When the photo session had finally ended, they were allowed into the room with the bar for the rest of the cocktail hour. Dean had walked from the room as soon as they were dismissed, and Castiel found himself caught up with the bridesmaids once again, who were now plotting the best way they could get Dean alone. He found himself most annoyed by the fact that they hadn't even bothered to learn Dean's name, and kept referring to his as the Best Man. There was something in the lecherous way they said it that made Castiel believe they were inferring something sexual. He already questioned Dean's temptation to women, as he kept finding copies of Busty Asian Beauties scattered around the bunker. He knew he wasn't supposed to know about them, and he always left them in the odd places he found them in, but it did shake his confidence somewhat whenever he came across one. And though Dean was adamant that he was content in their relationship, it did concern Castiel that in this situation, when only a handful of people knew the truth, Dean might be led astray by women who seemed intent on relations with him.

It was with some relief that, once they were in the room with the bar, Castiel was flagged down by Kevin, who was sitting at a table with another man and looking well rested, for once.

'Hey Cas! I didn't know you knew Sam's new wife.'

Castiel parted from the two bridesmaids, and joined the prophet and his friend at their table, accepting a glass of champagne that one of the bar staff offered. He explained quickly to Kevin how he knew Becky, before Kevin's friend cut into the conversation.

'So like, you're Castiel? The angel Dean talks about all the time? The one that saved him from Hell?'

His eyes were sparkling, and Castiel wondered if he was about to fall into a trap. He forced out the same line that he and Charlie had fed the bridesmaids.

'Yes, Dean's my best friend.'

'He's a cool guy,' the friend nodded. 'When he doesn't have a stick up his ass. I'm Garth, by the way.'

'Dean feels that he has a lot of responsibility. You must be aware of that.'

Garth nodded again, and Castiel was quick to steer the topic away from Dean. He looked at Kevin.

'How are you doing with translating the tablet?'

'It's slow and I hate it, but I'm slowly getting there.' Kevin drank from his own glass, which he had managed to grab despite being underage. 'Hey, did I hear right that you don't have a grace anymore?'

'Where did you hear that?'

'Please, Cas, I hear snatches of the angel's conversations. I don't know any details, I just heard that they'd removed it. Is it true?'

Castiel nodded.

'Yes. I made a decision a year ago that they didn't approve of. And I stand by my decision.'

Kevin nodded, and someone across the room tapped a glass with a knife, and then announced that dinner was ready. Kevin jumped up, and led their way into the room next door, where the tables were set for their meal as Garth wondered off. They approached the table plan that Castiel knew Becky had agonised over, and he was glad to see that he would be sandwiched between Becky's mother and Charlie. He was less pleased to see that Dean had been placed next to one of the bridesmaids. He happily sat down, and was immediately accosted by Becky's mother and every passing thought that she had during the ceremony. Castiel did his best to respond, and reassure her that Becky did look lovely, and radiant, and that Sam was a great guy, and all the other platitudes that she seemed intent on hearing.

Luckily, even Becky's mother seemed unable to talk when the food arrived, and Charlie garnered his attention, whispering about the other guests. She was either pointing out the hunters that she knew, or else commenting on this cute hat, that gorgeous dress, and Castiel was grateful for her distraction, until it was time for speeches.

Becky's father was first, welcoming Sam into the family and thanking Castiel for stepping in his place, explaining to those present what Castiel already knew; that he was unable to walk with Becky and Castiel had happily agreed to help out. And then he talked about how beautiful Becky was, and how proud he was of her, and Castiel grinned at Charlie as though he was saying it himself. She smiled around the rim of her glass, before they both joined in the toast that Mr Rosen started. And then Sam stood up, looking flustered yet happy.

'Hi-hello everyone. Um, thanks for coming. So, yeah,' he cleared his throat, and Castiel could almost feel Sam's discomfort. He wasn't used to making speeches, particularly about his own emotions, and Castiel could relate to him well. 'I'm um, I'm not good at speeches. Or talking about feelings. My brother and me, we don't really do either. Never really have. Um, but even though that's the case, my brother - and my dad, but mainly my brother - they accidentally taught me a lot about love. Sorry Dean.'

