"No, Gabe." Dean said when he saw the man with a load of tequila bottles. "Don't even think about it." He said sternly but calmed down when he saw the man's confused expression. "Gabe, there are gonna be axes, guns and knives there. Hence the first rule – nothing stronger than beer. Especially that Ben is coming as well."
A flicker of comprehension seeped into the shorter man's features. "Oh... so when you said camping trip, you really meant camping?" He asked, clearly puzzled."And I thought it was just a code for drinking in the forest with your buddies."
"No. I mean, we do drink some, but it's really a camping trip. It started with my Dad, Bobby and Rufus going hunting – which they still might do tomorrow. They stopped for a while when we were kids, our mothers forbidding guns when we were there."
"OK, wait here, I'm gonna put that back." And after a while. "And re-pack some crap." He added and ran toward the house leaving Dean and Cas leaning by the Impala.
"It's funny." Dean said as he watched behind running Gabriel.
"Hmmm?" Cas asked his eyes still scanning the list of chores for the trip, that his boyfriend never stopped teasing him about.
"That Gabe is always the instigator for drinking since he's the one with the weakest stomach."
Dean discovered that last week when they all went to celebrate June. The group of them were accompanied by Novaks in the Roadhouse. Dean knew the drinking abilities and preferences of his peers well. Sammy wasn't drinking that much since Sarah got pregnant, and he was usually sticking to beer anyway. Adam was always the light drinker, never really liking the taste of alcohol and he mostly chose some drinks like Mojito or Caipirinha. Ash and Pam liked to go all in, usually doing shots till one of them (Ash) started puking his guts out. Benny, since becoming a family man, stuck to beer, that lately was also Dean's drink of choice.
When it came to Novaks things were easily categorized. Anna liked drinks or gin and tonic. Balthazar was a top shelf whisky kinda guy, not really managing to get drunk taking the alcohol intake to pissing ratio. And Gabriel, though most vocal about drinking, had the lightest head. He liked that vodka and Red Bull crap that the mere smell made Dean feel sick. The drink caused Gabe to be an exceedingly irritating ball of energy for the first hour and a half, hugging the toilet for the rest of the night, or doubling over in the bushes when Dean and Cas were dragging him to Dean's place.
And Cas? His Cas was magnificent. It seemed that he was a Black Hole to which all alcohol could be sucked in leaving no sign. He started with some drinking games with Jo and Charlie, both of them calling quits before Cas showed any effects and just switched to beer later. He also shared few drinks with Balthazar and chugged them as if it was water. Dean was amazed by the guy's endurance. He himself wasn't able to mix drinks since his late twenties, being really careful to stick to one type of alcohol through the night and sometimes still feeling the effects the day after. When Dean demanded some explanation Cas just shrugged and said 'Art school' as if it was the answer to everything.
"Dean" he smiled, a little condescendingly, for Dean's taste, and elaborated."In art school most of the students go through the whole bohemianism phase,so I've got years of practice." Dean had to agree with the man, already experienced in drinking with Sarah and Pam, both able to drink their body weight.
"And frankly", Cas continued "When you manage not to die from absinthe, nothing can take you down." Cas smiled and pecked Dean on the cheek. "Do you think Ellen sells absinthe?"
"Dude, you're awesome. Don't ever change."
"Don't intend to."
Though he was highly impressed with Cas it turned to downright awe the next morning, when out of the three of them Cas was chipper enough to make them all coffee and sandwiches. Dean made a mental note to teach his boyfriend the mystery of scrambled eggs cause how awesome would it be to be served with those in the morning.
But right now Cas seemed just content with his list errands' executions since he tucked it away and focused on Dean.
"Gabe likes to talk big. You know he didn't really orchestrated the prank with alien abduction nor crocodile in the sewers he likes to brag about?"
"Yeah, I've caught on that when he claimed he got himself employed as a janitor for those pranks."
They stayed quiet for a while Dean only speaking again when they saw Gabe emerging from the house.
"You're sure Balth and Anna won't feel left out?"
Cas snorted. "You try suggesting camping trip to my cousin and he would be offended. And Anna has some work to catch on."
"OK, let's do this." Gabe chirped as he pushed past his brother and climbed into the shotgun seat.
"Oh, no you don't," Dean grabbed his coat to stop the man.
"Why not?" Gabe squawked.
"Sorry, Shorty, but you have to be at least this tall" he said, pointing at Cas "to ride shotgun"
"You've just made that rule to get Cas closer to you." Gabe argued.
"You can't prove that." Dean said as he winked at Cas. "Anyways, my rules. Love 'em, live by 'em, or start walking. See you at the house."
"Fine." Gabriel folded and, stomping, he moved toward the backseats. "You just keep your hands to yourself or I will switch all your patties for a lovely tofu veggie burgers."
