During the weeks after the angels fell, Kevin had alternated between searching for a way to quit the trials and a way to send the angels back to Heaven. Currently, he was doing the latter. Kevin reread the tablet again. He looked over the sentence, then looked at his notes, then looked back the tablet. Maybe he was translating something wrong? He took a deep breath and stared at the tablet intensely.
" 'The heart of a nephilim, a creature created from the love of mankind and angels,' " He read slowly. " 'A cupid's bow, an angelic power used to make humans fall in love and the grace of an angel who is in love with a human.' " Confused, Kevin scratched his head again. "The grace of an angel who is in love with a human?" He repeated.
"Find anything on how to send those winged pains in the ass back?" Kevin jumped when Dean pushed open the door and he quickly shoved the tablet aside. "What?"
"Nothing!" He exclaimed, making Dean narrow his eyes at the teenager.
"Did you find something?" He asked and Kevin shook his head. Standing up, he pushed Dean away from the doorway.
"I'll keep looking," He promised before shutting the door. Slowly, he turned back and stared at the tablet. "An angel who is in love with a human," He repeated for the third time. "Jesus christ, you've got to be kidding me." Drumming on the desk, Kevin sat back down. He looked up a little way from the ingredients of the spell. " 'Angels fall because of emotion. They fall because of love. To cast all Heavens out of Heaven you will need A cupid's bow, an angelic power used to make humans fall in love and the grace of an angel who is in love with a human.' " He shoved the thought aside and began scanning for a way to send the angels back. Meanwhile Dean had headed back into the library, where Castiel and Sam were also searching for a way to send the angels back.
"Did Kevin find anything?" Sam asked, glancing up at his brother. His eyes were weary and he looked horribly sick.
"Go to bed," Dean told him and Sam shook his head. "Come on, I'll wake you up for dinner. Get some goddamn rest."
"Not until we find something," He said, turning back to the book. Castiel glanced up at Dean, looking almost as bad as Sam.
"Both of you need to go get some sleep," Dean said, looking between them. "Are you both idiotic? Look at the state you're in!"
"It is my fault the angels fell," Castiel said softly. About to say something, Dean flexed his hand and then ran in through his hair. Frustration pulled at his very being.
"I can handle it," Sam said, flashing a weak smile at Castiel. "You should rest."
"If anyone is in need of rest it is you Sam," Castiel said back, without looking up. "The trials have damaged you."
"You wandered the country for almost a week Cas," Sam said. "It's alright, Dean and I got this." The former angel shook his head and Sam sighed. Dean just glared at both of them.
"You stubborn bastards," He muttered, turning and walking into the kitchen. He snatched up a beer from the fridge and leaned back against the counter. It was hard enough trying to keep Sam and Castiel breathing without them trying to work themselves to death. He pulled out his cell phone and glanced down to see no one had called. Most of the hunters he still knew had done the same as him. They went into hiding and were currently trying to find a way to banish all angels off the face of the Earth. Garth had created a network of hunters who knew how to deal with angels, but they couldn't kill them. Dean felt slightly guilty about hoarding the several angel blades he possessed, but he wasn't about to let them go to random strangers. After all, they couldn't kill every angel and just call it good. Somebody needed to run Heaven.
"Castiel!" The angel glanced up as Kevin peeked his head around the corner. "Uh can I talk to you?"
"Did you find something?" Sam asked, glancing back at the teenager. He made several squeaky noises that seemed to sound like "no, not really" and waved for Castiel to come.
"I will return," Castiel said to Sam as he stood and followed Kevin back into his room. Once they entered, Kevin slammed the door and locked it. Castiel tilted his head in confusion.
"Alright," Kevin said, walking over to the angel tablet. "So I found something."
"I thought you didn't?" Castiel questioned, confused. Again, Kevin made the strange squeaking sound.
"It's not concerning how to shut the gates of Heaven," He said. "More like how to make the angels fall." Pain shot through Castiel and he stared down at the floor. "Can I read the passage to you?"
"Why?" Castiel said angrily. "Want to rub the salt in my wounds? About how I screwed up and let all of you down?" Kevin flinched and shook his head.
