"Wait, there's something on your face."

The wet thumb was already wiping said thing off of his cheek before Castiel had time to react. So he laughed, and batted his aunt's hand gently away.

"Hesther, please, I'm going to be late," he insisted, sliding his phone into the pocket of his suit. He draped his graduation gown over his arm, and Mrs. Madison adjusted the cap on his head, pushing the tassel out of his face and to the right, where it was meant to be until he received his diploma during the ceremony. She then took something from her pocket, and placed it around his neck.

His mother's necklace. It caught the light of morning, glittering familiarly. He was speechless- he thought he had lost it. Hesther tucked the necklace into his suit, and patted the cross where it laid over his heart. Then she grasped his face in both her hands, her eyes filled to the brim with emotion.

"Look at how far you've come," she whispered, voice threatening to break. Castiel smiled softly, bringing his aunt into a hug.

"I couldn't have without you," he replied, earning one of his aunt's signature squeezes- the ones that drew your breath away momentarily, and filled you with warmth.

"I'm so proud of you," she spoke. She said it two more times, and then they parted. Castiel slid on his gown, his smile not once falling from his face.

"I have to go-"

"Wait!" his aunt called out as his uncle walked in, balancing Castiel's baby cousin, Rachael, in one arm. "One picture," she insisted. Gulliver suddenly walked into the room, nudging against Castiel's leg, as if urging him to stay for a moment longer. So Castiel agreed to one picture.

It was more than that. They took one of Castiel, then one of him and Hesther, then one of him and his uncle, and then one of him with Rachael. Then he was finally allowed to go.

"Good luck! We'll be there the whole time! Meet us at the theater doors when the ceremony is finished!"

"I know! Thank you!" Castiel called back as he ran out the door and to his car. He drove over to the University of Kansas, where their high school graduation would be hosted. The whole while his heart hammered and his head swam with the words of his valedictorian speech.

He still couldn't believe he had been chosen for the role. His friends, however, hadn't been surprised, on account of his grades and GPA.

Still, it was an enormous responsibility. Castiel had almost turned it down, and passed it to the next student who qualified. But his friends wouldn't let him back down, and they even helped him practice his speech, staying up with him for hours every night as he recited it with them in his room, on Skype, or on group phone calls.

What if he blanked? What if he passed out? What if he messed up?

Castiel's hands tightened on the steering wheel. He wouldn't mess up. It wasn't a robotic speech about the future and all that it held for them. It was something he felt- something he spoke from his heart. Even if he were to forget a line, he could improvise. Nothing that he wrote wasn't his purest form of truth.

Castiel pulled into the University early, as he had been instructed to. He walked over to the theater, and into the back room where he prepared for his speech, along with the three other council students who would also be on stage with him. Only one other would be speaking, however. The class president, Hayley Cho, would be first. Then Castiel, then a quick speech by one of the city commissioners of Lawrence, who would also be shaking the students hands as they each came on stage to receive their diploma.

It seemed like a simple enough process, but everything was in chaos. Castiel and the other selected students payed close attention as the principal listed their duties for the hundredth time, as if they had suddenly forgotten despite weeks and months of preparations.

The time ticked by, and the rest of Lasserton High's students arrived and flocked outside of the theater, forming lines according to the alphabetical order of their last names. Castiel twiddled his fingers as he listened to Hayley express her own anxieties of the whole ordeal. While it was comforting to know that he was not the only one with worries, having Hayley rant on and on about the thousands of eyes that would be watching them and waiting for mistakes did not help to alleviate Castiel's nervous state.

Just as she was asking Castiel how many people he thought would be recording their speeches, he felt a tap on his shoulder.

Turning around, Castiel was met with green eyes and a bright smile. He suddenly smiled back, shocked.

"Dean- what're you doing here?" he asked as he hugged his boyfriend tight, then pulled away to give him a hard look. "They'll kick you out of the ceremony if they see you left the line."

Dean's smile softened, and he placed a hand on Castiel's shoulder. "I came to check on you. How're you holdin' up?" he asked, seeing straight through Castiel's facade.

Castiel swallowed back the lump in his throat before speaking. "I'm terrified."

Dean placed both his hands on Castiel's face, and looked into his eyes. "You can do this, alright? I know you can. You've practiced so much, and you've got this."

