"Our last one was most definitely a tear. It wasn't a big one though, the energy wasn't strong enough to move people through, but there's no doubt in my mind it will be growing," Cas tells them as he offers a warm cup of - Dean takes a sip - tea.

"Alright, good. So we go back, close it up before it gets any bigger, and problem solved," Dean says, trying to focus on the very important conversation between them but finds it impossible to get that kiss out of his head. Every time he thinks of Castiel's lips on his, he feels it all over again, and when he glances at Castiel, his stomach flips.

They didn't talk about it again during the ride back and as soon as they reached the camp, Cas and Chuck were herding them into his cabin for a much needed discussion about what they found and what the next step is. Now here they are, sitting around Cas' table, with tea and cookies - not that Dean's complaining, but he'd rather just be alone with Castiel and continue that damn kiss.

"Agreed. I have all the ingredients for the spell, it's a process though."

Dean looks at Cas. "Process? We need to close the damn thing. Tomorrow would be safest since Friday we leave and I sure as hell don't want to be in the middle of doing it when we have to go."

"Oh, yes tomorrow, for sure. I meant the process for the spell. I need to prepare some of the items, do certain small ritualistic bindings, that sort of thing. I will do it tonight."

Dean sips his tea and he figures now is a good time to ask about what in the holy fuck happened to them on that piece of land. "So, that enchanted area, care to explain?"

Cas smiles and to Castiel, he says, "Cas, that time in Mesopotamia when the elder priests caused that small area to come alive, the place they prayed..."

Castiel nods. "Yes, that is what I thought. Similar to that."

"Not just similar, it was that. The land that belonged to another dimension, yes, and whatever rituals were performed there, probably thousands of years worth, has turned that land mystical."

Dean and Castiel share a look and Dean leans in on an elbow. "Yeah, I get that, but why did we feel all the… and not being able to leave, what was that about?" Dean asks him.

"Sometimes the energy of the land has a mind of its own. There were many feelings radiating from it. Love, fear, sadness, and I guess you both felt all of it. But it wasn't satisfied with your feelings until you gave in to it, completely, and I'm guessing that was the kiss."

Dean swallows. "So, it wanted us to kiss?"

Cas grins at him. "It wanted you to two to open up and share what's hidden deep inside. When you did, the land was pleased and let you go."

"It can do that?" Dean asks, furrowing his brow.

"It most certainly can. You just experienced it for yourself."

Dean blows air through his lips and looks at Castiel. Everything is out of the bag. Their feelings, inner desires are now exposed, revealed, and Dean doesn't know what to do with that. He wanted it, he really- really wanted it to happen, but now it's all too much too fast.

When being with Castiel was just a thought, a wish that he kept hidden deep within his heart, it was easy, because he knew that if it ever did happen, there'd be enough time to process it. But now that they kissed, and said things, there's no turning back. It's either they do or don't.

If they take it further, there's risk of the shit hitting the fan, but if they don't, how the hell will he be able to get through the day to day without wondering, what if?

There's an awkward silence and then Chuck coughs, excusing himself from the table. "Guys, I'm going to head back to my place, get cleaned up, have dinner. I'll see you all first thing in the morning." He looks at Cas, "Just come wake me up."

Cas nods. "Will do."

Chuck is gone and the three of them move to Cas' couch - his request. He's eyeing them anxiously and then he's on the couch in a split second, legs crossed, and already lighting a joint.

"So…"

Dean smirks. "So?"

"The kiss. You guys… what was it like?"

Like being born again. Like staring at the sun, only it didn't hurt. It healed, cleansed, bathed me in light. Holy light. Cas' light.

Castiel and Dean share an embarrassed look and both their faces are red now. His lips tingle at just the mention of it. Was it the best kiss he's ever felt? Hell yeah it was. Does he want to be kissing him every chance he gets now? Most definitely. Dean is still high from it and coming down is nowhere in sight.

"Awesome," they chorus and it makes Cas laugh, head rolling back and all.

"I bet." His smile fades. "I never did, you know. I always wanted to. Biggest mistake of my life."

" It's all true. It's me. It's how I feel. I've loved you since I pulled you from Hell."