There was a pause for laughter, and Castiel was listening intently.

'See, Dean always put me first. Even when Dad would go away for long stretches at a time, even when he left us with people like his friend Bobby. I always knew Dean was in charge, and Dean was watching out for me. He put a lot on hold for me, went without just to give me what I needed. And Dad worked hard to protect me, to keep me safe from all the things that scared him. We weren't a typical family, but that's okay, because I know that they did their best. And even now, without meaning to, my brother shows me everything I need to know about love. Because Dean cares about a lot of things, and he feels things pretty deeply, and when I see him with the person he loves, I know I should aim for something like them. The way they can understand each other without words, and the way they put each other first without thinking. The way that they can be in the same room and just gravitate to each other like they're not real unless they're together.'

Castiel had never thought Sam saw it that way. He would still walk into a room and roll his eyes if they happened to be even sitting next to each other on the bed. He had thought Sam was still a little reticent about Castiel's intentions. Could it purely be that Sam was just exasperated by how in love they were?

'Then Becky came back into my life - we'd met a few times before - and somehow, it started to feel a little bit like what I had watched with my brother. I wanted to take care of her, and protect her, and put her first. And when we talked, it felt like we understood each other. Maybe we weren't at the same place as my brother, but I could see the beginning of something similar. And now we're married, I promise you, Becky, that I'm always going to look out for you, and put you first, and be by your side whenever I can. And if I can do all that without thinking about it, then I'll be a pretty good husband, I hope.'

He smiled at Becky, and everyone else took it as a cue to toast them again. Sam sat back in his seat and kissed Becky with more confidence than he'd shown in the ceremony. Castiel watched them, grinning and still processing exactly what Sam had said not only about the state of his relationship, but about the way his boyfriend was.

It was Dean's turn to stand, and give a speech, and Castiel focused his attention on the table setting in front of him, trying to hide his face so that the other guests could not see him mouthing along to the words he had heard several times in the past week alone. He knew the speech better than the hunter did, and he was afraid that this would indicate to everyone else just who Dean's partner was. It wouldn't have been fair to do, to reveal that part of Dean when he clearly wasn't ready. It hadn't passed Castiel by either, that Sam had chosen his words carefully, talking only about his brother's feelings and not even indicating a gender. He wished there was some way he could express his gratitude to the younger Winchester, thanking him also for the kind words he had said in the speech. It wouldn't be possible during the wedding, or afterwards when Sam and Becky went on honeymoon, but maybe when they returned he would think of something appropriate.

Charlie nudged Castiel halfway through Dean talking, and whispered as quietly as she could, trying to keep the conversation between the two of them.

'He's doing good,' she whispered.

'He cut some of it out,' Castiel responded. 'Some joke about going back to a mystery spot that I don't quite understand still.'

'I don't get it either. Maybe that's why he cut it?'

'I don't know. He said it was some reference to them being married again.'

Charlie nudged him again, and sat up straight, as though they'd been caught not paying attention. Dean hadn't noticed, but it seemed some of the other guests had. Castiel refocused on the garish pink flower arrangement once more, listening as Dean wrapped up his speech with something close to being sentimental about not having his brother there every day. Castiel smiled faintly as he remembered Dean's panic about reading it out.

'It's lame.'

'It's fine, Dean.'

'It's not. I sound totally whipped.'

'Dean, your brother's getting married. Sure you can make some jokes about him growing up and his need for healthy food, and even the first time he met Becky. But you probably need some nice stuff in there. You're the Best Man, after all.'

'Fine. But anyone tells me how much it sucks, I'm saying you wrote it. And I lost a bet.'

Castiel had ignored Dean's bluster, which was thankfully missing during his speech. When he finally took a seat, Becky's cousin stood up and asked everyone to move back over into the other room, ready for Sam and Becky's first dance. Castiel didn't need to ask what he could possibly mean, Becky had spent a lot of time going over the basics of a wedding, and what she and Sam were hoping to have happen. He knew the first dance had a lot of meaning, and Becky had agonised over just the right song to play. Sam stood, holding his hand out for Becky, and they left the room together, in the middle of the huddle of people. Charlie held Castiel's hand.

