Wonderful World (War is Over) [Supernatural - Pie!Fic - Dean and Castiel (Gen)]
Title: Wonderful World (War is Over)
Summary: End of a War, more pie than you can shake a stick at, a piemaker, a new family, a new beginning.
Rating: PG
Pairing: None. Dean and Castiel Gen.
Spoiler Warnings: Set post 4x10 but no specific spoilers.
Disclaimer: Supernatural = not mine. Jenna, from Waitress, also not mine.
Notes: The end of Pie!Fic, guys. It's been a great couple of months and I've been sort of overwhelmed by the comments I've recieved. Supernatural fandom has been a lot less scary than I expected it to be. I would've had this written for last Sunday (if you didn't guess - I had originally planned for there to be one of these a week until the show came back) but I came down with a nasty lurgy last week and couldn't concentrate at all. In this final episode we meet the mysterious piemaker and I flounder in search of a fitting ending. This one is set in the imaginary void after the big War is over. Title is a mash of two song titles: Wonderful World and So This is Christmas (War is Over), but it has nothing to do with Christmas.
I hope you enjoy it and it's been a blast writing it.
The dust settles. The War is won. Dean has succeeded. Sam is alive. Lucifer is back in his box. And Castiel sings exultations of Joy into the Heavens.
* * * * *
Dean reckons that they make the most ridiculous carpool ever; he and Sammy up front and the angel and the demon in the back. Of course, most people won’t know what Castiel and Ruby are just by looking at them but he’s pretty sure that the aura of ‘car ride of awkwardness’ is pretty obvious from the way Ruby and Castiel have put so much distance between themselves. Seriously, you could fit two more people between them.
Sam shifts restlessly in the seat beside Dean. He’s been twitchy for a few miles now and Dean knows exactly why. It’s why he’s been looking for somewhere to stop for the last couple of miles.
“I believe there’s a town up ahead,” Castiel says, showing off that annoying habit of knowing what Dean’s thinking. The back of Dean’s neck tingles and he knows that Castiel is staring at him.
“Sure about that?” Dean asks not bothering to turn his head and look at Castiel.
“I’m certain,” Castiel says and Dean can hear the certainty in his voice. It’s never not weird.
“I could really use something to eat,” Ruby says quietly and Dean does throw a look over his shoulder at her. She’s staring out the window as America rolls past them, her hands clenching and unclenching in her lap, and Dean shivers. Ruby killed a lot of her own kind in the big Showdown and Dean sort of knows what that’s like.
Sam scrabbles in the glove box for a map and frowns down at it, turning it a few times until it’s the right way up.
“He’s right,” Sam says after a moment. “There is a town. Yellow Pine.”
“Looks like we’re making a stop, then,” Dean says, faking not caring. If he’s perfectly honest with himself, five hours out from the Showdown, there’s nothing he wants more than beer and pie and sleep. Not necessarily in that order. His body is still wired and he can feel the Sword pressing at the back of his mind wanting to be used.
Sorry, he thinks, there’s no-one left to smite. And that’s true and Dean thinks that’s the weirdest thing of all. Sure there’s still bad things out there but the demons are going to be out of the picture for a long time, maybe even long enough that Dean won’t have to speak Latin again in his life.
They make it the rest of the way to the town in silence and Dean pulls into the parking lot of a diner as soon as he sees the name. ‘Lulu’s Pies’. There’s no way Dean can resist that.
Sam leaps out of the car and runs inside leaving Dean behind him, grinning. When Sammy’s got to go he’s got to go. Dean makes his way with a little more leisure, trailing Ruby and Castiel. Dean realises belatedly that Castiel’s lost his trenchcoat and wonders when that happened. It makes the angel look weirdly naked and Dean thinks he might actually be sorry that the ugly thing is gone.
Castiel’s face is more expressive than usual and he seems on edge, eyes darting around as if taking in everything around him, and Dean frowns.
“Hey, Cas,” Dean falls into step with Castiel, letting Ruby go ahead. “You okay?”
“Yes,” Castiel says absently but Dean can tell he’s not really with him.
“Angel radio calling you home?” Dean asks, the closest he’s come to asking Castiel why he’s not up in Heaven celebrating victory with his brothers.
“No,” Castiel says and suddenly his full focus is on Dean. “I’m free to do as I wish.”
Dean sees it then, somewhere in Castiel’s eyes, that Castiel is lost, no orders from on High to follow, and that that has left the angel without direction. Dean remembers what that feels like, remembers being rudderless when Dad disappeared, and resolves to help Castiel out.
“Come on then,” Dean says, slinging an arm over Castiel’s shoulders. “Eat some pie, relax and we’ll figure it out later. You gotta know by now that everything looks better after pie.”
