Summary: In the quiet heights of Stormterror’s Lair, Venti introduces his newborn child to Dvalin, the dragon guardian of Mondstadt. With playful caution and heartfelt sincerity, the Anemo Archon entrusts Dvalin with a sacred promise—to protect the child whenever Venti cannot. Amid gentle nudges and soft laughter, a bond is formed between ancient guardian and fledgling life, carried on the winds of love and legacy.
Tags: Dad Venti, Protective Dvalin, Wholesome, Found Family, Soft Moments, Baby Fic, Dragon Babysitter.
A/N: I can't believe you didn't make this request before 😭🙏
The wind was still that day over Stormterror’s Lair, not a breeze dared stir while the skies held their breath. Venti, clad in a cloak of soft green and feathered hems, stood atop the worn stone ruins with something far more precious than even the Windsong Lyre cradled against his chest.
Wrapped tight in a blanket, with tufts of hair peeking out like wild spring grass, was his newborn child—barely days old, already holding Venti’s heart more tightly than any melody ever had.
“Now, now,” Venti murmured, voice a gentle hum over the cradle of the world. “We’re going to meet someone very, very special. But no pressure, little one—he only happens to be a giant dragon.”
As if on cue, the shadows shifted, and a low wind stirred the air before the vast form of Dvalin landed silently upon the broken earth, wings folding like great cathedral doors. His eyes blinked, ancient and intelligent, fixating immediately on the small bundle in Venti’s arms.
“Easy,” Venti cooed, stepping closer. “No sniffing too hard, you’ll knock them into next week.”
Dvalin’s enormous snout came down, slowly, cautiously. His nostrils flared as he sniffed once—twice—before letting out a deep, almost amused rumble. He nudged the child’s swaddled form ever so gently, as if the newborn might vanish like mist if breathed on too strongly.
The baby stirred, one tiny hand escaping the burrito-wrap to wiggle in the air. Dvalin stared at it, enchanted.
“That’s right,” Venti said, grinning. “They smell like apples. That’s my kid, alright.”
Dvalin’s eyes lifted, and for a long moment, dragon and Archon simply looked at each other. The wind whispered around them, a wordless promise echoing on ancient currents.
“Hey,” Venti said, voice softer now, weighted with something old and true. “I won’t always be here. You know how I am—blown away by songs, cider, sudden revolutions…” His smile wavered. “But I need someone I trust to watch over them. Someone who knows the skies like I do. Someone I can count on.”
Dvalin rumbled again—low, certain.
Venti stepped forward and gently touched the baby’s forehead to the smooth, cool scales of Dvalin’s nose. “Sworn protector of Mondstadt,” he whispered. “And now, guardian of my little windling.”
The baby yawned, then sneezed. A tiny puff of Anemo shimmered in the air, enough to tickle Dvalin’s nose and make Venti laugh aloud.
“Oh no,” he said dramatically. “They already have your sense of drama.”
Dvalin snorted and lifted his head, wings spreading as the breeze finally returned, warm and sweet.
And in the quiet that followed, with the sky above and the stones below, Venti felt something sacred settle into place. A promise sealed not with a contract, but with trust, and the endless breath of the wind.
You tell Bucky you’re just dropping off supplies at the shelter—some blankets and cans of food. He doesn’t believe you for a second.
Sure enough, ten minutes later, he finds you crouched beside a kennel, cooing at a golden-eyed tabby with one torn ear and a face full of attitude.
“He looks like trouble,” Bucky says, crossing his arms.
You smile up at him, knowing you’ve already won. “You love trouble.”
He glances down at the cat, who’s staring back like he’s issuing a challenge. “We already have Alpine,” he tries weakly. “She barely tolerates me.”
“Which is exactly why she needs a friend,” you counter. “Someone to boss around that isn’t you.”
Bucky sighs, looking between you and the cat. “What’s his name?”
“Charlie,” you say softly.
Two hours later, you’re on your way home with an adoption folder in your lap, Bucky driving, Rowan babbling in her car seat, and Charlie—already purring—sitting smugly in his carrier like he knows he’s found his people.
Alpine, to her credit, takes one look at Charlie and immediately decides he’s beneath her.
She stalks off to her favorite windowsill like a queen refusing to acknowledge a commoner.
But Rowan? Oh, she’s enchanted.
From the moment Charlie steps paw into the house, she lights up—wide-eyed and squealing as he pads over to her play mat. He doesn’t hiss, doesn’t hide. He just sniffs her, flicks his tail, and flops right beside her like he’s accepted his new role as protector and playmate.
