thursdays_angel | (no subject)

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Castiel goes as far as the room next door. Still familiar--with its blue striped wallpaper and odd collection of objects and baseball cap on the closet door--in spite of, what feels to Castiel, like a long absence.

He feels something warm and wet slide down onto his lip and wipes at it, eying the smear of blood on his hand with a degree of consternation. Due to proximity, more of Dean's blows had landed than hadn't.

But no matter.

Castiel collects himself and closes his eyes.

"Michael. I am in need of your help."

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Castiel reins himself back in, a little appalled at airing such emotion.

He nods in agreement. Though he is not quite sure how Michael's advice might be carried out, or how to get past the obstacles currently standing in the way.

"I fear little will be possible," he says, "until he is in a state to listen."

"Without lashing out," he adds.

"Time and love cure many ills. And faith, too."

Michael's smile goes crooked.

"Though the practical application of the right experience will do about as much good as a prayer. They aren't wrong when they say God helps those that help themselves. Or those who find someone capable of such action."

She spreads her hands.

"Give him time. If he is to be the man he was, you may be better served to let him find his own way back. For if he can't -- "

"If he cannot find his own way back, he will still be as good as lost."

Castiel's shoulders drop slightly.

"Yes. Of course, you are right."

As if it was even a question. This is Michael, after all.

"I should not leave him alone too long. I do not know if he was aware of my presence, but I fear that he may be a danger to himself if he awakes in a similar state."

"Mmm."

Michael does not disagree with this assessment.

And yet --

"He may be better served were you to keep him unaware of your presence. Pride and shame are potent forces, but I think they will only drive him further from what he was, instead of nearer."

Humans are not always made for audience participation.

For one.

Castiel turns that over in his mind.

"He did not take my being there well. Either in Hell or here," he admits.

Castiel cannot speak to Dean's reasons. He's not sure even Dean could articulate his reasons. But facts are facts.

"But I cannot watch him unseen. Not here. And I do feel that he needs....monitoring."

Just in case.

"There are none who might see me did I wish to remain unobserved. If you would trust me to watch and wait."

The offer is sincerely meant -- and Michael has served this function before, if not for a Winchester.

"As for the rest -- there will be time for that, too."

God will provide. Even if indirectly.

Castiel blinks in surprise. Though not necessarily at the offer.

"Of course I would trust you."

This is Michael.

"If you are willing, it would ease my mind," he admits.

"At least until he has regained some of his footing."

What Castiel will do with himself in the meantime, he is not sure. He certainly can't leave Milliways -- not without taking with him the man he was charged with bringing back.

But he is sure there will be something. And at least at first it will involve not straying far from Dean's room.

"It is no hardship for me," Michael assures him.

And, for someone who is not limited to existence in one place and time, this is entirely true.

"And you, in the meantime, might wish to revisit how humanity reassures itself of its existence. And what the concept of respite means. God's children do not survive well in a vacuum, literal or metaphorical."

She could mention Brownian motions of society, too, but refrains.

For now.

Castiel nods.

"Yes."

I has been in Milliways that Castiel has gained an abundance of practical knowledge of human matters.

Perhaps reconnecting with old friends here will give him some perspective.

"I will not go far," he tells Michael. "You will call me? If you deem it necessary for me to be present?"

At the end of the day, Dean is his responsibility.

"I will," Michael says, expression solemn and sharp.

"You need have no fear on that score."

In point of fact, Michael is already carrying out her new duties.

Not that there is anyone -- alive or dead -- who would be able to tell.

That is, after all, the point.

"Thank you."

Castiel looks truly relaxed for the first time since he walked through the door of Milliways, Dean in tow.

"I am grateful. For everything."

"You are welcome," Michael says. "As ever. Do not forget that."

And then she's gone.

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