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

[godless_son]

Castiel's favorite assignments had always been his posts on Earth. Of the millions of souls he watched, on of his favorites had been St. Francis of Assisi. He loved watching the peaceful and reverent relationship he had with the animals, having always been more fond of them than he perhaps ought to have been. He'd always been thought of as a little soft for a soldier of the Lord but he loves his Father's creations.

If he convince Dean of it, they'd have the beginnings of a farm by now.

As such, it's with a delighted smile that he watches the birds, neck craned back to listen to them sing.

[priorcommitment]

Sipping delicately on his glass of beer, Ishiah makes his way over to where Castiel stands, transfixed by the birds. The chirps and tweets aren't completely in tune, but Ishiah knows that the birds are easily excited when they're aware of someone listening to them sing, some of them even puffing their feathers out in pride. Birds are able to delight in the small things, Ishiah knows. It's one of the reasons why he appreciates them so well.

"I hope that my present was appropriate," he remarks with a small smile, raising his glass in greeting. "It doesn't quite begin to express my thanks for being invited to the ceremony and reception."

[godless_son]

"It is I who should thank you for being here, and for this," he protests, smiling over for a moment before turning back to the birds. "It's wonderful. I love animals, they have always reacted positively towards me, much more so than humans. If it were up to me we would have a farm full of them. Birds have been a particular favorite and I have always suspected they could see my wings. It is a perfect gift, Ishiah."

[priorcommitment]

"Animals don't tend to be as judgmental as humans. Although in that same vein, sometimes the loyalty that humans can exhibit is far greater. In some ways, animals remind me of the life I used to lead — one with less choice, less knowing. It's not something that I resent in of itself, but it's a different way of life," says Ishiah, who also glances towards the birds, holding a hand out in time for a songbird to land on his finger. "It's hard not to appreciate the birds' songs, however. Between their musicality and their flight, they have always been my favorite animals to live alongside."

[godless_son]

"I think my favorite are cats, followed very closely by birds," he murmurs, watching with undisguised delight as the bird lands on Ishiah's finger.

"And I think you are right. For most of my life I was largely unthinking, largely obedient and when I strayed I was put in my place. Of course, cats are not like that. Ernest does whatever he wants and cares little about my opinions or orders."

[priorcommitment]

"A cat's life is much more closely tied to its survival than it ever may be tied to a supposed master. I think that is why Robin has a fondness for cats, as well," Ishiah admits, tilting his head in thought. "The cat that Robin keeps around Semele's, Cambriel, is far calmer than the pet he cared for previously. I don't remember any pets that Robin had prior, but Salome was an undead, mummified cat. She certainly did whatever she want. And, far from caring about the opinions of others, sometimes she directly sought to distress those she encountered, myself included."

Ishiah rolls his eyes briefly. "She enjoyed aggravating me most of all. Perhaps to Robin's delight."