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On a simple vampire case, Dean and Sam wrestle with a pack. A piece of rebar misses Dean by inches, turning around, he shoves the vampire into it instead, killing it. Turning around, he gives Sam a thumbs up and a huge smile. Mimicking his smile, he slaps Dean on his shoulder, “Let’s go, Dean.”
***
Still hurting from the loss of Castiel, Dean copes with large amounts of alcohol and classic rock until he passes out almost every night. Sam prays to Jack every night to let his brother see Castiel just one more time if possible, not knowing that Dean prays the same exact thing.
As days turn to weeks and weeks into months, soon years have passed, but without getting an answer about Castiel, Sam decides to move on. Dean however, never does.
After cases of monsters keep dwindling year after year, Sam leaves the bunker to pursue his dreams and goes back to College, never giving up the hunter life though either. He just isn’t as involved as he was before. Dean delves into the role of what Bobby used to do; always helping the other hunters from all around the states, always held up in his bunker.
***
Life moves on for both hunters. Sam graduates from Stanford, marrying Eileen, and even having a son whom he names after Dean. The brothers used to call each other every day, but with Sam’s new life, he’s happy to get a call at least once a week.
***
Both in their late forties now, Dean still perfecting his Bobby role, Sam still having a happy life with Eileen and Dean, Jr., Dean prays to Jack.
“Jack, it’s me, Dean. I know, I know, stop asking about Cas but you know I can’t. Any word? How are ya, kid? Er, I mean, God? So...yeah, miss you. Oh. And...Amen.”
Going back to networking the other hunters into surviving for another day, Dean lives day by day, and praying every night.
***
A couple of days later, Jack appears as Dean is making a sandwich in the kitchen, startling the hunter.
“Jack?!”
Jack raises his hand like Dean remembered, the cute boyish smile playing on his face, “Hello, Dean.”
Hugging him tightly, he picks up Jack a few inches off the ground, both smiling very brightly.
“Whatcha doin’ here, man? Everything ok upstairs?”
“Yes. Actually. I came bearing wonderful news. Castiel.”
Instantly, breathing seems impossible, Dean looks wide-eyed at Jack, “Cas? Wh-what?”
“He’s back. We finally got him out of The Empty. It took a long time but he’s free.”
“Where is he then? Why isn’t he with you?”
“Well, he’s around but the way he left, he’s a little timid about not having his feelings reciprocated and-”
Looking around, Dean erupts in shouts, “Castiel! You show yourself, damn you! Cas!”
“Dean. He’s here. He just doesn’t want to surface yet. Not until he’s ready. Just remember, he’s watching over you.”
Ignoring Jack’s words, Dean is still looking around wanting to see Castiel manifest and still screaming his name.
Jack gently squeezes his shoulder for him to stop, “Dean. He’ll come back to you. Just give him some time. He’ll show.”
***
A week after Jack came to tell Dean that Castiel was watching him, he still had no clue what to do or say. Instead of yelling and calling Castiel a stubborn jackass, his mind finally clears. Looking around his room, Dean sits on the edge of his bed.
“Cas? You here? I just wanna say I’m sorry. For everything. You know I get angry and take it out on other people, even you. Even when you’re not here physically but I could feel your presence. I know you see me. I just wanna see you too. It’s a two-way street, you know? I can’t have a relationship with a damn spirit, man. I need you. Wanna hug you again. I didn’t say that I loved you back when the fuckin’ empty came for you. I was in shock at what I was hearing. You’ve been in love with me for all that time. You told me you wanted something you knew you couldn’t have.”
Tears are now coming down, causing his voice to break, Dean not caring about any of that.
“I didn’t know I could have it either. You’ve always had me, Cas. You’ve always had me. I love you. I fuckin’ love you, Cas. Angel or not, you’ve always had my heart in the palm of your hands and it’s my fault you didn’t even know it.”
He puts his face in his hands, and starts to sob.
After his speech being spoken aloud, Dean can hear the distinctive sound of the *flap, flap* of wings. He looks up, seeing Castiel just like he remembered him - trenchcoat and all.
Still crying, he stands up and hesitates to touch the angel in front of him. With him trembling from anticipation, he leans forward to place his hand on Cas’ chest.
“Cas? Is that really you?”
“Yes, Dean. It’s me.”
Dean launches himself in a fierce hug and doesn’t let go. Castiel leans back to look into Dean’s tear-filled eyes, not knowing his eyes are also the same. He looks at Dean’s lips, “may I kiss you?”
“You never needa ask.”
They kiss until Dean starts choking on his sobs.
“I can’t believe after all these years, you’re here. I love you, Cas.”
“I love you too, Dean.”
***
Another week has passed, Dean leaving voicemails for Sam telling him Cas is back and that they’re finally together as a couple. He also calls the other hunters that their angel hunter is back; this has been the best week he’s ever had for the longest time.
There is a bang on his door. Confused and armed with his pistol and his angel by his side, he carefully opens it, seeing it’s Dean, Jr. with a worried look on his face.
“Hey! Little Dean, Jr. How are you doing? Whatcha doin’ here? Where’s your parents?”
After a brief hug, Dean, Jr. still has a worried face, “Dad hasn’t been back.”
Cas interrupts, “What? From where? What are you talking about?”
“Are you Castiel? My dad told stories about a guardian angel in a trenchcoat.”
“That’s me. Yes.”
“Wonderful to meet you.”
“Same here.”
Junior turns his attention back to Dean, “Mom told me to come get you. She said to tell you that dad’s on a hunting trip and he hasn’t been home in a few days.”
Dean looks at the ground with a smile, thinking about when he kicked his brother’s ass in that dorm. When that phrase finally clicks in his head, he looks up at Junior - his facial expression completely changed.
“How long?”
“It's been Four days. He’s never gone this long without us hearing from him. He might be in trouble.”
Looking to Dean, Castiel grabs his and Dean’s duffel, “Come on, Dean and…um, little Dean. We got work to do.”
Dean looks at Cas and tells him, “that better not become a habit.”