In a nest in Heaven, a small angel with dark wings lay tucked against the side of an older angel with brilliant gold wings, a bubble of silence surrounding them.
Gabe lay staring at his Cas' young face; the long, dark eyelashes covering vibrant blue eyes, the messy black hair which flopped over his forehead, the peaceful expression resting on his face. His gaze moved to Cas' wings, remembering the horror of the previous day.
The wings, which were now perfect and smooth had, not so long ago, been broken and destroyed. Although Cas' wings looked healed now, he was anxious as to whether they would be sore when the young fledgling awoke.
Gabe let his eyes roam, taking in the features of his nest. It was different from most other nests in Heaven. All nests were made of a dark brown material that looked like twigs but was actually soft and comfortable for the angels to rest in.
Where Gabe's nest differed, however, was in relation to what was inside the nests. While most nests were empty, save for anything which might be required to look after fledglings or related to an angels job, Gabe's nest was filled with artifacts that he and his brothers had found whilst exploring both Heaven and Earth.
Around the nest were a number of multicoloured sea shells which they had found, bright flowers, leaves and vines made up of varying shades of green and numerous white fossils. Gabe had disliked the conformity of all the other angels and had always sought to make whatever he owned different and interesting. He sensed the same feeling in both Balthazar and Cas and he quietly hoped that they wluld not bend to the pressure to conform in Heavens strict hierarchy.
Gabe's thoughts were interrupted when he heard a soft shuffling beside him. He looked down to find Cas staring up at him. "Hey Cassie," Gabe murmured, running his fingers through Cas' soft hair, "How are you feeling?" Cas looked up at him, blinking wearily, "My wings are sore Gabby," he answered quitely, still sounding half asleep. "Are they as bad as yesterday?" Gabe asked hoping that his baby brother would answer no.
Cas shook his head and said, "No but they don't feel right." Gabe smiled in relief, "it's OK Cas. Remember Raphael said yesterday that they would hurt for a bit?" Cas tilted his head, as if trying to remember, before shrugging and moving towards Gabe.
All of a sudden, Cas seemed to wake up properly and he realised someone was missing. "Where's Balthazar," he asked, with a note of panic in his voice, sitting up quickly. Cas winced as his wings moved and Gabe, seeing this, reached out for Cas and said, "it's OK, Mike took him last night because he was afraid that he was going to hurt you."
Cas' brow creased in confusion, "Why was Balthy so scared then Gabby? What was he talking about when he said he didn't want to be punished? Who are Abner and Gadreel?" Gabe had desperately hoped that Cas wouldn't remember what Balthazar had said about being punished. His heart sank as he realised that he would have to answer Cas. He hadn't wanted his baby brother to know about Heavens dark side just yet.
Cas continued to look at Gabe, his blue eyes demanding an answer. Gabe tried desperately to think of another answer to Cas' question but upon seeing his young brothers serious face he decided that Cas deserved the truth.
Gabe looked at Cas and said, hesitantly, "How about we sit down Cassie? It's a bit of a long story." Cas nodded and sat down in front of Gabe, ready to listen, although Gabe wasn't sure that he was ready to tell. "Well," Gabe started, "Deep in the depths of Heaven, there is an area where angels who have done wrong go to be punished.". Gabe's thoughts flashed back to a time many years ago as he told Cas the story of Heavens dungeons.
Gabe hurried down a dark passageway under the main part of Heaven. The walls were made of rough, dark stone and water fell in loud drops which echoed despondently. Lights flickered above him, casting eerie yellow shadows over the floor. A damp cold feeling leeched from the walls and settled in the recess of his bones. Gabe pulled his robe tighter around him, the white seeming to glow in the darkness as he hurried his steps.
Gabe's footsteps echoed off the hard walls and his footsteps slowed as he neared his destination. Suddenly, a cell with two angels inside appeared. The white of their robes had long since faded, consumed by dirt and blood. The powerful aura, which surrounded all angels, had faded away to almost nothing as their grace had faded, leaving two broken angels. Gabe instantly sensed their pain but he also sensed their love for each other, the only thing keeping them alive.
The two angels, lying broken and beaten at the back of the cell, looked up upon sensing Gabriel's prescence. However, another angel also turned around and looked at him. This angel was powerful and muscular with a clean white robe and a whip through his belt. His aura was strong and hard and Gabriel felt the hatred radiating of him. "Gabriel. What are you doing here?" The powerful angel asked, wary that Gabriel was an archangel, who was significantly more powerful then him. "Hello Thaddeus," Gabriel replied smoothly, "I was simply coming to talk to these two angels. If that's not a problem with you of course"
Gabriel felt distinctly uncomfortable but he was determined not to show it. After all, he was an archangel and he was not going to give a lower angel the pleasure of seeing him in a weak state. Looking at the two beaten angels, Gabriel said, with brotherly love in his voice, "Hello Abner. Hello Gadreel."
