Chapter 10 Secrets and Strawberry Preserves
Keeper's Cross was in full swing. Word about Hunters taking on Angels had spread and there were more than the usual amount of Hunters in town. Bobby was busy fixing cars at his garage and talking to everyone at his house or the Roadhouse. Ellen was filling the Hunters in on the heroic acts of Gabe and Cas escaping the Angels and how they were working together now. The map/contract was hung on the wall at Bobby's house for any Hunter to see. Hunters signed all over the pale blue oceans on the map, making the contract quite an interesting piece to look at.
It was a lot of news and spreading fast. Most were welcoming and happy to have the new contract in place. Angels were always a worry when you were out on a hunt. Knowing jurisdictions and the fact that there was now a 'no kill' agreement made all of them relax a bit. Dean was insanely busy filling orders of ammo, guns, blades, and other weapons. Cas helped run the register with Jo's help. The three also hung out at the Roadhouse, talking to a lot of Hunters. Gabe and Sam did the same. Charlie and Ash were extremely busy with fake ID's and barely had time to socialize.
Concerns were voiced from time to time and Bobby or Ellen handled them with their typical diplomacy. Crude, blunt, and 'if you don't like it, eat shit and die'.
The weekend was finally winding down when the two pairs of brothers sat at a booth at the Roadhouse. It was late Sunday evening and the door to the Roadhouse jingled.
"Well, lookie there. The delivery man himself," Dean grinned. Lee Chambers and his daughter Krissy caught sight of Dean as he waved them over.
"Delivery man?" Lee asked, clapping Dean on the shoulder.
"Yeah! Delivered us Cas. I don't think I will ever be able to repay you for that," Dean grinned warmly.
"Well," Lee smiled, waving at Cas. "Glad I could fuck up for good instead of my usual brand."
Cas laughed and it made Dean warm inside just to see him at ease.
"Pull up a chair, man," Sam said.
Lee drug a chair over, Ellen showing up with a beer.
"Lee," she grinned.
"Thanks, Ellen!"
"On the house. Whatever you and Krissy want tonight."
Lee gave her a baffled look. "Thanks! Burger and fries please and whatever Krissy wants."
Krissy was already at the bar talking to Charlie and Jo.
Ellen grinned, patting Lee on the back and heading for Krissy.
"I'll be damned," Lee said under his breath, watching her go. "I heard some rumors about Angel business and thought I better get back here and see what I could do to help. I thought I might be walking into my own lynching."
"No, man," Dean laughed. "Turned out for the good. Very good."
Lee and Cas exchanged polite smiles. "Never really did get a chance to tell you I was sorry for shooting you."
"And I never had the chance to thank you for bringing me here. It was quite a fortuitous evening."
They clinked beer bottles.
"Did you send me a box?" Dean asked Lee. He had asked every Hunter he could catch that weekend.
"No. I've been in Cincinnati handling a haunting."
Dean nodded. It was starting to bother him that no one had come forward as the one to send the mysterious box.
"Got any hunts for me?" Lee asked.
"No idea. We were barely back when Keeper's Cross started filling up with Hunters. Been so distracted. You'll have to ask Bobby."
Lee nodded. "Started cyber schooling for Krissy. It's easier than pulling her out of schools all the time."
Dean and Sam exchanged a knowing look. The man had attempted to settle down last year and ended up being tracked down by a vampire with a vendetta. It had almost killed Krissy. So the pair were back on the road for now.
"I never did ask," Cas said, "did we get that werewolf?"
Lee laughed. "Yep. Two silver bullets to the heart. He was quite the nuisance."
"Lee," Cas said, "this is Gabriel, my brother."
"Oh!" Lee looked at Gabe with surprise. "We met before!"
Gabriel nodded with a grin. "Texas, right?"
"Yeah! He came into a case I was tracking. I thought you were a Hunter. He came as an FBI associate."
"I did. We sure swept that Changeling mess under the rug."
"Yeah," Lee grinned, "they got what they deserved too."
Gabe nodded. "That's the way I like it."
"So...two Angels here? Any more?" Lee asked, glancing around.
"No," Sam said. "But who knows how many of them would rather be here than there."
Lee looked slightly confused. Sam gave him a quick recount of all that had happened while he was away.
By 10pm, Dean and Cas were exhausted and ready to go. They walked home to Dean's apartment above his shop. It was warm and cozy and theirs. They crawled into bed. They had told their story so many times that he was tired of thinking about it.
Monday morning had Dean at his register by 9am. He turned on the overhead iheart radio, Kansas filling the air as Dean nodded his head along while looking through his emails again.
Cas went to work cleaning the shop windows. Dean had been relieved to see that after their night in front of the fireplace, Cas was back to his understatedly confident self. He had answered question after question about Angels. He had assured many Hunters that he was here to help. Hunters were suspicious and skeptical by nature. Knowing this, Dean thought the brothers were being welcomed in pretty well.
The door jingled and Dean looked up out of habit. "Hey, Bobby," Dean said.
"Dean, Cas," Bobby grumbled, looking pinched and worried, making Dean stop what he was doing and Cas followed him, spray bottle and paper towels still in hand.
"What's the matter?" Dean asked.
"I uh...did some digging last night."
"Literally or..." Dean grinned.
"On that damn box Cas brought up the other day."
"Okay?" Dean asked, Cas watching the pair curiously.
"I'm worried it ain't a demon."
Now all three wore pinched brows.
"Why?" Cas asked.
"It's the writing for one. It says the right stuff, but the way its written is off."
"So some demon catcher has messing writing," Dean shrugged.
"No," Bobby barked, pacing in a circle. "It's missing some symbols too."
"Okay, the slob did a shitty job. Shocker."
Cas and Bobby both gave Dean a harried look. Dean rolled his eyes. "Sorry Bobby, I don't have all the shit scraped off my boots yet from the last shitshow I was in. What are you thinkin'?"
"That's just it, I got nothin' else but a few writing nuances, two missing symbols, and a nasty gut feeling."
