Disclaimer: I own nothing Supernatural related though some days I wish I did.
Warning: This is based off of 7x21 Reading is Fundamental.
A/N: Ok so I'm sorry for the long wait, I've just been really busy lately. Anyways I loved episodes 7x21 and 7x23. They had a lot of quotes I wanted to incorporate and I'm still going somewhat along with the show's plotline. There are some major differences of course but I hope you enjoy the quotes I used. Please please please review and tell me how you like it. I love you all.
Sixteen hours and Castiel had done nothing but fly around aimlessly looking for the Winchesters. However it seems as though if the Winchesters want to hide, they stay hidden. It almost made Cas want to laugh; they couldn't have done this at a worst time as usual. Those hunters live to make him go on a wild goose chase for them. It was exhausting. Sixteen hours of rushed, panicked flying and he literally had nothing to show for it. Sighing Castiel touched down at Rufus's cabin and of course they weren't here either. Although from the look the cabin they had been there somewhat recently. It was a step closer to Sam and Dean but still disheartening. He had to find them. They were going to get smote by a garrison of angels if he didn't.
That just couldn't happen. Castiel had to prevent that at all costs. It wasn't as if he hadn't died for Sam and Dean before. He felt start to pound as his panic began to set in. He couldn't leave the hunters to deal with angels by himself. Sam and Dean are notorious for pissing off every angel they come across. Looking back at the cabin, Cas went inside. The place was messy; random papers were spread everywhere, empty beer bottles on the counters, and fast food wrappers on the table. He looked around until he found what he needed. A half empty pail of black paint and a worse for wear paintbrush. It wasn't perfect but it would have to do. For the next five minutes, Cas took the paint and updated all the wards on the house. He corrected quite a few of them. It almost made him laugh; he really needed to teach Sam the correct way to scroll wards.
Painting the wards calmed Cas's nerves just a little and allowed him to refocus. Now once he found the Winchesters and the Word of God, he could take them here to hide. It wouldn't keep the angels out for long, but it would make it harder for the angels to find them. It would allow them the chance to plan. Not that their plans were very great to begin with, but it would be better than nothing. Hopefully.
Still there was no trace of the boys. Castiel was torn between being impressed or just angry. He's looked for them in all their normal rest havens. He's gone to cities where there were demonic omens. Hell he's even tried tracking them through the Leviathans, but it was obvious that the water dwelling monsters had no idea where Sam and Dean were anyway. It was maddening and counterproductive. It was time to change strategies. If he couldn't find the Winchesters then he was just going to find someone who could find them regardless. He banged his head against the front door. How could he be so stupid? Why is it that he always realizes important things too late? The prophet would be attracted to the Word of God and would eventually find the boys. Castiel needed to find the prophet.
It was at that moment that Castiel felt his nerves stand on end. Oh this was not good. The prophet had connected with the Word. The prophet beat him to the Winchesters. There was a huge aura coming off of them now. On the plus side he now knew where the boys were, on the downside so did every other angel. Son of a bitch. Castiel needed to go and now. He had to go protect the boys from his brothers and sisters. However despite knowing what was at stake, Cas remained frozen in his spot. The Winchesters would no doubt talk themselves into a smiting and yet he didn't even move his wings. Kicking the wall, Cas grabbed at his hair trying desperately to get himself grounded. Now was not the time to freeze.
Sighing he stretched out his wings and took flight. He flew faster than he ever had towards the resonating pull in his grace. This was it; he was finally going to see Sam and Dean again. After months of avoiding them, he was now racing towards them. Cas felt his left hand begin to tremble. He looked down to watch the rebellious limb shake and frowned. Quickly he made a fist and shoved it into his pocket. Now was not the time to spaz out. He had to save the Winchesters. Funny how that had become his mission in life for the past five years.
