Chapter 4: Their Falling
I fell to my knees and sobbed, it was too much. Losing everything I had ever known, thinking I could get some of it back. Meeting Sam and Dean and learning about their world. Castiel. Metatron. I couldn't take it anymore.
I don't know how long I knelt there as the Angels fell to earth, but after a while I heard a rustling from the trees behind me and a strangled cry. "Bethany!" I turned at the sound of my name. Castiel struggled to walk towards me, his trench coat filthy and his face cut and bleeding. "Bethany!" He called again; he swayed dangerously as I hurried towards him.
I caught him before he fell. He looked at me with broken eyes "Metatron, he took my grace, the other Angels." His body racked with sobs. I held him in my arms as he cried in anguish. I heard the ruffle of feathers and I looked up to see Metatron's leering face.
"You!" I yelled my words laced with venom. "You monster!"
"Now that's no way to speak to the last remaining Angel of the Lord." He scolded. I hated the self-righteous look on his face.
"I hope you know how to run. I hope you know how to hide because I am going to find you and I am going to rip you to shreds!" I growled.
He moved closer and I instinctively protected the frozen-in-time Castiel in my arms. Slowly he raised his hands and snapped his fingers. "Your curse is now erased, run back to those precious Winchesters of yours." He said and then turned to walk away.
I struggled underneath the weight of the fallen Angel in my arms. "Come back you coward! Fight back!" I yelled at his retreating figure.
He gave me the smug grin I loathed. "Why would I fight? I've already won." And with a flap of his wings he was gone. Castiel reanimated and I turned my attention to him.
"Castiel, we need to move, I'm going to take you back to the bunker and Sam and Dean will help us figure this out." I said soothingly as I helped him stand. Castiel grasped my hand like it was a lifeline and stumbled after me. I sat him in the car and pulled my seat belt on. Castiel tried to do the same, but he struggled with the mundane task. Gently I put my hands over his and guided them into completing the action. He looked at me gratefully. My mind kicked into practically mode as I drove, listing all the things I needed.
Castiel and I needed to get cleaned up, plus I was exhausted and I was betting Castiel wasn't feeling so perky either. So that required a motel and Castiel would need a few days to adjust. He needed food, good food, not take away crap as well as some new clothes. Walmart and a supermarket demanded a visit. I stopped at the first town we hit and drove straight to the Walmart. I hopped out of the car and after helping Castiel with his seatbelt.
"Now if anyone asks, you're a homeless guy and I am buying you some clothes out of the kindness of my heart." I told him as we walked up to the brightly lit doors.
Castiel frowned, "But that would be lying." He stated confused.
I sighed, "Castiel when humans want something, we lie."
He nodded vigorously. "That's how you become President." He stated a matter-of-factly. I burst out laughing in shock. Who knew Angel's had a sense of humour?
I walked into the store and head straight for the men's clothing. I grabbed some things in roughly his size and pushed him into the changing room. "Bethany." He called out.
"What is it Castiel?" I asked.
There was a large thump and a yelp. "I need help."
I pulled open the curtain to see him trapped in twisted clothing. I showed him how his buttons, zips and belt work. As well as undoing his tie for him. After that I left him to his own devices.
Eventually he came out dressed in jeans and a smart shirt. I grinned. "You're just missing one thing…" I revealed a trench coat I had found and he smiled at it. It wasn't the same as his, but it would have to do until we could get his washed.
I pulled off his tags and jumped into the changing room, coming out in jeans, a baby blue t-shirt and a green jacket. I moved us swiftly to the self-checkout and scanned the removed tags, placing our original clothes in the bags instead of the new ones. I paid with my new card and walked swiftly out of the store, Castiel scurried after me. I got to the car and waited as he sat down in the passenger seat. I leaned through the open door and strapped him in.
I started the engine and turned to him "Now we're going to the supermarket. Is there any food you particularly like?"
He titled his head, deep in thought "Hamburgers."
"Hamburgers it is then." I said.
The 24 hour supermarket was empty as Castiel and I grabbed a trolley and began pushing our way down the aisles. It was probably the funniest trip I have ever been on, mostly due to Castiel. It must have been because he never had to think about food before, but he would find things on the shelves that would excite him. Not wanting to break his good mood, I allowed him to put in the trolley what he wished.
"What function does this serve?" His curiosity was only dampened by his excitement as he waved a box of microwave popcorn like a kid with a present on Christmas morning.
