Last Night - Chapter 2 (of 5)
Title: Last Night (2/5)
Author: lonelyphoenix85
Rating: R, because I'm worried about offending people with a few naughty words :-)
Genre: Songfic, Pre-slash
Pairing:Sam/Gabriel pre-slash, Dean/Cas pre-slash
Spoilers: through to Changing Channels (5x08) so far, but may be for all season 5 in later parts.
Warnings: ummm....karaoke? does that need a warning? some people think it's evil so, yeah, if you're one of them, then run - here there be karaoke!
Word Count: 2546 (this chapter, 4345 total)
Disclaimer: It only belongs to me when I'm dreaming! Bon Jovi owns the song, and the rest is property of the almighty Kripke!
Summary: What would you do if it was your last night on Earth? Dean had an idea - Gabriel decided his idea was better.
Notes: Set sometime between changing channels and season 5 finale, au from changing channels. The Songs are Never Say Die and Satellite - if you haven't heard them, look them up on youtube to listen when you read :-)
Chapter One is back here!
“I still do not understand the purpose of this game Dean.”
“It’s really simple Cas - you take a shot, pick your victim, and then they have to pick truth or dare - it’s purpose is to have fun,” Dean stated with a slight roll of the eyes.
“Just watch bro, I’ll go first!” Gabriel exclaimed, downing the shot in front of him and zeroing in on Sam with a smirk. “Truth or Dare Sammy?”
“Truth.”
“Aww Sammy! Where’s your sense of adventure?”
“Hiding until my blood alcohol is considerably higher thank you very much.”
“Fine, fine...I was going to start off simple to ease Cassie into it anyways! So Sammy, have you ever worn women’s underwear?” Gabriel asked, eyebrows raised and wiggling suggestively.
“What?! No, dude! Seriously? What are you, twelve?”
Whatever Gabriel had been about to retort was cut short as both Sam and Dean were called to the stage.
“Ooo a duet! Go get ‘em boys!” Gabriel smirked.
“Duets now? If this is some sappy chick song, I’m gonna shoot him - it might not kill him, but shit’s gotta sting, right?” Dean bitched to Sam as they headed for the stage.
He grabbed at the microphones the guy handed him and shoved one at Sam, turning to face the screen.
“Sam, you better be able to sing dude,” Dean muttered as the music began.
Dean: As we stood there older than men
And younger than the boys
Sam: (that's right)
Dean: We were as still as the wind
That blows on a hot August night
Sam: And you were lonesome as a jukebox
But deadly just the same
I could be as gentle as a newborn
Then spit into the eye of a hurricane
Both: And we knew how to laugh
And we knew how to cry
Yeah, we sure knew how to live
But we don't ever
Never say die, never say die
Dean had to admit, the rogue Archangel had mojo-ed them a decent song, and he wasn’t kidding about the tunes being ‘appropriate’ either - this one could’ve practically been their family anthem!
Sam: I guess you'd say we had a pact
These words we knew so well
Dean: (that's right)
Sam: Still they remained unspoken
And we'd take them to the fiery gates of hell
Dean: Once I was afraid of love
But when it's your brother those things change
'Cause love is just another word for trust
So hear me when I say
Both: Never say die, never say no
You got to look 'em in the eye and don't let go
When it's your own blood you'll bleed
And your own tears you'll cry
When you're brought up to believe
That it's the strong who survive
Never say die
Gabriel and Castiel watched as the brothers threw themselves fully into the song, seeming to forget where they were as the lyrics gave release to a few pent up stresses and frustrations.
The rest of the crowd cheered along, and a few wolf-whistles echoed through the club.
Sam and Dean exchanged a grin as the guitar solo finished up, then launched back into it.
