Snugglebird
Cas is stealing Dean’s clothes to make a nest! (5.3k, G)
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“And, once the birds have chosen their mate, the nesting begins.”
Deep in the blue cavern of the Dean Cave (also known as The Fortress of Dean-a-tude) the TV mumbled calmly, while birds on screen hopped around their mates, snuggled up on branches, and brought each other feathers and fluff to add to their nest.
Dean snoozed on his plaid-backed recliner, beer in hand, other hand limp in the popcorn bowl he shared with Cas, busy trying to keep his eyes open. The room was kept permanently dim, and the metal kegs hanging from the ceiling poured coloured light onto the concrete, reflected, giving Dean and Castiel’s chins a faint pink-and-blue glow. Dean felt warm and quiet inside, and although it was past his bedtime, he didn’t wanna go yet.
“The pair works together to create a suitable shelter for the coming months, a home where they will lay their eggs and raise their young.”
Dean’s eyelids drooped. He blinked hard, sitting up a bit, working his shoulders back to take off his plaid shirt. He balled it up like a pillow and stuffed it on the right wooden arm of his chair, then rotated himself to lie down. The wooden arm hit at his shoulders, but the makeshift pillow softened the blow.
The chair was only a one-seater, so his legs hooked over the other armrest. Castiel moved the popcorn bowl out of the way so Dean’s socked feet could slide onto his lap.
“Shouldn’t you go to bed?” Castiel asked, still holding the popcorn. “And doesn’t your chair tip back, anyway?”
“Mmh.” Dean kept his eyes on the birds.
“Both mates share in the responsibility of finding materials for the nest, seeking loose feathers, bits of dry grass, even stealing insulation from inside the walls of a house.”
Dean smiled, watching the little sparrow pop its head out from between the bricks, pink fluff in its beak. It fluttered out into the blue, hopping to join its mate in the nest.
Dean shut his eyes, just for a minute. He let the cozy warmth overtake him...
~
“Dean.” Castiel watched Dean slipping from consciousness, lips parting. More quietly, Castiel urged, “Dean, go to bed.”
But Dean was already asleep.
Castiel watched for a while, with a happy tingle in his heart. Dean looked so soft, and so... adorable. The love Castiel had for him seemed to double every time he caught a glimpse of him like this, guard down, at peace, safe under Castiel’s watch.
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