Fic: Poor, Unfortunate Souls
Title: Poor, Unfortunate Souls
Author: discreetmath
Rating: PG-13
Fandom: Supernatural
Pairing: Dean/Castiel
Spoilers: None.
Warnings: None.
Word Count: 2450
Summary: Dean never thought he'd see so many parallels between an angel of the Lord and a Disney Princess, but. There you go.
A/N: Betaed by haughtymelodic. Written for her prompt Castiel likes Disney movies, and he sings ALL THE SONGS. Dean finds it endearing and Cas gets him to sing along. Until Sam catches them ofc. Title, of course, from The Little Mermaid. As you might guess, this is crack.
Disclaimer: Characters and anything else recognizable do not belong to me. I'm just borrowing them.
"Okay, man. This shit has got to stop," Dean says as he walks into the kitchen.
"Well, good morning to you too, Dean." Sam smiles innocently. "How are you today?"
"Yeah, yeah, good morning, whatever. Listen, I know that Cas has been laid up, and it's good that he's not bored, but this is getting ridiculous."
Sam knows right away that Dean's talking about The Movies (capitalization warranted by the huge deal Dean's been making about them since day one), but there's no reason he can't be a little bit difficult about it.
---
It all started when Cas broke his ankle a month ago. He'd been distraught to say the least. Having his humanity so glaringly highlighted was bad enough, but after a week he'd discovered just how awful boredom could be. No longer able to sit unmoving for hours at a time like he had as an angel, Cas had quickly become restless, snapping at Sam and Dean when they told him he had to stay in bed. So when Sam had been browsing through a yard sale down the street for dishes -- no matter how much Dean insisted that styrofoam was fine, he was getting tired of it -- he had come across a box of Disney movies and had a moment of inspiration.
"Yeah, those are my daughter's," said the woman who had wandered over. "She's sixteen now, and way too old for princess movies, she says. She insisted I get these out of the house, because God forbid her friends see." Sam chuckled politely, and she continued. "They're mostly DVDs and a few VHS tapes. Do you have a little girl? I could probably give you the box for ten bucks, just so long as someone is getting some use out of them."
"Wow, that would be great," Sam had replied, deliberately avoiding her question. No need to let her know they were actually for his brother’s millennia-old fallen angel quasi-boyfriend. Some things are better left unsaid.
He'd left the yard sale that day with a full set of floral patterned dishes and glassware and an armful of Disney films. He had been satisfied, to say the least.
---
So today, he knows just what's bothering Dean. Sam's plan had worked a little too well, as Cas had spent the last three weeks watching every single movie in that box and then rewatching the ones he'd deemed his favorites. Over, and over, and over. Sam is more bemused than anything about the whole thing, but Dean is clinging tightly to his opinion that "a grown-ass man shouldn't be watching kids' movies all day long."
"Look, Dean," he begins in a placating tone. "I know you wish he'd… branch out, but you have to understand that these movies are comforting to Cas right now. I'm sure you know he's in a tough place at the moment, so why not just let him have this?" The truth is that Cas has been doing just fine, pleased to finally be able to get around the house on his crutches. He just really likes the movies, and as long as he's entertained, Sam doesn't see the big deal.
Still, at his words Dean visibly deflates. He turns around and grabs a mug out of the cupboard, filling it with coffee. It's never very difficult to shut him up when he starts griping about Cas and his taste in movies, which sometimes makes Sam think he's just trying to keep up appearances. He probably finds the whole thing just as endearing as Sam does. Albeit in more of an "epic unspoken gay love" way, but still.
It's far more difficult to get him to stop bitching about the flowery dinner plates.
"Well, I guess you're right," Dean says slowly. "And it's not like it's all princess movies either. I bet his favorite is like, The Black Cauldron or The Sword in the Stone or something cool like that."
"Um, no such luck, dude." Sam is trying very valiantly to hold in his laughter. "You have to have noticed how many times he's watched The Little Mermaid, right?"
"No way. That doesn't mean it's his favorite."
