Castiel Singer stared at his father as he drew the thin and ragged curtains across the window shutting out the fierce storm brewing outside.

"It's time for bed, my boy" Robert Singer said softly over to his son as he climbed into the small bed tucked into the corner dragging the threadbare blanket up to his chin with trembling hands. It was a bitter winter and the wind howled around them hitting the small house on the hill with ice cold rain. He took in his child cowing in bed, his hair unruly and tousled from the bath, his eyes blue as glaciers, and an innocence that made his weary heart ache.

Times were hard since the death of his wife and Castiel's mother in the summer when the poor woman had succumbed to fever, the money was low and barely enough to feed them or keep them warm. Robert, or what he liked to be secretly called, Bobby, was an inventor but not a very good inventor to the gossip of the villagers and even though he tried his creations would just not work.

"Papa, tell me a story" Castiel said when he tucked him in ducking his head to press a kiss to his forehead.

"What story do you wish to hear?"

"I want a story I have never heard" Castiel said staring up at him. "I want to dream of the story"

"I know one story but I don't know if you're old enough to hear it"

"Papa, I am ten years of age, please" Castiel begged clinging to his hand.

"Okay, hush now and close your eyes" Bobby said with a sigh sitting on the edge of the creaky bed brushing a hand into his hair.

"Once upon a time there lived a family, a very rich family of noble birth, a doting mother, a strict but loving father and their two sons who they loved and adored. They lived in a castle on the edge of the forest surrounded by servants who attended to their every need. The family enjoyed each other's company and their one favourite activity was hunting. The slaying of animals was a sport which the eldest son took to with enthusiasm. It was a good life till one day the mother passed away in the night leaving the father and the two sons alone…"

"Like my mama" Castiel whispered softly.

"Yes, like mama, now hush and close your eyes" he said with a nod and wide eyes. "The father was struck with unbearable grief and stayed in the tower leaving his two sons to fend for themselves. The youngest was a kind boy, very courageous, honourable, and had a loving heart for anyone and especially the eldest brother but the eldest brother was different then the youngest. The eldest grew to be a selfish boy with only thoughts of nothing but himself, he was unkind and sometimes cruel to the people who surrounded him. In his grief he hunted and slayed animals in the forest for fun while the youngest could only watch with sorrow in his heart"

Bobby stroked a hand into his hair again with a small sigh. "Then one day unacceptably the father passed away in his grief leaving the two sons in the huge castle. The eldest took it upon himself to run the house but he ran it into such devastation. He was a selfish, greedy, unloving man and despite his brothers constant protests he didn't change his ways. One night in the middle of the winter, a cruel, cold, winter, the eldest brother held a celebration ball for his upcoming birthday. That night an enchantress came to the castle disguised as an old frail haggard woman needing safety and shelter for the night. She knocked on the doors and waited until the eldest son opened the door to the disguised enchantress. She begged the eldest son for shelter and in exchange she would give him a rose"

Castiel despite his father wishes had opened his eyes in awe watching him.

"This rose was the most beautiful rose across the land; it glowed with a mixture of red, pink, white and even gold petals. It was a beauty but the eldest son did not see this and he turned away the enchantress with a sneer and was repulsed by her haggard appearance. The enchantress warned him not to do this though and told the eldest son that beauty was within you but the eldest son turned her away again and the disguise melted away to reveal a beautiful enchantress. The eldest son seeing this fell to his knees in front of her begging for forgiveness which was not given. The enchantress saw the selfishness and greed inside of him and saw no love in his heart and for that she cursed him to turn into a beast and placed a powerful spell on the castle that would affect everyone inside. In return for this he was given the rose that was in fact an enchanted rose which would bloom until the last petal fell. The enchantress told the eldest son if he wished to break this curse then he must love another and in a moment of kindness from the enchantress he was given one clue, the one who could break the spell was pure of heart and pure of soul but the other must love him in return to see the past the ugliness and see the beauty within"

Castiel gasped eyes wide in awe and excitement, his mouth open in surprise.

"But if the last petal falls and the spell is not broken then he shall remain a beast forever and so in despair and mourning he locked himself into the castle ashamed of what he had done and what had happened and still remains there to this day"

Bobby straightened when the story ended pressing a kiss to his forehead again. "There we go, a story, now go to sleep"

"Papa, did he find true love?"

"No"

"So is the beast dead now?"

