Disclaimer: I don't own Supernatural or the characters, I only own the plot, and any oc's.

Hypothetically let's just assume that after the fall, angels' wings are not as damaged as the show, well, shows.

The story takes place in season 10 after episode 18.


Wings

Gabriel looked tired, but not from the fight. He just looked exhausted. The only physical wound he had got from the fight was a nick or two on the wings, and the very tips of his longest feathers were slightly singed. Just slightly; it did not take away from the wing's magnificence.

They were gold, but not just a single shade, every sing feather deepened into a darker gold at their tips, speckled with bright golden flakes. At first, Sam thought that Gabriel's wings were covered in gold leaf.

Gabriel's feathers suddenly ruffled under his gaze, and he scratched the back of his neck nervously, "so uh, what's Dean doing with the mark of Cain?"

He sighed, "he… took it to kill Abbadon. We're trying to find a way to get rid of it …do you know-"

Gabriel stiffened, "the mark can only be transferred. It's the only way."

Something was wrong, Gabriel wasn't making eye contact with him, even the archangels wings were drawn in tighter. Gabriel was lying…. But he was the trickster, Gabriel didn't let it show when he was lying, so why was it so obvious that he was?

He shook his head, "Gabriel… can the mark be removed?"

Gabriel swallowed, and in a small voice, he whispered, "yes." Slowly, he turned to face Sam, "but you wouldn't like what happens after."

Oh, does that mean… "Does Dean- "

Gabriel shook his head, stretching his wings. "No… Dean won't die. Everyone will."

He frowned, "what, how?"

"It releases something."

Did he mean Lucifer? He did not need another apocalypse on his plate. "Releases what?"

Gabriel drew a small shuddery breath, "Darkness."

"I guess we better not remove it than."

With that, they sat in silence, across from one another, thinking. Sam felt heavy.

After a while, he sighed, "so …how are we going to reverse the spell? You kind of fried the demon that knew how."

Gabriel winced, wings ruffling a little, "Sorry about that, I got kinda carried away. But I think I have an idea; the script the demon was reading from was an etching of the angel tablet."

"Seriously?"

"Seriously, kiddo. Haven't had a chance to look at it though, but there might be something there. If that doesn't work, I have another idea. It will be hard, but it will probably work.

"What is it?"

"A spell, but not one from the angel tablet. Turns things invisible, the wings will still be there- I mean they kind of always are, but at least Cas can wear a shirt again or something.

Sam couldn't stop his eyes from flickering to Gabriel's bare chest. He looked away, embarrassed. "it's worth a shot." He watched as Gabriel's six great wings fold and unfold, emanating a sense of power that came from archangels. Another question occurred to him, "so, how are you back?"

He shrugged his wings, "Chu- uh, God. God brought me back."

He raised his eyebrow at the slip… what did that mean? He looked at Gabriel curiously, "why, though?"

Gabriel chuckled, "glad to see you don't see a point to me being here, Sammy," he joked sheepishly.

Well, that decided it; he knew something. He would have to look into that later…he felt pretty certain that it had something to do with 'darkness'. He shook the thought off, turning his attention back to something more… pure. "Uh, your wings look pretty good, Gabe."

"Gabe?" Gabriel smiled.

Sam didn't miss the way Gabriel's golden wings shivered. He tried to ignore that. He failed. Shit, I'm becoming my brother. "Sorry, I uh-"

"No, I like it." '

Sam smiled, for the first time in a while, "okay."


Dean felt exhausted, tired, and relieved. Cas was safe, and that was all that mattered to him right now; and so, he had thought sleep would come easy.

It had not.

He had been planning on going back to his own room, but after he had said goodnight and began to head to his room, Cas had grasped his hand, looking up at him with sad blue eyes.

So, he had stayed. He would never hear the end of it if Sam found out.

Cas, after some arranging, was lying on his stomach on the left side of the bed, the same wing bound against his back to stop it from tearing, the other more relaxed, resting on the mattress.

