Cas woke to an empty bed and his immediate reaction was to seize up in panic.
It wasn't until he heard Dean and Sam's muffled voices floating in from outside that his body relaxed enough for him to sit up and take in his surroundings.
He was in the motel room by himself, sunlight streaming in through the window. Cas could clearly see Dean and Sam's outlines through the curtains. They must've moved outside to have their conversations so as to attempt not to wake him.
The blankets which Cas had been securely wrapped in when he'd fallen asleep had shifted during the night and now only rested around his slim waist, Dean's old AC/DC shirt still firmly in place however. Cas liked the shirt Dean had lent him, it smelt like Dean. It was a good smell.
Carefully Cas unfurled his wings behind him, stretching them out as far as they would go. It felt strange to have them manifested while in the form of a human. But then again it also felt relieving. It had been something he knew he had avoided allowing when he had been in Jimmy Novak's full grown body. Right now he couldn't remember what that reasoning had been.
Cas didn't get the chance to make it over to the motel door before it opened and the two brothers came back inside, both looking troubled. Dean's face brightened when he saw that Cas was awake.
"Mornin' buddy."
Cas grinned back, all worries forgotten now that he had Dean back in his sight.
"Dean," Sam said firmly, "You know it's the best idea we've got."
Dean waved his brother off without responding to him, bee lining for Cas instead. "You hungry Cas? We could go and get some grub?"
Cas nodded his head enthusiastically, before glancing over at Sam, "What idea?"
"We'll talk about it after breakfast," Sam stated firmly, more for Dean's benefit than Castiel's. "If you plan on the three of us going out to eat Dean, you know we won't be able to get out of the car." Sam nodded in Cas' direction, "He's not even wearing proper clothes. Not to mention the fairly obvious wings."
Cas looked down at himself feeling ashamed. He was trying to hide his wings again, he really was. They just wouldn't behave anymore, his powers were all screwy. And he liked wearing Dean's shirt.
"Well then we'll eat in the car." Dean ground out, shooting a glare towards his brother. Sam snatched up the Impala keys and headed back outside without another word. Dean sat heavily on the edge of the bed to pull his boots on.
Cas scrambled over to sit beside him. "Why's Sam mad?" Cas asked softly, looking up at Dean.
"He's not mad Cas. Just frustrated."
"With what?"
"The situation," Dean grunted.
"What situation?"
"You know what situation Cas!" Dean snapped down at him, "You."
Cas' eyes immediately swelled with tears at Dean's words. Dean looked down at him just in time to see Cas turning his face away trying to hide his eyes. Regret rose in Dean swiftly as he caught sight of Cas' broken look. The innocence of his features making it ten times worse.
"I'm sorry I'm always such a problem Dean." Cas whispered solemnly.
"Cas that's not what I meant." Dean reached a hand out towards Cas' small frame.
Cas shied away from the contact, "Yes it is," he muttered, before following Sam's path out the door.
-/-
The short drive into town was mostly in silence. Sam drove, Dean in the passenger seat with Cas on his lap. Cas was too small to sit in a seat by himself, and he still refused to let Sam be the one to hold him. However his position was deliberately different today. He sat stiffly facing the front, his back against Dean's chest, allowing Dean to hold him around the waist to prevent him from sliding off his legs. Dean had to hold his head at a certain angle to avoid receiving a mouthful of feathers. Around any corners Dean ensured he tightened the hold he had on Cas' small body. Cas didn't make any motion to hold him at all.
Sam pulled up at the same diner Dean had visited the day before. He parked the Impala as far off from any other cars as possible. "Won't be too long," He mumbled, leaving Dean and Cas in a heavy silence.
Cas moved off Dean's lap and slid across the seat away from him. Cas' head hung low, his wings curled protectively around himself, refusal to meet Dean's gaze was evident. The two of them sat in a stony silence.
Dean wanted Cas to know he didn't think him to be a burden. He never thought that of Cas. Cas was important to him, and to Sam, and they would stop at nothing to help him. To make him better. But Dean didn't know how to get it out, how to explain it, especially to a child. It was the look of utter dejection on Cas' face that caused Dean to reach out his hand to him, comforting, making Cas smile again the only priority in his head.
Cas seemed to give up on himself and slid back over, leaning heavily into Dean's side. Dean curled the arm he'd reached out around Cas' shoulders, holding him close, Cas grasped Dean's fingers in his own small ones.
