Two Men and Half an Angel

Chapter 1

"I have no idea what happened! One minute it was Cas and then the next..." Sam dropped his eyes under the scrutiny of his older brother. "I don't know what happened."

Dean let out a frustrated growl as his eyes traveled from his brother's face to the small bundle of clothing that presently had a small dark-haired blue-eyed face sticking out. Hours ago Dean had left the bunker to get some groceries and he came back to find his best friend as a child wrapped up in an adult trench coat. Of all the shit he had seen in his days this had to be the one that made him the most scared.

Letting out another broken sigh, Dean bent down into a crouch and stared into the blue eyes that although were small were definitely Cas'. "Hey little buddy, you know what happened?"

Cas' little eyes widened before he shook his head and stuck his thumb in his mouth. Without a pause he let out a small whimper and clambered across the room to climb onto Dean's lap. Dean fell back a little as a tiny arm wrapped itself around his neck and the small beating body was pressed against his chest.

"Research?" Sam's voice was timid like he was afraid to poke the bear.

"Yeah." But Dean's voice was distant as he wrapped his arms around Cas' little body and held him close. Memories of a little brother clinging to him in the darkest of times came trembling through his mind. All Dean had ever wanted was to keep Sam safe, to keep Castiel safe. Now he had a frightened child in his arms and it was breaking his heart. "Cas?"

The boy's head pulled back slightly until their eyes met. "Dean."

Sam tried not to laugh at the comical sound of what used to be a rough grated voice now a high-pitched innocent tone.

"You want some ice cream?" Dean grinned down at Cas, the world lost in the sight of this preciously human face. "I think we have Rocky Road."

Cas tilted his head in deep thought. "Yes."

"Awesome." Dean shifted his weight, tucking Cas against his side over his hip, before standing up and turning toward the kitchen. His eyes fell on his brother and he remembered he was supposed to be angry. "Research, now."

Sam turned on his heel and hightailed it toward the library, a large grin only growing when he could hear Dean's soft voice cooing to baby Cas as the two of them made their way to the kitchen.

'

"I don't want to lie down!" Castiel threw his arms up into the air with such a look of fury on his face Dean almost felt scared. "I want to play!"

Over the past few days both Winchesters have realized that although Cas was still an angel of the Lord, he acted like a human child than. His small body was constantly tearing through the bunker, he ate enough candy to make the archangel jealous, and he through tantrums that would send a thunderstorm overheard.

Dean rolled his eyes as he sat on the edge of Cas' bed. "Come on, buddy. Me and Sammy need some rest and we can't have you getting into anything in the middle of the night. I'll turn on the TV?"

With a puff Castiel crossed his arms over his chest and glared Dean down with reddening cheeks. "No."

"Cas-"

"NO!" Cas turned on his heel and bolted from the room.

Dean closed his eyes and counted to ten to keep himself calmed down. The rings around his eyes and soreness in his bones reminded him of another reason why having a child was never a plan for him. These past few days had almost been like hell all over again. Then Dean remembers a few things that make his anger melt away. Cas cuddling against his chest as they watch cartoons, Cas giggling as Dean draws on Sam's face while he is asleep, Cas playing hide and seek with Dean and always getting bored enough to leave his hiding spot, Cas drawing a picture of the three of them with crayons (the drawing is pinned above Dean's bed along with his photos of Mary and John), and Cas' goofy childish smile that was reserved just for Dean.

While Dean was thinking back on those memories, small footsteps shuffled into the room. His eyes caught sight of Cas inching himself timidly into the doorway with his hands fumbling in front of the clothing Dean had bought that would fit the kid.

"I'm sorry." Cas whispered before he jogged across the room and quickly dove under the covers. "I'll be a good boy. I promise."

Dean's eyebrows drew up in confusion before he bent over the small lump of covers and pressed a hand against the small shaking shoulder. After a moment of silence he realized Cas was crying. "Don't cry. Why are you crying?"

"Because-" Hiccup. "Gabey said if I was bad then you were gonna make me go away like you did last time. I don't want to go away, Dean. Don't make me go away! This is my home and I love you and I don't want to leave ever and-" Cas' voice broke as his breathing became heavy enough to shake his entire body. "I'll be good!"

If Dean wasn't completely wrapped into the fact that Cas was so terrified of being sent away he would have realized that Gabriel had something to do with this. Instead he fell onto his side and brought Cas' body against his chest and a cuddle that left them both breathless. His fingers ran through Cas' tangled hair as he tried to sooth the crying child.

"You aren't going anywhere, Cas." Dean pressed a kiss to the boy's hair as he felt his heart clench at the sounds Cas was making. "I'm never going to make you go. This is your home as much as it is mine and you are always welcome. Sam loves you-" Dean closed his eyes and concentrated on the breathing that was slowing down. "I love you. I would go to hell again before I let you go again. Please don't cry."

Cas sniffled a little before flipping onto his other side and snuggling deeply into Dean's chest. "Home." His little voice was starting to drift.

"Yeah, Cas. Home." Dean smiled as the boy started to fall asleep in his arms.