'Hey goofball, wanna dance with me? When we're allowed to interrupt the happy couple, anyway? I don't think Dean would dance.'

Charlie had, in Castiel's opinion, guessed correctly. Fourteen months into their relationship and Dean hadn't even tried to pick a song that could be their song. Every now and again, Castiel would bring the topic up, but Dean would shrug it off, citing that it wasn't important. And when Charlie and Becky had taken it upon themselves to teach Castiel a few dance moves in time for the wedding, they had enjoyed themselves until the brothers had walked into the room. Sam had watched for a moment, before heading for Becky and joining in, but Dean remained by the wall, laughing as Charlie pulled Castiel around.

Castiel bent closer to Charlie, trying to get more privacy.

'Well, no one knows about us, so I don't think Dean would try to dance with me, even if he was willing.'

'I meant with me, you ass!' Charlie grinned, and stood holding Castiel's hand while they watched Sam and Becky dance to a slow song. Castiel scanned the other guests as discreetly as he could, and saw Dean at the bar once more, his back to Sam and Becky's dance as he ordered his beer. It broke his heart to see him like that, but what could Castiel do? He could try to make Dean feel better, but then he wouldn't want to leave him alone for the rest of the night, and he didn't want to upset the hunter by forcing the issue. He forced himself to look away, at Charlie, and smiled as enthusiastically as he could at her. Dean was probably focused on the bar, and the beer, in order to stop himself looking at Castiel.

'Come on, we can go now,' Charlie whispered, and dragged Castiel onto the dance floor, resting her wrists either side of his neck as he held her waist tentatively. They swayed together to the music.

'Is he okay?' Castiel whispered.

'Yeah, he's just had a couple of shots of something, and now he's got a beer. I thought he was telling people?'

Castiel forced himself to sound cheerful.

'I know he wanted to, but it's far too hard for him.'

'But this is hard for you, huh?'

'I think this is still hard for him as well. It's up to him what happens, but I won't be surprised if he doesn't speak to me until we're in our room tonight.'

Charlie looked like she wanted to yell on his behalf, and he pulled her closer, lowering his voice as much as he could over the music.

'Please, Charlie. I'm thinking of Dean. He really wouldn't appreciate it.'

Charlie nodded, and cuddled closer to Castiel, and they continued swaying together until the song ended. She then made a gesture that she was heading to the bar, and Castiel walked off of the dance floor, and over to Kevin and Garth, who had resumed their positions on the table they had vacated for the dinner. He grabbed the cocktail menu and cast an eye over it, trying to decide on a drink, as Garth started talking.

'So Castiel, you know Dean, right?'

'We're best friends,' Castiel reminded him patiently, as he pored over the choices. He didn't know why Dean insisted on beer when cocktails existed. They had lots more alcohol in, and tasted so much better.

'So, who's this chick? "The One?" Sam seems to know her.'

Castiel looked up into Garth's rubbery face, trying to understand what Garth was truly asking.

'There are farmyard animals?'

'Dean's girlfriend. I think it's that bridesmaid, she was all over him at dinner.' Kevin stuck in. Castiel fought the urge to wince. He wished Kevin had never noticed the girl's behaviour.

'I'm sure if Dean wanted you to know, you would know.'

'It's not the bridesmaid? Who is it?' Kevin looked excited, and Garth laughed.

'How did you get that from what he said?'

'You learn to speak Cas.' Kevin assured him. 'What was it Dean told you about her earlier?'

'Dark hair, blue eyes, and tall. That's all he gave me. And I think Sam's lying, Dean's been alone like, the whole time. Didn't he say in his speech that they don't leave each other alone?'

Kevin glanced over to the bar.

'Well, he looks miserable, so maybe he needs her around. And there's no one that matches that description.'

Castiel didn't know what to say. Dean had given the basics, the very basics, of what he looked like, he hadn't lied. But Kevin and Garth were going to overlook him completely while they were appraising the female guests.

'Maybe she wasn't invited.' Garth sighed.

'Dean said she was here,' Kevin pointed out. 'Cas, is she here?'

