Chapter Text
“Castiel?”
It was his brother. “Yes?”
“I think we need to talk about your wings.”
Castiel knew this would come up one day or another, that's why he always kept his wings hidden. Everyone in his family got their wing color at the age of ten, as did he. All of his family had white wings. White for unity, white for family.
That's why they were such a great group, because they were soulmates. Everyone in his family was meant to work together, except him.
Earlier this day, he had already unfurled his wings with crippling disappointment. The memory still vivid in his head, like it was burned into his eyes.
It was time, he felt his wings tingle. Cas politely excused himself from breakfast and ran to his room. The moment he shut the door, his wings sprung out. He knew what to expect, a glowing white outline of wings as they turned from grey to white. This, however, was not what happened. A bright red light from the top of his wings as the feathers turned to a pale apple red. The glowing outline spread rapidly down, turning to a sunset orange. Oh no. Yellow came in next, continuing the sunset pattern. Next, green. Vibrant like grass after a rainstorm, followed by sky blue that darkened into a deep cobalt blue. To top it all off, the tips of his feathers glowed with a majestic purple. The colors illuminated the room, reaching every wall and every corner of the room.
His dad was gonna kill him. How could this happen!
“What about them?”
“You are going to get your color today.” No doubt in his voice, no hesitation. What was that like, to be so sure of your place in this world?
“Yes brother,” If Gabriel was paying attention, he’d notice that Cas was visibly even more upset. “Brother. What would happen if I…” He knew what happened to the other one. Father would never forgive him, not that it mattered. Father never talked to any of his kids, only a select few. The ones that work directly under him in this family business.
“If you what?” He asked impatiently. He had to get back to work.
“Nothing.”
With that, his brother left.
“Father! You can’t do this!” Lucifer shouted, ready for a fight. Everyone else’s wings were out too. It was a circle of pristine, perfect, arrogant white feathers. He opened his wings, preparing to fight. The bright pink clashed against the sea of foamy white, like a toddler’s crayon drawing on a newly painted wall. “Why can’t I stay? I’m just as good as the rest of them!”
“Because you aren’t.” Father said, raising his wings higher than Lucifers, “You’re not as good as the rest of them! Your wings–” He choked off, “Your wings are abominations!” He drew out his dagger, as did the rest of the family. Obedient, like little puppets. “You are banished from this house, business, and this family! Don’t ever try to come back!”
“No,” His wings lowered. “No!” This couldn’t be how it ended! “NO!”
“Lucifer, leave!” Gabriel shouted, knife in hand. “Now.”
His feet turned him around, still in shock, but his wings dragged behind him. “No.” He whispered to himself. He spread his wings and flew off into the cloudy dark sky.
As he left, the rest of the family stood in silence. They stood there for a couple more minutes, then Father turned and left. That's when Raphael was struck down, right in his leg. A dagger, one of their daggers, no longer theirs. Lucifer’s dagger. Uriel let out a cry and fell to the ground.
“FATHER!” Lucifer shouted from high in the sky, almost hidden by the clouds. “FACE ME! FACE ME YOU COWARD!” He pointed his second dagger directly at him. “MEET ME UP HERE AND WE CAN SEE WHO IS BETTER!”
“Oh son, don’t make me do this,” Father whispered to himself. “Lucifer,” He shook his head, almost remorseful, “Lucifer, get down!”
“FACE ME YOU BASTARD!” His powerful wings held him in the air with majestic force.
“Get down here!” He shouted back.
“Lucifer, get down, you’re going to get hurt!” Michael shouted.
They all heard his scoff, “You are! Aren’t you brother?”
“No!” He shouted back, “Don’t do this!”
“WE COULD DO THIS TOGETHER! YOU AND I, LIKE BROTHERS!”
“I won’t betray our family like that.” He looked towards their other brothers.
Lucifer looked down, for a second, doubt passed over his face. “No, of course you wouldn’t.”
“Lucifer, you’re making a mistake,” Michael stepped towards him, “Don’t do this!”
“Brother, I’m begging you! Come with me! We can overthrow Father!”
Michael shook his head one final time.
Lucifer let out a cry of rage and dove down. His arm drew back and he threw his dagger. The shiny black blade flew through the air, aiming straight at its target.
It hit and went right through a rib. Not the intended rib though. Raphael was hit again.
Stupid Raphael, he thought to himself.
“Fuck you Lucifer!” Gabriel shouted, face twisted by hatred.
“Fuck you too, Gabriel!” He flew off but not fast enough.
Gabriel threw one of his own daggers, this one white with a ruby embedded in the hilt. It was aimed directly at Lucifer’s lower back.
It missed the intended spot, but hit one more deadly. Right in between his wings, a near fatal blow. That’s when it happened. Lucifer's infamous fall.
Wings splayed, trying to keep him up, but the knife stopped the muscles and veins from working properly. He reached his arms up, trying to grab onto the clouds but they slipped through his fingers, failing him. He fell right below the hill they stood upon.
They looked at each other, each unsure whether they should go help their brother. No one moved, not even their father. In fact, Father had already started to leave. Together the three of them followed Father, leaving Lucifer to his own demise.
“Cowards! You’re all cowards!” As they walked away, they heard Lucifer curse at them. “Don’t you have any fucking original thoughts or do you just follow his goddamned orders!”
“Come on! We need to get Raphael to the medical wing!” Gabriel ordered the others.
Together as a family, they left their fallen son.
This is the story Michael told all the younger brothers. The story everyone knows, the story that haunts each of their dreams. Nothing was worse than getting kicked out. Not only would they lose their home, but their job and entire life and family.
Cas knew he was a bit different, but he never imagined this. How could he face his family? How was he supposed to get approved by father for the business when his wings looked like this! What was he going to do if he got kicked out? Where was he going to go!
“Castiel,” Gabriel called from downstairs, Father wished to see you.”
“Oh fuck.”