It wasn't even an hour later that Dean's impatience got the best of him and he grabbed his jacket as he prepared to brave the rainy woods.

"I'm gonna go find him," he announced to Sam and Crowley on his way out. "Make sure everything's ready when I get back."

He rolled his eyes at Crowley's "yes, my lord" before he left.

"Cas?" Dean started shouting as soon as he got outside. The rain wasn't too heavy, but it was enough to make him squint as he entered a wooded area. "Cas?"

Searching intently, the hunter began to recall all the times he'd lost Castiel. Haunted by the desertion in Purgatory, scarred by Cas staying behind, and saddened by the former angel's choice to return to Heaven that led to Castiel's fall, Dean was faintly aware of the tears joining the rain on his cheeks. Though he knew this was nowhere near as drastic of a situation, the memories had his heart racing as he ran through the woods and all but screamed Cas's name.

"Dean?"

A small, unsure voice came from behind a tree. Dean walked towards it, catching his breath as he was greeted by the sight of Castiel sitting against the trunk, holding his knees close to his chest.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Dean crouched down to Castiel's level, peering at his friend's lowered head. He gave him a half smile when Cas met his gaze, and reached out to place a hand on the man's shoulder. "What'd you run away for?" He bit his tongue as soon as the pointless question escaped his mouth.

Cas frowned at the hunter, his head beginning its familiar sideways descent as he narrowed his eyes. He barely opened his mouth before Dean shook his head.

"Stupid question. I know." Dean sighed, suddenly taking interest in the ants that scurried across the dirt ground, looking for some sort of protection from the rain. The hunter brushed one of the insects off of the bottom of Castiel's trenchcoat, taking a deep breath before meeting the man's gaze again. "I'm sorry." He paused, almost having to hold back a chuckle as he let slip from his mouth exactly what Castiel had told him before. "For everything."

Castiel allowed a small smile to grace his face, then shook his head. "Everything?" He raised a brow, encouraging Dean to elaborate with a mischievous grin on his face.

Dean chuckled as he dropped his hand from Castiel's shoulder, looking away for a moment as he gathered himself. "Seriously?"

The expectant silence prompted Dean to look Cas in the eye and give him an apologetic smile.

"Well... for decking you the first time you kissed me, for one thing," he began, mindlessly taking a seat on the muddy ground as he spoke. Castiel chuckled when Dean sported an uncomfortable wince at the wetness on his jeans. "Uh, anyway... I'm sorry for dragging you into this thing, and for getting upset when it confused you."

Cas nodded. "And?"

Dean looked away, slightly annoyed. He'd nearly forgot that he'd have to apologize before jumping into a happy relationship with the guy. "And... for yelling at you earlier. And... hell, I don't know, Cas! Anything I did that upset you."

Castiel placed his hands on his knees as he stood slowly. "I suppose that will do," he said with a smug grin as he took Dean's hand and pulled him to his feet. "I forgive you, Dean."

Ordinarily, Dean would've made some annoyed remark about Cas being a "smug bastard", but, being that he'd just been forgiven for being a bastard, himself, he let it go as they stood in the rain, Castiel's hand still firmly gripping Dean's own.

"We, uh," Dean coughed as he slowly relaxed his hand in Cas's. "We should head back..."

"Of course."

Neither let the other's hand go as they began walking back toward the bunker.

"Dean?"

"Hm?" The hunter turned his head as he trudged through the mud beside Cas.

"Did I miss lunch?"

Dean couldn't help but laugh at the guy, shaking his head as he squeezed Castiel's hand. "No, man, you're good."

Cas hesitantly squeezed Dean's hand back, tighter, and looked away before he could witness the hunter's blissful grin.

When they arrived outside the bunker, Dean dropped Castiel's hand and turned to face him.

"Now, before we go inside," he explained, "I need to tell you something."

Cas tilted his head curiously. "What?"

"I'm about to do something that may overwhelm you."

