Dean feels it each time just like the first time. Seeing Cas, his heart skips a beat, hammering like it’s ready to beat right out of his chest. He used to play it off. Laugh. Make a joke. Pat Cas on the shoulder and walk away.

Now, he walks up to Cas, wraps his arms around Cas’s shoulders and brings him in. His hands slide up into Cas’s hair. Their foreheads touch. Their noses do, too – brushing. They don’t kiss right away. There’s no need to rush. This is more than getting their rocks off. This is feeling. Living. Touching. Breathing.

This is finding the other half of yourself and making you whole.

It’s family. Partnership. What did Cas call it? A more profound bond?

Dean doesn’t say I love you. He’s never been great with words. But when Cas lifts a hand to Dean’s chest, right over his heart, Dean knows he can feel the words he can’t quite say. His heart doesn’t have the filter his mouth does. He loves deeply. Freely. All-consuming.

“I love you,” Cas whispers because he’s never learned not to. Dean makes sure he’s never taught.