(A/N: Rated M for mature content and language.

Well, this came from a prompt I saw somewhere [SPNkinkmeme? I dunno, can't remember. Don't sue me!]. Something along the lines of: A/B/O Dean and Cas had a one night stand while Dean was passing through town as a teenager, and ten years later, gets tracked down by his and Cas' resourceful daughter. Dean discovers that while their night together had been purely casual on his part, Cas had been hoping to get Mated (and hopefully) pregnant by an Alpha so that he would be considered "impure" and not be forced to marry the douche-bag Alpha his older brother Michael was trying to sell him off to.

I couldn't help myself... so many yeses for me in there. I had it half written before I even started. heh It's another ABO (Alpha-Beta-Omega) fic, and there will be mentions of mpreg, so X out if either of those squicks you out/isn't your bag/something you "don't get"—you just won't enjoy this. Features Alpha!Dean and Omega!Castiel since that was part of the prompt. (I really like/have a bit of a soft spot/fetish for Omega!Dean... *sigh* One day I'll write that.) Flashbacks will be fairly common, mostly relevant, and interspersed throughout [in italics] so hopefully that'll help clear up any confusion as we go along.

Oh. And I have a poll up on my profile, just for funsies, so check it out? Maybe? Vote early and often! heh

Warnings/tags: MalexMale slash. AU. A/B/O. Alpha/Omega pairing. Male pregnancy (non-graphic). Child abandonment (unwilling/unknowing). Mentions of: knotting, self-lubrication, Mating, Heat cycles, all that ABO trope-y stuff. And fluff! (Domestic-y, grossly adorable fluff.)

Enjoy.)

Dean Winchester stared at the 9-year-old girl scowling up at him with tiny fists planted on small hips, stunned into silence. He'd managed to smash down the strong urge to do a goldfish impersonation, mainly because his mouth just sort of stayed open in a stupid gape. He finally snapped it closed, but he was finding it a little difficult to form words and his mouth opened and a closed a few times uselessly.

He tried, several times, but no actual words came out. Because, seriously? He couldn't have heard the little pipsqueak right...

"You're my—" Dean finally managed, his voice sounding like he'd been choked. He rubbed a hand over his mouth as he cleared his throat, but it didn't help much. "I'm your— What?"

"You're my father."

Dean blinked a few times. Shook his head lightly.

Nope. The pup was still there.

Still glaring at him, small posture demanding, chin lifted defiantly, green eyes intense and narrowed just enough to look a little familiar. He was tempted to poke her to make sure she wasn't some whiskey-induced hallucination. But he knew better than to touch a strange pup. Not to mention he was, regrettably, stone-cold sober and knew this wasn't anything but reality.

He smothered the hysterical urge to wheeze theatrically and make 'Luke, I am your father' jokes. Because, yeah, not exactly funny right now...

Dean held his hands up, "Listen, kid—"

"Grace," she interrupted, frowning. This was the second time she'd told him her name. Couldn't he remember such a simple thing? He didn't look that stupid.

Dean fought the urge to roll his eyes. He put on his most charming smile and held his hands a little closer to his body because she kind of looked like a biter... "Uh huh. Listen, Grace, I'm not your father. Okay? I don't know why—"

"Yes. You are," Grace insisted, getting into Dean's personal space as best she could. She had one picture of her other father and this Alpha goober matched it perfectly—accounting for a few years of aging, that was. She leaned in even closer and Scented him, not bothering to be subtle about it, her nose nearly touching his crotch because it was the closest spot she could reach for a strong scent. Even his scent was familiar enough to hers to let her know she wasn't wrong.

She knew she wasn't wrong... no matter how many times he gave her 'you're crazy' eyes or denied it. Even if she was getting a little freaked out by the Alpha's reaction, denial but thankfully not violent, it didn't fully diminish the happy feeling in her chest or the excitement of finally finding him. She just stared back, patient and calm as he worked through... whatever he needed to work through.

Dean's hands flew up, fluttering with an embarrassing sort of useless gesture as he quickly took two steps back so he didn't do anything stupid like push her away or smack her nose. He nearly looked around to make sure there weren't people around to scream 'pervert' at him.

"Woah there, short stuff!" he said, waving his hands a little. "It's not polite to just go around sniffing at people's junk." The pup just stared back, completely unimpressed about being told what was polite or not. He tried to ignore the way she reminded him of Sam a little—she really could pull off a decent pint-sized 'bitch face'—and glared right back. Even if he did feel kind of ridiculous having a staring match with a pup.

And in less than a minute he was panicking a little on the inside when he realized he was starting to crumble under that look, his mighty Alpha stare of doom falling. The furrow between dark little eyebrows deepened and he was this close to agreeing to whatever she wanted—anything, as long as she just stopped looking so damn disgruntled with him.

Oh god, no.

He was a damn Alpha, for fuck's sake; Alphas weren't supposed to succumb to tiny, demanding hellions with imperious tones and mini bitch-faces. Strange, tiny, demanding hellions that made wild accusations, no less. It made a few alarm bells go off inside his head that a 'strange' pup could have such an affect on him; this was more than just the usual reaction he had around pups.

