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Cas smiled softly at Jack and Sam decorating the hallways with garlands of tinsel and evergreens. Their son, and ultimate Christian deity, made sure to spend the days of Christmas with his family. Christ surely didn’t mind. “I wasn’t even born mid December, Jack,” his half-uncle had said. “Come to my real birthday with one of Dean’s homemade pies and I’m happy. Have fun with your family. That’s the best gift you can both receive and give.”
Sam noticed him and a knowing smile curled his lips. The big man nodded his head towards the kitchen. “He’s making whiskey truffles and a sherry trifle for Eileen.” Warmth blossomed in Cas’ heart. Dean was such a loving person. Every time Cas turned around, Dean was doing something special for his family. This Christmas was the first since the whole showdown with Chuck and Dean had proclaimed that he was ready to finally have a peaceful end of the year. Cas could only agree.
So ever since Thanksgiving, Dean had been researching recipes, asking people if they would like to come over and then even summoned Billy to ask her if she even ate at all, after inviting her as well. They had a very tentative but cordial relationship with her ever since Dean had convinced her that Chuck was going around the bend when he wanted to wipe out life except for them. A bewildered Amara had contacted them about it.
Billy had reluctantly opened Chuck’s thick as heck book and read his current chapter with a deepening frown. “I see,” she had said. “This will not do at all. The true creator of the world should be impartial and not hold grudges or have favourites. He started to slip with Lucifer and has only gone downhill faster and faster. I will provide a spell that can transfer his powers to an archangel,” Her gaze had shifted to Jack. “…or their offspring. It will render Chuck powerless and human. I will reap him when his time comes and your boy can take over.”
Jack, being their son more than he ever was Lucifer’s, had agreed instantly and once that was done and dusted, negotiated a treaty with the Empty. It could have Chuck, the guy who had broken every deal he ever made with it, if it would leave Cas alone. The Empty, wearing Meg’s appearance, woke up Gabriel and asked him his opinion. The sassy archangel had smirked and told the entity that in his centuries of being a trickster, he had seen more deals broken by Chuck than by any other deity. Then the Empty woke Crowley and asked the same question. Apparently the glib demon had quirked an eyebrow at it and scoffed. “The guy has been off his rocker for ages. How often has he had Feathers killed and then revived him? Not to mention having the poor fellow work with me, swallow a whole plethora of angry leviathan, then go coocoo for cocoa puffs and swamp your dimension with hundreds of angels all at once. I’d say he deserves your grudge more than dear old Castiel.”
The entity had considered both testimonies carefully and nodded. “Alright,” it had said with that sassy quirk of the eyebrow Meg had perfected ages ago. “You have a deal, Jack. And since you two…” It waved a hand at Crowley and Gabriel. “… have testified, but not tried to bargain for your lives back, I will reward you with that anyway.” A steely glare at Gabriel. “Especially since you like to wake up and play ‘Yankee Doodle’ on a kazoo every now and then. I still don't know how you got that infernal instrument in here in the first place.” Gabriel had simply smirked and waved said instrument at it.
So now Dean had made malvapoeding from South Africa, Stollen from Germany and Swedish Pearl Sugar Snowball Cookies, all for Gabriel. There were dishes of Clootie dumplings and a big bowl of Cranachan for Crowley and Rowena, who co-ruled Hell and made sure to have their assistant Parker run things smoothly for the day and a half they were on earth. Which was a feat, since a day and a half Earth time meant about six months Hell time and a lot could happen in that period.
Jody and Donna would bring the girls over and Bobby came back from Heaven for a spell too. Jack knew how much the old man meant to Sam and Dean, and allowed this once a year. But for now, the Bunker was still quiet, with just its regular inhabitants wandering around. And music coming from the kitchen. The warm feeling around Cas’ heart shifted and intensified as he walked to the kitchen.
A radio stood on the counter next to the bottle of Bushmills 2010 double moscatel cask whiskey and Dean was humming along, rolling chocolate balls in powdered cocoa. His hips were swinging enticingly and as the song reached a crescendo, he started to move his feet as well. Soon he was dancing along whilst still making his truffles. His capable and calloused hands were smudged with dark brown and his soul radiated pure joy at the simple task and the joyful music. He was still beautiful, still Dean Winchester, even after all they had been through.
The song ended and a next one rolled from the speakers. Dean never stopped moving, and he even closed his eyes while humming along, sometimes dropping in a word or two, indicating he knew the poppy song well. Cas had heard it a few times as well and he smiled. The song by Ed Sheeran and Sir Elton John meant a lot to him and was just perfect for this moment. He waited for the second chorus to repeat and added his voice.
“We'll dance in the kitchen while embers glow
We've both known love, but this love we got is the best of all
I wish you could see it through my eyes then you would know
My God, you look beautiful right now.”
Dean dropped the truffle he was shaping and turned around. A lovely blush dusted his cheeks, making his freckles stand out. “Cas! I’m… uh…”
Cas never stopped smiling and stepped close. “Filled up with so much love
All the family and friends all together
Where we all belong.” he sang and cupped Dean’s cheek gently with one hand. “You do look gorgeous, Dean.” he said softly while Elton and Ed sang on in the background. “I wanted to tell you this a million times before, but now… now it feels just right. I love you, Dean Winchester. Faults and all. You are my perfect partner. I want you to know this, even if you don’t reciprocate it.”
The cheek under his hand heated up as Dean’s blush deepened, now obscuring the freckles. Dean looked down, silent for a moment before speaking “Cas… I-“ His voice faltered, then those amazing green eyes looked up into Cas’ blue ones and that tiny tip of tongue slipped out to wet plush lips. “I love you too. I was too chicken-shit to tell you, but I have loved you for ages. For over ten years I wanted to tell you. Cas… you are my perfect partner too.” The last words were barely a whisper as Dean closed the distance between them and their lips got pressed together in the gentlest kiss.
“Oh for the love of… Alright mother, you win.” Crowley’s voice broke them apart. The erstwhile King of Hell stood in the doorway, his face grumpy and his hand stuffed in his black overcoat. Rowena stood behind him, a gentle but still smug smile on her face. Crowley drew a scroll from his pocket. “A bet is a bet.” He snapped and the scroll went up in flames.
Rowena smoothed the hair on his brow and stepped past him. “Ne’er doubt yer mam, my wee sausage. Congratulations, boys,” she said to the baffled celestial and human. “Thanks fer th’ vacation. I get a Hell decade off thanks to you two finally pulling yer heads out o’ yer arses. Fergus was sure neither of ye would e’er pluck up th’ courage.”
Crowley huffed and sighed. “I’ll be right back. Parker needs to know this.” He disappeared and Rowena smiled triumphantly. Then her face dropped and she scowled.
“Is tha’ Irish whiskey?”