Bucky leans against the doorway, watching with a mix of disbelief and fondness. “Doll,” he says quietly, “I think he imprinted.”
You grin, crouching beside your daughter. “Guess Rowan’s got a new best friend.”
By the end of the week, it’s official: wherever Rowan goes, Charlie follows.
During bottle time, he sits under her high chair, tail flicking in rhythm with her happy kicks. When she naps, he curls up beside her crib, eyes half-lidded and vigilant. When she practices crawling, he trails along like a fuzzy little shadow—pausing whenever she stops, meowing softly as if cheering her on.
You find them one afternoon sprawled across the nursery rug. Rowan’s babbling in her musical, nonsense baby talk, and Charlie’s lying on his side, letting her tug gently at his fur.
“Careful, baby,” you say softly. “Gentle with Charlie.”
She responds with a gummy grin and a delighted “Cha-cha!”
Charlie blinks slowly, the feline equivalent of a smile, and purrs loud enough to rattle the floorboards.
The first time Bucky catches them “talking,” he thinks he’s lost it.
It’s early morning. You’re still asleep, so he’s on Rowan duty—sitting on the nursery floor while she plays with her stacking cups.
Charlie’s next to her, perfectly patient, tail swishing lazily.
“Da-da-da!” Rowan chirps, waving a cup.
“Mrrrow,” Charlie replies immediately.
Bucky freezes.
“Buh!” she says.
“Meow.”
He stares between them, jaw slack. “No way.”
Rowan giggles and smacks the cup against the rug. “Cha!”
“Meow.”
“Oh, so now you’ve got your own language?” Bucky mutters, trying not to laugh. “You two talkin’ about me, huh? Saying how your old man doesn’t feed you fast enough?”
“Da!” Rowan squeals, bouncing.
Charlie yawns dramatically, stretching like he’s confirming it.
“Unbelievable,” Bucky chuckles, running a hand through his hair. “Traitors, both of ya.”
Later, you find Bucky on the floor beside them, chin resting on his arms, watching your daughter and her cat with the softest look you’ve ever seen.
“Caught them talking again?” you tease.
He glances up, smiling. “You’d think I was crazy if I told you what I heard earlier. It was like… back and forth, doll. She says something, he answers. Like a real conversation.”
“Maybe they understand each other,” you say, kneeling beside him. “They both communicate in snacks and chaos.”
“Exactly,” Bucky laughs. “It’s uncanny.”
Rowan babbles something that sounds suspiciously like “Char-lee,” and the cat perks up, padding over to nuzzle her cheek.
“See?” you grin. “Soulmates.”
Bucky wraps an arm around your waist, watching them with awe. “Never thought I’d see the day. My little girl and her cat—best buds already.”
You brush a hand through his hair, voice soft. “You’re a goner, huh?”
“Completely,” he murmurs, still smiling. “She’s got both of us wrapped around her finger… and now this little furball too.”
When Rowan turns one, Charlie is practically a guest of honor.
During her birthday party, Alpine perches regally on the counter, observing from afar, while Charlie sits under the high chair like a knight sworn to duty. He watches every crumb fall, every bit of frosting hit the tray, waiting patiently for his share.
Bucky snaps a picture just as Rowan smears cake across her face and Charlie gives a slow, approving blink beside her. He makes it his phone wallpaper that night.
He shows you while you’re curled against him on the couch. “Look at these two, doll,” he murmurs. “Could they get any cuter?”
You smile. “The best decision we’ve made since Alpine.”
Bucky chuckles. “Don’t let her hear you say that. She already thinks she’s the queen.”
“Please,” you laugh, “Alpine’s too busy pretending none of us exist.”
Right on cue, Alpine strolls into the living room, hops onto the couch arm, and gives Charlie a disdainful look before curling up beside Bucky’s shoulder.
He strokes her snowy fur, grinning. “See that, girls? Peace treaty’s been signed.”
Charlie yawns in response. Rowan claps from her spot on the floor, drooling happily.
“Guess that’s approval,” you say.
“Or judgment,” Bucky muses. “Hard to tell with cats.”
The next morning, you wake to the sound of giggles through the baby monitor.
Bucky groans beside you, half-asleep. “Your turn or mine?”
You nudge him. “Yours. I did bedtime.”
He drags himself out of bed and pads down the hall, rubbing his eyes—then stops dead in the nursery doorway.
Rowan’s sitting in her crib, wide awake, babbling cheerfully. Charlie’s perched on the edge of her blanket like a sentinel, answering her with little chirps and meows.