Frowning, Cas drew his eyebrows together. "What do you m-"

The former angel was cut off with Dean's lips on his own and he fell forward as the hunter backed into the door, and opened it behind him. Their lips never parted as they stumbled into the Batcave, Dean placing his arms around Castiel's torso while he led them toward the dining area. He could feel Castiel's hesitancy, the fear of being yelled at evident in the befuddled fallen angel as he kissed back. Their tongues met briefly before Cas emitted a dazed and entirely indecent moan.

"Dean!"

It was Sam's voice who interrupted them when they finally reached the dining room, prompting Dean to break away from Castiel's mouth.

"You... you said it wouldn't be that-"

Sam was silenced by his brother's glare. The younger Winchester then shook his head and nodded toward Crowley, who flipped a switch that dimmed the light all around them. A single spotlight shined on Dean and Cas, who remained in each other's arms.

It took a lot of nerve for Dean to do this. But he knew, cheesy as it was, that Cas deserved and would appreciate it. He knew Sam and Crowley could see them, and Kevin, if he'd been right in discerning the sound of another person entering the room. He and Cas were literally on spotlight. But all they could see was each other. Dean had contemplated instructing his brother to put on some music for this little occasion, but had decided against it. Now, however, the awkward silence was almost overwhelming as the hunter slowly met Castiel's surprised (and perhaps slightly blinded) stare.

"Dean...," Cas said just above a whisper, uncertainty written all over his face.

"Cas," Dean finally gathered the strength to say. "Cas, I... I love you." He bit his lip as he watched the other man's expression remain unchanged. "I love you. Like, in a more than friendly way, y'know? And, I, uh... I was wondering if... if you'd want to be my, uh," he barely choked out the next word, "my boyfriend." Man, he hated that word. Because he didn't just want Cas to be his boyfriend. Cas was his everything. In fact, wings or no wings, Cas was his angel. He bit back a smile as he awaited Castiel's response.

"Is... is this still a prank?" Cas asked quietly, as though he feared being yelled at if he spoiled it.

Dean beamed, and was faintly aware of his brother and the rest laughing a few feet away. "No, Cas. Not anymore." He shrugged, reaching out to touch Castiel's face, which was suddenly a lot brighter. "It happened, well, I guess it happened a while ago, I just realized it this morning. I, uh, yeah...," Dean looked down ashamedly. "That's why I yelled at you earlier. I was... I was just coming to terms with it, y'know? I didn't... I didn't know how to handle it."

Cas was silent a moment before tilting his head to look at Dean's averted eyes. "Do you know how to handle it now?"

"I think I do."

And with that, Dean proceeded to kiss the hell out of Castiel, ignoring the amused snort coming from Crowley and the annoyed huff from Sam. Kevin's cheer was a bit too loud to ignore. He pulled away and squinted into the darkness.

"What?" came Kevin's voice. "It's about damn time."

Crowley and Sam started laughing, and Dean smiled as he turned back to Cas.

"So, what's it gonna be, Cas? You wanna make this relationship... real?"

"Yes," Castiel said just as the last word left Dean's mouth, rushing forward for another kiss.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Crowley's voice interrupted as the spotlight left them and the lights turned back on. "I'm pretty sure no one wants to see that." He glanced skeptically at Kevin. "Except maybe for Advanced Placement, over there. Anyhow, Moose and I have no desire to watch you get it on. Take it to your room."

The couple blinked a few times to take in the change in lighting before smiling at each other, and Dean nodded as he took Castiel's hand and led him toward his bedroom, placing a light kiss on the man's cheek just before they reached the door.

Crowley, Sam, and Kevin shared knowing glances just before Dean shouted, "Hey! Who the hell put pink wallpaper in here?!"

AUTHOR NOTE: Well, this has been fun. Like, seriously, I've really enjoyed writing this. But all good things must come to an end. So. I thought I'd end it with Dean getting pranked once more. I'd say Crowley put the wallpaper up, but it was Sam's idea. xD

Anywho. Fare thee well, dears. I hope you enjoyed the story. :)

Reviews would be much appreciated. I hope to start a crossover fic soon, SPN/Psych. Any ideas? Let me know! :)