Alright everyone, here it is. The big one. The one we've all been waiting for.

No, sorry, that's Harry Potter. This is a gay Supernatural story. Either way, it's been long awaited... at least, I hope it has. I haven't been doing my job right otherwise. Hopefully, it's everything you've been expecting, and hopefully, you'll have at least looked into reading my other stories.

Hopefully, you'll enjoy this story. I look forward to seeing any comments!

Words in this chapter: 3,289

Castiel had once loved his job. Defending his country, being a protector of the people, a champion of justice, and a bringer of peace. Now, though... He had had enough of it. The long hours, the traveling... He missed Dean far too often. Dean had mentioned, before, that the money he made from his album sales and concerts was more than enough to support both of them (especially considering Castiel's disability benefits and retirement money, when he would retire), but Castiel had been stubborn. He didn't want to simply leave when there was still important work he could do, contribute to.

When he was called to Washington during his leave, for an 'emergency conference', Castiel decided enough was enough. He had promised his husband that he would be there; the job he had once loved had forced him to break that promise. Castiel would be damned if he broke another, so the instant the first night of the meeting let out, he filed for the paperwork he needed to retire.

He spoke to Sam every night, getting any updates he could on Dean, especially after the green-eyed man had been in a coma. His worry for Dean almost exceeded his focus during the meetings; it was only the promise of being home sooner if he finished sooner that got him to manage it.

When Dean woke up, Castiel would never be able to describe the sheer relief he felt at hearing the man's voice. Even though they talked about trivialities, inane things, phone sex, even, it was a relief to hear his voice, safe and unharmed and alive. Two days, he promised. Whether the meetings were finished or not, he'd be going home in two days.

"Novak," a voice called just as he hung up the pohne, a rather familiar voice that Castiel had learned to dread. "A moment, please."

"Sir," Castiel responded, nodding as he turned and stood at attention.

"I have news for you, Novak. Meetings are done, you can head home early. I'm personally making sure that you're compensated for your missed leave time." Castiel had to force himself not to gawk at the news. "Now, as I understand it, you have someone that's missing your company. You should see to it that you get back as quickly as possible, eh?" Castiel nodded.

"Thank you, sir," Castiel said, managing not to stammer. "Thank you so much!" Cas let a grin slip as he straightened a little more, waiting to be dismissed. At his commanding officer's nod, Castiel practically darted off.

He had a plane to catch.

Dean was tired. He was tired of the hospital, he was tired of the shitty food, he was tired of missing Cas. Hell, he was tired, period. He hadn't realized just how exhausting seeing could be until he could again. And, as much as he loved his brother, he was getting a little tired of the constant hovering.

Dean just missed his husband. He missed hearing low promises whispered in his ear, missed the gentle touches to his skin (and the scars, how he missed his angel's scars, the proof that he lived, that he was stronger than that which would keep them apart), missed the way Castiel would pull on his hair when they kissed. He wished it were Castiel he woke to find at his bedside, instead of his little brother or his brother-in-law.

They never called him out on it, but he knew that Gabriel and Sam both knew about it. He was too obvious for them not to. And now that he could actually see their reactions... Well. Dean would be feeling a little guilty about some of the expressions he'd seen on his brother's face for a while.

"It's only a few days," he murmured aloud to remind himself. Besides; Cas would be here before they even let him out of the hospital.

"Of course it is, Dean," Charlie teased from the doorway, grinning as she looked at her friend. "I bet you can't wait for your hair to grow back in. Those two extra days should help with that," she added as she started walking in. Dean kept an eye on her as she sat on his bed, watching the amused and excited expression on her face.

"Well, yeah," he agreed reluctantly. "But less 'cause of what you're thinking and more because my head is cold," Dean added when Charlie's face turned even more excited.

"Well, I've got something for that!" Charlie grinned broadly as she pulled a beanie out of her purse, leaning forward and pulling it over Dean's head. Grumbling slightly, Dean fixed it, but he smiled at the girl. "It looks cute," she hummed, nodding as she watched Dean's face.

"Thanks, Charlie," Dean said quietly. "So how come you cut your hair?"

