They are having lunch at a small diner in the middle of nowhere when it happens.
Dean has made a joke about Sam’s hair, so nothing new under the sun. Sam is looking at him, with his bitchface n° 10, thinking that it’s too early in the morning for this kind of thing, even of it is already lunchtime, while he slids in front of them in the other side of the booth. Cas rolls his eyes at Dean fondly.
“Dean, leave Sam alone, you are terrible.” There is no real heat behind his words just fond amusement.
“Yes, I am.” Dean says at the same time, pointing at Cas with one of his fries. Cas stares at the chip like it has personally aggravated him. “But you love me.” He takes more fries from the plate and chews on them, waggling his eyebrows at Cas, he suddenly stops though, swallowing down the food forcefully. Before he can freak out or add something, say it was a joke, run away before this can get awkward, Cas pats his cheek softly.
“Yes I love you, I love you very much.” And this is the first time Cas has said those three words to him.
He knew, of course, because he had seen this soft, loving and warm look in Cas’ eyes before, at the little silly gestures Dean does for him, when he takes care of him, when he feels understood, when they kiss or share a single intimate touch. Sam is staring at them, he would make a joke, but he doesn’t want to ruin the moment, and it’s quite funny to see his brother flushed and gaping at Cas like a fish, luckily he gets to see it a lot of times nowadays, because Cas just loves going around leaving Dean speachless.
Dean never thought this is how it was going to happen, because, yeah, he has always thought about how the perfect moment to say those three words to Cas would be, he has daydreamed about it, looking for the right chance. Maybe in bed one morning sharing lazy kisses, tangled and comfy under the covers, neither of them ready to get up just yet; or maybe watching the stars from the hood of the impala.
Knowing them and their life he always thought it was going to be something epic too, like out of a movie, just both of them in the throes of the battle, blades in hand, fighting side by side, saying those words in case they wouldn’t have the chance to say them later.
He couldn’t love it more, he has to be honest, because it couldn’t be more special, and easy, it feels right, just them, here with him the two persons he loves most in world; in the road back home, in this small diner, the ding from the bell coming from the door every time someone enters , the usual truck passing by outside and the noise of other people’s conversations in the background. Just them, having lunch, joking, without a worry in the horizon. He wouldn’t change it, he wouldn’t change this moment for anything, not a single detail, not a single second of it.
Cas’ hand covers his cheek, bringing him back to reality, he doesn’t know for how long he has been trying to wrap his head around Cas telling him he loves him, Cas is looking at him intensely, expectantly, and even if it isn’t clear in his eyes, Dean knows him well, he can see the tiny spark of doubt there, what if it was a simple joke? What if he was too bold this time around and Dean wasn’t ready to hear those words?
Dean is quick to react once he sees Cas is waiting for something, anything, he nuzzles into Cas’ touch.
“I love you too, Cas.” And he thought it wouldn’t be easy for him to say it, but the words are out of his mouth, as natural as breathing for him, without thinking twice, he feels good, he smiles brightly before moving forwards, capturing Cas’ lips in a brief, sweet kiss.
“Sam, shut up.” He throws another one of the fries of his plate in his brother’s direction, his gaze not moving from Cas’ face, he smiles smugly when Sam curses, muttering something about getting grease in his hair. Cas shakes his head, kissing him again.
“Eat your food, come on, and behave.” He says against his lips. Dean laughs at that and kisses him one more time before letting him go and turning his attention to his burguer, giving Sam a warning look in the process, he can feel Cas’ eyes trained on his face, the happiness radiating out of him, one of his hands settling over his knee, his body pressed close against Dean’s side. Dean gives him a quick look, smiling at him and shouldering him playfully.
No, he wouldn’t change this moment for anything else in the world.