Castiel cast his gaze around the room as though he was looking for someone. He saw Sam at the bar with Dean, and Becky dancing with her friends. He looked back at Kevin and nodded slowly.

'Yes, Dean's partner is here.'

'Okay, the fact you know, and you won't tell us, is just plain rude!' Garth complained. 'I want to know who could possibly make Dean mellow.'

Castiel forced himself to give an answer that Dean would appreciate.

'I don't want to destroy Dean's trust in me by revealing information that he's asked to share himself. If he hasn't told you yet, then maybe you're asking the wrong questions, or putting too much pressure on him. He doesn't react well to pressure, if you hadn't noticed.'

He glared at Garth, who looked behind him and smirked.

'Hey Dean. Cas was just telling us all about your girlfriend.'

Castiel looked around again slowly. Dean was standing there, holding a near-empty glass, looking between them all with no real expression on his face. He was so close, Castiel could easily reach over and curl his arm around Dean's waist. He could look up, knowing Dean would bend down and kiss him. But it wasn't possible, Castiel had made the promise to let Dean set the pace.

Dean responded to Garth blandly.

'Really?'

'Yuh-huh. Pointed her out to us too, that blonde over there. She's pretty, don't know why you're being so secretive about her.' Garth had clearly gestured across the room. Dean didn't move.

'Cas? Can we talk a minute?'

Castiel blanched, worried about what Dean wanted to discuss. He had to know that Garth was lying in an attempt to get the truth out of him. Garth had said moments before how Dean had really described Castiel, and suddenly he was picking out a blonde woman … Dean lead him into a corner nearby, just out of hearing distance. They finally made eye contact, and Castiel felt that familiar pull in his stomach. It was so hard not to just reach out and touch him, but somehow, Castiel managed. He felt he owed Dean and explanation for Garth's behaviour.

'Dean, I didn't say a word-'

'I know, I know. Of course you didn't, Garth thinks it's some chick.'

Dean seemed more amiable than Castiel was expecting, and he relaxed a little. Not enough to throw himself at the hunter, but enough that he knew this discussion wasn't going to end up as a row.

'Then what did you want to talk about?'

'Can't I just talk to you?'

Castiel felt himself smile. Kevin may have been speaking earlier about "learning to talk Cas" but Castiel was well versed in the language of Dean. To anyone else, it may have sounded as though Dean was spoiling for a fight, but the ex-angel heard the words he really meant.

'I've missed you too,' he whispered, then realised those words alone could have been an error. If someone was listening in, what would they think? He cast a look over his shoulder, and saw Kevin watching them with a furrowed brow, as Garth chattered away to an older woman with a pixie cut hair. Castiel noted that she also had dark hair, and he hoped that Garth hadn't assumed that she was Dean's partner. He turned back to his entire reason for existence.

'I'm sorry, Cas. Believe me, I want to just tell people. Jody worked it out and she said we should just be us, to hell with everyone else, but-'

'It's okay. I'm not going to pressurise you, Dean.' Castiel had no idea who Jody was, beyond someone Dean had mentioned a handful of times. But he seemed to value her opinion, and Castiel liked her advice. It made sense to him, given how Dean was, but he also understood why Dean would even find that difficult. He felt he had to assure his boyfriend that he wasn't expecting anything during the wedding. 'I'm looking forward to going home, making up for lost time.'

Dean only looked mildly relieved. He tapped the near-empty glass with two fingertips.

'I want people to know.'

Castiel nodded, and did his best to remain compassionate but slightly distanced. It was so hard not to step forward, removing the distance between them, showing Dean how much he truly loved him. This was why they had avoided each other the entire wedding.

'Take your time. And whatever you decide to do, I'll do what I can to help.'

'Thanks.' Dean nodded, his shoulders slumping in relief.

'It's what I'm here for. Did you want another beer?'

Castiel gestured at the glass. Dean looked down at it for a moment, almost surprised that it was still in his hand, then back at Castiel, his expression guarded once more.

'I'll go get it.'

