All the prep had been done. Samandriel had worked some small miracles, making the wedding everything that Sam and Gabriel could possibly want or ask for. It wasn't garish, which Sam had insisted on, and it wasn't large. But it still meant that Sam woke up in the morning, actually feeling excited.
Dean had stayed in the house with him while Gabriel had gone to a nearby motel with Castiel, and his brother was the one responsible for making sure that Sam got dressed and made it to the venue in time. They had decided not to get married at city hall, or to try their luck at any churches, and Samandriel had surprised them with a huge discount at Forbes Island. Sam had googled images of the place, but he hadn't seen much past the lighthouse and restaurant, and Samandriel had Gabriel's annoying habit of wanting to make it a surprise.
Getting ready wasn't as horrible as Sam had thought it would be. He had a shower, made sure his hair looked okay and put on his suit, going down into the kitchen and finding his brother cooking waffles.
"Morning," Dean greeted him.
"Hey."
Dean slid a plate with waffles and fruit crowded on it towards Sam, and he tucked in straight away.
"Nervous about today?" Dean asked.
"Nope. Were you nervous when you were getting married to Cas?"
"A little. I mean, not about marrying Cas, never been more sure of anything the way I am about him. I was nervous about how Mom and Dad were going to take it." There was a pause, and Sam tried not to choke on his mouthful. "I'm sorry they're not going to be there today."
"It's okay. Dad probably would've disowned me by now and Mom would have that 'trying not to be disappointed' face going. They never did like Gabe."
"Nah, it was never about Gabe. It was about their precious baby Sammy."
Sam felt his cheeks burn, and focused on his waffles again.
"Want me to do the whole bit? I can do a great Dad," Dean offered, and made his voice gruffer. "Sammy, I don't like this Gabriel. I don't like you marrying him. I don't like that you've decided to have a husband rather than some girl. What was wrong with Jess? What the hell did he do to make you dump her?"
"Dean, stop," Sam complained through a mouthful of raspberries.
"Okay, I'll do Mom." He softened his voice, to something so simpering Sam never wanted to hear it ever again. "Sammy, if this is what you want, then I'm so happy for you sweetheart. As long as you're sure. You look so handsome in your tux. I'm so proud of you, baby."
"I will hurt you," Sam promised.
"Nah, you won't. Gabe will be like, what happened to your best man? And then you'll either have to lie on your wedding day or show him the blood on your hands."
"He'd cover for me. You don't know us well at all."
Dean laughed, and drank from his coffee mug.
"Dean?" Sam asked tentatively. "What about you? I mean, you've never really got along with Gabe, not the way I get on with Cas. Are you okay with this?"
Dean rolled his eyes, but smiled.
"Does it matter?"
"Kind of. You're all I really have left."
"Fine," Dean stuffed a piece of waffle in his mouth, buying himself some time. He swallowed, and looked at Sam's shoulder. "Gabe gets on my nerves sometimes. A lot. But I know Cas sees the best in him, and you see the best in him, so maybe he's not a totally insufferable dick. And he makes you happy, that makes up for most of it. And he stopped jerking you about, so he's not as bad as he used to be." He cut another huge piece off his waffle with his fork. "I guess what I'm saying is, I'm happy for you. But glad it's not me."
Sam knew that was the best he was going to get out of his brother. And it was nice to just spend time with Dean, the way they hadn't for so long. Not between Dean's time at college, and then Sam's college stint, and Dean's depression, and now the fact they lived on opposite sides of the country. Dean ate some more of his waffle, and Sam loaded his fork with banana and blueberries but he didn't eat it straight away.
"So um … Gabe and me, we wrote our own vows. You're not allowed to laugh at them."
Dean nodded, snorting with suppressed laughter already, but shoving more breakfast in his mouth before he could say something he could regret. Sam eyeballed him.
"It's our wedding day. It's the law that we have to be a little mushy."
"It's okay. I'll save it for my speech."
Dean winked and went to get his own suit on, leaving Sam in the kitchen with his half-eaten breakfast.
The morning flew by, and before Sam knew it, he was at the venue, looking around as Bobby waved Dean away from trying to help him out of the car.
