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It took a good twenty minutes of Cas and Dean hugging it out on the ground before either of them broke apart. Even then they didn’t stray too far, just inches to stare at each other’s face. “I fucking missed you Cas,” Dean half laughed and teared up as he finally stood and pulled Cas up with him. “You aren’t allowed to do that again. No more deals.” They stood toe to toe, only a hairsbreadth apart, Dean’s hands on Cas’s, “You got that? I can’t lose you again.”
Castiel nodded, unsure of the words to say at that moment. All he really wanted to was lean forward and place a kiss to the man’s lips. No matter what Dean had prayed to him, that was sacred and he was never going to push Dean if Dean wasn’t ready to do anything about those feelings. And that was when he noticed that there was something else swirling around Dean’s aura... his soul was still there, still bright, still beautiful... but there was almost an electricity to it now. If Cas wasn’t sure that it was Dean standing in front of him, he might think that it was Grace. “Dean... you- there is something different to your soul... what did you do to get me back?”
The curiosity in Castiel’s gaze was quickly turning into confusion as Dean laughed, “Cas it's fine... I uh, well I guess me and you both got upgrades. I’m not sure how all the new features work yet, but uh-” Dean shrugged and with it Castiel realized that not only was the strange almost grace swirling within Dean’s soul there, but... Dean had wings! They were almost imperceptible, as most Angel’s wings were when on this plane but Cas could see them. They were not the brilliant white that Castiel had heard that Michael’s were... but a beautiful mix of a bronze and cream color when they flared slightly.
There was a moment when Castiel felt his wings rising to the occasion now that he had seen Dean’s and they puffed up behind him... which Dean was able to see if his widening eyes were any consideration. Now that Castiel concentrated on the wings he could see them better and see the slightly submissive posture they were giving off. The wings were reacting to Dean’s emotions, the wings were tied to Dean, not Michael. The only way this was possible... is if Dean was an angel or a nephilim... but he was human. Without much thought, Cas sent out a short wave of grace and found that not only had his grace been restored, but it had been overpowered... he was an archangel, as was Dean.
Unsure of what to say Cas’ opened his mouth and felt the wave of grace come back. Jack was now God? So much had happened since he was in the empty, but he felt that the timeline was rather short for such things to happen so rapidly. “You- You are an angel?” it was almost more than Castiel could hope for, that Dean would no longer be constrained to a mortal existence but have the lifespan of a celestial being. Dean bit his lip and looked down at Cas’ shoes with a nod. His wings tucked submissively behind him. “Dean!” It was a harsh whisper, but not one of worry or fear, but of happiness. “You- we...”
“I was prepared to give you up, as long as you were back topside. Amara said you were an archangel and I knew that we would never... that I would never get to be with you. You would have obligations... and I was prepared to live with that, and then it turns out... they made me one too... something about balance.” Cas couldn’t stop the harsh chuckle that was pulled from him as he closed the distance and hugged Dean yet again. “Now I won’t have to watch you go.” Those were whispered into Cas’ hair as Dean held him tight, surrounded by nature in a place that once could never bring Dean peace because of what happened here, but now... Now he had his angel in his arms.
Again it was like time stood still, and perhaps it did now that they were both angels, as Dean held Castiel close. Sun danced through the trees illuminating the wall of leaves around them and Dean took his first real deep and cleansing breath in days. Cas was back. It wasn’t a dream and he never had to watch Castiel go away again to somewhere he couldn’t follow. Dean had the ability to be at his side in an instant, they never had to be far apart. They had a kid to raise up right to become god, after all. They had to show him what a loving family can do for a young mind, and they had the ability to do that together, never having to watch the other age and die or disappear. They were a team, together.
Once they finally broke apart from their hug, Dean did something he had been scared to do most of his life. It was now or never, time to man up. Gently, Dean put his hand on Cas’ cheek and pulled him in for a soft kiss. It wasn’t as earth shattering as he thought it would be, but there was just something... soft, and warm, and wholesome about it. It was like coming home. Cas grinned at him as they pulled apart and Dean took his hand, turning to look at the impala where Sam was looking at Jack and talking... their family was waiting for them.
As one, they moved forward and Dean began to hum a tune under his breath, it made Castiel stop short and look at him suddenly. “You- you really were there?”
“Of course I was, I told you I would stay with you but Sam woke me...” Dean shrugged, still never letting go of Cas’s hand.
“I thought you weren't sure about Taylor Swift, Dean.”
“Eh, she’s growing on me.” Dean shrugged and they began to move again back to the car. Sam slid into the back seat as Jack jumped up and ran to Castiel.
“I am so proud of you Jack.” Cas pulled the kid in for a hug and Dean released his hand.
“Thanks, Dad. I missed you... we all did.” Jack said the words kind of muffled into Cas’s chest and the angel gasped. Dean saw it then, Cas’ wings flare behind him and his mind supplied that it was with happiness. It made Dean smile. “Does this mean I can call you Dad too?”
Jack was looking at Dean when he said it and the sincerity of it almost blew Dean away. “I-uh... yeah.” Ah the emotional voice crack was back, not that Dean had the capacity to care as he literally saw the kid light up with joy, the little guy’s grace flared bright. “If you... if you want to.”
“So I have two Dads and a cool “long haired” uncle. Cool!” Jack’s happiness was contagious as they all shared soft smiles and laughed with him. Once Cas let the kid go he slid into the back seat beside Sam as Dean and Cas took the front seat. The radio was never turned on as they drove back to the bunker, but Dean was singing in his head anyway. The song that let Cas know that he was there... the one that gave him hope. Now they were both on the other side of the door, and it was time to write their own future, to make it up as they go.
🎵 With your face and the beautiful eyes
And the conversation with the little white lies
And the faded picture of a beautiful night
You carried me from your car up the stairs
And I broke down crying, was she worth this mess?
After everything and that little black dress
After everything I must confess, I need you 🎵