“ I see that you and your ex- angel are finally together again. You should thank me for that. I mean, I am the one who gave Bobby the idea… And, I convinced Crowley to take the deal. You owe it all to me, Dean,” Metatron smirked at the hunter before him. He then turned to Sam and Gabe, noticing for the first time how close they were standing.
“You finally got the hint and came back from the dead,” Metatron fake- squeaked, “Finally!”
Both the younger hunter and angel glared at him, their emotions written on their faces. Metatron gasped and went to Cas. He raised his hands to Cas’ face and Dean attacked him, punching him in the face as hard as he could. The force sent Metatron to the ground. Metatron laughed and spit blood onto Dean’s shoe. Dean kicked him in the face about three times before two new angels grabbed him and slammed him against the wall, holding him still. Metatron smiled and sighed at Dean before looking at Gabe.
“Remember the wall you reached in Dean’s mind?” He growled, waiting for Gabriel’s realization. When it came, Metatron continued, “I. Put. It. There.”
Castiel looked confused, but forced his face into a stone wall. He focused on the man behind the angel before him. He prayed, even though he knew there was no help for him. Metatron heard his prayer and laughed in his face.
“Who did you think would hear you?” Metatron inquired, his voice low, “God? Well, I hate to tell you, Sweetheart, God is dead. I am God now.”
Castiel ignored this and continued praying, his pleas moving fluidly between every language that ever was and ever will be. Metatron smirked at him, stepping back.
“It’s nice to know that you still know things without your grace. I’m glad to know that you didn’t completely lose your mind.”
Dean watched helplessly, occasionally yanking one of his arms, hoping that he would break free. God, if you can hear me, save my angel. he listened to the silence in his head, pulling his arm away from the angel on his left only to have it pinned back. Usually, Dean could hear the flutter of angels through his head. he had always been able to hear it. The only angel that ever spoke back was Cass, but he was always aware of other angels. Why couldn’t he hear them now?
Metatron heard his thoughts and turned to face the hunter. Sam and Gabe ran to Cas’ side and pushed him behind them, trying to hide him from whatever horror “God” had in mind for Dean. Cas refused to hide, though, and stepped around them just in time to watch Metatron reach into Dean’s abdomen. Cas screamed and fell to his knees. Metatron whipped around and smiled.
“That’s what your mind block does, Dean,” Metatron whispered, inclining his head toward the weeping ex- angel. Tears had formed in Dean’s eyes, as well. He had seen the same thing that Cas had.
“Why don’t you just leave us alone? You got your story, now stop it!” Dean yelled, his voice deepening with authority. Cas looked up and blinked a few times before scrambling across the room to Dean. Metatron smiled at Dean and motioned for the angels to let him go. Dean opened his arms as Cas got close to him, closing them around him as he clutched Dean. Dean tilted Cas’ head so he could look him in the eye.
“I love you, Cass. Please, if this doesn't work, take care of Sammy,” Dean said, his eyes flashing from blue to black before returning to their usual hazel. Cass furrowed his brow, but nodded, stepping back as fresh tears formed. Dean turned to the imposter of Heaven.
“You said you were God, Metatron?” Dean demanded. Metatron nodded, dumbfounded at the hunter’s sense of authority. Metatron looked as if he were about to bow down before the hunter and beg him what his will was.
“There is no other God but the one, true almighty God. You claim that this is you?” ‘Dean’ walked toward Metatron, every step firm. Gabriel smiled in recognition and pulled his brother and his lover down to their knees. All three of them stayed like that, on the ground with heads bowed, while 'Dean' continued to Metatron. The other angels couldn’t take the pressure put on by his very presence and they fell to the ground, breathing heavily from trying to resist.
“It...Can’t...Be…” Metatron fought the urge to bow before the hunter. Or, rather, what was possessing the hunter.
“You, Metatron, you helped me, my son.”
“How? What did I do?” Metatron stopped fighting and bowed to the hunter.
“This block you put up,” ‘Dean’ tapped his head with two fingers, “It allowed me to hear past the angels in Dean’s head and reach him. I never left, my son, but you didn’t care. You just wanted your story.”
