I decided to post this chapter today because, well why not? Some things get resolved in this chapter so please review you're pleased. This chapter contains a brother moment, sap, seriously a lot of sap and a reunion.

Sam was a little pissy with Hermes for not telling them his exact plan but it was nothing compared to how Dean would feel or the angelic wrath he was sure Castiel would throw down.

They stood outside Celtic Grace listening to the sound of laughter coming from within. Sam sighed "Dean might forgive the radio thing because it was my idea and maybe in time he'll forgive you messing with his perception so he didn't notice he was suddenly in freakin' San Diego, but the truth serum in the scotch? Forcing him to be honest? Not only that but using Cas's mom and aunt? Don't you think he'll be a little upset about that?"

Hermes regarded him "There a reason we're rehashing this?"

"It's a good thing Cas isn't in the mood to see Dean right now."

"It's not really him I'm worried about, it's Ceirdwyn. Woman's a firecracker."

Sam opened the door and they walked inside. Dean and two women were sitting at the bar, smiling and laughing at something. Dean actually looked happy, with a sparkle in his eyes Sam hadn't seen in well ever. He really wished it would last. Because Dean of all people deserved it.

Dean saw him and he sobered instantly "Hey Sam. Hermes. I'm gonna guess you had something to do with this. First I start spilling my guts for no apparent reason, then I find out that these two lovely ladies are related to Cas and then, hey I'm in San Diego which is weird 'cause I was in Minnesota only four hours ago."

Hermes looked at Sam slightly panicked "Is it bad that he's this calm?"

Sam nodded "Oh yeah" and then he strode forward, stretched to his full height. "Are you okay, Dean?"

Dean shrugged "Sam, this is Ceirdwyn and Grace, Cas's mom and aunt. Ladies, my little brother Sam."

Ceirdwyn gave Sam a smile and shook his hand "I bet there's nothing little about you, hotstuff."

Sam felt his face flush, did Cas's mom just flirt with him?

Hermes laughed "Ceirdwyn don't you know you're supposed to embarrass your kids when they're in the room?"

She glared at Hermes "Did you put something in my scotch?"

"Yes, I knew you'd offer Dean your secret stash so I put a dollop of truth potion in it."

"Whatever for?" Grace asked.

Hermes answered with one word and it was that word that set Dean off "Trickster."

Dean grabbed Hermes and shoved him into the bar "Son of a bitch!"

"Dude, you deserved it. You're lucky that's all I did. Sam called me because Cas wouldn't calm down. I get there, the angel is naked and pacing and ranting in Enochian. I had to use freaking patchouli just to snap him out of it."

"You did what?" Ceirdwyn interjected.

Hermes ignored her "I even asked Gabriel for help but he refused because he didn't want to risk giving into the temptation to fucking kill you for what you did to Castiel."

Sam put a hand on Dean's shoulder "Dean, back off. You don't get to be upset."

Dean backed away from Hermes and turned on him "You were in on this?"

"All Sam and Cas knew was the radio thing" Hermes explained.

Sam sighed and looked at Ceirdwyn "Is there a place I can talk to my brother privately?"

"Of course" she nodded "you can step into the kitchen."

"Thank you. Dean?" he grabbed Dean's arm and pulled him into the kitchen.

Dean wrenched out of his grip "Dude, what the hell?"

"No, you: what the hell? Dean, are you out of your mind? What were you thinking? How could you be so selfish to sleep with Cas and then banish him? To tell him all those things that just made him fall more in love with you and then run away? To do what? Become Michael's bitch?"

Though Dean looked thoroughly ashamed he still tried to argue "We're out of options, Sammy."

Sam wanted to slug him but he resisted, his brother looked so lost "No we're not. We still have time to figure it out. You can't give up. The brother I look up to, the one who is always there for me never gives up, the one who gave me the last bowl of Lucky Charms…" Sam was getting teary eyed.

"Dammit Sammy…don't do this."

"The thing is" Sam wiped a hand across his eyes "I know you enough to know you're just using Michael as an excuse. You're terrified of what you're feeling for Castiel because he makes you happy, don't think I haven't noticed. But your problem is that you don't think you deserve to be happy because of all this crap and because you're always putting me first and I'm goddam sick of it. I am not your responsibility anymore Dean. Put your happiness first for once, I can find my own."

