Notes: Please check out my new fic Find My Bluebird (Ramble On) that I'm writing inbetween postings of this. It's a season 13 coda about Dean getting Cas back from the Empty and how I want season 13 to play out based on canon storytelling elements that have been either spoiled or revealed through plot or subtext (or my own personal wishful thinking in some cases.) I have no clue what's in store for us this October, but I know it's gonna be good. Lots of angst.

Chapter 37

November turned out to be a crazy month. Not only was it Olive-vercery on the 18th, and Cas just had to rush out and buy a six foot tall cat tree, but it was also the first Winchester Thanksgiving, and Dean wanted to do it right, turkey and all.

He invited Jody and Donna over for the weekend, hoping that he could get some help in the kitchen. Sam and Charlie didn't cook, and he was tasked with feeding almost a dozen hungry people. He sent text invites out to the same people who were at the wedding, hoping that the twelve of them could function as some sort of extended family for holidays and such. To his surprise, everyone said yes. Even Mary.

He made sure to do all of his shopping a week ahead of time, knowing that shit'd be sold out the week of. Sam wanted fresh green beans for the casserole, but he wasn't cooking dammit! Canned was good enough. He hoped the little shit was good with Insta-Mash too because he sure as hell wasn't peeling potatoes.

Jody, Donna, and Alex arrived Wednesday night with - not one but three - pumpkin pies. All store bought, of course, but Dean wasn't complaining. He knew the sheriffs were busy ladies.

Kevin and Linda showed up early Thursday morning just as Dean and the girls were getting set up in the kitchen. Linda tried to help but with Donna, Jody, and now Eileen (who had been staying with them for about a week) it was becoming a 'too many cooks in the kitchen' situation as it was.

By two o'clock they had a table full of food and family. Dean couldn't have been happier.

That was, until he noticed Cas sitting somberly next to him, nursing a drink. "Do you wanna try anything, babe?" Dean asked as his husband sipped his beer.

"You know I won't be able to really taste anything," the angel said softly. "Not as humans do… Maybe by this time next year…"

"Hey, for you? I'm peeling potatoes," Dean told him with a smile. "Hell, nothing'll be canned or frozen or premade. Your first Thanksgiving is gonna be from scratch, you hear me?" he said, gripping his angel's hand on the table.

Cas offered him a small smile in return.

The following Wednesday, Mary was out on a hunt in West Virginia and was utterly kicking Dean's ass at words with friends. He had half a mind to have Cas play her and pretend to be him, but his husband insisted that it would be considered cheating. Only sometimes did Dean regret marrying an angel, and this was one of those times.

"Come on, baby, she's kicking my ass! Just play for me for one round!" he begged the dark haired man sitting next to him.

"I told you, Dean, I'm not-" the angel started but was abruptly cut off by his cell phone going off in his trench pocket. He pulled it out and eyed the screen curiously. "It's Crowley."

"Well, then answer it. It's probably a lead on Lucifer."

"Crowley… I see… Yes, I'll inform them," he said before hanging up.

"So…?" Dean asked, propping his elbows on the table and looking at him with a quirked eyebrow.

"He thinks that the musician Vince Vincente is still being possessed by Lucifer, but he doesn't know for certain," the angel answered with a sigh.

"Fine, then we trail the douchebag and see if we spot anything Satany."

Of course, tracking the Keith Richards wannabe meant traveling twenty-two hours to L.A. This, Dean wasn't so thrilled about. Especially not since Sammy insisted they listen to fucking Ladyheart as 'research.' Fuck my life, Dean thought as he passed through the desert states with nothing more than glam-rock to listen to.

Once they arrived at the music studio Crowley'd asked them to meet at, Dean tried to get Cas to ditch the trench coat before going inside, but the angel refused.

"Come on, Cas, don't you think it's a little stiff for this town? Lose the coat and loosen your tie a bit," he instructed, reaching for the angel's lapels.

"I happen to like my clothes, Dean," Cas said, pushing his husband's hands away.

"Cas, it makes your look like some third-tier private eye or some shit."

Cas gawked at him. "Well at least I don't dress like a lumberjack!"

At this, Dean smirked. "You married me, remember? Maybe you've got some sort of lumberjack fantasy kink going on," he said with a wink.

"Gross, guys…" Sam whined before stepping out of the Impala and heading inside.

After discussing the situation with the King of Hell, the Winchesters followed him to the hotel Vince was staying at. The slimy bastard had somehow managed to snag the guy's keycard and Dean was fairly certain acquiring it involved getting in someone's pants. Quite frankly, he didn't want to know.

