Ready to Fall

Epilogue

When Dean walks into Espresso Self, his eyes immediately flick behind the counter. Just as he expected, Castiel and Charlie are behind it, both decked in navy blue aprons with the Espresso Self logo emblazoned across them, arguing about God knows what. Last week it was who would win in a fight between Pitt and Princess Peach, a theory they then tested in one of the most intense games of Super Smash Bros Dean's ever seen. Yesterday it was whether the works of Ayn Rand should be considered ironic or iconic.

He slips behind the counter, dropping his book bag on the nearest flat surface, sidling up behind Castiel and snaking his arms around his boyfriend's waist as he presses a kiss to his neck.

"Dean, what do you think?" Castiel asks in greeting. "Was Severus Snape a villain or a hero?"

Dean moves to stand next to Castiel, resting his weight on the counter and looking from Charlie to Cas before responding; "I think I don't know what the hell you're talking about."

Castiel rolls his eyes and Charlie scowls at him, but he's saved a lecture when customers start filing into the cafe and lining up at the counter. Charlie stalks off to help them, grumbling as she goes, and Castiel turns to Dean with a smile.

"Hey you," Dean says, pulling Castiel in by his apron. Castiel goes willingly, settling himself between Dean's legs and resting his hands on Dean's chest.

"Hello, Dean," he replies.

"What is it you wanted to talk to me about?" Dean asks.

"Christmas vacation is next month," Castiel states, "and I was thinking-"

Dean waits for him to continue. When he doesn't, Dean leans in and brushes his lips against Castiel's own and asks, "You were thinking of giving me endless amounts of free sex for Christmas? I think that's a great idea, Cas."

"Dean, I've been giving you endless amounts of free sex for four months now. Or have you already forgotten last night?"  

Dean's mind flits back to the previous night, when Castiel had made him come twice in the space of an hour. "Nope," he answers with a smirk, "Haven't forgotten."

"I'd be worried if you had," Castiel admits with a hint of a cocky smile.

"Okay, then what's up?"

Castiel takes a deep breath before stating, "I want you to come home with me to meet my family." He looks up at Dean with wide, expectant eyes, and Dean can't figure out what the big deal is. Castiel went home with him over summer vacation, it seems only fair they visit Cas' family for Christmas.

"Sure," Dean answers with a shrug.

"Dean, are you certain? Because if you need some time to think about it, I would understand."

"Of course I'm sure, babe," Dean answers. "Aside from being a bunch of dicks, how bad can your family really be?"

Castiel worries at his bottom lip, and Dean can sense an anxiousness still bubbling beneath his boyfriend's skin.

"Cas, what is it?" Dean asks, his thumbs sliding beneath the hem of Castiel's shirt, where he moves them in soothing circles on Castiel's skin.

"Well," Castiel says slowly, "if you were to come home with me for Christmas, we would have to act as if we were only friends."

"What? Why?"

Castiel looks up into Dean's eyes, a quiet sort of pleading there as he states, "Dean, my family doesn't know we're dating."

THE END