Children of the Wild Ones

[reticentric]

Chapter Six

There was a stark inevitability about the world going to shit as far as Dean was concerned. No matter what they tried to do, short of a miracle the virus would keep spreading until there was no one else left for it to infect. And then the real fun would start when all of the hapless survivors were left to fend for themselves. It just seemed to make sense to have some kinda plan in order to curtail the suffering as much as they could. Sure it didn’t fall to the Winchesters, an old drunk and a semi-fallen angel to continue to keep the world safe but really, who else was gonna do it? The other angels didn’t give a shit and even if a few demons wanted to keep their play toys around, they couldn’t torture out the virus or whatever. So it was time to get proactive and be practical.

First they would need a base of operations out of the way yet in a relatively safe area. Dean had never questioned why Camp Chitaqua was safe since he’d been too preoccupied with the mountain load of shit being flung his way, but he still remembered how it was a functioning community of twitchy apocalypse survivors. Everyone apparently had a job to do and did it without reservation, which he could respect. He wasn’t sure how many people had lived there; hell he wasn’t even sure if any of that had been real to be honest. Zachariah was a dickhead that liked to fuck with him, so it was entirely possible he’d come up with some elaborate fake future just to get him to say yes. Still a safe haven was just common sense.

So that is why a day later he and Castiel were going to check out the camp just to see what was up. They’d all agreed there was no harm even if it turned out to be a big bust. Staying at Bobby’s long term probably wouldn’t work because he was close to a populated area and besides a meager fence there wasn’t exactly any way to keep the scrap yard safe. Besides they needed room for as many people as they could afford to save along the way. Sam had volunteered to stay behind and help Bobby stock up on supplies with a shit eating little grin, seeing Dean and Castiel off a smirky have fun.

Apparently he was just dying for Nair in his shampoo again.

But ya know it was nice to see him joking around even if it were at Dean’s expense. The whole Lucifer deal and learning he was a vessel for the ultimate evil had drained a lot of what made Sam, Sam. That and sucking down Ruby’s blood like it was going out of style. With the devil being dead his brother could now come to terms with the things he’d done while trying to save the world. He could seek forgiveness from the people he’d wrong and for himself. Well he could do those things if he stopped being a nosy pain in the ass for five seconds.

Really. Meg was a burnt stain in a parking lot because he’d angel’d out on her stupid ass and all Sam wanted to talk about was what nearly happened between him and Cas in the hotel bathroom.

To be honest Dean wasn’t exactly sure what had happened between himself and Cas in the hotel bathroom. He just knew Castiel was in pain and trying to be strong, like always, by not saying anything. Dude was a stubborn little ass sometimes but he sort of liked that about him. Anyway the incident-as his brain was calling it-was kinda a surprise but maybe in the grand scheme of things it wasn’t. Either way Sam didn’t have to be a jerk about it even though his teasing obviously came from a place of love.

“You know we used to pass by this place all the time on the way Bobby’s.” Dean said conversationally as they passed the Welcome to Camp Chitaqua sign. “And Sam would press his face against the glass and ask when he could go to camp. I never got the appeal myself. But one year dad actually let Sam go while he went off to hunt something or other. I stayed with Bobby.”

Castiel picked at his new jacket. Surprisingly they hadn’t been able to find him a trench coat like the one he’d lost, but the black knee-length pea coat looked great on him. “Did Sam enjoy his time at camp?”

Dean grinned. “Oh yeah. Nerd came home with tons of stories and all this crap he’d made. I guess he had liked the whole being a normal kid thing for a while. No training just swimming and weaving lanyards or whatever the fuck they did there.” He maneuvered the car down the long rocky road. “It closed years ago though. I still wonder if everything Zach showed me was real or shit he pulled from my mind.”

Castiel clasped his hands together in his lap. “I would say a collection of both. Zachariah would have employed any means necessary to get you to say yes. Showing you a bleak version of what the future could be was actually a productive use of his talents. He just underestimated you and your will to do whatever you wished.”

Damn right he did. “Yeah but as we can see some of that crap is happening. I’m just glad other parts are different. That we’re all alive and…in control of our own bodies.” And that his best friend wasn’t sleeping around and popping pills because he felt useless. “Things are gonna be shit puddles soon but I know from experience they could be so much worse.”

The car came to a stop out in front of a tall rusted fence, the gate held together by a thick chain and lock. Castiel waved a hand and the lock clicked open, sending the chain crumpling to the ground in a metal heap. Dean smiled at him and slowly inched the car forward, pushing open the two swinging sides of the gate. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt his baby after giving her a nice new back windshield.