Dean rubs his hands together, nervously. He doesn't want to talk about this, not now, not yet. It's too new. It just happened and he still hasn't even processed it. He's sure Castiel feels the same, so he tries to think of a way to change the subject.

Kissing Castiel, those lips, that heat… "What would you have tried if I remained in that bed?"

"So, in the dreams, Cas, you said " He is coming." Who is he? Who's after you?"

Castiel shifts and Dean notices that he trembles a bit. "He's… you."

Dean's head snaps back and he looks at the two Castiels back and forth. "Come again?"

"I didn't want to say anything 'cause you know, it might be a little strange, but yeah, he's you. But not you , you. I can tell the difference. He's a… darker you."

"Darker?"

Great, how many versions of him are out there? He glances at his Castiel again and all the color in his cheeks fades. "Cas?"

"It's a darker Dean from another dimension? That must be terrible," Castiel says.

Cas nods. "It is. Of all the things I have seen inside Dean, this one is… different. No matter what state my Dean was in, he never looked like this." Cas looks up, as if seeing the image there. His eyes land back on Dean. "He has this weird tattoo on his arm."

Dean swallows. Fuck. "The mark of Cain?"

Cas blows the smoke out of his mouth. "Maybe. Here, let me draw it for you."

He grabs a notepad and a pencil from the coffee table and begins to draw what he had seen in his dreams. After a minute, he holds it up for Dean and Castiel and it's not exact, but close enough.

"That's it," Castiel says, frowning. "Dean had the mark for two years, until we did a spell to remove it, unleashing the Darkness."

Cas' eyes grow wide. "So that's how? Why… how are they connected?"

"Because God made it that way. He locked up the Darkness with that mark and never bothered telling a damn person about it. Lucifer had it, drove him crazy, he gave it to Cain, and well, you know that story…" Dean says, sighing at the memory of Death telling him that story, just before he sunk his own scythe into him. He shivers. He can tell Castiel is staring at him but he just keeps his eyes locked on Cas as his expression changes from worry to shock.

"Well, that's a whole lotta… and why on earth would you get the mark of Cain?"

"He needed it to defeat Abaddon who was free and wreaking havoc, it was the only way, along with the first blade. Without the mark, the blade was useless," Castiel speaks for Dean, and thankfully, for he has no desire to even talk about this anymore. But if Cas is dreaming of Dean with the mark, and that Dean is trying to kill him, he has the right to know everything. Even if it fucking hurts.

"Abaddon? Wow, you guys… and I thought my life was shit." He inhales the joint, and holds his breath for a few seconds, before exhaling and coughing. "And did you?" Another cough. "Kill her, I mean?"

"Yeah, then I went after Metatron. He killed me, and I turned into a demon. It was this whole big thing," Dean says, casually, trying to hide his discomfort from it all.

"Jesus Christ." He turns to Castiel. "And what in the hell were you doing?"

Castiel looks away, rolling his eyes upward and then focuses on Cas. Dean wants to lay a hand on his shoulder, maybe rub his back, hold his hand? He's not sure why in the hell he's suddenly so okay with doing shit like this when just a week ago he would have gotten drunk just at the thought.

But he never really heard Castiel's side of it, what he felt during that whole thing. What it did to him, how it affected him. Wow, he never fucking asked him once, not one time , how he dealt with that train wreck. Dean's harshly reminded of the dick he's always been.

"I was on borrowed grace, I tried to remain… well I was burning out. It wasn't easy and if I had gone after him, things might not have turned out very well for me."

Castiel doesn't look at him. He can't blame him.

"Oh, I bet. It must have killed you, huh? First the mark, becoming a demon? Jeesh," Cas says, resting his chin on his hand.

"It hurt a great deal yes." Castiel finally turns to Dean and gives him that certain look, silently forgiving him. He knows that look too well, usually offered when one had to explain the other's misdeeds, or some other bullshit. Dean and Castiel have been down this road too many times.

"And how did you get cured of being a demon? I mean, you're not one now, so I'm assuming there was some reversal somehow?"

Dean nods. "Human blood injections. Blessed human blood. It works, we found out how to do it in the Men of Letters' archives."