He was positioned on the seat to the right; he had moved it earlier, so it was closer to the bed, in case Cas had a nightmare or something. Angels weren't meant to sleep normally, so he imagined that it wasn't going to be easy for Cas. That proved to be a wise foresight, for no less than twenty minutes ago, Cas had indeed started to whimper and shake; wings tightening and feathers flaring in fear.

It hadn't been hard for him to imagine what the angel was dreaming about.

Cas needed to sleep though, nightmares or not. It hurt him to do so, knowing all too well how real a dream could feel, especially if it had been real. Eventually, though, the angel had woken with a start, looking around confused. It had broken his heart to see Cas shake like he had, so afraid. Cas had calmed down after a few whispered words, and a comforting hand on his back.

They were both still awake now, Cas staring at him with those same blue eyes. They seemed to be studding him; he found he didn't mind. Cas seemed to have calmed down now, and was as relaxed as he could be given the circumstances. Just breathing; watching.

As Cas continued to study him, he admired Cas' wings. They were beautiful. Scars, battered feathers and all. Hell, he loved the colour. They were the same colour as Baby. That made them even better in his mind. He just had to prove it to him… summoning courage, he spoke, "hey Cas…"

Cas hummed, "yes Dean."

"Can I ...Can I touch your wings?"

There was a silence; Cas just staring at him, though differently; he looked puzzled. Dean prayed he hadn't said something wrong; broken some strange angel social rule or something. He rushed to rescue himself, "I mean, unless that's not allowed or something. I don't care about the colour thing, if that's what the problem is. I just meant- "

"Yes."

He stopped short, surprised. "Really? It doesn't mean something bad for angels or anything?"

Cas flushed, and his feathers ruffled. "no, quite the opposite actually."

Oh. He felt himself flush, "does it mean…"

"No. Angels do not …require that. Complementing an angel's wings is typically seen as a sign of friendship or brotherhood, but the touching and grooming of wings is typically reserved for family and those sharing profound…" Cas trailed off, eyes looking away from his.

He had said they shared a profound bond before, so why didn't he… did he mean… "Cas? Profound what?"

Cas' eyes flickered to his for a moment, before looking away again, "love."

He panicked, a million thoughts racing through his head, "well that's okay then. Were family, right Cas?" As soon as he said it, he wanted to take it back. He was such an idjit. Cas' disappointed eyes made him feel like he was being stabbed by a blunt knife. Why can't I just say what I mean!?

"Yes, Dean," Cas hesitated, "family."

He watched as Cas extended his unhurt right wing, draping it over the mattress. The singed tips of the largest feathers touched his knees ever so lightly- primary feathers, Cas had said they were. He breathed in shakily, feeling like he didn't have the right to touch them. "are you sure, Cas?"

Cas nodded, reassuringly, "please."

Allowing a small smile, he touched one of the primary feathers brushing his knees, and gently he let his fingers run over it, smoothing the edges. Cas shuddered. He drew back, amazed, "can your feathers feel?"

"My grace can."

In wonder, he returned to the wing, this time running his hand gently over several feathers; he heard Cas hum in relaxation. Slightly more confident, he smoothed all the primary's back into shape, careful around the singed tips.

Cas fluffed his feathers, "thank you, Dean," he sighed, looking up, "…could you do that again?"

He chuckled, "of course, Cas."

He continued to run his fingers over the largest feathers, smoothing them all out. They were silky, once he got the dirt off, and a shinier black than he had originally thought. He didn't mind. He liked them better that way. After a while of simply running his fingers though them, enjoying feeling Cas' trustful gaze on him, he moved to sit down on the mattress, next to Cas and below his outstretched wing.

Cas looked at him in confusion.

"Can't reach the rest of your wings in that chair."

Cas looked at him for a moment, "Okay."

"I'll be gentle, I promise."

"I know."

With that, he placed a gentle hand on the actual wing, feeling the soft feathers beneath his fingers. Cas shivered in response. Taking that as a good thing, he continued, running his hand along Cas' wing, careful of the scars and still fresh wounds that covered it as he smoothed over the soft down. Well, feathers, but there was down too. It was easy for him to understand Cas' strength as he felt the strong muscle underneath. He began to knead at the spots still tense from what had happened, soothing the muscle.