"Bring it to Sam's," Cas said. "Let's take a look at it."
Bobby nodded. "I will." He left the shop and Dean sighed.
"He could be right," Cas said patiently.
"Could be? That ole bastard's always right, Cas. I'm just not ready to figure out life's millionth mystery. I gotta balance this drawer, answer a million emails, call like ten people, and run this friggin' place." Dean sighed again, rolling his neck. "I just need a day to get squared away here and then I can jump on the next Hunter mystery."
Cas grinned, coming around the counter. "I'll stay here til lunch time, then head to Sam's to check on the box."
Dean grinned. "Thanks."
By lunchtime, Dean had five calls handled, emailed his vendors, and balanced the drawer. Castiel had run the store, cleaning and stocking and helping customers. He liked the simplicity of the work. It was good to see Clouds, Watchers, Hunters, and Keepers have common interests and mingle without threat of imminent death.
After dropping lunch off for Dean, he carried his next door to Sam's, where he joined Bobby and Charlie in the reference room. Sam and Gabriel were busy still filling orders for Hunters that were trickling out of town.
"Any luck?" He asked, sitting lunch on the table for Bobby.
"No." Bobby slammed a book shut and sat back, rubbing his eyes.
Castiel sat down, pulling the box to himself, looking at it carefully. The writing did have a curious tilt after each verb. Bobby pointed out the two missing symbols on a photo in a book.
"Now, I've seen other Dybbuk boxes without this symbol," he pointed to one at the end on the side of their box.
"Hmm," Castiel wondered. "Could it be a different type of box, still Jewish in origin, but not a Dybbuk?"
"Thought of that. I got nothin' if it is." Bobby pulled up another book. "I got Charlie digging into some other religions."
Castiel nodded, but his eyes stayed on the fresh carvings. "Was it made in haste?"
"No, I don't think so. And why no note with it?"
Charlie came to the table from her spot at the computer. "So, the box was originally mailed from Poughkeepsie, New York, went through the usual chain of stops until it arrived at Black Dog. It weighed the same at every check in spot."
"Poughkeepsie?" Bobby wondered aloud. His shoulders slumped. "I got nothin'."
Castiel stood suddenly. "Bobby, I told you about how our tattoos are created, using demon blood."
"Yeah?" Bobby said, Charlie and Bobby watching Castiel curiously. "The demon blood tingles any time I am near one."
"And?" Bobby coaxed.
"I feel nothing from this box."
All three stared at the box with new eyes.
"Maybe you don't sense it because it's shielded in the box?" Charlie asked.
"Maybe," Castiel and Bobby said.
"Got one way to find out," Bobby sighed. "I got another one of these out back I can dig up. Test the theory."
"We should do that," Castiel said.
Castiel watched as Jo expertly ran the digger.
"Far enough!" Bobby yelled, Jo raising the last scoop of dirt.
"We dig from here. Don't want to accidentally bust the damn thing open. A good Hunter died getting that bastard in the box to begin with." He tossed Castiel a shovel and the pair jumped into the hole. The ground was still frozen from the long, cold winter, making the job very difficult. Bobby lasted half an hour before Jo insisted she take over for him and to go get more help.
Castiel chipped and dug, hands freezing and the rest of him sweating with effort. Sam showed up several minutes later, soon followed by Jessy and Cesar, two Hunters that had been buying ingredients from Sam. The four made quicker work of carving down until they finally chipped away all the dirt from the surface of a large safe lying on its back.
The box was inside the large safe. When the door was cleared, Bobby came down, unlocking the combination. Sam pulled the door open and Cas thought he felt a twinge run through his wings. Sam reached in, pulling the box up and turned to Cas. "Feel anything?"
"Maybe," Castiel did not want to be wrong. Maybe he was just over thinking the whole thing. "Let me hold it," he said, pulling his gloves off.
As he took the two foot rectangular box into his hands, the sensation tingled and burned slightly throughout his wings. "I feel it," he said sharply, handing the box back to Sam.
"It was dulled by the box, but there is no mistaking what is inside."
Sam looked at the box with a worried crinkle brow.
"Let me see that old bastard," Bobby said.
Sam handed the box up to Bobby, who pulled a flashlight out in the dimming daylight, inspecting all of it. After several minutes looking over it, he handed it back to Sam. "Bury it."
Sam nodded, lowering it into the safe, shutting the door and spinning the combination lock. They all climbed out of the hole.
"Bobby," Jessy said, dusting dirt from his jeans, "Cesar and I can help. We're staying the night, so, if you need us, let us know."
Bobby shook both men's hands. "I'll let ya know. Thanks guys. Come ta think of it, head over to New York and see if you can find anything."
"We'll leave at first light," Cesar said.
Castiel and Sam shook their hands as well. They seemed like great guys. Castiel had shared a beer with them the night before.
"Night guys," Castiel nodded.
"Night, Castiel. Good luck with the box guys."
Castiel and Sam headed to Bobby's while Jo finished re-burying the safe.
Inside, Castiel and Sam washed up at the sink, thawing their frozen fingers and feeling hot at the same time. They sat in Bobby's study, each with a cold beer in hand.
"Bobby," Sam said, his voice haunted, "what the hell is in that box if it isn't a demon?"
"That was my biggest fear. If it ain't a demon, what the hell or worse yet, who the hell is in there?"
The three exchanged worried looks.
Castiel looked at his phone. Dean was probably getting ready to close up shop. "I'm heading home. I'll keep researching tomorrow."
"Sounds good, Cas," Bobby sighed.
"Me too," Sam groaned, getting to his feet.
The pair walked back to Madison Street, the storefronts lit up. It was small town America. Church bells rang from a Catholic Church down the road. It brought back a lot of memories. "Do Hunters go to church here?" Castiel asked.
"Not most. Some do," Sam answered looking off in the direction of the bells. "The priest, Father Jim Murphy, is a Watcher. He keeps us stocked in holy water and sometimes other religious relics."
"You have a wonderful network here," Castiel grinned, seeing the Roadhouse's sign glowing warmly in the cold night. He was growing quite attached to the place.
