November 5th
Prompt- Birthdays

Birthday Gift

The date was January 24th. It was a Tuesday to his best estimate, but he would admit freely that he had stopped keeping track after a month or two had passed. Dean and Benny were off scouting a new location for camp, and he, being the "magnet" as Benny had blatantly teased, was to stay back. For Dean's protection, Benny had promised in a stage whisper as the eldest Winchester put out their small fire.

Castiel had reluctantly agreed, not trusting the vampire to keep Dean safe, but trusting himself even less. Slowly, he picked at a rock along the shore, thrusting it into the frothy lake. He'd been told to keep away for about an hour, unless he heard otherwise from Dean, himself, or…well, Dean's prayers. As of yet, Castiel couldn't decide whether he enjoyed the somewhat telekinetic link Dean's prayers had established.

After about 20 minutes had passed with only the pebbles alongside him as company, Castiel stood, remembering what he'd planned for the day. It was January 24th, he thought with a slow smile. It was Dean Winchester's birthday. Castiel wondered whether the man knew it was the 24th. Nevertheless, he had planned a surprise of sorts. He'd been keeping a gift for the larger man for their entire stretch in Purgatory. Today was finally the day to present the supposed gift.

It was not, perhaps, the most manly of gifts, and the presentation could go either way, but Castiel dearly hoped that the effort would be appreciated. It was a simple yellow tulip. It was delicate, and he'd kept constant watch on the flower, healing it every time it died within his pocket. The thought behind it was that finding such a sweet flower in such a desolate world was amazing. It was a miracle; it presented hope. Castiel needed Dean to accept the flower. His denial of the thoughtful gift could very well destroy what was left of his stability.

The prayer came no more than 46 minutes after the pair had left. Castiel immediately appeared before Dean, and the vampire neither of them fully trusted. "Cas!" Dean acknowledged, smiling. "How was the wait? Not too long, I hope?"

Castiel shook his head, "only 46 minutes, but that could be considered long depending on the subject asked." He responded literally, making Dean grin and roll his eyes.

"Benny's out looking for some kind of food, hopefully the deer aren't too far off. He promised to be back within the hour." Dean explained, making himself comfortable against a large tree.

Castiel knew this was the moment. The gift could wait no longer.

"Dean?" Receiving only a tilt from Dean's head to hint that he was listening. "Are you aware of the date?"

Dean opened his eyes to look up at Castiel, who stood awkwardly by the tree opposite him, "I don't remember the last time I did remember what day it was, to be honest."

Castiel smiled softly, reaching a hand into his pocket. "I have kept track of the day, and by my estimate, today would be roughly January 24th on Earth." He waited for Dean's response before he continued.

Said man widened his eyes and smiled, "well, happy birthday to me!"

"My sentiments exactly." He whispered, before pulling the flower from his pocket, and thrusting it abruptly into Dean's confused face. "Happy birthday, Dean. I believe this is the human tradition of presenting a gift to another human on the anniversary of their birth."

Dean grinned slowly, taking the flower hesitantly from Castiel's hand. "Yeah? You got me a tulip?"

The angel nodded, "is this not sufficient?"

"Nah, just different." Dean examined the flower, turning it in his large hands, "where'd ya get the flower, Cas?"

"I found it."

"This? In Purgatory?" Dean exclaimed, grin widening at the thought. "Wow! Didn't know life grew in this shit hole."

"Perhaps flowers may have grown more commonly in the past." Castiel suggested quietly as he sat across from Dean.

"Perhaps." Dean affirmed with a smirk, "thanks Cas, really."

Castiel smiled in response, his worries having been contented with the acceptance of his gift. He received more than he'd hoped, however, when Dean pulled him into a rough hug, patting his back in much the same way he'd embraced him upon their reunion a few weeks prior. "Really Cas, thank you." Dean whispered urgently against his neck, breath splaying in a puff of warm air against Castiel's neck. The heat made his neck tingle in a way he'd never felt before, causing him to pull back early in an attempt to escape the new feeling.

Dean eyed him oddly, but shrugged and leaned back against the tree again, pocketing the tulip safely in his jeans.