Wedding

[godless_son]

Two weeks ago Castiel had been sure, at least for a little while, that this was not going to happen. The difference between knowing about your fiance's massacre and seeing it in full screen is very different, but Dean is forgiving and he is a good partner and as Castiel tries and fails yet again to make his hair lie flat, he decides not to include that particular tidbit in his vows.

Everything is reportedly set up, thanks to Mike and Neil, and he can hear the murmurs of the guests walking through the house to the backyard where the tables, chairs, and food await. The documents are signed, he and Dean having chosen to do that in private yesterday after Castiel's last class but the vows are different, he feels. Neither of them are terribly verbally demonstrative but he hopes very much that his are deemed appropriate. He carefully slips on his jacket, knowing that Robin will have words for him if it's not kept neat for at least the vows and fusses with the blue tie and pocket square that he'd been warned by Robin was not to be utilized for any rag-like purposes. Letting out a steady breath he stares at his reflection, at the very human looking man about to engage in a human ceremony with the Righteous Man he pulled from Hell. He frowns, head tilting as he looks for himself in all of that, for the thousands of years old warrior of the Lord with the wrath of Heaven behind him and decides he rather prefers the version that is still having trouble keeping his hair neat and whose biggest worry of the day is avoiding embarrassing himself during the vows. It is very strange and Heaven will never forgive him for it and he could not be happier.

He gives the stubborn curl spring up in front of his ear a furious swipe with his thumb and checks once more that Dean's ring is in his pocket before stepping out across the hallway to knock on their door. "Dean," he murmurs, "Are you ready?"

Dean feels half strangled by the tie. Long gone are the days disguises and aliases were needed - the last tie he bothered to throw around his neck is probably years past, but this is his wedding, and he means to look nice.

“Yeah,” he calls, adjusting the green silk at his throat a last, futile time. “Just.” He releases it with a sigh. He knows himself well enough to know he’s only nervous, and he passes a hand through his combed hair and takes a few deep breaths before he turns to the door, pausing with his hand on the knob.

“Am I supposed to see you? Is that a thing?”

Comments

[unburden]

Receiving an invitation to Dean and Castiel's wedding was a pleasant surprise to Rukia. It's been years since she's attended a wedding ceremony, and all of the affairs she's born witness to have been formal. Mostly occasions that she's been invited to because of her noble background — having a Kuchiki in attendance, even someone adopted as Rukia was, would always be considered a great honor within Soul Society.

But as soon as she arrives at this wedding, Rukia can recognize that it's different. A friendly, intimate affair, and she finds her heart warming at the knowledge that she's been invited to share in such joy. She takes the time to carefully pick out a dress, ivory colored with intricate floral embroidery and a touch of gold, sweet without going overboard in formality.

The gifts that she brings are greater in number, a couple of traditional good luck charms for the men and a large supply of toys and treats for each one of the pets in the household. She hopes that they're unique enough to bring some happiness to the already overjoyed couple.

Setting them politely with the other gifts, Rukia lingers shyly by the side of the party. She doesn't know many of the other guests, but she's made it her personal responsibility to make sure that everyone can safely enjoy the day.

[godless_son]

"You brought presents for the animals!" Castiel breathes as he strides over with a delighted grin, cat treats clutches in both hands. "Thank you. That was very thoughtful. Would you like to give them to the cats with me?"

[unburden]

"I did," Rukia says, turning to face Castiel and bowing low, both in gratitude and in respect. She held a great amount of it for the love that she witnessed between the two men. Most of the people she had come to call family in recent years were not particularly demonstrative with their love, a result of culture and upbringing. To witness an exception to that rule was heartwarming in its own way. "Congratulations on the momentous occasion, Castiel. I'm very honored to have been invited to share in your happiness."

Standing back at full height, but with her hands still neatly folded in front of her person, Rukia smiles. "I thought that the animals should get to celebrate today just as much as the rest of us. But, yes, I would love to help you give the gifts to the cats. The toys I purchased are especially popular among the cats at work, so I hope they suit yours."

[godless_son]

"We are honored that you came. Ernest is generally highly suspicious of people but I think he will like you," Castiel says, about as animated as he gets as he leads her inside. He really does believe it, something about Rukia's composure that he thinks Ernest will respond to.

