Son of a bitch. Why did he think this was a good idea? He was already nervous as shit. Was he really ready to do this? It was Dean and Cas' six year anniversary. Was there a better time to do it? Maybe when it was warmer.

It was just Dean's luck to finally find the man he wanted to spend the rest of his life with and have an anniversary in the dead of Chicago winter. It was bad enough his birthday had to be in January. If Cas said yes, and Dean hoped to God that Cas would say yes, they would definitely have a summer wedding. No more cold anniversaries. They could celebrate their anniversaries outside at the beach or have a barbecue or something. But he had to do it now. He wanted to marry Cas.

Honestly, there was a point where he would've been fine just dating Cas forever. They had started acting like a married couple years ago anyway. But he wanted to claim Cas as his if that made any sense. He wasn't possessive, or at least he thought he wasn't, but he wanted Cas to be his family legally.

God forbid anything happened to Cas, Dean wanted to have spousal rights with him. After what happened with Sam six years ago, which honestly, Dean didn't like to think about, making medical decisions was not something he ever wanted to do again. Still, Dean wanted to be able to be there for Cas if he ever had to.

And he wanted Cas.

What more reason did he need? Why was he even trying to justify it to himself? He wanted to marry Cas. More than that, he wanted to see the look on Cas' face when he asked.

Oh, God, what if Cas said no?

Oh, God, he couldn't think about that.

Cas would say yes. He loved Dean. He loved the promise ring. He'd say yes, right?

As Cas' key hit the lock, the ring in Dean's pocket weighed a thousand pounds. Oh, Jesus.

Cas came in and tossed his bag and jacket on the ground near the door.

"You would not believe the day I've had. Rachel and Hester got into a cat fight over some guy, and the school officer had to come break it up in the middle of my class," Cas said quickly as he walked to the bedroom to get dressed.

Dean followed him in order to keep listening.

As Cas stripped out of his work clothes, he continued, "And Jimmy would not shut up for five seconds. I was barely able to talk! And even if I did get my thoughts across, only Inias was able to answer because he's the only student who ever pays attention. I asked them what important events happened in 43 BC and they all just stared at me like I grew a second head. And we went over it last week, I know."

Dean grinned, "I don't have a clue what happened in 43 BC. Do I get a detention now?"

Cas rolled his eyes and said, "Cicero died and Ovid was born."

Dean raised an eyebrow. "And...?" he asked.

Cas laughed, "Shut up. It's important. And they should know this." He grabbed a sweatshirt and pulled it over his head. He asked, "Why did I decide to teach high school again?"

"Because you love it," Dean replied, smiling.

Holy crap. Cas forgot.

Dean closed the distance between them and slid his hands up under Cas' sweatshirt.

"Dean, what are you doing?" Cas asked.

"Taking off your shirt...unless of course you want to wear this to dinner," Dean said.

He so totally forgot their anniversary. Dean couldn't stop grinning.

Cas asked, confused, "We're going out for dinner? I thought we were doing taco night tonight."

"No, that's tomorrow," Dean replied.

He waited for it to click. Judging by the look on Cas' face it wasn't going to.

"Baby, what day is it?" Dean asked.

Cas answered, "Tuesday."

"And?"

"December 9th."

"And?"

Cas looked at Dean's suit. His eyes grew wide and an apologetic smile curled across Cas' lips.

And there is was.

"I love you. I'm sorry," Cas blurted, kissing Dean quickly, "I'll get dressed. Give me two minutes."

Dean grabbed a tie, tossed it to Cas, and sat on the edge of the bed. "I'll wait," he said.

Since Dean traded his patrol shift with Martin, he'd had the entire day to prepare for tonight. They weren't exactly in a hurry either. Dean had made reservations at an Italian Restaurant, and they had plenty of time.

Still, Dean kept having to remind himself to breathe. He couldn't believe he was doing this. What if Cas wasn't ready to marry Dean? Sure, Dean had been the one who hadn't been ready till very recently, but what if Cas needed more time? Six years was six years, but it never felt that long. Maybe they needed to wait. Could he really do this?

"Are you okay?" Cas asked, straightening his tie, "You look kinda off."

Dean swallowed his nerves and nodded. Gotta play it cool. Cas was going to figure it out. Knowing Cas, he probably already knew. And he hadn't said anything about it. Did Cas not want him to propose? Dean stopped those thoughts and followed Cas past the empty bedrooms to the living room to get their coats.

When they got to the restaurant, Dean was struggling to focus at all. There was no reason for him to be nervous, but God, if Cas said no, he didn't know what he'd do. Cas had completely changed his life. He had to say yes. If Cas said no, would they still date? What if it was too awkward after being rejected? No, they'd be fine. He could do this.

They were taken to their table, which was a small booth. It was away from the other patrons much to Dean's delight. If he was going to do this, the less people making him nervous, the better.

