Clipped Wings

[SIXTEEN] Late Arrival

Dean spent most of his early morning in the kitchen preparing food and gifts for when Sam, Jess, Jo and Ellen arrive. But, before that, he spent his really early morning cuddled up in his bed with Cas. One or two make out sessions later, Dean's nerves finally got the best of him. He crawled out of bed and since then has been sassing Castiel, a once powerful angel of God, all morning.

"Okay, okay— Cas! Why aren't you dressed yet?! Sam is going to be here any minute now! You need to make a good impression!" Dean commanded, once again shoving a sweater into Cas's bare chest.

"I thought you said he won't be here until one? It's only noon thirty," Cas complained, holding up the sweater. It was Dean's, of course, a soft, blue and white jumper with snow flakes.

Dean snapped a daring look at Cas. "Don't give me attitude, Cas. And it's pronounced twelve thirty, not noon thirty."

Cas just sighed and slipped the sweater over his head. Dean smiled through his nerves and walked up to Cas, smoothing down the feathery soft material over his chest.

"Sam won't be angry at you," Cas reassured, quietly.

Dean just nodded, rounding his hands over Cas's shoulders. "I know he probably won't, or at least not for long. I'm just worried about the constant staring from Jo and Ellen."

Cas raised an eyebrow. "She doesn't know? Why haven't you told her?"

Dean shrugged. "I didn't tell her why I punched the guy in the face."

Cas tilted his head. "Doesn't that seem like important information to share?"

"Not at the time it didn't!" Dean said, almost smiling at himself. He's really punching himself now, though. He wouldn't be feeling so nervous if he wasn't about to show Jo his boyfriend.

Boyfriend? What?

"Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry After Christmas!" Jo cheered, marching in through the front door with an arm full of gifts.

Dean spun around, quickly plastering a smile on his anxious face. "Merry late Christmas, Jo! Here let me help you—"

"Help Ellen, not me, ya twit," Jo instructed, walking past Cas and into the living room. She plopped the presents on the floor by the couch and looked up at Cas with a raised eyebrow.

"Hi," Cas greeted, smiling.

"Hey. What's your name?" Jo smiled crooked, stepping closer and giving the angel a once over.

"Castiel," Cas responded. "And you're Jo?"

Jo nodded, sliding her hands in the front pockets of her jeans. She gave him a sideways glance and watched Dean carry a crockpot of beans in with Ellen.

"I see Dean's told you some about me, but I don't think he's ever mentioned you," Jo said, tilting her head. "Why's that?"

"Uh, he..." Cas stuttered, wide eyed. Jo simply gave him a knowing smile and narrow eyes.

"Cas! Help me in the kitchen, please?" Dean called from around the corner.

"My cue," Cas said, nodding to Jo and quickly leaving her behind. Close call.

"Yes, Dean?" Cas asked once reaching the kitchen. Dean stood behind the center table, placing down the last bowl of green beans. He looked up, his green eyes still slightly anxious and worried.

"This is Ellen, Jo's mom," Dean introduced, nodding towards the woman by the sink peeling potatoes. Ellen glanced up, smiling.

She looks like a good mom, Cas thought, returning the smile.

"I don't think Dean here has mentioned you before," Ellen said, giving a disapproving but motherly glance at Dean.

Dean just shrugged, flustered. "We haven't seen each other in a while and—"

"That's why they made cellphones, boy!" Ellen countered, shaking her head at him. She dried her hands on a dish towel and approached Cas with a warm smile. "How have you been, dear? If Dean ain't answering my questions, maybe you can. How does that sound?"

Cas smiled at the floor and did a light shrug. "I can try my best."

"Sounds wonderful, I'll meet you over there in a bit," She said, nodding towards the living room. "But, right now I gotta peel potatoes and teach Dean a little about home cookin'."

Dean chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "Just what I need."

"It's exactly what you need," Ellen insisted, flicking his ear on the way back to the sink.

Cas nodded when Dean gave him an approving smile and returned to the living room.

Dean might not be his only family anymore.

========================

Thank you so much for 100 followers!!
I knew I needed to update for this milestone (at least!).
I ain't gonna make excuses for my lack of updating, but just know I have the ideas down and I just need to find time to write!

Thank you guys so much again! :)