“Dad?” A hand reached up, a tiny fist grabbing hold of Cas’ trenchcoat and tugging insistently. “There’s a monster under my bed.”
Cas quirked his head at the 3 year-old standing next to the couch, and Dean startled, instantly moving from his curled up position next to Cas to get off the couch. Dean flickered his gaze over at Cas, his hand already moving to pick up a gun as his hunter instincts kicked in, but Cas shook his head softly; easing his husband’s worries with just a glance.
Instead, Cas leaned down, scooping Jack up and settling the toddler on his lap. There was no way any actual monsters could get into their house, Dean had made sure of that. Salt laid out on very first day they moved in, devils traps painted on the floor and covered with rugs, and sigils hidden behind pictures on the walls.
Safe. That was what Dean called it. And seeing the way Dean relaxed after the house had been secured, it made Cas feel safe, too.
That’s how Cas knew there wasn’t anything under Jack’s bed. And… okay, maybe he checked under there every night, and in the closet, just to make sure nothing would sneak into Jack’s room during the night.
Tucking Jack against his chest, Cas pressed a soft kiss to the top of the toddlers head. “There isn’t any monsters, sweetheart. But, would it make you feel better if Papa went to check?”
Cas glanced over Jack’s head at Dean, and he saw the way Dean’s shoulders relaxed, as if the idea was somehow soothing to both his husband and his kid.
“You’ll fight the monsters, Papa?” Jack asked, peeking over at Dean with wide eyes.
Dean bent down, crouching in front of the couch until he was at eye-level with Jack. “I’ll fight all the monsters for you, Squirt.”
Jack smiled, reaching up until he found Dean’s hand, squeezing it as tightly as he could. Shifting forward, Dean pressed his lips against Jack’s knuckles before flashing him a wink. “I’ll be right back, after I’ve slayed all the monsters for you.”
Once Dean had slipped out of the room, Cas shifted Jack onto his hip and picked him up. “How about we get some apple juice?”
Jack grinned, tucking his head into the crook of Cas’ shoulder as they made their way to the kitchen.
By the time Dean found them 5 minutes later, Cas and Jack were settled at the kitchen table, finishing their juice. Jack looked up, making a grabby motion for Dean. Scooping Jack up, Dean leaned down to steal a sip from Cas’ cup.
“Did you get the monsters, Papa?”
Ruffling Jack’s hair, Dean replied, “No monsters to slay this time, buddy. You’re safe.”
Jack smiled, resting his head against Dean’s chest as his eyes fluttered shut and he yawned. Dean smiled softly and kissed Jack’s forehead.
“Time for bed?” Cas asked, standing up from the table and sliding a hand around Dean’s waist.
Nodding, Dean carried Jack to bed. Cas tucked the blankets around Jack once the toddler was settled comfortably in bed. They both whispered their ‘good nights’ to Jack before tiptoeing out of the room.
Once they’d made their way back to the living room, Cas pulled Dean close and kissed him softly.
“What was that for?” Dean asked, nudging his nose against Cas’ before leaning in to steal another kiss.
Cas grinned, letting his hands settle on Dean’s lower back. “For being a monster slayer.”
Dean chuckled, pressing his forehead against Cas’. “You’re not so bad yourself, Angel.”
Cas laughed, happy and sweet, and when Dean leaned in to kiss him again, it felt like home.
