As it turned out, singing on stage in front of a huge audience was not something that could make a man collapse in fear. The white suit with its silver filigree glinting in the bright light made Castiel's figure on stage look ethereal, like he was glowing brightly in the midst of the darker backdrop.

The high of performance stuck with him, his face cut into a smile as he sang the lyrics he'd memorized so long before in the hopes that his moment would come.

A lady sitting up in one of the boxes looked down curiously on the man singing so passionately on stage. In the years before his father's death, she'd known Castiel to be a gangly boy with the reflexes of a bloated elephant and a weak immune system, but clearly he'd aged well. She smoothed her manicured hands on her heavy blue gown, nodding appreciatively at the stage. The new managers watched her eagerly, as she was a wealthy woman who could sponsor them and pull the theater from the clutches of debt.

She turned to the managers, nodding concisely.

"I will offer my support to you. That man, on the stage. What is his name?"

The men laughed giddily.

"Who, Castiel? Our new prodigy? Our rising star? You know him, Ms…?"

"Masters, sirs. Meg Masters. We were… childhood friends. Is there a possibility I could see him? After the performance? To offer my congratulations, of course."

The managers nodded together.

"But of course, your wish is our command!"

Meg smiled genially, nodding at the reply. She turned her focus back to Castiel, who was finishing another song. He bowed humbly, walking offstage.

Sam greeted Castiel after his performance, the sound of the standing ovation still ringing in his ears. Sam fiercely hugged the performer, whispering a message in his ear that left his head spinning.

"He's proud of you, Cas."

Sam pulled back, clapping the smaller man on the back. Cas grinned, walking down the long hallway to the dressing room he stayed in. He stepped inside, giddily breathing a sigh through his pursed lips.

After a moment, a knock was heard on the mirror at the back of the room. Cas stepped closer, eagerly awaiting the inevitable exchange.

A gravelly and deep voice echoed through the small space, sending a chill down Castiel's spine.

"Bravo, my protégé. Bravo."

Cas grinned, stepping to the mirror and pressing his hand to the mirror.

"Thank you, Angel."

A knock sounded on his door, startling him away from the mirror. The door cracked open, revealing someone Castiel thought he would never see again.

"Meg?"

She smiled widely, stepping into his room.

"It is you, Castiel. You were amazing tonight."

He smiled, gesturing for her to take a seat at the small table in the corner.

"Meg, how have you been? It has been far too long. You must tell me news of home."

Meg covered his hands on the table with her own, looking Cas in the eyes and smiling softly.

"I would love to, Castiel. But not… here. Perhaps over dinner? A treat for the star of the show."

Cas pulled his hands back and looked at her apologetically.

"I can't, Meg. He's very strict. I am sure he'll want to speak to me."

Meg looked at him, a confused expression on her face.

"Cas, who is he?"

He smiled.

"Meg, do you remember my father? And the stories he told us of the angels?"

"Yes, Castiel, how could I forget?"

He continued.

"Father promised me before he died that he would send the Angel of Music to me, to guide me. And he did, Meg, he truly did. He has taught me to sing, the way you heard me tonight!"

Meg laughed.

"Silly Castiel. Angels aren't real. But I am, and I want to take you out. I'll meet you outside."

With that, she stepped outside with a flirtatious wink.

As soon as the sound of her receding footsteps dimmed, Cas heard a growl behind the mirror.

"That bitch. Attempting to steal away my star. How dare she? How dare she bask in my success?"

Cas walked back to the mirror, laying a hand on the cool, smooth surface.

"I hear you, angel. She is a childhood friend, nothing more."

He heard a sigh behind the mirror.

"I still dislike it, her coming into your sanctuary and attempting to seduce you. Castiel, you mustn't go see her. Something isn't right here."

Cas nodded resolutely.

"I wasn't planning on it. Your company is far more appealing, even if I have never seen you."

"Perhaps it is time to change that. It is, after all, a special occasion."

Castiel sucked in a deep breath. The mirror slid away, revealing a dark figure at first, but as he stepped into the light of the dressing room, Cas was able to see him clearly for the first time.

The angel wore all black, from his polished shoes to his swishing cape. Half of his face was covered by a white mask, but the other half was practically marble-cut. A square jaw, full lips, and forest-green eyes. In a word, he was stunning, and Castiel's face showed the awe he felt.

The angel chuckled, evidently pleased by his student's reaction.

He stretched out a gloved hand for Castiel to take, half-ducking through the mirror frame.

"Will you come with me, my Castiel?"

Cas took his hand, allowing the angel to pull him through the frame.

The mirror slid into place behind them, and Castiel followed the angel's pull into the dark corridor behind the dressing room mirror.