Mary crouched before her son and straightened his collar. He needed to look his best today. Dean fidgeted under the touch. "Mom, do I have to do this?"
Mary gave him a smile. "Yes, honey." She pulled his suit jacket forward a little before dropping her hands.
"Why?"
"Because you were chosen." She cupped his face in her hands. "You're special. It's an honor, Dean. Not all humans get the chance to be bonded with an angel."
"Why can't they just bond with each other?"
"Because there aren't many of them left, and this is how it was always done."
He looked away from his mom's shining eyes. "But what if I don't like them?"
"You never know. You could end up loving them more than anyone." She pulled him into a hug. "I know, whoever is chosen for you will love you." She pulled back and smiled wide. "Who couldn't?" Dean didn't smile back. "Just remember, they don't have any more choice in this than you do."
Dean looked through the kitchen and saw his brother sitting on their dad's lap. "What about Sammy? Will he have to do this too?"
She softened and ran a hand through Dean's hair. "He won't have to. Only first-borns of the chosen families are required. Sam will decide when he's old enough." She stood up and held a hand out for Dean. "Come on. We don't want to be late."
The selection ceremony had grown in the years Dean remembered. He stood with the group of human children, waiting to be called. He looked around the auditorium and felt intimidated by the large crowd. A small hand grabbed his as he scoped the room. Looking down, he saw the terrified face of Jo Harvelle. She wasn't much older than Sam. Dean had known her her whole life. He squeezed her hand lightly. "It'll be okay, Jo."
She looked up at him, trembling visibly, and tried to smile. "I know."
Dean put his arm around her shoulder and kept her close as the group of kids was led to the stage. They weren't standing on the stage, but in front of it. Dean was glad to not be looking at the audience of humans.
Each child was placed before a small circular step. Jo was on his left, along with half a dozen other children and on his right were a few more. He was the oldest one there. Eight was the age limit on bondings. It seems the minimum was five, given Jo's presence. Most of the other kids looked as well adjusted as Jo. Dean seemed to be the only one that was panicking, at least on the outside.
"Humans, step up please."
The voice from the speakers made Dean jump involuntarily. They all stepped up to the small platform in front of them. Then the angels appeared. The parents stood along the back of the stage and the children walked up to stand toward the center. They were all so still, proper. Dean remembered hearing how they had no emotions, no feelings at all. Searching their eyes now, Dean could believe it.
Every angel seemed to be staring at an invisible point at the back wall. Dean glanced back and found nothing for them to be staring at. With another look through both groups of kids, Dean noticed something. There was an unequal number of boys and girls. Meaning that it was likely that a few of the pairing would be either both girls or boys. That couldn't be right. Another look at the parents made his suspicions valid. Some of the couples were both women, some both men.
Dean was nervous now. He didn't want to get paired off with another boy. How would that even work? In fact, he only saw a few girls in the group of angels. The one in front immediately caught his attention. Her fiery red hair made her easy to spot. She had a shine in her eye that made him think of his mom. A blonde standing beside her didn't appeal to him as much. Her mouth was set in what looked like anger. She seemed mean. Another blonde, with wavy hair in the row back looked nicer. Her eyes were softer, kind. Dean felt slapped when he saw the last girl. Dark hair and eyes practically glared over the heads of everyone present. She was clearly not happy to be there.
He was snapped out of his observations when a small man walked up to the microphone. His full beard and shaggy hair made him look homeless. He seemed nervous as he grabbed the microphone. "Hello," his voice was small, but comforted Dean somehow, "welcome to the selection and bonding ceremony. We have a good sized group this year so, I'll try to keep this short. Every year, families are chosen among the humans of the area and the first-born children are selected to be bonded with an angel. Pairings are chosen at random and are final was chosen. The bonding ceremony will take place immediately following the selection."
Dean's heart raced. He would be bonded today? He thought it would be later on. No wonder they had to wear their finest clothing to this thing. Applause from the audience let Dean know that the first pair had been named. A girl on the far end stepped up to the stage as one of the boy angels walked up to the edge.
The man leading the ceremony guided the young girl to stand beside the angel. He then stepped back to the mic stand. A couple more pairs were named off. The dark haired girl and the mean looking blonde were gone. Dean still held hope for either of the two remaining girls.