Dean grunted and ran a hand over his face, suddenly wishing he hadn't gone out for pie. And if that just didn't take the cream out of his Twinkie, he didn't know what could... Besides the Apocalypse. Or that cardboardy, organic bran shit Sammy tried to give him last week instead of his Lucky Charms. He nearly shuddered at the memory but was quick to return his attention to the tiny terror staring up at him. It took an effort not to fidget like a wayward pup under that intense stare.

"Okay, fine," he said with a defeated sounding sigh, throwing his hands up. He was so not going to stand there and argue with a freakin' pup. "What makes you think I'm your father?" he asked, injecting as much sarcasm and disbelief into his tone as humanly possible.

"My mom told me so. And you look like him," Grace added, holding up a picture. It was an old Polaroid; well worn, the white part almost soft and crinkly. Obviously, it had been handled quite a bit over the years. The top left corner was bent and permanently creased. She shoved it forward, making Dean take it or risk it falling. Thankfully, reflexes kicked in and the photo was taken in large, but careful, fingers the moment she let go of it instead of it fluttering to the sidewalk. She watched intently as Dean studied the picture. She nodded slowly when his mouth fell open, eyes widening.

That was another thing, she realized; they had the same eyes. Shape. Color. It was one thing to know something—she'd been told often enough she had her father's eyes—but another to see it. It was... kinda cool.

"Oh shit," Dean breathed out, feeling faint. And slightly nauseated. He stared at the picture, catching himself before he could stroke a finger over the image of that long-ago Omega. Castiel. Cas. He vaguely remembered his brother taking the picture, jumping out of his room like a freakin' ninja when they were trying to quietly make their way past his door that next morning. He had wondered what happened to it... He'd looked for it for weeks, subtly and quietly. And when he still hadn't found it, he'd resorted to threatening Sam daily in case his brother had squirreled it away for whatever reason.

His brows wrinkled with confusion and he forced his gaze off the picture to look at Grace. "Woah. Wait—What? Mom?" he asked, gaze going back to the picture. He knew for a fact the Omega in the picture, the one he remembered, was male.

Gloriously, wonderfully male.

Grace shrugged. "Uncle Gabe started called him that to be a pest and it just sorta stuck." She'd always used the word 'mom' and most people didn't think anything of it, probably because he was an Omega so it wasn't exactly wrong, if you didn't get hung-up on that sort of thing. Dean just nodded and went back to staring at the picture. She decided not to comment on the way he was gently holding the picture now, his pinky finger making slow sweeping motions along the back of it. She knew Alphas didn't appreciate moments of sentimentality being pointed out. (Which she thought was silly but she figured it was just one of those 'Alpha things' she'd probably never understand but learned to do anyway.)

She continued to study the Alpha as he stared at the picture. There was only a tiny smile on his lips, but it still managed to reach all the way up his face and made his eyes warm and happy. His posture was nicer than before, too; more relaxed and no longer tense and slightly posturing. She was taking it as a good sign. She leaned in closer, trying to get his attention. It didn't work. She had to tug gently on his sleeve a few times before he looked away from the picture. "He also said you didn't know about me."

"No," Dean murmured, most of his attention on the picture and memories that were nearly 10 years old. He slowly looked up and met identical green eyes. He felt something squirm uncomfortably and tighten his chest. He might've done some shady shit in his day, but he'd never have abandoned an Omega knocked up with his pup if he'd known about it.

He swallowed a few times, a lump trying to clog his throat. "I didn't," he said hoarsely, shaking his head and trying not to sound defensive because she didn't seem to be making any sort of accusations—just stating it; like an unimportant, but factual, thing.

And if he had known? He honestly didn't know what he would've done, but he hoped to hell he would've met his pup long before now. He hadn't exactly lead an ideal, apple pie kinda life, but pack was important and he wouldn't have abandoned his pup if he'd known. It just went against nearly every instinct he had as an Alpha—and as a Winchester. Even if the circumstances were less than... ideal, he would've done something if Castiel had told him.

He didn't know whether to be extremely fucking pissed the Omega hadn't bothered to tell him he had a pup out there in the world or depressed he'd missed so much. He was teetering between the two and he was already getting a freakin' headache. And his stupid brain helpfully supplying images of what Cas would've looked like, fat and round and perfect, or Grace as a wobbly, fat, pink little pup was really not helping.

It wasn't like he would've done something stupid like demand a Mating Bond, even if he did wind up really liking the Omega; that was a big ass thing that no one should do just because their hormones hijacked their brains (and bodies) for a bit. And he was positive he wouldn't be that Alpha that demanded Cas get rid of the pup like a prideful sack of dicks, knowing some Alphas preferred that to sticking around when they'd accidentally pupped.

He never would've set out to pup an Omega, never would've made Cas do anything he didn't want to... But he would've asked what Cas wanted and done the right thing if he'd had known.

