It took one more day to figure out that the monster they were trying to track down wasn't of the supernatural nature at all. Instead, he was a seventy-five years old hermit who had developed a murderous lifestyle. He was also the janitor at the local high school, easily preying on kids who favored the woods to hang out. And within twenty-four hours, an arrest was made with Claire and Dean lurking in the shadows and the old bastard was taken away in shackles.

"He didn't even put up a fight," the blonde noted. She peeled away the cheese from the chicken patty and chewed on it. "Like, can you even get that gross image of him out of your mind?"

"Of him covered in sewerage and looking like a rat?" Dean scrunched up his nose. "Not ever. Feels like he's one of the worst kind of monsters we've ever come across."

"Sad part is, the worst kind are always humans. Not vampires. Not werewolves. But sick humans. Sometimes I feel like hell and heaven aren't separate places. I feel like hell is right here on earth."

Her depth was impressive. At times, Dean wondered how in the world Claire could have chosen a life of hunting when she would have been breezing through college with exceptional grades. But then when he thought about Sam and his choice to join the family business because he wanted to help people, Dean realized that maybe Claire had chosen this path because of what had happened to her parents. Of the injustice that had brushed both of them into the danger zone. Of not knowing if in twenty-four hours, they would be alive or dead.

And because he was so cognizant of getting them back to Texas in one piece, Dean woke Claire up at the crack of dawn to travel out of the town.

"Can we make one stop on the way?" she was staring at her phone.

With the windows down, Dean had fueled up on enough coffee to keep sleepiness at bay. "Sure. Just tell me where."

"I want you to meet Amy," she suddenly said, not in an uncertain tone, but with all the confidence she could muster up. Their eyes connected.

Dean smiled. "Yeah?"

"Yeah," Claire smiled, squeezing the phone between her fingers. "You okay with that?"

"I mean," he shrugged, "sure, why not? But I've got to warn you, if she's bad news, I'm going to be straight up with my thoughts after we're on the road again."

"That's why I want you to meet her," Claire said. She sighed. "Jody and Donna seem to think that I shouldn't waste my time on her because she seems like she's from a totally different world compared to mine."

"Technically, she is."

"Yeah, but she knows stuff. I've told her. Like…everything and she's studying folklore at uni. So she's got this whole wealth of knowledge on things we don't even know about as yet."

"Like?" Dean was curious now. He reached over and turned down the music.

"Like…lore from all other parts of the world. America is a melting pot of people coming from all over and chances are, monsters will migrate…"

Dean had to laugh as he suddenly envisioned a bunch of hairy werewolves climbing the steps into an airplane. Then sitting down amongst people who would stare and take pictures. Most persons would probably think that it was all an act. Humans could be so naïve.

They ended up stopping to have lunch at eleven at burger joint in a city that apparently celebrated every day of the week with community events. Today was the day of the flowers and everywhere they turned, were bunches of sunflowers, daisies, lilies and roses.

"Did you ever get Cas a bunch of flowers?" Claire asked as they sat inside an empty place as children danced around in the public square. They were wearing pretty hats woven with flowers and the glee on their faces was something that Dean couldn't help but gaze at consistently though the glass in front of him.

"Nah," he said absentmindedly.

"Dude," Claire slapped his arm and scowling, Dean turned to her. "You've never given Cas flowers? What the hell is wrong with you? It's the most romantic thing ever!"

"I've gotten him other romantic things!" he admitted in a defensive tone.

"Like?" she inclined her head and waited.

"A teddy bear mug, fluffy slippers that look like rabbits, a blanket that comes with a hoodie with cat ears on it. Um," Dean swallowed, "I buy him boxes of teas, jams, he also likes anything that is in the shape of a bee or a cat so I got him keyrings and sweaters and—"

"Flowers," Claire cut him off, staring, "preferably carnations that are light red or white because those are his favorite. And chocolates! Get him Reese's cups because he likes peanut butter. Dean, you're such a—"

"Douche, I know. Okay, fine. After we're done here, I'll get him flowers—"

"What kind of flowers?" Claire urged him to remember.

Dean sighed. He folded his arms on the table and leveled their eyes. "Carnations; light red and white."

Fifteen minutes after, Amy showed up dressed in a very pretty pink dress with white frills and her black hair tied up in a high ponytail. She exuberated the kind of softness that was felt in her hug, which Dean managed to also breathe in an abundance of rosemary. And her eyes were the kindest chocolate color. In general, she seemed genuinely like a good spirit, until she openly asked who had parked the awful looking car outside.