"Yeah," Sam agreed cheerfully, "next to the Impala, this was the most stable place I had in my life. The shop fronts barely change. The Roadhouse, Bobby's. Closest thing to home Dean and I have."
Castiel tucked his nose into his collar. Sometimes it seemed that he and Dean could not be any more different. Dean hardly knew what 'home' was and Castiel had all-but been smothered by his. It was odd how both needed stability and freedom and were managing to find a balance.
"Let's stop at the Roadhouse and pick up some coffee," Castiel suggested, dragging from the physical labor of digging.
"Sounds good," Sam said.
Ellen would not let them leave without dinner to go for themselves, Gabriel, and Dean.
Castiel smiled at the closed sign on the front door to Dean's red brick shop. He peeked in the windows, seeing Dean in the back corner playing guitar. He knocked on the window, catching his attention.
"Night, Cas," Sam said, continuing on to the book shop.
"Night," Castiel waved. Dean opened the door with a grin.
"Where you been?" Dean asked, taking a steaming cup from his full hands and a bag.
"I stopped and got dinner," Castiel said, kissing Dean chastely.
"So, what happened at Bobby's?"
Castiel followed Dean through the store and up the steps to the apartment above. "We dug up a demon he had in a similar Dybbuk box to see if I could sense it. I could."
"So," Dean said, flipping the light switch on and heading for the small table in his tiny kitchen, "what does that prove?"
"I sense no demon in the other box."
Dean looked at him with surprise. "Oh. So, what's in the box?"
"Good question," Castiel said, sitting and opening containers. "Something or someone is in there."
"Man," Dean sighed, sipping his coffee. "How badly must you piss somebody off to get shoved in a Dybbuk box? Jesus."
"Maybe we need to do a Hunter headcount, see if any friends are missing," Castiel suggested. He opened his container, finding fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and green beans inside with a roll. "This looks delicious."
"Ellen must have decided I need real food again instead of burgers. She does that from time to time."
Castiel smiled. "She loves you, ya know. You and Sam."
Dean's fork stopped half way to his mouth. "Yeah. I guess."
"No," Castiel grinned harder, seeing the somewhat shy expression on Dean's face, "she really does. She lectured Gabriel and I the other night on why it was in our best interest to treat 'you boys' right. That she and Bobby love you like you were their own."
"She said that?" Dean asked quietly.
"She most certainly did."
"Huh," Dean smiled down at his plate. "She said that kinda stuff to me when Sam and I dragged our damn near dead asses into town last year after hiding for so long."
Castiel took any opportunity he found to remind Dean that people around him loved him. They both had self-worth issues. It seemed contagious that the better Dean felt, the better he felt. Of course, after the other night on the floor in front of the fireplace, when Dean had owned him, body and soul, he had felt put back together like a new man. Or better stated, the man he had been suffocating his whole life. He felt free in a way he could not put to words. He wanted to give Dean the same freedom. But Dean's ties and baggage were different than his. Castiel hated a part of himself for so long. Dean had shown him just how even that part of him was still him. And if Dean could love his wings (which he made clear daily that he did) then Castiel could learn to accept them as a part of him.
"Anyway," Dean was saying, "we don't do head counts. We aren't organized like that."
Castiel nodded. "Can you think of anyone missing? Do Keepers keep track at all?"
"Nope. You just come and go."
"How do you know if a Hunter goes missing?"
Dean shrugged. "Chain reaction kinda thing. You call somebody and they don't come back. We go track them down."
Castiel had a hard time wrapping his mind around the disorganization of it all.
"I know it sounds bad," Dean said, biting into his chicken, "but that's freedom. Freedom is messy."
"I see," Castiel nodded.
"But now that you mention it, I can call and check on a few people I thought might turn up this weekend and didn't. And I'll ask all the Keepers to do the same."
They finished their dinner and headed to bed. It had been another long day.
Dean woke, feeling warm and crowded in the best possible way. He grinned, tipping his head up to kiss the top of Castiel's head, which was nestled on his chest. He ran his hand up the smooth skin of Cas' back, feeling him stretch and groan under his hand. Never in his life could Dean remember feeling so good. He used to sit up nights drinking. Avoiding sleep. Starting his days cold and on the hunt. Now, there was a contentment coiled through his body that made him look forward to bedtime, waking in the morning, and every minute in between. Cas rolled his head onto Dean's shoulder, stretching and rolling over to his other side, grumbling. He was beyond cozy in the mornings. He was not a morning person, digging down into the covers or snuggling up to Dean. Both made it extremely hard to get up in the mornings. Cas' head was still on his arm and Dean curled around him, wrapping his naked body closer to his own.
Deep, gritty mumbling came from his partner. It was unintelligible and made Dean grin. Dean pulled back, looking at Cas' inky black wings in the pale morning light. Cas mumbled again and shoved his head deeper into the mattress. A slow smile spread across Dean's lips, watching his back flex and relax. His hand was again running the length of his back.
More mumbling and curling into a tighter ball from Cas.
Dean flexed his fingers, his nails scraping gently down the smooth skin. "Morning, Sunshine," Dean chuckled.
A whiney moan muffled from the covers Cas' face was shoved into.
"I didn't get that," Dean laughed.
Cas' arm shifted, pushing the covers so the fell over their propped pile back over his back.
Dean frowned. "Mm, no, no, no," he groaned, pushing the covers back up so he could see Cas' entire backside.
Cas' head surfaced like a gofer popping up for air. "Said I'm cold."
"Aw, who's grumpy?" Dean grinned, pulling Cas gently toward him.
More mumbling and eyes squeezed shut.
"But you're so warm and cuddly!" Dean grinned.
"Dean!" Cas half shouted, eyes still shut. "Why are you awake already?"
"Shhh!" Dean curled up tight to Cas again, "You are still sleeping." Dean kissed the back of his neck and around until he was climbing over top of him, kissing up his jaw and landing on his smiling mouth.
"I hate you," Cas smirked.
