There are - a n g e l s - on the rooftops, --- and they are watching over you

[CASTIEL]

DO YOU REALIZE YOU ARE MORE THEN JUST A WEAPON?

Legs hung over the edge of the building, back against a wall and the beige overcoat spilling over the ledge to dangle in the gentle cool breeze. War’s defeat had come as a surprise, not just because Gabriel actually stepped up and told them the horseman’s weakness, but also because they had managed to actually get the ring, give or take a few fingers along with it. A soft groan came as Castiel leaned his head back, staring up at the sky and allowing his eyes to wander the heavens as if watching the happenings up there. It wouldn’t be a lie to say that he had feared Heaven cut the angels off from the powers bestowed upon them, the momentary fear lasting the whole ordeal that he had been side lined that far had left a sour taste in his mouth. Mortality was a frightful though, and the heavenly being had little idea on how to cope with the threat of it happening again, especially on a more permanent basis.

The angel looked as if he had just come from a brawl, his hair windswept and his attire disheveled, the bruise on the side of his head where Gabriel had smacked the blunt part of his blade hard against the younger brother having left a colourful mark. Not to mention the cut across his palm, it had stopped bleeding, though it still burned where the blade had sliced into it during the struggle. Everyone wanted to celebrate, they wanted to get together with each other, some in larger groups, others smaller, and drink to the downing of their first horseman. While Castiel felt inclined to be in their company as well, there seemed a tug of something inside that drew him away with promises of returning soon enough. Really, it was probably silly; because Castiel found himself overlooking the warehouse that had homed the youngsters Tamara had roped him into helping feed. Although feeling it was not his job, Castiel also felt obligated to help in some way, he hadn’t been sure he could protect them from the horsemen’s threat, but filling their bellies was something he could manage.

Turned out he had assisted with both, not that they knew the dangers they were really in, though telling them would just make them waste the last of days fretting about the end instead of just living each day. It wasn’t Castiel’s place to deny them the truth, however if they didn’t ask, he didn’t feel inclined to just blurt out the truth about the apocalypse. Right now, their greatest concern was surviving each day, finding the food to fill their bellies, and for a moment, even if it was just one fleeting breath, Castiel got to be their hero. Opportunities like that seemed so few and far between, and it had felt like not only was he helping the humans Dean said it was worth putting their lives on the line to save, but it made him feel as if he was doing something right for once, something that even a sibling could smile at him for; brothers like Elijah that still cared about what happened to their charges down here.

A bruise over Castiel’s right side ribs left the angel rather stiff in his movements, Gabriel, weakened or not, was still highly skilled in combat, even with all these countless years in hiding. Everyone had so much to live for here, Dean had Sam, Sam had Dean, Bobby had them and they had Bobby. During Castiel’s absence both brothers seem to have found themselves partners, Gabriel even had his other Pagan Gods to find comfort in. Everyone had someone to turn to, someone to look up to or be looked up to in turn, they all had their place and a place to be. Even his Vessel, Jimmy Novak, had a home and family to return to, people he’d given his life to protect and serve in his higher meaning as Castiel’s host.

Brother, I have been looking for you. Echo’s of Elijah’s words whispered in the back of Castiel’s mind, those eyes that had looked up at him and the heart which had swelled with a love few still held, so many tainted with their anger at his betrayal.

"Elijah?" Too much had been going on back in the library, and after that things just fell apart with all the fighting, they never got to really talk. "Why were you even looking for me?" The confusion in his voice was genuine, because no one else had been, everyone just accepted that he had died and that was that, so what drove the youth to search for a brother long since dead? Had no one told Elijah what happened? That had to be the safest thought; less attention would be given to the youngster if he wandered about aimlessly searching for someone that could not be found. Still, the idea that his younger brother could stumble in the way between Castiel and Raphael unnerved the wayward Son of God who had little faith in the archangel’s sympathies.

Tah: Elijah

[ELIJAH]

The new vessel had taken some time to get use to but Elijah had soon found a comfortable co-existence with the new human soul that his grace now resides with, not to mention modifying his behaviors and actions in accordance with the change in vessel size from a child to adult. He was sad to have left his young charge Hal behind, but the fighting was indeed too dangerous as many humans have informed him as they frowned upon his taking of such a young child as a vessel. Now Elijah had too realized it was not safe for Hal to be dragged across creation to fight in a war.