"No shit. That is so good to know." He takes another hit of his joint. "Okay, so what do I need to know about 'mark of Cain Dean'? Insight would be helpful."

Castiel rests a hand on Dean's shoulder and it sends a chill through him, a good chill. He can do this. It's over, he's free from the effects of the curse. What had plagued him for two years, and progressively had gotten worse, is gone now.

"It was pretty awful. It was like I had two minds, two people living inside me and they hated each other." He pauses with a long drawn out sigh.

"The longer I had the mark, the worse I got, like sinking deeper into some fucked up abyss. By the end, I was so out of control. I-" Dean looks at Castiel, briefly. "I did some regretful things. I was ready to call it a day. End it all."

"Suicide?" Cas asks, swallowing.

"Well, it crossed my mind, yeah." He catches Castiel staring at him with wide eyes, shocked and he realizes that he never spoke of this. Not to Cas or Sam. "But I couldn't, the mark made that impossible. I couldn't die, unless…" Dean runs a hand through his hair. He didn't think this would be so damn hard.

"I summoned Death, but I ended up killing him," he finishes.

Cas coughs out the smoke he had been holding in. "You what?"

"It was him or Sam and well, you know how that goes."

Cas nods. "Oh yes. I do."

"Cas had been working with some other people to remove the mark all while this was going on."

He looks at Castiel. "You'll always stick by him. That's just how we roll." He smiles and it reminds Dean of the time he came here years ago. His toothy grin, those words, and to hear him say that to his Castiel is kind of mind blowing. Dean has a best friend who will walk with him until the end of days. That's so fucking important.

"Everyone you know, everyone you love... they could be long dead. Everyone except me. I'm the one who will have to watch you murder the world. So if there's even a small chance that we can save you, I won't let you walk out of this room."

"I will. Always." Castiel smiles at Dean and… what were they talking about again? Oh right, the fucking mark of Cain.

"Anyway, about the removal spell, it was gone before it turned me completely darkside, but it let out the Darkness, and nobody wanted that," Dean finishes.

"Why is Dean trying to kill you, though? It seemed, with the mark, he was more thirsty for revenge and," Castiel looks down, "anyone that got in his way."

"Good question and no clue. Maybe it's just a fleeting thought he has now, and he's visiting me in my dreams to show me, but I know, something just tells me that he wants to fulfill this desire, but the 'why', I don't know," Cas tells him, rising from the couch.

"It makes no sense. I mean, I was angry and yeah, I might have lashed out, inappropriately, but I wasn't hell bent on ending Cas. I still knew he was my friend… I was just lost. Like, I had this rage filter and seeing red was pretty much me at any given time."

"If it's Dean projecting his darkest thoughts, that might be what it is. But I can't say for sure," Cas says.

Dean thinks about that for a moment and he feels his head spin. That was a side of him that had been unpredictable and downright scary.

"We have tomorrow. We'll close the portal and hopefully prevent Dean, that Dean from coming here, if that's his agenda."

Dean nods at Cas. "Weird ass agenda, if you ask me. Makes no sense."

"We don't know what else has happened in his timeline, his dimension. There could have been events, circumstances to have made him darker than you were, Dean," Castiel tells him, eyebrows arched.

"Good point," Dean agrees. The Dean from this dimension wasn't very cuddly so who the hell knows what this other guy has been through.

Cas stretches. Don't look, Dean. "Well, I need to shower and sleep. All this walking today and honestly, I haven't been on my feet like this in ages. I had some of my patrol come by and set you guys up you with dinner, so you should have a warm meal in your cabin right about now." Cas winks at Dean.

Dean rises with Castiel and he smiles. "Thanks Cas."

"Yes, thank you."

"No problem. Now you two go get cleaned up, enjoy your dinner, and please, for the love of God, do more of that smooching I saw, it totally looks good on you both." He grins at them turning their cheeks red.

So here it is, they are on their way to the cabin, to be alone, have dinner, and possibly continue where they left off and Dean's a big pile of nerves. What if he kisses too hard? What if they end up going further than that? And holy shit, what then? Could he go through with it; taking his fantasies and making them a reality? Part of him knows he's so chicken shit, he'll probably freeze up at the last second and turn tail.