"I love you," Dean nuzzled his nose and mouth over Cas' ear, feeling Cas turn to lie flat on his back under him. Dean couldn't believe that this was the kind of shit that just fell out of his mouth on the daily now. His life had been so full of being the cold soldier. Stoic. Stowing his shit. But here, with Cas, he could just let those walls crumble to forgotten dust.
"I'm cold," Cas whispered.
Dean pulled the blankets up to cover the pair of them. "You just go back to sleep."
Castiel still had not opened his eyes, but his smile was sly and his arms were wrapping around Dean's back. "I can't sleep. Someone is pestering me."
"That's so mean," Dean sympathized, rolling his hips down and getting a groan in return.
"Ya know what I do love?" Cas asked.
"Not me, apparently," Dean laughed, biting gently down Cas' chest.
Cas' hands crawled through Dean's hair. "I love that I haven't opened my eyes yet and I still know exactly what I'm looking at." His hands ran down Dean's shoulders.
Dean grinned at the words and the hot shaft filling beneath him, pressing into his own, rock hard erection.
Dean crawled back up, kissing Castiel, his tongue barely seeking entrance before Cas opened to him. Their tongues slid, pushing and both moaned.
Dean pulled back, watching Cas open his eyes. A thin ring of brilliant blue surrounded wide pupils. His grin deepened, as did Dean's. "Morning," Dean murmured.
"I was having this really good dream," Cas said, rolling his hips up into Dean's.
"Yeah?"
"Yes," Cas growled, his hips bucking up harder, hands grabbing Dean and his mouth crashing into Dean's.
Dean could not exactly put to words how unbelievably different Castiel was in bed from anything he had experienced before. While he had had many partners in the past, nothing compared to the give and take, surrender and command of what they had so far.
Cas took control, rolling Dean onto his back, straddling him. Cas abruptly leaned away to get a condom and lube from the nightstand. Dean gasped a breath, eyes open wide with ramped up excitement. "Musta been a REALLY good dream."
Cas was back, smirking down at him. "I hate how you are turning me into a morning person, Dean Winchester."
"What?" Dean laughed, squeezing Cas' hips hard and watching Cas' eyes close and mouth open in want. "And miss all this?"
Cas' eyes opened. The wide gaze made Dean's breath catch. He knew that look. It was a look of awe, directed at him. It made his chest swell inside to know someone could look at him like that.
There was no more bantering or teasing after that. Cas opened him quickly and slid inside. Nestled tight against him, he sighed, Dean taking a deep breath in return. Just to be there. To be that close. It was life changing. Every. Single. Time. Dean watched as Cas' sated eyes adjusted, looking down on him. Hunger grew and Dean grinned. Cas laced his fingers into Dean's pinning his hands just beside his head. As he began to move, Dean squeezed his hands back, pushing against each other in a rhythm that had both men heating quickly.
"Fuck," Dean moaned, feeling a surge of erotic electricity jolt through him every time Cas snapped in. His hard dick bounced and rubbed between their abdomens, teasing, but not enough to please him too quickly.
"Dean," Cas moaned, his mouth suddenly taking Dean's, his hips faltering in their rhythm.
"Come on, Cas," Dean panted, needing much more.
Cas' tongue lost its motor control as his hips gained momentum and rhythm again. Dean clung his hands onto Castiel's now, desperate and frenzied. The heat coiling low was making him lose all sense of reality. Cas let one hand go to brace himself on the mattress and Dean grabbed a rung of the antique rod headboard to anchor himself. The stability instantly began a one way spiral that Dean could only open up and surrender to.
Cas' moans were wrecked and Dean huffed and fucking moaned into a full on roar as he climaxed hard and long, rolling from surge to surge until he was gasping and spasming and had both arms full of Cas. Cas jerked again with a residual surge, both men moaning.
As their breathing normalized and his consciousness seeped back in, he realized they must have orgasmed together. The weight of Cas on his chest was warm and he just couldn't get enough. He kissed his temple and rolled them onto their sides.
"I love you," Cas said, still high, warm and sleepy.
Dean grinned, kissing him again. "Love you too."
After showers and dressing, they came into the kitchen quiet and satiated.
"I love mornings," Dean said with a wide grin while he poured two mugs of coffee.
"Yeah. Their pretty spectacular." Cas accepted his mug and sipped the hot liquid, feeling it spread and warm him inside. He was busy at the stove, but wore the sweetest grin Dean had ever seen on him.
He put bread in the toaster, seeing that Cas was making eggs. Together, they had breakfast plated in minutes. Cas pulled out a bowl of fruit salad and spoons.
He watched as he put the jar of strawberry preserves on the table. He thought he used it all yesterday. He quickly spread his toast and dug in, Cas doing the same.
"So, working with Bobby on the box again today?" Dean asked, watching Cas' suave movements as he ate. There was a grace to every movement Cas made. He found it intriguing.
"Yes. I believe Cesar and Jessy left early this morning for New York."
Dean felt slightly out of the loop with the Dybbuk box, but honestly, it was fine. Yesterday had been insanely busy and today was looking doable. "Oh yeah? What's in New York?"
Cas finished chewing, swallowed and took a drink of coffee. "Poughkeepsie."
"What?" Dean snapped, his head jerking up to look at Cas carefully.
Cas stopped the fork full of eggs before it reached his mouth, seeing the intense reaction. "You asked why they were going to New York."
"Yeah..." Dean said, his eyes narrowing to watch for any kind of sign of trouble.
"The package that the Dybbuk box came in, it originated from Poughkeepsie, New York," Cas explained.
"Poughkeepsie?" Dean asked suspiciously.
Cas sat back in his chair, his fork lying on his plate now. "Dean, what did I say to spook you? Does that town mean something to you?"
