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As Dean and Cas pulled up to Jack’s school, the chatter and laughter of children spilled across the parking lot like a burst of sunlight. The playground was still alive with after-school energy—kids swinging backpacks, parents calling names, teachers ushering the stragglers toward the pick-up zone.
Dean didn’t have to look hard to find their son. Even above the noise, Jack’s voice rang out bright and clear, rapid-fire as he talked a mile a minute to two other kids. His hair was sticking up in half a dozen directions, his sneakers scuffed from recess, and his cheeks flushed from running around.
Dean grinned instantly. The kid was practically bouncing with happiness, and that infectious energy was enough to make his own shoulders relax after a long day.
“Hey, buddy!” Dean called, leaning out the driver’s side window.
Jack’s head whipped around. The moment he spotted them, his whole face lit up. “Daddy! Papa!” He tore away from his friends, sprinting toward the car with his backpack bouncing wildly. He flung the door open, clambered into the backseat, and shut it with an excited slam.
Dean reached an arm back to ruffle his hair. “Look at you, little firecracker.”
“How was school, Jack?” Cas asked.
“It was the best day ever!”
Dean’s eyebrows shot up. “Best day ever, huh? That’s a pretty big claim. What happened?”
Jack beamed. “I got married today!”
Dean’s jaw dropped in an exaggerated gasp as he eased the car out of the parking lot. “Married, huh? Well, that’s big news, Jack. Who’s the lucky kid?”
Jack swung his legs wildly, the excess energy spilling into every movement. “Her name is Sophie! She’s in my class. She said I’m her best friend ever, so we got married during recess!”
Dean chuckled. “Ah, recess weddings. Classic. Did you two have a big ceremony, or was it more low-key? Did anyone cry?” He shot Cas a grin. “Bet Papa would’ve cried.”
Jack giggled. “It was big! The whole class saw. We even held hands!”
"Sounds legit. Did you exchange vows? Promise to share all your crayons and Goldfish forever?"
Jack nodded seriously. "I gave her my purple crayon and she gave me her yellow one because those are our favorite colors."
Dean laughed, shaking his head. “A true declaration of love. Guess I owe your Papa a crayon now.” He reached over and slipped his hand into Cas’s, but frowned when he noticed the crease of concern between Cas’s brows.
“Jack,” Cas began in a voice that carried a gravity that made Jack pause mid-swing of his feet, “are you saying you entered into a legally binding contract of matrimony at school today?”
Jack tilted his head, looking utterly confused. "A what?"
Dean tried not to snort. “Cas, relax. It’s just playground stuff. Kids do it all the time.”
But Cas didn’t look convinced. He kept Dean’s hand in a tight grip. “Dean, marriage is a significant cultural and legal institution. Are you telling me it’s considered normal for children to enact such a ritual without understanding its full implications?”
Dean shook his head. “Cas, angel, it’s pretend. Like playing house. Nobody’s filing paperwork over juice boxes.”
“But Jack used the term ‘married.’ Should we not explain the meaning to prevent misunderstanding?”
Dean softened his tone. “He’s six, Cas. Right now, ‘married’ just means they share snacks and sit next to each other on field trips.”
Cas turned back to look at Jack, who was quietly humming to himself. He had pulled out a pencil and notebook from his backpack and was drawing a picture of himself and Sophie under a lopsided rainbow.
“Papa, it looked just like this!” Jack said, proudly showing Cas his drawing.
“That’s… a nice drawing, Jack,” Cas said, still unsure about this whole playground wedding situation.
“Cas, you’re overthinking this. It’s just a phase.”
Cas’s eyes stayed focused on Jack for a moment before he turned back to Dean. "So... this is not a precursor to an actual union?"
Dean laughed. "No, darlin’. Jack's not eloping with Sophie. By next week, he’ll have ‘married’ someone else over a game of tag.”
Cas's eyes widened.
“I promise," Dean assured, "When he actually gets married, we’ll make sure he’s in a suit and not a dinosaur t-shirt and light-up Sketchers. Okay?”
Cas nodded, "Okay," he said, his frown easing into a small smile as he watched Jack continue to sketch away. "Human culture perplexes me more every day."
Dean smiled as they pulled up to a red light, leaning over to give Cas a quick kiss. "Don't worry, angel. You and I are married for real which means I'll be by your side every perplexing step of the way."
Cas nodded and leaned his head against Dean's shoulder as he started driving again. "Good. I wouldn't want it any other way."