Christmas eve, a grand night to have a party. The towering house decorated to the brim with all the festive trimmings. Miles of tinsel wrapping around staircase banister. A bounty of food on the dining room from different cultures. Holly and mistletoe hung each nook and cranny accompanied by festive reefs. The whole house smelled of gingerbread and pine, giving it a warm feeling. To top it all off, there was magnificent christmas tree in the ballroom; with silly trinket ornaments, miles of ribbon covering it and a golden star placed right on top.
The guests of the Novak residence were talking happily about, all of them wasted off of laughter and holiday spirit. It was a sight to behold, all of them gathered in the ballroom some dancing and some content on just chatting. Everyone there was merry, except for one soul. Castiel, the boy with dark hair and brilliant blue eyes was taking a seat outside on the balcony. Sighing to himself caught up in old memories. It was the first christmas he would spend without his parents, who had tragically passed away in a house fire which left his childhood home in ashes.
Still, he was grateful to his aunt and uncle for letting him stay. They had even been nice enough to send Gabriel off to college, a wonderful gesture. He just wished his cousin, Lucifer, could be as welcoming as they were. Michael, his brother had no problem welcoming him home but for some odd reason, Lucifer despised Castiel. He thought since they were the same age, they'd get along but it was the exact opposite. He threw Castiel's things out in the rain, he ripped up his schoolwork and even locked him outside at times.
"Well, there's my little brother," he heard a jolly voice say. Castiel turned his head around, smiling instantly.
"Gabriel!" Castiel said happily, rushing over to hug him. He took a good look at his brother, hardly recognizing him with the ironed brown suit and smoothed-back hair. "I thought you said you wouldn't be able to make it tonight."
"And miss Christmas? You obviously underestimate me," Gabriel said with a laughing, hugging him back, before pulling away to take a better look at Castiel. "Look at you, my baby brother all grown up." Castiel was rather formal, in his dark blue suit with a red tie. Still, he felt oddly out of place at the party.
"I wouldn't say that," he noted being modest.
"16, you're practically an adult," Gabriel joked, "Maybe we should go get drunk and buy raffle tickets now."
"Gabriel!" Castiel shouted, "That'd never work."
"Says you, you'd pass for 21 in that outfit," he complimented, Castiel simply rolled his eyes at his brother's jeers. "Speaking of which, what are you doing out here in the first place?"
"I needed fresh air, that's all," he quickly excused. Gabriel gave put on his rare stern look, seeing right through Castiel's lies.
"Then why did our aunt have to practically beg me to bring you back inside?" he asked. Castiel knew he was busted.
"I just don't see the point, I like it out here," he quickly excused.
"Oh come on, there's food, presents and toys! What's not to like in there?" Gabriel shouted, getting annoyed with his brother's gloominess.
"Toys are for children," Castiel quickly excused, "As you said, I'm almost an adult." Gabriel sighed, gaining his composure and standing next to Castiel, leaning on the balcony railing.
"Come on, Cas," Gabriel pleaded. "They would want you to have a good time…" He was going to say mom and dad, but didn't have the heart to finish the sentence. He figured Castiel could deduce who he was talking about by the way his muscles tensed up.
"I said I'm fine out here," he spoke in a louder and more demanding tone. Gabriel knew he wasn't going to budge with a serious talk. He simply shrugged, going back to smirking and making his way to the door.
"Fine," he dismissed, "I suppose I'll just go and tell our aunt, our uncle, Lucifer, Joshua, Michael-" Castiel perked up at one of the names.
"Who did you say?" Castiel asked turning around, Gabriel had a sly smile on his face.
"Michael?" Gabriel said, smiling wider.
"No, the one before that," Castiel said, inching closer to the door.
"Lucifer?" Gabriel asked, snickering at this point.
"No, dammit Gabriel!" Castiel shouted, looking his brother in the eye. "Is Joshua really here?" Gabriel was grinning from ear to ear but slowly nodded.
"Got here about the time I did," he confessed.
"W-why didn't he come out to get me?" Castiel asked skeptic.