He was still amazed at how still the angels were. They stood in place, eyes forward, shoulders straight, with their hands held behind their back. A pair of wandering eyes caught his attention. They belonged to a boy previously hidden by the few selected angels. Dean was struck with how wide and bright his blue eyes were. They were darting around the auditorium in quick movements. Then, as if sensing his stare, the blue eyes stopped on Dean.
Dean wanted to look away but felt physically unable to do so. Their stare lasted longer than he thought as he noticed another boy walking up to the stage. The angel's eyes narrowed slightly as if he was thinking hard about something. A spoken name made Dean break their staring contest.
"Joanna Harvelle." Dean looked at Jo. She swallowed visibly and curled her hands into her dress. "Angel: Anna Milton." Dean's head snapped back to the stage. The red-head stepped up to the stage's edge. Dean's heart skipped. Jo had been paired with her.
Jo turned scared eyes to him. He tried to give her an encouraging smile. He waved a hand, telling her to go. She nodded. "Jo." He whispered loud enough for only her to hear. He set his shoulders and nodded, silently telling her to be brave. She copied his move and stepped off the platform. She walked up the stage steps with her head held high.
Dean looked back at Anna and found her looking at him. A smile pulled on the corner of her mouth. She nodded to him slightly in thanks. "Human: Dean Winchester." Dean looked at the small man on stage as he read from the page in his hand. "Angel: Castiel Novak." With a look at the only remaining girl, the nice blonde, he knew it wasn't her. He saw the blue-eyed boy step up beside Jo and Anna.
Applause rang out as Dean walked numbly toward the stage. He moved past the previous pairs and looked out in the crowd, looking for his family. His mother was clapping lightly with a smile on her face. His dad was holding a bouncing Sam, who looked like he was screaming Dean's name happily. He passed Jo, wanting to pat her reassuringly, but he recalled the adults telling them not to touch anyone unless instructed to.
He took his place beside Castiel. A few moments went by before the next pair was named off. Dean saw Castiel turn his eyes to him. He met the look. They were close enough to almost touch shoulders. The intense stare was beginning to make Dean itch, but he didn't want to look away. He didn't want to lose this staring contest.
Castiel looked Dean up and down with calculating eyes. It was as if he was measuring Dean's worth by what he saw. Dean squinted at him in what he hoped was a slightly warning look. He didn't like being judged. Castiel's eyes widened slightly and he faced forward again.
Apparently, the selection portion was over. The line of kids was gone, all of them on stage beside their mates. "We will now start the bonding ceremony." Dean's pulse quickened. He had almost forgotten. "Angels, humans, face your partners."
Dean turned and was now facing Castiel. He was looking at Dean with the same searching look he had earlier. Dean wasn't sure if he liked it.
"Humans, take out your tokens."
They had been told to bring an item with them that meant the most to them. Dean didn't have a lot of 'things' so he had decided to use the amulet Sam had given him. Now he was starting to question that choice. He slipped the necklace off.
"Hold it out to your angel with your left hand."
He put his thumb in the cord and held it out to Castiel.
"Angels, take your human's hand."
Castiel reached forward and clasped their hands together, the cord trapped between them. The amulet swung free a few inches below their hands. Dean saw Anna over Castiel's shoulder as she crouched to be level with Jo and took her hand.
"Humans, repeat after me: I, your name," he stopped waiting for the kids to repeat.
Dean licked his lips, starting just a beat after the group, "I, Dean Winchester," he waited for the man with nerves pulsing through him.
"Offer you, your angel's name, this token."
"Offer you, Castiel Novak," he stumbled slightly over the name be barely remembered in time, "this token."
"And ask you to be mine, now and forever."
Dean hesitated. This seemed like a big commitment for someone his age. He felt doubt creep in but his mouth worked on autopilot. "And ask you to be mine, now and forever." Castiel's face stayed neutral through his vow.
"Angels, if you accept, take the token."
Dean assumed this is where the angels could refuse if they wanted. He didn't imagine any of them ever had. Castiel's hand pulled back, fingers sliding the cord free of Dean's thumb. He held the necklace in his hand and looked it over quickly. He seemed lost with what to do with it. Dean reached forward and took it in hand. Before Castiel could speak he placed it over the angel's head and around his neck. Dean saw Anna snap a clip Jo's father, who passed away recently, gave her into her hair.
"Angels, with your right hand, pick where you wish to leave your mark on your mate."
