Sam stopped the car and sat, Miracle panting next to him. He couldn't do it. Dean was gone and had told him to always keep fighting, but he was tired of fighting. Just as his older brother had been. And how nice would it be to finally rest? They'd been through lifetimes of fighting monsters, Heaven, Hell, the world, and even each other. He didn't even know if Dean was finally at peace. Was that even possible for them?
"Hello Sam." A quiet rustle of feathers accompanied the voice, both sounds he had never thought he'd hear again.
The younger Winchester started, turning to see Castiel sitting next to him, running his fingers lightly over Miracle's fur, who was now on his lap.
"Cas! You're alive," Sam couldn't help the surge of both happiness that one of his family was back again, but that Dean, who had been trying so hard to shut out what had seemed the permanent loss of his best friend, wasn't here to witness his return.
"Yes, in keeping the promise that Billy broke, Jack set the Empty back to sleep and in return was allowed to bring me back. He also fixed a few things up in Heaven and with Rowena running Hell, the world should be safe for a long time yet. You can truly live your own life now," the angel told him, but he seemed a little sad. Did he know?
"Cas, Dean…" he wasn't sure how to tell him if he didn't. How to tell him he'd lost his brother in possibly the stupidest way possible, excluding the Mystery Spot.
"I know Dean is in Heaven, Sam. You don't have to worry about him. It is no longer a puppet show and everyone is free to be with the ones the love, happy for eternity, as it always should have been," Castiel gave him a small smile, "When your life is over, he and your family will be waiting for you. Just as time in Hell feels longer, time in Heaven feels faster so it won't be long for him. I still expect you not to be dying anytime soon," he looked at him a little more sternly.
Sam nodded. "Thank you. I don't plan on it," he said with a genuine smile of relief, a few tears prickling the corner of his eye. It felt much better to know Dean wasn't in Hell again, even with Rowena in charge, or in the Empty, or living what Heaven used to be like- a good song, but stuck on repeat nonetheless.
"Good," the angel stood, setting Miracle down, as if to leave.
"So what are you going to do?"
"Jack is still watching over Earth but he is hoping to create some more life of his own. Not like Chuck did, different versions of the same story, but maybe new books altogether. The angels in Heaven have been replenished and been given free-will. They are no longer 'dicks with wings,' but I thought I'd stick around just to make sure of that before I join you two again if that's what you wish," Castiel smiled.
"How will we know where to find you?" Sam asked. Last time he'd checked, it had been damn tricky trying to get out from behind the doors in Heaven and into the angels' area.
"I'm an angel, Sam. Pray to me," he deadpanned, but he knew his friend well enough by now that the little twinkle in his eyes meant he was amused.
"I'll get Dean to. You too do have a more profound bond after all," Sam smiled wistfully. The two had always been stubborn and at odds with each other, but despite the betrayal and abandonment, just like Sam and Dean, they were all brothers in a sense and family.
"You have no idea," the angel replied quietly, a somewhat misty look in his eyes. Before Sam could contemplate on that, there was a flutter of wings and he was alone in the car again.
He didn't know if Dean could hear him, but he sent out a prayer to him anyways. 'I can do this, Dean. And one day, we'll all be together again.' Feeling hope for the first time since the night of his older brother's death, he started up the car again, heading in a new direction, on his own path.