Chapter Text
Destiel could barely contain herself, and obsessed over how Dean was going to propose to Cas for weeks. She kept her mouth running at all times when Cas wasn’t around, and it was all she could talk about. In truth, Dean was just as giddy about it as his daughter, but he refused to let it show. Some things you just never let go of.
Cas could tell there was something going on, but when he asked around, nobody told him the truth. There was definitely something up with Des. She was practically bouncing off the walls, squealing and giggling in excitement.
Dean took forever to find the right ring, though. He wanted one that matched the color of Cas’ eye perfectly, and none he’d seen so far had pleased him. The longer it took, the more unsure he got. He even got so far as to take his daughter with him on one occasion.
“What are you looking for, Dad?”
“A ring, Des.”
“Well duh. But I mean, what are you looking for in the ring?”
“So you’re going full-saleswoman on me now?” Dean joked, making Des laugh.
“I just want to help. That’s why you brought me, isn’t it?” She pressed. Dean nodded.
“I want one that is the perfect shade of your father’s eyes.”
“You’re getting him with a gem on it?” Des asked skeptically.
“What? No. Haven’t you seen those band-rings where there are little gems inside the middle? That’s what I want to get your father.” Dean specified.
“Oh. Well you should’ve said that.” They approached the counter of Zales at the mall. The perky woman eyeing for potential customers rushed to their side.
“Welcome to Zales, the galleria of jewelry!” She grinned artificially.
“Hi.” Dean muttered, not paying attention to her. His eyes were glued to the display cases.
“Are you looking for anything in particular today?” She asked, and Dean was about to wave her off, but Des spoke up.
“Yes, my dad is looking for engagement rings.” She declared proudly. Dean glared at his daughter, silently stating that he didn’t need help from the woman. Des shrugged and turned back to the lady behind the counter.
“Ah, I see. Is there a particular look or style you’re going for?” The woman asked.
“Men’s band, with little gems in the middle.” Des repeated.
“Oh, yes. We have a wide selection of those here.” The lady led an ecstatic Des and a begrudging Dean over to the right, where there were several men’s rings, just as she’d said. Dean peered down into the case, skeptical of what he’d find.
And then he saw it.
It was the first thing he laid eyes on when he looked at the case, and memories of Castiel flooded to him. Hugging him in Purgatory, the way Cas smiled when they were sitting on benches together at a park back when they first met, laughing with him after escaping the brothel, the first time they’d kissed after Cas told him he loved him. Everything.
Dean smiled down at the silver band that was exactly how he’d imagined, and pointed to it.
“That’s the one.”
~*~*~
The Mark was gone, Cas was crashing at the Bunker, and Amara or the Darkness or whatever, was on the loose. After Cas explained the mystery surrounding what had happened with Rowena, him, and Crowley, Dean was sent to find Cas’ car parked outside the warehouse where it’d all gone down. Dean was unsure if he should take the car back to the Bunker or just scrap it. He went with the former, remembering that Cas liked this hunk of junk in front of him. Plus, Cas had specifically asked Dean explicitly to pick up the car at all costs. Not that Dean could understand why, but he respected the bond between man and car. More than anyone.
That’s when he noticed the dark shape in the back seat. It appeared to be a teenager with a dark blanket thrown over her. Dean got in beside her, and brushed the black strands of his daughter’s face as she slept.
“Des.” He said quietly, gently shaking her. When she didn’t budge, Dean’s brow furrowed in concern. “Dessie.” He called louder, nudging her harder. She made no movement. Dean’s heart froze in fear, and he checked for a pulse. He sighed in relief when there was a faint, but real pulse.
She’s under a spell.
Dean reminded himself, recalling what Cas had said before the Darkness had hit. He put a hand on his daughter’s forehead and understood now why Cas wanted the car so badly.
“I’ve got you, Destiel.” He said, pulling the girl into his arms and getting her back into his own car. “And I’m not letting you die on me.”
