Cas walked wearily into the little town, dirty and hungry from days of traveling. He had made it at last. In a forest just a little ways outside of town was the bunker that the Winchesters called home. He had no idea what he would say to them when he showed up on their doorstep, but for now, all that mattered to him was that they were close and he'd be seeing them soon.
He turned a corner onto the next street and came to a stop. At the next corner was an achingly familiar man, loading grocery bags into the trunk of the Impala.
"Dean," Cas whispered.
He staggered forward, picking up his pace as he went until he was running down the street toward him.
"Dean!" he cried out.
Dean looked up at the sound of his name and his eyes widened when he saw who was running toward him. Cas came to a halt in front of the hunter, panting.
"Cas! You're alive," said Dean. He looked Cas over, taking in everything from the dirty trench coat to the scruffy facial hair. "Did you... I mean... are you... human?"
Cas bit his lip and nodded.
"Naomi was right. Metatron lied. They weren't trials, they were ingredients to a spell and I... my grace... it was the final one. He stole it from me and drove my brothers and sisters from their home. Dean... I... I'm sorry..."
"It's not your fault, Cas," said Dean.
Cas looked down at his own feet.
"Do you think... I mean, would it be okay... I mean..." He started over. "I'm human now. I have nothing, no home, or anything. I've been walking for days to find you... would it be okay if I stayed with you and Sam?"
"Of course," said Dean, smiling at him.
Cas just looked at him, too overwhelmed with gratitude for words. Suddenly, Dean grabbed him by the shoulders and pulled him into a hug. Cas stood there awkwardly for a moment, then he slowly wrapped his arms around Dean, breathing in the smell of leather and whiskey as he buried his face in Dean's shoulder to hide his tears. Dean could feel him trembling and held him tighter.
"It's okay, Cas. It's gonna be okay," he murmured. "I've got you. You're home."