It wasn't like he didn't care... As soon as he'd been dumb enough to kiss the Omega, it had been something more than just a one night stand—at least on his end. But he knew he'd been the only one to feel that way when the Omega fucked off the next morning without so much as a backward glance. He'd never before, or since, wanted more than just one night with anyone.

It wasn't like he didn't remember that night. Still.

Ω

The thick scent of aroused Omega. Soft gasps and moans. Low-pitched whimpers of need.

Dean felt drunk just off the the sounds, tastes and feel of the Omega under his hands. His own instincts were getting hard to ignore and he couldn't help himself; he started nipping at a tanned neck, teasing at the hint of a Claiming bite, his hands wrapping around slim hips possessively. Cas squirmed and moaned, encouraging him with each sound and move.

He was saying those typical Alpha-in-Rut things; telling Cas he was gorgeous, beautiful, how awesome he smelled, that he was gonna be knotted and bred up properly—all those Alpha-brain-deep things he wouldn't ever say under normal circumstances. Things he didn't say to a Beta, things he was usually able to suppress and bite back and swallow with heated kisses.

Another reason he avoided Omegas: They made his brain leak out of his dick and he didn't seem capable of thinking with anything but his knot.

Especially this Omega.

It didn't help one fucking bit that Cas was making all those sounds and nodding along, pressing closer and yanking insistently on his ears and hair, the pungent scent of pheromone-rich slick heavy and almost cloying. Dean groaned with each press of heated skin, vision hazy even as it focused on Cas' presented neck; tanned but lightly pink, flushed with Heat and arousal.

Castiel yanked at Dean's hair, surprising the Alpha into yelping and jerking away a little. "Do not tease me," he demanded. This was his first time and he thought he'd want something drawn out, sensual and tender like in those sappy movies Gabriel enjoyed watching. But now that he was here? His Heat and the intoxicating scent and power of Alpha and Dean seemed to override every other urge but to Mate. breed. Be claimed. He needed Dean and the faster that happened, the better.

He felt a moments regret for his earlier demand slash promise of 'just tonight'. A tiny part of him whimpered, saddened he wouldn't get to keep this Alpha with his strong, gentle hands, bright smile and kind eyes. And amazing scent. He jammed his face in Dean's neck again, pressing his nose along the jumping pulse point and inhaling deeply, dragging his tongue slowly upwards until he hit stubble. He wanted to memorize that scent, even if it was a foolish, sentimental thing. He left a few nipping kisses along the way, humming with satisfaction at each moaned curse and bucking of hips.

Castiel hissed through his teeth as their clothed erections made contact again. The drag of denim against polyester was strangely arousing. The large hands around his hips tightened and lifted him a little, but he could tell it was a good sign; Dean seemed to like that he wasn't going meekly. He pushed back and nearly smiled when Dean made that guttural moan of pleasure again and hands slid around to palm and knead his butt.

He gasped, eyes closing with a helpless sound he couldn't care about making when Dean's fingers dipped inwards, pressing gently but insistently, rubbing in a way that made him buck forward and grind backwards at the same time. Wanting more, needing more than just the tantalizing tease through two thin layers of fabric. He surprised himself, reveling in the way his body responded to Dean; his body heating up, the clench and release, and the increase of that slick feeling.

Ω

Dean glanced at the picture again. He might've remembered that mind-scrambling scent. Seeing the Omega in his memories long after he'd left his bed, feeling a curious weighted ache of longing and want in various parts of his body whenever he saw happy couples.

He might've remembered dark messy hair, insanely blue eyes, toned legs and whispered words of encouragement—ruining any attempts he might've made at watching porn for weeks. Months. Years. God help him if the Omegas were lithe, dark haired beauties...

He might've remembered, with that familiar sense of pained disappointment, that slight hope that the Omega hadn't actually meant "just tonight" when their kisses were more than just for the sake of kissing. When Sam talked about the blonde Beta he was dating, how awesome and amazing she was. When Sam's awkward attempts at dating turned into a relationship, which lead to a full-out Mate Bond and marriage proposal... He might've had to swallow a hard lump of bitterness at his missed opportunity before being able to give his younger brother his sincerest congratulations and an affectionate arm punch.

He might've swallowed that sense of disappointment (and a whiskey or three) that he hadn't been able to keep a Heat addled Omega in his bed for more than a few hours when he saw the happily Mated pairs at his brother's wedding. Thankfully, his best man speech hadn't been slurred or steeped in resentment. Sammy didn't deserve his shit on his special day.

He might've regretted respecting Castiel's promise of 'just tonight'—not tracking the Omega down and claiming him properly like his urges demanded he do.

He definitely remembered that Cas left; slipped away during a moment of distraction so he had missed a final goodbye, a kiss that might've changed everything. It was the worst sort of poetic justice, considering how many motel rooms and strange beds he'd slipped out of. He'd been too damn pheromone addled to care at the time. Too buzzed and Mating hormone stupid to realize what he was letting slip through his fingers.

Dean slowly held the picture out, wiggling it a little until Grace took it back and pocketed it carefully. He rubbed at his face, tipping his head back a little with a deep sigh.

