Justice Is Served

24th of December

Dean
It was around ten when Dean and Sam stood at Maria's door with a bag of freshly made breakfast doughnuts. Within moments she answered, her hair all over the place and in pyjamas. Her t-shirt had a strange looking blond anime boy on it and the word 'Naruto' emblazoned across it.

"Wasn't expecting you guys this early, but hey you brought doughnuts!" She laughed nervously, rushing back inside while fiddling with her hair. Dean looked around and spotted Anna sitting on the couch in a similar get up drinking a mug of coffee.

Maria came out of a room, hair looking notably more presentable.
"You guys hungry?" She asked. Dean's stomach rumbled in response. "Ok, ok. I'll make a start on breakfast." She chuckled, walking into the kitchen, which was visible from the open plan living and dining room through a hatch.

"This is pretty cool, you gonna serve us through it?" Dean joked, sticking his head through the window-like square. Maria rolled her eyes, but with a smile on her face as she assembled various ingredients.
"How about instead of standing around cracking jokes you come help me." She ordered.
"Yes ma'am." Dean grinned.

As it turned out, there wasn't much helping to be done aside from handing Maria eggs and grabbing slices of toast from the toaster. Once there was four plates piled high with delicious fried breakfast, they took two plates each and set them on the table. Sam's eyes widened comically at the sight and jumped up from where he was sat with Anna to go and eat.

It was surprising just how at home Dean felt with these three people, the comfortable atmosphere as they bantered with each other was something he hadn't properly experienced. Once they'd finished, Maria brought out hot chocolate and they ate the doughnuts, dipping them in the delicious drink.

"Guys I just wanna say this is real nice." Dean said, and prepared to be teased. Shockingly, the jibes didn't come. He was met with a meaningful smiles from Anna and Sam and Maria took hold of his hand, squeezing it lightly in agreement. "I meant the food not being with you losers." He joked.

There was a collective groan around the table.
"Aaaand there goes Dean's annual nice moment. Savour it, they only last a mere few seconds." Sam sighed, still smiling.
"I'm gonna have to disagree there, behind the stupid remarks, Dean's always nice."

The three stared at Maria speechless that she'd actually defended him rather than joined in on the lighthearted bullying.
"C'mere you big softy." Dean grinned, grabbing Maria's face and kissing her hard. When he let go, her face was bright red.

"Well- I uh, was you know, just being honest." She stuttered, evidently taken aback by the sudden act of affection. Sam and Anna burst out laughing.
"God knows what was in those doughnuts." Anna snorted, shaking her head at the strange pair.

"So what's the plan now?" Dean asked, conveniently changing the topic of conversation from he and Maria.
"Christmas movies?" Sam suggested.

And that's how they spent Christmas Eve, Dean and Maria sprawled out on the floor bickering over popcorn and Anna and Sam snuggled up together on the sofa enjoying the film.