"M' sorry Cas."
"Didn't do anything wrong," Cas mumbled.
"Then why are you upset?" Cas didn't answer. He flipped Dean's palm over in his hands, examining it closely. "Somethin' wrong with my hand?" Dean asked gruffly.
"Your hands are rough."
Dean snorted, "Being a hunter ain't exactly light work Cas."
"But they're still gentle."
Dean rolled his eyes. Cas wasn't making any sense, but at least he was speaking again. He let the kid continue to appraise the limb until Sam returned laden with food. Sam sat in the back to allow more room for eating. Cas once again plowed through the meal he was given, consuming more than either Sam or Dean thought he should be capable of.
"We should buy him some clothes." Sam stated reasonably from the back seat. Watching as his brother and their angel munched away contentedly.
Dean gave a nod of agreement, "Taking him into a store is still going to be problematic." Cas ruffled his wings as if to prove Deans point.
"Maybe if he holds them still enough people will just presume they're those toy ones." Sam suggested.
Dean chuckled as Cas shot Sam a glare for insinuating his wings could possibly look like a child's play thing.
"Sam's right Cas," Dean said, ruffling Cas' hair, "No-one's gonna look that closely."
As Cas finished off the last bites of his food, he turned to face Sam over the seats. "What was the idea from earlier?" Any conversation that wasn't about clothes seemed to suit Cas better.
Dean made a disapproving noise in the back of his throat, which Sam ignored in favor of explaining to Cas, "We were thinking," Dean made another sound of protest, "Fine, I was thinking, that we should call another angel, see if they can't put you right."
Cas curled in on himself immediately, his wings coming around to hide most of his body. "Yea great plan Sammy," Dean muttered, reaching over to pull the now hiding Cas back into his lap.
"I'm sure they'd be able to reverse a simple Witch spell," Sam said firmly, he climbed back into the driver's seat. "We could call Balthazar. We've summoned him before, we know it works."
Cas clutched at Dean, sniffling softly into his shirt. Sam was giving Dean his best 'it's our best shot, now convince him' look. Dean let out a resounding sigh.
"Cas, buddy," Dean tried to pry him back slightly so he could see Cas' face, "Look at me Cas." Blue eyes hesitantly appeared from behind a bunch of black feathers. "Why do you think it's a bad idea?" Maybe Cas would provide a reasonable argument he could use against Sam.
Cas sniffled again, dragging the back of his hand across his nose. "He'll laugh at me."
Sam chuckled, "Gonna have to do better than that Cas."
Cas looked up into the green eyes above him, "What if he takes me away from you?" Cas' fists tightened in Dean's shirt, legitimate fear crossing his small face.
"We won't let him," Dean said firmly, "I swear to you Cas, if that snooty accented bastard tries anything of the sort we'll send him packing."
Cas smiled shyly at the insult, a look of deep concentration consuming him, finally he nodded his head firmly.
-/-
It took until early afternoon before they'd managed to gather all the required ingredients for the summoning spell. They'd also acquired Cas a proper outfit. The angel was now sporting a pair of faded blue jeans, white sneakers, and most importantly an AC/DC shirt that actually fit. Dean had been impressed when he discovered that you could buy children's clothes with quality patterns printed on them.
They'd only run across one mishap while shopping. Dean had put Cas on the ground so he could properly juggle the assortment of items into his arms when a young girl no older than four had decided she liked the look of Cas' wings and wanted them for herself.
Cas' scream of pain had Dean yelling at the young girl before he could comprehend doing so. Five minutes later saw a highly pissed off Dean carrying a still whimpering Cas out of the store, the boy once again in the safety of Dean's arms. Leaving Sam to deal with a prissy mother and to finish purchasing Cas' clothes.
Sam, Dean and Cas were now gathered around the only small table their motel room had, Dean and Cas watching as Sam added the last few ingredients to the bowl positioned in the centre of the table. Cas' eyes were still slightly red and puffy but Dean's comforting hand curled around his small waist as he stood on a chair next to him was defiantly making him feel better.
After gaining a nod of confirmation from his brother Sam lit a match and threw it into the centre of the bowl, the promising scene of smoke puffed up in front of them.