"It's nothing but a story my angel now close those eyes" he ordered softly watching him blink and shut his eyes. "It's nothing but a story"

"But where did you hear it papa?"

"In the wind" he lied softly stepping back and watching as Castiel curled under the covers with a small sigh. Bobby blew out the candle leaving him to it as he stepped out sitting on his own bed staring at the fire. He didn't know truthfully if it was a story or truth so he simply let it go and the next morning he hushed Castiel's constant insistence to know more about the story and so it was simply let go. The story was forgotten between the pair of them as the years passed and it was nothing more but a myth.

~O~O~O~O~

Castiel pushed open the door stepping out and breathing in the fresh air warm on his skin. It was a beautiful day in the middle of autumn so a touch of chill was in the air. He glanced over his shoulder listening to his father grumble as he got dressed and he smiled for a moment before setting off to the village.

Castiel enjoyed the freedom as he pulled his cloak around his slender body being careful to not look any one in the eye but it couldn't be helped when they gossiped about him. He was the "odd" one, the man who read stories instead of finding a wife, a job, and settling down. Castiel was lost in the world of literature and that made him a "freak".

He pushed the door of the only store that did not judge him and inhaled the smell of books as he trailed up down eyeing the books till he heard the familiar footsteps and paused with a smile for the store owner.

"Castiel! How good to see you" Charles said with a smile of his own. "I am surprised to see you though; you've read every book in here"

"I know but I just can't enough of this one" he said pulling out the book with red cover stroking across the top. "It's a favourite"

"I do indeed which is why you should keep it"

"I can't"

"Castiel, I insist that you take this as my favourite customer" Charles said pressing the book into his hands.

Castiel nodded with a glow in his eyes as he walked out onto the streets casting an eye up and down as the villagers greeted each other in the morning rush. He kept his head down as he walked staring down at the book, his book now, and he didn't notice the sudden figure appearing out of nowhere and crashing into him. Castiel gasped as his book flew out of his hands landing straight into the puddle of mud. His heart gave a pained pang as he stared up into the thoughtful eyes of Balthazar.

"I apologise" he said bending low in a bow as he picked up the book with two fingers a look of distaste on his face. Castiel sighed softly taking in the book and giving it a good wipe.

"You do realise the whole village is talking about you, don't you?"

"You inform me of this regularly" Castiel said and huffing when he snatched it again flipping through the pages with a look of disgust.

"It has no pictures"

"It's called imagination"

"You shouldn't be thinking, you should be settling down with someone who can care for you"

Castiel frowned glancing around the surrounding area taking in the people whispering and talking about them.

"I can take of myself, Balthazar"

"I'm sure you can but what about your crazy father and his insane ideas?"

"My father is not crazy" Castiel protested but on cue an explosion from the little house on the hill startled them as the villagers burst into laughter around him. Castiel shoved him out of the way as he ran away from Balthazar who laughed with them staring after him with a longing but a dark look.

"I will have you" he swore darkly.

"Papa!" Castiel cried as he darted through the house going down the stairs to the cellar below and choking on the smoke emitting from the machine. "Are you okay?"

Bobby coughed covered in soot and stared up at Castiel from the floor before sighing deeply running a hand down his face.

"It's never going to work! The fair is tomorrow and I just…"

"Papa, you need more faith in yourself, I have faith in you"

"It's useless" Bobby said with a sigh looking over to him.

"You will make it work and you will win first prize tomorrow" Castiel said placing two hands on his shoulders with a small smile. Bobby nodded eyeing him carefully before turning back to his invention.

"Pass me…you know" Bobby said as he got to his knees and Castiel handed him the wrench. "Did you have a nice day in the village?"

"I got a book..." Castiel said as he perched on the wonky stool watching him work. "I bumped into Balthazar"

"Nice man, he's, well, quite good looking" Bobby said giving him the eye as he looked over to him.

Castiel rolled his eyes thumping through his book. "Of course he's good looking, he's also rude, medieval, and not for me, I could never want him the way he wants me. I want more…I want to see the world like in your stories you used to tell when I was a small boy"

"Well if I get this damn thing to work maybe it could be a brand new start for us both" Bobby said gruffly standing up and moving to stand near him. "Here we go"

Castiel braced himself for the explosion that was surely to happen when it steamed and whistled but nothing happened as he opened his eyes and laughed in astonishment.

"You did it"

"I did it?"

