Hey everybody, long time no see. For those of you who are potentially still waiting on Playful - I promise it is coming. Just getting back into writing after an interesting few years so hopefully I'll scratch your itches soon.

As for this story, its my first Destiel and was an idea that crept from a prompt I saw on tumblr. post/51878158125/season9things-submitted-by-anonym ous It will be three chapters - was originally trying for a oneshot but then plot crept in sorry.

Rating my increase. Still not sure exactly how graphic I'll be later on.

Anyway enjoy :)


They've fallen.

The angels have fallen.

In a single night they have seen the sick twist on the ever romantic shooting stars phenomenon occur above their heads. A phenomenon that they have had quite a hand in helping to create.

The knowledge that Castiel must be among those that have fallen is just the icing on the messed up cake that is their lives. It figures that when they have finally fully managed to welcome someone new into their little family something happens to them.

Because that's what happens to them isn't it? Everyone they love and care about gets hurt. Why should Cas be any different?

Because he IS different, Dean muses while he watches the angels falling to the earth that they were charged to look after, but then again, he has constantly defied Heaven and "what should be" so why wouldn't he, of all of them, be the one to be severely screwed over by the powers that be?

Then again, on the other hand, for a guy that has sacrificed so much for humanity already surely the big guy upstairs – wherever he may be – could cut Cas a break. Let him exist in relative security with the brothers that have brought him into their little family and without whom he would be a bit lost in the world.

And doesn't that thought stick just a little because where is Cas?


The wetness on his cheeks is a new sensation. He's aware of what tears are and what they are a result of – he's been around for long enough that there are few human experiences that he doesn't know about – but he's a little in awe of now experiencing the sensation for himself.

Just the first of many things he will experience for himself in the coming times he supposes, the thought twinging a little as the reality of his having fallen and lacking his grace begin to sink in.

He's human. Human. No longer an angel. And he feels…

Less he thinks to himself, and yet….slightly more. I'm finally a full member of this marvellous creation of Father's

And yet the thought niggles that for however much he may enjoy spending time amongst humankind and possibly could adapt – well I'll have to now – his brothers and sisters are not so well equipped for this situation. He can turn to Dean and Sam and he knows they will help look after him, but for his siblings this will be a harsh new reality for which they are ill-equipped to deal.

Sam and Dean.

He must find a way to get back to them, it's the only way he can start to work towards making things right again. And the trials, dear Father, what are they going to do about the trials?

A million thoughts clog his head, spinning and spiralling out of control before one thought solidifies once more.

Sam and Dean.

He has to get back to them. First he supposes he should find out where he is and then work to getting back. Looking around Cas notices a dim glow on the horizon that he knows is typical of a human town or city.

That's my best bet I suppose. Better get a move on or they might get mad.

With that thought in mind, the battle worn and weary angel turns towards civilisation and his way – he hopes – back to the brothers.


Dammit Cas, where on this earth could you possibly be right now?

The realisation that they've registered hundreds of angels hitting the earth all over the globe hasn't helped raise Dean's spirits one jot and it sinks in that they have no idea where Cas is.

And that is just not what Dean wanted to think about right now. He's barely been keeping it together trying to get Sammy through the trials and now his angel is missing.

Woh woh woh MY angel? When did I start thinking of Cas as mine exactly? Well actually, I guess, for a while now really – hell everyone else seems to call him mine. And if that stupid trench-coat wearing idiot goes and gets himself killed because he can't function as a human and I haven't told him that he is actually important to me? To both of us?

Dean knows he'll never forgive himself if that comes to pass.

"Come on Sam, ideas! We've gotta find him!"

Sam looks over at his brother, a cheeky call right on the tip of his tongue but the deadly serious look on Dean's face, which is now tinged with worry, convinces him to shut up and work harder to find Cas.


Finally! People!

Cas walked into the dingy looking bar, thankful that at last he'd found civilisation.

The walk back to the nearby town he'd seen the glow of, had been long and tiring and although a few cars had driven past, what the drivers seemed to want in return for their services was not something Cas ever wanted to do with anyone

Except Dean

Well ok, yes, except Dean, because at this point in time Cas knows his feelings for Dean and they are not strictly platonic. Far from it in fact. But as Dean's never made a move – other than some serious longer-than-strictly-necessary-eye-contact moments – Cas won't force anything. Dean, and Sam, are his family now and he'll be damned (again) if he'll screw that up on unreciprocated feelings.

If Dean showed any sign of reciprocation however

Well I'd be on him in a heartbeat, no questions asked

Cas smirked at the image of him jumping Dean and the shocked look that would doubtless appear on the younger Winchesters face at the action.

