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The surprise went well. Cas suspected Dean had figured it out, but he acted surprised enough (probably for Jack’s benefit - he’d put in a lot of work on the decorations but not a lot of work into keeping them hidden from Dean).
Cas is talking to Garth about his kids, happily hearing about the younger Castiel. He surveys the party as Garth talks. Their family is all here, milling about and enjoying the snacks. All of the people Cas has come to love are here in their home for this day. All of them, it seems, except Dean. Cas looks around once more, but can’t find the birthday boy himself.
Garth notices the concern on Cas’ face and asks, “You alright there, Cas?”
Cas smiles at Garth and pats him on the shoulder. “I’m sorry, I’ll be right back.”
He asks if anyone had seen Dean recently as he moves through the crowd. It’s finally Claire that points her thumb over her shoulder and says, “He’s in your room.”
When Castiel slowly opens their bedroom door, Dean is facing the back wall. Cas thinks he can hear him crying, but it’s hard to hear over the bustle of the party down the hall. He knocks on the door to get Dean’s attention. Dean turns and yep, those are tears staining his cheeks. Cas closes the door behind him and walks over to his husband.
“Hey. You okay?”
“Hey, yeah, sorry Cas, I uh.” Dean scrubs his face and takes a deep breath. “Yeah. I’m okay.”
Cas tilts his head in understanding. “Overwhelming?”
Dean scoffs. No sense hiding how he feels from Cas. “Yeah, yeah. It’s, well. I’ve never had, uh.”
Cas runs a soothing hand down his side. “A party?”
Dean breathes out, as a thanks to Cas for finishing a sentence he felt like he couldn’t. It’s just a word, but he never felt like he’d get to apply it to himself. Well, at least not in such a positive context. “Yeah. Well. Not - not like this. So many people, and they…”
“They all care about you. I’d go so far as to say most if not all of them love you.”
The tears return. “Fuck.”
Cas holds him. It’s different from a hug. It’s more secure, not asking anything of the recipient. Dean feels safe like this. Cas rocks him just a little, and Dean flows with it. They stay for a few more moments before Cas tries to pull back. Dean holds him in place.
“We’re going to have to go back out there,” Cas says into his temple.
“Do we really?”
“Yes, Dean.”
He buries his face further into Cas’ neck. “Five more minutes.”
“Okay.”
Dean tentatively places his lips on Cas’ neck. When Cas sighs, he keeps going. Cas lets him for a minute before saying, “If you’re trying to persuade me to stay here, it won’t work.”
Dean grips Cas’ hips. “No?”
“No. I was having a very engaging discussion with Garth about his children.”
Dean sighs and knocks his head against Cas’ cheek. “Why you gotta bring kids up? Ruins the mood.”
Cas giggles. “Exactly. Come on.” He leads Dean to the door by one hand. “Let’s get back out to your party, Mister Birthday Boy.”