Now I'm strong and I won't kneel/Except to thank who's watching over me

[fromfryingpantofire]

It had been a very long day so far. For Sam, that day mostly meant waiting, fidgeting with the present in his hands.

More than a few of the others had watched him as they waited, wondering what he was doing here and, more than once, Sam had found himself wondering the same. The Novaks were a family with a lot of wealth and a lot of connections, political and otherwise. He'd done his research. The family was full of Alphas and Betas, insinuated into massive companies and running more than a few of their own. They were old money and old power and most of those who had come to court were the same.

Not Sam. Certainly, the Winchesters were an old family, but they weren't wealthy by a long shot. They were involved in law enforcement, which wasn't exactly a rich occupation to begin with. Sam was going to law school, but his interest wasn't in making money but in helping people and putting away those who abused their positions and their power. But, long ago, John Winchester had made a promise to the Novak family because Mary Campbell had mated him rather than Michael Novak. That one of his children would be offered as a mate to the Novaks should there be a compatible one. It had been a sop, meant to quiet tensions between the families but nobody had thought much of it. Dean had been a Beta and Sam had been an Alpha and that seemed that.

Until the Novaks threw an Omega. Not unheard of, but rare. And, suddenly, Sam seemed to be the one Winchester with a chance, small enough though it might be.

He started when he heard his name called, pulling himself to his full height with the present clutched in his hands. He followed Zachariah Novak trying to ignore the feeling of unworthiness. He was an Alpha from a good line. There was no reason, other than money, to think he didn't have a chance here.

Comments

[fromfryingpantofire]

"I think Sam will be happy to see you there, not what you're wearing." The second, panicked conversation had cinched it for Gabriel. He'd fallen hard for Castiel and he was glad to see his friend and his cousin together. Even if he knew the restrictions in the contract. "If I'd realized they'd go with quite that strict an interpretation of tradition, I'd have gotten you another shirt, too."

Anything else to break up the white. "Now. Too more things." Gabriel went into his case and brought out another box. "Old and borrowed in the same thing. It's allowed. I asked." Or something like that. Gabriel opens the box and offers Castiel a watch. "This one's been in the family for a while. Chuck gave it to me before he went off to find himself. I'll want it back after the wedding, of course, but I think you should wear it today."

There were things that Gabriel couldn't tell Castiel, not yet. But that time would come. The less he had dropped on him at the moment, the better.

[freetobe]

"You've thought of everything."

What Castiel can't say, because he doesn't trust his voice to carry through it, is that had Gabriel not been a part of this, he'd have stood out there truly alone. No honor guard, no one on his side of the family, not even trinkets on his person traditionally given to the omega by the pack they're leaving behind.

Gabriel is giving him a family. Has played a large part in making it possible Castiel finds a new one, and still has his old one with him. The better part of it, at least.

"It's a beautiful watch. I'll take good care of it."

It sits well on a slim wrist, and Castiel feels calmer for some bizarre reason. He's not superstitious - it's just that his nerves are soothed by the simple, but oh so important gesture.

"I think I'll just... just sit here, until they're ready for me."

He doesn't want to do anything else. Just sit calmly and quietly, let his mind wander to blankness so his nerves won't return to ruin him. And then walk down the aisle to be given to Sam Winchester. His alpha.

[fromfryingpantofire]

Gabriel smiles at him. "All right. Let me go get dressed and I'll join you. They'll send somebody to get us when they're ready."

The house is chaos, of course. While there had been some plans in place, there'd been nothing quite ready to be put into motion on such short notice. Ellen and Dean have been in the kitchen since early morning to prepare food for after the wedding. Charlie had roped Ash and Kevin into helping her get the chairs and the grove decorated for the wedding. Bobby's gone to get the judge for the ceremony and Sam's...

Sam's mostly been pacing when he hasn't been on the phone with Adam, assuring the youngest Winchester that he wasn't actually missing much and, should this all work out in the end, that there would be a second ceremony and Adam would be able to be there, he PROMISED.

All too soon, though, he and the others are dressed and headed out to the grove, not far from the houses. Ash is sent for Gabriel and Castiel while Kevin mans the camera. Any pictures that are sent to Zachariah will have to be ones where Gabriel isn't in them, but that's an easy enough fix.

Sam does his best to put it out of his mind, tugging at his tie until Dean slaps his hands and checks it for him before moving to the side as his best man and beta. His hair's been pulled back today, the suit not tailored but definitely customized because Sam is far too tall for off the rack without some changes being made. The suit itself is a dark grey, tie and pocket square a matching silvery grey. It's maybe not perfect, no, but he's hoping that Castiel will like it.