Ω

"Goddammit, Cas," Dean groaned. He leaned back only enough to paw at Cas' clothes, panting in sharp little gasps as he tore and fumbled with buttons, zippers and stupid fabric. He was usually more dextrous and suave about this kind of thing, skilled in the art of slowly stripping his lover with precise moves intended to arouse and incite. But Cas' eagerness and overwhelming scent of arousal was short-circuiting his brain. He needed skin—now. He grunted with pleasure when he finally got Cas' many layers off enough he was able to run his hands all along smooth, warm skin. He liked the hint of muscle definition, drawing his fingertips along lithe muscles appreciatively.

He liked his Omegas just like this; strong and gorgeous. A hint of curves amidst the masculine lines, softness in all the right spots had him growling softly with pleasure, not even bothering to tamp down the Alpha sound. Pebbled nipples distracted him for a moment and he pinched and palmed them, sliding his hands all over as he watched each reaction with a keen eye. Cas' head flopped back with a guttural moan, back arching as he made a low-pitched keening sound and Dean matched the sound.

Fuck, that was sexy.

Castiel grunted back and tried to get his hands out of his sleeves so he could touch Dean as well. He wriggled in frustration and Dean finally snapped out of his groping long enough to tear the fabric from his arms and immediately work on his pants. He moved his hips, happy to get out of his slick-soaked undergarments and that much closer to being naked and mounted by Dean.

He blinked when the Alpha paused long enough for him to watch green eyes dilate and Dean's mouth opened slightly, no doubt Scenting him. Oh. His Scent Blockers must have worn off. He didn't care; they'd served their purpose and now he was almost giddy with the realization that Dean could scent him properly now. He made a soft noise to get Dean's attention back to the task at hand. He couldn't exactly be knotted and bred if Dean was struck immobile by his Heat pheromones.

"Dean," Castiel whined softly, palming at Dean's chest. He'd be annoyed at having to use such a tone, hating the weak sound of it just a little, but it worked, so he figured it was acceptable.

"Holy shit," Dean groaned, fingers splaying out and pressing into the wall next to Cas' head. His eyes closed and his head dropped, his chin nearly hitting his chest. He nearly whimpered when he realized he was on the verge of trembling, losing his cool like some Heat-scent addled Knot-head. He couldn't believe this—

"You're in Heat," he breathed out, voice a choked whisper.

Part of him wanted to scramble away. Omegas in a full-blown Heat were fertile and his rapidly diminishing logical brain wanted no parts of that. But the bigger part of him wanted to lift Cas by the hips, yank off those stupid fussy pants all the way and slam home until he was buried deep and tight, sealed in, knotted and flooding Cas' hot lithe body with his seed.

Dean shook his head, trying to regain his senses. It didn't work—he only managed to get more of Cas' scent and he groaned again. He forced himself to look Cas in the eye, a finger on the Omega's chin to make him maintain eye contact. Up until this point, Cas had been big on intense eye-contact but now he was blushing and averting his eyes. The unconsciously submissive gesture made him groan again, want to box Cas in, cover him properly with his body like an Alpha should and just take...

But he shook it off, breathing past the slight dizziness. "You're in Heat," he said again, not even bothering to mask the accusation and desperation in his tone.

"Yes," Castiel said softly, nodding a little. He couldn't move his head much; Dean's gentle but insistent touch made it difficult to look away. He was a little confused by the reaction; most Alphas would have leapt at an Omega in Heat. Had him in pressed into a presenting position, pinned, and mounted by now. Shouldn't they be moments away from tying? He was ready, squirming a little at the new sensation of increased slick production and what felt like a low-grade fever running through his body, making his skin sing and tingle everywhere their bodies pressed together. It was different than his usual Heat and he was pretty sure that was because he'd never been near an Alpha during one before. It was... overwhelming. Exhilarating.

But instead of any man-handling and animalistic coupling, Dean was practically trembling, panting, wide-eyed and visibly restraining himself. He slowly stroked a hand down Dean's back, nearly purring at the feeling of sweat-damp skin, stretched taut and lovely over coiled muscles. Dean made the most wonderful sound, his chest vibrating with it, and nosed at his neck for a brief moment before jerking away again.

Castiel petted along Dean's damp flank, enjoying the feeling of soft-hard muscle under his heated palm. Dean was such a lovely Alpha. He would've like to've kept him.

"I don't think—" Dean started, arms trembling with the effort of holding himself away from the Omega's heated body and intoxicating scent. Son of a bitch, it was hard...

Castiel surged forward and cut off Dean's words with a hard, messy kiss. He arched into it, pressing his body against Dean's, winding his fingers in short sweat-spiked hair and pulling just enough to make Dean pant a growl against his mouth, nipping his bottom lip. He hummed with satisfaction when Dean's hands gripped him tight and they were suddenly sprawled out on a bed. He deepened the kiss, relishing the dominating yet almost gentle way Dean's mouth and tongue worked at his. He wriggled free just enough to be able to spread himself out under the Alpha, presenting as best he could in the tight space.