Castiel could accept that they couldn't act romantic with each other, that he had to pretend Dean was in love with some female. But he wanted to do something for his boyfriend, some small gesture. He knew Dean would never concede unless he made it seem selfish in some way.

'It's fine, I'll get it, I want to look at the cocktail menu again.'

He held his hand out for the glass expectantly, not allowing Dean the chance to refuse. The hunter automatically handed the glass over, but as his fingers grazed Castiel's, he lurched forward, and fell on the ex-angel. Castiel's eyes bulged open as their lips met, and something carnal exploded in both of them. Castiel couldn't fight it any more, not when Dean was kissing them, even with all the things they had said. He felt the hunter grip the back of his neck, and he melted against the man he loved, unable to hold back. They moved together, the familiarity of each other's lips and tongues dictating the ferocity of the kiss. It had been more than twenty-four hours since they had last kissed, but Castiel felt it had been much longer.

And then sense caught up to him, as he heard a voice, that sounded an awful lot like Kevin behind him.

'Of course.'

'What?' Castiel heard Garth ask.

'Dean's chick? Not a chick.'

It was all Castiel needed to overhear. He forced himself to break away, and look at Dean, to assess what his boyfriend wanted to do. Dean looked more frustrated than ever, his focus on Castiel's mouth.

'I'm coming with you to the bar.' Dean broke the silence. Castiel nodded, and Dean fell on him again. There was a chance that Dean hadn't heard Kevin and Garth's conversation behind them, if his attention was anything to go by. Or else he had heard and decided to just go with it, and let people know the way that Jody had suggested. Castiel was fully prepared to take his cues from Dean on how they went forward. When Dean indicated that he didn't want to kiss any further, Castiel let him go, and followed him as Dean tugged him to the bar. He put the used glass on the table, and scooped the cocktail menu up as Dean pulled him closer, so that he leaned against the hunter. He tried to be casual about the situation.

'Have you ever tried a Long Island Iced Tea?'

'Nope. I need something stronger.'

Castiel returned the menu, and put his free hand on Dean's shoulder, wishing there was some other way he could reassure him. He racked his brain for something that could be comforting.

'It'll be okay, Dean. Remember what Becky said? Anyone who has a problem with it, she'll have removed.'

Dean squeezed the hand he still held, and Castiel knew he was at least acknowledging the effort, even if he didn't quite believe that Becky would have the strength of character to evict someone from her wedding. The bartender interrupted them at that moment, and Castiel ordered their drinks, hopefully that if Dean had enough hard liquor inside him then he might begin to lighten up, to stop worrying so much. He looked across the room again as the bartender went to pour Dean's whiskey and mix his iced tea, and saw Garth, Kevin, and the older lady watching them intently. Kevin looked confused still, but the woman was grinning widely, and Garth was smirking too. Castiel felt compelled to inform Dean.

'Garth and Kevin are watching us.'

'Figured they might.' Dean grunted back.

'You're going to have to talk to them some time.'

Castiel tried to say it softly, to remind him that the conversation would come up, but he was worried that Dean would feel baited.

'You know what I wanna do? I wanna drink this, and then I wanna dance with you.'

Castiel could hardly believe his ears. Dean, who wouldn't dance with him and Charlie in the safety of the bunker, wanted to dance with him in a crowd of Becky's friends and families, in front of other hunters? He gave a hesitant smile, unable to process that Dean would be genuine. Even if Dean was nothing but genuine with him.

'You want to dance?' He repeated.

'Sure, why not?'

He sounded so casual, as if there was nothing to be surprised about. As though he danced all the time. Castiel had his suspicions that Dean was picking the lesser of two evils, and that by dancing with Castiel he could avoid anything obnoxious that Garth could potentially say, but the situation worked in his favour so he did nothing to point out his boyfriend's behaviour. Instead he smiled widely, and kissed Dean in gratitude. Dean kissed him back readily enough, and he knew that he hadn't overstepped the mark. They had a few happy moments of focusing only on each other, before someone close by cleared their throat, and Castiel peeled himself away. He expected a lecture from Sam, but it was the bartender, standing there with two drinks in front of him. Castiel hastily pulled some money from his pocket and handed it over, then picked up the taller glass, noting that his drink looked practically the same colour as Deans. He sucked on the straw, testing the flavour as Dean scooped up his drink, and someone pushed their way in between them. Charlie.

