title: doing something(s) sweet (a.k.a. victory is sweet)

I wake to the soft pressure of lips on my own. "Dean?"

He smiles down at me. "Good morning."

"So it is. Any reason you woke me instead of my alarm?"

He shrugs. "I woke up about two minutes ago and thought it'd be a nicer way to wake up than the alarm."

"That's sweet." I smile back, only gently teasing.

"Well, that was the aim."

I lean up on my elbows to kiss him quickly – morning breath – and then ask if I can get dressed.

"No, I don't think you should."

"So I should go to work nude?"

"Might get you another promotion." He shrugs mischievously.

"I believe it's more likely to get me fired, but thank you for the compliment." I merely raise my eyebrows as I reach for one of Dean's shirts.

"It's Wednesday, Cas, not dress down Friday."

"So? I'm indulging your fetish. Others wear casual shirts with smart jackets and trousers, I'm sure I can get away with it for one day." I launch a casual wink at him before pulling on trousers.

"Cas!"

"Yes, Dean?"

"You winked at me!"

"So I did."

"Since when can you wink? That's my thing!"

"We're married now. We share."

"So you've been practising in the mirror."

"Maybe."

He grins and climbs out of bed to kiss me on the top of my head as I pull on a blazer. "That's adorable."

"More or less adorable than waking someone up with a kiss?" I flutter my eyelashes slightly for effect.

"Less. Definitely less."

"We'll see."

"I propose a contest." Dean's eyes light up in a terrifying way.

"Oh no, I've heard about your 'contests' with Sam and I want no part in this."

"It won't be as bad. It's to see who can be the sweetest to the other in one day."

I eye him contemplatively. "Okay. It has to be something the other witnesses, though. You can't just make a blog on the internet to do with my eyes or something."

"What if I send you the link?"

I roll my eyes. "I'd say okay, but I don't have the time to anything comparable given that I must actually work in my work hours."

He grins. "Okay, so no long-term projects."

"Absolutely. May the best man win."

He smiles sweetly – an oddly terrifying look for him – and ruffles my hair. "Good luck."

"Go back to sleep." I say gently, kiss him on the cheek and push him into bed. "You need your rest. Big day ahead." I wink again, and go to brush my teeth.

###

thank u for lunch. better than anything ive ever made :) – d

You're very welcome, but I doubt that. You're far better at making burgers than I am. – C

hav u ever even made burgers? theyre really easy & i bet u can actually make them better than me. ill teach u later if u like – d

I'd love that :) – C

then its a date :) – d

###

I need to ask a favour. – C

No. – G

Gabe! Please! – C

What is it and why should I do it? – G

Tell me how you got Kali to stop being mad at you that one time – C

ARE YOU AND DEAN FIGHTING? – G

No! – C

We're in a contest to see who can be 'sweetest' in one day. – C

Thank fuck. If you break up, then there's no hope for the rest of us. – G

You and Kali are great together, shut up. – C

Maybe, but you and Dean are like a fairytale. It makes me feel sick. – G

A fairytale with two males? – C

Irrelevant. How do I win? – C

I don't know what Dean likes. It just has to be personal. Don't send a bouquet of roses, that's cliché and trite. Unless he likes roses. – G

'Personal' isn't really helpful. – C

Okay, so you send him his favourite flowers, or something that's a symbol of your relationship. What you did on your first date. Write him a poem or something, I bet you can do that. – G

Actually, I'm better at continuous prose… - C

Fuck off. – G

Thank you for your help. – C

###

why is anna here what did u do – d

dude. – d

u cant recruit ur family to help – d

that's like ur not doing it urself – d

I did the work myself, I simply couldn't deliver it. – C

what fuckin work, its flowers – d

Gathering them from the park – C

U HAD TIME TO GO TO THE PARK BUT NOT DELIVER THEM – D

Yes, the park is close enough to my workplace that I could gather them, deliver them to Anna and then return to work in the space of an hour. I could not, however, get home and back on top of that. – C

Plus, I do not believe this series of texts to me is very 'sweet' :( - C

shit – d

I love you, thank you very much for the thoughtful gift! – D

You're very welcome! – C

###

"Hey, Castiel." Naomi walks up to my desk.

"Hello, Naomi." I barely suppress a sigh and manage to work up a slightly strained smile.

"I notice you went out for lunch today."

"I did." Only slightly creepy.

"Anything good?"

"No, mediocre at best."

"I'm sad to hear it."

I shrug. "I've had worse."

