Chapter 3: Sweet Child O'Mine

When all the overwhelming human feelings started to fade, letting Lucifer think straight, he was able to sense a small piece of Castiel's soul that somehow hadn't been injured. It wasn't much but… Castiel wasn't dead, not yet; and Lucifer would do everything to make sure that day would never come.

At first Lucifer thought in sharing his grace with him, but that would take effort from both parts; it would waste both graces. Even being a small part, that usually compensates, Lucifer didn't want to risk Castiel's soul to drain out completely. So he had to go with the other plan. He had to take Castiel to Heaven, in Heaven it's easier a grace to heal itself. Of course, this plan was risky too; all angels were looking for them and getting into their territory wasn't very smart, but it was either that or let Castiel die.

Lucifer took him to the Heaven of an autistic man, Castiel's favorite place. He laid his brother on the green grass and made a spell so that the others angels wouldn't feel their presence. Now the only thing he could do was wait. As he had never done the spell before he stood by Castiel's side, in case some angel found him.

As time passed, Lucifer was getting more impatient. He looked at Castiel's dark wings from where a lot of feathers had been forcefully ripped. Lucifer shivered at the terrible pain he thought Castiel had felt. How could anyone do that, when all angels knew how sensitive wings were and even a touch can be painful? How could anyone do that to the little sweet Castiel?

In that moment Lucifer was aware of how his feelings for Castiel affected him. He, master of torture, couldn't bear the image of Castiel being tortured. Anger grew towards Michael, the responsible for Castiel's condition, and Lucifer wasn't going let him get away with it.

A week later Lucifer noticed that Castiel's wings were getting better, which meant his grace was restoring itself.

Castiel felt the warmth of the sun on his body. He tried to open his eyes but the bright light didn't let him see.

"Lucifer," Castiel said, feeling his mate's presence.

"Castiel." Lucifer knelt next to him, creating a barrier to the sun. Castiel was finally able to see.

Lucifer was glad to see Castiel's sapphire eyes again. "I thought I'd lost you…" Lucifer kissed him as he caressed Castiel's cheek.

Castiel tried to sit but a sudden pain returned. "Lay down," Lucifer ordered, putting a hand on Castiel's chest following his movement down. "You still aren't completely healed. It will take time… You must rest now." He advised.

Castiel didn't argue; he felt very weak. He only asked one thing. "Stay with me." He grabbed Lucifer's hand.

"Of course." He lay down next to Castiel, who fell asleep soon after.

Now that he was sure Castiel was getting better and that he was safe, there was something else Lucifer needed to do. But he waited for Castiel wake up again, which happened next day.

"I must return to Earth, there's thing I need to take care of."

"What things?" Castiel asked.

"Well, make sure demons aren't doing things that they shouldn't. I've been absent for some time…"

"Ok." He nodded.

"Stay here," Lucifer said before disappearing.

Castiel stared at where Lucifer was before vanishing. There was something different about Lucifer, Castiel could tell. He seemed colder and Castiel wasn't totally convinced about his purpose to return to the humans' world. He just wished to be wrong.

Days passed and Lucifer never returned. Castiel got worried, he wanted to go to Earth searching for Lucifer, but he wasn't well yet, not powerful like he used to be. And there was a constant fire in him that he initially thought it was because of the restoring grace, but now he was thinking it was something else.

Castiel had a bad feeling and he couldn't wait anymore. Through his bond, he called Lucifer. He appeared before Castiel, who was in shock. He was right, something terrible had happened, but not as bad as what was still going to happen. Lucifer was in Sam's body, he had made the younger Winchester to say yes.

"What have you done?" Castiel asked disappointed.

"What should be done." Lucifer expected Castiel's disapproval, that's why he didn't tell him.

"No. I asked you… You said you wouldn't do this." He shook his head, not believing.

"I can't let Michael go unpunished. Not after what he did to you…"

"I'm fine, now." Castiel grabbed Lucifer's arm. "Please Lucifer, don't fight with Michael," he begged.

Lucifer was quiet for a moment, looking into Castiel's pleading eyes. "No, I have to do this. Michael deserves it."

"What about everybody else?" Humans didn't deserve to pay.

"I don't care about everybody else. I only care about you."

In other context Castiel would have found it sweet. But not now, not using Sam. Castiel could feel Sam fighting for control and he wished Sam knew how sorry he was.

"You can't change my mind now, Castiel." He walked away.

Castiel knew that, Lucifer was set on revenge and there was nothing Castiel could do beside talk to him.

"Lucifer," He called, making him turn. "I'm pregnant."

The fire Castiel felt wasn't the restoring of his grace, but the creation of a new one by the fusion of Lucifer's soul with his own. It had been the grace of the new angel that had kept Castiel alive. During the torture Castiel's grace had protected the little grace in formation and when Castiel's grace had drained out it started repairing the grace of the angel of the lord. All this happened without Castiel being aware.

"I know." Lucifer was close to him again and he put a hand on Castiel's belly.

