Chapter Text
Dean was drumming his fingers on the steering wheel to the beat of Behind Blue Eyes. The long stretch of road in front of him had a feeling of calmness. Dean could see Sam passed out against the passenger window next to him. He took a quick look at the rear view mirror to see Stiles leaning against the window, sleeping.
It was half way through the drive that Sam woke up. “Sleep good?” Dean asked as he quickly changed the cassette. Sam nodded as he stretched and looked back at the still sleeping Stiles.
“How long has it been?” Sam looked out the window to the lighter, but still dark sky.
“Three hours,” Dean shrugged and started to drum to the song on the new cassette.
Sam nodded and quickly looked back at Stiles again. “Did you actually mean it? Teaching him to shoot.”
Dean took a quick look at Sam and sighed. Seems like I’ve been doing it a lot lately. “Look, the kid should learn with the way things back in California are going.”
Sam seemed to disagree, but didn’t push it any further.
The rest of the drive was quiet as Sam looked out the window or fell back to sleep. Dean was grateful for the calm with everything lately until his mind wandered. Next thing he knew it was a year ago and he was on the phone with Cas…
“Dean.” Dean was sitting on the same front porch that he sat with his son a day ago.
“Cas?” Cas calling wasn’t out of the blue, but something made Dean feel uneasy.
“Your kid.” Dean swallowed.
“Yeah.” It was hard to push the words out like it was suffocating.
“When?” Dean put his head in his head.
“It's complicated.” But so is everything that involved him and Cas.
“He’s not human Dean.” Dean looked up to see a kid run with a dog just across the street.
“He’s a nephilim.” Dean swallowed the feeling of wanting to hang up and get away from the conversation.
“Nephilim?” Cas sounded off, but Dean couldn’t fully pick up the tone.
“Yeah.” It was silent for a moment like Cas was processing the information.
“Dean, when did you have a kid with an angel?” Never .
“I haven’t (yet) . Look, I’ll explain it later, but for right now just can you let him have a chance at normal?” It was harsh and Dean knew it, but he couldn’t find the exact words at the moment.
“Yes.” Then Dean heard a ruffle and the call ended.
Dean sat on the porch staring at his phone until Lisa called him inside to help her with dinner…
The song on the cassette switched over and Dean could see the sky outside noticeably start to lighten. They had about an hour before they got to Bobby’s. Dean could feel the same feeling of heaviness settle on his shoulders as that day. The heaviness feeling that he rather calls anger than what it really is, longing.
A longing that everything will turn out right.
A longing that Cas won’t leave him.
A longing that in the end he will have a chance.
The hour went by fast and soon he was pulling into the junk yard. Home, sweet Home. “Sam.” Dean parked next to Stiles’ Jeep as Sam tiredly looked over at Dean. “We’re back.” That was all Sam needed to get out and stretch his legs. Dean got out and carefully opened the back door where Stiles was leaning against the window.
“Kid.” Dean said quietly as he laid a hand on Stiles’ shoulder.
There was a small hum from the boy, and that was all Dean needed to pick Stiles up and carry him towards the house. Sam closed the door and got their bags behind them.
Bobby opened the door when Dean got to the porch.
“How’s the kid?” Bobby moved out of the way for Dean to walk past.
“Didn’t really get the chance to talk.” Was all Dean said as he made his way up the stairs.
Dean walked into Stiles’ temporary room and set the kid down on the cot in the corner. He found a blanket and draped it over Stiles and took a quick look around the bare room. Should get him something to hang up at least with all the time he spends here. Dean took a last look at the boy and walked out the room.
When Dean got down stairs Bobby and Sam were already talking.
“Flying?”
“Yeah apparently Lucifer taught him.”
Dean walked into the study feeling more tired than he should. “Well with Cas out, he’s going to have to learn from somewhere.” There was a burning feeling that swelled up in Dean, and he tried to push it down.
