My entry for Day Two of #Suptober2022.
https://archiveofourown.org/works/42149211 or text here:
Suptober Day 2 - Pillow talk
“Hi Daddy!” Michael yells as he runs into the house after coming from Krav Maga for kids as his Papa trails after him. Cas walks tiredly into the kitchen, leans in to give his husband a kiss.
“I’m still getting used to the new floor at the hospital. Thank goodness I’m good with the 12 hour shifts.” Cas strips off the evidence of his new position as an RN in the ER.
“Well, is St. Luke’s even worse than the other place?” Dean says as he takes the potatoes out of the oven. “Let’s have a seat buddy, supper’s ready. Burgers okay with tater tots?” Dean asks. “You have to eat your mandarin oranges too. Hear me?” Dean’s ‘Dad voice’ makes an appearance.
“Papa, will you help me with bedtime? I want to tell you about school and my class?” Michael pleads.
“Finish your dinner and then I will because it is time for your bath, sharing and story time.” Cas reminds him.
Dean and Cas quietly take their spots at the table and hungrily dig into their cheeseburgers and baked potatoes.
“Oh hon, do you want a beer?” Dean had forgotten to ask before they sat. He did remember the butter, sour cream, and chives for the potatoes though.
“Do I like cheeseburgers? Don’t be stupid, of course I want a beer tonight, or two.” Cas responds. “Oh, these are good. I really dislike the cafeteria food or cafe food if I’m unable to get a break.” Dean nods his head in thanks. Turning to his son, Cas said encouragingly, “Michael, just a few bites left and we’ll get started for bed. Good job on eating your fruit first.”
Dean and Cas clink their bottles together as a symbol of surviving another day in this crazy world. Michael finishes up his supper and asks, “Can I please be excused, Papa, Daddy? I’m getting tired and we have to do ‘The Things’ before our cuddle time!”
“Sure thing bud, head on up to the bathroom, Papa will be right up.” Dean smiles at their five year old son remembering when the adoption company called with the exciting news they’d been chosen as parents. “Cas, I’m continually grateful for the gift of our son. I never thought I’d be a Dad.” They were the one to bring Michael Henry Winchester-Novak home from the hospital. He still dreams about those early days. Precious memories recalled while moving about his beloved kitchen starting to pick up the dishes.
“Love, I’m heading up to take care of Michael. Are you alright down here cleaning up and shutting down for the night?” inquires Cas.
“Sure thing,” Dean chuckles,” we do not deviate from the bedtime routine. I’m glad we share this time. I know there will come an age our boy won’t want us to have anything to do with him.” Dean is quite sentimental tonight.
“Michael, do you have your pj’s? You are always so sweaty after class. Let’s get your bath run and wash your hair. ” Cas smiles.
“Yes Papa, tonight in class we learned more about why we take martial art classes. It’s so I can protect myself from bullies and be strong like you and Daddy.”
Cas washes his son’s hair while humming along to let Michael know he’s paying attention. There will be a time when he has to tell the boy about the bullies he dealt with in school everyday. Heaven forbid you aren’t the popular or silent kid in the school. Cas distinctly remembers the bruises he came home with because he was smart and engaged in his classes.
“We practiced our bows and when they were used, ducking punches bad people, the proper right way to kick someone if they want to hurt us.” Michael happily chats on about his evening.
“All done boy-o. Let’s get your teeth brushed and hair combed.” Cas says. “Now after we’re done here, what are the next steps?”
“Pillow Time!” Michael yawns.
Cas carries his tired boy to his bedroom with a train theme. “Boy-o, what happened in school today?” He asks after he’s laid down next to Michael in his bed.
“I got asked to be the weather monitor for the week. I look outside every morning and put a sticker on the calendar showing what the weather outside is.” The Kindergartener quietly smiles proudly. “I’m happy it’s finally my turn. I waited so long.” The young child yawns loudly and his mouth drops open. “Can we read now, Papa? I don’t want to fall asleep without cuddling.”
“What is your book of choice tonight, my love?” Cas gently smiles preparing for the best part of the evening.
“I Spy!” Michael answers quickly.
Cas looks over at the group of about a half a dozen I Spy books they have accumulated in the short time Michael has started to read. “How about Spooky Night since it’s October?”
“Sure,” the boy agrees as he curls up on the pillows into his father’s side for quiet and reading time.“
“Can you read the riddle at the bottom of the first page?” “Cas gently prods”
“I think so,” The sleepy boy replies, “I spy a broken…” he looks up to his father for confirmation.
“Good job, that’s exactly what it says.” Cas softly encourages.
Michael looks at the rest of the sentence, “bone and —- BOO!”
“BOO!” Papa grins and tickles his miracle child on the ribs. Cas watches as his son looks for the ‘bones’ on the picture on the page, while he runs his fingers through his honey blonde hair, and he watches long-lashed eyelids slowly close.
Standing up slowly so as to not wake his sleeping child with a Halloween themed pillowcase he smooths out the covers and says, “Ol monons, sleep well as Jack watches over you.”
With one last look, he turns off the bedside light he backs out of the room.
“Dean is standing in the hallways by the door and asks,”Did it all go well?”
“Yes, I’ll fill you in while we cuddle tonight. Is everything shut down?” inquires Cas.
“All dusted and done, Mo grá,” smiles Dean. Using Irish because he wants to teach Michael his familial language.
“Yes, Ol hoath, “ Cas uses native language. “My head is ready to hit the pillow after this shift. Let’s go to bed.”
