And To All a Good Night
"This is awesome." Dean grins at the bar, it's all decked out with Christmas decals covering the walls, snowmen, stars, trees, presents, reindeer, holly, and of course, an obscene amount of mistletoe. "Cas." Dean nods his head up at the sprig above their heads.
"Mistletoe." Castiel look up at it. "I believe there's a tradition associated with that."
"There sure is!" Babe bounces up to plant a kiss on both her brother and future brother in law, right on the mouth. "Mwahh. Mwahh."
"Uggh! Hey! No! Blugh." Dean turns away wiping his mouth on his sleeve. "Not cool, woman." he points an accusing finger at her.
"Yeah, but funny." She smirks, "C'mon, eggnog for everyone!" Babe wanders back to the table with Raphael and a familiar face.
"Wh...Dad?"Dean steps back.
"No, that's Michael." Castiel corrects him and gives his boyfreind a kiss when he steps forwards again, back under the mistletoe.
"Well, I did ask him to change vessels the little shit." Dean scowls barely noticing the kiss.
"Excuse me?" A couple people behind them alert them to the fact that they're standing in the doorway.
"Yeah, no, sorry." Dean and Cas head over to the bar.
"Dean, you cannot call the oldest being in creation a little shit." Cas chides him.
"I can if he's being a little shit. Or should we stick with 'assbutt'?" Dean teases. Cas just gives him a dark look.
"Please do not bring that up. The elder archangels have been ignoring my existence and I prefer it to stay that way." Cas begs.
"Okay, okay. Where's Sam?" Dean looks around.
"Here." Sam waves, standing up behind the bar, a santa hat on his head, fitting with Babe's Mrs. Clause outfit. "Care for a drink?"
"Eggnog sounds good." Dean sits down. "So you're the bartender tonight?"
"Best way to keep from having to sing." He states plainly. "And of course to make sure the drinks aren't tampered with. Remember, don't talk about Chrysander. Krissy's still blocking it out and I don't want her breaking down, okay?"
"Yeah, man that just sucks. Seriously. Thanatos won't be here will he?" Dean looks around the room.
"I don't think so. He's not really taking it too well." Sam shakes his head.
"How do you know?"
"I've been calling him every now and then to see how he's doing. I also offered him a position at the school. How to identify a natural death versus supernatural woudl be a handy skill."
"Jesus, Sam. What hunter would leave their kids at a place with a pagan death god on staff?" Dean smacks his brother's arm making him spill the drink he's pouring on the counter. Sam just takes out an old black rag and starts wiping it up. "Sorry... wait... wait a minute. Is that my Ledd Zeplin t-shirt?"
"Don't worry, I'm saving it exclusively for the messes you make." Sam informs him.
"Give me that you brat." Dean reaches for it. Sam just lifts the shirt up in the air.
"Don't hassle me while I'm working. "
"Oh yeah?" Dean climbs up onto the bar and grabs for it, knocking his brother over while trying to get the shirt back. Miraculously they manage not to break anything. "Don't touch my band shirts." Dean eventually gets up and shakes the shirt at him.
"And you want to marry into that." Raphael turns to his sister.
"Yep." She smiles. "I'm marrying you two into it, too." Babe pinches her brother's unamused cheek.
“I hope this party isn’t too debaucherous.” Michael cautions his sister.
“Nah, it’s mostly friends and family drinking and singing christmas carols. Tame stuff.” She shrugs. “Have you met your niece and nephews yet? I’m pretty sure at least one of them in coming tonight.” Babe looks around.
“They are not our relatives.” Raphael says firmly. “You weren’t even married to their mother when she had them.”
“I raised them, Raph. I was their father in every way that matters.”
“I would love to meet them.” Michael says politely. “If they’re important to you, they’re important to us.” He looks at Raphael who sighs and nods.
“Great. I’ll have them sit with us when they arrive. Have a drink.” She snaps them up a couple glasses of eggnog and heads to the bar. “What do you think, n’samja? More lights?”
“More? You could land a jet in here.” Dean replies.
“Sam?”she just ignores him.
“It looks wonderful, Babe. Very festive.” He bends down to give her a kiss. “You got your older siblings to come I see.”
“Yeah, they’re really spoiling me. It’s great. Hopefully it doesn’t wear off before the wedding.”
“It’ll be fine.” He reassures her.
“Have you chosen a best man yet?”
“No, not yet. Have you chosen a maid of honor?”
“Yep, Claire. She’s already planning the bachelorette party so if you’re stuck choose one based on who you want planning yours.” Babe suggests.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Really?” Dean looks at his brother, a little hurt. “You wouldn’t make me your best man?”
“I didn’t say that.” Sam raises his hands.
