The Power of Two:

Nathan sat in the bed, in the corner of the wall and head board. His knees were drawn up to his chest and his arms wrapped tightly around them. His eyes were wide open and the light were on, the shades up to let in as much sunlight as possible inside of the room.

He couldn't stand the dark, not after what he went through for a whole month. Unlike Sam, he remembered everything, his time with the Devil, and when Michael took over his body. It wasn't as traumatizing as what Dean made it out to be; what happened between Michael, Lucifer and God was unexpected and weird, yeah, but it was better than what they had all thought was really going to happen.

It was over, the Devil was gone. But then why was the Sigil still over his heart, why was it still there? Did this mean that Lucifer still owned his soul?

Nathan let out a shuddering breath; it still felt as if he had a soul, but the things that Lucifer made him do, made him tell... This was rougher than anything that he had ever gone through; worse than his back, worse than finding out that Bobby wasn't his biological father and worse than when his very first serious girlfriend cheated, and left him for another man. It felt like he betrayed his brothers and his father, even Castiel. Lucifer had found out everything about the Winchesters and Bobby that he did, and all the plans that they had discussed to try and stop the Apocalypse, even his time spent with Castiel.

All of it.

And despite the fact that Lucifer was no longer on Earth, that didn't mean that he forgot any of it. He knew everything and he could just as easily come back to Earth and use it to his advantage. The only good thing was that Lucifer wouldn't be able to use Sam as a Vessel again unless Sam said YES again. The same went with Michael.

Other than the mental damage that was done, he was fine physically. He couldn't feel the Sigil that Lucifer imprinted into his skin—it was only in his mind. But mind was enough for him.

Nathan sucked in a breath and whimpered quietly as there was a gust of wind from an unknown source and Castiel was suddenly there. It wasn't as if he was afraid of Cas, Cas was his friend. It was just that every little noise, every little movement out the corner of his eyes, ever little gust of wind scared him so much. He knew that it was stupid, that it was useless of being frightened of everything, but he couldn't help it, couldn't stop the fact: He was frightened.

"I apologize for frightening you." Castiel spoke.

Cas had apparently lost most of his power in the month that Nathan was absent, but he seemingly got in back when God, Lucifer and Michael went back to Heaven. What Nathan didn't understand though, was why Cas hadn't gone along with them—back to his family. But right now, he didn't have the energy to think about anything or one.

"It's okay." Nathan said quietly.

"You are unwell." Castiel noted.

Nathan's lips twitched ever so slightly. "Mentally." he mumbled.

Cas was silent as he cocked his head slightly to the side, his blue gaze penetrating—Nathan would have said 'soul' but he still wasn't sure about that whole situation.

Nathan looked back at him, his gaze not as intense or strong as it would have been and it wasn't to long before he found his eyes flickering away.

"I guess Dean sent you." Nathan guessed but Cas shook his head the slightest inch.

"I have yet to speak with your brother." Cas told him.

"Then why are you here?" he asked, worried; his spine straightening and his heart rate picking up ever so slightly.

"I am here out of concern for you." Cas said slowly, his voice rough.

"Really?" Nathan said in surprise, his legs falling flat. It wasn't an insult or anything, he knew that Castiel had developed emotions during his time down on Earth, and even seemed to have let his guard down at times when it was just the two of them, but he kinda figured that since Cas was going to go back, he really wouldn't have to care.

"I am not going back." Cas said suddenly, as if reading Nathan mind—Nathan wasn't sure if that was really possible, but he wouldn't put it past the Angel.

"You aren't."

"No." Cas stated bluntly. "Father does not wish me to come home, but instead 'keep an eye' on things here." he informed his friend.

Nathan wasn't sure what to say to that; 'I'm sorry'? He could see the hurt that flickered across Cas' eyes at the mention of his Father and knew that he was actually upset about this. But he thought that asking the Angel if he 'wanted to talk' would just get him a blank stare and Nathan didn't want to feel awkward or anything right now.

"I wish to see the markings that Lucifer left on you." Cas spoke suddenly, for once not able to take the silence. He needed something to distract him from the resentment that he was developing towards his brothers because they got to go home and he didn't. His concern for Nathan was just the thing to do that.

Nathan sucked in a breath. After Michael's takeover of his body, he couldn't stand to be touched. He could remember ever touch that Lucifer had administrated and it made him shudder and flinch away from contact. It wasn't as if Lucifer had been violent; hitting and yelling, but quite the opposite. His touch was always gentle, his voice always soft. Every time and Nathan would have preferred violence and harm—any torture really, anything besides what had really happened. But Nathan did know that if anyone could find out what this Sigil was and how to get rid of it, it was Castiel. He was the expert in this kind of thing—he was the Angel.

So forcing his determination to the surface, Nathan slid himself to the edge of the bed and from the safety of his corner. He stood from the bed, the floor cold on the bare soles of his feet. Without Castiel asking, he unzipped his sweater and threw it onto the bed behind him before slipping his long-sleeve off over his head too. He felt totally exposed without the warmth of his heavy sweater, but forced the shiver of fear that wanted to go through him away. If he hated anything at all in life, it was being seen or acting weak in front of others.

Nathan took a deep breath as he felt Cas's gaze fall to his chest, his gaze piercing as they found the Sigil that was a part of his skin, nearly like a birth mark.

Cas didn't say anything, but instead he bowed his head for a moment. Nathan took that as a sign that he didn't knew what it was, but before he could let out a defeated breath something happened. The rectangle of sunlight from the window that was on the hardwood floor, seemed to grow bright and bigger, stopping only when it met Castiel.

When it reached him, Cas tipped his head back up, the sunbeam seemingly sparkling, causing Cas's usual pasty-looking skin to look beautiful. Nathan couldn't seem to blink and it took him a second to realize that Cas was reaching towards him, moving him to the side. Nathan felt a warm chill travel down his spine when Cas placed either of his hands on the Sigil that was on his chest and the one that was on his back.

"Brace yourself." Castiel whispered, his voice seemingly sounding in Nathan's skull.