A.N. I deserve nothing but hate. I'm ready for the tomatoes.

"So. I hear you and Cas got all cuddly last night." Dean didn't have to look to know Gabriel's face was split in a shit-eating grin the size of his overcompensating wings.

"What about it."

"Oh, nothing. Just wondering if you know what that means." Dean had a pretty good idea, and he'd been meaning to ask Gabriel anyway (once he figured out the best way to do it without sounding like an idiot). But he didn't like the tone in Gabriel's voice.

"You're gonna tell me anyway, so why don't we stop wasting our breath and get to it?" Dean retorted, finally turning to look at the archangel.

He'd been right, of course. Gabriel was looking at him with his Trickster grin firmly in place. But there was something in the angel's eyes that gave Dean pause. This was serious.

"You remember overhearing me talk about your soul's bond with Castiel's grace?"

Dean nodded, eyes narrowed. How could he forget? It was what had finally clued him into the sacrifice that Castiel had willingly made for him and his family.

"You said my soul fought Cas when he tried to raise me from Hell. And that he had to brand me with his grace to get me out."

Gabriel nodded, "And that was the reason you could only take Cassie's blood. Your soul wouldn't take anybody else's."

"Yeah, but we've already been over that, what's that got to do with what happened yesterday?" Dean hated it when the angels got cryptic. They beat around the bush for hours to tell you something that could've taken a few sentences to say.

"You and Castiel share a bond—"

"A profound bond, yeah. That's hardly news. Will you just get to the point?"

"Listen, you asshole," Gabriel stepped up to him, eyes lit up with irritation, "I'm trying to find a way to tell you this so you won't freak out. It's not as simple as you think."

"So stop beating around the bush and tell me." Dean challenged, meeting the archangel's eyes head on. Gabriel glared daggers at him for a long moment before giving in, his wings sagging slightly as he sighed.

"A bond like that between an angel and a human is what your people have come to describe as having a guardian angel." Gabriel explained, watching Dean closely for a reaction.

"Okay, and?" Seriously. Dean had already figured that one out months ago.

"And," Gabriel snapped, clearly not happy with his attitude, "A bond like that between two angels is different, okay?" The defensive tone made Dean frown.

"So you guys…"

"Have relationships, yeah. It happens." Dean would have found Gabriel's annoyance at the subject funny had it not been for the pinch of dread in his stomach.

"...But I thought you were all siblings."

"Come on, Dean. If you really wanted to get technical, you'd be my brother too." Gabriel rolled his eyes, "Angels have no parents per se. We can't give birth, so God is our father in a more direct way, especially for me and the other archangels. But that doesn't mean that we all see each other as siblings in the same way you humans do."

"But you—" Dean wasn't sure he liked where this was heading.

"Yeah, now, in my case, it's true. I do see them mostly as my younger brothers and sisters, but that's because I was raised to see them and care for them that way. I'm the big brother, the caretaker. The Messenger. Michael was the General. Raphael was the Healer. Lucifer was—" he shook his head, "Look, the point is, that not all angels see each other as siblings. Some think of themselves as friends, some as brothers in arms…" His eyes grew more serious as he stared right through Dean's own and into his grace. "And some come to care for each other in a way that's close to what humans would describe as lovers."

Dean gawked at the archangel, his grace swelling up in his chest as he tried and failed to deny what Gabriel was implying. "But I'm not—"

"If you say you're not gay, so help me Dad, I will slap you until your feathers fall off." Dean's mouth closed with a click, his eyes wide as he stared at Gabriel in disbelief, and what he wouldn't admit to himself to be fear. Seeing this, the archangel's eyes softened. "Dean," he sighed, "It's not what you think. I'm not telling you that what you're feeling will make you want to bone my brother," Dean grimaced. Way to sugarcoat it. "I'm trying to explain why your affection for him is becoming harder to ignore and avoid."

Dean swallowed thickly, thinking back to the night before and the unavoidable urge to keep Castiel close. But then, Cas had just been severely weakened by his fight with Raphael's fanboys. That was normal.

