Castiel awoke in a hospital.
The pain was unbearable.
Actually, he gasped, it was only unbearable because he'd never had to bear it before. He had seen Sam and Dean hurt numerous times, and they always managed to rise above it. He quickly decided he would do the same.
When a nurse came in and saw him, she seemed shocked. She checked all of his vitals, and then offered to up his morphine. With a smile, that could almost be called a grimace, he declined, and asked for a phone.
Castiel was amused when Dean was mystified by his call; it seemed everyone kept expecting him to die. Then Dean said something that caught his attention. "…Just zap over…"
Castiel frowned, feeling useless. "I can't."
There was a brief shuffle, and then the phone was handed to someone else. A cheerful voice that sounded oddly familiar spoke. "Tell me where you are, my dear."
And suddenly Castiel knew who he was speaking with. "Aziraphale."
Another voice cut in. "Why should he tell you where he is, angel? Just find him." "That seems awfully rude –" "Clearly he's hurt. Just go!" Aziraphale grumbled. "I hate this part." There was a ruffling of wings, and then his brother stood before him.
It had been so long since Castiel had stood before another angel without having to fight for his life, that for a moment in his weakened state, all he could feel was fear.
Aziraphale looked at him in confusion, and then smiled softly. "You do not have to fear me, brother. Come on. Lets get you home." He moved forward, and laid a hand gently on Castiel's forehead. Cas felt a familiar warmth seep through him, and then he was standing before the Winchester's and…someone he did not know.
"Cas!" Sam and Dean rushed forward, pulling him between them, and checking him for injuries. Dean gasped when they found the still healing sigil, flaming bright red on his chest.
A small smile tugged at Castiel's mouth. "I am fine."
Dean glared at him. "You're in a medical…dress…thing. You couldn't zap over. You are not fine." He turned to Aziraphale. "Well? You're an angel, right? Lay your hands on him! Heal him, damn it!"
"I'm sorry, dear. Heaven is alerted every time I grant a miracle. I can't heal him."
"Come on you fucking pansy! He risked everything to save us –"
Aziraphale sighed. "Actually, yes, he did. I'm surprised he's not dead." He reached out and touched Castiel's face lovingly. "You were always the bravest angel in all of creation, my dear."
Castiel blushed darkly, and looked at his feet. Dean's eyes widened. He grabbed Cas's hand, tugging the angel to face him. "You could have died?" He jerked back to Aziraphale. "He could have died?"
Crowley laughed. "What did you think was going to happen? An angel carves a sigil that banishes angels into his chest and touches it. He should have been ripped in two with a force strong enough to destroy mountains! A normal angel would have been in mind numbing pain until he was healed in heaven. With this little guys grace all torn to hell…well… it's just surprising."
His remark was met with silence; Sam and Dean stared at him, eyes wide. Sam was the first to react. He reached for their angel, and cleared his throat quietly. "Why didn't you say something?"
Castiel frowned, his head tilted in confusion. "I didn't think it was important."
Aziraphale smiled fondly. "Of course it's important, my dear."
Dean glowered, his grip on Castiel's hand tightening dangerously. "Damn straight."
Aziraphale turned to Crowley. "Would you be a dear?"
Crowley rolled his eyes, and appeared a few inches in front of Castiel. The angel's eyes widened dramatically as he jerked back, his retreat instantly halted by the Impala.
Crowley laughed. "Trust me, kid. If I wanted you dead, you'd be dead."
"Dear!" Aziraphale chided lightly.
Crowley turned to scowl at his angel, before once more crowding Castiel's space. "Now hold still."
Castiel turned to Dean, silently begging to be saved. Dean smiled reassuringly. "It's okay. He's kind of… on our side. Besides," He scowled at Crowley. "If this bastard hurts you in anyway he'll find out just how creative humans can be." Dean took a step forward, and lowered his voice menacingly. "Want to find out what it feels like to have salt water injected into your veins?"
Crowley sighed and pushed past Dean pressing a hand firmly to Castiel's chest, sliding his other hand up to caress his cheek. Dean growled possessively.
Crowley laughed, and winked at the hunter. Dean was about to do something, possibly involving his fist and the demon's face, when Castiel gasped and arched up beneath Crowley's touch. After a few seconds he slumped against the car, sliding to the ground.
Crowley sauntered back to Aziraphale's side, kissing the man soundly. "There. Happy?"
"Yes, thank you, dear."
Sam and Dean exchanged a confused look, and rushed to Castiel's side, helping him to stand.
Dean tugged at the gown, exposing the angel's chest. His skin was pristine, completely unmarred. Shocked he turned to the demon. "How did… I… Thank you."
Crowley tugged at his sunglasses, revealing his bright yellow serpentine eyes. He winked. "No problem, Winchester." He turned to Aziraphale. "Now, can we retire to somewhere a bit warmer?" Crowley grinned at Dean. "I take it you'll be driving."