Dean tapped his lips with his empty fork. Poughkeepsie was a word that signaled distress. It was usually followed immediately with fighting and/or fleeing. But exactly two people knew that word was code for 'shit's not right here, get out'. It was a word he and Sam had agreed upon as they lay under a car in a parking lot one night. Their dad had them along on a hunt. Dean was eleven and Sam was only seven. The monster turned out to be a shapeshifter. It had lured Dean right into a trap that took both the boys two days to get out of. Sam had known something wasn't right. He had guessed that they were dealing with a shapeshifter after finding a pile of goo. He had no way to tell Dean without either blowing their cover as Hunters or getting them both immediately killed. They had barely escaped and ended up sleeping underneath a car all night to avoid the ceaseless searching of the shapeshifters. By morning, they were clear. They had been cold, shivering through the night, Sam wrapped tight in his arms for heat. Dean made a plan then and there. A code word that no one else would know. Because no one else mattered as much as the two brothers to each other. No one knew their code word. Not their dad. Not Bobby. Nobody. For the first time ever, he was tempted to explain it. To share it. But it was so engrained, that his mouth still froze, his jaw locked tight. But Cas knew him too well. He had given something up. He needed to talk to Sam. His eyes drifted back to his plate and he picked up his fork. "Yeah. Bad night there a long time ago. Freakin' shapeshifters."
Cas nodded, but a crease remained between his brow and Dean knew he would have to explain further. Later.
His phone rang, making him jump since he was on edge. He pulled it from his back pocket. Sam. He swiped the screen.
"Dean?"
"Hey, Sammy," Dean said, stuffing eggs into his mouth.
"I just talked to Bobby," Sam said hesitantly.
"Okay," Dean said, not taunting him.
"Um...he sent Jessy and Cesar off this morning."
"I just heard," Dean said, his eyes flicking to Cas, who was listening to Dean's end of the conversation.
"Do you know where they went?" Sam asked, obviously leading him.
"I do. Cas just told me."
Silence bounced between the two for a moment.
"Are you good?"
"I am," Dean said. "You?"
"Yeah! Yeah," Sam breathed out, obviously relieved.
"Yeah, I know exactly what you mean," Dean said cryptically, but Sam followed the brotherly logic.
"So, not a message for me to..."
"No," Dean grinned. "Does anyone else know?" Dean asked, knowing that had to sound suspicious to Cas.
"No! Never!" Sam swore. "And Gabe thinks I'm acting 9 kinds of shady. I'm out at the dumpster taking the trash out. Just kinda ran out the door with it."
Dean grinned, his shoulders relaxing even more.
"Should we tell Gabe and Cas that that is our code word? I mean...I feel kinda like a jerk not telling Gabe. But..."
"I know," Dean nodded. It was hard to back off a secret so tightly kept for so long. "Yeah, I think we should. And it bugs me. Makes me wonder if it means something."
"Yeah. Me too. Okay. So, just the four of us. No one else. Ever."
"Yeah," Dean said.
"You sure?" Sam asked.
"Yes."
"Alright. See you in a bit."
"Bye, Sam." Dean clicked the phone off, meeting a perturbed look on Cas' face. His blue eyes were a shade darker.
"What was all that?" Cas asked. His plate was empty and his hands rested, folded on the table.
Dean grinned, sliding the phone back in his pocket. "I'll explain everything," Dean reassured him. He ate his last bite of eggs and held his last piece of toast in his hand. "So, Sam and I have a code word. A secret word that only he and I know. If we work this word into conversation, it means get the hell out. Run. Fight. It means somethings wrong."
Cas nodded, his suspicious scowl easing into an impressed nod. "That's very wise."
"Yeah, well, we had a close call when we were little. I made the code word and we have used it several times. It has actually saved our lives."
Cas nodded thoughtfully. "And no one knows this word?"
"No one. Not even our dad. Not even Bobby."
"I assume the word is Poughkeepsie," Cas said quietly.
Dean nodded, feeling that familiar jerk reaction race through him.
"Now you know. And Sam is telling Gabe. The four of us know it. And no one else. No one," Dean said, leaning forward a bit, holding Cas' gaze.
"I understand," Cas grinned softly. Something shifted in his face and he stood up, coming to Dean's side. "Thank you for sharing such a sacred secret." He kissed Dean softly on the lips. It felt like they were sealing a deal. Cas stood, rubbing a thumb along Dean's jaw line, the pair locked in a gaze for a moment.
Dean nodded the tiniest bit. Cas grinned and turned, washing the few dishes.
Dean looked down at his toast, taking a bite and relishing the preserves as he always did. Cas plucked the plate and fork up, Dean watching him work. His eyes drifted back to his toast. He felt like a very secret circle inside his heart had just been stretched. It was a comfortable fit. His thoughts drifted to the beauty of the simple morning they had together. Simple, yet freaking perfect. He took another bite. As the strawberries spread over his tongue, a thought occurred to him. "I thought I was out of jelly," Dean said, trying to change the subject from the warm, fuzzy thoughts that were turning his brain to sap about Cas.
"You were. I noticed you like strawberry preserves, so I picked some up yesterday." Cas sat the plate in the drying rack, draining the sink and drying his hands.
Dean put the last bite into his mouth. "Thanks, Cas," he said quietly.
Cas turned to him again. He shrugged and grinned. He went into the living room area and sat on the couch to put his shoes on.
Dean's mind was buzzing. There was no reason to wait. There was nothing stopping him. He felt his heart rate pick up to accommodate all the emotion he was holding inside. Cas was perfect. Perfect for him. Dean could care less at the moment if they grew old right here in this small apartment or hit the road and became Hunters. All the holes he had were filled in with this one person. His person. He was sitting sideways in the kitchen chair, ready to stand, but frozen in realization. Cas dropped his foot, both shoes on now, and stuck his phone in his pocket. He was so normal. And yet, not at all. He was tarnished and scarred, like Dean. He melded so seamlessly into Dean's life that it was like seeing in full color for the first time. Cas glanced up, doing a double take, his eyes connecting with Dean's. Cas grinned in response to the look on his face and Dean swallowed hard. Castiel's brows knitted slightly. "Are you okay?" He asked, getting to his feet and crossing the room to stand in front of Dean. Dean looked up into his ocean blue eyes, biting his lip. Cas tilted his head to the side and a wash of adoration flooded Dean.