Castiel nodded, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, focusing on the feel of Dean's hands. His own fluttered to Dean's wrists, where they grasped for support.

"I saw your family, they're sittin' with Bobby, Sam, and Jess. Anna and Gabe made it, too. Oh, and Meg," Dean told him, happily. "Everyone's here."

Castiel's eyes opened and averted hesitantly to Dean's own. He stared for a moment. "Did… did he make it?" he asked, although he knew the answer.

Dean's hands gripped Castiel's shoulders, now, and he screwed his lips into a line. After a moment, he shook his head. Castiel released the breath he had been holding, eyes averting to the floor. Dean pulled him into another hug.

"Screw 'im, Cas. You gave him the chance, and he blew it. He doesn't deserve a part in this, okay? Today is about you."

Castiel nodded, burying his face into Dean's neck for a moment, before he pulled away. "You're right, I know. But you gotta go before Ms. Darvill gets back," he chastised.

Nodding back, Dean reached forward and cupped Castiel's face in one hand, using his other to grab hold of Castiel's hand. He leaned in and kissed him, and Castiel smiled into their kiss, using his free hand to hold his cap in place before it could fall onto the floor. They parted, and Castiel laughed, pushing him gently away.

"Go," he ordered, smiling at Dean's own ridiculous grin.

"I love you," Dean replied, fingers intertwined with Castiel's own.

Castiel smiled softly, now. "I love you, too."

And then Dean was gone.

When Castiel took his seat on the stage, he instinctively scoped the crowd for his family. He found them seated next to Dean's own, their eyes glued on Castiel, big and supportive smiles accompanying their gazes. Castiel smiled back, a quick and nervous one. His stomach whirled with anticipation.

After all the students filed in and sat before the stage, the class president was announced by Ms. Darvill, and she walked up and delivered her speech. It was eloquent and well-said, and she hardly missed a beat. An enormous applause followed as she walked to sit back next to Castiel, giving him a big smile as she did so. He wondered for a moment if she had been bluffing about her proclaimed nervousness.

Then the principal called Castiel's name, and a light applause greeted him. He stood up, and walked to the microphone, as he had imagined himself doing thousands of times since he had been given the role of valedictorian. He approached the podium. The applause silenced, and Castiel took a deep breath, hands gripping the edges of the wooden platform for support.

He spoke.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen- family, and friends… administrators, and teachers. I would like to thank the school for granting me the privilege of speaking to everyone here, today. It is an incredible honor to be standing here before you," Castiel began, looking around at the audience. His voice echoed through the stadium. He could hear the rustling of people in their seats- some subdued whispers. Thousands of eyes were on him. He licked his lips and tried not to gaze at anybody in particular. "Four years ago, we all entered the exciting, and often terrifying, world of high school with so many expectations, hopes, dreams… four years seemed like such a long time to wait- finishing high school was such a distant event in the future. It felt far too surreal to think about. And now, here we are, at our graduation…. We've all grown and learned and changed ourselves so much, and mainly for the better. However, our growth will not end after our graduation, today. We will continue to do and learn and be so much more than we are, right now."

Castiel paused, searching for Dean. He couldn't find him among the vast sea of people, and felt his heart seize. He took a deep breath before racking at his brain for what he was supposed to say, next. Then he continued. "Graduation is a time to be thankful for those who have helped you get as far as you did. For some, that could be family, friends, teachers… even yourselves. You simply cannot accomplish anything without the motivation that you all give yourselves to pull through another problem, tackling each one at a time. All I know, for sure, is that I would never have made it this far without the support I was given at the start of my junior year. At the beginning of high school, and even before that, I was nobody. I was bullied, harassed, ignored… I had no friends- nobody to connect to. All it took was one person- one new student who had no reason to befriend me, but did- to change my future forever." Castiel could see Dean, now. He was smiling wide, and Castiel smiled back before continuing.