"How many times do I have to tell you boys, I'm not your damn lapdog." Balthazar's unmistakable drawl sounded from behind them, Sam and Dean turning swiftly to face him. "I'll have you know I happened to be in the middle of a very important conversation with a dear friend." It was then that Balthazar's eyes landed on Castiel. "Cassie?" His voice flooded with surprise. Cas hid behind his wings and Dean as best he could. "What did they let happen to you?"
"It was not our fault," Dean growled out, making a move to shield Cas further.
"Sure it wasn't." Balthazar attempted to peer around Dean, trying to get a better look at his miniaturized brother.
"It was witches." Sam cut in quickly before Dean and Balthazar started bickering.
"Witches? plural?"
"Only one of them cast the spell on Cas. But there were five all up."
"You boys couldn't handle five little witches, you must be slipping. Age not catching up to you, is it?"
Sam ignored him and pressed on, "We were hoping you'd be able to reverse it, or at least have an inclination of how we could."
Balthazar stood in silent contemplation for a moment before he again made a move to get a better look at the boy. "Cassie, let me look at you." He sounded frustrated as Cas continued to use Dean as an effective shield. Balthazar shot Dean a dark look as the small angel showed no sign of moving.
"It's ok Cas," Dean said softly, running a hand through Cas' hair. "Let him look."
Cas slowly lowered his wings out of the way and shuffled out from behind Dean, his new sneakers squeaking as he moved, his small fist tightening its grip on Dean's jacket.
Balthazar let out a snigger that caused Cas to hang his head. Dean could see the first hints of tears beginning to form at the judgment.
"If you're not going to help, then leave." Dean said sharply, pulling Cas closer to him again.
"Who said I wasn't going to help?"
"Your face did," Dean snapped.
Balthazar rolled his eyes at the immaturity. Sam once again opened his mouth to intervene but was saved the trouble by a loud cracking sound whipping through the room. For a moment, Sam thought Cas had exploded something again, until he saw the rooms newest occupant.
"Gabriel?" Sam managed to splutter out. "How the hell are you even ali- you know what, I don't want to know."
Gabriel chuckled, "Well if it isn't Lawrence's little sweethearts." Gabriel clapped his hands together loudly, "Was wondering who zapped away my wingman."
"Wingman?" Dean asked skeptically, "What were you two doing together, picking up chicks?"
Both angels shrugged their shoulders, "Maybe you should tag along sometime Dean-o, we could use some fresh blood."
"I think he's a bit preoccupied with his boyfriend right now Gabe." Balthazar nodded in Cas' direction, the kid looking more terrified than he was before.
Dean snapped his mouth together sharply as Gabriel took in Castiel's current state. He raised his eyes, surprised, "Please tell me it was a bad hunt and not some kinky game gone wrong." Gabriel snickered out.
"Witches," Sam spoke quickly, before his brother could try his hand at tackling an arch angel to the ground.
"Bet you managed to fight them off, right sasquatch?" Gabe sent Sam a very obvious wink, "I'm actually hurt you called Balthazar instead of me Sammy. Thought you'd be missing me, and don't give me any of that 'we thought you were dead' crap, you two should have well and truly learnt your lessons by now." Gabriel grinned wide before turning his attention back to his, in more ways than one, little brother.
"You 'k Cassie?" Gabriel's tone was not as load and obnoxious as before. Cas nodded his head into Dean's side. "This witch must have been packin' quite a bit of power to be able to affect an angel like this." Gabriel sighed, "I can sense the spells residue from here, they'll be nothing either one of us would be able to do directly."
Sam and Dean exchanged a dark look, while Cas nuzzled into Dean again.
"Can he speak?" Balthazar asked abruptly.
"Of course I can speak," Cas squeaked out.
Balthazar and Gabriel both grinned down at him.
"I am curious as to what type of power these girls were channeling, what else had they been up to?"
Sam spent the next thirty minutes explaining everything about the case to both angels. Everything they knew from before they'd attempted to take down the witches, including the satanic scripture Cas had started deciphering, and everything that happened in the house during and afterwards.
By the time Sam had finished talking Cas was dozing contently in Dean's arms.
"Cute little tyke isn't he?" Balthazar chuckled, watching Cas' face twitch in his sleep.
"He was always a good kid." Gabriel said conversationally. Dean found it strange thinking of Cas before now as a child. How many years ago would that have been? Millennia? Were celestial beings even ever children? Or did they just 'exist'? "Who's up for some pizza?"
Before anyone could answer Gabriel snapped his fingers and four large pizza boxes appeared on the table before them, a delicious aroma following along.