Both: Yeah, and we could run like lightning
Through the pouring rain
And we'll be standing like a soldier
Who comes marching home again
They ask what it is that I want written
On the gravestone where I'll lie
Tell them it's just my bones that died there
So save the tears they'll cry
My spirit is still riding somewhere's in this night
And it's these three words that come to me
As I kiss this world good bye
Never say die, never say no
You got to look 'em in the eye and don't let go
When it's your own blood you'll bleed
And your own tears you'll cry
When you're brought up to believe
That it's the strong who survive
Never say die, never say die...
As the song faded out the club literally exploded with applause and catcalls, bringing a smirk to Dean’s face and a faint blush and happy smile to Sam’s as they left the stage.
“That’s some set of pipes you got on you Sammy!” Gabriel exclaimed, slapping Sam none to gently on the back as he sat down.
“Your singing was also very impressive Dean - I do not believe I will be able to match your level of competency, perhaps it would be best if I did not attempt to sing...”
“You’re not getting out of it that easy Cas! If I sang Bon Jovi then you can sure as shit suck it up and get up there too,” Dean interrupted with a grin. “Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll do great.”
Castiel glanced down at the folded paper in front of him uncertainly.
“I am unsure of my vessel’s level of musical talent though Dean - I would not wish to inflict upon you the ‘torture’ you and Sam mentioned earlier if my singing...”
“Cas! You’ll do great, trust me. If you can’t sing...well it’ll be no different to half the people in here, so no worries dude!” Dean grinned reassuring at Castiel, then turned to his brother. “You’re up bro, drink up and pick your victim.”
Sam shot a glare at Gabriel as the shot glass in front of him was suddenly full of an unpleasant-looking green liquid, and at Gabriel’s grin picked up the shot and downed it quickly. Having been prepared for it to taste like ass, Sam was pleasantly surprised at the sugary syrupy flavour that filled his mouth.
“So Dean, Truth or Dare?”
“Dare,” Dean said with a smirk, eyebrows raised in a challenge.
Sam had expected his brother to choose dare, and planned to use this opportunity to its utmost.
After all, it was practically criminal that even though they might all die tomorrow, Dean and Cas had yet to do more than the oh-so-annoying constant eye-fucking. He wasn’t even sure Dean realised he was in love with the Angel. Cas had confided in Gabriel a few weeks back that he loved the older hunter, but had somehow sworn him to (almost) secrecy.
When Sam was bitching about their brothers’ obliviousness to Gabriel one evening, Gabriel had let slip that said obliviousness was all on Dean’s side. They’d quickly started plotting to get Dean’s head out of his ass before the final showdown, but had underestimated the level of denial Dean had going on.
Sam took a sip of his beer and thought loudly at Gabriel, knowing that the Archangel would be listening.
*Gabe! One last try before we find the nearest closet to lock them in?*
*I like the way you think Sammy!* Sam could feel his amusement echoing around the projected thought. *Extra karaoke? I’m thinking something nice and meaningful...*
*Exactly. I know the perfect song, it just needs one tiny tweak in the lyrics.* Sam concentrated on the song he had in mind, pushing his memory of hearing it towards Gabriel, along with the bit that needed altering. Gabriel grinned his approval.
“You sing an extra song - and you don’t get to pick which one,” Sam said, trying hard to limit himself to an I-think-I’m-so-clever smirk, rather than the all out I’m-an-evil-genius-even-Lucifer-would-fear-me-right-now one that wanted to break free.
“Piece of cake Sammy - you heard them cheering earlier, the people love me!” Dean smirked. Sam might think he was being clever, but this dare wasn’t even a challenge!
“Us Dean, they loved us. Gabriel...?” Sam said, glancing at the grinning Archangel.
“Done,” he replied, after snapping his fingers. “One extra song in the pot for Dean-o, and before you ask, I didn’t pick your song, I just used my ‘mojo’.” Let Dean think that he’d used the automatic appropriate song selection trick again. “It’s the one you’ll be called up to sing as a ‘special dedication’.”
Dean’s face took on a slightly more wary look, as he got the distinct impression that he had missed something, but didn’t know what. The words ‘special dedication’ sent a chill down his spine. Shaking off the feeling, he grabbed at his shot glass - filled with a pale blue liquid - and downed it, grimacing at the sour taste.