Oh the boy had fought alright, he had fought hard against Elijah trying to wipe his memories so that he would forget the angel ever being around. Hal didn't want to go and Elijah almost regretted having to force the child to be away, but it was for his own good. And now Hal can have a safe life, a normal life, a life free from a duty that should not have been his to carry at such a young age. It was better this way. Elijah would of course always keep an eye on the small boy, make sure that demons would never come to harm the child, but Hal could have a good life now, and that made the angel smile.

19 year old Liam is with him now, a young man caught in a bad and violent life. Elijah had made sure this time his vessel would know the dangers and understand what it means to be a vessel, and to Elijah's surprise, Liam accepted. It made Elijah feel grateful but at the same time sad that such trauma had been inflicted on the young man enough that he would want to walk away from his life to fight a supernatural war. If Elijah could, he wouldn't have made anyone his vessel, he'd have given Liam a good family too, but he needed to be here on Earth, and his own journey still needs to be completed.

Elijah had spent many months in the ensuing days since his arrival on Earth trying to find Castiel, and it was in that dusty library that he had first set eyes on his brother. But the battles and fights and hectic times had prevented further communications between the two and they parted ways before any talking was done. Now that the fight was over and things had calm down and Elijah had taken on a new vessel, it would be a good time for Elijah to finally get the answers he's been looking for, and finding his brother this time shouldn't be an issue.

Almost as if on cue, Elijah heard his brother's voice, questioning why Elijah was looking for him. The younger angel zeroed in on that voice and soon found himself standing behind his older brother, the brother that Heaven had seemed to turn against.

"I needed answers..." Elijah answered with a clear and strong voice as he stepped forward closer to his older brother, "No one would tell me anything, no one would tell me what is even happening. All I could hear was everyone was mad at you. And then you risked everything for the humans, the Winchesters...I just wanted to know why..."

[CASTIEL]

DO YOU REALIZE YOU ARE MORE THEN JUST A WEAPON?

Little effort had been taken in ensuring a stealthy approach, so Castiel’s head could turn, the rough texture of the wall it rested against felt, blue eyes peering about the corner to the younger angel as he appeared. "I needed answers..." Although clearly it was Elijah, the outward appearance had changed, the vessel had grown taller, the hair darker, yet that grace within still burned as familiar as ever. Answers. They all wanted answers, though perhaps Elijah had it worse, at least Castiel could get some information off some of his siblings at some point or another, the younger son of heaven however had found even that a difficulty.

"No one would tell me anything, no one would tell me what is even happening. All I could hear was everyone was mad at you. And then you risked everything for the humans, the Winchesters...I just wanted to know why..." Everyone was mad at him, the words hung heavy in the angels ears, the ache in his heart betrayed within his eyes for a moment, hiding it merely by looking away. Although Castiel vanished, a silent disappearance that occurred without warning or hint if he intended to return, the instantaneous movement beside Elijah would have given little chance for the other to think too much about it. Though standing besides the other, Castiel remained facing towards the warehouse, taking in the general scenery of the horizon stretched out before them.

"When I was younger then you, our older brothers took me to the shores of this new world. I bore witness to the first creature heaving itself out of the murky waters; all I wanted to do was get close enough to see this strange new creature. Gabriel put his hand on my shoulder-" Castiel said, not giving Elijah a direct answer to the question which plagued the youths mind, placing his own hand upon the teen angel’s shoulder as Gabriel had once done so long ago to Castiel. "-and said to me, ‘careful Castiel, father has big plans for that one.’ So we just watched it struggle, made sure it stayed safe." Things had been so simple back then, there had been no wars, in heaven or on earth, no hell in which Lucifer had been cast down and banished within, no demons or monsters, it had been paradise.

Castiel withdrew his hand, staring at the sore palm and curling fingers into a gentle fist before allowing it to fall to his side. How much should Elijah be told? How much did he deserve to know and did Castiel even want to put the angel through the harsh reality he himself was still coming to terms with. "The Winchester’s remind me of that moment, why would God ask us to bow before man just to let things go this far, why would any father allow his children to burn." Finally turning his attention to Elijah, Castiel frowned, that same familiar frown when he was on the verge of just shutting down and withholding any further information because it just wasn’t his place to say it. The expression however caused discomfort from the bruise, which resulted in a slight flinch of his lips.

