Archive of Our Own ^beta

“Dean, we’ve looked at twelve houses already. Isn’t this getting excessive?” Cas asked as they walked up to the front door of the house, the realtor steps ahead of them already unlocking the door.

Reaching out, Dean snagged Cas’ hand and interlocked their fingers. He squeezed Cas’ hand, eyes flickering around the front yard. “None of them are right. Not yet. I’ll know when it’s the house for us.”

There was something about Dean’s expression that made Cas’ heart yearn. If Dean was looking for their perfect forever home, he was willing to look at as many houses as it took. But he doubted this was the one. With its dilapidated porch and peeling paint, this house needed a complete overhaul.

“I’ll leave you two to explore the house. I’ll be out here if you have any questions,” the realtor said, swinging open the squeaky front door for them.

“Thank you,” Cas said, letting Dean tug him into the house.

The floorboards creaked under their feet as they stepped over the threshold, and Dean’s hand slipped from his as his husband beelined through the house towards the back windows.

“Cas,” Dean’s voice echoed down the hall a moment later, a soft wavering to his name that had Cas bolting through the rooms.

“Dean!”

“C’mere, sweetheart,” Dean called.

Finally bursting into the back room, Cas found Dean with his back to a bay of windows with a soft smile on his face. Dean beckoned to him, and Cas reached out until their fingers brushed. “What is it?” Cas asked.

“This is it, Cas. This is the one,” Dean murmured, gently tugging Cas closer and wrapping his arms around his waist.

Cas blinked in surprise, eyes glancing around the room. From here he could see the kitchen; large counters with a reading nook and beautiful windows. The living room was spacious, too; enough room for giant couches to fit their entire family when everyone came over.

And then Dean’s fingers were grazing against his jaw, tilting Cas’ head so he could see out the window. There was a perfect view of the little lake with bright blue lapping waters and a soft shore. Several beautiful trees dotted around the yard with a hammock strung between two trees. Lush green grass and a little pathway made of stepping stones that led out towards a tiny shed.

“You see that patch right there?” Dean murmured against Cas’ ear, pointing out the window towards a section of grass in the middle of the yard that was bright and well nourished.

Following Dean’s direction, Cas nodded; feeling Dean’s hair tickle against his neck. “Yeah, I see it.”

“That’s where I’ll build you a garden. Any flowers you want. Or vegetables that you could grow. Maybe some herbs and spices. What do you think?” Dean asked, his fingers tracing soft little patterns against Cas’ hip. 

A sting of tears welled up in Cas’ eyes and he swallowed thickly. Dean would really do that for him? 

Oh God. Cas loved him so much he could barely contain it. How had he gotten so lucky to call this man his husband?

Instead of answering, Cas turned around in Dean’s arms and pressed their foreheads together tenderly. “What would I do without you?” Cas murmured softly.

Dean beamed, leaning in to steal a kiss, except before he could actually press their lips together, he pulled back out of Cas’ grasp.

“Come back here,” Cas said, chasing Dean’s mouth.

But Dean had stepped back, eyes darting around until his gaze settled on the staircase at the back of the house. Grinning, Dean yanked Cas towards the stairs.

“Dean, what are you doing?” Cas said, words catching on a laugh as Dean tugged them up several of the stairs until they were tucked into the stairwell.

“Kiss me if you want this house,” Dean said, leaning close until their breaths were mingling.

“You want me to kiss you right here?” Cas asked, stepping up one step from Dean until he was a little higher than his husband.

Dean looked up at him, the fondest expression on his face as he gently brushed his nose along Cas’ jaw. It was too much and not enough, and Cas’ heart ached with it.

Oh, he could see it now. Stealing kisses from Dean in this stairwell every day. Going out into the yard and working on his garden as Dean chased Jack into the shallow waters of the lake. Dean would cook in that large kitchen with Eileen and Sam whenever they came over and they’d all watch movies in the living room.

Using the height difference to his advantage, Cas leaned down and ghosted their lips together. “First kiss in our future home,” Cas said, finally catching Dean’s mouth in a kiss.

Dean sighed in pleasure, reaching up to press closer into their embrace. Arms wrapped around Cas’ waist as Dean’s tongue darted out to soothe across Cas’ lower lip.

Sliding his arms around Dean’s shoulders, Cas felt that familiar spark dance down his spine as his husband lingered against his mouth. Cas chased his lips over and over again, small little kisses that melted into something delicious and beautiful. 

It felt like Dean was stealing the air from his lungs with every single kiss. How did it still feel this good to kiss Dean? Like every kiss was their first; electrifying and breathtaking.

Nipping at Dean’s lower lip, Cas inched closer as he felt Dean deepen the kisses. Teasing yet still chaste, Dean glided their tongues against each other before he pulled away.

Oh no, Cas was not done kissing him. He quickly chased Dean, tilting his husband's head just a little more so he could fully seal their mouths together. It sent a thrill down every fiber or Cas’ being, and he caught Dean’s lip between his and tugged softly with his teeth.

Finally breaking apart, Cas pressed their forehead together again, feeling Dean’s hands slide up underneath his shirt until he was caressing skin.

“So that was a yes then?” Dean laughed, fingertips tracing along Cas’ spine.

Cas hummed quietly. “There’s a lot of work to do on this house,” he pointed out even though he nodded his approval.

“We’ll do it together. Our retirement project,” Dean grinned.

“Together,” Cas replied with a content sigh, letting Dean lean up to kiss him. “It’s a yes, Dean.”

When Dean kissed him again, it was slow and steady and oh-so-tender. It was Cas’ favorite type of kisses, when Dean was soft and their mouths fit together like they were meant to be. “Do you want to look at the rest of the house now?”

Oh yeah, Cas had forgotten they still had many rooms to explore even though they'd already made a decision. “I’d love to.”

When Dean tangled their fingers together, Cas led them up the stairs towards the master bedroom. And now Cas understood what Dean had meant when he said he’d know when it was the house for them. Because right now, standing in their future bedroom with a view out to the garden, Cas knew it too.

They’d finally found their home.