The group had spent the Friday before the Derby enjoying the lavish Kentucky Oaks affair. Each person wore some sort of pink as was tradition on the day of the fillies. The Oaks was what most fillies strived for, but Lazarus had achieved greater. Gabriel had picked up some mounts from other farms for the day, and although he did not win every race he did exceptionally well overall adding to his already polished record. Dean had such a good time with his brother, Jess, and Castiel drinking bourbon and casually watching races that his nerves of the day to come had completely disappeared.

But now, as he stood in the aisle way that led to the track at Churchill Downs, there was no excitement and smiles. There was no carefree spirit riled within him. But there was also no fear in which he had come to expect. Instead, there was a sense of contentment. The first Saturday in May was cool enough that Dean was thankful for his sport coat, his breaths showing just barely in the morning air. Fog had settled densely around the track, the sun just starting to peek over the distant horizon. Sucking in the crisp air Dean closed his eyes and took in the moment he may never get again. In a few hours this placed would be full to the brim with women in their huge hats and sundresses, and alive with the spirit of mint juleps and My Old Kentucky Home.

Every horse, every race, every win, and every loss. It all lead to this instant right here under the shadows of the looming Twin Spires.

There was unexpected warmth that engulfed Dean in the midst of his thoughts, and Castiel was right there with him. "You should at least eat something this morning. It's going to be a very long day."

Dean gave a nod, his stomach letting out a growl in approval of the statement. "Yeah, ok."

Castiel sucked in a breath and buried his cheek against Dean's back. They looked one-in-the-same, both wearing tan coats and blue ties although the shade of Dean's outfit was darker. The frames of his glasses dug somewhat into Dean's skin as he nuzzled up against him, but Dean hardly seemed to mind. "Charlie said she looks great this morning. She's eating well and seems very alert. She's going to be amazing Dean. You are going to be amazing."

"I feel good, Cas," Dean admitted as he leaned back into the smaller man's embrace. "I just feel like something awesome is going to happen here today."

Castiel gave Dean a kiss on the cheek and took hold of his hand. "Come on. Breakfast. And I need coffee or I'm going to be grumpy the entire day."

Dean chuckled, "Well we wouldn't want that now would we?"

People arrived by the busload to Churchill Downs. Bourbon was being poured in healthy amounts by 9 am to the masses as they wasted no time in starting the day long celebration. News crews were everywhere, with the majority of the attention on Lazarus who had quickly become the talk of the entire Derby, even if the betters seemed to still favor Morningstar. Posters were made by the infield crowd downing Lazarus's name for the world to see.

Journalists were quick to hound Castiel and Dean both whenever they were seen together about their relationship, but Castiel was always swift to respond with satisfying enough comments to have them on their way to something far more interesting within a few moments. Dean was extremely grateful for it, and met with Sam and Jess in the stands to sit back and enjoy the first few races before the 6:24 post time.

/*/

Gabriel was a successful jockey by all standards. He has won a lot of money and races over the years in several grade stakes, but not once had he been on a mount in the Derby. He'd be a liar if he said he wasn't nervous. His decisions while riding Lazarus for those two minutes could mean winning and losing, and his and Dean's entire careers.

"Well, well," a voice purred from Gabriel's right that sent tremors up the jockey's spine. An older man took a seat next to him, his body extremely thin and ghastly. "Here we are, smelling roses."

Gabriel gave a snort as he pulled the white Under Armour top over his head. "The only one that's going to be smelling roses by the end of the day is me, Alistair." There wasn't much that freaked Gabriel out, but the jockey sitting next to him was unquestionably one of those things.

Alistair gave a cluck of his tongue. "Drawing the first post was merely a setback. Morningstar will power right past your silly filly and send you back into oblivion."

"Rising. Her name is Lazarus Ris-ing," Gabriel growled condescendingly. "That means she goes up, not down, moron. Pretty sure you are the one riding the fallen angel, asshat."

Alistair gave a low chuckle as he recited, "And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads."

Gabriel rolled his golden eyes. If quoting scripture was how they were going to play, "Hark!" He jumped up and held his hands up high, "I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news;" He leaned in with a grin upon his face so that he was mere millimeters from his opponent. "We are gonna kick your ass."

There was an eruption of laughter and cheers from the other jockeys in the locker. Alistair glowered and a threatening growl rumbled in his throat, but he offered up no retaliation as he up and left. One of the other jockeys, a small but fit Asian boy offered his hand to Gabriel and shook it firmly.

"It's an honor to finally be in the presence of the famous Loki," he smiled. "That was cool what you did with Alistair. He's been a dick all morning."