Of course, Lucifer had been able to sense it much earlier that Castiel, maybe because of his ignorance. Castiel only told him because a part of him feared that Lucifer lost the war and that this would be the last time they saw each other.

"You'll be safe here. You both will." The tender voice and the soft caress didn't seem to be from someone that was about to destroy a planet. Lucifer kissed Castiel one last time before disappearing.

Days (in a human time) passed and Castiel was trapped in that place. Lucifer had made a spell so that no angel could get in or out of that heaven.

Castiel tried to enjoy his favorite heaven; the sunlight, the blue sky and the nature around him. But especially, to forget what was happening on Earth.

The little angel inside of him kept growing as Castiel felt a constant burn. But one day the burn got more intense and a strong ache made Castiel lay on the ground. It seemed like the angel's grace was melting his skin. It was time for the little angel's grace to get out. Castiel's skin became thinner and light came out of his belly. As it opened, a shining light blue grace came out of him and the skin regenerated.

The grace started spinning around itself in the air, similar to a planet but much faster. That was the way to give the angel a human form. When it was done Castiel held him in his arms before it fell on the floor. He was like a human baby, but much more than that. He had a strong grace, like Lucifer's, but in that form he seemed so fragile… And yes, it was a boy.

In the next days, Castiel didn't know what to do with the young angel; he had never taken care of other angels before. An angel didn't need much to survive. Unlike humans they didn't need to eat or drink, so Castiel just got him comfy on his trench coat which sent security to the little angel as he slept. Angels only needed to sleep when they were young, to grow up faster and get stronger.

One day, Castiel heard a sound from outside that heaven and he saw a light of fire surrounding the place that suddenly extinguished; Lucifer's spell had been broken. Castiel put his dark wings around his body to protect the sleeping angel in his arms from whoever broke the powerful spell.

"Castiel." The angel appeared.

"Balthazar?" Castiel was surprised to see him. "How did you get in here?"

"I found a weapon that breaks the spell."

"I thought heaven's weapons were well guarded."

"Not anymore. It is a mess out there…" Balthazar noticed that Castiel was in a defense position. "You know, I'm not going to hurt you."

"I know. It's just…" Castiel wasn't sure in telling him about the angel who had born recently.

"What is it that you're hiding?" Fortunately or unfortunately sometimes, Balthazar knew Castiel too well.

Castiel opened his wings and let show the angel in his arms. He was able to see the shock in Balthazar's face.

"I don't believe it." Balthazar approached them always looking at the little angel. "You and Lucifer…" He had known about Cas and Luci's love story and he didn't agree much.

"Balthazar…" The last thing Castiel wanted right now was to be judged.

"It's just… He couldn't have picked better time to come into the universe." He may not agree but he respected Castiel's choices.

Castiel realized he could still trust his brother. "I have something to ask you, Balthazar."

"What stupidity are you planning to do?"

"I have to try to stop the fighting."

"I didn't come to free you so you could get between Mike and Luci." He sounded a bit angry, but mostly worried. "That's suicide, Cassie."

"That's why I need you to keep him." Castiel looked at the baby angel, his baby angel.

Balthazar didn't like the sound of that, Castiel talked like he wasn't going to come back and he didn't want that, he didn't want to lose his little brother.

Before Balthazar had time to refuse it, Castiel added. "Take care of him, please. I can't trust anyone else."

Balthazar exhaled. "Alright." He nodded.

Castiel handed him the sleepy angel, who shivered a bit. But when Balthazar snuggled him, he got quiet again.

"Thank you," Castiel said.

"Cassie… Be careful."

Castiel nodded before vanishing. When he got to Earth the planet was completely different; the buildings were destroyed just like the cars, and dead bodies decorated the streets. Castiel found no humans alive so he went looking for Michael and Lucifer, which didn't took long to find them. He saw them fighting, Lucifer in Sam's body and Michael in Dean's. Both vessels were wounded with scars and bleeding cuts. Michael was about to strike Lucifer with holy fire.

"Stop!" Castiel popped in between his brothers.

"Castiel." Lucifer said surprised. Castiel looked at him.

"So you're taking his side, obviously…" Michael said.

"No." Castiel said, letting Lucifer confused. "I'm not taking sides in this battle. I won't support something I want to be over."

"Then you should join Gabriel." Which meant to get out of the way.

"Gabriel is a coward that complains but doesn't do a thing to end this battle," Castiel said.

"And you think you can end this?" Michael asked.

"Probably not. But at least I can try. And if you want to stop me you'll have to kill me."

Before they pass to action Zachariah appeared and gave a message to Michael that neither Castiel nor Lucifer could understand.

"Well, it seems like we have company…" Michael announced.

Then two angels appeared bringing Balthazar and the little angel in his arms. The other two angels were holding an angel sword, threatening Balthazar.

"Balthazar…" Michael said. He was wounded and bleeding, but the little angel he was protecting was unharmed. Fighting two angels at least and protect a baby wasn't easy.