Oh God, please do not let that happen

Dean wants to laugh when he walks into the cabin and there are candles lit, a dinner waiting for them, and a record player with an Otis Redding album leaning against it. Cas didn't tell him he was setting up their evening like some romantic date or anything. A little heads up would have been nice.

He gets why Cas is so anxious about seeing him and Castiel together. Dean recognizes regret from missed opportunities all too well, and Cas is now living vicariously through his Castiel. The Dean from his time never took the chance, and the look on his face when he saw them kissing was priceless.

He does understand it all, but it doesn't make it any less awkward. He eyes Castiel who is already stripping off his clothes and… uh…

"Woah there tiger, I'd like a little dinner first," Dean says, smirking. All lies, because if Castiel wanted him right now, he'd be 100% okay with it. Castiel glances at him briefly with a side smile and then heads to the bathroom to finish disrobing. Oh, okay. Shower. Of course . Now Dean feels like a complete idiot.

He's shaking his head when he walks over to the table; covered dishes are sitting on top of a hotplate, keeping it warm. He lifts the lid to see burgers, potatoes, cubed and seasoned, and green beans - obviously from a can, but he's not going to complain. His stomach is already begging for food, and on any other occasion he'd already be digging in, but he'll wait for Castiel. They'll eat together. Talk.

Because it's a date.

Dean laughs at that. There have been very few people in his life with whom he had the opportunity to actually have a date with, that didn't involve hand jobs under the table, or some other ulterior motive for sitting together and getting to know one another. Aside from those very rare occasions, Dean's dates ended when his singles ran out, and that was the way it's been for years.

He's grown accustomed to it. In and out. No strings attached. It's easier. He had a hell of a time letting go of Lisa, and he swore to never pull that shit with anyone, again. It's a lonely existence, yes, and deep down Dean does love having someone to wake up to, someone to eat dinner with, other than his damn brother. If things with Castiel actually become… more - and he really would love that - he's pretty sure that would be it for Dean because imagining his life without his angel is not even an option.

He's next in the shower, and it feels good to wash away all the dirt and sweat from the day. He can't help but rehearse what he will say to Castiel tonight. It makes him laugh, seeing how excited he is, and he hasn't felt this way in ages. Or if ever.

When he comes out, Castiel is seated at the table in another washed out t-shirt - this one is Led Zeppelin, a pair of black sweatpants, and grey socks. Dean likes to be reminded that aside from his badassery, he's a man. A guy. And no matter what that means, it's the truth. The contrast between Castiel when they met, to the Castiel he knows now is huge. He's the most human-like angel Dean's ever met.

"Hurry up and get changed. I'm starving," Castiel whines, with a slight smile.

Dean obeys and pulls a shirt over his head and slips into a pair of sweats that are softer than anything he's ever owned in his life. Taking his seat at the table, they each grab a plate. Castiel starts eating immediately, while Dean takes a minute just to watch him.

Castiel looks up at him in mid chew, and says with a full mouth, "Aren't you gonna eat?"

Dean just smiles and takes a bite. Damn, this is a good burger. They eat in silence for most of the meal and when he feels he's almost satisfied, he sits back and picks at the remaining potatoes and green beans, rubbing his belly with his other hand.

"This was very nice of them. We've been treated well here so far," Castiel says, with a slight burp.

"Yeah, tell me about it. For an apocalypse, this sure as hell is a sweet get up."

Castiel nods, and sips his water. "I wonder where Lucifer went. He's probably coming up with his strategy to dominate the world."

Dean sighs and swallows the food that's remaining in his mouth. "It's been years, right? Sam said yes in 2012, it's 2015, and well, that's three years and all he did was release the Croatoan virus. Sounds small league, if you ask me."

"He's very patient. Think of the millennia he spent in the cage. He doesn't do anything quickly. He plans, so that every detail is perfect. That's just him."

"Did you," Dean moves his chair from the table, "know him, up there?"

"No. We never met. I was a very young soldier at that time. Barely wet behind the ears."

Dean smiles, imagining a newly created Castiel, so open to learn everything Heaven had to teach, to receive his orders, lessons, and why does that seem so utterly adorable to Dean? "I guess that's a good thing for you."