"You wouldn't" It was Dean's turn to look shocked.
"You just give me a reason. Keep in mind I was put in charge of provisions."
Dean tore his hand from Cas' thigh like it was burning him. Castiel would be slightly offended if he wasn't reveling in the brotherly relationship both man developed. Of course the main part of showing affection between those two was to drive each other man and prank each other, but for Cas it was as good as it could get. The bitter sting was also alleviated by Dean's apologetic stare directed at Cas. The man was so adorable and loving, despite the whole bad boy look, it sometimes caused Cas a heartache.
They've made it to Dean's place in only few short snarky comments dropped from the backseat and after moving the equipment onto the truck they decided to call it a night. None of them was an early-riser and they have to become such the next day, so no one dragged his heels.
Saturday, early morning they were piling the last of their camping stuff onto a truck and, in Cas' case, checking it with the list. Again.
"Am I a second class citizen, I ask you?" Gabe whined dramatically from his seat, clutching his heart for better effect. "You're just gonna drop me on someone else's doorstep? Do I at least get a letter promising you'll come back for me?"
"Gabe, only three people can sit here and I've promised Lisa I take care of Ben." Dean explained. "You'll be fine, man. Obviously, road-trips with Gigantor ain't as fun as with me..." he grinned and leaned into Cas' space a little bit. "But there will be Ash, Adam and Jo. Unfortunately, we're a man down. You remember Andrea, Benny's wife?" they nodded. "She's sick and he decided to stay with her. Can't really blame him."
"What about your Dad?" Cas asked concerned.
"He's going with Bobby and Rufus. They're probably already there – Bobby was always dragging our asses out of bed at some ridiculous hours."
"At least they don't have to drive with you two." Gabe whined his feet constantly kicking something.
"Where do you get the energy from?" Cas asked, his head leaning on the headrest, eyes closed.
"Oh, come on Cassie, you have to keep going, no matter the hardship, snow, drizzle nor hunger."
"I know. I just make it my mission to avoid redundancy at the wee hours of the day."
Dean thought it prudent not to point out that he wasn't woken up by an alarm clock but by Cas' warm breath against his cock. When Dean's brain finally caught up and forced his eyes to open he was met with two blue orbs observing him from his groin became hard so fast he practically slapped his cock against Cas' chin. But he didn't intent to share that information with Gabe. Brothers shouldn't have the mental images of their brother's sex life. It was common courtesy.
"Finally, you're here. Adam and Ash called, said they're waiting at Ellen's." Said Sam poking his head into the car shortly after they parked in front of the younger Winchester's house.
"And Jo?" Dean inquired.
"Jo's not coming. The women bribed her to join their party"
"Oh, you have plans as well?" Cas asked Sarah, as he finally managed to push Gabe out of the window seat and slid himself out of the bench of the truck as well.
"Yes, we're going to the spa, and in the evening in a strip club." Sarah answered.
"Sounds like you have a very pleasant evening planned."
"Next time ditch them and come with us. I'm sure the strippers would be falling over each other just to be able to give you a lap dance."
Dean gripped Cas' waist. "There were be no strippers dancing on Cas' lap."
"Geez, Dean. I would have thought you could take a little bit of friendly competition."
"Yeah, yeah." Dean mumbled as he returned to dropping Sammy's crap onto the truck. "You've remembered to bring your hair iron and curl papers with you, Samantha?"
"Dude, those thing are used for entire different purposes, man"
"I'm sure I won't know that." Dean answered smugly as he put the last bag and closed the trailer.
"Asshole." was the last thing he heard as he and Cas climbed back into the car and went to pick Ben up.
It didn't take them a lot of time at Braeden's, Ben waiting on the porch, still a little sleepy but obviously excited. The ride went smooth, two men and a boy stuffing their faces with Lisa's sandwiches ("make sure he eats breakfast and I've packed some for both of you"). Dean couldn't believe how the simple meal, or rather the thought behind it, lightened his mood. Lisa obviously didn't had any ill feeling about her ex and his new boyfriend spending time with her son. It was a near perfect ending – staying friends with the ex and having someone who he cared about with him. Plus, from what he understand Lisa was invited to the girls party. Now all he had to do was to tell Ben about Cas.
"Hey, Mr Novak" Ben turned to Cas whom he still refused to call by name. Castiel figured he was OK with that, if it made the boy feel more comfortable. "I wanted to thank you for your help on my project. Your outlines really made it easier for me."
"It was my pleasure, Ben. When is the project due to?"
"I'm have the time till the end on next week. Our teacher will grade it and give it back to us. She thinks it would be nice if every family had something like that to remind them of the ancestors."