Castiel smiles at Dean, no, Castiel grins at Dean and it’s the first time Dean’s seen that on his face. It’s just a little bit awesome. Dean can’t help returning it as he pulls Castiel into the diner.
“Well look at you, sugar,” a pretty woman, all smile and thick, curly hair, greets them as they come through the door. “A sight for sore eyes. I was beginnin’ to worry about you, Mr Smith.”
Dean’s certain she’s not talking to him and that those smiles are all for someone else. He looks sideways at Castiel and laughs when he sees that Castiel is blushing. Honest to God blushing. Ruby’s eyebrows are so high on her forehead that Dean’s prepared to swear that they’ll disappear into her hairline any moment.
“Hello, Jenna,” Castiel says awkwardly, casting his eyes downwards. Dean’s own eyebrows shoot up as the woman, Jenna, leans up and presses a kiss to Castiel’s cheek. This is going to be good.
“Gonna introduce me to your friends?” Jenna asks, looking at Dean pointedly.
“Dean Winchester, ma’am,” Dean says, thrusting a hand out. Jenna smiles and takes his hand, shaking firmly, and when his hand comes away it’s covered with flour. Castiel clears his throat.
“This is Ruby,” he says, nodding towards Ruby as Sam reappears with a shit-eating smile of relief on his face. “And Sam, Dean’s brother.”
“Nice to meet y’all,” Jenna says with another smile. “You look pretty tired so I’m gonna go ahead and set you up in booth round the back, nice and quiet like.”
“Thank you, Jenna,” Castiel says, allowing her to take him by the arm and lead him through the diner.
Jenna makes sure they’re all comfortably seated, Ruby and Sam beside one another, Dean sprawled in a corner and Castiel perching awkwardly on the edge of the leather seat, before pulling a notepad from her apron pocket.
“What can I get y’all?” she asks, looking at Castiel first.
“Tell Dean what pies you have,” Castiel says after a moment, looking at Dean out of the corner of his eyes.
“What pies don’t we have?” Jenna says with a laugh. “It’s been a slow day and we got at least one piece of everything left today.”
“No, Dean,” Sam says before Dean can even think about asking for one of everything. Dean’s got a feeling that every pie here would be awesome and he has a sneaking suspicion that he knows why Jenna knows Castiel so well.
“Name a few?” Dean says instead, turning the charm up. Jenna’s cheeks redden a bit.
“We-ell,” she begins, thoughtful, “there’s: plenty Apple, Cherry and Pineapple Meringue, I remember you liked that one Mr Smith. Strawberry and Chocolate, only one bit of that left. Not-So-Four Berry, that’s a guest pie from the Pie Hole. There’s more than that - pie’s sorta my speciality.”
“Yeah, I can see that,” Dean says, looking at the side of Castiel’s head. “How about you bring us one each of those. And some fries.”
Ruby smiles for the first time in five hours and Dean feels warmth spread through his gut at the sight. He can’t really remember at which point he and Ruby went from hating each other to getting along, but she more than proved herself worthy of being a part of the strange little Winchester family and Dean’s surprised to find himself glad to have her around.
“Sure thing,” Jenna says with another smile. “And when I come back Mr Smith here is going to tell me why he hasn’t visited in a month.”
Castiel fixes his eyes on the table in front of him and Dean suppresses the wry smile that wants to spread across his lips. He figures the reason Castiel hasn’t stopped by for a month is because he’s spent that last month dragging Dean and Sam all over America in an effort to stop the Apocalypse.
Jenna bounces away with almost indecent enthusiasm and it hits Dean that this was exactly what he and Sam, and Castiel and Ruby, were fighting to save. His chest tightens for a moment and he catches Sam’s eye. Sam nods and Dean knows that his brother is thinking the same thing.
“So,” Dean says when he’s recovered his composure. “She seems nice.”
“If there’s something you want to ask, Dean,” Castiel says with unexpected bite. “You should just ask it.”
“Hey, man,” Dean holds his hands up, “didn’t mean to piss you off. Not when I’ve finally figured out where all that pie’s come from.”
“Did you think I was just making it exist?” Castiel asks, sketching the shape of a pie in the air. The bite is gone from his voice and he leans back into his seat, relaxing at last.
“I did wonder,” Dean says, shrugging. “This is better though - now I know who to woo.”
“‘Woo’?” Sam says, eyebrow lifting. “Seriously, Dean? ‘Woo’?”
“Hey, I can woo someone,” Dean says, not at all defensive. “And pie like this is totally worth it.”
“I believe Jenna doesn’t want wooing,” Castiel says quietly.
