher of orange juice and cups too.  Thank Father that oranges still exist in a post apocalyptic world.

Winter Stars

He’s a little embarrassed that he’s been caught watching Cas sleep but at least it appears that Cas doesn’t mind. Dean kisses him back then grins when Cas demands the zoo. 

"Who needs kids when I have you," he grumbles and rolls out of bed to head for the shower. Dean takes a little more time than usualy in the shower, giving time for Cas to wake up more and get his dog fed. Once he’s done he gets dressed, makes coffee, then heads downstairs with Stark so the puppy can relieve himself. 

There are going to be more pictures of him on the internet picking up dog poop than saving the world he thinks as he sees something taking a picture of him. At least he’s setting a good example. Dean chucks the bag in a trash can and heads back inside, sipping his coffee to warm himself from the early morning chill.

"It’s a little frustrating," Dean responds honestly as he sits on the bed. "It will come back to you like anything." He pauses to get Stark’s vest on him. "Breakfast here and then to the art supply store? There’s only the one sketchpad and I kind of want some new stuff anyway." He shoots Cas a sheepish look now that Stark is in his vest.

Dean gets up and rummages through his duffle for a baseball cap and some sunglasses even though it’s chilly outside and the sun isn’t out much. He’s sick of having his picture taken, honestly and just wants to have a quiet day with Cas if he can. 

"You ready?" He asks as he holds Stark’s leash out to Cas.

He appreciates Dean's encouragement and knows that it will probably take a lot of time and patience, as well as practice, to get back to the level of skill he used to have.  If he can ever reach it again.  Or maybe he'll even get better.  "Alright.  Breakfast and then shopping," he agrees easily.

Cas gives Dean an amused looked as he puts on the cap and sunglasses.  "Yes, that will keep your identity a secret," he teases gently, but straightens the baseball cap and presses a quick kiss to Dean's lips.

To humor Dean and his attempt to hide from curious eyes, Cas puts on his sunglasses as well and then takes Stark's leash.  "Come on.  Let's go find us some people food."  He laughs softly and leads the way down to a little diner he remembers passing by yesterday.  He hopes they serve breakfast, but they won't know until they enter.

They seat themselves at a booth and Stark settles down underneath the table.  Cas looks up at the menu posted and arches a brow.  "What's a pig n a poke?" he asks, honestly curious about what sort of food that could be.

The End

He feels stupid for reacting like that, especially when Cas fixes what he could not do himself in mere seconds. Still he’s grateful and shows it by leaning lightly against Cas and pressing a kiss to his temple. “Thanks,” he whispers lowly, “you know how much this means to me.”

The sunlight coming through the window illuminates Anna Marie perfectly. After a few shots of her in the crib he gets Ike and Robbie to sit on the bed and hold her. She starts to wake up and starts pulling a face but settles when Robbie sweetly kisses her head and tells her he loves her. Dean’s heart melts all over again and he has to stop himself from crying when Kevin takes pictures of the family together. 

While Cas is cooking, Dean straightens up and moves some things around so Anna Marie’s nursery is next to their bedroom. Once he’s finished he tucks Anna Marie in the sling he used for both his sons and heads back down to the kitchen. The boys help him set the table then Dean makes coffee. There isn’t much to make this a celebration but he’s going to try. 

It’s so much food that Dean has to remind himself that they’re not in danger of running out. Things were safer now and they could start farming and hunting. He sighs happily, earning him a strange look from the boys. Dean smiles to play it off and adjusts Anna Marie in the sling.

He keeps his infant daughter in her sling against him the entire time he eats, all the way through the desert of coffee that has cooled to room temperature and pineapple drizzled with chocolate. After everyone has had their fill he brings Kevin and the leftovers back to Linda’s place and then heads home. 

"I’m ready for a lie down," he says as he appears back in the kitchen and goes to help Cas with the cleanup. "All of us," Dean adds hopefully, not really thinking that Cas would deny him this. "She’ll need bonding time with her family."

After they finish their dinner and desserts, Castiel works on getting the boys to sit down and read for a couple of minutes while he heads outside to flex his Grace a little and make them some stairs.  It takes more effort than he would like, but at least it'll be easier getting in and out of the house now.