Castiel smiles. "Yes, it was tragic what happened; the war in Heaven, angels verses angels, those he was able to corrupt, well, it had surprised the garrison at the time. Now that I know the truth, Lucifer had a reason as to why he went crazy, but the ones who followed him, well, what's their excuse?"

Dean ponders that for a moment. "And then there's Zach, Uriel, Raphael…"

"Don't even remind me." Castiel rises from the table and heads to the record player. Dean watches him pick up the Otis Redding album and stare at it for a few seconds, before turning it over and mouthing something, probably the song titles. He places the vinyl onto the turntable and moves the needle in place. The music starts and Castiel looks at Dean and smiles.

Butterflies, heated face, and all the things that turn Dean into a nervous school girl are happening now. Strippers, he can handle. Hot chicks in a bar, sure. Castiel, angel of the goddamn Lord? And he's a big pile of ridiculous nerves.

Dean's swallows as he rises to close the space between him them. He's lost in the way he looks right now; wet messy hair, his utter fascination with Otis Redding, and Dean has to wrap his brain around the fact that they've kissed, they've actually fucking kissed. Now, they're in their own cabin together, alone…

Castiel meets his eyes when Dean is inches from him. He sees him swallow and despite his nerves and rapidly beating heart, clammy palms, and stomach flipping out of control, Dean kisses him. There's not anything in the world right now that's more important than his lips on Castiel's.

His angel returns the kiss and grabs Dean's hips, pulling him even closer. Dean likes that, Castiel taking charge, taking what's his, because he is. He's Castiel's, and that thought sends a million shockwaves through him.

He can feel Castiel's smile against his lips so he jerks his head back and looks at him. "What's so funny?"

His angel looks up at him, his eyes sparkling. "Us. Can you even believe this is happening?"

Dean inhales. "No," he exhales and smiles, "way in hell."

They both laugh and Castiel does this cute thing where his head drops to Dean's shoulder and Dean just wraps his arms around him, pulling him as close as humanly possible. He almost gasps when he feels Castiel start on his neck, his lips brushing so tenderly against his pulse, and then he can feel his tongue, and - shit - Dean's getting totally aroused now.

He can tell Castiel feels it, as he begins to move against it, grinding, while his lips and tongue stay occupied on his neck. Dean's sweating now, his heart beating so fast, it's like a constant thrum in his chest. There's no denying how much he wants Castiel. He wants him like he's never wanted anything in his entire life.

"Show me, Dean," Castiel whispers in his ear, sending chills through his body, his skin tingling with goosebumps.

"What, Cas? Show you what?" Dean chokes out, his voice high pitched and it almost makes him laugh at himself.

"What you would have done to me this morning. Show me."

That's the hottest thing Castiel has ever said, and Dean's about to shoot his goddamn load in his pants if Castiel doesn't stop grinding against him like this. Fuck it. Fuck his nerves, his shyness, his damn awkwardness, or inability to believe that this is even happening. He's going to show Castiel exactly what he wants.

"Then come with me," Dean says, extending a hand. After Castiel grabs it, they move to the bed. Okay, this is about to happen now. There's one thing he needs to do before they actually go through with this, though.

He kisses him, passionately and then searches his eyes when he pulls back. "Are you sure, Cas? I don't want you to do anything that you'd regret, or-"

Castiel silences him by locking his lips with Dean's and pulls him closer as they fall down onto the bed. Castiel's legs are spread as Dean takes his place in between them. On his knees, he sits on his heels, looking down at his angel and he's suddenly overcome with anxiety. This is Castiel, someone who deserves so much better, someone who should be loved, adored, and Dean's not sure if he's even worthy enough to give that to Castiel.

He looks down at trembling hands, and now he feels like a complete asshole, like he's the one forcing this. His dreams and fantasies weren't enough, now he has to urge Castiel to just give into him, want him, even if he's not even sure that he does. He knows Castiel loves him, but that doesn't mean he wants sex. He may not even be into that sort of thing. Not while he's an angel, anyway.

Castiel sits up and moves to his knees as well, inching closer to Dean. "Dean, what's wrong?"

