"He's an angel."

Dean scowled down at the phone like it had betrayed him personally. "Angels don't exist," he insisted petulantly.

"Boy, you are sitting in a room with your cursed brother and a flight of sprites and you're gonna tell me angels can't exist? "

With no answer to that, Dean sat back with his arms stubbornly crossed and glared into empty space.

Bobby continued, finally able to tell them what he'd found. "What that Castiel fellow told you is true, so far as I can see. Celeste- formerly known as Saraqael, one of the seven archangels gifted with primordial powers- fell to earth, where she took on a vessel and used her as a disguise to remain invisible to the other angels. As a witch, she was able to find spells and incantations long thought forgotten, enabling her to move unseen throughout the last thousand years of history. And you can bet your bottom dollar she is the one who started it all. The histories get a little fuzzy for a bit, but there's no record of 'borrowers' or 'littles' existing before his fall…"

"His?" Sam interrupted in confusion.

There was a pause. "Looks like angels can take a vessel of either gender. Before taking Celeste, Saraqael was seen as 'God's Prince.' "

"Well that's just great," Dean huffed. "We have an archangel that got a facelift and an entire race of people created by them who are currently vulnerable because of it! What are we supposed to do about all this?!"

Sam smiled slightly at Dean's determination. "Did you find out more about the knacks?" he asked Bobby, staying focused. "Castiel mentioned they were caused by her angelic Grace…"

Another pause, and Bobby's voice picked up again. "Angel Grace is straight from creation itself. It's… it looks like anything exposed to it grows stronger, and there's some record of unusual abilities rising from it. A lot like the nephilim of the past, only in this case, it's a weaker effect because the Grace is only bound to your soul, instead of a part of it."

Sam sighed. "I can't believe this…" he muttered, sitting back from the phone and staring into space.

Dean nudged him in the shoulder with a finger in support, letting Sam lean on him. "Don't worry," he said. "Angels or not, we got this. Bobby, you'll call us if you find more?"

"You know it."

After goodbyes, Dean shut of the phone and pocketed it, scooping Sam up without asking. He came over to where Jacob was sitting by the bed, letting Sam down near the sprites. "Everyone holding up okay over here?" he asked, his face softening for them. Just yesterday, he had been down there, the same size, and now he could probably fit everyone in one hand.

In the time it took the brothers to call Bobby and find more information about their ongoing struggle with Celeste, Jacob had taken it on himself to babysit the sprites. The leftover fruit from the day before was back on the bed, with another towel laid out to keep the mess to a minimum. Even Vel had been retrieved to join them for a messy breakfast, though by the looks of things the nestling was still half asleep.

Bowman fanned his wings open in greeting, a piece of watermelon in his hands and coating them in juice. "As much as we can, though Jacob is doing his best to drown us in fruit."

Jacob was waiting by with a damp cloth, ready to help keep the tiny sprites clean. Their enthusiasm for the fruit was finally helping them wake up from their suntrances. "What can I say, I just like giving you a challenge."

"It's good!" one of the kids disagreed with a grin.

Sam came over and sat next to Vel. "My favorite," he said with a warm grin as he reached forward to slice off a corner of watermelon for himself, avoiding the sticky juices as best he could. "Dean always complains when I want to get fruit," he whispered conspiratorially to the kid, grinning up at his older brother knowing his voice wasn't low enough to go unheard.

"Awww," one kid lamented, his voice not as quiet as Sam's. "But fruit is the best! It's better than roots."

"Or mushr'ms," Vel chimed in, perking up for an instant before he leaned towards Sam as if deciding whether he wanted to slump over completely.

"Roots and mushrooms and fruit are waiting for all of you back home," Bowman told them. "Gotta get your wings strong again."

"I miss mintcakes," the little wraith sprite added, before falling quietly shy again.

Jacob couldn't hold back a relieved smile. No matter how intimidated or out of his element he might have been while the case was going on, this was more familiar territory for him. He could talk with sprites without a problem. "I'm sure there'll be a lot of celebrating," he promised, "This is just to keep your energy up for the trip."

"Once everyone's finished, we'll getcha back to your families," Dean promised. It felt odd, after so many days at their height, to be looking down at everyone again. He settled on his knees to wait them out.

