#[elmo in hell meme regarding this chapter]

[valleydean]

Chapter 16 [Read Here]

CHAMPION Part III of Heavyweight a deancas boxing au by valleydean (emmbrancsxx0) read from the beginning | playlist

SUMMARY: Brooklyn, 1933. Dean Winchester, the number one contender, trains to become the next Heavyweight Champion of the World, and this time he won't let anything get in his way. Title holder Castiel Novak has second thoughts about retiring, especially when someone from his past arrives in New York and asks for his help. Meanwhile, a new contender rises to fame and threatens to complicate both of Dean and Cas' ambitions - and their relationship.

CHAPTER PREVIEW:

The MC’s voice boomed through the arena: “Ladies and gentlemen, live from Madison Square Garden in New York City, welcome to tonight’s main event!”

There was a pause for more cheers.

“We have a very special fight for you tonight, and that’s all thanks to the man entering the arena for the very last time in his professional career…”

Castiel flexed and tightened his hands inside his gloves. They were already sweating. He hoped, after he’d won, the crowd wouldn’t be too disappointed to find out that they would no longer be able to brag about having been at Angel Novak’s final bout. Perhaps they’d be satisfied in knowing they’d been there when he announced that he was staying.

“Coming to us from Brooklyn, New York. You know him as the Angel of America. The undisputed heavyweight champion of the world—Castiel Novak!”

“An-gel Nov-ak!” the crowd chanted, stomping their feet. The fanfare of brass instruments rose up from the orchestra.

The curtains were pulled back. Castiel pushed his shoulders upright and walked into the arena.

“An-gel Nov-ak!”

There wasn’t a seat left vacant in the Garden. The crowd undulated from the ringside seats to where the bleachers met the ceiling. The people standing in the pits surged forward and thrust their arms over the barriers to touch his gloves and robe. They waved signs and lit cigarette lighters to get his attention. Press cameras blinded him from every direction.

When he reached the rows of ringside seats, the people sitting close to the aisles grabbed him by the shoulders and shook his gloved hands, wishing him luck. The governor and his wife, the mayor, Congressmen, socialites, gangsters, and celebrities.

“Give ‘em hell, baby,” a familiar, sultry voice said to him while he was shaking Babe Ruth’s hand. He glanced around, finding Meg Masters.

“Meg.” Pleasantly surprised that she was there, he gave her a smile. She planted a possessive kiss on his cheek before he had to move on.

Mick was on the aisle seat in the second row from the front, Balthazar beside him. He clapped Castiel on the back before hugging Michael. Balthazar leaned over them and said, “Do us proud, Cassie!”

He expected to find Dean in the first aisle seat. Instead, Kelly was there, giving him a bright smile. Jack rushed around her and gave Castiel a hug. Castiel put his glove on Jack’s head, chuckling. His buoyancy sank somewhat when he found Dean standing over the seat next to Jack’s. Dean clapped, his eyes on Castiel. He gave Castiel the same phony grin that was usually reserved for press photos. Castiel promised himself that Dean’s smile would be genuine by the end of the night.

Sam was next to Dean, then Eileen, who gave him a thumbs up—and Castiel was surprised to find Maura clinging to Sam’s shoulder as he held her. Jo and Charlie were further back in the row. The end chair had been removed for Bobby’s wheelchair. Castiel thought he spotted Henriksen, Benny, and Rufus in the seats behind Bobby, but it was difficult to see in the shadows. All the blinding lights were focused on him.

“You have lipstick on your cheek!” Jack laughed. That certainly explained the hints of jealousy on Dean’s face. He hadn’t even realized Meg had left a mark behind.

“Oh, I…” He raised his glove, then paused, because he didn’t want to smear red on the leather so soon.

Kelly pulled out her handkerchief and wiped the lipstick off his face quickly. When she was done, she said, “Go. They’re waiting for you. Good luck!”

With one last look at Dean, Castiel moved to the ring. He climbed inside, his team right behind him. As he did, he heard the commentator saying for the people listening over the radio, “Angel Novak has entered the ring for the final time in his career—or is it? He’s expected to make an announcement at the end of tonight’s bout. His coach and promoter haven’t commented on the matter, but analysts speculate that Novak will push his plans for retirement and hold onto the belt for a little while longer. That is, unless Mr. Webb beats him tonight.”

In his corner, Castiel shuffled from foot to foot and shook out his arms, still trying to get loose. His robe fluttered around his calves.