"Ah, the whole 'long hair' thing just wasn't cutting it," she replied, pulling a snort of amusement from Dean. "So it's short now. Speaking of short, how long is it until you get checked for glasses?"

"Chuck said that he'd come in sometime in the next hour," Dean murmured, rubbing tiredly at his right eye.

"Want me to stay for that?" Charlie hadn't been coming around as much as Sam and Gabe, so Dean welcomed her company.

"Sure, if you want. Only if you want to, though. I don't want to make you uncomfortable, you know that."

"And you know that I'll never leave you alone if you don't want me to. You're basically my brother, Dean, you know that," she reminded, voice a little chastising.

"Then... yeah. I wouldn't mind if you stayed. God, I hope I don't have to learn how to read again," he joked lightly, adjusting the beanie on his head. Charlie laughed softly, shaking her head.

"You'll be fine. Have you missed it? Reading, that is?

"Yeah. More than I thought I would, actually," Dean mumbled, flushing a little at the knowing look Charlie was giving him.

"When Chuck gives you the okay, do you want me to bring you the first Game of Thrones book?" Dean hesitated, thinking about it for a long moment before nodding.

"Only when Chuck gives me the okay, though. I don't want to push it." Dean smiled softly at Charlie when she wrinkled her nose at him. "You gonna bring your girlfriend by to meet me, now that I can see her?"

Charlie stuck her tongue out at him. "No. I don't want her eyeing you in a hospital gown," she said, making a face at him as he grinned. "I'm so glad I can do that and have it be effective now. You were like the only person my teasing didn't faze."

Dean snorted in amusement once more. "Well, who knows. Maybe I'll learn to withstand it again," he teased gently.

"Spoilsport," Charlie protested, pouting a little.

The conversation continued quietly, Dean closing his eyes for a few minutes at a time to keep his head from aching. Chuck came in about a half hour later, bringing a different doctor, one Dean hadn't met before, but declared herself a Dr. Janine Trandell, and checked his vision.

"Looks like you need glasses, green-eyes," Charlie teased as the doctor declared his vision far from perfect, but far better than blind. Dean pouted a little, but he was pleased; it was something Cas had said he thought he'd like, so Dean was more than willing to try it.

"Yeah, I do," he hummed, smiling still. "Wish Cas was here."

"I know," Charlie said, patting Dean's head. "He'll be home soon. Just a few more days, right?"

"Yeah," Dean agreed, missing how Charlie seemed to be jittering with excitement. "A few more days. Feels like too long."

"Well, want to get up and walk around some? Chuck said it was okay now that you're able to stay awake for a while." Dean shrugged, then nodded, rubbing at his eyes before he started climbing out of bed. He wasn't wearing a hospital gown like Charlie had teased, but rather a pair of rather comfortable sweats, and a long-sleeved shirt that kept him from getting cold.

"Yeah. Walking around some will feel good, I think. Let's go," he agreed lightly. "Where shall we walk, my ginger friend?"

Charlie grinned, taking Dean's arm to support him. "I think we should go get some dinner. You're hungry, right?"

"A bit," Dean agreed. "I'm starting to feel like a useful member of society," he joked. The first few steps were slow - his depth perception wasn't that great, with his newfound farsightedness - but he quickly got the hang of it, and was managing to not trip over everything, especially with Charlie's help. They got to the cafeteria, and Dean swallowed nervously, looking at the mass of people he could suddenly not only hear, but see. "There's so many people," he assessed. "I get a feeling I'm going to be dealing with some agoraphobia for a bit."

"That's okay," Charlie promised, patting his arm gently. "What do you want to eat? I'll go get something, you can sit here and recover a bit," she assured.

"Uh, I smell burgers, right? I'll have a burger and fries... and some of that macaroni if they have it." Charlie nodded, grinning at Dean as she sat him down at a free table and hurried off to get their food. Dean settled at the table, getting comfortable with the feeling of the chair and letting himself adjust to the noise level before he opened his eyes again. When he did, he could see several different things. Parents and children laughing, couples talking quietly, one clearly worrying over the other, and several individuals walking around on their own, including a rather handsome dark-haired man Dean saw only for an instant. By the time he was comfortable again, Charlie was back with their food, and he grinned at her.

