There had been times when you had talked about marriage, making jokes about how the ceremony should be and moving away from all the chaos of the city, but with Fives you soon learned to take nothing seriously, so you hadn't thought much about it. To your surprise, the first thing he did after leaving the GAR was to officially propose to you, which left you utterly speechless.

This brings you here, two years later, and a small house with a beautiful view over the lake, perfect for both of you and maybe for a child or two in the future.

"As far as I remember, you are also quite drunk...", you said, looking at him in the eyes once you were up.

Meanwhile, both of you were slowly swaying to the soft music in the background.

"I can handle my alcohol much better than you, love... due to me being a professional soldier," he stated, teasing you.

"former soldier.... and a really fast metabolism," you continued.

"And a very fast metabolism...", he mocked, rolling his eyes over your statement.

"Oh come on, like I don't have to go grocery shopping every three days, you're lucky I love you."

" Well, you're lucky that I love to cook for both of us, then" he replied, giving you a gentle kiss on the lips.

During his years in the army, Fives was always so hyper-aware that he usually had severe panic attacks after long campaigns, after meeting you he learned to focus on things and calm down when necessary but he began to find comfort in your company as well. You quickly became his own personal everything, even if he didn't know that yet.

"How did I get so lucky?" he said right after, tightening his arms around you even more.

The music was long gone but both of you were too lost in each other to notice.

"I think you earned it by being clever enough to meet me," you declared with confidence.

"If I remember correctly, you wanted to kill me when we first met," he pointed out.

"More or less, luckily you didn't give up so easily."

The first time you met him had been very much embarrassing, at least for him. He approached you with the most pathetic pickup line you had ever heard that you almost laughed in his face. You didn't like him at all at first, too arrogant for your taste so you were sure that ignoring him was the best solution.

On the other hand, he wasn't the type to give up so easily.

That same night you took pity on him and granted him an hour, only to find out soon after that he was... incredibly nice, despite all of that facade.

After that time, you two became inseparable, but with him being an active ARC trooper and you, a civilian doctor, things were very complicated but you made this work somehow...

"So, what now?" he hesitantly asked after a moment...

"Let's prepare dinner and then watch some bad holomovie..." you playfully proposed.

"I mean, with us..." he paused, looking away for a moment, then adding, "when I married you, it was the happiest day I've ever lived, and with me returning back to normal, I...we have a long life ahead of us and I..."

"Fives, relax..." you stepped in, lightly kissing him on the lips and stopping his rambling "...we have so many more days to spend together, we have time to do what we want and how we want it...".

"I know...", he simply replied, resting his forehead on yours and holding you even more tightly in his arms.

He was well aware that you were right, there was absolutely no need to hurry... now that the worst had passed...

When the war ended all the clones were finally granted citizenship, therefore all their chips were finally removed. They soon discovered that without it they would continue to grow older at a normal speed, even though their metabolism seemed to continue to be faster than others but the point, however, was that they were now able to have a more normal life.  

The first time Fives told you, one night when you both were out stargazing, that he and his brothers had been created to be expendable and that their lives lasted at most thirty years, the first thing you felt was rage.

You had already heard something about it, but it was just a rumor that circulated from time to time in the Academy, something that certainly couldn't be true, so knowing that it was real and that someone had bothered to mess with other people's lives made you uncomfortable at first. Then came the fear, fear of losing him and never seeing him again, fear that someone else could decide about your and his happiness without worrying much about the consequences.

So, when everything finally settled down, when peace was restored, whatever fear that had been with you until now was gone.

"Don't get all mushy on me now, you know that no matter what happens, I'll be by your side, right? That's why I married you, to annoy you as long as we live," you told him, comforting him.

"Yes...." he said, smiling a bit at your jest.. "it's just... you know," he added.

"I know..." you repeated, then reaching out with one hand and gently stroking his cheek.

Having all the time in the galaxy seemed so scary at first, especially for someone who used to not have any, but having you at his side made it look less confusing.

He surely was lucky to have met you that day, and so did you.

__

"And before you settle anymore into disapproval, I'd like you to know that I didn't steal, borrow, lift, or buy this gift." There is an edge of pride in his voice as he offers his hand, wrinkles crinkling around his eyes as he smiles at you. Your hand slips easily into his, fingers entangling as you relax. He leads you down the hallway towards the garage, piquing your curiosity further.

