The Year of Redemption

Chapter 60: Loving You Easy

"Merry Christmas," Cas whispered softly from behind Dean.

The hunter opened his eyes, just waking up and still a bit foggy from sleep. Then he spun around in the sheets and landed right on top of Castiel, realizing what day it was and forcing his lips against the angel's in a flurry of energy and excitement.

Cas hesitated, surprised by Dean's sudden enthusiasm, but eased further into the kiss. The angel couldn't remember how he had ever gotten through the days that didn't start like this. Just being with Dean for even the smallest slice of the morning, feeling him wake up, seeing that first smile of the day, watching his drowsy eyes flutter open and crinkle at the corners, touching his sleepy lips... Cas swore that was enough to get him through anything.

The angel smiled against Dean's mouth. He grabbed the hunter and rolled their bodies so he was on top now. But Dean also had a hold of Cas, and he kept them rolling another time – one time too many, in fact.

The angel landed on his back with a thud, the air from his lungs escaping through his lips in a "whoosh" of breath – straight into Dean's face. The hunter pulled away quickly, finding the floor with his hands and holding himself above Cas. His eyes searched the angel's worriedly.

The surprise of the sudden fall and abrupt landing slowly faded from Castiel's face, and he broke out into a slight grin as he stared at Dean. "Sorry," the hunter murmured sheepishly, embarrassed at himself but also trying to hide his own smile. Castiel laughed out loud, and after a few seconds, Dean joined in. Then the hunter laid his head on Cas's chest and held him closely, as if trying to ensure that the angel's fragile human body was still together and ok.

Cas traced a finger over Dean's cheek. "You have lines on your face from sleeping on me," he commented wistfully.

The hunter closed his eyes against Cas's touch and nestled further into him. "I don't mind," he whispered.

Cas continued brushing lightly along his cheek. "Me neither."

Dean started moving his hips up and down. They were hopelessly tangled in sheets, but the hunter could still feel Cas through the layers. "Mmm," Dean sighed roughly, his voice piquing.

Somehow, he managed to weave his hand under the covers and find Cas's hip, dragging his knuckles over it and then squeezing the angel's waist. After a few minutes, Dean raised his hips, breaking contact. Cas bucked up desperately under him, but Dean avoided the angel's recoil.

The hunter donned his infamous devil's smirk, and his eyes twinkled mischievously. His face lowered to just beside Castiel's. "Later, baby. You're gonna have to wait." His gruff voice caused Cas to raise his hips into the air again, desperately searching, but Dean continued to avoid them.

"Come on, my Christmas angel," he said softly, then pulled his face away and untangled himself from the sheets. He knelt beside Cas and extended a hand. "Breakfast and presents await." His face broke out into a huge grin, and Castiel melted, letting Dean help him up and throwing the crumpled sheet back onto the bed.

Cas made eggs and bacon, while Dean made pancakes. There were still a few hours before Cas had to leave. They were going to eat and open one present each now, then finish when Cas came back later. It was early – earlier than Dean normally woke up. He insisted on eating out on the porch, despite the freezing cold, so they could watch the sunrise.

Dean's eggs and pancakes weren't warm for long, but he didn't mind. He had Cas snuggled up on the bench beside him, a blanket around them both, and the most beautiful view of the morning sun emerging from between snow-capped mountains. It was the best sunrise he had ever seen.

Dean's hand found Castiel's. The angel wrapped it in both of his, trying to coax some warmth into it, and he laid them in Dean's lap as he snuggled back into the hunter's shoulder. He breathed in the smell of Dean's clothes, a familiar scent with an added trace of cinnamon and pine. It smelled just right, like home, like the only place in the world he belonged. "This is already my favorite day," he murmured.