"I have your meal, my liege," she drawled like a medieval servant.

"It looks great, Charlie," he said with a small laugh. "Thank you for spending some time with me today. I know they're just doing it because they care, but Sam and Gabe have been hovering. It's nice to see someone else for a change."

Dean fell silent as he heard someone clear their throat behind him. "I'm sorry, I couldn't help but overhear that you've been having few visitors. Maybe I could help with that?" Dean froze at the familiar voice. Was that...

"Cas?!" Dean whirled around in his seat, eyes wide with shock as he took in the man's face. Bright, almost supernaturally blue eyes, tan skin, a day's worth of stubble... and the messy dark hair of the man he had seen across the room a few moments before. "Oh my god, Cas," he breathed, standing on shaky legs to engulf the man in a hug.

"Hey, babe," Castiel said, voice watery as he squeezed Dean back. "It's good to see you."

"It's really good to see you too, angel," Dean whispered, fingers curling in the back of the man's hair. "You're more beautiful than I'd ever imagined you would be."

"I love that you're able to see at all, Dean," Castiel murmured in reply, smiling against the side of Dean's neck. "I love seeing the way your eyes light up as you look around. You're so beautiful."

"Not as much as you," he laughed, pulling back a little to wipe at his eyes. "God, I can't believe I was so lucky. You're really living up to your nickname, angel. You look the part."

Castiel laughed quietly at Dean's words, shaking his head in response as he leaned forward to press a soft kiss to the man's lips. "You're so silly," he whispered, smiling at his husband. "Mind if I sit down with you for some dinner? It was a pretty cramped flight, so I'm a little hungry. You'll be able to look all you like, love."

"Of course I don't mind, Cas. I love you so much, how could I ever turn you away?" Castiel just chuckled as he helped Dean back into his seat, and sat down across from his husband as Charlie pushed the plate she had brought over (clearly for Castiel, now that Dean thought about it - the woman liked burgers from time to time, but never with coleslaw, and never with thousand island for the fries).

"I'll leave you two lovebirds at it," Charlie teased with a grin. "Glinda and I have a date, actually, so I'll see you later, Dean. No funny business in the hospital bed," she added.

Dean groaned in response. "Charlie... Fine. Go have fun, I'll see you later." He grinned at the woman, eyes fond as he waved a little before turning back to Castiel.

"Goodbye, Charlie, have fun. And don't worry, I know how to take care of him," Castiel teased in response. He smiled fondly back at Dean, blue eyes locked on green. "You know, you're just as beautiful as the first day I met you," he assessed.

Dean blushed lightly at the praise. "You're just saying that... But I have to admit, that no matter how I imagined you, how close I ever thought I would get to seeing you without my vision... I didn't come close where it really mattered. You're... you're radiant, Cas."

Castiel laughed quietly, a light blush of his own coloring his cheeks. "It's true, Dean. And as much as I appreciate your praise... I think you're a bit biased," he teased.

"No, I saw you across the room earlier. I didn't know it was you, then, and all I saw was the side of your face. Even then, I thought you were a handsome man. I'm just so glad that you're mine," he murmured. Castiel didn't respond, but the expression on his face was one of glee. Dean had a feeling that he and his husband were thinking the same thing.

The pair ate their dinner slowly, watching each other over the table, neither wanting to remove their gaze from the other for even a second. Dean ended up reaching for Castiel's hand halfway through the meal, smiling as he saw the glistening burnished gold of the ring on his husband's finger.

"I missed you," Castiel murmured as he squeezed Dean's fingers. "Beyond words."

"I missed you too," Dean hummed in response.

"I started the paperwork to retire. And I visited Krissy before I got here, I didn't want you to see me in my uniform and guess." Castiel ate one of the fries on his plate, smiling slightly at the way Dean gawked at him.

"You're actually doing it?"

"It's as good as done already," Castiel affirmed. The way Dean's face lit up made everything worth it. "They've already confirmed my leave time to spend it with you," he added.

