The Angel, the Morning Star, and the Hunter

by sopranish

A conversation between Castiel and his fallen brother, in an attempt at light and reconciliation. But as usual, his very different love for Dean must come first. A/N: In my head was the beauty, grace, meaning of 'The Morning Star', and how Castiel would want him to return, and how even Lucifer would see Castiel's loyalties. I just let them talk from there.

"But you were the Morning Star. You shone a symbol of the light of creation for all of us, and Man, and all things. You were beautiful and bright, and that light still shines from everything- all of yourself, all of that grace created by God for the purpose- that you yourself put into it. You are its keeper and its namesake, and it must be visible even in Hell. Don't you miss that?"

"Of course. What I created is my new family, though. All of you, even our so-called Father, rejected me. Our own brother cast me down, and now, at least, he will be stuck with me. It's a party."

"I fear I have changed too much. Disobedient. Different from the rest. And as much as I want to make up for my actions, I can't find it in me to atone for that anymore. Not again. And that scares me. I'm like-"

"Like me? But you're the complete opposite. You're so obedient it makes me sick. God told us to love these humans, revere them above ourselves. Isn't that what you've done? You rescued that scrap of soul that was left, not just to try to stop me. It wasn't just a command against your own brother. But you honestly valued that soul above your own. Above your brother. If anything you're too obedient, like a puppy. You just stopped being so obedient to other angels."

"He is The Righteous Man, we were trying to stop the fight-"

"Oh get off it. You are a shield of God and Man. And Michael's sword must always have its shield. But you not only protect him, right from the start, probably before he started, you loved him. And not the way you love God…"

"He is not absent."

"Oooh, I bet not!-"

"It's not too late! With everything different, you can be different. Topple all of it, change the story."

"It's too late for me. I can't forgive either side. And I will never not want vengeance, especially on the strongest of those things made of mud and God's meddling. Those stupid gray fish Michael had you protect. And who were given so much while I was punished."

"But, brother-"

"That I am."

"Thank you for that. Now let our other brother go."

"Never! Well not yet. And the other one already earned his place here."

"But-"

"These two are mine. But you go. Get back before he comes looking."

"You will never get him again. Or his brother. Or anyone of their line. Or anyone deserving of heaven. Are we clear? Since you chose not to change. I don't want to ever fight you again, but I will if I must."

"Well then give him a big ol' kiss for me."

And as the Morning Star shone its light of grace, love, and promise on the soul and body he now loved and valued above his family, perhaps above God, he woke him with exactly that incredibly human gesture of love and promise.