His bladder and a ray of sunlight right in his eyes woke him. Dean shifted to get out of bed, but a muscular arm tightened around his middle. Which did not help the bladder situation.
"Elskan," Dean said, turning his head a bit and patting the arm on him. "Babe, for the love of the Gods, I need to go pee."
Castiel grumbled and raised his arm and Dean slid out of bed and headed to the bathroom. Castiel pulled the warm pillow Dean had been using closer and snuggled into it. When Dean returned to the bed, he checked his phone and looked over at the mostly unconscious Castiel.
"Hey, Cas, it's just after 7. Don't you have horses to look after?"
"Alfie n'Oren."
Dean grinned at the grouchy man while he grabbed a tshirt off the floor and pulled it on. He slipped out of the bedroom and padded barefoot into the kitchen. He turned his Spotify playlist on, lowered the volume, and got the coffee maker going. After some searching, he found a cutting board and a bread knife, and ten minutes later, cubes of challah bread were drying in the oven. He was whisking milk, eggs, cinnamon, brown sugar, and vanilla in a bowl when he was enveloped in a hug from behind. He shivered, feeling a kiss at the nape of his neck and he smiled.
"You didn't come back," Castiel groused, sliding Dean's braids to the side to place more kisses against the back of Dean's neck.
"I wanted to make sure to have breakfast ready when the kids come from your mom's," Dean explained, setting the glass bowl on the counter. He stepped out of Castiel's arms, grabbed a couple pot holders, and removed the tray of challah from the oven before setting it on the counter. "Can you get me a casserole dish?"
It took a few minutes for Castiel to process what Dean had said. His heart swelled with how thoughtful Dean was being with regard to the kids. This wasn't some joking bribe to get the kids to like him, it was a concerted effort on Dean's part - someone who had never been a parent to Castiel's knowledge - to be mindful and inclusive of Claire and Jack. He set a ceramic casserole dish on the counter and watched as Dean transferred the dry bread to the casserole dish and then poured the custard mix on top. Dean gave the dish a shake and placed it into the fridge.
The task of preparing breakfast done, Dean turned his attention to Castiel, taking in his just-out-of-bed-head, the bare chest, the low-riding sweatpants that teased at defined hip bones and made clear he wasn't wearing anything underneath, and the 5 o'clock shadow extending his goatee along a sharp jawline. Dean caught his bottom lip between his teeth. "Any idea when the kids are expected?"
"Amara said she'll send the kids over at 8:30."
Castiel smirked and stalked closer to Dean, crowding him against the island in the center of the kitchen. He placed his hands on the counter to either side of Dean, slid a thigh between Dean's legs, and flicked the jugular notch at the base of Dean's throat with his tongue. He felt Dean's Adam's apple bob when the other man swallowed, and he growled softly before trailing his lips across to suck a hickey onto Dean's clavicle. Dean inhaled a stuttering breath and wrapped his arms around Castiel's head, rifling his fingers through Castiel's hair, pulling him in closer.
"Gods, what you do to me, engill," Dean whispered.
Say the words, Dean.
"Cas, I -"
"POPPA!"
Dean barely choked off a groan of frustration, Frejya rolled her eyes, and Castiel sighed against Dean's shoulder before pushing off and stepping away. Claire and Jack came barreling into the kitchen and nearly tackled their father. If Man plans and God laughs, the Gods must be having a real laugh-fest right now. Cockblocked by a couple ankle biters. Frejya included. Both men plastered smiles on their faces and surreptitiously adjusted their sweatpants.
"Good morning!" Castiel said, hugging the kids. "You're a bit early. Does Gran know you left her house?"
"We told Gran. What's to eat?" Claire inspected the cutting board on the counter.
"Breakfast is going into the oven in thirty minutes, sólskin." Dean said as he started cleaning up. "I'm making a French toast casserole. Why don't you two get dressed, let your Poppa and I get dressed, and then I've got something special for both of you."
"PRESENTS!" Jack yelled and he ran off to his room. Claire was right behind him.
"I hope Jack isn't going to be too disappointed with what I've got," Dean said as the two men headed towards the bedrooms. Castiel was going to help Jack get dressed before getting dressed himself. "I brought some hair rings for them, I figured I'd do a couple braids for each of them."
"I know Claire will get a kick out of it, and I think Jack'll just want to mimic his sister and you."
The two men went their separate ways to get their day started.
Breakfast was eaten and cleaned up, and then the sandwich-making assembly line began for their trip to the Explorium. Food was packed into a cooler and loaded into Castiel's truck. At 10, the foursome headed into Lexington. Claire sat in her booster, toying with one of the four thin braids in her hair, examining the rune-marked metal ring at the end, while Jack nattered on about things he wanted to do at the children's museum. They spent a relaxed, unhurried three hours at the museum, breaking for lunch, and ending at the bubbles display. Experience had taught Castiel to bring a change of clothes for the kids, and today was no different.
As Dean and Castiel secured the kids into their seats, Claire looked at her dad with puppy dog eyes. "Crank and Boom?"
"Crank and Boom!" Jack parroted, but much louder.
