Penance { for Lizardwhisperer

[Nene]

Cas pouted, sour as he heard that Gabriel expected the brothers to discipline him as well; the pout went away when Dean took him from his brother, cuddling him close to him. Cas hiccupped and swept away his tears with the back of his hand and he curled one arm and his legs around Dean. Cas sent back a hand to protect his sore bottom from any more pats. His bottom felt as if it had been stung by a thousand bees and he rubbed it gingerly.

Sam rubbed Cas' back, wanting to put an end to those tears.

"I... I suppose, b-but ... but Dean, I... I can take care of m-myself..." Cas responded with a hiccup and he wept; he would have no other options but to be cared for by the Winchesters, as he would be no older than seven and without his grace he could not defend himself. Cas peered over his shoulder at Gabriel, wanting him to go and leave him and his sore bottom be, and when Gabriel took his leave, Cas looked back up to Dean, then to Sam.

"Sam... Dean... You aren't... aren't really going to...?" Cas didn't complete that sentence, and he wiped away the residual tears with his sleeve.

[Lizardwhisperer]

Dean watched as the miniature version of his friend calmed down a bit—enough to find and use his little voice. When Cas answered that he could take care of himself, Dean also knew the stubborn angel had also found his attitude. Dean sighed and leveled Cas with a serious look. “And look where taking care of yourself and making decisions on your own got you—you lied to us, played God, let the Leviathan loose, and wound up in Purgatory, Cas.” The hunter pushed the boy’s hand away from his heated bottom, this time giving him a few less-than-gentle pats. “I think you’ve done quite enough on your own, don’t you? And if you think you’re gonna keep up this head-strong independent streak and not listen to what SAM and I tell you, I won’t hesitate to put you over my knee and spank your little bottom, you hear me?” Dean watched Cas’ reaction, “And don’t think just because you’re cute now, I won’t call you on your shit. You’ve gotten away with way too much for too long and if your brother hadn’t just busted your little rear, I’d start teaching you right here and now that Cas’ way isn’t always the right way—and certainly isn’t the smart one.”
He let his harsh words sink in a few minutes, then handed the thoroughly corrected angel to his brother. “I’m gonna fix you up a place to sleep, Cas. After we get something to eat, you’re going right to bed. It’s been a big day for you and you’ll need your sleep, so we can start off in the morning. Me and Sam have a case.”

[Nene]

Cas looked down, his bottom lip wobbling as Dean recapped the very reasons for his penance, and those precious teary blues went wide as Dean pushed his hand out of the way. "owh-! Ah! Dean...!" Cas' weeping began anew and he peered up at Dean, wanting him to know he heard him. Cas' breathing hitched and jaw fell slack at Dean's statement that he wouldn't hesitate to put him over his knee. "...Dean-" Dean interrupted his argument and he pouted. He sighed, knowing he couldn't argue that. "I hear you." he wiped his fresh tears away with his oversized sleeve.

Sam gathered Cas into his arms and rubbed his back, "we have another bedroom down the hall from your room, Dean." it was seldom used but they kept the blankets clean and dust-free in the event someone they cared for needed shelter. Cas clung to Sam and pouted, "I don't want to go to bed..." Cas told them. He wouldn't admit he was so tired from the thorough spanking he'd received from his brother and he fought to stay awake, but his tummy also grumbled now, wanting food.

"Well, tough... you're little now, a little human, and humans need to sleep eventually. You can barely keep your eyes open," he teased, "You need a bedtime." Sam looked at his watch, "it's about six-thirty. We'll get you settled into bed by eight." Sam decided that eight would be the ideal bedtime for their de-aged charge. Cas had nothing to say - he couldn't stop the Winchesters from taking care of him as if he were a very young fledgling.