"I think he likes it because of all of the parallels to his own life," Sam continues, as if he hasn't heard. Dean starts to interrupt, but Sam just talks right over him. "You know, how Ariel left her home and gave up her voice to be with the man she loved."
"Sammy, what the hell are you talking about? Cas can talk, you know."
"It's like a metaphor, Dean," Sam says, his voice serious. "For his grace."
"Now, wait just a--"
"You're Prince Eric in this scenario, obviously."
Dean's jaw drops, his face turning red. He storms out of the kitchen, leaving his coffee steaming on the counter. Sam's about to start laughing, but Dean comes back in, holding up one silencing finger to Sam before grabbing his cup and leaving again.
Now Sam does laugh, but he wasn't lying. Cas really does love The Little Mermaid. A lot. He may have just speculated on the rest of it.
---
It's been a week since that surreal conversation with Sam, and try as he may Dean can't seem to get it out of his head.
They're just little things, but Dean can't stop noticing them. Like the way he had to talk Cas out of buying some bullshit kitchen gadget he saw on an infomercial, because as wise as the guy might be, when it comes to the small picture stuff he's seriously naive.
And as if his eyes weren't already blue and wide and gorgeous enough (and Dean only lets himself admit these things in the safe space of his own brain), yesterday he'd walked by Cas's bedroom during the balcony scene of Beauty and the Beast. He'd caught a glimpse of Cas biting his lip and looking actually fucking dewy-eyed before he hurried on down the hall.
Now that he thinks about it, the old bookcase that Cas has been steadily filling with whatever human objects he finds interesting (this ranges from comic books to a pair of green plastic sunglasses to a mug in the shape of a boot) looks suspiciously like Ariel's grotto.
Well, shit, he thinks. Cas is a Disney Princess.
---
All of these thoughts are still fresh in his mind when he gets home from the garage on Tuesday afternoon. The first thing he hears when he comes in the door is the television blaring from the first-floor bedroom where Cas has been sleeping since hurting his ankle.
They've had the "reasonable volume" discussion a number of times, but Cas always turns it right back up when they leave the house. He's like a kid sometimes, honest to God. Dean walks back to the hall with the intention of asking him to turn it down. He already recognizes it as The Little Mermaid, and if he listens to that movie one more time he's afraid he'll know the damn thing by heart.
He pauses outside of the open door when he hears a deeper, quiet voice underneath the singing in the movie.
"Where would we walk, where would we run, if we could stay all day in the sun?"
Oh man. Cas is singing along to the movie. Dean thinks he should want to laugh, but Cas actually sounds kind of sad, and Dean wants to keep listening. He creeps up to peer around the doorframe. From there he can see Cas with his foot propped up, dressed in a pair of sweats and a white t-shirt. He's leaning back against the headboard with his eyes shut. He hasn't stopped singing, and his voice gets slightly louder as the song gets to its last verse. Dean lets himself shut his eyes too as he listens to Cas sing along.
"I don't know when, I don't know how, but I know something's starting right now,
watch and you'll see, someday I'll be, part of your world."
As the song fades out, Dean hears a gasp and his eyes fly open to see Cas looking right at him and frowning.
"You do know it's rude to lurk around and eavesdrop, don't you?" Cas huffs in annoyance. The tips of his ears are red, and Dean realizes that Cas is embarrassed. He feels suddenly guilty, so he pushes the door open and walks over to the bed.
"Yeah, dude, I'm sorry. But it's been a long day, and I was hoping you wouldn't mind if I joined you?" He slaps on a smile and tries to look convincing. Cas squints at him in suspicion before sliding over in the bed, and Dean quickly leans over to readjust the pillow under his casted ankle before settling down next to him.
"You don't have to do this, you know. I know you don't care for these films."
"That's not true, Cas," Dean protests. "I just got a little bit burnt out on them." Cas looks at him again and then nods his head.
"All right. Now hush," he scolds. Dean smiles at that and turns to the movie.
