An Angel Goes To Church (Castiel x Reader)

“Cas!” you yelled into one of the hallways of the bunker, smoothing down the dress you were wearing. You craned your neck to yell again. “Are you almost ready?”

            “Hello, Y/N,” a voice said behind you, making you jump and turn around, hand over your heart in surprise when you realized it was just the Angel of the Lord.

            “Cas,” you said, slightly out of breath. “I told you not to do that!” You smoothed down the front of the Sunday dress you were wearing. Why were you wearing a Sunday dress, you ask? Well, you and Castiel were going to church.

            Yes, church. You actually didn’t intend to go today—in fact, it had totally slipped your mind since you became a Hunter. Back then you had only gone so often, once or twice a month maybe. But ever since you started Hunting with the Winchesters and Castiel you hadn’t had a chance to attend mass at all.

            And then you guys found the bunker. It seemed like you all were there to stay. So one day you were rifling through one of the many storage rooms for clothes and found the dress, thinking it would be perfect to go to church in, ultimately deciding to go. Bringing Castiel was just a spur-of-the-moment decision because neither brother wanted to go with you. Plus, you figured that since Castiel was an Angel, he would be familiar with the mass rites and would make a good companion.

            Yet here he was, still in his trench coat and rumpled suit. You sighed and shook your head, taking a step towards the Angel, smiling and saying, “Come on, Cas. At least clean up a bit when you go to church.”

            You took off his coat and hung it on the nearest chair, folding it up before draping it over the back. You turned to Castiel again and tightened and straightened his blue tie before buttoning up the suit coat he always wore, but never seemed to get dirty. You smoothed down the front of the suit, smiling as you noticed the ever-present look of confusion on his face.

            “What is it, Cas?” I asked, slightly worried.

            He hesitated a bit before answering. “It’s… nothing, Y/N, just… This is very new to me.” He swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down. “I have gone to church before, just not to… practice a certain ritual within it.” He fixed his blue eyes on you.

            You smiled, reaching up to arrange his hair. “Don’t worry, Cas. It’s just mass. Trust me, you’ll get the hang of it. Just… follow along.” With the smile still on your face, you took Castiel’s hand and led him to where the boys were, in the control room, looming over the illuminated world map. They both had their heads down, Sam researching something on his laptop, Dean tracing invisible lines on the map with a finger.

            The clacking of heels, both yours and Castiel’s, alerted them both to your presence. The older Winchester, as soon as he looked up, whistled, admiring your dress and Castiel’s fixed suit. Sam just smiled, taking in both your clothes.

            You shook your head, dragging the Angel by one hand and holding the other up, palm facing upward.

            “Fork over the keys, Dean,” you said, one eyebrow raised. “I am not walking to the nearest church in these.” You pointed to your feet with your free hand, emphasizing the white pumps you wore.

            Dean smiled, holding up a glass that seemed like it materialized in his hand. “You’re right, sweet cheeks,” he said. “Wouldn’t want to scuff those immaculate shoes of yours, wouldn’t we?”

            You scoffed, holding up your hand again. “Just hand over the keys to the Impala, Winchester. Or I swear I will hit you in the face with the heel of my shoe.”

            Dean raised both hands in surrender, “All right, all right,” he relented, shoving a hand down his back pocket and withdrawing the keys to Baby, his prized 1967 Chevy Impala. He jangled them over your hand and you reached out to take them, but he pulled them back. “But no scratches, y’hear? And I don’t want her smelling funny when you two get back.” He tossed them to you, and you caught it with your free hand.

            You smiled. “Thanks, Dean.” You turned to the Angel and said, “Come on,” and then proceeded to tow him after you to the garage.

***

The church Y/N drove them to was small. They passed through wrought iron gates and Y/N found a space near the entrance to park the Impala. She turned off the engine and turned to the Angel with a solemn smile on her face.

            “Are you ready, Castiel?” she said. He could hear hints of relief and peace blending together in the sound of her voice.

            Castiel looked up at the intimidating structure, trying to find the essence of his Father there, really trying. He thought he could feel a smidge of His presence, but he wasn’t sure. But just the relief that he found a piece of Him was enough to make the Angel nod his head and follow Y/N inside.

They took a seat at a pew near the back of the church. Since it wasn’t very large, Castiel could see all the way to the altar. He could make out the image of his most loved brother, crucified and bleeding, immortalized for humans to see. He saw the Virgin Mary, dressed so finely in blue and white and gold, standing atop a cloud with cherubs at her feet. On the far left was the church’s patron saint, Saint… he had to wrack his brain for this one… Saint Ildephonsus, maybe. He was clothed in fur and white and brown garments. Castiel was not familiar much with the saints that passed though Heaven’s gates as he was with his siblings, so he was not sure whether he had been correctly portrayed by the humans, humans who worshipped them unconditionally, even those who did not believe.

            “How are you doing, Cas?” Y/N asked suddenly, jolting the Angel out of his thoughts. He turned to her and saw her (e/c) eyes glinting with excitement.

            “I’m… not sure. But I can tell that you’re happy to be here,” I said plainly. “Why?” I could feel my eyes squinting and my head tilting.

            Y/N smiled sadly and turned away, her gaze crawling over to the altar. They held there as she spoke.

            “My parents were really pious. Every Sunday and every other Wednesday they would take me to mass, just the three of us. Whenever the church in our town had an event, we would always attend. And when I got into Stanford I would go to the school’s chapel all the time, and I even helped around there.” She sighed, that nostalgic smile disappearing from her face.