Dean, after receiving a kick under the table, squeaked and kept his retort to himself.

"It's nice knowing that you stopped by to see me. When I got the message, I was really kind of flustered, especially after you told me that you're bringing your dad…"

Claire's cheek turned crimson and Dean…well he was pretty impressed that his title extended to everyone the blonde was close to.

"After meeting your moms, I got the feeling like they didn't approve."

"They do," Claire lied, glancing at Dean. "But they're just not okay with me bringing you into the kind of life I live. You know, all the danger and hunting the monsters you read about."

"Do you hunt too?" Amy turned to Dean and smiled.

"It's a family business," Claire answered for him because Dean was too quiet and suddenly realizing that not only was something off about Amy. But she seemed to be…what was the word? A bit too generous in speaking her mind. Not that anything was wrong with that. Cas shared the same sentiments by saying exactly what he thought about many things. But it was also the look in those brown eyes when the questions were asked or Amy said something. She looked…almost as if she was trying to dare Claire to oppose.

"What were you hunting?" Amy wanted to know.

Claire, as genuine as she was in all her kindness, smiled. "Turns out that it wasn't a monster, but a very messed up human."

"We're all messed up," Amy said with the sweetest smile.

"Yeah, but you wouldn't kidnap kids, bite them and then kill them," Claire frowned. "That's the definition of sadistic."

"Maybe it was the way he was brought up or something—"

"I'm going to get those flowers now," Dean suddenly sprang up and sent Claire a look that only meant one thing. That Amy was bad news and he didn't like what he was witnessing. "Meet me in the car when you're ready."

When he walked away though, something in Claire's eyes reflected sadness from his disapproval. And even after he had done exactly what she had said, bought the carnations and Reese's for Cas, when she came back to the car, Claire wasn't ready to hear the truth.

"I'm going to stay here," she said, leaning into the car from the passenger's side. "You go on without me."

Dean wasn't surprised though. "When will you get back to Texas?"

Claire sighed. She stood up, tapped her boot on the pavement, stared at Amy through the glass window and then she bent down again to look at Dean. "Um, tell Cas that I'll call him and that he shouldn't worry about me."

"And I don't have a right to worry about you?" he felt wounded because he was trying to be kind, to be considerate of her wellbeing and still, she felt compelled to act defensive.

"Look, it's not like you don't know what this is like, okay?" now she was glaring at him. "I like her. A lot and I don't care if she has her ways or she has these weird things that she says. But I like her. Just like you like Cas, despite his awkward looks and the fact that he's an angel which no one talks about how crazy that is for a human to actually be with an angel. It's like a werewolf being with a freaking vampire. How do you even make that work because—"

"You need to stop," Dean said through his teeth as he felt a surge of anger rush up inside of him and he felt like cutting the flow of the conversation. "You do what you got to do. Stay, be with whoever you want to be with. But don't you ever…criticize something you will never understand. Because despite the fact that he's an angel and I'm human, we have something that many people will never be able to experience. And that's the kind of love that isn't easy, but it's worth it and some days it gets to us but most days we remember how far we've come and how we love each other and that's all that matters."

"Dean, I'm sorry," Claire was softer now, and apologetic. "I didn't mean what I said…"

"It's fine, really," Dean started up the car, "you should be proud that you have two dads who can show you how love ain't easy but it's worth it in the end. And two moms also who care about you, wherever you go. Be safe. And call Cas when you get the time."

Without waiting on her to reply, he drove out of town and didn't breathe until she had disappeared from the rearview mirror.

By the time Dean descended the stairs into the bunker, the bunch of flowers hidden behind his back and a blue gift bag swinging from the other hand, he was exhausted. It was almost five in the afternoon and he was so tired of thinking during the rest of the drive home. Thinking about what Claire had said about him being human and Cas…an angel. And how it was crazy. Would an angel and a human even be allowed to share something so special like love?

But hadn't they proven to each other that their love crossed boundaries and was justifiable? Maybe many people shared the same views as Claire did. Well obviously she had a problem with the idea of them being together although she referred to them as her dads. But he really didn't care what anyone else thought. What he and Cas had…they made things work. They didn't fall short. Sure there had been some hiccups in the beginning but they pulled through and look how they had created something beautiful.

"Dean," Cas emerged from the kitchen, pulling off his bright red mittens with those wide blue eyes. "You're back."

It was so refreshing to see him. Those beautiful blue eyes. The way Cas shuffled his light steps as he came closer and his ruffled hair.