"I was so low that I saw no future for myself. All I could focus on was getting through today, then tomorrow, then the day after that. It was a cycle- a system that I abided by just to preserve my life for a few more days, or months, maybe a few years, if I was lucky. I lived with this method for most of my life. I didn't think there could ever be another way of living. This person… he helped me realize that every moment- every second of life is precious. And there is nobody better suited for your life than you. You must not dwell on the bad… you cannot live in the past, and let it swallow you whole. Life moves on, you grow, and you move on with it. You must believe that there is something bigger for you out there- that no matter how bad it gets, you will pull through it. High school is a place where you discover who you are. Everybody has their own lives to worry over... their own battles to fight. But we pull through because we're strong, and passionate, and human. Besides, what better way to prepare you for the adulthood of college than the emotional rollercoaster of a typical four years of high school?"

Castiel paused as a few people laughed, their giggles subsiding quickly so he could resume.

"You must think of life as one amazing and beautiful opportunity. You can do anything if you set your mind to it. There is so much out there for you to discover. It's waiting for you- has been waiting. All you have to do is look. Do not let yourself be held back by things you deem impossible to overcome. Take it from someone who has taken their life for granted more than a few times, and believe me: things could be worse. The odds could be larger. The challenges could be broader. Once you truly think about it, there is nothing stopping you from doing what your heart most desires.

"These past four years have been a challenge- for some it may have seemed impossible, at times. But here we are, and we've made it. So celebrate, congratulate yourselves, because you've already overcome one of the biggest obstacles of all. I'm proud of each and every one of you. We are all proud. Now we can all continue to grow, and learn, and better ourselves in so many ways. Life is grand and open for you. Take it, and seize any opportunity that may come your way.

"As a class, we are all sitting here, having overcome whatever we may have faced, together. We are here because of our ambition, and the dreams that have pushed us to accomplish anything. Look around you, class of 2012. Every single person sitting here tonight sees potential in you, and knows that you will go on to do wonderful things. It doesn't matter what you choose to do, or what you deem to be a wonderful feat. Just remember that you can. You can try, and you can fail, and you can get back up and try again. Success isn't measured in what you have won- but the amount of passion that you have put into your lives while you are here to live it.

"No matter what you choose to do after today, I know you will all be the best that you can be. We believe in you. I believe in you. Let's make the most out of this life. Because the sky's the limit.

"Congratulations, Class of 2012. And thank you."

The moment Castiel finished, people immediately stood from their seats, filling the stadium with a commotion of noise. He could see some crying, most smiling. The roar of applause and cheer was deafening, and Castiel almost cringed away from it in shock. Once he had regained his composure, he gave a laugh and gave a slight bow before walking back to his seat, his legs like jello and his entire being feeling particularly ghost-like, as if he were floating out of his body.

When he sat down next to Hayley, she gave him a big hug.

"You were amazing," she told him, her eyes shining with tears, her lips stretched into a grand smile. Castiel smiled back.

"Thank you," he replied, his hands shaking in his lap.

The applause lasted for minutes until the principal was forced to quiet everyone down. Even then, the buzz of life and excitement filled the once dull theater until the ceremony had finished, and the theater emptied.

Castiel was approached by many people where he waited outside the theater. Some people he hadn't met before hugged him and congratulated him. It was overwhelming, so when his family and Dean's family finally saw him and tugged him towards a partially empty grassy area, he felt relieved.

Hesther showered him in hugs, and Castiel's uncle hugged him so long and tight that Castiel had to remind him to let him breathe. Then he got a hug from his siblings, Bobby, Sam (who was now Castiel's height, if not a bit taller), Meg, and Jess (Sam's girlfriend, now). After they all took a few pictures and talked, Castiel spoke up.

"Does anybody know where Dean is?" he asked, looking around. Meg spoke up.

"He's rounding the whole group together. I told them where we are, they should be here, soon."

Castiel nodded, feeling a buzz of excitement in his gut. He couldn't wait to see his friends. Now that the pressure and anxiety of the speech was over, Castiel felt truly alive- like he was flying with every step and breath he took.

Eventually, Dean arrived with the group. They all took turns hugging Castiel, congratulating him on his speech and getting loads of pictures with him and with all their diplomas. Hesther made sure to have a picture of Castiel with each of his friends, then a group photo. She promised to send them all to everyone the moment she could.

After that, they all sat down on the grassy area of the campus green. Castiel looked around at his friends with a smile he tried his hardest to contain. Everyone had grown so much. It all felt surreal- he could hardly believe how much had changed in the span of a year.