"That is microwave popcorn Castiel, if you want some get the other type of bag. We don't have a microwave…" But it was no use; he had already thrown it in the cart and moved on to his next discovery. "I guess we can try." I rolled my eyes but his enthusiasm was contagious. Occasionally I managed to sneak in something for hamburgers but we left the shop with three times as many bags as I thought we would.
I drove to a nice looking hotel and got a room with a kitchen. I opened the door wide and Castiel shuffled through holding the bags of groceries we had just purchased. I began the cooking process which was hard with Castiel constantly looking over my shoulder and asking questions. But my mantra was be patient I mean, he was just curious. I was glad he was rather being curious then a complete wreck. I didn't know how I would handle an ex-angel suffering from PTSD. I turned the radio on to fill the silence in between Castiel's constant questions.
When his burger finally reached his plate he looked at it mournfully.
"What's wrong Castiel?" I asked confused. It was just how he wanted; he spent ages picking the fillings to accompany his burger.
"You spent so much work on it; I don't want to eat it." He said as his stomach growled audibly and I shoved his plate closer to him.
"It doesn't bother me, eat it, now." I said forcefully. He picked up the burger and took a huge bite; he grinned as he ate and let out a groan of pleasure.
"This is delicious, you're a good cook." He leaned over and to my surprise kissed me on the cheek.
I lifted my hand to my cheek and blushed. "What was that for?" I stuttered. He frowned and pointed at the apron I had bought from the supermarket. Kiss the Cook.
When dinner was finished, I taught Castiel how to wash up, we had moved on to using the TV when Castiel turned to me with a fearful gaze. "Bethany." He whispered mortified, "I have to use the bathroom."
It took all my willpower not to burst into a fit of giggles. I led him to the bathroom, "You know how to…" I trailed off. Please, please, PLEASE God; do not make me teach him to….
"Yes." He said and began closing the door, suddenly it widened again and he bowed his head in embarrassment, "Don't leave." and shut the door quickly.
I stuffed my sleeve into my mouth and shook violently with silent laughter. Tears rolled down my cheeks. The all-powerful ex-Angel Warrior of God was terrified of using the toilet. I collapsed under the weight of my mirth. I heard my name being called out through the walls.
"It's the button on the left Castiel." I called out after I had controlled my laughing fit.
I heard a yelp and the glee drained from my face. I burst into the room to see Castiel cradling his wet hand. Glaring at the running tap in the sink like it was out to assassinate him. "What happened?" I asked and rushed towards him.
"I was washing my hands and I turned the red one because the water was too cold and it burned me!" He said, I gently took his burnt hand and led him to the sink.
I turned off the hot water and let the sink run cold again. I pulled his hand towards the water but he resisted. "Trust me?" I asked softly, my heart wouldn't let me make fun of his fragile state. He nodded and I put it under the cold water. He sighed in pleasure as his burnt hand cooled.
"Thank you." He murmured. I took his face in my hands and kissed his forehead.
"I have just what you need to get over your ordeal." I said, pulling him into the kitchen.
"What!" He asked excitedly, his hand all but forgotten.
"POPCORN!" I yelled cheerfully and I began showing him the process of making popcorn in the pan.
Later that night, I tucked Castiel into bed and headed to my own room. I flipped off the light switch and snuggled under the crisp covers. Hotels were so much nicer then motels, Dean and Sam should totally invest more in their sleeping arrangements.
I had just reached that state of almost-asleepiness when I felt the covers pull off me and the cold body of Castiel slid in beside me.
"Castiel? What are you doing?" I asked sleepily, not bothering to open my eyes. If it was a demon they could kill me, I was too tired to care.
"I can't sleep." Castiel murmured snuggling closer to me. I lifted my head up and he slid under so my face was pressed against his chest.
"Why not?" I queried as I inhale. He smelled like rain, new sheets and that perfect men smell that made girls swoon.
"I have never slept before, at least not intentionally. I am concerned." Castiel admitted, he sounded pretty damn sleepy to me.
"About what?"
"Not waking up again." He said softly
"Castiel do you trust me?" I questioned for the second time that night.
"Of course." He said without missing a beat. My heart fluttered and I tried not to dwell on the fact he wasn't wearing anything except a loose white top and underwear.
I opened my eyes and looked into the worried storm of his blue ones. "Then trust me when I say you'll be fine. Go to sleep, before I knock you unconscious so I can sleep."
Only as I was falling asleep did I realise that the way we were sleeping was so not okay. As an Angel he had no understanding of personal space, and what we were doing now definitely crossed the friends-only boundary. Hopefully he wouldn't take this as normal behaviour and snuggle up to Dean in the middle of the night when we reached the bunker. I cringed; there was an awkward conversation in the making, giving Castiel personal space 101, great.