She nods solemnly. There's a pause where I make pointed eye contact and she refuses to leave.

"I really ought to be getting-"

"There's a reason I came over here, and it isn't for idle chatter."

"Okay."

"I went out for lunch today as well, but I was a bit later than you – you might have noticed." She looks at me with expectant eyes. I don't respond. "Anyway, I went to this coffee shop a few blocks away – their sandwiches are amazing, you should really try it sometime – and… and I saw Dean there with another woman." She gives me pitying eyes.

"Okay." I say.

"You don't look worried at all." Perplexed.

"No, he has female friends, as do I."

She smiles. "Thank you." I cast her a confused glance. "But, um, well… he kissed her."

"Okay."

"Surely you must be worried about that."

"No, not really."

She seems agitated. "I know how much you care for Dean. I only wish he felt the same way about you. Enough to not kiss another!"

"I trust him. If he kissed someone, then there's a reason behind it." I shrug.

"How can you think there's any acceptable reason for your boyfriend to be kissing someone else?"

"Because I trust him."

"Call him."

"I can ask him about it later."

"No, you'll need someone to support you if it turns out he truly has been unfaithful."

"I shouldn't do this in work hou-"

"Call him, Castiel."

"Okay, Naomi." I dial Dean's cell number from memory. "Hello, Dean." I smile.

"Are you okay? Why are you calling from work?"

"I'm fine. I've been instructed by Naomi to question your fidelity."

"What?"

"Apparently she saw you kissing someone in a coffee shop."

"Oh, that."

"Should I be worried?"

"Nah. I told you I was meeting with Lisa today?"

"It rings bells."

"Well, her ex – her very recent ex – walked in and she started panicking a little because she hadn't really moved on and didn't want him to come over and set her back, so I just kissed her. He didn't come over. She knows it didn't mean anything."

"Okay. Did you enjoy your coffee, at least?"

"Yeah, it was good to catch up with her."

"I ought to get back to work. I'll see you in a couple of hours?"

"Sure. Try to enjoy work."

"Oh, thanks." I laugh as we hang up.

"That sounded friendly." Naomi says.

I blink twice. "Oh, we're more than friendly."

"So he has an acceptable excuse?"

"Yes."

"What is it?"

"I don't believe it's any of your business."

"Aha! So it's a weak excuse."

"If it was an unbelievable excuse, I'd not be as 'friendly' with him."

"But why do you believe him?"

"Naomi. I trust him. We have been in a relationship for many years, and very close friends for years longer. If he tells me something, then I like to believe him. He hasn't lied to me yet."

"It only takes once."

I give her a heavy stare. "You're being very rude, Naomi. You do not control me, or my relationships. Kindly let me get back to work."

She maintains eye contact for a few more seconds before turning on her heels and leaving. I sigh.

I'm sorry about that. Naomi refused to leave me alone. – C

thats ok. i was gonna tell u tonight just in case – d

It's all right. I trust you. – C

:) – d

###

when u leave work, dont walk past any 67 chevy impalas ok? – d

Is this an order of jealousy or practicality? – C

im picking u up from work & taking u out for dinner – d

and im forcing you to eat at least 2 courses. i kno u didnt have lunch cos of the flowers – d

Thank you – C

###

"I thought you said everyone would be too jealous of the Impala for you to ever take it anywhere near my workplace." I quirk an eyebrow as I lean in for a quick hello kiss.

"I thought today was a good day for facing my fears." He winks. "I like that shirt on you, by the way."

We get in the car. "I like mine on you, too." We exchange stupid grins.

###

Dean insists on holding my hand throughout dinner. I gaze at him for a majority of the time. He insists on ordering for me. I insist on paying.

As we leave the restaurant, I sigh. "Can I give up yet? Nice as this is, it doesn't feel like us."

Dean looks at me. "I know what you mean. But I'm not sure that could count as a lose, it was pretty 'sweet'."

I smile. "I'm more than willing to take the loss."

"Well, I'm not going to complain." He pulls me in for a proper kiss, one that couldn't ever be considered 'sweet'.

I pull back, slightly breathless. "This isn't something we should be doing in public."

"You make a good point. Get in the car, I'm taking you home. Now."

okay, this prompt has been one I thought 'easy peasy' about, so I thought I better challenge myself somewhat and try to fit as much sappy shit in one chapter as I could.

somehow, i think the birthday chapter was actually sweeter.

oh well

I HAVE FINISHED WRITING THIS STORY. Tomorrow it ends.