Unfortunately, the night didn't seem to be going his way as he opened the menu only to discover it was only written in Italian.

"Crap," he muttered.

Cas chuckled, "Do you want pasta or meat?"

"Are you telling me that you can read Italian, and I'm just finding out now?" Dean asked.

Cas shook his head, smiling. "No, I can't read Italian," he answered, "But I took Latin in college, and this isn't all that different. Pasta or meat?"

"Meat," Dean answered.

"Of course," Cas said, "Steak or Chicken."

"Steak."

"How do you want it cooked?"

"Medium rare."

"Okay. It comes with rice, beans, and bread. Sound good?"

Dean nodded, impressed with Cas' linguistic skills. Cas skimmed through his own menu, and Dean knew it was now or never.

"Hey, Cas," Dean said, "I have to ask you something."

Cas set aside his menu and focused his intense blue gaze on Dean.

Dean felt for the ring in his pocket. He could do this.

"Would you...would you mind ordering for me? I seriously have no idea what the menu says." Shit.

Cas lowered his eyes to the menu and said, "Yeah, I was going to order for you anyway."

"Thanks," Dean said quickly. God, he was being so awkward. He had to recover this. He wanted to marry Cas. Being nervous wasn't going to stop him from asking. "Can you believe we've been together for six years?" he asked.

Cas looked up at Dean and smiled. It was a smile that Dean wanted to see every day.

"Yeah, there were some moments when I didn't think we'd make it, but I'm really glad we did. I love you," Cas said.

"I love you, too," Dean replied, "I should've never kicked you out."

Cas sighed with a smile on his lips, "Oh, don't start that again. I was thinking more when my internship and your academy work kept us on opposite schedules."

Dean shook his head, "Nah, that wouldn't have broken us up. We fought way more when Sam and Gabriel split up."

Cas grinned and leaned across the table to kiss Dean. "That's only because you're a stubborn ass," he said sweetly.

Dean laughed, "Still six years."

Cas replied, "Yep. Six years. Can't wait till our next anniversary. Maybe it'll be above freezing for once."

"Well, you were the one who asked me out in December in Chicago," Dean teased.

Cas rolled his eyes, "You were the one who kissed me in November and dodged me for a month. We could've had a fall anniversary."

"You could have talked to me before we were halfway through the semester," Dean pointed out.

Cas made a face. "Oh yes," he said, "And you would have been won over by my natural born charisma instantly and not freaked out or had a minor sexuality crisis."

Dean chuckled, "Fair enough." He took a sip of water.

He felt the ring in his pocket, and he knew Cas wouldn't say no. But he still couldn't muster the words.

A waiter came by to take their order, which Cas delivered, smirking at Dean and his lack of Italian capabilities.

Dinner flew by in a flurry of delicious food and happy small talk. Eventually, Cas ordered something for dessert. Dean didn't know what it was, but it was chocolaty and delicious, so he had no complaints.

Finally, they climbed back into his Impala and headed home, the unasked question still hanging in the air between them.

Maybe today just wasn't the right day. He would definitely ask, though. Eventually. But he would ask.

When they got inside the apartment, it was still unnerving how quiet it was.

Better than their fourth anniversary when they'd come home to Charlie and Dorothy fighting and Sam and Gabriel sitting in angry silence. Still, it was so quiet.

Charlie and Dorothy had moved out after they finished school. They still came over a lot, but they'd wanted space for themselves. When Sam and Gabriel broke up, Gabriel moved back to his dad's building, and Sam said he wanted a fresh start, but the way Dean heard Sam crying at night, he had a feeling being in that room alone was too painful for his brother.

Dean and Cas still had the apartment, their dual income made their fixed rent easy to afford, but it was still a big apartment for just the two of them. Too many rooms, not enough people. Way too quiet.

Dean dropped his jacket next to Cas' by the door and followed Cas to their bedroom.

Cas sprawled out on the bed in nothing but boxers and sighed contentedly, "Dinner was great."

Dean quickly stripped down, careful not to let the ring bounce out of his pocket, and joined Cas on the bed.

"I love you," Dean said softly.

Cas replied, "We've been dating for six years. I'd certainly hope so."

Dean shoved Cas in the arm playfully.

Cas laughed, "I know, I know. I love you, too."

Dean propped himself up on one arm. "So, how should we celebrate our anniversary?" he asked.

Cas rolled Dean on his back and straddled his hips, grinning. "I have a few ideas," he said with an intentional murmur.

Dean grinned widely at his boyfriend and said, "Oh, really?"

Slowly, Cas pressed soft kisses to Dean's neck. With each kiss, Dean began to forget his nerves from earlier. Cas made his way down Dean's chest and stomach, kiss by kiss, and he slid Dean's boxers down his hips with an agonizingly slow pace. Dean watched Cas kick off his own boxers over to where Dean's had been discarded.

Dean ran his thumbs over Cas' bare hipbones. He asked, "How do you want me?"