“Really?” Dean says, pouting just the smallest amount for effect. “Guess I’ll have to figure out another way to get pie on demand. Ever thought of starting up an Angelic Courier Service, Cas?”
Castiel laughs first, which surprises everyone, and Dean follows, Sam and Ruby bringing up the rear. Part of Dean knows that this laughter isn’t about his lame joke at all and entirely about the fact that all four of them survived a battle against Lilith and the freaking Devil and saved the world. It’s a good feeling.
Jenna returns with two trays of pie (and fries) and coffee. Everything is laid out before Dean can even thank her, then she bumps against Castiel until he gets the message and moves further along the seat so she can settle on the end.
“So,” she says, looking around at all of them before focusing on Castiel. “Where’ve you been for the last month?”
Castiel looks at Dean for help and Dean grins back before looking down at the table and pulling the piece of Strawberry Chocolate pie across to him. Castiel’s on his own with this one.
“I’ve been working,” Castiel says at last. Dean reaches out and slides the Not-So-Four Berry pie (he knew he was right about the missing berry) in front of Castiel, remembering how much he seemed to like it.
“Working,” Jenna repeats. “You’re gonna have to do better than that.”
Ruby snorts as she picks at her fries. Sam’s hand hovers over the remaining slices of pie before picking up the Pineapple Meringue for himself and the Cherry for Ruby. The Apple pie looks lonely so Dean pulls it closer, intent on polishing it off once he’s finished his first piece of pie.
“There’s been…events,” Castiel says after more thought and a couple of mouthfuls of pie, “all over the country. Odd things. They’ve been in the newspapers and on the television.”
“Uh-huh,” Jenna says, waving at him to continue.
“We have been,” Castiel gestures around at Dean, Sam and Ruby with his fork, “investigating them.”
“That’s odd sort of work,” Jenna says, raising a sceptical eyebrow.
“We’re odd sort of people,” Ruby says and Sam smiles beside her.
“And in all this travellin’ about you didn’t have time to stop by and let me know you we’re okay?” Jenna asks, pressing a shoulder to Castiel’s. “We got kinda attached to you around here.”
“I’m sorry,” Castiel says, eyes dark for a moment. “It was very busy.”
Understatement of the century, Dean thinks and Castiel looks at him so sharply that he knows that Castiel heard it. Huh. So Castiel really can read minds. That’s creepy. Handy. But creepy.
“We’re finished now,” Castiel says, the first time any one of them has said it out loud. Dean smiles again, his face aching a little from all the happiness.
“Good thing too, I reckon,” Jenna says, touching a hand to Castiel’s arm. “Y’all look exhausted.”
“I feel exhausted,” Sam admits and Dean can see the evidence of tiredness about Sam’s face. He thinks that after they’ve eaten he’ll ask Jenna where the nearest motel is.
“It’s been hard work,” Castiel says with something like a smile. “I’m glad it’s over.”
“Hard work is it’s own reward, Mr Smith,” Jenna says, standing with a smile. “I’ll leave you to your pie.”
Dean watches Castiel watching Jenna walk away and shakes his head.
“So what now?” Dean asks Castiel. Sam and Ruby are talking quietly and Dean lowers his voice enough that they probably won’t hear him.
“I couldn’t tell you,” Castiel says, his palms flat against the table. “I have no orders. I haven’t been recalled. I don’t really understand.”
Dean doesn’t like seeing Castiel confused, he’s gotten used to the angel knowing everything, every next step, every tactic, every way to save the day. It doesn’t seem right when Castiel doesn’t know things.
“You’re welcome to stick around,” Dean says, shrugging a shoulder. “Until you know what’s what.”
“Thank you, Dean,” Castiel turns his head so he can meet Dean’s eyes. “I don’t really have anywhere else to go.”
Dean wonders if it’s a bad thing that he wants Castiel to get some orders, some direction, if only so that Castiel won’t seem so lost.
They eat their pie mostly in silence and Dean feels quiet pie happiness settle over him. He ends up sharing the Apple pie with Castiel. It makes him think of all the pie they’ve shared over the past few months. Part of Dean has always known that it’d have to come to end one day, he thinks he’s not quite ready for that yet. Having an angel around could be pretty useful on a Hunt.
They pay their bill, Castiel meekly accepting that he shouldn’t leave so long between visits next time, and Dean accepts a big box of leftover pie from Jenna.
“It’d only go to waste at this time of the day,” she says, pushing a stray piece of hair behind her ear.
“Thanks,” Dean says and he can feel his cheeks reddening a little. This is the pie maker that he swore he’d marry just for her pie alone and now that he’s met her he can kinda see the sort of life he’d have if he really decided to stay and ‘woo’ her.