~*~*~
“What if he says no?” Dean worried aloud.
“Dean, he’s going to say yes. Why on Earth would he say no?” Sam said. Dean was holding his own hair in fists and trying not to panic about proposing to Castiel. It wasn’t working.
“I don’t know if I can do this, Sam.” He muttered. Sam rolled his eyes.
“Look, Dean. You’ve faced monsters and things of the dark. I think you can propose to the man you love easy enough.”
“But-”
“But nothing. He loves you, Dean. I mean, all that ridiculous unresolved tension you two put up for six years before gutting it is already out of the way. You’re together. There’s nothing to be afraid of him. You love him, don’t you?” Sam asked.
“Yes.”
“Then there’s nothing to worry about. We all support you, and everything will be fine.” Sam comforted. “He’ll say yes, Dean.” Sam assured him. Dean sighed, but took Sam’s word for it. He was always better with this “feelings” crap than Dean was, anyway. Sam hugged Dean, and squeezed him tight in a giant moose-hug. “I’m so happy for you two.”
“What about you? Never gonna ask anyone special?” Dean asked, trying to distract his mind from worrying more. Sam shook his head.
“No. To be honest, I think that person never truly left Stanford.” Sam lied.
“Sorry.”
“It’s no big deal. At least one of us got the happy ending, right?” Sam grinned, and Dean scoffed.
“Oh, shut up, bitch.”
“Jerk.”
~*~*~
Dean brought his daughter safely back to the Bunker where Cas told him and Sam about what Rowena had said. Dean put his head in his hands, and Sam sighed in defeat. Cas folded his hands in his lap and said nothing more.
“So we bring her back.” Dean spoke up.
“What?” Cas asked.
“We bring back her girlfriend.”
“But Dean,” Sam started, looking at his older brother, “we don’t even know her name.” Cas sucked in his breath.
“But there is someone who might.” He stated, pulling out his phone.
~*~*~
They were sitting on the hood of the Impala, gazing at the setting sun and holding each other’s hands. They did this a lot, but this time was guaranteed to be different. Everything was set, and it was all perfect. Dean handed Cas a beer from the cooler in the trunk, and opened his own. Cas sighed contentedly, and smiled over at Dean.
“I love you, Dean.” Cas stated.
“I love you too, Cas.” Dean said, putting a hand on Cas’ face lovingly. “Cas?”
“Yes, Dean?” Cas looked at him patiently.
“Uh…” Dean panicked internally. “Do you want another beer?”
“Sure, Dean.” Cas smiled, causing Dean to relax.
“Okay.” Dean slid off the car and went to the trunk.
“Psst, Dad!” A voice whispered, and Dean nearly fell over with fright. Then he saw a face peering at him from a bush beside the car.
“Destiel?” Dean whispered back.
“Yeah. Dad, what are you waiting for?” She asked.
“How the hell did you get here?”
“That doesn’t matter-”
“Yeah it does.” Dean snapped quietly. Des sighed.
“I rode here.”
“On what?”
“My bike.” Des nodded over to the half-hidden motorcycle a few feet away.
“I didn’t know you had a crotch-rocket.” He said.
“I’ll explain later. Just go do what you came here to do already!” Des hurriedly whispered.
“I will, I will. but you have to leave. This was supposed to be private.”
“I’ll leave as soon as you ask him. Okay?” Des promised.
“Okay.”
“Just count to three, and say it.” Des encouraged.
“Thanks, Dessie.” Dean said, and his daughter winked at him.
“Go get him.” She whispered. Dean pulled the ring box out of his pocket, and strode back up to Cas.
“Cas?”
“Dean, are we out of beer?” Cas asked when Dean came back empty-handed. “We couldn’t have possibly drank the whole thing yet-” He said, sliding off the hood in an attempt to check the cooler, but Dean stopped him in front of the car.
“Cas, there’s something I gotta ask you.” Dean stated as calmly as he could.
