Ezekiel had watched as his brothers became more withdrawn and quiet, watched as few and fewer thought reached them, watched as Castiel became a shell of his former self. He'd thought when the superiors took away his ability to see Dean on Earth that the once impressive Castiel would finally make that leap to the mortal world. It had not been the case; instead his brother began to interact with them once more, spoke kinder and more patient then he had in eternity. Even the usually spiteful Azrael had changed, he would speak to his brothers once more, smile and even laugh if the occasion called for it.
Though even on his younger brothers' best days Ezekiel found it hard to look into his eyes. Guilt tore at him whenever he thought of how it had been his responsibility to take care of Azrael and Ezekiel had failed miserably at the task.
"The deceit of our traitorous sister had a hand in that." Helez cut into his thoughts.
"Have you no shame?" he asked.
The hearty laugh did not bother him as it once had. "You my dear brother tend to broadcast your thoughts."
An indignant 'do not' almost escaped his lips, instead he glared and turned slightly from Helez. "What do you want?" he loved all his brothers but Helez had a way of crawling under his skin.
"I felt your self pity clear across Heaven," he softened the words with a kind smile. "I came to make sure you did not allow it to consume you."
"As you can see I am fine," Ezekiel went to leave but Helez stopped him.
The larger than life angel frowned, "you are far from fine my brother." His voice held no room for arguement.
Ezekiel had to stomp down on the need to tear into his brother until Helez had no desire to be around him. This was Helez though he was talking to, "I shall be fine." Ezekiel wanted to say 'does that make you happy?' but refrained from being any more hostile.
"No," Helez said immediately.
"You truly do have no shame." He huffed and could not care how human it made him sound.
Helez smiled warmly, "when it comes to the well being of my brothers I don't believe in shame." Ezekiel very nearly rolled his eyes at that, but it was still the kindest gesture Ezekiel had ever received.
"Thank you Helez," Ezekiel reached out and grasped his brother's shoulder briefly, "you are truly and Angel of the Lord." Helez smiled and squeezed his hand back before Ezekiel pulled away. "I still worry about them, no matter how much more happier they seem."
Helez's eyes clouded with concern, "as do I brother. Something feels- off."
"We shall have to keep an eye on them then," he nodded his decision made. "Brother?"
"If not us, then who?" he said eyes serious. "We know them best." Ezekiel felt confident that together they would protect their healing brothers.
Castiel knew that not all his brothers were convinced by his and Azrael's performance but Azrael insisted that it was important that they seemed happier. For his younger brother this was not a difficult task; the younger angel radiated goodwill and happiness. Personally Casteil did not see how this would help, but he had noticed a less pressing presence in his mind now that his brethren did not fear his fall. Even with the ever increasing wall he built within himself they felt safer knowing the Castiel was happy.
Azrael, though, still worried them. The lock on his mind had many brothers whispering about it's state. But Azrael smiled and spoke and was so genuiney happy that they could only surmise that it was his torture at Beriah's hands that was causing it and hopefully with more time it too would heal.
Anna touched down next to him and he gave her a warm smile. "Oh Brother," she threw her arms around him, "to see you smile again; it is a sight for sore eyes," she murmured stroking his cheek gently.
"Anna," he admonished softly. Sometimes her blatant display of emotion caused restlessness in their brethren. Her allowance of showing and sharing them did not always go over so well.
"And the joy that graces Azrael," she went on as if she hadn't heard him. He saw tears in her eyes.
"Reign it in Anna," he smiled.
Anna swiped her eyes and smiled brightly, " I apologize but these past few months-" she broke off at Castiel's look of annoyance. "Sorry, it has been terrifying. Though I knew you'd do nothing as foolish as falling; our brothers have worried terribly about you."
Castiel lowered his head, "I owe them an apology."
Anna lifted him to look at her with two fingers under his chin, "you owe no apology for your pain Cas." She kissed his cheek, "I knew with time you'd heal."
Castiel had to force his smile and he hoped Anna did not notice. He felt guilt seize him at the parting words. Heal he had not, lie and decieve and follow Azrael down this path of disobedience is all that he had done 'in time.' The terrifying thought was that Castiel did not care and even if they were caught by the archangels he would not care; the happiness Azrael had expressed in the time since he had confronted him was well worth the punishment. He sought out his young brother and found him talking animatedly with Ezekiel, his smile was wide and eyes bright; yes it would be well worth it.
"Castiel!" Azrael threw an arm over his shoulders, "how goes your day?"
"Just fine." His mind was impenetrable and by the look on Ezekiel's face it was frustrating. Castiel felt for his brother he too would not mind a peek inside to find what Azrael knew that no other did. A voice, that sounded suspiciously like Dean, spoke up that he should not be trusting Azrael. But he pushed those thoughts away, still too stubborn to give up this chance of seeing Dean again.
