Hello my darlings. I would like to thank I'm just here (Guest) and Perdition Raiserfor the wonderful reviews. I would also like to thank those of you who have followed and favoured since my last update.
So here is the next chapter, I hope you like it.
Disclaimer: I don't own Supernatural.
The evenings in the Novak-Winchester house passed much as they had in the previous weeks. The only difference now was that when they sat to watch a movie or TV, Castiel curled himself into Dean's side and snuggled close to that man as he wrapped him in his arms. There was also a lot more kissing whenever Gabriel wasn't in the room. But the main dynamic and relationship between the three men hadn't altered. Mainly because two of the three were so used to the idea of Castiel and Dean being together it never crossed their minds to change the way they behaved. As for Castiel well, he was so caught up in the honeymoon period of his and Dean's blossoming relationship, caught up in the emerging feelings of love he had for the man, it never crossed his mind to think things should be different now that they were together.
But finally Saturday came and with it, the day Castiel and Dean were finally able to spend together as a couple for the first time.
"So Cas, what do ya wanna do?" Dean asked arriving on the doorstep at 10 in the morning, not even trying to hide the excitement he felt at spending the day with the man he loved.
"There's this place, a forest just outside town. I thought we could visit there, I've packed a picnic, a real one." Castiel responded holding up the bag of food he had with him. He tried not to, but he couldn't help taking careful note of Dean's face as he said the words, trying to see if the place he mentioned rang any bells with Dean, if it meant anything to him. If it was somewhere he had spent time with the other Cas. But all he saw on the other man's face was a genuine smile at the suggestion.
Dean knew the place Cas was talking about, he and Cas 1.0 had been there a few times over the years. But he didn't care. It was where Cas 2.0 wanted to go, and Dean was gonna make the best of the day that he could. He would enjoy seeing it all through Cas' eyes as well as his own. Just as he was their relationship.
"Sounds awesome." He said with a smile reaching for the food and holding out his other hand for Cas to take. And so Dean and Castiel made their way to the car hand-in-hand so they could go to the forest, one of the few patches of wildness left around there town.
Castiel climbed out of the car and automatically turned his head towards the sun, closing his eyes as he smiled up at it. He loved being outdoors, there was something so special about the feel of the breeze on his skin and the sun on his face, all rounded off by the sounds of the birds singing and the bees buzzing. But that was not why he was here, he was here to spend time with Dean. With that thought he turned to the other man to find him just standing there watching him, waiting for him, completely relaxed and happy to do so. He couldn't help but smile.
Dean got out of the car and watched as Cas took in the nature around them. He had always loved this shit, and Dean couldn't stop himself from watching the unfettered happiness on Cas' face. It was perfect and gorgeous, and he never wanted that look to fade, not ever.
"So where too?" He asked pulling the food bag onto his back as he smiled at the man who was now looking at him.
"This way." Castiel responded moving towards the path they both knew lead through the trees. But Dean was happy to follow Cas, he was the one who had planned to come here, he was the one who had things he wanted them to see together. He was the one in charge of this day.
As they walked Castiel pointed out things he found with glee, a flower just opening in the shades of the trees, a mammal skittering away at their approach, a rock formation he found particularly pleasing, and at each one he turned to watch Dean's reaction out of the corner of his eye. Trying to see if the man was bored, or if he had a look of someone who had seen it all before upon his face. But no, every time he looked at Dean all he saw was a genuine smile and joy in his eyes as he looked at whatever Castiel indicated. It made something inside him ease as he realised that even here, somewhere there was no chance Dean had never been, the other Cas was not coming between them. It was still the same, him and Dean together alone enjoying each other's company. It was… complete happiness.
They finally reached the place Castiel had wanted them to share their lunch. On the banks of a pool the stream that ran through the woods had carved out of the rocks. It was his favourite place.
Taking the bag from Dean he pulled out the blanket to lay down on the ground before bringing out boxes of cold food, which was rounded off by him bringing out a large pie for him and Dean to share as a desert.
"This looks awesome Cas." Dean said sitting down and reaching over to squeeze Cas' hand to show his appreciation of all he had done for their day. It was perfect.
"Thank you Dean, I hope you like it." Castiel responded with a shy smile as he opened the boxes and Dean found himself greeted by a section of some of his favourite foods ever.
"I love it." he responded with a smile before they both tucked into the food while sharing gentle smiles and brief conversation.
Once the food was gone and the containers back in the bag, Dean lay down with his hands behind his head, enjoying looking up at the leaves on the trees and how the sun light twinkled through the canopy. Castiel decided to join him, but rather than lie at Dean's side he turned so he was perpendicular to him and he could rest his head on Dean's stomach.
At the feel of the head upon him Dean automatically brought one his hands down to run gently through Cas' hair as they lay there in the quiet, savouring each other.
"You must have been here before Dean." Castiel said breaking the silence. He asked not because he was jealous of the other him, or because he wished for Dean to say no so he would be the first to have shown him this place. No he asked purely out of curiosity. Because lying on Dean as he was, with his hand running through his hair, Castiel had realised he had no need to be jealous of the past. He had Dean now, and that really was enough. Dean was all his, and that was all he needed.
"A few times, but it's always different, there's always something new to look at." Dean responded glancing down at the mass of messy hair resting on him. He could have come here every day of his life, and he would have still seen something new today. He had seen how this Cas saw this place, and it was innocent and beautiful.
"Yes." Castiel replied simply turning to stare up at Dean with a smile. His blue eyes meeting Dean's green. Neither of them broke the contact for a long time, there was no need, it was simply them, sharing a moment which would live in both their hearts for the years to come.