The garage door is open, with a huge wooden crate just inside the doorway. You hadn't realized you paused until you felt a gentle tug on your hand.

"Just a bit further, sweetheart." There is a faint rustling noise that stops as soon as you reach the crate.

Inside is a... no way.

"Happy first day of December," Balthazar mutters quietly before he releases your hand, so he can wrap his arms around your middle, your back pressed against his chest.

"Balthazar! That is a baby reindeer! Take it back to its mother!" You hiss, concerned for the little white and gray baby.

"Its mother died after birth. And the gentleman who gave her to me said she was too small and would more than likely die. So, I offered to take her." He nuzzles against your shoulder before giving a soft chuckle. "Believe it or not, this baby reindeer is one of the few things I've gotten respectably."

You laugh softly, easily sliding your hands down his arms and settle your hands over his.

"Oh, I can believe it, Mr. Stickyfingers." You turn in his arms, staring into his sky-blue eyes. "How're we going to keep, much less raise, a reindeer?"

"Well, you see, I'm an angel."

"I'm listening."

"So, I could make magical boundaries for it, so it couldn't wander away from the Bunker. I could also make it so anyone passing by wouldn't see it."

"Dean's gonna hate this whole thing." His soft smile widens, causing those adorable crinkles again.

"I know." Satisfaction fills his face with the thought before he turns you back to the crate, hand at the small of your back as he unlatches the little gate and leads you inside.

The crate has enough room for the three of you, your hand outstretched a little uneasily.

"You aren't going to break her. Here." His hand pushes down on your shoulder and you obediently sit cross-legged on the hay-strewn floor, as he offers a bottle to the calf. He leads the calf the short distance to you as it chases after the nipple, astounding you when the little reindeer slumps against your thigh. "There we go." Balthazar breaths out, handing you the bottle. You begin stroking its white fur, fingers dancing along the gray stripe down her back as you coo little endearments.

"Come on." You jerk your head just a tad, watching your mate shuffle into a sitting position beside you before snaking an arm around you once more, his long fingers already making small circles just above your hip where the tiny reindeer leaned.

"So, you like this surprise?" He whispers before shifting forward to kiss the side of your head, contentment filling the air. "What will you name her?"

"I was thinking Cupid."

"Of course, you would think that," Balthazar affirms with a laugh.

"I do like this surprise, Balthazar. What a wonderful mate I have." You butt your forehead against his gently, sincerity warming your words.

"That you do, darling." You pull away, taking a deep breath as the reindeer tugs impatiently at the nipple. Balthazar refills the bottle with a snap, eyes soft as they meet yours.

"This is also good practice."

"Practice?" Your angel's forehead wrinkles slightly, clueless.

"Mmhmm. For the baby." You wait for a beat, watching his blue eyes widen as you force yourself to stay calm.

"B-Baby?"

"Yep." You pop the ‘p', carefully watching Balthazar. "Yours and mine."

Something settles over his face and then he's leaning forward, cupping your face, and bestowing a soft, passionate kiss.

"My beautiful, wonderful mate." Balthazar coos, barely pulling away.

"I take it you're happy then?"

"Ecstatic, darling."

"Me too," you confess before a burst of soft laughter bubbles from your throat as the tiny reindeer shoves her way into your lap with a few soft snorts.

"Careful!" Balthazar admonishes Cupid.

"The baby is tiny. Cupid isn't going to hurt us." Balthazar's blue eyes are nearly glowing he's so happy.

"Us." He repeats reverently before kissing you again.

@lucis-unicorn ​@clockworkmorningglory @sakurablossom4 @chelsea072498 @unleashthemidnight @thewhiterabbit42 @nobodys-baby-now @ourloveisforthelovely

“Aren’t their rules on how much you can spend?” He sniffs a pine candle, his mouth turning down in a disgusted frown and shoving the stopper back into place.

“The smaller gifts have a limit of 30, with the bigger one having a limit of 50.” Castiel looks from the purple mini blender to the pink, perplexed. “I have a coupon, so this miniature blender will only be twenty-one with tax.”