Samandriel had picked the perfect place. It was gorgeous, out on the water, and completely covered in fairy lights. But it didn't seem tacky, or lame, just beautiful. Like there were stars everywhere. Sam took his spot at the front, and saw Gabriel coming in, their gazes locked as Gabriel took the spot beside him. They'd decided to do away with tradition, mainly because they couldn't agree on how they were going to handle walking up the aisle and which order to do it in and all the other endless questions Sam had fired at both Gabriel and Samandriel.
But it didn't matter, it was good to stand there beside Gabriel as their few guests settled in their seats, waiting for the ceremony to begin. It calmed Sam, just having him there, even if they weren't talking. Even if they were just standing there, holding hands and watching. The rest of the day was so busy, getting ready before, and all that came after, it was good to have the respite.
The justice of the peace who was performing the ceremony stepped up, going around Gabriel and looking at the crowd, before starting the proceedings in a loud, clear voice. And before he knew it, Sam was being asked to say the vows he had written. He tried to ignore the other people present, and just looked at Gabriel, who for once wasn't smirking. He took a deep breath in, and began.
"When we first met, you asked me what I wanted out of life. I told you what I had been wanting up until the moment I met you. But if you'd asked me an hour later, I would have said something different. I would have told you everything I'd already told you, but you would be on the list too, Gabe. And after I told you everything I wanted, you started helping me go out there and get it. You've always supported me, even if I didn't know you were, and you've been there when I really needed it. And not everything has been perfect, but that's okay. Because we're still here, and it's been seven years and I still love you as much as I ever did. And even if no one else gets us, it doesn't matter because I know we're going to be together a long time. You'll still help me get the things I want, and even if it doesn't work out, at least I still have you. And I never saw us getting married, I didn't see the point because I already had you, I was already that lucky. But you proposing, us being here right now, knowing that you're always going to be there? It's the best idea you've ever had. There's nothing I want more than this, than you. That's what I want out of life now, Gabe, all I'm going to want. Being with you is always top of my list."
Gabriel squeezed his hand, and he squeezed back.
"It's your turn to say nice things about me now," Sam reminded him. "Make it good."
A few of the guests chuckled, and Gabriel finally smirked.
"Okay, well … no pressure, right?" Gabriel winked. Sam smiled widely, and Gabriel started. "You already know everything I'm going to say. But then I knew everything you were going to say too. And I've told you this before but … you know I've always wanted to travel, to see the world. And I made it happen when I was fifteen. For sixteen years I didn't have a real home, a place I could come back to. I would visit my brother every few months, which was great and I love him, but it never felt like my home. No offence Cas," Gabriel turned his head, seeking out his brother to smile and then returned his attentions to Sam. "And then there was you. After we met, I couldn't stop thinking about you, wanting to get back to you. I've never felt like that before. I'm normally running away from stuff, not towards it. It took me a while to work out why, and then I realised that I think of you as my home. We could lose our house, or our jobs, or everything we're working towards, and it won't matter at all as long as you're there. You're my home, Sam. And I'm going to spend the rest of my life looking after my home."
Sam fought the urge to kiss Gabriel hard on the mouth, and Gabriel raised his eyebrow with his smirk.
"Good enough?"
"Good enough for me to say I do," Sam shrugged. Gabriel squeezed his fingers tightly, as the justice of the peace stepped forward again and made them recite after him, all the things that Sam had heard from weddings on TV. The for better for worse, in sickness and in health, all the seemingly obvious vows that he didn't have to hesitate to repeat while they slid rings onto each other's fingers. And then they were told to kiss each other, and Sam went for it, stooping down and kissing Gabriel firmly, both of them laughing into the kiss as their friends and brothers cheered and catcalled. It took a while for them to separate, but it was helped by everyone surging forward and surrounding them in a group hug.
They had posed for hundreds of pictures, and were finishing dinner when Samandriel stood up, knocking his glass with his fork to grab the attention of the room. Sam slipped his hand onto Gabriel's knee as everyone looked at their younger brother.
"Hey, hi everyone," Samandriel cleared his throat. "So, Sam and Gabriel don't know this, but Dean, Cas and I decided that we would all be making speeches. We also decided that we would be the best men, even if our duties just included getting them both here and making sure Scruff was included." Samandriel nodded at the basket in the corner of the room, where Scruff was gnawing on a bone left over from dinner. "So. I've only known Sam and Gabriel for about eighteen months now, even if Gabriel is my ancient big brother. And even though I'm still trying to work out a way to steal their dog when I go to college, I think they're kind of cool. I was helping them put today together - I want full credit guys." Everyone laughed, and Samandriel went slightly red before continuing.
