"Jesus, Cas... You two are okay though, right?" Sam's voice was full of concern. Castiel hated to be the one to tell him, but he had asked Dean beforehand if he was okay with him calling his brother.
Dean sat at the dining table, head buried in his hands, his eyes shut as he listened to Castiel on the phone in the kitchen. Last night had been terrifying, but Dean was grateful he hadn't seriously injured his husband. He couldn't live with himself if he'd truly hurt Cas.
"Yes, just a bit shaken up. But we'll get past this, I think Dean just needs time. I'll ask about coming up this weekend to see everyone, it'll be good, for the both of us."
Castiel peeked his head through the kitchen door at Dean sitting quietly at the table before returning his attention to the call.
"I promise, and thank you, Sam. I'll pass on the message to Dean. We'll call you to make plans soon... Good-bye." Castiel hung up the phone, setting it back into place on the wall beside the back door. He made his way into the dining room, moving to join Dean at the table.
"Want to help me make some breakfast?" he offered placing his hand on his husband's shoulder, withdrawing his hand when Dean instinctively flinched away.
His head snapped up to look at Castiel, eyes red and puffy from tears. Castiel returned the look, his eyes full of emotions he couldn't decern from one another.
"Come on, we'll put on some music and make your favorite." Castiel gingerly placed his hands over Dean's now spread out on the table top, smiling softly when Dean didn't flinch away this time.
Castiel stood from the table, drawing Dean up with him and ushering his husband into the kitchen.
He stepped over to the counter by the sink, fiddling with the old radio they kept there until an old rock ballad came flowing out of the crackling speakers.
-_-_-_
Dean stared out the window at the passing scenery, he and Castiel were on their way to see Sam and Eileen, along with the rest of their extended family.
He couldn't help the gnawing feeling in his gut at how he'll feel seeing everyone after three whole years of being away.
"It'll be fine, sweetheart. They'll be happy to see you." Castiel slipping his hand into Dean's resting in the space between them on the bench seat. Castiel insisted they take Dean's beloved Impala that he had kept up maintenence on while Dean was overseas.
Dean turned his head to look over at his husband in the driver's seat, smiling faintly. Castiel always seemed to know when he was over thinking shit, no matter how well he thought he hid his inner panic.
Sometimes it made it easier when he didn't have to say how he was feeling, 'cause Cas just knew.
"I know, but..." Dean huffed out a sigh, shaking himself mentally. Castiel was right, his family would just be glad to see him. No one had held it against that he'd been gone this long. Most importantly, Cas hadn't held it against him.
"It'll be fine." Castiel reiterated squeezing his hand lovingly, leaning across the seat to press a kiss to Dean's cheek as he came to a stop at a red light.
Dean brought his other hand up to cup the back of his husband's head, drawing him into a tender kiss before the light changed.
-_-_-_
Castiel held on tight to Dean's hand the minute they were out of the car and making their way up to the front porch of Sam and Eileen's home.
He never let go once, even as everyone came to greet them with a hug as Dean's brother, sister in-law, uncle and aunts took a turn to say hello.
"Alright, alright, give the poor man some breathin' room." Dean's uncle Bobby grunted as Jody and Donna had had their turn giving Dean an awkward one-armed hug.
"Thank you, Bobby." Dean nodded to the older man as they all made their way further into the house.
Dean and Castiel took up a loveseat, their bulky frames barely squeezing into the space. Dean ended up halfway in his husband's lap, but didn't give a damn. Castiel simply wrapped his arms around Dean's waist.
As everyone else settled into a seat, Dean noticed Sam and Eileen disappearing through the double doors that led into the kitchen.
"Where are you two goin'?" he called out, catching his brother's attention. "Just checking on the food, we'll be back." Sam answered before Eileen dragged him through the door.
"Dean, how's it feel being back home?" his aunt Ellen questioned, drawing Dean's attention from staring after his brother and sister in-law.
He glanced over at the woman sitting beside Bobby on the couch, noting the touch of gray in her brunette hair that wasn't there three years ago.
"It's been strange, but this one here has been just amazing the entire time." he responded inclining his head toward Castiel, who was absentmindedly stroking his fingers up and down Dean's arm. "And it's really good to see you all." he added looking around the room.
"It's damn good to have you home, son." Bobby announced gruffly, nodding his head towards Dean.
There was a quiet murmur of agreement from the others, and it made Dean's eyes feel misty for a moment before he shook himself. Practically sitting in his husband's lap was keeping him grounded. It felt awesome.
-_-_-_
"You okay, Dean?" Sam questioned as he came out to join his brother on the back porch. Dean looked sideways at his little brother, a small smile tugging his lips up.
"Yeah, Sammy. Just needed some fresh air." he replied, smiling wide when Castiel came walking up the porch steps.
"Cas." Sam greeted with a smile, nodding at him as he moved to take up the empty space on Dean's left.
"Sam. Thank you for having us." Castiel replied kindly, intertwining his fingers with Dean's at his side.
"Thank you for convincing my brother to come. We seriously missed the hell outta you, dude." Sam said turning to face Dean properly, clasping a large hand on his good shoulder. Dean swallowed down the lump in his throat, nodding silently to Sam.
"Sam! We could use a hand in here!" Jody's voice called through the back door. Sam shook his head playfully at the others, disappearing through the door to leave Dean and Castiel alone again.
"Wanna go save your brother from the lionesses?" Castiel joked, inclining his head toward the door. Dean was quiet for a beat, deciding before answering. "Nah, he can fend for himself." Dean chuckled drawing his husband into his arms.
Castiel linked his arms around Dean's neck, leaning up to press a kiss to the tip of his nose, making Dean's eyes crinkle with a smile. He kissed him properly this time, their bodies leaning into one another. Dean's hands finding purchase on his husband's hips, thumbs hooking into the belt loops of his jeans.
Dean tipped forward, deepening the kiss, making a satisfied sound in the back of his throat when Castiel let out the faintest moan. Fingers tugged at his hair, desperate and asking for more. Dean obliged, licking across Castiel's bottom lip in permission.
They both sighed in mutual contentment when their tongues slid together, bodies pressing impossibly closer until Dean's hips were rocking against his husband's, seeking friction when Castiel drew back.
"I don't think it would be wise to let this play out on your brother's back porch." Castiel laughed, his tone raw with lust. The sound, unfortunately, went straight to Dean's dick and he groaned as it strained against his zipper.
"You're right, we should take this to the guest room." Dean wiggled his eyebrows at his husband, hands still on his hips, thumbs tugging at his belt loops in an attempt to draw him in close again. Castiel chuckled darkly, cupping Dean's neck.
