Damn, he was HOT. And I was simultaneously very proud of him, and very very sad that the future

YES. He was a jerk but it was utterly understandable due to how he was broken, and he had finally learned how to be in charge and that was indeed hot. In a Dean/Dean fashion, too. And also perfect at the end when Dean was all "I won't let you" and future-Dean punches first.

Sam&Dean together. The only hope for the world. I have faith. And I am really glad that they got back to that point.