“But you have to think about it.” Dean points out. “Nothing against Cas, but I’m your brother.”
“I appreciate the thought, Sam, but there’s no criteria you could go by where Dean is not the more appropriate choice.” Cas reassures him.
“No? What about the criteria of actually being supportive and approving of my relationship with my future wife, and is less likely to advocate for a divorce after every fight.” Sam replies.
“Oh, come on. You can’t want Cas planning your bachelor party.” Dean changes the subject away from that undeniable truth.
“Actually, I kind of do.” Sam confesses.
“And the best man speech?”
“Definitely would rather have Cas give that then you.” Sam says flatly.
“Well, fine then.” Dean gets to his feet. “Cas, enjoy your role as best man, just don’t expect any help from me.”He stalks off to the karaoke stage. Cas just gives Sam a rather frustrated look.
“Sam, we both know you want Dean as your best man.”
“Do we? Everything I said was true. You’ve been far more supportive from the start. I’d definitely rather have any bachelor party you plan than one of Dean’s and I’m kind of afraid of what he’d say in his speech.
“Well, then, have us both as best men and have me do those things and he can participate in the actual ceremony.”
“Or, we can let him squirm until after you give the speech at the rehearsal dinner.” Sam suggests with a grin. “Make it your wedding gift to me and Babe.” He prods.
“Very well, but do not tell her until afterwards.”
“Thanks.”
“He will be absolutely unbearable. “ Cas sighs.
“As if he wouldn’t be anyways. You could suggest maybe that being actually nice to her and not just holding his tongue, might change my mind.” Sam points out.
“I could. I’m starting to think she’s a bad influence on you.” Cas chides him.
“Sam! Cas!” Claire waves from the door. “Merry Christmas.” The woman beside her looks fairly unenthused.
“Claire. Hi. Who’s your friend?” Sam waves back.
“This is Persephone.” Claire takes her hand and leads her over. “I told you about her, remember?” Krissy had a lot to say to them about the wayward Queen of Hades as well.
“You… you’re bringing her to the christmas party?” Sam widens his eyes slightly. “You know Hel’s going to be here, right?”
“No, actually, Bree failed to mention that. But it doesn’t matter, it’s not like that. I’m just helping her get used to the modern world. Perse, want some eggnog?” Claire motions drinking as Persephone’s english isn’t all that great yet and it’s loud in the bar.
“I will try any thing one.” She smiles sweetly. “ Hel is Hela of Neiflheim?”
“Claire?” Babe quickly comes back over. “Can I talk to you?”
“Sure. Give me a moment, Perse.” Claire touches her arm. Babe just hauls her to the back.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Babe asks slowly.
“Helping Persephone adjust to modern life, and learn english?” Claire replies.
“No, you are escorting one of Hel’s biggest rivals as a date to a party.” Babe informs her just as slowly.
“What are you talking about? She and Hel aren’t rivals and it’s not a date.” Claire protests. “It’s not!”
“Look, I understand.” Babe ignores her protests. “You want to make her jealous but this will just piss her off. Really.”
“It’s not a date, Bree.” Claire insists angrily.
“Fine, but you’re asking for trouble.” She pats her friend’s back. “I really wish you let me know before you brought back Persephone. I really do. And why isn’t she with her husband? It’s winter, it’s his time.”
“They’re taking a break.” Claire says kind of weakly.
“Oh,Claire bear. Claire, Claire, Claire, Claire, Claire.” Babe just shakes her head with a sigh.
“She wants to find herself again.”
“And I’m sure she’ll be looking in your pants soon.”
“That’s what I said.” Krissy reaches them. “Have you met the shameless cougar that’s attatched herself to us yet?”
“Oh, I am very familiar with Persephone.” Bree smiles with fierce politeness. “She’s the one who ordered Hati and Skoll killed.”
“What?” Claire gapes.
“I’d better warn Rhys. He will not be happy.”
“Too late.” Krissy nods back to the young man glaring at the goddess from the doorway, his scowl is almost half pout and is fairly heartbreaking.”
“Fuck. “Babe rushes over to him. “Rhys you came.”
“What’s she doing here? I thought she was dead.” He demands. “And why are you still in this stupid form?”
“Rhys. I’ll explain later. Why don’t you come meet your aunt and uncle.” she ushers him over to the table with Michael and Raphael. “Miqa, Raph, this is my baby boy, Fenrysulfr, it means wolf of the fen.”
“He’s a terrible namer. He named my brother Jormungander, the world snake.” Rhys crosses his arms. “I trust neither of you will be murdering my friends and family.”
“Rhys.” Babe snaps at him.
“Not without cause.” Raphael replies.
