November 27, 2016
Castiel

"I'd like to go on a Sunday drive," Castiel states to Dean, the two men are sitting on Dean's front porch watching Sam teach his second youngest to ride his bike. Emma and her cousins are bundled up playing on their bikes, skateboards, and skates. It's sunny and a bit cold and they are wrapped up together under an afghan Castiel knitted a few years ago. Castiel isn't quite sure where he ends and Dean begins.

"Sure, let me go warm up my Baby," Dean smiles unraveling himself and kisses Castiel's temple. He tucks the blankets back around Castiel and blows a raspberry into the man's neck for giggles. Castiel laughs him off and watches him saunter off to the Impala. With a saucy wink and exaggerated air kiss, Dean revs up the engine a few times making Cas roll his eyes. The children cheer and he does it a few more times.

Dean Winchester is a man child, but Castiel wouldn't have him any other way.

When they are ready to go, they leave Sam in charge of the kids. Castiel huddles up close to Dean on the worn leather bench seat. Dean throws an arm behind him, pulling him even closer. The two are pressed against each other, shoulder to hip to knees. The warmth radiating from Dean is heady and it makes Castiel thank God for this opportunity to be with Dean after so many years.

"Go down 59 out towards Baldwin," Castiel directs, placing a hand on Dean's inner thigh, playing with the seam along the beautiful bowed leg. Dean nods and they make their way out of the city towards the back roads. It's scenic and allows Castiel unabashedly stare at the man next to him.

Tempted to reach out and touch the freckles and the laugh lines around his eyes, Castiel can't help but to think that Dean becomes more beautiful with age. At thirty-seven to his forty-six, they are very different from the men they were at seventeen and twenty-six. Castiel watches as Dean's hand flexes as he moves the steering wheel and taps along to the beat of Led Zeppelin's "Ramble On" playing in the background.

They've come a long way. Though, sometimes they still have difficulties with effective communication. Fights happen, but they always circle back when things have cooled. Most of the time, Castiel longs to be with Dean and his frustration being so far away has been the source of aggravation the past year.

"Are you bringing me out to the boonies to kill me?"

"Yes, I'm going to kill you out here and then dump your body in Stull Cemetery," Castiel deadpans, "Take a left here."

"Hmmmm, rookie move. You should really keep the kill and dump site the same," Dean ribs back and Castiel just stares at him, unblinking. It makes Dean chuckle.

Castiel brings them out to a beautiful part of the country, gravel roads and trees break up the farming fields. They are only 30 minutes away from Dean's work in central Lawrence, Castiel checked, but it's beautiful, peaceful, and slower than the city.

"Take a right, Dean."

"Sure thing, sunshine. I have no idea where we are going."

Castiel hums, squeezing Dean's thigh as his lover huffs in annoyance. When they pull up to a slightly dilapidated Victorian farmhouse that sits between two large black walnut trees, Dean stops and looks through the window. He's resting both hands on the steering wheel now, gazing at the house with his nose scrunched up.

The white house is large, built to house a large family that could work the surrounding fields. Six bedrooms all with fireplaces, three bathrooms, and a large kitchen added during the Second World ground floor perfectly laid out, one room leading to another in a circular pattern. He toured the house with the realtor the last time he visited, amazed that the old Victorian charm was still evident. High vaulted ceilings and bookcase built-in frame the main fireplace. Castiel could see the potential and with Dean's help anything is possible.

"Wow," he comments, "Think that sucker is haunted?"

"Most likely," Castiel laughs and pulls Dean's hand into his, "I hope you know how to get rid of a few ghosts."

"What? Why?"

"I bought it," Castiel states softly, running the tips of his fingers of his other hand over their joined hands.

"You bought this house?" Dean asks slowly. His eyes blink owlishly between the house and Castiel.

"Yes, it's mine and I'm hoping it will be yours too," Castiel responds.

"Cas," Dean starts looking seriously into Castiel's eyes, "Castiel Novak- you bought a house in Kansas. You bought a house for us."

"Yes, Dean Winchester. I bought a farmhouse that may be haunted for us to live in. It's huge. There are six large bedrooms. I want to restore it with you."

"You're Notebooking me."

"Dean, I don't understand that reference."

"Cas. The Notebook, man, you've heard of The Notebook. He writes her letters and restores a house. You are Notebooking me right now," Dean guffaws.

"No, I'm asking you to marry me and restore this house with me so we can live together and banter like this for the rest of our days," Castiel snarks untangling his hand and angrily reaching into his jean pocket for the hidden ring.

"What?"

Groaning and wiping his face with hands, Castiel turns completely towards Dean. Staring into those verdant green eyes, Castiel's irritation melts. The whole situation would be absolutely comical if Dean wasn't so frustrating. He shows the white gold band to Dean, holding it between them.

"Dean Winchester, will you marry me and eventually live in this haunted house with me?"

"Cas-"

"Dean, it's been twenty years. I've loved you for twenty years, let me love you for the next twenty and for the twenty after that. I love you, Dean. I want to marry you. I don't want to date long distance anymore and so I bought a house in Kansas," Castiel states cupping the side of Dean's face and placing a soft kiss on his lips. Dean slips the ring on his finger and stares at the ring for a moment before looking back up at Castiel.

"Jack? Claire?" Dean croaks out.

"Once the house is done, I'll be moving them down here if they don't move out for college," replies Castiel.

"Your job?"

"Dean," Castiel's head falls and he lets out a groan against Dean's shoulder, "This is a proposal. Yes or no?"

"Of course," Dean replies, "Of course, I'll marry you. No question, no engagement. We can go to the courthouse tomorrow and fill out the paperwork if you want. Get married Tuesday."

"Yeah?" Castiel smiles huge, "That actually sounds like a good idea. Skip the wedding and just elope at the courthouse."

"I have some good ideas," Dean cockily replies and kisses Castiel while smiling, "We will have to get a band for you before Tuesday."

Castiel hums in agreement, chasing his plush lover's lips. He works Dean's bottom lip between his teeth causing the other man to moan. A flick of a tongue, a heady roll against Dean's palate and the other man is panting. Castiel's hands wander, into Dean's hair, down his arms, and back into his hair. Dean cradles his face, running his fingers along the stubble of his jaw.

"I love you."

"And I love you," Dean whispers against Castiel's lip, "To the next twenty and to the twenty after that."

-The End