“What did your Secret Santa get you for the first two gifts?”

“I got a three pack of very nice ties and a fifteen-dollar gift certificate for the burger place I like on the corner of Willwood and 8th on the first day.”

“Nice.”

“And on the second day, I received an advent calendar with different types and flavors of honey and an “I Teach Therefore I Drink” pilsner glass stuffed with a little stuffed bee.”

“Sounds like your Secret Santa has your number! Damn. Who are you hoping it is?”

“The librarian,” Castiel admits shyly, placing the pink mini blender back onto the table and wandering to Dean’s side.

“Got the hots for the librarian?”

“It is not simply physical, Dean. She is quite lively to talk to as well. She knows lots of conversational topics and, other teachers have commented, has given me preferential treatment for library use.”

“Preferential library treatment, eh? Sounds like she likes you too.” Dean gestured with the essential oils bracelet box he’d been looking at as Cas shakes his head.

“She doesn’t care for strong smells.”

“Huh.” Dean grunts in reply, wandering away from the candles. “Wait - did you get her as your Secret Santa?!” Dean looks almost giddy at his deduction skills. “Aaaaaand you’re getting her a blender?”

“She expressed a need for one the other afternoon, saying her old one had died, and she hadn’t been able to make her regular morning smoothie. This is something she can use.”

“But Cas, man, if you have the hots for her and - if she’s your Secret Santa too - then you should go for more romantic.”

“Gabriel suggested lingerie.”

“You buy lingerie for a girl you’re already dating or for your wife, not for a girl you want to date.”

“I told him that seemed presumptuous.”

“She like plants?”

“She killed the lily plant in the library office a month after she got the job.”

“Snow globes!” Dean says excitedly, holding one up and shaking it vigorously. “Can’t kill it. She can pop it on her desk. Let’s blow this popsicle stand and go find her a snow globe. Hallmark usually has a crapload.” Cas shuffles the box nervously in his hands. Dean stops a handful of steps away and gives his head a shake. “Let’s get the blender and go look for a snow globe, ‘kay?”

---

When you peeked under the Christmas tree in the staff break room, there was a giant box with your name typed onto a cute little penguin label. You tried not to get too excited about the big box, seeing as your other gifts had been...odd. On the first day, you had got a card game box of puns and Faberge-looking ball filled with mini 3 Musketeers. Neither gift had made much sense to you, especially since you didn’t care for 3 Musketeers, but you’d shrugged it off. It was the first gift after all.

The second gift had been worlds better. It was an oversized dark maroon sweater with kitty ears and a beautiful rose gold watch. You had excitedly slipped the watch on, wondering how much something this nice looking actually cost...you silently hoped it was on sale or they called in a favor because it looked more on the pricey side.

So, you figured that you had a 50/50 chance of liking this gift. You had actually liked the little sphere with its intricate gold designs and little fake rubies. And you had left the pun card game on your counter at home with a couple bottles of wine for Girl’s Night next Saturday - you figured that Jo, Charlie, and Meg would enjoy a game of tipsy puns.

Huh, guess you did enjoy all your odd gifts so far.

“Almost that time.” Cas’s deep voice resonates close behind you, making you jump a little. “Sorry to have startled you.” He apologizes as you turn, a smile already gracing your face.

“No worries, Castiel. I was a little lost in thought.” He moves to a table, pulling out a chair and gesturing for you to sit. “Ooh, hold on.” You make your way over to the fridge, pulling out two tupperware containers. “I had lots of leftovers from cooking night with my mom, so I made you some lunch,” You oblige, thanking him softly and looking down. “If - if you’d like.”

“I would enjoy that very much. I actually forgot my lunch today, I was busy last night - and it completely slipped my mind. Thank you.” You slide the container towards him, along with a fork. Two bites in and Cas let out a little groan.

“You like it?” He nods eagerly around another mouthful, blue eyes so wide and honest. You chuckle before taking a bite of your own, waiting for Missouri to come in and dole out the presents, excitement buzzing just under your skin once more. “You like what your Secret Santa has gotten you so far?”

“Mmhmm. Whoever it is has excellent insight into the things I like.”