"You did it!" Castiel cried as he stared at the machine now functioning and working.

"I did it!" Bobby shouted with a cry of triumph. "I'm off to the fair!"

Castiel stood by and watched with a fierce sense of pride while he saddled up their horse, Carlos.

"Take care of yourself while I'm gone" Bobby said clapping his shoulder before riding off. Castiel waved till he was out of sight knowing deep down he was going to do well and was proud of his father for achieving his dreams.

Bobby glanced at the guy as he steadied Carlos who whined and snorted feeling tired from dragging the cart along. He stared at the sinking sun feeling a chill rise on his arms before clucking his tongue and dragging the horse to go. The eeriness of the forest sent an unwanted chill down his spine as Carlos trotted forward and he came to a stop looking at the two paths.

"Great" Bobby muttered reaching into his pocket as he pulled out the map which fluttered in the sudden breeze flying out of his fingers. He gasped looking over his shoulder as he watched it flutter away and rip on a sharp branch.

"Right, instinct I guess now" he said looking down one path and the other before nodding and feeling it in his bones as he pulled Carlos to the left who was insistent they went to the right.

"Oh come on boy, left is good, come on" he said through gritted teeth while Carlos whined, snorted, and protested till Bobby forced him down the chosen path. The walk down was slow and steady till it all went wrong and a crack of thunder overhead startled Carlos to rear back with a startled neigh taking off quick and fast as lightning struck through the guy. The cart was lost behind them and Bobby was thrown from the horse causing him to roll till he hit a tree nearby with a grunt. He pushed up with a painful gasp staring around the dark forest, the broken cart and his invention gone, the horse had fled and the rain was beginning to fall. Bobby stumbled clutching a twisted wrist and knew it was too far to start walking back when he heard the sound that sent a shiver of terror running through his spine. The howl of wolves startled him as he spun around scanning the area before taking off and running not realising his mistake beforehand but how could he stop now?

His feet took him running and stumbling through the wood but he was hyperaware of everything around him and gasped in a panic when his knees gave out. His eyes zeroed in on the iron gates that stood in front of him and he sucked in a startled breath taking in the monstrous sight of the castle before realising he was being pursued by wolves and shuffled up opening the gate and slamming it shut backing away when he saw red eyes in the dark. The rain hammered down soaking into his clothes as he pushed up off the ground walking over to the doors looming and threatening.

Bobby's hands shook from the cold and the events of the night catching up on him as he pushed open the door peering into the gloom of the hallway.

"Hello?" he called out shutting the door behind him. There was a scuffle nearby and he turned startled looking around when he heard a muted voice.

"Please do not tell me this is our saviour" Gabriel Trick hissed over to Sam Winchester who frowned the best he could despite the fact he was a candle with candles for arms and could only hop and the only friend he had in the world was now an annoying clock.

"I think he's lost" Sam said craning his neck as they hopped down off the table following after Bobby who trailed down the hallway peeking around and stopping when he heard the familiar scuffle and low voices.

"Hello? I don't wish to disturb you it's just I got lost on the trail, my horse, my cart, they're gone and I just need a place to stay for the night!" he hollered out.

"Oh boy" Gabriel said with a scoff looking over to Sam who stared up at him with curiosity.

"We should help…"

"Are you insane?! You know he would not like this, he'll kill him, Sam"

"He won't, Gabriel, you know he won't and he's in the tower anyway…we have to help him because…" Sam said as they rounded the corner.

"Because what!?"

"Because he could have a daughter or a son" Sam whispered over to Gabriel whose wide eyes shadowed in realisation. "Time is running short, you know this"

"I swear I'll find a way to melt your wax off if this goes wrong for both of us…I've only just got my time right" Gabriel said angrily as they jumped out startling Bobby to stumble back in horror and surprise.

"What the…" he said in a choked voice staring at the candle and clock on the floor very much alive and staring up at him. "I'm dreaming, crazy, or dead"

"You're very much alive, stranger, my name is Sam Winchester and I think you need my help" Sam said bowing low and gesturing a candle at Gabriel who scowled. "This is Gabriel"

"Why are you in the forests alone?"

"Gabriel, be silent" Sam scolded. "You must be freezing and hungry, come with me"

"I've gone completely mad" Bobby said as he picked up the clock and ignoring the protests of Gabriel when he opened the glass door fiddling inside.