He rolled his hips upwards, sweat, pre-come and slick making a mess of the comforter and Dean's still-clothed groin. "Need it. Want you," he whispered, tugging at Dean's ears and trying to wriggle closer. Dean's arms were rigid, elbows locked, and he didn't get any closer. He lifted a leg and slid it along the back of Dean's, his toes pressing in and gripping. "Please, Alpha."

Dean shuddered, eyes closing with a soft groan. He didn't normally get off on that kind of thing, being called Alpha usually kinda ticked him off... But hearing it now? In Cas' deep, breathy voice? The need? The subtle begging he knew would get down-right desperate if he let it? He really liked it. He knew he was royally fucked but he couldn't find it in himself to care at the moment. His hands were moving of their own accord and he was not at all surprised to hear the seams of his jeans give as he tore at them.

He peeked down at Cas and he nearly whimpered, the last shred of his restraint puffing away as he took in the sight of the flushed Omega under him; darkened eyes wide, hair wild and body flushed. Perfect body open and vulnerable, practically oozing arousal and want. need. mate. All for him. Jesus, why had he been about to squirm away from that? Cas was a big boy; he knew what he wanted and he wasn't doing the Omega any favors by being a knot-tease, now was he?

"Alright, sweetheart," Dean murmured softly, arms finally bending so he could get closer and let Cas drag him into another kiss. His hips hitched forward when the Omega used teeth and that wicked, agile tongue. He pulled back just enough to gulp in a breath, their mouths brushing lightly as he spoke. "I got you."

This time when the Omega's hips rolled and back arched, all that slick-sticky mess was on him. He groaned into Cas' neck as their cocks slid against each other, hot and sticky with pre-come and a little of Cas' slick because the Omega was a fucking mess with it—practically gushing it. An obscene little puddle was already forming and soaking into the bedding under him. He made a guttural sound when Cas' legs wrapped around his hips, heels digging into his ass and giving the Omega a bit more leverage to hump up into him. He pushed Cas back into the bed with a hand to the shoulder and slid down his body.

Castiel watched, feeling fevered enough to wonder if he was imagining things. But, no; Dean, an Alpha, was really wriggling down his body, large, strong hands sliding along his belly, flank and thighs. He made a soft noise as his skin prickled pleasantly under Dean's touch. Green eyes, dark and intense, flicked between his face and leaking cock, as a tongue came out and slowly licked along a plump lower lip. He nearly asked what Dean was going to do, but the Alpha bent forward and nuzzled the dark patch of hair at the base of his crotch and any words were lost to the needy sound bubbling out of his chest.

His first instinct was to grab at Dean's hair. He almost did but he didn't think an Alpha would like that, being bossed around and held down. He grabbed at the sheets under his hips instead and tried not to buck too strongly when wet warmth made contact with the leaking head of his dick. It felt glorious and not enough at the same time. His legs fell open, wide and inviting, and he felt Dean's chuckle all the way to his damn toes.

"Impatient?" Dean murmured, his lips brushing the flushed head. It was rather large for an Omega; a lovely dark pink color and now pretty much constantly dribbling pre-come. He watched a large bead trickle down Cas' balls to meet the steady flow of slick. He groaned and buried his face there, inhaling greedily and licking anything he could reach. He smirked against the heated cleft when Cas' hips twitched up, thighs quivering, with a loud gasp of surprise that quickly turned into an obscene moan. Knees clamped around his head, Cas' pulling him in with that same gasping, moaning sound as his fingers clenched in his hair.

It was like the Omega had never—

Dean pulled away, shaking his head a little and knocking Cas' fingers loose, both of them making little sounds of regret. "Cas?" he asked slowly. He leaned up, waiting for Cas to look down at him. The sight of Cas' erection laying flushed and nearly purple now as it rest against his belly was a little distracting, but he made himself look past it and meet dilated blue eyes. The Omega looked nearly feral...

"Cas, this your first?" Cas' hips bucked as his breath ghosted over the heated skin and his head flopped back to the pillow but he heard the 'yes', even if Cas' knees were pinning his ears to his head and muffling things. Fuck.

He removed his fingers from Cas, a little annoyed his body was basically on auto-pilot now and doing shit without his express permission. He nearly groaned because Cas didn't need any sort of preparation; he was slick and ready, muscles loose and engorged for his knot. Shit. Fuck. He needed to concentrate, dammit. He pulled away a little, surprised when Cas' legs went slack enough to let him go even as the Omega made a soft whining sound of displeasure. He was far enough away to sit back on his heels, but he stayed between Cas' thighs. He wasn't exactly touching anymore, but it didn't help when he could still smell and feel the damn Heat radiating off the Omega's sprawled body.

Dean cleared his throat a few times, licking his lips. Several times, unconsciously chasing the taste of Cas. He could see the desperation in Cas' eyes but also enough lucidity he didn't feel like he was seconds, inches, away from taking advantage of a completely hormone crazy Omega that wasn't able to think straight. He didn't care what anyone said, that kinda shit didn't count as consent when it got that crazy. "You sure?"

