Hello my dear readers,

Just a warning about this chapter, it not in detail or anything so I am still going to be keeing the rating T. Shouldnt make anyone uncomfortable.
I'm also breaking my pattern of chapters from here on out but I promise it is for a good reason. This chapter being one in particular, after all such an act as this involves two.

I dont own Supernatural, which is a bummer.

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When you are far from home, you feel like a bird without a nest.
Proverbs 27:8
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'Little Mickey!'
The greeting was loud as Micah stepped out of the car, Castiel noticing her large smile as she hung her head to try and hide it.
'Alex, it's good to see you.'
She had barely closed the door when her cousin ran over to her, embracing her tightly.

Castiel got himself out of the passenger's seat, closing the door quietly and took the moment to look take in the area around him. Even in the dark, it was nothing special; a few acres of over grown land hidden off the main highway. Not far away was the house, rough and old like it had never been cared for a day in its life. But as Castiel turned his attention to Micah and Alex, he hoped it was filled with happy memories.

'It's been too long!' Alex mumbled, rubbing his hand on top of her head, messing her hair. Micah laughed, the sound rich and smooth, he hadn't heard that before.
'I have called…' Micah grumbled, but Alex frowned.
'I never knew it was so hard to pop in for a few seconds every now and then.'
'You still have that ridiculous pony tail growing out the back of your head!'
'Just because I don't want short hair, you know I never liked to fit in with the norm; you of all people Mickey.'
'What have I told you about calling me Mickey? I don't pick on your womanly hair if you don't call me that name!'
'You're my little mickey mouse… why don't want your boyfriend here to know your nickname?'

They paused, looking over the Castiel, who raised an eyebrow as he felt a smile tug at the corner of his lips. It was awkward to be there, watching as they greeted in a strange way but the smile on their faces assured him that it was nothing too serious.
'Who is your boyfriend?'
Micah rolled her eyes, stepping around to the boot and grabbed out her duffle bag, tossing Castiel his back pack.
'This is Castiel. Long story… but he is not my boyfriend, just a hunting partner.'

Catching his bag, Castiel moved around to join them, holding out his hand and Alex gripped it tightly.
'Good to meet another hunter that is able to stand this one.' He laughed, receiving a slap across his back as they walked up to the house. Castiel grinned, dodging the empty milk crates and stacks of old newspapers and beer bottles.
'Pleased to meet you also Mr…?'

Alex just laughed, opening the door and gesturing them in. The front light was switched off, everything falling dark beside the light illuminating from inside. A rich smell was filling Castiel's nose and he paused just inside the room as he waited for Micah or Alex to show him where to go. The house was large, a traditional old home but it was run down; the wallpaper peeling and faded an the air smelt of stale books and salt.
'Mr Alexander Hawks, but please just call me Alex, or Al or Cuz.' He chuckled deeply as he moved them into the room with the light, a well sized study room. Castiel remained in the threshold, watching as Micah grabbed herself a beer and Alex watched Castiel curiously before he covered a few bits of paper and close some books.
'No surname for you Castiel?'

Castiel thought about it, tried to think if he could remember his surname, but nothing came to him and Alex raised an eyebrow suspiciously.
Micah walked into the room, saving Castiel from lying or fumbling over his answer.
'I'll explain everything to you later, Al.' She tied her hair loosely behind her head, asking something about food and Alex nodded, moving into the kitchen.

'I don't have a lot,' he called from the kitchen, 'but give it five minutes or so and we can have some sandwiches.'
He came back, Micah moving over to Castiel.
'We just need a few minutes to ourselves Cass.'
'Yeah, no offence friend,' Alex said, frowning as he took a seat, 'weary of hunters with no last name.'
Micah rolled her eyes and Castiel nodded, understanding. Castiel watched Alex; he looked older than Castiel, early forties. Hair was long, shorter than Micah's but still needed to be tied, streaks of grey now outweighing the once dark brown hair. His nose was crooked, broken numerous times and the heavy bags under his eyes were not just from a single night of restlessness.

'Upstairs is the bathroom, we won't be long. Make yourself at home.'
Sliding the door shut, Micah gave him a heavy grin before he was standing alone. Sharpening his eyes he searched for a light, turning it on beside the staircase. The dull light spread through the room, lighting strange shadows across the room as the layers of dust covered the light cover. The room was relatively empty, the lobby leading through to a lounge.

'What the hell is a leviathan?'

Something nagged at the back of his mind, an itch he just couldn't reach.
Gods first beast, Castiel. They were locked away because they are hungry… they are always hungry.
Closing his eyes, he staggered back until his back was on the wall, keeping him steady as he tried to see through his eyes but it was as if they weren't his.
'Kept in purgatory, I didn't think that was real.'
Purgatory, a place between heaven and hell, a place for those that belong in neither.