Castiel smiled and nodded. "Crank and Boom."
Dean looked between the cheering kids and Castiel, wondering what in Hel's name they were babbling about. Castiel simply smiled at Dean and they headed out of the parking lot.
Crank and Boom turned out to be a craft ice cream place that had a menu to please both kids and adults. Claire and Jack each enjoyed a scoop of cookies and cream in cups, Castiel had a scoop of blueberry lime cheesecake ice cream in a fresh waffle cone, and Dean… well, he wasn't driving and decided to pick from the grown up menu - a Bourbon and Root Beer float, which was a scoop of Bourbon & Honey ice cream, floating in Buffalo Trace bourbon cream and root beer. He sat on the bench outside the shop and closed his eyes, savoring the taste. Gods, it was delicious.
They returned to Halo Farms at 4. The kids headed to their rooms to play and Castiel and Dean relaxed on the couch in the living room.
"That was exhausting, I think I need a nap," Dean said, leaning his head against the back of the couch.
"You didn't have a good time?" Castiel asked, looking worried. "I'm sorry, I know spending the better part of the day with my kids probably wasn't what you had in mind -"
Dean cut him off with a kiss. Their lips moved against each other's and Dean ran the tip of his tongue along Castiel's lips, as if asking permission for entry. Castiel responded by parting his lips and Dean deepened the kiss by sliding his tongue against Castiel's. Dean broke the kiss and sat back.
"I was the one to suggest it. I also am fully aware that if I want to be with you, if I want to date you, if I want a relationship with you, I'm also going to be in a relationship with the two small humans in the other rooms. You're a packaged deal, Cas, I get that."
Once again, Castiel felt his heart swell. He opened his mouth to speak, to tell this amazing man sitting next to him that he was in love with him, that he couldn't believe his good fortune when Gabriel forgot the coifs that fateful weekend and he wandered into Dean's smithy, and Claire came skipping in.
"Poppa, I'm hungry."
Was it too late to return his children?
Snacks were scrounged for both Claire and Jack, and even the grownups grabbed a handful of cheddar-flavored Goldfish crackers. Claire asked to show her new horse to Dean, so the four headed to the barns. There were promises of horseback riding tomorrow and jokes about which horse Dean would ride… one of the ponies or a charger. Two hours later, Gabriel tracked them down at the pond and let them know Amara was calling everyone to dinner. A BBQ had been planned. Claire and Jack climbed into the golf cart Gabriel was driving while Castiel and Dean walked back to the main house. Castiel laced his fingers with Dean's on the way.
Dinner was a loud, boisterous affair. Michael and his family were there. Lucien was conspicuously and thankfully absent. Balthazar, Meg, Alfie, Oren, Hannah, Anael, Duma, and many of the other ranch hands/performers were there as well. The food was plentiful and tasty, the alcohol was varied, and conversation was easy and laid back. Dean watched and participated in turns, feeling both at ease with the group of people and an outsider when references and jokes went over his head as a newcomer and someone not part of the business. He drowned his insecurities with a bottle of home brewed ale. Well, he quieted them at least. He was leaning against a wooden post of the porch's pergola when he felt a hand slide up his spine and squeeze his neck softly. He looked over his shoulder and touched his head to Castiel's shoulder.
"Are you okay, bien-aimé?"
"Já, elskan," Dean said softly and then sighed. "Today was… really good. The kids don't seem to hate me, and they don't seem to think I'm some intruder in your lives, so yeah, I'm okay."
He made no mention of his worries about fitting in with the rest of the family and company, of course.
"Amara is taking the kids again tonight. And she's promised to make sure the kids stay by her until at least 8:30."
Castiel turned to stand in front of Dean and he pulled the other man closer for a kiss. Dean cupped Castiel's face in his hands.
"Cas -"
"Oh, my poor vanilla eyes! Get a room!" Gabriel laughed as he came up behind Dean, slapping him on the back.
Frejya raged and gave Dean some very bloodthirsty ideas of what to do to Gabriel for his interruption. Dean simply sighed and stepped away from Castiel, running a thumb across his bottom lip. Castiel simply glared at his brother.
The meal wound down and people made for their own homes or bunks. Castiel got Jack changed into his pajamas, Claire insisted she didn't need help, and he tucked his children into the same beds he and Gabriel slept in when they were children. He said good night to them and headed downstairs to the living room where Dean and Amara were sitting on the couches, each enjoying a small measure of Angel's Envy ice cider finish rye whiskey. Dean savored the caramel apple notes in the alcohol and made a note to order a bottle when he got back to Sioux Falls. This was definitely something he wanted to introduce Bobby to. When he saw Castiel return, he drained the glass and stood.
"Amara, thank you so much for hosting, and for taking the kids," Dean said. Amara stood and surprised Dean with a hug.
"It was my pleasure, Dean," she said with a soft smile. Amara turned and gave her son a hug of his own. "Good night, boys."
The two men left and headed back to Castiel's place, and they'd barely closed the door before they were at each other. Castiel tasted the remains of the whiskey on Dean's tongue and he lightly bit Dean's lower lip.