“Certainly not for existing. We’re retired.” Michael states firmly looking at pointedly at his younger brother. Raphael doesn’t say anything to that.
“She killed my babies, Dad.” Rhys reminds Babe with that heartrending pout again.
“I know. And I fucked up her kingdom so bad you don’t even know. I’m sorry. They needed her to save Nat and keep Hades from collapsing. Okay? Trust me, as soon as she steps out of line, she will be taken out. I promise.” Babe puts a hand on his arm.
“Does Hela know she’s here?”
“I only just learned she’s here.” Babe puts a hand to her chest. “I swear.”
“Will Alex be coming?” Rhys looks slightly hopeful.
“Yes, so you’ll have to change shortly.” Babe states firmly. Rhys sets his jaw. “Or are you… unencumbered yet?” She crosses her arms. Rhys gives a small sheepish, guilty dimpled smile. “Don’t even think about it til you are. Anyways, you know you want out of these cloths you, little nekkid butt boy.”
“Remember, you promised.” Rhys reminds her. Babe sighs and rolls her eyes. It was after a particularly bad fight with Boda where Rhys said too much to his mother about something he saw in Asgard. Babe had elicited an oath from him on the subject of lovers and gave one in return.
“Yes. I do. And you remember she’s my friend. So don’t even think about hurting her.”
“Is there any other way you’ll let me actually see her face to face. You’re not going to make me throw everything away just to be friends with a girl.” He protests.
“I’ll tell you what.” Babe considers. “Come to my wedding and you can stay human the entire time.”
“You want me to attend this absolute farce of a wedding?” He exclaims. “I’m tired of your pranks, dad.”
“Well, take it or leave it.”she pats his shoulder. There’s no use trying to protest that it isn’t a prank, he’s long past believing her about such things.
“Fine, but if you call off the wedding again, I get to see her from right then on in any form I choose.” He demands.
“I’m not calling off the wedding. Again,” Babe puts her hands on her hips. Rhys just pouts at her with his big golden puppy eyes. “Okay, fine.”She sighs and ruffles his hair. She’s always been a sucker for that since he was a tiny thing. “But you’d better be the sweet and caring little man I know you can be.”
“Thank you, daddy.” He smiles.
“Oh hush.” She shoves him. “Don’t make me have to beat your ass. That’s all.”
“I’ll go change.” He bounces off towards the back.
“Something reasonably sized!”
“How about a lapdog?” Rhys teases.
“That depends on how worried you are that Claire will punt you into the ceiling if you try to get on Alex’s lap.” Babe goes back to the table and buries her face in her arms. Raphael gently pats her back.
“Why does he have to change?” Michael has to ask.
“He’s not allowed to be human around Alex.” Babe sighs.
“Why not?”
“Because she’s pagan bait and he’s a charming playboy with poor impulse control.” She sums it up. “I love my nekkid baby, but I also know him very well.”
“Pagan bait?” Michael frowns.
“A virgin.” Raphael informs his elder sibling.
“Oh. But you agreed to let him see her at the wedding?’
“Sam thinks he’s actually seriously interested in Alex. And even so that we should trust them both. I want him to wait until then because I don’t things to possibly go bad before it. One broken up couple is enough.”
“Would you like me to chaperone them?” Michael offers.
“No. Neither of them would appreciate that. But thanks. He’s not going to hurt her physically. He’s not like that, just immature, overly playful, irresponsible, undependable...”
“So he takes after you.” Raphael doesn’t blanche even slightly at the withering glare his sister gives him.
“Claire! It’s karaoke time!” Babe gets up and waves her over.
“Oh, great!” Claire runs over leaving Persephone at the bar again.
“You two want to sign up?” Babe asks her siblings, not really expecting them to, but hoping.
“No.” Raphael replies for them both.
“So what you’re just going to sit here and do nothing the whole time?”
“Yes.” Again it’s Raphael who answers.
“You asked us to come. We came.” Michael states simply.
“Alright. Fine.” She shrugs and heads up to the stage. “But you’re singing at my wedding both of you or else.”
“Hey, you came.” Alex smiles sliding into the booth next to Raphael. “That’s good. It’s nice having more sane people around.” Raphael gives a small smile at this. “How’s the eggnog? Or aren’t you drinking it because of the tasting every molecules thing?” They both just push their glasses over to her. “Oh, thanks. Hey, Rhys.” She scrunches up her face as a large wolfy dog jumps up and starts licking her face. “Still feeling shy I see.” she teases. Rhys just chuffs and rolls his eyes before he resumes licking her face. “You know one of these days I’m going to be wearing make up and then what will you do?” She pushes him down and wipes her face off with her sleeve. “I’m going to talk to your dad. This is getting ridiculous.” Alex bends down to scratch behind his ears and he sits down on the floor beside her.