"Yes, Dean," Castiel growled lowly, popping up to rest on his elbows to glare down at the Alpha. He appreciated the concern, he did (and nearly whimpered at the caring Alpha between his legs, looking sweet even as he looked ready to devour him), but he was very sure. He'd wanted an Alpha and he was pleased he'd managed to find such a lovely one. He wanted this. He needed this. "Yes," he said again, louder and with more conviction because Dean didn't look all that convinced.

He lowered his chin to his chest so he could gaze at Dean through his lashes, deliberately spreading his legs and angling his hips up. "Do I need to beg, Alpha?"

Dean might've had to clamp a hand behind his rapidly swelling knot to keep from embarrassing himself...

Ω

Dean blinked the memories away with an effort. It was probably super-pervy to think of such things around a pup. Right? He glanced back at Grace, his daughter, and noticed she was studying him again. He studied her right back; paying attention this time as he looked at her.

She was adorable, really. And a sassy little thing, judging by her posture and their interaction so far. It was hard to tell if that was Cas' influence or his; from what he remembered of the Omega, they both were little shits so it could be either (or both) of them. He nearly nodded approvingly when he took in her dark hair pulled into messy pig-tails and the well-worn, pink Converse high-tops. The kid had style, he had to give her that.

"So. You believe me?" Grace asked after a few more silent moments. She wanted to move closer but she didn't want to if Dean wasn't OK with it. She'd waited 8 years to touch, Scent, see her father; a few more minutes wouldn't be the worst thing. She'd heard enough stories about Alphas turning away from their 'illegitimate' pups... She didn't want to push her father into doing anything rash. Not now that she was so close.

Dean pursed his lips a little, gaze flicking between green eyes and barely-there freckles, roaming her adorable perfect little face. As much as he saw himself in the pint-sized terror, he also saw Castiel. And damn if that didn't make that squirmy ache come back. He slowly nodded, a small smile on his face. "Yeah. Yeah, I think I do." The smile grew, wide enough for it to actually hurt his cheeks a little, when Grace grinned at him.

They fell into silence, watching the other and just... looking. It wasn't all altogether an awkward silence, but Dean felt the need to break it after a few moments. Small talk wasn't really his thing, but he figured they had to start somewhere.

"Where you from, Grace?" he asked, feeling like an idiot but wanting to know. He remembered meeting Cas in some dive bar outside some rural town in southwest Pennsylvania. He couldn't remember the name but there were actual freakin' horse-drawn buggies all over the place.

Grace shuffled her feet and avoided Dean's eyes. A peek through her lashes confirmed the Alpha standing there, patient and receptive. In other words, waiting for an answer she better give. "Pennsylvania," she muttered.

Christ. That was hundreds of miles away! If he hadn't been driving through here on a whim— It felt like his insides turned to ice and he was pulling Grace closer, inspecting her for signs of trauma. Who knew what could happen to a little girl, his little girl, on the road? He'd been around enough to feel a cold sweat break out along his hairline and upper lip at the very thought. She was years away from presenting her status, but that didn't stop perverts and weirdos. Some even got off on that sorta shit.

"What the hell?! You came all this way? Alone?" he demanded, his hands squeezing her shoulders and giving a gentle shake. He was trying to breath through the panic that suddenly clamped around his chest. Obviously, she was unharmed; he'd been around her long enough to know there was no indication of there being anything wrong. But his imagination was vicious and he wanted to poke himself in the brain to stop the horrific 'What If' scenarios it kept supplying. Graphically. He nearly growled at the very idea of anything happening to his little girl.

Dean wiped a hand across his face, harshly, because he knew he hadn't any real right to be thinking like that... He'd accepted this was his pup, but he knew, deep down, he had no real claims on the little girl. Regardless of what his instincts and over-active heart was telling him. He calmed himself with an effort; the last thing he wanted to do was freak his daughter out with on-edge Alpha stink.

Of course, his attempts at playing it cool lasted all of 2 seconds before he was checking Grace over again, his hands as gentle as he could make them so she wouldn't panic or think he was being inappropriately demanding. There was a tiny part he didn't bother quieting that was enjoying the moment to be this close to his daughter, subtly inhale her sweet smell that reminded him of wildflowers and Play-Doh and pretend he was a real father and not some deadbeat she hadn't ever seen before.

Grace nodded reluctantly, keeping still as Dean's large hands continued checking her over. It gave her a curious warm feeling, even though she was practically being man-handled by someone that was basically a stranger. But it was kinda nice, being awashed in protective Alpha scent as Dean carefully patted her down and looked her over with sharp green eyes. She hadn't expected the Alpha to have such instincts for a strange kid he just met. She nearly smiled, but she didn't want Dean to think she was being a brat.

"I took a bus," she offered, hoping that would ease his worries. She'd saved her allowance for weeks to be able to buy the ticket. She turned obediently when Dean's hands on her shoulders nudged her around. She didn't know what he was looking for, since he didn't seem to be touching her anymore. She turned around again when prompted, resuming her careful staring up at Dean.