"I want you," Cas said against his lover's neck, "In whatever way that will make you feel as good as possible."

Dean kissed Cas, catching his lips softly. Slowly, he spread his legs beneath Cas and waited for Cas to get comfortable, kneeling between Dean's thighs.

It had been a long time since he'd gotten nervous about being on bottom, but Dean still felt his heart race as Cas licked a finger and slid it inside of him. He tried not to moan as Cas worked him open but to no avail. Cas' fingers felt too good, and he was very good with his hands. It was all Dean could do to reach for the lube on the nightstand without losing himself. Cas was dangerously close to his prostate.

Quickly, Dean ran his hand up Cas' length, slicking him up and enjoying the pleasured expression on Cas' face.

Cas took the cue, removed his hand, and lined himself up.

In the moment of clarity, Dean was astounded at how beautiful Cas was. He was muscular in a subtle way, his blue eyes were lust blown, and it was all Dean could do not to pull Cas down to him just to feel the warmth of Cas' soft skin.

Then, Cas filled him. Dean grabbed the edge of the bed as he willed his muscles to relax. Gradually, Cas started to move, pulling Dean's sanity with each small thrust.

"God, Cas," Dean breathed.

Cas kissed him hard, and Dean replied with tongue and raking his fingers through Cas' thick hair. It felt just so good. But it was Cas' anniversary, too. The pleasure couldn't just go one way. Dean wrapped his legs around Cas' waist and pulled him in deeper, eliciting a gasp from his boyfriend.

"I love you," Dean murmured.

Cas kissed him and replied softly, "I love you, too."

Cas lifted Dean up onto his lap as he sat back on his heels. Dean took over some of the motion now that he was on top. He thoroughly enjoyed the sensual look in Cas' blue eyes. Dean explored Cas' mouth with his tongue as he lowered himself up and down Cas' shaft.

Cas moaned into the kiss and bucked his hips against Dean. Softly, Cas kissed Dean's neck and collarbone and chest. Dean leaned back, arching his back in pleasure, giving Cas access to more skin to kiss. When Cas' trailing kisses got to Dean's navel, Dean sat back up and gently nudged Cas onto his back.

At first, Cas still thrust up into Dean, but Dean whispered, "Let me."

Cas stilled his movements, giving Dean a level of trust that still made him breathless after so many years. Slowly, Dean slid up and down Cas, which earned him a few moans as he went. He built up his speed and watched Cas' expression change from elation to ecstasy. Cas' hands ran up Dean's back, and it almost made Dean lose his control.

He kissed Cas fiercely; it was a kiss Cas matched in its passion. Dean ran a hand through Cas' hair while Cas ran his hand along Dean's length at the same pace as Dean's movements. Quickly, Cas' hands were in Dean's hair, pulling him in for kiss after kiss. Cas rolled them over and thrust into Dean hard. Dean moaned against Cas' mouth, pressing into each thrust.

Reluctant to leave Dean's lips, Cas broke the kiss and placed Dean's legs on his strong shoulders. Dean gasped with the suddenly deeper thrusts.

"Cas, I-" he tried. But he could barely control his breathing in this position let alone his ability to speak. Cas ran his warm hands down Dean's sides and in that moment, Dean lost it.

He came and tried to avoid getting it on his stomach but failed. He didn't really care anyways.

After a pleasure filled moan, he gasped out, "Marry me, Cas."

Shit.

At the same time, Dean felt Cas come. Maybe Cas didn't hear him. Maybe his orgasm had covered Dean's words. But Cas had gone completely still. Yeah, he heard him. Fuck. This was really not how Dean had planned on proposing.

"What?" Cas asked.

"You heard me," Dean replied, still breathing heavily.

"Say it again," Cas ordered. His intense stare didn't allow Dean to think twice about it.

"Marry me, Cas," he repeated, "Please."

Cas leaned down and kissed Dean softly, slowly pulling out.

"Yes," Cas said quietly, staring into Dean's eyes. Dean pulled his legs down from Cas' shoulders and pulled Cas down into a long kiss.

They were going to get married.

Before he could comprehend this, Dean asked, "Did you come because I proposed?"

Cas laughed, "Shut up."

"I can't believe you came because I asked you to marry me. New high score."

"Shut up. I can't believe you proposed."

"I can't believe you said yes."

"Why wouldn't I say yes?" Cas asked earnestly.

"I don't know," Dean said, "But anything's possible."

Cas got up and tossed Dean a towel, which Dean used without hesitation to clean himself off.

"So, we're engaged now?" Cas asked.

Dean got up and fished the ring out of his pants on the floor.

"Yep," he answered and slid the ring onto Cas' finger.

Cas kissed him excitedly.

"How do you want to celebrate our engagement?" Cas asked.

Dean kissed Cas softly and smiled. "I have a few ideas," he said.

Quickly, they hopped in the shower for round two.