They were surrounded by tall trees and thick bushes on either side; the simple road winding deeper into the woods. It didn’t take long for them to cross the plank bridge and come to the main grounds area where all of the cabins stretched off into the distance. Most of the things he remembered seeing from his vision weren’t there. No gas cans or patch works tents. No barrels with paper targets or miscellaneous car parts strewn about. Everything was clean if overgrown and the generators still appeared to be in place. Hopefully all they needed was fuel to make them work.

Parking in the middle of it all, Dean cut the engine and slipped out. He glanced around almost expecting another version of himself to come stomping out of a cabin to point a gun at him. “What cha think, Cas? Good enough place to set up shop?”

The angel nodded. “With the right protective measures taken, yes.”

Dean snorted and made his way up onto the porch of a cabin, kicking at a small tin bucket. He looked up at a weather beaten fishing pole and smiled to himself at the thought of getting to fish again after so many years. Maybe. “Okay so we get this place fixed up and working. Get Bobby to tell his hunter network about it so they can set up their own camps. In the meantime we kill as many Crote bastards as we can.”

Castiel opened his mouth to reply when a rustle in the bushes made them both look over. Dean yanked his gun from the band of his jeans, his finger on the trigger as a frumpy figure stumbled out of the dense brush.

Dean blinked. “Chuck?”

Chuck smiled nervously and pulled leaves from his shirt. “Dean, hey! Great you’re here. When I heard someone coming I hid because, well you can never be too careful nowadays. Hello Castiel. Glad to see you’re not still um, exploded.”

You’ve got to be kidding me. “Chuck what the hell are you doing here?”

Chuck cleared his throat. “Well you see it’s like this. I-I might have had a vision about what’s happening and this place. It’s getting crazy out there. The Croatoan virus? Oh yeah I saw that. It was like being in a George Romero movie.”

“You are still receiving prophetic dreams?” Castiel inquired. “I thought they would have stopped once the Apocalypse was averted.”

“I don’t dream about everything you guys do. In fact I-I hadn’t had a dream about you guys in a while until-until Dean said yes and drove an angel sword through Zachariah’s head.” He scratched at his thick beard. “Then they sorta started coming again. Niveus and stuff. I knew you’d be here.”

Dean stared at him. “Okay so why are you here? Why aren’t you at home ordering hookers and getting plastered?”

Chuck fidgeted incessantly like he couldn’t keep still. “Uh hello? The world is gonna be overrun by blood thirsty zombies. If I want even a rat’s chance in Hell of surviving I need to be wherever you guys are. Packing all my crap up into my car and coming here really wasn’t a hard decision.” He shrugged. “Not like you’re gonna turn me away. Michael’s supposed to be for the people.” Dean’s face went blank and Chuck swallowed hard. “Too soon?”

“He has a point, Dean.” Castiel replied levelly. “As an Archangel it is your duty to protect him. I doubt Raphael will care to now that he is probably in charge of Heaven.”

Groaning, Dean stalked down to where they both were. “Fine. I guess it won’t be the worst thing in the world having you here. You can be in charge of supplies. Making sure we have a list of what we need and when we’re close to running out.”

Chuck looked discouraged. “Me? I-I-I dunno man that sounds like an important job.”

Dean smirked. “Get a clipboard then.” Patting him harder on the shoulder than was necessary, he turned to check out a few of the other cabins. They were small but oddly livable. “And call Sam. Tell him you just joined Team Chitaqua.”

Chuck made a panicky sound but rushed to obey. “Oh geeze…”

The grass was almost up to his knees and the smell of wild onions was powerful, but Dean didn’t really mind. In time it would all be gone or flattened to make way for vehicles and ammunition cases. It was weird that things had come to this-that he’d still ended up here after all. However Lucifer had been wrong which was what he was gonna focus on. So much was different, and as horrible as it sounded as long as he had his family he could deal with the other shit.

After all that was usually how he lived his life anyway. At least now he could heal people and set gas stations on fire.

Finding himself in front of a familiar little lodge, he licked his lips and strolled onto the porch. He hadn’t paid much attention in the future or vision or whatever it was, but now he could tell that this building was bigger than the others. Bigger than the one his future self had left him handcuffed in. There weren’t colored beads instead of a door and the smell of incense didn’t him in the face, but he knew it was the same one future Castiel had called home. He knew the inside was big enough for a bed as well as other little bits of furniture. Maybe the bed was already in here.