Bucky watches them for a moment, smiling so hard it hurts. The morning light catches Rowan’s curls, the rise and fall of Charlie’s tail, and he swears it’s the sweetest thing he’s ever seen.
“Morning, you two,” he says softly.
Rowan squeals, reaching her arms up. Charlie meows once, as if to say, We’re busy here, Dad.
Bucky chuckles, shaking his head. “Fine, fine. Carry on, partners.”
He tiptoes back to bed, slides under the covers, and kisses your shoulder.
“They’re talkin’ again,” he whispers.
You smile sleepily. “About what this time?”
He grins. “Probably plotting how to convince me to feed them first.”
A moment later, the monitor crackles to life: one delighted giggle, one perfectly timed meow.
Bucky laughs quietly into your hair. “See? Told you. Teamwork.”
So, I just read the last 3rd of Riddle's Dreaming of You, and the amount of fluff I've packed in there is insane. You don't understand. The warning should be about the amount of fluff there is, rather than the sexy scenes.
I'm shocked. I didn't remember it being this saccharine sweet. However... Riddle loves sweets, and he's kinda a sweet guy once you pull back all the layers. Awwwww, that's kinda cute though.
I haven't worked on this in a while. I got sucked into the Death Note fandom to sort out my feelings about the world, corruption, and crime. Then, I drafted an update post about the change tonight and mentioned I wanted to get Riddle's fanfic out. It rekindled my desire to work on it, because not publishing it isn't an option. I've worked too hard and gone through so much for this fanfic. I'm close to doing a full edit run.
However, I started writing again, and was instantly KOed by my own fanfic.
I forgot what I wrote. Then, I read it again, and I'm shocked like the rest of you. It's kinda great, but I need to get back on track.
I have to get this out. You have to experience it. I can talk it up all I like, but it's different when you read it.
Wish me luck. Send asks to keep me motivated.
Seriously, send asks if you want to make sure this fanfic gets posted
Larissa immediately knew something was wrong when your entered her office. There was simply a shift in the peaceful air of tension of the atmosphere. You sniffed as you slammed the door harshly the rage building back up as you stormed into your shared bedroom with larissa. Larissa lifted her gaze making brief eye contact with you. Her heart sank completely.
You looked like you wanted to curl up and die, you had tears in your eyes threatening to spill out as your nose flared, clearly showing that you were on the verge of having a mental breakdown. You quickly averted your eyes from her gaze and disappeared into the room slamming the door.
You felt tired, hopeless, depression, utterly exhausted beyond sleep fixation, and mostly worthless. Before you could even reach the bed a loud painful sob escaped you. Larissa's heart was deeply troubled, it was at that point she placed down her pen and got up from her seat.
She sighed as she took off her heels and her jacket. She slowly approached the door and softly knocked.
" my love?" Her voice was soft and filled with deep concern. True sympathy - one you never understood. Larissa's love for you ran deeper than the ocean. She truly cared, she truly loved, she truly protected and provided for you.
"Y/n please don't shut me out again.... darling?" You were getting more agitated by the second. You wanted her to be mad at you.... probably because you were mad at yourself, or maybe it's because everyone else was. You needed everyone one, including larissa to scold you for making mistakes and simply being human.
You were far to harsh on yourself, you knew that obviously but you found comfort in that pain. You were your biggest rival. There's times where your soul desperately wanted to be happy - needed to be happy but that everlasting pain was all you knew, all you ever felt. So that's why when larissa came into your life with so much love and joy, sympathy, understandment it was hard to accept it. It was hard to understand it.
You didn't even know why she loved you so much, as if you died she would be the loneliest woman on planet earth. Maybe it's because you don't quite understand what love is because you never had it or practiced it on yourself.
Larissa twisted the door nob then finding out that the door was unlocked, from there she gently sneeked her way in. There you were on the bed curled up into a small ball crying. Your mascara ruined and your face completely tear ridden. Larissas shoulders dropped, as if she wasn't expecting what she saw - again with the sympathy.
" Oh darling come here" she cooed gently sitting on the bed and tapping her lap. You looked up at her from the pillow, the mascara remains taking the stain on the white material. You looked at her deeply. Trying to figure out if you were one, dreaming or two maybe she was lying.
Her deep caring blue eyes stared back at yours, truth,meaning and love shined through them. She looked like she had all the answers to your troubles and problems and was willing to help if you would just let her in. You couldn't help the feeling of feeling like an equation. Waiting to be solved and placed away in a box and labeled as useless. But larissa would never do that.
No one hurts you more than yourself, your a big overthinker and that's the sharpest part of the knife for you. You sniff as you carefully got up and laid in her lap. Larissa laid back against the pillows and placed pulled you up with her, making you lay on her chest.