"Elijah, what I have to say is blasphemous, if I speak of it to you, then you have no choice but to act, as Michael had to act when Lucifer spoke against the will of Heaven." The elder brother’s eyes turned back to the warehouse, his head tilted slightly with thoughts of being forced to fight the sibling who would be obligated to punish Castiel, to the death for one or the other. Or worse yet, have the often sidelined angel try to walk the line between the warring siblings… that had not ended well for Castiel when he had attempted similarly. "You have every right to know all that is going on, my brother, but I could never forgive myself if you were caught between my… ‘betrayal’ and their wrath." It was so dangerous, even Gabriel was being hunted now, Castiel wasn’t sure he could even protect his older sibling considering the power needed to subdue the archangel, dragging another into the fight that had no hope of surviving such a power seemed… selfish.

[ELIJAH]

Humanity can such strange little things, but Elijah had never held any disdain for the frail creatures that his Father had given him the duty to protect. He knew many of his brothers did not care for humanity, some might have even grown to hate and look down upon the creatures but Elijah had always stuck to his duties. He wasn't meant to be a vengeful being, he was a protector, that is what his Father made him to be.

Looking at his brother now trying to explain to him the story of humanity's first steps, Elijah could see such sadness within his older brother, and beneath all that, a love and admiration for the humans of the world, for their ability to survive and live and be free. His brother's words made sense to him, after all, Elijah had often wondered such things himself, of why Father would ask the angels to bow when he would let humanity be destroyed?

The young angel had never dared to ask his older brothers for fear of their wrath but he had once asked the gentle and calm Joshua who had only told him that all things have their time and place, that Father's plans always carry a meaning. He should just trust his Father, he should just be a good son and obey, but Father created all of them as they are for a reason, and if he felt something was not right, shouldn't he follow those instincts?

As Castiel continued to speak, Elijah frowned upon hearing his older brother's next words. Tilting his head to the side, brows furrowed, Elijah spoke again, his tone confused, "I came down here to talk to you, why would I do anything to you that Michael has done to Lucifer?"

Did his brother really would think such things of him? Is that what the other angels have done coming down to Earth? "No one knows I'm here Castiel, they are all too busy being angry and worried over the battles than to care about the locations of an angel they deem too small and too young to understand anything."

He might be the most loved and sheltered, but that also meant his siblings always shut him out and Elijah has finally gotten too tired of being shoved to the sidelines while everyone else made decisions for him. With a confidence returning to his voice, Elijah continued speaking, "I am not caught up in anything that I did not choose to be in so do not shut me out too brother, too many have already done that. I am an angel too, not a child to be sheltered and hidden away. Father created us as who we are, if he intended for us to be simply good obedient soldiers, then why would he allow us the chance to think for ourselves? He gave us these things for a reason and I intend to use what our Father gave us."

[CASTIEL]

DO YOU REALIZE YOU ARE MORE THEN JUST A WEAPON?

"I came down here to talk to you, why would I do anything to you that Michael has done to Lucifer?" That wasn’t the point, it didn’t matter if Elijah did act out against Castiel or not, what mattered was the reaction of their siblings if Elijah allowed Castiel the leeway to get away with speaking in such a way to an angel of the lord. Then Elijah would be punished for not doing his duty, as Castiel had been punished, as Gabriel was being punished, as Anna and all the rest of them were being heartlessly punished.

"No one knows I'm here Castiel, they are all too busy being angry and worried over the battles than to care about the locations of an angel they deem too small and too young to understand anything." A guilty frown returned to Castiel’s brow as he eyed the angel, feeling hardly free of culpability for similar actions in the past. However it had never been just because Elijah had been young, and it definitely had never been for fear that the youth would not understand. It was exactly that which Castiel feared, that Elijah might, and in understanding, it would lead to the same heartache that many similar siblings had faced. Too long had Castiel been the target of racist gazes as the angels thought little of his compassion, stern tones and watchful eyes as they made sure he didn’t step over the line when dancing too close to the fire. Dean Winchester just happened to be the charge, which had blurred the line between right and wrong to the point Castiel had to find his own way between the two, or surrender wholly to either side with no regrets.

