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Bobby Singer wasn't an idiot. He knew adjusting to civilian life (or as close to civilian life as they could get) would be difficult for the two Winchester boys. Especially Dean. The last time he’d had a “normal”, stable home life, he’d been four years old. Whereas Sam had at least had a partly normal childhood thanks to his big brother taking the brunt of the pressure from their dad like no older sibling should ever have to do.
Bobby had had his suspicions about what Dean had been through with John before taking them in full-time, and since then, the boy had unknowingly confirmed most of them. If his flinching at loud noises and desperate attempts to never ask for anything weren't clues enough, Bobby would have known from his almost frustrating insistence to help out and "not be a bother", despite the continued reassurances. One day, Bobby had just snapped, taking him outside to work on a car together before telling him to stop being an idjit and that him and Sam were always welcome there and nothing could change that.
Since coming out to both Bobby and Sam, Dean had also never mentioned anything to do with his queer identity. Not even a passing comment about finding a guy on TV or in a magazine hot – something he did with girls constantly.
So when Sam asked if he could bring, Jess, his new friend (whom he clearly had a crush on) over for dinner the next day, Bobby expected Dean to stay silent. Maybe to tease Sammy a little about his red cheeks and lovesick expression. But certainly not pipe up and request something of his own.
“Would – uh – would it be okay if… if Cas came over too?” he’d asked, voice practically shaking with nerves no matter how well he was trying to hide it.
Bobby raised an eyebrow. “Who’s this Cas? You've not mentioned them before.”
“Um… he’s my – friend.”
If the hesitation on the word ‘friend’ hadn’t clued Bobby in, the blush rising up from Dean’s neck would have been a brightly glowing sign blaring the word ‘crush.’
"Alright, then. Sure. Why not?"
"Thanks, Bobby," grinned Sam, tucking back into his food.
And that was how Bobby found himself slaving away in the kitchen, apron on, working his ass off to make a decent meal for his two boys and their guests while also listening out for the rumble of the Impala. The four of them should be arriving back from school any time now.
Dean had agreed to wait at the school for Sam and Jess's afterschool history club to finish before driving back, meaning they'd be a little later than normal. Bobby hoped it would also give Dean and his 'friend' time to prepare as there was no doubt he was nervous. Bobby just hoped Cas was better at calming Dean than he was.
Sure enough, the sound of the Impala rolling up the driveway echoed through Bobby's house just a couple of minutes later. He heard the instant the engine stopped, seconds before there was the noise of two car doors slamming.
Sam walked through the door after another minute, closely followed by a shorter girl with beach-curled blonde hair. She had a grey backpack over one shoulder and tilted her head when she smiled up at Bobby.
"Uncle Bobby, this is Jess. Jess, this is my adopted uncle, Bobby."
Bobby tried for a friendly smile, though was worried it came out more like a grimace so gave up before holding out his hand. Jess shook it, not seeming at all nervous thankfully. "Good to meet you, kid. Come on in. Sam, where's your brother?"
"With Cas in the car. I told them not to spend too long making out."
Jess rolled her eyes. "They're not even dating, Sam."
"I know that, but the pining over just the drive here was enough for me to want to lock them in a room together until they kiss," complained Sam as he dumped his bag by Bobby's desk and motioned for Jess to do the same.
"Alright. Sit your asses down at the table then. Dean won't be long."
As if on cue, the door opened again. Dean was followed in by a boy a couple of inches shorter than him with ruffled dark brown hair. His outfit was overly formal for high school - a smart, white shirt and dark trousers under a tan-coloured trench coat - but in a quirky kind of way, it suited him.
Bobby was determined not to treat Cas differently to Jess and accidentally make Dean even more anxious than he clearly was, so stepped forward and introduced himself. He held his hand out, which Cas shook firmly before glancing at Dean, almost as if he was checking if he'd done it correctly. Dean smiled at him.
"Alright, come on in, boys. Food's on the table."
