They wrap up filming a few hours before the party is supposed to start, which leaves them a few options. They could choose to stay home until then, much like Gabriel chose to go back to Bobby's with Sam, Adam, and Samandriel, but there's no guarantee they'd be able to convince themselves to actually go to the party. So, instead, they head to Lucifer's house, making out on the couch, until...

"True story," Lucifer says, "the sex scene thing wasn't scripted. It was just what these two hypersexual morons do constantly. Case in point..."

Castiel looks over to see Lucifer filming them with a smirk. Big surprise. He's filmed absolutely everything today. It will be fun to look back on someday, he's sure, but now, it's just a minor annoyance.

Castiel tucks his legs up on the couch and cuddles up against his boyfriend, leaning his head on his shoulder. He's too tired for a witty comeback.

Dean puts an arm around him, almost out of habit, and says, "That's why we live halfway across the country. Can't be out here tainting his perfect family."

"It's funny because it's true," Lucifer says. "No, kidding. I was just wondering where you guys disappeared to. You've been really quiet."

"Welp, we've just been chilling out here," Dean says. "And, unless your daughter makes a surprise appearance, we'll probably continue to just chill out here."

"Fair enough," Lucifer says. "I'll leave you guys to your steamy makeout session."

"You don't have to —"

"No, I'm totally just leaving to go play with Alex," Lucifer says. "I'm just using that as an excuse."

It's probably a good thing the he didn't really mean it, because they don't resume their 'steamy makeout session.' Castiel just closes his eyes, snuggling up to his fiancé and trying to get more comfortable.

"Tired?" Dean asks softly.

"Mm hmm," Castiel hums.

"Go to sleep," Dean says. "It might be a long night, depending on how the party goes. Don't want the star passing out midway through."

Castiel laughs, the type of laugh that's just a strong exhale, but it's all he can manage. He's too tired to do anything else. He'll just rest his eyes for a few minutes, and he'll be good as new.

~~

Castiel fades in and out of consciousness over the next few hours — minutes? He's not quite sure when he's half awake and when he's dreaming. It doesn't really matter. He doesn't need to know if this is the real Dean and Lucifer talking, or the version his subconscious mind made up. They're not talking to him. He'll just half listen, and maybe some of it will be real.

"Well, aren't you just the cutest lil cuddle buddies," Lucifer says in a very take, unnecessary southern accent.

The hand on Castiel's shoulder disappears for a moment, probably in a wave, and then appears again.

"Is he awake?" Lucifer asks.

"If he is, he's been doing a very good job at hiding it for the last hour or so," Dean says.

"And yet, you're still awake," Lucifer says.

"Trust me, I'd love to be asleep, too, but I can't feel my arm," Dean says. "And I don't want to move it and risk waking him up."

"I'm sure he'd fall back asleep real quick even if you did wake him up," Lucifer says.

"Probably," Dean says. "But he's sleeping really peacefully right now, and I don't want to risk ruining that."

"I am confusion?"

Dean chuckles softly. "Right, you wouldn't get it. Perks of a mentally healthy family."

"I am still confusion?"

"He woke me up at four this morning," Dean says. "I think he was having a nightmare — you know, the whole PTSD thing. He didn't wake up, but still."

"Ah, man, I'm sorry," Lucifer says. "That sucks."

In a lighter tone, Dean adds, "But I had time to make pancakes before I had to wake him up, so I can't complain."

Lucifer doesn't seem to buy that last part. "Does it happen a lot?"

"Well, it's been getting better," Dean says. "At least he's not waking up every single morning like he used to."

"Oh, man, that must've sucked," Lucifer says sympathetically. "How long did that go on for?"

"God, I have no idea," Dean says. "Probably halfway through football season or something like that."

Lucifer scoffs. "I can't even imagine waking up in the middle of the night every night, and still going to work the next day."

"It wasn't too bad," Dean says. "I mean, I got yelled at a lot because I could barely function, but otherwise, it was great."

"Oof," Lucifer says. "RIP you."

~~

"Puppy!" Lucifer squeals. "I love puppy!"

Jack laughs. "That's Peanut. He's not quite a puppy. He's just small — and fat."

"Every dog is a puppy, Jack," Lucifer says.

Peanut barks.

