Dean stared at the angel on the quiet riverbank. He was surprised at how easily Cas could fish. After buying some cheap line and hooks, Cas had taken two large sticks and fashioned fishing poles out of them. Then he had dug in the dirt for bugs and worms, baiting the hooks. He and Dean had cast into the river, and lazily enjoyed the summer evening.

"Cas, I haven't gone fishing like this since I was a little kid," Dean said. "Dad used to take us."

"I remembered you telling me about it. I find it quite peaceful," Cas said.

Dean glanced over at Cas. He was laying back on the grass, looking at the afternoon sky. He seemed too peaceful to be human. Which, Dean reminded himself, he wasn't. But there was something about the way he looked that made Dean's heart flutter. He quickly looked away.

"Got a bite!" Dean said as his pole bowed forward.

He quickly lifted it out of the water to reveal a good-sized bass. He beamed at his catch, and set to work to release it. Cas smiled softly. The hunter had a soft side after all. Cas gazed back up at the sky, feeling at peace with the world, and everything above and below it. But he knew Dean would want him to return to Heaven, and he truly didn't know if he wanted to any more.

"What's wrong? You look like someone died," Dean asked.

"The same problem as before. I do not wish to return to Heaven if it means leaving you," Cas said.

Dean felt warmth creep up his face. He had managed to avoid this discussion so far, but Cas looked so upset. He went and lay down next to him in the grass. At least this way, he wouldn't have to have this conversation while looking him in the eyes…his big, blue eyes.

"I will miss you again, and I would rather not," Cas continued.

"I know, man, I'll miss you too. But you're an angel, you belong in Heaven. You don't have to stay all the time. You can come visit anytime you want to. We always need some of your mojo on hunting trips," Dean said.

Cas sighed. The simple human action pulled at Dean's emotions.

"I feel like I don't want to be away from you at all. And if I become human, I won't have to be," Cas said.

This conversation was getting serious. Dean wasn't sure what he was feeling, but he wasn't ready for Cas to give up his angelic life for something Dean wasn't even sure about yet.

Cas seemed to sense Dean's racing thoughts. Slowly, afraid he may scare him off but not being able to stand it anymore, Cas reached over and took Dean's hand. This time, instead of pulling away quickly, Dean gave it a small squeeze. Cas grinned.

"You have a bite, Cas!" Dean jumped up and handed the rod to him.

Cas pulled in the line quickly to find a small bluegill on the line.

"You call that a fish? That's bait!" Dean laughed.

Cas laughed too. He felt light, carefree. Given the hell he had been through in his last few years on Earth, it felt amazing.

The sun began to set over the pair, who fished late into the evening, catching very few fish. But that didn't matter. All that mattered was the brief moment of quiet in the chaos, and they got to spend it together. Late in the evening, Dean turned to Cas.

"Thanks so much for this. It was good to relax without monsters for once," Dean said. "But we do need to go soon. We have a long day of driving tomorrow before we get to Vermont."

Cas and Dean stood. Cas stepped toward Dean, who suddenly felt the air catch in his lungs. The voice in his head doubting his feelings for Cas had suddenly gone silent.

"I have enjoyed this day too. We should do it again," Cas said, coming closer.

Dean stepped toward Cas as well.

"Yeah, yeah…maybe you will manage to catch a real fish, huh?" Dean asked with a shaky laugh.

Cas was close now. He knew not to initiate anything. It had to be Dean's choice.

"I thought my fish was fine. Maybe yours was a giant," Cas grinned.

Dean loved the look of glee on Cas' face. He slowly raised a hand and placed it on his cheek. Cas closed his eyes momentarily at the touch. Dean came closer. Cas could see every freckle on his face.

Slowly, almost as though he were afraid of doing so, Dean brought his lips down to meet Cas. Then they broke apart, looking at each other as though it were the first time.

Dean cleared his throat. Why was that the best first kiss he'd ever had?

"We should get back to the motel," he said with a slight smile.

The next moment, Dean had taken Cas' hand gently as they began to walk back to the car.

VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV

Dean called the shower first when they walked into the motel room. He felt like he needed some alone time to deal with the evening he had just had. He climbed into the warm water, feeling it splash down his back.

He had kissed Cas. There was no way around that. Cas had come toward him, sure, but it had been Dean who had started the kiss.

And it made freakin' fireworks go off.

Damn, what was he going to do? What did he even want to do? The answer was simple: he wanted Cas. He got out of the shower and toweled off before throwing on his bed clothes. He opened the bathroom door and saw Cas sitting on the bed.

"Your turn, if you want," Dean said.

But Cas sat quietly on the bed, and made no effort to move. Dean came around to look him in the eyes.

"Everything okay? I wasn't in the shower long enough to cause another stomach ache, was I?" Dean asked, trying to make a joke even though he was alarmed at Cas' condition.

"It's gone, Dean."

"What is?" Dean asked him.

"My Grace. It has gone. Watch," Cas said. He stood and placed a hand on Dean's forehead. Nothing happened. He made movement like he was trying to disappear. Nothing. He looked worried, but somewhat relieved.

"I am fully human now, Dean," he said.

"No…no, Cas. Man, you don't belong here. You're an angel."

Cas looked hurt.

"You don't want me here?" he asked, and sat back on the bed.

Dean couldn't stand it. He had had enough of Cas feeling weak. Dean knew he was far from a weak being.

"Castiel," Dean said suddenly.

Cas looked up at him.

"You heard me. Castiel, angel of Heaven, and the bravest, purest being I know. You will figure this out. We will find out what happened to your Grace. And after that, if you don't want to go back…" Dean said as he kneeled in front of Cas. "You never have to leave."

He kissed Cas fiercely, drawing a groan out of the angel-human-whatever he was. It didn't matter what he was. He was with Dean.

Cas and Dean had leaned back on the bed when a sudden ringing jarred their thoughts back to reality. Dean answered the phone, and heard his brother's voice.

"Where the hell are you two?"