She doesn't say anything. The silence was killing you. You needed to know what she was thinking. If she thought she should divorce you, go on a break, take you to see a counselor, scold you for being the way you are. But again that's not who larissa is. That's not the woman who proposed, the woman who's vows where to love you even in your illness.... she simply cared for you and you didnt know why your heart refused to believe it.
As If she was reading your mind she spoke up, her voice cracking as though she shared your pain - felt your pain.
" rest your mind, my love, it's been quite mean to you" she whispered kissing your temple. And there it was. The kiss of love. Her soft voice and cold gentle finger tips running through your hair as you slowly started to drift off to sleep. Your body fought against it, larissa is busy and has better things to do, your disrupting her work, you own her an explanation. Oh shut up mind, you stopped fighting the sweet desire and fell stead fast asleep.
You were slowly brought back from your depth when you heard larissas sweet voice mumbling some sweet nothings in your ear while her nails lightly strached against your scalp. Somethings like ' I genuine love you' ' your pain is my pain' ' your ok in my arms'. Your heart felt weak and fluttered. You felt like your were in heaven.
You slowly opened your eyes, adjusting to the lighting of the dim light on the bed side table. It was most definitely past 6, which meant you were probably laying in larissa ls arms sleeping for atleast 2 hours. Larissa is a busy woman who has almost a thousand things to do and for her to chose to lay here with you will always be appreciated and cherished from the deepest depth of your heart.
" she's back, are you feeling OK my love?" It was a stupid and rhetorical question, she knew that. Obviously you weren't ok, you didn't even tell her what was the problem yet.
Tha pain of the world immediately came back to you, and she noticed it. It was as of sleep was your only escape but she wanted it to be her, and only her. She wanted you to trust her with all of your problems.
She took your chin in her fingers and brought your face up to hers, sapphire eyes piercing into your dark soul setting light upon it. She kissed your nose and you gaved her a faint smile before giggling when she proceeded to leave pecks of kisses all over your face. It's a good thing her lipstick is stain proof or your entire face would be red right now.
She chuckled as she left one final kiss to your forehead.
" since i've got you to smile and laugh what monsters have been clawing at you?" She asked sincerely, your smile faded quicker than it appeared as guilt and that never ending cycle of pain filled your beautiful eyes. Your eyes started to gloss over again as you avoided larissas inetesene and worried stare.
She quickly grabbed hold of your face and forced you to maintain eye contact but you pulled away. You quickly got up and stood facing away from her. Larissa sighed in defeat, she really thought she was making progress but still she was not mad at you. And will never be.
Not because she has to put up with it but simply because she cares.
" darling come here" she spoke softly voice breaking as tears filled her own eyes. When she got no response she stood, still keeping her distance, choosing to give you the acquired space you needed.
" please my love, y/n just tell me what the problem is your breaking my heart!" She shouted, not intentionally but she did. You looked up at the mirror infront of you, meeting her gaze quickly. She looked stressed, you were adding to her stress. Your pain hurts her as much as it hurts you and possibly even more, and if not it leaves her scared.
You turned around and slowly walked up to her before hugging her. Wrapping your arms around her neck as she wrapped hers completely around your waist pulling you in to get you as close as she can. Her body heat brought your peace and harmony. Happiness even. You felt refilled, refreshed.
Her hugs always give you hope and possibilitys.
"I'm sorry for shouting" she mumbled and you shook your head pulling back a bit.
" I get it your upset and stressed, I would shout as me too" you said handing your head low.
" that doesn't justify my actions y/n, I had no right to shout at you regardless of my emotions, as your partner i should have control of that and not get upset every time your broken" she spoke sternly. She held your hand and placed it over her chest. Feeling her heart beat you smiled and looked up at her.
" my heart beats for you by y/n/n, it whispers your name and this is not poetry I'm speaking the truth. When your sad I'm not like oh my gosh this shit again, no, I always wanna help you in everything and with everything, so please don't leave me in the dark" her words were like a soothing melody. You sighed and sat down on the bed pulling her with you.
" have you ever felt like the majority of the things that happen or are said to you are your fault" you asked her and she looks at you like she's either confused or doesn't know how to answer the question without making you feel worst about the situation.
"ok like, I dont know how to explain it" you said in defeat sighing. Larissa held your hands clasping your fingers with hers.
" you don't have to know the answer to every problem my love and that's ok. Life is a dark unfair exhausting mystery and on some days it might get darker and harder to find that spark of joy and happiness but just know I'm always by your side no matter what and your not in this alone" she whispered looking at your reaction to her every word carefully.
