I got this up on time! Yay! Sorry, it's been a long week. Anyway, thank you guys so much for your reviews (Angelwings910 and rainwolf88), favs, and follows! Love you guys!
Castiel walked into his room and saw that Dean wasn't there. He wasn't sure if he was relieved or upset, but he knew that that meant Dean was somewhere else in the house, possibly talking to Gabriel, which could be bad. They needed to talk, and Castiel knew that, but he also knew they had time on the way home. He got dressed in his suit, and began tying his tie when there was a knock at his door.
"Come in!" Gabriel walked in and leaned against Castiel's door jam. He was wearing khaki pants and a short sleeved collared shirt. Castiel felt slightly over dressed, but he figured since he was closer to Bess, he should be more dressed up.
"So, I'm really sorry that I cockblocked…"
"Will you stop saying that?"
"You're still a prude, huh?" Gabriel grinned cheekily. "Seriously, Dean is downstairs and he seems a little upset, so if I made you guys upset, I'm sorry."
"Don't worry about it. Is the bathroom free?" Gabriel stared at Castiel, not answering. "What?" Castiel snapped.
"Nothing, I just…you two suddenly seem so weird. I just feel like it's my fault, and I'm sorry." Castiel closed his eyes, sighed, and then looked at his brother.
"Gabriel, don't feel bad. Seriously, Dean and I will get past this. Can you go tell Dean I'll be right down and then we can talk?" Gabriel still eyed his brother, but nodded and then left the room. Castiel was going to fix his tie in the bathroom, but he supposed he should talk to Dean. He grabbed his jacket before walking down stairs. He heard his mother talking about who was all going to be at the wedding and who would be together at the reception. He really didn't care. He had thought he would care about Hannah and if she was bringing someone, but now he didn't. He'd decided that he wanted to be with Dean. They would make it work. Couples fought, and he had said some stupid things, but they had time to talk things out on the way home. They just had to make it there. They had to make it through tonight and then tomorrow morning and then they could lay everything out.
"Cas," Castiel jumped at Dean's voice, not realizing that he had reached the bottom of the stairs. He took Dean in. He didn't have a tie on, but he had a white button up shirt and black pants. His sleeves were rolled up. "Your tie is backwards." Dean's voice was gentle. Like he was the one that had said something hurtful. Castiel looked down and noticed the tags from his tie blue sticking out. He sighed.
"You would think with as often as I wear ties…" Castiel began to untie it (and noticed Dean lick his lips).
"Let me help." Dean reached out and slowly tied Castiel's tie. Castiel looked around to make sure none of his family was in earshot. He knew that he would never hear the end of this if one of them heard him apologizing.
"Dean, I…I just wanted to apologize for what I said. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings and…"
"No chick-flick moments." Dean's eyes were fixed on the tie. He finished and smoothed it down, and then met Castiel's eyes. "But thank you." Dean flashed a smile that Castiel couldn't help but return. Dean grabbed Castiel's tie and pulled him into a kiss. Castiel kissed him back before there was somebody clearing their throat. Castiel pulled away and saw his father with his arms folded, but a sly smile on his face.
"Sorry to intrude, but it's almost time to leave."
"Thanks, Chuck." Castiel could've sworn he saw a blush come to Dean's face, but that couldn't be. Dean should have been used to being caught like that. Hazard of the job, right? Castiel felt guilty for that thought. The two really needed to talk.
Chuck smiled and then walked back into the kitchen with the rest of the family.
"Ready?" Dean whispered.
"As I'll ever be." Castiel replied as Dean slid his hand into Castiel's and led them into the kitchen. Becky looked at the two of them and smiled.
"Don't you two look handsome together."
"Thank you, Becky." Dean smiled back. "So, you were telling us about who couldn't make it to the wedding?"
"Honey," Chuck interrupted after Becky opened her mouth to reply. "I think we need to get going. Boys, are you ready? Who's driving?"
"I think I'll drive tonight." Gabriel replied. He had his rental, but he hadn't driven since he had been home.
"Okay, Dean? Castiel?" Castiel felt Dean squeeze his hand. He enjoyed that feeling. Dean giving him a small comforting gesture. Castiel hoped this is what Dean had meant.
