Chapter Text
Dean and Sam Winchester gasp awake in the center of a large white room, the blinding lights making them squint as they try to look around. Their heads are pounding, their bodies ache, and their ears are ringing incessantly.
"Hello?" Dean croaks, his voice raw. He swears he was just yelling a minute ago. Loudly. They had been fighting a pack of werewolves.
Where are the werewolves?
Why is it so damn quiet?
What the hell is that ringing?
"Dean!" Sam calls from his left. "What's going on?"
"No idea..."
Dean forces his eyes open long enough to make out three blurry figures nearby. He reaches for his silver knife, but it's gone. All his weapons are. Even his salt and holy water.
Not. Good.
"The Winchester brothers," a deep voice booms, filling the air around them. "I've been waiting for this day."
"Can't say the same," Dean growls. He stumbles to his feet, shifting so Sam is safely behind him. "Who the hell are you?"
"I’d appreciate it if you kept that language to a minimum,” the voice says in a near growl. “You're in heaven, Dean. Who do you think I might be?"
Dean's heart begins to race. Heaven? Does that mean… "We're dead."
"Yes, Dean. As always, your souls were sent to me here."
"No. I - no. I've never been here before."
"That you remember," the mysterious being corrects.
Panic bubbles in Dean's chest. The room spins and heat licks at his body.
"Shhh, Dean. You're okay," he hears a familiar voice say softly. He looks over to see one of the three figures walking toward him.
Dean's knees buckle in relief. "Cas?"
"Yes, Dean. I'm here. I've always been here when your soul comes."
Getting frustrated, Sam finally speaks up. "What is going on here? What's happening?"
"It's simple," the mystery being says. "I have saved you boys countless times. You've proven yourselves. The amount of strength, courage, and morality in you two is uncanny. I believe you're ready."
"Ready?" Dean asks.
"Yes, Dean." Castiel cups his cheek. Usually Dean would bark at him about personal space, but right now he needs that touch so damn much that he finds himself leaning into it. "You and Sam have been chosen."
"Chosen?" Sam repeats in a trembling voice.
The third figure steps forward. Gabriel gives Sam a warm smile and reaches a hand out, pulling him into a hug. "God is willing to let you become angels."
Both brothers tense, but they don't pull away from their respective guardian. In fact, they lean further into them.
The mystery being - or, well, apparently God- speaks again. "You have a choice. I can put your souls to peace for eternity in your own heavens, as all other human souls are handled. Or you can become nestlings, and one day become my newest and strongest angels in heaven."
Before the brothers can speak, Castiel is adding his own words, "You'll be safe if you choose to be nestlings. Gabriel and I will take you to a safe location, and together we will care for you."
"Is it - does it hurt?" Sam asks, his voice suddenly tiny and afraid.
"No," Gabriel assures, stroking Sam's hair. "It's slow, and sometimes you may get certain aches and pains, for example when your wings come in, but overall it's a fairly pleasant experience."
"How does it work?" Dean asks.
Castiel smiles softly, hearing the slight anxiety in his boy's voice. "You will drink our angel grace. It will repair your soul over time. As your soul heals, the grace will be able to take hold in your body and grow its own supply."
"How long does it take? Until we're full powered angels?" Dean asks him.
"It's different for everyone. In order to be an angel, your soul needs to be healed completely. For some, that only takes a few months. Others can take years."
God, never one to sugarcoat things, informs them, "Your souls are severely damaged. It will be a long process."
"Better than death, though?" Sam asks.
"Sam, you can't seriously be considering this," Dean barks at his brother.
"Why can't I? It sounds cool. And I don't know about you but I'm not ready to be dead, dude." Sam blushes. "Doesn't it sound nice? Just to take a bit of a break?"
Seeing Dean's resolve waning, Castiel sweetens the pot. "The power you will have can help you keep yourself and your brother safe."
That's the chord that needed to be hit. The powers would help Dean keep Sam safe. Sam isn't ready to die yet. Sam wants this.
"Okay, Sammy," Dean says quietly. "Okay. We can do it."
"That's a very good-"
"But," Dean adds, cutting God off mid-sentence without caring. "Sam and I never get separated. Ever. We stay together through the entire process or no deal."
For some reason, God looks at Castiel and Gabriel, as if it's up to them. The two angel brothers exchange nods before smiling at whichever Winchester boy is in their arms.
"That's perfectly fine," Castiel assures.
Gabriel nods. "Cas and I will make sure the two of you are safe and together. Always."
Still feeling nervous, Dean sinks further into Castiel and tries to act like he doesn't care about any of this. He forces a bored tone when he says, "Might as well get it started then."