Chapter Text
Back before, it was never easy to surprise Dean with anything. He was tense, always watchful even in sleep, and one wrong step in the room he was in could leave you with a gun pointed at you, a blurry eyed hunter glowering at you from a rumpled bed.
Now, however, peace has overtaken their lives for well over two years and Cas gets the honor of standing next to Dean's bed, watching him sleep while he organizes the area around Dean's bed, humming quietly under his breath.
Finishing up, he carries a few things away, careful not to drop anything on his way out of the room. He returns after a few moments and sets something up on the table, leaning closer to make sure he's not slicing through the wrong thing as he finishes up. Stepping back, he frowns, glancing from the table to Dean.
Deciding it's sufficient, he walks quietly over to the windows and pulls the drapes open, letting light stream in to the room. Dean groans softly and peers up from his cocoon of blankets and pillows, squinting. "Cas? What's going on?" he mumbles. "What time is it?"
"About 9 AM," Cas says, walking over to the bed.
Dean groans and scrubs at his face, reaching over to grab his clock to squint at it... just to freeze when his hand hits something tall, and thin, and- "Cas?" he asks, confused and uncertain. "What's this?"
Cas reaches over and turns on the lamp, lighting the room up the rest of the way so Dean can see what he's touching. "It's an Advent Calendar," he explains after a few moments of Dean's perplexed stare at the box that's now taken over his table.
"An advent calendar." he repeats slowly, quirking an eyebrow.
"I remember you talking about some of the childhood memories you and Sam have from Christmases in the past," Cas explains. "I know neither of you were able to experience many traditions, so I thought as it's December 1st, I would surprise you with this."
Dean takes a deep breath before sitting up to peer closer at the box. "It's kinda big for an advent calendar, Cas. Don't they only have, like, little chocolates in them?"
"They make specialize themed ones now," Cas says. "Why don't you open #1 and see?"
Dean glances over at him, then shrugs. "I guess. What could it hurt, right?" Cas steps closer, nearby in case Dean needs help from this slightly awkward angle, but he gets it pried open easily enough, then stares at the small cup in his hand. "Gourmet coffee?" he says. "You mean, there are different kinds of coffee in here for each day?"
Cas smiles, relieved at the growing happiness on Dean's face as he examines the label. "I'm glad you like it, Dean."
"We should get one of these for Sam," he mumbles. "He'd have a fit."
"I believe Eileen has that handled," Cas says, smile growing when Dean looks up at him.
"Huh, you've planned for everything, huh?" he asks, draping an arm around Cas' shoulders and dragging him down to sit on the bed next to him. Once they're settled, Dean chuckles. "You're going to have to hold me to this whole cup-a-day plan, you know. I have no impulse control when it comes to these things."
"I'll make sure each cup is accounted for," Cas promises somberly, intense blue eyes flicking from Dean to the Advent Calendar.
Dean grins wider and he squeezes Cas a little tighter. "Wanna help me try this coffee out, sweetheart?"
"Yes, Dean," Cas says, leaning into Dean's side and peering down at the small cup before looking back up at him. "Merry Christmas."
Dean hums and presses a kiss to his temple. "Merry Christmas. Now c'mon, I need caffeine," he says nudging Cas up and out.