Things weren't exactly comfortable throughout the rest of the day, but with Anna sitting there curled up into Castiel's side, Dean couldn't help but think of how much worse it could be. Would he rather it be him? Sure, of course, however he knew the reason he was keeping his distance and it really was what's best for them both. After a few hours of being achingly distant, yet not far enough away, his phone rang.
"Yeah, Bobby. What'cha got?" he asked, not meaning to be so gruff but he really needed any answers his uncle had. Dean fidgeted nervously in his seat, trying not to focus on the floor too much but unable to bring his head up to look Cas in the eye, just in case it wasn't good news.
"'Well hello to you too, sweet stuff," Bobby's playful tone didn't ease the gnawing feeling in his stomach even a little. Chewing his lip, he drew out a heavy sigh.
"Sorry, Bobby. You know… just kinda hoping you'd figured things out."
"Yeah, yeah. Well s'far as I can tell the only thing that's really gonna fix you is the big hooplah. I'm sorry to be the one to tell you that if you're plannin' on headin' back to Palo Alto anytime soon, you're gonna be needin' a chaperone. As it is, I think I can load up the Kansas crew and have them meet you there. Your momma and daddy should be there if nothing else, and Sam too of course." Dean's heart was pounding in his ears, he figured as much. He was pretty sure the only thing that came easy to him was fallin' in love with Cas and taking care of Sammy.
"Well yeah, uh, Cas' parents are gonna need to be there too. I'm not sure the ten hour drive is a good idea, maybe everyone could just come to us. I guess the introductions have to happen at some point anyway, right?" Dean laughed, a little. His nerves were showing, he could feel it. The laugh that came out was far from normal, it was strained and even he could hear the tension in his voice.
"Sounds good kid, I'll gather up your folks and we'll see you boys this weekend?" Bobby asked. Dean was never more grateful that his uncle was the type to take things in an easy stride.
"Yeah, I, uh, well I probably need to talk it over with Cas but that sounds good. I'll give you a call back later if anything changes."
Dean finished his call with a few more words and a quick goodbye. He finally turned his head up to glance into Cas' eyes and was shocked to see how bright they looked. As if there was a light behind his irises, Dean briefly wondered if his own were doing the same.
"Uh, Cas? You okay, sweetheart?"
The next thing he knew he had a lapful of gorgeous boyfriend peppering kisses all over his face. Normally, Dean wouldn't be the one to complain about the very good thing that was happening, but he was scared to death of doing something and unintentionally hurting Cas.
"You really want to have the ceremony here?" Cas stopped pecking his face long enough to ask the question. Dean saw the hope and excitement reflected in his features and realized he'd basically just soul-proposed or something over the phone and not even while looking at his soulmate.
Even if Castiel seemed okay with that, Dean wasn't. Cas deserved the best, the most romantic thing Dean could think of, so he smiled his brightest, nodded his head, and bided his time until he could do something better. He knew the options were limited, considering he was in a strange city, with no privacy whatsoever, so surprises would be hard to pull off. Thankfully, he figured he could easily have a partner in crime if he could get Anna alone, and Rebecca would be willing to chaperone again.
"As happy as it makes me to have you here, you're gonna need to put some space between my lap and your very, very attractive body," Dean whispered in Cas' ear. Once the weight had shifted off of him, he tried not to let it's absence cause too much of an ache. Sitting up further, he readjusted himself hoping Anna didn't notice too much. He gave it a while before mentioning anything, trying to be as sneaky as possible.
Rebecca came into the room, seemingly to relieve Anna of her soulmate watch duties, but it didn't look like she wasn't in much of a rush to leave. Dean was pretty sure that Cas' sister was his favorite sibling without even trying.
"I, uh, talked to my uncle, and he didn't have anything new to say. Just that we needed the ceremony to repair what happened. I didn't think it was a good idea to confine me and Cas to eight square feet of space inside my baby. So, uh... if you don't mind, I thought maybe we could have it here this weekend. I'll pay for whatever we need, I've got quite a bit stored up in savings -" He knew he was rambling but hadn't realized how much until Rebecca cut him off.