Cas hummed happily, closing his eyes.

He smiled, glad to see him relaxing. He made his way down to the rest of the wing, repeating the process. After a while, he found he found that, despite being finished 'grooming' the wing, he was still running his fingers through the feathers. Curiously, he watched the rise and fall of the angel's chest. It was slow. Asleep. Smiling again, he ran his hand through Cas' hair softly. "Night, Cas." I love you.


Over the last few weeks, his brother's wings had begun to heal, and the stitching had been able to come out, and the splint removed. The wings still looked pretty beat up, but they didn't seem as though they were going to fall off anytime soon. Dean had made sure of that.

He had been helping Sam track and rescue any wounded angels while Cas healed. They couldn't very well try the spell on injured wings, lest they are able to monitor it. They all new Cas tended to hide physical pain.

The two of them had found a few angels and one or two of them he had convinced Sam was trustworthy enough to stay at the bunker until rested, others he had trouble convincing himself to save.

It had been interesting being able to see all of his brethren's wings, not just in the past few weeks, but since the whole ordeal started. Angels typically had the choice to show their wings or not, and now that they were forced to show them, it was easy to see why some had hidden them. Very few angels had pure white wings. Often, they were tinted with grey or black, or were all over grey. Somewhere even black, like Cas. He supposed though, after seeing Cas' wings, and knowing that his little brother wasn't evil, helped him know that just because some wings were a different colour, it didn't necessarily mean they were evil.

No angel wings actually turned black instantly. They moulted into it, gradually darkening into that colour, or fading back into white.

Nevertheless, Sam and himself had been able to get to know each other better. Well, Sam got to know him better; he always knew Sam. Mary had been right. For both of the Winchester brothers.

He turned to look at the younger Winchester, all long hair and limbs. He had grown so much. Literally and figuratively. He felt, proud? That almost confused him; he had tried so hard not to care, especially when the apocalypse had come around, and then later left.

He sighed, shaking his head. Bloody Moose. Faintly, he could hear Dean trying to get his attention; he turned to face him, "yes, squirrel?"

Dean raised his eyebrows, "are certain there is nothing on the etching that could work?"

Gabriel nodded, "yep, checked it twice. There was an awful lot on making them visible, but not much on making them invisible." It was true; there was nothing. It was almost as if the tablet had been made just to destroy all of his brethren, even the ones he actually liked.

Dean shook his head, "now what?"

He shrugged his six wings, "I don't know. Ring of Power, maybe?"

Dean scoffed, stepping closer to Cassie. "be serious, will you."

"That's rich, coming from-"

Sammy clapped his hands together, "okay. I get that were all frustrated, but I think that's enough of that," Sam nodded at him, "Gabe, you said there was a spell?"

He got ready to reply, but then Dean folded his arms, and opened his pie hole, "Gabe?"

He shrugged, "I didn't say anything when you started calling my brother Cas," he pointed out, "and yeah, there is another spell. It will make an angel wings invisible, but only for the angel its directed to. I'll have to put the spell over angel radio, and each angel will have to do the spell themselves."

Dean looked at Castiel for a moment, and spread his arms in question, "so what are we waiting for?"

"You have to do something. Say something; mean something."

Dean gestured around, eyes wondering around the library, "okay what?"

He smiled, though inside he was a tad worried, "the spell hasn't been done before. It has to be done a specific way the first time before it's used again. It needs a little magic."

"Okay, do we need to call Rowena?"

He shook his head, "not that kind of magic, kiddo. It needs a true, untainted emotion. And a strong one," he looked at Dean knowingly. He wasn't worried about whether or not Dean felt that kind of emotion towards Cas or vice versa, but rather if Dean could admit it or not. Out loud.

Dean withdrew, looking panicked at Cas- who looked equally anxious. "I don't know- I can't- I mean, what if-"

Sam placed a reassuring hand on Dean's shoulder, "Dean. It's okay," he looked at Cas with those puppy eyes of his.