'Hey guys. So, you're finally out?'

She sounded happy as she spoke, and Castiel tried not to feel too disgruntled about her wedging her way between himself and Dean. He responded pleasantly enough.

'Out?'

Dean groaned, and gulped down some of his whiskey. Charlie rolled her eyes and nodded back to Dean, as though she was silently reprimanding him, before entertaining Castiel.

'Yeah. You know, people will be like "oh hey, that's Dean's boyfriend, he's coming out of the closet." So you're out.'

'What closet?'

'It's an expression.'

'Like when you say, "hey bitches" as a greeting?'

'Sure, we'll go with that. Anyway, people are going to tell you you're out now.'

Castiel was still unsure what it was that Charlie meant, but he smiled weakly, and then walked around her, needing to be close to Dean. He'd gone too long without the hunter, without their contact. He just needed to hold his boyfriend.

'We're just us.'

Charlie rolled her eyes at him this time, and Castiel cuddled closer to Dean as though to prove his point. He nuzzled by Dean's ear and whispered.

'Do you wanna go dance now?'

Dean didn't even answer, but tipped his head back and drained his glass, slamming it onto the table as he stood up. Castiel understood the cue and drained his own glass before smiling at Charlie. She shook her head at him as though he was entirely predictable, then threw them a curve ball.

'See you guys later. I'm going to find my date.'

Castiel led Dean onto the dance floor before he could change his mind, remembering all the tips that the girls had given him. He caught Dean's eye as he gave a little shimmer and saw the hunter fighting a smile as he tried to get into the rhythm. He knew then that everything was going to be fine. And if there was any problems, they had a hotel room to go back to. He leaned in close, trying to talk to Dean over the music.

'I didn't know Charlie had a date.'

'Me either. But it's Charlie, that girl could score anywhere.'

Castiel looked through the other bodies dancing, trying to spot Charlie and her date. Dean moved closer, holding Castiel the way the ex-angel had imagined holding him earlier, his arms tight around Castiel's waist. Castiel smiled, and then noticed Charlie, embracing someone who looked an awful lot like Meg, although this woman had blonde hair.

'I found her. I wasn't expecting that.'

Dean turned to look, as Castiel realised that it was Meg. And that Dean was still terse about the subject. He felt the pull as Dean tried to step away, towards the two girls, and he did his best to cling on to his boyfriend, to make them remain on the dance floor.

'Dean, leave it.'

Dean stopped pulling, but still glared in Meg's direction. Castiel hoped that Dean would rationalise the situation as Meg was with Charlie, so she was clearly unwilling to continue attempting to disrupt their relationship.

'You're right. The room's full of hunters, it just takes one to work out there's a freaking demon around.'

It wasn't the rationalisation that Castiel wanted, but he was grateful that Dean was agreeing not to hurt the demon that was his friend. He cupped the hunters chin and nudged him around so they could have eye contact.

'Don't go telling people. Sam and Becky would hate there being any issue.'

He knew that Sam and Becky would have hated any uproar about their own relationship, so he was confident that the same existed for Charlie and Meg. He found the idea of the two of them together as baffling as Dean did, but he didn't want Dean distracted with thoughts of vengeance when they were finally able to be themselves. Thankfully, Dean seemed to pull himself together, to focus back on Castiel, and they began dancing together again. Dean visibly relaxed after a couple of songs played out, even smiling as Castiel wriggled his hips at him. They were left alone in their own small bubble of happiness, and Castiel was grateful for it, just for the way it allayed Dean's fears.

As the song they were dancing to came to an end, Castiel noticed that there wasn't another song starting up. He began to notice the noise of chatter around him, just as Charlie clambered up by the DJ and took the microphone, talking to the DJ as she smiled and nodded. Dean still held Castiel close as they watched her, waiting for whatever she had in store. Castiel wondered if Dean was in on it, and this was some surprise for Sam and Becky. He spotted them a few feet over, embracing also, Sam stooping down to listen as Becky talked in his ear.