"I am not caught up in anything that I did not choose to be in so do not shut me out too brother, too many have already done that. I am an angel too, not a child to be sheltered and hidden away. Father created us as who we are, if he intended for us to be simply good obedient soldiers, then why would he allow us the chance to think for ourselves? He gave us these things for a reason and I intend to use what our Father gave us." The determination in the others voice drew Castiel’s eyes, forcing the elder brother to watch as Elijah had his say. It wasn’t like Castiel could deny that he had been in Elijah’s place months before when faced with having to figure out what was really going on and then just throwing himself into the fray. After all, that all had been his choice, and Castiel knew that death from there on was only a when, not an if. With a sigh, a resigning slump of the usually rigid shoulders, and a hand rubbing the aching throb that pulsed lightly on the side of his face, Castiel tried to figure out a way to word it all.

"First of all," The soldier began, arms once more hanging limp by his side as squinted eyes peered off to the distance where sky met building tops. "I was told it was my task to stop the breaking of the sixty-six seals, that was all I was trying to do." It seemed so simple when stated that way, which made the anger of heaven hurt all the more. Lips pressed together and Castiel shifted his attention back to Elijah, this time however also turning his body to face the other. "During the course of the mission, certain things began to not add up, so many of our brethren were falling, however no matter what we threw at them, we were losing seals." The gruff voice seemed all the deeper as he spoke softer, as if not wanting to be overheard. Eyes lifted, almost accusing in their gaze at the heaven’s, though slipped back to the horizon with a sideway glance.

"That’s when I found out the real plans, you are not the only one being kept in the dark Elijah… I wanted to have faith, but… The apocalypse is predestined in their minds, certain… key figures… have decided to push it along. We were dying to keep up the pretense." At those words Castiel stopped, jaw tightening, the last eight words spoken more as a thought which had crept in, he didn’t want to speak of it, eyes lifted once more to the sky, then to Elijah, clearly growing awkward as if worried about interruptions. "I stepped out of line, I asked too many questions… the Winchester’s asked for my help, they were… convincing. My betrayal had been that of freeing Dean from the room he had been imprisoned within, I took him to try and stop his brother from being tricked into breaking the final seal. As you can tell from our eldest brother walking free, it didn’t go so well." That was such an understatement, and any sibling would be able to tell that Castiel was still with holding certain details, things that were just hurtful to reveal, it just seemed easier to end it there.

[ELIJAH]

The apprehension and fear he had sensed from his brother made Elijah sad, to think a fellow brother would feel fear from one another instead of the comfort and love of Heaven is just another tell tale sign of how wrong things had gone.

Truthfully be told, Castiel as of this moment had not told Elijah anything that Elijah had not already figured it out himself. His brief time on Earth and his sneaking around in Heaven had gathered information piece by piece until he saw real picture form and it had scared him to think there were such corruption within the ranks of Heaven.

Elijah knows certain things they were told were pre-destined, but they were guardians of humanity that Father told us to love, so how could letting the apocalypse happen be anything that Father would even want to see happen? They were meant to stop the seals, not push it forward, and hearing the confirmation of Heaven's hand in such atrocities only made Elijah even more sad than he already was. Is this what home had become while he had been sheltered away and told nothing? What would have happened to him had he not found the initiative to look into things himself? Would he then be another mindless servant of higher angels not caring about the consequences? The mere thought makes him shudder.

He can see the weariness and defeat in his older brother's eyes and he feels like such feelings should not be there. Castiel had always been a gentle older brother, even being a soldier did not change that, and to think of what he had to risk and do, it must have been heartbreaking. Recent fights haven't been helping either and Elijah can still see the damage done to the vessel that his brother - now cut off from Heaven - might take a long time to heal.

Reaching out without thinking, Elijah touched his brother's bruised cheek and let his own powers flow to heal the damages on the vessel his brother wore before gazing up at his brother once again, "You have not told me anything that I have not already suspected or learned from my own searches in both Heaven and on Earth. Fortunately, Michael and Raphael's idea of a safe place to talk in the garden lacks one foresight of a small angel who spends much of his time there."

Giving his brother an encouraging smile, Elijah continued on, "I am not here to judge your actions brother, nor am I here to ask you why our brothers and sisters are angry at you. The answers I seek from you are of a different nature. They more pertains to your Winchester charges than anything else."