He's seen this one plenty of times, but he watches as the the king finds out about Eric and smashes up all of Ariel's shit in the grotto. He finds himself getting kind of mad on Ariel's behalf, or maybe it's actually on Castiel's behalf, he doesn't really know. This shit is confusing. Once Ariel goes to see Ursula, Cas must forget he's there because when "Poor Unfortunate Souls" starts up he begins to quietly sing along. He only gets out two lines before glancing over at Dean self-consciously and stopping.
Dean just can't take it. For whatever reason, watching these movies makes Cas happy. Apparently the songs make him happy. And the idea that he would deprive himself of those things because, what, he was afraid of Dean's reaction? Not okay at all. He doesn't allow himself to dwell on it any more, just opens his mouth and starts to sing.
"Those poor, unfortunate souls, so sad, so true,
they come flocking to my cauldron, crying "Spells, Ursula, please!"
And I help them, yes I do!"
He's feeling kind of silly right then, so he risks a glance over at Cas, who's looking at him like he's grown another head. He ducks his head, but when he looks back up Cas is grinning. He smiles back.
"It seems you have been holding out on me, Dean."
"Yeah, well. It's not like Sammy wasn't a kid once, but I've got a reputation to uphold, you know?"
"Yes, Dean," Cas deadpans. "We wouldn't want anybody to see past your gruff, manly exterior."
"Exactly," Dean mumbles, knowing he's being made fun of. He looks back at the screen for a minute before Cas nudges him with his elbow. When he turns, Cas has one eyebrow raised. He smiles and nods, and they sing together, louder than before.
"Come on, you poor unfortunate soul, go ahead, make your choice!
I'm a very busy woman and I haven't got all day, it won't cost much, just your voice!"
They sing the rest of the verse together before dissolving into laughter, Cas clutching his side and Dean swiping at his eyes. When they get composed again, Dean turns to Cas.
"Cas, man, that's probably the most fun I've had in a while."
"Me too," Cas agrees with a shy smile.
"Me too," Sam says from the door. Wait, what the hell? Dean jumps when he sees his brother lurking in the doorway like a creepy giant.
"Dude, don't you know it's rude to eavesdrop?" he asks, scowling at Sam.
"In my defense, you guys were loud enough that I'd have heard you from the backyard." When Dean just glares harder, he throws up his hands. "Okay, okay!" he laughs, "I'm going." He hurries back down the hallway.
After a minute, Dean looks at Cas, struck by how good it looks to see him smiling so openly.
"You know," he begins before he can stop himself, "Sam said something weird the other day. He said you and I are like The Little Mermaid, what with Ariel losing her voice and falling in love with Prince Eric and stuff. Except instead of losing your voice, you lost your grace. Dumb, huh?"
"Dean," Cas says softly, "that's not dumb. You're not exactly a prince, but you do have your more noble moments." He smiles again.
"Yeah," Dean says. "Okay." He flickers his eyes down to see Cas darting his tongue out to moisten his lips, and his breath hitches. This feels like one of those moments, where you know you'll never get a better opportunity to do the thing you've been wanting to do. Dean leans in slowly, leaving plenty of opportunity to laugh it off if he's read this one wrong. But Cas is leaning in too, and he has enough time to think this is it, before... Cas pulls back quickly.
"Wait, if you are Prince Eric in this comparison, that would make me Ariel," he says accusingly.
"Well, it's not like that necessarily, but you have to admit that the parallels--"
"Dean. I am not a princess," Cas argues with a frown. When Deans starts to laugh, his tone turns indignant. "I'm not!" he insists.
"Okay, Cas, whatever you say," Dean chuckles before sliding his hand behind Cas's neck and pulling him in for a kiss. When Cas opens his mouth in a huff of surprise, Dean slides his tongue in and they both groan. Cas pulls back after a minute, his mouth already swollen and red and his pupils dilated.
"This discussion is not over, Dean," he says in a remarkably steady voice, "but I feel it would be prudent to continue it at a later time." Dean nods in agreement and leans in again.
