Rating: PG
Disclaimer: I own nothing. I wish I did, but I don't.
Summary: His wings have been taken, all the abilities he has never been without, everything that made him an angel-
Warning: Fallen!Castiel
Notes: Written for comment_fic. Prompt: Castiel/Dean, Lonely No More

He is severed from Father's voice. From his brothers and sisters. From Grace and Light and Peace. His wings have been taken, all the abilities he has never been without, everything that made him an angel-

He is alone, newly-created body battered and bruised, and it hurts. Pain has always been distant, an affliction of the vessel. Now it is his.

It is beautiful. Something his and his alone.

But the silence in his mind is so resounding… Father? he calls, seeking outward with a completely human mind. Azrael, Raphael, Michael? No answer and he closes his eyes.

He has a voice now. One that humans can hear without fear of bodily harm. He has a voice that is physical, that can be felt by a hand to the throat, by fingers to the lips. He has a voice and he speaks. "Michael?" He looks to the sky, waiting, but Michael does not respond.

Father does not respond. Is this how humans always feel?

He slumps down, letting his head rest on the dirt. His body aches. His shoulders burn. He misses Heaven. Father. Michael. Peace.

"Cas?" His entire body jerks at that voice. "Castiel? Anna said you'd be here. Castiel!"

He rolls slowly over, pushing up with his arms, climbing to his knees, then his feet. His. This body is entirely his, entirely new, Michael's last, best gift.

"Dean!" he replies, coughing as his throat chokes at the unfamiliar volume.

He wonders what Dean will think of this new body, if he'd prefer the old vessel. He catalogues the emotion as anticipation and can't wait to find out.