It Started With a Tree by nerdylittledude
9416 words, published 08/15/2012, part 2 of the Ugly Sweater !Verse series

Summary: If they really go back and think about it… it all started with a tree. A Christmas tree, that is. Castiel is human now, and the apocalypse is not only over, it’s been averted. Sam’s away at NYU, finally finishing law school, and Dean’s stuck in what is probably the most awkward situation of his life. He’s not exactly sure how he ended up sharing a flat with Cas in Media, Pennsylvania, but he does know the curious would-be angel is sort of derailing his plans for a life of decadence and booze. Cas is trying to make the best of his humanity by exploring human holidays. Dean can’t exactly complain because he’s pretty much the reason Cas got his wings clipped in the first place.

Dean didn’t actually want to fall in love, but how was he supposed to know it would all start with a goddamn tree?

I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me) by George Michael and Aretha Franklin

Lyrics:

Like a warrior that fights and wins the battle
I know the taste of victory
Though I went through some nights consumed by the shadows
I was crippled emotionally

Somehow I made it through the heartache, yes, I did
Oh, I escaped (aha ha)
I found my way out of the darkness
I kept my faith (I know you did), kept my faith

When the river was deep, I didn’t falter
When the mountain was high, I still believed
When the valley was low, it didn’t stop me, no no
I knew you were waiting, I knew you were waiting for me
Uh huh

With an endless desire, I kept on searching
Sure in time our eyes would meet
And like a bridge that’s on fire, the hurt is over
One touch and you set me free

No, I don’t regret a single moment, no, I don’t
(I know you don’t) Looking back
When I think of all those disappointments
I just laugh (I know you do), I just laugh

When the river was deep, I didn’t falter
When the mountain was high, I still believed
When the valley was low, it didn’t stop me, oh
I knew you were waiting, hey, I knew you were waiting for me

So we were drawn together through destiny, ooh boy, ooh!
I know this love we share was meant to be, oh
(Knew you were waiting) Ooh, yeah
(Knew you were waiting) I knew you were waiting
(Knew you were waiting for me)

I didn’t falter, no
(I still believed) When the valley was low
(It didn’t stop me) Nothing can stop me, no
(Knew you were waiting) No, I
(Knew you were waiting for me)
(I didn’t falter) When the mountain was high
(I still believed) Oh, when the valley was low
(It didn’t stop me) No, it didn’t stop me, no
(Knew you were waiting) stop me
(Knew you were waiting for me)
(I didn’t falter) Oh, oh yeah
(I still believed) Oh, I still believed
(It didn’t stop me) Do you know it couldn’t stop me now? No
(Knew you were waiting)
Someday (someway), some place (somehow)
For me
(I didn’t falter) When the valley was low
(I still believed) I still believe (I believed, I believed)
(It didn’t stop me) Yeah, it couldn’t stop me

Hard to Love by Lee Brice

Lyrics:

I am insensitive, I have a tendency
To pay more attention to the things that I need
Sometimes I drink to much, sometimes I test your trust,
Sometimes I don’t know why you’re staying with me

I’m hard to love, hard to love,
Oh I don’t make it easy,
I couldn’t do it if I stood where you stood
I’m hard to love, hard to love,
You say that you need me,
I don’t deserve it but I love that you love me good

I am a short fuse, I am a wrecking ball
Crashing into your heart like I do
You’re like a Sunday morning full of grace and full of Jesus
And I wish that I could be more like you

I’m hard to love, hard to love,
Oh I don’t make it easy,
I couldn’t do it if I stood where you stood,
I’m hard to love, hard to love,
You say that you need me,
I don’t deserve it but I love that you love me good
Love me good

Girl you’ve given me a million second chances
And I don’t ever wanna take you for granted,
I’m just a man,
I’m just a man

Hard to love, hard to love,
Oh I don’t make it easy,
And I couldn’t do it if I stood where you stood
I’m hard to love, hard to love
And you say that you need me,
I don’t deserve it but I love that you love me

Hard to love, hard to love,
Oh I don’t make it easy,
And I couldn’t do it if I stood where you stood
I’m hard to love, hard to love
And you say that you need me,
I don’t deserve it but I love that you love me good

You love me good
You love me good


Find Me by Sigma ft. Birdy

Lyrics:

We said goodbye, you told one so many times
We’ve made our peace
But this is love, I’ll never give you up
I know your love is come haunting me
Like a river always running
I keep losing you
Like a fire always burning
I’ll be here for you

If you’re ready, heart is open
I’ll be waiting
Come find me
If you’re searching for forever
I’ll be waiting
Come find me
I see you, here in the darkness
Blinding light right where your heart is
If you’re ready, heart is open
I’ll be waiting
Come find me
Come find me
Come find me
I see you, here in the darkness
Blinding light right where your heart is
If you’re ready, heart is open
I’ll be waiting
Come find me

We’ve lost our way that’s what you told me last
Tears, they come and go
This is us, I’ll never get enough
It’s taking losing you to know

If you’re ready, heart is open
I’ll be waiting
Come find me
If you’re searching for forever
I’ll be waiting
Come find me
I see you, here in the darkness
Blinding light right where your heart is
If you’re ready (if you’re ready), heart is open (heart is open)
I’ll be waiting
Come find me
Come find me
Come find me
I want to meet and never leave now
I want to meet and never leave now
I see you, here in the darkness
Blinding light right where your heart is
If you’re ready, heart is open
I’ll be waiting
Come find me
Come find me
If you’re ready (if you’re ready), heart is open (heart is open)
I’ll be waiting
Come find me
If you’re ready, heart is open
I’ll be waiting
Come find me