“I think I’ll take this one.” He rapped his knuckles against the sturdy wood. “Callin’ dibs before Sam tries to get his gigantic paws on it.”

“How will you stop him from acquiring it after he gets here?” Castiel asked his voice laced with amusement.

“Hey, finders keepers.” Dean murmured. “I-” A strange feeling in his gut caused him to trail off and he frowned, hand on his gun. It was almost like his spidey sense but stronger; like it was twisting from the depths of his soul. “Cas…”

Castiel whipped around as if he just knew, his big blue eyes widening at the sight of an impeccably dressed man and woman standing behind him. “Inias? Rachel?”

The angel-because naturally he had to be an angel-dubbed Inias grinned widely. “It’s so nice to see you again Castiel.” He was sort of floppy haired and scruffy, but he wasn’t attacking so that had to count for something.

“What are you doing here?” Castiel questioned, giving them both a tiny smile. He looked happy to see them.

“Looking for Dean, actually.” Inias replied, blue eyes searching Dean out. “We’re here to offer our services to hm.”

“What?” Dean’s brows narrowed. “What kinda services?”

“Whatever you need.” He said easily. “Rachel and I are simply happy to be in your presence. We searched for you but you are still hidden from angels, so then we searched for Castiel because we knew where you were, he would be.”

Confused, Dean folded his arms over his chest. Why would angels give a crap about him now that Lucifer was toast? “You wanna be near me? Since when? Most of you asshats couldn’t stand me.”

“It is Michael’s grace.” Castiel responded. “He had many followers when he was in Heaven, more so than any other angel. They can feel him within you.”

“Can you? Doesn’t that freak you out?”

“I can but having known you, it’s different. Comforting.”

Oy. “Okay so let me get this straight. You two are here because you miss your big brother or something? And Raphael just let you waltz out of Heaven? No questions asked? I was under the impression he’d turn you to stone for not siding with him.”

Inias was still grinning. “As Prince of Heaven your power eclipses Raphael’s…even if you haven’t learned to harness it all yet. He is not happy with our decision and wishes our allegiance was to him, but I honestly think there is a part of him that is afraid of what you could possibly do if challenged. More angels will come-of this I am certain.”

The thought of being surrounded by angels giving him moon eyes made Dean shift uncomfortably. He wasn’t Michael in any shape or form so they would be ultimately disappointed in their decision to follow him. Though with the alternative being Raphael he could understand why they’d jumped ship. Guy was a douche. “Well I mean…” He scrubbed a hand over his dirty blonde hair. “If you wanna hang out I guess that’s okay if you don’t plan to stab anyone. Do you know what’s going on down here though? And hey, what about your vessels? I’m sure they had lives and shit before you decided to pop down for a vacation.”

Inias gazed at him serenely. “We are aware that the Croatoan virus has been unleashed on Earth but fear not, angels are immune. Our vessels have been totally debriefed on the matters at hand and most feel it is better to be inhabited by an angel-and put to sleep-than to accidentally be infected one day. We are taking good care of our hosts, you have my word.”

Well can’t say that I blame them. Checking out has to be the better option for some. Suddenly Dean had an excellent yet kinda outrageous idea. “Huh. I know you can’t tell who is infected and what not, but I could use your help now that I think about it. We need to get this place secured before the shit really hits the fan. Having angel bodyguards would probably make people feel better too.” Not to mention they could pop out and find survivors and burn those already showing symptoms.

“That sounds acceptable.” Rachel was good looking but Dean knew uptight when he saw it. “Castiel, come. You must tell us about your confrontation with Lucifer and your miraculous resurrection.”

Dean watched as Castiel drifted off a little ways with them, smiling brightly when Inias touched his shoulder. It was clear they were important to each other and it was nice to see angels that weren’t raging dicks. Ones that didn’t want to kill Castiel simply because he’d disobeyed what was a stupid order in the first place. Though he wondered if he didn’t have Michael’s grace would they be so friendly. Seriously. They called themselves family but had no issues butchering one another like it was going out of style. Still he realized Castiel missed them in his own way so it was good more would be coming to…do whatever.

I guess anyway. Jury is kinda still out.

He made a mental note to ask Cas about it later.

In any case Inias seemed like a good guy. He was scruffy but sort of unassuming and there was genuine affection in his face for Castiel. They liked each other-got along. Had probably been getting along for millions or years. Before Dean was even a fleeting thought in someone’s mind. They’d probably fought together in kick ass battles in their true forms and all that shit.