Castiel touched down outside an old, broken house in the middle of nowhere. It was an ideal place to hide in plain sight, set off of the highway with trees and grass surrounding it. Not exactly hidden, just merely unnoticed. He watched as some shadows moved around in the front room of the house. Two shadows were noticeably bigger than the third and Castiel refrained from sighing in relief. Sam and Dean were still alive… and in a room with two angels and a prophet from what he could tell. This would surely end badly if he didn't intercede. Keeping himself cloaked from everyone, he made his way into the house. In the bleak and dark hallway, Cas looked into the room. A young human was pressed against the farthest wall clutching a duffle bag to his chest. The young man's eyes were wide as he shook his head vigorously. The two angels were standing with their backs to Cas. He felt his stomach drop as he recognized the angels, Hester and Inias. They were from his old garrison. He used to be their commander. They used to trust in him.
Sam and Dean were of course standing in between the Angels and the prophet, because naturally that was the most dangerous place to be at the moment. Flashes of memories passed through Cas's mind as he froze staring at the scene before him. He remembered Sam and Dean standing between him and Uriel from Ana. The visions overlapped each other in a strange mix of things. He couldn't breathe, he felt stuck in the memory and the present. He looked at Sam, who looked vastly improved since the last time he saw him, but now seemed so much more worn and tired. There was no look of hope left in the taller Winchester, just calculation and worry. Cas felt his chest seize as he looked at Dean. The eldest Winchester looked pissed off and slightly worried. The once bright green eyes had turned dull and looked aged beyond his years. Dean looked more stressed than when Cas had pulled him out of hell.
"Step away from the Prophet." Hester's voice cut through the air. Castiel shook his head as if awakening from a dream.
"Wait are you talking about him?" Dean question incredulously, pointing at the young human behind him. Sam turned to the Prophet in question, "Hold on, Kevin you're a Prophet?" Kevin shook his head even more furiously. It was obvious that none of the humans in the room had any idea what was happening. Castiel took the moment of confusion to grab his knife and bring it to his forearm. With the blade barely touching him, he looked back at Dean. His hand holding the blade began to shake. This was supposed to be simple. Just a quick cut to use his blood. He had to do this, before Hester and Inias realize he is there. Still his hand shook. This was incomprehensible. Why was he so nervous about cutting his arm? He's done it many times since meeting the Winchesters. Cas bit his bottom lip and drew the blade down his arm. He watched as his blood seeped out of his wound.
With his hand still shaking, Castiel uncloaked himself and took his blood to the wall right by the room. Quickly he drew the banishing symbol on the dirty broken wall. A furtive glance into the room, he noticed that they had yet to see him. Taking a deep breath Cas slammed his bloodied hand on to the sigil. Two startled yells rang out as the house lit up with a bright flash. Hester and Inias got thrown out of the house and he stepped into the room. He watched as the humans looked around in confusion, until those green eyes fell onto him. Just for a moment Cas stared at Dean and Dean stared right back at him.
"Cas?"
Castiel grabbed his left wrist to keep the hand from trembling yet again. "Hello, Dean. Sam."
"Hey, Castiel." Sam said letting out a sigh in what Cas assumed to be relief. Dean took a step forward as his face clouded with anger, "What the hell, man?" Castiel flinched and focused on a spot on the wall behind the Winchesters. "We have to leave. Hester and Inias won't be gone for long."
"First I want some answers. Why are the angels pissed off at us again? Is Kevin a prophet? What the hell is the big deal about that tablet we stole from Dick?" Dean snapped taking another step towards him. Cas forced himself to look at Dean again and tightened his grip on his wrist. Sighing out loud he said, "We don't have time for this. We have to get to a safer place to discuss these matters." Dean opened his mouth in outrage, as Sam took a step forward and placed his hand on his brother's shoulder. "Where should we go that's safer?" Sam said calmly.