"A bus?" Dean repeated blankly. A look at Grace let him know this was supposed to make him feel better. Reassure him. He figured it was better than his original ideas of her hitch-hiking or stealing a car... Jesus, when did he get so damn imaginative and downright paranoid? He hadn't had this sort of panicked, fluttery, nauseous feeling since Sam was 7 and thought a grocery bag looped over his arms would make the perfect parachute. He narrowed his eyes a little, looking down at Grace shrewdly, "How did you know where to go? Where I'd be?"

Grace shrugged. "I got lucky? I was gonna start here and work from here until I found you." She had expected a longer search, honestly. Her mom told her where he'd met her father. But he also told her also of her father's habit of moving around. A lot. She hadn't expected to find him right from the start. She figured it was a good sign. Fate or something. And now that she didn't have to spend money on more bus tickets, she was thinking about the Hello Kitty purse she saw last week.

If she wasn't grounded forever, that was.

"Lucky," Dean repeated, voice flat. "Okay," he said through a long sigh, rubbing at his eye with his thumb. "Look, kid—Grace, sorry—we need to get you back home, okay?" He waited for her to argue, beg to spend more time with him, but she merely gazed up at him with wide green eyes and nodded solemnly. He tried not to feel offended or crushed by her quick agreement, rejected by the clear indicator of having spent enough time 'meeting' him, and nodded like the responsible adult he was pretending to be. He rubbed a hand over his mouth, trying to think of the best way to get her back home.

Sticking her on a bus again—No, the idea alone made his skin crawl. He could spring for a plane ticket; he knew the air stewards took good care of pups traveling alone. But no, he really didn't want her traveling by herself again. He wouldn't be able to sleep at night knowing he'd stuck his daughter on a plane and waved merrily as she disappeared again, probably forever.

"I could drive you?" Dean offered, speaking slowly as he thought the idea over. He narrowed his eyes a little when Grace beamed up at him, nodding enthusiastically. Relief flooded hot and quick through him and he tried not to smile, but he slipped a little. "You planned that, didn't you?"

Grace shrugged, trying to wipe the smile off her face. "No? I mean, I had kinda hoped, but I didn't plan it."

"Fine. Let's do this," Dean said with a decisive nod, squaring his shoulders. He just had to drive for 7 hours and then drop her off, make sure she got to her house safely... He could do that. It was probably, literally, the least he could do. "You know your address, kiddo?"

Grace rolled her eyes. Of course she knew her address, had since she was 5 and her mom insisted she know in case she ever got lost or something. She was only supposed to tell uniformed police officers, but she figured her father was a reasonable exception. "Yeah, 'course I do." Dean glared a little and she grinned, pleased when his expression softened and the corner of his mouth twitched. "But I'm hungry."

"Yeah, okay. We'll get some grub and then hit the road."

Grace nodded and slid her hand into Dean's, looking up at him with a hopeful expression so he wouldn't shake her hand off. He didn't. He even smiled down at her, and she leaned in a little, happiness bubbling through her as she practically soaked up his warmth and strong scent. Holding Dean's hand was different than her mom's; Dean's was firm, large and slightly calloused. It was kinda nice, really.

Dean jumped a little when his phone went off in his pocket. It took a little maneuvering to get his phone out without letting go of Grace's hand, but he managed. He hesitated a moment longer than usual when he saw Sam's name pop up on the ID screen but he answered it with a fortifying breath. "Hey, Sam."

"Hey, Dean," Sam said brightly. "What're you doing for dinner?"

Dean looked down at Grace, his pinky rubbing along his chin and bottom lip as he thought. "Was gonna hit the diner, get some food before I hit the road."

"Oh. You want some company?" Sam asked, bypassing the fact that Dean was leaving again. He wasn't exactly surprised, his brother was restless any more and often wandered in and out of town. At least this time, he'd get more than just a text goodbye. "Jess is working late and I really don't feel like cooking," he added. He didn't need to work on Dean's sympathies, of course. Regardless of what his brother might say, Dean would never refuse a chance to hang out, but it couldn't hurt. Just in case 'diner' was suddenly code for 'gonna find a hookup at the nearest skeevy dive' or something. It wasn't always easy to tell with Dean.

Dean closed his eyes and exhaled slowly. "Yeah, sure. Of course, Sammy. But, uh..." he trailed off, throat suddenly tight and unsure what the hell to say. He couldn't not tell his brother that he suddenly had a niece. Right? Sam, of course, was patient and didn't interrupt, just let him stew in his own juices until he blurted out what was on his mind. "Uhm. It won't just be us."

"Okay," Sam said slowly, eyebrows raising in surprise. Someone joining them for dinner was a surprise, but he knew inundating Dean with questions wouldn't help. His brother was ridiculously fond of teasing him like they were freakin' 12. "Should I ask who's joining us?" he finally said when Dean remained silent for nearly an entire minute.

Dean glanced down at Grace again, offering a small smile when she looked back, looking confused and curious. Did he just blurt it out or let Sam be surprised when he got to the diner and saw his mini-me? A surprise might be fun but Sam didn't hold back public displays and the idea of a huge scene, in the middle of a most likely crowded diner, was really not looking good at the moment. No one deserved a rampaging moose ruining their dinner.