They never do get around to finishing that conversation, and that's more than okay with Dean.
Author: discreetmath
Rating: PG-13
Fandom: Supernatural
Pairing: Dean/Castiel
Spoilers: None.
Warnings: None.
Word Count: 2450
Summary: Dean never thought he'd see so many parallels between an angel of the Lord and a Disney Princess, but. There you go.
A/N: Betaed by haughtymelodic. Written for her prompt Castiel likes Disney movies, and he sings ALL THE SONGS. Dean finds it endearing and Cas gets him to sing along. Until Sam catches them ofc. Title, of course, from The Little Mermaid. As you might guess, this is crack.
Disclaimer: Characters and anything else recognizable do not belong to me. I'm just borrowing them.
"Okay, man. This shit has got to stop," Dean says as he walks into the kitchen.
"Well, good morning to you too, Dean." Sam smiles innocently. "How are you today?"
"Yeah, yeah, good morning, whatever. Listen, I know that Cas has been laid up, and it's good that he's not bored, but this is getting ridiculous."
Sam knows right away that Dean's talking about The Movies (capitalization warranted by the huge deal Dean's been making about them since day one), but there's no reason he can't be a little bit difficult about it.
---
It all started when Cas broke his ankle a month ago. He'd been distraught to say the least. Having his humanity so glaringly highlighted was bad enough, but after a week he'd discovered just how awful boredom could be. No longer able to sit unmoving for hours at a time like he had as an angel, Cas had quickly become restless, snapping at Sam and Dean when they told him he had to stay in bed. So when Sam had been browsing through a yard sale down the street for dishes -- no matter how much Dean insisted that styrofoam was fine, he was getting tired of it -- he had come across a box of Disney movies and had a moment of inspiration.
"Yeah, those are my daughter's," said the woman who had wandered over. "She's sixteen now, and way too old for princess movies, she says. She insisted I get these out of the house, because God forbid her friends see." Sam chuckled politely, and she continued. "They're mostly DVDs and a few VHS tapes. Do you have a little girl? I could probably give you the box for ten bucks, just so long as someone is getting some use out of them."
"Wow, that would be great," Sam had replied, deliberately avoiding her question. No need to let her know they were actually for his brother’s millennia-old fallen angel quasi-boyfriend. Some things are better left unsaid.
He'd left the yard sale that day with a full set of floral patterned dishes and glassware and an armful of Disney films. He had been satisfied, to say the least.
---
So today, he knows just what's bothering Dean. Sam's plan had worked a little too well, as Cas had spent the last three weeks watching every single movie in that box and then rewatching the ones he'd deemed his favorites. Over, and over, and over. Sam is more bemused than anything about the whole thing, but Dean is clinging tightly to his opinion that "a grown-ass man shouldn't be watching kids' movies all day long."
"Look, Dean," he begins in a placating tone. "I know you wish he'd… branch out, but you have to understand that these movies are comforting to Cas right now. I'm sure you know he's in a tough place at the moment, so why not just let him have this?" The truth is that Cas has been doing just fine, pleased to finally be able to get around the house on his crutches. He just really likes the movies, and as long as he's entertained, Sam doesn't see the big deal.
Still, at his words Dean visibly deflates. He turns around and grabs a mug out of the cupboard, filling it with coffee. It's never very difficult to shut him up when he starts griping about Cas and his taste in movies, which sometimes makes Sam think he's just trying to keep up appearances. He probably finds the whole thing just as endearing as Sam does. Albeit in more of an "epic unspoken gay love" way, but still.
It's far more difficult to get him to stop bitching about the flowery dinner plates.
"Well, I guess you're right," Dean says slowly. "And it's not like it's all princess movies either. I bet his favorite is like, The Black Cauldron or The Sword in the Stone or something cool like that."
"Um, no such luck, dude." Sam is trying very valiantly to hold in his laughter. "You have to have noticed how many times he's watched The Little Mermaid, right?"
"No way. That doesn't mean it's his favorite."