Bobby shared a look with Sam and Dean tried not to acknowledge it. “How did the kid do on the hunt?”
Sam looked more interested in a book than the conversation; which left Dean to answer.
“Pretty alright. Going to have to teach him to shoot though.”
Bobby nodded and it seemed to be the end of the conversation. Dean got up and looked around. “I’ll be in the yard.” He said as he walked out of the house. He needed to get out of the suffocation that was building in the house.
Stiles stretched as he rolled over and felt a blanket fall off of him. He realised that wasn’t in the car anymore and shot up. He looked around and it took him a moment to realise where he was. Dad must have brought me up. Stiles rubbed his eyes as he kicked off the already half off blanket that was on him.
“Rise and shine.” Stiles looked towards the voice to see Lucifer leaning against the wall next to the door.
Stiles sighed and got up from his cot. He walked out the door without acknowledging Lucifer who frowned mockingly.
“Silent treatment I see.” Lucifer walked a step behind him.
Stiles said nothing as he walked down stairs. He walked into the study to see both Sam and Bobby reading books. “Where’s Dean?”
“Outside.” was all Sam said without looking from his book that looked to be in Latin.
Stiles nodded and made his way outside while leaving Lucifer with Sam. He found Dean around the side of the yard with his under the hood of a random car. There were random car parts on the ground around.
“Dad.” Stiles watched as Dean stilled for a second before relaxing.
“Damn kid you really are quiet.” Dean looked back at him as he took another part out.
Stiles smiled and shook his head. “I get that a lot, but I guess it comes with being half angel.”
Dean gave a half laugh and put a wrench down. “You need something?”
Stiles walked over fully and stood next to Dean. “No, just bored.”
“Well you can help me rebuild this engine.” Dean offered.
Stiles ended up doing most of the work as Dean instructed him. It was calming to do something so normal after the crazy of the last two days. It left like it was only minutes later when Dean said that it was time for a break. It wasn’t until Stiles saw the time that he realised it had been nearly two hours.
They were sitting on the porch during the break after Dean came back from getting a beer and a glass of water, when Stiles asked a question. “What is Cas really like?”
There was a still moment when Dean just stared off at the junkyard. “Beautiful.” It caught Stiles so off guard that he must have made a face because Dean elaborated. “There’s no need to lie to you especially if you really are our kid. Just don’t tell Sammy about any of this.” Stiles nodded slowly while taking a sip of water.
“Beautiful?” The word felt strange, but somehow right.
“The way that no matter how much crap I ended up getting into; he doesn’t treat me like a monster. The way he is fascinated by the smallest thing. He would tilt his head whenever he was confused. For being an angel he was the loyalist and kindest person I’ve ever met, especially to things he cared about. ” There was this broken feeling in the words that Stiles decided not to acknowledge. “He’s smart, too; of course more book smart.”
Stiles smiled at the obviousness that an angel would be book smart. “He learned everything human from you.” Stiles could see the smile on Dean’s face relax. He shook his head at what looked like a remembrance of a fawn memory. There was a comfortable silence for a moment until Dean clapped his hands together and looked at Stiles.
“How’s California?” Stiles was confused. “I mean besides the whole werewolf thing.” Stiles nodded as Dean to a drink from his beer.
“It’s good.” Stiles fidgeted with his hands while looking for the next thing.
“Good?”
“I mean I have my best friend Scott and everyone. I mean we mostly hang out either at school or Derek’s.” Stiles looked up at Dean.
“Derek. The werewolf one right? The one that’s like 20?” Stiles frowned and shifted.
“Yeah. I mean he has a flat that we hang out at.” Dean looked at him for a second and Stiles couldn’t tell a thing. “I mean the dude’s alright, besides the whole werewolf thing. I mean sure the first time I talked with him was in the woods and I mean if you get past the times he has just showed up in my room then..” Stiles suggested at the air like there was an answer there. Stiles could feel Dean’s eyes on him and looked back at him
Dean was looking at him amused while Stiles frowned and stared back confused. Dean nodded and didn’t say anything in return; he just took a drink from his beer. What the hell!