Sam flipped one of the lids open skeptically, "Are these real?"
"Of course they're real Sammy," Gabriel exclaimed, flipping open his own box and digging out a slice.
"I thought you only dealt in illusions?" Sam grumbled, "And quit calling me Sammy."
Gabriel rolled his eyes, "I deal in illusion when it is necessary, doesn't mean I can't create the real deal."
Dean nudged Cas awake carefully. Cas' eyes widened at the sight of food and he gratefully excepted the slice of pizza Dean slipped into his waiting hands.
"Got a couple of questions for you Cassie," Gabriel said once Cas seemed content to not go back into hiding.
Cas' bright eyes focused on his older brother, only a slight hesitance noticeable in his features. Dean gently squeezed Cas' leg reassuringly. "'k," Cas agreed around his mouthful.
"Do you remember anything of what the witch did to you?"
Cas thought hard for a moment, concentration pinching his face. "No," he said firmly, "I remember sitting in the Impala with Dean and Sam, and then I was on the ground crawling my way out of my coat."
"You sure?" Gabriel pushed.
"Yes," Cas snapped, "I don't want to talk about it anymore."
Gabe raised his hands in defeat, "Ok, we'll talk about something else."
"When did your wings manifest?" Balthazar chipped in. "Immediately?"
"No. It happened after."
"After what?"
"I got mad."
"What were you mad at?"
"Why's it matter?" Cas asked back, his soft voice sounding annoyed.
"Might help to putting them away again. That would make it easier for you to go around with the boys." Balthazar explained reasonably.
"Didn't like them fighting." Cas mumbled, staring down at his hands, the hint of a blush tingeing the tops of his cheeks.
Gabriel chuckled, "I'm ashamed at you boys. Fighting in front of the children."
"Shut it, Gabriel."
"Your body can't keep up with your emotions right now Cassie, that's what caused a manifestation of your wings. What you need to do is calm yourself enough to focus on instructing them on what you want them to do." Balthazar explained, "Close your eyes."
Cas glanced up at Dean to make sure he was watching the exchange before he complied, shutting his eyes tightly.
"Focus on emptying your mind of everything but your wings. And when you have them and only them in your mind, tell them what you want."
Cas focused as instructed, it took him a moment or two to be able to ignore the feel of anything else around him, to ignore Dean around him. Eventually he felt his wings retract from the physical plain.
Glancing over his shoulder he was happy to see that the extra appendages were no longer sprouting from his back. He looked up at Dean grinning. There was a look of something that wasn't happiness playing across Dean's features, but the gaze vanished too quickly for Cas to discern what it meant.
Gabriel had already gone back to talking with Sam, but Balthazar gave him a satisfied nod before turning away.
-/-
It was well into the evening before Gabriel and Balthazar decided it would be best for them to leave. They had both exhausted their extensive knowledge and the most likely way of reversing the spell that either of them could come up with was killing the witch who directly cast the curse. Dean remembered firmly that the girl Jayde had been the one to come out of the kitchen demanding for them all to leave.
Gabriel's suggestion that Cas go with himself and Balthazar back to Heaven while they did more research, was met with resolute disagreement from both Castiel and Dean.
Reluctantly Gabriel didn't push it too much, he knew he was certainly fighting a losing battle when it came to any talk of separating the hunter from his angel.
Dean followed Gabriel and Balthazar outside into the deserted parking lot, leaving Sam to shoot questioning looks after them. Cas had already curled up back to sleep, this time on Dean's bed.
"You keep my brother safe now Dean," Gabriel said firmly, once the door clicked closed behind them. "We shouldn't be leaving him here with you at all."
"He wants to stay." Dean pointed out.
"Of course he does," Balthazar rolled his eyes to the heavens, "He trusts you more than we do. Even on a normal day he'll take anything you say over our opinion. That doesn't mean he's making the correct decisions at the moment."
"Well then find a way to fix him faster." Dean snapped out.
"I keep my promises Dean-o, don't worry. We'll find out anything we can that could help. Now you and Sammy focus on hunting down these witches."
"Oh and if you do need us, you don't have to do this summoning bullshit. You can always simply pray." Balthazar pointed out.
"I'm not really the praying type," Dean muttered.
Gabriel snorted, "Yea I'm positive you've never once prayed to Cas."
With a flutter of wings Dean was once again facing an empty parking lot.