Thaddeus glared at Gabriel knowing that he had no power to stop the archangel from visiting those in Heaven's dungeons. Thaddeus said, struggling to keep his anger in check, "I will be in my office if you need me Gabriel." Without another word Thaddeus strode off, his whip hitting against his side.
Gabriel waited until Thaddeus was well out of earshot before walking over to Abner and Gadreel and kneeling beside them. His eyes swiftly took in the injuries on their bodies; cuts from angel blades, skin sliced from a whip, burns scattered over their bodies, bruises, ranging from a sickly yellow to a dark blue. Their wings were laying behind them, no longer vibrant and gleaming but dirty and injured, with feathers torn out and bruises, cuts and burns decorating them.
The two angels shrank away from Gabriel when he tried to move closer. Gabriel was devastated to see them scared of their own brother. He silently cursed Thaddeus for turning Abner and Gadreel into frightened shadows of who they used to be. Gabriel reached his hand out again letting it gently rest on Abner's wings. "What have they done to you," Gabriel whispered gently, appalled at the condition of his brothers. Abner flinched at Gabriel's touch but made no attempt to move away, instead looking at him with wide, frightened eyes. "It's OK," Gabriel murmured, his hands gently brushing through Abner and Gadreel's wings, "It's going to be OK. I'll fix you."
A light blue substance slipped from Gabriel's fingertips and wound it's way around Abner and Gadreel's bodies. As Gabriel's grace touched their bodies, the numerous injuries began to heal and their robes returned to their usual white colour. Gabriel always loved watching an angel being healed. It seemed so simple and elegant, the way that the injuries just vanished as the grace washed over them. This time however, he just felt sick that he was having to heal his brothers for torture that they had endured in the apparently perfect and forgiving Heaven.
Abner and Gadreel looked at wonder at their newly healed bodies. Gadreel looked up at Gabriel and raspily said, in a low voice, "Thank you Gabriel. It...It's been so long since I...Since either of us have been without pain. We will remember this kindness." Gabriel waved his hand, dismissing Gadreel's compliment, partly embarrassed but mostly angry that they felt stunned when anyone showed them a shred of kindness. "It's nothing," Gabriel replied, "Any half decent angel would have done the same thing. You shouldn't have to endure this. I will talk to Thaddeus and try to get you both released."
Gadreel hung his head, "There's no point in trying to get me released. I'll never be forgiven for what I did. Besides, I've been down here so long that most of Heaven has forgotten that I even exist." Looking up at Gabriel he said, "But try to get Abner released. He didn't deserve to be down here. Just try to get Abner out. Forget about me." Gabriel couldn't believe that an angel could think so lowly of himself. He was astonished however when Abner moved over to Gadreel and, placing his hand on Gadreel's shoulder, said, "I'm not leaving without you brother. Either we are both set free or neither of us are set free. I will not leave one of us to suffer alone."
Gabriel was astonished at the brotherly love between the two angels. Trapped in hideous conditions, and tortured daily, they had somehow managed to maintain their loyalty to each other, even when offered the chance of freedom. In that moment, Gabriel understood what the meaning of love meant. It meant never truly leaving the person you love, no matter what happens.
Gabriel stood up, brushing off his robe. Suddenly at a loss for what to say, he, somewhat awkwardly, said, "I'm really sorry. For everything that's happened. I'll...I'll try to make it right. And if I can't get you out I'll visit you, as often as I can." Gadreel and Abner nodded, understanding what Gabriel was trying to say. They understood that he desperately wanted to help them but was not confident that even he, as an archangel, one of the most senior beings in Heaven, could get them released. Gabriel smiled sadly at Abner and Gadreel, "I guess this is bye then. I'll come and see you.". Abner and Gadreel nodded sadly, and said together, "Goodbye Gabriel, take care of yourself.". Gabe nodded and turned, walking out of the cell.