“You make awesome pie,” Dean says when he realises that he’s been staring at her for a little too long.
“You and your brother, and your friend,” Jenna says as she walks with them to the door. “You’re just as welcome as Mr Smith to stop by anytime. There’s always plenty of pie to go ‘round.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Dean says offering one last smile. He hands the box of pie to Castiel before climbing into the Impala. He looks at the front of the diner before reversing and knows that, while they might visit again if they’re in the state, this is not the place Dean Winchester’s going to settle in.
* * * * *
Dean wakes up and knows straight away that Castiel isn’t in the room. Sam and Ruby had ended up sharing a room, given that it was the safest, and cheapest, way to accommodate all four of them at short notice. Dean was a little surprised that Castiel actually seemed to sleep, he figured angels wouldn’t need it.
“If I spend more than a day in this form,” Castiel had said from his bed, “I need sleep just as much as any other human.”
Dean wonders if Castiel’s been called back up to Heaven and feels sad for half a second. Then he notices that the motel room door is slightly ajar. He gets up and walks over to the door, bare feet against the cold carpet, and pulls it open enough to see Castiel sitting on the hood of the Impala.
Dean wavers back and forth in the doorway before shrugging and stepping outside. The night’s are slowly getting warmer, now, Spring well and truly on its way and Dean’s comfortable enough in boxers and a t-shirt. He crosses to the Impala and pulls himself up next to Castiel.
Castiel sits in silence, eyes fixed on the stars above him as if he can see all the way to Heaven, and Dean waits.
“I’ve heard the voice of my Father,” Castiel says after a long moment. Dean blinks in surprise but holds his silence.
“I’m to stay on Earth,” Castiel continues, dragging his eyes down from the stars to focus on Dean. “At least, as long as I wish to.”
“Do you want that?” Dean asks.
“In a way I do,” Castiel says, playing with the hem of his shirt. “I’ve been offered free will for as long as I am here. If I return but once to the Silver City I will return to what I was.”
“That’s, well, that’s a hell of a deal,” Dean says then winces. “Uh, you know what I mean.”
“It is,” Castiel nods. “I don’t know whether to stay or go.”
The words hang between them, Castiel watching Dean and Dean watching Castiel, and Dean feels every breath that he draws.
“You know,” he says, looking away when it gets a bit too much. “You’ve got a place here. With us, I mean. The Winchester family’s got a bit weird, what with the demon n’all, but there’s a place in it for you.”
Dean flexes his hands, physically reacting to the ridiculousness of this moment, but he presses on regardless.
“Me and Sam, we’ve got used to having you around, Cas. It’s not just about, y’know, having a friggin’ angel to back us up. There’s just not a whole lot of people that’ve stuck with Winchesters as you have. Guess that persistence has gotta count for something. What I’m saying is,” Dean pauses, pushes his thoughts together. “I’m saying that you should stay - get to know about this free will thing. Live a little. I promise we’ll show you a good time.”
Castiel is quiet for a long time after this speech. So long that Dean thinks he might have overstepped and is beginning to feel irritated at himself for getting emotional. Dean Winchester doesn’t do emotions. But, hey, he stopped the Apocalypse today, he figures just this once…
Castiel shifts suddenly and hugs Dean. Hugs Dean. Dean doesn’t know what to do. Who would? Eventually he raises his arms and puts them cautiously around Castiel’s shoulders, patting his back uselessly. After a long moment Castiel pulls back and Dean shoots him his best confused look.
“I’m sorry,” Castiel says with the grace to look embarrassed. “But I couldn’t think of another way to show my gratitude. To offer me…to make me a part of your family. That’s is an honour.”
“Dude, you have met us, right?” Dean laughs. “We’re not exactly the greatest family in the world.”
“I think you might be wrong about that,” Castiel says, eyes sharp in the moonlight. “Haven’t I told you that you’re a better man than you know? You proved that today. The plan was Just.”
“Yeah, Cas,” Dean says, weary. “The plan was Just.”
“Admitting it is half the struggle,” Castiel says, placing a hand on Dean’s arm for a moment. Then he grins and Dean realises Castiel is making another attempt at a joke.
“Okay,” Dean says, shaking his head but smiling. “You might just fit in.”
It’s a new world, Dean realises, looking up at the stars with Castiel. Apocalypse averted, demons out of the way, just run of the mill bad things to face down. And the Winchester family gets to continue the family business, it’s just a little bigger than it was before. Dean realises that he’s happy. Happier than he’s been since Castiel raised him from Hell.
What a wonderful frigging world, Dean thinks.
“It is wonderful,” Castiel says, not bothering to hide that he can read Dean’s mind.
