Castiel sat leaned against the counter to listen to Ravenna's mother. She washed dishes absently.

"Cielo was fifteen when Ravenna was born, but they were close from the start. He would bring her along in the baby harness when he went skating with his friends. People always mistook him for her father. It was so cute to watch."

She sighed in nostalgia, smiling sadly out the window.

"They did everything together. As she got older, he taught her how to stick up for herself. He also taught her how to sing. She acts just like him you know. It made him a bit depressed to see her growing up. So, when she turned ten, he joined the Army. We haven't seen him since. He sends us postcards and calls her on her birthday. A toy rabbit also comes in the mail," the petite blonde rambled.

"Is that why she gets so upset when people leave?"

"Yup, she misses him more than the moon misses the sun."

"Thank you for telling me this, Ma'am."

"Please, call me Molly."

"Okay, Molly."

"Also, Castiel, if you ever hurt my baby girl I will make sure you will feel her pain times ten."

Smiling angelically, she put food away. Cass wandered out and made his way to Ravenna's room. She was sitting on her bed, staring at a line of stuffed animals on her dresser. There were four in all, getting gradually bigger as they went. In her arms was a plush rabbit almost her size. He sat down beside her.

"Your mom told me about your brother. You miss him a lot, huh?"

"Every day. I can't stop feeling like it's my fault that he left."

"Don't blame yourself, Rave."

"It is my fault. The day before he enlisted, I came home late. I had snuck out to see a movie with Ken. He caught me and scolded me for sneaking out. Cielo never, ever raised his voice to me or told my parents. But I was a brat. I-I told him I hated him, that I wished he would just leave so I could do what I want. He just smiled at me, said that he forgave me and loved me, then he went to his room."

A single tear trailed down her face, but Castiel didn't touch her. Ravenna's body may have been there in that room, but she wasn't.

"I went into his room later to take it back. That was the first time I had ever seen him cry. He always seemed so big and strong, like nothing could bring him down. But he was only human. I lay down next to him, like he did to me when I was upset. Cielo stroked my hair and told me that he was going away for a while. When I asked why, he said 'Because I love you'."

Ravenna sobbed and hugged the rabbit tighter. Cass pulled her close to his chest, letting her cry as he rubbed her back. She cried until she fell asleep, but he continued to hold her. He left after he was sure she was asleep for good. Link gave him a hug on the way out.

"You know, you're a lot like him in ways. I think that helps."

"Really?"

"Yeah, dude, I remember this one time when he had an entire night out planned with his friends and she wanted to go to the Summer Fest. He called them all and cancelled, just because she wanted him to go to the festival with her. Just to make her happy."

Castiel smiled, knowing he would do the same for her. Her birthday was just a week away and maybe, just maybe, he could see what she smiled like before the first boy she ever loved left her life for good. The thought made him wither a bit. He could never compare to Cielo. Even his name meant heaven. The man was probably perfect in every way. Sighing, he drove home to his near empty house. Demon greeted him at the door.

"What should I get her, boy?"

The Shepard just tilted its head silently. Cass chuckled and let him out.

-One week later-

Ravenna, her family, Ken, and Castiel had all gotten together at the dining room table for cake. She had received a very large cardboard box from Link and had yet to get her call from Cielo. The girl seemed to become antsier and antsier by the minute. After the cake was finished, presents were opened.

"Open the big one first. I think it's from you know who," Link smirked.

"Okay…"

She pulled the tape off and screamed. A tall, black haired man with glasses in a military uniform stepped out. He smirked, kneeling to give her a hug. Ravenna tackled him and they toppled over. They both cried softly, hugging each other tightly. The rest of the party gave them time to reunite. After they were done, Ravenna clung to his back while Cielo greeted everyone. Even Castiel was greeted with a warm smile and a handshake.

Presents continued to be opened after that. Ken had gotten her a CD she had been wanting for a while and smirked when she hugged him. Cass' gift was a cute cupcake charm and stuffed black bat. Rave kissed him gently, making Ken glare enviously. Cielo observed them in silence from his spot on the couch. He didn't look pleased.

Everything concluded soon after and Ken confronted Castiel outside.

"Who do you think you are?"

"A cockatiel." He smirked back.

"Shut up. I meant about kissing her in front of everyone. You do know how bad you must look to her family?"

"I don't care how I look. I am not ashamed of kissing her back and I feel sorry for you if you were. "

Chuckling at the smaller's shocked expression, he left. Ken soon walked home as well to concoct a plan to win her back.

Meanwhile, inside the house, Ravenna and Cielo were sitting together in what used to be his room. There was simply a bed, a television, and a dresser. The reason was because he had his own apartment that he paid for the entire time he was away. He and Rave used to live there together. She still took care of it while he was away.

They sat on the bed, holding each other tightly. He looked at her lovingly, noticing how big she had gotten. She, on the other hand, traced the scars all over his body. Especially the cuts going up his wrists and shoulder that seemed older than the rest.

"What happened to you?"

"It happened before you were born. I was very angry and depressed when I was younger. Instead of taking it out on others, I cut myself to release it."

Cielo touched one that went half way around his throat, almost hitting an artery.

"This was the last one I ever did. I was going to end it all, but I was interrupted. Do you know what stopped me?"

She shook her head vigorously.

"I heard a cry so sad and frustrated; it almost matched how I had felt for the past three years. When I followed it, I found a beautiful baby with dark, black hair. When I picked her up, she stopped. As if my touch had calmed her. Suddenly, I mattered in the world."

Ravenna teared up, hugging him tighter. He did the same, refusing to ever let her go again. Little did they know that an evil deed was brewing close by.