Castiel almost sighed in relief that at least one of the Winchesters could think about the situation lightly. "Go to Rufus's cabin it's only about an hour away. I updated the wards so Angels will have a harder time tracking Kevin there. Don't let Kevin out of your sight. I'll meet you back there shortly"
Sam nodded and went to pack quickly. Dean on the other hand clenched his jaw and whirled away from Cas. The hunter grabbed Kevin's arm and hauled up the young man who was bumbling and freaking out. They walked out the back door to where Cas assumed the car was waiting. Sam nodded at Cas and made his way outside as well. Castiel waited until he heard the car start and speed off. His whole body began to shake uncontrollably as he fell to his knees. Without Lucifer there to distract him from his responses to the Winchesters, everything felt so much worse. All of the feelings he was trying to suppress hit him full force. The fear, guilt, and shame had him literally shaking in front of the boys. His hurt and pain had him freeze in high pressure situations. This was not good. Cas could only hope that it was a onetime effect from confronting Sam and Dean face to face.
Castiel grabbed at his he trying to force away any memory that surfaced. He took a few deep breaths trying to calm down and get back in control of himself. He was really starting to miss Lucifer and he despised himself for becoming that weak. Stumbling to his feet, Cas collected himself and took flight. Landing on the porch of the cabin, he was shocked to see the boy's car parked out front. He didn't think he had spent that long trying to stabilize himself. Then again human's concept of time was often lost to angels. Or there was a higher probability that Dean sped over here. Cas was going with the latter explanation. Walking up to the front door he let himself into the cabin. Upon his entrance he was greeted by two ends of guns. Ignoring the guns since it was a common occurrence Castiel kept walking until he was at the chair and sat down.
"Cas man we need some answers." Dean said putting his gun down. Cas had to refrain himself from rolling his eyes, didn't they always need answers from him. Was it so hard to say hello for once? Maybe Dean thought he didn't deserve any common courteously. Maybe the notebook made Dean hate Cas for his weakness even more. It was a reasonable thought. Sighing he rubbed his eyes, "Well then what are your questions?"
"What is the tablet thing we stole from Dick?" Sam said quickly.
"The word of God, written by the Metatron."
"Are you kidding? What the hell does Transformers have to do with this?" The tall human looked baffled.
Cas felt his head tilt, "I don't understand that reference."
"He's not talking about Transformers Sammy. He said Metatron, not Megatron." Dean rolled his eyes.
"What?" Sam asked. Castiel was likewise confused, partially to the topic they were on and how they got to this subject.
"Megatron is from Transformers. I don't even know what Metatron is."
Castiel sighed, "If anyone was going to free the Word from the vault in Earth, it would be you two." The Winchesters had a moment of trying to look either proud or offended.
"Metatron is an archangel. He is one of the oldest and wises angel. He was also said to be very close to God and even wrote God's will into stone. That's what that young man behind you is holding onto." Castiel replied acknowledging Kevin. The prophet looked pale and shaken. The angel heard as Dean mumbled under his breath, "Great more dicks with wings."
"Right about that, is Kevin really a prophet?" Sam said taking a step closer to the boy. Cas felt his heart warm, Sam has always tried to protect the weak expect of course when he was soulless, but that wasn't the hunter's fault. "Yes he is."
"What's up with the Angel Patrol trying to smite us?" Dean snapped taking a step towards Castiel. Cas tensed at the anger in his voice. His left hand started to tremble again. He couldn't even help the next words out of his mouth. "Are you angry? Why are you angry?" He just wanted to understand. He didn't want Dean to be mad at him anymore. He was trying to make amends, not to anger the older Winchester.
Cas watched as Dean's eyes widen just a bit and his body tensed, "I'm not- I'm not angry Cas. I'm just worried." The angel relaxed just a little and swore he saw Sam smirk a little in the background. "Oh, there's no reason to be angry. They were just following protocol. It is written that when the Word of God is revealed, a keeper of the word will appear. Garrison code dictates that they will take the keeper to the desert to learn the Word away from man."
"Well that doesn't make any sense. We need to know what's on the stone to counter out whatever Dick wanted with it." Dean said grabbing a beer.
"I can't be a prophet. I'm applying to Princeton soon!" Kevin suddenly spoke sounding frantic.
Cas sighed; humans could be so self-involved at times. "Try to read the stone."
Everyone turned to watch Kevin focus down onto the tablet. "I can't see it that well. It's like looking through double vision. I think it says something about Leviathans."
Sam stepped beside Kevin looking far more excited. "It's about the Leviathans? Does it say anything about how to kill them?"
