Going to slap an additional CW of torture on this chapter here real quick.

Both Cas and Dean looked up as the possibly-former king of hell appeared in the room.

"Now, just what have you two gotten yourselves in-" Crowley cut himself off mid sentence. "Oh dear. What happened to you?" The demon looked the pair up and down. He furrowed his brow just a tick. "Feathers… where are your wings? And you… what, did you both lose a fight with a truck? What's going on here?"

Dean glared at him. "Turns out Abaddon really has it in for you, and isn't much for asking."

"My sympathies."

"Sure." Dean tightened his fist on the crutches holding him up. "Angels made Sam at Syracuse Hancock International less than 20 minutes ago. He blasted them away, got brought with. I have no idea where they landed, but I need him back, now."

"How'd Sam even get brought with? That thing doesn't work on humans."

"Sam has an angel riding co-pilot." Dean spat, keeping his gaze steady.

"And? You can change that sigil so it doesn't nab the one with their hand on the blood..." He stopped, reading the hunter's face. "Unless of course our dear Moose didn't know he was possessed..." He raised an eyebrow. "Oh my. Another Winchester fumble? "

"Shut it. You find out where they land, you'll have a place to start."

"They land in heaven you idiot."

"There are no angels in heaven." Cas interjected. "Angels are barred from heaven, the spell has to let out somewhere on earth."

"I'm sorry, did he just say there are no angels in heaven?"

"Crowley, shut up and get moving." Dean had no patience for the demon whatsoever.

"Yes, Alright fine. I'll just start looking everywhere then, shall I?" He scowled. "Back in a flash." He vanished.

Dean looked up at the ceiling, closing his eyes.

"Dean, we'll figure this out."

"Yeah." Dean said bitterly. "We wouldn't have to figure it out if I had just been honest with him to begin with."

Cas threw him a sympathetic glance. "You were trying to save your brother."

"Yeah, that's usually how I get us into trouble to begin with."

"Dean, this is almost certainly angels looking for me."

Dean huffed a pained laugh. "Yeah, Cas. I know." He shook his head, throwing an apologetic glance towards the former angel. "It's not your fault. It's just. Ezekiel. He told me this would happen."

"The angels?"

"Yeah." He didn't want to voice Ezekiel's direct request to throw Cas from the bunker, but he figured Castiel could figure that much out on his own. "Don't know why I thought we might catch a break on this one." He gestured at both of them. "We're doing so great already, glad our luck has held steady."

Both men turned their attention to the sudden reappearance of the demon and his new angelic hostage. "Turns out it's not hard when they want to be found." Crowley grinned.

Cas shifted on his crutch to make eye contact with the angel, trying to sort out who he was without being able to see the angel's true form. It was a little like talking to someone through a text message. They could be anyone.

"Tell these gentlemen what you just told me." Crowley purred, shoving the angel forward slightly, his hand buried in a firm grip on his hair.

"Malachi is willing to do an even trade, fair and square. Your brother, angel intact. You give us this traitor." He locked eyes with Castiel.

"Malachi? The anarchist?" Cas narrowed his eyes at the angel before him.

"Castiel for darling brother Sam. Take it or leave it."

"Lovely." Crowley flipped the angel blade in his hands, efficiently thrusting it through the angel's chest, all three of them closing their eyes against the brightness of the angel's death throes. "So… your move." He offered to the hunter and angel.

"We take their trade." Cas said simply.

"Now hold on Cas."

"Dean, it's me they want, not Sam."

Dean scrubbed a hand over his face, feeling more and more frantic by the second. "Crowley, can't you just, I don't know. Zap in, grab Sam and zap out?"

"I'm not faster than however many angels are in there. They're going to have him held pretty tight to stop exactly that."

"Great." The hunter sank to the couch, crutches coming to rest next to him.

Cas sighed. "Dean-"

"Cas, we trade you and they're going to kill you."

Cas put his hand on Dean's shoulder. "It's okay."

Dean raised his hand, knocking Cas' reassuring hand off. "No." He leaned forward, hands covering his chin as he leaned his weight forward onto them. "We go in smart. Or smarter at least." He looked up. "Crowley, you drop me off outside their view. Then pop in with Cas. Then you get Sam clear. Get him back here and you help patch him up, you got it? You don't leave until he's stable."

"Dean, that is incredibly risky." Cas' voice dropped, not liking this plan at all.

"Cas, that's the plan. I go in as back up. See if we can't get the drop on them and get you the fuck out of there."