"I think he likes it because of all of the parallels to his own life," Sam continues, as if he hasn't heard. Dean starts to interrupt, but Sam just talks right over him. "You know, how Ariel left her home and gave up her voice to be with the man she loved."
"Sammy, what the hell are you talking about? Cas can talk, you know."
"It's like a metaphor, Dean," Sam says, his voice serious. "For his grace."
"Now, wait just a--"
"You're Prince Eric in this scenario, obviously."
Dean's jaw drops, his face turning red. He storms out of the kitchen, leaving his coffee steaming on the counter. Sam's about to start laughing, but Dean comes back in, holding up one silencing finger to Sam before grabbing his cup and leaving again.
Now Sam does laugh, but he wasn't lying. Cas really does love The Little Mermaid. A lot. He may have just speculated on the rest of it.
---
It's been a week since that surreal conversation with Sam, and try as he may Dean can't seem to get it out of his head.
They're just little things, but Dean can't stop noticing them. Like the way he had to talk Cas out of buying some bullshit kitchen gadget he saw on an infomercial, because as wise as the guy might be, when it comes to the small picture stuff he's seriously naive.
And as if his eyes weren't already blue and wide and gorgeous enough (and Dean only lets himself admit these things in the safe space of his own brain), yesterday he'd walked by Cas's bedroom during the balcony scene of Beauty and the Beast. He'd caught a glimpse of Cas biting his lip and looking actually fucking dewy-eyed before he hurried on down the hall.
Now that he thinks about it, the old bookcase that Cas has been steadily filling with whatever human objects he finds interesting (this ranges from comic books to a pair of green plastic sunglasses to a mug in the shape of a boot) looks suspiciously like Ariel's grotto.
Well, shit, he thinks. Cas is a Disney Princess.
---
All of these thoughts are still fresh in his mind when he gets home from the garage on Tuesday afternoon. The first thing he hears when he comes in the door is the television blaring from the first-floor bedroom where Cas has been sleeping since hurting his ankle.
They've had the "reasonable volume" discussion a number of times, but Cas always turns it right back up when they leave the house. He's like a kid sometimes, honest to God. Dean walks back to the hall with the intention of asking him to turn it down. He already recognizes it as The Little Mermaid, and if he listens to that movie one more time he's afraid he'll know the damn thing by heart.
He pauses outside of the open door when he hears a deeper, quiet voice underneath the singing in the movie.
"Where would we walk, where would we run, if we could stay all day in the sun?"
Oh man. Cas is singing along to the movie. Dean thinks he should want to laugh, but Cas actually sounds kind of sad, and Dean wants to keep listening. He creeps up to peer around the doorframe. From there he can see Cas with his foot propped up, dressed in a pair of sweats and a white t-shirt. He's leaning back against the headboard with his eyes shut. He hasn't stopped singing, and his voice gets slightly louder as the song gets to its last verse. Dean lets himself shut his eyes too as he listens to Cas sing along.
"I don't know when, I don't know how, but I know something's starting right now,
watch and you'll see, someday I'll be, part of your world."
As the song fades out, Dean hears a gasp and his eyes fly open to see Cas looking right at him and frowning.
"You do know it's rude to lurk around and eavesdrop, don't you?" Cas huffs in annoyance. The tips of his ears are red, and Dean realizes that Cas is embarrassed. He feels suddenly guilty, so he pushes the door open and walks over to the bed.
"Yeah, dude, I'm sorry. But it's been a long day, and I was hoping you wouldn't mind if I joined you?" He slaps on a smile and tries to look convincing. Cas squints at him in suspicion before sliding over in the bed, and Dean quickly leans over to readjust the pillow under his casted ankle before settling down next to him.
"You don't have to do this, you know. I know you don't care for these films."
"That's not true, Cas," Dean protests. "I just got a little bit burnt out on them." Cas looks at him again and then nods his head.
"All right. Now hush," he scolds. Dean smiles at that and turns to the movie.