" thank you rissa, I love you and thanks for supporting me and always going that extra mile" you whispered. She chuckled rolling her eyes playfully.
" I'd travel to the end of the world for you" she cooed kissing your temple.
" promise me something darling" she said all of a sudden in a very serious tone. You turned your body in her direction, giving her your undivided attention just as she always does. She tucks a strand of hair behind your ear behind speaking up.
" stop being a monster to yourself." There's so much more she wanted to say, could have said but she chosed not to. She simply chosed to comfort you in this storm of pain and distress.
" I promise " you spoke confidently. She smiled brightly causing you to reflect it.
The both of you began kissing passionately, you slipped your tongue into larissas mouth in hopes to win for dominance but that's simply a game she was way to good at. She pulled you onto her lap and held the back of your head as she deepened the kiss making you moan before pulling away.
" there she is" she chuckled holding you tightly.
" here I am" your spok before she held you flush against her chest pulling you to lay down with her.
" hey what about your work?" You asked looking upbat her. She looked down and smiled at you.
" what about it, sweetheart? Now sleep" she muttered, slowly starting to drift off to sleep when her eyes began to get heavy. You smiled at her, slowly drifting off to dream land aswell. She simply loves you......
Disclaimer: Sorry for all the hearts I broke in my other Leo x Reader fanfic, I hope this makes it up!
It was a typical sunny afternoon at Camp Half-Blood, the warm breeze swaying the trees and the smell of fresh strawberries hanging in the air. The camp was bustling with life, as usual, but amidst the laughter and chatter, you couldn’t help but feel a little distracted. It had been a long week of training, monster fighting, and endless activities, but all you could think about was Leo Valdez.
Leo was always like a whirlwind—charming, quick-witted, and impossibly lovable. He had this way of lighting up a room with just a smirk, and honestly, you were kind of in awe of him. But what really stole your heart was the way he treated you. He was kind, gentle, and always knew exactly how to make you smile, even on your worst days.
You were sitting on the porch of the Big House, absentmindedly flipping through a book you weren’t really reading, when you heard it. A loud clang followed by the unmistakable sound of Leo's voice.
“Oops! Sorry! My bad! I swear the hammer’s got a mind of its own!”
You couldn’t help but grin as you looked up. There he was, the very person who occupied your thoughts, covered in grease and sweat, holding a wrench that looked way too big for him.
“What did you break this time?” you teased, crossing your arms over your chest with an amused smile.
Leo’s face lit up when he saw you, and he waved his hands dramatically. “Nothing! Nothing! Just a minor malfunction with the Argo II. You know, nothing a little Leo magic can’t fix!” He winked at you, clearly pleased with himself.
“Uh-huh, sure,” you said, raising an eyebrow. “Just make sure you don’t blow anything up this time.”
Leo gave a mock gasp. “Are you doubting my skills?” he said, placing a hand dramatically over his heart. “I’m hurt.”
You laughed, unable to resist his antics. Leo was always so… extra.
“Come on,” you said, pushing yourself off the porch and walking toward him. “Let me help before you accidentally burn down the entire camp.”
Leo’s face softened as you walked closer, his eyes lighting up in that way they did when he was truly happy. “I don’t know, [Y/N], you might just make things worse. I’m a danger to everyone around me.” He said it like a joke, but you could see the vulnerability in his eyes. Leo wasn’t always as confident as he let on, and you knew that.
“Oh, I’m sure,” you teased, but there was a warmth in your voice that made Leo’s heart skip a beat. “But I’m not worried. Besides, you know you can’t get rid of me that easily.”
Leo’s grin returned, this time softer, a little more genuine. He stepped closer, brushing his hand against yours as he passed you a tool. It was small, but it felt like a promise.
“Thanks for always being here,” Leo murmured, his voice low. “I—well, I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
Your heart fluttered at the unexpected sincerity in his words. You took the tool from him, your fingers brushing his just a little longer than necessary. For a moment, there was nothing but the quiet sound of the camp in the background, and the two of you standing together, sharing a small, beautiful moment that felt a thousand times bigger than it really was.
“I’m not going anywhere,” you replied, your voice soft but sure. “I like being here. With you.”
Leo looked down at you, his face flushing a little, the usual cocky grin replaced with something warmer, sweeter. His eyes were full of that unspoken affection you always caught glimpses of, but never quite acknowledged—until now.
“Good,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “I kind of like you being here too.”
You both stood there for a moment, the weight of the silence between you more comforting than awkward. Leo scratched the back of his neck, looking a little sheepish, before his grin returned in full force.