[Lizardwhisperer]

Dean liked Sam’s suggestion to settle Cas in the room next to his own. While he was still not happy with Cas’ behavior, he loved his friend—and like it or not, the angel’s new “fun-size” was bringing up some very protective feelings. He just got Cas back, after fighting tooth, claw, and nail to try to get him out of Purgatory—only to have his friend reject the hand he offered him. Now that his angel was back, Dean didn’t want him far from his sight.
Dean didn’t mean to snap so hard, when Cas whined that he didn’t want to go to bed—the hunter was overwhelmed. Just how were he and Sam going take care of a seven-year old—one with the brains and attitude of a warrior angel—and manage to hunt? They had to keep working, often times the Winchester’s were the only things between ferocious monsters and the people they preyed on. But how were they going to keep Cas safe from those very monsters? Castiel was human now, tiny and graceless.
As Dean finished making up the bed With fresh linens, he shuddered, just thinking of the sheer number of bathroom breaks the Impala would have to make to get a little boy across a state.
He found said sniffling boy sitting on a cushion from library, with his tall brother in the kitchen. Sam putting together a stir-fry over rice. Cas kicked his feet happily, despite the pout he gave Dean. The meal smelled good and Cas’ human belly seemed excited, even if the rest of him was still a bit morose. As Sam served up dinner, Dean reached over and tucked a napkin into Cas’ huge collar, rolling up the boy’s floppy sleeves and pouring him some milk. “We gotta find a store tomorrow and get you some kid-sizes clothes, before people think we found you in a box.” Dean laughed at Cas’ look, ruffling his hair. “Eat up, kiddo, it’ll make you feel a lot better.” Dean noticed Cas try to hide a smile, so he grabbed the moment. “And you know what? No more spankings tonight—Dean Winchester has decreed it!” Dean smiled big, at Cas’ reaction.

[Nene]

As Dean tucked a napkin into the collar of his oversized button-up and rolled his sleeves, Cas couldn't stop himself from squirming and letting out the sweetest laugh. The baby angel knew that meant he was ticklish and and his precious smile only grew when Dean ruffled his dark locks. He bit back his bottom lip to hold back a smile, as he really wanted to continue his sour attitude, but he couldn't help it, especially not when Dean decided that there wouldn't be any more spankings tonight. Cas' pout went away, and he was happy baby. He would try to be on his best behavior, not wanting Dean to change his mind and smack his already sore bottom.

Cas inspected the stir fry rice, not at all used to eating. He wanted that grumbling in his tummy to stop, so he picked up his fork and scooped a little bit of the rice onto it. Cas cautiously tasted it and those angel blues lit up. "Ish yum," he told Sam, wanting Sam to know he thought his stir fry was pleasant and he chowed down on his supper. Cas also inspected the milk; he knew what it was, but he never tried it. Everything always tasted like molecules to him but without his grace, he could taste it. He made a face, not liking the taste of the milk at all. Cas pushed away the milk, gently as to not tip it over, and he looked so grossed out.

[Lizardwhisperer]

"OK, then, not a milk kid." Dean got up and poured a glass of apple juice, offering it to Cas. "That's more like it, huh? "
When they had finished dinner, Dean announced Cas' bedtime, only to get another half-hearted, tired protest. "C'mon, buddy, you can't stop yawning and your eyelids are drooping."

Dean turned to Sam for backup, hoping the cranky, tired little boy would listen to his brother. Dean had promised no more spankings tonight, and he wouldn't go back on his word--but he REALLY didn't want Cas' morning to start over his knee. Little Cas was so cute and when he wasn't pouting or sassing, he was sweet, too. Dean hoped his young friend wouldn't give them too many reasons to have to spank him--and hoped he'd never misbehave so badly that they would have to call Gabriel. That dick might be Castiel's big brother, but Dean didn't like watching the Trickster punish Cas so harshly. The hunter hoped a few well-placed smacks on the bottom would be enough for either him or Sam to get Cas' attention.

Dean grabbed a T-shirt from his room for Cas to wear to bed--"Led Zepplin" across the front. It was big enough to cover the kid like a night shirt. Dean was relieved to find Sam waiting outside the bathroom for the angel, until they heard sniffling coming from inside and a teary call for help.

[Nene]

"mm!" Cas nodded eagerly when Dean gave him the apple juice in place of the yucky milk, and he would be a happy baby angel, swinging his legs and enjoying his dinner. When Dean announced his bedtime, Cas' happy humming was replaced by an irritable whine and the half-hearted protest that he'd be a grown angel and grown angels didn't have bedtimes.

Sam scooped Cas up into his arms, holding Cas close to him, and carried him away from the dinner table so they could get him all ready for his very first bedtime. He rubbed Cas' back, hoping to calm the irritable boy in his arms. It appeared to be working, but Cas still wouldn't be happy about his bedtime. Cas pouted and stomped, annoyed when Dean unbuttoned his oversized white button-up, but when he felt how soft the Led Zeppelin tee felt, he found it wasn't all that bad.