Bobby ruffled Dean's hair as he passed, causing him to swat at the old man's hand, then went to join the four of them at the kitchen table. He served up their dinner, getting Sam and Dean to help out with the drinks and salad.
"This looks delicious. Thank you, Mr Singer," said Jess while Cas nodded in agreement. The boy was still yet to smile, which Bobby found a little unnerving. But he seemed nice enough, and Dean obviously liked him for a reason.
"My name's Bobby and you can use it, alright."
The meal went by without incident. Both Cas and Jess ate everything on their plates, just like the boys always did. He made friendly conversation with them both, asking similar questions and finding out more about them. The two guests were evidently very close with his boys, so they were important to him too.
Cas had six siblings - five older brothers and a younger sister - while Jess only had a younger brother. Cas's family were also very religious. He said his brothers mostly accepted him for being gay, just didn't like him for other reasons which Bobby was pleased to hear. Siblings fought constantly - Hell, Sam and Dean were never not fighting - he'd grown used to it. But if it was because of prejudice, then he'd start having a problem.
Bobby found himself surprised at that thought. He hadn't realised how protective he already felt about Cas and Jess and it frightened him a little, if he was being honest. Him and Karen had wanted children, but what if he wasn't up to it?
"Bobby?" came Sam's voice, barrelling through his worries like a bowling ball. "Can I show Jess around the library?"
"Alright, but I've got some apple pie to go in the oven, so be back in half an hour."
Sam grinned, taking Jess by the hand and leading her through the house. Both were rosy-cheeked with their obvious liking for each other. If Bobby wasn't a gruff, old hunter, he would've called it sweet.
Dean's eyes had lit up at the mention of pie, and were still swimming with a mixture of childish excitement and nerves when he turned to Bobby. "I'm gonna show Cas around all the cars. That okay?"
Bobby nodded. "Sure, kid."
"Uh - Cas, could you wait by the 'pala? I'll be out in a minute."
"Okay, Dean."
Cas left through the door, closing it quietly - a huge contrast to the slamming it usually received from Sam - behind him while Dean stood up from the table and started helping Bobby clear up.
Normally Bobby might have berated him, told him to get out there and join his desk, but he recognised the tactic for what it was. Dean was building up his courage for something, and Bobby was pretty sure he knew what.
"You like him, don't ya?" said Bobby.
Dean froze, looking away as he nodded.
"Then go out there and get your man, you idjit."
Dean did look at him at that. "You think I have a chance?"
Bobby rolled his eyes. "His googly heart eyes at you were even worse than Sam's when looking at that girl of his, boy. Now, beat it. If you two ain't holding hands when you come back in, you'll be getting no pie."
Dean just grinned and allowed himself to be shooed out the room by a fondly exasperated Bobby.
Soon enough, the pie was ready and Bobby donned his oven gloves once more to prepare it, splitting it evenly between the five bowls he had prepared and adding a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream to each of them. He then called out to Sam and Jess before heading to the door to find the other two.
Bobby found them out by an old Mustang from 1965 that him and Dean had been picking apart the engine of. When he spotted them, Dean's hands were on Cas's cheeks, bringing the other boy's face upwards as their lips met. Cas had a hand in Dean's hair and another on his hip.
Both were so engrossed in their... current activities that they didn't notice Bobby until he was just a couple of paces away and had cleared his throat twice in an attempt to get their attention. Dean's face was bright red, eyes wide from embarrassment, when they finally pulled apart and spotted the surprise spectator. Cas seemed much more collected, but had a small, amused smirk playing on his lips.
"The pie's ready, boys."
Cas took Dean's hand as they walked the few steps back to the house where Jess and Sam were already seated, chatting about a book they'd been looking through together in Bobby's library.
Dean grinned when he spotted them, taking Cas by the hand again and dragging his now-boyfriend into the room and sitting them down side by side, still not untangling their intertwined fingers. He didn't let ago for a second, even when he realised he awkwardly had to use his left hand to eat.
Bobby smiled to himself at the sight. Maybe he was an alright dad after all.