Chapter Ten: True Colours

I guess this is it :) I'll probably write a sequel to this at some point... I already have a bit of an idea for it. A huge thank you to everyone. Your reviews and favorites have been so inspiring. I hope you like this last chapter. Until next time!

8o8o8o8o

I

Love

You

8o8o8o8o

Days past before either brother saw Castiel or Gabriel. In those few days, the boys tried desperately to regain some sense of normal. It wasn't easy. There was a lot of explaining done on their part and a lot of yelling on Bobby's. More yelling out of concern and Sam could understand that. Still, Dean didn't like anyone yelling at Sam… but, they seemed to settle Bobby's questions after a few hours and a six pack of beers.

They hadn't yet broached the subject of 'them'. Sam wasn't willing to push his brother anymore than he already had, especially after all the shit they just went through. Dean didn't say anything, but Sam knew that being possessed by Gabriel took a great toll on him. Dean would wake up in the middle of the night, throw Sam's arms off his chest and just sit there. Dean would sit on the edge of the bed, clenching and unclenching his fists… almost like he was reassuring himself that he was, indeed, in total control of his body.

Sam wanted nothing more than to comfort his brother, but he knew Dean would only relax when they figured out what the hell was going on. So, in substitute of comfort, Sam gave Dean something to focus on. Sam knew that Dean took no job as seriously as caring for his little brother. Sam would purposely push food away before he was done so Dean could bitch at him for it. He would pretend not to be tired just so Dean would crawl into bed with him. All in all, Sam was pretty proud of his ability to successfully keep Dean's mind occupied.

However, on the fourth day, both Gabriel and Castiel appeared at the breakfast table, causing Sam to almost spill orange juice everywhere.

"The hell-,' Bobby startled. "Don't you angels know what knocking is?"

"Of course we do," Castiel answered honestly and obliviously like always.

Sam saw Dean roll his eyes from across the table.

"Hey," Sam offered a small smile, standing up. "Is - how is everything?"

"There is still much chaos in Heaven," Castiel answered. "Raphael has agreed to share guardianship of Heaven's throne with Gabriel. That is what we have been negotiating in our absence from earth. There are… still angels loyal to Michael and unwilling to accept his d-death as truth… but they are few and far between."

"That's - that's good, right?" Dean asked, looking from Castiel to Gabriel, raising his beer slightly. "Gettin' everything in order."

"Yeah," Gabriel sighed, taking an empty seat and snapping up some large, colourful slurpee. "I was honestly expecting the biggest bitch-fit imaginable from Raphael. I'm talking Heavenly civil war levels here. But… he's been oddly agreeable - not that I'm complaining."

"Yer Gabriel?" Bobby raised an eyebrow. "You're a little short for a damn archangel, boy."

Sam honestly couldn't help it - he broke into a smile and laughed. Partly at Bobby's audacity to call the being that could level the entire state 'short' and partly at Gabriel's offended face. Even as Dean was looking at him like he had lost his goddamn mind, Sam didn't stop laughing.

8o8o8o8o

They had come to find a brand new, yet very comfortable normal. It had been weeks since the apocalypse had been averted and the boys kept to what they did best - hunting. They had both began to get restless after around a week at Bobby's - years of being on the move tended to do that.

However, now, they got regular visits from Castiel and Gabriel. Castiel had even offered to fly them to their hunts but Dean protested - 'it'll make Baby feel useless, Sammy'. But Sam didn't protest either. As much as Sam may complain about Dean's driving and the long roads, he loved the car just as much as Dean.

However, one thing that didn't change from their Heavenly adventure was their sleeping arrangements. Every hotel they when to, Dean always got them one queen or king sized bed depending on what they had. Even when they found a motel that only had a room with two singles, Sam entered the room to find Dean had pushed the two beds together.

Sam also noticed that Dean had began to touch him more. Just little things. If they were seated next to each other, he would feel Dean's fingers brush over his wrist or their shoulders would touch. These instances made Sam feel so warm but… he still craved more.

