Cas was there. Right there in front of him stood Cas. Dean couldn't believe it. He had hoped he'd see Cas again but he didn't expect it in heaven.
"Hello Dean." Cas was beaming. Dean was sure he was too. He couldn't tell if his face went numb from smiling too hard. He pulled Cas in for a hug either way.
"Cas, man, am I glad to see you." Dean wanted to talk. Hell, he NEEDED to talk. Dean felt Cas pat his back in the way he just does. Dean missed it.
"Listen, about the thing that happened before you got taken away. I just-" Dean sighed. He couldn't think of what to say. He had been planning in case they saw Cas again but now he just couldn't get his words together. It was all just unfamiliar jargon now.
"It's okay Dean. I know, I stepped out of line but I had to tell you." No. Stepped out of line? What the hell was Cas talking about? The love confession? Cas kept talking but Dean wasn't listening to it. It was excuses for the confession and Dean couldn't bear to listen to excuses. He had to say something. Do something. He wanted to tell Cas badly how much him saying "I love you" meant to Dean. He wanted to explain that he couldn't imagine Cas loving him and that's why he just couldn't respond to him. Dean's thoughts were swirling together and now he wasn't sure of what to do but one thing.
Dean held Cas' shoulders and kissed him. Right there, on the spot, in heaven of all places. A hell of a first kiss spot if Dean had anything to say about it.
When they pulled away, Dean rubbed the back of his neck. He could feel his face was going hot but he didn't care. He kissed Cas. Finally. Cas was smiling wide at him and Dean did the same. He was happy, so damn happy.
"So," Dean cleared his throat. "First kiss huh?"
"A heavenly kiss, right?" Both Dean and Cas started laughing. It was perfect. Not the most ideal way, with both of them dead, but it was still somehow perfect. Maybe it was just Cas that needed to be there to make it perfect. All Dean knew was that they could both be happy together without anything coming up and snatching anyone away.
"Hey Cas?" Dean said after both of them had been resolved to just stupid smiling at each other.
"Yes Dean?"
"I uh, I wanted to tell you this before the whole, Empty thing happened y'know? But I couldn't get it right yet and when you said it, I didn't know what to do. I-I was shocked and I just didn't want you to go. I thought, maybe if I didn't say it back just then it would've changed something and you would've stayed a bit longer." Dean furrowed his brows at hearing himself. It sounded stupid-Really stupid. He looked at Cas, hoping that he wouldn't be looking at Dean with a "You sound really dumb" face. Cas was still smiling.
"Dean, I love you. I just needed to tell you before it was too late. I was hoping you loved me back but well, I wasn't sure but I think that kiss was all the evidence I needed."
"No I get that Cas but I-" Dean sighed once more. He was messing up again. He wished he could just let it all out, tell Cas everything, tell him what really mattered but he just couldn't. Dean was struggling, he was ruining it. Cas put a hand on Dean's shoulder.
"Dean, really, it's okay." Cas softly smiled. He was already accepting that he wouldn't hear it today. "When you want to tell me, I'll be here." No, Dean knew Cas didn't die for this. To die with a heartfelt confession just for Dean to be struggling with his emotions again like every damn time. Sure, they had time. Hell, they had the rest of eternity but it was unfair to Cas to make him wait any longer. "We'll be here for-"
"I love you." Cas closed his mouth, the corners of his lips going up again. Both of them were sure that this was the most they smiled at each other in one moment.
"What was that?" Dean half grinned and shook his head.
"Alright, we're doing this now? Because I'm not sure I heard you the other times either." Cas grinned and Dean threw his arms over Cas' shoulders.
"I'll repeat myself if you need me to." Dean kissed him again.
"I think I will." Their faces got sober from all the smiling, a more serious look overtaking the both of them. They lightly pressed their foreheads together. Soft smiles appeared on their faces again. It was as perfect as it could get, no, it was as perfect as perfect could be. They were both happy together.
"I love you Dean."
"I love you too Castiel."