“Yeah,” Dean admits. “It really is.”
----
Part VII: Wildberry Pie
Summary: End of a War, more pie than you can shake a stick at, a piemaker, a new family, a new beginning.
Rating: PG
Pairing: None. Dean and Castiel Gen.
Spoiler Warnings: Set post 4x10 but no specific spoilers.
Disclaimer: Supernatural = not mine. Jenna, from Waitress, also not mine.
Notes: The end of Pie!Fic, guys. It's been a great couple of months and I've been sort of overwhelmed by the comments I've recieved. Supernatural fandom has been a lot less scary than I expected it to be. I would've had this written for last Sunday (if you didn't guess - I had originally planned for there to be one of these a week until the show came back) but I came down with a nasty lurgy last week and couldn't concentrate at all. In this final episode we meet the mysterious piemaker and I flounder in search of a fitting ending. This one is set in the imaginary void after the big War is over. Title is a mash of two song titles: Wonderful World and So This is Christmas (War is Over), but it has nothing to do with Christmas.
I hope you enjoy it and it's been a blast writing it.
The dust settles. The War is won. Dean has succeeded. Sam is alive. Lucifer is back in his box. And Castiel sings exultations of Joy into the Heavens.
* * * * *
Dean reckons that they make the most ridiculous carpool ever; he and Sammy up front and the angel and the demon in the back. Of course, most people won’t know what Castiel and Ruby are just by looking at them but he’s pretty sure that the aura of ‘car ride of awkwardness’ is pretty obvious from the way Ruby and Castiel have put so much distance between themselves. Seriously, you could fit two more people between them.
Sam shifts restlessly in the seat beside Dean. He’s been twitchy for a few miles now and Dean knows exactly why. It’s why he’s been looking for somewhere to stop for the last couple of miles.
“I believe there’s a town up ahead,” Castiel says, showing off that annoying habit of knowing what Dean’s thinking. The back of Dean’s neck tingles and he knows that Castiel is staring at him.
“Sure about that?” Dean asks not bothering to turn his head and look at Castiel.
“I’m certain,” Castiel says and Dean can hear the certainty in his voice. It’s never not weird.
“I could really use something to eat,” Ruby says quietly and Dean does throw a look over his shoulder at her. She’s staring out the window as America rolls past them, her hands clenching and unclenching in her lap, and Dean shivers. Ruby killed a lot of her own kind in the big Showdown and Dean sort of knows what that’s like.
Sam scrabbles in the glove box for a map and frowns down at it, turning it a few times until it’s the right way up.
“He’s right,” Sam says after a moment. “There is a town. Yellow Pine.”
“Looks like we’re making a stop, then,” Dean says, faking not caring. If he’s perfectly honest with himself, five hours out from the Showdown, there’s nothing he wants more than beer and pie and sleep. Not necessarily in that order. His body is still wired and he can feel the Sword pressing at the back of his mind wanting to be used.
Sorry, he thinks, there’s no-one left to smite. And that’s true and Dean thinks that’s the weirdest thing of all. Sure there’s still bad things out there but the demons are going to be out of the picture for a long time, maybe even long enough that Dean won’t have to speak Latin again in his life.
They make it the rest of the way to the town in silence and Dean pulls into the parking lot of a diner as soon as he sees the name. ‘Lulu’s Pies’. There’s no way Dean can resist that.
Sam leaps out of the car and runs inside leaving Dean behind him, grinning. When Sammy’s got to go he’s got to go. Dean makes his way with a little more leisure, trailing Ruby and Castiel. Dean realises belatedly that Castiel’s lost his trenchcoat and wonders when that happened. It makes the angel look weirdly naked and Dean thinks he might actually be sorry that the ugly thing is gone.
Castiel’s face is more expressive than usual and he seems on edge, eyes darting around as if taking in everything around him, and Dean frowns.
“Hey, Cas,” Dean falls into step with Castiel, letting Ruby go ahead. “You okay?”
“Yes,” Castiel says absently but Dean can tell he’s not really with him.
“Angel radio calling you home?” Dean asks, the closest he’s come to asking Castiel why he’s not up in Heaven celebrating victory with his brothers.
“No,” Castiel says and suddenly his full focus is on Dean. “I’m free to do as I wish.”
Dean sees it then, somewhere in Castiel’s eyes, that Castiel is lost, no orders from on High to follow, and that that has left the angel without direction. Dean remembers what that feels like, remembers being rudderless when Dad disappeared, and resolves to help Castiel out.
“Come on then,” Dean says, slinging an arm over Castiel’s shoulders. “Eat some pie, relax and we’ll figure it out later. You gotta know by now that everything looks better after pie.”