Elijah paused for a bit, trying to search the right words to ask his questions, "I have never shared our brothers and sisters' veiled hate for humanity, yet I have not found a reason to fight and risk so much for them either in this war. So why did you? What is it about the Winchesters, this Dean Winchester especially, that made you turn on everything? Is it simply because you learned the truth about what was planned or is there something more?"

[CASTIEL]

DO YOU REALIZE YOU ARE MORE THEN JUST A WEAPON?

Instead of Elijah being the one surprised, it turned out to be Castiel, who noticed little reaction other then accepted disappointment over what Castiel had said. Sometimes Elijah was far too inquisitive, even for his own good, yet Castiel wasn’t sure how to take the realization that his younger brother was already more involved with this mess then he should have been. The other rose a hand, reached out with tender fingers to touch the side of Castiel’s face, the finger tips gentle, the warmth of the power healing the damage familiar, and missed, and chased away the previous concerns momentarily.

"You have not told me anything that I have not already suspected or learned from my own searches in both Heaven and on Earth. Fortunately, Michael and Raphael's idea of a safe place to talk in the garden lacks one foresight of a small angel who spends much of his time there." Although feeling gratitude for the healing touch, Castiel’s way of saying thank you had been expressed in his eyes, followed by a smile he tried to suppress at the idea of their creeping ears dropping brother "I am not here to judge your actions brother, nor am I here to ask you why our brothers and sisters are angry at you. The answers I seek from you are of a different nature. They more pertains to your Winchester charges than anything else." A perplexed cloud fell across Castiel’s expression as his features contorted, baffled by the specifics Elijah requested. "I have never shared our brothers and sisters' veiled hate for humanity, yet I have not found a reason to fight and risk so much for them either in this war. So why did you? What is it about the Winchesters, this Dean Winchester especially, that made you turn on everything? Is it simply because you learned the truth about what was planned or is there something more?" In some ways, that question was harder to answer then anything regarding their siblings and the corruption spreading its way through Heaven’s ranks.

"Uh," If there had been any chance of gracefully bluffing his way through the surprise that question brought, it was completely shuttered now with his stammer. Though once the angel managed to compose himself once more, the soldier returned to his more confident self. "They are my friends, they asked for help." There was a brief pause, before he added, "They reminded me that we are more then just servants of the Lord, our Father, we were raised to protect and watch over humanity all these years… and... for that I believe God saved us, he took them away from the blast at Saint Mary’s, he even brought-" The words stopped, caught up in the angel’s throat as he frowned and looked down at the roof they stood upon. How much did Elijah know? How much had he overheard Michael and Raphael say? Would the discovery of Castiel’s death be any less a surprise as the discovery of Heaven’s dishonesty? The anger felt towards Raphael was hard to hide, and Castiel’s eyes burned with the betrayal of his elder brother swooping down and killing him without mercy. It wasn’t that Raphael had killed him – sure that was upsetting - Castiel could have understood the whole rules side of thing, he stepped out of line, he went against orders, Raphael was in charge to keep him and all the others in line. That didn’t mean the archangel had to have displayed such pleasure in Castiel’s demise.

"I do not know how much you know of what occurred when Raphael and the others found me, frankly I would rather not get into it." The cold tone was stern, not towards Elijah, but clearly a steeled resolve built around the topic that hurt too much to just accept and move on with. "Suffice it to say, there is a reason I have not been around for you to find, maybe you know, maybe you don't, which is why I was curious as to what possessed you to look for me. I’ve only been back a week and things are still... confusing, and your question is… difficult to explain… Have you ever spent time with them? I don’t mean like with War, I mean really spent time with them, side by side, not just as comrades, but as friends." It was so hard to articulate, mainly because there was so much that even Castiel was still trying to figure out, and while he was risking overwhelming the other with talk about God's intervention which was rare in itself, there was also the chance he knew about it in some degree... Elijah already knew more then he should, though perhaps informing the younger angel that Castiel had not been around to experience time on Earth would aid the youngster in understanding certain things.

[ELIJAH]

Elijah watched with curiosity and somewhat of an amusement as his brother tried to put the feelings he had towards the Winchesters into words that made sense without stuttering. It's not that Elijah would judge, he in fact finds the Winchesters quite interesting, but there is a difference between loving and protecting humans to willing to turn back on the wrath of Heaven for them. When Castiel mentioned God, Elijah found himself frowning, maybe Joshua was telling the truth that Father always had his ways, maybe their Father wasn't really as gone as they had all thought.