The judge clears her throat and Sam looks up, catching his first sight of Castiel since the night before.

[freetobe]

Castiel is nervous. He's been prepared for this moment, for fulfilling the first of his two purposes in life (to get married, the other being to procreate). Yet he can't deny the flutter of nerves. Maybe because this isn't just a cold ceremony in a cathedral, there are no reporters here, and of course, the entire Novak clan is absent, with the exception of Gabriel.

That means Castiel gets to be nervous, because it's more intimate, less rehearsed. He thinks he likes the slight tingly of nerves, but hopes they don't show on his face.

Later, some people will wonder if he hesitated the moment his and Sam's eyes met across the distance. The truth is that Castiel forgets everything he's supposed to do when he sees his future mate standing there, strikingly handsome, with warmth in his eyes, and a wonder that Castie suspects must be reflected in his own.

He swallows, takes a breath, and then joins Sam by the altar as he's supposed to.

No hesitation. Just a moment to appreciate the sight of everything the Winchesters are providing for him.

[fromfryingpantofire]

Sam reaches out, taking Castiel's hand as soon as he's close enough. It might not be common in Novak weddings, but Sam finds himself really wanting to just touch his soon to be mate.

It was something that Sam was very much conscious of, that this was not anything like what Castiel had to have been expecting for his wedding. But the sun was out and the sky was clear. Maybe there weren't many people there, but once Jo found her seat by her parents, everybody who really cared at the moment was there.

The ceremony itself is short, more a formality than anything else. But everybody still cheers when the judge says to kiss and Sam smiles at Castiel before he bends to kiss his new mate.

There's pictures to be taken, of course, but it isn't very long before everybody heads into the house and Ellen and Dean rope Jo and Ash into helping to get food onto the table. Sam stays close to Castiel, keeping touching him as much as possible. Because it's nice to be able to really do so.

[freetobe]

The touch is much appreciated, grounding as it turns out to be. Castiel feels that he can face the rest of the day the moment Sam's larger hand wraps around his. And that, he thinks, is probably a good sign for them.

The wedding is decidedly unspectacular in a way that Castiel likes. It feels intimate. He's used to too large dining rooms, where no two family members sit next to one another, too large entrance halls, where it's impossible to stand close to someone without seeming exceptionally rude. This is... quite lovely, actually. He enjoys nature, and the bees flitting about.

He enjoys Sam's lips, warm and soft against his own. This part, at least, doesn't feel like duty, and when Sam makes to pull away from the kiss, Castiel leans in, pressing their mouths together again much to the crowd's delight. It only lasts a heartbeat or two before Castiel pulls away too, cheeks slightly pink, but it pleased him.

When everyone heads inside, they linger outside a little longer, reluctant to join the crowd and leave this little bubble that belongs to them.

Castiel straightens Sam's tie, smoothes down a stubborn lapel. "It seems we just got married, Sam."

[fromfryingpantofire]

Sam's more than happy to let the rest of the group head inside first, giving him a few moments with his husband. The matter-of-factness, though, makes Sam laugh as he reaches up to run his fingers over Castiel's tie as well. "So it would seem, Castiel."

He hadn't even felt nervous, once Castiel was beside him. Sure, it might only be a short reprieve, but Sam isn't thinking about that at the moment. There's still a year ahead of them and plenty of time to find a way to keep Castiel with him.

He bends, pressing another kiss to the corner of Castiel's mouth. "Should we go in and greet the family?"

[freetobe]

It's strange, the little flutter in his stomach every time Sam's lips stray close or make contact in any form, but Castiel is still a little too preoccupied with other matters to really let himself relax and sink into that feeling. It's pleasant though, and that's a start.

"In a moment, please." It's still all been a bit much for him, and he's still trying to get his bearings again. The courting, the heat, his uncle's yelling, the wedding, Castiel's own trepidation about their upcoming wedding night when all the ceremony is over... He wants a moment of privacy with his husband, of intimacy that isn't about claiming and being made to belong to somebody just yet.

Carefully, Castiel slips his arm through Sam's and leans on him a little, trying the contact on for size. It's not bad. A little stiff and awkward on his side maybe.

"Is this... alright? I'm not really sure how to be married."

[fromfryingpantofire]

Sam reaches over, sliding his hand over Castiel's where it lays on his arm. "I don't think anybody knows how to be married. It's sort of something that you learn as you go along. At least, that's the way it always seemed from watching my dad and my step-mother." He rubs his hand over Castiel's fingers. "It's okay to be nervous, though. I'm pretty sure that's normal, too."