“Alright, alright, enough of the sappy stuff. We’ve got a broken engine to fix!” He clapped his hands together, clearly trying to change the subject, but his eyes still held that tenderness you couldn’t ignore.
You laughed softly, taking the tool in your hands, feeling like you were the luckiest person in camp to be standing next to Leo Valdez. Not just because he was funny, smart, and charming—but because he made you feel seen. In a world full of chaos and danger, he was your calm, your light.
And in that moment, as you both worked together on the engine, you realized that Leo was, in fact, exactly where he belonged—in your heart.
It’s cliché, but I can’t get the image out of my head of Gale coming home, stoic faced, cat tucked into the front of his jacket, both of them soaked from the snow, and John suddenly finding himself in the fight of his life against cuteness aggression (he loses.) also - Buck: library frequenter?
*sobbing from fluff overload* I don’t care if it's cliché, it’s so sweet and adorable, we need this. 🥰
Bucky would first stand in the doorway, vibrating in an effort to hold himself back, barely keeping his voice steady. "What’s that, Buck?"
"A cat." Gale would just say, all stoic, snow melting wetly in his hair as he takes off his boots and tries to get out of his coat while still holding the cat to his chest with one hand. The poor thing clings to him and meows pitifully, and that's it, Bucky can’t take it anymore - he rushes to Gale and helps him out of his coat while cooing excitedly at the cat. And once Gale's coat is off, he just rubs Gale's arms through his sweater, pets the scared cat, tries to hug and kiss Gale and declares that it's their cat now.
So, basically, this is what happens:
And yes, Gale loves libraries, they're his safe place! ❤️ We need library or bookshop meet-cute fics too.
Maybe daddy stucky x little reader in babyspace where she wants to give her daddies always paci kisses 🥺
OMG how cute would this be?? Like if Baby was feeling really young, she'd always have her paci in, but she'd get that mischievous twinkle in her eye, climb into their laps suddenly, and pop them on the cheek with her paci. And she'd giggle like it was the most hilarious thing ever and then tumble off their laps and run away, returning within thirty seconds to do it again....
Well, summer may be over, but my Hot Summer Art fic is not 😂
Dean, Cas, Sam, and Eileen finally get to enjoy a day at the beach and an evening on the boardwalk (lots of fluff and even a dash of smut thrown in)
Tags, Rating, Word Count, AO3 link, etc. at the bottom
Beside Your Side
Fic Summary: Dean convinces Sam to look into a potential case where people are going missing from a New Jersey beach town. Of course, they have to bring Cas and Eileen along, just in case it's not a monster. Dean is excited to get the case over quickly and enjoy a well-earned vacation with the people he loves the most. Nothing ever seems to go the way Dean plans it though, and this case is no exception.
Chapter 7: Picturesque (in Every Language)
Dean
Dean wakes first this time. Happiness bubbles up inside his chest making him feel like he’s floating at the memory of kissing Cas, of Cas kissing him back. The bubbles turn into molten lava when he remembers the noises Cas made while Dean sucked his cock. His own dick gives an interested twitch at the memory.
Down boy, if Sam’s not back by now he will be any second. It’d be just my luck for him to come barging in at the worst time, Dean cringes at the thought of his brother walking in on him having sex, much less sex with Cas.
His body gives an involuntary shudder, and Cas pulls him closer in his sleep, banishing all thoughts of his brother and drawing his attention back to the angel beside him.
His eyes roam Cas’ face and body, relishing the fact that he no longer has to sneak peeks or rush to avert his eyes so he doesn’t get caught.
“Cas. Baby. Darling. Honey. Sweetheart. My angel.”
Each pet name is whispered against Cas’ warm skin, sealed in with a kiss. Just because he can, just because he’s allowed to now.
Cas stirs and Dean meets his blinking eyes.
“’morning, Sunshine.” He smiles up at the sleepy angel and places another kiss on his skin for the new pet name.
“Good morning, Dean,” Cas rumbles softly, looking happy and content as he smiles down at Dean.
Dean can’t take the sheer volume of joy flooding his veins. It feels like he’s going to vibrate out of his skin or explode in a shimmer of glitter. So, before he dies of happiness in some disgustingly saccharine display, he makes a joke.
“It certainly was,” he teases, waggling his brows and licking his lips while glancing down at Cas’ woefully covered groin.
“Dean,” Cas chides and rolls his eyes.
Dean chuckles and pulls Cas into a tighter embrace which the angel reciprocates with enthusiasm. Cas’ hand goes back into Dean’s hair as if he can’t help himself. Dean sighs happily and they stay like that for a few minutes, simply enjoying each other’s embrace in the light and silence of the morning.