"Aw, I love you too, little pupper," Lucifer says. "Come here, let me pet you."

Dean sneezes, and Castiel's head bounces on his chest. "I'm guessing you brought Lord Tyrion."

"Yeah, he's out in the kitchen with my mom," Jack says.

"Great," Dean deadpans. "You know, I like the cat a lot better through my phone screen."

"Sorry. I didn't want to leave them in some crappy pet sitting place, and I'm not staying overnight, so I don't have a hotel room to leave them in."

"I totally forgot you were allergic to cats when I told him he could bring them," Lucifer says.

"Well, thanks, Lucifer," Dean deadpans. "And a big ol' fuck you to you too."

~~

"Good luck, Cas," Dean murmurs, his arms around him just as comforting as his words.

"Thanks," Castiel whispers. "I'll see you in a few minutes."

"Love you." Dean presses a kiss to his forehead, and then they're off.

Castiel doesn't watch Dean go. He doesn't have time. He waits for the voice in his headset to give him the cute, then steps out on stage. The audience erupts into cheers, and Castiel can't help but smile. He never feels this type of unconditional love when he's not standing in front of a stadium full of 50,000-plus people. It's a refreshing feeling.

"Hey, guys!" Castiel says with a grin, and the cheering gets louder. "It's been a while, huh?" He pauses, letting them calm down for a moment. "Now, I know my last tour ended love rough, but I'm back and better than ever!"

Gazing out into the crowd, he recognizes a few faces. Lucifer's the hardest to miss, jumping up and down in the front row.

"Now, I've got a special surprise for you," Castiel says. "Please welcome to the stage, my husband, Dean Winchester!"

Dean jogs across the stage and over to Castiel, pulling him coffee and giving him a kiss. Dean cups his face in his hand, his ring pressing against Castiel's cheek.

Turning his attention back to the audience, Castiel says, "You may recognize this hottie from my music video for 'See You Then.' Well, guys what we're gonna sing for you?"

"Hey, Cas," Dean says.

"Hmm?" Castiel hums.

"Cas?"

Castiel cocks his head to the side. "What?"

And that's when it starts. The bangs, one after another, and the screams that start immediately after. Castiel barely has time to process that it has to be a gun before Dean pushes him down on the ground, shielding his body.

"Cas!"

"Dean?"

Castiel tries to move him off of him, but Dean keeps fighting back, refusing to move, into suddenly, he stops.

"Dean?" Castiel pushes him off, kneeling down next to him. "Dean!"

"Cas!"

Castiel bolts upright on the couch, accidently pushing Dean away in the process. He squeezes his eyes shut, pressing a hand to his chest as he waits for his heart to stop pounding.

"Cas?" Dean rests a hand on his back. "Hey, Cas, you're okay. It's just a dream."

Castiel just nods. He knows that. He just needs a minute to get himself together.

"Want me to tell you what's going on right now, or should I wait?" Dean asks.

Castiel gestures for him to tell him now.

"Well, Lucifer is interviewing everyone for the behind-the-scenes video," Dean says. "It's how we've been killing time waiting for everyone to show up. Everyone's here now, though, so we figured it was probably time to wake you up."

"You could've gotten me up earlier," Castiel says.

"But then I'd have to get up, and I didn't want to get up," Dean says. "Now c'mon. Let's go meet people."

As they head to the kitchen, where everyone else has gathered, Castiel asks, "Did Jack bring his dog?"

Dean nods. "Yeah, he and Lord Tyrion are upstairs."

"Have they been upstairs the whole time?" Castiel asks.

"Pretty much, yeah," Dean says.

"Hmm." Was that just a dream, then? It probably was. At least he'll get to pet Peanut, though. That's all that matters.

Looking around the room, Castiel sees a lot of people that he doesn't recognize, but a lot that he does, too. All his siblings are there, as is Dean's family, as was expected, and the Klines and Cain are here, too. No one else looks familiar, though. Maybe he should have asked people to tell them who they invited before they showed up.

"Morning, Sleeping Beauty," Claire says teasingly.

"Morning." Castiel gives her a half-hearted wave.

"He's not usually like this," Dean says, for the benefit of the people Castiel doesn't know. "We had to get up early to film a different scene."

"Anyway," Lucifer says with a grin. "Let's get this party started!"