He grips his arms and Dean looks at him, a heaviness in his heart that he wishes wasn't there. "I've wanted this for a long time. I hid it, but I wanted it. And now I just feel like I'm making you want it too."

Dean lowers his head and that's about as open as he could possibly get at the moment. He hates himself for closing off. Castiel deserves everything. He deserves to hear 'I love you', and all that other romantic stuff that, yes, Dean feels 100%, but saying it, that's a whole other story.

Castiel is really close, bringing Dean's face in his hands. "You're not making me do anything, Dean. You think I haven't thought about this? In all the years I've spent being in love with the one person I had sworn to protect; the thought of even being close to you drove me mad."

"Really?" Dean sighs, staring into his angels eyes.

"To me, you are always precious and if I had let myself indulge in how I felt about you, I thought it would have been selfish of me."

Right now, this moment, is so fucking raw and so unexpected, he thinks he may actually cry.

Castiel continues, "If I'd known how you felt, I'm sure things would have been different for us, long ago. But Dean," Castiel smiles," just because it's taken us forever to be where we are now, it doesn't mean it's not meant to be. I want you. I've always wanted you, before I even knew what it was that I was feeling."

Dean returns his smile and he wants to say a thousand things, but instead he crashes into him, kissing him, hard and passionately, wrapping his arms around him. Castiel kisses him back and my God, he's a damn good kisser. His lips are the softest that Dean has ever felt, and those sparks from earlier, in the woods? Yeah, they're back, along with those little bursts of electricity that are even more noticeable now.

With the candlelight, Otis Redding playing in the background, and Castiel here with him, this is the most romantic night he's ever had and he laughs quietly against his angel's shoulder. Of course it would be with Castiel. Of course. And what makes it theirs, something only they would experience, is the fact that this is all taking place in another damn dimension.

Castiel lifts Dean's head with his fingers and gives him this scorching look, as his hands move under his shirt, slowly lifting it off of his body. Dean raises his arms and watches Castiel toss his shirt onto the floor. Dean brings his hands to his angel's waist, and moves his fingers under his shirt, noticing how ripped yet so soft he feels. Once his shirt is off, Dean presses his bare chest against his and he could probably just do this all night; kiss Castiel and feel his skin, his warmth all around him.

He moves his face to Castiel's neck, kissing and licking, getting chills when he lets out these tiny moans and Jesus fucking Christ, that's the best sound he's ever heard. His breath, becoming more shallow as Dean moves his mouth to his shoulder, then to his collarbone. The sounds coming out of him are driving Dean crazy, he's about to explode.

He looks down at Castiel's fingers that are now playing with hem of his sweatpants and Dean's pretty sure this is going to get real naked, real fast. Castiel looks at him, as if waiting for permission and Dean hopes his enthusiastic kiss answers that for him. Or his raging hard on. Whichever.

Off his sweatpants go and he's left in his underwear and it's time to do the same for Castiel. Dean lies his angel down beneath him, kissing him tenderly from his chest down to his stomach, loving how his body jerks when he starts licking below his navel. With a smirk, Dean slides his pants off in one move, and then crawls up his body, planting small kisses along the way.

Each spot his lips touch, he remembers the moments he saw Cas wounded, hurt. He makes sure his lips cover each area, as if the wounds are still there, yet invisible. He wants to kiss them all away, as he had always wanted to do. He continues up his body, his mind reeling at the fact that they are actually doing this, until he reaches his mouth, where Castiel greets him with pure passion.

Their bodies touching, so hot, so fucking amazing, Dean finds a spot in between Castiel's legs to position himself and he moves against him, feeling Castiel's erection against his, and Dean's brain is swimming.

Castiel's lips are like fire when he kisses Dean, taking his bottom lip between his teeth, then licking it afterward. He's hungry for Dean. He wants him and just seeing him react this way sends Dean into a state of euphoria.

This is new, completely new to the both of them.

Years spent being best friends, sexual tension growing like a damn tidal wave, and now it's crashing down on them in sweet, erotic touches, bodies moving in sync, hardness against hardness. He's seeing stars now from behind his closed lids but he opens them, for the need to see Castiel is undeniable, as he brings his angel closer to ecstasy.

