Once upon a time, on a dark spring night, the sky was lit up. By hundreds and thousands of fireballs. Shooting stars, perhaps? Meteor shower? Fireworks? To the people who didn't know, it was a magical, one-of-a-kind sight. To those who did…each spark tore a little piece of their hearts away. Angels. All of them. Falling. Crashing to a green and blue marble called Earth. None felt it so keenly as a dark-haired, blue eyed man. Freezing in the cold air, despite his long tan trench coat. Or the brothers sinking to their knees outside an abandoned church. The younger unable to support himself, except on the older. A few miles away an icy blade of fear, anger, hurt plunged into the coated man's chest, and he was stricken dumb. Every time he saw a flame hit the ground, he flinched, feeling each one as if it was himself. He squeezed his eyes shut, as if he could stop it happening by not seeing it. His blood pounded in his ears, and his chest tightened as his strength left him.

Then there was silence. Absolute, complete. Even with his eyes closed he squinted at the brightness that surrounded him. Alarmed, they suddenly flickered open. He had no idea where he was. Not really. There was long grass, and he was by a lake. The sky was a gleaming blue, sparkling on top of the water. He felt dizzy as he spun around, taking in the flowers, and trees, sounds gradually revealing themselves to him. He shielded his gaze as a figure came into view, emblazoned with white fire. There was something familiar about the silhouette. Stirring long forgotten memories.

"Well. This is a mess, isn't it?" The voice was crystal clear, definitely male. And familiar. "I think you're going to need this."

"Cas…?" another voice, distant, "Castiel?" Tinny. Female.

The figure started at a run towards him. There was the odd flash of colour, bright purple, chestnut brown, a splash of green. He sunk down into darkness once more. The next thing he was aware of was lifting slightly off the ground, as something warm enclosed him, shaking him awake. As his eyelids fluttered open, he realised somebody was supporting him in their arms, and looking down at him with intense concern. As things came into focus, he saw a young, fair-skinned thing with bright green eyes, and he couldn't believe what he was seeing.

"Mel?"

He struggled to sit himself upwards. He was much taller than she was, but he still, to his annoyance, had to lean against her for support. The girl's face, she must have been no older than 19, lit up and her eyes started shining with tears. She pulled him close and hugged him tight. He subconsciously breathed in an old familiar scent, roses and vanilla, with a hint of citrus. The purple he had seen was the somewhat battered sneakers she wore , a colour that reminded him of much happier times.

"It's really you! You're alive! And…human?"

"So are you. Alive, I mean."

"Uhm, yea. I guess," she looked down and scratched the back of her head. "Not that I know what's happening. I just saw…" she trailed off.

There was a solemn silence between the two of them for a moment Mel rested against him, half hiding behind him. Like she had when she was small and got scared.

"What's going on Cas?"

He took a long time to answer, and refused to even look at her, instead he focused on the floor to the left of him as he considered his answer.

"Naomi tortured me, and Metatron tricked me."

"Oh, my poor brother," she sighed, "Will you ever learn?"

"It would appear not."

Full of frustration, he struck the ground with his fist, ignoring the pain that shot through his arm and stones cutting into his knuckles. Startled, Mel jumped, but didn't pull away. Her eyes were wide as she flicked them from side to side, checking they were alone, before she swallowed and turned to face him. She took his bleeding hand and gently held it in her own. He was unused to someone showing him such affection, let alone another angel, and glanced at her, a mixture of confusion and thankfulness on his face.

"You don't hate me? After what I did?" His voice was so simple, so matter of fact that it hurt her.

The young brunette pressed a kiss to his injuries, and looked at him, "I don't…but you should be aware that…other people probably do.

She stood up, and gently pulled him to his feet with her. Now they were standing it was clear just how tiny she was in comparison, "But we'll jump that bridge when we get to it." She wrapped her arms around his waist, as it was the only part of him she could easily reach, "Right now, we have to focus on fixing things. Ok?"

The older angel stayed perfectly still.