Scowling, he told himself that he wasn’t jealous of Scrappy Do and the history he had with Cas. That Cas wasn’t gonna run off and be angel buddies with him. Though maybe he should. Dean wasn’t blind; he could tell Castiel was having a hard time what with his grace being screwy and all. Having some of his family around him might perk his wings up. Dean wanted Cas with him especially now that things were about to get hot but if he wanted to go off with Inias and Rachel, he’d let him without hesitation of course. And yeah he’d sulk, be depressed and probably drive Sam up a wall for a while with attitude but it would be the right thing to do by Cas.

He got that it wasn’t possible all the time but when it was, he wanted to do right by Castiel. Even if that meant letting him go.

~*~

After Anna ripped out her own grace and fell from the Heavens, Castiel was put in charge of their garrison. He was told that it was because he was such a good, obedient soldier but looking back he honestly wondered if that were the case. While he’d never exactly disobeyed before Dean coaxed him into it, he’d had doubts about some of the harsher things he’d been commanded to do. Especially when it came to raining down fire and brimstone to wipe out entire villages. In the end however he’d been the dutiful son and became Captain with Inias and Rachel ready to follow his every order.

Having to kill other angels to help the Winchesters was something that weighed heavily on his mind even now. He understood it was necessary-that it was either him or them-but he was still taking the life of beings he’d known since creation. Brothers and sisters that had once embraced him and sung with him and spoke of the joys of being loved by God with him. At the time Castiel did not understand the magnitude by which he was severing ties with the only life he’d known. It wasn’t something he could grasp until Raphael descended upon him in Chuck’s home without a second thought.

Following his resurrection it was easier to engage his brothers in life or death combat because he focused on the mission and the consequences of failing outweighed his own personal sacrifices.

Inias and Rachel being here with him now though filled an empty chamber in his heart he’d kept hidden from his human friends.

“When we heard about your rebellion we were shocked and quite saddened.” Inias sighed. “We wept for you, worried that you would end up like our poor fallen brother Lucifer. Hester was quick to blame Dean. Even now she says the moment you touched his soul in the pit, you were lost. I never really believed that.”

Castiel hummed; he could see Hester saying as much and more. “Fighting with the Winchesters was the right thing to do. Paradise shouldn’t have to cost so many innocent lives.”

Inias inhaled the crisp cool air. “I suppose I agree. Everything around us is Father’s creation, something he wished for us to love and nurture. Somewhere along the way Zachariah and the others forgot this.”

Rachel kicked at a round stone. “They were overtaken by their own hubris and selfish desires.” Pause. “I thought you a traitor Castiel, until God brought you back from the dead. It makes sense for him to do so if you were in fact right all along. Still…Dean Winchester?”

Castiel smiled, his eyes darting to where Dean was mostly pretending that he wasn’t watching them. “Dean is special.”

“He’s crass, disruptive and willful to the point of disobeying direct orders from Heaven. His only redeeming quality is that he is Michael’s vessel.”

“You are mistaken, sister. Dean has many wonderful qualities that have nothing to do with his supposed destiny. He is loyal and brave and intelligent, and even though he doesn’t realize his own worth, he still manages to inspire others to do amazing things.”

“High praise for something thought to be once insignificant.”

“Dean has never been insignificant.”

“Hm. Perhaps we shall come to see what it is you see in him, Castiel.”

While there were undoubtedly bad habits that Dean could ultimately end up teaching Inias, Rachel and any other angels that came to be near him, Castiel knew the good would always outweigh the bad. Since angels had no use for drinking or eating they would not find themselves intoxicated or suffering from a “pie coma”, as Sam often teased Dean he would lapse into one day. However following Dean would teach them the value of human life, something they only appeared to grasp on a rudimentary level. He couldn’t save everyone but he tried…and that mattered.

They will learn it is okay sometimes to question authority. That life-such as it is-is precious and that hardships do not dull but serve as a reminder of what one is fighting for.

Of course Dean would also benefit from having full powered angels with him. Ones that didn’t become drained if they expelled too much energy. He would be lying though if he said they didn’t make him question his place; what if he became obsolete to Dean now? He supposed it was a burden he’d eventually bear if he had to.

Inias clasped his hand and broke him out of his melancholy thoughts. “Castiel, did you really face Lucifer? Was he so different from the brother we once knew?”

