Author's note: Hello my readers! I know we don't get to chat much, but thank you so much for all your feedback! This is technically the last chapter, but of course what's a God Ships Destiel story without a bonus epilogue? Stay tuned ;)

Castiel was floating, caught somewhere between alive and dead, conscious and unconscious. The last thing he remembers is seeing Dean, with a shallow cut on his neck but blessedly alive. So that was good. Castiel tried to focus, but everything was fuzzy, and his Grace was unsettled in his vessel, as though checking for any remaining contaminants. He wished it would settle down so he could see and hear properly. Voices were beginning to emerge from the static, some old conversations and some new. Perhaps his life was flashing before his eyes. A few voices were sharper, perhaps that was what he should concentrate on.

"What did you do, you moron?" Castiel heard his brother's voice. He didn't like the panic he heard in it, but it was nice to hear regardless. He had so little angelic family left that didn't want him dead.

"You said it would burn out the ghost, Gabriel!" And there was Sam. Castiel remembered then the angel blade Sam had been forced to stab him with. While the wound in his chest was uncomfortable, Castiel was grateful. He knew the choice had been difficult for his friend.

"A freakin' papercut would have done the job just fine!" Yes, that was true.

"You said you could fix him, now fix him!" Dean. Dean was here. Castiel did his best to relax. Even in semi-consciousness he could feel Gabriel's power burning like a small sun. He trusted his brother. He trusted Dean.

"Outta my way Dean, I'm doing my best, now move." Dean should really listen to Gabriel.

"Cas! Cas, don't you dare clock out on me. I need you here." I need you too, Castiel thought to himself.

"Get out of the way Dean." A cool stream of power poured into Castiel's chest, and he felt his Grace begin to settle.

Cas was asleep. Dean didn't like it. Gabriel had said he was gonna be fine, his system was just rebooting or some shit, but the fact was that Castiel, Angel of the Lord was cradled in Dean's arms in the back seat of the Impala, unconscious. Dean kept a hand against Cas' heartbeat, letting the steady rhythm calm him as the leftover adrenaline faded from his bloodstream. Cas was gonna be okay. Sam was okay. They were going home.

"Cas I swear to God when you wake up we're fucking until it registers on the goddamn Richter scale," Dean whispered as he buried his face in Castiel's hair, chest aching with relief.

"If that was meant as an enticement for me to regain consciousness, it was very effective." Dean looked down, and sure enough, there was a pair of bright blue eyes looking back, tired but alive, with not a gold flame in sight.

"Hey," Dean breathed, all the air suddenly gone from his lungs.

"Hello Dean." Castiel smiled, and Dean suddenly got something in his eye, because he sure as hell wasn't crying.

"You scared the fuck outta me, man," he said gruffly, "Going off by yourself and getting possessed. It's like you never listened to a damn thing I taught you."

"My apologies," Cas offered. Dean responded by kissing him soundly. A subtle throat clearing from Sam in the driver's seat did little to lessen Dean's enthusiasm, but he toned it down for the sake of his little brother's mental health. As it was Dean had probably been a little rough when he handed Sam the keys, daring him to comment as he piled into the back seat with his angel.

"I hope you two realize I am never letting you go on a hunt by yourselves again," Sam said over his shoulder, "Clearly you weren't ready."

"Aw shut up Sammy, we had a handle on things."

"Oh so that's what that was. And here I thought you were tied to a chair about to be ritual sacrificed. Glad you're back, by the way Cas."

"Thank you Sam," Castiel said, "I'm glad I didn't do either of you any permanent damage."

"Nah, we knew it wasn't really you. Sorry about the angel blade in your chest," Sam said sheepishly.

"It's alright," Cas assured him, "It was for my own benefit. Though perhaps a shoulder hit would be preferable in the future."

"Yeah we ganked the bitch in the end, that's all that matters." Dean was surprised to see Cas glare at him with mild reproach.

"You shouldn't use offensive terms like that," Cas chided him softly. Dean rolled his eyes.

"Cas, it was a murdering fucking ghost. It almost killed you. I'm not gonna feel guilty for calling it names."

"True, but there is no need to insult its femininity. We hunted this creature because she'd intended to kill innocents, not because she was female."

Dean looked at Sam, expecting backup, only to see his brother shrug and nod in agreement.

"He's got a point," Sam told him. Dean scowled.

"Alright. Just get us home," he grumbled.

Castiel rested comfortably against Dean's chest as the thrum of the moving vehicle they were encased in massaged his vessel pleasantly. He cracked one eye open when he heard his brother's voice, but it became apparent that Gabriel was speaking mind to mind.

How ya holdin' up Castiel?

I am well Gabriel. Thank you for your help.

No big, bro. Don't get used to it.

I don't think I ever will.

Yeah well…this isn't just a check up call. We need to talk about what happened back there.

Castiel shifted minutely against Dean, brow furrowed.

What do you mean?

You were possessed. Telepath or no, I felt her burn out, and she shouldn't have been strong enough to get all up in a full powered angel.

Are you saying-

I'm saying I think you've been away from Heaven too long.

I am… Falling?

Not yet, as far as I can tell. But I'm no expert. It'd probably be a good idea to pop upstairs and have somebody take a look-

No. …I don't wish to return to Heaven. I have made my choice, brother. You know why.

I do. Just know what you're signing up for. Make sure he knows.

I will. Thank you Gabriel.

"Everything okay?" Castiel started, and realized Dean was looking down at him in concern. Castiel took a deep breath, releasing the tension Gabriel's words had put in his body, loosening the iron grip he had on Dean's t-shirt.

"Everything is fine," he assured his lover, "Just lost in thought."

"Okay," Dean eyed his brother in the driver's seat, making sure his attention was on the road before he spoke to Castiel again, more quietly, "I meant what I said earlier."

Castiel looked at Dean uncertainly, before he understood. We're fucking till it registers on the goddamned Richter scale.

"Oh." Castiel tried to keep his voice light, but his hands betrayed him, tightening their grip on Dean once more.

"Yeah," Dean breathed, "I mean, you know, if you still want to-"

"Yes!" Cas said, then calming himself, "Yes, I do. But only if you're sure you're ready. I can wait as long as you need." Dean laughed, and Castiel relaxed, knowing that was what Dean had needed to hear.

"When we get home," Dean continued, "Let me do a little research; wrap my head around the mechanics. Then…we'll take it from there. Alright?"

"Yes," Castiel affirmed, tracing the strong edge of Dean's jaw with a tired hand, "Perfect."

He let his hand rest back against Dean's chest and closed his eyes, content. Gabriel's words seemed a distant echo in his mind. Perhaps he was Falling, too slow to trace. So be it. He had a family here on Earth as well. Dean's arms tightened around his shoulders, and Castiel let himself rest as they trundled back to Lebanon.