A/N: Chapter title from "Lucky" by Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat
1 year later.
Castiel can't believe he is doing this, but a promise is a promise.
"We could still go streaking instead," Dean says, grinning at Cas inspite of the shiver running through him. Castiel raises a questioning brow at his mate.
"How about no?" Castiel says. He stares out at the frozen lake before them, watching the large chunks of ice drift across the water. "Why are we doing this again?"
"Because," Dean says, stripping off his thick down coat to reveal his bare chest, "it's a New Year's tradition." Castiel's eyes fall on Dean's body automatically, admiring the soft freckled skin quickly texturing with goosebumps. He notices his bite on Dean's neck, laying opposite to the previous one and smiles at the sight, comforted by the reminder that yes, he is actually mated to this amazing omega.
"Yeah, but don't people normally do these for charity or something?" Castiel asks, reluctantly stripping off his own coat and setting it on their blanket.
"Polar Plunges aren't exclusively charity events," Dean counters as he slips off his sweat pants and boots, revealing a pair of boxers covered in a mistletoe pattern.
"Not if you have a deathwish," Cas snorts. He checks over their set-up once more. The blankets and towels for once they're out of the water are ready. They have a thermal bag full of heat packs and hand warmers, as well as two full thermoses of cocoa (for Dean) and hot tea (for Castiel). Castiel slips of his own sweatpants and shoes to reveal plain swim trunks. Dean slips a "Happy New Year" crown on his head and hands one to Castiel, who just gives him a withering look before shaking his head no.
"Party pooper," Dean grouses. He swings his arms out, stretching them out wide. "Ready?"
"Not even close," Castiel deadpans. Without warning, Dean takes off across the sand toward the frozen lake, sending Castiel chasing after him.
"Holy shit!" Dean screams as his feet touch the water. He keeps going, yelping at every icy splash that hits his skin. Castiel hisses loudly, instantly losing feeling in his feet as he enters the water.
"Shit! Shit! Shit!" Dean cries out as he rushes hip deep into the water. He dives down, disappearing beneath the surface before coming back up, skin noticeably redder. "Out! Out! Out!" Dean runs past Cas in the opposite direction. Cas dives down, breathless by the shock of ice cold water. He comes up out of it, surprised that the air actually seems warmer than he'd expected.
Castiel runs as fast as his frozen legs will carry him toward their blanket where his mate is already toweling off and wrapping himself up.
Castiel wraps a thick towel around his body, drying the freezing water from his skin.
"Take off your suit, Cas," Dean instructs. "It'll only keep you colder."
"And get arrested for indecent exposure?" Castiel mutters through chattering teeth. "No thanks."
"Put your sweats on!" Dean throws him his pants and a hot pad. Castiel slips off the icy swimsuit and puts on his sweatpants. Dean hold his own blanket wide, inviting Castiel to join him. Castiel snuggles against his mate, the shiver fading away as they share their body heat.
"Better?" Dean asks once Cas' teeth stop chattering.
"Mmm-hmm," Castiel answers, snuggling deeper against his mate. He nuzzles against Dean's neck, breathing in his comforting scent deeply. There is another scent layered on top of his normal spicy-sweetness and Castiel chocks it up to the cold and the lake water.
"You want your tea now?" Dean asks. Cas nods and Dean leans over and grabs up the thermoses, unscrewing the small teacup off the top of Castiel's and handing it over. Castiel grabs the extra blankets, tossing them over his and Dean's legs. They sit cuddled in their nest of fabric, enjoying the sunrise over the lake.
"Happy New Year, Cas," Dean mumbles between sips of cocoa.
"Happy New Year, Dean," Cas answers, planting a soft kiss on Dean's cold cheek. He pours a second cup of tea and sighs heavily. "Does that have to be our tradition?"
"Yup," Dean replies with a smirk, "unless you can find someplace that does skydiving in December… In Illinois." Castiel snorts and shakes his head.
"You didn't happen to bring food, did you?" Cas asks.
"I think I have some of those ginger cookies you like," Dean answers after thinking for a moment. "They're in my gym bag." He points over Castiel to his left. Cas reaches over and finds the bag. He digs through it, looking for the cookies, when he stumbles upon an envelop with his name on it. He frowns, noticing that the envelope is open. He slips it from the bag and glances a peek inside.
Castiel feels his mouth go dry.
"What is this?" He asks, voice barely above a whisper. Dean glances over to what Castiel is holding, a minute amount of interest crossing his face.
"Oh yeah… that," he says absently. "I was going to surprise you with that later… uh. Surprise." Castiel looks at him dumbstruck and then back at the envelope, pulling out the filmy piece of paper inside.
"Are you serious?" He asks, face like stone. Dean grins at him curiously.
"Yeah," he shrugs. "You're happy, right?" Castiel stares at him wide-eyed before something inside of him snaps.
"You Idiot!" He shouts, throwing the blankets off of him and jumping to his feet. "You're pupped and you still insisted on going through with this fucking polar plunge nonsense?! What if you… damaged something? Hurt the pup, Dean?" Castiel gesticulates, waving the ultrasound photo in his hand wildly.
"Cas, Cas, calm down," Dean laughs, reaching up to grasp his his frantic hands, infuriating Castiel even more. "It's alright, ok? I checked with a doctor and everything. As long as the exposure is brief, the pup is fine." All of the anger instantly drains from Cas and he drops to the ground, scooping Dean up in a tight hug and pressing his nose into his neck.
That was what he smelled before: the pup.
"How far along?" Cas murmurs, voice muffled.
"Ten weeks. Yesterday," Dean answers.
"We're having a pup? For real?" Cas giggles in disbelief. Dean laughs and nods enthusiastically.
"Damn straight," he replies. "We're going to be parents." A choked happy sob bubbles up from within Castiel, and he can't control the joyful tears running down his frosty cheeks.
"Aww, my sappy alpha," Dean murmurs. Castiel pulls back, but he can see tears threatening to escape Dean's eyes as well.
"We need to stop crying or we're going to get frostbite on our faces," Cas mutters. Dean nods and gets to his feet, pulling up Cas with him.
"C'mon, let's get home," Dean says. "I think a hot breakfast, hot shower and hot sex are in order." Castiel can't control his grin. He cups Dean's faces in his hands and pulls him in for a passionate kiss.
"You'll make me the hash browns the way I like?" Cas asks hopefully as they pull back.
"Burnt to a crisp, with grilled onions, cheese and sausage gravy, on the side, drenched in sriracha." Dean answers on rote, "of course, I will." They pack up their blankets and bags, hauling everything across the icy sand and loading it into the back of the Impala.
"So how do we want to tell everyone else?" Cas asks, leaning back in the passenger seat. They drive through the city back to their apartment, hot air blasting through the vents. Dean shrugs and squeezes Cas' hand.
"Your call, Alpha," Dean says. "What are you thinking? Ordering a cake from Gabe? 'Congrats on a successful pupping.'" Castiel snorts and shakes his head.
"No, I was thinking at brunch on Sunday," Cas offers, "when the waiter asks you how you want your eggs, you could say 'fertilized.'" Dean laughs and slaps Cas' shoulder.
"You goof," he mutters happily.
"Your goof," Castiel corrects with a lovesick grin, resting his head on Dean's shoulder as they drive.
The End