"Dean…"

"Not up for negotiation." Dean tossed one crutch aside, leaving only the one on his injured side. He grabbed an angel blade and held it in his other hand, ready to do whatever was necessary, damn the consequences to his leg. They could visit a hospital again. Cas wasn't going in there alone.

"That's your plan?" Crowley seemed unimpressed. "Can you even walk like that? You're going to back him up?"

"I didn't call you here for your opinion." Dean walked forward, the sudden added pressure on his leg causing a shooting pain through his core, but it was manageable. At least he could hold a weapon. "Do it."

Crowley rolled his eyes, but he put out his two hands, and suddenly the trio was in the complex. The next instant Dean was alone and the demon and former angel were in front of Malachi himself.

Dean watched from his vantage point, concealed behind what looked like some sort of shelving unit. He was not nearly as hidden as he wished to be, but it was better than nothing. He stilled himself, careful to keep quiet. He began to take stock of their new surroundings.

The entire place seemed like some old prison of sorts, though it was hard to tell. The hallway beyond had something of a holding cell vibe, but the room they were in looked more like some sort of medical storage… and Sam was chained up against one of the posts.

Crowley still had his hand clamped around Cas' bicep, careful not to let him go too early. "Compliments of one Dean Winchester."

Malachi shook his head. "How does a snake like you end up the middlemen for a pair of hunters?"

"A crappy temp agent. Who cares? Are you going to honor the agreement or not?"

Malachi gave an abrupt nod, and the other angel dragged Sam to his feet. Dean was able to get a better look at him, his heart clenching as he saw the blood. There was a lot of it. He looked closer though, and could see the stoic expression regarding Crowley with no sense of recognition. That was Ezekiel, not Sam. He could only hope that meant Sam had been spared the bulk of the torture.

The battered body of his brother was unchained and thrust forward. Crowley carefully pushed Cas, grabbing Sam and blinking out in an instant before anything could go sideways.

Not that Dean expected any different, but he was disappointed nonetheless when a sigil was immediately seared into the post that would prevent the demon from making a return. He shifted, hand gripping the angel blade tightly as he kept watch for any opportunity to make his move. But right now, with two of them, he didn't stand much of a chance.

Castiel was forced up against the other post in the room, the crutch being wrenched from his arm and thrown. Both his arms were hauled up to eye level and clamped into waiting chains, already stained with the blood of whoever was there before.

Malachi grinned, looking the angel up and down. "Theo and I had bets on whether or not the Winchester would give you up." He looked to the other angel and then back to Cas. "We've heard all sorts of rumors about you and Dean, but I guess they just don't quite hold a candle to family."

"Malachi, what are you hoping to achieve here?" The former angel's voice was tired, almost resigned.

The angel shrugged. "I'm just looking for information, Castiel, same as everyone."

"I don't know anything."

"Sure… you enacted a spell that sent every angel tumbling out of heaven, but you know nothing." He looked at Theo and spread his hands.

Theo stepped forward and threw his fist into Castiel's stomach, causing him to double over as far as the chains would allow. A second fist flew upwards, catching Cas right in the lip, splitting it instantly, the blood splashing back into his mouth. He turned, spitting it out.

Cas leveled his glare, catching his breath. "Metatron cast the angels out. He used me."

"Tsk tsk. Castiel, you know lying is a sin."

"I'm not-"

Cas was cut off by Theo grabbing his hair and yanking his head back, an angel blade slicing across the bridge of his nose before coming down and being flicked over his collar bone.

"Really, Castiel. You're going to have to do better than that. We can be on the same side here… Join up against Bartholemew. Usher in a new heaven. Just tell me how to undo the spell."

Cas was silent, earning him the knife being slid down his chest, cutting open the button down shirt to reveal his bare skin. Theo took great care to choose the right spot, letting the blade rest against his skin and slowly sink in.

Cas grunted in pain, closing his eyes, but clenching his teeth against crying out.

"I have to say, finding you human is a surprise." The fanatical angel leaned back to look Castiel over, head to toe. "Tell me, you do that on purpose to join your little family, or was that a sacrifice you made for Metatron?"

Malachi stepped away, walking over to a tray of interesting looking medical devices and torture implements. Dean tried to step to the side, too exposed for the sudden closer proximity, but he cursed silently in his head as the crutch caught the edge of the shelf. So much for stealth.

The angel froze, holding up a hand to Theo to silence him. He looked at Theo, and nodded towards the shelving unit.

Dean's heartbeat was racing as he tightened his grip on the blade, ready to defend himself against the larger angel, knowing it was over, and he'd been made. This was it, all or nothing.

