Chapter Text
Dean was wiping the bar down in the Roadhouse since it was nearly closing time. He just got off work for his real job and came in to grab a bite to eat. Then Ellen managed to get him to help clean up and… there he was.
The door opened, causing the bell to chime. He glanced up and saw his brother, Sam, walk in and sit down in front of where Dean was wiping.
“Tough day in the office?” Dean asked.
“I suppose you could say that,” Sam replied. “The craziest case came in today.” And with that, Sam launched into his tale.
Sam was a lawyer and had his own law firm; Winchester & Winchester Attorney Firm. His wife, Sarah, was his partner and secretary, who also dubbed as an art dealer. Dean was a few things; a carpenter, an electrician, a roofer, and a plumber. His business was carpentry, but when anyone in town needed anything done, he was the guy to call.
If you were to ask anyone who was the most successful brother, they would probably say Dean. In a way, he supposed it was true. Dean knew he had a great business with carpentry, and made a decent amount with everything else. If you asked Dean who was more successful, he would say Sam with no hesitation.
Sam had what Dean wanted: a wife (or husband (everyone knew Dean was bisexual)), kids, and a home to share with them. So according to Dean, Sam was more successful, because he was happy. Did Dean enjoy his life? Of course. Does he wish he could share it with someone? Definitely.
Sam had a little girl, with another on the way. It was too early to know what it was going to be, but Dean was hoping for another little girl.
“—and then she was like, ‘They shouldn’t be allowed to keep their alligator hooked to the fire hydrant! It’s illegal!’ And I was like, ‘Ma’am that is only illegal in Alabama. We are in Kansas.’ You know what’s funny? She wasn’t even from here! She came here from Minnesota to state that claim! It was such a waste of time!”
Dean chuckled and said, “You always have the craziest stories.”
Sam smiled and replied, “Hey it’s not my fault people are insane. Oh, and Sarah wanted me to ask if you could watch Alex tomorrow. We have an important client coming in and her babysitter’s sick.”
Dean nodded. He would love to have the chance to hang out with his niece. Alexandria, or Alex, was only three, but she was easily the most adorable little girl he had ever seen. “Yeah it’s no big deal. You can drop her off in the morning. You have a key, right?”
“Sure do. Thanks, Dean.”
“No problem. I love spending quality time with my niece.”
Sam looked at his watch. “I should get going. Sarah’s waiting at home and I promised I’d give her a foot massage tonight. See ya, Dean.”
“Bye, Sam.”
When Dean finished up, he called to Ellen, who was in the kitchen. “Ellen, everything’s clean. I’m gonna go. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
He received a thank you, a good bye, and a “You better see me tomorrow boy. I wanna have a look at Alex while you have her.”
Dean went outside and climbed into his baby, a ’67 Impala. He didn’t get to have her out much, since his work requires him to carry around a bunch of supplies.
His house wasn’t small but it wasn’t huge. It was the perfect size to have a family party, which is good, since his family is as big as Sam is tall. He walked upstairs and into his bedroom. Once his head hit the pillow, his eyes drifted shut and promptly went to sleep.
~oOo~
Dean was awoken the next morning by a hyper little girl jumping on his bed and yelling, “Unca Dean! Wake up!”
He groaned and looked at his clock. It was only six in the morning. Dean loved his niece, he really did. But when Sam dropped her off at impossible hours when he knows Dean is asleep, that’s when he gets irritated.
“Alex! Shut your pie hole! Why don’t you lie down and go to sleep. I don’t have to be up for another hour and a half.”
She frowned but did as he asked. Alex curled up next to him, soaking in his warmth. No longer than he had finally drifted to unconsciousness, his cell phone rang. He groaned again. Can’t he get any sleep around here?
She bolted out of bed and yelled, “I’ll get it Unca Dean! You can go back to sleep!” She grabbed his phone off the night stand and answered it. “Hi! Unca Dean is sleeping so I have to be very quiet.”
Dean heard laughing on the other end and recognized it as Bobby. He held out his hand but she either didn’t notice or didn’t care. He grabbed her by the waist and threw her over his shoulder.
“How about some breakfast, kid? It seems like I won’t be going back to bed anytime soon.” He also grabbed his phone from her ear and said, “Yello.”
“Hey Dean. I was at your shop to grab some tools you stole from me—.”
“I didn’t steal them! I just… borrowed them for a while.”
“Whatever. I’m taking them. Anyway, I was looking for my groove lock pliers when someone came in looking for you. Said he needs some plumbing done in his kitchen.”
Dean frowned. Everyone in town knew his doors didn’t open until seven thirty. Or later depending on the day he was having. “Well who was it?”
“What was your name again?” There was a pause. “Said his name was Balthazar. They just moved here. Do you live in Stewart’s old house?”
Stewart moved away with his wife around a year ago to get a better job. Dean stole all his customers without meaning to. Needless to say, he didn’t really like Dean.
“His family lives in Stewart’s old house.” Bobby continued.
Dean set Alex down on the couch and went into the kitchen to start breakfast. “Alright. Tell him I can be over in like two hours. I have Alex with me today, so I hope that’s not a problem.”
Bobby relayed the message. “He doesn’t mind. Said his family likes kids.”