Charlie was in a strong relationship with Gilda, and would be going to her university in Colorado. She planned to major in computer science, and was set on one day taking to inventing new computers. She had gotten accepted to multiple universities, almost all with a free ride due to her excellent grades.

Ash would be going to Kansas State, where he would also be studying computer science. He had also become successful in graphic designing, and had been a secretary of the school's graphic design club.

Chuck would be moving to Maine, where he'd be away from the chaos of his large family and living with his cousin, who was a writer. Chuck planned to be an English major at the University of Maine. He had finished his book series, and was currently having it published. He promised to send a copy to everyone as soon as he had it available.

Adam revealed that he wanted to be a veterinarian, due to his connection with animals. He would be moving to study at the University of California. During his senior year, he had been working at the local shelter, where he discovered this passion. He was incredibly great at it, and Castiel was happy for him.

Jo would be moving with Adam to study to be a nutritionist at the same school. She wanted to do something with health, although she was not quite sure what, yet. It had taken a lot of convincing at Ellen, but eventually the overprotective mother agreed to let her daughter move so far away.

Meg was entering her senior year, and she was still working at the diner with Ellen. Her brothers had finished college and moved back home, and she was reconnecting with them. She was happier than Castiel had ever seen her.

As for Dean and Castiel, that had been a long and lengthy debate. They both applied to the same schools, and agreed to go to whichever one they both got accepted to that they both thought to be nice.

Dean wanted to study engineering. He had been captain of the robotics team during senior year, and his knack with technology and machines had won the school every robotics competition they entered. That proved itself with the silver and blue tassel (the colors of the robotics team) that sat on his graduation cap. Dean didn't want to move too far away from his brother, but he agreed to go wherever Castiel went. They both had great grades, and had worked together to achieve such academic success. After they had received their letters of admission, they both agreed to study at the University of Phoenix in Arizona.

However, Castiel's friends weren't the only ones to accomplish wonderful things. Castiel had made it to National Honors Society, and also gotten onto the track team. He had given it everything he had in order to place first on the team, and had won the school many events. He also worked hard to regain his health, and through months of dedication and labor, Castiel was the healthiest he had ever been- both physically and mentally.

It was surreal. If the Castiel from junior year looked into this moment in the future, he probably would've thought it was a joke. But it was all too real. Castiel had wonderful friends, an amazing family, and had given himself a purpose in his life.

Despite this, Castiel felt an inkling of sadness when he didn't see Alastair at graduation. The student had earned out of school suspension for the entirety of senior year, and Castiel heard rumors that the teen had gone to a psychiatric hospital. He couldn't help but feel guilty, but Dean eased his worries, stating that it was probably the best thing for him. It was strange thinking that, after years of being harrassed by him, Castiel would never see Alastair, again.

He couldn't help but hope he'd get better, and be okay.

When the crowd of the graduation had dissipated, and everyone's pants and clothes were dew-soaked, everyone decided it was time to head to the garage where they had parked their cars.

For the first time that day, Castiel could feel the emotion of what was to come. Everyone would be leaving to their colleges. They would hardly see one another, anymore. They had all grown up and were off to do bigger and better things.

Although they had all agreed to Skype as often as they could, it still didn't seem like enough.

Castiel gave each of his friends hugs when they reached his car, which Dean had parked next to.

After exchanging goodbyes with his friends, Castiel opened up the trunk of his car, and pulled out a suitcase and duffel bag, hauling them to the Impala, where Dean fitted them into the trunk and the back of the car. While he did so, Castiel turned to face his aunt. She had tears in her eyes, and gave him a big smile, reaching over to pull him into a giant hug. He hugged her back, burying his face into her curls and trying not to cry, himself.

"Stay safe, and have fun. I love you," she told him, placing a kiss at his temple. Castiel smiled, patting his aunt's back gently.

"I'll see you in July. We'll be back before you know it," he promised, pulling away to give her a reassuring smile. Hesther nodded, giving a laugh.

"Of course. I know. Go give your uncle and Rachael a hug," she told him, gently urging him over to them. Castiel picked up Rachael from his uncle's arms, and gave him a hug, balancing his cousin in one arm as he did so.