When Castiel paused, Elijah sensed the anger and sadness rising again and the younger angel could easily suspect that it would be because of what Raphael had done - but perhaps that was the reason Castiel needed to side with the humans? Could it be because Father brought him back? Was that a sign?

Soon the question was turned on him and Elijah tilted his head to the side as he thought about it. He has had contacts with a few humans since he appeared on this plane of existence. The shapeshifter woman Ronnie who was looking for her daughter, the prophet Kaylynn Maverick who was sweet and gentle, those two stood out more than most and he felt a connection to protect them, but certainly it was not to the same extent as Castiel had done for the Winchesters. But perhaps Castiel is right, that bond is something that grows with time.

"I have spent some brief amounts of time with a few humans..." Elijah stated carefully as he thought about how to reply, "But not in the way you have done with the Winchesters...but I do know Father brought you back to this world, he gave you life again so at least Joshua was right that Father is not as gone as we think...Raphael does not like to believe it, but you did make Zachariah very upset which was in hindsight very amusing to see. It is strange that so many of our brethren seems to have lost faith in the Father who gave them strength. But if Father thought it fit to bring you back, then your side, your choice, it surely must be the righteous one shouldn't it?"

[CASTIEL]

DO YOU REALIZE YOU ARE MORE THEN JUST A WEAPON?

"I have spent some brief amounts of time with a few humans..." To be honest, Castiel didn’t spend half as much time as he probably should have, always torn between heaven and earth, and the Winchester’s had been the only people he really met down here. Recently there had been Tamara, but that had barely been a few hours, and the people who fought war with him were merely vague faces in a crowd he didn’t know.

Listening to Elijah think out loud about the reasons God had returned Castiel from the nothingness he had been blown away into, that same unsettled and confused feeling fell upon him. The elder angel had been praying to their father for some guidance as to what the reason had been. Maybe he was brought back because his choices were in fact worthy of the attention; maybe it was to punish the angel for stirring trouble and allowing Castiel to see just how bad things got because of it. It was difficult to know for sure, and felt arrogant to just willfully assume it was because his own actions were just.

"Maybe." Castiel looked at his previously wounded hand, fingers curling over the palm and rubbing lightly in thought. Eyes lifted to study the sky once more, though something cautious about his scanning gaze. "Just as our siblings can be honest or dishonest, good and bad, so too can the humans, as you know they are even more complicated, we were designed to be warriors, free will was not meant to be for us, that was God’s gift to man… Not all of his children use that gift wisely. Just as, it appears, some of us who have developed it, seem to also have skewed judgments. I will not be so arrogant as to assume I am right without doubt, as nice as that would be." Reaching out for the teen’s shoulder, Castiel leaned closer, his eyes firmly face to face with Elijah’s, his voice vice soft, yet stern.

"Do not risk approaching the Winchester’s until you know which side you’ll stand," Because it was dangerous enough for Elijah to be caught with Castiel, crossing paths with them was bound to get the younger angel noticed, no matter how adept at sneaking about the youth was. It was far from a threat, nothing of the sort and there was no mistake on that. The warning was solely based on the risk Elijah would put himself in from all the others keeping an ever-watchful eye on the Winchesters, and generally anyone else involved with them.

If there were others Castiel could take Elijah too in order to meet and get to know them as Castiel had gotten to know Dean and Sam, then the elder brother would have done so without hesitation. The problem was merely that Castiel’s contacts were so limited…

[ELIJAH]

He can certainly understand his brother's reluctance to think his own decisions are backed by God, or that the cause is just and righteous, after all, is that not the reason why the war had broken out in Heaven to begin with? Because one thought to think on its own as Lucifer had done? Elijah knows that having a mind of his own is walking a very fine line, especially with the powers he possess. There is a reason why angels are obedient soldiers, so that their powers would not be unreasonably used for personal gains.

Humanity may be able to get away with free will, after all, they carry no such powers, but free will in the hands of an angel has only caused death and destruction. Elijah knows that Castiel would not want to have done anything associated to the likes of Lucifer, no angel does. But their Father had banned Lucifer from Heaven yet he had saved Castiel, surely it does mean that his brother carries the approval of their absent Father?