Castiel nodded. “Quite. The Morning Star was filled with rage and a longing for vengeance. He wanted to destroy everything our Father loved. He cared not about demon or human or angel. When he realized that he couldn’t convert me to his cause, he left me trapped in a ring of holy fire to deal with later. I am certain he would have killed me upon his return had I not escaped.”

Inias shook his head slowly. “So much pain and torment, and for what? God might be absent but I still believe he loves us. I wish Lucifer could have retained that belief as well.”

Rachel put her hands on her slim hips. “We hear Gabriel ended him but he has not returned to Heaven. Our family is in total disarray and here we are wishing to be near a human because he carries our brother’s grace. I am still not sure what to make of everything.”

Smiling, Castiel squeezed her arm affectionately. “It will be all right. As the humans would say, look on the bright side of things. They could be worse.”

“Dean is such an interesting character.” Inias said, apropos of nothing. “He doesn’t trust us.”

“He hasn’t had too many positive experiences with angels.” Castiel explained lightly. “He has learned to be wary of them because of Zachariah.”

Inias shoulders twitched in delight. “He still isn’t convinced that Rachel and I are not here to drag you back to Heaven for some form of punishment. He’s wondering…if he could kill us before we do. If that were the case.” A beat. “He is very fond of you, Castiel. His concern for your safety is touching and has nothing to do with the grace he now carries.”

Although pleased with his brother’s words, Castiel replied, “You shouldn’t read his mind-he doesn’t like it.”

“I will try to remember that.”

Their conversation continued for a few more moments about Heaven and protecting the planet before Inias and Rachel disappeared with a flutter of wings, off to tell more angels that Dean seemed receptive to the idea of them following him. Chuck shuffled over ten minutes later to relate that he was going to go home and pack up what he could now that he knew for a fact the camp would be their main base of operations. Castiel decided he would ask Rachel to watch over him the next time they spoke. She would enjoy having a Heavenly job since she didn’t think much of saving people or hunting things.

“So…” Dean drawled when it was just the two of them again. “Guess I was wrong about angels. They’re not all dicks.”

Castiel smirked. “No. Rachel can be…difficult but Inias has always had a very tranquil temperament. They will serve you well.”

Dean’s brows narrowed slightly. “So you sayin’ I can trust ‘em? ‘Cause I gotta tell you Cas, this whole leading the angels thing really freaks me out. The only reason I’m even considering it is because beggars can’t be choosers when the planet is about to become a giant ball of crazy.”

The angel slumped against the Impala. “They will listen to you, Dean. Free will is not something angels understand. As you well remember it took me until the eleventh hour to grasp exactly what you were saying. But they recognize authority and respect it. It would be wise to use their abilities to help with your cause.” Especially since he wasn’t sure how long he would be of use.

Sighing tiredly, Dean made a noncommittal sound low in his throat. “Yeah.” He shoved his hands into his pockets. “We should be heading back to Bobby’s. See what headway he and Sam have made.”

Castiel nodded. It struck him more lately how much Dean pushed himself, through exhaustion and hunger. Almost as if he considered sleep and food a reward for a job well done; things he wouldn’t indulge in until he had the desired results. “You…do not have to be fatigued anymore if you do not wish to be. Michael’s grace would take all of that away.”

“I know.” Dean’s voice was calm but calculating. “But I think I should save that for when it’s really needed. I don’t mind feeling a little rundown-used to it actually.” Ducking his head, he motioned to Castiel. “How are you feeling by the way?”

“I am completely healed.”

“But how are you feeling?”

“I feel…content. Is that odd?”

“Not really. I just-I wanna make sure you’re dealing with everything. You were just in a coma recently. If you start feeling weird you can tell me.”

Although Castiel understood what Dean was saying he wasn’t sure he would be able to be that honest, not yet anyway. He was still processing the changes his choice to rebel were throwing at him. They were even more jarring now that Inias and Rachel in all their glory were going to be around more. “I...”

Expression softening, Dean mirrored his stance by the car. “You uh, you wanna try that grace sharing thing again? I dunno how I did it but as long as I don’t blow you up I’m willing to give it a go.”

Yes he wanted to do it again. He wasn’t experiencing any lapses like before since technically he had not exactly done anything-he wasn’t sure killing two demons counted-but the mere thought of being awake to feel that type of power coursing through his body made him shiver in anticipation. Before Dean he’d never been fortunate enough to grace share and he’d always assumed it was just something that wasn’t meant for him. But now that it was a possibility, now that it had been brought up he longed for it.

Yet Dean could be as skittish as a wild horse when it came to things of an emotional nature and he didn’t want to make him uncomfortable. “You don’t have to. My strength has not waned so quickly.”

