A/N: This has been an amazing ride, guys. Thank you so much for reading, reviewing, and all the support. Hopefully you find the ending satisfying.

Epilogue

Dean coughed noisily in the driver's seat, the first cough in a month that elicited an eye roll rather than a glance of concern. Sam ignored his brother's oh-so-subtle efforts to get his attention, his eyes focused on the text Ruby had just sent him, wondering if he should get together with her. It scared him that losing blood from the gashes in his head had made him so shaky, scared him more that drinking demon blood later on had cured him instantly.

"Well, I hope those are sexy texts that are keeping you so enraptured."

Sam raises an eyebrow at Dean. "And if they are?"

"Then I'd accuse you of stealing my phone," he chuckled.

Sam twisted his head as they zoomed past the interstate ramp.

"We're not going to Bobby's?"

"Naw, think Bobby could use a break from us. Whaddya say, Sam, just us for a bit?"

Sam looked at his older brother as if he's completely taken by surprise. Lately, it had all been rough terrain between them, uneasy footing with no bridges. Peace treaties that minor skirmishes could crumble.

But he saw the beginnings of resolve and a lightness in Dean's eyes he hasn't seen in awhile, saw his brother.

Sam glanced at his phone for a moment as if considering what was on the screen and then put it away. For a bit.

"Yeah, man," a genuine smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "You and me."

Dean nodded in appreciation before giving the old girl a little gas, the engine humming soothingly, enjoying the warmth of the sun beaming into the car, chasing away the late autumn chill.

:::

This? This was what Cole didn't understand. Some soldiers fight for god, country, honor or respect.

Some fight so they keep home safe, even if it was just to keep idea of home intact.

Even if they never had a hope of actually making it back someday themselves.

Dean stretched an arm backward over the bench seat, the resistance of the pull and the vibration from the car doing just enough to ease his shoulder comfortably. Glancing at his brother again, he turned up the music a little and drove into the sun. Found himself driving right into the image Hell had purposefully stolen from him in order to break off a piece of his soul.

It fit right back into place.

For the first time in forever, he breathed easier.