#technically it's just a cpl paragraphs per character. RIGHT?!

[bloodsalted]

@firstsoncain || inbox plotted starter || this is so perfect, i cry again!

Cain hasn't seen the brothers in a while. Finding them be well upon returning from his duties in Hell, to behold them has realization dawn on him which he used to ignore before. It never felt as strong. Who would have thought? Once an enemy, the former knight looks at them with genuine fondness curving his mouth into a smile. He approaches them as they stand side by side. Words are difficult when there's nothing that will quite capture the gravity of familial connection guiding his motions. One palm finds onto Dean's shoulder, the other onto Sam's opposite one. And a subtle shake of his head precedes Cain's final, long overdue move; he pulls them into a group hug. Add gentle pats to each brother's upper back. " Did I ever thank you? " Not only Sam for his aid in removing the curse, but both Winchesters' willingness to give a once-monster this second chance. At doing the right thing. At being needed elsewhere than in Hell... to feel like he has found a new family. Well, he thanks them by being there, by listening and dishing verbal kicks in their asses whenever necessary. But to hear those words? Something tells him it's what they appreciate, too.

dean's got sammy by his side and they're only semi-arguing about his restaurant choice for dinner. some murmured bit from his younger brother about cas putting it on him to make sure dean picks some place healthy for a change while dean is busy mumbling back that cas isn't here right now and what he doesn't know won't hurt him. but will certainly taste a hell of a lot better than some vegan, non-gmo, whatever free (mostly TASTE free, be honest!) place sam's trying to convince him is the cat's meow. more like dog's barf.

what sam doesn't tune into is that dean's only goading him on to get him flustered. and it's working and the immense joy out of a harmless food argument is bringing dean nothing but joy. while sam's blood pressure skyrockets and frustration makes him start talking with his hands. becoming more and more animated as the chat goes on. dean might've relented a long time ago if it weren't for sam's increasingly baffled and ruffled up mannerisms. hey. give dean a break. having a moment where this common fight is what's the biggest, most pressing thing going on in their lives? well. that's a moment where dean gets to enjoy the quiet. the comfort and familiarity of harmless banter. means the world's pretty damn good if that's what's pressing the two of 'em.

hearing cain approach, the brothers both turn in unison. sam's eyes light up as dean's mouth curves into a greeting grin. they're both happy to see him. happy he's back. so says the way they both soften in their expression when their shoulders fall underneath cain's grip and.. when they're pulled into a hug that causes all of them to wrap their arms around each other? cherishing the affection--they both--stay put and squeeze tighter. sam even rests his forehead against cain's temple where dean's chin tucks down onto a broad shoulder.

did i ever thank you. sam's smile ends up going ear to ear. dean's brows lift but neither seem like they're going to be the one to initiate stepping back. "you don't gotta," dean breaks their silence. they both get what cain's trying to say. what they're being thanked for. "thank you for staying.." in their lives, in their world.. for not disappearing. "for coming back when you go. and for the ass kickin' when we need it."

'you're family. that's what family does for each other," sam backs up dean's words with a solid statement meant to drive home how important cain is to them. 'ass kicking included,' words split into a quiet laugh, 'we're listening. even if dean doesn't seem like it. you keep him in line. glad to have someone else other than cas helping with that. full time job and then some..'

"like you aren't a pain in the ass.."

'jerk..' and all this? inside one another's arms. this is what home feels like.