Castiel smiles at Dean, no, Castiel grins at Dean and it’s the first time Dean’s seen that on his face. It’s just a little bit awesome. Dean can’t help returning it as he pulls Castiel into the diner.
“Well look at you, sugar,” a pretty woman, all smile and thick, curly hair, greets them as they come through the door. “A sight for sore eyes. I was beginnin’ to worry about you, Mr Smith.”
Dean’s certain she’s not talking to him and that those smiles are all for someone else. He looks sideways at Castiel and laughs when he sees that Castiel is blushing. Honest to God blushing. Ruby’s eyebrows are so high on her forehead that Dean’s prepared to swear that they’ll disappear into her hairline any moment.
“Hello, Jenna,” Castiel says awkwardly, casting his eyes downwards. Dean’s own eyebrows shoot up as the woman, Jenna, leans up and presses a kiss to Castiel’s cheek. This is going to be good.
“Gonna introduce me to your friends?” Jenna asks, looking at Dean pointedly.
“Dean Winchester, ma’am,” Dean says, thrusting a hand out. Jenna smiles and takes his hand, shaking firmly, and when his hand comes away it’s covered with flour. Castiel clears his throat.
“This is Ruby,” he says, nodding towards Ruby as Sam reappears with a shit-eating smile of relief on his face. “And Sam, Dean’s brother.”
“Nice to meet y’all,” Jenna says with another smile. “You look pretty tired so I’m gonna go ahead and set you up in booth round the back, nice and quiet like.”
“Thank you, Jenna,” Castiel says, allowing her to take him by the arm and lead him through the diner.
Jenna makes sure they’re all comfortably seated, Ruby and Sam beside one another, Dean sprawled in a corner and Castiel perching awkwardly on the edge of the leather seat, before pulling a notepad from her apron pocket.
“What can I get y’all?” she asks, looking at Castiel first.
“Tell Dean what pies you have,” Castiel says after a moment, looking at Dean out of the corner of his eyes.
“What pies don’t we have?” Jenna says with a laugh. “It’s been a slow day and we got at least one piece of everything left today.”
“No, Dean,” Sam says before Dean can even think about asking for one of everything. Dean’s got a feeling that every pie here would be awesome and he has a sneaking suspicion that he knows why Jenna knows Castiel so well.
“Name a few?” Dean says instead, turning the charm up. Jenna’s cheeks redden a bit.
“We-ell,” she begins, thoughtful, “there’s: plenty Apple, Cherry and Pineapple Meringue, I remember you liked that one Mr Smith. Strawberry and Chocolate, only one bit of that left. Not-So-Four Berry, that’s a guest pie from the Pie Hole. There’s more than that - pie’s sorta my speciality.”
“Yeah, I can see that,” Dean says, looking at the side of Castiel’s head. “How about you bring us one each of those. And some fries.”
Ruby smiles for the first time in five hours and Dean feels warmth spread through his gut at the sight. He can’t really remember at which point he and Ruby went from hating each other to getting along, but she more than proved herself worthy of being a part of the strange little Winchester family and Dean’s surprised to find himself glad to have her around.
“Sure thing,” Jenna says with another smile. “And when I come back Mr Smith here is going to tell me why he hasn’t visited in a month.”
Castiel fixes his eyes on the table in front of him and Dean suppresses the wry smile that wants to spread across his lips. He figures the reason Castiel hasn’t stopped by for a month is because he’s spent that last month dragging Dean and Sam all over America in an effort to stop the Apocalypse.
Jenna bounces away with almost indecent enthusiasm and it hits Dean that this was exactly what he and Sam, and Castiel and Ruby, were fighting to save. His chest tightens for a moment and he catches Sam’s eye. Sam nods and Dean knows that his brother is thinking the same thing.
“So,” Dean says when he’s recovered his composure. “She seems nice.”
“If there’s something you want to ask, Dean,” Castiel says with unexpected bite. “You should just ask it.”
“Hey, man,” Dean holds his hands up, “didn’t mean to piss you off. Not when I’ve finally figured out where all that pie’s come from.”
“Did you think I was just making it exist?” Castiel asks, sketching the shape of a pie in the air. The bite is gone from his voice and he leans back into his seat, relaxing at last.
“I did wonder,” Dean says, shrugging. “This is better though - now I know who to woo.”
“‘Woo’?” Sam says, eyebrow lifting. “Seriously, Dean? ‘Woo’?”
“Hey, I can woo someone,” Dean says, not at all defensive. “And pie like this is totally worth it.”
“I believe Jenna doesn’t want wooing,” Castiel says quietly.
“Really?” Dean says, pouting just the smallest amount for effect. “Guess I’ll have to figure out another way to get pie on demand. Ever thought of starting up an Angelic Courier Service, Cas?”
