Chapter Text
Castiel is notorious for leaving the house in a whirlwind in the morning, so it's just as well Dean stays behind all day. Dean watches Castiel's car rumble out of the drive and onto the main road before disappearing up the street. His tail, well trimmed and neat as it should be, swishes gently until it stops when he can no longer see him. He waits for a few extra moments, ears twitching for the sounds of Castiel's car coming back before he gives up and starts to pick up after him. He's already dressed in a pair of loose shorts and and oversized t-shirt so he's comfortable for the day. He likes that Cas lets him wear clothes as there are many hybrids that don't. On showing days, he'll be all out there for the judges to see.
In the house, he's free to roam all day. He loves it, there's so much stuff to explore. He pokes his head into all the rooms, tidying up Castiel's bed, then neatening up the pillows on his own bolster bed next to it. Next he picks up Castiel's pyjamas from the bathroom floor, and tidies up his toothbrush. Splodges of toothpaste spatter the sink so he runs a cloth around to clear it up, nose twitching with the strong scent of the mint.
Then he goes back to the front door and peers out the glass. No sign yet. Dean sighs.
The kitchen is next and Castiel has left the most mess in here from making his lunch. He clears up the bread and the butter, then swipes up the crumbs with a cloth before spraying the work surfaces. Cleaning isn't really his job, but he likes doing it anyway. He likes having a clean environment and he likes helping Cas out. Between Castiel's work at the veterinary surgery, and showing Dean in the regional shows, he doesn't have time to be clearing up all the time. It does Dean no harm to help.
Later, Dean will nap, or maybe read a book, or just wait patiently for Charlie Bradbury to come along and take him outside. He likes her a lot. She always finds the best spot behind his ear to rub circles and make him sleepy, and she sometimes takes him to the park if he's been good.
Dean smiles at the thought. He's not had to be punished recently, so maybe Castiel has told her he can go to the park. Maybe they'll go today! Dean's tail wags behind him, shaking his hips a little as he does, feeling the excitement already. The park is the best, he meets other hybrids there and they get to play together. He's got a couple of friends he likes at the park which is nice as it took a while to befriend them. A lot of owners were distrustful of him being a German shepherd, but now that they know he's friendly, they enjoy chasing each other around.
He thinks there's about an hour before Charlie comes by, so he chooses to nap, he wants some energy to go to the park later - if they go that is. He hopes they go!
Dean's woken from his nap by a knock at the door. Just as Dean stretches up from the couch, ears flicking, Charlie lets herself in with her key.
"Hey, Dean," she calls and Dean pads out to the hallway to greet her.
"Hey Charlie." Dean's tail wags happily behind him and he gets close enough that she can pet him between his ears sending that nice tingly sensation through him.
"Have you been a good boy this morning?"
"Yes! Of course!"
"That's what I like to hear. Nice to see how much you've changed from when you first got here, huh?"
Dean turns his nose up at her with a huff.
"What? You were a whiny brat who never listened and had a red ass more often that not. It's nice to see you calm now, happier."
Dean rolls his eyes but can't think of anything appropriately witty to say back. Ugh, maybe he is good now. But he wants to be, for Cas.
"Are you ready to go out?" Charlie asks.
Dean nods.
"Alright, kneel for me then."
Dean holds back his sigh. He knows it's the same as always, that it's against the laws for hybrids to be outside without a collar, leash and muzzle but it doesn't mean he has to like it. At least, if they do go to the park, he'll be allowed off leash as long as he's in an approved fenced in area. Dean's muzzle is one that he really doesn't like, ever. The acrylic cage sits under his jaw and reaches up to his nose with a strap that goes around his head and clicks into place with a lock that Dean's never been able to work out. He's tried, a lot. Not only that but Cas had to buy a muzzle with an attachment that goes over his bottom teeth and forces his tongue down. It always takes him a moment to settle into it as he remembers how to swallow properly and not drool everywhere. The purpose, according to Cas, is to stop him talking when they're out.
Cas can be pretty lenient but not when it comes to what is or isn't socially acceptable, then he's stubborn as a rock.
Charlie presses the moulded bit in over his teeth and it almost clicks into place. Instantly Dean's mouth starts to water, but Charlie waits patiently for him to settle. He shifts on his knees a little bit eventually gets a full swallow in and looks up at Charlie with a nod.
"Good boy."
Dean's tail wags at the praise. She clips it in place and scratches Dean's ear. Next, she clips his leash and tag to his collar. More law abiding items that Dean rolls his eyes at internally - it's not worth the punishment to complain. He's had a great track record this week with only being punished twice since last Wednesday.