"I just wanted to keep him—"

"Safe. I know." Gabriel's voice had taken that softer tone he'd heard him use with the young angels in the house. "The truth is, beyond your nature as an archangel's vessel, your grace is a direct product of Castiel's. This goes beyond the definition of soul mates. No two angels in creation have been connected in the way you two are." Looking into the archangel's grace, Dean could tell there was a spark of fear for his younger brother in Gabriel's eyes. "I'm telling you so you understand the magnitude of this. Not even I can be sure of just what this will turn into. It's never happened before." There was almost a note of pleading in his voice as he said, "I just wanted you to know this…before you do or say anything that you'll regret."

Slowly, as he let the words sink in, Dean felt the knot in chest loosen. "Is this your way of telling me 'don't hurt my little brother or else'?"

The relief in Gabriel's eyes was practically another person in the room; a breathless laugh left the archangel as his wings sagged behind him. "Pretty much, yeah."

A chuckle escaped the hunter-turned-angel's lips, and Dean ran a hand through his hair. "Wow. Okay, so not what I was expecting when I thought about asking you."

"Liar." Gabriel snorted, a knowing look in his eyes.

"Don't you have some clean-up left to do upstairs?" Dean watched as that signature Trickster smile was drawn back on the archangel's face, shaking his head as Gabriel wriggled his eyebrows and disappeared in a gust of wind.

Thinking it wasn't a bad idea himself, Dean spread his wings and took flight.

He had some thinking to do.

"Sam?" The softness of Miel's voice snapped Sam out of his thoughts and made him turn around to face the angel. She was watching him from the doorway; head tilted in a familiar inquisitive way that made a small smile pull on Sam's lips. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," He nodded, making his smile widen with hopes of reassuring her. He should have known it wouldn't work on her. Her eyes narrowed slightly, and the angle of her head suddenly took on a challenging note. He chuckled. "Really. I'm just…thinking."

She arched an eyebrow, taking a step outside to join him in the porch. "About?"

His chest rose and fell as he heaved a heavy sigh, "I don't know…everything? These past few months…Everything that's changed." How much I've changed.

"Does this have anything to do with the fight from yesterday?" Miel approached him slowly, carefully studying his reaction. For some reason, it made Sam's smile soften, becoming more genuine.

"Actually, yeah. A little bit." His response was apparently everything Miel needed to close the distance between them and move to stand next to him. "I hadn't really channeled him bef—well. Not since Stull Cemetery. And that was…I don't know, different. This felt…bigger, like it was the only option." He searched her eyes, but she just waited patiently, lending an ear to his concerns. "Yesterday it was just…so easy. I didn't even really have to think about it, I just…It was like flipping a switch. Not even that!It just felt—" He floundered, trying to find the right words.

"Natural?" She offered, pulling a defeated breath out of the hunter.

"Yeah." He finally admitted, not quite ready to meet her eyes.

"You're worried you're turning into Lucifer?"

And there it was.

Just like that.

Dead on.

He didn't answer, but he could tell she knew that was exactly what he'd been thinking.

"I know it's probably hard to believe right now, after what happened yesterday," She said after a long moment, her voice quiet, "But you're nothing like him, Sam."

"Right, and the fact that the angels yesterday kept saying his name was just for kicks?" He snarked, not really meaning to snap at her, but too frustrated to censor his emotions.

"Your grace is a product of your connection to him as his vessel, and that makes them have a similar echo. But you have to remember that not many angels remember what Lucifer's grace was like before it became…tainted." There was that old sadness in her voice again, as she talked of the Fall. "Most chose to forget it because it was less painful that way. But I remember…and when I saw your grace, Sam," She turned bright blue eyes towards him, and Sam found himself lost in the light of their depths. "I saw Lucifer at first, yes, but it was the old Lucifer. The one before the Fall. Only later, I realized it was just…" she shrugged, a smile softening her features, "You. There's a reason you were chosen as Lucifer's vessel, Sam. You do share some similarities. But all I see when I look at you is the good that I saw in my brother back then."

When Sam could only stare at her like an idiot, she rolled her eyes a bit, a breath of a laugh charming his ears as she placed her hand on his chest. "You're full of love, Sam Winchester." Her smile widened, "And such a strong emotion can only empower your soul and grace." She wrinkled her nose playfully, tilting her head, "So, yes. A grace like yours is definitely scary when you get pissed."

