"So, Sammy. You got everything you need? Blankie?"
Sam rolled his eyes, hoisting the bag on his shoulder. Eileen was next to him, smiling and looking fondly at the man she was about to build a life with. She smiled at Dean's joke, and signed that he shouldn't worry, because she made sure he had his favorite teddy too. With a laugh, Dean reached out to hug her, and then moved to his brother.
"Seriously though Sam, you have everything? You know once you're out of here, I don't want you just popping back in because you forgot a toothbrush" Dean teased, grabbing his brother and pulling him in for a tight hug.
"I've got everything. Trust me, after the other day, the last thing I want to do is surprise you when you think you're alone" Sam had a tinge of red to his cheeks, as did Dean.
"Yeah, well, it wasn't the best experience for me either, man"
Both of them stood there, looking down with smiles on their faces.
"I'm glad you're finally happy, Dean. You deserve it. We both do. We all do."
"Damn right" Dean said as he nodded. "Well, you better get going. You still have to pick the keys up from the landlord right?"
"Yeah, yeah we do." Sam replied, looking quickly over his shoulder at Eileen. Both men shuffled, unsure of how to finally let go after so many years together.
"I'll see you this weekend, right?" Sam asked.
"Yeah, we'll all be there. Wouldn't miss your first housewarming. Never thought I'd see the day"
"Me either" They both stared, then, frozen for a moment before a nod and a slow turn, both walking towards their new lives, free of any influence but their own.
Dean heard the sound of Sam's car start up and roll off as he walked back into the bunker, a bittersweet feeling in his chest.
They'd done it. They'd defeated Chuck in an almost comically simple way. Jack was safe. Sam and Eileen were happy and moving in to their own apartment, not a far drive from Dean but also not right beside him, which was a change. Donna, Jody, the girls… all back and safe. Charlie and the other refugees all returned and building their lives. Everything was good. Different, but good.
Dean sighed, and walked into the kitchen to grab a beer. The sight that greeted him was something he could have never imagined not long ago.
Cas was standing by the fridge, digging through it for something to snack on. He and Sam had said their goodbyes earlier, so Dean and his brother could have a moment alone. He was dressed in jeans and one of Dean's teeshirts, which was a jarring but not unpleasant change from the trenchcoat and suit Dean so connected to him as a person. But this was a new Cas. A human Cas. One that had been ripped from the Empty, grace left behind to pacify it. One that had awkwardly tried to smooth things over with Dean, worried of his rejection, the second he had a chance.
A rejection that never came.
Instead, Dean had grabbed him and pulled him in for a hug, and as he breathed in his scent he choked into Cas' ear that he was an idiot. Cas had pulled back, then, confused, until Dean continued to explain that Dean loved him as well, and that he was an idiot to think he couldn't have him.
He'd never seen a smile so bright. It shattered his heart and put it back together again in the span of a millisecond.
Now, as Dean stood there, watching his… boyfriend? Lover? He felt an immense sense of peace. He never thought he'd be happy. Never even thought he'd live. But here he was, alive, in love, the world saved for good, his brother happy. It was unbelievable.
"Dean? Why are you just standing there? Is everything okay?" Cas asked as he noticed he wasn't alone. Dean walked over to him and placed his hand on Cas' stubbly cheek and smiled as he leaned in for a sweet kiss. He pulled away and reached in to the fridge to grab a beer.
"Nothing is wrong. I'm just happy. I guess sometimes good things do happen, huh?" he said with a smile, and enjoying the soft chuckle from Cas.
"Yes, Dean, it appears they do"