"What do you think?"
"I think it's cool. You know Mrs Winchester's family, the Campbells, were on the Mayflower manifest?"
"I did not know that." Cas admitted as he looked at his boyfriend.
"Do you have a tree, Mr Novak?" Ben asked.
"No, but given the string of misunderstanding I had with Dean I think I should make one."
"Well, if you need help going through some documents I could assist you. It was great doing that with Mrs Winchester."
"Maybe you'll become a historian in the future. Unfortunately I don't think I could be useful to you in that matter. My family is originally from England and all the family documents are there. It was only my father who moved here, my uncle and cousins still living in the UK."
"I didn't know that." Dean chimed in.
"Well, you might be able to meet uncle Julian soon. He and aunt Tessa are coming for 4th of July." Dean just nodded and became quiet, listening to Cas and Ben exchanging family history and talking about Ben's interest on the matter. He hoped that what he had to admit to the boy wouldn't change that.
Those thoughts were pushed behind by the usual buzz of camping preparations. As he predicted the first truck got here hours ago, the three older men already managing to pick up a perfect camping site – near the river, but not close enough to get their things wet or to accidentally pollute the waters. They were currently preparing hooks and fishing rods and explaining the technique to Ben who was watching them curiously. That boy, despite the lack of real father in his life could never complain about not having some manly time with all the people on Dean's side of family doting on him.
In fact, the man himself and their tent were forgotten by the boy with Rufus showing him how to dig the bait up and proper ways to attach in onto a hook.
"Ben, wanna help me with the tent? Or do you prefer to sleep outside?" Dean yelled petulantly.
"Coming." said the boy, not even making a move to fulfill the promise.
"Oh, let him be," Cas stood behind him, chuckling. "I'm gonna help you if and you could help me with mine."
"Where are they?" Dean mussed. "I guess they had to wait on Adam and Ash."
"Yeah, or they killed Gabe along the way and now they're disposing on the body" Cas offered helpfully.
"You've clearly hadn't spent much time with Ash if you think your brother's behavior could cause manslaughter." Dean shook his head. "They've probably stalling and hoping we will set their tents for them. As if. Come one, let's deal with our crap." He said and tugged Cas' hand, dropping it shortly after when he remembered they could have an audience.
"Sorry." He murmured, but Cas just gave him a little smile and shook his head to chase the man's fears away.
They were halfway through setting Cas and Gabriel's tent up when John'd approached them. "The three of us are going fishing, thought it would be nice to have to catch our meal. Can we count on you boys to go and gather some brushwood and smaller branches for the fire?" Both men nodded their agreement. "Thanks boys. We'd taken the bigger logs from home, didn't want to worry about that here, but if you'd find something smaller that would be great."
"Sure, Dad." Dean said. "Hey, Ben, wanna come with us?" Ben looked up from the fishing rod, obviously torn. He didn't want to outright refuse Dean, but he clearly hoped for fishing expedition. He look of his face reminded Cas of the one Dean sometimes sport and for the first time he felt a little bit uneasy. If Ben disapproved of their relationship would Dean break things off? He slapped himself mentally. Lisa was obviously OK with them together, so why Ben would be against Cas.
Dean focused on the boy and said easily "Hey, buddy, it's OK if you want to fishing. And I'm sure they..." he pointed at the three older men "will be thankful as well. You'd seriously improve their age statistics."
"Yeah, unlike the favors you're doing for your cousins and friends when you go out together" Bobby yelled from his three-legged camping stool.
Cas chuckled at Dean's grumpy expression all the time it took them to finish with the tent and was still smiling then they went into the forest to gather the wood. They worked for a while in companionable silence until Dean spoke first.
"Listen, Cas. I'm sorry we have to keep our relationship secret and haven't told Ben about us. I understand if you're mad, just wanted you to give me some more time..."
„Dean, you don't have to go with it. It's really not..."
„No, Cas. I do. I really wanna tell Ben, or better yet, have someone else tell Ben and I could just stand there and nod vigorously." Dean straighten up as if stroked with an idea. „Hey, Cas, maybe..."
„I'm not telling Ben instead of you. I'm not rushing you. And frankly, I don't see why you're so worked up over it. You could just wait."
„I don't wanna wait." Dean said forcefully. „I love you and I want to show it around my family." The words were met with silence and Dean spun around to look at Cas. The man was obviously waiting for Dean's next move whether it's confirmation or negation.
"Y-yes." Dean voice was hoarse. He tried again. "Yes, Cas."
"You do?" Cas looked down shyly, but there was a smile gracing his lips.
"Of course I do. And I'm sorry I told you over stick gathering but it doesn't make it any less true." he hesitated again. "...Or, maybe, you think it's too early."