So, that night, they had just finished up a successful hunt and Sam decided they needed a little celebration of their very own.

"Hey," Dean called from the motel's little kitchenette. "I was thinking of grabbing some food. Any requests?"

"Actually," Sam stood up and walked over to his brother. He felt oddly nervous - a feeling he truly tried to shake. This was just Dean. His brother, soulmate, everything… besides, the worst Dean could do was say no and - well… that would crush Sam but… Sam took a deep breath. "I thought we could maybe go to a nicer place tonight? Like a - a real restaurant or something, you know?"

Dean paused. His pretty green eyes catching the light as he raised an eyebrow at Sam.

"Sammy," a little smile tugged at his lips. "Are you askin' me out?"

The joking quality that sentence usually had was gone. There was amusement present but more of a nervous amusement than anything else.

Sam mirrored his brother. "Maybe."

"Well then I…," and there it was. There was that old hesitation that Sam hoped would one day leave his brother in peace. Sam wondered whose voice Dean was hearing right then.

"I…," Dean tried again. "I accept. You had anyplace in mind?"

It took Sam a second to catch up with the fact that Dean actually said yes. Dean agreed to a date with him. Wow. Sam fully expected to be shot down, but… Sam didn't spend time dwelling on what could have happened. Instead, he just broke into a wide grin.

"Yeah, actually, there's this Italian place just a few blocks from here," Sam said quickly. "It, uh, looked really nice when we drove past it."

Sam stood up then and walked over to where Dean was standing. An odd thought past Sam's mind. When they were so close like this, Sam physically had to tilt his head down to see into Dean's eyes. Dean completely disappeared by his large frame.

Of course Sam knew that he was a tall guy. On more than one occasion he had used his height to intimidate uncooperative witnesses or enemies. However, in his mind, he always thought of Dean as bigger. Dean was louder, much better at socializing and just had an overall large personality.

But looking now, Sam was stronger. Not only that but Sam... wanted to be stronger. He wanted to be able to take control, to protect Dean just like Dean had protected him.

Without any words, Sam wrapped his arms around his brother. Dean startled for only a second before he returned the hug. Instead of letting Dean pull him down like he normally did, Sam pulled Dean to his chest, holding him securely. Honestly, this was all Sam ever wanted.

Sam hated to think it, he truly did but… he was glad the apocalypse had almost happened. If not, he wouldn't be able to hold Dean like he was doing now. He wouldn't be able to feel like this. To feel warm and to feel overwhelming, overflowing love for the man he held in his arms.

He wondered if their father was watching over them, if he was happy for his sons. His sons who finally found a love that had seemed endlessly out of reach. He hoped he was watching... Hoped he was happy. A stray thought of his mother entered his mind, of what Lucifer had said… but Sam pushed it away. There were times to dwell on 'what if's', and now was certainly not one of those times.

They would start over, Sam decided. Go somewhere that no one knew their names. They would still hunt, but they wouldn't be living for hunting. The would be living for each other. They had a lot of missed time to make up for, Sam knew, but they were the Winchesters and if anyone could do it, they could.

Sam smiled at the idea, their bond basking in the happiness surrounding them. And if they hugged longer than brothers should, well, that was their business.

Sam just held on tighter.

8o8o8o8o

"Dude," Dean said, walking over to his brother. A robe his only clothes after that fantastic shower. 'This place freakin' rocks."

"Yeah…," Sam agreed with a smile, his face never leaving the book he was reading.

Dean chuckled at his geek of a brother. It had been almost a whole year since the apocalypse had been stopped. They had tried to find an actual house like normal people and that had been a disaster. Neither of them had really known how the hell to actually buy a house and… it was much more difficult in practice than in thought.