But his brother's warnings, Elijah understands the dangers of this free will, "I understand your hesitance to believe that you are on a righteous path, brother, after all, Michael and Raphael are so sure of their own plans, and Zachariah has been even more pompous and sure of himself than before, but I still have faith in our Father, and I like to believe...you are the sign that all is not lost just yet..."

Elijah had been hesitant to pick sides, he's a protector, not a vengeful warrior. He might be able to swing a sword as well as the next angel but he seldom wishes to show such violence. But he understands that if he were to approach the Winchesters or even get to know them, it would put him on the radar of the other angels, but if Castiel can take that chance, maybe it's time then that he stops being hiding.

"You always worry so much brother..." Elijah gives his brother a small smile, "I do not fear the wrath of our brothers and sisters. Father gave me a duty to protect humanity, perhaps it is now time I start exercising that duty."

[CASTIEL]

DO YOU REALIZE YOU ARE MORE THEN JUST A WEAPON?

"I understand your hesitance to believe that you are on a righteous path, brother, after all, Michael and Raphael are so sure of their own plans, and Zachariah has been even more pompous and sure of himself than before, but I still have faith in our Father, and I like to believe...you are the sign that all is not lost just yet..." The words seemed hard to absorb, primarily because they were so unexpected, not that Castiel disliked what he heard, but that was what made it so hard. Not to mention Castiel found it hard to be the one to push Elijah’s choices and then deal with the consequences that would follow.

"You always worry so much brother..." Although Elijah smiled, and Castiel attempted to return it, the soldier couldn’t help but have an air of dread about it, and of course he would worry, that is the one thing Castiel felt he could do without hesitance. Maybe he worried too much, but could he be blamed? "I do not fear the wrath of our brothers and sisters. Father gave me a duty to protect humanity, perhaps it is now time I start exercising that duty." Fear was not always a bad thing, it helped judged just how insane certain actions were, and while Castiel took any fear he felt in stride with him like any soldier of God, that did not mean he no longer felt it. If Elijah wanted to do something, then Castiel was hardly going to stop the little brother from doing it, even if he made it clear in no uncertain terms that Elijah should not get involved.

"I am looking for ways to defeat the horsemen," Certain discussions and situations had to be weighed up, battlefields had to be chosen carefully and lately Castiel didn’t have a lot of options on who he could reply on. Taking a step back, Castiel took in a deep breath, folding his arms across his chest and staring once more out across the skyline.

"I have been… unsure where to start on this matter. All Gabriel wanted to do when I mentioned this to him was drink beer and caress ‘Dean’. Now they are all celebrating the defeat of War so I doubt I will get much from him, but there are another three out there. I would like to be more prepared." Neglected to mention ‘Dean’ was Gabriel’s pet dog went unnoticed to Castiel, who was focused more on the ponderings of getting Elijah involved, without getting him involved directly with the Winchester’s right off. Not that it would be entirely possible, even if Castiel kept the younger angel separated from the Winchester’s anyone watching Castiel would see Elijah working with him. While he’d been attempting to remain low key, it was impossible to do so when that would involve sitting aside and hiding while your older brother was mobbed by angels sent to drag Gabriel back to Heaven. Gabriel may be an archangel, but he was still hesitant to raise a hand against their siblings, Zachariah aside. "I do not suppose you have the names of anyone or anything that may be able to assist in preparations, information, anything to help?"

[ELIJAH]

It did not surprise Elijah that Castiel went straight to business, his brother was always more about being serious in doing his job than anyone else he had known - except maybe Michael - and to be honest, it brought a feeling of familiarity that Elijah really needed at this moment. All this big talk about duty and destiny has made him a bit nervous if he would ever admit, and turning the talks back to something that he is used to - taking down enemies - is a much welcomed turn.

The younger angel has not had many occasions to be involved in war, after all, even Heaven had always been incredibly hesitant in sending its youngest and most innocent into the ranks of battle - a thing that had always made Elijah frown and frustrated him - because he was a warrior too and no one really treated him like one. But he has knowledge, he can watch and observe so this plan to take out the Horsemen, he surely wants to be involved in finally.

When Castiel mentioned Gabriel caressing Dean however, Elijah frowned and tilted his head in confusion, "I did not realize our brother and Dean Winchester had a relationship? I was under the impression that Gabriel did not like him very much?" Had the younger angel missed something in the way his archangel brother felt about humans? Surely Elijah himself was not that blind to his brother's actions.