Lucifer saw for the first time the baby angel and immediately recognized him as his angel.

"I give you one chance to join me." Michael proposed.

Balthazar who was looking at his older brother, glanced at the whining angel in his arms and then he turned to Castiel. I'm sorry, Cassie. He was sorry for not being able to protect the little angel as he had promised.

"I'll never join you," Balthazar said.

In the next second, Zachariah stroke his angel blade in Balthazar's back. Castiel felt like he had been emotionally stabbed too. As his brother died in the light, Michael grabbed the little angel who was scared and sent a silent call for help to his creators.

"Please, don't hurt him," Castiel asked Michael.

Michael looked at the angel in his arms, deciding what to do with him.

"It is forbidden what you two did. You can't create other being, only father can do that." Michael reached for his own sword.

"Michael, this fight is with me." Lucifer stepped forward. "So let him go."

"The offspring of rebel angels must be killed too." Michael held the sword in the air ready to strike the angel who was shaking and whining in his arm.

Both Castiel and Lucifer feared for the live of their son.

When Michael was bringing down the sword, a light from the sky illuminated them and a voice spoke in Enochian 'Stop my son'. Then they were taken to a place in Heaven they didn't know. Although Castiel had never met him, he knew who he was.

"Father," Michael said.

"What were you doing?" God spoke calmly.

"Your wishes," Michael answered firmly.

"This was a test in which I hoped you'd understand you could not win the battle. None of you could, because you and Lucifer have the same strength; I created you that way." He spoke calmly to Michael. "You wanted to punish your brother for disobeying my orders, but you did the same. You ignored the rule of protecting the humans to fulfill my wishes. In this fight you killed humans, angels and you were about to kill a defenseless new born angel."

Castiel was glad God had intervened in an opportune time but he still had let billions of people die. Only for a test.

"Humans are my children too, Castiel," God told to his son, hearing his thoughts. "I don't want them to die before their time only to perform a test. Therefore I'll restore the Earth to how it was before your fight. All humans and angels who died will live again and none of them will remember of what happened."

A light from the sky hit the Earth and spread all over the planet, in a second the world was like it was before the apocalypse. Michael and Lucifer were no longer in the Winchesters bodies; they returned to their old vessels.

"I'm sorry father," Michael said.

"I hope you have learned something, my son."

Michael nodded.

"You may leave now," God told him.

Michael returned the baby angel to Castiel before disappearing.

"Lucifer, I made a mistake by sending you to isolation. I didn't want you to hurt innocent beings. But now, you are welcomed to stay in Heaven."

All the hate he felt was gone. "Thank you, Father," Lucifer said.

"I know you've been loyal to me, Castiel. Even disobeying to your bothers' orders you did what you thought it was right and you kept my orders."

Castiel was glad for his Father's words but he was more worried about what God thought about the new angel he and Lucifer had created.

"Of course, I approve the young angel…"

"But… Michael's right, it is forbidden," Castiel said.

"And very difficult to do it so too," Lucifer added.

"Yes, that's why it only happens when I let it happen. I think it will be good to have such strong angel, now that your brothers are dying so often. I bless your child; Ashriel, angel of the Earth. Now, take care my sons." And God disappeared.

Lucifer looked at Castiel in shame; once more he had disappointed him. He approached to apologize, but when he was right in front of Castiel he said nothing, because he didn't want Castiel to forgive him, he didn't deserved that. Lucifer had made false promises, he had locked Castiel in that heaven, he hadn't been with him when Ashriel was born…

Lucifer felt a soft touch in his belly. He looked down and he saw Ashriel grabbing his t-shirt looking up at him with a beautiful curious blue eyes. It made him remember Castiel when he was young.

Lucifer held the little hand tenderly. Castiel could swear he saw tears in Lucifer's eyes. He never thought he would see his mate so emotional.

Ashriel held both hands in the air and made a pleading sound. Lucifer looked at Castiel who gave him permission, so Lucifer picked up his little angel and leaned him against his chest. Ashriel muttered something in Enochian, which meant 'father'; he grabbed Lucifer's shirt and his little gray wings opened wildly from happiness.

Castiel didn't want to interrupt such sweet moment but there were things he needed to say. "I know you." He approached Lucifer. "I'm the one who knows you better, and I knew what I was getting into by staying with you. I accept you, with all your qualities and defects. I like you, the way you are."

Lucifer smiled, he pulled Castiel by his tie and kissed him passionately. "I love you too."

As Castiel requested, Lucifer destroyed the demons by sending the twisted human souls to the light and in peace to Heaven. It was good for the Winchesters, Castiel thought, have one less kind of monsters creating chaos on Earth. On the other hand, there were still other supernatural creatures they needed to take care of. But Sam and Dean knew they could always count with Castiel's help. And maybe other unexpected help too.

THE END


Songs: Guns 'n' Roses - Sweet child o'mine
One Republic- Apologize
The Doors- The End

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