Late Night Hunting

Chapter 18: The New Arrival

Dean grabbed all the ingredients he needed to make Cas a large pile of golden-brown toast with scrambled eggs and blueberry waffles that were dripping with Maple Syrup. While he was making his plate, a sudden thought came to him. He remembered that about a year or two ago, Cas had come to Dean with sad eyes because his mom wouldn't let him have a cat or even a guinea pig because she thought he wouldn't be able to take care of it. Dean smiled. He knew just what would cheer Cas up. He went over to where Cas was sleeping with his face in the pillow and gently shook his lithe yet muscular frame, whispering, "Cas, wake up. Breakfast's ready." Cas smiled in his sleep and rolled over, still not awake, reaching out at Dean's face with one hand. He gently led Cas's palm to his cheek and held it there, savoring the cute way that his night black onyx hair was sticking up and the way that his mouth was slightly open, facing the ceiling as he breathed.  He carefully leaned over and kissed him, waking Cas up as his eyes widened in surprise as Dean pulled away. Bright, apple green eyes glittered warmly down at his shining, cobalt ones. Dean knelt beside the bed and smiled up at him. "Mornin', beautiful. Breakfast's ready." He stood up and walked over to the table, Cas following behind, all traces of weariness gone as he smelled the amazing smells of coffee brewing and scrambled eggs mixed with the strong smell of Dean's cologne-and-aftershave scent that always circled him. He took a deep breath, making sure he would always remember that smell. It was mornings like these that made life good, he thought to himself. Dean had piled both of their plates high with waffles and eggs. They dug in, not talking hardly at all until Dean noticed that Cas was staring at him as he chewed, his eyes wide in wonder and awe. "Like what you see?" he said, smirking and posing. Cas laughed and said, "Actually yeah. These waffles look amazing, thanks for asking." which sent both of them laughing like fools. When they could breathe normally again, Dean smiled at him and said "In all seriousness Cas,  I have the best seat in the house. This view, the way I see you right now, sun shining behind you, messy hair and stunning blue eyes is.......breathtaking. Being here beside you every day, waking up to you and your amazing cooking....I could get used to this life." Cas looked at Dean with a fire in his eyes that hadn't been there before. "I know exactly what you mean. This is definitely where I want to spend the rest of my days." Dean stared at him. "What do you mean?" Cas blushed, grinning shyly and staring at the floor. "By your side. With you. Any form of being near you. That's where I want to be, always." In that moment, even more than before, Dean knew that Cas was, without a doubt, a keeper. He would never let him get hurt, whether by Dean himself, or any of the things they hunted. Dean looked at Cas. "I'd like that. You know what I'd like even more?" Cas looked up from his waffles. "What?"  Dean took a deep breath. "I'd like it even more if.....you were my boyfriend." Cas's eyes widened, bits of waffle falling from his mouth. He realized what was happening and quickly wiped his mouth off. Then he looked at Dean, who was staring at the floor, blue fire in his eyes. "Yes." Dean looked up in shock. "You-you mean..... You will?" Cas nodded silently, smiling and blushing shyly. Dean leaped up and grabbed him around the waist, pulling him into a tight, warm bear hug. "God, I love you." He said, laughing, then kissed Cas gently. When Dean pulled away, they both had light in their eyes, almost brighter than the sun. Then Dean opened up his jacket and pulled out a small, dark, smoke-gray tabby she-kitten with vivid, yet kind, icy blue eyes. 

He had gone out in the early hours of dawn before Cas had woken up and went to the animal shelter down the road, searching for the perfect animal to get Cas. Even if he'd said no, Dean still would've given it to him, regardless of how he felt. Cas's eyes widened in surprise at the small, gray, mewling bundle in Dean's palms before reaching out and clutching it to his chest. The small fluff-ball of a kitten stared at him with her bright, electric blue eyes. "Dean.... I don't know what to say...... Thank you." He said, wrapping his long arms around him, being careful not to squash the small bundle he held closely to his chest. Then Dean smiled at him. "Any ideas on what to call her?" Cas thought for a moment. Then it hit him. Her name was obvious. "Her name is Honeybee Shadow." Dean stood agape for a moment, then said "Are you sure, Cas? Once you name her there's no going ba-" he stopped when Cas nodded his head. Dean sighed and shook his head. "Ok, whatever you say Cas." Cas gently held the kitten out in front of him, smiling as she stared at him with her strikingly blue eyes. Eyes like his, he reflected. Then he hugged her gently to his chest, moving over to the couch and laying down, cradling her to his chest and falling asleep as Dean smiled softly and covered them both up, putting Cas's feet on his lap after sitting down. He fell asleep smiling as he heard the soft purring of Honeybee Shadow on Cas's chest.