"I don't know it's hard to make out. Wait, they're real?" Kevin said jumping off the couch. Dean chuckled darkly, "Oh yeah and they love the way we humans taste. The problem is we don't know how to kill the bastards and believe me we've tried."
"I think I'm going to be sick." Kevin said as he ran off to the bathroom. Sam rolled his eyes at his brother, "Way to not freak him out Dean."
"What I was just telling him the truth." Dean said shrugging.
"If you want the Word then you have to duck Hester and her soldiers long enough for Kevin to write everything down." Castiel said quietly.
"Well we have you in are corner right Cas?" Sam said looking between Dean and Cas. Cas looked at Dean who was pointedly looking away from him. Sighing Cas said, "I will not be much use, but I will be here."
They put Kevin in the basement where the wards were much stronger. It also only had one entrance so the prophet couldn't escape without their knowledge. Kevin didn't seem too happy about the situation however Cas didn't think anyone was. Hours passed in silence. Sam was on his laptop researching. Dean was methodically cleaning his weapons and Cas, well Cas was staring outside the window and furtively glancing at the oldest Winchester. Every once and a while Cas's left hand would tremble slightly, but he kept it hidden from Sam and Dean. Dean hadn't spoken much to him after putting Kevin in the basement. Hell Dean hardly even looked at him. The eldest Winchester seemed fine with ignoring the angel's existence. It made the tension in the room thicken as time went by.
As more time passed everyone became more and more on edge. The wards could completely conceal the prophet and the limited time they had was slowly running out. In fact Cas was slightly surprised that they hadn't been found yet. He was not looking forward to talking and possibly fighting his brothers and sisters again. His left hand gave a feeble shake and he caught himself looking at it. He wasn't even quite sure that he could kill another angel again. That made him into a liability, which slightly pissed him off; he didn't want to endanger the Winchesters even more. He would gladly sacrifice himself if that is what it came down too.
Castiel felt a presence outside the cabin. He went to stand in front of the couch where Dean was sitting and faced the door. The hunters looked at him quizzically and looked at the door. They slowly stood up and faced the door as well. There was a paused of complete silence before the door busted open and in walked Hester and Inias. The angels full on stopped at the sight of Castiel in shock. "Castiel, you're alive?" Hester asked incredulously. Inias on the other took a step towards him with a small smile. "It is good to see you brother." Cas nodded at the two angels, "Hello Hester and Inias, it has been awhile."
Hester seemed to shake herself out of her shock at the sound of his voice. She looked at him and then at the Winchesters and her face darkened. "You stole the prophet from us!" She exclaimed walking forward.
Cas really couldn't say no considering that he kind of did. However he was at a loss of what to say to make it better. "I'm sorry?"
Hester's face was one of pure hate and pain. It hurt Castiel inside to know that he was the one to put that look on his sister's face. "You show up out of nowhere, claim you are the new God, and then kill hundreds of our brothers and sisters. Then you disappeared and no one knew where you were. We couldn't sense you at all. We thought you were dead. You have fallen in every way imaginable."
Cas flinched at the accusation. It was harsh but true. He was a fallen angel, who chose humans over his own brothers and sisters. Inias spoke up, "Castiel please allow us to do our job." His brother looked torn and it was obvious that he didn't want things to come to violence.
"Hey, hey wait a minute. We just need a little more time to let Kevin translate the Word." Dean's voice cut through the air. Cas had to refrain from sighing. Dean just painted a huge target on himself yet again.
"Enough of this, we're taking the prophet to the desert now." Hester said snapping her fingers. Another angel showed up in the living room holding onto a very frightened Kevin.
Dean took a step towards Hester while Sam took a step towards Kevin. "We're trying to clean up the mess an angel made." The eldest hunter growled. Castiel ignored as his hand started trembling and tried to ignore the pain that flared through him. "It's true an angel did release the Leviathans and they did beg him not too." Cas said attempting to keep the hurt out of his voice.
"Please just a little more time. We will keep the prophet safe here and then you can whisk him off wherever you want." Dean asked as nicely as he could.
