Castiel x Reader || Another Set of Wings

Light from fading street lamps reflected off the drenched pavement, providing a dim view of the winding road ahead. A weary sigh emitted from your chapped lips, creating a thick cloud in the bitter atmosphere. With nimble fingers you pulled your leather jacket tighter around your figure, the thin material providing minimal warmth. Maybelline tears trailed lightly down flushed cheeks with no intention of ceasing. Every muscle ached perpetually, begging you to collapse before allowing your soles another step. You could have easily slipped the cell phone from your pants pocket and contacted the Winchesters', request they carry you back to some dingy motel for the evening. They would've obliged without hesitation given you were practically family. But you didn't want the warm embrace of scratchy sheets, or the stale scent of Impala seats. You cared for the brothers' who had provided years of friendship and protection, but their faces weren't the ones you longed to see. 

No, you craved a certain winged soldier to sweep you away. 

Several months ago marked the last contact you and Castiel shared, he hadn't even bothered relaying messages to Sam or Dean. Though his absence hurt, you accepted he likely had business in Heaven. You returned to life as usual, saving people and hunting things with the Winchesters'. Weeks passed with significant normality, or what you'd come to accept as normal. However, an inkling of sorrow lingered in your chest, progressing with each day.

Sam had been the first to recognize a change in your demeanor. Granted it was ever so slight, but the moments you neglected to devour the greasy food you were so fond of, or make one of your famous ridiculous puns- which always earned a laugh or hidden grin- didn't go unnoticed. You assured him everything was fine, as you did Dean when he became curious. But that didn't keep them from sneaking sympathetic glances towards your forlorn face. 

So, you left. 

Your departure wasn't permanent, considering you had no definite direction, just a momentary escape from everything. It seemed no matter the hours you walked, daylight eagerly descending into dusk, your mind refused to sever the memory of Cas. The one who had acted as your guardian angel, the one who had somehow found within you a profound bond. This didn't imply his feelings extended beyond anything platonic, you knew his purpose was merely to serve and protect. The gaping hole in your chest couldn't have been reciprocated, not by Cas. You were irrevocably and undoubtedly in love with the angel. How foolish. 

More tears threatened to spill from your crystallized (e/c) eyes. How could you, a fierce hunter with walls of iron, have fallen for someone so willingly? The prospect caused a sickening churn in your stomach- was it nauseating or exciting? Locks of (h/c) hair whipped your sullen features as you shook your head in disappointment. Angel, human; the difference was too prominent to ever allow a mutual love. 

"Why would you assume that?" The familiar voice caused your body to flinch in shock, spinning around to find inhumanly blue eyes gazing back. For a moment you contemplated answering his inquiry, which he had derived from your thoughts. But your limbs had already deemed embracing him with a crushing force was more appealing. Castiel grunted lightly at the impulsive action before complying. He squeezed your delicate form lightly, almost unwilling to release you from his hold. When the time did come to part, the words you longed to say failed to form in comprehensible sentences. Of course, it didn't help when your silence was met with a famous puppy dog head tilt. 

"Cas, where did you- I was al- you just-" Your throat choked up and eyes ablaze, you no longer trusted your own voice to speak without breaking. Comfort was met with your lapse of strength, a gentle hand caressing your back. The angel shook his head, squinted eyes shifting down. 

"I'm sorry, (y/n). I shouldn't have returned to Heaven, I never should have left you," a short pause and his gaze returned, "I have become more in-tuned to human's since my fall, but I never felt such a profound connection to anyone else, not the one I feel with you. At first I assumed that it was God telling me it was my duty to protect you-" 

"Like a guardian angel?" 

"Yes," he continued, "but I was wrong." Your lips formed into a small 'o', fretting the inevitable moment that was to come; his purpose wasn't to watch over you, he didn't want to be bound by some fragile being. Preparing for the blow, for the bitter goodbye, didn't make it any easier to accept. If- when- those words slipped from Castiel, you didn't care to be present. Your grip which once clung to his trench coat released, pushing him away with watering eyes. 

"No, Cas. It's okay. I understand." And you had turned from that angelic face you so adored, abandoned the smell of vanilla and ash on a comforting tan coat. Those familiar memories were forever behind you. 

Or so you believed, before strong arms wrapped around your waist with surprising ease. 

"No, (y/n). In my analysis of humans I have found them to be dense in such circumstances." Your brows furrowed, head tilting back to relay a puzzled expression. 

"What are you trying to say?" 

"I'm trying to say, I love you. I love you, (y/n) (l/n)." If you had ever pondered the uncertainty of your sanity, now was surely the time. Slowly you turned to face Cas, concerned the present moment served as no more than hallucination. It wouldn't have been the first time fate was cruelly manipulating you. 

"Forgive me if I was out of line, I didn't mean to-" That was it, when you decided to determine personally if the present was reality. Your lips collided with his own, a kiss composed of long pent up passion. And the gesture was returned. He glided his tongue over your bottom lip while fingers tangled in your hair, satisfied with keeping you there for eternity. The universe, Heaven, the demons breathing fire down your neck couldn't keep you from pressing further into his heated form.

"I love you too, Castiel."

So long had you pretended to be okay. Now, in the arms of your guardian angel, your world froze in eternal bliss.