#i beat midnight by nine minutes rofl

[warynerd]

I will hold on to you, destiel, t, 1700w ◌ It’s New Year’s Eve, time to celebrate as a family before life goes back to normal. Or whatever passes for normal for a Winchester. [ao3]

A continuation from my advent entries.

The Basics: Castiel was rescued in an unspecified way after 15x18, and has chosen to live a life with Dean and has de-powered himself (exactly how is also unspecified), allowing him to taste food, his vessel to age, etc.; the Wayward family has been visiting for a combined Christmas; Jack is just a Nephilim, having given the power they took from Chuck to a reconstituted Amara; Dean and Castiel are in an established relationship and just proposed to each other, a fact which a (happily) drunken Dean revealed to everyone, besides Sam, who is still clueless; Sam and Eileen are still together; Claire and Jack are starting to have a sibling relationship; Jack is still discovering themselves and prefers they/them.

With Alex and Jody having to go to work on Monday, all of the women besides Claire and Kaia—who are staying until they find a new case—would be heading home the day after New Year's. So Dean had bought some fireworks to help them go out with a bang. Fireworks that Dean and Sam were attempting to set up now.

Dean is wearing his flannel pyjamas under his jeans—as well as inside out underwear for luck, thanks to an article Dean read during a night of insomnia—and three layers on top to stay warm; the AC/DC shirt Castiel had borrowed and wore yesterday that has yet to be washed, a plain grey sweater that was very soft when Castiel’s head rested on Dean’s shoulder after breakfast earlier, and the new coat Castiel bought him after feeling guilty, and sad, seeing the one stained in his blood among Dean’s clothing. Sam is wearing a grey beanie that covers his hair.

Based on their arguing about not understanding the application necessary to schedule the various detonations, they should have asked one of the girls for help. Of course, they also should have started work on this project before New Year’s Eve.

Not that Castiel was going to say anything, he quite enjoys standing back wrapped in a blanket while he sipped at the hot toddy; a new recipe he is trying out to utilise his surplus honey. He was ostensibly there to ensure his bees were not disturbed, really, he was just watching Dean work. And it was always promising when Dean got this flustered. Dean would want to work out his vexations eventually, and a gracious Castiel would volunteer to help his fiancé.

Jack comes out the bunker door and stands next to Castiel on the roof. Jack is looking at Dean and Sam as well, yet their face looks conflicted instead of peaceful. Castiel is not sure why that could be; they seemed fine playing on their new game system earlier with Claire and the other girls.

‘What is it, Jack?’

Jack glances over at him, brows wrinkled in obvious worry. ‘Aunt Amara is coming.’

That causes Castiel to sit up. He has never liked her connection to Dean, but he tries to suppress his initial reaction – she has a unique connection to Jack and has been nothing but helpful, even before Jack restored her. But he does not understand why Jack would be nervous about her visit.

‘What’s wrong? I thought you liked Amara.’ He moves to stand closer so he can wrap Jack in the blanket as well, keeping his arm around him.

‘I do. She was nice to me and understanding. It’s not about her. I just worry that it’s time already.’

Jack was, of course, talking about the deal they made. Amara was going to fix the mess of the multiverse, giving Jack time to live a normal life with their family, and at some eventuality, they would share the power that was once Chuck’s. Castiel could understand from his own failed past attempt the reason why—no one entity should contain total dominion over creation—even if it broke his heart a little to think of Jack having to bear that responsibility.

‘Amara told you that you would live a life with us. I’m sure she’s just here to visit. Maybe she wants to welcome in the New Year with us.’ There’s a shard of doubt in his mind, growing like moss along the dark edges of his mind leftover from the empty – but looking over at Dean, the fragile thing dies. They’re Winchesters, and Winchesters always find a way to beat the odds. Castiel pulls Jack closer, uses the closer hold to ruffle Jack’s hair like Dean taught him.

A now laughing Jack pulls away, trying to fix their hair to its previous style – no doubt by Claire.

‘I’m going to go prepare for the party and her arrival.’

‘I’ll join you in a moment.’ Castiel indicates Dean and Sam with a cant of his head.

Jack nods and gives a knowing smile before they head back into the bunker.

Castiel takes off and roughly folds up the blanket before setting it and his thermos by the door.

Dean and Sam have apparently figured out how to manage the application and moved on to setting up the fireworks, starting from opposite endings of this side of the roof that overlooks the empty field at the side of the building. Dean is bent over and threading some wires together, and Castiel cannot resist a quick snap of the exposed band of his underwear.

