Chapter Text
Balthazar strolls with light, quiet footsteps into the clearing. Thick rows of trees frame the small pond in which Castiel is sitting, submerged to his shoulders. As he rounds the pond’s edge, passing Castiel’s carefully folded uniform on the ground, Balthazar can see that his eyes are gently, his chin brushing the water’s surface where his head hangs forward.
Is he praying, or simply meditating before the battle? It’s time to march, but Balthazar doesn’t dream of interrupting him; he sits carefully down on the grass and waits.
“Balthazar.” Castiel doesn’t turn his head, or open his eyes, but he smiles. Balthazar smiles back.
“The others are ready, just waiting on our captain,” he answers the unvoiced question happily.
“I understand. Will you help me dress?” Castiel stands slowly, stretches, and climbs out of the water. Balthazar watches him fondly as he approaches, reaching for Castiel’s uniform as requested.
“Of course.”
Piece by piece, Balthazar slips the clothing onto Castiel’s outstretched, still soaking limbs, winding and binding it carefully around his torso, snapping clasps and skillfully adjusting the formal breastplate, decorated with the feathers of honourably fallen comrades. His fingers skim up Castiel’s sides to his light flushing cheeks.
Castiel leans forward, his forehead pressing against Balthazar’s.
“I love you.”
“Let’s come back alive.”
“Please.”
“I love you, too.”
Balthazar tilts his head up, pressing a lingering kiss to Castiel’s brow. Castiel smiles for a long moment, then straightens up and draws a deep breath.
“Let’s march.”