They might have ended staying in bed for the rest of the trip if Dean hadn’t had his ear glued to Cas’ skin and heard his stomach growl pathetically.
“We should get breakfast.”
“Hmmm,” Cas responds but Dean knows he isn’t really listening, his eyes hazy and crinkled.
“Which means we have to get out of bed,” Dean expounds, prodding Cas lightly in the side.
“Do we have to.” It’s almost a whine and Dean is about to mention his grumbling stomach when his own decides to join in, rumbling loudly in the quiet room. Cas gives a defeated sigh. “Fine.”
“I’ll make it worth your while,” Dean promises, thinking of the spread he wants to make Cas, but his thoughts turn dirty when Cas levels him with a heated gaze.
“I’m sure you will,” the angel whispers, low and suggestive, before he releases Dean and slides off the bed.
Who knew Cas would be such a tease, Dean thinks, squirming a little, his cock half hard just from those four words.
Despite having suggested it, he doesn’t leave the bed just yet, taking a few extra minutes to enjoy the way Cas’ back muscles ripple as he stretches. Cas pulls out another set of his new clothes before bending to pick up the pile of dirty clothes that was forgotten by the door.
“You start on breakfast while I shower and get a load of laundry running?” Cas asks as he arches a brow at Dean’s lack of movement.
It’s so normal, so delightfully domestic to be delegating chores, that Dean thinks he might just die from heart failure with the way his chest is tightening with overwhelming bliss.
“Y-yeah. Sounds good. You okay with eggs?”
“Sounds perfect,” Cas beams, taking Dean’s ability to breathe with him.
He finally manages to roll himself out of bed when he hears the shower turn on. He quickly discards his t-shirt and jizz crusted boxers, only just realizing how uncomfortable they are now that Cas isn’t distracting every neural pathway.
Standing naked in the room, he briefly fantasizes about joining Cas in the shower before shaking his head and pulling out clothes.
If I go in now, we really never will leave, and I want to get to the beach today.
He pads into the kitchen, humming AC/DC as he pulls butter, eggs, bread, and bacon from the fridge. Dean tries to focus on making the food, but he can’t help intrusive visions of a future he never thought he’d get to have.
Christmas as a huge family with Sam, Eileen, Jody, Donna, Alex, Faith, Claire, Kaia, Jack, Garth, and everyone else they love plays like a movie in his head as he pulls out slices of bread and looks for a juice cup. He pictures them watching movies, arguing about whose turn it is to clean or cook or do laundry as he uses the cup to cut out a circle of bread from each slice. He sets up two skillets, one for the bread and eggs and the other for the bacon.
He’s cracking eggs into the missing center of the bread and waiting for them to fry when he starts thinking of slow dancing late at night, of soft kisses once they realize they don’t have to rush, of learning each other’s bodies as well as their own. Of making love slowly with no worries of anyone walking in on them. For some reason Dean gets suck on Cas’ eyes glowing again and he curses a little that he was too caught up in finally being allowed to touch Cas and make him writhe and moan, that he didn’t focus on his eyes when he came.
I’ll have to pay more attention next time. The words ping-pong around his heart and his head like a promise and nothing has ever sounded so good to him as those two words: next time. And if I forget next time, there’ll be the time after that. Next time for the rest of our lives.
Dean finally blinks out of his daydreams at those words, shaking himself and flipping the bread and bacon before they both burn.
“The rest of our lives? Son of a bitch. I suck the man’s dick one time and I’m already thinking about marrying him. I’m so fucked,” he tells himself, but he can feel the goofy grin on his face as the brief flashes of suits and rings and carrying over thresholds that flash through his mind.
“Hmmm. That looks good. What is it?” Cas whispers into his ear as he slides up behind him, wrapping his arms around his waist and pressing his face and wet hair into Dean’s back.
“Oh! Hey there. It’s uh, it’s Egg-in-a-Nest. Used to make it for Sammy when plain old eggs and toast got boring.”
“Hmm.” Cas hums, continuing to press himself as close to Dean as he can.
Has he always been so touchy feely? Dean ponders a moment, remembering every time Cas grabbed his shoulder, stood too close, touched him to heal him, every time he leaned into Dean’s hugs, every stare that held for a little too long. He wants to bang his head when he realizes that the answer is yes, and Dean is just a blind idiot.
“Alright, these are almost done. You wanna get us some coffee and do you want to eat inside or on the porch?” Dean asks, instantly regretting it when Cas lets go of him to collect mugs.