Rolling his big green eyes, Dean pushed off the car and pulled him up so that he stood straight. “I know that. And this isn’t like me thinking you deflate that fast or whatever. I just-I wanna do this for you. But if you don’t wanna that’s cool too.”

“I want to.” Castiel said softly. “But it’s an...intense occurrence. Last time you may not have realized it because you were also trying to heal me.”

“No I remember it making my teeth rattle.” The hunter rolled his shoulders. “Now that we know Michael won’t be popping up though I’m good. So quit worrying and let’s do this.”

“Yes Dean.” Castiel averted his gaze but he was smiling.

Not sure where to put his hands, Dean settled for clutching at Castiel’s biceps. He gave them a squeeze, his brow furrowed in concentration. His eyes didn’t shy away from Castiel’s-not that they ever did-and the angel could see white clandestine light slowly swirling to the forefront, completely enveloping the green. Dean’s hands grew hotter and his face became flushed; his tongue sneaking out slowly to wet his lips. He didn’t really look like he was exerting himself but obviously the energy building up inside of him was new and exhilarating. And perhaps just a little bit nerve racking as well.

Michael’s grace rose to the surface like a submarine breaking water and Castiel felt his own grace latch onto it greedily, so much so that it swayed his body forward into Dean’s space. In any other situation it could almost be attributed to a parasite feeding off of a host but there was no malice involved in any of their actions. Dean was helping him and Castiel was grateful.

He could only vaguely remember the feeling of being semi drunk; a tingly sensation that had started in the tips of his toes and reached his knees by the time they ran out of alcohol at Bobby’s on the night they assumed would be their last on Earth. However having Dean pouring grace into his limbs made his head swim. A comforting warmth swelled in his chest that made him feel safer than he had in a long time, perhaps before he’d taken a vessel and learned that there were things that could hurt him. His lashes fluttered and he exhaled softly, pressing his face against the soft hollow of Dean’s throat. Something smooth brushed his cheek before pulling him closer and he gasped as bright gold filled his hazy vision.

Dean’s wings.

“Dean…” He breathed, grabbing at the feathers. They were like hot silk between his shaking fingers.

“Sorry. They just…popped out.” Dean chuckled, a tad embarrassed. “Are you okay?”

“Nggh.” Castiel mumbled unintelligently.

Dean snorted and the transfer ebbed away. “I’ll take that as a yes. Huh I’m not even tired-I thought I would be.” He raked his hand down Castiel’s back. “You know you’ve healed me plenty of times in the past but I think this was the first time I ever actually felt your grace. Well felt it now-pleasantly-and not a week later when I’m guzzling down Milk of Magnesia.”

Castiel smiled lazily. “Dean. This is my first hug.”

“The Cupid hugged you.”

“He hugs everyone whether you want him to or not.”

“Heh well I’m sure you’ll have more hugs in your life.”

“Am I making you uncomfortable?”

“Not really. You’re coming off kinda stoned though.”

“I feel wonderful.”

Snickering, Dean managed to pull his wings away and settle them behind his back. “That’s what matters then…” Taking a step back, he ducked so that he could look his friend in the eyes. “You ready to head back to Bobby’s? I wanna tell Sam about the other angels. Maybe start bringing shit up here.”

Castiel blinked slowly as his body calmed and absorbed the energy he’d been given. His wings felt stronger; he felt stronger and more ready for battle than ever. He used to wonder sometimes what it was like to be an Archangel but never voiced such because he knew no one would understand. Now he had the Prince of Heaven’s power pumping through his veins. Him. The outcast Castiel that once every other angel wanted dead, either by order or principle alone. He’d made peace with the fact that he would probably die because he disobeyed his superiors. Never could he have imagined that he would be…rewarded.

“Thank you.” Giving in to the impulsion, he leaned forward and pressed his lips to Dean’s. It was a chaste kiss, something from the back of Jimmy’s memory that filtered into Castiel’s brain. Just a light touch of lips on lips before a tiny voice told him perhaps this wasn’t the best course of action. “Oh!” He pulled away quickly. “Dean I-I apologize. I was not thinking clearly. As I said the affects of grace sharing can be overwhelming.” What if this destroyed their friendship? “Should I leave now?”

“Uh.” Dean looked like a deer caught in headlights. “No. No you’re…fine. It’s um, fine.” He cracked a small smile. “Really. It’s all fine.”

As usual, Castiel had no problems believing him.

Chapter Seven