“Yes, Dean?” Cas asked as Dean put his hand in his pocket, reaching for the box and sliding down on one knee. Cas’ eyes widened.
“Castiel, will you-”
“YES!” Destiel screamed from the bushes, but when the two men looked for the source of the voice, Des cleared her throat, still unseen. “I mean, CAW-CAW! CAW-CAW!” She imitated. Dean glared in her direction.
“Was that-” Cas started to ask, but Dean took his hand, looking back up at the angel.
“Never mind her.” Dean looked back up at his Cas again, and everything else seemed to melt away, and they were the only two beings in the world. “Castiel, will you marry me?” Dean proposed, opening the box. Cas smiled, and looked to Dean.
“Dean Winchester, I would be honored.” He grinned. Dean’s heart swelled, and he jumped up to kiss Cas, not even putting on the ring first. He couldn’t wait to.
“I love you, Cas.” Dean murmured on the angel’s lips.
“I love you too, Dean.” Dean slipped on the ring, which fit perfectly. In the distance, he heard a squeal, and eventually, the sound of a motorbike engine racing away, off to tell everyone, no doubt.
~*~*~
“I just talked to Claire. She said the girl’s name is Lacey, from the Bluebird Motel in Iowa.” Cas reported, closing his flip phone. “I can bring her soul here, since many are still trapped on Earth due to the major blockage from Heaven that’s been keeping soul traffic from moving along as it should. I can try to locate her.”
“But won’t she need a body? I mean, sure, we can get her soul here, but she probably won’t be able to touch Des without a physical body.” Sam pointed out.
“He’s right. We’ll need a real body for this work.” Dean agreed. “Alright, I’ll go pick up the body from the motel, Sam you stay here with Des while Cas goes soul-searching.” He instructed, and Sam hid his smirk at the pun out of respect.
“Dean, why don’t I pick up the body and you stay here, just in case she wakes up? You know her better, and I think she’ll want to see you the most when she does wake up.” Sam offered. Dean shook his head.
“What? Sam, you heard Cas, she’s cursed! She’s not waking up without that kiss! No, I’m going, you stay here.”
“Okay.” Dean stormed out, getting in the Impala and driving away to Iowa. Sam looked at Cas, and sighed. “Come on, I think I have an idea on how to get this Lacey girl to come to us.” Sam said, and Cas nodded. Sam went into one of the closets and pulled out a Ouija board. “Don’t tell Dean we still have one of these. He’ll kill me.” Sam said.
“I highly doubt that.” Cas replied seriously. Sam chuckled lightly to himself at this. He set down the box and both he and Cas sat beside it. They joined hands and Sam closed his eyes.
“Lacey, are you there?” He called out, and for a moment, nothing happened. “Lacey. Are you there?” Sam opened his eyes and put his hands on the triangular wooden block, as did Cas. But then, the angel suddenly looked up.
“Sam.”
“What?”
“She’s here.”
“Wha- Do you see her?” Sam inquired. Cas nodded, staring in a straight line at the ghost Sam couldn’t see.
“Are you Lacey?” Cas asked her. The ghost nodded. “Are you the Lacey my daughter loves?” Cas questioned. The ghost tilted her head to the side, unsure. “Her name is Destiel. Are you the Lacey she fell in love with?” At the young Winchester’s name, the ghost smiled warmly, nodding her head yes. She tried to say something, but no sound came from her lips.
“Is she saying anything? Is it here?” Sam wondered. Cas put a hand on his shoulder, allowing Sam to see the deceased girl before them.
“Follow me.” Cas stated, and both Sam and Lacey’s ghost did so. He led them both to Des’ room, where she was placed on the bed. Lacey rushed to her, and sat on the bed beside the seraphim. She mouthed a word that no one could hear, but Castiel knew exactly what she said without needing to hear her.
Destiel.
Lacey put a hand to Des’ shoulder, only to have it fall through the girl’s skin like air. Lacey tried several times before Cas came over. Lacey looked up at him sadly in silence.