            “But then the Shifter showed up. I’d been home for Thanksgiving then. My parents were downstairs and I was in my room getting ready for dinner. I suddenly hears my mom’s scream and then a loud thump. I jumped into my closet and hid there, the pocket knife I always carried clutched in my hand.” Castiel could see Y/N’s hand twitching, opening and then closing as if to grasp something invisible. “I heard the heavy footfalls of the monster and heard it come into my room.

            “It all happened so fast. One minute I was hiding in the closet. The next minute the closet door opened and I stabbed the murderer in the gut. I ran out and collided with Sam and Dean. And then the monster came again and they killed it. They took me to Bobby’s and he trained me. I’d go on Hunts and run his intelligence center with him. When I had a break from my Hunts I’d go to church. But then I teamed up with the brothers and I couldn’t go at all because we were always on the road.”

    Y/N looked at the Castiel and saw that the pretty smile he loved was back on her face. “This is the first time in six months that I’ve been to a mass. I’m just glad to be here.” She looked around, her eyes scanning every facet of the church. “I feel at home in here. I feel like I’m getting the rest I really needed.” She closed her eyes and breathed deeply. “And it’s nice to get away from those brothers for a while.” She opened her eyes again and smiled.

            Castiel said nothing, just took in her words, not really knowing what to say. It was rare that Y/N and he spoke like this. It was very… pleasing that she opened up to him in his Father’s home. It made the Angel closer to her.

            As I opened my mouth to speak, the person at the front suddenly spoke and Y/N stood up. I hurriedly followed her lead.

For a large portion of the Holy Mass, Castiel took cues from Y/N and the presiding reverend. Mostly because he didn’t know what to do, and because he was too engrossed in the readings. When it came to saying “Our Father”, or rather singing it, Y/N took one of his hands in hers and raised them to shoulder-height. She raised her other hand and Castiel followed suit, singing along with her and everybody else as if he’d sung the song his entire life. Which he didn’t. None of his Angelic siblings, not even Raphael or Michael, prayed like this, he thought. These humans were so much more loving of his Father, more than them, His angels. It was both very strange and wonderful.

***

During the Holy Communion Y/N gently tugged Castiel to the end of the line of people waiting to receive the Sacred Host. As they neared the front, Y/N felt Castiel hesitate, probably unsure of what to do. So she smiled and whispered to him, “Relax, Cas. Just do what I do.”

            As Y/N faced the priest, she put my left hand over her right, palm up.

            “Body of Christ,” Father said, holding up the circular piece of tasteless bread.

            “Amen,” she said, and he placed the bread on her upturned palm. She took it with her right hand, crossed herself, and moved behind the reverend to wait for Castiel.

            He followed Y/N’s lead and ate the bread in the most solemn way she’d ever seen anyone do it. Castiel crossed himself and stepped towards Y/N. He nodded at her and they made their way back to their pew. She held his hand and didn’t let go. They sat with their fingers interlacing though the rest of the mass.

***

The rest of the mass went without much surprise. That was, until the reverend said his parting words.

            “Go forth, the Mass is ended,” he said, both arms raised.

            The people, plus Castiel with a slight stumble at the beginning, said, “Thanks be to God.” And then all the churchgoers applauded, and Castiel swore to himself, in the many centuries he’s lived, he had never seen a better display of love to his Father. So he clapped along with them. He clapped his hands so hard that they felt sore, but he didn’t care.

            Eventually, the applause died down and people started to exit the church, but not before exchanging a few kisses or hugs or handshakes with one another, as Castiel saw. He turned to Y/N to ask why they were doing that, when he noticed she was kneeling, still praying, giving thanks, as he heard in his head. Castiel let her be, letting her take her time. He could understand now, why she felt at home in the church, why she felt like she could get the rest she so needed in that place.

            It took a minute, but she finally stood up, wiping at her cheeks as she did. Castiel immediately asked what was wrong.

            Y/N just laughed. “It’s nothing, Cas, I promise. I was just… a bit overwhelmed.” She nodded, eyes focusing elsewhere, her fingers fiddling with the pendant that hung around her neck. Castiel looked at his friend once more, squinting when he saw her eyes glisten with tears. A few spilled over and trailed small rivers down her cheeks when he finally moved.

            The Angel enveloped her in his arms, shushing her, humming to her and whispering, “It’s all right, Y/N, you’re all right,” as he stroked her hair. He didn’t say anything anymore, just closed his eyes as he let his Grace cover them both, helping her calm down.

            When Y/N pulled back, she just smiled at him and thanked him, wiping her cheeks with a hand as the other stayed on his chest.

Castiel wasn’t sure if he should do it. A part of him wanted to, but the other decided that it wasn’t time because Y/N was currently driving them to the bunker. He kept thinking about it until the car made a rumbling stop in the bunker’s garage.

            He watched as Y/N took the keys from the slot, slumping against her seat and sighing.

            Now, some part of Castiel said.

            “Um… Y/N,” he said, the Hunter in the driver’s seat turning to him.

            He no longer hesitated, just dove right in—

            Castiel placed a hand on her cheek and leaned in, kissing her softly on the lips. He pulled back just as quickly and said, “Thank you, Y/N. For today.” And then he was gone with a flutter of wings.

***

Y/N sat in the driver’s seat, still feeling the Angel’s soft lips on hers, and then remembering his hurried thank you. She didn’t know what she tried to accomplish today or what she did by taking Castiel to church.

            But either was expecting something or she wasn’t, she didn’t complain about the outcome.