The room was hit by a fucking sex tornado.

"It looks like there was some kind of fight," commented Cas, looking around at the mess of pizza boxes, booze, and clothes.

"Yeah, the sexy kind," Dean said, picking up a frilly tong from the loveseat and throwing it at his husband.

Cas caught the lacy fabric and dropped it with disgust upon realizing what it was. "That was highly unsanitary, Dean," he scolded.

"Oh, lighten up!" Dean said as he approached the angel, grabbing him by his coat to draw him in so he could whisper in his ear. "Did I ever tell you about Rhonda Hurley?"

"Enough with the PDA, guys," Sam grumbled and Dean refocused his attention on the case, all thoughts of pink satiny panties pushed aside for the moment.

Their little trip to Cali wasn't a total failure, at least they saved the crowd of people attending Vince's show, even if they weren't able to save the rockstar himself. Dean was reflecting on this in his bedroom when Cas walked in and sat beside him on the bed.

"The other day…" the angel started and looked away as if embarrassed. "Who… who is Rhonda Hurley?"

"If I tell you, you gotta promise you won't laugh," Dean said, giving him a serious side-eye.

"I'm assuming it has something to do with a… former flame?"

"Kinda," Dean admitted. "But that's not why I brought her up."

"Then why…?"

"I was nineteen and, um… We were fooling around…"

"Dean…"

"And she, um, made me put on her panties," the hunter admitted.

Cas raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Oh?"

"And I liked it, ok?" he said with a shrug.

"You liked it?"

"Hey, don't judge," Dean scoffed.

"I'm not… I just didn't expect…" the angel said.

"Yeah, well, I was thinking… maybe… you know?" he stammered.

It took Cas a couple minutes to catch on but once he did a sly smile crossed his lips. "You want to try it again?" he asked and a hungry look darkened his eyes.

A thrill went through Dean's body but he casually shrugged, trying not to betray just how much he wanted to be a little kinky with his angel.

Unfortunately, preparations for Mary's birthday party put the panties on hold. They didn't get back from California until the wee hours of Saturday morning, and that left the boys with a little less than two days to plan their mother's birthday.

"So how old is Mom exactly?" Dean asked that afternoon when he, Cas, and Sam were out shopping.

"Um… well, if she'd been alive she would be turning 62, but physically she's still the same age she was when she died so… more like 29."

"So is she 62 or 29?" Dean insisted.

"From my understanding of human preoccupation with age, I think your mother would prefer we treat this as her 29th birthday," Cas stated simply.

"Huh," Dean chuckled. "Kinda weird, right?"

"Dean, you do know I'm millions of years older than you and that you've 'adopted' a young woman who, if you had fathered her biologically, you would have been only eighteen by the time she was born? Barely old enough to be considered an adult and, judging your past, very incapable of taking care of a child at the time," Cas said to him.

"Ok? Point?" Dean asked, trying not to be offended by his husband's matter-of-fact tone.

"I'm just saying, I don't see why age matters. She is still your mother. And weirder things have happened."

The bunker was once again Mary's home-base so by the time Monday rolled around, she was awoken by Sam and Claire with breakfast in bed.

"You really didn't have to do this," she protested when she saw her son and granddaughter barrell into her room with a tray of eggs, bacon, toast, and a steaming mug of coffee.

"Yeah, well, I never got the chance before so…" Sam said with a shrug. "I missed out on all this mom stuff."

"I cooked so don't let him take all the credit!" Dean said, leaning against the door frame.

"They're both liars. It was my idea," said Claire from her perch at the edge of Mary's bed. "I missed out on a lot of the mom stuff too, you know."

Mary was quiet a moment. "Forgive me if this is none of my business but you never did tell me how you came to Dean and Cas… They adopted you, right?"

"Um, It's… it's kinda a long story…" the young hunter admitted.

Before she had time to explain, Olive bounded into the room and jumped in Mary's lap. Cas followed shortly behind and upon seeing his kitten so close to the food, began apologizing immediately, "She got away from me while playing a hunting game. I didn't mean to interrupt."

"Not at all. She's not bothering anything," the Winchester mother said with a wave of her hand.

Cas nodded. "I… I, um, heard what you asked Claire. And if it's alright with her and Dean, I feel as if you deserve the full story. However, I'll relay it as it is my burden to bear," he said with his eyes downcast, unwilling to look at his husband or adopted daughter.

"Cas… Don't be like that…" Dean sighed before coming the rest of the way into the room and placing a hand on his husband's shoulder. "It's in the past… right?" he asked, turning to Claire.