Castiel is pulling Dean's underwear off, reaching and thrusting to make room before Dean has to assist, and he uses one hand to remove them. Holy shit, I'm naked now. He trembles slightly when he slides Castiel's underwear off as well, and he can't help but give him a once over, and god damn … Castiel has these meaty thighs that Dean would really love to devour, and so he lowers his head, kissing them, suckling at the flesh while Castiel writhes under him.

There are so many things he can do to Castiel right now. Taste him for the first time, take him into his mouth. He's not sure what Castiel would do if he suddenly went down on him. Would it be too much? Too fast?

But they are naked, for God's sake. It's not like taking it slow is even an option right now.

He feels Castiel's hands under his arms and he pulls him back up, meeting his lips with his. Dean lowers his body and rests his erection on Castiel's and they both start moving. It's perfect, the way they're pressed together, moving, giving each other exactly the right kind of friction.

Dean's being swallowed in Cas' energy, his heat, and he swears that they have always been meant to be this close. They fit, like two pieces to a perfect puzzle, and he's always known that there was so much more to their friendship than just him being Castiel's charge, once upon a time.

No, it's so much more and always has been. Each touch, look, was building to this very moment. Dean, living his life, pedal to the metal, hunting, strip clubs, bars, endless bottles of Bourbon, until he was dragged to Hell. Castiel strolls in, bad ass angel with goddamn sparks flying everywhere, and that moment changed his life forever.

It's bigger than him, than them. He doesn't want to get too ahead of himself, because he's all too familiar with jinxing shit when it comes to important people in his life, but Castiel is in his own category. He has a special place in Dean's heart reserved only for him. What does it mean? Dean has no idea. Are they soulmates? Who knows. But Dean's damn sure that his life is 100% better with his angel in it.

He feels Castiel's fingers grab his ass, guiding his movements and Dean's ready, he's going to come, so he lifts his eyes and meets Castiel's blues and the world is theirs right now. "You've always wanted me?" Dean asks, in between small grunts.

"Yes. I've always wanted you, Dean," Castiel breathes.

Dean's moving faster now, grinding harder. "Say it again."

Castiel closes his eyes briefly when he moans, and then opens them again, looking at Dean, his eyes dark and deep. "I've always wanted you."

And that's when Dean comes against Castiel, hissing as he pumps his warm liquid which is now spreading across Castiel's stomach and cock. His head drops but then he lifts it when he feels his angel stiffen underneath him, and now he's throbbing against him, and Dean just stares at him, watching Castiel's face as he comes apart and it's the most beautiful thing he's ever seen. Eyes closed, mouth slightly parted to let out small gasps, and then blue meets green and it takes Dean's breath away.

Both of them relax against each other. Dean's head lowers to Castiel's shoulder as his angel's arms wrap tightly around him. He doesn't want to move, like ever. He can lie here with Castiel for the rest of his damn life and he would be absolutely okay with it.

"This is real, right? I'm not dreaming?" Dean asks as he slowly rolls off of Castiel but keeping half of his body still on him, resting his leg between his thighs. He feels his chest move as he chuckles and yeah, he ain't moving anytime soon. This right here, is everything.

"We're awake." He feels Castiel kiss the top of his head, sending a warm current through his body.

Maybe it's the high from what just happened, or the fact that he's no longer a victim of the mark, or maybe it's just the overall energy of being in this place, in this bed, with the one person he wants to be with, but he feels joy, like a genuine happiness in his heart that he's not felt in ages. In fact, he can't even remember feeling this good. He nuzzles into Castiel's neck and hears him giggle, and fuck me sideways, that's just too damn cute.

"Good."

He wants to go another round, make love to him all night long, try new things, watch Castiel experience ecstasy over and over again, but just as he thinks it, his eyelids feel heavy, and he realizes just how tired he actually is. From walking all day to being stuck on that damn piece of land, he's exhausted.

He can't sleep yet, he doesn't want this moment to end and as cheesy or sappy as that sounds, he needs to relish in this just for a little while longer.

"I never wanted him, Cas." Way to ruin the moment, Dean.

He feels Castiel shift under him and the arm that's wrapped around Dean squeezes him tightly. "I overreacted. I was jealous."