'Hey everyone, hi!' Charlie caught Castiel's attention again, as she spoke directly into the microphone. 'Um, Sam and Becky and me, we've picked the next song. We wanted to dedicate it to the best man, so Dean, enjoy this one.'

Castiel wasn't sure why they were dedicating a song to Dean. The music started, a slow, steady beat, and Castiel couldn't understand the connection to Dean. It wasn't loud and abrasive, fast and energetic like the music he enjoyed. Yet Dean started swaying with him, as the singer began the lyrics.

'Why do you think they picked this song?' He asked over the words. Dean leaned even closer, resting their foreheads against each other, holding Castiel firmly against him as they shuffled slowly together.

'I don't know. I don't care.'

Castiel nodded, stopping quickly as he realised it might hurt Dean's head. He tried to pay close attention to the words, to see what Dean's brother, sister-in-law, and honorary sister might possibly be trying to say.

'So when I'm lying in my bed, thoughts running through my head, and I feel that love is dead. I'm loving angels instead.'

Castiel leaned away from his boyfriend, trying to process what he'd just heard, as the man crooned on. He blurted his thoughts out to Dean as he cocked his head, still listening hard.

'Did he just sing about loving angels?'

'And down the waterfall wherever it may take me, I know that life won't break me when I come to call. She won't forsake me. I'm loving angels instead.'

'Yuh-huh.' Dean agreed at the pinnacle moment.

'Well, that's inaccurate.'

Castiel was trying to play it cool, but inside, he was bubbling over. He wanted to say how much this song felt perfect for them, because Dean had given up on so much for his own life before they got together and it now felt like Dean was altogether much happier just because of their relationship.

'People still call you my angel,' Dean shrugged. 'I guess that's what they were going for.'

Castiel sighed, glad that Dean was feeling the same way, whether he expressed that or not. He carried on listening to the words of the song, cuddling close in to Dean, his head finding that comfortable spot between jaw and collarbone, their arms tight around each other. They carried on swaying as the singer told of being in pain, and looking to the heavens for reassurance that he would be okay, just from the love of his angel. It was the kindest thing that Charlie, Becky and Sam could have done for them. As the music continued and the singer took a pause, Dean began talking.

'So, weddings aren't too bad.'

'I've enjoyed myself. Sam and Becky are very happy together.' Castiel answered back, stroking Dean's arm tenderly.

'Yeah. So are we.'

Castiel straightened up, looking into Dean's eyes and smiling widely. He wanted to call the moment - their relationship, all of it - perfect, but he still worried about placing too much pressure on the hunter. Instead, he went with a compromise.

'Of course we are.'

Dean gave a very brief, tight smile in response. Before Castiel could begin to understand his discomfort, he spoke again.

'Maybe we should do this.'

Castiel's smile was fixed in place, as he tried to understand what it was that Dean wanted to do. Dance together? Love angels? Dean shrugged, which only made his discomfort more obvious to Castiel.

'I mean, maybe we should get married.'

Castiel had to work to keep his smile in place. Dean hadn't … he'd misheard, hadn't he? Or else, the hunter had drunk far more than he'd realised and this was the sounds of the rarely-spotted drunken Dean. Or it was a throwaway comment because of the song, and the dancing, and that no one had tried to burn them at the stake or whatever it was humans did to homosexual men these days. Dean reached into his pocket, and produced a small box, flipping the lid open and revealing a thick silver band.

'Castiel? Will you marry me?'

He was dreaming. Or back in that coma where Dean had been his husband. Or this was some strange bet he had with Sam. And was Becky really going to be okay with Dean proposing, whether he meant it or not, at her wedding?

But oh, to marry Dean! It was frightening how much Castiel found he wanted it. To eradicate all the doubt that even one copy of Busty Asian Beauties could instil in him. To know that he and the hunter were truly bonded, in the eyes of every human they met. To be introduced as a husband, instead of a friend, for people to work out the truth later … he became aware of Dean's intense stare, pulling him back to reality. And reality was- was- had Dean really proposed?

'Pardon?'

Dean winced, but when he spoke his voice was steady, and the words were clear. If only Castiel could really work them out.