"I forgave you a long time ago…" Claire said softly. "You've been just as much a father to me as my real dad ever was… both of you have."

Mary grabbed her hand. "Claire, I was twenty-eight years old with a husband and two little boys. I woke up one day and it was thirty years in the future. Both my babies had grown up and suddenly there was this strong beautiful young woman who entered my life and started calling me g-ma," she said with a laugh and Claire gave her a small smile. "I never expected to be a grandmother before I was thirty but I'm so glad I am… You remind me of myself when I was your age… Darling, I don't care how you became a part of this family, I'm just happy to have you… I take it you lost your mother and father somehow, and I'm so sorry to hear it… But know this sweetheart, you are loved. I understand if you want to leave the past in the past, I really do, but I'm hear to listen if you ever need me."

Claire nodded and took a deep breath. "My parents were James and Amelia Novak. My dad, Jimmy, worked for AM Radio or something. I was too little to really understand… He was a man of faith and I guess he believed the version of God and Angels he learned in church. I think he also had the right bloodline or something because he was chosen as a vessel… Cas's vessel… He didn't know that Heaven isn't like how they said in Sunday school. He just wanted a purpose maybe… So he said yes… And believe me, having an angel take over your body like that is not a good time. It fucking sucks," she said a little harsher than she meant to.

"I… I-I didn't know…"

The young woman shrugged. "There's no way you could have known," she said. "Back then… well, let's just say that Cas was just as much a bag of dicks as any other angel… Then I guess he got himself blown up during the apocalypse or something and my dad died, but Cas was brought back by God or something and Dad went to Heaven. And then my mom left and got captured by some more of Heaven's finest dickwads and died too. But not before Cas and Dean tried to save her… I mean really tried. This was like six years after my dad died and Cas felt bad so he wanted to help me find her. I think Dean must've made him more human over the years because he just wanted to make amends for what he did, you know? And at first I hated his stupid angel guts, but then I saw how different he was and I dunno… I guess I gave him a second chance… I lived with Jody for a while but in the end I just wanted to hunt with Dean and Cas. I wanted to hurt all the monsters out there so that no other kids had to grow up like me… And they just kinda grew on me. And living with them started to feel like home. Like I had a family for the first time since I was a little girl. And now I love 'em… I feel like I should hate him for what he did to me but I just don't… Not anymore… When I look at him I just see my dad. Not, like, my dad Jimmy, but my dad Cas… I know that doesn't make any sense..."

Mary nodded sympathetically. "When I look at my sons, even though they're bigger than me, I still see my little boys. And even though they're both older than I am, I still feel like their mom. It's like my maternal instincts recognize my babies and all I want to do is love them… It was hard at first. I was angry and confused but I never stopped loving them… I think I understand you perfectly, Claire," Mary said before pulling the younger woman into a tight hug. "We're all really lucky to have each other… Charlie too, wherever that girl is."

"Ice-cream cake," was all Dean said before texting her to inquire where the fuck she was with the delicious frozen dessert.

A couple of days later, after making a quick(ish) pit-stop to the nearest Victoria Secret, Dean put on his new pair of lady's XL silky pink bikini briefs. He must've grown a bit since he was nineteen because he knew Rhonda's medium wouldn't fit anymore. And the XL gave his boys extra breathing room, which was a plus, considering he planned on wearing them under his jeans and giving Cas a bit of a surprise. The angel didn't even blink when Dean said he was going out Christmas shopping and just stayed behind in the library while Dean went out. He didn't suspect a thing.

After returning from his trip to the mall, he found Cas alone in the library, staring blankly at his laptop. Dean took the opportunity bend over and 'innocently' mess with Cas's charging cable. He wore his loosest jeans so that, hopefully, a sliver of the pink fabric would show when he displayed his ass to Cas in - admittingly - a very non-subtle way.

Cas must've noticed because he swallowed and asked, "Dean... what are you wearing?" in an almost-whisper.

"Early Christmas present," the hunter said with a waggle of his brow.

"I... uh, I didn't think you were serious when you said..."

Dean pushed his chair back and straddled him, running his finger down his chest seductively while Cas watched him with wide eyes. "What, angel, is this too kinky for you? Silk ties are fine but you draw the line at lady's underwear?"

Cas gulped. "I... Dean... Um..." he stammered, bringing his hands down to rest on Dean's hips. "I imagined but I never thought..." He could have swore the angel blushed.