Metatron gasped and threw his head on the ground. ‘Dean’ shook his head and snapped his fingers. Metatron screamed as he disappeared in a puff of grey smoke. ‘Dean’ waved his hand, motioning for Sam and Gabriel to stand up. When they did, he pulled Gabriel from Sam’s side. They shared a few words before returning to Sam. Gabriel pulled Sam away and kissed him fiercely. When he pulled away, there were tears in his eyes. They began whispering as ‘Dean’ turned his attention to Cas. He pulled Cas up by his wrists.
“Castiel, I have a few… for lack of a better term… Questions for you.”
Castiel nodded his head.
“Do you love Dean?”
“More than anything,” Castiel whispered, terrified. ‘Dean’ grabbed Cas’ face, forcing him to look into his eyes.
“Would you swear to that?”
“Yes.”
“I know how badly you want your grace back, Castiel. I know you want to be an angel again. I know all of these things.”
Castiel nodded, whimpering slightly.
“I am giving you a choice. As you know, no angel can be with a human. Not anymore,” ‘Dean’ paused, “And you know that I am the only being able to give you your grace back.”
Castiel nodded, patiently waiting for the choice he was to make.
“Do you want to stay in Heaven and rule by my side,” ‘Dean’ asked, his eyes flickering between black and blue, “with the promise, of course, that nothing will happen to your family,” ‘Dean’ motioned to the hunter and angel to the left of him before resting his palms on his chest, “or, do you want to stay with them, without the promise of safety, as a human and be judged as a human to be sentence to Heaven or Hell based on the life you lead from this point forward?”
Castiel didn’t need this choice. He knew which he wanted, but he also knew that he had to protect his family. he needed them to be okay. But, he could never live without them. Not now.
“You must choose, Castiel. You may discuss it with your family before you make the decision.”
Dean fell to the floor coughing as he regained control of his body. When Cas realized it was him, he pulled him up into a tight hug.
“Sammy, Gabriel, get over here. I think there’s a decision to be made,” Dean winked at Cas. Cas just stood there, contemplating his options. Sam and Gabe joined them, holding hands and both appearing as happy as ever.
“Gabe, what did you choose?” Dean asked.
“Sam,” Gabe answered, snuggling into his hunter’s side.
“Cas was offered the same deal. To rule Heaven while we live, safe, on Earth or to live with us on Earth. Which do you want, Cas?” Dean’s voice lowered and his eyes softened.
“I… I want to stay with you, but I need to be sure you’re safe. I need you to not die on me again.”
“I need the same thing, Baby.”
Sam and Gabe each pulled his own brother away to speak.
“Cas,” Gabe began, “Between you and me, we can keep them safe. But, if you choose Heaven over Dean again, he will never forgive you.”
Cas nodded and began to speak, but overheard Sam talking to Dean. He pressed a finger to his lips and motioned to Gabe that he was listening.
“Dean, I know you want him here. I know you want a life with him. But, this is Cas' dream. He needs to go back to Heaven to make things right again,” Sam explained.
“I know, but… If he leaves, I will never be able to see or hear him again. Not once. not even in prayer can I talk to him.”
“Oh, Dean, I know. I’m so sorry, but you have to think about what’s best for Cas.”
“I am. Why do you think I allowed myself to be possessed in the first place. Hell, I know it was God, but still.”
Dean’s eyes began to flicker once more and God returned.
“Have you made your decision, Castiel?”
“I have, sir. I choose to stay on Earth with my family,” Cass sighed, “Even if that means giving up my dreams. Family is more important.”
“Congratulations, Castiel,” God stated, “You have passed the test. Now, you may still have your grace back. It is a little stronger than your old grace. After all, it is made for an archangel.”
Cas’ mouth fell open as ‘Dean’s head flew back and God’s grace flew out. A piece flew off and went into Cas. Cas coughed as his body swallowed the grace. Dean fell on the ground and Cas smiled when he saw that he was still breathing.
“Come on, you guys,” Cas crouched over Dean and motioned for Sam and Gabe to come to him, “Let’s go home.”