Two Men and Half an Angel

Chapter 7

"Who lives in a pineapple under the sea?!" Gabriel's voice shrieked through the bunker.

Dean and Sam both rolled their eyes from their place at the kitchen table.

"Spongebob Squarepants!" Like clockwork Cas' voice shrilled in answer.

"Jesus, man." Dean snorted before resting his head in his hands.

Sam snickered. "They're adorable, aren't they?"

"Who would've ever guessed that this would happen? I mean, it's funny. Mom told me that angels were watching over me and... now I am the one watching over an angel." Dean's eyes glazed over slightly. "It's a lot, you know?"

"Yeah." The younger hunter stood up from his chair and stretched out his arms to the ceiling. "I kind of like it."

"Me too." Dean finally admitted it. "It's nice to have the youngsters around. I never thought I'd ever say that."

Suddenly breaking the bonding moment, Gabriel came huffing into the room with a look of rage boiling out of his eyes. "Hey. Morons. Where's the popcorn?"

Dean was just about to open his mouth but Sam beat him to it. "Gabriel."

The archangel stood his ground as he and Sam stared each other down. "Samantha."

It was hard for Dean to hold in a chuckle but he managed when he saw his brother crouch in front of Gabriel. "What do you say?"

Gabriel's face reddened. "You're not gonna make me say it."

"Then no popcorn." Sam challenged back with a firm voice. "You know how this works."

Realization softened the kid's face but he stuck out his lower lip in annoyance. "Please."

"What was that?" Sam tilted his head with a smug smile.

"PLEASE?!" Gabriel screamed at him with balled fists and a cowering pride.

"Alright. Since you asked so nicely." Sam gave him a small pat on the head, which Gabriel glared harder at him for, before standing and heading toward where they keep the treats.

Gabriel crossed his arms over his chest but waited patiently as Sam went about getting a bag in the microwave. "Thank you."

"Good boy." Dean snickered.

"Why you-" Gabriel took a step toward him with malice but stopped when a small body bolted past him.

Castiel was on Dean's lap before the three of them quite knew that he was in the room. The smallest angel wrapped his little arms around Dean's neck and flashed the biggest pair of puppy eyes the world had ever seen.

"Dean, may I have some chocolate?" Cas, the little manipulator, even lowered his voice to make it meager.

Everything in Dean's composure softened as he nodded. "Sure thing, buddy."

"That's not fair!" Gabriel shouted as he threw his hands up into the air. "He didn't have to say please!"

Sam's lips curled up. "That's because Cas has Dean wrapped around his finger."

"Does not!" Dean huffed out before standing up with Cas carefully tucked on his hip.

"It's okay, Dean." Cas patted his cheek lovingly. "You have me wrapped around your finger, too."

The two of them stared into each other's eyes with small knowing smiles.

Gabriel let out a sound of disgust from the back of his throat. "This is disgusting, Samsquatch."

"Popcorns done." Sam stated with a warm bag in his hand.

Gabriel was by his side in record time plucking the bag. Just as he was about to sprint back to the TV for another round of cartoons he paused midstep. Thinking about just how much the two hunters have done for him, Gabriel turned and peered up at the giant before him.

"You wanna watch Spongebob with us?" Gabe smiled softly up at Sam.

"Sure." Sam was surprised at the question but didn't think twice about it when a small hand grabbed onto his shirt tail and started to drag him toward the TV room.

Dean watched his brother and the archangel leave. Warmth settled in his stomach. Small hands clung to the front of his shirt and Dean was happy.

"Chocolate?" Cas inquired again with a little squirm.

"Yeah." Dean pressed his lips to the top of the angel's head before shuffling toward the cupboard of treats.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome, buddy."

As the four of them all settled in to late night cartoons, Gabriel munching on popcorn from where he was perched on Sam's lap and Castiel snuggled deeply against Dean's side getting chocolate stains on the hunter's shirt, the Winchesters met each other's eyes. Between them they understood what this was, how much they loved this no matter how they pretended they didn't. As the night carried on, laughs and jokes were shared, all four of them found the home that they had spent lifetimes searching for.

"Dean?"

"Yeah, buddy?"

"I love you."

"I love you, too."

"Shut up, asshats, I am trying to watch the show!"

"Language!"