Hester's face twisted with a deep hatred as she turned her eyes upon Dean. "Why should we give you anything? After everything you have taken from us. You are the reason all of this has happened. The very touch of you corrupts. When Castiel first laid a hand on you in hell he was lost and for that you must pay." Castiel averted his eyes from looking at the Winchester. Most of the angels thought as Hester did. That it was Dean's fault Cas turned into what he is now. Cas could even understand why they thought that. Dean did play a major role in Cas's transformation, but Castiel was the one who allowed it to happen.
Hester was making her way towards Dean to no doubt smite him. Even if Dean had a death wish, Cas was not just stand by and watch the human die in front of him. Castiel's squared his shoulders off and grabbed his arm to keep it from shaking again. Hester was two steps away from Dean when Cas interceded her path. "Please Hester, the Winchesters are the humans we were supposed to protect. Do not blame them for my mistakes." He drew her attention away from Dean and made her focus on him. He kept walking until she had her back turned on Dean completely.
Hester was going to attack him. He just had this feeling that his sister was going to try and kill him. He had driven his older sister to the point of killing him. The thought that he had turned Hester into this made his heart hurt. This was his fault. She was going to kill him because he had caused so much pain and chaos in Heaven. Hester threw the first punch. Castiel saw it coming towards him but remained standing still. The punch caught him on the jaw, snapping his head to the side. It hurt, not the strongest punch he had taken but painful none the less. Another punch landed on his stomach causing him to gasp and wince. He should be fighting back. He should at least be defending himself, but for the life of him he couldn't get his arms or feet to move. It wasn't until then that Castiel realized that his whole body was shaking again. Distantly he heard Hester yelling, "No more Castiel, no more words, no more promises, no more chaos!"
Cas looked at Hester. She was throwing another punch but just for a moment her blonde hair changed into red and it was Ana throwing the punch. There was a pain in his ribs from where the blow landed. Cas fell to his knees. His nose and mouth were bleeding. Hester was standing over him holding her angel blade ready to strike. Suddenly she changed again and it was Rachel holding the blade ready to kill him. "Ana? Rachel?" Cas gasped.
Inias grabbed Hester's arm preventing her from striking. "Hester please do not kill our brother. There are so few of us left."
Hester looked over at Inias and back at Castiel who remained dazed on the floor. Hester elbowed Inias in the face throwing him back. She raised her arm once again to strike Cas down. "You wanted free will; now die with your choice." Cas watched as her arm began to swing down. He looked past her and at Dean. If he was to die again, he wanted to see Dean one last time. Those greed eyes were wide with panic and pain. Cas wanted to ask why Dean seemed so afraid? It's not as though he hadn't died for him before. He closed his eyes in preparation of the pain of the stab. Except it never came, there was nothing.
Opening his eyes again Cas looked up at Hester who was frozen in place. There was a look of pure shock on her face and the end of an angel blade sticking out of her chest. A bright light flared out of the stab and her face. Hester's body slummed to the floor empty and hollow. Cas looked at where Dean was standing with an angel blade in his hand and his best poker face on. Dean killed Hester. Dean killed Hester who was trying to kill Cas. Did this mean that Dean wanted to rescue Cas? Or did Dean just do it because she was going to take away the prophet?
Dean looked over to where Sam was holding on to Kevin and the other two angels were just staring at him. "What somebody had to do it." Dean said shrugging.
Castiel struggled to his feet. His body had stopped shaking except for his left hand. He looked over to where Inias stood. "Are you going to cause problems as well Inias?" He asked attempting to be civil despite the circumstances. "No I believe the prophet can remain here until he is done translating the Word. I believe Father would want this Leviathans killed and banished back to Purgatory." Inias shook his head.
Castiel nodded in understanding and tried to push back the guilt that arose in him. "I thank you brother."