"Anyway, I was helping put today together and we were talking about me deciding to come stay with them for a while, and I said something about Sam and Gabe that I think threw them a little. Or I didn't explain it enough. See we-we were talking about relationships, and how they were different to how we grew up, and I tried to say." Samandriel swallowed, and looked at Gabriel and Sam seriously. "I think you guys have a great relationship. And not just because it's your wedding day. Every time I'm around you, you're both laughing. Or you're making jokes that no one else has a hope of understanding, but it's like your own language. And the first time I met Sam, you were both talking about each other like you were so proud of even the littlest thing. And I guess what I'm trying to say is that, I hope I meet a girl I can be like that with. A girl who I can always laugh with and joke with even if it's nonsense to everyone else, and can be proud of me and make me proud to be with. Maybe it's just because I've lived with you for a while now that I can see it, but I don't think so. I think it's obvious to anyone who spends any time with you, how much you love each other. I have no doubts that you're going to be married forever."
Everyone clapped, and Samandriel ducked down into his seat as Dean stood up, looking at Sam with an innocent expression. Sam had some misgivings, but tried to swallow them down.
"So, for everyone who doesn't know me, I'm Sam's brother, Dean." He shuffled his feet, and looked down at the tablecloth. "I was tempted to make my speech about that time when Sam was five and I was seven and we were playing with the sprinklers in the yard and Sam thought it was a good idea to jump them naked. Or when he was a mathlete through all of middle school and tried to make himself seem cooler in seventh grade by playing soccer as well. But it doesn't feel right to make fun of my nerdy little brother. Not today anyway." Dean looked up and caught the expression on Sam's face, which he hoped was sending a big 'shut up now!' message right back. "Sammy, we were talking earlier about Mom and Dad. And I was thinking about them the whole way through the ceremony, and I think that they would have been so proud of you. Both of you. I know Mom was worried you'd get hurt by Gabe, and Dad didn't understand it at all, but if they'd heard your vows, I think it would have changed everything. I can't change that they're gone - you know I've struggled with that - but if it makes any difference? I'm proud of you. And I know Gabe makes you happy, that's what counts."
Sam stood up, leaving Gabriel behind as he walked over to his older brother and threw his arms around him. Dean hugged him back, clearly surprised.
"Thanks Dean."
"This is so chick flick." Dean muttered in his ear.
"Suck it up, soldier." Sam imitated their father.
Dean snorted with laughter, patting Sam's back a couple of times before letting him return to Gabriel. Castiel scraped his own chair back and stood up, looking wary. Sam didn't blame him. Although Bobby and their brothers knew him well, none of Sam's college housemates - with the exception of Andy, at the bachelor party - had ever known he knew the famous Jimmy Novak. Nor did anyone from his practice, or Gabriel's work, and the students from Dean's school who had been invited to keep Samandriel company were already giggling over his presence. There was a weird pressure on Castiel that Sam was grateful he never had to live with.
"I was thinking about my own wedding earlier," Castiel began, talking in that measured way he did when he wasn't comfortable with a television interview. "When I was watching you both say your own vows. About how different it was when Dean and I did it. But how I could see that it's still the same. The way you look at each other, I know Dean and I do that," he looked at the seat beside him, the skin around his eyes crinkling slightly as he beamed at his husband. It took a moment for him to look back at Sam and Gabriel, that warm smile still on his face. "I could tell when you first met that there was something there, I knew it was growing when you both tried to act so casual about each other. I don't know why it's taken you so long to get here, but I'm glad you arrived. I love seeing my brothers so happy together."
He cast a look around the room, as he realised how he had phrased that last bit.
"It's not that kind of family," he explained. "Sam's my brother-in-law. But he feels like my brother. Anyway," he cleared his throat and raised his glass up. "To Sam and Gabriel."
Everyone repeated him, and sipped their drinks, and Sam reached over to kiss his new husband.
"Give it until after our honeymoon," Gabriel whispered. "They'll rip us to pieces then."