“Porch, I think. It looks like it's going to be nice and sunny today.”
They take their breakfast to the front porch. Dean bypasses the wicker chairs and sits straight on the top step, tilting his face up and enjoying the sun.
“You were right, it’s going to be a perfect beach day,” he says, exchanging the second plate he has for one of the mugs Cas holds as he sits down next to Dean.
“This is delicious, Dean!” Cas exclaims, with a moan that sends a shiver up Dean’s spine and has him flashing back to the morning blowjob.
“Cas! If you keep making sounds like that we’re going to have to eat inside otherwise someone’ll get the wrong idea and call the cops on us,” Dean admonishes, only half serious.
“Worth it,” Cas quips back, tearing off a side of the toasted bread to dip into the runny yolk center. He shoves it into his mouth before licking the bit of egg that’s dripped onto his fingers and moaning again, albeit at a slightly lower volume.
“Shit, it’s just eggs and bread, Cas. If that excites you this much, you’re gonna explode when I get to do a proper barbecue.”
“I look forward to the challenge,” Cas smiles mischievously at him before using his last bite of bread to mop us as much yolk as he can and popping it into his mouth.
Once Dean finishes his food they head back inside to clean up. Cas takes over cleaning the dishes and Dean checks on the laundry, switching it to the dryer before going and stripping the sheets off the bed and throwing them, along with his dirty pajamas, into the washer. He comes back to the kitchen then to help dry any dishes that can’t go into the dishwasher. It all feels so perfect that for a second Dean has a moment of panic.
This is way too easy. When has any relationship, hell, anything ever been this simple for me?
“Dean? Are you alright?”
“Uh, I don’t know,” Dean says, surprising himself with his own honesty.
“It’s alright. I understand if you’re … having regrets about this morning or-”
“What! No, Cas. I don’t regret this morning. Fuck, the only thing I regret is not doing that sooner. It’s just that, this, us, it’s too … easy?”
Cas laughs, loudly and deeply, leaving Dean standing in complete confusion.
“Dean,” Cas finally manages to spit out, wiping tears from his eyes, “We have known each other for years. We’ve lost each other many times over; I’ve mourned you more times than I thought possible. We’ve fought and argued and come back to being friends after being separated by Earth, Heaven, Hell, and Purgatory. And all of that, all those long years, finally brought us together as … more than friends. I wouldn’t call that easy. We have worked hard for the relationship we have.”
“I guess you’re right. I didn’t really think about it like that.” Dean rubs the back of his neck, talked out of his anxiety for the moment, but now stuck on a new issue that Cas has inadvertently brought up. “Um, so, like you said we’re not really friends anymore. I mean not just friends, so, uh, does that make us-? Would you like to be-”
“We’re back!” Sam shouts as he and Eileen burst through the front door.
Dean groans, just barely restraining himself from banging his head against the wall. He glares at his brother as he walks into the kitchen, trying to determine if he just has the worst timing in the world or if his constant interruptions are less accidental than they seem.
“You’d help me hide his body, right?” He stage whispers to Cas, ignoring his brother entirely.
“I would if it were anyone else, but I’m too afraid of how Eileen might retaliate,” Cas replies back not even bothering to pretend to whisper.
Like what you read? You can find the whole fic here on AO3
Rating: Explicit
Chapters: 7/? (hopefully 9)
Chapter Word Count: ~12,000 (I know I'm "dingo ate my baby" crazy for that chapter length)
Tags: Creator Chose Not to Use Archive Warnings, Castiel/Dean Winchester, Eileen Leahy/Sam Winchester, Case Fic, Established Eileen Leahy/Sam Winchester, Beach Case, Cannon when convenient, Mutual Pining, Idiots in Love, Other Additional Tags to Be Added, Past Implied/Referenced Rape/Non-con (Dean and background characters), Non-Consensual Touching (Not between Dean and Cas), Hurt/Comfort, I promise it's not as dark as it sounds, Fluff, Eventual Happy Ending, Eventual Smut, clueless Sam Winchester, Chick-Flick Moments, Cannon typical misunderstandings, Angst?, One day I'll learn how to tag, WIP, JackieDeeArt's Hot Summer Art 2024 (Supernatural), Hot Summer Art, Greek Mythology if you Squint, No Beta, Everyone is bad with words, Except Eileen who is the only emotionally stable person for miles, Dean Winchester Loves Castiel, Castiel Loves Dean Winchester, Angel Grace Dysfunction, Poor Coping Mechanisms, There was only one bed. blow jobs, masturbation, angel grace kink?
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