Dean tensed slightly. A mark? He hoped he meant like with ink or something. Castiel's eyes swept over him, trying to decide the best place.
Anna gently took Jo's left hand and turned it over. She placed a couple fingers on the small girl's wrist. Jo was shaking. "Joanna," she kept her voice soft and comforting, "this will hurt. I'm sorry. I promise, you'll be okay." Jo nodded in understanding.
Dean smiled at Jo and Anna. At least she had gotten a nice angel. Castiel's touch brought his eyes back to his angel. He gripped Dean's left shoulder tightly. The angel had a strong grasp.
"Angels, repeat after me: I, your name, claim you, their name, as my mate for now and forever."
Angels must not have the memory problem most human kids had. The angels spoke like they were one voice. "I, Castiel Novak, claim you, Dean Winchester, as my mate for now and forever."
"Leave your mark, angels."
Sharp, intense pain shot through Dean. He felt like he was being branded with a fire poker. He hissed and grabbed Castiel's arm. The angel's hold tightened. His eyes were nervous. The burn seemed to bleed through his chest and stomach. He felt sick. Then, the pain stopped and the grip lightened.
Castiel rubbed his thumb against Dean's shoulder and relief seeped through him and the pain faded entirely. When Castiel dropped his hand, Dean looked at his shoulder, convinced he would find a hole in his jacket, but it was fine.
"Now, angels keep your hand over the mark," Castiel put his hand back quickly, "humans, cover your token with your hand and repeat after me."
Dean reached his right hand forward, covering the amulet on Castiel's chest. He felt the angel's heart beating faster than any human could safely. Maybe he was just as nervous as Dean, or maybe their hearts were different?
"My mate, my bond."
Castiel and Dean spoke together. "My mate, my bond."
"I am yours and you are mine."
"I am yours and you are mine."
"Until you are parted from me and death take you."
"Until you are parted from me and death take you."
The man smiled before facing the crowd. "The children may now return to their parents. Bondmates may interact and get to know each other as the parents see fit. When they reach an age that the parents agree with, they may live as they wish. Now, there will be a dinner for the couples and their families." Applause sounded again and people started filing out of the room. Angels left for their parents and the humans were left standing dumbly before starting the near run some were managing.
Castiel held Dean briefly before stepping away from his reach and walked slowly to his parents. Dean watched him and took a couple steps to stop beside Jo. He laid a hand on her shoulder. She looked up with wide eyes. "Dean, I was paired with Anna. How…" she shook her head, "I thought couples were a mom and dad."
Dean smiled. "Not always, Jo." He didn't want to have to explain this to the five year old. "Come on." He took her hand. "Let's go find your mom and you can ask her." He led her back to Ellen. She was talking to his parents. They had been friends for a long time.
"There she is." Ellen put her arms out for Jo. She released Dean and ran to her mother.
"Mom, they put me with another girl." She looked questioningly at Ellen.
She pulled her in for a hug. "There's nothing wrong with that, baby. It's okay."
Dean was brought back to attention as Sam pulled on his sleeve. "You gave him my necklace."
It wasn't a question. He leaned forward. "I know. They told me to bring something that meant a lot to me. I didn't know he would get to keep it. I'm sorry, buddy."
Sam shrugged and smiled, having no ability to hold a grudge, "It's okay, Dean. I'll find you another one, a better one."
"I'm sure you will." He smiled and tousled his brother's hair.
Dean, having been encouraged by his mother, found Castiel at the dinner and went to talk to him. He was about to speak when Sam appeared behind him. "Hi, I'm Sam." He reached his short arm out to Castiel.
The angel eyed it curiously and seemed to withdraw at Sam's energy and bright smile. He reached out and gently took Sam's hand. "Hello Sam. I'm Castiel."
"You're Dean's angel." His hand tightened in excitement.
Castiel looked at Dean shortly before nodding. "Yes, I am."
"He gave you my necklace." He let go of the angel. "But that's okay, because I told him I would find him a better one."
Castiel just nodded, not knowing how to respond to the babbling child. Dean wanted this to go on, just so he wouldn't have to speak, but Sam turned to him. "I want an angel too, Dean."
Dean shook his head. "Why don't you just wait a few years, Sam? You might change your mind."
Having already forgotten, Sam grabbed Dean's wrist. "Let's go eat. Mom and dad are already at the table."
He stopped Sam and pulled his arm back. "Why don't you go save me some? I'll be there in a minute."