"Weh-hell," Gabriel grinned as he puffed out his chest, "what can I say? Trickster at your service. You're Kevin Tran, right? They call you the Prophet because you're really good at predicting races."

Kevin laughed and gave a detached shrug, "I can tell you I don't make my living by being a jockey, that's for sure. I know Tiger isn't going to win, but it's been one heck of a ride getting here. Even though we all want our horses to win, we're all pulling for you."

"Yeah," Gabriel nodded as he crossed his arms, "I'm kind of pulling for me, too." He gave the kid a smile, "Good luck, kiddo. Keep your cool out there."

Kevin nodded firmly, "Thanks, I'll try."

"In the meantime," Gabriel reached in his locker for a writing pad and a pen, "Why don't you tell me who to put my money on?"

As time grew closer, the air in the locker room grew thicker and on edge. Cameras were filming, adding to the nervousness felt by the novices. Gabriel was good at keeping his cool in the face of the media, but he agreed that it was distracting. His eyes were on the television screen that was broadcasting the NBC stream of the Derby. They were finishing up the documentary on Lazarus.

"Obviously people wanted to make a big deal of it," Castiel spoke on screen. "Dean is my trainer and in that aspect I am his boss. It doesn't matter what industry you are in, that kind of romantic relationship is going to be frowned upon. But, Dean and I have never followed the rules, not completely. Our business relationship is - well - just that. I have always considered Dean my equal in the business. We are partners in every way.

All three of us were in dark places before we found each other. Since the day she was born, everyone was telling Lazarus she wasn't good enough before they ever saw her run. She would never win because she was a filly. Dean was known to everyone in the industry as a curse because of his ongoing bad luck and many could not separate him and his father. And then there was me, a mere historian who inherited a business I knew absolutely nothing about.

I spent days on the phone trying to find a trainer who would work the farm after Anna died, and I was always received with laughter and a hang-up when I told them I wanted Lazarus to be a Derby contender. Dean was the only trainer who wanted to take up the challenge. He was in truth quite excited about taking on the challenge, and he was always so willing to help teach me the industry. Without Dean I don't think my sister's legacy would have made it a month after her passing. I owe him everything."

There was warmth that crept its way into the very soul of Gabriel as Castiel spoke those last words. Of course he had had his doubts about Dean and Castiel as a couple, and just Dean as a trainer in general, but here they all were. "I'm going to make you proud, little bro," he muttered to himself proudly as he placed his helmet on his head and grabbed his saddle. It was time.

The jockeys lined up for the final weigh in that would greet them by the track immediately upon exiting the locker room onto the field. As he grew closer to the light at the end of the tunnel the cheers grew louder and wilder. Clutching the saddle to his chest he stepped out onto the field, thousands of people waving at him and calling his name as he went to step up on the scale. Gabriel could barely hear anything over the feral thumping of his own heart, and he hardly registered the man waving him off the scale and towards the paddock.

Mercifully, the sight of Dean, Castiel, and Charlie settled next to Lazarus at the paddock drew him back to his senses. Every inch of the railing to the paddock was occupied by spectators waiting to see their favorite pick walk down the alley to the track. Gabriel often felt small amongst others, because he was, but at that moment he felt exceptionally insignificant.

Dean clasped the jockey's shoulder and gave it a reassuring squeeze, "You ready?"

"Ha!" Gabriel laughed, the trickster in him shoving away his fears and doubts, "I was born ready, baby."

Dean's mouth twitched in delight as he took the saddle from Gabriel and placed it on Lazarus's back, leaving Charlie to finish securing it. Crossing his arms he let his face twist far more serious. "Wendigo and Jus in Bello are going to take to the early lead. Don't let Bello get too much of a lead, though, because he does have the ability to pull away if you don't keep the gap close. Devil's Trap loves to come from behind, so make sure he doesn't have a way to get through the pack." Biting at his lip Dean shoved his hands in his pockets nervously. "Just because Morningstar drew the first doesn't mean he isn't a serious threat. Alistair is going to try and take the hole before you do. You can't let him, Gabriel. If he finds it before you do, it's back to the pit with us."

"RIDERS UP!"

Gabriel's heart jumped. The time was now. The jockeys at the front began mounting their horses and the parade to the track began. A voice in the man's head was crying out 'Wait! I'm not ready!' as Charlie lead Lazarus out of the stall and Dean was suddenly hoisting him up and onto Lazarus's back.

"I would wish you luck, but you would only tell me you don't need it," Castiel smiled as he marched alongside the filly.