“Dean is retrieving your body as we speak. A very powerful witch put a spell on her that only you can break, Lacey.” Sam explained. “You have to kiss her. But to do that, you need your body.” Lacey nodded. She pointed to herself, then made a heart, then pointed to Destiel, mouthing the words with the hand motions. Cas smiled, and nodded.
“She loves you too.” He said. Lacey looked back at Destiel, and watched her sleep. And although she couldn’t touch her, Lacey put her hand on (more like in) Destiel’s. Sam and Cas exited the room, and Sam called Dean to tell him the news.
~*~*~
Dean had voted for the wedding to be casual, because he didn’t want to make a big deal, but Cas wanted it all. He wanted to rent a spot by the lake where Dean had spent one summer with his mother, father, and baby Sam before the yellow-eyed demon showed up. It was the one moment everything was blissful and right in the world. And Cas wanted to give him one more perfect memory at that lake.
Of course, Dean eventually said yes.
Sam, Des, and Charlie had set to work with the plans, calling in favors and asking people to come. They’d invited a handful of people to witness Cas and Dean’s wedding. Everyone had obviously said yes, and were all expected to be coming.
Everything was set and perfect.
The day before the wedding, Sam had tricked Dean into getting in the car with him.
“Sam, where are we going?” Dean questioned for the upteenth time that afternoon.
“Don’t worry, Dean. I’m only kidnapping you.” Sam said casually.
“But I have so many things I need to go do.” Dean whinned.
“Dean, you need this. And plus, as your brother, this is the one thing I want to do most for this wedding.” Sam said, finally giving it away.
“Are you throwing me a bachelor party?” Dean asked incredulously as his younger brother grinned from the driver’s seat of the Impala.
“Alright, you got me.” Sam replied with a chuckle and a smile, making Dean laugh.
“Thanks, Sam.” Dean thanked genuinely.
“Okay, I believe it was you who asked for no chick-flick moments.” Sam teased, and Dean scoffed, rolling his eyes.
“Fine, then I won’t be nice.”
“Aw, don’t be like that.” Sam tried his best to keep a straight face, but he ended up laughing anyway. The Impala sped down the road, toward the night Sam had been planning for years. A night filled with all kinds of pie, purple nurples, and one small, but awesome bar fight.
~*~*~
“The spell will only work for a short amount of time.’” Cas said. “It’s enough for a kiss, but I can’t even guarantee she’ll be able to hang around for even ten minutes.” He explained as Dean held up Lacey’s body that he’d dug up from the cemetery in Iowa.
He placed the body on the bedroom floor, beside the bed where Des was. Lacey stood beside her body as Cas read out the spell, and threw a lit match into a bowl of mixed ingredients he had for the spell. Much to her surprise, Lacey’s spirit floated off the ground, and drifted onto her physical form. Once her soul was in place, the girl’s eyes opened and she breathed in heavily. She looked around at the three men standing before her.
“This has got to be the most awkward way to meet the parents, ever.” She joked, smiling up at them.
~*~*~
The night before the wedding but after the two bachelor parties, Destiel snuck into Dean and Cas’ room before they walked in. She planted herself in the doorway and waited for them to show up. Once they did, she hid.
Hand in hand, they walked together and kissed in the hallway.
“I love you so much, Dean.” Cas smiled.
“I love you, too, Cas. Hell, I still can’t believe we’re getting married tomorrow.” Dean kissed his fiancee again.
“Which is why I can’t allow you both to go in there.” Des stepped in, startling the pair.
“Des! What the hell are you doing here?” Dean jumped, relaxing when he saw who it was.
“I’m going to have to separate the two of you, since it’s bad luck for you two have any contact tomorrow before the wedding. House rules. Er, Bunker rules.” Des stated. “So, night Father!” Des stepped up, kissing Cas’ cheek and grabbed Dean’s arm. “I’m abducting him until you two are officially husbands by law.” She grinned. Dean chuckled as he was being tugged on by his daughter.