Dean turned on the stove and waited for it to get hot. “Hey Alex do you want some scrambled eggs?” he called into the other room, where he heard Spongebob playing on the flat screen television.
“Yeah and some toast. Oh, and can I have some chocolate milk?”
“Sure thing, kiddo. So what were you saying Bobby?” Dean continued his conversation.
“That girl has you wrapped around her little finger,” he muttered. “Dean will be able to get to your house in around two hours. Is that okay?”
After another pause and some muffled talking, a new voice spoke into the phone. This one was very British and definitely not Bobby. “Hello. My name is Balthazar. My family is having a problem with our plumbing in our kitchen. It is rather urgent, and I was hoping you would be able to come by earlier. We are unable to use our sink or dishwasher. It’s an inconvenience that we would like to have solved as soon as possible. We are willing to pay extra for you to be here now.”
Dean turned off the stove. “If you have scrambled eggs, toast, and chocolate milk ready when I get there for Alex, I can be there in thirty minutes.”
“It’s a deal, then. See you soon, mister…”
“Winchester. Dean Winchester.”
“Ah. I’ll see you soon Mr. Winchester.” The line when dead and he set his phone on the counter.
“Alex, I’m going to get dressed then we’re leaving. You’ll get breakfast in a little bit.”
“But Unca Dean, I’m hungry now,” she whined.
He rolled his eyes and went to his bedroom. Dean threw on a pair of jeans, a black shirt, and a blue button up over it, leaving it unbuttoned of course. He pulled on his boots and since it was summer, left his leather jacket hanging up.
When he got back downstairs, Alex was sleeping on the couch. He picked her up and brought her out to the truck. He fastened her in and climbed in on the other side. First, they had to go to his shop and grab some tools before heading to Stewart’s old place.
When they were almost halfway there, Alex woke up. She became excited that she was going to work with him. It didn’t happen often, and she loved it when she could. Alex frequently said that her parents’ work was boring and Dean’s was fun since she got to help and get dirty. Even though she was young, Dean had taught her what all his tools were, so that when she did help, she could hand him what he needed.
Bobby was still there when he got to his shop. Dean walked in with Alex by his side to grab what he needed. “Bobby, I’m gonna need that groove lock pliers. It’s probably just a pipe leaking or something.”
Dean went through the tools Bobby was taking back and took half of them. “Sorry Bobby, I’m gonna need these today. I’ll bring them by when I’m done.”
Bobby grunted but said nothing. Dean wrote a quick note saying he was on a job for the other employees when they got there. If he didn’t, then Charlie would be calling him worrying about why he wasn’t there.
After Dean had all his things together, he called to Alex and they went to the truck. He put everything in the back, which included some PVC pipes and fitting for them. He hauled Alex to the front seat and buckled her in. It wasn’t the safest, but he didn’t have room for a car seat.
When he pulled up in front of the house, he was right on time. He walked up to the door, carrying Alex in his arms. Dean knocked and waited. Several minutes went by and he was about to knock again, when the door wrenched open.
A man a few inches shorter than Dean himself answered the door. “Ah! You must be Mr. Winchester! Please, come in. I’m Balthazar.”
“Please, call me Dean. It’s nice to meet you.” Dean walked in and set down Alex, who clutched his pants leg like it was a life preserver. He glanced down at her and said, "This here's Alex."
“Well Dean I apologize for the time it took to answer the door. What with everyone running around and such, I hardly heard it.” He turned to Alex and put on a charming smile. "It's very nice to meet you, young lady." Alex tentatively eased around Dean to get a better look at Balthazar.
It was awfully loud, but Dean’s used to it. He came from a huge family himself. Several people were walking in and out of the room. Balthazar smiled and said, “This way to the kitchen.”
It looked the same as when Stewart lived there. Still big and spacious, obviously meant for a family with at least six people, not two. In the middle, was an island that had perfectly scrambled eggs, toast with melted butter on it, and a tall glass of chocolate milk with a straw in it.
Dean picked up Alex and set her in the stool in front of the food. “I’m assuming this is for her?”
Balthazar laughed and said, “Of course. Our very own Cassie made it just for her. In fact, he basically owns the kitchen, so I’ll go get him and have him explain what’s wrong.”
The man waltzed out and left Dean and Alex alone. Some more people walked through, but no one noticed them. He heard Balthazar yell, “Cassie! Get down here! We have company in the kitchen!”
Immediately, several people entered. There were four young adults, who looked to be Dean’s age, if not a bit older, and two older people who are probably their parents. Balthazar returned with someone following him, who must have been ‘Cassie.’
“Everyone, this is Dean Winchester. Cassie, go explain what’s wrong with the sink. We still have unpacking to do.”
Everyone dispersed, leaving only Dean, Alex, and the man Balthazar pulled in. When Dean finally got a good look at him, his eyes widened.
The man before him was impossibly beautiful. He had messy black hair that made him look like he just woke up, which he probably did. His lips were full and pink and very kissable. The man’s eyes were a stunning blue that looked like they stared into Dean’s soul.
Dean shook his head and said, “I’m Dean. You must be Cassie.” He extended his hand.
“Hello Dean. Cassie is a nickname. My real name is Castiel. I would actually prefer you to call me that instead of Cassie.” He took Dean’s hand and shook it.
“Okay. So, what’s wrong with your sink?”