The light was right, the blood symbol on the wall now completely gone as the hole became larger, sucking back in everything Castiel had taken out. All those souls, they had been somewhat eager to allow Castiel to devour them, absorb them into his own being and he never thought anything of it until now.

It was almost ticklish as they were ripped from him, Castiel forgetting everything for a moment, forgetting Dean and Bobby behind him, forgetting the horror he had done…
He would find a way to redeem himself.
He had to.

With a gasp Castiel felt the pain fade, the sensations over his body and mind vanishing as quick as they came.
That couldn't be possible, Castiel didn't even know what purgatory was, what need did he have to open it?

Again that very memory slipped from his fingers, disappearing back into the depths of his being and he tried not to chase it. He could still hear Alex and Micah speaking in the room next to him, now on the topic of Micah being soft for lost dogs.
With nothing interesting to keep him occupied and not wanting to have any more flashbacks, he moved up the stairs, switching off the light before finding one along the wall that lit the hall.

The narrow corridor smelt dusty, the bulb not offering a very bright light but at least there was not a lot of clutter up here. All along the walls were frames, rusted and faded but the images in them were well kept and clear.
The first one he saw was of this house, the sun bright behind the photography, lighting the bright smile on the child's face. The closer he looked, he realised it was Micah; she couldn't have been any older than ten. The house was proud, clean and a fresh garden was spread out on the ground. It was hard to believe that the place he stood in now was the same one in the picture. Moving onto the next one, Castiel felt a smile on his face, mirroring the grinning teenager in the picture. Blonde hair was short and eyes were a strong deep green, but the smile was still the same.

There were more pictures, all happy; Micah with Alex and a young man Castiel didn't recognise and some were of Alex and a group of his friends standing beside their catch; not of fish but of monsters. Once Castiel reached the end, he felt his heart sink.

The last image at the end of the hall was an old one. It was faded around the edges, and looked as though water had been slashed on it. The two people were huddled close under a tree, the ocean in clear view behind them. Their faces were so happy, glowing but none looked happier than the blonde child in their arms. Castiel felt sick in the stomach; how could something so terrible happen to a family like this? Why did these things happen to good people?

At least Micah still had a home.
Somewhere she could always return to when she felt lost, a place of sanctuary.
Castiel didn't have one, at least he couldn't think of one. At the thought of a home, a he felt empty, so alone and it terrified him. A memory was there, waiting for him and Castiel snatched it; only to feel a hard stone in the pit of his stomach, sorrow. He had tried to go home once, seek a place of refuge but from this memory, he had been locked out.

'Cass?'
Micah was by the stairs, her face marred with a frown and a sandwich in her hand. Castiel spun around, like a guilty child caught with their hand in the cookie jar but Micah gave him a forced grin. She looked at the hallway like it was venomous; containing hidden traps that she dare not enter into.
'Come on, nosy. Get something to eat.'
She paused on the stairs, waiting for Castiel to lean his bag against the bathroom door before following her down back towards the kitchen.

Alex was there, placing a few beers on the table before piling cold meat into a roll.
Castiel took a seat beside Micah, who seemed uncomfortable beside him. He felt terrible about what he did only a few hours before, Micah had not been the same since.

'Beer?'
Castiel shook his head and Alex raised an eyebrow before opening it for himself. Helping himself to some bread and meat, Castiel ate it quickly, everyone silent as they sat in the small room.
'So Micah told me how you came to join her.'
Castiel nodded, giving her a weary look before clearing his throat.
'I'm afraid I know as much as Micah does. I remember nothing.'

Alex nodded, leaning back in his chair and Castiel could feel the mistrust growing between them.
'Well, we may have an idea.' He leant forward, elbows on the table as he stared at Castiel, 'Not far from where Micah found you, in the Kansas River, something big went down. A tonne of Leviathans were released from Purgatory… that ring a bell?'
Castiel tried to keep it from his face, tried to hide his fear from his eyes.
They ripped at his insides, squirmed beneath his flesh…"release us!"

Castiel gathered himself together, shaking his head as he leant back casually himself.
'Sorry, don't know anything about that.'
Alex smirked, clearing away his plate and Castiel could feel Micah relax slightly beside him but she knocked back a beer too quick for Castiel's liking.

'Don't fret, not a lot of harm done.' He stood, leaning on the back of the chair, 'but I do have one question, where will you go from here, or have you decided that you want to stay with Micah?'
'Alex,' Micah growled warningly but Alex just raised his arms in innocence.
'It a simple question.'
Castiel thought but he really didn't have an answer, he had no home to go to, no one he knew that could help him, so he shrugged.
'What are you intentions for Micah?'