"Yeah, babe," the hunter slowly walked over and bashfully smiled. "Did Claire call you?"

"She said that she decided to stay with her girlfriend and that you are upset with her," Cas was frowning. He collected Dean's face between his palms and gazed into the other man's eyes. "What happened?"

"A story for later," the hunter pressed a soft kiss onto Cas' forehead and brought forward the flowers that smelled fresh and wonderful. "These are for you."

At first, Cas was stunned from the gesture. His chest heaved and after stepping back to accommodate the flowers displayed between them, those blue eyes blinked at green ones. And there was so much love. So much depth in that gaze that was initiated that Dean's knees weakened and his hands became shaky and he stopped breathing.

"You brought me carnations?" Cas asked in a softer tone.

Dean frowned. "What, is something wrong with them?"

"No!" Cas quickly closed the distance, and wrapped his fingers around the bottom of the bouquet. "No, Dean, carnations are my favorite flowers. But do you know what these colors of carnations mean?"

"Um, not exactly. But you're going to tell me anyway so…"

"The red ones signify deep love and the white ones tell me that the love we have is pure. And now I'm going to cry because you've never brought me flowers or…" Cas collected the blue gift bag Dean handed over with tears in his eyes.

"Dunno if you've ever had these but they might be your new favorite…"

Cas parted the top of the bag and peered inside. Then after locking eyes with Dean and displaying how he was melting from the loving gestures, he pulled out the packet of Reese's peanut butter cups and he smiled widely.

"Oh, Dean. Why are you being so romantic?" Collecting the other man into a soft hug, Cas pressed a kiss onto the hunter's neck. He smelled so familiar, like another part of the angel that had been away for too long. "Did you miss me so much that you had to bring me flowers and chocolates?"

"Figured I'd start today," Dean shrugged, moaning into their embrace when he felt every single part of Cas that was on fire and so warm. "Hey, you smell…delicious. What's that? Apples?" Sniffing the angel's hair, the hunter felt that low rumble of a chuckle originating from within the other man.

"I made something special for you."

Pulling away and allowing their eyes to meet, Dean's chest swelled with happiness. "Oh, really? What did you whip up? I'm starving."

With his arm around Cas' waist, the angel led the other man into the kitchen where the counters were spotless. The jars were lined up and everything was pristine. And most times, it was always like that. Whenever Cas or Sam used the kitchen to prepare meals, they cleaned as they worked but Dean…well he was the kind of guy who liked to follow the instructions on the box, dump everything into the sink and then wash up after he had eaten.

There was a pie, a beautiful pie with the most amazing looking crust sitting in the middle of the table. And Dean…he slowly tore himself away from Cas' grasp and took tentative steps towards the most glorious sight, trying to decipher whether it was an apparition or real. And on top of the pie was a heart carved into the crust.

"Made with love," Cas said smiling from by the doorway. "I figured…why not add something special for the love of my life? So, I did. And I…Dean! Would you slow down?"

The hunter was already seated at the table, with a plate in front of him and grabbing the spatula, he cut a hefty slice. Then plopping the pie onto his plate, tongue tucked into the corner of his mouth, Dean grinned from ear to ear as he collected a fork and gently dug into the soft filling. But of course, learning his lesson the hard way, as soon as he tried a piece inside his mouth, the damn thing was so hot, Dean had to continue chewing whilst his taste buds were burnt.

Retrieving a beer from the refrigerator, Cas walked over and rested the bottle onto the table. Their eyes met and just for a moment, green ones sparkled enough to signify that he was thoroughly pleased. So pleased, that he could not stop chewing until two slices were devoured and his sweet tooth was contented. Then and only then did Cas steal the pie away further from Dean to keep some for Sam. And when he did, the hunter glared at him, as if he had committed the ultimate crime.

"My carnations are the most beautiful gift I have ever received," Cas said a few minutes later, sniffing the flowers that he delicately held in his arms.

"Basically, it's one of two things," Sam's voice sounded from the war room. His heavy footfalls drew closer to the kitchen, followed by the clicking of heels. "Either she wants to steal me away from you. Or she's genuinely trying to be a friend."

"But she groped you," Mala came to an abrupt stop in the kitchen when her eyes rested on Dean, "oh hey you! Think of what she'd do to poor Dean," this she directed at Sam who was towering above all of them.

"Who would do what to me?" the older Winchester frowned, licking his spoon.

"Her sister," Sam stated, smiling from the carnations in Cas' hands to his brother and then back to the angel. "Well, this is nice."

