Author's Notes: First off... writing emotions is hard. Second... AAAHHH! We are actually here at the end of this journey. Out of every story I've done, this is the one I feel most proud of. I want to thank each and every one of you who've followed me this far; especially the frequent commenters. Your words kept me going and always put a smile on my face.

There is an epilogue coming soon so keep an eye out for it.

Please review! I want to know what you guys think!

~quinnarrow

Chapter 16: Love with Immortality

Dean's heart was racing. The tightness in his chest constricted his lungs as the man tried to take steady deep breaths. The constant thump thump thump filled his ears but wasn't enough to drown out the ever brewing thoughts.

You're going to lose him before morning his mind supplied. He did his best to push it aside.

Trudging feet came to a sudden halt when the figure on the hill's crest came into view. A hazy glow seemed to surround the unmoving body as the setting sun shone down; which Dean found quite appropriate the more he thought about it.

Forcing himself forward, the man noticed Cas's back was to him. A sand-colored tunic draped across completely relaxed shoulders; not a single ounce of tension to be found. Limp arms hung at his sides as still as the rest of him. One might think the angel was made of stone if not for the black hair gently swaying in the breeze. With every step, the hunter felt his own worry lessen as if the mere presence of the celestial being calmed everything nearby. By the time Dean stopped beside Cas, he felt like the angel looked.

The hunter took a moment to study Cas's face. He seemed… at peace.; head slightly upturned to the sky, eyes closed, expression soft and open just basking in the last sun rays of the day. And that's something Dean had never seen the angel be. He remained silent for a while. Doing nothing except staring and memorizing every detail of his angel's profile.

"Hello Dean."

"Hey Cas."

They lapsed into comfortable silence once more. At this point Dean wasn't sure they could be uncomfortable around each other anymore. Honestly, he wanted to just stand there with Cas for the rest of eternity staring down at Thindol Valley. But there was one question that needed answering. "So, how'd it go?"

Cas sighed. "As expected. But I think my viewpoint is now clear."

After arriving at the valley, they found every demon had vanished, abandoning their encampment. It wasn't until the victorious hunters explained what happened to Azazel did others understand where the enemy went. Word quickly spread throughout the different banners and battalions causing an excited buzz to wash over the encampment.

But that wasn't the only news to circulate. Mere hours after being greeted by Lord Winchester, it was easy to recognize the way people changed when Castiel came near, especially those from the Mills Battalion. Everyone moved out of the way like a rampaging bull was barreling towards them. Some avoided looking at the celestial being while others couldn't help but stare. Dean found the looks of fear and embarrassment from those who'd treated Novak so harshly months ago amusing.

For the most part, the pair had stayed at each other's side but that wasn't the case for the past four hours. Lord Winchester had asked the angel if he'd be willing to meet with the other commanders and lords of the kingdom. As much as he wanted to, Dean didn't take part of the three hour long meeting and couldn't find the elusive Cas until now.

"Let me guess," the man continued, "everyone tried to convince you to join their ranks and it took you all that time to tell them no."

"Some even tried to buy my loyalty. Your father was the only one to defend my argument from the beginning."

Dean huffed. "Doesn't surprise me. I bet Commander Mills was a lot nicer to you."

"It was… quite strange."

"What changed their minds?"

Finally, Cas looked to the man beside him. "I told them in all of creation, no angel had ever joined a specific group of humans and I wouldn't be the first. My loyalties are to Heaven and humanity as a whole."

"Can't really argue with that."

On the outside, Dean had the proud smile that Cas stood up for himself. But on the inside the calm had faded. Unease, dread, hysteria all whipping back and forth in a relentless frenzy.

"So what are you gonna do now?"

"I'm not sure. Most assume I'll return to Heaven."

"You'd be in charge of everything upstairs?"

"I suppose." The distant look returned. "But the thing is, I'd been running for so long, convinced I wouldn't survive the war for years, I haven't thought about what came after."

"But you did survive and can do whatever you want now."

"It's not that simple," Cas claimed shaking his head.

"What do you mean?"

"My responsibilities as an angel say my job is to protect Heaven no matter what. But that can mean many things at the moment."

"What does your gut tell you?"

"That I should return to Heaven and unseal the Gates."

The lack of hesitation from Cas unsettled the hunter in ways he wasn't ready to admit. He swallowed hard, careful not to show the utter defeat taking over his entire being. Dean had spent the days of travel from the plains constantly reminding himself that no matter what happened next, he needed to accept Cas's decision. And he was damn sure he wasn't going to say anything about it. But with each passing moment, the resolve was waning. But Dean was anything if not strong willed. He wanted, with everything he was, to tell the angel how he felt. But knowing Cas, that type of confession would only make him feel obligated to stay.

So he startled himself when he mumbled. "Then that's what you should do."

Cas whipped his head around to face the hunter, surprise evident. "You think so?"

"I mean, ultimately it's up to you." Dean's stomach churned and rebelled at the words coming out of his mouth. "You know better than anyone what's best."

The angel returned his attention to the darkening horizon.

"Will you come with me?"

"With you? Where?" The question barely passed his lips before realization hit. "Wait, to Heaven?"

"Yes."

"Is that even possible? A human going to Heaven without, you know, dying?"

Cas tilted his head. "Of course."

The hunter attempted a nonchalant shrug. "Then yeah. I'll go with you."

Pale fingers gently gripped the hunter's shoulder. Foolishly he believed he was ready this time, knowing what to expect. But Dean's stomach stayed on Earth as the rest of him bolted towards Heaven. Nausea set in as something crunched under his boots. Yet the feeling was quickly forgotten, surprise taking hold.