"Okay," He said. "I'll just um it says that the final ingredient is-"
"An angel's grace," Castiel interrupted and Kevin sighed and rubbed the back of his neck.
"From an angel that-" He broke off and Castiel narrowed his eyes at him. "An angel that's in love with a human?" The last part of his sentence almost sounded like a question.
"Are you asking me a question Kevin?" Castiel asked, his anger turning into confusion.
"No I'm saying that's what it said," Kevin said. "So I was wondering uh who it was. I mean cause Meg-"
"Was a demon," Castiel said and Kevin nodded. "This seems like a personal question."
"Well nevermind then," Kevin said for fear of angering Castiel again. While he wasn't an angel anymore, Kevin figured he could probably still pound him until his face fell off. "I'll keep looking." He sat down and pulled the angel tablet back over to him. Castiel stood in the room with a look of contemplation on his face.
"Dean," He said after a few moments, making Kevin look up.
"What?" He asked, surprised. "Dean?"
"Dean is the human I am in love with," Castiel said with a sigh. Kevin's eyes widened and he tried to search for words to say.
"Dean, really?" He said, earning himself a glare from Castiel. "Not that anything's wrong with that. It's just uh Dean is kind of a jerk. I would have truthfully expected Sam, he's been way nicer to you or like some random stripper or a movie star or anyone besides Dean!"
"Is something wrong with loving Dean?" Castiel asked and Kevin shrugged.
"It's not like he's the biggest douchebag I've ever met," Kevin muttered. Besides you. He added in his head. Maybe that's why. They're like the popular kids at high school who bullies everyone into doing their homework.
"Keep searching for a way to return the angels to Heaven," Castiel said as he reached to open the door.
"Wait!" Kevin exclaimed, startling Castiel. "Um why don't you tell him?" Castiel frowned at the prophet.
"We have more important things to deal with," He said and left the Kevin's room. Sighing, Kevin fell back into his chair and picked up the angel tablet. He glared at it.
"Tell me your secrets," He said, poking it. "Come on! I don't think I have the capability of keeping a secret like this!" When Kevin went to dinner, his skills of keeping a secret were truly tested. Why did I ask in the first place? He thought angrily as he sipped his soup. Sam poked at his, not looking too hungry.
"Eat up Sammy," Dean snapped from Sam's side. "You too Cas." He kicked the former angel's chair, startling him.
"I'm not hungry," Sam and Castiel both muttered. Dean looked like he was about to rip out his own throat. Cautiously, Kevin looked between the angry Dean and quiet Castiel. Maybe Castiel didn't want to tell Dean for fear of getting his throat ripped out? Then again, Kevin had seen the longing looks they gave each other and every soft touch Dean let fall on Castiel's shoulder.
"Look I care enough to bitch at you guys," Dean said. "So eat up. Even if I have to freaking force it down your stubborn throats." Kevin took another bite and Dean looked at him. "You've been awful quiet there Kev?"
"Have I?" Kevin laughed uneasily. "I'm just enjoying the great soup." Castiel shot a glare at him as if to say "Keep your mouth shut young prophet."
"You hate my cooking," Dean said, narrowing his eyes suspiciously.
"I don't hate anything," Kevin said. "I just love this soup. You know I love this bunker and I love-OW!" Castiel kicked his leg rather forcefully and Dean frowned. "Oops, just bit my own tongue, no big deal."
"You've been acting weird since this morning," Dean commented, turning back to Sam who was cautiously taking a sip of soup. "There you go Sammy!" He slapped his brother's back, causing him to drop the spoon. Sam rolled his eyes and snatched it up again. Castiel ate a little more of his soup, while Kevin hurried to finish his own bowl.
"I'm done, going to go back to my bedroom," Kevin said, racing away. Dean eyed him suspiciously and then glanced at Castiel.
"Does it seem like he's hiding something?" He asked.
"It does not matter," Castiel said, pushing away his bowl. "Have I consumed enough sustenance to go back to research?" Dean angrily glared at the half-full dish.