"Go to my bed while I lock up, Dean."
And there he was. The self-assured top with a killer dom-brow that when arched made Dean weak at the knees. Dean headed for Castiel's bedroom while Castiel locked the front door, made sure the windows were all secure, and shut off the various lights. He made his way to his bedroom where Dean waited.
Dean stood with his back to the door and was already completely naked. Castiel smiled and stepped up to the man after toeing off his shoes. He slid light fingers along Dean's back, tracing parts of the massive tattoo. He ran a hand down the braids hanging down Dean's back before gathering them in a fist and pulling, guiding Dean's head back and to one side. Castiel nipped lightly across the trapezius muscle to Dean's ear.
"Tell me what you want, Dean."
Dean closed his eyes - it felt like his entire body was in sensory overload - and leaned against Castiel, the fabric of Castiel's clothes almost rough against his sensitive skin. He could feel his nipples pucker at Castiel's breathy question just behind his ear and his cock twitched with desire.
"I want to feel you inside me, engill."
"Get on the bed, bien-aimé."
Dean complied and lay down on the bed with Castiel joining him. He was still fully dressed and Dean began to tug at the hem of Castiel's shirt. Castiel stopped Dean, taking his hands and guiding them above his head.
"Stay," Castiel ordered.
Dean moaned softly, but kept his arms above his head. Castiel proceeded to kiss along Dean's clavicle, down the pectoral muscle and finally licked a nipple. Dean moaned again, pressing himself closer against Castiel's mouth and his hands fisted into the pillow to prevent him from pulling at Castiel's clothes.
"Please, Cas…"
Castiel lightly grazed his teeth down Dean's ribs, his mouth the only point of contact to the naked man in his bed.
"Please what, Dean?" he asked against Dean's skin.
"I need more, Cas. Please…"
Castiel smiled against Dean's flank and slid a fingernail up Dean's thigh. Dean whimpered and parted his legs, his hands twisted the pillowcase rather than move down. His cock ached with the need to be touched. Castiel rolled Dean's far nipple between two fingers and lightly bit the near nipple. Dean arched off the bed.
"Gods, Cas! Please!"
Castiel moved between Dean's legs and held himself over the man. Dean looked up at Castiel with eyes dark with desire and need.
"You look magnificent Dean," Castiel said and nuzzled Dean's neck. The contact sent a shiver through Dean and he hooked his legs around Castiel's waist. The weight of the man on top of him, the feel of the denim jeans against his aching cock was almost enough to send Dean over the edge.
"Please, Cas… Gods, I need you inside me." He wasn't above begging at this point.
Castiel slipped off the bed and stripped, watching Dean watch him. Dean's arms were still over his head and he was panting with need. Castiel removed a condom from the nightstand drawer and a bottle of lube. Dean watched his every movement. He wasn't sure if Dean was even aware he bit his lip while watching Castiel unroll the condom along his cock. He popped the bottle of lube open and crawled between Dean's legs, lubed two fingers and slid one into Dean.
"Fuck yes," Dean sighed, closing his eyes. Castiel slid his finger out before slowly sliding it back in. "More, elskan."
Castiel pressed a second finger into Dean and curled them before switching to scissoring inside him, stretching him. Dean moved his hips against Castiel's fingers.
"So close, engill. I want you to fuck me when I come."
Castiel shifted on the bed and lubed his cock. He teased Dean, moving his cock along Dean's crack, touching the sensitive hole before sliding away. Dean whined and writhed under Castiel.
"Pleasepleaseplease…" Dean chanted, going out of his mind with need and so close to coming. Castiel rolled his hips and slid into Dean, who arched against Castiel with a filthy groan. He immediately wrapped his legs around Castiel's waist in case the man on top of him changed his mind. Castiel thrust into Dean, cock hitting Dean's prostate. Once, twice, at the third hit, Dean shuddered and came, crying out Castiel's name and painting his abdomen with come. When his muscles contracted around Castiel's cock, Castiel came as well, pounding into Dean with a growl before easing his torso to the side and collapsing on the bed.
Once his pulse slowed, Castiel reached between himself and Dean and removed the condom, dropping it into the wastebasket next to the bed. He didn't want to move any more than that. Dean toyed with Castiel's hair, content for now to lie in bed with a sticky stomach.
"We should clean up," Castiel muttered, but didn't move.
"I know," Dean agreed, but didn't move either. "Why didn't you give me a condom?"
Castiel turned his head to look at Dean and he grinned. "I had a feeling that if you had touched yourself to put a condom on, you'd have come."
Dean grunted and with a groan, rolled out of bed. "I'm gonna take a quick shower."
Castiel shifted over in the bed by way of answer. Dean hopped into the shower and returned to bed, as naked as Castiel, and he yanked the blankets back. Castiel shifted some more so he was under the blankets and Dean crawled into bed next to him. Castiel spooned against Dean and snuggled close. Dean hoped the kids wouldn't show up until they had a chance to put some clothes on before he drifted off to sleep.
Say the words, Dean.
Tomorrow, Frejya.