Title: Homecoming
Author: Mydestielbabies_67 | @spnisthewayoflife
Artists: aggiedoll - @romachebella | tallula03 - @alicetallula and @alicetallulaafterdark
Rating : Explicit
Word Count: 42 310
Archive Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Tags: Alternate Universe - Modern Settings, Single Father Dean Winchester, Former Soldier Castiel, Bar Owner Gabriel, Castiel is lost in life, Kid Fic, First impressions, Getting to know each other, fixing up a house
Summary: Dean Winchester is a single father juggling a hectic life with five adopted children and no time for distractions—especially not love. Castiel Milton, a recently discharged soldier, is struggling to find purpose in the wake of war. When their paths cross through a well-intentioned nudge from family, what begins as a simple favor slowly unfolds into something more meaningful. In the quiet moments shared over repairs, routines, and late dinners, two lives begin to intertwine—offering comfort, stability, and the possibility of healing.
Teaser: He’s handsome in a way that feels effortless, like he doesn’t even realize it. Freckles dust his sun-kissed skin, and his hair is tousled, as if he’s just run a hand through it. There’s a smudge of grease on his forearm, his jeans and faded t-shirt covered in wet patches like he’s just washed up but didn’t bother changing. There’s an ease to him, a casual confidence that suggests he belongs here, like the house and the land and even the fading evening light are all just extensions of him.
He tilts his head, eyes narrowing slightly as he studies Castiel, like he’s trying to place him. There’s a wariness there, a quiet protectiveness that makes sense given the children in the yard. But beneath it, there’s something else—curiosity threaded through his guarded expression.
"Well?" he prompts, crossing his arms, the muscles in his forearms flexing slightly. "You gonna tell me what you’re doing here, or are we just gonna stare at each other all day?"
Castiel exhales, only now realizing he’s been holding his breath.
“Uh, m-my brother gave me your address,” Castiel stammers out, shifting awkwardly under the man’s scrutinizing gaze. “He, uh—he said I should try… cold calling?”
The man raises an eyebrow. “Cold calling,” he repeats, like he’s testing the words out for himself.
“Yes,” Castiel says quickly, nodding. “It’s—um. A business thing. Apparently. You see, I’m supposed to—well, my brother said it would be a good idea to—” He stops, wincing at himself. “I got distracted.”
That earns him a smirk, slow and amused. “Yeah, I got that.”
Castiel clears his throat, forcing himself to regroup. “What I meant to say is that I—”
But the man holds up a hand, shaking his head with a chuckle. “Alright, alright. Do yourself a favor—take a breath and start from the beginning.”
Castiel stares at him for a beat, then exhales again, feeling a little ridiculous.
The man’s smirk softens into something friendlier, something patient. “There you go,” he says. “Now—who are you, and what the hell are you doing on my porch?”
Castiel nods, determined to get the words out in the right order this time. “My name is Castiel,” he says, trying to sound more composed. “My brother, Gabriel, gave me your address. He—he said I should practice cold calling to improve my business skills. I sell—” Castiel hesitates, then sighs, shoulders slumping. “I don’t actually sell anything.”
The man huffs out a short laugh, shaking his head. “So you’re telling me you showed up at my house, uninvited, to… not sell me something?”
“…Yes.”
For a second, there’s silence. Then the man laughs—full and warm, like this might be the best thing to happen to him all day. Castiel isn’t sure if he should feel embarrassed or relieved.
“Damn,” the man says, still grinning. “That’s got to be the worst sales pitch I’ve ever heard.”