"How dare you!" Gabriel cried slamming it shut on Bobby's fingers that he brought back with a wince and a scowl. "Put me down at once!"

"Ignore him; these years have not done too kindly for him" Sam said with an exasperated sigh. "If you'll follow me"

Bobby nodded numbly as he walked down the hall shivering and longing for some kind of heat. The candle led him towards a pair of white doors which opened on their own accord and he blinked stepping into warmth.

"Sam, no, not his chair" Gabriel whined looking at Sam who hit him none too kindly with his candle hand.

"Take a seat, warm your bones, and let Uriel help with your feet" he said indicating to the moving go footstool that yelped running over. Bobby bent low gaping at the cushion nuzzling into his hand.

"I must have hit my head harder than I thought"

"This is a really bad idea" Gabriel said at his side when Sam rolled his eyes. The door crashed open startling all of them but it was nothing more than a tray rolling towards him.

"I heard we have visitors!" a woman's voice said and he could sit and watch as a teapot stared back at him. "It's about time, how do you like your tea love?"

"Um" Bobby muttered with a hard swallow. "One…"

"Sugar? Milk?" she said in a delighted voice. "The names Ellen and here's your tea"

"Thank you" Bobby replied in a whisper picking up the tea cup and taking a sip when it wiggled in his hand and he nearly dropped it in surprise.

"It tickles!"

"Oh Jo do not stop making such a fuss" Ellen scolded the tea cup when Bobby placed her down watching her jump next to her mother. Bobby was soon startling to relax, he felt warm, secure, and was soon starting to get used to the fact that inanimate objects could now talk when a roar startled him.

"Oh no" Gabriel breathed when the doors burst open with a cold wave distinguishing Sam's flames. Sam closed his eyes in defeat watching as Bobby scrambled up backing against the wall for the sudden looming dark figure standing in the darkness. Ellen jumped down with Jo in tow as they hid with the others in the corner of the room.

"This can only end badly" Jo said to her mother who hushed her.

"Who are you?" a cold voice said startling Bobby enough to swallow hard gaining courage and strength as he straightened.

"Robert Singer, I…"

"What are you doing here?"

"I got lost in the forest, my horse thrown me and it's a storm out there…I just need a place to stay"

"So you come here to my home, you use my things, sit in my seat, are you comfortable now?!" the voice said shaking in anger.

"I'm sorry, I just…"

"You are trespassing on private property! Maybe you'll be more comfortable in the dungeons?!" he roared at him.

Sam hopped forward and could only watch in disdain as he was hauled out of the room despite his protests. The door slammed behind him and they could still hear the yells from Bobby and there was nothing they could do.

"Well…that went well" Gabriel said looking to Sam who met his eyes looking away.

"Why do we even hope?" Jo said hopping forward looking at the three of them. "There's no point in hoping anymore, we're stuck like this till the end of time. Dean will never change and we're foolish to believe anyone could fall in love with Dean Winchester"

~0~0~0~0~

Castiel was reading his book when he heard the knock on the door. He gave a frown not accepting company and opened the door with a sigh.

"Balthazar"

"Castiel, my darling, I had wished to see you in town" he announced pushing past Castiel to wander into the house like he owned it.

"I had no business in town this morning, what are you doing here?"

"Claiming which is mine" Balthazar said spinning to face him. "Where's the crazy old broad?"

"My father is not crazy and he's at the fair with his invention" Castiel said slowly reaching for the book which Balthazar had picked up.

"You must stop this insane reading, Castiel, it's not healthy"

"Can I have my book back please?"

"Yes but in exchange for something I desperately want"

"What is this?"

"You, I want you to be mine"

Castiel swallowed hard when he backed him up against the door mouth pressed over his pulse.

"You are too desirable for your own good" Balthazar murmured hand dragging closer to his pants stroking softly. Castiel paused placing one hand on his shoulder with a hard swallow.

"You can't want me, you need a woman for your needs, Balthazar" he said grabbing the handle twisting it. "I am not it and I am certainly not yours"

Castiel ducked out of the way twisting the handle as Balthazar stumbled out of the door landing on his face in the dirt. He slammed the door shut closing his eyes and shaking his whole body in repulsion as he grabbed his shoes pulling them on, his cloak went over his shoulders as he headed out of the back door. His feet took him forward as he climbed over the gate staring out across the view inhaling the smell of fresh air, grass, and a lingering smell of flowers. He closed his eyes enjoying the breeze when a sudden whinnying startled him and he turned to see Carlos galloping towards him snorting.