That's when Gabriel had sauntered down from Heaven with Castiel in tow. Gabriel had taken them here, to a bunker in Kansas. Apparently their grandfather had been some man of letters or something - which was freaking cool on it's own. But, the batcave-like bunker had been the icing on the cake. Gabriel had tossed Sam a key saying it was a favor for helping to avert the apocalypse. Well, he had actually said he was a 'consolation prize for not being a complete dumbass'.

The archives of this place had been keeping his brother busy for the months they had been there. Gabriel had used his mojo to fix the place up to more resemble an actual house. The library had been turned into more of a sitting room, similar to Bobby's living room, which was comforting. However, what made it different was the big flat screen Gabriel had outfitted it with. The break room area was turned into a nice-ass kitchen - like the kind you saw in those home makeover shows… not that Dean watched those shows…

Gabriel had put a few more homely touches on it, really pulling it all together. At this point, Dean was pretty sure he and Sam had inherited two angels as well. Without fault, at least once a week Gabriel and Castiel would fly in to have dinner and watch a movie with the brothers.

Dean didn't mind it at all though. He was actually finding a real friend in Castiel. After a lot of coaxing, Castiel was an interesting guy. It was weird - Dean never really had any friends outside of Sam before. But Dean found he actually really liked it. Castiel would listen intently to him babble on about cars or movies for hours, never once seeming bored. Castiel was also helping him sharpen his fighting skills, which was always helpful.

And Sam had, oddly, seemed to have 'tamed the Archangel Gabriel' as Castiel put it. Gabriel would listen to Sam's endless questions for hours and answer - almost - all of them truthfully. Sam was still a little sour from Gabriel telling him T-Rexes had been covered with feathers.

In addition, the two angels were invaluable on hunts. Dean still preferred his baby to angel-air any day but... they always had an out in tight spots now. Just a few weeks ago, they had mistaken a nest of thirteen vampires as a nest of three. Backed into a corner, Sam had prayed to Gabriel and not half a second later, every vamp in their vicinity had been vaporized.

Or if they needed healing. Dean was half-convinced that the angels had but a monitoring spell on them because everytime they got more than a paper cut one of them showed up and healed them… not that Dean was complaining. It was nice not to be in pain for very long after a hard hunt.

"So whatcha reading, Sammy?" Dean asked the common question, plopping down beside his brother.

"This," Sam showed him the cover. It was just a black cover with the block words BOOK II. Book two? So interesting, Dean rolled his eyes.

Dean grabbed the remote from the table and flicked on some random movie. But he didn't watch the movie, he watched his brother. Dean knew their fight for happiness was far from over, but the battlefield was calm right now. Dean knew that there were still hunters out for their blood, hunters that didn't care if they weren't hurting anyone. Hunters that could pop up at any time with a knife in hand.

But he knew they would be ready. With the power of them together, backed by two angels (one being an archangel) Dean didn't see anything as impossible anymore. Not even being with his soulmate.

He and Sam had started out very, very slowly. They went out on dates and Dean discovered just how romantic Sam could be. He treated Dean like a damned prince and honestly, Dean relished in the undivided attention.

They kissed and enjoyed sleeping in the huge California king bed Gabriel had snapped up… that memory foam, Christ.

Then once, as they were kissing, Sam had taken it a step further and Dean had gladly reciprocated. He still remembers it as one of the best nights of his life.

Kissing Sam was so easy, so pleasurable, like he was created for this very purpose. He could lose hours at a time trapped in those lips and under those unwavering hands. Sam was on top of him, their bodies only a hairbreadth apart. They were both shirtless and Dean had his eyes close, just enjoying Sam's lips.

One of his hands were trailing up and down Sam's back, feeling the dips and curves. Every once and a while his fingers brushed over an old scar, usually from a wound he had stitched up himself. He could tug on the ends of Sam's hair and get a breathy moan…. Dean truly loved knowing each and every one of Sam's tells. He loved exploring his soulmates body, mapping it out and memorizing every single inch.

Then he tensed as he felt Sam's hand brush over the front of his boxers.