It's still nerve-wracking for Sam as well. He's just working at hiding it better because his own hormones are reacting to the nervousness of his mate, trying to calm Castiel. "If it helps, just remember that we're both learning about this together."

[freetobe]

Castiel nods a little, then allows his eyes to close as he leans his head against Sam's shoulder. He breathes in, letting his mate's scent envelop him. Sam smells all kinds of good - strong but gentle, warm, earthen. Someone who works hard, someone who's steady. Castiel barely remembers trying to all but jump Sam, but he remembers very well remembers how steadfast the alpha had been, how he hadn't grabbed the chance to get what all of them were there to win.

Except Sam, who would have been happy to just be friends. Sam, who brought a book and never expected to get the omega at all.

Sam, who got what he didn't demand.

Castiel opens his eyes again. "I'm ready."

[fromfryingpantofire]

Sam bends his head, pressing a kiss to the crown of Castiel's head where it leans against his shoulder. "Come on, then. Let's make our entrance."

It's not much of an entrance, really, but Sam laughs at the paper confetti that gets thrown at them as they come in the back door, Dean and Gabriel having gotten on chairs to make sure that a bunch of it got dropped over their heads while Kevin stands back, taking more pictures.

Ellen mock scolds them all and ushers Sam and Castiel into the dining room, the table set as it had been the night before but with the clan's good china and silverware. There's wine and beers available for everybody and Sam and Castiel sit at the head of the table. Sam grins, brushing some confetti out of Castiel's hair as they sit and the rest of the clan settles around them and starts chattering, food passing around the table. It's almost like supper the night before, though the atmosphere is more relaxed.

And Sam only rarely stops touching Castiel.

[freetobe]

Castiel feels drunk, even though he isn't.

That in itself is a little strange to him. His plan had been, quite honestly, to drink until their wedding would hardly matter anymore. Now... he finds he doesn't have to. His nerves might flare up later, and he might regret his choice, but right now he feels buzzed without even having touched beer or wine.The warmth of Sam's hands spreads throughout his entire body, and his cheeks feel as though they must be bright red.

He talks to other guests, of course he does. But he doesn't move from his seat by Sam's side, doesn't pull away from any of the touches Sam initiates. He might not reciprocate much, but it's obvious that he's comfortable and relaxed.

Why, the softness around his lips might even be called a smile, with some leeway.

[fromfryingpantofire]

It's much more relaxed than the night before, which Sam is grateful for. Whatever had happened during the night, Castiel and Gabriel seem to be on much better terms.

Somewhere in the middle of the meal, though, Charlie grins and picks up her spoon, tapping the side of her glass. Sam bursts out laughing, shaking his head. He's been to enough weddings to know what she's doing. He turns to Castiel, his mouth quirking up slightly. "That's the signal for the newly married couple to kiss," he explains to Castiel. "Though I'm hoping they don't do it too often, since we all still have to eat as well."

He reaches up, tucking his fingers under Castiel's chin. "Are you okay with that?" They wouldn't do it if Castiel didn't want to. Sam wouldn't allow them to put his new husband in an uncomfortable position.

[freetobe]

What an odd little tradition, commanding the couple to kiss. But Castiel knows how to adhere to tradition and do his part, how to entertain guests and be a proper omega - at the same time, Castiel also knows how warm and soft Sam's lips are against his own.

"You should probably kiss me, then", he observes, keeping his eyes on Sam's. He misses Dean nudging Charlie with an elbow, as if to say: 'see, he can be cheeky. My brother got a feisty one after all. this is awesome'.

[fromfryingpantofire]

That cheekiness makes Sam laugh, eyes lighting with his grin as he leans down to kiss Castiel again, his fingers still on Castiel's chin. He keeps the kiss gentle and still chaste. He'd leave it like that until they were on their own.

Not that it stops the rest of the pack from cheering and clapping, Gabriel even adding a whistle that makes Sam start laughing, which breaks the kiss as he lets go of Castiel's chin to flip them all off.

[freetobe]

Castiel's cheeks are a lovely shade of crimson when their lips part, and his eyes flick to the crowd once, for just a moment, before he smoothes down his shirt in what appears to be a nervous little gesture.

"Your friends and family must not have kissed a lot to find this so exciting", he murmurs, but what could sound biting comes out more like a tease, especially with how at ease Castiel currently looks. It's strange to be the center of attention in this... positive, dare he say healthy manner. It's uplifting.

[fromfryingpantofire]

He really does love that look on Castiel's face and the pink in his cheeks. Sam drops his hand to take Castiel's again and laughs.

Jo grins from where she's seated by Dean. "I think we're more excited just to see Sam kissing somebody."