“Hang on.” Cas muttered, and put a hand on Dean’ face. “I want one last kiss.” He requested, and kissed his hunter before he was dragged away by their daughter.
“Night, Father!” She called.
“Goodnight, Destiel.”
“You can have my room for the night.” Destiel offered as she shoved her dad into her room.
“Des, where will you sleep, then?” Dean asked knowingly. She shrugged.
“Figured I’d take the floor.” This made Dean chuckle.
“Come over here, you knucklehead.” Dean smiled, and his daughter rushed into his arms like a child.
“I’m so happy that you and Father are finally getting married, Dad.” Des whispered into Dean’s shoulder.
“Me too, Dessie.”
~~~
When Cas awoke the next morning, it felt strange not to wake up to Dean next to him, as he had for years, now.
“Morning, sunshine!” Des greeted with a mile-wide smile, as she sat across from his bed in a chair. He was having a difficult time figuring out why Dean wasn’t beside him, and why Des was in their room this early.
“Morning, Des.” Cas groaned, wanting to go back to sleep.
“Today’s the big day, Father.” Des announced brightly, and Cas’ eyes widened when the pieces of the puzzle quickly put themselves together in his head.
He was getting married today. Castiel was getting married to Dean Winchester.
He threw back the covers and walked to his closet, opening the door to reveal the tuxedo that hung on the door, under the plastic cover. He sighed contently to himself.
“I’m getting married today.” He stated happily.
“Yep, so go shower, get that penguin suit on, and get out there.” Destiel encouraged.
“I’m getting married today.” Cas repeated to himself, still unbelieving.
“To my Dad.”
“To Dean…” Cas smiled in delight, tears welling up in his eyes. “I suppose I should go take a shower, then.” He stated, and Des just shook her head, smile still on her face.
“You do that, Father. And don’t take forever, we’re still on a schedule if we’re going to get to the lake on time!” She reminded him.
They did end up getting there on time. Sam and Des made damn sure that Dean and Cas didn’t see each other at all before it happened, and before any of them knew it, Dean was standing at the altar, trying to keep his cool. Sam was acting a double role as both best man and priest (he’d gotten the license online). He was constantly giving Dean words of comfort. Meanwhile, Cas was also doing his best to stay calm as well.
“Father, it’s going to be fine. I’m going to give you away, and trust me, when you see Dad, everything else won’t matter. Promise.” Des grinned.
“Wow, kiddo you sound almost as if you’ve done this before.” A snappy voice called from behind Cas, who was trying his tie his bow tie. He froze at the voice, but Des looked confused.
“Who are you?” She asked, tilting her head in confusion. Cas turned around in disbelief to stare at the man who was casually holding a glass of champagne and donning a white suit.
“Gabriel?” When Cas saw his brother, he understood it was true.
“Uncle Gabe? The Uncle Gabe?” Destiel asked incredulously.
“The one and only.” Gabe grinned. “So, I’m sorry girly-o. I’m afraid I’ll be the one giving away my little bro here.” Gabe smiled at Cas. “Y’know, I’m really here as Sam’s plus one-” Cas cut off Gabe with a hug.
“I missed you, brother.” He said. Gabe, who was surprised at first, hugged Cas back.
“Missed you too, bro.” He stepped back. “You’re not gonna start crying on me, now are ya?” Gabriel joked, taking a sip of his drink.
“No. I just… I thought you were dead.”
“Aw, c’mon. Can’t kill the Trickster.” Gabe remarked proudly. He scanned Cas up and down. “But enough about me -if that’s even possible. Look at you. All fine-pressed and everything. Dad would’ve been proud. Y’know. If he cared.”
“Thank you, Gabriel.” Cas replied.
“I’m gonna go make sure nothing’s blown up yet.” Des said, stepping outside.
“Hey, kiddo, don’t let anyone know I’m here yet!” Gabe called after her. “It’s not too late to show, is it?” Gabe asked Cas, who shook his head. “Better late than never, right?”
