There Was A Time -DeanXCas

Chapter 12 - Beautiful Weddings

On a warm summer day, Dean thought it was very likely he was going to burst with pride. It had been a very hectic morning, but this moment was making it all worthwhile.

He stood at the end of the garden, beside Bobby, as Sam and Jess walked down the aisle together. In the end Jess's family hadn't shown up, but Jess hadn't let that stop her one bit. She looked stunning in a white sundress with a spray of violets in her blonde hair, and Sam was beaming in white pants and a pale purple shirt. They made for a beautiful pair, and the red cord that linked the two of them together - visible only to Dean, and now Castiel - had never looked as strong as it did right now. When the priest told Sam he could kiss the bride, the blast of light that the red cord threw off was nearly blinding in its intensity.

As applause filled the air, Sam finished broke the kiss and set Jess upright on her feet. Both of them were grinning like idiots. Dean stepped forward and hugged Sam first and then Jess. There was no sign of the tears that had dampened her eyes earlier that day when she realized that her family really wasn't coming, and Dean was glad for that. Friends, classmates, colleagues and professors, as well as a couple of hunters, more than made up for the absence. and the chairs were completely full to the point that there was a small crowd gathered at the very back of the garden. For what Sam had claimed would be a small wedding, a good hundred people had shown up.

He watched as Sam received an enthusiastic hug from Bobby, and started when he felt the arms snake around his waist. Just as quickly, he relaxed back into Castiel's warm grip. As happy as he was for Sam and Jess, he knew it would've been hard to watch the wedding if his own meeting with his soul mate had gone downhill. He'd never been more grateful for Castiel's presence, because it meant that Sam wasn't just leaving him behind. They were moving in different directions, sure, but this time he had someone who was here to stay. He turned his head, pressing an impulsive kiss to Castiel's cheek, and sighed in contentment.

"It was a beautiful wedding," Castiel said into his ear, echoing Dean's thoughts. "Sam and Jessica will be very happy together. They are soulmates, you know."

"Yeah, I know. But with them, I honestly don't think it would matter," said Dean. It wouldn't be long before they'd know for sure, but either way it wouldn't change anything. He'd never seen Sam as happy as he was right now, because there was no mistaking the look of adoration in Sam's eyes every time he looked at Jess. But maybe in the future, that would be enough to heal the rift between Jess and her family.

"Probably not," Castiel agreed, resting his chin on Dean's shoulder. They stood there for a little while, watching as the happy couple made their way down the aisle. Because they were being besieged by congratulations from all sides, it was at least forty-five minutes before bride and groom made it to the end. Sam turned his head, easily visible above the crowd, and gestured at Dean and Castiel. Dean nodded back, knowing that meant it was time for photographs. But he and Castiel had their own way of travel, and what would be a fifteen minute car ride would take only seconds for them.

Eventually, the garden emptied out and the two of them were alone. Dean took one last look around, idly wondering what it would be like to get married to Castiel someday. Not right now. Way in the future. Maybe. He didn't even know if it was necessary. They were soulmates, and bonded besides, and you couldn't really get much more permanent than that. Now that Dean was an angel, he and Castiel would literally be together forever. Did he really need a ring on his finger to cement that? He wasn't sure. The idea of a party was nice, but he didn't know if he'd like having that much attention centered on him and his mate.

"Care to share your thoughts?" Castiel asked, sounding slightly amused, which meant some of Dean's thoughts had probably leaked past his shield and Castiel already knew what he was thinking. He refused to blush, instead turning to face his mate and tucking his wings against his back in clear invitation.

"Not right now. I'm happy with the way things are," he replied as Castiel's wings obligingly wrapped around him. He would never get tired of the feel of those feathers rubbing against his own.

"I don't mind participating in human rituals that are important to you, Dean."

Dean couldn't help smiling. Castiel had already proven that many times over. He didn't think there would be many angels who would agree to a five hour car ride to get to a hunt just because Dean didn't want to give up driving in his baby. But Castiel had agreed pretty much instantly, and seemed to love riding in the Impala just as much as Dean did. The only time they flew instead was when a trip would've taken a substantial amount of driving time, and Dean had to admit it was pretty handy to cover two days of driving in the blink of an eye.

But all the things considered, in the past month and a half Castiel had taken to the human world exceptionally well. Dean had worried a little about whether Castiel would enjoy being on Earth, but those fears turned out to be unfounded. Castiel was openly fascinated by humans and relished the opportunity to see them in much closer contact than most angels ever did. He was especially fond of human food, and had developed a minor obsession with hamburgers.

He was even learning how to hunt like a human. Not that Castiel really needed to learn any skills - he was miles ahead of Dean on that front, and the first time Dean had watched his mate truly fight against a powerful demon.... well, it had ended in some pretty spectacular sex. Castiel already knew how to use pretty much any weapon there was, and was well-versed in several different fighting styles. But he was still coming around to the idea of not just instantly smiting the hell out of any supernatural creature that was causing problems. That just took all the fun out of fighting as far as Dean was concerned. It was fine to have some angel mojo as back-up, but he didn't want to give up on hunting the old-fashioned way.

And they were a damn good team, too, especially when Sam joined them. He leaned into Castiel's warmth. "I know you don't, Cas, and I appreciate it," he muttered, resting his head on Castiel's shoulder. "Like I said, maybe someday. Just not right now. I don't need it. I know you love me." He still wasn't entirely sure why, but that was one thing he was completely certain of. And even if he wasn't, Castiel never missed an opportunity to tell him.

"But before we have children, presumably," Castiel said, and that time Dean couldn't resist a flush.

"Yeah, maybe." He still wasn't sure where he stood on the whole kid thing. He knew he was an omega, which meant he was biologically capable of having children - or angels, as the case might be. And Castiel had told him that he was rare in that regard, because the majority of human-turned-angels were betas and not omegas. When they returned to heaven one day, Castiel said, Dean would be something of a novelty. He mostly tried his best not to think about that.

"You would be beautiful, beloved."

Dean was definitely blushing now, because Castiel had shared that fantasy with him many times now, and thinking about it never failed to get them both in the mood. He shoved lightly at Castiel's shoulder. "Knock it off, Cas. The last thing I need to worry about is having a boner while I'm in the photos for the wedding, okay?"

Castiel just laughed. "Of course, Dean. Now that you mention it, we'd best go or we're going to be late. Come on." He held on a little tighter, as though afraid Dean might be left behind, and spread his wings. Dean would never get tired of that split second feeling of airlessness, because Castiel would never let him fall. He closed his eyes trustingly, letting Castiel support his weight, until Sam called their names.

"Cas! Dean! God, you guys, how is it you can fly anywhere in the world in like a second, but you still manage to be late?"

"Keep your panties on, Samantha," Dean yelled without opening his eyes. "We're coming."

"Dean," Castiel chided. "Come on."

"Yeah, yeah," Dean said, reluctantly taking a step back. He couldn't help giving Castiel a long look. The blue dress shirt Castiel was wearing was an almost perfect match for his eyes. Because it was long sleeved, no one could see the name written on Castiel's arm. But Dean knew it was there. The name was in white, a contrast to the black name on Dean's arm, to signify that Castiel's mate was an omega. He'd traced the letters with his fingers numerous times, never ceasing to find them fascinating. He reached out now, lightly touching that spot, until Castiel's opposite hand covered his own and squeezed.