Of course, he wasn't prepared when Theo merely shoved the cabinet over. He yelled in surprise and pain as he was knocked beneath it, the weight crushing over his already injured body. The hand that fished him out was none too gentle, and he was thrown across the room to land at Cas' feet.

Malachi smiled. "Oh… I see. Stalling were we?" He leaned over, grabbing Dean's shirt and gathering it in his fist, hauling the hunter up to his feet. "I stand corrected. Perhaps the loyalty he has to you is alive and kicking."

"Bite me." Dean spat.

The angel rolled his eyes, dragging the hunter over to the other post, clapping a shackle over his wrist and letting him crumple back to the floor. "Well Castiel, last chance. Do you want to just tell me how to reverse Metatron's spell, or do you want Theo to take out your disobedience on your favorite pet?"

"I don't know, Malachi. I'm not lying. Metatron used me."

"Used you." The angel nodded in mock thoughtfulness.

"He took my grace for the spell. I didn't know what he was-" He was cut off to another blade running down his chest, little rivulets of blood pooling and spilling down his torso. "I'm telling the truth."

Dean shifted in place where he sat, leaned up against the post. He watched Castiel with his jaw set, looking over his injuries. He wondered just how aware of human limits the angels were. If they knew just how fragile the human body could be compared to them. Cas at least for now was doing alright. Bloody, sure. And fresh bruises were already blooming across his face and abdomen. But he would be okay for the moment.

Malachi stepped back and leaned casually against the wall. "Castiel, last chance. Tell me what Metatron's plans are, or Theo here does what he does best."

"I can't tell you what I don't know." He pleaded.

The angel looked less than believing, and he looked over at the scarred angel beside him. "Theo."

Dean grunted as he was lifted up by the throat against the post. He managed a somewhat cocky grin in spite of the choking grip and painful half-standing position. It was short lived as the knife began to dig into the joint between the shoulder and arm. He closed his eyes, but for now at least managed to keep his teeth clenched shut. Panting slightly when it was done, he forced that smile back on. "Aw, that all?"

Malachi ignored him, his attention fixed on Cas. "See Castiel, Theo here is an artist. And he's going to paint you a picture. It's up to you where he stops."

Cas shook his head. "Malachi, please-"

"Save it." He shook his head. "You'd suffer, even die for your beliefs, I get it. But is Metatron," He turned to Theo with a smirk "whose poll numbers have totally tanked," back to Cas, "really worth your life? More importantly, is it worth his?"

"No…"

Theo put the knife down, still holding Dean against the post with one hand. His other hand reached for and grabbed his bicep, neatly lifting and twisting it up, easily pulling it from it's socket, dislocating the joint. Dean grunted through his clenched teeth, a fine sheen of sweat making its way across his forehead. He didn't notice when the knife was picked back up and suddenly stabbed through his already broken thigh with enough force to re-split the healing bone just below the steel plates. With this, he couldn't help but scream.

Cas closed his eyes against the sound. His mind raced to consider their options. He couldn't give them what they wanted, because he didn't know. Now was just a matter of delaying the inevitable. The longer they could go without dying, the more there was a chance they could find a way out, or perhaps be rescued by Sam and Crowley. If he stopped denying them at every turn, they'd draw this out. Give them valuable time.

This sounded to him like the worst thing he could think of. Dean was going to take the full brunt of every second they spent waiting and hoping for rescue. But he steeled himself, knowing it was the best course of action. Besides. As much as he hated to think about it, he knew Dean could handle it. The man had been tortured in hell for thirty years without giving in. He could handle this. Of course, he hadn't had a mortal body then…

Dean found himself slumping back to the ground, feeling the femur grind over itself in spite of the brace. He panted, warily eyeing the larger angel as he readjusted his grip on the knife. "Give a girl a little warning first." He pushed out, trying to maintain his care-free humor, though the effect was somewhat lost given his strained tone. Theo grabbed the wrist of his dislocated arm, pulling it up over his head again, causing a new strangled grunt of pain. He closed his eyes, trying to force his voice through anyway. "What, we done with the foreplay?" The knife sunk in near his armpit and pulled all the way up the length of his arm, skipping and ripping through the palm of his hand before the limb was dropped.

Castiel did his best to tune out the half-restrained screams that issued from the hunter. He couldn't help but watch though, trying to catch Dean's eyes, trying to impart any small comfort he could. He felt his heart clench as the hunter managed to make eye contact, his brows set in what Cas could only interpret as sympathy. As if even in all this, Dean was trying to comfort him.