"What?" Mala sent him a frown, obviously believing that his comment was about her sibling. But when she noted the flowers, fresh and beautiful, those brown eyes melted. "Oh, how sweet is this?" Walking over to Cas, she gently touched one of the petals and turned to Sam. "What a surprise to find out that Dean's the romantic one when I thought you would be."

"Hey! In my defense, you said several times that you're not the type of woman who wants flowers and chocolates," Sam said holding up his hands. "But instead, you'd prefer books and girly stationery. Hey, so we were going to head to this carnival that's in town tonight. And we were wondering if you two would like to make it a double. You know, two brothers, out on the town, showing off their merch."

"I'd like that—"

"I'll pass," Dean cut Cas' acceptance and received disappointed looks from all around. He sighed. "Man, come on. I've been on the road all damn day. I'm hungry and I need a shower and I don't think I can stand on my feet and keep my eyes open."

"Listen, get a shower," Sam suggested with an inquisitive look, "a cold one. Put on your best shirt, grab a cup of coffee and if you happen to fall asleep, Cas will take the top half of you and I'll drag the bottom."

"We'll just dump you in the Impala," Mala grinned at the older Winchester. "And besides, isn't Cas strong enough to lift you up by himself?"

Sam was smirking. Hiding his grin behind his hand, he threw a well-known look of wickedness at his brother.

"Shut your face," Dean pointed at him, glaring. "And you," he turned to Mala, "don't encourage him."

From the moment the four of them walked through the wooden gates leading into the carnival, the smell of popcorn hit them like a freight train. Their ticket stubs were a bright yellow and coupons for their first free ride and although Mala wanted to try out every single one, Sam was too tall to qualify for most of the games or rides. Which pretty much left Dean and Cas to wander off by themselves into the area of food stalls. And feeling quite contented that Dean had come along with him, Cas bought the hunter a heavy cheese taco with beef, onions and salsa.

"You keep feeding me," Dean said after they both sat down on a bench in front of the Hall of Mirrors, "and I'll have your babies."

Those blue eyes were soft as Cas gazed back at the other man, chin cupped into his right hand and he smiled. "Red looks good on you, Dean."

"Hmmph," the hunter checked his attire out, mouth stuffed with taco and he shrugged.

"Can I tell you something that might sound incredibly weird but it is the truth?" Cas waited on the other man's nod and with their eyes connected, he blinked slowly.

"Anytime now, Cas," Dean said when there was mere silence filled with prolonged gazing.

"When we're together, whether we're among other people or by ourselves, I can't control my thoughts. I keep remembering the intimate things we've done to each other. The way you've touched me and I've touched you…"

Dean swallowed hard, eyes widening. His chest heaved. "Cas…"

"I'm sorry," the angel shook his head quickly and sat back. His eyes flicked to the food stalls around them, people passing by and laughing. "Forgive me for being so inappropriate whilst you're eating. Have you seen the moon? It's full tonight."

"You don't have to apologize for what you just said to me."

"Werewolves are probably turning," Cas laughed nervously and started squeezing the end of the tissue on the table between his fingers. "Do you recall the term you came up with? It was a werepire and you—"

"Cas, I think about those things too," Dean was staring at the other man, his taco bitten down, not completely gone but more than halfway eaten. "Every second of every damn day, I remember what we've done to each other. In bed, on the map table, against the map table, in the lake. When I first kissed you, and you were sandwiched between me and Baby…"

With his face becoming flushed, Cas bit his lips and those mellow blue eyes flicked up to meet green ones.

"I remember where my mouth has been too," Dean shook his head, elbows on the table and he slowly lowered his left hand. Then without glancing around, he softly rested his palm upon Cas' cupped fingers that were still playing nervously with the white square of tissue. "And I've got to tell ya, Cas. Nothing tastes as good as you. And I mean…nothing. Not even this…taco."

The angel stopped fidgeting and his chest heaved uncontrollably. "Really, Dean?"

The other man nodded with certainty. "Really. And you know what else?"

"What?"

Dean squeezed Cas' fingers gingerly between his own and he didn't let go. "I've memorized every inch of you so damn well that I can be anywhere, and I can just look at you. And I can see you under your clothes and I know. I just know that I've been there and I've touched you where no one else has and it makes me feel like the luckiest man in the world. Every damn day I feel like I'm worth it because of knowing that I have you. So don't you ever apologize for telling me those things, okay?"

Inhaling deeply, Cas nodded. His chest felt so fluttery and yet he was contented and happy. "Okay, Dean."