"Dean, honey calm down. It's fine, I promise. Just take a breath." She smiled at him, and waited to for him to inhale deeply and blow out his nervous energy, or as much of it as he could before she finished. "I've actually been planning for this. I mean, I didn't know when or if it would happen for sure, but I was prepared none the less. You two will certainly be the ones making all the decisions, but I have ideas and suggestions that could be helpful." She smiled, and despite his anxiety, Dean found it calming.
"You have a binder, don't you?" Castiel asked with a smile, his eyes nearly sparkling from his seat at the other end of the couch. Dean tried to hide his own amusement, but failed miserably.
"Oh yes, she's been shoving it at me for years. I think she thought I'd be the one who did the freaky match thing instead of you," Anna teased, Rachel looking slightly peeved at the comment, leveled her daughter with a harsh glare.
"It's not freaky, Dean is the reason I know how to love, know what it looks like, and if it weren't for him, I'd still be living a dulled existence with little or no feeling at all," Castiel said, the words flew out of his mouth and it hung open even after they were finished, clearly just as shocked as Dean was.
Hoping to shortcut the awkwardness, but not wanting to dismiss Cas' feelings on the matter he smiled shyly and cleared his throat. "I love you too, sweetheart. Now, I remember something about a binder…?"
Rebecca reassured him with every detail she rattled off about what he should expect and what they'd need. Dean was surprised to find that it didn't actually sound much like a wedding, well none that he'd ever been to anyway.
"Wherever you decide to have it, you'll need to be sitting down comfortably, because once the words are spoken and the binding is complete it will probably reenact the same things that happened during the original shift. You've said you blacked out, so we'll need to be cautious about that happening again. I wouldn't want for you to be standing up one minute and falling over the next," she said with a small laugh. Dean found the more he knew about what to expect, the easier it was for him to accept what was happening.
"Okay, okay so what do you need from me?" he asked, picking up a pencil and a notepad from the coffee table where Rebecca had laid out all her things. Making a mental note that he'd hold onto it a little longer than necessary to write a letter and make a list of things to give Anna and Rebecca. If he wanted to make the rest of their week spectacularly special, he'd need all the help he could get.
Castiel was incredibly excited at the idea of the ceremony for multiple reasons. The way his mother explained it, well, it was clear that it wasn't an actual wedding or anything, but he couldn't help but get carried away by that idea. He knew it was far too early in their relationship to really consider marriage and family concepts and things of that nature, but he felt a tingling in his chest that sent out pulsating shocks of energy, and, the more intangible, hope.
By testing the limits of their bond he learned that if he decided to get up and leave, that he could manage to get a little further than Dean could. Probably because he was in complete control over his body. However, the more he opened his mouth the more he managed to embarrass himself. He'd originally intended to just comment on the venue's his mother had suggested. They weren't churches, or anywhere that would draw a crowd, mostly small garden areas or parks, which were really beautiful.
When he'd tried to say, "I think that the bridge at Lakeside Gardens is a really good place." What came out was "I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you," which was also true, but not what he'd planned. He knew he didn't hide the blush very well when he felt the heat flood his cheeks. Dean, gorgeous, amazing, wonderful Dean just smiled back at him as if he knew, and that just made everything even more perfect.
"So, Lakeside?" Dean asked with a smirk on his face.
The red tint showing on his skin might have gone a shade darker. Castiel nodded to emphasize that was what he'd meant without opening his mouth again, almost afraid of what would come out. He grabbed a pen and a small pad of paper and began writing.
The bridge there looks lovely.
His mother smiled at him and shook her head fondly. "You were always a smart young man, Castiel. I see not much has changed since you left home." She lifted a hand to rub his cheek with her thumb, looking at him as if it would be the last time she saw him. He couldn't help but drop his head only a little embarrassed by his mother's affection.
"Okay so Lakeside it is, Do you think we can book it so late? It's really nice. They probably have tons of ceremonies there, or smaller weddings even." Dean looked at Rebecca, practically chewing a crack into his lip. Castiel wasn't prepared to see what that much hope in his soulmate's eyes.
"Yes, they are usually booked but I know the owner. If nothing else I know he'll let us have it after closing hours and we can do it then. It's even more beautiful lit up at night, with the lanterns reflected in the lake. It's breath-taking. I didn't want to influence your decision, so I didn't mention it, but this was where Nathaniel and I got married. It wasn't a binding ritual, just a standard ol' small wedding, but it was beautiful and I knew it was the perfect start for us. I'll admit that it makes me more than a little happy that you've thought the same for yourselves." A small smile splayed on her lips. Castiel saw a small tear rolling down her cheek and reached out to swipe it away.