"Well, luck is about ten percent of it," Gabriel gave a shrug to which Castiel retorted with a squint and a tilt of his head. Gabriel's eyes rolled back in his head in frustration. "The song, Cassie? You know, ten percent luck, twenty percent skill, fifteen percent concentrated power of will?"

Castiel thought about it, but then shook his head. "I don't understand that reference."

"Don't worry about it, Cas, rap is terrible music anyways," Dean said.

Between the concise moment of friendly banter Gabriel had almost forgotten he was even on the back of a horse until the sounds of the bugler filled his ears and the crowd blew up. Lazarus was no longer being led by Dean and Charlie, but instead by the lead horse snuggled up close against the racehorse. Gabriel's grip on the reins tightened as the horses were led onto the track and then there was a hush that fell over the track before their voices rang out in song.

"The sun shines bright on my old Kentucky home

Tis summer, the darkies are gay

The corn top's ripe and the meadow's in bloom

While the birds make music all day."

It was embarrassing, really, the urge Gabriel felt to cry during this moment. Every jockey dreamt of hearing those words sung as they rode out onto the track, and it had become a reality for him today.

"Weep no more my lady

Oh, weep no more, today

We will sing one song for the old Kentucky home

For the old Kentucky home far away."

The singing turned back into cheers as the twenty horses of the field were paraded around. It was almost just too much for the jockey to handle until swiftly they began trotting, and then there was a sense of urgency and focus that overcame Gabriel. Before he knew it all he could hear was the snorts of Lazarus and the horses around them as they made it around the track towards the starting gates. Because of the filly's extreme dislike of sitting and waiting, he was one of the last to be loaded into the gate.

As the gate assistants shoved the filly into place and the metal locked in behind them, time seemed to stop around Gabriel. His breaths were exceedingly loud in his ears as he gripped the bay's mane forcefully.

The sound of the bell would echo in his mind for months to come.

Gabriel felt himself dive forward out of the gate and the thunder of hooves erupted into a powerful chorus. The pack began to settle after a few seconds, and Lazarus found herself sitting far too close to the back for Gabriel's comfort. But there was some relief feeling the filly beneath him whispering 'trust me' as they settled in fourth from the rear along the stretch. Morningstar was only a few horses in front of them.

He was definitely not used to being this far in the back, dirt flying up into his face at every chance. Reaching up with his left hand he dragged down a pair of goggles to clear his vision. Lazarus switched her lead under him as they started into the first turn. Gabriel kept her exactly where she was, not making any moves as they rounded into the backstretch. Lazarus's ears were pricked forward and her breathing was nice and relaxed. Gabriel felt ready to explode to full gears as they started into the turn for home. He asked her for a little more, the filly happy to oblige as they passed their first horse, and then another, and one more.

Tugging at another set of goggles he took in his surroundings hastily. Morningstar was just a head in front of him, and Alistair was uptight with waiting looking for his move. Lazarus switched leads once more and she began chomping at the bit, pulling at the reins Gabriel held in his hands. The filly was telling him to move. The jockey gave the horse beneath him the reins and she sprung into a new speed.

As they reached the end of the turn towards the home stretch Gabriel saw his hole open up to the outside. Pulling on the right rein and digging in his heels he urged the filly to slip through the gap before it closed. He could feel his foot brush against the flank of the horse next to him as he squeezed through into the home stretch. With a brief look over his shoulder he saw that the hole had closed before Morningstar could make it through.

Every horse was opened up, jockeys demanding the fastest possible speed they could get from their mounts. A flash of panic filled Gabriel as he realized there were just too many horses still in front of him. "Come on, Lazarus! We have to do this!" Gabriel gave the whip two flicks in the filly's eyesight and she surged forward with a new found strength along the outside.

Lazarus's hooves pounded against the earth, breaths coming heavy as she ran faster and faster towards the finish line. As the end grew near, Gabriel suddenly realized there was no one around him. Turning his head he calculated the closest horse was over four lengths away and losing ground. By the time he twisted his head around the words 'FINISH LINE" were staring him straight in the face.

"Dean! Dean! She won! She-,"

Dean cut Castiel off with a furious kiss, arms wrapped around his waist and lifting him off the ground in joy. When he broke away from his lover Sam and Jess both were on him with huge grins congratulating him. He took Castiel's hand in his own, "We won!"

"Yes," Castiel smiled, eyes beaming with pride, and gave Dean another kiss, "Now let's go claim our prize."

Dean nodded fiercely in excitement, "Come on sasquatch, you and Jess can come, too!"

