#inias

S06E20 The Man Who Would be King

S07E21 Reading is Fundamental

S08E22 Sacrifice

I'm watching Reading is Fundamental for the first time since reading 91w 20+ times and honestly

naomi is one of the main antagonists of season 8, and makes several appearances throughout the series. she is a leader in heaven and believes fervently in the importance of her reign being successful (she also lobotomizes castiel). inias appears only in 7x21 "reading is fundamental," and he is actually an old friend of castiel's. he ushers kevin to safety at the end of the episode. now the two of them face off!

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“Where are they?”

Uriel said nothing. He continued to wait, posture perfect and every sense strained to its limit.

“They’ve never taken this long before.”

Inias only talked to much when he was nervous. Now he was practically vibrating into different spectrums, but for once Uriel had nothing to say. There was nothing he could say to make this better.

Most buildings in Heaven were an expression of worship. Graceful columns and high ceilings and delicate arches; artwork that shone in every sense and every spectrum to glorify their Father and fill their home with beauty. 

Not this one.

Uriel tried to focus on the sun on his wings, and the grass under his feet, but every time his eyes drifted back to the tower.

Finally, a door opened, and Inias froze for a split-second before springing to attention. Castiel left the building and spread his wings without a glance in their direction. Inias made a soft, almost inaudible noise and took off after him, and Uriel stepped forward as Balthazar stumbled out into the sunlight.

Like Castiel he moved under his own power, but only barely, and the barely-contained fear and anger on his face was a stark contrast to Castiel’s unnerving blankness. Uriel buried his own emotions with the ease of long practice as he fell into step beside his brother.

They certainly knew how to make it hurt. Castiel disobeyed out of love, and so they stripped it from him. Balthazar tried to defend him out of loyalty and so his punishment was to watch and remember, with just a dash of physical chastisement thrown in for his devotion to a fellow angel. At least they had been ordered to love humans.

This was one of the better days. Balthazar’s wings were whole, and while he leaned into the hand Uriel hooked under his elbow he was able to keep his footing. A weak, uneven wave of pain-tinged gratitude washed over him, and Uriel crushed the anger that wouldn’t do anyone any good and sent back unwavering support.

Neither spoke as they walked to the gardens. Balthazar couldn’t, and Uriel knew to hold his tongue.

But with every flinch and every tremor, the fiercely-contained anger grew.

They eventually reached a quiet corner, and Balthazar sank to his knees with a faint groan. Uriel knelt next to him and waited, and Balthazar finally looked up at him.

“This isn’t right.”

His voice cracked, and Uriel gripped his shoulder tight. “Quiet,” he hissed. “Did you enjoy yourself so much you want another visit?”

Balthazar flinched. Uriel forced himself to let go, and after another glance round lowered his voice. “You have to be more careful.”

“Tell that to Cassie,” Balthazar muttered.

His brothers were as bad as each other. Uriel kept a scowl off his face with an effort, but before he could say anything he felt the familiar aura of an approaching angel. Balthazar tensed, and Uriel was in front of him before he even knew what he was doing, but then recognition registered, and he relaxed.

“Joshua.”

Joshua inclined his head, and held up a tray. “I thought you might appreciate some refreshments.”

Sustenance wasn’t exactly necessary for them, but the act of breaking bread together was healing in itself. Joshua’s eyes sparkled, and Uriel smiled as Balthazar relaxed back onto the grass.

“Thank you.”

Joshua hummed and began the prayer of thanks, but though Uriel closed his eyes his thoughts were far from worship.

Balthazar might be reckless and indiscreet, but he wasn’t wrong.

This wasn’t right.

Uriel loved his Father, loved Heaven, loved his siblings, and he could not believe that he had been created to stand by and watch those he loved suffer. Somewhere, somehow, something had gone very wrong.

One day things would be different. After the Apocalypse, after they had brought about Paradise, things would change. Things would be better. There would be no more punishments that left his brothers broken.