"All of it," He growled, pushing the bowl back. Castiel rolled his eyes and continued to force the disgusting soup down. Sam snickered slightly and Castiel kicked him under the table. Even after being kicked, Sam couldn't help but smile at Castiel. After all, he was becoming more human each day. Somehow, Dean managed to get Sam and Castiel to both finish their dinners and then force them to go to sleep. Sam's sleep was restless and painful, while Castiel just kind of passed out. Dean sighed and then walked back to his own room. When he passed by, he saw Kevin's door was slightly open. Frowning, he pushed it open to find the prophet angrily staring at the tablet.
"You need sleep too," Kevin said before Dean could lecture him. "Staying up most of the night to force us to sleep is not responsible."
"Shut up and go to sleep," Dean said, flicking off Kevin's light and shutting the door. He returned to his own room and flopped down on the bed, leaving his door open. Just as he expected, a small beam of light shone in the hallway. Angrily grumbling, Dean stood up and walked over to Kevin's room. The prophet glared at him when he came in.
"I'm working," He said and Dean flicked the light off again.
"Get at least four hours Kevin," He said and to his surprise the teenager simply flicked the light back on before Dean even left the room.
"I'm not your kid Dean," He said angrily. "I'm trying to help you and you just treat me like I don't know what's best for myself. You don't even know what's best for you!"
"Remember when you didn't sleep for a month?" Dean snapped back. "Crowley captured you and you would've died if freaking Megatron didn't save you. Plus, I'm the oldest here and this is my bunker, so follow my rules."
"I'm not your family Dean," Kevin said, slamming the door in Dean's face. He locked it. "Go pay attention to your brother and angel savior! Leave the poor orphan prophet alone!"
"You became my family the minute you entered this war," Dean said quietly. "Come on man. We're all in this shithole together." Kevin sighed and then turned off the light. Angrily, he flopped down onto his bed and pulled the sheet over his head. Even as angry and frustrated as he was, he smiled slightly. After all, he did have some sort of family as dysfunctional as it was. The next morning, Dean made pancakes for breakfast.
"You turning into a stay at home dad?" Sam mocked and Dean slapped him on the back of his head. After a good nights rest, Sam looked slightly better, but he was still too weak to leave the bunker.
"I can't believe these aren't those lame microwavable pancakes," Kevin said, chewing on his own pancakes. He glanced at the empty seat next to him as he followed. "Where's Castiel?"
"Not up yet?" Sam said, shrugging. Kevin nodded and Dean glanced over at him.
"What were you talking to Cas about last night?" He asked nonchalantly. "Did you find something to help out with his lost angel mojo?"
"Nothing," Kevin said a little too quickly. Dean frowned, but before he could say anything else, Castiel walked into the room, looking tired.
"Good morning," He said, sitting down next to Kevin. Dean slid a plate of pancakes over to him once he was seated.
"Eat up," He said and poured a hefty amount of syrup on his own pancakes. Once breakfast was done, everyone went back to their respective research. Eventually, Kevin pushed the angel tablet aside and began to read over the demon tablet again, hoping to find some way to help Sam. This continued for almost a week and Castiel's secret nagged at the back of Kevin's head the entire time. Every time he saw Castiel and Dean even glance at each other it was all he could think of. He held it together fairly well. After all, like Castiel said Sam needed Dean right now and both Kevin and Castiel should be trying to help Sam.
"I found something!" Kevin burst out of his room, carrying the demon tablet. "There's a way to get Sam out of the trials!" He nearly tripped over the entryway and slammed the tablet down on the table. "There's two ways to get out of the trials," He said, tapping on the tablet. "Either the person doing them dies or there's this spell. It's intense though."
"Well let's do it," Dean said and Kevin nodded.
"Give me your knife," Kevin said and Dean cautiously handed it to him. The prophet tried not to wince as he cut open his head. Slowly he began to draw angel banishing symbols on Sam's skin.
"Uh, Kevin?" Dean said. "Are you sure you know what you're doing?"
"You too Dean," Kevin said, handing the blade to Dean. "In order to complete the spell, the blood of family and a prophet must be used. So, you too Castiel."
"I'm not truly Sam's family," Castiel protested as Dean drew sigils in his own blood. Kevin didn't have the heart to tell him that he needed him to do it because he was "a human that was once an angel."
"You are," Dean said with a sigh and Castiel cut his own hand to draw the sigils. Sam stood in front of them, looking confused.
