Family Don't End With Blood /Destiel//Sabriel//Michifer

Promise?

Dean had spent the past hour describing in intricate detail the events of his past. 

All of it.

Everything from Elsa's adoption, to the fire the had killed his mother, to his father's obsession with the supernatural.  He'd explained how he'd lived almost his entire life on the road, training with John and properly raising his siblings, as his father had clearly regarded the task as being beneath him. 

He'd then had to describe the terrible night in which Sam had attempted to run away, which was shortly followed by John's imprisonment for child abuse (at this point, Dean had taken the liberty of revealing some of his scars to Cas: something which he never thought he'd ever show to anyone outside the family).

Now, having told Cas almost everything there was to know, Dean waited in silence. 

The Novak obviously had a serious amount of thinking to do and, as if to further instate this point, he hadn't said a word once Dean had begun to talk, nor in the ten minutes since. 

During his explanation, Dean had taken a seat on the edge of the curb a little way from where Cas was sat.  The coldness of the concrete sent chills through his body, making him hunch and pull his knees up into himself; Cas, on the other hand, was sat almost bolt-upright, his posture giving nothing away as to his true thoughts and feelings.

Dean watched in apprehensive fascination. 

He felt that he'd never seen Cas look as beautiful as he did now: sat calmly staring out into the night, his face softly illuminated by beams of moon and starlight that shone down from the heavens and reflected within the deep pools of his ocean-blue eyes.

But, at the same time, Dean was scared. 

Cas was much further away from him than he would have liked.  It was his own fault, he knew it— if he'd have just told the truth when he'd had the opportunity, none of this would be happening.  He already hated himself enough for screwing everything up and he was terrified that the feeling would be mutual. 

He was terrified that Cas would realise that he didn't need him, or that he didn't want him anymore.

Dean had dealt with all manner of horrors in the past, but he didn't think he could deal with that. 

If Cas decided to end things— he didn't even want to think about it.

"I'll, uh, I'm gonna wait in the car."  Hastily, Dean stood up.  He couldn't stand the tension any longer, he might as well just go and leave Cas to it.

He'd only walked a few paces when a deep voice issued from behind him.

"Dean, stop."

Turning, Dean saw that Cas was now standing too.  He had no idea what that meant.  Was it a good thing?  Was it bad?

Without any form of hesitation, Cas strode purposefully towards the Winchester, almost crashing into him as he grabbed a fistful of Dean's jacket in each hand and pulled him forwards, smashing their lips together in a desperate kiss.

Relief washed over Dean as he clamped his arms tightly around Cas' shoulders and held him in place, prolonging the kiss for as long as possible before they had to break for air, and even then he was able to maintain the closeness that he'd previously been denied.

"Definitely a good thing," he sighed to himself, breathing in a lungful of Cas' scent; he was warm, despite the chill of the night, and smelt strongly of fresh bread and honeycomb. 

It was addictive.

Still buried in Dean's strong embrace, Cas hid his face in the crook of his neck, tilting his head slightly so that his ear rested against Dean's chest; he could clearly hear the heavy thumbing of the Winchester's heart underneath all his layers of clothing.

"I'm so sorry Cas."  Tears were beginning to brim in his eyes.

"I know," Cas whispered, "Me too."

"What for?"  Dean pulled back marginally, just enough so that he could get a good look at Cas' face— his expression was still next to unreadable, though was perhaps a little more relaxed than before.

"There's something I, uh—" Cas cleared his throat awkwardly, "May have avoided telling you too."

Dean peered at Cas curiously, now sure that he caught a hit of nervousness within those deep, blue eyes.

"It's okay," Dean reassured, "You don't have to say anything."

"Yes.  I do."  Cas was firm, but now he looked positively terrified.

Dean released an arm from around the Novak's back and instead reached for his hand, holding it supportively.

"Dean Winchester," Cas forced his voice to be steady, "I love you.  I'm not just saying that lightly, I mean it.  I love you.  I'm in love with you."  The last sentence came out more as a whisper, as if Cas could hardly believe that he was finally saying it out loud.

He felt Dean's grip on his hand slacken and, for one petrifying moment, he though that Dean was going to reject him.  After everything that had just happened, he thought Dean had finally had enough and was about to call quits.

Instead, the Winchester just stared at Cas in awe.

"Dean?"  Cas felt even worse at having received no response.  He felt ashamed of himself for clearly jumping ahead too soon, and tried to step away.

Dean, however, held him firmly, and wouldn't allow his escape. 

"Castiel Novak," he breathed, regaining control of his senses, "I love you too."

"You're not just saying that?"  Cas couldn't help himself, "Don't say it just because I did, not if you don't mean it—"

He was cut off by Dean closing the space between them, as his captured Cas' lips in a warm, tender kiss.  Breaking apart, he rested his forehead against the Novak's, holding his hands gently, their fingers interlocking neatly together.

"I mean it, Cas.  I love you."  Dean had never properly considered this before, but there was no doubting that this was true.  He wanted Cas with him always. 

"Promise?"  Cas whispered, leaning in close.

"Promise."

"One last thing?"

"Yes?"

"Promise me you won't leave me."  Cas stared up at Dean, his gaze piercing, as if seeing into the very depths of Dean's soul.

"Castiel Novak, I need you.  More than anything.  There is no way, at all, that I would ever leave you.  I am yours."  As if to confirm this, Dean squeezed Cas' hands tightly and planted a kiss atop his forehead; Cas smiled in utter disbelief.  Since when had his life become a miracle? 

"You have to say the words," Cas prodded, his smile widening.  He didn't even care that he was being needy.  He knew, now without a doubt, that Dean would say it.

"I promise," Dean whispered, now unable to prevent the grin that was spreading across his face.

"Damn right," Cas laughed, moving out of Dean's arms and towards the Impala.

Dean could only chuckle.

A/N

Sorry for not updating sooner, and for the fact that the chapters keep getting shorter.  I'm planning on one, or maybe two, more chapters before I bring this story to a close. 

However, I will also do a playlist of songs that I think would fit the story at certain points (for any of you that are interested).

Thanks for reading,

~ Kat