XXVIII.

Victorious

Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die today. ~James Dean


No one knew who did it, but no one was complaining either. The punch was spiked with a mead from a pagan tradition or another, so even the angels could get tipsy.

Sam had a strong suspicion it was from Asgard, specifically brought by Gabriel, but said nothing of it.

And the humans in heaven, being already dead, were only affected like they'd be with regular alcohol. Balthazar was doing the first round of bad karaoke, and Dean was eyeing the microphone after him.

Mary and Castiel were talking quietly at a booth, sipping a little bit of the drink but not enough to get much more than a buzz.

"What are my boys like, Castiel? You've been with them a while. I've been away a long time."

"They are brave, kind, strong. Beyond loyal. Protective. Dean is more compassionate than he acts initially to anyone, while Sam puts his whole heart into everything he does." Mary smiled at the description of her two boys.

"I can see why Dean cares about you so much. You're so sweet," she smiled. Castiel smiled back.

"I'm glad you think so."

John was having a conversation with Adam and Eva, asking about the way things had gone down and how Bobby was doing. At the mention of Jody Mills and the hunt/date that Eva was convinced was more social than the gruff hunter let on, John grinned conspiringly. Sam had bought Kevin Tran a burger, apologizing for Gadreel's actions, but Kevin would have none of it.

"It's more Dean's fault than yours, and I was tired of what was going on anyway. That's why I didn't go back."

"Still. I'm sorry about taking away whatever experiences you could've had, all the same."

"And they had a bunch of original songs, and I swear, a bunch of teenage girls playing us was so freaky," Dean said, "You'd love it," he added begrudgingly. Gabriel guffawed.

"I'll have to pop in and get a DVD of it. Or record it myself. You know. And then thank the girls."

"They might faint," Dean said dryly.

"Only if I tell them Sabriel and Destiel are real," he grinned back.

"I swear if you even think about it—" but the former trickster just laughed.

"Oi, Cassie! I found a few more resurrected angels! Apparently Dad's decided we all deserve a second chance!" Balthazar had finished his song and was tapping Castiel on the shoulder with the news. He stood.

"Who?"

"Some of our old friends. Inias. Rachel. A few others." Castiel's eyes widened.

"Everyone in the garrison . . ."

"Seems like it. They've all returned in the garden with Joshua and are all very confused. He's tending to those in shock. Would you like to go see them?"

Castiel stood up quickly.

"Cas, do you want me to come with?" Dean asked. Castiel smiled.

"I'd like that very much."


"Castiel!" shouted Inias, and the others followed, quickly crowding around. There were fifteen or so in all.

"What's this?" gasped one. "Archangels? . . . Castiel?"

"It's me, Rachel. Much has happened. Has Joshua explained?"

"Only that we were dead, and that Father has returned, giving us life again," Inias replied, a gruff, accented voice.

"Then you've missed a lot," Castiel sighed, "This is Dean Winchester. Dean, these are Inias and Rachel."

"Hey, nice to meet you," Dean nodded. Rachel and Inias, along with the rest of them, simply stared.

"Michael?" one of the angels behind them asked.

"No. Michael's human now. I'm Dean," he corrected, shrugging. "The same with Lucifer and Raphael. Now my brothers Sam and Adam are angels in their places, Castiel has a promotion, and Gabriel's back." They stared, dumbfounded at the news.

"Perhaps I should explain," Castiel interrupted.


Gabriel handed Sam a lollipop, who begrudgingly took it.

"Okay. So now what happens? You continue to be Loki, just Gabriel too?"

"Someone has to keep people in line," he shrugged, "And the pagans miss me. Except maybe Thor. He's probably going to ask me how I got back so he can slam Mjonir into whoever did it." Sam sniggered at the idea of the hammer flying right past Gabriel's head into a wall.

"And you, Sam?" Sam paused.

"I think . . . I'm going to keep tabs on Hell. But still be a hunter."

"Yeah, that Crowley's a slippery one. Got to keep him in check," Heaven's Herald nodded. "Might not see much of each other, with all that running around."

"We've made it work so far, Gabe." Gabriel was quiet for a moment before getting up.

"Sam. I don't want to pressure you to stay with me now that things are over but—"

"Dammit, Gabriel, you are not breaking up with me."

"But I—"

"You are?"

"No!"

"Then what the hell?" Sam was upset. He'd fallen hard for Gabriel. He was sure before that the angel, in his own way, felt the same.

"Agh, Sam, shoulda thought this through a little more. But I'm more of a spur of the moment person," he shrugged, before taking Sam's hands in his own.

And dropping to one knee.


"YES! Yes! Oh my GOD, YES!" Adam heard Sam shriek from nearby. He made a face.

"Please tell me that isn't something mentally scarring."

"It isn't something mentally scarring."

"Smartass."

"Takes one to know one," Eva shoved him playfully, "But it's not, really. Gabriel just popped the question." Adam's eyebrows shot up.

"No way."

"It's true," she grinned, "Look for a ring on your older brother's finger next time we have dinner at Bobby's. Watch him squirm before he tells everyone. It'll be hilarious."

Adam kissed her.

"You're so cute when you plot things like that."

"Hey, Death's got to entertain herself somehow. I can't be all gloom and doom."


Thanksgiving a month later was theatrical, to say the least. Ellen insisted on a full out feast at Bobby's, and he was not going to refuse her. It was the first holiday not overshadowed by some big bad waiting to kill them.

"One thing this country has that I thoroughly enjoy—a holiday centered around food," Eva grinned, "Though I'm not opposed to a Christmas Turkey. That's all good too."

"Hey, this is an American thing, Eva, let us have it," Dean pointed the spoon he'd been using to stir the stuffing at her.

"Oh, right, my apologies," she replied sarcastically, "I'll just be in the dinin' room, settin' up the table," she continued in a faked southern accent.

Gabriel and Sam had been there on and off throughout the month, not staying for long. Adam knew why—trying to keep the engagement a surprise while they worked out the logistics—but kept it to himself, sparing knowing glances with Eva whenever Dean or Bobby huffed about them never being home.

Home. Odd how after all this time, it still was.

Bobby was pleasantly ornery, as usual. Jo refused to help in the kitchen—so Dean took her place.

"I didn't know you could cook," Charlie said aside to him as she grabbed some plates.

"Someone had to." The meal was ready, and the table was surprisingly just large enough to fit five archangels, four hunters, and one horseman of the apocalypse.

Sam was glancing at Gabriel when he coughed.

"So get this . . . After all the Darkness stuff happened. Gabriel proposed. And I said yes. And we're getting married."

"Congratulations!" said Jo immediately, echoed by everyone else.

"I'm really proud of you, baby boy," Dean said.

"Would you be my best man, then?" And Dean's face could have broken, he was smiling so big.

"Hell yeah, Sammy!" And then he coughed.

"Which, em, leads me to an important question to ask. Because Sam'll have to return the favor." Immediately everyone sat forward, anticipating what was about to happen. Castiel stared at the ring Dean was presenting him, realizing the archangel of hunters was on one knee. Dean was proposing. Dean was proposing to him.

"Cas, will you make me the happiest man alive?"

"Yes, Dean—" a kiss, "—but I do believe you've just given me that title."