The next hour was unbearable to his newly human emotions, listening to Dean suffer the consequences of the Angel's hatred for him. He had wanted Dean out of this. Cas had been willing to walk in here alone and die for what he did. He never had been prepared for this.

But then, he knew, deep down, that Dean would never have forgiven himself if Cas had gone alone. Not when there was even the slightest chance he could help. The thought made Cas' chest clench. Now he was becoming sure they would both die. Every passing moment made him more and more confident that rescue was not coming. That they were on their own. And on their own, they were no match for these two angels.

"Please… stop…" He whispered, surprised that he had said it out loud.

"What's that?" Malachi mocked. "Stop? Oh Cas, you know how to make it stop. Just tell me what Metatron has planned."

"He is innocent…"

"But you aren't." He gestured to the angel. "Theo."

Cas watched in horror as the angel wrenched Dean's head back, the knife inching forward until it was almost against the hunter's left eye.

"Castiel?"

"I don't know anything!"

No second warning. The knife point moved forward, plunging right into the socket, blood pouring out and down the hunter's face. Dean tried to do anything to dampen the scream, but it wasn't in the cards. He felt the triangular blade twist slightly, and he wasn't sure if the entire thing was ripped out, but it didn't really matter. The blood was in his mouth now, in his nose, and he felt as if he were drowning in it. Maybe he was.

Dean tried to hear what was happening, tried to follow what was being said. He had been keeping stock of Cas' silence, grateful for it, knowing the former angel was trying to buy them time for some sort of cavalry to come to their aid. Now he could hear the muffled sounds of Cas' frantic voice. He knew that Castiel had lost his composure, but he couldn't hear what was being said. He tried to look up with his remaining good eye, but the movement tore at his other half, and he found his head swimming as the blackness crept in. He swallowed his nausea, trying to keep conscious, trying to keep his head in the game.

Finally he was aware of the sound of Cas yelling his name. One last time he fought his body, finally managing to bring up his gaze to look at the frantic angel. He was surprised to see Cas writhing against his chains, trying in vain to escape, run to him. Cas sounded far away, and almost underwater, the sound of his own pulse drowning out most ambient sounds. Dean mustered up his courage, attempting a small half smile, trying to reassure Cas that it was alright. That things could still be alright.

He wasn't expecting the knife that plunged through his chest.

Dean was surprised when his thoughts returned to him. He had been so sure he was about to die. He was choking on his blood, unable to get a full breath in. He had heard his own gurgling as he struggled to get any air at all. He felt consciousness slip from him, and had been pretty sure that was it. But he felt the odd but not unfamiliar feeling of his chest wound being healed.

He struggled now, trying to twist away from the hands that would cause him more pain, but instead a palm rested on the side of his face, and he was surprised by just how gentle and tender the touch was. He felt the familiar pull of healing surge through his skull, and he felt the flesh knit back together around his eye. Finally he could open them and he looked up to come face to face with Castiel. "Cas?" His voice was still hoarse, and he coughed when he tried to clear his throat.

Cas' expression was one of pain, but Dean didn't think it was physical pain. The angel looked healed, though blood still soaked his clothing.

The hunter allowed himself to be pulled up into a sitting position again, not fully healed, but at least able to get a handle on himself. He looked around the room, trying to make sense of the situation. Malachi was nowhere to be seen, but he could see Theo slumped against the wall, eyes burnt out of his skull. Dean looked up at Cas again. "Cas?" He repeated. "What-?"

"I did what I had to do." Cas said softly. He laid his hand on Dean's head again, another surge of healing.

Dean felt the bones in his leg shift uncomfortably, but soon after the pain faded. He even felt the agony coursing through his ribs recede to a dull ache. He allowed the angel to pull him to his feet, the shackle falling away and clunking against the concrete floor. "You're-"

"Theo… he tried to make a deal. Thought I was loyal to Metatron… I took his grace…"

"You can do that?"

"So it would seem."

"So you're…"

"An angel again." Cas whispered.

If Dean didn't know better, he would have sworn that Cas was near tears. "Cas, I'm-" He was cut off, Cas grabbing him by the shoulder and pulling him forward, almost crushing him against his chest in a desperate hug. Dean hesitated for a moment, before reaching his arms up and around the angel and returning the embrace with a similar urgency.

"I thought you had died."

"Yeah…" Dean said shakily, huffing a half laugh. "Sort of thought I did too."

Cas let go, allowing the hunter to move backwards, their eyes meeting at last. Now the hunter could see that tears were freely running down the angel's face. "I didn't-"

Dean pushed forward before his brain could think himself out of it, bridging the gap and allowing their lips to meet.