Castiel steps back into the house just in time to see Dean reappear and he smiles.  "Of course, Dean," he agrees and starts on the dishes and general clean up.  He's tired, so lying down in general is an appealing idea.

With the dishes done and the boys  eager to hold their little sister again, Castiel gathers Ike and Robbie in an arm each and totes them up to the master bedroom.  They're laughing the entire way up and Castiel laughs too, glad that his sons haven't completely lost their humanity to the renewed Graces.

Castiel drops Ike and Robbie on the bed and attacks them with tickles to their stomachs.  But he feigns defeat when they simultaneously pounce him and he falls back on the bed with them on top of him.

"I give up," he surrenders with a smile and they crawl off of their sire.  Together, they moves to make room for Dean and Anna Marie now that they've had their fun.

"We have our work cut out for us, Dean.  Raising a new fledgling as well as our boys and leading a world wide restoration effort?  I'm glad we have an army at our disposal."

Winter Stars

The wine warms him as much as the joke that they’re an old married couple. They’re not, but they could be. Dean thinks Cas needs a little more time. Who should ask who anyway? Ugh, that would be a media nightmare. He laughs at the thought that he still can’t get married in peace. Emphasis on the ‘in peace.’

"What? Oh." Dean takes the tablet and looks at what’s come up. "I’m not sure. I don’t really like dance clubs, still don’t know how to dance." Plus they were loud and rambunctious. Dean wanted quiet, to spend time with Cas like they used to.

They look at various places, get distracted by pictures of funny cats, go back to looking at the music venues and clubs, then look up stuff about the art museums. Dean is happy, this feels normal. He falls asleep curled up next to Cas, the TV flickering in the dark and the tablet resting between them.

When he wakes up the TV is still on and it’s not yet morning. Dean turns off the TV and puts the tablet on it’s charger then gets back in the bed and pulls the blankets up over them. The next time he wakes up it’s morning and he feels rested. He rolls over and looks at Cas, face perfectly framed by his chin length hair and illuminated by sunlight from the window.

Dean won’t wake him. He’ll let him sleep until he wakes up naturally, he’s too beautiful like this, too at peace. 

Cas doesn't really like the sound of dance clubs all that much either, but he frowns.  Dean had suggested they go out and not be the old people that they most definitely are for one night.  

He isn't sure when he falls asleep.  Maybe it was between some cute cat video and another cute puppy video, but he falls asleep curled up close to Dean.  Cas is relaxed and happy.  He had fun just browsing around, even if they never decided what they wanted to do.

He gets a full night's rest and really only wakes up because the sun's in his eyes.  Cas rolls over sleepily and pulls the blankets back over his head, wanting to remain asleep for just a few minutes longer.  But it doesn't seem possible and he reluctantly releases his head from the stuffy confines.

"Morning," he mumbles sleepily as he cracks an eye open and sees Dean looking at him.  He gets the feeling that Dean was actually watching him sleep, but he doesn't mind and just smiles for his boyfriend.  And then he moves closer for a quick kiss.

"Zoo today.  You promised."  Cas is still half asleep when he makes this little demand and then rolls onto his back.  "You take bathroom first.  Gonna feed Stark."

He rolls out of bed and rubs at his eyes, but smiles when he hears the little jingle of Stark's collar and knows that the puppy is just getting up too.  Cas pours the food out into the bowl and makes a beeline for the bathroom as soon as Dean is out.

He's in and out and looking much more awake as he grabs a sketchbook and holds up his pencil.  "It's been a while since I've drawn anything, but how hard can it be to get back on the wagon?"

The End

"No, I suppose they don’t," Dean says sadly. "But it’s because we haven’t had electricity to charge the batteries. I’m pretty sure they’re in working order otherwise."

He purses his lips and thinks. “Think I can charge a battery with Grace?” It might seem silly but this was important to him. He has Ike and Robbie’s baby picture, he wants Anna Marie’s too. Then they can work on moving her nursery. 

"Shouldn’t be that big of an issue now, you’re the commander of heaven," Dean teases as he starts for the door to find his camera.

Dean needs normalcy. He wanted to forget the life where he had to save people all of the time. Now he wants to rebuild and move on. He leaves the room and goes to rummage through his office for the cameras. There are quite a few in a box in the closet, not wanting to get rid of them just in case. He’s glad he didn’t.