Cas squatted in front of him, Dean taking his hands instinctively. He wanted to second guess his rush of emotion, but the memory of the feelings that coarsed through him during the bonding gave him encouragement he otherwise would never have had.
"Cas," he said, clearing the emotion from his throat. He swallowed hard again and could feel his eyes stinging, threatening to cry.
"Dean," Cas said gently, his head tilting again and eyes full of concern.
"Cas, marry me. Now. Today."
Cas' mouth dropped open, his blue eyes widening. His cheeks flushed and Dean squeezed his hands tighter, trying to impress through touch just how serious he was.
"Is this about the jelly?" Cas stammered. "The code word?"
"No," Dean blushed, his eyes dropping to their tightly held hands. "Yes. Not really."
Cas dropped onto his knees, walking between Dean's knees to get closer to him. He let go of Dean's hands, wrapping his arms around Dean's waist. His eyes were still wide, but had softened, the shock shifting into a grin. "Dean, yes. Of course."
"For real?" Dean asked, grinning so hard his eyes were squinting hard. His hands slid around Cas' shoulders to run his fingers through the back of Cas' hair.
Cas laughed, his eyes searching Dean's face with some disbelief. "Yes! For real!"
Dean laughed, choking up slightly and kissing him deeply.
Cas pulled back. "It might not happen today," Cas grinned, "but yes. Every day. Forever."
Dean hugged him tight, holding him and just taking in every muscle, line, and angle. This was his.
They sat back, Cas sitting back on his feet, both watching the other with ridiculous grins plastered on their faces.
"This is so crazy!" Cas laughed. His eyes were bright with tears and he covered his mouth with one hand, then dropping it. "I mean...I just picked up a jar of strawberry preserves!" He laughed.
"It's just...you," Dean shook his head. "I don't want to wait. I already know that this is what I want. Every day."
A mix of emotions played across his face. "Are you sure? I'm just...me."
Dean smiled softly, pulling Cas back to him. "Absolutely. And I'm just me."
They kissed again, Dean letting himself be pulled from the chair to lay on top of Cas right there on the floor. They peppered each other with kisses and exchanged 'I love you's.
"We have to go," Cas laughed from under Dean's weight.
"I'm feeling disinclined to acquiesce your request."
Cas rumbled a laugh, still holding Dean tight. "Was that a movie reference? I don't get that reference." The pair laughed.
"Hey, you knew it was a reference, you're getting better!" Dean laughed.
"Well, too bad, Keeper. I have a box to get to and you have a shop to open."
"Details," Dean laughed, planting a playful kiss on Cas' mouth.
Dean and Cas came down their apartment steps to find Bobby, Charlie, Sam and Gabe talking in the alley. They joined the circle, blending in quickly to cover for their late arrival.
"But Ash says the routing I traced is sound," Charlie defended.
"Okay," Bobby raised his hands in defense. "I just thought double checking was a good idea. My bad."
Charlie crossed her arms over her small frame. "I stand behind my work."
"I'm sure you're absolutely correct," Bobby nodded.
"It's going to take them until tomorrow to get to New York," Sam shrugged. "I still have a ton of work to do in the shop."
"Me too," Dean chipped in.
"Fine, so Cas and Gabe can help me hit the books," Bobby nodded.
The group split up, shop keepers going to their shops and the other three heading down to Sam's reference room.
Bobby quickly set up three piles of books, a stack for each of them.
As they dug in, Bobby sat at his spot.
"Bobby, these are all about witches," Gabriel said, looking over the teetering stack of spines.
"Sharp as a tack, Gabriel," Bobby said, not looking up from his first book.
"What the hell?" Gabriel stammered.
"I don't know," Bobby sighed. "Find us a spell that will tell us what's in there."
Gabriel and Castiel exchanged a curious look. Castiel turned back to his own stack. It was an assortment of topics. He pulled the first book off the top and opened it.
At 1:00 in the afternoon, Dean decided the group was not coming up for air, so he would go down. He got Jo to watch the shop and headed over to Sam's.
Dean pulled open the heavy wood and glass front door. It always smelled of old paper in here and it was warm. The smell of fresh brewed coffee wafted through the air. "Hey, Sammy," Dean called.
"Hey, Dean," Sam called from several rows away.
"Thought I'd drag the bookworms out for lunch," he said as he weaved his way toward the back of the store.
"Sounds good," Sam said as Dean rounded the row he was in.
"You wanna go?" Dean asked.
"Yeah, sure." Sam put four new books into a neat stack in a spot he had just cleared.
"So, you and Gabe talked?" Dean asked quietly.
"We did," Sam grinned, shoving his hands in his pockets and leaning against the tall shelf. "Felt...really weird. But not. Ya know?"
Dean huffed a laugh. "Yeah. It is weird. And crazy. And really good," Dean ended softly.
Sam had a huge grin on his face and a far away look in his eyes.
"I asked Cas to marry me," Dean blurted, unable to keep it quiet any longer.
"What!" Sam said, getting to his full height and coming into focus all in one staggered move. "You did what?"
Dean laughed. "I did. This morning. I wasn't really planning it. It just sorta came out."
"Holy shit!" Sam grinned.
"Yeah!" Dean nodded shyly. "It's weird. And crazy. Right?"
"And really good, Dean!" Sam laughed, hugging Dean in his tight bear hug that engulfed him. There were no hugs quite like Sam's. Dean enjoyed the moment.
"Congratulations, man!" Sam said, taking a step back.
"You assume he said yes," Dean grinned.
"Huh! You're kidding, right? Just take one look at him. He's invested. Hook, like, and sinker."
Dean smiled, looking away. "It doesn't freak you out?"
"You getting married?" Sam asked. "Nah. It's gonna be good. I know it."
"Okay," Dean nodded. "How bout you two?"
"I don't know," Sam shrugged. "We want the whole thing. The whole white Pickett fence, house, dog."
"Wow," Dean rocked back on his heels.