Gabriel stood in Thaddeus' office; a dark room made out of the same cold rough stone. Along the walls hung various instruments of torture, the only decoration' - if you could call them that - in the room. "So, if I understand you correctly Gabriel," Thaddeus said in a smirk, almost disbelieving, voice, "you wish for Abner and Gadreel to be released from their cell?" In a patient, yet irritated, tone Gabriel said, "Yes Thaddeus. That is exactly what I requested." Thaddeus' smirk widened as he asked Gabriel, "You do realise the crimes that they have committed? Especially Gadreel. I mean, he was the one who let Lucifer into Eden and our Father did command for him to be put in here. You are aware of that aren't you Gabriel?"
Gabriel, somehow managing to hold his anger in check, replied, "Yes, I am well aware of that. However, I'm sure God did not command for his sons to be tortured for eternity. After all, isn't he supposed to be a forgiving and loving father?" "I'm sorry Gabriel," Thaddeus replied, not sounding at all sorry, "I cannot release Abner and Gadreel without permission from our Father. Now, if you'll please leave me, I have work to do." With that Thaddeus strode out, leaving a fuming Gabriel standing in the centre of the room.
Gabe's mind came back to the present, his gaze resting on Cas' face, waiting to see the young angels reaction. Cas, instead of looking horrified had a look of sorrow and understanding, a look which seemed too old on his still young face. Gabriel wished he hadn't told Cas about Heavens prison. Although he knew that Cas must grow up someday, Gabe had wanted him to stay young as innocent for as long as possible.
Cas looked up at Gabe, a question forming, "Have you been to see them lately Gabe?" He asked, "Can I come with you to see them?" Gabe was astonished at Cas' question. Out of everything he could've asked, he was wondering whether Gabe had kept his promise. Guiltily, Gabe realised that he hadn't been to see Abner and Gadreel for quite a while. Since before he became Cas' mentor, actually.
Cas saw Gabe's guilty expression and instantly said, "You need to go see them Gabe," grabbing Gabe's hand and standing up, Cas said, "Come on. Let's go see them." Gabe, shocked at this turn of events, nodded mutely and stood up, following Cas out of the nest.
Before long they reached the entrance to Heavens dungeons. Holding his hand out in front of Cas, Gabe hesitantly said, "Uh...Maybe this isn't such a great idea Cas. Maybe we should wait until you're a bit older to go in here." Cas looked at Gabe with his big blue eyes. Gabe sighed, why did Cas have to be so damn cute.
Gabe was wondering if Cas was beginning to have second thoughts about coming here. The young angel was walking closer to Gabriel's side, looking around with wide, almost fearful eyes. "It's OK Cas," Gabe murmured, his hand gently brushing throughing Cas' hair, "I'm here with you. I'll make sure that we get through." Cas looked up at Gabe and nodded, believing that his older brother could protect him.
Gabe's feet seemed to lead him towards Abner and Gadreel's cell and before long their cell came into view. Huddled at the back of their cage, Abner and Gadreel seemed much the same as they had when Gabe had visited them so many years earlier. Gabe cleared his throat nervously, and Abner and Gadreel instantly turned around, pressing into the back of their cell, Gadreel, placing himself in front of Abner, but they quickly relaxed when they saw who it was.
Gadreel's brow creased in confusion when he noticed the young angel standing behind Gabe. "Who...Who is that Gabriel?" Gadreel said in confusion, "I don't recall you having any fledglings." Pushing Cas in front of him, so the two angels could see him, Gabriel said, "This is Castiel. He is the youngest angel in Heaven, and the last to be created, of course you two wouldn't know about the new fledglings. I look after Cas and another fledgling called Balthazar. In fact, it's because of those two that we are here today. Cas kinda guilted me into coming here so that he could meet you"
Gadreel stood up and walked over to the door of his cell, "Hello Castiel," he said, "It's nice to meet you." Gabe smiled at Gadreel's greeting and, checking that Thaddeus was not around, zapped the two of them into the cell. Abner still lay against the back of the cell but Gadreel was standing, somewhat unsteadily, opposite Gabe.
Gabe moved his hand off Cas' back and walked towards Abner, kneeling down and letting his grace heal the angel. Cas stood looking up at Gadreel, a look of curiosity in his eyes. Gadreel knelt down slowly, wary of scaring Cas, but was astonished when Cas did not so much as flinch when Gadreel moved towards him. He was sure that the young angel knew what he had done, the unforgivable crime he had committed, however, Cas did not seem repulsed by him, as nearly every other angel was. Instead he seemed curious and sad, an odd mixture, Gadreel thought.
Gadreel and Cas continued to look at each curiously for some time before Gabriel came over and asked it would be OK if he healed him. Gadreel tore his eyes away from Cas' and nodded, feeling a sense of relief as his injuries healed and the pain seeped put of his body. By the time Gabriel had finished, Cas had moved over towards Abner and was sitting with him, talking quitely.