Descriptions of the afterlife typically involved never-changing bright skies and pure white clouds to walk on. But like the mortal world below, stars had already begun peppering the quickly darkening canvas. A full moon smiled down on them as if she knew evil had been defeated. And instead of clouds, the ground was just normal compacted gravel.

The Gates themselves were a sight to behold. Large, gold, and placed within endless gray walls - just like Cas described. The intricate design twisted and curved in impossible ways making it difficult to focus on one thing. A soft glow emanated from the Gates inviting all who came with an open embrace.

Well, almost all.

As impressive as the architecture was, it was not what held the man's attention. Separating them from the Gates, standing as silent as shadows, were hundreds, if not thousands of demons. Black eyes bore into the pair, unflinching and unmoving. Yet Dean felt no fear. Deep down he knew they wouldn't attack. Without a word, Castiel stepped forward, the hunter following faithfully at his side. Like water on rocks, the sea of the damned parted giving them a wide berth. The little bubble protecting the angel and man pushed its way into the center, all eyes still stuck on them.

Cas motioned for Dean to halt as he continued for a few more steps. The angel turned on his heel glaring at every black eye he saw. His voice boomed with power like the hunter had never witnessed before. "Your leader is dead. Leave Heaven and never come back. Fail to do so and you will feel the wrath of the last Angel of the Lord."

Dean observed as a few demons fled straight away. The rest looked extremely uneasy, but absurd stubbornness kept them planted. Noticing this, Castiel's eyes began to glow a brilliant blue, his whole body quickly followed. The intensity became too much for the human and he had to look away and shield his eyes.

A hum of power came and went in an instant. Cautiously, the hunter cracked an eye open. Satisfied Cas's light had died out, Dean looked around to empty grounds; not a single demon remained in Heaven for the first time since the war began. Then he caught sight of the angel.

Castiel looked like the celestial being he was. Polished leather armor, different than the Winchester's fashion, adorned his chest with a silver tunic peeking from underneath. The spark in his blue eyes was something Dean hadn't really seen before. And the immense power glimmering behind them wasn't to be dismissed.

But all the man could do was stare in awe at the two magnificent pure black wings sprouting from Cas's shoulders. They were described as black before but he was absolutely certain no amount of light could penetrate the beautiful darkness of the large feathers. Then the appendages shifted. Flashes of silver drew his attention across the inky surface. It reminded the hunter of watching thunderstorms from his bedroom window at a young age; missing the allure with a blink.

The angel waited patiently for Dean to snap out of his shock, carefully observing the reaction. And like a sudden shift of weather, the angel's whole demeanor changed from one of pure confidence to one of a timid animal. The wings pulled in tight across his back as if to take them from view. Somber eyes cast downwards almost in shame. Quickly, Cas turned away from the hunter to start towards the Gates, but Dean, realizing his error, was faster.

His firm grip found the angel's rough and callused hand latching on with no intention of letting go. The sudden move startled Cas as blue eyes darted between their linked hands and the man's face. Gently, Dean tugged forcing the two to stand face to face. Cas's words from long ago echoed in his mind; Heaven is considered a place of goodness and light, so those like me were considered odd. I often heard comments behind my back, but I never felt ashamed. Perhaps it was true back then, but now it seemed those insecurities wormed their way back into the angel's mind.

Dean smiled, ready to put those fears to rest. "They're amazing Cas," he nearly whispered. "Absolutely amazing." With his free hand, he slowly reached out ready to pull back at a moment's notice. "May I…?"

Slight hesitation made the hunter immediately think he crossed some sort of line. Perhaps touching an angel's wings was disrespectful in some way? But before Dean could recoil, Cas silently nodded. The large appendages relaxed away from his shoulders spreading out to either side. Their linked hands released allowing the man to shift to the left getting in line with the inky feathers.

He gave one last look as if asking if the angel was sure and received nothing but a steady gaze in return. Slowly, the gap between feather and flesh disappeared. Gingerly, the tips of human fingers brushed against the celestial form. Dean knew they would be the softest things he'd ever encountered. But the silky texture still took him by surprise. Silver flared to life as the fibers became disturbed under the moonlight.

With tenderness and care, the hand drifted in a downward motion stroking the feathers. Something seemed to release from the angel in the moment. Dean watched as Cas sighed letting his eyes slip close. Any tension held within his vessel's shoulders melted into nothing and the peaceful air from before returned in full.

The comfortable silence continued even as Dean pulled his hand away and the two gazes met. Still no words were uttered as the angel and the human intertwined hands once more as they sauntered closer the Heaven's Gates. With each step, Dean's grip tightened in anticipation of the inevitable parting. If Cas noticed the grief ripping through the man, he gave no indication. Green eyes trailed skywards as the Gates loomed overhead, the intricate designs along the solid wall of gold even more impressive up close. Both beings stood there drinking in the sight.

"I never thought I'd live to see them again," Cas whispered finally breaking the silence.

Dean looked at him, but the angel's eyes were still focused ahead.

"After I fell," he continued, "I used to fill my time imagining what I'd do, what it would be like to come back. I'd be alone. The sole protector of billions of souls." A dark look crossed his face. "Demons will rise again with someone new on the throne. They'll attack the Gates and I won't be able to defend it." Finally, the angel meet the man's stare. "And being on Earth, with you, I finally feel like I belong somewhere."

Dean blinked unsure if he was understanding correctly. Should he dare hope? "Wait, so does that mean…"

Castiel nodded. "Heaven's lasted this long without me. It will last a while longer."

An unbridled grin spread across the human's face. Tears of absolute joy filled his eyes as the grief in his heart was replaced with warmth. He wasn't losing his angel today.

Dean tightened his grip on the hand resting in his. "Let's go home."

And for the first time in many years, since the world believed all hope was lost… Castiel smiled.