"Yeah," Sam said, growing slightly nervous. "Gabe and I want to work out my Keeper deal with Bobby. Then I'm not sure what we'll do. We might leave. We might stay here. We just don't really know yet."
Dean could see how anxious it made Sam to talk about stepping out of the Keeper/Hunter life.
"Sam," Dean said firmly, putting his hand on Sam's shoulder and getting a full-on worried look, "you should take your time and do what you want. You have a right to step out of this life. Both of you."
It was the first time Dean had been of this opinion and he knew Sam would be surprised. "We have given more than enough, Sammy. Whatever it is you two decide to do, I got your back."
Sam lunged forward, hugging Dean again in a bone-popping crunch.
"Thanks, Dean," he heard muffled up against his head.
"Course, Sammy," Dean hugged back. The two stepped back again, both taking a deep breath and Sam heading out of the isle toward the back door.
"So, when do you think you will be getting hitched?" Sam asked.
"I have paperwork started. I was hoping today, but might have to wait until tomorrow."
Sam had stopped in his tracks, turning a shocked look on Dean. "Today?"
Dean shrugged. "Probably tomorrow."
"Holy shit! You want this like, now!"
"Like yesterday," Dean grinned confidently.
Sam's mouth opened and closed a few times, but nothing came out. "Dude," he finally managed, "that's really fast! You've only known him a few weeks!"
"Come on man," Dean laughed, enjoying how Sam got all concerned and worried and in general, girly. "Blessed by an angel?" He reminded him.
"I know!" Sam agreed hesitantly. "It's just..."
"It's gonna be fine, Sam," Dean grinned. "Everyone moves at their own pace. If it takes you and Gabe ten years to figure out what Cas and I did in a few days-"
"Oh my God," Sam rolled his eyes. "Don't be a dick."
Dean headed for the back door, Sam following.
"Maybe at our 25th Anniversary party you two can tie the knot."
"Shut up, Dean."
Dean laughed. "No, seriously man, we're just ready."
They finally reached the reference room with its heavy paper-mahogany smell.
"Hey nerds," Dean called, making all four heads pop up from stacks of books. The fact that Bobby snorted awake did not get missed by any of them.
"There is still life out there," Gabe said dramatically.
"I think its lunch time," Sam said.
"God, I love you," Gabriel hopped up and hugged Sam, kissing him. "My tyrant of a brother would not let me even have a snack!"
Castiel grinned, stretching.
"You guys figure anything out?" Dean asked.
Charlie stood up. "Found out loads of useless information."
"Im gonna have witch nightmares forever," Gabriel complained.
"I got nothin'," Bobby grumbled.
"Go eat," Dean encouraged. "Get some air."
Gabe and Sam were already heading up the steps. Bobby and Charlie soon joined them. Cas was on his feet, but seemed to understand Dean wanted a private moment.
Dean leaned against a table, pulling Cas into his arms and kissed him. "Sorry your research sucked."
Cas grinned. "It's daunting."
"I, on the other hand, handled all my research with efficiency." He kissed Cas again.
"What research?" Cas grinned, his fingers sneaking under the hem of his t-shirt, making Dean shiver.
"I have both our marriage applications printed and filled out. We have to take them to the Register of Deeds office and sign them in front of people."
Cas' eyes widened and his grin grew. He leaned back a little to listen with excitement.
"Ash has your South Dakota driver's license made and the JP is open until 7."
Cas stammered a few seconds. "You really did mean today!" His hands were cupping Dean's face.
"I did," Dean said low. "Tomorrow at the latest. Wanted to talk to you first. We do have a few things to talk about before we go signing dotted lines."
"What?" Cas asked excitedly.
"Do you want any family here?" Dean asked.
"Just Gabe," Cas answered quickly, his enthusiasm only building more.
"Okay," Dean grinned, kissing him. "What about our names?"
"Oh," Cas said with some wonder in his voice.
"We could keep our own last names or I could be a Novak or you could be a Winchester," Dean said.
"I want to have the same last name," Cas grinned softly. "I want to be Castiel Winchester."
"Yeah?" Dean smiled like a school boy. "You wanna have my name?"
"Yes."
They kissed a long moment.
Dean pulled back, rubbing a thumb along Cas' bottom lip. "Are we telling everybody?"
"Yes!" Cas grinned. "I already told Gabriel. He seemed a little surprised, but he's all for it."
"Alright. Sam knows too. He reacted the same way. I think their just jealous."
"What else do we need to do?" Cas asked excitedly, stepping back from Dean and pulling him by the hand toward the stairs.
"After lunch we can take our application over and sign it, get the license and see how quickly they move that along."
"Why didn't you just have Ash make us one?" Cas asked, holding the door to the alley open for Dean.
Dean put his arm around Cas' shoulders, feeling Cas' arm wrap around his waist as they walked through the alley toward the Roadhouse. "Some things deserve to be real, ya know? Your first driver's license, this. I know it kinda puts us in the system, but we can have Ash fix that later if we want. For once, I want it to be legit. Real."
Cas nodded, kissing him.
They joined their group at a large table, Ellen bringing them sodas. Dean snagged Ellen's hand, holding her from leaving the table. "Hang on, Ellen, I have an announcement to make."
She glanced at Bobby, who shrugged, just as confused. Everyone quieted down.
Dean stood up, looking around the table. This was his family. Bobby, Ellen, Sam, Gabe, Charlie, Ash, and Cas.
"Cas and I are getting married. Today. Or tomorrow."
Bobby's mouth popped open, eyes wide and Ellen stepped back, covering her instant smile, her eyes watering. A cheer erupted and the pair were enveloped in hugs.
"Why the rush?" Ellen grinned, no judgement in the question.
Dean shrugged.
"What would we be waiting for?" Cas asked, looking at Dean. "We want to be, so, why wait?"
Ellen hugged them both again and kissed them on top of their heads. "Well, let me know as soon as you know! We'll have a round on the house! And don't even THINK about sayin' any vows without me being there!" She threatened.
