F is for Fireworks
Dean grinned ear to ear as he led Castiel, Sam, and Mary through the woods. None of them had any idea what was going on. With all the craziness that had been going on, no one realized it was the Fourth of July. Dean knew just the perfect spot for the show.
"Dean, what's going on," Mary asked her son.
"Yeah what's with all the secrecy?" Sam asked.
"Have you really forgotten?" Dean asked, looking at the other hunters.
"I think Dean is talking about what day it is," Castiel replied.
"And what day is it?" Sam asked.
"It is July fourth," Castiel replied.
"Fourth of July," Mary said slowly.
"Yeah, I figure it's the first one since you've been back, and..." Dean trailed off. He looked to Castiel.
They hadn't told Mary about this yet. He wasn't sure how to tell her. He wasn't sure how she would take the news. It was a bit shocking to come back from the dead after thirty years, and find that your sons are all grown up. He wanted to spare her a bit more shock for now.
"And what?" Mary asked, confused.
"And we actually have some downtime. No apocalypse looming over our shoulders," Dean said quickly. He couldn't do it. He was scared of pushing her over the edge. She had finally settled back into town near them.
"Why the empty field?" Sam asked.
"It's the best seat in the house," Dean replied.
"For what?" Sam asked.
As if on cue, a firework show started. Sam turned around. The Winchesters all looked to the sky in wonder.
Castiel looked to Dean. He watched as Dean's face lit up from the firework show. He watched as the hunter's face lit up with a smile. It was so rare to see the hunter so carefree. He would take any chance he got to savor it. Castiel looked up at the light show. He didn't understand what the celebration was about. Sure he knew the history of it, but he didn't see why it was a big spectacle. If it was important to Dean, then it was important to him.
A hand touched his. Castiel looked down at Dean's hand as he grabbed his. He smiled as he looked down at their intertwined hands. Dean was getting more comfortable showing his affection. Castiel would take what he could get.
Once the show ended, Mary turned to Dean, who slipped his hand free of Castiel's hand. Castiel missed the warmth instantly. He knew that Dean needed time. He would tell Mary soon enough.
"Thanks, Dean, I needed this," Mary said with a smile as she walked up to him.
"Yeah, it was nice to get out, just family," Sam said, smiling at his brother.
"By the way, Dean, I know," Mary said, addressing her eldest son again as she glanced at Castiel with a knowing smile. "I've always known, I'm sure, before you did. Anyways, as long as your happy, I'm happy." She pulled him into a hug.
"Thanks, mom," Dean said, his cheeks red.
"See dude, told you everyone but you knew," Sam teased.