Supernatural Song one shots

Cat's in the Cradle

Cat's in the Cradle
Harry Chapin

John and Mary Winchester just recently had their first born son; Dean. Then soon after another son; Samuel.

"My child arrived just the other day
He came to the world in the usual way"

Though when Mary Winchester died in a house fire, John had to pick up the slack and worked away leaving Dean to look after his younger brother.

"But there were planes to catch and bills to pay
He learned to walk while I was away
And he was talkin' 'fore I knew it, and as he grew..."

Dean always looked up to his father knowing that he put everything he had into his family. Dean aspired to one day be a great father like John.

He'd say "I'm gonna be like you, Dad
You know I'm gonna be like you"

Dean would sing Sam the same song every night before he went to bed;

"And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon"

Dean longed for his father to come home, and to sing him a song, like Dean sings to Sammy. Though he knew John was trying as hard as he could and accepted the fact that John wouldn't be home any time soon.

"When you comin' home, Dad
I don't know when, but we'll get together then
We're gonna have a good time then"

When John was away on one of his hunting trips he realised Dean was soon to be 10.

"My son turned ten just the other day"

He bought him a present and came to visit;

He said, "Thanks for the ball, Dad, come on let's play. Can you teach me to throw?"

Dean only wanted to play 'ball' with his father but he knew that it was a big ask, especially because John was so busy on his hunting trips.

I said "Not today, I got a lot to do",
he said, "That's ok"

Dean turned to go and check on Sammy, talking to himself about his future aspirations to be just like his fantastic father.

And he walked away but his smile never dimmed
And said, "I'm gonna be like him, yeah
You know I'm gonna be like him"

Dean strokes Sam's head as he fell asleep singing the same old melody that Mary used sing to them at night;

"And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon"

Dean would never know what day John was returning from his hunts and he found it hard to scrape by, with the bare minimums. Always putting Sam's needs before his own.

When you comin' home, Dad
I don't know when, but we'll get together then
We're gonna have a good time then

Sam and Dean both left to go to the state college, using the funds that Dean saved up from working part time at the workshop.

Well, he came from college just the other day

Dean was growing up faster than John expected, but this is understandable as John was away on hunting trips for most of their childhood.

So much like a man I just had to say
"Son, I'm proud of you, can you sit for a while"

Though Dean was in rush, he had to balance work and college. He desperately needed the keys to the impala, in order to catch up with his friend Castiel Novak.

He shook his head and said with a smile,
"What I'd really like, Dad, is to borrow the car keys,
See you later, can I have them please"

Dean turned on the radio in the impala and on came that song that Dean knew all too well; 

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon

Dean knew that one day John would come home and stay home, he just didn't know when that would be, especially with Dean's new busy lifestyle...

When you comin' home son
I don't know when, but we'll get together then, Dad
We're gonna have a good time then

A few decades later Dean was living in the outskirts of Lawrence, with his husband Castiel and two little girls. Dean was extremely busy with his business running his own Car Workshop and co-owning a bar with his brother Sam.

I've long since retired, my son's moved away

John called Dean over the phone, asking to catch up. Seeing as John was widowed and lived alone, retired from his hunting career.

I called him up just the other day
I said, "I'd like to see you if you don't mind"

Dean wanted to catch up with his father but he couldn't find the time, juggling two businesses and two children with the help of his husband.

He said, "I'd love to, Dad, if I could find the time,
You see my new job's a hassle and kids have the flu.."

Dean just couldn't find time in his schedule for a quick catchup with his father.

"... But it's sure nice talking to you, Dad,
It's been sure nice talking to you"

John Winchester left it at that' knowing that Dean had a busy life just as he once did.

And as I hung up the phone it occurred to me
He'd grown up just like me
My boy was just like me ...

Dean grew up to be just like John; too busy to stop and live his life.

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon

John longed for Dean to visit him in his retirement home, though Dean couldn't find the time. Castiel and Dean were busy with the children learning to drive and having their final exams.

When you comin' home son

Dean knew one day they would be reunited one day. He just didn't know when he could find the time.

I don't know when,
but we'll get together then, Dad

Though little did the Father and Son know that the next time they would be together would be in heaven.

You know we'll have a good time then

Too little.
Too late.