"So you're saying—"

"I'm saying your love controls your power to the point that threatening those you care about will make it flare up from a calm sea to a raging maelstrom in no time." She shrugged, "It's a frightening thing to see. But also…reassuring." Her eyes softened, and her smile filled his chest with warmth, "You make us feel safe, Sam. You make me feel safe."

Suddenly, it was like the elephant sitting on his chest for the past weeks had stood up and left him alone. What was it with these angels…first Cas, now Miel. How did they know what to say?

"Thank you," He sighed, putting his hand over Miel's, pressing it closer to his heart. "Really, I—" He shook his head, smiling helplessly down at her, "Thank you."

A breath escaped her lips with the sound of laughter as she brought her free hand to his cheek, "Come on, big guy. You look exhausted." She smiled cheekily as she grabbed his hand and pulled him back into the house.

Sam found himself laughing as he let her lead him back into the safety of Bobby's home. And to some much needed sleep.

By the time Dean came back to Bobby's, it was already getting dark. He'd spent the better part of the day flying, from one nostalgic location to another, and then to places he'd only known from the short stories Cas told him of his search for God. He had to admit they were really…well, amazing sights. Breathtaking. It was no wonder Cas had looked for his father there. Deadbeat asshat.

As he appeared in the living room, he found the lights turned off, and looked around with a small frown. Where was everyone?

Turning to face the couch, he was greeted with a curious sight. At least he wasn't the only one cuddling with an angel in this house.

Dean smiled fondly, eyes soft as he watched his little brother sleep with Miel wrapped safely in his arms. Sam was such an octopus. There was no sleeping next to him without the getting the bear cuddle treatment. Miel herself looked pretty comfortable though, curled up like a cat next to him. Or over him. There really wasn't that much room on the old couch.

Taking a look around to check for witnesses, Dean took his phone out of his pocket and snapped a picture. Ha. Blackmail.

Big brother duties fulfilled, Dean left them both to their much-needed rest.

Now he just needed to find Cas.

Already he could feel his grace search for the angel's bright new soul, swelling almost painfully in his chest when it didn't find him inside the house. Glancing out the window, he felt a light tug in his soul and shook his head. Leave it to Cas to go take a walk outside at this time.

Using the time it took to get to the door to gather up his courage, Dean walked out of the house. As he stepped onto the dirt driveway, he was surprised to see it had started snowing.

Cas, you're gonna freeze out here.

Taking a long breath, Dean let the cold air soothe his lungs and started walking, trying to find his friend.

He was about to start calling out the sneaky angel's name when he found him. It was then that he remembered Cas had always liked the snow. It was hard to forget now, though, as he watched the figure sitting on one of the cars in the yard. The difference between now and back then was the absence of the trench coat in favor of a thick winter coat, and the dark blue scarf wrapped around Castiel's neck. The sight made Dean's eyes soften, that urge to protect and keep the angel warm resurfacing once again.

Knowing that if he stayed still much longer he'd find a way to talk himself out of this, Dean swallowed his excuses and walked over to Castiel.

It seemed like Cas had not felt him come, for once, as his eyes lit up with surprise upon seeing him, and that new human smile curled his lips up, warming Dean to his core.

Wow, man, you got it bad.

"Hello Dean." The familiar greeting made Dean smile. At least that had not changed. And Dean hoped it never would.

"Hey, Cas." He said as he joined him, pushing himself up to sit on the old car beside him. "It's getting cold, out here."

Castiel's smile widened as he turned to watch the snow once again, "I hadn't seen snow for some time." He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath, "I missed it."

Dean nodded, eyes still fixed on Castiel. "My brother and I used to have snowball fights here, when it snowed. The few Christmases that we stayed with Bobby." He recalled, finally turning to look at the thin layer of white that was covering the metal carcasses of the yard.

"Did you ever make snow angels?" The question took him by surprise, making him turn back to the angel with eyebrows raised. There was a spark of humor in Castiel's eyes as they met his, the corner of his lips betraying a smile.

Dean laughed.

"Yeah, actually." He grinned. "But back then I thought angels wore dresses and played the harp."

"Sorry to disappoint." Castiel chuckled, turning his eyes back to the snow, the blue still alight with mirth. Dean's smile softened. It was still strange to see Castiel laugh, but the hunter found he wouldn't mind hearing the sound more often. He moved closer to Cas, making their shoulders touch and unfurling a heavy wing to protect the weakened angel from the worst of the wind.