"No." Cas said strongly, finally looking up to meet Dean's eyes. "I mean, for some people maybe. But not for me." And then he lowered his gaze and added shyly. "Especially I feel the same way."
"You do?" It was Dean's turn to be a grinning idiot now, Cas just rolling his eyes at the man's obliviousness.
"How could I not?" Cas just shrugged. "Of course I do." he continued as Dean wrapped his arms around Cas' waist. "But I'm not gonna stand here till sundown which would happen if I had to list all the reasons why I do."
"Well, I don't know, Cas" Dean mussed with a cheeky smile. "Want me to settle for the least romantic love declaration in history?"
"Oh, come on." Cas smiled in response. "Giving that our first time almost happened on your ex's lawn we're stepping up our game. Plus, I don't think that groping session behind the truck would add to the magic of the moment."
"OK, how about a celebratory kiss then?" Dean asked, mostly rhetorically, as he was already leaning in.
"That I could do."
When they've emerged from the forest and into the clearing where their camp was set they noticed the third car and it's former occupants busying themselves around the field. The 'Senior Citizens' as Dean liked calling them were already back as well, and Ben moved to observe Gabriel, who was currently filleting the fish. When he noticed the newcomers his gaze narrowed and after saying few words to Ben he stormed toward his brother.
"Listen Cas," Gabe begun, as he was close enough so no one else would hear them. "I like Ben, baby brother, but I we ain't his babysitter just so you can play grab-ass in the forest."
Cas' eyes narrowed. "It's not what has been going on, Gabriel. I can't even believe you'd think that of me. That Dean would just dump a boy under his care onto some random person just to... Sorry, I shouldn't have acted like that."
"Don't worry, Cassie. I just assumed... you both looked like a cat with a canary... sorry for jumping to conclusions."
"Apologies accepted." Cas smiled again as he kept reminiscing the scene in the forest. "And I guess we took longer than necessary to return, but... Dean's told me he had feelings for me, and I responded in kind."
"Cassie... you know boys would tell you anything to get you to sleep with them..." Gabe teased his dewy-eyed brother.
"Yes, thank you, Mom." Cas replied snarky. "You know, it's a big moment for me, you should be more supportive."
"Seriously, happy for you. Dean seems like a smug jock, but he's a good guy. And I guess that now means you're gonna wear his varsity jacket?"
"Seriously, Gabe. No more high school flicks for you. It's not a freaking Grease." Dean added to conversation having heard the last bits of it.
"Given the hair color, that would make you Sally."
"Yeah, yeah, laugh it up Kenickie."
Cas went silent, observing the exchange. Dean noticed it, the reason too impossible to believe. "Dude, don't tell me you've never seen Grease."
"Haven't had an occasion."
Dean just gaped at Gabriel who shrugged as if trying to convey 'he's your problem now'.
"What am I gonna do with you?"
"Hey maybe we could go to a drive-in an watch it there? You know, a little bit of Summer Lovin'" Dean wiggled his brows.
"How appropriate. But I could go for an evening of necking in the backseat and ignoring a movie." Cas deadpanned. Dean's laughter boomed in the forest.
"Are you three ladies done setting up your nail appointments? I could eat somethin' today." Bobby broke their conversation.
"Yeah, yeah," Dean waved him off. "What, if you don't eat now you it will sit on your stomach all night, Grandpa."
"Wouldn't call me that, boy, 'cause it's gonna be that much more embarrassing for you when I'll kick your ass."
Dean and Cas exchanged one last smile that earned them an eye-roll and a quiet gagging noise from Gabe and went about their chores. They all occupied themselves till the supper, eaten late, with the big bonfire as the main light source. The time was spent on trading stories and laughing, Ash becoming the point of most of them, given his Carver stories' induced fear of wilderness. At every sound he was whipping his head around, checking if they're alone in the camp. Given the fact it also added to his drinking they were soon huddling him into the tent and calling it a night all together. Dean went there last, showing Ben around the camp and teaching him how to check up on the most important stuff and safety aspects, showing the boy how to properly put the fire down and lock away the food and trash-bags. Before he went into his tent he gave last look at the one with Novak brothers, deciding that he could postpone telling Ben about his relationship till they got back.
He went to sleep both happy about his relationship and apprehensive about the talk, surrounded only by the sounds of forest and Ash' whale-like snoring.
Yep, not only they're constantly cock-blocked but also unable to have a romantic moment.
Sorry about the bar/drinking digression, I just really like to attach preferences (movies, books, food, drinks, everything) to particular characters.
And sorry for not including Benny, kinda forgotten about him, cause I'm writing a chapter of a fic I hope to post after I'm done with this one, and focused on Benny there, must have forgotten to include him.
2 more chapters to go.