"Good, now since we're on the topic of seeing each other naked in public places," grinning, the hunter resumed eating what remained of his taco, "I was going through my stuff and I came across one of Sammy's Christmas gifts. Guess what it was."

"A…sex toy?" Cas squinted his eyes and appeared quite innocent although his words suggested quite the opposite.

Dean, however, was impressed by the suggestion. "Um, no. He gave me a bottle of lube. Are you into sex toys, Cas?"

"Well I've been privy to their functions and looks," the angel admitted without sparing a second. Nimbly, he began to pry apart the tissue between his fingers.

And Dean…Dean was shocked. "How?"

"By reading. And looking at videos—"

"Wait, what videos, Cas?" Dean's eyes were wide as saucers. By then, his taco was already devoured and the red and white checkered container was resting on the table and quite forgotten of.

The angel shrugged. "The ones you look at on your laptop. I have no idea where the hamster comes in but—"

"Porn," Dean couldn't believe it. He stared and then leaned over the table. "You've been looking at porn?" he asked in a heavy whisper. "You have no need to look at that. Dammit, I haven't touched those sites in ages. I've got all I need in one package wrapped in a trench coat."

Cas blushed deeply. "Okay, so I haven't looked at the videos to fill any voids inside of me in relation to you," the angel justified in plain terms. "But I was just curious to know why Sam kept referencing me being a top and the term BDSM."

"I'm going to kill him," Dean suddenly glanced around, looking for his brother and feeling quite embarrassed. "I am so going to make him regret he ever asked you that. I mean, come on! He just can't help himself. And I don't even interfere with his sex life. So why does he feel the need to jump in?"

"Forget about Sam," Cas said, sounding rather irritated by the avoidance of the topic he had brought up. When Dean sent him a surprised look, the angel sighed. "I'm sorry, but I really would like to know your thoughts on BDSM because I'm not…I don't favor the concept of pain and pleasure. Do you?"

"Cas, you know what I'm like in bed," Dean's face turned crimson, "I don't think that I need to spell it out for you. And I don't like the freaking concept either. When we're…you know…" Dean swallowed hard, "um…we have our own way of doing things. We go slow and we…it's sensual. So…"

"You really can't say it, can you?"

"I can say it," Dean said defensively, offering a shrug and avoiding eye contact.

"Then say it," Cas sat back, folded his arms and waited. "Go ahead and look me in the eyes and rephrase what you just said to me."

"Cas, come on," Dean's eyes flicked to blue ones and then onto the table. And he felt like his throat was constricting. Like his hands were shaking. The lights around him were brighter and the sounds were sharper and when he still felt Cas' eyes on him, peeling away all his insecurities, he choked on his thoughts.

"Dean…"

Cas' stare became mellow eventually, when he realized that the other man's inner struggle wasn't initiated from his inability to express himself wholly. But his restraint from vocalizing his thoughts in a public space was more reliant on the fact that he preferred to act instead of be expressive. Dean was more practical rather than poetic.

"It's alright," Cas said softly, smiling a little and glancing up at the stars. "You know, it is a beautiful night and I'd love to ride the Ferris Wheel with you beside me. Shall we go?"

Feeling quite out of sorts with himself, Dean nodded. "Yeah, let's do it." And although he wanted to refrain from any PDA, it was automatic. It was like breathing.

His hand wove its way around Cas' waist and they walked towards the short line awaiting the ride. To any bystander, they appeared to be simply…comfortable with each other. Sam, from a distance pinpointed his brother first and as he gazed at him, he saw nothing but a softness that never really had been revealed for so many years. Dean was…defeated by love. His wild spirit had been calmed and now he looked in the simplest definition as…happy.

When the wheel that was lined with many lights wound them to the top with nothing but the stars above their heads, it was then when Cas entwined their fingers. With the shyest smile, he bit his lips and gazed at Dean who was in fact…blushing deeply because he felt like they were teenagers in love. Like they were on their first date and alone for the first time and maybe this was how it was supposed to feel continuously to keep the flame ignited. Like they were finding each other again and again.

"Cas, when we…make love to each other…." Dean began in a tone so soft, the other man feared that the wind would chase every word away too quickly. "When we have…sex…"

"Dean, you don't have to say anything," Cas said softly. "It's fine."