"We will however remain here until he is done. Do not worry we will not get in your way." Inias said walking towards the kitchen to wait there with the other angel. Castiel looked at Dean who shrugged and looked at Sam. Sam nodded and quietly took Kevin back to the basement talking in hushed tones with the boy. Dean on the other hand went outside. Cas heard the car door open and the radio turn on. The sound of an acoustic guitar drifted through the silent air. He stared at the door Dean walked through in contemplation. He wanted to go outside and talk to Dean, but Dean seemed to want to be alone. Then again Dean always seemed to want to be alone. However the hunter wasn't to happy with Castiel right now, so maybe it would be for the best if he left him alone. Yes he should definitely leave Dean alone.
Sighing Cas made his way outside. He never could stay away from Dean even when the hunter hated him. Hell he erased Lisa and Ben's memories on Dean's request after Dean had left him in a ring of holy fire and were working against him. Dean being in a bad mood never really frightened Cas away and if he was honest with himself, he just wanted to be around Dean. Cas's left hand trembled yet again at the sight of Dean in the car blasting music.
"I like this song. What is it called?" Cas asked leaning against the car door.
Dean's eyes shot opened and he jumped up just a little. "Jesus Cas, I'm going to get a bell for you." Cas tilted his head in confusion. Why would he need a bell? He stared at Dean, Dean stared back and the music kept playing. Dean cleared his throat, "The name of the song is The Unforgiven by Metallica." Cas smirked slightly at the irony, of course he would like this song it suited him. The music stretched between them filling the emptiness.
"You called her Ana and Rachel. Right before Hester went to hit you, you froze and stared at her then said Ana. Hester had you on your knees about to kill you and you called her Rachel." Dean said looking out in front of him instead of at Cas. It surprised him. Cas didn't think anyone would have heard him. It all had happened so fast.
"…"
"I read the notebook Cas. I know how guilty you feel about Ana and Rachel's death. Its Sam thing isn't it? When you took on his cage match nightmares, they did this to you."
Sighing Castiel said, "Dean I know you want different answers."
"No what I want is for you to be completely honest with me. I want you to help us go after Dick. I want you to fix this. You were on the ground shaking before I stabbed Hester. You didn't even put up a fight." Dean finally looked Cas in the eyes for a stare down. Cas fought the urge to curl in on himself. Dean had noticed the shaking. This was not a good thing. Cas swallowed and decided to go with the honest answer, "I don't know how to fix this, because I don't know what's wrong with me."
Dean rolled his eyes. "Oh there is a lot wrong with you."
"What do you want me to do? Do you want another apology? Will that make things better? We can both say everything that's on our minds and what we're sorry for. Do you want to go first?" Castiel snapped back. He was just so frustrated. He just didn't know what else to do. Why did Dean have to be so difficult?
"I am not playing this game with you Cas." No of course he wasn't going too, that would mean admitting that he had some of the blame. Dean was too emotionally stunted to want some sort of apology party.
"I don't know what to do anymore."
"Well then what good are you?"
That hurt. Oh that hurt so much, because he had no real comeback for that. He was useless and helpless. So really what good was Cas to Dean now? "No good. I'm just no good to you right? I'm sorry. I shouldn't have come back. You and Sam are perfectly able to handle this situation on your own. I shouldn't have presumed that I was needed. I'll go keep Kevin and Sam company and stay out of your way." Cas didn't even pause after speaking, he just flew straight into the basement where Sam and Kevin were.
He startled both human judging by how they both jumped. Kevin looked at him with wide, scared eyes. Sam just looked at him normally. Apparently Sam was growing accustomed to Cas popping out of nowhere. Kevin went back to writing out the Word. Castiel picked up a book beside Sam and flipped through it. Sam went back to his laptop but every few minutes he would look at Castiel. Every time he would look his face would show more and more worries.
After an hour of looks, Cas finally broke, "You seem troubled. Then again you are troubled a lot so I'm not quite sure if this is a new trouble or old trouble."
"I'm just wondering about you." Was the fast response.
"What about me?" It was a fair question. There was a lot of things to wonder about Cas. Hell Cas was constantly wondering about himself.
