Disclaimer: I don't own Supernatural or any of its characters.

A/N: I'll be honest, I forgot I had written this story but here's an update!

Any mistakes are mine!

Healing grace, bright and beautiful, washed over Gabriel in soothing waves. It mended over the burnt golden wings, rebuilding them feather by feather. The dark black down slowly turned to its originally sun streaked color. Lucifer watched over his younger brother. His eyes glued to the healing appendages. In his arms, Castiel was resting silently. His wings were a startling black color, such a high contrast to the white. Gabriel had repaired them even as they burned and now the effects were irreversible. The black wings moved in the Archangel's arms. The edges became alit with color like embers coming back to life.

"How did this happen?" Michael broke the silence, pacing back and forth. His eyes strayed to the sleeping Gabriel. His wings fidgeted restlessly. "The Gates are never left open." He looked to Lucifer. The second eldest shrugged, a very human gesture, and spoke. "I know less than you Michael." Michael's grace snapped in anger. "You were watching the fledglings. How did you lose one?" The oldest demanded, anger was quickly building in him. The temperature grew hotter and hotter under Michael's gaze. "I will tell you again. I do not know. I can watch the host as a whole but I cannot keep one from straying." Lucifer growled out. The air grew cold under Lucifer's influence. Countering Michael's heated grace. Castiel whined and curled in on himself, hiding his tiny form in his new dark wings.

Lucifer, remembering the fledgling in their presence, reined in his grace and Michael followed his example. The oldest among them uncoiled his wings, sending out winds akin to hurricanes, and tried to calm himself. "When an angel falls, there is always a hidden thrill to fall again." Michael's gaze landed on the blacked winged angel. "Castiel has fallen, even worst his wings were preeminently charred. Should he fall again, the pain will feel like nothing." Lucifer locked gazes with his brother. "He would not be the first nor will he be the last to fall. We will deal with that problem when it arises. What truly troubles you?" He asked and Michael looked down at the third Archangel in the room. Lucifer understood at once, the root to Michael's anger.

"Gabriel will not fall." He said with conviction. Still fear wormed its way inside of him at the realization. Gabriel had been burned, he would not feel pain should he descend from Heaven. "He won't, less we give him the reason to." Michael said solemnly. His wings wrapped in on themselves and he turned away from his brother. "Find who left the Gates open. I am going to pray to Father." Lucifer frowned, their Father had long since answered any of their prayers. Not even the Archangels. But it put Michael at ease and Lucifer would not take that away from him.

A tiny shuffle in his arms and Lucifer looked down at Castiel. The ashy wings fluttered but now he was asleep. Lucifer felt peace wash over him as he looked at his younger sibling. He placed Castiel into the safety of his wings. He touched the mending wings of Gabriel. Letting the cool grace work its way through the Archangel and sooth the ache falling left behind.

"I will find who did this." He spoke quietly. He left the Judgment Angel to heal.

In one of the empty spaces that would one day belong to God's newest creatures. Lucifer stood waiting. He had passed by the Garden, leaving Castiel with his many concerned siblings. Soon the sound of wings approached him. He turned to his brother.

"Raphael." He nodded in greeting. Raphael nodded back. "Lucifer, I heard Gabriel fell…for a young one?" Lucifer cringed. "Yes, Castiel wandered away and Gabriel being as reckless as always went after him." Raphael sighed in disappointment. "Gabriel should have known better then to go after the fledgling." Lucifer waved him off. "Yes, yes Gabriel has always been sentimental. That is not our main concern." Lucifer stepped closer and looked around him. He looked around the blank space. Empty of grace yet he was cautious to continue. "The Gates have never been left open by mistake. Someone opened them with a purpose in mind." He whispered.

Raphael caught on. "But who would have the motive? The only ones who would be senseless enough to even go near the Gates when they are open of the young ones." Lucifer pursed his lips, his wings flapped anxiously. "Perhaps that is their motive. But was Castiel the desired fledgling or was he just the first of many? He has shown an interest in humanity. It would just appear like an accident." Lucifer reasoned, looking down to collect his thoughts. "But you do not think that, do you?" Lucifer looked back up. "I told you, the Gates are never left open."

The space around them turned cold but Raphael was used to the feeling. "You are the one that can persuade any being to your will. What need to you have of me?" Raphael asked. "Protect your brothers and sisters. I will focus my full attention on finding who did this. They may not like that and might attack them to distract me." Lucifer chuckled it was chilling sound and ice formed on Raphael's wings. He shuddered under the weight. "Everyone knows how much I love them. Do not let me become distracted Raphael." The Morning Star warned. Raphael stared at his brother, fear rooting even him in place. "Yes brother. I will protect him."

With the sound of a thousand wings flying at once, Lucifer was gone.

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