Dean heads back to the children’s room with a camera, trying to push Grace into the battery to charge it. “I don’t know if it’s working,” he mumbles, tears pricking the corners of his eyes. Damn, now it looked like he really was postpartum hormonal despite their daughter not being born of traditional means. He had just been a vessel.

He blinks at the Commander of Heaven comment and tilts his head.  Yeah, he is, but only by seniority over Dean.  He's still a young angel and there are some who are probably opposed.  He'd rather have a democracy or a republic of some sort.  A forum for the angels to discuss their grievances.  But angels are meant to be led, not to think for themselves.  He and his family seem to be the only exceptions to that rule.

"Daddy?  We're hungry," Ike complains and Robbie nods his agreement.

"Alright, we'll get lunch after your Papa gets some pictures of your sister," he reassures them.

Castiel's not that surprised when his mate comes back with the box of cameras.  Dean cherished those contraptions and it's not like he ever found a use for camera parts that would be applicable to their everyday lives anyways.  So they remained unharmed and untouched since the electricity went out.

He can see Dean stressing himself out and goes to him, taking his hand gently.  "It's just not translating right.  Here, try this."  Castiel pushes some of his Grace through Dean's, helping him convert the celestial waves into electricity to charge the battery.  

Even after the camera blinks to life, Castiel's Grace lingers and he leans in to kiss his husband's cheek.  "Now we can take some first baby pictures.  New family photos.  Whatever you want.  But the boys need food and I think you do too."

He waits until after Deans had his fill of pictures before he leads the boys downstairs to make them fried rice with dried pork in a large enough portion to feel everyone and have leftovers to send back with Kevin for Linda and the orphans.

Winter Stars

"Of course he’s defective, look at those little legs. It’s like someone only wanted half a dog." He smiles as he tries whatever the hell falafel is. Which it turns out is pretty good. "No clue what this is, but yum."

Dean cuts a little piece of fat off the steak and offers it to Stark under the table. The puppy takes it gingerly then flops back down.

They eat then roll the cart with their empties out to the hall. Dean goes straight for the minibar to grab a couple of glasses for Garth’s wine and some of the candies. He pours them glasses and sits back on the bed to open the candy bar.

"This is boring, just dark chocolate and raspberries," he says sadly as he breaks it in half to offer to Cas. "Good though."

He washes the chocolate down with the wine and leans back on the bed. It’s been a long day and he’s glad they’re staying in, even if that makes them old fogies. Exceptionally old fogies.

"Maybe we should go out tomorrow night? Only if we feel like it. Charlie used to drag me out once in a blue moon when I lived here, might be fun?"

Cas shakes his head as Dean feeds Stark, but he probably would have done the same anyways, so he doesn't tease him.  Just enjoys his fuzzy foot warmer and food with Dean.  Everything is pretty amazing, but the wine and candies afterwards are probably the best part.

"Sorry, buddy," he apologizes to his puppy as he carefully moves away to join Dean in bed.  He takes the piece of chocolate from his boyfriend and takes a bite.  It's good, though he prefers plain dark chocolate.  No fancy fruit fillings necessary.  Though chocolate with bacon bits is pretty amazing too.  If only they had that here.  He shrugs and sips at his wine.

After finishing his dessert, Cas settles down in bed with Dean and hums softly. The tv's on again and he's not sure what they're watching now.  It takes a minute, but he eventually figures out that it's some sort of spy movie.  Charlie would probably laugh.

"Yeah, that sounds like a good idea.  Why waste our nights being an old married couple?" he laughs softly.  Personally, he doesn't mind just staying in with Dean since he still doesn't like overly crowded places.  Museums are an exception.  There's enough space and plenty of ways to make an escape if he feels unsafe.

"Know any good places?  Or should we just browse until we fall asleep?"  Despite asking, he's already picking up their tablet and typing in a search for clubs and bars within walking distance from them.  There are plenty to choose from, but Cas isn't sure which one sounds good.  Then again, he's just never been to a club before.

"Help?" he pleads quietly and holds the tablet up for Dean's view.

The End

Geez they really did need a leader up in heaven. Even with a direct order Hael looks lost and confused. Or maybe she’s just sad that she can’t follow her crush around like a sad little puppy. Dean isn’t sure, nor does he care. They’ll learn eventually.

