Disclaimer: I don't own. A.N. In the anniversary of the Pilot, the prompt was "favorite season premiere" and well...we never saw season 4's start through Cas, did we?
Mission:Awkward
Being summoned directly by Michael is a surprise. Orders used to come through Anna. Now that she's MIA, there is still a whole lot of hierarchy creating an abyss between the archangel and him. Whatever Michael wants, he should just mention it to his direct subordinate, and then the message would make its way trough the heavenly host to him, or whoever else is supposed to carry it out. Assuming it is something. Sure, it might be a tongue-lashing (or worse) but Castiel has been good. Of course he had. Still, he can't quell his nerves completely.
"I have a very important mission for you," Michael tells him, when Castiel joins him in his private office.
"I'm honoured," he says, nodding. He really is.
"The apocalypse is nigh," the archangel announces, "and I will need my sword."
Castiel respectfully keeps quiet, even if his thoughts are half 'obviously' and half confused as why Michael is telling him. It's not like he's kept it in storage for him.
"It's currently being forged in hell."
"What?" Castiel can't help the outburst. Why would Michael even deal with ...
"It wasn't my idea," the archangel snaps back, "and I hope you are not questioning God's plans."
Castiel shakes his head because no, he doesn't, naturally but it doesn't make it any less puzzling. Then again, God does work in mysterious ways. He's not supposed to understand. He only has to...
"I need you to get him for me."
"Him?" Is it even possible that Michael made a mistake?
"Dean Winchester. My vessel. Currently in hell, for his brother's sake. That needs to change,"
"Yessir." Not like he could say anything else. But he can't help but think that Michael's attitude is odd.
The relationship with one's vessel is as personal as an angel can ever get with a human. It wouldn't flit across Cas' mind to ask anyone else to mediate between him and his own, when he needs one. Besides, Lucifer is safely in the cage, so it's not like Michael might fear an accidental, deeply unpleasant, early meeting. Oh well. Maybe the archangel is just too busy. An imminent apocalypse will do that.
Marching into hell is not as unpleasant as Castiel expected. Oh, not because the place is surprisingly fine - it very much isn't. But he's been leashed so long. and finally he has a mission. Someone to rescue. Demons scurry away, cower, and - when he manages to corner one - it doesn't take much convincing to have him reveal exactly where Dean Winchester is. Castiel smites him anyway, only because of the gleam of perverse reverence in the creature's eyes while he explains.
It doesn't take long to find Dean from then. The deeper he goes, the more audacious the demons become, but frankly, Cas enjoys getting rid of the ones daring enough to face him. Anyone stupid enough not to flee from the righteous fury of an angel carrying on heaven's commands deserves it.
Still, he doesn't expect to find Michael's vessel...busy. On another damned soul. And not in a pleasurable way, for anyone involved. Castiel acts on instinct, more or less - uses a hand to grab Dean's soul and tug it against himself, with a resounding, "No!" that makes Michael's future vessel reflexively drop the instruments he was using. Castiel might have used more energy than was actually warranted, but he couldn't help himself. One of his pairs of wings closes protectively around Dean's barely speckled, splintered soul, the hand still holding onto him, as if afraid he might slip away, and Castiel lets his other wings carry them both upwards.
If he's too forceful, too concerned, too - so many things, leaving an indelible imprint on the body he's resurrecting, an invisible bond with such a bright, wonderful soul forming despite his best intentions... Well, that's why Michael should have done his own errands. Castiel, the shield of God. They couldn't send him to shield one human soul and expect him not to get somehow attached.
Still, he disappears as soon as the man is technically alive. Now, it surely should be Michael's move. Castiel only has to let him know.
...Speaking of things Castiel didn't intend to do, yes, he's happy for a mission accomplished, delighted even that Dean's soul won't be damaged any further, but he hadn't meant to scream so loud. Oops. Well, at least nobody can say they weren't aware that "Deam Winchester is saved."