"Okay." He took a few steps before turning back. "Pie, right?"
Dean nodded and waved his brother off. He faced Castiel. "Hi." Castiel nodded. "So, where are your parents?"
"They went home. They don't like to mingle." Castiel kept his hands behind him. Dean nodded. A few moments of awkward silence passed and Dean started looking around the room for an escape. This whole thing was ridiculous. He really wanted to go home. "You don't want to be here." It wasn't a question. Castiel was looking at Dean with piercing eyes.
"Are you reading my mind?" Castiel tilted his head like the question didn't make sense. "Don't do that."
Castiel dropped his head. "I'm sorry. It's how angels communicate mostly. We don't speak much." He looked up. "You don't want to be here?"
Dean shook his head. "Not really. I didn't choose this. I don't want to be here at all. This is all stupid." He saw Castiel withdraw. "I don't get why we have to do this."
Castiel didn't speak again. Dean said his goodbye and left him standing there. They returned home and Dean tried to forget the whole thing, but he couldn't. When he took a shower, he was reminded by the handprint seared into his skin. While dressing he was reminded by not having his amulet to put on. He hated this. When his mother would ask him if he wanted to visit Castiel, Dean would always refuse.
A few days later, he noticed something. The mark Castiel left was beginning to hurt. It wasn't bad at first, just an ache. Every day was worse. He got used to it. After a few months, it felt like someone was pressing hot metal into the scar. His mother called him into school sick. She didn't know how to help. Dean thought he might throw up when it suddenly stopped and he knew immediately why it did. Castiel.
A knock sounded on the front door. Mary went to answer it. Dean heard a couple people talking and then footsteps. His bedroom door opened and Castiel was standing next to his mom, looking as sick as Dean had that morning.
"Dean, I'll be downstairs okay?" Dean nodded and his mom left.
Castiel was left standing at the foot of his bed. He sat up and watched. "I haven't been feeling well." He kept his eyes on his hands. "My parents told me to visit and I would get better." He played with the amulet around his neck.
"Are you better now then?" Castiel nodded. "Me too." He pulled his covers down and let his feet fall over the edge of the bed. "Sit." He was nervous with Castiel just standing there. He moved stiffly and sat beside Dean.
They sat quietly for a while then Castiel spoke, "My parents said that angels can't be away from their mates for too long. That's why we got sick." He glanced at Dean. "Were you in pain?"
Dean nodded. "I thought it would go away." They fell silent again. Dean didn't know what to say and Castiel seemed content with silence.
After a good twenty minutes of awkward silence, Castiel's mom came to collect him. Their mothers made plans for them to meet again in a couple weeks. They didn't want things to get this bad again.
For the next three years, that was how it went. Dean and Castiel would meet either at Dean's house or at the city park and they would spend time together. It took nearly a year for Dean to loosen Castiel up a little, even longer to get him to play on the playground. Eventually, Castiel talked more and Dean began to relax around him.
Jo was a frequent visitor as well. She dropped by the house all the time, even before the bonding. She and Sam were good friends and Dean enjoyed her company too. Anna tagged along occasionally and Dean could tell that, had they been matched, he would have gotten along with her great. She was awesome.
Sometimes, Sam talked about Castiel more than Dean did. He still insisted that he wanted an angel too. His mom told him to wait until he was eight.
A couple months before Sam turned eight, the annual bonding ceremony was approaching. Sam made an announcement to the family. "This year I am volunteering to be selected for an angel." Their mother seemed happy with the news, their father accepted it with a nod, and Dean was angry.
He didn't want Sam to get stuck with this kind of commitment. He also didn't want Sam to get stuck with someone that would treat him like crap. Most angels didn't like humans much and thought they were above them. He didn't want his little brother to get hurt, but this wasn't his decision.
That night, Dean called Castiel. They were what Dean would call friends now. Castiel sounded like he expected the news. "Sam seemed eager for this four years ago, Dean. I'm not shocked that he chose to go."
"Yeah, but I thought he would want to pick his own partner later like normal people." He winced. "I mean normal humans. What if he gets an angel that hates humans?"
Castiel hummed in thought. "It's possible, but most angels in this area aren't those kind of extremists. He should be fine."
"I hope so." He had a few weeks to worry about it. Maybe Sam would get lucky and get a good one like Castiel or Anna.