"Besides, we've got something for everyone to take home with them," Sam said with a grin in his eyes. "Vel's favorite, I think."

That perked Vel up enough that his wings, the most damaged from lack of sun out of any of them, fluttered once like they normally did. He stared up at Sam with hopeful eyes while his mind woke up to give him the memory of the chocolate he'd tried to savor last time. "We can all have one? A nem… a nem and em?" He shot Dean an excited grin over his shoulder.

"One for everyone," Sam assured Vel.

"That'll have you bouncing off the walls," Jacob said with a smirk. He had, unfortunately, missed the sugar rush the first time the little nestling had candy to share around.

Seeing a few of them finishing off their pieces of fruit, he set the damp cloth among them at last for them to wash their hands. "Don't want to be a mess for the ride back. I gotta keep Dean's car clean, y'know."

Bowman scoffed even as he cleaned off his hands and helped a nestling with their face. "That carbeast is always clean," he protested, "more than yours is, anyway. It's shiny."

Dean held his chin up proudly. "My pride and joy," he said smugly. "I just have to make sure Sam doesn't go tossing his wrappers on the seats when we grab snacks."

Sam flipped him off over his shoulder without looking; Dean smirked and reached forward to ruffle his hair, making Sam try and duck out of the way and really just making him drop his watermelon on the bed when it slipped off his knife.

There was a short, collective gasp of surprise as Sam, and not a nestling, was the first of the morning to drop some food. Some giggles followed. Vel put his arms over his head with a grin to defend against the same teasing, as the one closest to Sam.

Dean's hand, so close to the group, inspired none of the same reactions that the scientist's had. Even Jacob, who loomed no matter how he tried not to, wasn't inspiring any more than the occasional cursory glance when someone tried to sneak just a little more fruit.

The brighter mood was a balm to Rischa after steeping in fear for days. She knew what emotions and fears still lingered behind the tired smiles, but chose not to dwell on them.

"Now whoever owns the bed we borrowed will have to pick up fruit," she scolded with a growing smile.

"Can't take humans anywhere," Bowman agreed. He reached out a wing to flick it at Dean's hand as if shooing it.

Dean flicked his fingers dismissively back at Bowman, careful to keep from actually brushing against the tiny limb.

The sprite's wings looked so much more delicate from this angle, but Dean remembered how strong and powerful they were on the same scale. Enough that Bowman had glided to the ground while carrying him, and while he wasn't as bulky as Sam, Dean was built thicker than any of the sprites. He lacked their willowy frame, replacing it with muscle and hidden weapons.

"The maid will take care of it," Dean said. Putting his hand on his knees, he pushed himself to his feet and dug out his wallet. He tossed a few bills on the pillow for a tip. "Probably one of the better rooms she'll see compared to the other guests."

"You guys didn't even rumple the covers," Jacob agreed. "It's like you weren't even here all night." We're counting on it.

"Vel was sneaky," one young girl pointed out shrewdly. "He really wasn't here!"

"I wasn't bein' bad," Vel protested. He put a hand on Sam's sleeve, and it slowly curled into a fist to grasp the sturdy fabric. "I had a bad dream."

Sam put his arm over Vel, careful to avoid the weakly fluttering wings. "That's why he came to find me," he told the other kids. "We're the best at chasing away the nightmares."

Vel nodded sheepishly to confirm it, and the other nestlings seemed to take the story without further argument. Rischa smiled faintly as the brief teasing ended. Vel harbored a lot of leftover stress inside without being put on the spot.

"Now everyone's had a good sleep, wherever they wanted to be," Bowman determined. It seemed they'd all finished cleaning their hands as well. His wings twitched as if aware of what it meant.

They'd go home soon.

"Ready to go again? We can make Jacob carry us directly now that he has Dean to help get us there."

"Thanks for volunteering me, dude," Jacob quipped.

"We won't make Jacob take all the burden," Sam said wryly, standing and brushing off his hands. He had to borrow a corner of the cloth Jacob had placed on the bed to wipe off all the juice from his watermelon he'd dropped. "Vel can ride with me."

"Works for me," Dean agreed. He put an outstretched hand on the bed for them. "It's time to hit the road and get you guys back to Wellwood. Your parents are worried."

