/So I decided to write this. I'm not too sure where I'm going with it, so please go easy on me xD Comment if you have ideas or anything! This one's for Annie, I foresee a LOT of drama in this so I hope you enjoy! :D/
CASTIEL
Castiel will always remember when he was created. God told him, 'You are meant for bigger things, Castiel. Follow your own path.'
There was no real birth. One moment, he wasn't there and the next moment he was. Cradled in the arms of his Father. Just as a human child would, Castiel grew. He was born as a young man, with just stubs for wings. That was how an angel matured in heaven; as they grew, their wings got bigger and brighter. Castiel often went to see his Father. The other angels were often upset with him as he was always running off to see God, and He never turned him away. Castiel was closest to his Father. Day by day, his wings grew out, from tiny downy feathers at the end of his buds, to huge, glossy wings, that spread out, bristling, flowing, rustling. Castiel was immensely proud of his beautiful wings. Most angels had brightly coloured feathers, but Castiel's wings were unique. They were not quite black, although at first sight they appeared to be. On closer inspection, his wings were dark hues of indigo, violet, teal and grey. They fluttered together, blending in so perfectly, the overall effect was absolutely lovely. His best friend, Anael, whom he called Anna, took great pleasure in grooming his wings. Castiel himself, was proud of them, and when they finally matured, God called for his presence.
"Castiel." His Father's light shone upon him. His voice comforted Castiel, reassuring him. Castiel knelt, his head bowed. "My son. I have work for you."
Castiel nodded, gravely. "Father, I will do as you ask to the best of my ability."
"You are to be the guardian angel of a very special child."
"But Father!" Castiel was puzzled. "I am a warrior, not a guardian angel."
"This is your destiny, child." God's voice whispered in Castiel's head. "It is time for us both to do what is needed."
That is how Castiel has come to be standing in the corner of a hospital room. He senses pain, despair and death throughout the building, but in the room he is standing in, in particular, there is overwhelming pride, joy and hope. Castiel drinks in the unfamiliar surroundings and faces, the emotions in the room making him heady. He gazes at the newborn pressed to his mother's breast with an almost paternal feeling. Stepping closer he presses a calming hand to the pretty young woman, Mary Winchester, who is this child's mother and fills her with peace. She sighs, and falls asleep, her infant in her arms. A man with black hair walks in and kisses her forehead, before gently taking the baby from her and rocking it, looking into its large green eyes. Castiel knows that this is the father. The guardian angels of both John and Mary are present, and their love and pride too is imminent on their faces. Castiel nods to his brother and sister. John's angel, Haniel, is a tall thin man with sunny, pastel yellow wings. Castiel knows Mary's angel, Ambriel, who has a set of shiny, cerulean wings. The difference between the guardian angels and the warrior angels is pronounced. The guardian angels seem to have adopted the characteristics of the humans they care for, with more emotions and expressive features. Their wings, too, are bright.
Castiel's wings are like the night, and he has been trained as a warrior. He is cold, and distant, able to easily destroy anything in his path. He is not prone to emotions, but for some reason, just being here on Earth, among humans is influencing him.
Castiel has learnt enough about his duties and the rules that even though he was not quite equipped for this task, of being a guardian angel, he knows what to do. There are only two rules to being a guardian angel. Number one, do not step in unless it is an emergency or you are expressly asked, and number two, do not allow yourself to become romantically involved or attached to your charge. Castiel believes he won't have trouble with either rule.
"Hello, Dean Winchester." John Winchester, the boy's father, coos to his child. The baby fixes its eyes on him before letting it wander. Castiel's brows furrow when the infant's eyes lock with his, a soft sigh escaping the tiny mouth. Castiel's mouth smiles back of its own accord.
Ambriel is never far, as she stays nearby Mary most times. "Be free to converse with either myself or Haniel. They cannot hear you."
For days Castiel remains by the baby's side, watching it. He is fascinated, having never set foot on Earth before. In Heaven, he spent much of his time being trained by Michael, as a heavenly warrior. Not once did Castiel imagine that he would be caring for a human. Michael often voiced how poorly he thought of perching on a human's shoulder 24/7. Castiel found it an important job, but he never really thought it was the job for him. It always suited someone else, like Anael, who was by nature caring and maternal.
'This is my charge.' Castiel thinks, with no small amount of awe. 'This is the one I am trusted to protect.'