"How you're doing?" Sam said almost looking a bit guilty. Why would Sam look guilty at Castiel? The hunter had no reason to feel guilt towards him. Unless of course he is thinking about that. "You're wondering about the burden I lifted from you." Cas stated wanting some confirmation.
"I read the notebook Cas. I was done for before you took it away from me and I just want to know how you are now. Are you still seeing Lucifer?"
"No, he's gone away. I think he was just an after image of your pain that I took. He was never going to stay permanently in mine." Castiel paused and looked at the kind eyes staring at him empathetically. "You know, I was done for too. After I remembered who I was, I just was suffocating by all the guilt and pain. Then I took your pain from you and it helped. I used Lucifer to channel all these feelings of depression, anger, guilt, suicide so I could try and deal with it. Now that Lucifer is gone, I feel a little lost. He was like a buffer between me and my own emotions and now I'm by myself again."
"I know you never did anything, but try to help Cas. I realize that and I'm grateful; we're all grateful. We're going to do whatever it takes to get you better." Sam exclaimed with his eyes wide and hopeful. Cas was beginning to understand what Dean meant when he said Sam has a puppy look to him. Looking at the tall hunter all Cas wanted to do was reassure him, tell him that everything was going to be alright. That they would figure this out together. Instead all he could bring himself to say was, "I have no right to ask you or Dean for such things, but I do wish for them. Does that make me more human; hoping for something good to happen when I deserve no such thing?" The puppy look on Sam's face intensified and he clamped one of his enormous hands on Cas's shoulder.
Two hours passed in complete silence for everyone. Cas supposed everybody had a lot on their minds, but there was also this awkward tension in the air as well. It may be because the other angels upstairs with Dean. However Castiel could tell if anyone moved up there and would be able to intervene if his brothers decided to harm the Winchester. Sam on the other hand was watching Kevin write and had a sad look on his face. He must feel bad for Kevin. The child didn't ask for this, but was thrown into the world of the supernatural head first. The Winchester could most likely relate.
The door upstairs opened and footsteps echoed on the stairs. "Cas man go upstairs and talk to your angel friends they're just standing around creepily." Dean said walking down the stairs.
"They're not my friends, they are my brothers." Castiel replied automatically.
"Yeah, yeah just go, I'll keep an eye on nerd boy here."
Castiel nodded but instead of going upstairs he just merely cloaked himself. Dean wasn't the only one who didn't want to be left alone with his brothers. Going up there would just mean questions that he didn't have the answers too. Not that he ever really had any answers to begin with. So Cas just hid himself from human sight and watched the Winchesters interact with the prophet. "I can't do this anymore. I'm just a kid from Michigan; I never wanted to be the Keeper of the Word. This is all too much. I'm not prepared to factor the supernatural into my world."
"Here you go just breathe. Look, I don't know what to tell you. You've been chosen and it sucks, believe me. There's no use asking why me because the angels they don't care. Seems like they just don't have the equipment to care and when they try, it just breaks them apart."
"I just want to be the first Asian American president." Castiel rolled his eyes, because becoming President was more important than saving the human race. Humans can be so stupid. This is why he had pulled for the Neanderthals. At least their poetry was amazing.
Dean sighed, "We all want something Kevin."
There was a pause of silence as though the two humans were trying to organize their own thoughts. Kevin looked around the basement. "This place looks like a sex torture dungeon. Is it a sex torture dungeon?"
"No it's not a sex torture chamber. Now shut up and do your homework." Dean said closing his eyes.
Cas silently slipped back up stairs and away from the Winchesters and Kevin. Broken. That's what Dean thinks of him. That he is broken. Cas can't help but agree. He is broken. With everything that has happened these past few years how could he not be broken. He's a shell of the angel he used to be. His father must be so disappointed in him. He used to have such faith. He used to be called one of the most obedient angels. Now, Cas was just considered fallen and a betrayer. Hell at this point he's a shell of the friend he used to be.
Cas popped into the kitchen and sat by Inias. Inias smiled at him. Cas smiled back. He missed his old garrison and Inias although older than him, always was friendly. "I am glad you are not dead Castiel."
"I am happy to see you again, Inias. You were always a good friend to me. How is heaven?"