There wasn’t anything more said for the next five minutes of their break. Every now and then Dean went inside for a beer or something, Stiles didn’t question it.
The rest of the day until dinner was just finishing up the engine.
The sun was just setting after dinner, when Dean got up from the table. “Ready?” Stiles was confused about what was happening, but he guessed Sam knew because he nodded. “Come on kid.” Dean motioned towards the door.
Stiles got up from the table and followed Sam to the door. Sam was putting on a coat and motioned for Stiles to do the same. Just as Stiles followed Sam out the door, Dean asked Bobby, “Are you sure you don’t want to come?” Stiles didn’t hear the answer before he crossed the threshold of the house.
“Where are we going?” Stiles looked up to Sam.
Sam just smiled and said nothing. “Your Pops has a surprise.” Lucifer said as he walked a little too close to Sam. Stiles nodded and followed Sam to the Impala.
“So kid, are you ready?” Dean was walking towards them with a smile. Stiles nodded a bit confused.
They got in the car and Stiles watched as Dean turned the music. Stiles looked out of the window as they pulled out of the junkyard.
There was a familiar hum from next to him, Lucifer. Stiles tried to ignore it, but then the singing started. “There’s a lady who’s sure all that glitters is gold and she’s buying a stairway to heaven.” Stiles half listened to Lucifer’s singing the rest of the drive.
The drive was short as they pulled up to a cream coloured house. Dean parked in the driveway next to a sheriff's truck. It was then that Stiles realised where he was. Jody’s. Stiles got out of the car after Dean and looked around. It was different, but close to how he imagined it.
The front door opened and Jody stepped out. “I thought I heard you boys pull up.” She walked across the lawn to them and gave Dean a hug.
“It’s good to see you.” Dean said as he patted Jody on the back. Jody let go and turned to hug Sam, who Stiles didn’t see walk around the car.
Stiles stood there awkwardly as the three of them started to greet each. After a moment Dean mentioned to Stiles which led Jody to look over at him. Stiles raised a hand in a still wave and Jody smiled.
“Psota, it’s good to see you.” Jody gave him a hug. “I haven’t seen you since you first came into town.” Stiles awkwardly patted her on the back. Jody let go and turned back to Dean. “Ready?”
Dean smiled and turned to Stiles. “Why don’t you go help Jody.” Stiles was about to protest before closing his mouth.
Stiles followed Jody into the house. “How do you like it up here?” She turned down the hall towards a heavy looking door.
“It’s alright. I flew.” Stiles didn’t know why he said it, just that it felt like something to do.
Jody shook her head as she pulled the door open to reveal a garage. “I heard about your guys' adventure to Oklahoma.”
Stiles shifted trying to find a way to react to the statement. Jody propped the door open and stepped down the step. She grabbed something from the right of the door and gave it to Stiles. Lawn chairs?
Jody gave Stiles another before picking two herself and stepping back into the house. Stiles fidgeted with the chairs while Jody kicked the door stopper out of place. “The boys probably got the drinks already.” Jody started walking down the hall and Stiles followed, letting the door shut behind them.
When they made it back outside there was an iceless cooler with drinks in it. Dean and Sam seemed to be bickering about something but stopped when they heard the screen door close.
Stiles silently helped set up chairs in a line and sat down at the end. Dean sat down to his right and smiled. “Ready?”
“For what?” Stiles looked around the street confused. Dean didn’t say anything back and was pulled into a conversation with Jody and Sam.
Stiles fidgeted as he watched the sun fully pass under the skyline. A little later Dean put an arm around Stiles' shoulder. A few minutes later he pointed at something in the dark sky.
For a second Stiles couldn’t see what Dean was pointing at then… there it was.
Boom!