"Carlos?" Castiel said in fear catching the wild horse and patting his side. "Where's papa? Is he here? Why am I talking to you like you're going to answer back?"

Castiel felt the fear settle into his bones as he knew that the bad feeling he had last night during the storm last night was for no reason.

"You have to take me to him, we have to find him!" Castiel said looking into the horse's eyes hoping to communicate as he pushed up climbing onto the horse. It was like he understood as he took off instantly with Castiel keeping a tight grip of the reins as he they took off. The journey there was an unpredictable one as they rode through the forest when light slowly turned into darkness around him, the woods gnarled and twisted and the threat of everything evil starting to close in.

It was only when they took a route he didn't know was when he saw it. Castiel reared Carlos back staring up at the castle in front of him in horror and curiosity as he dropped down off him. His eyes zeroed on a piece of cloth on the floor on the other side of the gates that he knew immediately as tied the reins to the rails going through the gate and dropping down to pick up the white handkerchief belonging to know one but his father.

"I guess you're in there" he whispered moving forward as he pocketed the handkerchief pulling the hood of his cloak over his head for security. He opened the door with a grunt at the force as he stepped inside eyes taking in the huge hallway dark and covered with cobwebs.

Sam was distracted igniting and distinguishing his flames when the door opened and a head poked around. His eyes shot to the young man walking in clearly afraid but more than curious.

"Hello? Papa?" he called out into the silence. Gabriel opened his eyes in shock shuffling discreetly to Sam who turned his head to meet his.

"Can I sing saviour?"

"Shush" Sam murmured low as they followed after the stranger calling out for their current prisoner. Castiel jumped out of his skin when he heard a noise and blinked seeing a fading light and pursued it.

"Hello? Can you help me? I'm looking for my father…" Castiel called after the light as it led him upstairs towards a door. He entered it climbing winding stairs following the light in silence till it disappeared and he paused on the steps confused.

"How odd" he murmured looking at the candle suddenly there on the steps and picked it up gingerly holding it for light as he climbed the stairs till he reached the top hearing a cough.

"Papa!" Castiel shouted running towards him.

"Castiel? No, what are you doing here?"

"I was worried, Carlos returned and you were gone…why are you here?" Castiel said looking around the place in concern. "Come on we have to get you out"

"No, you have to get out of here!"

There was a rush of cold behind him from unexpected wind. "What are you doing here?"

Castiel gasped suddenly yanked away and tossed to the door with a hard smack leaving him sore and winded.

"Who's there?"

"The owner of this house" a voice said from the darkness surrounding them.

"Why do you have my father? He's getting sick, let him go"

"He was on my land!"

"Please, please, I'm begging you to let him go…I'll do anything"

"Castiel, stop this!" Bobby protested gripping his hand tight with his own.

"There's nothing you can do" the voice snarled at him. "He came here, he's my prisoner now"

"Please there must be something…no don't go!" Castiel said scrambling forward hesitating as he looked back to Bobby staring at him pained. "Who are you? Let me see you"

The figure in the darkness hesitated for a second before stepping into the light and Castiel sucked in a sharp breath taking in the deformed figure. The face near enough human apart from the disfigurement shaping his face into a monstrous form, the eyes black and cold as night, the hands shaped into claws, and the body hunched over. Castiel backed away closing his eyes.

"I will trade places; I'll stay in his stead"

"Castiel, no!" Bobby shouted grabbing his shoulder through the bars.

"You would do that?"

"Yes but if I did, if I took his place, would you let him go"

"Yes" the reply was instant and hesitant. "But if you did you would have to promise you will stay here forever"

Castiel opened his mouth glancing back to his father.

"Don't do this, don't do this, Castiel"

"I have to" Castiel whispered as he stood up reaching full height and nodded. "I promise"

"Done" he growled knocking Castiel to the floor as he passed leaving him to stare as his father ran towards him hauling him up.

"You stupid boy, what have you done?" Bobby shouted before being dragged away.

Castiel collapsed onto the floor shaking as he heard the orders for his father to be dropped off near the edge of the woods. His eyes trained to the floor as he realised what his promise meant and he was now a prisoner.

A/N: No regrets in the slightest. I wanted to write this so badly you have no idea because I have read a few of them and not really liked them so I have done my own. Is it okay? Please give me feedback.