Sam groans, sitting back. "Jo..."

"Hey. We're just glad that there's somebody else that'll drag you out of your office sometimes!"

[freetobe]

Castiel doesn't frown much, but the look he shoots Sam is certainly calculating.

"Is he prone to overworking himself?"

Off to their side, Dean is making a whipping gesture silently, and Castiel doesn't really care. He can't have Sam overworking himself - not if they're to ever stand a chance of getting Castiel with child. They'll both have to be in peak condition physically and mentally.

So yes, if need be - Castiel will physically drag him away from his work.

[fromfryingpantofire]

Sam groans, hiding his face.

Jo and Dean look at each other before taking pity on him. "It's less that he's prone to overworking himself and more that he takes his position seriously," Jo allows, looking back to Castiel.

Ellen nods, passing the salad around again. "In most packs, Sam would still be training to take over from the previous pack Alpha. Definitely not until he was finished with his schooling."

With a sigh, Sam leans back in his chair, taking Castiel's hand. "I'm lucky I have such a good support system here that I could stay in school when Dad died. But there are things that need an Alpha to do them and I'm in my last semester of law school." Which means, a bit, that he does do a lot of work.

Ash grins from where he's sitting to Ellen's side. "There's always office sex."

To which Sam balled up a napkin and threw it at the Beta.

[freetobe]

"It sounds like your pack knows how to take care of you as much as you know how to take care of them."

And Castiel is glad for it, even though the familiarity of this pack is bewildering to him. Where he's from, the level of society he was born into, the labor is divided more harshly. Those of lower rank get to feel how much lower than the pack leaders they are daily.

This is... strange. But in a good way.

"I understand sex is traditionally had in beds."

[fromfryingpantofire]

The question kind of made everybody pause, looking at Castiel as though trying to decide if he was making a joke or not.

Just looking at his husband, Sam figures it's probably not a joke. Of course, nobody had ever told Castiel what being an Omega meant in the first place.

Gabriel, on the other side of the table, gets a wide grin on his face. "Oh, sure. TRADITIONALLY, sex is only ever had in a bed. With the Omega on his or her hands and knees, once or twice a week and everybody bored out of their skulls because it's tradition and nobody's supposed to actually enjoy it. In actual fact? You can have sex anywhere and in any number of positions."

"Gabriel, if you break my husband, I'm not talking to you for a month."

The grin only gets wider. "Samsquatch, I'm not going to break him! But you'll probably find something interesting in your wedding gifts tonight. Kali suggested it."

Which makes Sam pause. "I'm really not sure I want to know..."

[freetobe]

The comment had, in fact, been meant as a dry joke, but Castiel quickly remembers his place with the way silence falls for a moment. He's been sheltered, and doesn't always know how to talk to actual people - aside from his uncle's condescension towards those of 'lower birth'. Castiel learned etiquette, not social interaction. It's not surprising to him that his humor doesn't ring with these people.

"I'm not a glass figurine", he mutters under his breath, though he refrains from pointing that out. It's hardly surprising that these people would see him like that, and Castiel is beginning to realize that having been the victim in every way so far, he'll have to work on proving to them that he's not a fragile, naive flower maiden.

He doesn't break easy... although tonight under Sam, he wonders if he might.

[fromfryingpantofire]

Which is when Sam, at least, realizes it was meant to be a joke. He takes Castiel's hand, bringing it up to his mouth to press his lips to his husband's knuckles. "No. But we also don't know what your limits are, either. We're...very much not what you grew up with and we know it. So finding out what goes and what doesn't is going to take time. On both sides."

[freetobe]

Castiel's expression softens at that, something warm seeping into his eyes. He appreciates the gesture, and for a moment forgets all about the guests around them. "We're still getting to know each other," he adds in agreement, eyes dropping to his own knuckles, as if transfixed by the soft kiss. Everything is new, and a lot of it is bordering on too much, but... at the end of the day, so far he doesn't have reason to think anything but highly of Sam Winchester.

"I appreciate the care. And the honesty."

[fromfryingpantofire]

"We both still have a lot of learning to do," Sam agrees, rubbing his thumb over the back of Castiel's hand. "And we're both going to make mistakes. But we'll manage."

Which leads to another round of glasses being tapped and Sam laughing as he shakes his head and leans in to kiss Castiel again.

So it goes for the rest of the meal, though Sam refrains from smooshing the cake in Castiel's face, no matter what the rest of the pack was trying to get him to do. The rest of the evening flies by and it's all too soon before they're making their way down to the cabin, Sam's arm at Castiel's waist as they walk through the moonlight.