“Are you going to sing?” Michael asks politely.
“Like I could get the mic away from Claire and Bree.”
“That’s what you think, Alex. You and me are up next.” Claire announces at the end of her song, waving her up to the stage.
“What on earth.” Alex steps over Rhys and heads up to the stage. “No…”
“Yes…” Claire pulls her up and hands her a mic. “I’m letting you down until you sing.”
“Okay, okay, Everyone. I’m sorry.” she apologizes into the microphone. the music starts and Claire nudges her again.
“Sisters…. sisters… never were there such devoted sisters….”
“They’re singing our song.” Bree sits next to Michael, resting her head on his shoulder. He cracks a smile at this and puts an arm around her shoulders.
“When are you going to let me fix that leg?” Raphael asks because he can’t just let it go.
“Hey, I don’t tell you how to wear your vessel, do I?”
“Yes.”
“Yeah, well.” She brushes it off and sits up straight as she sees a storm brewing in the distance. “Hel’s here, let me get her before she sees… damnit.” She sighs, and hurries over to try and intercept her daughter. “I am so much better at instigating this crap than preventing it.” Babe mutters.
“I’m sorry, who did you say you were here with?” Hel gives a dangerous smile at the goddess.
“That delicious little blonde over there on the stage. Claire, do you know her? She’s such a sweet athletic thing.” Persephone’s smile is sweet as antifreeze.
“Hela! Come meet your aunt and uncle.” Babe grabs her arm and pulls her away from the bar. “They’re not on a date. Claire’s just an idiot.’
“How could you let this happen?” Hel hisses.
“She didn’t tell me she was going to do it.” Babe protests. “She was trying to save Thanatos. They were out of ambrosia.”
“That wench is a scheming little whore. How could you let Claire associate with her? You need to do something guard the abyss. We can not just let people retrieve what ever gods they want. We’re lucky she didn’t bring back that bloodthirsty bitch Demeter.”
“I’ll take care of it. I promise. I’ve just been busy. Do you know how many things I’m juggling right now?” But Hel’s not listening, she’s just glaring back at the greek goddess.
“How could Claire associate with her? We just broke up. And she’s already leaping into another woman’s bed?” Hel fumes.
“No. She’s not. Why don’t you talk to Claire about this?” Babe urges.
“She seems too busy sleeping her way across the BiCUD registry.” Hel comments rudely.
“Excuse me?” Claire stops singing. “The fuck did you just say?”
“Do not listen, Claire, dearest.” Persephone walks over, drink in hand. “While she should be used to it by now, our darling Hela Lokisdotter can’t seem to handle rejection very well.”
“It’s funny.” Hel turns to the goddess with a smile. “That you should say that if all people. Sophie dear. “Why don’t you just trot along back to your husband where you belong.” Hel waves her away. The entire bar has gone deathly silent.
“Why don’t you? Oh, wait, you have have no husband. Still after all these thousands of years.” The jab falls a bit flat on the lesbian goddess of her own domain.
“I’m afraid my standards are far too high for what’s been available.”
“True, only a truly pathetic desperate god would ever propose to you. I’m glad you still have some self respect, however little you get from others.”
“Yes, your husband was fairly pathetic when he asked me for my hand. Even if he wasn’t, unlike you I don’t have to resort to other goddesses leftovers.” It takes all four archangels to contain and break up the resulting fight.
“So you two have history.” Claire puts some into Persephone’s swollen eye.
“You could say that.”
“I don’t appreciate being used.”
“I was not using you. I had no idea she would be there. Did you? I do not like being used either.” She protests.
“No of course not.” Claire sighs. “She never had time for these things lately. Why didn’t you tell me you knew each other?”
“You obviously still have feelings for her, I did not want to hurt you. She’s such a jealous thing. So unreasonable. Even after she discards you she doesn’t want you with someone else, but you know she’s taking comfort in her valkyrie. Oh, dear, I used the wrong words again.” She puts a hand to Claire’s cheek. “I apologize. Was I too harsh?”
“No, I know what you mean.” Claire looks down. “She didn’t… We just couldn’t…”
“She was clinging, wanted too much, Hela does not understand that some women do not take kindly to cages however lush. You are an eagle, not a falcon. You must be free to soar. No tethers, no blinds. Your affections are a gift not a right. One to be appreciated not taken for granted.”
“I just.. I couldn’t give up everything I am and care about. I tried but.. why couldn’t she…” Claire wipes her eyes. “It’s fine. She has needs too and if I couldn’t meet them, then… that’s that.”
“Hela is a fool. Better an eagle then a thousand kept hens.” Persephone moves the ice pack away and kisses the crying hunter.