Cassie, understanding, followed Sam's lead, stepping in front of the older Winchester so he could face him.

Sam moved to stand by his side, watching with him as the scene played out. He watched in awe as Castiel wrapped his right wing around Dean, the other following after, more loosely. Castiel didn't say anything; he just looked into Dean's eyes soulfully; honestly, and nodded.


This was too much, no, so much. Dean could feel Cas' wings around him, warm and pure. They felt safe, powerful, even in the state they were in. Maybe it was just Cas. He stumbled for words for a moment, unsure of what to do, before he shakily, encircling his arms around Cas' waist. "what… what now?"

Gabriel smiled at them, "just repeat the words in English after me, and feel the words. They are in Latin, but if what you feel is true, the meaning will be clear."

Dean wondered what the archangel could mean as he heard him say 'ille dilexit genus humanum, et humanum dilexit eum."

He didn't know these words, but Cas seemed to, baced upon his shocked expression. After a moment, he felt the meaning become clear in his mind, and with a shaky voice he said, "he loved humanity, and humanity loved him." He felt Castiel tighten his wings around him.

"Sed in loco qui dixit: Mihi opus vestrum."

This time, Castiel gasped. Dean, after a moment, soon realised why. Cas had finally figured it out. He laughed, a sad laugh, "But instead he said I need you, and he did."

"Ut animum dulcedine ad operandum."

Dean glanced at Cas's wings, "In order to work the spell."

"Quod necesse est dicere quod ille dilexit eum."

Castiel flushed, looking away. Dean felt his heart break; he hugged the angel reassuringly, regaining eye contact with the angel. It was now or never. "It must be said that- …it must be said that he loves him."

"Quod dilectio debet esse vera."

Dean blinked, weighing the words. He drew a deep breath, praying his voice would not break, "that love must be true."

"et pura."

"And pure."

"Et absque omni condicione."

"And without any condition."

Gabriel let out a breath, "okay, now you got to say it, Dean. And it has to be like what you just spoke"

Dean didn't turn to face him, to frozen with fear. This was the ultimate test. If what he said turned out not to be true, than Cas would know it. All of them would know it. If those beautiful wings didn't turn invisible, it would mean… it would mean he or Cas didn't… He couldn't bring himself to think such a thing.

Cas had looked away again, though Dean could see his red eyes. He reached up and cupped one of Cas' cheeks, gently guiding his head back. "Cas… I don't know where to start."

Cas nodded, leaning into his touch slightly.

"What does he mean to you, Dean?" Gabriel prompted.

He didn't skip a beat, "everything."

Castiel pursed his lips for a moment, shocked, "Dean…"

He shushed him, shaking his head, "not, not this time Cas. I'm going to say this right; because it's true, you do mean everything to me, Cas."

Castiel shook his head, "Dean, you don't have to say this; not if you do not mean it; we can find another spell-"

"I do mean it, Cas," Dean argued, running his hands down the angel's forearms, shaking, "and I do have to say it, spell or not. I have waited far too long, said something else too many times, Cas. I need to do this, and I'm sorry if I hurt you in not doing so earlier."

Jaw quivering, Cas gave a shaky nod, "I …I forgive you."

"I know, you always do. Even if I don't deserve it," he said, shushing the angel again when he saw him move to protest, "You have never given up on me, and I will never give up on you. Were family Cas."

Cas looked away again, to Sam, "were brothers, you mean. That kind of bond… that kind of love will work for the spell."

He drew back, anxiety rising "no, Cas. We're not brothers; we have a different kind of bond, Cas," he waited for Cas to turn his face back to him, anticipation rising in his chest, his heart beating rapidly, "a different kind of love." He reassuringly brought his shaking hands up to Cas biceps, and ran them up to his shoulders.

Cas returned the embrace, this time wrapping his arms around him alongside the wings. "What… what does that make us, Dean."