Dean smiles. Yeah, Castiel was jealous and it was about so much more than what he originally said. "Never be. My dreams can be very… odd and that's all I thought it was. To be honest," Dean yawns, "I'd take having you platonically than him sexually any day of the week."

Castiel slides to his side, causing Dean to move off of him, so that they can lie side by side, facing each other. Dean's face burns when Castiel takes his hand and laces his fingers with his. "Really?"

"Yes, really. Geez, Cas. Do you think I'm just about… I mean, you think this is all about sex?" Dean has a queasy feeling now in his stomach that quickly goes away with a kiss from his angel.

"Of course not. I guess I'm just trying to grasp onto the fact that we… this… finally happened."

Castiel is smiling and sure, Dean gets it. He hadn't really given Castiel any reason, or indication that he was into him either, even though from Dean's perspective, he felt like he was so damn obvious all the time.

"I think about you all the time. Like every day. And when you're not around, I actually miss you. Like, a lot. So there." Dean smiles, his face on fire but no fucks are given. While he knows he's shown Castiel time and time again just how much he means to him, sometimes words are necessary and as shitty as Dean is with it, he'll try it anyway. For him.

"I've always felt something coming from you. I just thought I was imagining things. I couldn't ever believe that you'd actually feel the same."

Dean inhales, deeply, and reaches over to grab a towel. He looks down at Castiel's stomach, at the mess they made, and begins to clean him up. They make eye contact and this look now on his angel's face: contentment mixed with wonder, makes him forget that they weren't always like this. He's so beautiful, all his expressions are gorgeous, always leaving Dean a mess in his own mind.

"Do you remember that night I got drunk? At the bar?"

"Really, Dean. Please be more specific." Castiel winks at him, and holy shit … that wink.

"The other night when we were fighting, and I was being an asshole."

Castiel smiles, "Yes, I remember."

Dean swallows. "I left with a girl. Went back to her place."

He sees Castiel's cheeks flush. Dean continues, "Relax, I didn't bang her. Well, I wanted to-"

Castiel swallows, and Dean catches it as he moves closer to him, so that they're sharing the same breath. "I was in a funk, okay, but point is, I was going to, you know… and I," Dean starts chuckling, making Castiel flash his squinty-eyed confused face.

"She had this beige trenchcoat hanging in her closet, and I just couldn't go through with it," Dean confesses and he's pleased to see the tension drain from Castiel.

"Because of-"

"Cas, I know this sounds fucking crazy but, I really don't want anyone else. I mean, yeah I was being stupid that night to prove one point, when all it did was prove another."

"And that is?"

"That I'm- I," He can't even say it, and shit, he wants to so badly.

Castiel, I love you with every fiber of my being. I've loved you for years and I hate that I can't even tell you that. What the fuck is wrong with me?

Castiel's eyes grow wide and watery and Dean's now the one with the confused squinty eyes. After a few more seconds of staring he clears his throat.

"Dean…" Castiel kisses him, tenderly and brings Dean closer.

What the hell just happened? Not that it's a bad thing, but Cas is emotional, all of a sudden. I didn't say anything, I just thought it and… wait...

After the kiss, Dean rests his hand on his angel's face. "What is it?"

He just smiles and kisses him again. "Nothing. I'm just… really happy." And he rests his forehead on Dean's, sneaking in a few more pecks, until they settle into a comfortable position.

He's happy too. So fucking happy and when will this ball drop? Because it always does.

"I'm glad we got stuck on that land," Dean confesses, in between yawns.

"Me too."

He isn't lying. That was the greatest thing to happen to him. That stupid enchantment, it brought it all out, all those feelings that they should have confessed eons ago. And to think it all started the moment Cas found him in Hell, well, that makes this all so unbelievably special. It's their story. He finds himself smiling, as he stares up at the ceiling. Castiel, his angel, is now in his arms and life just got so much better.

His eyes are too heavy now to keep open. Dean decides that there's too much space between them, so he drapes his arm over him and brings him closer, resting Castiel's head under his chin. Warmth, love, safety, all surrounding them as he finally dozes off, listening to the calming sounds of Castiel's breathing.