…

Castiel was sitting on Gabriel's couch again, knees drawn up to his chest, even though he was still mad at the archangel for refusing to find God. But it was comfortable here, safe. Why did Dean Winchester have to make him feel so damn young? He was a warrior of God but Dean made him feel like he was made for more than that, made him feel like he was made for Dean. He loved that insufferable bastard and he couldn't stop, no matter what. It wasn't just that Dean was attractive; that was just icing to use a human phrase he somewhat understood. Dean's soul was beautiful but it was more than that. He was brave, loyal, and humorous, his music was odd but Castiel enjoyed it, especially when Dean would sing along. He was passionate about his car and his pie, he still loved and respected his mother even though she was no longer with him. Not to mention he was a damn good and fierce warrior which Castiel kind of had a thing for.

Castiel a voice entered his head. It was a voice he heard every Thursday for the past century but had yet to respond to and it was a Wednesday. Sweetheart, I know you must still be angry with me but you might want to come here. I've met Dean and you need to talk to him, he knows he did wrong. Hermes led him here…

Castiel appeared in his mother's pub instantly. "Hello Mother, hello Aunt Grace."

They both smiled at him and said hello in Enochian. Castiel looked around the room "Where is Dean?"

"In the kitchen with Sam" Grace said.

Castiel nodded and set his gaze on Hermes, he saw the scotch on the bar and detected the truth serum in it. He felt his eyes flash and the god backed up against the bar with an audible gulp. Castiel was furious, wrathful even, how dare Hermes use his mother in a ploy to teach Dean a lesson. He grabbed Hermes and threw him into the opposite wall "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't smite you" he growled.

Dean and Sam came running out of the kitchen. Out of the corner of Castiel's eye he saw Sam put his hand to his forehead and Dean smirking. Clearly he approved of Castiel's actions.

Hermes got to his feet while fastidiously dusting himself off "Uh I'm half-archangel and you couldn't even if you were at full strength."

"Excuses" Castiel snarled and turned to Dean whose smirk fell.

"Hey Cas" he said softly.

"Dean."

"Can we talk?"

"I would appreciate it" he said before he could think about it. He just couldn't stay angry at Dean when he was looking so forlorn.

"Here" Ceirdwyn handed him a set of keys "go upstairs to our apartment. You'll be more comfortable up there."

"You live above the bar?" Dean asked, awe in his voice "Cas, babe, your mom is awesome."

…

They went up to the apartment. It was nice, cozy and cool all at once. The sofa and chairs were a powder blue and girly, but there was a bear rug in one corner of the hardwood floor, a state of the art entertainment center and swords over the mantel piece. There were also little statues of both angels and various pagan gods placed over the living room, along with a couple of tapestries of extensive Celtic knot work.

"Mother's spent several centuries in Celtic Britain" Cas said "Aunt Grace is partial to France."

Dean focused his attention on Cas, "I was a dick last night, Cas. I'm sorry."

Cas sighed "Both Sam and Hermes say I have every right to beat the shit out of you."

"I'd deserve it."

Cas put a hand on his shoulder "But I won't because I can't bear to see you in pain, especially if I'm the cause. I love you Dean and I will never stop, I feel that in every bit of my Grace."

Fuck this, Dean let the tears fall this time. There was such sincerity and love in those gorgeous blue eyes. He opened his mouth to return the sentiment because damn did he feel it but his voice caught in his throat.

Cas's hand moved up to his neck "Did you mean what you said to me last night?"

"Every word, baby."

"Then why did you run? I have this sickening feeling that you would have anyway even if you weren't Michael's vessel."

Damn it but Cas hit the nail on the head and he should admit it, he should tell Cas exactly what his problem is because Cas doesn't judge him, he loves Dean for exactly who he is, flaws and all.

Clearly Cas could tell he was having an internal struggle and he cupped his cheek "I learned a lot of human emotions by watching you and your brother and do you know what I realized?"

"What?"

"You're not that different than the way angels used to be. We had to become more stoic when Michael took over, he believed such emotions were what led to the rebellion."

"Knew he was a dick."

Cas smiled slightly and then said "You don't always have to be so strong, Dean. You're strong for Sam, for Bobby, for everyone else but you don't have to be strong for me Dean. I rebuilt you, I know what's inside your soul, what you think you must be and you don't have to be that way, my love. You have all these constraints that your society and your father put on you but you don't have to listen to all that. Dean, I love the man you are with your shields up but I love the man underneath even more."