Dean yelps and jumps up. ‘I’d say the luck is working already, Dean.’ Castiel smirks at his fiancé's blush.

‘Shut up, Cas.’

‘I’m going in now to help get ready.’ He pauses, unsure how to tell Dean. ‘Jack says Amara is coming.’

Castiel is not sure what to make of the combination of emotions that pass-through Dean’s face before he clears it. ‘What?’

‘Jack is powerful and can feel her power as well.’

‘Right. He’s one with the force.’ Castiel tries to search his memory for the reference. Before he figures it out, Dean is in his space. One hand at his waist, the other on his cheek, tilting him into a quick kiss. ‘We’ll worry about it when she gets here. Now get inside. And make sure no one touches my last pie. I’m saving that.’

Face flushed from the kiss, Castiel nods and turns towards the door. Dean slaps his arse.

‘Now we’re even.’

Castiel rushes back to Dean and uses his surprise to dip him as he kisses him, only pulling back when Dean lets out a deep hum. Dean looks unsteady, eyes glassy, face flushed. ‘Yes, Dean. Now we’re even.’

He walks to the door undisturbed this time. It is only after he has picked up his belongings and has a hand on the door that it dawns on him – Star Wars. He turns back to tell Dean he understood the reference, but he is humming to himself, back to work, so Castiel leaves him to it and walks inside.

---

Castiel gets lost in the act of preparation, and before he knows it, the party is underway.

The younger family members are off playing some drinking trivia game that involves ping pong balls and plastic cups that he is not sure he wants to know the details of playing.

While the seasoned hunters are telling funny tales of hunts and years past while straying from heavy topics. Dean’s eyes are lit so brightly, Castiel wishes he could still clearly see his soul in its full glory – this happy, Dean would be magnificent to behold.

As Castiel is up, getting another round of drinks for everyone, he spots the snack table they set up has only one Rice Krispie treat left, so he grabs it for Dean.

‘Aww, thanks, buddy.’ Dean sloppily kisses his cheek, love showing on his face, at the corners of his eyes.

‘Ugh. I thought you guys were bad when it was all pining. It’s so much worse now that you’re dating.’

‘Shut up, Sammy. At least we keep the heavy stuff to our room and not the gym.’

The table’s eyes snap to Sam, who begins to stammer and cough.

Eileen seems not to have caught what Dean said, and when Castiel clarifies, she punches Sam's shoulder. ‘I told you they knew.’

Sam turns what Dean calls his ‘sad puppy dog eyes’ look to her, and she softens, and they both lean in for a kiss.

‘Get a room!’ Dean’s tone was teasing. Dean has told Castiel that he is happy Sam has Eileen – he worries he screwed Sam up by being a bad example.

‘Maybe we will Dea—’

Jack comes into the room, interrupting Sam. ‘Ten minutes!’

Where did the time go?

As the music is stopped, the sound of moving chairs and additional layers of clothing being applied fills the bunker, with everyone preparing to go outside to watch their fireworks display. As soon as his coat is on, Dean is there grabbing his hand and dragging him outside.

Standing there, waiting to count down, with so few minutes left in the year, Castiel decides to tell Dean something he has been thinking of since the night they proposed to each other. He uses the hand Dean is not holding to move him, so they stand facing each other instead of side by side.

‘Dean. We are already bound. We have defied destiny together. Any ceremony would just be a way for us to celebrate our love with friends and family.’ He can see the love in Dean’s eyes and begins to tear up. ‘And I don’t want to wait years or months for that. Dean, will you spend unattached drifter Christmas with me acknowledging our love in front of them?’

Dean is crying now and gives a small laugh at hearing the reference. ‘Yes.’

They are pulled together, impossible to know who moved first, their kiss allowing them to become one. His ears pick up everyone counting down from ten, but he is too distracted to remember why. Coloured lights are already flashing overhead by the time they pull away from each other, resting foreheads together while they catch their breath.

Then Dean starts to laugh, head throwing back. Castiel turns to everyone; Claire and Kaia are in an embrace, Sam and Eileen as well, Jody has a lip print on her cheek, and Jack and the girls look to be exchanging hugs.

Castiel could not have asked for a better moment and turns to the sky to watch the remaining fireworks. When Dean calms down enough, he turns to watch as well, but only for a moment. He seems unable to restrain himself.

‘We have a date!’

Everyone starts asking when and congratulating them before Sam’s shout cuts everyone off.

‘What do you mean you have a date?’

Oops.

Castiel may have forgotten to tell Dean that no one has informed Sam yet; it seems he is the last to know.

It’s Dean’s raised his hand, to show his engagement ring, that starts the argument.