Archive of Our Own ^beta

The case went wrong pretty much from start to finish. Dean and Cas got into an argument about Cas reading Dean's mind in the middle of the hunt and Cas flew off to God knows where. Dean later found him - somewhat intoxicated - in a liquor store, now divest of alcohol. They did eventually sort out the argument, Cas promising not to read Dean's mind unless Dean gives the go ahead. Things are still somewhat tense though. Cas still confused as to why and Dean refusing to discuss it.

Dean is all for having an angel boyfriend, well not any angel, most are dicks and not in the good way. He's all for having Cas as his boyfriend. But it's new and they haven't quite figured it all out yet. But having said angel read his mind when he can't even really admit the depth of his feelings for Cas to himself is just not something Dean wants to even acknowledge the idea of.

However, at the end of the day, the hunt is still successful and they all make it back in one piece. Or they aren't exactly back yet. Sam and Dean both agreed that they should stay another night at the motel room and get some sleep before starting the long drive back to the bunker in the morning.

"I could really use a beer right about now!" Dean says as he flops down on one of the lumpy motel room beds.

"I think we're out." Sam says.

"Just my luck!" Dean mutters.

"I can help!" Cas says and the next moment he's vanished, flown off, again.

Half an hour later - a bit after Dean had started suspecting Cas wouldn't be popping in anytime soon – Cas reappears in the shoddy motel room.
Much to Dean's disappointment he's not carrying any alcohol with him. He is however holding a stuffed animal in one of his hands.

"Here you go Dean! I know you don't like when I disappear for long periods of time and can't always answer your prayers right away. I hope this bear will give you some comfort in those moments." He says and hands Dean a stuffed toy-bear with the print I wuv hugz on its stomach.

Sam snickers and when Dean sends him a murderous glare he diplomatically pretends he's not a witness to the wonders of Castiel trying to be a good boyfriend to his bad ass brother and picks up his fidget-spinner and starts spinning idly.

"Eh, thanks Cas. Can I ask what brought this on?" Dean says as he somewhat awkwardly accepts the bear.

"You saying you wanted a bear of course! It reminded me of a T-shirt you wore when you were younger that Sam told me about. And I figured maybe I could find not a garment of clothing with a bear but the actual bear. And as luck would have it I found the store that sold the T-shirt and they also sold these." Cas looks very pleased with himself.

"Ok. First off I said I wanted a beer, not a bear."

"Oh, I'm sorry Dean. I... misunderstood." Cas says and begins to show sad puppy dog eyes. "I know we already finished this discussion and I will respect your wishes on the matter. But this is why it's so much easier to read your thoughts. Your thoughts of longing for alcoholic intoxication and longing for hugs and soft things are not things I would mistake for one another."

If Dean actually had a beer he would probably have spit it out.

Sam takes pity on him. “I don't think Dean needs you to be perfect Cas. Or even wants you to be for that matter.”

“Yes, that!” Dean says. “And anyways, this is... really nice too!” He continues cause he can't stand the puppy dog eyes. You would think he would be immune by now after growing up with Sam but no dice. “But also you said the same place that sold the T-shirt. That was decades ago Cas, there's no way they would still sell the same stuff today."

"Well no, of course not. I went back in time to when your mother bought the clothes for you!" Cas says like it's an obvious thing to do.

Dean just stares before he can gather his words. "Are you seriously saying you just time traveled cause I said I wanted a beer?"

"Well yes? Should I not have? I wanted to be a good boyfriend!"

"That's... really great Cas. And I really appreciate you freaking traveled through time to get me a gift. I just... you really don't need to go to that kind of trouble!"

If Dean is honest with himself, which he mostly isn't, he kind of really loves the bear. He might not want to admit it out loud but it's an awesome bear! Cas literally bent time to get it for him and yes ok, he really does love hugs and maybe he could use more of them. Although he still would like that beer too!

Either way, they'll figure it out!