Castiel almost choked on his air and Micah gave a low sigh, glaring at Alex.
'Intentions?'
'Alex this is unnecessary, you know that I can take care of myself.'
'Right, I know, so what are your intentions for Castiel here? Keep him like an adopted puppy?'
Micah stood, slamming her hands down onto the table, enough to make Castiel jump.
'You have no right! I race over here for you as quick as I can because you needed help, not because I wanted to be poked and prodded like the last time over every decision I make involving other people!'
'The last man you introduced me to, died a month later, forgive me if you can't see that I am only trying to help!'

Micah groaned deeply, her rage surfacing but she didn't act on it, simply kicked the chair out of her way and marched up the stairs. A door slammed and Castiel looked nervously over to Alex, who ran a hand down his face, mumbling about if he didn't care for her, who would?

He excused himself, Alex returning to his study, leaving Castiel to clear up the table.
The shower up stairs stopped and Castiel yawned as he found a pillow and a blanket, old and itchy against his skin, but it was better than having the cold stale air bite at his skin all night. Stripping out of his jeans and jacket, he slipped on his comfortable trousers and a clean black shirt, sitting on the couch. Springs poked at him, and Castiel hissed as the couch creaked under his weight.

'Hey,'
Looking up, the light from upstairs shone into the darkness and Micah stood halfway down the staircase. Even from there Castiel could see a smile on her face.
'Look, I've slept on that thing before, you won't get any sleep.'
Castiel looked around, shrugging his shoulders.
'Saying the floor is better?'
Micah laughed gently, glancing at the study before back to Castiel.
'Up here, you'd rather share, trust me.'

Castiel hesitated for a moment, before he gathered the pillow and blanket. Micah switched out the light in the hall, stepping into a room and closing the door firmly behind Castiel.
'I don't think Alex will be happy if he sees me in the same room as you,'
'Cass, he will be up until dawn drinking and reading and even then he will wake up at midday with a headache. It's fine, why? What do you think he might find?'

Micah sat on the bed, and Castiel looked around the bedroom. It was bare, only the essentials and Castiel realised this must have been Micah's bedroom while she still lived here. Looking at her, he tried to hide the blush on his face when he looked at her; hair damp and clothing not leaving much skin covered. Her legs were bare up to her thigh and he had to swallow hard as he moved around to the other side of the small double bed, sitting down stiffly. Micah chuckled as Castiel fumbled for words, leaning over to gently touch his shoulder.

'You shouldn't worry so much Castiel, what are you scared of?'
Castiel turned his head to Micah, eyes locking with hers and he couldn't help but think of everything that made his blood run this quick. He could kill a nest of vampires and watch as a zombies heart was ripped from its chest, but he couldn't even sit comfortably this close to a woman?
But then again, this wasn't just any woman, and that was what made him nervous.

Micah eased more pressure onto his shoulder, trying to assure him. He tilted his head away, trying to hide the blush but Micah laughed as Castiel smiled, eyes bright and blue.

'Micah I just, I don't- what happened earlier, I am sorry.'
Micah moved her hand from his shoulder to his hand, gripping it tightly.
'For what? I didn't dump you on the side of the road did I?'
Castiel laughed and Micah felt something in her heart become light and yet, it sank at the same time.

'Micah?'
She snapped her eyes back into focus again, trying to calm the butterflies in her stomach as Castiel raised an eyebrow, 'what are you looking at?'
'Your eyes, they are just so… and your smile…'
A concerned look broke out on his face and his hand flew to cover his mouth.
'Why, what's wrong with my smile?'
'Nothing! God…nothing at all Cass.' She smiled assuring as she moved his hand away from his face.

From his simple light beard to his stunning blue eyes, Micah was enthralled by him and there was not much she could do to escape it, so she surrendered. Moving slowly, Micah watched his eyes as he tried to grasp what was going on. Biting her lower lip, Micah could feel his breath, deep and calm across her cheek and she grinned.

'Micah, I don't think that we should…'
Holding onto her breath, Micah traced her hands up his back to rest on the back of his neck as she moved even closer, surprised that Castiel had not leapt to his feet and flustered about nervously, so different to the man that had captured her a few hours ago. His confusion and tension was evident in the way his hands hovered over her back, the warmth from them making Micah realise just how cold she was. Gently she kissed his neck, feeling his pulse under her lips as she moved further onto the bed.
'It's alright Castiel.'

She moved her head back from his neck, keeping her fingers gently locked in his hair as she stared into those blue eyes. They were steady; intense and bright. Something fierce was behind them but as Micah dropped her glance briefly down to his lips, she recognised the anxiety. Something in her twisted and she could not help but smile, more so when Castiel shared one with her.
The light from the dying lamp beside the bed gave them just enough light to see one another, enough to transform Castiel's face in a way that brought out even more beauty in his eyes and every contour on his face.

