Chapter 10: Family Ties
"Ha! Brother? Angels are only hot on family when it'll serve their purpose!" Dean laughed openly in the angels face. "Remember Raphael trying the 'brother' card before Cass pureed him?" He asked barely glancing at Bobby and Sam, both of which nodded.
Folding her arms with a tilted head, Bithiel countered, "And humans are guiltless of that themselves?". Confident the sneer was cleanly wiped from his face, "Humans - you, in particular…" she pointed the silver blade at the older Winchester, "You keep looking down your noses at angels like each beat of their wings brings an innocuous odor. When in truth, both are more alike than you think. Our souls were both created with a spark from God's heart. Except, angels were given consciousness with a piece of His own Grace and humans by His breath."
Dean stood, cautiously advancing on the angel. Only a few feet from her, he threw open his arms asking, "And that means what, exactly?"
Crossing the small study quickly, Bobby carefully laid a hand on his older 'son's shoulder. Warily, he watched the deadly sword Bithiel still wielded.
"What she's saying, boy, is angels and humans should think of each other as siblings, not species."
" 'Brother from another mother' type thing? Same family tree, just different branches." Sam clarified to which she nodded appreciatively.
Tossing a knowing glance at Dean, the angel mocked, "Guess we know which Winchester got the brains. But, poor Dean, if little brother got the brains, what did that leave you with? Certainly not the looks."
Said Winchester made to step up to the comment only to be restrained by the hand on his back.
Bithiel lifted her chin with narrowed eyes, challenging.
The old scrap dealer, still holding back his boy, put his other hand out toward the angel warningly.
"Alright, kids! Put the egos away for awhile. We got other more whale sized fish to fry here." He over-turned the outstretched hand placidly. "Ya seemed overjoyed when ya said you're back with your big brother. Ya've probably got a stronger, truer sense of family than most of the angels we've meet. So, maybe you can fill in a few blanks."
"Like?"
"Like… It's been a busy few days for you…" Sam was interrupted with "Try months!" from the angel before continuing, "Granted! From human to angel to Lieutenant to guardian…" Glancing at his still fuming brother, he added, "Sparring partner! But why use you and not one the other angels? One who knows what's been happening but is still already loyal to his cause?"
"I do know what's been going on. Got the Cliff Notes version preparing the ritual."
"Okay, but…" He looked to Bobby for help but only got raised eyebrows. "Why play Russian roulette on an Earth Angel who, unbound, might or might not fall in line?"
"I'm still Lieutenant. Being made your Guardian also is just a show of the faith he has in me. Besides, it's like I told the hothead here earlier…" Indicating Dean with the Blade again. "I'm the worshipping little sister. The only one that always looked up to him, clung to his flight feathers everywhere he'd go. Castiel's my favorite and I'm his. We were always inseparable. Trusting me not to betray him but to always be loyal and obedient is as much part of his being as his Grace." She took a deep breath and sheathed the silver blade with her belt. "Because when I was missioned with this…" Waving down at herself, "I swore to him I'd defy Heaven's Will and return to him if ever he needed my help."
Bithiel's sigh was heavy with emotion as navy blue eyes took in the brothers, moist and reminiscent.
"You two should understand that kind of love. Me and Castiel… we pretty much represent every that's good about your relationship! We're like…your celestial equivalents."
Dean, having calmed down, asked curiously, "I thought Mike and Lucy were? We're their 'true' vessels. The whole brother versus brother thing?"
"Nah! I said like. Your being their vessels doesn't mean squat. You four got a lot in common, sure, with the whole 'Daddy issues' and all. But, Michael and Lucifer, yeah they love each other no matter what, but they'd never risk everything, especially their own existence, for each other. Not like you and Sam. Not like me and Cass."