Still, Michael doesn't rush down (what might be keeping him?) and Castiel finds himself drawn back towards the man he just raised (fine, technically, he revived him, but Dean raised himself), the new bond like an over-stretched spring insisting he needs to look over his...protegee, at a mininum. (Only it's not supposed to be his. Michael can complain when he deigns to show up.) He even tries to apologize for not having been there all along, and starts to explain - only he has forgotten human limitations. As a mere wave of celestial intent, he's tuned way too high for Dean to understand, or, apparently, tolerate. Maybe that's a sign he should shut up and wait. Surely, Michael will arrive soon, and he should be far more compatible...
He would have, if they'd let him. Whether because Dean is in a similar situation, or simply because he wants answers, Castiel finds himself all too soon summoned through a psychic. He's none too happy about her lewd handsiness, either (Dean deserves better), but he still tries to warn her off. When she insists, trying to compel him, and ends up with her eyes burned to a crisp...Humans have free will. He refuses to hold himself responsible for the consequences of their choices.
After that, though, it becomes evident that finding a vessel of his own is paramount. If Dean is going to want to interact more, Castiel will not be the one to harm him. Thankfully, that doesn't take long. One very devout man of the right lineage is available, and just like his ancestor before him, he's eager to agree to any demand from Castiel. Even the ones that could - should, by all rights - scare him, and worry his family. If Jimmy Novak is not going to make his own spouse and child a priority over Heaven's requests, Castiel is so not going to suggest to him that he should. Maybe that comes with the lineage, too. His grand-a few times-ma (Castiel could figure out the details, but frankly, he's too eager to get back to Dean) was certainly thrilled to abandon her own.
It's been so long since he'd taken a vessel, though, that he's not used to it anymore. When being summoned (again, Dean certainly isn't wasting time) he forgets to adjust for the added molecules on his way into the barn, leading to a rather embarrassing crash. At least, Dean hasn't seen that. His dignity as an angel of the Lord is intact. He rights himself, and prepares to enter the place by human means. If he's still a little out of sorts (what is Dean going to require from him? and should Castiel want to give in so readily, Michael's future vessel or no?), control slipping, and a few lightbulbs pay the price for that...it's a small one. He's being shot at, both from Dean Winchester and the older man at his side, but that is of no concern. He can repair any damage inflicted on his vessel, especially such menial ones, his grace untouched.
Finally, Dean decides to inquire. But really, it's unimportant who Castiel is. He's just an instrument for the Lord's will. One that keeps bungling, too, but hopefully, his errors aren't great enough to ruin the overarching plan. Or Dean. He's been hurt more than enough. Castiel needs to make things right. "I'm the one who gripped you tight and raised you from perdition." Surely, that's what counts.
Dean thanks him...and stabs him. Not that the demon blade is going to actually cause damage. In fact, Castiel smiles at him, because...he'd like to say it's about Michael needing a brave fighter, especially for the apocalypse, but he's completely forgotten his boss. He's smiling because, this close, Dean's soul is near-blinding, so so beautiful, and the fact that the man is desperate for a fighting chance, even when he doesn't even seem completely shocked by his weapon's failure, just makes Castiel want to protect him all the more. To give him a chance to heal before being tossed into the apocalypse. Maybe that's why Michael is lingering, he'll tell himself much later - he agrees. Castiel has permission.
At the moment, though, all he wants is to get rid of the interloper (not permanently; the man is helping Dean, after all).
Only, their private conversation doesn't go near as well as Castiel had hoped. Dean is still incredulous, and angry, which is understandable, all circumstances considered... But it's realizing that Dean doesn't think he deserved to be saved that near-breaks Castiel's heart. Sure, the man might not feel whole, but he's so not a lost cause (and even if he was, there is someone who knows how to handle that). He says the truth - that he's been commanded, that they have work for him. Maybe having a mission of his own will cheer him up. Or at least focus him. That will give Castiel some time to help with further healing. And to help manage the bond. Hopefully, with less embarrassing accidents.