The aftermath of their battle with Mammon left the trio exhausted but relieved. As they emerged from the cathedral, the night air felt crisp and refreshing, a stark contrast to the dark, oppressive atmosphere inside. They walked back to the Impala in silence, each lost in their thoughts.
Just as they reached the car, a flutter of wings caught their attention. Castiel appeared before them, his expression grave and solemn.
"I come bearing news," Castiel announced, his voice tinged with concern. "Mammon's defeat has sent ripples through the supernatural world. Some demons are rallying in response, seeking to fill the power vacuum he left behind."
Dean sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Great. Just what we need, more trouble."
Castiel's eyes flickered between them, his gaze settling on Rowena and Sam, who stood close together. The subtle affection between them was evident, though unspoken.
"Is something the matter, Castiel?" Sam asked, noting the angel's contemplative expression.
Castiel hesitated for a moment, choosing his words carefully. "It's just... I noticed... there seems to be a closeness between you two."
Rowena glanced at Sam, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "Yes, well... things happened."
Dean, always direct, decided to cut to the chase. "They're together, Cas. Sam and Rowena."
Castiel's eyes widened in surprise, his brow furrowing slightly. "Together?"
Sam nodded, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "Yeah, it sort of happened."
Castiel processed this information, his demeanor shifting as he tried to understand. "I see. That's... unexpected."
Rowena stepped forward, her voice gentle but firm. "Castiel, we know it's complicated. But right now, we need to focus on what's next."
Castiel nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. "Yes, of course. The repercussions of Mammon's defeat are far-reaching. I'll continue to monitor the situation."
Dean clapped Castiel on the shoulder. "Thanks, Cas. We appreciate it."
With a nod, Castiel vanished in a flutter of wings, leaving the trio to process the latest twist in their journey. They climbed into the Impala, the atmosphere inside the car a mix of exhaustion, relief, and newfound understanding.
"Well, that was... unexpected," Dean remarked, breaking the silence as he started the engine.
Rowena glanced at Sam, a soft smile playing on her lips. "Indeed. But perhaps it's for the best."
Sam nodded, reaching over to squeeze her hand. "Yeah. We've been through a lot together."
Dean chuckled, a hint of teasing in his voice. "Just promise me you won't let this distract you next time we're hunting something big."
Rowena rolled her eyes playfully. "Don't worry, Dean. We won't let personal matters get in the way of the job."
As they drove away from the old cathedral, the weight of their recent battles began to lift. They had faced demons, Leviathans, and even the Queen of Hell herself. And through it all, they had emerged stronger, not just as a team, but as friends who had each other's backs.
The road stretched out before them, winding through the darkened streets of New Orleans. Ahead lay uncertainty and challenges, but also the promise of new adventures and victories. And together, they were ready to face whatever came next.
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