"No, it's not," the hunter confessed, bashfully gazing at the world around him dancing in lights and swallowing hard. "Sex with you, it's mind-blowing and it's sensual and it's not just a…thing…it's more than that to me. I mean, the way you touch me is…no one has ever done that to me. Like ever. You have a way of knowing exactly what I want and when I want it and where I…where I want to be kissed or how. But for me to talk about it like this…it's not that I don't want to. But it makes me uncomfortable because…" his breath hitched when their eyes met.

Dean lowered their entwined fingers and rested Cas' hand between his legs. He was breathless. He was losing control. "Do you feel…what talking about it does…to me?"

He was hard in his pants, that much Cas could feel evidently. Hard, and straining inside his jeans and beneath Cas' fingers, Dean felt hot and alive and so tempting, that even though the ground was dimly lit and the Ferris Wheel was shadowed, he still wanted to dip his hand inside of Dean's pants. He wanted to feel him beneath his fingers. He wanted to become familiar again with how thick Dean was between his fingers. How his cock would twitch and react to every single stroke and although they were above the ground, Cas felt like they were flying.

And Dean…

He pressed Cas' soft hand in between his legs and Dean kissed the other man slow and sensual like they were kissing for the first time. Like they were trying to find each other again. And as they kissed, Cas cupped his fingers behind Dean's right ear and pulled him closer, trying to take all of the hunter into his space. Trying to consume him and overwhelm him. Until there was nothing left but the inability to catch their breaths and when the Ferris Wheel groaned and began to wound them downwards, their eyes never left each other.

Dean couldn't remember much after that though. The minutes were filled with him blindly being tugged towards the Impala through a sea of lights and music and then Cas was pulling at his shirt. They laughed into each other's mouths, going in for another deepened kiss. And his head…Dean's mind was spinning like a top. Round and round when Cas took him into his arms and held him so tightly, there was nothing in the world that could break them. There was nothing that could convince Dean that he couldn't be happy.

Cas fumbled with his belt buckle and unzipped his pants and before Dean realized what was happening, the angel was on top of him. And Cas was fully in control, freeing his hardened cock from his pants and planting his thighs on either side of the hunter. He splayed Dean's arms upwards and entwined their fingers and then Cas began to grind their hips together. He worked up a rhythm that was slow and delicious. The two of them moving on each other, grunting and moaning and creating enough friction between them from their cocks slotted together. Until the heat inside the car was making them sweat. And as much as they tried to pelt each other to the edge, neither of them wanted to let go.

Dean was growing so weak from using up so much energy by panting and feeling the tension pool into his gut, that he squeezed his eyes shut and willed the moment to come. He gave in completely, to everything that Cas was doing to him. The way Cas leaned down and bit on his right shoulder, almost drawing blood. The way Cas made him squirm and moan and cry out his name over and over again because Cas demanded him to. And above all, the way Cas made him tither off the edge when he begged Dean to. It was beautiful.

Then after the hunter came hard between their bodies grinding together, Cas took Dean's cock fully into his mouth and he, in return, gave him the best blowjob ever. Until Dean was begging for more, his vision pinched and growing darker around the edges as the sounds of the carnival were fading in a world that didn't feel like the one he was in. And then when Dean came again, his body convulsed and his hips bucked and with every release into Cas' mouth, his groan was guttural and raw. His fingers raking pathways through the angel's hair and his knees bent and he let go over and over again, feeling his abdomen cramping and his muscles stretching.

"Cas!" he cried out when he believed that the crescendo was dying down and the other man still kept going down on him. "Dammit, you're…" choking on his words, he was gasped for air and blindly threw his head back onto the seat. His shirt stuck to his chest. His fingertips were on growing numb and his toes in his boots were pointed. "Cas!" he squeezed out hoarsely when the other man took him down his throat smoothly over and over again, faster and skillfully. "Fucking hell…what –" and then after feeling like he would combust, Dean came harder than before, and this time, he twisted in Cas' grasp, writhing and bucking his hips as every single bit of energy inside of him spent itself into the other man's mouth.

By the time they were finished with each other, the kiss of the cold wind on their sweat soaked bodies and wet clothes greeted them like sunlight after a storm. And after weakly walking back to the carnival to get them a beer each, Dean hopped onto the hood of the Impala beside the man who had literally blew his mind into smithereens a few minutes ago.

"That was…" the hunter still was breathless after taking a long pull on his beer… "I've never had sex like that. Like…ever. I swear, every time we make out, I feel like we reach a whole other level."

Cas laughed, his hair tussled and his blue eyes on fire.

"Three times!" Dean exclaimed, staring at the dancing lights of the carnival with widened eyes. "I'm dry, man. I'm going to sleep like a baby tonight."