"We won't," Dean laughed. "We'll spread the word. Any of you can come."
Lunch was loud and boisterous. The frustration of the box was forgotten for an hour while they all talked.
Cas and Dean went to the Register of Deeds office after lunch and signed their application. To Dean's surprise, it was all processed there on the spot. They walked out with a license and had an appointment for 6:30 with the Justice of the Peace.
They took another hour to go shopping, Dean with Jo and Cas with Gabe. Ellen and Bobby busied themselves throwing together an after party and Keeper's Cross closed down early to the Clouds. The record shop, electronics shop, book shop, and thrift shop all had lights out with closed signs on their doors, professing a water main break.
At 6:15, the JP's waiting room was full of Keepers. Jody even joined the crowd. Dean had on a nice black suit with a green tie. Castiel wore black as well, with a blue tie. When Judge Hendrickson opened his door, his brow furrowed, seeing the small room so full. "Winchester, Novak?"
Dean stood, taking Cas by the hand. "That's us. And our witnesses."
Hendrickson smirked and said to follow him. The small crowd moved through the narrow hall into the Judge's chamber. It was a nice room with office space, a large table, and in the corner, a semi-chapel area. He pulled his judge's robe on and cleared his throat, reading through several questions they both agreed to.
"Do you have rings?" Hendrickson asked, pausing.
"We do," Bobby said, bringing two rings forward, standing with the two men. "These rings were worn by two very special people. Back when things were just getting started around here," he eyed both men meaningfully, Dean knowing he meant the original Keepers, "they wore rings as a sign of family and brotherhood. These were worn by two great settlers who fought hard to bring peace to this new country. You two deserve the right to wear them again. You are bringing together two families that were apart too long."
He placed a ring in each palm, Dean looking at the silver circle. It had a wide band with two arrows crossing. It was a Keeper's cross and it warmed Dean inside to have such a link to his heritage.
Hendrickson proceeded, the men exchanging simple vows and sliding their matching rings onto one another's fingers.
"By the state of South Dakota, I pronounce you legally wed. You may kiss as a sign of this union," Hendrickson proclaimed with a grin. He did not know these people all that well, but the love and joy in the air was contagious.
"I love you," Dean said, cupping Cas' face in his hands.
"I love you," Cas grinned. They kissed and everyone cheered.
"I give you Mr and Mr. Winchester," Hendrickson boomed, the crowd cheering louder.
"Now quit crowding up my office," Hendrickson laughed, slapping each man on the back. They filed out, jumping into cars and heading for the Roadhouse. The door said "Closed for family event" and everyone who did not witness the ceremony was there to greet them with food and drinks.
"I can't believe I'm going to bed tonight as a married man," Cas laughed, tossing back another shot.
Charlie laughed and hugged him for the tenth time that night. "It's so romantic! So whirlwind romance!"
Dean slung an arm over his shoulder and kissed his temple. Bobby joined the group. "I'm proud of you boys," he said, a gleam in his eye.
"Thanks Bobby," Dean said, hugging him tight. "And thanks for the rings. They are really cool."
Bobby nodded. "I've had 'em a long time. Came with all the other shit I inherited. Keepers wore them to be able to spot each other. Kinda went out of style years ago and they didn't want the risk of an Angel knowing who they were if caught wearing one. Their silver and have several blessings on them for protection. The arrows symbolize the Hunters, the cross making them Keepers."
"I love it, Bobby," Cas grinned, turning his and admiring it.
"Good. And I'm real proud to have you in the family, Castiel. Real proud."
Cas' eyes lifted to Bobby's with his mouth open slightly. "Thank you, Bobby."
"Yer family, kid," Bobby shrugged.
Cas launched a hug onto Bobby that made the older man stagger back a step and Dean laughed.
Cas kissed Bobby on the cheek and Bobby swatted him away, laughing.
It was a good evening. Dean could not have planned a better reception or wedding had he tried. It was fast and messy, like damn near everything else in his life and it fit him.
Cas was laughing at a story Sam and Ash were telling when his eyes drifted over to catch Dean's.
Dean's grin softened. While he loved his friends and family for throwing this party together, he was ready to go. He stood from the table he was now sitting at and put an arm around Cas' shoulders, his mouth dropping to his ear.
"I'm ready to go," he murmured.
Cas nodded, standing.
"Folks!" Dean yelled. "Thank you for everything! It's that time of night, and I'm taking my spouse home!"
The crowd cheered, clapped and hugged them out the door.
The cold night air was refreshing after several hours in the bar. They huddled together and walked back to the apartment quickly. Once the alley door was open, the pair let all their restraint go. Cas had Dean against the wall in a second flat, kicking the door shut. It took them twelve minutes to make it up the stairs, jackets and belts left in a trail.
"Keys," Cas panted.
"In the jacket," Dean laughed, pointing at his coat that was strewn down three steps.
Cas giggled, retrieving the jacket and digging for the keys. He grabbed a belt that was only another step down and shoved both into Dean's arms, unlocking the door and tossing the keys inside. He turned, eyes full of mischief and hunger.
"What?" Dean grinned.
Cas stepped aside quickly, grabbing Dean and lifting him off his feet.
"Cas! Don't be ridiculous!"
"I like being ridiculous!" He grinned wide, leaning over the mound of jacket in Dean's arms and kissing him as they stepped over the threshold, hitting Dean's feet off the door frame. The pair laughed and Cas dropped Dean to his feet. "Welcome home, Mr. Winchester."
Dean tossed the pile onto the floor and pinned Cas to the door as he kicked it shut. "Welcome home, Mr. Winchester," he repeated back to his husband, kissing him until Cas moaned.
Cas locked the door and pinned Dean to the floor in a starving frenzy. He had him stripped of clothing in minutes.
Dean managed to muscle his way over Cas, stripping him the same way, hurried and hungry. Only when the pair was fully stripped, did they move further into the apartment. They stopped on the couch briefly and had a hot moment outside the bedroom door before Dean scooped Cas off his feet and carried him into the bedroom