Castiel laughs first, which surprises everyone, and Dean follows, Sam and Ruby bringing up the rear. Part of Dean knows that this laughter isn’t about his lame joke at all and entirely about the fact that all four of them survived a battle against Lilith and the freaking Devil and saved the world. It’s a good feeling.
Jenna returns with two trays of pie (and fries) and coffee. Everything is laid out before Dean can even thank her, then she bumps against Castiel until he gets the message and moves further along the seat so she can settle on the end.
“So,” she says, looking around at all of them before focusing on Castiel. “Where’ve you been for the last month?”
Castiel looks at Dean for help and Dean grins back before looking down at the table and pulling the piece of Strawberry Chocolate pie across to him. Castiel’s on his own with this one.
“I’ve been working,” Castiel says at last. Dean reaches out and slides the Not-So-Four Berry pie (he knew he was right about the missing berry) in front of Castiel, remembering how much he seemed to like it.
“Working,” Jenna repeats. “You’re gonna have to do better than that.”
Ruby snorts as she picks at her fries. Sam’s hand hovers over the remaining slices of pie before picking up the Pineapple Meringue for himself and the Cherry for Ruby. The Apple pie looks lonely so Dean pulls it closer, intent on polishing it off once he’s finished his first piece of pie.
“There’s been…events,” Castiel says after more thought and a couple of mouthfuls of pie, “all over the country. Odd things. They’ve been in the newspapers and on the television.”
“Uh-huh,” Jenna says, waving at him to continue.
“We have been,” Castiel gestures around at Dean, Sam and Ruby with his fork, “investigating them.”
“That’s odd sort of work,” Jenna says, raising a sceptical eyebrow.
“We’re odd sort of people,” Ruby says and Sam smiles beside her.
“And in all this travellin’ about you didn’t have time to stop by and let me know you we’re okay?” Jenna asks, pressing a shoulder to Castiel’s. “We got kinda attached to you around here.”
“I’m sorry,” Castiel says, eyes dark for a moment. “It was very busy.”
Understatement of the century, Dean thinks and Castiel looks at him so sharply that he knows that Castiel heard it. Huh. So Castiel really can read minds. That’s creepy. Handy. But creepy.
“We’re finished now,” Castiel says, the first time any one of them has said it out loud. Dean smiles again, his face aching a little from all the happiness.
“Good thing too, I reckon,” Jenna says, touching a hand to Castiel’s arm. “Y’all look exhausted.”
“I feel exhausted,” Sam admits and Dean can see the evidence of tiredness about Sam’s face. He thinks that after they’ve eaten he’ll ask Jenna where the nearest motel is.
“It’s been hard work,” Castiel says with something like a smile. “I’m glad it’s over.”
“Hard work is it’s own reward, Mr Smith,” Jenna says, standing with a smile. “I’ll leave you to your pie.”
Dean watches Castiel watching Jenna walk away and shakes his head.
“So what now?” Dean asks Castiel. Sam and Ruby are talking quietly and Dean lowers his voice enough that they probably won’t hear him.
“I couldn’t tell you,” Castiel says, his palms flat against the table. “I have no orders. I haven’t been recalled. I don’t really understand.”
Dean doesn’t like seeing Castiel confused, he’s gotten used to the angel knowing everything, every next step, every tactic, every way to save the day. It doesn’t seem right when Castiel doesn’t know things.
“You’re welcome to stick around,” Dean says, shrugging a shoulder. “Until you know what’s what.”
“Thank you, Dean,” Castiel turns his head so he can meet Dean’s eyes. “I don’t really have anywhere else to go.”
Dean wonders if it’s a bad thing that he wants Castiel to get some orders, some direction, if only so that Castiel won’t seem so lost.
They eat their pie mostly in silence and Dean feels quiet pie happiness settle over him. He ends up sharing the Apple pie with Castiel. It makes him think of all the pie they’ve shared over the past few months. Part of Dean has always known that it’d have to come to end one day, he thinks he’s not quite ready for that yet. Having an angel around could be pretty useful on a Hunt.
They pay their bill, Castiel meekly accepting that he shouldn’t leave so long between visits next time, and Dean accepts a big box of leftover pie from Jenna.
“It’d only go to waste at this time of the day,” she says, pushing a stray piece of hair behind her ear.
“Thanks,” Dean says and he can feel his cheeks reddening a little. This is the pie maker that he swore he’d marry just for her pie alone and now that he’s met her he can kinda see the sort of life he’d have if he really decided to stay and ‘woo’ her.
“You make awesome pie,” Dean says when he realises that he’s been staring at her for a little too long.
