Castiel released Dean from the deep kiss, and in one smooth movement brought his friend back to standing. It took a few moments for Dean to reorient himself, to stop the world from spinning. He fixed his gaze on Castiel. His angel's eyes had returned to their normal, steely blue, glow all but gone. Dean smoothed his hands down Castiel's arms to his angel's hands and stayed there. The action sent a shiver of pleasure through them both. Castiel's glorious wings had disappeared. All that remained was his wild-haired, disheveled friend in shirt sleeves and trousers, a secret smile on his face.
Castiel could hear Sam whistling from the roof, but he did not need to hear it to know he had done well. Adulation imbued Dean's face with a softness Castiel had never seen before. It was not just that Dean's guard was down; Dean's guard had been razed to the ground, annihilated by Castiel's gesture.
Castiel suddenly felt self-conscious, contained within his vessel, no longer rare or special. His confidence began to retreat, and he broke eye contact. He squeezed Dean's hands.
"Cas, hey…" started Dean softly, "look at me." Castiel brought his eyes back up and Dean locked him into a serious gaze. "You still with me, pal?"
"Yes," he replied, low and soft. "Always."
Dean released Castiel's hands and brought them up his shoulders. "Tell me what you're thinking, Cas."
"I…" Castiel paused. "I am thinking that I must seem diminished now. That you are disappointed you can no longer see me." His eyes shifted down again.
Dean stepped forward to wrap his arms securely around Castiel, bodies pressing against one another, and he heard a sharp intake of breath. He felt his angel shudder ever so slightly. Dean leaned in and rested his chin on Castiel's shoulder and murmured, "Cas, I CAN see you. I can always see you." With that, Dean turned his head slightly and left a small, soft kiss on Castiel's neck just below his ear, and whispered, "Angel, you're beautiful, now and always." He slid his cheek along Castiel's until they were forehead to forehead again, causing Castiel to sigh softly. "I'm an idiot for not telling you that sooner," Dean said with a wince.
Castiel's eyes moistened. He cleared his throat. "Dean," he said in a low voice heavy with desire, "I believe Sam is still watching us."
Dean pulled his head back slightly and looked Castiel in the eye. "Yeah, well, he can enjoy the show all he wants," Dean said in a haughty tone. "That isn't going to bother me ever again."
"Perhaps," Castiel growled, "he may not continue to enjoy the show." His blue eyes flashed mischievously.
Dean's eyes widened. He swallowed and nodded. With a wave of his hand, Castiel silenced the engine of the Impala. He wrapped his arms around his human's waist, and suddenly they vanished with a whoosh of feathers and static.
Sam stood on the roof of the bunker, smile on his face, lamenting the fact that he had no one to high-five.