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Dean huffed as he put on the cowboy hat.
“Remind me why I have to wear this,” he grumbled, staring at the mirror Sam had placed in the map room.
“Come on, Dean. You loved Halloween when you were a kid,” Sam said, adjusting his moose ears.
“Yeah, because people gave me free candy. Adults don’t get that deal,” Dean muttered.
“Jack wants to go, and the last time we didn’t take him where he wanted, the bunker ended up full of weird plants. Remember?”
Dean grimaced, remembering the endless pruning that followed.
“We shouldn’t give him everything he wants. He’ll get spoiled,” he argued, sitting down.
“He just wants to go trick-or-treating, Dean. You used to cry when Dad didn’t let you go,” Sam said, sitting beside him. “Don’t complain. You got the good costume. I’m the one dressed as a moose.”
Dean smirked, giving his brother a once-over. At least he looked decent. Sam looked ridiculous.
“What did Jack say he was dressing as?” Dean asked, checking his watch.
“Ghost, I think. And Cas said he’d be a bee.”
Dean grinned. “I’m recording that.”
“Don’t. It’s their first Halloween,” Sam warned, but Dean waved him off.
“Let’s go, or we’ll miss the good candy!” Dean yelled, and a child’s laughter echoed through the bunker.
Sam smiled and started recording, already predicting Dean’s reaction.
Jack came running and lifted his arms for Dean to pick him up. Dean obliged, smiling at the tiny ghost in his arms.
“Dad,” Jack said, tugging at his hat until it tilted crookedly.
“Jack, don’t—hey, watch it!” Dean said, half-laughing as the hat’s brim poked him in the eye. “Angel! Let’s go!”
“This is one of the humans’ most ridiculous traditions,” Castiel’s voice echoed from the hallway.
“Come on, Cas. We all look stupid. You can’t look worse than Sam,” Dean called. When Cas didn’t appear, he added, “Jack, go get your Pop. He’s being a scaredy-cat.”
Jack nodded and ran down the hall. Moments later, he returned pulling a reluctant Castiel behind him, bouncing happily.
Castiel wore black dress pants, an open white shirt with a loose tie, and underneath, a blue T-shirt with the Superman logo. His hair was slicked back except for a rebellious curl on his forehead, and a pair of glasses completed the look.
Dean went silent. Sam kept recording. Castiel didn’t look embarrassed, but he didn’t look thrilled either.
“I find this costume highly inappropriate, given the past comparisons people have made between me and this character,” Castiel muttered.
Sam barely held back his laughter. “Forget that, Cas. The costume suits you, man,” he said, turning the camera to Dean. “Right, Dean?”
Dean blinked, snapped out of it, and noticed the phone. “Turn that off, bitch,” he barked, covering the camera with his hand. Sam lowered it, laughing uncontrollably.
“What’s funny, Dad?” Jack asked.
“He’s laughing because his idea for Cas’s costume clearly made Dean uncomfortable,” Castiel said seriously.
“What? I’m not uncomfortable!” Dean protested.
“You’re not?” Castiel asked, tilting his head.
“No, you look good. I just… thought you’d be a bee or something,” Dean said, scratching the back of his neck.
“Oh. Well, you look attractive too,” Castiel replied simply.
Dean’s ears turned red.
“Ugh, you two are ridiculous! Just kiss already!” Sam shouted, picking Jack up. “Right, Jack?”
Jack nodded eagerly.
Castiel turned to Dean, slightly nervous. Neither of them was great with public affection yet. He leaned forward and kissed Dean’s cheek.
“There. Can we go now, Sam?” he asked calmly.
“Yeah, Eileen’s waiting outside,” Sam said with a grin.
“What’s her costume?” Cas asked.
“Moose. Couple costume,” Sam shrugged. “You two should try it next year. Batman, Superman, and Robin. Sounds good, huh, Jack?”
Jack giggled.
“He needs to see Batman first,” Dean said.
“Movies he won’t watch until he’s ten,” Castiel added sternly.
“I can show him the animated ones!” Dean defended.
They walked out still arguing about couple costumes. Eileen stood by the entrance, scrolling through her phone. Jack wriggled in Dean’s arms, spotted her, and shouted:
“Mom!”
It had been strange when he started calling her that—but then again, it was strange when he started calling all three of them Dad. No one saw the need to correct him.
“You really do look good,” Dean murmured to Castiel once Sam and Eileen were far enough away.
“So do you,” Castiel replied softly. “Sam picked my costume.”
“I know. He’s aware I’ve got a crush on Superman.”
“What you said years ago—about Superman turning to the dark side—was that intentional?”
Dean hesitated. “Kind of. I already liked you, so maybe my brain just… connected the dots.”
“Doesn’t Superman date Lois Lane? Why did Sam say you should be Batman?” Castiel asked.
“Because of World’s Finest—a comic where Batman, Superman, and Robin team up to solve cases,” Dean explained. Castiel listened intently.
“Well… maybe next year,” Cas said.
“Yeah. Maybe next year,” Dean agreed, pressing a quick kiss to his lips.
They went trick-or-treating in town with Jack. Some people even handed candy to Dean and Castiel. Sam and Eileen flirted nearby, giving sweets to passing kids.
Later, they switched roles: Dean and Cas walked hand in hand, while Sam and Eileen took Jack door to door.
It might not have been the prettiest tradition, or the most typical family, but it was theirs. And that was enough. 🎃