"You know Joshua," Gabriel explained, "All the kids are already crowding him asking for toys. If there's one thing he's the greatest at, besides gardening, it's toymaking." Castiel inched towards the door.
"Perhaps I could come in for a few moments," he decided. Gabriel looked more relieved that he had finally came around.
"I thought you'd never insist," Gabriel exasperated. Earning a jab in the stomach from Castiel. They still hurried in the house, slamming the door behind them. Castiel couldn't wait to see Joshua again. He had always been a dear friend to the Novak family, and had been very close to their own parents. He had tried to have been there for Castiel and Gabriel after the fire, but since he had opened his own garden and home store he couldn't find much free time.
They made their way through the crowd, already seeing toys being handed out by their old friend. Their cousin, Anna, had gotten two beautiful ballerinas. One named Joanna and the other named Ellen. Another cousin, Zachariah hurried off holding a black and white harlequin doll he named Kevin. Samandriel, the youngest cousin, seemed content with the playing with the puppet he had oddly named Garth.
After greeting the guests and making his way through chatter and merriment he finally saw the man who was like a father to him. Joshua had just handed a doll to Hester, who was staring at it with adoring eyes
"Joshua!" Castiel greeted making his way in Joshua's direction. Joshua turned his head, a smile growing on his face as he excused Hester.
"There you are!" Joshua greeted, pulling him into a hug. "I was wondering where you have gotten off to."
"It's...A big ballroom," Castiel noted, not wanting to tell Joshua that he had been sulking on the balcony.
"That it is," Joshua quickly excused noticing Gabriel. "And hello again, Gabe," he said grasping Gabriel's hand for a firm handshake, "How is school going for you?"
"Busy," Gabriel admitted, "I feel better being here with family, though."
"Yes, always good to unwind," Joshua agreed, "Well come, there must be something in the bag for both of you." Gabriel and Castiel gave each other a hesitant look.
"Aren't we a little old for toys?" Gabriel asked, Joshua could only laugh.
"No one's too old for toys on christmas," he excused, "Besides, you have to admit toys I make are top notch. Not one complaint from any child tonight. Except Lucifer, but that child is never happy." They both laughed as Joshua pulled out two wrapped boxes from his bag.
"For Gabriel," he said handing the package gingerly to Gabriel. "And Castiel...I'm sorry if you don't like this one...You might you might not, it's up to you." Castiel took the package suspiciously. Gabriel ripped through the wrapping paper to find a toy soldier with long, floppy brown hair.
"I love it!" Gabriel laughed, "Haven't played with one of these for ages!" He took it out of the box, admiring the craftsmanship.
"His name is Sam," Joshua said smiling. He turned back to Castiel, who was still holding his present unwrapped. "Well, don't just stare at it, tear it open!" Castiel obliged, carefully taking off the paper and opening the box. What was in it surprised him.
"A nutcracker?" Lucifer asked, appearing behind Castiel's back, "What a stupid present."
"Lucifer, can't you just leave the poor boy alone for one day?" Joshua asked, Lucifer only stuck his tongue out in Joshua's direction. Castiel didn't pay any attention to the situation, lifting the nutcracker out of its box. Paying attention to every detail, The golden brown hair was soft to the touch, Joshua had made flicks of paint to make it look like freckles, a green and black military uniform, and the most beautiful jaded green eyes.
"He's...He's…" Castiel found it hard to find the right words to say.
"Ugly?" Lucifer asked, with a snicker. Gabriel rolled his eyes and simply smacked him on the head.
"Perfect," Castiel corrected, with a small smile. Holding the nutcracker into the light to see it better. Slowly running his fingers on the side, feeling every detail.
"I'm glad you like it," Joshua said with a fulfilled smile that Castiel had adored his present. "I'll even let you name him if you'd like." That was a rare occurrence, Joshua was always so proud of his work he usually named the toys he made himself.
"Thank you, Joshua," Castiel said giving him a grateful hug. He turned back to his nutcracker wondering what he should be named. "He looks like a Dean to me."
"Dean it is," Joshua agreed. Lucifer still seemed unimpressed by the whole situation.
