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Panic Takes Flight
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"Cas, breathe! Deep breaths!" Dean said, gripping each of Castiel's shoulders firmly. "Steady. Look me straight in the eyes."
Castiel swallowed, his deep eyes like globes. His breathe came out rapidly still and his heart felt as if it were constricting. The wild panic overtook his body, running from his finger tips to the tips of his eyelashes. "I-They-What have I- I didn't-"
And much to the surprise of the now shattered lamp in the corner, a pair of black iridescent wings sprouted from Castiel's shoulder blades and through his trench coat. They were magnificent ebony, sleek and glowing in the pale light of the moon though the motel window.
The wings did nothing to help Castiel's state. Their appearance seemed to horrify him. He drew them in and knelt on the cold wooden floor. "Go- I- Please." Castiel managed to get out.
Dean, however, had a different plan. Choosing to ignore the beautiful appendages attached to Cas's back, Dean knelt in front of the angel. Gently, not wanting to frighten him, he placed two fingers under Castiel's chin and brought his head up to look him in the eye. Blue and green seemed to become aquamarine as their souls connected like two paints on a pallet.
"Adriel's death was not your fault. He lost his mind, Cas." Dean's eyes softened. "He was killing children."
Whether from Dean's gaze or his words, the dark haired man's breathing slowed. A weight seemed to lift off of his chest. Having to kill his brother, a close one at that, hurt Cas. Especially as he had promised himself he would never do it again. "Thank you Dean. I will try to keep myself together in the future."
Castiel stood up and noticed for the second time that night the wings that had sprouted from his back. He looked down in shame. "I'm sorry they're so ugly. If you were to see any angel's wings, I'm sure you'd have rather seen Gabriel's gold wings or Balthazaar's-"
"They're beautiful... Would it be alright if I touched them?" Dean said, his face a child's on Christmas.
Castiel's eyebrows furrowed. "I don't know why you'd want to. They're black. Barely worth a second glance." His right wing moved allowing his to finger the lower feathers. "Dull."
Dean shook his head and smiled. "I think they're awesome! Did they hurt when they came out? Why have I not seen them until now?"
Cas brushed away Dean's excitement. "Anxiety makes them appear, or at least for me they do. I have yet to completely master the ability to conceal my wings. When I lose concentration, they manifest in this plain."
Not in control of his limb, Dean's hand outstretched. The feathers were softer than those of birds, but seemed to be stronger as well. Unflexible, indestructible, yet velvet to touch. Dean ran his hand across the wing, feeling each feather, bone and crease rub under his fingertips. They were warm.
Castiel looked on in confusion. "Dean, as I have explained, my wings are shameful, small and black. They are nothing to marvel at."
Dean smiled and turned to look at Cas, fingers still nestled in the wings. "And I said they're beautiful. You're beautiful."
And just like that, with a poof, Castiel's wings disappeared. Castiel blushed, looked away, and disappeared as well.
"He actually has wings... Kinky."
AN I really enjoyed writing this one. The prompt was wings that only appear with anxiety or stress. Once again, this was written for my Writer's Craft class. Tell me what you think! I love feedback! :D -Ash