“Truth or Dare, Cas?”
Before Castiel could respond, his name could be heard over the fading applause from the previous song.
“I apologise, Dean, it appears I must go and sing now.” All nerves seemed forgotten as he fled the table, relief at the temporary reprieve from the nonsensical game lasting right up until he stood, microphone in hand, waiting for the music to begin.
He didn’t notice Gabriel’s discrete snap as he altered the lyrics that would appear on screen to match those on the sheet of paper he’d given Castiel earlier.
Are you out there?
Can you hear me?
Do you know my whereabouts?
Do you know what I'm all about?
Through the static,
You're so close, so far away
Are you listening? I'm desperate.
Sendin' out an S.O.S.
'Cause I'm lost, I must confess
Throw a lifeline, I'm down here
Drownin' in the deepest part of me.
Father, please!
Can you feel me?
Father, please!
Come and heal me.
Dean’s breathe caught, the anguish filling Castiel’s face as he sang tearing it from his throat in an almost-gasp. Damn stupid Archangels and their oh-so-clever magic tricks anyway. He knew in his head what it meant that Cas had picked Dean over his brothers, but this wasn’t in his head now.
This was real, and awful, and fucking heart-breaking! He couldn’t bear to watch as Cas stood on stage - using the song to vent feelings he probably hadn’t even been able to label properly, they were so new to him - and yet he couldn’t take his eyes off the Angel, looking so small and so freaking broken.
And it was his fault. Cas was up their begging for his father’s help, for God’s help, all because Dean and asked him to cut himself off from Heaven and help him. He’d done some shitty things in the past, some really shitty things, but never anything that had made him feel this low.
Cas had saved him from the Pit, but that hadn’t been enough for Dean. No, he hadn’t been satisfied with Cas until the guy was homeless and cut off from his family and everything he’d ever known. Some ‘Righteous Man’ he was turning out to be.
Dean’s thoughts continued in this train as Castiel sang, unable to figure out why the Angel hadn’t realised yet that Dean wasn’t worth any of it.
Are you watchin' over me tonight?
I need to know you're out there...
Are your lines open and receiving?
You know I got so much to say,
I just don't want to fade away.
Keep on talkin', 'cause you're keeping' me alive.
Father, please!
Can you feel me?
Father, please!
Come and heal me.
Are you watchin' over me tonight?
I need to know you're out there...
Sam’s gaze wandered between the singing Angel - who it turned out had a pretty amazing voice actually, low and throaty, and filled with the emotion normally absent in his everyday speech - and his brother.
The mixture of guilt, sadness and confusion that passed over Dean’s face made Sam’s heart clench.
The raw emotion in Castiel’s voice held the whole club spellbound, even the people at the bar had stopped in their tracks to listen as this lost son cried out to his missing father. Sam simply stared, astounded at the depth of the falling Angel’s faith in his Father. Castiel truly believed that they hadn’t been abandoned, that God was still out there, perhaps just waiting for someone to ask the right way, believe enough, love enough...
Sam felt a flicker of his old faith reignite at the thought of a being able to inspire that level of devotion and belief.
Everybody hurts,
Everybody cries,
Everybody needs someone
To save them sometimes...
Everybody hurts,
Everybody cries,
Everybody needs someone
To save them sometimes...
Save them sometimes...
Father, please!
Can you feel me?
Father, please!
Come and heal me.
Father, please!
Can you feel me?
Father, please!
Come and heal me.
Are you watchin' over me tonight?
I need to know you're out there...
Father, please!
Father, please!
Castiel made his way back to the table in a daze, not even noticing the applause ringing out around him and throughout the bar. Before he could retake his seat he found himself pulled into his brother’s arms.
“Gabriel...” he began, about to object to this man-handling which was distinctly unnecessary, when his eyes widened and his mouth snapped shut as a feeling of warmth and love and home infused every molecule of his being.
