Work Text:
Castiel loved his bees. He enjoyed looking after them, and spending time in the area surrounding the bunker where his bees were located. Castiel had expressed his love of bees one night and after several conversations between Sam and Dean they decided that bees were self sufficient enough to have even while they wee on hunts. Between the three of them they did enough research to build Cas eight large bee boxes for his honeybees.
They also build his several large raised flowerbeds, which Castiel filled with several pollinator flowers. Castiel took great care of his flowers as well, weeding them, watering them when it hadn’t rained, and making sure that the bees could use them for food. Castiel took great pride in his operation, showing it off to the brothers when he could and honestly to any visitors they had to the bunkers.
***
“Sam, Dean would you both be able to help me tomorrow?” Castiel asked while the brothers were eating.
“Sure Cas, what do you need?” Dean asked between mouthfuls of food.
“It’s time to start harvesting the honey from the bees and it’s my first time doing it and I would love to have help with it, if you both wouldn’t mind helping me.”
“Of course Cas, whatever man. I mean we don’t know either but I’m sure with your help we can all get it done together.” Sam said.
“Thank you both for the help, I really appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome Cas. I’m sure that I’ll be fun.” Dean said.
***
The next morning after breakfast the three men made their was out of the bunkers and over to the little knoll where Castiel’s bees and flowers were located. Castiel let Sam and Dean wear the bee suits that he had, stating that the bees knew him so he didn’t need to protection for them like Sam and Dean might.
“Sam I want you to cut the wax off of the combs, I brought out a bucket that you can put it in, I would like to keep it and use it. Dean you’ll help me extract the honey from the honeycomb, you hold to frame and I’ll extract the honey that’s needed.”
Both boys nodded. They watched Castiel as he blew puffs of smoke into the hives to calm the bees. Castiel waited a few moments before lifting the top and pulling out on of the wood slats, bring bees and the honeycomb with it.
“Here Sam, I’ll hold it and you take the knife from the buckets and remove the wax from the outside.” Sam nodded and slowly cut off all the wax and let it fall into the bucket on the ground under him.
“Dean take the frame now and I’ll extract the honey and honey comb.”
Dean followed the instructions from Castiel. The three worked together to harvest all the needed honey from the bees. A few hours later they had buckets full of beeswax and honey. Sam took the buckets inside, leaving Dean and Castiel outside with the bees.
“Why didn’t you take all the honey and comb Cas?”
“They need it for food during the winter, speaking of I need to figure out how to protect them from the elements during winter.”
“We’ll figure something out Cas, don’t you worry.” Dean smiled at Cas. He like how happy he was, out here, with his bees and garden. Dean liked when Cas was happy.
“Thank you Dean.” Cas looked over at Dean, smiling at him.
Dean knew his feeling for Cas, had worked them out for himself a long time ago. He even admitted it to Sam, which was a big step for him. Now, he just need to admit them to Cas. That’s where he was struggling because Cas deserves the world and Dean can’t offer that to him, but he can try his hardest to give Cas everything he can. And where better then Cas’ safe place, amongst the bees and flowers.
“Cas can I say something.”
“Of course Dean, what do you need?” Castiel turned to look at Dean.
“Please tell me if I’m reading this wrong, but I need to do this before I loose the courage.”
Dean grabbed the front of Castiel’s shirt pulling him in for their first (of many) kiss. Castiel put his hands on Dean’s waist, pulling him even closer to him. Dean didn’t want this to end, for them to pull away and loose the connection they had.
“Damn Dean.” Castiel breathed the words against Dean’s lips. Dean pulled away, laughing.
“You’re really something aren’t you Cas.” Dean smiled at Cas.
“Dean please tell me what this means. I can’t carry on unless this means what I think it means.”
“I like you Cas, I really do in every way possible. I was going to tell you first but you know what they say, actions speak louder than words.”
“You’re an idiot Dean Winchester, but you’re my idiot and I would like to keep you.” Castiel brought his hand up to gently brush Dean’s cheek.
“I like the sound of that.”
“Let’s go inside Dean and I’ll teach you the next step in the honey harvesting process.”
“Let’s.”
Dean took Castiel hand and pulled him back towards the bunker. Both choose to ignore the soft smile Sam gave them when they entered. Dean didn’t process much of what Castiel told him about bottling honey and his plans for the beeswax, he was just too happy that he could finally call Cas his.