“You and your brother, and your friend,” Jenna says as she walks with them to the door. “You’re just as welcome as Mr Smith to stop by anytime. There’s always plenty of pie to go ‘round.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Dean says offering one last smile. He hands the box of pie to Castiel before climbing into the Impala. He looks at the front of the diner before reversing and knows that, while they might visit again if they’re in the state, this is not the place Dean Winchester’s going to settle in.
* * * * *
Dean wakes up and knows straight away that Castiel isn’t in the room. Sam and Ruby had ended up sharing a room, given that it was the safest, and cheapest, way to accommodate all four of them at short notice. Dean was a little surprised that Castiel actually seemed to sleep, he figured angels wouldn’t need it.
“If I spend more than a day in this form,” Castiel had said from his bed, “I need sleep just as much as any other human.”
Dean wonders if Castiel’s been called back up to Heaven and feels sad for half a second. Then he notices that the motel room door is slightly ajar. He gets up and walks over to the door, bare feet against the cold carpet, and pulls it open enough to see Castiel sitting on the hood of the Impala.
Dean wavers back and forth in the doorway before shrugging and stepping outside. The night’s are slowly getting warmer, now, Spring well and truly on its way and Dean’s comfortable enough in boxers and a t-shirt. He crosses to the Impala and pulls himself up next to Castiel.
Castiel sits in silence, eyes fixed on the stars above him as if he can see all the way to Heaven, and Dean waits.
“I’ve heard the voice of my Father,” Castiel says after a long moment. Dean blinks in surprise but holds his silence.
“I’m to stay on Earth,” Castiel continues, dragging his eyes down from the stars to focus on Dean. “At least, as long as I wish to.”
“Do you want that?” Dean asks.
“In a way I do,” Castiel says, playing with the hem of his shirt. “I’ve been offered free will for as long as I am here. If I return but once to the Silver City I will return to what I was.”
“That’s, well, that’s a hell of a deal,” Dean says then winces. “Uh, you know what I mean.”
“It is,” Castiel nods. “I don’t know whether to stay or go.”
The words hang between them, Castiel watching Dean and Dean watching Castiel, and Dean feels every breath that he draws.
“You know,” he says, looking away when it gets a bit too much. “You’ve got a place here. With us, I mean. The Winchester family’s got a bit weird, what with the demon n’all, but there’s a place in it for you.”
Dean flexes his hands, physically reacting to the ridiculousness of this moment, but he presses on regardless.
“Me and Sam, we’ve got used to having you around, Cas. It’s not just about, y’know, having a friggin’ angel to back us up. There’s just not a whole lot of people that’ve stuck with Winchesters as you have. Guess that persistence has gotta count for something. What I’m saying is,” Dean pauses, pushes his thoughts together. “I’m saying that you should stay - get to know about this free will thing. Live a little. I promise we’ll show you a good time.”
Castiel is quiet for a long time after this speech. So long that Dean thinks he might have overstepped and is beginning to feel irritated at himself for getting emotional. Dean Winchester doesn’t do emotions. But, hey, he stopped the Apocalypse today, he figures just this once…
Castiel shifts suddenly and hugs Dean. Hugs Dean. Dean doesn’t know what to do. Who would? Eventually he raises his arms and puts them cautiously around Castiel’s shoulders, patting his back uselessly. After a long moment Castiel pulls back and Dean shoots him his best confused look.
“I’m sorry,” Castiel says with the grace to look embarrassed. “But I couldn’t think of another way to show my gratitude. To offer me…to make me a part of your family. That’s is an honour.”
“Dude, you have met us, right?” Dean laughs. “We’re not exactly the greatest family in the world.”
“I think you might be wrong about that,” Castiel says, eyes sharp in the moonlight. “Haven’t I told you that you’re a better man than you know? You proved that today. The plan was Just.”
“Yeah, Cas,” Dean says, weary. “The plan was Just.”
“Admitting it is half the struggle,” Castiel says, placing a hand on Dean’s arm for a moment. Then he grins and Dean realises Castiel is making another attempt at a joke.
“Okay,” Dean says, shaking his head but smiling. “You might just fit in.”
It’s a new world, Dean realises, looking up at the stars with Castiel. Apocalypse averted, demons out of the way, just run of the mill bad things to face down. And the Winchester family gets to continue the family business, it’s just a little bigger than it was before. Dean realises that he’s happy. Happier than he’s been since Castiel raised him from Hell.
What a wonderful frigging world, Dean thinks.
“It is wonderful,” Castiel says, not bothering to hide that he can read Dean’s mind.
“Yeah,” Dean admits. “It really is.”
----
Part VII: Wildberry Pie