'Will you marry me?'

It definitely sounded like a proposal. It felt very real. Castiel tore his eyes away from the hunter's face, and glanced down at the dainty box that Dean was clutching so tightly, his fingertips were turning white. The ring secured in the lining was silver, and burnished slightly. There was no coffee order engraved on it, which made it seem even more real. He tried to cling on to some kind of reason.

'It wasn't an option-'

'It's an option now.' Dean cut him off tersely, but Castiel wasn't offended. How could he be? Dean was proposing. Legitimately proposing. He looked up at his boyfriend's face, just long enough to see the tense expression on it, before looking back at the ring. It seemed familiar, even if it wasn't the ring from the siren-induced fantasy, but Castiel wasn't sure where he'd seen it before.

'Cas? You can say yes any time you like.'

Castiel couldn't help but smile at Dean's impatience, his focus still on the ring. He tried to come up with something to say, some hastily worded response that let Dean know just how much he meant, how flattering the proposal was, and how Castiel just wanted him, however that was possible. A simple yes seemed so inadequate. He couldn't believe that Dean was proposing, after all the agony of avoiding each other so that people wouldn't know they were a couple! This must have been why Dean was so adamant that people knew. The song must have been chosen just for this moment. Becky and Sam must have been consulted, to check it was okay. He finally looked back at Dean.

'You want to marry me?' He broke the silence between them. Dean looked as though he was about to have a heart attack from the suspense.

'Standing here with a ring, asking you. Yeah, I want to marry you.'

There was another beat as Castiel took in Dean's strained expression, the hope and the fear of rebuff evident in his mossy green eyes. He licked his lips, a sure sign that he was more nervous than he could ever convey to Castiel.

'I didn't think you wanted to.'

Castiel still felt cautious. It still seemed too good to be true.

'Sam and me, we've been talking about it lately. It makes sense.'

He'd been consulting Sam about potentially getting engaged? Sam had managed to keep that particularly quiet. As had Becky, Castiel was in no doubt that she knew exactly what the brothers had been planning. Castiel wanted to make sure Dean knew exactly what he was offering.

'It's a big commitment.' He reminded the hunter. Dean didn't miss a beat.

'Maybe, but I said yes to you a long time ago now. It'll be like having a party for a promise we made ages ago.'

Castiel nodded slowly, appreciating Dean's logic. It was really happening, they were really getting engaged.

'So? Are you going to answer ever?'

Castiel smiled warmly, savouring the moment as long as he could.

'I said yes ages ago too.'

'So … yes?' Dean pressed, still not understanding that there was no doubt in Castiel's mind what the answer would be. Castiel laughed, caressing Dean's jawline and massaging his fingers into the bristles of hair near his neck. His future husband's neck.

'Yes, Dean. I'll marry you.'

Dean pounced, kissing him ferociously as his pent up tension dissipated, and Castiel found himself laughing, pulling away to talk to his fiancé.

'Are you going to put that ring on my finger?'

Dean kissed him once more, a lingering kiss that was gentler than the last. Then he removed the ring from the box, grabbed Castiel's left hand, and slid the ring on. Castiel looked at the old silver ring on his finger, the part of Dean that already looked very much at home on his own body, and realised that whatever ring Dean had chosen was of sentimental value. He was afraid to ask who it had once belonged to, but he knew it was someone important. And Castiel felt important to Dean, wearing it. They looked at each other, and Dean was smiling as hard as Castiel imagined he himself was.

'I can't believe … did you really …'

Castiel spluttered, and Dean pulled him back for another kiss. Castiel could see the rest of the night turning out the same way, with Dean kissing him every time he needed to be reminded of their new reality. And of the girls demanding to see the ring, congratulating them. Sam and Dean merely nodding at each other, already knowing the other's views on the impending union. He hoped Becky didn't feel overshadowed by the proposal, although he knew that it was only a big deal to him and Dean, really. It had been done in their own little bubble, the other guests most likely weren't aware that Castiel's world had been turned upside down, or right way around. But he knew, and Dean knew, and that was all that truly mattered. Castiel and Dean, together.