"Sorry, I know it's silly, but a mother only gets so many of these moments in her children's lives and I'm just feeling a little overwhelmed." She smiled a little wider and wiped at her own eyes, "Gah, sorry, sorry, I'm done now. I promise." She sniffed just a little and turned the page in her binder.
"Well you don't have to worry about some things that you'd have for a wedding like invitations, tuxedos, or rings. But some things are similar, I'd like to get a few small flower arrangements to tie onto the railing. You'll both need to have someone at your side, similar to a best man or bridesmaid. Anyone you care about would work, but typically it's a familial relationship. Oh, and I don't want to worry you, but you boys will have to venture out into the world. Both Anna, and I will come along to the ribbon store, but we can't pick them out for you," Dean looked as if he was about to question but Rebecca just continued, "I'll explain it more before we leave, but right now Nathaniel needs his medicine, and you two need to have a talk, well talk and write about what you want. I'll send Michael in to keep an eye on you. Annael needs to get some actual school work done instead of fawning all over her brother, no matter how adorable all of you are right now." Rebecca pointedly stared at his sister during the last statement. She'd been cooing and awing over everything. Castiel wasn't going to lie, her presence was much more comforting than he figured Michael's would be, but he let go of her and sent her on her way.
"Thank you, so much...for uh... for everything."
Castiel looked at his boyfriend with a newfound fondness. He loved seeing new facets of Dean. He knew that he was always polite, sweet, kind, giving, and so many more things, but seeing the sincerity in his gaze as he spoke to his mother made his heart beat just a little faster for a minute.
"You're so welcome, Dean. I can see that you've already been good for him. You're going to be so great someday, I just know it. There's nothing I wouldn't do to make sure that you two spend the rest of your lives happy, healthy, and together." She laid a hand on his shoulder and gave it a pat before she left the room.
Anna regretfully left once his brother came in the room, the warm comfort of her at his side disappeared, and he longed to be closer to Dean immediately.
"So, let's plan our soul wedding, huh?" Dean smiled, and Castiel shook his head laughing at his boyfriend. He scribbled down on the paper, sticking his tongue slightly out through the crease of his lips.
If our shoes got married would it be a ...sole wedding?
When Dean barked out in raucous laughter, he knew it was worth being corny. That sound, the sound of happiness floating through his ears, was what he'd missed most during their separation. His boyfriend bowled over, his shoulders shaking harshly as the gasps of joy slipped from his mouth. Causing that reaction might have been his best accomplishment to date, and he'd been the top of his class at Stanford University. Somehow it just didn't seem to measure up.
"I'm gonna go call Sammy and reaffirm the plans with Uncle Bobby, Mom, and Dad. I'll be right back, sweetheart." Dean leaned in and left a small kiss on his forehead but it wasn't nearly enough and he wanted to say so but clamped his mouth shut harshly. Once again feeling unsure about what would actually spill out.
Dean pressed the screen where his thumb hovered over Sammy's number. He hoped he was far enough away to maintain a small amount of secrecy. Some of what he wanted to say didn't need to be kept from Cas, but he would like there to be a few small surprises. It wouldn't work if his boyfriend heard every word he said. Thankfully, his brother picked up after the second ring.
"Hello," Sam answered, which meant he hadn't actually taken the time to check his phone to see who was calling.
"Hey, Sammy. You busy?" Dean asked, nervously picking at the hem of his shirt. He paced a little at the corner of the room, just inside his ten feet margin.
"I got about twenty minutes until Econ, but I'm good. What's up, man? Is Cas okay?" he asked, his voice full of concern. Dean couldn't help the proud grin that grew on his face as he thought about how accepting his brother had been of what would have normally been a bit of a weird situation. He'd been expecting to move a halfway decent guy into their off-campus bachelor pad only to find out he was his brother's soulmate and he'd be the inevitable third wheel for the duration of his college years, or until he moved out at least.