"Be careful," his uncle warned, giving Castiel a smile and taking his car keys when Castiel handed them over. "If you need anything, just call. You have the emergency card, use it whenever you'd like. Don't hesitate to ask for anything. And call us anytime you can, alright?"

Castiel nodded, bouncing his cousin lightly in his arms and giving her a kiss on the top of her head, covered with soft brown hair. Her brown eyes looked up at him, and she gave him a smile, giggling as her chubby hands grasped onto his dress shirt. "I know. I promise, I will," he replied with a smile. He gave his cousin back to Mr. Madison, and turned to give his brother and sister hugs.

"You two stay safe," Anael ordered, the usual strong and commanding tone in her words. She was worried, Castiel could tell. So he gave her another hug.

"You guys will be here in July, right? Dean and I get back on the fourth."

Gabriel nodded, picking up on the conversation. "Do you think I'd miss a chance to commit firework-themed pranks?" he challenged with a wiggle of his eyebrows, earning an eyeroll from his sister.

"We will not be doing life-threatening pranks, Gabe," she retorted.

"It's not that life threatening."

With a laugh, Castiel let them continue with their banter as he turned back to give his friends some more hugs.

"Make sure to text us whenever you guys can," Jo ordered, containing all the authority of her mother. Castiel laughed, nodding.

"We will," Dean spoke for him, at his side, now.

"We got that group chat open," Ash intervened. "You know we'll text you and blow up your phone until you reply."

"We don't doubt it," Castiel retaliated with a big grin.

They all gathered together for one last picture, and Dean stopped for a moment to give Sam a long hug and speak with him for a moment. Castiel turned away and talked to the others, giving the two their privacy. Then Sam came over to Castiel, giving him a hug.

"Take care of my brother, alright?" he asked, giving Castiel a big smile. "Don't let him get you guys into too much trouble."

With a laugh, Castiel nodded. "Will do."

After everyone had said their goodbyes, and all agreed to meet for the fourth of July, the group finally let Castiel and Dean climb into the Impala, and drive out of the garage.

Castiel watched as his family and friends shrunk smaller and smaller in the rear-view mirror, until they had vanished and Dean and Castiel were on the road.

Dean's hand found Castiel's, and he gripped it tight.

"You got the map?" he asked, glancing over at Castiel. His eyes were glowing with the light of the sun, dancing with endless colors of lively green. He was smiling wide, his cheeks dimpled and his eyes surrounded by laughter lines. Castiel smiled back, pulling the map from the pants of his suit. They had taken off their gowns and hats and suit jackets. Their sleeves were rolled and ties loosened and the windows were down, letting in the bustling warm wind of summertime. It was a scene fit for a movie.

"Of course," Castiel replied, unfolding the map one-handed and laying it across his lap, letting his eyes trail over the familiar routes traced in red ink by Dean's hand.

Dean's smile softened as he looked out at the road- the endless journey it had to offer. "Where do you wanna go first?" he asked.

Castiel looked at the map, some more, unable to choose. He finally looked up at the road, sharing the view that Dean was drinking in. "Let's just drive, for now," he decided.

Dean's fingers twined further through Castiel's.

After a moment, he spoke.

"Are you ready?" he asked. His question hung in the air, blending with the soft hum of Led Zeppelin and the noise of wind that tussled through their hair and clothes. Castiel smiled, leaning into Dean's warmth.

"More than I'll ever be."

*The end.*

So there you have it, the story has finally finished. :)

I'd like to thank you all for sticking with me through this incredible journey. After almost two years, I have completed the longest story I have ever written.

It's been an amazing experience, and I honestly could not have gotten this far without the support, love, and enthusiasm from all of my readers. You are all amazing and wonderful and lovely, and I could not thank you all enough for getting me where I am, today.

Your love and passion for this story is what made it come to life. It had nothing to do with me. So I'd like to thank you all, whether you silently read, checked on and off, reviewed, favorited, followed, messaged me- every little thing counted. You are all so important to me, and I love you guys so much.

This story got far more recognition than I ever imagined it getting. And, while I am sad to see it end, I am very excited for the future of amazing stories I have in store for you all, and I hope you guys will continue to read. For as long as you do, I will continue to write.

Thank you all so much. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Goodbye, lovelies!~