Hold Me While My World Falls

Chapter Eight

The next year went by smoothly. Dean and Castiel went on dates every Friday after Castiel got home, at first. Dean took him to dinner, movies, and even a candy shop, one a few occasions. It wasn't long before they were spending more and more time together. Dean drove him up to a hill one summer night, and they just lay on the grass. Dean had planned to look up at the sky and watch a meteor shower he'd heard about. Soon, Dean could only smile at the reactions on Castiel's face, couldn't help but watch stars streak across the sky through his wide, glassy eyes. They ended up kissing slowly under the cover of night, the meteor shower forgotten.

Castiel took him to the bar and movies, and he enjoyed when Dean just simply wanted contact. At the theater they'd throw popcorn at each other and giggle like little kids. Every day, Dean smiled more and more. On one of their dates, Castiel had convinced Dean to go up to the stage at a bar and sing a little karaoke. He chose the simplest Elvis song, Can't Help Falling in Love, even though it was cheesy. Dean had stared directly at Castiel as he sang the chorus.

Dean was cooking breakfast one morning, dancing around the kitchen as his speakers blared classic rock. Jo could tell he'd been happier since the past month. He'd even been giving her more treats. She knew stealing that wallet would be fun, but it had brought about a deep bond between her human and his new partner. And she liked Castiel, too. He scratched her back and rubbed her belly. He'd massaged her ears on an especially loving night.

"Come on, Jo!" Dean called excitedly, jingling her collar and leash. Jo ran into the waiting arms of her human, reveling in the warm hug. Then she pulled away, nosing at the leash. She knew what it meant. "Let's go for a walk!" There was an unshakable tone of excitement in Dean's voice, as usual.

He opened the door and she would've bolted right outside if not for the leash. Dean shut the door as he stepped out onto the front step and started jogging. Jo pranced alongside him, sniffing the familiar trail. They stopped in front of Castiel's door. Dean was bouncing on the balls of his feet, a new habit. 

His door opened, and out stepped Castiel, smiling brightly at him. They kissed for a moment, pressed close together, creating puffs in the chilly air. Jo nosed them apart, anxious to get on with their walk.

Dean laughed. "Alright, Jo's sick of waiting. All set?"

Castiel nodded, and they all settled into a comfortable walking pace. Jo happily walked ahead a bit, while Dean and Castiel held hands behind her. Castiel was moving slower than usual, his back tense.

"Dean, can I ask something?" He asked finally.

"Of course, Cas." Dean answered instantly.

"Well we've been dating for quite a while now, and I was just wondering if maybe you'd like to go with me for Christmas on Sunday." They had stopped now, which was slightly irritating to Jo, but she could tell they were having an important moment. She sat down on the frosty pavement and waited.

"Cas, I would love to meet your family." Dean smiled wide, unable to help himself from picking Castiel up and spinning them around.

"Dean!" Castiel laughed. It was the brightest sound to Dean's ears.

They pulled away and continued their walk, the nerves gone and replaced with a warm closeness as they fell into step with their arms brushing together.

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"Cas, do you think they'll like me?"
Dean asked, clutching the steering wheel so tight his knuckles were losing color.

Castiel laughed. "That's the seventh time you've asked me. Yes, Dean, they're going to love you." 

Dean nodded quickly, putting on his blinker to merge lanes. "What if they don't?"

Castiel rolled his eyes. "I will not entertain the possibility of that because I know they're going to." He squeezed Dean's hand over the console.