"I think we'll drive ourselves, too. We'll meet everybody at the church, if that's okay."
"Of course! Whoever gets there first needs to save seats for everybody else, alright?" Becky eyed Dean and Castiel, as though they would be so late that she and Chuck would have to save their seats until the ceremony started.
"Why don't we all just follow each other? That way we know that we'll make it at the same time." Chuck suggested.
"Yeah, that's a good idea. Let's get going." Becky grabbed her purse off the countertop and led all of them outside and into their respective cars. Once again, Dean and Castiel were alone in the car.
"So, I know you said no chick-flick moments, whatever that means. But, I truly am sorry for what I said. I never should have said anything like that, and I…"
"Okay, chick-flick moments means something like this. Where you apologize for hurting my feelings. You don't need to. I know things got a little…tense, but we're passed it. We need to get though tonight and then tomorrow and then we'll get to go home." Dean gave Castiel a smile. "We'll have a good time tonight and tomorrow morning and then we can annoy each other all the way back to Chicago." Castiel chuckled to himself.
"I think I can deal with that."
"Great. Let's get going." Dean started the Impala and backed out of the driveway. He waited for Becky and Chuck to pull in front of them, and then followed them. Gabriel followed them, making faces at the two of them the whole way to the church.
Once there, they all parked, and walked into the church together. Becky was not wrong. The church was already packed with people, and it was difficult to find room in the pew that they all could fit in. They found one near the middle of the church and took their seats. The room filled so that there were no more seats and at exactly six o'clock, the music began. Garth walked down with a woman that Castiel was sure was his mother, followed by a man that looked incredibly like Garth. They gave him hugs and then sat down. Garth walked back to the vestibule and then walked Joy down the aisle. She gave him a kiss on the cheek and then Garth stood up next to the preacher. He looked nervous.
"I'll bet you two drinks tonight that Garth cries. He's always been a crier." Dean whispered in Castiel's ear. Castiel bit his lip to keep from laughing.
"You know it's an open bar, right?" Dean shrugged and the two laughed quietly. Castiel felt an elbow in his ribs. He looked to his mother who glared and then put her fingers to his lips. Castiel nodded and then turned back to Dean. Dean smiled and Castiel smiled back. The music changed, and the groomsmen and the bridesmaids were walking down the aisle. Castiel watched a man come down with another girl, and then, he saw Hannah. She looked beautiful. Her dark curls were pinned up and her dress was a deep blue, strapless gown that reached the floor. Castiel felt Dean grab his hand and give it a squeeze before intertwining their fingers. He was happy that Dean was there with him. He supposed that he could make it through the weekend on his own, but it was so much nicer to have somebody there with him. The feeling of Dean's hand in his made him feel like he was actually holding on to something.
The music changed once more and the congregation stood up and saw Bess and Jim at the end of the aisle. They smiled at each other and it looked like Bess had already been crying. Dean had nudged Castiel and, when Castiel looked at him, nodded towards Garth. Castiel glanced over and Garth already had tears flowing down his cheeks.
"Two whiskeys, neat." Dean whispered before giving Castiel a kiss on his temple. Bess and Jim walked down the aisle together. Jim handed Bess to Garth, and shook Garth's hand. Then he walked and sat down next to Joy. Garth and Bess stared at each other throughout the ceremony. Castiel couldn't help but feel happy for her. She looked beautiful in her dress, and was practically glowing from happiness. Dean rubbed circles on Castiel's hand throughout the ceremony. It was actually something that Castiel wasn't sure Dean knew he was doing. Before too long, the pastor was pronouncing them man and wife and they shared a kiss. Everybody clapped and the ran down the aisle, together. The groomsmen and the bridesmaids followed them.
"Well, that was nice, wasn't it?" Becky wiped her eyes. Chuck wrapped an arm around her waist.
"You're actually a big softie, aren't you?"
"Oh stop." Becky swatted at Chuck's hand good naturedly. "We should get to the barn. It should be a lot of fun."
The group left again. They arrived at the barn at nearly the same time. Gabriel walked over and threw an arm around Castiel.
"Cassie, let's get drunk and you can watch me hit on your old classmates." Castiel rolled his eyes, but allowed his brother to lead him into the bar. He could hear Dean laughing quietly to himself. They all found a table for themselves and they all talked.