But if I was honest to myself, this was probably the best sleep of my life, might as well enjoy it. I relaxed to the steady heartbeat of the newly human Angel and welcomed darkness with open arms. I'd probably get a special Hell designed just for me for this, but screw it; I was too tired to care.
I woke up early and carefully got out of bed to avoid waking Castiel. Who was peacefully snoring on the bed, he looked like a little Angel. The thought made me giggle and then scold myself at my inappropriate joke. I had a quick shower and got back into my Walmart get up. I laid out clothes for Castiel, thanking yesterday's Bethany for having the foresight to buy more underwear. I began making French toast which I had factored in on our late night shopping trip, quietly humming along to the radio as I furiously mixed the eggs into the mixture.
I heard a yelled from my room. "Bethany!" Castiel came tearing out of the room looking for me.
"Hey, hey, hey!" I dropped what I was doing and turned to Castiel. "It's okay I was just making breakfast, I was –" I was cut off when he pulled me into a tight frantic embrace.
"I was worried." He said fearfully, his voice muffled by my hair. "I woke up and you weren't there." I ran my fingers through his hair; he really was like a child. He had completely lost all confidence without his Angelic Powers.
"It's ok, I'm fine, see, no bad guys here." I spread my arms wide, slowly detaching myself to get back to our breakfast. He trailed after me; I made a mental note to never leave Castiel wondering where I was again. "See no demons, just some delicious French toast that will make your tastebuds explode."
Castiel clapped his hand to this mouth in alarm and backed away from the food in horror. I laughed, "Don't worry Castiel it is just an expression, it means that you will love the food." I placed a plate in front of him and he poked it with his fork suspiciously. "It really is safe to eat." I said; I shoved a forkful in my mouth, chewed, swallowed and then stuck my tongue out to show that it wasn't blown to bits.
Only after this childish display did he begin eating his food with caution. But it only took one bite and he started shovelling it in. I smirked and resumed eating.
"This is the best food I have ever tasted." He said and leaned over the table and kissed my cheek again. I felt the straps of the apron burn into my skin as I blushed.
"You haven't tried Sam's waffles they are heavenly." The word slipped out and I winced. But Castiel continued eating, not seeming to notice. Phew, close call.
"So what are we doing today?" He asked as he all but licked his plate clean.
"Well, I was going to buy some better clothes, maybe get that trench coat of yours dry-cleaned and then I am going to an occult store and buy you and me some anti-possession amulets." I said cheerfully as I loaded the dishes in the sink and washed them quickly.
"What about Dean, and Sam?" Castiel asked.
"Sam and Dean won't be there until at least tomorrow, from what you told me. So we have until then to get some things done. And getting us safe from monsters, demon and other things that go bump in the night is one of them." I told him as I dried the last dish.
"Bethany," Castiel murmured as he watched me put my shoes on and tie up my damp hair. "Can you teach me to um, use the shower?" I smacked myself mentally; the poor guy knew nothing about anything and I was supposed to be helping him out.
"Sure thing Castiel." I said and lead him to the bathroom. I taught him how to shave his beard, which was pretty successful considering his teacher, has never shaved her face in her life. I also taught him the basics and was going through brushing teeth when my phone rang.
"Hello?" I answered, miming how Castiel should clean his tongue.
Bethany! You're alive! Thank God!
"Hey there Dean, just a second." I broke off the phone and instructed to Castiel. "Now spit it out into the sink."
What are you doing?
"I am teaching Castiel to brush his teeth; did you know that Angel's don't have to worry about oral hygiene?"
CAS IS WITH YOU!
I leaned away from the phone as Dean screamed into the phone.
THANK GOD! Is he ok? What happened with Metatron? Where are you guys?
"He's fine and we're in a little town four hours from the bunker." I said as I handed Castiel a towel to wipe his mouth.
We're about a day away, so meet us then ok?
"Sure thing Dean, we'll be there tomorrow." I told him.
And thanks for looking after Cas, I imagine his Angelic butt is frustrated.
My eyes widened, he didn't know, but it wasn't my place to tell. So I just whispered into the phone, "You so owe me, big time." and hung up, turning my attention back to Castiel.
A/N: Hello again! So here is the next chapter, I hope you like it! As usual any comments, tips, complaints, drop me a review or send me a message. It's always nice to hear what other people think. Oh and since we are now heading into AU territory, is there anything you guys want to see happen? Maybe you want someone to show up? Certain things from season 9 to happen, or not happen? Please if you think of an idea don't be afraid to tell me!So that's all folks! Until next week! :)