"Sammy-,"

"Shh," Sam whispered, pulling away only slightly so their eyes could lock. "Can we try something new?"

Dean's body was screaming 'hell to the fucking yes', but his traitorous mind still hesitated. His gaze began to drop before he found his chin held in the firm grasp of his brother.

"Dean," Sam's eyes were so sincere, galaxies of hazel. "Don't think about anything but this. Don't think about what dad would think or - or anyone else but you. Not even me. Just… want do you want, Dean?"

"You," Dean said, quick, sincere, and completely the truth.

"Then let me have you," Sam said, slipping his hand under Dean's boxers.

Dean groaned at the feeling. Fucking god, he didn't know it was possible to feel so good. To feel so warm and safe and loved. To feel… this.

Dean kissed harder, following the instructions of his body without thinking. Sam and he worked perfectly together. The way they moved, the way it felt… it was perfect because they were perfect. They were made for each other. They were soulmates.

"Dean?" He heard Sam ask as a hand brushed through his hair. "Your movie's over. Never really pegged you for a Titanic fan."

Dean blinked away the memory, looking at the TV to find the end credits of the Titanic playing. Dean scowled as his brother laughed. It wasn't like he was paying attention when he switched the damn thing on. It wasn't his fault that a chick-flick was the first thing to come up.

"Shut up," Dean said without any heat.

"But really," Sam said. "What were you thinking about?"

Dean didn't blush he… felt his face heat up a very small amount. Because honestly, his damn day-dreaming had been more chick-flicky than the stupid movie.

"Just about," Dean turned towards Sam, his hazel eyes looking very greenish today, practically glowing in the dim light. "About us, the first time we were together."

Sam, his quick witted brother, immediately caught on and a smile spread over his face. "Yeah?"

"Yep."

"Maybe I could give you a more… physical reenactment," Sam laughed, kissing Dean thoroughly.

"I'd like that," Dean returned the kiss. "Refresh my memory."

8o8o8o8o

Dean was asleep. He was having a fantastic dream of repeating a brilliant round of sex with Sam. So, anyone would understand how irritated he was when he was woken up, especially by Heaven's most annoying angel.

"Boys!" Gabriel and his stupid shit-eating grin called from the doorway. "It's like four o'clock in the evening!"

Dean groaned as Sam stirred and he wondered just how difficult it would be to kill the archangel. He could probably pull it off. Because, yes, it was four o'clock, but they had only gotten back from the bad side of a werewolf hunt three hours ago. So, in Dean's mind, they were entitled.

"Dean?" Sam mumbled from his left.

"Dude," Dean sat up stiffly, letting the blanket pool in his lap, and squinted at the stupid angel. "What the hell?"

"Do either of you even know what day it is?" Gabriel rolled his eyes. "It's literally Christmas Eve. That's like a big deal in my family!"

"It was a pagan holiday," Sam bitched, more awake now.

"Exactly!" Gabriel smiled, opening his arms. "Did you two idiots forget that I've lived with the pagans for centuries? So that makes today doubly important to me."

"And we should care why?" Sam asked and Dean liked that he was backed up in this.

"Sammy," Gabriel whined. "I'm hurt. Now hurry up before I just zap the blanket away."

"Hey," Sam glared. "Out."

Gabriel gave a mock salute before marching back down the hallway. Dean, always impressed at how the angel seemed to listen to Sam, was glad as he left. Zapping away the blanket would have been awkward on all accounts, seeing as they were both naked.

Now that they were both up, they didn't see much of a choice. They got dressed as Dean considered Gabriel's words. He actually had planned a little something for tomorrow. He was going to get one of those little mini Christmas trees and maybe take Sammy out for dinner or something. They never really did Christmas and the subject usually just made Sam sad. He knew that Sam, just like himself, had always longed for a home to celebrate Christmas in.