“Right.”
“Alrighty, then. Let’s get you two lovebirds married!” Gabe grinned, and checked Cas over to make sure he was ready. “You’re good to go, Cas. Ready?” Cas looked away nervously, but Gabe put a hand on his shoulder. “Hey. It’s like the kid said. Once you see Dean, nothing else is gonna matter, okay?” Cas’ eyes met his older brother’s and he nodded.
“Okay.” Cas took a deep breath and Gabriel’s offered arm, and stepped out of the dressing room. Cas was glad Gabriel was there for him to hold onto, because when the music started playing, he was shaking like a San Fran earthquake, but with the help of his older brother, he was kept mostly steady. He could feel everyone’s eyes on him all at once, and it was almost too much. But then, he looked up and saw Dean at the edge of the dock with Sam. But all Cas could see was Dean, and everything else -including his nervousness- melted away. Cas smiled at the sight of Dean, which was the first he’d seen of him today, thanks to his daughter and soon to be brother-in-law.
Green eyes met blue and the rest of the walk up to the altar was a blur for the both of them. But then Gabriel was letting go of Castiel, and he realised he was right in front of Dean, about to be married. Dean stretched out his hand, and Cas took it willingly. His heart was pounding in anticipation, and Dean smiled down at him, shining brighter than he ever had. Every inch of his being screamed how much he loved Dean, and the angel hoped that Dean felt the same way about him. When nothing happened for a moment, Dean and Cas both looked at Sam, who’s eyes were glued to Gabriel, who was smiling back at the tall Winchester.
“Oh!” He said, collecting himself as he started to read from the papers he had. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today…”
The rest of the ceremony passed without a hitch, and Des could hardly sit still, except when her plus-one put their hand lovingly on hers.
“I now pronounce you husband and husband. You may kiss the groom.” Sam announced, and Dean dipped his head to kiss Castiel gently for the first time as husbands. Destiel and Charlie and even Sam were crying. Des even noticed Jody Mills shedding a tear, as well as Kevin Tran (who denied having done so later). Dean and Cas led the first dance at the reception, but eventually sat at their table after a few songs. Des strode nervously up to their table, hand tightly intertwined with her plus-one’s.
“Dad? Father? I’d um… I’d like you to meet my girlfriend. Lacey.” Des said, blushing bright red. Lacey smiled sweetly in Dean and Cas’ direction.
“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Winchester.” Lacey greeted Dean. “And Mr. Winchester.” She said to Cas.
“Hello, Lacey.” Cas smiled, and Dean nodded. Des pulled Lacey away to dance (which ended in them kissing, but neither Cas nor Dean saw this). Dean kissed Cas again.
“Did you hear that, Cas?” He questioned.
“What?”
“You’ve officially got a last name, Castiel Winchester.” Dean stated, kissing his husband again. Cas smiled into the kiss. They watched the party, and Cas started chuckling. “What’s so funny?” Dean asked with a smile.
“Sam and Gabriel sure do seem to be enjoying themselves.” Cas smirked, pointing over towards the edge of the tables where no one else seemed to be. There, Sam was holding Gabe tightly against him and making out with the archangel. Dean groaned, but was grinning.
“That’s disgusting.” He grumbled happily. Cas laughed.
“What are you, four?” Cas joked.
“I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
Sam made a speech that made Dean cry and then Cas and Dean cut the largest pie Des or any of them had ever seen. But instead of feeding it to Dean, Cas decided on the spot to smush his piece into Dean’s face. Laughing, he wasn’t surprised when Dean did the same to him.
~*~*~
Lacey stood from the floor, body and all, and pressed her lips to Destiel’s.
~*~*~
Destiel was laughing, and watching her parents with pride. They were so happy, which was all she ever wanted them to be.
And then it was all gone, before she could even blink.
~*~*~
The youngest Winchester opened her eyes, and looked around at the four people staring back at her.
“Who are you?”