"I don't know, Cas," he sighed, drawing Cas in close, resting his head on the angel's shoulder as he reached a hand up to hold the back of Cas' neck, fingers running though his soft hair. Sighing, he relished in the embrace, wishing he could stay in this moment, where all seemed well. He drew a deep breath, looking straight into those beautiful blue eyes, praying that his next words rang true. "All I know is that I do, and always will love you."

Cas stared at him for a moment, lips pursed.

Then Dean saw the most beautiful thing his eyes were ever graced with. More beautiful even, than Cas' wings. He saw Cas smile. A wide, toothy smile. After a moment, anther look came upon his face, one of deep concentration. Very seriously, Cas looked up into his eyes, hands coming to rest behind his neck, "I know." Then, Cas kissed him.


Sam watched in awe as the scene unfolded before him. It actually happened. He could scarcely belief his eyes. He had waited six years for this. Six. The longing stares would finally stop! He had never been so happy in his life. Well, maybe, but this came pretty close. It helped that Cas had actually Han Solo'd Dean. Gleefully, he turned to Gabe.

Gabe smiled back at him, "turn in alis invisibilia."

Holding his breath, he turned his attention back to Dean and Cas. Neither of the two broken their kiss, but the wings folded around Dean gradually faded away. Invisible, but still there.

Gabe looked to him, "now the spell will work for all," he said.

Understanding, but slightly reluctant, Sam nodded and repeated the spell back at Gabriel. "turn in alis invisibilia."

As expected, those amazing golden wings began to fade as well. He couldn't help but feel slightly disappointed. He had enjoyed looking at their magnificence. Dejectedly, he looked away as Gabriel manifested clothing over his torso.

"Their still there, Sambo. You'll see them again," Gabriel winked.

Sam sighed, "well, time to spread the word."


Cas had been so afraid only a few hours ago, when the spell was yet to be spoken, but now he felt no fear. At least, none about whether or not Dean shared his feelings. He didn't feel the flustered feeling in his stomach or the feather lightness that people often described when falling in love. Though, he supposed he had fallen a long time ago. He fell for Dean the moment he pulled his broken soul from perdition and pieced it back together.

Now, he was comfortable and content. Like he always was with Dean. He couldn't explain what he was feeling. It was warmth, bliss and contentment; it was passion, belonging and devotion. It was being able to know that no matter what happened, he would always have someone who accepted him. It was love.

And finally, he knew it was shared.

Wordlessly, he wrapped his coat tighter around himself, beyond happiness. Dean had apparently bought him a new coat not long after his wings had torn his old one, and had saved it for when his wings would allow clothing over them. It was much like the first coat he had owned, longer, and with a tassel. Dean had originally protested him getting into bed with it on, but he had used the 'puppy eyes' as Sam had advised. Dean had changed his mind very quickly.

He smiled warmly, looking at Deans closed eyes, imagining the green underneath. He could tell Dean was not asleep, but rather in a deep state of relaxation. It was nice to observe; he didn't need to sleep now that his wings were healed, but he would like to experience it with Dean, without nightmares.

After a moment, he pulled Dean closer to his chest with his hidden wings, wrapping them around him protectively. He felt Dean freeze for a moment, before he relaxed and returned the embrace. They lay like that for a moment, and he couldn't help but sigh happily when he felt Dean run his fingers through the feathers at the base of his wings, invisible as they were.

A thought suddenly occurred to him, something Sam had advised he say to Dean to let his feelings known. He supposed they were known now, but it would not do any harm to reinforce it. "Dean?" he asked.

Dean hummed, "yeah, Cas?"

"I'm not the Impala, but you can call me baby."

For a moment, Dean did not react. Then, to his horror, Dean began to shake against his chest. "Dean? Dean, I'm sorry; did I say something wrong?"

Dean, still shaking pulled away from his chest, and to Cas' surprise, he discovered that Dean was not crying, but …laughing? He was even more shocked when he felt himself being pulled to Dean's own chest, his lips pressing a kiss to his forehead.

"No. No Cas. You didn't say anything wrong," Dean smiled, still laughing.

He frowned, confused, "then why are you laughing?"

"Because I love you."

He relaxed, "and I you."

"I know."