Angel Wings and Demon Pitchforks

40. A Real Christmas

Michael awoke Christmas morning to the sound of Sam and Jo squealing and Dean falling out of bed. It was not what he was expecting, but it was a welcome disturbance.

Christmas at the Winchester house hold was never really Christmas. Dean and Michael would try to save a little bit of money up a few months before the day and would buy something small for Sam. The three would wake up Christmas morning and Dean would make pancakes however Sam wanted them. Then they would give Sam his present and Sam would give them his little school made gifts and they would sit around watching Christmas movies for the rest of the day.

But this year was different. This year they were with the Singers. They were with their real family.

They had set up their Christmas tree and Christmas lights a few weeks ago and the three boys were in a better mood than ever. They were finally getting a real Christmas.

"Why are you awake so early?!" Dean yelled from his spot on the floor.

"It's Christmas!!" The youngest two squealed again making Michael's ears want to bleed a little.

"I miss when you used to sleep like an angel as long as you could and we'd have to drag you out of your bed for Christmas morning." Dean stated trying to get up before tripping and falling down again.

"I'm pretty sure you're thinking of yourself Dean." Michael pitched in.

"Come on, it's present time." Jo grinned running towards the stairs dragging Sam behind her and leaving the older boys to fully wake up.

Dean went to leave the room and follow after them when Michael stopped him.

"Wait, I have something for you." He held out a little box to Dean and the latter took it in his hands.

"What is it?"

"It's a Christmas gift. You have to open it." Dean undid the ribbon around the box. "Ellen helped with the ribbon."

His hands shook as he took off the lid and placed it gently on his bed. He stared at the opened box tears prickling his eyes.

"I can't believe you-" He looked up at his older brother. "An iPod."

----

"It isn't fair Michael. How come we don't get anything for Christmas? Every other kid gets Christmas, why don't we?"

Michael had been waiting for this argument for years now, he knew it was only a matter of time before Dean would get angry at the world.

"We don't need presents Dean. We have each other, that's enough."

"I'm not asking for a sleigh full presents. I just thought maybe this year I could get something."

"Dean we don't have the money for an iPod. We barely have the money to be alive."

"Everyone else has one. I just want to be like everyone else. I don't want to be poor."

"No one wants to be poor Dean, you think I want to be poor!" Dean looked down at his feet and mumbled an apology. "No, I'm sorry. We just don't have the money, okay? I promise if I had the money I'd buy you an iPod. Hell if I had the money I'd buy you all the iPods in the world."

----

"I told you if I had the money I would-" Dean barrelled into his brother hugging him as hard as he can. "Look I know you have a phone, and that has all your music now, but I made a promise that I would buy one for you."

"It's perfect" Dean mumbled into his chest. "It's absolutely perfect."

The boys made their way down stairs to find Jo and Sam inspecting the wrapped presents under the tree and Bobby and Ellen watching them telling them not to touch anything yet.

"Ah boys you made it down." Ellen said getting up from the couch to hug the two. "Merry Christmas."

They replied with a mumbled 'merry Christmas' before Ellen pushed them over to couch. She walked up to the tree shooing the other two to the couch as well before coming back with four presents and placing one each in their laps.

"Well, what are you waiting for dorks? Open them." Bobby yelled from the other side of the room.

The four pulled the wrapping paper off as fast as they could. Next thing you know Dean, Sam and Jo were jumping up and down with excitement screaming thank you's to Ellen and Bobby. Michael just looked in confusion at the keys in his hand. He looked up at Bobby.

"Follow me." They all followed Bobby into the shed to find a car looking almost brand new. "It's not new, I just refurbished it but-"

"You got me a car!"

"Well yeah honey, how else are you gonna get around when Dean turns 17 and takes the impala?" Ellen chuckled.

"Thank you! I- thank you so much. You really shouldn't have. I-" Michael was speechless.

----

Christmas day had been great. They had finished exchanging presents and Ellen had cooked a big lunch for the 6 of them. The day had been filled with laughter and fun. It was a real Christmas. It was better than anything the Winchester boys had dreamed.

"Dean? Michael? What are your birthmarks?" Sam asked. The boys were all sitting on the floor of the lounge room. It had been so long ago since they'd been allowed to talk about soulmates and birthmarks and Sam had actually forgotten what his brothers' were. Michael forced his shoulders to relax.

"A demon pitchfork," he said.

"You can still make yours out?" Dean asked, slightly surprised. He knew about the burn marks their father had inflicted on them, worst of all on Michael.

Michael shrugged, not wanting to tell his brothers how his kiss with Lucifer on Thanksgiving had healed the burn marks around the red pitchfork on his heart.

"Do you still remember yours, Dean?" Sam asked, hopeful. This conversation was good. It was calm and it was going somewhere; he couldn't remember the last time he and his brothers had what Dean might call a "chick flick moment" but what Jess liked to call "bonding."

Dean subtly bit his lip. His chest had also been completely healed around his brithmark - but he didn't mention that. Only Sam knew about the kiss with Cas.

"Angel wings," Dean said finally. "It's a pair of angel wings."

Sam grinned.

"Practically the opposite to you," Michael said. Dean looked slightly taken aback.

"Did you just call me a demon?"

"Maybe," Michael shrugged.

"Says the person with an actual demon for a soulmate," Sam retorted with a smile.

"He is not a demon."

"Oh!" Dean's eyebrows rose. "And you know this how?"

Michael's ears reddened. "I-- he-- I don't---"

"It's a HE." Jo squealed walking into the room.

Michael floundered around like a fish out of water.

"No," he squeaked. "It's not. He's not a he. He isn't even real he is just a figment of everyone's imagination."

"It certainly sounds like you know who it is, Michael," Jo smirked wickedly. "Care to share?"

"Alright you four settle down. It's movie time," Bobby said as he walked in. Michael was saved.

Ellen brought in popcorn and the six settled down in front of the TV as 'Home Alone' began to play.

"Don't think I'm letting this go," Jo whispered to Michael under the music.

He wouldn't expect her too.