"Cas, I think I'll take the whiskey now." Dean smiled.
"You owe him a whiskey?"
"Yeah, he bet me two drinks that Garth would cry." The table laughed and Castiel and Gabriel stood up to go get drinks at the bar.
"Castiel," Gabriel began as they waited in line.
"Whoa, this must be serious." Castiel joked.
"It is. You know, I've given you a lot of crap this weekend, but you seem…lighter. That's a weird way to say it. You always seemed down about Hannah, but you've been smiling all weekend. You and Dean seem like you're in love." Castiel looked over at the table and saw Dean smiling and laughing with his parents. He wouldn't say love. He knew that he was feeling something for Dean, but it was far too early to be in love, but yeah, there was something.
"Well, I don't know in love, but I do like him. A lot."
"Well good. I'm happy for you, bro." Gabriel thumped Castiel on the back and then they ordered their drinks and waited for them.
"Oh, shit. I think Michael is headed to the table." Castiel spun around and watched his eldest brother walk to the table that the rest of the family was seated at.
"Great." Castiel mumbled under his breath. He knew where this was going to go. Gabriel and Castiel got their drinks and walked back to the table.
"Hello, brothers." Michael smiled up at them. He was sitting right next to Dean. Dean looked irritated.
"Michael." Gabriel and Castiel replied as they handed out drinks.
"We were just discussing your relationship, Castiel." Michael leered.
"What about it?" Castiel growled.
"Different things about it. You met in a coffee shop, right? And what else? You two aren't living together?"
"No, we've been dating for three months. Most people don't move in with each other after three months."
"Well, if you say so. I just think it's so odd that now all of a sudden you're gay and…"
"Michael," Chuck spoke up. "Stop it right now. Your brother is happy. You need to leave him alone." Castiel looked up at his father, shocked at the hard tone in his voice. Michael looked at his father. His mouth was in a hard line, but he nodded.
"Yes, sir. I think I see some friends. I'll see you all later." Michael stood up and left.
"Thank you, Dad." Castiel was still in shock that his father had just said that to Michael.
"Of course, son." The two shared a smile.
The wedding party arrived and the party truly began. They ate, drank, and when the DJ started, Gabriel dragged Castiel out to the dancefloor. Two songs later, a slow song began and Castiel began to walk off, but he was cut off. Hannah was standing in front of him. She smiled.
"Hello, Castiel."
"Hello, Hannah."
"Recognize this song?" Castiel listened for a moment before he really heard it.
"I do. We danced to this at prom our senior year." Hannah offered her hand.
"For old times' sake?" Castiel was hesitant. He glanced over and saw that Dean was laughing with Gabriel. Castiel took her hand and the two began to dance.
Dean was nursing his third whiskey. He had quickly drunk the first two, but wasn't trying to get drunk tonight. He wanted to enjoy his night with Castiel and maybe they could have an even better night than the one before.
"They look so good, don't they?" A voice over at the other table said, loud enough that Dean knew it was meant for him. He looked over and saw Michael talking with Becky.
"They do." Becky was slightly drunk. Gabriel and Chuck had gone to the bathroom. Dean wasn't meaning to listen, but he couldn't help it.
"I don't understand why they broke up."
"Oh, she's so perfect for him. I know that he says he's happy with that man, but I just…look at them dance." Becky's voice was dreamy, like she was watching a couple in a movie. Dean couldn't help himself. He looked at the dancefloor and saw Hannah and Castiel spinning around. They were talking and smiling and laughing. They looked like they were still in love. They probably were. What the hell had Dean been thinking? He was so stupid. He'd been used to make Hannah jealous, and it had worked. Dean drained the rest of his whiskey and made a decision. He began to walk out, but ran into Gabriel.
"Hey Dean, you okay, buddy?"
"Yeah, just a headache hit me hard. Can you give Castiel a ride home?" Gabriel looked taken aback for a moment, but nodded.
"Yeah, of course. We'll see you later, huh?" Dean nodded.
"Thanks Gabriel, I really had fun this weekend." Dean smiled. He meant it. Gabriel smiled and nodded. They exchanged good-byes and Dean left the barn. He gave one last look, knowing he'd likely never see any of those people again.
