Finally the end. I'm sorry guys. It took a while, but now it's here. The end of the road for my Dean and Cas. Or maybe a new beginning. This fic is over though. I hope you'll enjoy this short chapter. Big hugs to Jenamy for helping me with this.
Eight months later somewhere outside NYC.
(Castiel POV)
Castiel was sitting on a bench outside of the church where Sam and his now wife Jess had said their vows. He was waiting for Dean to return from the photo shoot in the park near by. As Sam's Best Man, Dean was expected to tag along with the rest of the bridal party and other close friends and family. Cas could see that they were taking photos of the wedding party, specifically one of the Best Man and the Maid of Honor.
Cas had politely walked away when he received a text on his phone and found himself seated on the bench he currently occupied. It had been eight months since he and Dean had gotten together. Those eight months had been both traumatic and wonderful.
The last time Castiel had seen his father was at Thanksgiving dinner, only weeks after the camping trip. Dinner had been served, eaten, packed up and put away, and everyone was enjoying each other's company—Castiel had decided it was time. He didn't mention Dean, not to begin with, he just told his family that he was gay and that they had to deal with it.
The reactions were instantaneous and expected—disappointed and repulsed. Gabriel had even pulled him from the room and gave Castiel a piece of his mind but Cas stood firm and told him that he was in a relationship and he was happy. His father had followed them and pierced Castiel with the harshest stare before asking Castiel to leave. He was also told to not bother returning home until he returned to his senses.
In December he got a conditional invitation to Gabriel's traditional Christmas dinner. The condition was that the family had come to terms with Castiel's homosexuality but he was to suppress those sinful urges and break off his relationship with Dean. He declined the invitation to Gabriel's. However, he and Dean accepted the invitation to Sam and Jess' for Christmas.
The last time he saw his brother face to face Gabriel had showed up on his door step and told him there was still hope, "If you turn your life around now, there's still a chance for forgiveness and salvation." Gabriel practically begged him but Castiel shook his head, "I was so screwed up when I met Dean that I was actually contemplating killing myself Gabriel." Gabriel's eyes widened, he opened his mouth to reply but Castiel cut him off, "I don't need to be saved, not anymore. Dean did that for me."
Dean's family had reacted totally different. The Winchester clan had welcomed him into their midst without hesitation due to the fact that he'd made Dean a better man. Castiel could secretly agree on that. Before they had got together Dean was sleeping around and drank way too much and had no inclination to continue his education. Now he was pondering on taking classes so that he could take over the store some day, or at least enough to be co-owner. John was beyond supportive of the idea and thanked Castiel for bringing out the best in his son.
It had been tough at times to. Those first few weeks back from the cabin were a huge adjustment for Castiel. He had trouble sleeping, or rather staying asleep. He'd wake up from horrible nightmares. The only thing that seemed to help were the nights that Dean spent at his place, or when he stayed at Dean's. Eventually the nightmares faded, and all together stopped after the Thanksgiving confrontation with his family.
They had been back to the cabin a few times during the spring. The most recent only a few weeks ago; Dean finally persuaded Cas to get into the water. It had been chilly but the sun had quickly warmed them up after the quick dip. They chased each other outside around the cabin naked, playing tag until they heard the roar of an engine. Hiding behind some trees and stifling their giggles they watched as Ellen approached on her ATV. She knocked and looked around for them before leaving a note on the door. It was an invitation to a party at the Harvelle's which they happily attended.
The Harvelle's had taken to Cas well too. Accepting him quickly into their hearts, even meeting up with him and Dean in the city several times. It didn't take long for Ellen to treat Cas like a son even if she wasn't that much older than him. For Cas, who had never had a mother, it had been very emotional at first. He'd even been invited to Jo's graduation and both he and Ellen had cried when she accepted her diploma. Dean and Bill both attempted to hide their own emotions by mocking the two of them.
There was a time when Jo had broken up with a guy she'd been dating for a few months and she went to Castiel for comfort. Despite their age gap the two had become the best of friends.
He'd also been introduced to some of Dean's buddies and discovered that his boyfriend was a popular guest at any party. Except for a few cheeky comments they'd all been rather supportive and treated Castiel as one of them.
A couple months ago they'd bumped into Lisa at a bar they were meeting Sam and Jess at for drinks. Cas recognized her from the pictures but pretended not to know who she was. Dean seemed momentarily uncomfortable but then she whispered something into his ear and he'd laughed and thanked her. Cas was curious but left it alone during the introductions. She looked at him, "I knew it you know," she gave him a bright smile. "I always suspected that he was, hmm, mostly gay." She lifted her glass in a silent toast and took a sip before continuing, "I'll always think of him with fondness, he's a great guy. I could never make him this happy though. Take care of him will you?" Castiel nodded and she left them both with a smile.
Life was good. Castiel missed his family and wished that they would one day come around, but he wasn't going to hold his breath. They had to take the first step if they wanted to keep in touch. He supposed there was hope; a week ago Gabriel accepted his friend request on Facebook that he'd sent him two months ago.
The biggest problem that he and Dean were facing right now was distance. They still lived in their respective apartments, still so far apart. Some days they didn't even have time to meet up. They'd been looking into buying a place somewhere between their current places and had just put in a bid last week. Dean was absolutely clueless when it came to understanding mortgages and equity so Castiel was doing the work. He'd just received the word that they'd won the bid on the townhouse they both liked.
Sure they could be moving too fast but Castiel could say that they weren't moving fast enough. There wasn't a doubt in Castiel's mind that Dean was the one that he wants to spend the rest of his life with. The one person he wants to come home to every day. The one person that he wants to share the good, the bad, his goals, his failures, his triumphs—all of it is with Dean. Every second they're apart was too long and the days they didn't even get to see each other felt like an eternity.
Cas shifted on the bench, allowing his thoughts to steadily wander. Should he tell Dean about the house now or later when they were alone? He startled when a hand touched his shoulder. "Did you miss me sweetheart?" Dean came around the bench and sat down beside him. "Of course I did. I'm fine. Everything's fine." Castiel hesitated, "We got the house."
Dean grinned, "That's awesome, perfect timing!" He kissed Castiel. He looked away for a moment before looking back at Castiel, staring directly into his eyes, "Everything is perfect, but it could be even better."
Before Castiel was aware what was going on Dean had got down on one knee in front of him and took a hold of his hands, "Castiel, I love you, we should," he drew in a breath, "we, will you marry me?"
Castiel felt his lips split in a grin, his eyes close as a tear fell down his cheek, and he nodded, "Yes Dean. Yes, of course."