Trailing a fingertip over baby Dean's soft, rosy cheek, he is aware of how fragile Dean is. Castiel is extra careful not to wake him, realizing for the first time how beautiful his Father's creations were. Humans were given life, and in turn nurtured it, helping it to grow, themselves forever growing. Mary Winchester quietly sits at her child's crib, humming, absolute contentment on her face. Castiel has never really understood humans. He spent millennia in Heaven watching them from a distance. Yet, here he is. Castiel watches Dean sleep, amazed at how much Mary loves her son. It is as powerful and great as the love God has for all his creations, and it humbles Castiel.
He understands now, why God always loved humans so. He said many times that humans were his greatest masterpiece. Castiel sees now, what makes them so different and what makes them so special. Castiel knows everything about humans. He knows the science of what makes them different from the creatures they share the Earth with. Humans are remarkably intelligent. They have opposable thumbs. They feel emotions intensely, due to their extraordinarily developed brains.
But here, Castiel can see the one thing he has never really thought about. Human nature.
He sees the way Mary cares for Dean, with the utmost care and love. As he hovers in the background, he sees the way harried looking passers-by immediately smile the moment they see Dean's huge toothless smile. He sees the way John watches Dean with a protective pride. Most of all, he sees the hope in the young parents' eyes, and the guileless joy Dean brings to them.
Castiel begins to love humanity, in the days he spends with Dean as a tiny baby.
'Emergency. Angels, return to heaven immediately.' The message comes in to Castiel as he is watching Mary push Dean on a swing. Immediately concerned, Castiel looks at Ambriel. She shrugs, a very human gesture for confusion, and is gone within the blink of an eyes. Castiel vanishes, too quick to see the way Dean's eyes flick to where he was once standing.
All the angels in Castiel's garrison are gathered in Michael's Hall. It is a large, marble structure, not unlike most of the buildings in heaven, but Castiel never took an interest in his leader's love of Roman style architecture.
Michael stands up in front of all of them. There is complete silence among the angels, as Michael begins to speak. "God…is no longer with us in heaven."
Gasps and chatter filled the gigantic Hall but as Michael raises his hand, a tense hush spreads over the gathered angels. "All duties will go on, as per normal. We will continue to function as if our Father were still here. Angels with queries or problems are to report to me. As your garrison leader, I take full responsibility for all angels in this garrison. You are dismissed."
Castiel feels numb. Pushing his way through the crowd, he mentally calls out to his friend. "Anael?"
Anael appears in front of him. "Castiel." She clasps his hands, her fiery wings spreading out and rustling, belying her worry. Castiel's own feathers are jittery, and Anael reaches out, smoothing his feather gently in the way she knows calms him.
"This worries me, Anna." Castiel confesses to her.
"It was so sudden." She remarks. "I spoke to him only a week ago, after you left."
"A week?" Castiel asks, his wings folding themselves into his back. "It has been close to three months since I left heaven."
"Time moves differently here, Castiel." Anael reminds him, gently. "You must go now. I believe your charge has been one day without you already in the moments you have spent here."
Castiel squeezes Anael's hands, then disappears back to Dean's side.
It is midday and Dean is playing on the floor of the living room, giggling to himself as he tries to stuff a toy car into his mouth while his mother reads her book. Castiel kneels on the floor next to the child and watches, letting his wings stretch before folding them comfortably against his back. Dean's eyes widen and he reaches out a chubby hand to Castiel.
Castiel frowns. "Can he see me?"
Ambriel doesn't seem too concerned. "It appears he can." She smiles at Castiel reassuringly. "He will grow out of it. Some children are able to see angels."
Castiel lets Dean grasp one of his fingers, smiling as the child chuckles to himself. Mary looks up, smiling at her son, before scooping him up.
"C'mon baby, time for your nap."
Castiel stands at the edge of the room, watching over Dean as he sleeps.
"Can he see you?" He asks Ambriel, who has become his unofficial teacher and mentor.
"It appears not." She says, puzzled. "Only you."
Looking over, into his crib, Castiel watches him. He notes every flutter of Dean's closed eyelids. He smiles at the saliva bubbles Dean blows in his sleep. He strokes Dean's hair when he cries out. Castiel is surprised at the love that swells his heart and sends his wings arching high as he cares for Dean.
God sees his creations and smiles. All is good. It's about time he taught his angels a valuable lesson.
Castiel would be the cornerstone. God has great plans for that angel of his.
And it all starts with Dean Winchester.