As though he could feel the feathers around him, Castiel leaned slightly more into him, losing some of the tension in his frame.

"Cas?" He glanced at him after a while, waiting for the angel's hum of response, "I talked to Gabriel, earlier."

Castiel blinked and turned to meet his eyes, "Is that why you left?" There was no accusation in the question, only curiosity and a tinge of concern as Cas tilted his head.

"Yeah." He hesitated, taking a moment to gather his thoughts, "He told me…" Goddamnit. "You remember when you told me about our p—" He was going to have to say it, wasn't he? "Profound bond?"

The curiosity in Castiel's eyes was now brightened by a spark of amusement as he raised his eyebrows slightly, "Yes?"

Right.

Dean cleared his throat. Out with it then.

"Gabe told me that it's…it's different, with both of us being angels now."

Realization dawned in Castiel's expression, and the curiosity vanished as Cas looked away. "Oh."

"Oh? Is that…is that all you're gonna say, is 'oh'?" Not that Dean had been expecting much of a reaction but…more than just 'oh'.

"I'm sorry, Dean." Cas' eyes drifted down to his hands, "I didn't…I don't expect you to feel or act any differently. You have no obligation to—"

It took Dean a moment to realize what Cas was talking about, but when he did he felt something in his chest clench at every stammering excuse that left the angel's lips.

Damn it, Cas.

"No, no, hey—" He put a hand on Cas' shoulder, but still the angel looked down and away from him, "I don't want you to apologize for this, Cas." He leaned forward a bit, trying to meet those blue eyes. "Hell, I was telling you because—" He swallowed, "Because I've been feeling different, since—or maybe I just didn't see it until now, I don't know."

Castiel finally turned to him, eyes squinted in obvious confusion, "Dean…" What the hell are you saying to me? Went unsaid.

Dean took a breath and met his eyes.

"I uh...I think I'm falling for you, Cas." There. That was lame. Fuck. What did I just do.

If he'd been hoping for Castiel to be the more eloquent of the two, he was slightly disappointed. The poor angel opened his mouth but no sound came out. Blue eyes studied the hunter in disbelief, and Dean could practically feel the fallen angel's heart trying to beat its way out of his ribcage. The hunter's eyes softened, bringing a hand to Cas' chest as his friend had made him do the day before.

Dean, you're a fucking idiot.

"Cas," He felt the angel flinch, "Cas, it's okay. It's okay, relax, man." He summoned a smile, watching as Castiel slowly calmed down.

"This…is not a joke."

"No, man." Dean breathed out a laugh, pain and amusement warring in his chest. "No, I'm being serious." He brought his free hand to Cas' neck and pressed their foreheads together, a reassuring gesture he'd often observed between the other angels in their little family.

Castiel deflated under his touch, his eyes closing as he finally lost all tension and leaned against Dean.

"I never thought…"

"I know." He smiled softly, "But you know me, Cas. I'm a little slow on the uptake."

A surprised (slightly hysterical) laugh escaped Castiel's lips, and Dean finally dropped all pretenses of not caring and pressed his lips to the angel's forehead.

"Sorry you had to wait so long."

A full smile lit up Castiel's face, his nose wrinkling as he shook his head, "I've been waiting for you for thousands of years, Dean Winchester."

Warmth spread through Dean's chest, "You cheesy little nerd with wings." He chuckled, pressing his forehead to Castiel's once more before pulling him close in a one-armed hug. Like hell he was letting Cas get cold now that the cat was out of the bag.

Castiel leaned close to him, and the two of them watched the snow for most of two hours, just enjoying the renewed connection between Dean's strong grace and Castiel's weakened but stubborn one.

By midnight, Cas had become heavier beside him, and Dean glanced down with a fond smile as he watched the angel sleep peacefully. Shaking his head, the new angel kissed the older one's head before gathering him in his arms and flying them to Cas' bedroom.

And if Dean ended up spending the night beside Cas, well. That was totally because Cas wouldn't let go of him because he's an octopus like Sam, and Dean didn't want to wake him up.

Yeah.

...So.

Too fast?

Feel free to yell at me.