Title: the play of light on bright stones

Disclaimer: not my characters; just for fun. Title from Denise Levertov.

Warnings: spoilers for season four

Pairings: none stated

Rating: PG

Wordcount: 325

Point of view: third

Castiel has seen him broken, tainted beyond purity, as the plaything of the darkest being in the pit.

Castiel has seen him so low there is nowhere left to fall.

Castiel still sees him as beautiful.

o0o

Uriel does not like Dean or his brother. He can barely stand being in the same realm as them.

Castiel, however, finds them fascinating. He has always been curious of Their Father's favorite creatures, His special children. They are so vibrant and young. Whenever he is on their plane, he cannot look away.

Uriel would turn them all to dust, if he had his way. Castiel cannot fathom it.

o0o

Castiel gripped Dean's soul tight, shoved it back into his rotting corpse, and healed him. He restored Dean to life, erasing all flaws and scars. He watched Dean fight his way out the grave and stumble into town.

He watched Dean force down the memories and marveled at humanity's resilience.

o0o

Castiel saw him in the pit, tearing open another damned soul. Castiel saw him shattered; with His Father's grace and tender forgiveness, Castiel pieced him back together.

And now Castiel cannot look away.

o0o

Take care, Castiel, Uriel told him. Be careful you do not stray.

Castiel had no reply.

o0o

Castiel has seen him broken. Castiel has seen him in the pit, torturing others with a glee that can only be termed unholy. Castiel has seen him fallen so low there is nowhere else.

Castiel has seen Dean at his darkest, most twisted moments—and Castiel is the one who returned him to the light. Gave him back hope for redemption.

Uriel cannot stand to be near Dean or Sam—especially Sam—but Castiel wishes he never had to leave.

They are fascinating, so vibrant and so young, and he wants to understand them better. How can that be a sin?

Castiel, Uriel cautions. They are sinful beings. They are impure and fallen.

And still, Castiel does not look away.