But now they had a home and they even had friends, albeit odd friends, but still friends to celebrate with. Dean had two sweaters that could be considered Christmas-y. A pure red one and a pure green one. With a moment of consideration, Dean tossed the green one at Sam's head. That one was a little big for him, so it should fit his brother perfectly.

Sam quirked an eyebrow at him, but pulled the sweater on anyway.

Once they were dressed, they walked out to find their entire bunker had been Christmased. There was a full-sized tree with lights and bulbs. There were even presents under it. There were stockings below the TV and bowls of candy absolutely everywhere.

"Wow," Dean said softly.

"Hello, Dean," Castiel said from the kitchen, a red Santa hat sitting crooked on his head. "Sam."

"Hey, Cas," Sam said. "What's going on?"

Turning to his brother, Dean found him with a dorky grin on his face and awe in his eyes. And that, that made it worth it. That would make anything worth it. Even Christmas being exploded in their bunker without their knowledge.

"Christmas," Castiel said. "Gabriel was rather insistent on celebrating together. 'Like a family', I believe he said."

"Not my exact words," Gabriel called from further in the kitchen.

Then argument between Castiel and Gabriel descended as Castiel stood true that yes, Gabriel, those were your exact words. It was honestly pretty funny and Dean felt his tiredness melt as he listened to the angels bicker.

8o8o8o8o

Later that same day found himself, Sam, Gabriel, Castiel, and Bobby all sat around their kitchen table. Castiel had flown to get Bobby, who grumbled thoroughly about angels just 'appearing to give him a heart attack'. Also, just like Dean, Bobby didn't seem to be a big fan of flying.

The total saving grace had been both Gabriel's and Castiel's cooking skills. Castiel cooked very by-the-book. He followed the instructions to the dot and made exactly what the packaging intended him to. Gabriel however, would just throw out the boxes and put as much as he felt was right in.

Dean helped, as he wasn't a terrible cook himself, but he was nothing compared to the angels who had both been alive since cooking was invented. Sam also tried to help and ended up starting their first kitchen fire so Dean had quickly put an end to Sam's cooking experience.

Bobby didn't try to help, just sat in the den with a beer and kept Sam entertained by listening to what all Sam had learned from the bunker's extensive book collection.

By the time dinner was ready, Dean was both hungry and exhausted, although he had been asleep not three hours earlier. However, he was also kind of looking forward to doing this all again tomorrow. Dean had to admit, it felt good to really be able to celebrate a holiday.

Gabriel and Sam quickly got into a… disagreement about who actually started the fire.

"I wasn't even near the damn thing!"

"You don't have to be - you're an angel."

"Why would I do that?"

"Maybe because you're a trickster."

"Ex-trickster, thank you."

Dean smiled at his brother as he continued to banter with Gabriel. Bobby and Castiel were talking in what sounded like… Japanese? Which wasn't that unexpected, Dean guessed. Bobby probably liked talking to someone who could also speak the language and Castiel probably knew every language humans had ever constructed.

Looking over the table, Dean realized everyone he cared about was here. His dad… his dad was gone., hopefully in Heaven with their mom. Sam, his brother, soulmate, lover was sat right next to him, their legs brushing. Castiel, who had quickly become his best friend was on his other side. Bobby, his uncle in all but blood was across from him. Gabriel, who acted like a really twisted guardian angel and friend was beside Bobby… they were all happy.

Dean reached up a hand to tug through Sam's hair, just because he could, and watched him turn with a smile. He knew there fight wasn't over but… for now… for now they won. For now, they could just be happy.

It was such an odd but incredibly welcome feeling that Dean experienced. Dean had read fairy tales to Sammy and watched those disney princess movies with him. He knew how those stories ended, with a happily ever after. Dean never, not once, thought he would get that. He never believed they were real. He didn't even let himself fantasize about it, as it was too painful to dwell on that which he would never have. But now… it seemed like the universe had a change of heart.

Dean soaked in the sight of his family, his family, laughing and joking around the table.

No, Dean never did believe in happy endings, but it would seem he got one anyway.

The End.