Inias looked away just a little, "It's getting better. It seemed to me that ever since the first seal had been broken, heaven has been chaotic. With the two different wars going on and your disappearance, everyone was at a loss of what to do."
Cas closed his eyes, "I am sorry for that."
"I do not blame you brother. We all know the truth of what happened. You stopped the war with Raphael and were taken over by the souls and Leviathans. No one would be able to reign control over all of that."
"Still what I did to our brothers, sisters, and heaven is unforgivable." Like everything else he did while working with Crowley. "Do not say that brother. To forgive is divine and we are divine creatures of our Father. Also I think heaven is changing for the better. It was as though we had to tear down every pre-existing order to rebuild it better." Castiel smiled and clamped his hand on Inias's shoulder. "Then I hope that soon heaven will be even better and greater than ever."
"I hope you will come and see it soon." Inias replied.
Cas flinched, "I do not think that is wise. Many angels may not welcome me there for some time yet. One day Inias, one day I'll return to see heaven again." Silence once again claimed the cabin. However this time is was more calming than usual.
Another hour passed quickly before steps were heard coming up from the basement. Sam, Dean, and Kevin all walked into the kitchen. Kevin was holding the Word while Sam was flipping through the notebook Kevin had written in. The other angel went over to the prophet and put his hand on the kid's shoulder. Dean went to the fridge and grabbed a beer. "These are strange times." Inias claimed beside Castiel.
"Well I think they have always been strange." Cas replied smirking.
Inias looked over at him with a sense of longing, "I wish you were coming with us."
"Oh, well I'm not part of the garrison anymore." Castiel said shaking his head. Inias nodded and turned towards the angel and the prophet. "Take the prophet back to his house. We can watch and protect him there." Inias nodded at the Winchesters, who nodded back. He sent a smile towards Cas before taking flight.
The cabin was now empty except for himself and the Winchesters. Cas was feeling more awkward than ever. He went over to where they were looking through the notebook. Sam was reading it as fast as he was possible. "Here! Leviathans cannot be slain but with a bone of a righteous mortal washed in the three bloods of the fallen." Sam exclaimed excitedly. Castiel on the other hand felt his heart seize. Sam continued, "It says we need to start with the blood of a fallen angel."
Cas closed his eyes, smirked and shook his head. Of course they need the blood of a fallen angel. Castiel tried to appear nonchalant but inside he was throwing a fit. It was only fair that he give his blood to kill the creatures he released. Cas could feel the eyes of the Winchesters on him. They were silent. Couldn't they ask him, instead of assuming he was going to give them blood? Of course he was going to anyway but still being asked would be nice. His left arm began to tremble. Opening his eyes, Castiel grabbed an empty bottle and looked at Dean.
Dean was staring at him with an apprehensive, painful, yet a little hopeful look. It was the hopeful part that killed Cas. This news gave Dean hope and who was he to deny the hunter that. He looked into those green eyes and remembered why he fought for him in the first place. He could never deny Dean and he wasn't going to start now. Words carelessly slipped through his mouth while looking at the human, "You know me, always happy to bleed for the Winchesters."
Castiel gripped the bottle and filled it with his blood. He then stretched out his shaking arm pass Sam and held the bottle out to Dean. The eldest Winchester looked at the bottle and reached out to take it. Cas felt the hunter's fingers brush against his as he took the bottle. Dean appeared slightly upset when he looked back up at Cas. "What are you going to do Cas?"
Castiel shrugged. He had already told Dean that he would leave after the prophet was taken care of. He should probably stick to his word. Stretching out his wings Cas answered, "Well I know when I'm not wanted."
Cas took flight. He wasn't going to be far though and he will always answer them if they call. He always has and always will.
A/N: Woot another chapter done. Next chapter will be like 7x23. I loved these episodes so I'm using some of the same plot and quotes like I did in this chapter. It won't be exactly the same but it will have similarities. BTW if you haven't listened to The Unforgiven by Metallica please do! I think it suits Castiel very well. Please review! Tell me if you liked or hated it. I love my readers!