"My daughter," he finally said, voice oddly hushed but still audible. He waited, tense and ready to offer explanations, maybe an apology or two. But. There was nothing; no outbursts or demands. Sam just... breathed. "Sam?"

"Seriously?" Sam said, voice a little squeaky. Dean mumbled something unintelligible but it was definitely in the affirmative. He ran a hand through his hair and took a few deep breaths. "I guess—Huh. Well, I guess that's really not too surprising," he muttered. His thoughts re-organized, he found himself feeling excited. He and Jess probably couldn't have pups, and with Dean's allergy to commitment, he'd feared there being an end to all things Winchester. Finding out Dean had a daughter was pretty damn exciting. He was bursting with questions, but he forced himself to wait.

He was going to meet her, so he could hold off for a few.

Dean jerked his phone away just so he could glare at it. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means I shouldn't be surprised," Sam said slowly, inexplicably trying not to laugh. Dean sounded so indignant, it was amusing. "I'm actually more surprised this hasn't happened yet," he said with a grin.

Dean snorted softly, a little offended but mostly relieved Sam wasn't freaking out or anything. "Shut up. We'll be at Rosco's in ten," he said and disconnected the call before Sam could say anything else. He slowly pocketed his phone and glanced down at Grace. "So. Uh. That was my brother. He's gonna meet us for something to eat."

Grace nodded easily. Maybe she was a little excited to meet another uncle, but she knew very little about him. She followed along, letting the Alpha lead her until they came to a big, shiny black car. "Wow, that's a pretty car. Is it yours?" she asked, looking up. Dean looked fit to bust with pride and she already knew the answer.

"Yup. Like it?"

Grace nodded. "Yeah, it's pretty."

"Pretty," Dean muttered under his breath, smiling a little and shaking his head. He figured Baby could be called pretty. At least his pup had good taste. He opened the passenger side door, pausing for a moment as he looked her over, sizing her up. He shifted from foot to foot, feeling like a supreme idiot but he had to ask, "Do you need one of those booster seats?"

Grace scoffed and rolled her eyes. "No, I'm big," she insisted. She hadn't needed a booster seat for over a year now. She eased past Dean and climbed into the car, settling herself on the seat and grabbing the seat belt. She eyed him as she buckled herself in, settling her backpack in her lap and nearly giggling at his stunned expression. They headed out after agreeing that a diner would be 'awesome'. She spent most of the ride there studying Dean's profile instead of the scenery.

Which, apparently, made the Alpha uncomfortable. His gaze would slide over towards her enough times she worried he wasn't driving safely and she forced herself to stop staring. Thankfully, there was enough slack in her seat belt she could reach the radio, jumping a little when it clicked on with the volume at full blast. She scrambled to lower it, but didn't change the song.

It was nice now that it wasn't trying to break her ears.

Dean relaxed with the music, singing along with the lyrics in a low voice as his thumbs tapped the steering wheel. A few more glances at Grace had him sighing, eyes closing for only a few seconds with resignation. He lowered the volume just enough to make conversation doable and eyed Grace for a few seconds before putting his attention back on the road, "Alright. Spit it out, pipsqueak."

"I'm not—" Grace started but huffed when Dean just gave her an amused smirk. Ugh. That was going to get annoying fast but she couldn't help smile at the idea of getting a nickname. Even if it was kinda dumb. "Anyway, I was just wondering..." she trailed off, rolling her bottom lip between her index finger and thumb until Dean made an impatient 'go on' gesture with his hand. "How did you and mom meet?"

Dean cleared his throat and resolutely stared ahead. He could feel his face and the back of his neck get warmer but thankfully nothing too noticeable since Grace didn't comment on it. And he had a feeling she would, she didn't seem to have a damn filter for that kind of thing. "Uh. What, uh, what did he say?"

"You met at a bar," Grace said, rolling her eyes and giggling. She'd hoped it would be something romantic like in the movies, but her mom said life—romance—wasn't like a Nora Ephron movie. But Grace was sure even a dingy bar could be romantic if you met the right person. There was less sappy romance than hormones, apparently, but she didn't entirely buy that explanation. Not when her mom got that look in his eye and made that weird little sighing noise.

Dean silently let out a pent-up breath, feeling the hot flush of panic ebb away a little. He was oddly pleased to know Cas hadn't lied, told some whacked-out fairy tale to make their meet-n-bang sound better to their pup. Of course, he was pretty damn sure the raunchier details weren't shared. Hopefully. He was tempted to pile on some chick-flick stuff about their eyes meeting across the dart board or something, but decided against it. He was crap with that stuff and he didn't want Grace to know that just yet.

Or call him out on his BS. He had a strong suspicion she would, 9 years old or not.

"Yup, that's how it happened," Dean said with a firm nod.

"That's it?" Grace asked, pouting just a little. She had hoped for something... more. But Dean just shrugged and made a weird humming noise that was probably some sort of agreement before turning the radio back up and singing along to something loud and guitar heavy.