Title: Funeral Ceremonies
Prompt: Written for zekkass on livejournal: Supernatural, any of the angels, family events.
Once all of heaven mourned in unison at the loss of an angel. Once, all angels were clustered in a tangle of wings, grace, and tears. But even then-the angels were divided into two groups-the Fallen and the Host. There had been no death before the fall.
Gradually, they filtered through the cracks. Their numbers were smaller. Their responsibilities were greater, wider spread. Loyalties and shame and betrayal drove wedges into their brotherhood. Now angels came to mourn one at a time, sparing a moment of intense grief to call their own.
Family events had been shattered for a long time, and it was always Gabriel who had tried to hold them together regardless. So Michael thought that it would be a fitting tribute for the angels to gather once more-just once-and mourn their brother together. For family to have meant something one last time for Gabriel to whom it had mattered so much.
Lucifer had fled the scene long before the Host arrived. Raphael had beaten them there, and evidence of his rage and grief streamed for miles in every direction.
Gabriel had always been the thunder to Raphael's lightning-a companion, a grounding rod, an echo-and Raphael's storm was silent now. Michael could trace it across the earth. Raphael's need for vengeance overlaid Lucifer's sorrow. When Michael finished here, he would have another funeral to attend.
The Host gathered here, but there were holes. Deaths that had yet to heal over. Some still never appeared; Michael felt weary frustration with his brethren. Joshua refused to leave the Garden, and no one could find Castiel.
His weak attempt at reparation was just that. Weak. Michael pushed aside a bawling Cupid and knelt beside his brother. His borrowed-hands braced against the floor in the ashy pattern of Gabriel's wings. This would be the moment for one of Gabriel's cruel pranks and selfish laughter, but there was none.
Gabriel had stayed out of the battle. Raphael fought under Michael without a second thought. Gabriel died for humanity. Raphael had destroyed all he could reach on his downward spiral. Gabriel's final expression was of peace. Raphael's would be of agony.
"The Morningstar and I . . . we did not do right by you both," Michael whispered, braced over his brother, fists curled into the ashes on either side of the messenger. He swooped down and sealed his brother's forehead with a kiss. Too late.
Michael stood and swept free of the others, flinging himself away to let the rest mourn as they would or leave secure in his absence. He would not return to this earth until Lucifer stood before him for their final fight.
It was twenty-four hours later when a man trudged wearily through the doors of the abandoned motel. He left coat and cell phone on a banquet table and crouched beside the archangel. His hand was warm on the cool cheek. His touch was gentle.
And for the first time in weeks, Castiel prayed. "It should have been me, Father. An archangel would have done so much more for the Winchesters than I ever could."
"Gabriel never had the right temperament to do as you have done," a voice spoke from behind him. Castiel did not spare the Gardener a glance. "It is one thing to stand apart from our brethren. Gabriel loved too much to stand against them too."
"He did in the end."
"He bought the Winchesters time until your return," Joshua corrected gently. "Gabriel never meant to survive this conflict."
Castiel pushed away from the ground. "That is ridiculous. If God has brought me back to save the Winchesters, why not Gabriel who is so much more important?"
"Who are you to question worth?" Joshua countered.
"How can you ignore so great a grief?"
"Because grief has no place in the garden."