Of course Cas sees it differently. Dean sighs as his husband talks. “Then she needs to go guard, not look at you like you’re a movie star she has a chance with in bed.” He’s being a pissant but he’s just nearly lost everything then suddenly gained it back. That would make anyone possessive.

"Sorry," he apologizes as he heads up the stairs to the boys’ room. "Pregnancy hormones."

They both know full well that it doesn’t work like that but he’ll take any excuse that he can get. Not that he thinks Cas will buy that excuse.

"We’re going to have to move the nursery or the boys," he says as he enters. There was enough room for the boys to have separate rooms but he’s guessing they’ll want to stay together for now. The crib has become a storage place for stuffed animals. Dean giggles a little as he picks them up with his Grace and hovers them over the boys, then drops them suddenly so they’re rained down with the toys. The boys laugh and giggle.

He places Anna Marie in the crib and gives the mobile a tap. She’s already out cold, of course. “I need my camera.”

Castiel frowns at Dean's obvious jealousy over Hael and shakes his head.  "Right, pregnancy hormones," he repeats, but he doesn't believe Dean at all.

He doesn't push the subject further and just follows Dean into the boy's room.  "It would probably be easier to just paint another room and move the crib there.  The boys are already pretty settled in here.  Am I right?" he asks the boys, but laughs when Dean drops the stuffed animals on them.

"Do any of our cameras still even work?  It's been years since we used them," he asks as he looks down at Anna Marie and then back to Dean.  He has to move when Robbie and Ike try to push past him to get another look at their sister though.

"We should probably get those bottles ready for her if she's going to be raised on Earth."  Castiel wonders if they still even have the bottles.  He had honestly thought that they wouldn't be having anymore children due to the apocalypse, but he's sort of glad to be proven wrong.  And then he wonders if the jungles around their home would be a good gathering place since he can't travel far.

Castiel had forgotten how much work it was to raise a newborn angel, but he's happy at Anna Marie is healthy even after sharing space with all of those souls.  Hopefully, she won't show any abnormalities down the line though.  He's not sure what he would do if their plans had inadvertently harmed their daughter.

Winter Stars

Dean gives Cas an odd look. “Babe, they don’t have crackerjacks in fancy hotels. It’s like chocolate from Switzerland with bacon or peppers in it.”

He sighs and flops back on the bed when Cas says that he shouldn’t be a child. Dean disagrees. He got cheated out of a real childhood. Most of the time he as too sick to do thing that normal children did, even if it was lame in comparison to what kids today got to do. 

"Yeah, well I’m making up for lost time," he defends, not really wanting an argument when they’re doing so well.

He watches as Cas walks away, wondering if he’s messed everything up already but that fear is dismissed when Cas pounces on him and starts wrestling the remote away. For a few moments he makes a show that he’s going to try to keep it but gives up an relinquishes the device. He’s kind of getting the hang of TVs but Cas is better at them anyway.

The channels are extremely limited compared to what they have in New York but Dean supposes that makes sense. You’re supposed to be enjoying the hotel. There is only one channel showing cartoons and Dean has a hard time keeping up. When there is a knock on the door, he wiggles out from under Cas and grabs some tip money before answering. 

Cas is surprised Dean lets him win so soon, but even after he has possession of the remote, he doesn't change the channel.  He just stays on top of dean and sometimes turns his head to watch the cartoon.  And honestly, he has no idea what's going on either.  He just sees a bunch of kids in costumes hanging out in a T-shape tower.

He pouts when Dean pulls out from under him, but Cas just rolls over and watches the cartoon some more, honestly trying to figure out why they're arguing about burritos and burgers.  Cas gives up and flips through the channels, stopping when he sees a show about two guys who are hunting ghosts.  Weird, but it seems kinda interesting.

When Dean comes back with food, he can already feel himself drooling.  He looks a little embarrassed though and swallows.  "Thanks," he says, though it's probably not necessary.

He helps Dean move their dinner over to the little table in the room and turns off the tv as they sit down to eat.  Stark is awake again, but the puppy doesn't seem terrible interested in their food.  Just in a belly rub and some scratches behind his ears before he settles down to sleep on Cas's feet under the table.

"Our puppy thinks he's slippers now.  Dean, I think our puppy is defective."