And something clicked and Dean broke down, he was full on crying now and all Cas did was gather him in his arms and hold him tight. He felt so safe in his angel's arms.

"Shh, Dean, it's okay. I'm here."

"'M scared Cas. Nothing good ever happens for me. Scared this isn't real."

Cas kissed his forehead "It is real, Dean and how many times must I tell you that good things do happen?"

"But they never last for me."

"Oh Dean" he pushed him back a little and looked into his eyes, wiping tears away with a thumb "I can't promise both of us will survive what's to come but I can promise that no matter what happens…" tears started to fall down Cas's cheeks too "No matter what happens, I just want to be together because whatever the world throws at us I know we can face it."

Dean blinked "Dang Cas, what kind of movies have you been watching at Gabriel's?"

Cas sighed "Dean."

Damn Dean's defense mechanism "Sorry." He licked his lips and came out with it "I love you too Cas and I want to be with you so much."

Cas kissed him, slowly, sensuously and with so much love. Dean melted in his arms and yeah, okay he didn't mind chick flick moments with Cas. When Dean had no choice but to breathe he asked "Do you forgive me?"

"Didn't I make that obvious? But yes, I forgive you. I always will."

Dean was quiet for a moment and then asked "How'd you know to come here anyway?"

"My mother prayed to me. She's been praying to me every Thursday for a century now. I saw no reason to listen till recently but then I was too busy and I had no desire to put her in danger. Today she told me you were here and…"

"The reason you haven't talked to her is 'cause you, your brothers and dad were on Michael's side isn't it?"

Cas sighed "She told you about that?"

"A little. Mostly she told me what a cute little baby angel you were and how you were afraid to fly at first."

Cas actually blushed.

"Your mom's awesome Cas."

"Yes she is and I need to make things right with her and Aunt Grace."

"Yeah you do" Dean took his hand "let's go back downstairs."

…

Hermes had left right after Dean and Cas went upstairs, saying he had stuff to do but to call if they needed him. That left Sam alone with Ceirdwyn and Grace. He loved them immediately. They brought him out a slice of carrot cake when his stomach growled and he told them he preferred cake to pie. Despite Dean's cowardly dick move with Cas, they approved of him because he was obviously in love and just confused.

Sam told them that Dean was always the one taking care of him, always putting Sam first. He was the best brother in the world and Sam loved him more than anything but he wanted Dean to have his own life, been wanting it for so long now.

Ceirdwyn poured Sam some coffee because she no longer trusted her own liquor "I think it's wonderful how devoted you two are to each other."

"Yeah but I don't want us to be completely dependent on each other. When we're not hunting we need to have our own lives, you know?"

"Okay Sammy I hear you, you don't need to be repeating that to everyone" Dean and Cas had just appeared in the room. Clearly they couldn't be bothered to walk down the stairs…or they went somewhere else first. They had been gone for an awfully long time. Dean's hair was mussed up (it was impossible to tell with Cas since it always was), and Cas's usually out of place tie was oddly in place and both their lips were swollen.

Sam smiled at them "You guys work things out?"

Dean nodded "Yep. We've established that I'm an idiot and I probably need therapy for the rest of my life but we're good."

Cas walked over to Ceirdwyn and pulled her into a hug "I'm sorry Mother. You were right."

She held him tightly "Oh sweetheart" and then they started whispering in Enochian. It wasn't long before Grace joined the conversation and the hug.

Dean stood next to Sam "Cas told me his father doesn't like me, neither does his dick half-brother."

"They like you" he indicated the women. "I think we just expanded our weird makeshift little family."

Dean chuckled "Yeah, I think you're right. Sam, thanks for talking sense into me."

Sam shrugged "What are brothers for?"

Dean's eyes fell on the bar "Dude is that carrot cake?"

"Yep."

"Weirdo."

Sam looked at Dean and then at Cas "I wonder where I can sign up for PFLAG."

Dean shoved him but with sparkling eyes. "Bitch."

"Jerk."

Hope you liked. Yeah, I know, I didn't have Cas beat up Dean because it just didn't work for me with how things are going. Sorry about that.