"No doubt." Sam nodded, pressing forward for another kiss. Some music started playing, and Sam fought the urge to groan. He knew he would have to get onto the small dance floor and sway with Gabriel to the song that Samandriel had picked, but all he really wanted to do was make out with Gabriel.
"Come on," Gabriel grinned, dragging him onto the dance floor and snuggling close. Sam wound himself around Gabriel, and then heard the song, surprised that he knew what Samandriel had picked. He started singing along, and Gabriel joined in as well, like they were serenading each other alone in the middle of the crowd.
"This is kind of perfect," Sam whispered during a guitar solo.
"Well, thanks. I like to think I am." Gabriel quipped back.
"You're perfect for me."
Gabriel laughed, and pulled him closer for a kiss. Sam embraced the kiss happily, and tried not to count down the minutes until they could escape somewhere and celebrate in their own way.
The dancing had gone on for hours. Sam and Gabriel had taken turns sneaking alcohol to Samandriel and his friends when Castiel couldn't see, and Sam felt like he had danced for hours, with Gabriel and his old housemates and even some of the girls from the law firm he now had a steady job at. Madison had seemed happy for Sam, that he was still was Gabriel and 'happier than she'd ever seen him'. She'd even danced with Gabriel a few times, and Sam was relieved that they got on okay, after everything that had happened during Sam's time in the student house.
He had snuck away after a few hours, taking off his shoes which were starting to pinch, and removing his jacket as he stood on the balcony at the top of the lighthouse, looking down at the venue, at the flashing lights through the window of the dining room, at the lawn still strewn with fairy lights where they had officially gotten married. He took a deep breath of air, salty from the surrounding sea, feeling the wind lift his hair, as Gabriel joined him silently, resting his head against Sam's bicep and slipping an arm around his waist.
"Hey, are you okay?" Gabriel kissed his arm.
"Yeah. Just needed some air. And to escape those shoes for a minute."
"Okay. We're leaving for our honeymoon in about an hour."
"Cool. Where're we going?"
"I don't know. Cas said I can only look at the tickets at the airport. And I know, you hate surprises but get over it. Our brothers are paying."
"I just hope it's somewhere we can avoid other people for a week."
"Sounds good to me." Gabriel squeezed his waist slightly. "And when we get back, we'll help Samandriel pack his stuff in Baby. He said we're going to be unbearable after our honeymoon, and Dean and Cas said he can live with them at college. It's going to be just us forever."
"Until we get those kids you were after."
"Oh yeah, I meant to say … they checked it out, and my uterus is gone. Like I never had one in the first place."
"Guess it's adoption."
"Guess so. Think Scruff will cope with a baby?"
"Scruff will be fine, he loves Samandriel, right? But maybe we don't go for a baby. Maybe we go for someone potty trained?"
"You sure?"
"Yeah. Everyone wants a baby. I want a kid who needs a chance."
Gabriel reached up and kissed his cheek.
"Stop making me want to bang you before we get on honeymoon."
"If we're flying, that means we can join the mile high club, right?"
Gabriel burst out laughing, and started to walk away from the balcony.
"Come on, we still have some more of our wedding to enjoy before you try and coerce me into a foot-wide cubicle."
Sam grinned, and followed his husband down the winding stairs, back to the party. Just before they reached everyone else, Sam bent down to whisper in Gabriel's ear.
"I meant what I said, during the ceremony. Marriage was a great idea."
"I know."
"I love you, Gabe."
"I love you, Sam."
So that's the end, in all its fluffy glory! I am thinking of another story to possibly add to this and Coming Out, but I'm still working through the details right now. I'm hoping it'll be my DCBB effort next year. My DCBB effort this year is slated for October 10th so I will be posting that on AO3 and here. And in the mean time I've found a few fics I haven't yet posted in here so I'll be back very soon!
Thank you so much for reading, and bearing with me. I think this story is something like 100k long? Almost double Coming Out! I know I'm not the best fanfic writer out there, but I do try to write things that interest me, or fluffy/domestic kind of things. It means a lot that people read, and that they follow the story or favourite it. And even more when they comment, because it means I wrote something that resonates. So I want to say a big thank you to you all, but in particular Raheem, QueenWoofy, daseylover101, luciferthewolf, thespninthetardis and horsegirl2430 for the comments throughout the posting period.