Again she moved in slowly, giving the man in front of her plenty of time to move or protest. Instead it was silent, only the mingle of warm breath in the quiet, large room.
Finally Micah felt lips against hers, feather light but she continued closer until they were locked firmly. Castiel was tense; she could feel it as she moved her hands down to his shoulders, holding him to her. His hands reached her skin, bare skin breaking out in goosbumps as they traced down her shoulder blades until they were under her singlet, warm palms on her now freezing skin causing Micah to gasp.

Castiel ripped away, concern making his eyes brighter as they studied her.
'I am sorry, I did not mean to hurt you. I do not know how-'
Micah silenced him by pressing her lips to his, eager to have his warmth back over her pale skin.
Taking a breath, she ran her hands down his face, tracing his strong jaw.
'You… don't know how to?'
Castiel moved back slightly, his eyes following down her figure to meet with her eyes again.
'This. I don't think I have done this before.'

A small chuckle escaped Micah and Castiel was ready to stand but she ran her hand quickly down to his, holding it tightly to stop him.
'Do you want to know?'
Something uneasy flicked behind Castiel's eyes but he nodded weakly.
'As long as I will not hurt you. I don't want to.'
The twisting in her stomach returned and Micah smiled, hands returning to his neck as she lowered her face to his neck.
'I know, Cass. You won't. I promise, and I will not hurt you.'
'Micah, I mean I never want to hurt you, ever. I do not know what I would do if I harm you in any way ever,'

The atmosphere in the room was becoming heavy, leaving Micah desperate to see him smile again and his bright eyes.
'I know; I know… shhh Cass.' Micah grinned, and Castiel obviously felt her ease as he smiled back. It was replaced with surprise as Castiel nudged her face to his, forehead against forehead as he tentatively pressed closer. Micah didn't move, just waited to see what Castiel would want to do. Sure enough his lips caught hers, remaining still as his eyes watched her.
'Relax.' She giggled, reclosing the tiny gap between them. Moving against him, Micah eased him back and he understood, bringing his legs up onto the bed as she straddled him, her lips not leaving his and his hands not leaving her.

It was not long until clothes were forgotten, discarded from sight. The air was cold on flesh, but it went unnoticed as hands tried to cover the skin that was exposed.
The bare chest under Micah's hands was perfect. Soft light tanned skin was dusted ever so lightly with hair, rapidly rising and falling as he fought for air.

Eyes closed tightly, Castiel squirmed under Micah's hands and mouth, hands gripping the sheets tightly. He had never felt something so intense, other than pain. This he had linked closely to pain in his mind, but in his heart he didn't know what this was.
When he had the strength to open his eyes, Castiel was met with the pale green of Micah's. She was sitting upright, her hair cascading around her as the light reflected from her skin in a way that reminded Castiel of an angel; a halo and skin glowing in all its perfection.

Slowly, Micah took his hand, leading it up her thigh and hips before she hung her head back. Castiel paused, unsure as to what to do but when Micah smiled at him, nodding as he moved his hands across her chest, he began to understand. This was a connection beyond words, one that was of understanding, give and take… love.

As Castiel ran his hands back down her body, pressing firmly to feel each of her ribs, tracing back up her spine to grip her shoulders, he could feel and see numerous scars, a rib jutting more than it should and blades slightly out of place, but that was everything that made Micah who she was, everything that made her so flawless.

Pulling himself up, he held Micah to him before he kissed her, biting her neck before soothing it away, taking joy in hearing the soft noises Micah would make. He wrapped his arms around her, fingers gliding through her silk hair as he trapped her to him, her hands following and outlining his muscles.

The feeling was strange, he wasn't able to be patient; he wanted to taste all of her; like summer and rain, to learn every inch of her soft lean body and every Micah that it contained.

Gathering his courage, he broke the kiss and stared at Micah. There was something in her eyes, some other Micah he hadn't met yet and he was wondering what she could see in his eyes. Without words, he kissed her forehead and rolled over, leaning over her as she stared up at him. He wanted to say something, wanted to tell her how nervous she made him, how complete she made him feel and how with her he had a home, had a place to belong, but he realised words were not important, somehow she already knew this through every touch, caress and kiss. His chest ached, his thoughts raced but yet, as Micah encouraged him down, skin and skin, heart to heart and breath shared, Castiel realised that Micah was all his thoughts, his seraph… his home.

And now let the trouble begin muhaha enjoy it while you can Micah and Cass, and readers.

Let me know what you think,
thanks for reading.

Silver-Kirin
xXx