"Cas is fine. We just... we're having some minor issues with our bond. Basically, we have to have a binding ceremony this weekend. I was hoping you could grab a one way plane ticket and hitch a ride back with us. Mom and Dad are gonna fly out with Uncle Bobby, so that's already covered. Cas' family are already here so it's just you guys." He took in a deep gasp of air, realizing that he'd almost stopped breathing entirely.
"I could probably just ride up with Ellen and Jo, you know they'll want to shut the Roadhouse down and come too." Dean officially knew that he didn't have his wits about him when he realized that he'd left them out in the first place. It had also taken him far too long to realize he could just text Sam and tell him what he needed.
Shaking his head in disbelief of his own stupidity, Dean walked closer toward the couch. Once he figured out the fact that he didn't need to keep quiet he couldn't stop himself from moving toward Cas. The itch under his skin only settled a little, but it was better nonetheless.
"Oh God, don't tell Ellen I forgot her, she'll never forgive me. To be honest, this has been quite a bit of information to process in the last couple days so she should probably cut me some slack. She wouldn't, but she should, so you can keep that little fact to yourself." He wiped his hand over his forehead, unconsciously rubbing his temple.
Sam laughed on the other end of the phone and Dean couldn't help but think his brother was a bit of a dick sometimes. "I'll be sure to let her know," he teased. Refusing to rise to the bait, he continued on to a different topic.
"You guys will definitely drive up then. Ellen likes planes about as much as I do, so I know you won't be flying. I need you to bring some stuff from the apartment. Like my suit, and a couple other things I didn't think I'd need… I'll text you a list in a bit. Hold on a minute Cas is trying to talk to me, well… sort of," he laughed. His boyfriend rolled his eyes and wore an unimpressed glare, but he continued to write on the paper before handing it across the full length of the couch to Dean.
Do you think they would possibly have room for one more?
"Yeah, man. Who you want them to bring up?" Dean said, giving him more time to write out what he wanted.
"Is that, Cas? How come I don't hear him?" Sam asked, Dean let a small laugh slip out.
"He has to write things down, when he tries to say something it usually comes out a little differently than he planned." Dean might have teased Cas, but he was absolutely going to keep from telling Sam that the words usually involved rainbows and glitter sprinkled all over them. Okay, well maybe he'd just text it. Dean snickered at himself, and Castiel wasn't looking impressed.
Charlie
"Who's Charlie, and why do you want him at our sort of wedding, thing?" Dean asked, okay not so smooth but he was genuinely curious. The look he got from Cas was shocking. He stared Dean down almost angrily, despite the lack of heat behind it. Huffing and rolling his eyes, Castiel passed the message over.
SHE is my friend, and I'd like her to be there. Plus, she's wanted to meet you since the beginning, and I've been keeping you to myself for far too long.
"Ellen's awesome, and I'm sure if your friend, if uh.. Charlie wants to go that they won't mind bringing her up with them. Right, Sammy? Dean asked, gesturing a thumbs up to Cas.
"Yeah sure, man. No problem. Just have her text me or something and I'll let her know when we're leaving and she can meet us at the Roadhouse.
I can do that. Thank Sam for me, please.
"Sammy, Cas says thanks, and I say make sure all your professors know you'll be missing Friday classes. I'm gonna need you here as early as you can get here Friday morning. I need to check and see if my suit still fits and if it doesn't I'll need time to find something else."
Dean wasn't really worried about his clothes, he knew that he'd been the same size since he'd grown into his skin as a teenager. But having to have Sam there early wasn't a lie, he needed time to finish what he wanted to do, and he was pushing a deadline as it was. It was hard to plan a super secret romantic event in less than two days, which was almost exactly the amount of time he had to do it.
He eventually hung up with Sam, and then called his parents. Mary screamed excitedly in his ear, and apologized for not telling Bobby for him. Dean said he didn't blame her, and then she spent the next thirty minutes gushing over how proud she was, and how excited she was to meet Castiel. By the time he'd finished with them, Bobby, and then Ellen, well...his phone was burning and his ear was sore.
But he had a huge smile on his face. Dean Winchester was pretty damn sure he'd never been so happy in all his life. Even if it wasn't a technical wedding ceremony, he'd be binding himself to Castiel in just three short days. He couldn't think of a damn thing that could be any better than that.