This is it. Final chapter. Part 2. The previous chapter was supposed to be the last, but this one-shot series was supposed to be happy and fluffy – even if I got a bit lost down the angsty road in some of the bonus chapters – so I couldn't let it end like that. This little add-on hopefully gets us back on track. Thank you for reading. I hope you have enjoyed the ride. THE END.
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Dean is fishing. It's been a long time since he had the time to sit down and fish. Sure, he had taken Jack fishing for an hour when the kid wanted to experience a bit of normal life before his death, but that had not exactly been a happy, relaxing fishing trip. It had been good, but… heavy. This, today, is light and refreshing.
It is a dream come true, quite literally. Sitting by the edge of a wooden pier with a crystalline lake stretched out in front of him, fishing rod in hand. Except, the dream has been improved by the laughter behind him. His family is roaming the shore, preparing a small fire to cook whatever he might catch. And if he doesn't catch anything, they will enjoy a dinner of burned s'mores and cool beer. If this isn't Heaven, Dean doesn't know what is.
He is not surprised when he hears the flutter of wings behind him. He has been expecting it for some time now.
When the tanned coat comes into his peripheral view, Dean is already smiling. "Hey, Cas."
"Hello, Dean." Cas' voice is smiling as well.
Dean finally looks up into the blue eyes of his Angel, and for a moment they just smile at each other. When Dean looks back over the water, he can't help saying; "You know, the last time you interrupted me fishing, you ended up being pulled back to Heaven to get your ass kicked back in line. But I guess the new administration is cool with you popping in now."
Castiel smiles wider at the memory, even if it is an unhappy one. It is such a long time ago, and so much has happened since. It seems like just a small rock on a very long road, and considering where they are now, it was a rock worth stumbling on. "No. It doesn't mind." Castiel shuffles for a moment before adding; "Anyway, the previous administration didn't succeed in keeping 'my ass in line' for very long."
"Nope. You were always stronger than them." Dean swallows nervously and looks up at Cas, making it clear that he is no longer smiling, but is being completely serious.
Cas meets his eyes, and for a moment he tries to find an appropriate answer, his mouth opening and closing. But despite Dean's good mood, he is not quite sure where they are standing. So, in the end, he just acknowledges the comment by nodding his thanks.
This is where Dean would normally return to his fishing and throw a few jokes around to dissolve the serious mood. But that is not who he is anymore. So instead of deflecting, he puts the fishing rod down next to his chair and gets up. He looks Castiel in the eye, finally seeing the love that had probably been there for longer than he likes to think about. He pulls the Angel in to a tight hug, feeling Cas reciprocating immediately. With a thick voice, he says. "Thank you, Cas. For everything."
He can feel Cas smiling against his cheek, tightening his hands in Dean's flannel. "Thank you too, Dean."
The words may be simple, but what else can they possible say to cover twelve years of apocalypses and hunts and battles? What else can cover every time one has saved the other or sacrificed himself for the other? All their fighting and disagreements. All their laughter and brotherhood.
When they break apart, Dean keeps a hand on Cas' shoulder and gestures towards the shore where the rest of the Winchesters are watching them with wide smiles. Sam has of course recognised their guest and waves at them when they finally look his way. Dean smiles. "Care to join us? Do you have time, running Heaven and everything?"
Cas smiles even wider. "I'd love to."