But he shrugged away the confusion for a moment to consider his brother's questions about whether he knew anyone who could help in a Horsemen hunt, and sadly to say, Elijah really knew nothing that could help. He had only been on Earth so very briefly but there could be another way though, "I do not believe I have spent enough time here on this planet to know of anything that could help, but Heaven does not know I am missing, I could return home and find the information we need, there are a few brothers and sisters that I can convince to tell me things."

Returning to Heaven isn't possible for many of the angels now on Earth here, and certainly not for Gabriel or Castiel, which means Elijah's ability to move freely is an advantage they could use.

[CASTIEL]

DO YOU REALIZE YOU ARE MORE THEN JUST A WEAPON?

"I did not realize our brother and Dean Winchester had a relationship? I was under the impression that Gabriel did not like him very much?" The comment, and the confused look, had Castiel staring a moment, it seemed out of the blue to question Gabriel’s relationship with Dean Winchester. Of course they had a relationship, it just was not the most endearing one. A furrowed brow creased Castiel’s forehead, and winkles lined the corners of his vessel’s eyes as the angel wondered the significance of the quest, entirely missing the connection from his mention of the dog.

"I do not believe I have spent enough time here on this planet to know of anything that could help, but Heaven does not know I am missing, I could return home and find the information we need, there are a few brothers and sisters that I can convince to tell me things." Any thought straying away from Elijah’s statement had been scattered like leaves in a gust of wind, leaving a rather reluctant look on Castiel’s face. It would be dangerous to talk that line, Castiel knew that from experience, he had tried that method; it had been far from pleasant. The idea of Elijah facing the same anger that Castiel had been exposed to left a twisted sensation in the bit of Castiel’s stomach.

Figuring out a way to word the sense of dread bubbling away inside Castiel was difficult, he was rarely the kind of guy that could be considered ‘in touch’ with his inner feelings and aside the basics it never had been an issue. Since dealing with Uriel and the Winchester’s, certain things had seemed to just blow out of proportions. Attachments, worry, fear, and not just a little fear, but fear he hadn’t felt in so long, since Lucifer’s attack on heaven. Then there was the desperation; it was all just rushing over him, like he was clawing at cement hoping to get to the other side yet all that waited for him just happened to be more blood and guts.

While Castiel’s articulate ability to string together a comprehensive sentence may be lacking in regard to how he felt, the angel’s eyes however expressed in detail what he couldn’t say aloud. However merely standing there staring was not so productive, even if Castiel seemed adept at it regardless of the situation.

"Be careful, Elijah." The words couldn’t be stressed enough, and Elijah’s statement about not fearing their siblings wrath only worried Castiel all the more on the matter. "Love will only blur their attention so far, and when they even suspect someone is bending the rules… it gets unpleasant, very unpleasant." And the last thing Castiel would want was for Elijah to suffer at the hands of the elite who had imprisoned Castiel, and it had been a miracle for the soldier to even managed to think for himself after they had gotten their hands on him.

[ELIJAH]

Elijah knows even without much words from his older brother that Castiel is incredibly concerned and worried, he could sense the dread and fear radiating off his brother's grace. He would of course heed his brother's warnings, after all, Castiel knew the wrath of Heaven against traitors more than anyone else, but Elijah has no intentions of being caught nor being imprisoned. He may be younger and seemingly more weak and naive, but he's not stupid nor has he been blind to some of Heaven's more weak-spots in the system. He can exploit those weak points and perhaps gain an advantage for his brothers down here on Earth.

There are parts of Elijah that wonders that perhaps he should have acted sooner, maybe the Apocalypse could have been averted if he had done something more than sit around the garden all the time. He remembers the commotion when Castiel had been dragged back to Heaven that first time for rebellious behaviors. His big brothers had of course not told him what happened and merely sent him away when he asked but Elijah found out the truth soon enough, he could have let Castiel gone free, he should have done something.

But now he can be divisive and be strong, he can brave the possible threats from his brothers and sisters and do the right thing that he should have done a long time ago.

Laying a hand on Castiel's shoulder, Elijah gave his brother a nod, "I will be careful, do not worry." He paused a bit before continuing, "And I am sorry I did not come to your aid our brothers took you back to Heaven."

With that said, Elijah zapped away, figuring out a plan to sneak around in Heaven while keeping his vessel safe on Earth.

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COMPLETED THREAD