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It was a well known fact that Castiel, the angel of the lord, wasn’t exactly the most relaxed person. Often times when he got stressed, he would turn away help, insisting that he could manage.
Dean would often tell him that he’s worse than Sam.
Today, the angel seemed particularly uneasy. It was as though the world rested upon his shoulders, leaving him worn and jaded.
When Sam walked by one of the bunker’s spare rooms, he spotted Castiel sitting on the edge of the bed, his expression one of solemnity and thoughtfulness, but mostly exhaustion.
“Cas?”
The angel looked up, trying to ease the worry from his features.
“Hello, Sam. I didn’t hear you come in.” He spoke in his usual low, gravelly voice, trying to give a somewhat convincing smile.
However, the youngest Winchester saw straight through the facade, having used the same one countless times.
“Cas, I know that you’re-”
“Sam, I assure you I’m quite alright. There is no need for you to worry.”
Sam’s expression softened, his eyes laced with the exact emotion that Castiel had dismissed. He tilted his head, his brows knitting together as he employed his most powerful weapon…the puppy dog eyes.
He looked deeply at the angel, his big, expressive eyes holding a slight desperation, conveying a silent plea.
“No, Cas, you’re not alright, but that’s okay. Just let me help… please..?”
Cas knows that the moment he looks into those eyes, it’s over, and he tries his hardest to keep his gaze away, but those pleading eyes just sucked him right in.
With a sigh of defeat, Cas properly meets the younger’s gaze, giving in to the puppy dog eyes.
“Alright, I’m not alright. It’s just so much to bear…” He began, Sam giving his full attention.
“The angels, the archangels, the never ending celestial wars… it’s just a lot, that’s all.”
Sam nodded with understanding, then he went silent, thinking of ways he could help relieve at least some of the stress.
Suddenly, his eyes lit up.
“Whenever I’m stressed out, Dean tickles me until I can’t think straight… it always makes me feel better.”
The dark haired angel rose an eyebrow, his face taking on a look of slight nervousness.
“That is very thoughtful, Sam, but I really don’t think it is necessahahary- Sahaham!”
The angel was interrupted by a fit of his own chuckles, Sam’s fingers having crept towards his ribcage while he was talking.
The Winchester’s eyes sparkled with glee at the sound of his friend’s laughter, his fingers making haste in their diligent dance, evoking more lighthearted noises from the angel.
“See? Doesn’t it feel nice to laugh?” Sam smiled, lightly spidering over the angel’s ribs.
“I-I suppose it is rather nihihice…” Admitted Cas, though he couldn’t help but squirm.
Sam’s touch was gentle, filled with love and care, keeping it hard enough to tickle but light enough to not overwhelm.
Castiel could feel the tension being released with each tickle, Sam’s nimble fingers picking apart his worries piece by piece, releasing them through laughter.
Sam went from spot to spot, giddily exploring and finding which spots are best.
“You’re pretty ticklish here… what about here?” He moved his fingers to drag up and down Cas’s sides, bringing forth a yelp and a torrent of titters from the angel, who was starting to squirm more incessantly.
Sam couldn’t help but giggle. “I’ll take that as a yes.”
As Sam’s fingers fluttered and grazed all over the many tickle spots, he could feel the joy radiating from the angel, and he found himself imitating that same joy, giggling along with his friend.
They were almost bouncing off of each other; Sam’s laughter and dimpled smile would make Castiel even happier and laugh even more, Sam in turn replicating the contagious happiness with his own amplified giggles.
The taller man began to brush his fingertips gently over Cas’s neck, eliciting a burst of light titters and even a snort, making Sam’s eyes light up with mischief.
“I didn’t know angels could snort!” He exclaimed, continuing the careful ministrations, picking up the speed only slightly.
“Sahaham! That spot is q-quite tehehender!” The angel giggled, another snort slipping, making him blush with mild embarrassment. He raised his shoulders to try and protect himself, only to find that the defense was futile and simply served to trap Sam’s agile fingers.
“I see that! Your neck is almost as bad as mine, haha!” Teased Sam, his voice soft, carrying a tone of sincerity.
Though the tickling was fun, Castiel was beginning to feel a tad overwhelmed, so he finally called out. “Okay, Sam, enohohough!”
At those words, Sam immediately retracted his hands, allowing the angel some space to breathe.
“Are you okay? Did I go too far?”
The raven haired angel merely shook his head with a grin, catching his breath and releasing the rest of his titters.
“Not at ahahall… I’m quite alright, thanks to you, of course.” He assured, giving the youngest Winchester a grateful smile.
Sam returned the smile with one of his own, nodding warmly.
Once the angel caught his breath, he put a hand on Sam’s shoulder, looking at him with utmost sincerity.
“You are a good friend, Sam. I know you question yourself at times… but don’t ever doubt that you have the purest of intentions. You have a heart of gold, Sam.”
The hunter’s face was a picture of gratitude, touched by the words of his celestial friend.
“Thanks, Cas… that means a lot.”
They sat in comfortable silence for a couple more moments, enjoying each other’s company.
“You wanna go hang out in the kitchen? Dean is making pie.” Sam piped up, watching Cas raise an eyebrow at the statement.
“Since when does Dean make pie?”
Sam chuckled at the angel’s (warranted in Sam’s opinion) confusion.
“Trust me, Cas… I asked the same question.”
Regardless of their skepticism towards Dean’s sudden baking escapade, they migrated to the kitchen to hang out and converse, sharing amused glances whenever Dean would boast about his pie, claiming it was going to be the best pie ever.
“Calm down, Betty Crocker… the last time you tried to make a pie, you nearly blew it up and made a mess in the kitchen.” Sam teased, rolling his eyes at his older brother’s cockiness.
Dean, apron and all, shot his little brother a deadpan expression.
“Watch it, Sammy… don’t make me come over there.”
The angel and the hunter chuckled, looking at each other with charmed expressions.
“Dean, I do not doubt your cooking capabilities… but baking is a diligent process if you want to do it correctly.” Cas critiqued, earning a scoff from the older Winchester.
“Pfft- cooking, baking, what’s the difference? Actually, I’ll tell you the difference… pie!”
Sam and Cas chuckled with pure amusement, endeared by Dean’s typical charm and humor.
Dean didn’t ask how Sam managed to get the angel out of his rut… he was simply content that everyone was happy and smiling, even if it was at the expense of him and his pie.