"Why are angel banishing sigils needed?" He asked
"Only angels can close the gates of Hell," Kevin explained, surprising Castiel. "Specifically archangels. So what the trials were doing was changing you into an angel."
"What?" Sam said almost inaudibly.
"However the effect would not last long," Kevin said, tracing over the words on the tablet. "After you became an archangel for a long enough time to slam all the demons in Hell you would've immediately died." Before there were any more questions, Kevin drew one more angel banishing sigil on the table. He said something in Enochian and then slammed his hand against the table. Light flashed throughout the room and Sam's body glowed just like it did after completing each trials. However, this time the glow was forced out of his body. It shot up and exploded, leaving nothing behind. Pain raced through Sam's entire body and he could feel the effect of the trials seeping away. It was over.
"Sammy!" Dean exclaimed when his brother dropped to the floor. Kevin sighed and fell back into the chair. His head was pounding and he could barely breathe.
"There is something wrong with Kevin as well," Castiel said, just before Kevin passed out. When Sam and Kevin woke up again, they were both fine. Sam was cured of any pain he once had and well Kevin was just a successful young prophet.
"Time to celebrate," Dean said, unveiling a pie before the group after dinner. "And that means pie."
"I'm surprised you didn't just keep the whole thing for yourself," Sam said and Dean cut up the pie and handed them all pieces.
"Shut up," Dean said, rolling his eyes.
"I do not think it is time for celebration quite yet Dean," Castiel said as he received his own piece of pie. "The angels-"
"Will be dealt with later," Dean said, patting the former angel on the shoulder. Kevin stared and knew he couldn't take it anymore. "Here Kevin. Any great words of wisdom from our resident prophet?" The teenager stared back at him and his eyes flickered to Castiel for a brief moment.
"Castiel is in love with you!" He blurted out before Castiel could prevent anything from being said. Dean stared back at him and then glanced at Castiel, purely in shock. "I found out cause I found the spell that made the angels fall and then it said that it required the grace of an angel that had fallen in love with a human. So I was like, 'Hey Cas that true?' And he was like, 'I'm in love with Dean but don't tell him because we have bigger things to worry about' and I was like 'Sure.' But then I started noticing all the looks you give each other and then we fixed Sam so I was like 'What the hell? I should just tell everyone right here and right now because what could be the worst possible thing that could happen?' " He gulped and glanced over Castiel who looked like he was about to rip Kevin's throat out. "Besides getting killed by a lovesick former angel?"
"Maybe my lovesick older brother could just man up and tell Castiel about his own feelings?" Sam suddenly said, tapping on the plate with his fork. "What was it that you said Dean? Oh yeah, you said 'Sammy I can't just tell Cas that I well you know! Listen let's get you healed up and maybe I'll say something.' Right, Dean?"
"I-yes I did say that," Dean said softly, now staring at Castiel.
"Kevin did not quote me correctly," Castiel said. "I told him that 'Dean is the human I am in love with.' " A weak smile tugged at Dean's face and he laughed lightly.
"We just let two other dudes confess for us," He said, smirking slightly. "Feels like we're on some romantic comedy."
"I suppose," Castiel said, staring back at Dean. "After all we are being watched as if we were in the most important movie of the year." His eyes darted to Kevin and then Sam.
"You know my room is really great for eating pie," Kevin said, getting the hint.
"Yeah so's mine," Sam said and they both stood up and left the room. Castiel and Dean simply both stared at each other for a second or two longer, before Dean coughed awkwardly.
"I don't just need you Cas," He began softly. "I want you too." The former angel smiled and then stood up, slowly walking over to Dean. He did not say anything but just pulled Dean into a tight hug.
" 'I need you more than I want you,' " He said quietly. " 'And I want you for all time.' "
"Did you just quote 'Wichita Lineman'?" Dean asked, incredulous. Castiel nodded slightly and Dean laughed, pulling the former angel closer.
"It was the first existential country song," Castiel said.
"I don't do country," Dean murmured, kissing Castiel's hair. "But I'll make one exception. There's one thing I would change though," Dean said, pulling away slightly from Castiel. He tilted his head in confusion.
"I need you more than I want you," Dean repeated. "And I want you more than anything." Castiel's eyes lit up with happiness and Dean chuckled.