Everalsting Birthday Challenge for
lady_peony Title: Picture Perfect
Artist:
chef_geekierCharacter(s)/Pairing(s): Dean/Castiel, Sam
Wordcount: 880 + 3 pictures.
Rating: G
Disclaimer: Not mine - they belong to the Bible and the CW.
Summary: Sam chronicles Team Free Will's life through photographs, whether Dean likes it or not.
Warnings: None.
Sam was doing a grocery run when he picked it up. It wasn't due to any particular urges, he just saw the disposable camera and decided to get it. He didn't realise that the photos he took with it would become some of their most treasured possessions.
The camera got its first use when Sam arrived back at Bobby's. There was a slight commotion coming from the kitchen, though Bobby was apparently ignoring it as he sat reading a book. When Sam stuck his head around the door frame, he saw Castiel and Dean, apparently mock wrestling.
“C'mon Cas, just a taste!” Dean was wheedling, arms around the angel who for some reason appeared to be baking.
“No,” Castiel turned to keep the large mixing bowl out of Dean's grasp. “It is not yet finished.”
“But we've gotta make sure it's coming along right!”
“Dean,” Castiel growled, but without real venom. In fact, the look in his eyes was about as tender as he ever got. “You are a small child.”
The smile Dean sent back said it all, really, and Sam hurried to get a photograph of the pair of them.
~*~
A few days later, Sam came down to breakfast only to hear noises again coming from the kitchen. It sounded like soft moans and whimpers, and despite his better judgement, Sam had to look in to make sure everything was all right.
Dean was sitting on a chair, looking perfectly content as Castiel sat on his lap. The angel was clutching at Dean's shoulders, head buried in the man's neck and making all sorts of nearly pornographic noises as Dean massaged his shoulder blades.
“You are very good at this,” Castiel gasped out, and Dean chuckled as he nuzzled into Cas' hair.
“People have often commented on how good I am with my hands.”
“Shut up.” The remark was punctuated by a soft (for the angel, anyway) shove to Dean's shoulder.
“Ow! Watch the super-human strength babe,” Dean muttered, then immediately flushed. Sam knew that his brother still had trouble with endearments and the softer side of emotions, and was mildly surprised that Castiel was still in a relationship with him.
Then again, the angel was about as emotionally mature as Dean, so they made a good couple.
Sam reached for the camera, trying not to be noticed, but of course Dean had a sixth sense for being watched. Just as Sam raised the camera to his eye, Dean flipped him the bird, making what was sure to be an amusing picture.
~*~
Over the next week, Sam continued to take pictures of everyone. At one point Castiel got hold of the camera and took some photos of the brothers doing things together, which Sam was thankful for. Dean, naturally, kept bitching about Sam's new hobby, though he noticed that Dean didn't actually avoid being photographed.
While on a grocery run, Dean even dropped the camera off to have the film developed. Sam was eager to look through the pictures, and kept laughing at the various antics their small family had gotten up to over the week. He then flipped through them again, looking puzzled, and glanced up at Dean.
“Hey Dean, were there any more? I think something's missing.”
“Nah,” Dean shrugged, busy putting things away. “The chick said that some of them were over-exposed or something, wouldn't come out properly. You need more practice.”
“Oh, okay.”
Castiel watched the interaction with narrowed eyes. The muscles in Dean's shoulders were slightly clenched, and he was sure that his lover was lying for some reason.
He waited until that evening, when Dean was in the bathroom getting ready for bed. It was fairly simple to lift Dean's wallet and examine the contents.
A smile worked it's way across Castiel's face as he looked at the photograph he discovered there. It had been taken when Dean was paying far too much attention to his car and not enough to him. So Cas had stolen the wrench Dean wanted and had lain on top of the Impala, attempting an 'I am sexy' pose. Dean had been more amused than turned on, but since it led to him teaching Cas how to tune up the engine, Castiel didn't really mind.
“Awesome picture, isn't it?” Dean whispered in his ear then, arms going around Castiel's middle. Cas nodded, turning his smile to Dean.
“I did enjoy that afternoon.” He leaned back into the warmth that Dean generated, feeling whole and content. They stood for a moment, enjoying the closeness.
“I love you,” Dean spoke then, and Castiel's eyes went wide. This was the first time Dean had admitted his feelings when they weren't engaged in bedroom activities, and it made Castiel's insides feel odd. There was only a slight shadow of fear in Dean's eyes, and Castiel turned to kiss him.
“I love you too,” Cas confirmed between soft kisses.
As he passed, Sam heard Dean's voice. He reflexively looked and saw Dean's smile. Sam wished he had another camera to capture Dean and Cas' happiness. But then clothes started to come off, and Sam decided no, he was good.
Then he left before he went blind.