Gabriel had seen enough of the lyrics of Castiel’s song to know which bits to alter to make it perfect, but he had not been expecting that. He knew his brother had been searching for their Father, but he hadn’t realised just how lost he’d been since cutting himself off to help the Winchesters.
He had assumed that Castiel was fine, because Gabriel had been fine all this time on his own hadn’t he? And Cassie was strong - strong enough to stand up and think for himself, strong enough to throw himself in the path of pissed off Archangels time and again (he wasn’t even counting himself here, since he’d never seriously meant his brother any harm, unlike Michael and Raphael).
He’d forgotten one vitally important fact.
He’d left Heaven because he wanted out. Heaven hadn’t been home to him in a long time - he’d been stuck between his brothers as they fought, he’d watched one of them cast out, and then his Father had left them. It wasn’t a place he wanted to be.
Castiel had had no choice but to cut himself off. He was too good to stand by and do nothing, and so he had given up everything to help. He longed for his home, he longed for the feeling of his brothers and their Father (whose presence was still strong enough in Heaven that only a handful of Angels yet knew he was no longer there).
He couldn’t find their Father for Castiel, but he could give him a small piece of home, and was ashamed that it hadn’t occurred to him to do so before now.
As he drew his brother into his arms he reached out with his Grace, wrapping the younger Angel within it, whispering directly into his mind reassurances that he wasn’t alone, that their Father was still out there, and that he would make himself known when the time was right. He even half believed it himself - it certainly hadn’t been Mikey or Rafe who’d resurrected Castiel after all.
*~*~*~*~*
Castiel relaxed into his brother’s embrace, basking in his Grace and allowing his comforting words to soothe him.
The song had drained him, and his over-emotional reaction to it was yet another reminder of just how far he’d fallen from what he was. He was almost human now, almost useless. He would likely be a liability in tomorrow’s battle.
Castiel was so wrapped up in the sense of home that Gabriel was somehow exuding (despite thousands of years of absence from it), that he almost didn’t notice the other changes that were happening at first.
Chapter 3 is this way folks!
Author: lonelyphoenix85
Rating: R, because I'm worried about offending people with a few naughty words :-)
Genre: Songfic, Pre-slash
Pairing:Sam/Gabriel pre-slash, Dean/Cas pre-slash
Spoilers: through to Changing Channels (5x08) so far, but may be for all season 5 in later parts.
Warnings: ummm....karaoke? does that need a warning? some people think it's evil so, yeah, if you're one of them, then run - here there be karaoke!
Word Count: 2546 (this chapter, 4345 total)
Disclaimer: It only belongs to me when I'm dreaming! Bon Jovi owns the song, and the rest is property of the almighty Kripke!
Summary: What would you do if it was your last night on Earth? Dean had an idea - Gabriel decided his idea was better.
Notes: Set sometime between changing channels and season 5 finale, au from changing channels. The Songs are Never Say Die and Satellite - if you haven't heard them, look them up on youtube to listen when you read :-)
Chapter One is back here!
“I still do not understand the purpose of this game Dean.”
“It’s really simple Cas - you take a shot, pick your victim, and then they have to pick truth or dare - it’s purpose is to have fun,” Dean stated with a slight roll of the eyes.
“Just watch bro, I’ll go first!” Gabriel exclaimed, downing the shot in front of him and zeroing in on Sam with a smirk. “Truth or Dare Sammy?”
“Truth.”
“Aww Sammy! Where’s your sense of adventure?”
“Hiding until my blood alcohol is considerably higher thank you very much.”
“Fine, fine...I was going to start off simple to ease Cassie into it anyways! So Sammy, have you ever worn women’s underwear?” Gabriel asked, eyebrows raised and wiggling suggestively.
“What?! No, dude! Seriously? What are you, twelve?”
Whatever Gabriel had been about to retort was cut short as both Sam and Dean were called to the stage.
“Ooo a duet! Go get ‘em boys!” Gabriel smirked.