"Can I help you son?"

Cas, startled out of his thoughts, looked over to see a stout, matronly looking woman peering at him from behind the bar.

"Excuse me?"

The woman rolled her eyes good naturedly,

"I said 'Can I help you son?'"

Cas' face brightened, a smile working its way across his tired features

"Yes please! I seem to have gotten lost. Would it be alright if I borrowed your phone and made a quick call?"

"You go right ahead hun, phone's over there." she pointed to the back of the bar, "There are spare quarters in the jar next to it if you're broke"

"Thankyou" Cas replied, the smile still largely apparent on his face as he hurried to the back of the bar, quickly dropping a quarter in the machine and dialling the familiar number.

Please Dean, please pick up!


They've been at this for hours, calling everyone they know that knows anything at all about locating fallen angels and so far they've come up with squat.

The stress of time passing and the anxiety of still not having found a solid lead on Cas is starting to show on Dean and Sam thinks it's time for a mental health break.

"Dean I'm gonna order pizza, you in?

Dean looked up at his baby brother, stress clearly evident on his face

"Dude, Cas is still missing, we don't have a single lead and you wanna eat pizza?!" Dean finishes, slightly yelling and now standing in front of Sam.

Sam, for his part, just looks Dean squarely in the eyes and replies with a simple

"Yep"

Dean sighs, "Sammy…"

"No Dean, I'm wrecked, you're wrecked! And we're not going to get anywhere unless we keep ourselves going and that involves food. Now I'm gonna order and if you want something other than what I'm going to order, tell me now."

The stone look on Sam's face convinces Dean that he really must look like crap and even though he hates to admit it, Sam's right. He has to keep himself functioning in order to find Cas, and he HAS to find Cas dammit.

"Alright alright grab something smothered in meat for me will ya?" Dean smiles at Sam, wondering when it was that he was able to be looked after by his baby brother and not worry about putting too much responsibility on his shoulders.

Probably around the same time as someone else starting looking out for you that sneaky little voice in his head whispers and Dean knows it's right.

It surprised him to no end that someone, anyone, particularly an angel for goodness sake had been bothered to rescue him from hell and then to help he and Sam out with so many different things over the years? Cas was one of a kind that was sure. Dean still wasn't sure that he was worthy of being rescued, but he has come to accept, in some small measure, that maybe he does matter enough to just a few people that he can start to fully trust that they'll look out for him.

For one of those people to be Sammy, no problem. As much as he rags on his brother for being a nerd and not as gutsy as himself, Dean knows Sam can hold himself and those he cares for and will protect them in any way he deems necessary – the trials being a prime example of that. As much as it may surprise Dean that he is able to rely on his brother as much as he does, in some ways it's not a surprise at all. Sam's a Winchester after all.

Castiel on the other hand. Well Dean had no reason to believe that an angel of the lord, who really only rescued him because of Divine orders or some such, would ever be someone who could relied upon and trusted as much as he is.

Sure Dean has issues with the number of times Cas has just up and disappeared on them – often for no apparent reason – but even he will admit that the fact that Cas keeps coming back, no matter the rubbish that the three of them go through, is a massive marker in the angels favour.

A muffled buzzing cuts through Dean's musings and the rumble of Sam's voice ordering pizza in the other room. Searching around, he finally discovers his phone in his pocket, happily buzzing away, an unknown number flashing on the screen. Warily he answers

"Hello?"

"Dean?"

Dean's heart stops at the sound of Cas' voice in his ear.

"Cas! Are you ok? We saw the angels falling to earth. Where are you? We'll come and get you"

Over the phone Dean hears a muffled,

"Excuse me miss..."

It's a few seconds before Cas is back on the phone, giving Dean the name of a bar in a town, thankfully not even an hour away.

"Ok just sit tight Cas I'm going to come get you. Don't move you hear me? Do not leave that bar!"

"I'm not sure how I'm supposed to make my sitting down more tight Dean, but I will not leave. I promise"

Dean hangs up, those words running through his head, I promise. Words he's never heard from the angel before.

He must be pretty messed up. Time to go get him.

Dean quickly fills Sam in as he grabs the keys to the Impala and practically runs out the door.

Gunning the car down the road towards Cas, Dean's thoughts are a riot

He's ok. At least he's ok. Probably not an angel anymore. Almost definitely not an angel anymore. But its ok. He's ok. We'll see him soon.

Dean's hands tighten on the steering wheel as he pushes the car faster down the road towards his missing angel.


Would love feedback :)