"The Impala probably smells a lot like sex."

"I rolled down the windows, sprayed the inside with some Axe. They wouldn't figure out a thing. My bets are on the two of them finding their way back without us. The four of us are like freaking hormonal teenagers all over again. Sam's smitten over Mala and I'm fucking head over heels in love with you. I mean, come on!" Dean knew he was rambling but Cas was looking at him with a look of adoration and he couldn't stop. "We haven't had this big a win in years. And I mean, this major kind of romance happening. No wars getting in between. Maybe this is what we needed all along. Just some time to unwind and get in tune with our feelings."

"Because all these years, so many distractions from Heaven and Hell were keeping us apart," Cas contributed. He sipped on his beer and bit his lips.

Dean studied the side of the angel's face and laughed nervously. "I mean, not only those things. I was neck deep buried in guilt and doubt about my feelings for you. Head in my ass for ten years tops, I could have been getting so much more." When he thought about it, his chest ached to realize that the maybes probably didn't matter anymore.

"You could have been getting the best blowjobs of your life," Cas said with a smile. "Maybe you wouldn't have been such a pain in the ass most times." Smirking afterwards, the angel satisfactorily felt the hunter's eyes glued to him.

"Hey!" Dean offered a look of surprise. "I was a pain in the ass?"

"To me, yes. On many occasions. And very grumpy. I always wanted to grab you, slam you against a wall and kiss the anger out of you. You were always angry."

"I was…" Dean admitted softly, "always angry, I mean. And maybe it was because I was bottling up my feelings for you mostly. Sometimes I felt like there was something eating away inside of me and I refused to diagnose it. Like Sam said once, I hate when people keep secrets from me but I was keeping the biggest secret from myself."

In fact, Cas had always known that Dean had been in denial. "Do you feel better now?"

The wind lifted his soft hair and the hunter nodded. "Totally!" Dean, with his legs spread apart, studied the sea of lights dancing in the carnival and he smiled. "I feel…elated. Like I'm walking on a tightrope and I know that I'm not going to fall because you've got me."

"How romantic."

"Shut up, you…" Dean's cheeks flushed when he stared at Cas, "adorable…angel."

"We just made out, in your car," Cas laughed and the sound was like music to the hunter's ears, "for the first time. Do you realize that? Baby has fond memories, doesn't she?"

With a satisfied grin, the other man nodded. "Oh yeah," Dean lifted his beer bottle and clinked it with Cas' own. "Here's to many more heated…passionate sessions in my car. And my bed. And your bed. And various rooms in the bunker."

"With toys?" Cas seemed hopeful although his eyes shone from humor. "Fluffy handcuffs, whilst I tickle you between your legs with a feather?"

Ah, it was such a compelling topic. "Go on," Dean smiled.

"I'd love to try a vibrator on you. Watch you squirm whilst those green eyes shine in the dark. Or maybe we can try what's it called?" Cas squinted and considered the sky for two beats, "…6 to 9? Sixty-nine? Blowing each other's minds? No pun intended?"

"And you kiss me with the same mouth," Dean stared, stunned at his love.

The angel hummed in agreement. Deep inside, he was settling into a world where nothing else felt significantly threatening anymore. "Let's try the other rides?" Cas winked, slid off of the hood of the car and sucked the last bit of beer from the bottle. "I'm really interested in the Fortune Teller."

Ten minutes later and Dean found himself pushed into the red and blue striped tent that smelled strongly of jasmine, and rosemary. The flaps serving as the entrance moved lightly in the wind, creating a haunting effect. The grass was covered in a soft red carpet. And inside, seated at a round wooden table was a very thin woman with a wild head of red curly hair.

"Sit, sit," she urged him with her chocolate eyes swirling from curiosity. She had an aura that gave away a calmness that was almost too hypnotic. "The other man, your lover, yes?"

"Uh," Dean stumbled into the tent and lowered himself onto the chair. Cas was merely a few feet away. "Yeah?" he managed to serve as a reply. "How did you…"

"Your auras," Florence said waving it off and holding out her hands, palms facing upwards. "Your love is very strong. Now. Place hands on mine."

Dean complied hesitantly at first and as he watched Florence's eyes flutter close, he wondered if she was fully human or one of the monsters they hunted. Maybe she was a witch. But he couldn't determine what she was exactly. Until she rested her palms on her crystal ball and the swirling mist began to melt into several colors. And then the weirdest thing happened. It was almost as if she could really see into Dean's soul.