The four of them were escorted out onto the track and led towards the infield where the trophy presentation took place. They were already draping the blanket of roses over Lazarus's back and handing Gabriel his bouquet to take the winner's photo. Gabriel waved his helmet in the air to the roaring cheers of the crowd as the photos were snapped and the horse was handed off to Charlie and a track assistant to get cleaned up. Dean, Castiel, Sam, and Jess gathered at the top of the pedestal where the trophy sat, the governor of Kentucky and several news teams awaiting them.

"Alright, Tom, here with me is the chairman and CEO of Churchill Downs, Bob Evans, as is the Governor of the Commonwealth Kentucky Steve Beshear," the newscaster for NBC began, "They will make the presentation of the trophy to the owner Castiel Novak." The news anchor turned the microphone over to the Governor.

"Rich, there are a lot of great horse races in the world, but the Kentucky Derby is absolutely the greatest," The old governor grinned, "And we've got a great trainer in Dean Winchester, and we've got a great owner in Castiel Novak, and we have a great jockey in Gabriel Novak. But most of all, we have a great horse in Lazarus Rising." With glee the governor reached forward towards the trophy and picked it up in his wrinkled hands, offering it to Castiel who took it with the brightest of smiles. "Congratulations!" The cheers from the stands echoed loudly.

Governor Beshear stepped out of the way so that Rich could tilt the microphone towards Castiel. "How are you feeling right now?"

Castiel let the trophy settle against his chest as he began, "Lucky. Extremely and incredibly lucky. This is a time for me to reflect on how lucky I've been to have such a terrific trainer and partner in Dean Winchester. He has done everything the right way with this horse and never once let the criticism of his peers affect his work. You would hear people say how Dean's time had come and gone and that he was a curse, but Dean was the only one who saw the potential in Lazarus that my late sister Anna had. He proved that she could do it, and I cannot thank him enough for being a part of my life in more ways than one."

"Well, congratulations to you both in both racing and your personal life! Now we have John with jockey and trainer," Rich took a step back to let his co-anchor take over.

"Alright, Rich, here with Gabriel Novak, brother to Castiel Novak. Now, Gabriel, when you first took Lazarus out of the gate back in her maiden race at Belmont, she was a mess. She still won her maiden race, but how has she changed since that rocky first start?"

"Lazarus has always had that fire," Gabriel began, his face clean from the dirt and a baseball cap now on his head. "When she was just starting she had so much of it she just couldn't control it, and now she has. I've never had to question her heart and desire to win. To be honest, I was worried as we settled in out of the gate and were in the back. It wasn't a position we had ever found ourselves in, but Lazarus was so relaxed. I had to believe that she would tell me when she was ready to move, and she did. Lazarus knows how to play the game almost better than I do, and so really the hardest thing for me to do as a jockey riding her is letting her take control."

"Congratulations, she made all the right decisions today. And you, Dean!" John squeezed his way in so that the cameras were now focused on Dean. "There was not a single owner that would hire you, and you were indeed labeled a curse amongst the racing world, not having a winning horse in over two years. Lazarus won all seven of her starts before today, and now she has beaten the colts in the Derby. What do you think changed?"

There was an explicit hesitation given by Dean before his green eyes locked with blue and he responded simply "Cas. Castiel gave me and Lazarus both the chance that nobody else would. You know, not every horse can be a winner, no matter who the trainer is. But some horses never get the chance to prove themselves. Lazarus and I were both begging for people to give us a chance, and Castiel did." Castiel was looking at him with glazed eyes and something powerful tugged at his heart, urging him to say the words he had yet to find the courage for. "No one has ever done more for me than Cas, and for it, I love him." Castiel's eyes grew wide and Dean reached for the trophy from his arms and held it back in the general direction of his brother and Jess. "I love you, Cas." Not even sure if anyone had indeed taken possession of the trophy he lunged forward and took Castiel into a fierce kiss.

There were whistles and catcalls from the crowd and the anchors knew this was the best ending they could ask for. "Congratulations to you all, and we look forward to seeing you in Baltimore!"

Dean could not stop saying those three words the rest of the night. He spoke them during continued interviews, during the celebration at Churchill Downs, and then the after party at the bars. He whispered them lovingly into Castiel's skin as he let their bodies fall onto the mattress of their hotel room.

They scrambled at each other's clothing between kisses eager to touch skin. Castiel hooked his legs around Dean's and flipped them so that he was on top once they were both naked. "I love you so much, Dean. So much."

"I love you, too, baby," Dean breathed into his mouth as they continued to kiss. Dean fucked Castiel slowly and intimately that night, taking in every thrust as if it would be his last, whispering sweet things into his lover's ear with every snap of his hips.

They fell asleep with the smell of roses filling the air.