“Duets now? If this is some sappy chick song, I’m gonna shoot him - it might not kill him, but shit’s gotta sting, right?” Dean bitched to Sam as they headed for the stage.
He grabbed at the microphones the guy handed him and shoved one at Sam, turning to face the screen.
“Sam, you better be able to sing dude,” Dean muttered as the music began.
Dean: As we stood there older than men
And younger than the boys
Sam: (that's right)
Dean: We were as still as the wind
That blows on a hot August night
Sam: And you were lonesome as a jukebox
But deadly just the same
I could be as gentle as a newborn
Then spit into the eye of a hurricane
Both: And we knew how to laugh
And we knew how to cry
Yeah, we sure knew how to live
But we don't ever
Never say die, never say die
Dean had to admit, the rogue Archangel had mojo-ed them a decent song, and he wasn’t kidding about the tunes being ‘appropriate’ either - this one could’ve practically been their family anthem!
Sam: I guess you'd say we had a pact
These words we knew so well
Dean: (that's right)
Sam: Still they remained unspoken
And we'd take them to the fiery gates of hell
Dean: Once I was afraid of love
But when it's your brother those things change
'Cause love is just another word for trust
So hear me when I say
Both: Never say die, never say no
You got to look 'em in the eye and don't let go
When it's your own blood you'll bleed
And your own tears you'll cry
When you're brought up to believe
That it's the strong who survive
Never say die
Gabriel and Castiel watched as the brothers threw themselves fully into the song, seeming to forget where they were as the lyrics gave release to a few pent up stresses and frustrations.
The rest of the crowd cheered along, and a few wolf-whistles echoed through the club.
Sam and Dean exchanged a grin as the guitar solo finished up, then launched back into it.
Both: Yeah, and we could run like lightning
Through the pouring rain
And we'll be standing like a soldier
Who comes marching home again
They ask what it is that I want written
On the gravestone where I'll lie
Tell them it's just my bones that died there
So save the tears they'll cry
My spirit is still riding somewhere's in this night
And it's these three words that come to me
As I kiss this world good bye
Never say die, never say no
You got to look 'em in the eye and don't let go
When it's your own blood you'll bleed
And your own tears you'll cry
When you're brought up to believe
That it's the strong who survive
Never say die, never say die...
As the song faded out the club literally exploded with applause and catcalls, bringing a smirk to Dean’s face and a faint blush and happy smile to Sam’s as they left the stage.
“That’s some set of pipes you got on you Sammy!” Gabriel exclaimed, slapping Sam none to gently on the back as he sat down.
“Your singing was also very impressive Dean - I do not believe I will be able to match your level of competency, perhaps it would be best if I did not attempt to sing...”
“You’re not getting out of it that easy Cas! If I sang Bon Jovi then you can sure as shit suck it up and get up there too,” Dean interrupted with a grin. “Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll do great.”
Castiel glanced down at the folded paper in front of him uncertainly.
“I am unsure of my vessel’s level of musical talent though Dean - I would not wish to inflict upon you the ‘torture’ you and Sam mentioned earlier if my singing...”
“Cas! You’ll do great, trust me. If you can’t sing...well it’ll be no different to half the people in here, so no worries dude!” Dean grinned reassuring at Castiel, then turned to his brother. “You’re up bro, drink up and pick your victim.”
Sam shot a glare at Gabriel as the shot glass in front of him was suddenly full of an unpleasant-looking green liquid, and at Gabriel’s grin picked up the shot and downed it quickly. Having been prepared for it to taste like ass, Sam was pleasantly surprised at the sugary syrupy flavour that filled his mouth.
“So Dean, Truth or Dare?”
“Dare,” Dean said with a smirk, eyebrows raised in a challenge.
Sam had expected his brother to choose dare, and planned to use this opportunity to its utmost.
After all, it was practically criminal that even though they might all die tomorrow, Dean and Cas had yet to do more than the oh-so-annoying constant eye-fucking. He wasn’t even sure Dean realised he was in love with the Angel. Cas had confided in Gabriel a few weeks back that he loved the older hunter, but had somehow sworn him to (almost) secrecy.
