Sam’s mouth is hanging open, jaw completely lax. He knows he looks ridiculous, but he can’t undo it for the time being. There’s just… too much going on. It’s hard enough processing what he’s seeing, much less what he’s hearing.

“Dean said this would be a good idea,” Castiel is currently rambling. “He said it would be ‘sexy,’ and that most human males like things such as this.”

Sam can’t even laugh at the air quotes. It’s too much on top of a way too much sundae.

“Frankly, I fail to see the appeal. It feels slightly ridiculous, truth be told. Then again, I am an angel, so it could be that this is one more thing that I’m incapable of understanding about the human condition. I just-”

“Cas!” Sam finally manages to get out. He holds up a hand in a stopping motion. “Please. Hang on a minute, okay?”

Castiel obeys, blue eyes pleading. “Of course, Sam.”

“I’m… right. Can you… I need you to put on some underwear before you say anything else.”

Castiel sighs, head hanging. “Dean lied.” He shuffles to the dresser and pulls out a pair of clean boxers, tugging them on. It makes it easier to handle the fake halo perched on the real angel’s head, the red bow tie, and his glossy black wings spread behind him, now curving inward in embarrassment. “I knew I was still too gullible.”

Sam smiles encouragingly. “It’s not that, really. I mean, I was a little… uh, shocked to see you… like…” he waves his hands vaguely in Castiel’s direction, indicating his entire body. “Well, like that, but it’s definitely not unpleasant. You’re…” he rubs the back of his neck. “You didn’t need to do anything like this for me, though. I mean… what’s this all about?”

Castiel takes the halo off of his head, staring at it in consternation before flinging it negligently to the bed. “I’m not good at romantic overtures. You weren’t getting it, so I approached Dean for advice.”

Sam crosses his arms over his chest, if only to keep the sudden flood of emotions inside. He’s surprised at how even his voice sounds when he says, “and he suggested a naked Valentine’s angel? Dude, Cas, you could have just said something to me.” In an mumbled undertone, he adds, “I wouldn’t have said no.”

Castiel’s head snaps back up. Unconsciously, his wings curve towards Sam. “You would have?”

Sam reaches out, stroking the long feathers near the tips of Castiel’s wings. It has the effect of drawing Castiel closer, bringing the extra warmth with him. “Yeah.” He dips his head down.

“May I kiss you Sam?”

“Kiss me,” Sam whispers, luxuriating in the long-awaited sensation of the angel’s lips pressed to him. It’s everything he’s ever wanted. And it dawns on him that Castiel probably feels the same.

Better late than never, he thinks. Maybe he shouldn’t have told Castiel to put underwear on after all.