Put in the bathroom, Cas didn't understand how he was supposed to do this. He looked to the door, then to the toilet, and back to the door. He was very uncomfortable and really had to go, but he didn't understand. He teared up and squirmed, and he called out for help. Sam looked up when he heard the call for help and he cracked open the door, "Cas? What's the matter?"

Cas' bottom lip wobbled and he looked to Sam, then to Dean, and he looked down as he felt something warm run down his legs. Sam, as he realized what was happening, sprang forward and scooped Cas up, immediately seating Cas on the toilet. Sam looked back to Dean, now very concerned for their small friend. Cas would need a bath now before he would be tucked in to bed. Cas squirmed uncomfortably, all of this very unpleasant - he was all wet now.

[Lizardwhisperer]

"Aw, c'mon--Gabe didn't say anything about potty training," Dean griped, until he saw the devastation on Cas' face. The hunter patted the messy dark head, "It'll be ok, buddy--you sprung a leak. It happens."

Leaving toilet duty to his brother, Dean plugged and ran the bath, testing the temperature carefully to be comfortable on young skin--then squeezed a glob of shampoo into the running water, filling the tub with a layer of frothy suds.
"I know you're tired, Cas, but your little butt's gonna love getting in here. Hang on."

Dean left the tub filling up, while Sam made sure their little angel didn't fall in, and headed down the hall. The hunter dug through the kitchen drawers and cabinets and retrieved a measuring cup, a turkey baster (where the Hell did they get that?), and a plastic soup bowl. He snatched a smiley face magnet off the fridge, on his way out.

Returning to the bathroom, he found Cas in the tub, smiling and running his fingers through the bubbles, while Sam ladled warm water over his head, cupping his big hand. Dean handed his brother the measuring cup to use instead, then floated the bowl on top of the water. He placed the fridge magnet inside, explaining, "You see, Cas, this is a boat. That's your captain or a passenger or whatever--he's happy, see? And this," Dean dipped the baster and squeezed, then released the bulb, filling the tube with water, "Is bad weather." Dean squeezed the baster and squirted water at Cas' face, laughing at the little boy's reaction. He squirted the rest of the water at the 'boat' before giving up his weapon to the giggling angel.

Dean sat back and watched Cas, "You know, Sammy, I think I might not suck at this."

[Nene]

Cas peered over the edge of the tub, observing as the shampoo created bubbles and soapy foam. He reached out and touched the bubbles, and immediately drew back his hand, as it felt so strange, but he didn't find it to be unpleasant. He shrieked with giggles, incredibly ticklish as Sam undressed him and scooped him up and settled his sore baby bottom into the warm bubbly tub.

The baby angel found the bubbles comforting and he scooped up the soapy foam into his arms and his hair. When Dean came back and put together the 'boat' for him to play with, Cas observed, intrigued, and when 'bad weather' came, he shrieked and laughed. Cas took the baster from Dean, looking it over and playing with it before discovering how he could put water in it. He aimed it at Sam and Dean, spraying water at them. He didn't care at all about the mess he'd make nor did he care about the brothers walking out of this bath sopping wet.

"Ah, Cas!" Sam laughed and sighed as his flannel was soaked and stuck to him, "the goal is to clean you." he assisted Cas in standing up so he could wash his little bottom and legs with a wash cloth, but Cas whined loudly, not wanting to be removed from his warm bubbly bath.

[Lizardwhisperer]

Dean cringed at the sound of Cas' whining, wiping the splashed water from his face and announcing, "Time to get tired cranky-wings to bed."

The hunter sopped up the water from the floor, while his brother tackled drying off the complaining little boy and wrangling him into another over-sized tshirt. "Better let Wetty-McWetterson try the potty again before bed." He wasn't looking forward to their new charge peeing all his concert T's.

Dean ignored Cas' grumpy reply, resisting the impulse to pop him one on his little bottom--a promise is a promise.

Both brothers could see Cas was nervous, as they showed him his new room and tucked him in under the covers. "How about a bedtime story, buddy?" Dean asked.
When Sam suggested the one that Dorothy Gale's Dad wrote, Dean rolled his eyes at his nerd brother and went to find The Wizard of Oz.

"Here ya go, Sam--you get to start it tonight," he poked Cas' tiny nose, "and if this little angel behaves like a little angel, I'll read the next chapter to him, tomorrow night."