The next days Sam didn't have many more dreams. It seemed Jess chased them away, when she felt his breath hitch or his heart speed up in his sleep, she would simply wrap her arms around him or run a hand through his hair until he calmed down. If it was really bad and Jess couldn't call his down, she would either text, call, or get up and get Dean to sit by Sam under he was sleeping peacefully again.

As for Cas and Dean, the nightmares of what had happened to them separately and together in the past still plagued them once and a while; less frequently but still vivid and terrible. Usually it was Dean waking up with tears running down his face and Cas, leaning over him, waiting to reassure him that they weren't in Eden or Purgatory or anywhere else for that matter. It was a start, a slow beginning to what would be years of healing.

Two weeks after Sam's nightmare, Cas emerged from his and Dean's shared bedroom. It was early, a Thursday, beautiful weather. Sam and Jess were sitting close together, a folder between them, discussing color's for a wedding they had hardly planned- something they only ever planned before Dean was up or when he was out to save them the trouble of him leaning over them like a child tugging on his parents pants.

"Hey Cas," Sam said, looking up. "It's early."

The Angel wore Dean's clothes because, even after the weeks he had spent with them, Dean had yet to take him shopping. The shirt and pants were just a bit too large for him and his hair was missed from sleep. "I hope I am not intruding," he said, voice still a bit slurred from sleep.

"Oh not at all," Jess said, grinning brightly at him. "Something up?"

"I was hoping to take this up with Sam," Cas answered bluntly.

Jess's eyes widened. "I can leave."

"No!" Both Sam and Cas exclaimed.

She sat back in the chair that she had started to leave. "Okay," she said. "Cas, what is it?"

"I plan to make to Heaven later today but since this seems to be an ideal opportunity I thought it might be best not to miss it." Cas fidgeted awkwardly

"Opportunity for what?" Sam asked slowly. "Cas?"

Cas fidgeted even more. "I wanted permission."

Jess let out a soft breath that sounded like an 'oh' of realization.

Sam sighed. "Jess? What am I missing out on?" She didn't answer, just smiled down at her lap. "Cas, you needed my permission for what?"

The next words came out in a rush, sounded unbidden and ridden with worry. "I was going to ask Dean to marry me."

Sam froze. "What?" The word was strangled, mangled by emotion. "Cas..."

"If it is not okay with you I will not ask." Cas looked down, large blue eyes looking crestfallen, thinking Sam disapproved.

"No, no, Cas!" Sam exclaimed. "I am completely fine with that, believe me. You want to ask him, go ahead!" He stood up and quickly and unexpectedly hugged the Angel.

Cas relaxed after a moment. "Thank you."

"No problem. Oh my God, Cas!" Sam laughed out loud. "Do you have a ring?"

"Yes," Cas said softly. "I got it three days ago."

"Can I see it?" Jess asked eagerly.

Cas ducked his head, cheeks reddening. "I think I would like to give it to Dean first."

"Oh," this time Jess blushed. "That's...of course, sorry. Do you know when you'll give him it?"

"Tonight, I think," Cas said softly, glancing down the hall at the door to their room. "Here, in the Bunker."

"Shit," was all Sam could say. "Shit, Cas. Shit."

"Is that alright?" he asked worriedly.

"Of course," Sam said with a smile. "I'm going to record that and show it to Bobby and my parents, if that's alright."

"Alright." Cas's lips twitched upwards, making Sam realize how odd it was to have the Angel's smile directed at him. Usually, the only times Cas smiled was when he was watching or listening to Dean.

"Cas?" came a voice from the hallway, heavy with sleep but alert. Jess shoved the planning book under the table as Dean emerged into the room.

"Hello Dean," Cas said with an easy smile. It disturbed Sam just how easily Cas played this. "How are you?" He walked over to Dean, letting the older Winchester lean on him affectionately.

"'m fine," Dean said, rubbing a hand over his face. "You?"

"I'm fine," Cas answered. "Just couldn't sleep."

"Heya Sammy," Dean said, glancing around the room. "Hey Jess."

"Morning, Dean," Sam strode over to his brother. "You look like crap," he observed.

Dean mumbled something under his breath before saying, "yeah, you look like a princess," with large amounts of sarcasm.

"Need coffee?"

"You have some?" Dean asked.

Seemingly out of nowhere, Sam produced a cup of coffee. "Here."

"Firstly, where the hell did that come from? Secondly," Dean took a large swallow of the coffee, "you are my favorite brother."

"I'm your only brother," Sam pointed out, grinning when he caught Jess's eye.

"You get the gist," Dean said, gesturing with his free hand while he held the thermos in the other.

"Whatever you say." Sam turned away, pulling Jess with him. "Jess and I need to talk." They left the room, leaving Cas and Dean alone.

"How'd you sleep?" Cas asked softly, gazing at the human.

"No nightmares, if that's what you mean," Dean said, sipping his coffee. "You?"

"I wasn't that tired," Cas said softly. "I hope I didn't worry you by being gone."

Dean smiled and kissed him gently. "Only for a minute," he whispered into Cas's lips.

Cas laughed a little, a beautiful sound that reminded Dean how much he loved that sound. Cas had laughed and smiled so much more than he had ever before and, still, Dean never got tired of his his eyes crinkled and his entire face changed to fit the laugh. "Good," Cas said. "I love you."

I love you. It was another thing that took time getting used to and sometimes Dean still stumbled over the words. Before he had said those words to two people. Sam and his mother, Sam only when he was a baby or when he was asleep after Dean had sold his soul. His mother he was sure he had it to a few times when he was a kid, but Cas, Cas was different. The words felt different, more meaningful. They were meant to be perceived as, well, love; sexual and romantic, not family. Sometimes Dean couldn't say the words back, couldn't make himself say them. Cas never pressured him to say it, just kissed him gently and said he understood, sincere.

"I love you too," Dean managed, the words caught in his throat.

"You never need to say that," Cas answered, catching the strangled sound. "Never to me."

Dean didn't reply, just smiled slightly and went to make eggs. Cas watched him, hand curling around the small white box in his sweatpants pocket, butterflies rising in his stomach. I love you, he thought, watching Dean crack the eggs and carelessly throw the shells into the sink. By God, I love you.