He's seen this one plenty of times, but he watches as the the king finds out about Eric and smashes up all of Ariel's shit in the grotto. He finds himself getting kind of mad on Ariel's behalf, or maybe it's actually on Castiel's behalf, he doesn't really know. This shit is confusing. Once Ariel goes to see Ursula, Cas must forget he's there because when "Poor Unfortunate Souls" starts up he begins to quietly sing along. He only gets out two lines before glancing over at Dean self-consciously and stopping.
Dean just can't take it. For whatever reason, watching these movies makes Cas happy. Apparently the songs make him happy. And the idea that he would deprive himself of those things because, what, he was afraid of Dean's reaction? Not okay at all. He doesn't allow himself to dwell on it any more, just opens his mouth and starts to sing.
"Those poor, unfortunate souls, so sad, so true,
they come flocking to my cauldron, crying "Spells, Ursula, please!"
And I help them, yes I do!"
He's feeling kind of silly right then, so he risks a glance over at Cas, who's looking at him like he's grown another head. He ducks his head, but when he looks back up Cas is grinning. He smiles back.
"It seems you have been holding out on me, Dean."
"Yeah, well. It's not like Sammy wasn't a kid once, but I've got a reputation to uphold, you know?"
"Yes, Dean," Cas deadpans. "We wouldn't want anybody to see past your gruff, manly exterior."
"Exactly," Dean mumbles, knowing he's being made fun of. He looks back at the screen for a minute before Cas nudges him with his elbow. When he turns, Cas has one eyebrow raised. He smiles and nods, and they sing together, louder than before.
"Come on, you poor unfortunate soul, go ahead, make your choice!
I'm a very busy woman and I haven't got all day, it won't cost much, just your voice!"
They sing the rest of the verse together before dissolving into laughter, Cas clutching his side and Dean swiping at his eyes. When they get composed again, Dean turns to Cas.
"Cas, man, that's probably the most fun I've had in a while."
"Me too," Cas agrees with a shy smile.
"Me too," Sam says from the door. Wait, what the hell? Dean jumps when he sees his brother lurking in the doorway like a creepy giant.
"Dude, don't you know it's rude to eavesdrop?" he asks, scowling at Sam.
"In my defense, you guys were loud enough that I'd have heard you from the backyard." When Dean just glares harder, he throws up his hands. "Okay, okay!" he laughs, "I'm going." He hurries back down the hallway.
After a minute, Dean looks at Cas, struck by how good it looks to see him smiling so openly.
"You know," he begins before he can stop himself, "Sam said something weird the other day. He said you and I are like The Little Mermaid, what with Ariel losing her voice and falling in love with Prince Eric and stuff. Except instead of losing your voice, you lost your grace. Dumb, huh?"
"Dean," Cas says softly, "that's not dumb. You're not exactly a prince, but you do have your more noble moments." He smiles again.
"Yeah," Dean says. "Okay." He flickers his eyes down to see Cas darting his tongue out to moisten his lips, and his breath hitches. This feels like one of those moments, where you know you'll never get a better opportunity to do the thing you've been wanting to do. Dean leans in slowly, leaving plenty of opportunity to laugh it off if he's read this one wrong. But Cas is leaning in too, and he has enough time to think this is it, before... Cas pulls back quickly.
"Wait, if you are Prince Eric in this comparison, that would make me Ariel," he says accusingly.
"Well, it's not like that necessarily, but you have to admit that the parallels--"
"Dean. I am not a princess," Cas argues with a frown. When Deans starts to laugh, his tone turns indignant. "I'm not!" he insists.
"Okay, Cas, whatever you say," Dean chuckles before sliding his hand behind Cas's neck and pulling him in for a kiss. When Cas opens his mouth in a huff of surprise, Dean slides his tongue in and they both groan. Cas pulls back after a minute, his mouth already swollen and red and his pupils dilated.
"This discussion is not over, Dean," he says in a remarkably steady voice, "but I feel it would be prudent to continue it at a later time." Dean nods in agreement and leans in again.
They never do get around to finishing that conversation, and that's more than okay with Dean.