When Sam was bitching about their brothers’ obliviousness to Gabriel one evening, Gabriel had let slip that said obliviousness was all on Dean’s side. They’d quickly started plotting to get Dean’s head out of his ass before the final showdown, but had underestimated the level of denial Dean had going on.
Sam took a sip of his beer and thought loudly at Gabriel, knowing that the Archangel would be listening.
*Gabe! One last try before we find the nearest closet to lock them in?*
*I like the way you think Sammy!* Sam could feel his amusement echoing around the projected thought. *Extra karaoke? I’m thinking something nice and meaningful...*
*Exactly. I know the perfect song, it just needs one tiny tweak in the lyrics.* Sam concentrated on the song he had in mind, pushing his memory of hearing it towards Gabriel, along with the bit that needed altering. Gabriel grinned his approval.
“You sing an extra song - and you don’t get to pick which one,” Sam said, trying hard to limit himself to an I-think-I’m-so-clever smirk, rather than the all out I’m-an-evil-genius-even-Lucifer-would-fear-me-right-now one that wanted to break free.
“Piece of cake Sammy - you heard them cheering earlier, the people love me!” Dean smirked. Sam might think he was being clever, but this dare wasn’t even a challenge!
“Us Dean, they loved us. Gabriel...?” Sam said, glancing at the grinning Archangel.
“Done,” he replied, after snapping his fingers. “One extra song in the pot for Dean-o, and before you ask, I didn’t pick your song, I just used my ‘mojo’.” Let Dean think that he’d used the automatic appropriate song selection trick again. “It’s the one you’ll be called up to sing as a ‘special dedication’.”
Dean’s face took on a slightly more wary look, as he got the distinct impression that he had missed something, but didn’t know what. The words ‘special dedication’ sent a chill down his spine. Shaking off the feeling, he grabbed at his shot glass - filled with a pale blue liquid - and downed it, grimacing at the sour taste.
“Truth or Dare, Cas?”
Before Castiel could respond, his name could be heard over the fading applause from the previous song.
“I apologise, Dean, it appears I must go and sing now.” All nerves seemed forgotten as he fled the table, relief at the temporary reprieve from the nonsensical game lasting right up until he stood, microphone in hand, waiting for the music to begin.
He didn’t notice Gabriel’s discrete snap as he altered the lyrics that would appear on screen to match those on the sheet of paper he’d given Castiel earlier.
Are you out there?
Can you hear me?
Do you know my whereabouts?
Do you know what I'm all about?
Through the static,
You're so close, so far away
Are you listening? I'm desperate.
Sendin' out an S.O.S.
'Cause I'm lost, I must confess
Throw a lifeline, I'm down here
Drownin' in the deepest part of me.
Father, please!
Can you feel me?
Father, please!
Come and heal me.
Dean’s breathe caught, the anguish filling Castiel’s face as he sang tearing it from his throat in an almost-gasp. Damn stupid Archangels and their oh-so-clever magic tricks anyway. He knew in his head what it meant that Cas had picked Dean over his brothers, but this wasn’t in his head now.
This was real, and awful, and fucking heart-breaking! He couldn’t bear to watch as Cas stood on stage - using the song to vent feelings he probably hadn’t even been able to label properly, they were so new to him - and yet he couldn’t take his eyes off the Angel, looking so small and so freaking broken.
And it was his fault. Cas was up their begging for his father’s help, for God’s help, all because Dean and asked him to cut himself off from Heaven and help him. He’d done some shitty things in the past, some really shitty things, but never anything that had made him feel this low.
Cas had saved him from the Pit, but that hadn’t been enough for Dean. No, he hadn’t been satisfied with Cas until the guy was homeless and cut off from his family and everything he’d ever known. Some ‘Righteous Man’ he was turning out to be.
Dean’s thoughts continued in this train as Castiel sang, unable to figure out why the Angel hadn’t realised yet that Dean wasn’t worth any of it.
