#really soft

Dean had made it his personal mission to do Christmas right this year, saying something about the last one not counting because Cas hadn’t been there. So one morning, the Bunker’s occupants had been greeted by a twelve foot tall pine tree in the war room and a sweaty, pink-nosed Dean trying to decorate it.

At this point, it was only a week under Christmas, and Dean was still finding ways to participate in the cheer. Eagerly making endless batches of cookies that left him smelling like vanilla and sugar, or like this—decorating the Bunker with another pile of multi colored lights.

Cas watched as Dean pottered around. There was a lightness about him these days, like his physical body was finally allowing itself to portray the brightness his soul always carried. The scowl between his eyebrows was gone. His shoulders weren’t tensed in caution. And he looked so soft in plaid flannel pajama pants and a loose fitting band shirt. Cas didn’t think he’s bothered to change since he woke up.

“It’s all thanks to you, you know.”

Cas glanced over to see Sam standing beside him, munching on a Christmas cookie.

“What is?”

“Him.” He gestured to Dean bustling past, paying them no attention.

“I don’t follow.” Cas said, because he didn’t. Sam blinked at him, looking a little surprised.

“You can’t tell me you haven’t seen how much he’s changed.”

“I…merely attributed that to the world being safe.” Cas stared. “That he can afford to do things like this.”

Now Sam was staring at him in confusion and Cas wondered what he’d missed.

“No, dude—didn’t he—?” He let out a long suffering sigh and scrubbed his face with a hand. “Of course he didn’t tell you.”

“Tell me what?”

“Cas,” Sam said seriously, lowly. “he was a mess after the Empty took you. I mean, he’s always been messed up when you die, but this was…so much worse.”

Something sharp and cold clenched at Cas’ chest—the old, familiar feeling of terror and fear.

“He damn near went suicidal after Lucifer stabbed you,” Sam continued. “he carried around your coat from car to car after the Leviathans, wouldn’t sleep when you were still in Purgatory, but this time? We…Jack and I almost lost him too.”

Cas’ throat tightened painfully, and his entire body was doused in an icy cold horror.

“What?” He whispered, voice strangled. Sam seemed to realize the effect of his words.

“Shit. I didn’t mean—Jesus, he really never told you? About any of them?” Sam sighed again, muttering something that sounded like “asshole” under his breath. “Listen, Cas. I’m not gonna sugar coat it for you because it’s important you know. You deserve to know. Dean’s fucked up every time you’re not with him. Either dead or a hundred miles away, he hates it. He can’t function properly, can barely do anything because a part of him is always mourning you.”

Cas stared at him, a rising tide of emotions swelling inside.

“Profound bond or whatever, he can’t live right without you. He needs you more than I think he ever understands. It scares him, I think. To need someone as much as he needs you.”

Cas gulped thickly, wary of the underlying message Sam was trying to tell him.

“I-I’m sure his need for me is the same as his need for you is—“

Sam was already shaking his head.

“Not the same.” He said. “We’re totally aware of our unhealthy codependency, trust me, but it’s different. Dean’s gotten along fine without me before, and so have I—by choice or not, we have. But he can’t find the will to get along fine if you’re not with him, Cas.” Sam’s eyes followed his older brother as he strung up lights on the staircase. “I’ve never seen him this happy in years. This…unburdened.”

“Surely it must be because the world is safe—“ Cas tries again.

“The world is just as safe as it was those three months you were in the Empty.” Sam reminded him. “Dean wasn’t at all happy then. This—“ he gestured to Dean. “this is because you’re here, right where Dean can see you what whenever he gets scared that you’re gone. Haven’t you noticed how often he looks at you?”

As if on cue, Cas suddenly became aware of another set of eyes on him. Familiar weight, burning intensity—the happy whistling continued, but Cas suddenly knew Dean was looking at him. Checking. Assuring.

Perhaps he’s been too busy looking at Dean to noticed how often Dean had been looking at him.

“You deserve your happiness, Cas.” Sam said. “And so does my brother. I’ve watched you two ignore it for years. So do me a favor,” he clapped his shoulder with a grin. “put me out of my misery soon?”

Sam left him alone after that, leaving him to stare at Dean for a totally different reason now.

Sure enough, it only took a few moments before Dean was staring back.

Pairing: Evan "Buck" Buckley/Eddie Diaz

Disclaimer: I don’t know anything about yoga

Summary:

It took Buck almost three months of dating to convince Eddie to try yoga. (And maybe a few kisses, too.)

And at the end, all it took for him to be convinced was for Christopher to ask him. Of course it would be him, Buck cursed himself for not realizing it sooner. Christopher was his boyfriend’s weak point, he would do anything for his kid, and that fact made Buck love him even more. And Buck loved that kid with his life, too. He adored kids, but Christopher? He was so amazing, and accepted Buck into their family so easily… Buck felt himself dreaming about their family. About them as a family. The Buckley-Diaz household, hopefully soon.

OR

The one where Buck convinces Eddie to try yoga and it goes wrong.

Backstage kiss o maybe just a random kiss.

“All I remember is, I woke up in a hospital in Grozny two weeks after the blast. I couldn’t see, I couldn’t hear. it took another two months for me to remember my name.”