"Suffering," Florence said staring at him with a listless look, "in your childhood. Abuse that left you traumatized with low self-esteem. There was a boy that your father disapproved of. He was very hard on you, your father. He didn't believe in you and pushed you to be a man because of what happened with you and this boy."

Dean swallowed hard and stared.

Shit. He was scared shitless because she could only be referring to one boy he could and always would remember. After all these years, the memories of him sitting next to the scrawny kid with blue eyes in front of the sofa whilst Sam slept in the other room. Feeling flushed and bashful and then their awkward kiss. Because he had been kissed for the first time…by a boy…and he felt…like his world was on fire and he had shed all his skin. And then his father came barging in, all bloody and furious and…

"You ran away," Florence said softly. "You've been running away from who you are for many years. And then you met your true love. Your lover. You pushed him away for a long time and grew angrier and angrier and then now…you are with each other. I see…" the ball swirled brighter and she seemed to shiver from a chill, "you are going to ask him to marry you very, very soon. He will give you an answer that is both promising and very sad at the same time. And you will have to give up everything that is you to become everything that is his."

Dean could literally feel his heart sitting still in his chest. Waiting. He was holding his breath and he was pondering on whatever she had revealed to him. And although he had always been skeptical of fortune tellers, Dean began to feel terribly nauseated by the weight of Florence's predictions.

"Kids…" Dean whispered, hoping that he wasn't intruding. "What about kids?"

"Yes," Florence said smiling, nodding in approval, "four kids. Two pets and then…"

"Four kids?" he gasped, completely convinced now that she was bonkers. "That's not what we planned for…like at all."

"Most times, what we plan for does not happen, no? The best things happen instead of what we constrict ourselves to. It is like fitting yourself in a box, yes?" she smiled at him. "You cannot stretch and grow if you stay in the box. So you open the box and grow out of it."

He waited. He held his breath. Dean waited and then Florence sighed. She opened her eyes and smiled at him.

"And then?" he urged her, looking alarmed. "What happens next? Please don't tell me I'll lose him. Will something bad happen?"

"No," Florence said shaking her head. "No, my dear. Ask him about the choice he will make. I will not tell it to you, no. But the choice he will make will be the best choice for you both."

When Dean stumbled out of the tent and into Cas' arms, he stared at the angel for a while. The crowds around them grew heavier and the music from the games daunting and still, none of it mattered. He was there. All of him. Everything that ever mattered to Dean was standing right in front of him, Cas' chest heaving and those blue eyes wide and like two windows to his thoughts. And everything that resembled the most comforting home the hunter had ever lived in, was captured in Cas' eyes.

After walking away whilst holding onto each other, Dean swallowed hard. "She said we'll have four kids," he said, feeling Cas melt into his side. "I mean, isn't that more than a handful?"

"Providing that the universe gives us what we can manage," Cas said softly, "I really do not think that it will be that challenging." Wounding his arm around Dean's waist, he nestled his face into the crook of the other man's neck.

"And you'll make a choice?" Dean still couldn't sway away from those words. "What was that about?"

For a while, Cas said nothing. Instead, he allowed the hunter to walk him up to the games. Even after winning Cas a white, fluffy stuffed cat, the angel still did not give into divulging more information. And whilst they were both wandering around the carnival in search of Sam and Mala, Dean sighed.

Cas immediately felt the weight of the other man's doubts. "I'll become human, Dean," he said quietly, the stuffed animal tucked in between his arms. "That's the choice I'll make. And like always, I'll do it all for you."

"But I don't want you to do that," Dean said stiffly. They stopped and he wrapped his fingers comfortably around Cas' neck, their eyes connected. "I don't want you to lose your mojo. I don't care if you're an angel, Cas."

"I want to grow old with you," and when Cas said it, his voice trembled. "Dean, I don't want to eventually lose you and then I'll have to spend millions of years without you. I would rather…" he tried to smile, "…become a human, and age as you do. Wrinkles and grey hair. Two…grumpy old men with four kids and an Impala."

"Will it be painful to lose your wings?" Dean cringed from the thought. "Because Sam said—"

"Nothing will be more painful than spending those millions of years burning away without you by my side," Cas said without skipping a beat. "But let's not speak of death right now. Right now, I would like you to win me as much stuffed animals as you can."

Blinking into blue eyes, Dean waited a few second whilst his thoughts settled. Then he smiled. "Alright," he finally said softly, linking their arms together. "But none of them are getting onto my bed. And that's a rule I wouldn't allow you to break."

"Or else what?" Cas teased, and the two of them walked off smiling.