Vel pushed to his feet with another weak flutter of his wings. There was a grin on his face, and tears in his eyes at the same time. He didn't know how long he'd been away, but it was too long. He missed his mama.

He made his way to Dean's hand while the others milled around Bowman and waited for Jacob to offer his own hand for them. Dean's hand was so huge after being able to brush carefully over Vel's wing. Vel stooped over to place a curious hand on one of Dean's fingertips. It was so strong and steady that when he leaned his weight forward it hardly seemed to make a difference.

"Are we goin' on your shoulder?" he asked, straightening almost too fast to keep his balance. He turned to find Sam and hold out a hand for him. "I better hang on!"

Dean couldn't quite hold in a chuckle. "You are, but you'll have to stick with Sam the entire time," he advised the kid.

Forcing himself to not twitch at their light movements, Dean kept his eyes on Sam and Vel the entire time as his younger brother went over and firmly took Vel by the hand, motioning Dean that they were ready.

Lifting his hand carefully, Dean held them next to his shoulder. He held his breath as they stepped off his hand, waiting until he felt Sam next to his neck to move it away. Sam pulled Vel into his lap, using one hand to hold onto Dean's collar and the other wrapped around Vel for security.

"So, ready to hit the road?" Dean asked as he straightened cautiously. He wasn't quite used to having people on his shoulder again after a week spent at their size, but it was slowly coming back to him.

He was just in time for the last nestlings to decide where they wanted to sit on Jacob's hand. Bowman was watching with his hands on his hips to make sure they all held onto each other and stayed close to the middle. At least Jacob had big hands, with plenty of room for the four young sprites.

"I don't know why we would hit the road, but I think we're ready," Bowman determined, fluttering into the air as Jacob stood.

Jacob rolled his eyes and tucked his hand close to his chest. "Just a phrase, dude. I swear you know that one."

Bowman couldn't resist making a quick circle around both humans to survey every young sprite from the air. "Whatever. There's a lot of them."

"I'm sure you'll figure it out eventually," Dean said. "You seem to spend enough time around us. Now get under cover. Your wings stand out around here."

He gestured to the window, where through the crack they could see the drab surroundings of the motel. Dean's Impala waited next to Jacob's car, the former gleaming in the morning sun. Very little green was to be found in the area, past a few trees that dotted the sidewalks bordering the streets.

Bowman spared the window one wary glance. "I know," he insisted. "Had to make sure you were ready is all." Putting action to sass, Bowman banked to Jacob's shoulder and landed next to his hood. His wings folded tightly to his back and he looked ready to dive under a fold of cloth if needed.

Jacob smirked as he felt the familiar fidgeting right on his broad shoulder, and on his hand. This was how things ought to be. "Awesome. Time to get back to Wellwood."

Vel, clinging to Sam's arm where he sat on his lap, grinned and hunkered down even more for the ride. "Yeah! Even more sun an' some chocolate and everythin!"

"Sun and chocolate and everything," Sam agreed. He tugged Dean's collar so it was higher up, and Dean's hand rose to help him out, keeping them out of sight.

Picking up his duffel on the way, Dean checked the room one last time to make sure all was in order, then pushed the door open. He motioned Jacob, with his hands full of sprites, to lead the way.

Jacob did so, but not without a pause in the threshold. If he didn't need to be quiet right then, Bowman would have told him how ridiculous he looked, trying not to be conspicuous before he stepped out. They had to make sure no one was nearby to spot the sprites settled on Jacob's hand or shoulder, or the pair waiting by Dean's collar.

"No one," Jacob muttered for everyone else's benefit as he finally stepped out. There weren't even any cars on the nearby road. He made his way to the passenger door of the Impala, after only a split second of hesitation. He wasn't driving anymore; that mantle had passed back to Dean.

Hopefully he wouldn't see too much wrath for the panel under the steering column that he hadn't taken the time to put back in place.

Dean followed Jacob, his eyes soft as they trailed over the Impala's sharp lines and smooth curves.

Then, he remembered what she had gone through for the last week. Dean instinctively sent Jacob a glare for the fact that the teenager had pretty much stolen his car for the week, with Sam's help.

"I'm taking away your panic room privileges if you go breaking in anyone else to my car," Dean grumbled to Sam.