As Gadreel and Gabriel approached the pair, they stopped talking and turned to look at them. Gabriel held out his hand to Cas, "I guess we had better go," he said, "I'm sorry that we can't stay for longer but I need to get back to Balthazar and make sure that he is alright." The two, newly healed, angels nodded and Abner said, "That is a rather remarkable angel you have there Gabriel. Make sure that you look after him." Gabriel nodded and with a hint of a smile, said, "I know. I'll take care of him. I'll try to visit more often and I'll what I can do to get both of you out." The two angels nodded and smiled sadly knowing that Gabe's efforts would likely amount to nothing.
Gabe walked away from the cell, closely followed by Cas. Just before Abner and Gadreel's cell disappeared from sight, Cas and Gabe turned around and gave a small, sad, wave at the two angels standing inside, not knowing when they would see them next.
Together Gabe and Cas walked back to their nest. Usually, they would fly but Gabe didn't want to risk injuring Cas wings again. As they walked, Gabe noticed the solemn expression on Cas' face and opened his mouth to say something before thinking better of it, he would talk to Cas later. Maybe the young angel just needed some time to process what he had experienced.
Gabe noticed that Cas was beginning to fall behind, his wings drooping behind him. Gabe hurried back to Cas' and picked him up, making sure that his wings were comfortable. Thinking that it would be quicker for him to fly back to the nest, Gabe unfurled his great wings and launched into the air in one powerful swoop.
Gabe observed Heaven from the air as he flew. He was continually astonished that a place which looked so beautiful on the surface could hide such a dark secret. Gabe had often wondered how so many of his siblings could live with the thought that their own brothers and sisters were being tortured. This time, however, he realised that many of the angels did not know about Heaven's prison, and of those who did, even fewer realised what actually occured in it.
Before long, Gabe arrived at their nest and had to stop sharply when he nearly flew over it, lost in thought. When he landed he laid Cas down gently, making sure that he was comfortable. No sooner had Gabe straightened up, a soft flapping of wings was heard. Gabe turned to see Michael, his elegant white wings tucked behind him, and Balthazar, beside Michael, standing at the edge of his nest.
Balthazar looked considerably calmer today and much more at ease when Michael laid a hand on his shoulder and said, "I thought it was about time that I returned Balthazar to you, Gabe." Looking down and Balthazar, Michael quitely said, "How about you go over and sit with Cas? I need to talk to Gabe for a couple of minutes." Balthazar nodded obediently and hurried over to where Cas was laying. Michael looked at him, "He seems...Much calmer now. Although I don't know what he was afraid of me doing to him," Michael said with a rueful smile. Gabe struggled to hide his smile. As if Michael would punish a young fledgling. He might be a tough soldier, but Gabe knew that he was really a big softy when it came to looking after his baby brothers.
Gabe smiled and said, "Thanks Michael. I appreciate you looking after him when Cas was injured. It should be OK now though. Balthazar seems pretty calm and Cas' wings have healed well, thanks to Raphael." Michael smiled tightly but looked worried, saying, "Balthazar was…overly worried about me punishing him. I feel as if he might have heard some of the stories about our dungeons and what happens there. Not many angels know what it is actually like, so I don't know what he has heard. However, he does know about Abner and Gadreel which is worrying."
Gabriel nodded solemnly, "I know what you are talking about Mickey. I was worried when I heard him talking about that. I will talk to him about it later." Michael nodded, pleased with how his brother his treating the situation, "Maybe just keep it from Cas for a little while longer. I think he is still too young to know about it." Gabe considered telling Michael what that Cas already knew, but decided that Michael didn't need to know that just yet. Nodding, he said, "Of course Mickey. I totally agree with you." Michael nodded and raised his voice slightly, "Bye Balthazar, bye Cas. Hope you feel better soon." Balthazar and Cas turned and looked at the archangel, saying, "Bye Michael," before turning around and talking to each other again. Michael quietly chuckled and said, "Bye Gabe. I'll see you around I suppose." Gabe nodded and waved as his brother launched himself out of the nest.
Gabe turned around and looked at his two angels, sitting together. Walking over to them he said, "I think you two need to go to sleep now. It's been a long couple of days." Nodding obediently Balthazar and Cas scurried over and laid next two Gabe, their eyes quickly closing. Gabe smiled softly. The last thing he saw before he fell asleep was his two young angels sleeping contentedly by his side.