"I don't even know what you see in him," he said, "Just seems like a useless piece of firewood to me." Castiel shot daggers at Lucifer.
"Shut up!" he defended, "He's more than that." Castiel noted smiling back at Dean.
"Indeed he is," Joshua agreed, "In fact there's a story to go along with that nutcracker."
"There is?" Castiel asked, "What is it?" Joshua smirked, taking a seat at the nearby couch and getting comfortable.
"Well...It wasn't always a nutcracker," he began, "But a prince with a foul mouth from an enchanted land. Peace was able to reign there for many centuries. Until one day the vicious rat king grew jealous of everyone's joy and wanted it for his own. So he used dark magic to freeze all of the subjects of the kingdom. The prince tried to stop him but was turned into a nutcracker in the process."
"That's horrible," Castiel said, wide eyed and clutching Dean closer to his chest.
"It is," Joshua continued, "It was told that only the sugarplum fairy could stop the evil curse on the land. But would not help the prince unless he could prove his worth." Castiel stared back down at Dean.
"He seems worthy enough to me," he said with a smile. Lucifer eyed the nutcracker more curiously.
"Let me see him," Lucifer said grabbing for Dean. Castiel was defensive and quickly pulled back.
"Hey!" he shouted, pulling harder but Lucifer wouldn't let go, "Lucifer! Let Dean go!" There was a snap and they both stopped pulling. Lucifer was holding one of Dean's arm while Castiel was holding the rest.
"Whoops," Lucifer said, not a hint of remorse in his voice. Gabriel grabbed him by the ear, holding it up.
"Don't you know to not take things that don't belong to you?" he asked rhetorically, taking the arm from his hand and handing it back to Castiel. "I'm...sorry…" Castiel bit his lip, looking on the verge of tears but wasn't willing to cry.
"It's alright," Castiel quickly said, putting on a brave face. "Nothing a little glue and tape can't fix. I'm sure I can fix him up in the kitchen."
"I'll go too," Joshua offered, "I made Dean, I should know how to repair him." They made their way through the thick crowd into the more quiet kitchen. The chef had taken a break so all there were now were a few mouse traps. Castiel quickly searched the cupboards and found glue. Joshua carefully glued Dean's arm back together. Castiel insisted on wrapping a small bit of cloth around it to make sure it would stay.
"Good as new," Castiel cheered up saying, taking another long look at Dean before he looked up. "Joshua, do you think Dean is really a prince?"
"I believe that you think he is," Joshua quickly answered, with a small and knowing smile. Castiel had a concerned look as he raised an eyebrow.
"I feel there's something you're not telling me." he said, Joshua laughed a loud boisterous laugh.
"It will all make sense in time," he answered. Castiel was about to argue when Gabriel soon came in saying it was time to say goodbye to the guests. Castiel nodded, standing up and taking Dean with him. The old grandfather clock with the angel on top struck ten as night grew darker. The Novak family quickly said goodbye to all, Gabriel would be spending the night at the abode. While saying farewell, Castiel held Dean close to him the whole time. Not setting him down until the maid came in when all the guests had been long gone.
"Alright, off to bed with all of you," she said sternly, "Have to get this house cleaned up and ready for Christmas tomorrow." Most of the family obliged, turning in for the night. Castiel was staring at Dean's work before the maid took it out of his hands and set it on a table.
"You can play with toys tomorrow, Cas," she said.
"But, I just-"
"Not another word," she ordered, "Your new nutcracker will be there in the morning. Now out, and empty the mouse traps on your way out." Castiel sighed, being shooed out of the room. He did as told, emptying out the mouse traps from the poor things who had met their demise. Heading upstairs he realized how tired he was, barely taking off his suit coat and tie before collapsing on his bed. Castiel took a deep breath before he was already fast asleep, dreaming of his new nutcracker.
I know it's long after Christmas but I was still watching specials and thought, 'Hey, this would make a good Destiel fic.' So I went looking for one but there's not any finished ones so I figured I could take matters into my own hands and write it. Hope you enjoy the story.