Dean chuckled and ran both hand's down his husband's biceps. "Did you fantasize about the silk rubbing against your bare body?" He nibbled at his ear, rolling his hips slightly. "Did you imagine all the naughty ways I could get you off?"

A primal noise escaped the angel's throat. "Bedroom. Now!" he growled before standing up and pushing Dean off of him like he weighed nothing. He pulled Dean back in by his belt loops and slipped his hands down the back of his jeans, moaning slightly when he cupped Dean's ass. "If nobody were home I'd ravage you right here on this table," he whispered into his neck, giving the hunter goosebumps.

"We can add that to the bucket list," Dean said as Cas kissed him on his pulse point. The angel tugged at the flesh with his teeth in a way that bordered between pain and pleasure. Dean couldn't get enough. "I swear to fuck Cas, I'm gonna come in my pants if we don't get to a bed soon."

Cas nodded and began leading Dean to their room by the hand, stopping every couple of feet to pin him against the wall and kiss him silly. It was a fucking miracle they didn't run into anyone before they closed their door behind them.

As soon as the latch clicked, Dean was pressed against the wood and Cas ran his hands up his shirt, digging his fingers into the flesh of his back before tugging it over his head. He looked Dean over greedily before starting on his own buttons, which turned into a two person job as both men scrambled to unhook each round plastic disc. The need to feel skin on skin took hold and Dean pressed into Cas once again, guiding him to the bed as he kissed him with passion. When the backs the angel's knees bumped into the memory foam, he sat and pulled Dean towards him by the hips before slowly undoing the button and sliding down the zipper.

"Always the tease," Dean said with a sly smile before letting his pants drop to his ankles.

Now that there was just the single layer of thin fabric between them, Dean suddenly felt self-conscious. The cut of the briefs didn't leave much to the imagination and he was worried that Cas wouldn't find the semi cross-dressing sexy. But when his husband's eyes drifted to his hardened bulge, his tongue darted out to wet his lower lip before worrying it between his teeth.

Dean guided uncharacteristically nervous hands to his hips and Cas let out a small wanton noise as his fingers grazed the silky fabric. His hands glided to Dean's ass and he pulled the hunter into him until lovers collided on the bed in a heap.

"Dean..." Cas moaned as he kissed down his neck and sucked at his collar bone, leaving a possessive bruise behind.

"Pants... off... now..." Dean groaned in between small gasps of pleasure and Cas made quick work of his belt and zipper before Dean slipped his slacks down his muscled thighs and threw them off the bed. "Those too..." the hunter said as he ground his pelvis into Cas's sharp hips, tugging at the waistband of his boxers. He helped his angel slip them off and Cas's erection bobbed to his stomach, already leaking and heavy with lust.

As promised, Dean thrust his silk covered member against Castiel's and the angel's eyes rolled to the back of his head as he released a sharp hiss of want and desire. "Dean... if you keep doing that... I'm gonna..." he warned and the hunter let out a soft chuckle. He loved seeing his husband come undone.

Cas reached behind him and slipped his hands down his back, cupping his ass and guiding Dean's pelvis towards his own. He let off a small shudder as the smooth fabric made another pass over his heavy cock and Dean buried his head in his neck. "How do you want me?" the hunter breathed into his ear.

A needy "Want... Dean..." was all his husband managed to say.

Dean kissed him on the lips chastely and rolled off him, laying beside him on his stomach. "I want you to fuck me into the mattress," he said, his voice more desperate than he intended. "Cas, I need you..."

Castiel kissed down his spine before pulling his panties down over his ass and giving the taut flesh a soft slap. As slick fingers pushed into Dean's entrance and he quickly groaned for more. A moment later, he felt his husband's thickness press inside him and he welcomed the familiar tight burn that quickly melted to pleasure as Cas angled each pass into the bundle of nerves of his prostate, making Dean spit out nonsensical curses as his angel thrust into him.

He reached for his own cock, desperate for release, but Cas stopped his hand. "I want you to come untouched. Can you do that for me?" he grunted into his ear with hot breath. The request was so sensationally hot that Dean came right then and there, spilling into the bed sheets.

Seconds later, Cas bit into his shoulder blade before tensing and releasing his load into Dean, filling him with his seed, before collapsing on top of him. Panting, both men laid in a sweat-soaked heap for a couple of blissful minutes before Cas pulled out and rolled off of Dean. He pulled the hunter to his chest and rubbed his back soothingly before kissing him on the top of the head.

Dean heard him mumble "Best Christmas present ever..." before passing out with a smile on his lips.

End of chapter 37