Dean buried his face into Castiel's hair and inhaled his scent. Intoxicating.
"Dean, what are you do-" Cas felt Dean take a step back, and then looked into his eyes. It was all there, so clear even he could see it. Dean wasn't one to wear his emotions, but damn if he wasn't showing them now.
"Cas, we've been through one hell of a ride together. God knows we have," Dean took a deep breath, his softening eyes fixed on Cas',"I thought I lost you for good. But then you came back. You came back, Cas."
"I don't want to take anymore chances. I don't want to wonder what the hell could have happened. Because if there's one thing I've learned in my life, it's that I need to take my chances now before it's too late. And Cas, I thought it was too late. I'm not going to risk not saying anything, not doing anything anymore."
Cas wasn't sure if he was even breathing anymore. Dean moved closer, his hand finding Cas' hair.
"I love you, Cas."
Their gaze held. Cas wasn't sure what to say. Well, Cas knew what to say, but not how to say it. His mind was frozen, and if he tried to speak he was sure it would come out incoherently. Instead he knew the perfect answer to Dean's confession. Dean seemed to be thinking the same thing.
Their lips met tenderly, at first unsure. But their kiss grew strong as Dean's hands got lost in Cas' hair, and Cas' arms wrapped around Dean's waist, holding him tightly. After a moment they pulled away, their breathing ragged.
Finding his voice, Cas rested his head on Dean's shoulder and whispered, "I love you, too, Dean."
The Angel and Hunter held each other for a long while. Was this how it felt, to be finally happy?