Sam innocently gave Dean a pat on the neck. "You just keep telling yourself that," he said smugly. "We all know you made that room so no one could get into it but me."

Rolling his eyes, Dean opened up the car. Again, a flat look crossed his face when he discovered his legs were too short to reach the gas pedal. He growled as he pulled the bench seat forward.

Jacob waited until Dean had the seat back where he wanted, and while he did he worked hard to pay as little attention as he could. He aimed to dodge another complaint about his height if he could. He couldn't really help that he needed more room to drive the Impala.

Once he settled in the passenger seat, at least he didn't have to contend with a steering wheel being too close and cutting off the circulation in his legs. As soon as he sat down, he shuddered as a tickling sensation raced over the back of his neck.

Bowman grumbled to himself as he navigated the folds of Jacob's hood. He'd hidden himself on the wrong shoulder, and had to crawl over the back of the human's neck so he could still see Dean and the others, and keep an eye on Vel.

"I wouldn't have minded a warning, y'know," Jacob muttered, tilting his head forward by a few degrees to give Bowman room to move.

Sam and Vel pushed Dean's collar out of the way so they could see the rest of the crew on Jacob's side, and waved.

Dean watched them in the rearview mirror, a warm smile on his face and eyes. "Alright, everyone, hang on," he said by way of warning, turning the key in the ignition.

The Impala started up with a reassuring purr, a solid contrast to the huge growl Dean had heard his last time in the car, when he was too small to even attempt putting the key in. He let out a sigh, soaking it all in.

This felt right.

The Impala pulled out of the parking space, angling towards the Wellwood Forest, taking the rescued victims home.


With the nestlings alert, they paid more attention to the world outside the Impala than the day before. Little wings fidgeted and they pointed out taller buildings with excitement as they passed. Once or twice, Jacob lifted his hand enough for them to peek at something before lowering them out of sight again. He didn't want to get them this close only for someone to spot them at a red light.

Vel sported a wide grin for much of the ride, his little hands gripping Sam's arm for safety. He was up high and he felt tall up there.

Once the road around them was empty, Jacob could lift his hand up so the kids could all watch the miles disappear. Many of them had never seen the fence that surrounded much of the heart of their forest, so the evenly spaced posts along the road to keep farmland partitioned fascinated them. Jacob suspected that Wellwood might find itself surrounded by tiny twig fences in the next few weeks.

When trees approached on the horizon, Bowman was the first to point them out. His fanning wings occasionally tickled Jacob's neck, but he couldn't blame the little guy. Bowman belonged among the trees.

The chatter and fidgeting only grew as the Impala took the road into those woods. By now, Dean had made the drive just enough that he didn't need directions. They passed the sign pointing to the campgrounds and aimed for a more secluded parking area, deeper in the woods. Strong trunks and a green canopy surrounded them all now, like a welcome-home embrace from the forest itself.

One of the younger kids became so excited that she started to cry quietly, overwhelmed by it all. Jacob nudged at her little wings with his thumb. "Almost home," he told them.

Up on his shoulder, Bowman kept watch on the others, but he was only barely avoiding fidgeting just like them. They were back, he was back, and everyone was safe.

The Impala came to a stop, and as the humans opened the carbeast's doors with loud metal creaks, the chattering died down. The sound of the forest rushed back, wind in the canopy and birds singing to each other. Green-gold sunbeams splashed over the underbrush, and the scent of earth and life permeated the air.

They were home.


A/N:

Bobby's got some real good information for the boys! Maybe with this, they can start getting to the bottom of what happened to Sam and the others. They have Celeste's background, and know what's causing the curse. That's a step in the right direction!

Time to return those sprites home, and get them their M&Ms! They've more than earned a few treats.

2021 is finally coming! I'll see you all in the new year!

Be sure to head over to the story tumblr to vote in the poll!


Upcoming Events

January 3rd: For Science finishes posting!

January 6th: The poll for the next story ends.

January 10th and 13th: Part 5 of Aftermath: A Series of Consulted Shorts posts.

January 14th to January 26th: Posting hiatus.

January 27th: The next story begins posting!


Cowritten by PL1, the creator of the Wellwood sprites and Jacob Andris!

Beta read by creatorofuniverses on tumblr.

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Next: January 3rd, 2020 at 9pm