“Huh. You know, I thought that my Secret Santa was buying me kind of a mish-mash of things because they didn’t know me that well,” You lick your lips before you take a healthy drink of your water. “But, I’m actually pretty surprised at how much I really enjoy all of my gifts. And the kids enjoyed the 3 Musketeers while they lasted.”

“Alright everyone - present time!” Missouri announces as she enters the room, her ever-present clipboard firmly in her grasp. You had enough time to finish your lunch before your assistant librarian came shuffling in saying she couldn’t find a whole set of books that needed to be loaned to Mrs. Joseph’s fourth-grade class. With a good-natured roll of your eyes at Cas, you excuse yourself, only to find the way blocked by Missouri, holding the big present you’d been eyeing earlier. “Now you can go.” She chuckles out before letting you pass.

---

As you sit alone in your office, nearly a half hour later - the case of the missing book set solved, you wrinkled your forehead up at the purple miniature blender.

“A blender?”

You didn’t see how karaoke was gonna do that but…once Charlie had a hold of a plan, there was no use trying to talk her out of it.

She leaned in with a small, knowing smile as Ellen Harvelle stepped up to the microphone.

“I put your name in the bowl.” Charlie whispers loudly with glee.

“What?” You gape at her like a fish out of water. “Why? Why, Charlie?”

“You’re a wonderful singer and I know you’ll kick it in the ass.”

“You aren’t gonna butter your way out of this one! You said just watch and enjoy the festivities!” You hiss before latching onto your drink straw angrily, if there was such a thing. Charlie blinks her big eyes at you, knowing you aren’t angry - simply peeved.

“First off, Merry Christmas everyone!” Yells of Merry Christmas echoes throughout the bar in reply. “Alrighty, we’re gonna kick this shindig off! Can I have -” She pulls a white slip from a giant fishbowl, “Gabriel Shurley and…” Another slip. Please not me. Please! You pray quickly, tightening your hand around your glass. “Y/N MacLeod!” Fuck. You sigh. Well, actually this seems to be par for the course.

Gabriel was already out of his seat when his head snapped around, looking for you.

“Well, well, well…” Charlie begins, pulling your glass from your hand and shooing you off your chair. “Seems like Fate wants to gift wrap your childhood crush to you for Christmas!”

“I hate you,” You mutter over your shoulder as she shoves you towards the stage.

Ellen hands you a microphone as you give her a shaky smile.

“Welcome back, honey.” You whispers, giving you a pat on the back as she heads to the back corner of the stage to wait.

“I didn’t know you were back!” He leans in and whispers before pulling back with his whiskey eyes dancing and a bright smile. “We’ll catch up after. You ready?” You manage a nod, nerves working their way back. The beginning chords of “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” ring out and you spot your father sitting to the left of centerstage, giving you a nod as he raised his own fruity glass.

And just like that, your nerves were gone.

Gabriel made sure to stay close during the first verse and by the middle of the song, you’re singing to each other and, if not for the wolf whistles from the crowd every so often, you could have gotten lost in those dark butterscotch eyes that are so lively and never stray from yours.

“I really can’t stay,”

“Get over that old out,”

“Baby, it’s cold. Baby, it’s cold outside.” His arm slides around your waist as you two finish, pulling you against him as Ellen appears at your side, taking your microphone with the biggest grin plastered on her face.

“Well, damn folks! I might as well close this session down! Haven’t seen chemistry like that in years! Give it up for Gabriel and Y/N!” You give a nod to the audience, Gabriel’s hold tightening on you as he escorts you off the stage.

“How about I buy you a drink and we catch up?” You turn to fully face him, running your fingers up along his dark olive jacket, watching the gold darken slightly at your actions. “Maybe a Christmas Eve stroll after?”

“I don’t know…” You cock your head to the right a smidge, smiling coyly at him.

“What’s the sense in hurting my pride?” Gabriel quotes with a wiggle of his eyebrows.

“Well, then I guess I’ll have to listen to the talk tomorrow, Gabriel.”

“How lucky I am that you dropped in.” He guides you to a booth in the back corner of the bar, with a cocky grin tugging at his lips.

“Beautiful, what’s your hurry?” You ask, as he slips an arm over the back of the booth, pressed right up against you.

“I lost three years. I’m not letting you get too far away again.”