Charlie leads him out of the house and he tries to regain his excitement for getting out the house and properly stretching out his legs. He loves Charlie, but walks with Cas are his favourite, they'll walk for what feels like forever, taking the trails into the forest and finding all kinds of secret places neither of them knew existed. Cas always like it too, Dean can tell by the gentle smile on his face rather than his usual stoicness.
They head down the path, Charlie's yellow bug on the curbside like normal. Dean's tail wags fast and then slow as he tries to guess if they'll be going in the car to the park or walking around the block. He pulls on his leash a little but Charlie just tugs him back.
"Dean, stop pulling. That's one." Charlie's tone is hard and Dean bows his head before stopping to let Charlie catch up.
That's his punishment record broken already. Charlie will tell Cas about him pulling on the leash and it'll be added to his punishment tonight once Cas is home.
Charlie unlocks her car. Park! They're going to the park! Dean does his best not to pull the leash (again) but bounces in place with his tail wagging excitedly. He can't speak with his muzzle in but he can still make a couple of noises almost like laughing. He has to keep walking slow with Charlie as she opens the passenger door and helps him into his seat, specially designed for larger dog hybrids like him. Instead of a regular seatbelt, there's a five point harness keeping him buckled in place safely. In the back of the seat there's an indentation so that his tail sits comfortably and he tucks it to his right so it doesn't bother Charlie in the middle.
Dean tries hard to sit still to let Charlie buckle him in but he's just too excited to do so. Charlie swats him on the shoulder and Dean makes a noise of protest.
"That's two," Charlie warns. Dean whines. "Just sit still for a minute. Then we can go."
And so he stays still, with all his might and Charlie gets him situated and finally gets in the car herself, starting the engine and heading down the road.
The route is familiar, and Charlie opens a window for him so he can feel the breeze on his face. It makes his ears flap in the wind and he loves it. A couple more roads away and a huge green field will appear with a parking lot at the front. Dean closes his eyes and takes in the fresh air.
Then suddenly, Dean feels Charlie make a turn he doesn't expect. Opening his eyes, Dean looks over to Charlie who is resolutely keeping her eyes on the road. He makes a questioning sound in his throat but Charlie doesn't say anything.
A different parking lot comes into view. Lawrence Veterinary Center. Dean taps Charlie on the arm, but she doesn't look at him still.
Dean whines again. It's pathetic but he can't verbally complain not with his muzzle on. This time Charlie does look and gives him a withering look.
"I'm just following Cas' orders. He just wants to see you."
Dean narrows his eyes at her.
Charlie opens his door, unbucklig him and reattaching his leash. "Three," she says as she has to tug him out of the car.
They go around the back of the building rather than the front which gives Dean some semblance of confidence that they are just coming to visit Cas. It's not the first time and probably not the last either. And he does miss him, so it's always nice to see him.
Cas looks handsome in his scrubs, a royal blue pair that suit him far too well. "Hello, Dean," he says with a smile.
Dean can't help it, his tail wags enthusiastically and he gravitates towards Cas, who pets him between his ears.
"Thank you, Charlie. I'll take him back home as I'll be done afterwards. What's the number?"
"Okay! Uh, three." Charlie smiles and waves at Dean before heading out the back door leaving Dean behind with Cas.
Dean takes a step back but Cas catches his wrist and leash before he can even consider going anywhere.
He tuts, and pulls Dean in close. "Three? Should I be disappointed?" He asks.
Dean can't answer, not yet, but Cas unclasps his muzzle and draws his out of his mouth. Before he says anything, Dean wets his tongue again and stretches his jaw.
"Please don't be disappointed," Dean tells him.
"Hmm."
"Cas, sir… please," Dean begs.
Cas raises a brow. "Tell me what they were for."
"Oh. I… I pulled on my leash outside the house. I didn't sit still for Charlie when I got in the car. And… oh, Charlie had to ask twice to get me out of the car."
Cas hooks a finger under Dean's chin, looking him up and down. "Well then," he says.
Dean waits. "'Well then' what?"
"Well then I'll have to punish you when we get home later. I've got one more patient this afternoon. Come on." He beckons Dean forward.
"Who?"
"You, Dean. Now come, don't make me use your leash or I'll make three into five."
"Hey! No! Wait!" Dean trots after Cas as he enters one of the exam rooms. Inside the room is laid out like it would be for any normal appointment which means Cas wasn't lying, the last patient is Dean.