Demonic business arrangements (closed RP, Sam & Dean Winchester, Castiel)

[hunter-returns.livejournal.com]

Cas, got a minute? I have something I need to talk to you about. I'm over in Ravenclaw
-Sam

I talked to him Dean. Meet me over in Ravenclaw?

Comments

[hunter-returns.livejournal.com]

"Yeah Cas, anything you guys need. Doesn't matter how odd the question might be, just let me know and I'll help. Books can only get you so far."

He rubbed the back of his neck with a slightly sad smile. "It's a shame Dad isn't here, firsthand experience and all. But I'll do whatever I can to help."

While he didn't know that much about pregnancy aside from what he picked up here and there, he could always do a quick look around the library and help break down the more complicated stuff for his friends. He'd done research on the supernatural, he could certainly research a more mundane, but no less intimidating prospect for them.

Sam took the bottle and placed it on another table. "Sure can, Cas."

[nerdofthelord.livejournal.com]

Castiel nodded somberly in agreement. John Winchester had had a way with children, as he had cause to know, and had been through something like this at least twice. His advice would have been very welcome. But he'd joined the ranks of the popcorned (whatever that really meant) some time since, and Cas hoped he'd found some measure of the peace that had eluded him in his former life.

"I keep wondering," he said after a few moment's contemplative silence, "what kind of father I would be. And it occurs to me that I'm not even sure what constitutes a good versus a poor one." He could say any number of things about the Creator he'd never met, as Sam or Dean could about John, but none of them had been called upon to make the particular choices that faced their own sires. Would they have done any better? Or merely succeeded and failed in differing ways?

"The one thing I know with certainty I do not want to be--to this or to any child I might have, ever--is absent," he added, brow furrowed. "And I can't even be certain of that much."

[hunter-returns.livejournal.com]

Sam regretted his father’s disappearance, regretted the fact that they hadn’t had time to talk the way that he wanted to. “I know that Dad tried,” he said slowly.

“His choices might not have always been the best, but I know he loved us. He wanted to keep us safe. If you want an example of what a good father should be, look at Bobby. He’s been like a second father to us since we were little.”

Sam smiled, picturing the angel holding a small bundle in his arms. “I think you’d make a great father, Cas. You’re in love with Death, and she’s in love with you. As many times as you’ve found a way to help me and Dean – you’ll find a way to be there for your child.”

“And as odd as it sounds, Hogwarts would be a pretty safe place to have a baby. None of the trouble back home could get to any of you here. I know the Hat’s a capricious flake, but he’s not a dick, even he wouldn’t separate a family like that. If Death is pregnant, maybe we can talk to him, see if he can keep all of you here for awhile?”

[nerdofthelord.livejournal.com]

Cas nodded slowly. He'd told John Winchester that the man hadn't failed his sons, and he'd meant it; though manifestly flawed as any human, they had both grown to be strong, capable men of integrity. He also respected Bobby enormously, and had on occasion turned to the man himself for the kind of advice he thought a father might give. As role models went, he could certainly do worse.

As for trying his best, well, that was a foregone conclusion. To do any less would be nothing short of criminal, at least in his opinion. He smiled slightly at Sam's compliment. "Thank you for the vote of confidence, Sam, I appreciate that." He wasn't sure he shared the sentiment, but hearing it voiced by someone whose opinion he valued was reassuring.

To have a baby. Oddly enough, in all the careful, circuitous talking he and Death had done since the matter had arisen, he didn't think either of them had put it quite that way. It sounded so charmingly simple and ordinary.

He wasn't as certain as Sam seemed to be of the hat's willingness (or in fact, even its ability) to accommodate them, but the killing of the terrorbear had seemed to impress the peculiar creature mightily. He supposed it couldn't hurt to ask. "If it turns out there is a need, that's probably not a bad idea," he said.

[hunter-returns.livejournal.com]

Sam grinned, leaning back. "And if the little version of you was any indication, it'd be a damned cute kid."

He drained his beer and set it aside. "Just think of all the uncles that are going to be looking out for your child, Cas. Not what you'd call the most traditional of families, but we'd always be around to help take care of it."

"Well, I mean, if it turns out that way," he concluded, a little lamely. They still didn't know after all.

[nerdofthelord.livejournal.com]

Cas shot him a look, wondering for a moment if he was being mocked, but he saw nothing but good-natured camaraderie in Sam's expression, so he inclined his head slightly without comment. He hadn't actually stopped to look in any mirrors during that incident, and had no idea what he might have looked like. He'd have to take Sam's word for it.

The thought of a child (any child) growing up surrounded by doting Winchesters-and-company did force him to smile, however. "At least I would never need to worry whether my offspring could defend himself. Or herself," he said drily.

That always gave him pause, however. Barring catastrophe, Castiel himself would long outlive all his friends. There was no guarantee that his child would be likewise immortal; what little precedent he and Death could come up with for either of their kind gave them no better an answer than 'maybe.' He wasn't sure how either of them would handle that.

He shook his head, casting off such introspection. He was getting too far ahead of himself, and had been for days, despite knowing how little point there was to such speculation right now. "If it does," he acknowledged. "We should know before long, by one means or another, I think."

[hunter-returns.livejournal.com]

Like both Castiel and Death, Sam found himself a little torn on the prospective news. It'd be nice to see Cas happy, with a family of his own. God knows he deserved it.

But it was also fraught with risks. They had just ended the Apocalypse, which was liable to make them all pretty big targets whenever they went back. And could Death even stay mortal for that long?

"I hope it's not much longer. We'll all be here for you and Death.. either way it all works out."

Because that's what families did.