Destiel One-Shots

Father Figure

   Dean isn't sure how it happened, and honestly? He didn't really care. All that mattered was they had Cas back. He was sure that Sam would look into it, poke around as he always does, but he was happy to not look a gift horse in the mouth. Who cares how he came back? It only matters that he did.

   "So, how have things been since I've been... gone?" Cas asks from the back seat. Dean and Sam share a look, no doubt thinking the same thing. Dean has been a mess since he watched Cas die right in from of him. He sleeps too little and drinks too much. The only time he eats anything is when Sam practically shoves it down his throat. In short, it hasn't been good.

   "Things have been tough, Cas." Sam answers, knowing from the look on his brother's face that Dean has no intention of answering himself. Cas hums in reply, letting the full implications of that sink in.

   "Dean." Cas says quietly, making the hunter in question stiffen. He clears his throat roughly, trying to rid himself of the ball of emotion currently cutting off his airway.

   "Yeah, Cas?" He replies, voice gruff. He's happy as all Hell that his best friend is back, but he was really hoping to not have to talk about his time away.

   "Dean, I'm sorry." Those words coming out of the angel's mouth confuse both brothers.

   "Cas, what are you apologizing for?" Dean flicks his eyes up to the rear view mirror to see Cas shifting uncomfortably in the back seat. He has guilt written all over his features, and Dean can't figure out why.

   "It was a selfish decision to go after Lucifer." Cas says, voice soft but still clearly heard throughout the whole vehicle. Dean and Sam share another quick look. "I was trying so hard to do the right thing, the heroic thing, that I didn't stop to think about the consequences of my actions. I caused you, both of you, undue pain, and for that I am sorry." Dean's face softens as he looks in the mirror at the angel again. Did Cas hurt him by going and getting himself killed? Of course, but it wasn't really his fault. Not in Dean's mind anyway.

   "Don't worry about it, Cas. You were trying to protect the kid. We all know that Jack is safer without Lucifer here, so as long as he's stuck in Apocalypse World then we're okay, and now he has his proper father back, so it's all water under the bridge." Sam nods in agreement as Dean finishes talking.

   "How is Jack?" Cas now asks, features painted with curiosity. Sam frowns as Dean clenches his jaw and scowls.

   "He's good. Adjusting. To be honest, we're still kind of figuring him out, but he's a good kid. He just needs some guidance and direction." Sam says, looking over his shoulder as he talks to Cas. He ignores the stoic silence from his brother, but Cas doesn't miss the tense line of the eldest Winchester's shoulders, or the way he's gripping the steering wheel tighter than he was a minute ago. The angel squints his eyes and tilts his head in confusion as he studies the back of Dean's head.

   The tense silence feels stifling in the air, and Sam shoots Cas an apologetic smile as he shakes his head slightly. Cas nods in understanding, eyes turning sad. Dean doesn't like Jack. He doesn't trust him. He sees Jack as a monster to be stopped, not a son to be raised as Cas had so hoped. He so desperately wants to talk to Dean about it, but he can tell that now is not the time. He can be patient. He can wait until they're alone.

   Dean remains silent all the way back to the bunker. There's a warmth in his veins that's been missing since his angel was taken away from him. He won't show it though. He can't show just how relieved he is to have Cas back. He can't show how much he just wants to pull him into his arms and never let go. The most he does is let his eyes flick over the angel's face through the rear view mirror, and let the relief flood through him.