Chapter 3
The man- the dog- they are still there when he peers down. He worries the beats will pass too quickly and he'll glance down and every piece of his heart will be gone- even the tangential pieces.
His heart, it isn't in his body. It's punctured. Gone.
Someone was going to help- Cas remembers that- he called for someone- begged someone- someone older, wiser, stronger- who always ended up safe. Putting himself numero uno. Cas always admired that- when it wasn't getting him hurt.
He would help-
Maybe?
There's a pop behind him, Cas tries to turn, but he's too insubstantial- too empty.
"Wow- they really got you didn't they buddy-"
"Gabriel- why-"
"You called, I answered," he shudders, "this place gives me the heeby-jeebies."
"Please-"
"He was the death of you, wasn't he. And you want back? You want me to send you back." He laughs at you. "- you think I should help you? What's in it for me buckaroo?"
"Please-"
"I'm not into this cosmic- whatever palooza you three always do- it's just- trite, at this point. Can't you just- let it go?"
Cas still can't see him- off his shoulder. Is he the angel or the devil on his shoulder- that's a thing Dean showed him- cartoons. The little angel- the little devil- the choice- the free will. But free will brings peace- this is agony-
"Please-"
"God- Cas. Stop being so pathetic." Gabriel steps in front of him, all there, no faded pieces- hair in place, clothes unwrinkled, a lollipop in his hand- he rolls his eyes. "Even here you can't- just let it go?"
Cas feels himself fade further- sinking back into it- he reaches out his hand- touches Gabriel's arm- he touches him- a spark- a feeling- waking up-
"Please Gabriel- I must- he deserved happiness.'
Gabriel pauses- looks him in the eyes.
"Fine."
Castiel falls- through the air- towards the ground. Hitting- sharp. Pain. He tries to fix himself- heal it- it throbs- a little bit better.
Low on juice?
Graceless?
What's today?- it is Thursday?
He's landed amidst trees, splayed out around him, fallen out- a circle- he remembers something like this- Lebanon. Illinois. A convenience store- he gripped him tight and raised him from perdition- and now.
Puncture- beating heart- he feels it. The beat is still here- still alive.
Gabriel has given him back time- time to try to save him.
One. Last. Time.