Are you watchin' over me tonight?
I need to know you're out there...
Are your lines open and receiving?
You know I got so much to say,
I just don't want to fade away.
Keep on talkin', 'cause you're keeping' me alive.
Father, please!
Can you feel me?
Father, please!
Come and heal me.
Are you watchin' over me tonight?
I need to know you're out there...
Sam’s gaze wandered between the singing Angel - who it turned out had a pretty amazing voice actually, low and throaty, and filled with the emotion normally absent in his everyday speech - and his brother.
The mixture of guilt, sadness and confusion that passed over Dean’s face made Sam’s heart clench.
The raw emotion in Castiel’s voice held the whole club spellbound, even the people at the bar had stopped in their tracks to listen as this lost son cried out to his missing father. Sam simply stared, astounded at the depth of the falling Angel’s faith in his Father. Castiel truly believed that they hadn’t been abandoned, that God was still out there, perhaps just waiting for someone to ask the right way, believe enough, love enough...
Sam felt a flicker of his old faith reignite at the thought of a being able to inspire that level of devotion and belief.
Everybody hurts,
Everybody cries,
Everybody needs someone
To save them sometimes...
Everybody hurts,
Everybody cries,
Everybody needs someone
To save them sometimes...
Save them sometimes...
Father, please!
Can you feel me?
Father, please!
Come and heal me.
Father, please!
Can you feel me?
Father, please!
Come and heal me.
Are you watchin' over me tonight?
I need to know you're out there...
Father, please!
Father, please!
Castiel made his way back to the table in a daze, not even noticing the applause ringing out around him and throughout the bar. Before he could retake his seat he found himself pulled into his brother’s arms.
“Gabriel...” he began, about to object to this man-handling which was distinctly unnecessary, when his eyes widened and his mouth snapped shut as a feeling of warmth and love and home infused every molecule of his being.
Gabriel had seen enough of the lyrics of Castiel’s song to know which bits to alter to make it perfect, but he had not been expecting that. He knew his brother had been searching for their Father, but he hadn’t realised just how lost he’d been since cutting himself off to help the Winchesters.
He had assumed that Castiel was fine, because Gabriel had been fine all this time on his own hadn’t he? And Cassie was strong - strong enough to stand up and think for himself, strong enough to throw himself in the path of pissed off Archangels time and again (he wasn’t even counting himself here, since he’d never seriously meant his brother any harm, unlike Michael and Raphael).
He’d forgotten one vitally important fact.
He’d left Heaven because he wanted out. Heaven hadn’t been home to him in a long time - he’d been stuck between his brothers as they fought, he’d watched one of them cast out, and then his Father had left them. It wasn’t a place he wanted to be.
Castiel had had no choice but to cut himself off. He was too good to stand by and do nothing, and so he had given up everything to help. He longed for his home, he longed for the feeling of his brothers and their Father (whose presence was still strong enough in Heaven that only a handful of Angels yet knew he was no longer there).
He couldn’t find their Father for Castiel, but he could give him a small piece of home, and was ashamed that it hadn’t occurred to him to do so before now.
As he drew his brother into his arms he reached out with his Grace, wrapping the younger Angel within it, whispering directly into his mind reassurances that he wasn’t alone, that their Father was still out there, and that he would make himself known when the time was right. He even half believed it himself - it certainly hadn’t been Mikey or Rafe who’d resurrected Castiel after all.
*~*~*~*~*
Castiel relaxed into his brother’s embrace, basking in his Grace and allowing his comforting words to soothe him.
The song had drained him, and his over-emotional reaction to it was yet another reminder of just how far he’d fallen from what he was. He was almost human now, almost useless. He would likely be a liability in tomorrow’s battle.
Castiel was so wrapped up in the sense of home that Gabriel was somehow exuding (despite thousands of years of absence from it), that he almost didn’t notice the other changes that were happening at first.
Chapter 3 is this way folks!