Kara, of course, is no problem and comes streaking out to greet them in a little blur of black.

"That is Kara but Ernest is likely under the bed," he murmurs, shutting the patio door so that the house is once again quiet.

[unburden]

"If nothing else, I'm smaller and may not seem like as much of a threat," Rukia points out. There are times when she's been frustrated with her lack of physical stature, standing far less than five feet tall, but the advantages come often enough that she's learned to make the best of what she has to work with.

Eyes glancing curiously around the house, Rukia walks in with a faint smile on her lips. "Do you mind if I sit on the floor?" she asks Castiel, leaning down to pet Kara's head, searching for the right place to scratch to try and encourage a purr. "It might help if Ernest has the chance to approach me, rather than the other way around."

[always_enduphere]

"Keeping the wolves at bay?" asks Dean as he joins her near the outskirts of the little gathering. He's had eyes largely for Cas today, and God knows hyper vigilance is Dean's default setting, but today he's trusting his gut that all is well and right. "I got this place warded eight ways from Sunday, so relax."

Then, because he's not sure he's ever seen Rukia truly relax, he adds, grinning, "Or at least have a burger. We got veggie if that's not your thing."

[unburden]

"Force of habit," Rukia admits with a slightly wistful smile. It used to be that her brother was always the one watching out for Rukia, but even that only encouraged Rukia to be more vigilant about her own behavior, a habit that had come in handy once Ichigo came into her life. Turning around to face Dean fully, Rukia offers a low bow, bent at the waist, as her hands fold neatly in front of her skirts. "Congratulations on your wedding, Dean, and may you and Castiel have a lifetime of happiness. Or multiple, as it were. I'm very honored to have been invited."

Standing straight again, Rukia's eyes light up with a hint of mischief.

"As for your generous offer, believe me," she says almost conspiratorially. "I can handle my red meat."

[always_enduphere]

"See, I knew I liked you," says Dean, pointing at her with a grin. Knowing he'll only mangle the bow, he nods in return. "Thanks. Didn't really think this day would ever come. Part of me's still expecting it to go to hell, somehow, so I do appreciate you looking out for us."

If Rukia's on watch, Dean knows they truly will be safe. "But everybody needs a burger break. C'mon and pick your toppings."

[unburden]

"I get the feeling that the surroundings are safe. I can feel the spells you've laid in place, even if I can't promise to understand them fully. They're very different than the kidou used by shinigami," admits Rukia, her eyes skirting from one Enochian spell to the next. She appreciates the discipline of it, and the art to the spell-casting, a series of spells used together in concert to achieve a desired effect.

Following politely behind Dean, Rukia smiles as she passes by a number of people speaking animatedly. "I really enjoy how the two of you have organized your wedding ceremony and reception. It feels appropriate for the both of you. Warm, and intimate, and surrounded by friends and good cheer. I hope that your marriage will continue to be as happy as the services have been tonight."

[always_enduphere]

"Thanks," says Dean around an odd sensation in his throat. He looks around their little yard, the gathering small but filled with more people than Dean can remember letting get this close to him in years and years, and realizes the knot when he swallows is happiness.

He clears it with a shake of his head, leading Rukia to the table filled with burger fixings. "Most of the spells are Castiel's," he admits. "I know plenty, but they're about as crude as you'd expect compared to what you and he know." It's nice - now that he's had a chance to slow down and learn, Dean admires their elegance, just as he respects the elegance of the sword he's somehow allowed to carry.

"You guys might make me a learned man yet."

[unburden]

"I think that you're not giving yourself quite enough credit," murmurs Rukia, following closely behind Dean as he approaches the grill. "It's not very often that someone living is able to become shinigami, and even rarer for someone to progress at the rate that you have. Usually, wielding a sword takes years of practice. If there's anything that I've learned, it's that a supposedly crude understanding of many different disciplines is more impressive than learning a single trade to its fullest. When it comes to keeping people safe, one definitely offers greater odds than the other."

She smiles, ducking her head.

"Not that I want to fill your entire happy day with such practical affairs.i guess I'm feeling more sentimental than usual. Reminded of someone from home."