MiriamKemuri

Castiel had fun messing with Dean of the past, but even he can't stop himself from getting soft seeing Dean barely scarred by life. The only scars on his soul were from hell, and it pains Castiel to know that those scars will be covered by even deeper ones in the coming years

So, when Castiel feels Dean will be taken back to where he belongs, he takes the younger hunter down to the lake near his home and lets himself be vulnerable again

A few stories are exchanged, not enough to rattle the timeline, just enough to make Dean smile and scoff in disbelief

It's a somber moment between them, Castiel can tell Dean is struggling to let himself relax. But it's nice.

But when Dean tells him he's changed, smiling all cheeky like a joke, Castiel is brought back to more than a decade in the past

"Don't ever change."

Castiel remembers the almost desperate tone Dean had spoken those words before passing it off as a jest

He remembers dying through Michael's spear, confessing how he has changed, and how he loves

He remembers a more personal, more vulnerable confession, his moment of true happiness, where he tells Dean of how the hunter has changed him

He remembers confessing his doubts about heaven, sitting on a separate bench from Dean

And in a flash, he's back in the present with a reminder of his past, and there's a dull ache behind his ribs that threatens to spill over, to confess more than what he should

unbeknownst to Dean, whose smile is more beautiful than the sunset

And Castiel can't help but smile back like he did all those years ago

"Don't ever change," Dean asked him

Castiel was never good at following orders

Dean will learn that soon enough

And Castiel hopes he will love him regardless of it

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Castiel thought he would be mourning the long hair. Or maybe breathing a sigh of relief to see a more familiar style

He didn't think his vessel would react so strongly to THIS

And you can't blame Dean for cutting it (obviously cutting it himself because barbers can't be trusted). He forgot how long he was gonna end up switched in time, and without his nice high-pressure shower, good conditioner, and blow-dryer, the hair was more of a hassle than anything else

This isn't the first time Dean's cut his hair short again, nor is it the first time he's had to deal with an overly flustered Cas (Though, in this case, he can't do what he wants to do with him)

He's just glad Cas didn't immediately poof off to Australia the second he came out of the bathroom

At least Dean didn't shave

Though, with how scratchy it's getting? He's debating it

He hopes he'll get home before it gets worse

Or before he considers marrying this Castiel too with just how darn cute he is

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There's a line Dean is trying not to cross

Castiel is using that line like a jump rope, dressed like a wet dream, on a Thursday night

He's been in the future for a while. Longer than he's been in the past. And somehow, hanging around like a drifter in Castiel's lovely domestic home is more torture than being thrown into the past to meet his mother and father again

Maybe this was his punishment for saying his mom was a babe

Throw him back to hell NOW before he does unspeakable things to his MARRIED MALE BEST FRIEND

Like, he HAS to be doing this on purpose. but WHY. Why would Castiel, Angel of the Lord, 'Social Skills' are 'Rusty', 'I love my cowboy husband' Last Name Unknown go out of his way to act like...

like...

This!

.... Is he even wearing anything under that...

God Winchester, you are a FREAK

HOLD IT TOGETHER

Meanwhile, Castiel casually doesn't read his book and starts a bet with himself to see how long it will take before Dean cracks

He's giving it another week

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Castiel hasn't told Dean that him and Future Dean are married and live together Dean, after a night of sleep in Castiel's guest room, wakes up to snoop around, trying to find his Future Self's phone number or something He's surprised to learn that Castiel doesn't take his shit anymore

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Dean dreads the past. All his time traveling has only ever served to solidify guilt, longing, and 'what ifs' that float in his head. But he's older now. He hasn't moved past it, but he's learn to cope and be more open about it

So when he starts feeling like it's time to go home, he does a few things he wished he got to do.

Dean managed to talk Bobby into a quick game of catch. One that ended with them both tired and grumpy, sharing a beer, and Dean telling Bobby how much of a father he is to Dean

He takes Sam to Jessica's grave. It feels pointless at first, given Sam had no soul, but Dean sat with Sam, who, despite not really understanding what Dean was going on about, listened while his big brother said how he's sorry. And that he's glad Sam stuck by him

Then, he prays to Castiel and takes him on a quick road trip. He plays the mixtape he inevitably gives to Castiel in the future, and quietly drives to a cliffside where the view of the stars would be just perfect.

They sit in silence for a while. It's a silence even Castiel wishes to break, unsure of why Dean insisted on being alone together

But Dean says his peace eventually

He chooses his words. Careful and slow. He keeps his eyes down because he's scared of how easily he would break seeing Cas' younger face.

He's afraid of how much he wants to steal Cas and take him home

Keep Cas safe from his younger self

So he keeps his eyes downcast, hoping Castiel understands him. That Cas believes him

That Cas knows Dean will be waiting for him a decade later, with open arms and a safe home

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