Ezekiel and Azrael were exchanging good byes, "I will see you again shortly Azrael." Ezekiel left and Castiel knew that he was trying to absolve the guilt he felt for what had happen to the younger angel.
Azrael turned to him with excitement, "it is time," he breathed latching a hand around Castiel's bicep.
Castiel's smile faltered, " already?" Though he was excited to be with Dean again he knew it would be difficult to leave his brethren; he still remembered the loneliness of his last few months on Earth when he trusted no one. Though, try as he might, he could not shake the feeling of foreboding that had fallen on him.
"Don't worry," Azrael smiled, "it will be alright. We'll be with our humans again very soon."
"There are no second thoughts here," Castiel bit his lip, "it is just that.. How are we going to leave Heaven without alerting the archangels?"
Azrael smiled that secretive smile he had when ever Castiel asked that. "Do not worry Castiel we will not be discovered. Come on," Azrael took his hand and they took off. Castiel could not help the worry, the Dean in his mind was sounding every warning bell that it could, but Castiel refused to listen. It was just his fear of disobeying; it was- "Here we go," it was not like his first trip down and it was not like how Anna described falling; and that was a relief.
Though he could not shake the feeling that right before they- did whatever it was Azrael had done, that shock and panic had arisen in his brethren.
Paul watched the demon that had been sent to Earth with him with trepidation; he'd heard the horror stories of what she was capable of and that had all been when she was an angel. Beriah twisted the knife in her hand around and around, not a care that she was nicking her fingers with every twirl. As far as assignments went this was the worst ever; if he hadn't feared Lilth just slightly more he would have begged for a different post. He'd steal babies before he was assigned angel-watch with the psychotic demon.
"God," she breathed rubbing her hands along her arms and chest, "this body is fantastic. Isn't it?"
"Y-yeah," with the blood smeared over her arms and shirt she did look amazing.
Beriah looked at him and licked her lips, "you'll be fun right? The last person Gabriel paired me with didn't like having fun."
Paul shuddered, the archangel gave him chills. "Of course ma'am."
"None of that," she walked, glided up to him and wrapped an arm around his waist. "You call me Beriah," she kissed his cheek and Paul was torn between aroused and terrified. "Oh this demon," she spit the word, "soul is so weak. I do miss my angelic powers." She sent a vase crashing to the floor, "I would have been able to implode it as an angel." Beriah looked at him and smiled, "then put it back together and do it again."
"I'm sure you'll find f-fun things you can do with your demon soul." Paul stuttered when she rubbed her body against his.
She waved her hand and rolled her eyes, Beriah did not think it was possible. "We'll just see about that. I wont even be able to heal anyone and then cut them more."
"How many times," Paul stumbled away from the woman very much feeling like a teenager caught by their parent, "do I have to remind you that you are not here to hurt anyone." Gabriel appeared in their small room.
"But Gabe I-" the slap echoed, Beriah smirked at the archangel.
"You will keep Castiel and Azrael safe, they will not be harmed. And Azrael is to be treated with the utmost kindness, understand? If he thinks for a moment that he will not be able to spend eternity with Samuel all of my careful planning will be ruined." Gabriel pressed a blade to Beriah's throat; Paul knew that it was like the knife the Winchester's had. "Do you understand me?"
"Of course," it was hard to tell but Paul was certain that Beriah looked frighten for a moment. "I understand, our brothers are to be treated with kindness." The way her eyes flicked away and she moisten her lips it was obvious that Beriah would listen but she was not going to enjoy it.
"Good," Gabriel patted her cheek. "Be prepared I am sending them to you shortly." He was gone and Paul let out a breath he had held since the archangel had appeared.
Beriah stalked to him, the knife in her hand before he could see her summon it. "It seems you will have to be my plaything now." She pouted, "pity I was hoping you would be helping me." The knife flashed out and cut across his cheek quickly followed by her hand. She wiped a smear of blood along his mouth and stared for a moment then turned away. Paul whimpered, he should have begged.
Look at that, it didn't take me a month to update! Awesome.
Yes that was a very crappy way to end it but I'm still pounding out the next chapter, trying to put some things in order and working on Gabriel's speech. Because yes it's very cliched and usually when the villian gets stab in the back but Gabriel is so pompous that it would just seem wrong if he didn't give some sort of "You were so Blind and had No idea what was happening!" speech to the angels. I will, though, refrain from any evil mwhahaha'ing. So hopefully all that wont take me too long and I can have you another chapter in a timely fashion!