"Good," Dean said with a grin. "I don't think we'll be leaving the house for a few days, leave or not." Castiel let out a laugh at Dean's words.

"You're insatiable, love. But I'll love it, every second." It wasn't long before they were both finished, and Castiel stood. "Let's get you back to your room. We can pick out frames tomorrow, before you come home."

"Wait, I get to go home tomorrow? No one told me that," he complained.

"It was a surprise," Castiel hummed as he laced his fingers with his husband's. "Chuck told Sam, who told me when I called to let him know I was getting in today. He said I could give you that information."

"I can't wait," he breathed, pleased. "I can't wait to see all our pictures... And the wedding video. I love how it looks on you... I made the right choice."

"Yes, you did," Cas confirmed. "It's my favorite thing to wear."

"They've made me keep mine off while I'm in here, in case they need to run tests on anything." Dean pouted a little as he squeezed Castiel's fingers, stepping out of the way of an orderly coming behind them. "I've looked at it every night before I fall asleep, though. It's beautiful."

"It looks even better on your finger," Castiel teased. The night continued in much the same fashion - love-filled teasing, kisses, and breathless promises until Dean started falling asleep, propped up against Castiel's shoulder.

"Get some sleep, love," Cas murmured quietly, running his fingers over Dean's scalp. "I'll be here tomorrow."

"Don't want you to go," he whispered in response. He curled his fingers in his husband's shirt, pressing his face against his side as he peered up at him with half-lidded eyes.

"I'll stay until you fall asleep," Castiel promised his husband. "I won't let you go."

"Okay," Dean whispered, reluctantly nodding against Castiel's shoulder. "I love you."

"I love you too, baby." Castiel smiled, pressing a kiss to Dean's forehead. "Get some rest."

Dean hummed quietly, closing his eyes and letting himself drift off against Castiel's side, the soft sound of his breathing comforting him.

When he woke the next morning, Dean was pleased to see Cas sleeping in the overly-stuffed chair by the bedside. Opening his eyes every morning was an experience now, and Dean reveled in it, especially when he was greeted by sights like that of his husband's face. "Hey, angel," he whispered, sitting up and putting his legs over the side of the bed to move closer. He leaned close, pressing a soft kiss to Castiel's lips.

"Mmm... Dean? Morning, baby." Castiel smiled as he started waking up, leaning up to return the kiss with a soft one of his own. "You look like you slept well."

"You look like you didn't. That chair can't be comfortable, angel..."

"Worth it, though," Castiel assured him. "What time is it?"

"Eh... Probably about nine? That's when I normally wake up. Well, lately anyway. Since I've been here."

"That's true. Normally you're up with the birds... or me, rather. But you needed it. You're still getting used to using those pretty eyes of yours," he teased.

Dean laughed, shaking his head. "You're horrible," he joked in response, pressing another kiss to his husband's lips. "Should we go get breakfast? Or do you think they'll make me wait until a nurse brings some food up?"

"Mmm. I think we should wait... and make some use of that bed of yours. I want to hold you," Castiel murmured. "Food can wait."

"Mmm... okay," Dean hummed in response, pulling Castiel to his feet and walking backwards until his knees hit the bed. He sat swiftly, tugging Castiel with him and pressing a kiss to the man's lips. "I never thought I'd be able to see you," Dean whispered as he pulled his legs onto the bed once more, moving over so that there was room for his husband by his side. "This is like my greatest wish come true. Almost like... You remember that comic, Daredevil, right? Sammy would read it out to me. And he was given back his sight for a really short time. Instead of going to see his girlfriend, he wanted to see the face of his best friend before he lost his sight again. Well, for me, that... I'd wanted to see your face. If I could get my sight back for just a moment, I'd want to see you. And, well... I'm glad that it's not just a moment."

There was a glisten to Castiel's eyes telling Dean that he had clearly struck a chord, and he wiped the tears away from his cheeks before they could fall. "I love you too, baby," Castiel murmured, pressing a kiss to Dean's forehead before hugging him close. "I love you so much." Blue eyes locked with green, green that could finally see, and all was well.