The Tales Of the Ones Who Have Left Us

Loyalty: Balthazar

Balthazar had created strong bonds very young. He almost never left his little brother's side, defending him against Rapheal and Metatron. He even got upset if Gabriel came too close to Castiel.

Protective, said some.

Parental, murmured others.

Possessive, some even used.

But Gabriel, who knew him better than he knew himself sometimes, insisted he was loyal. When Balthazar put his arms around his little brother defensively, and growl at anyone how came nearer than he liked, Gabriel would chuckle and kneel down at eye- level, whispering softly:

"It's alright, Balthy, see?" He'd stroke Castiel's thick hair gently, barely touching him. "I'm not gonna hurt Cassie. I'm not gonna hurt him," Balthazar watched him carefully, then slowly let go. Gabriel would scoop Castiel into his arms, letting Balthazar climb onto the Archangel's back, still uneasy and watchful. Gabriel was the only one Balthazar would let touch Castiel.

But Balthazar was as talkative as Castiel was quiet. Everyone teased him about his odd accent, though Balthazar knew Gabriel and Castiel never meant it meanly. Balthazar wasn't fond of his voice, the way some words slurred, the pronunciation was off, and his voice in general was different, the lit and dialect was clipped and quick. Gabriel tried to assure him by telling him that he also had a speech impediment, but Balthazar had no hope of losing his strangeness; his voice was just too weird.

Castiel liked listening to him talk; however, so Balthazar would lead one- sided conversation with him, where he'd talk about whatever topic Castiel happened to bring up, sometimes intergecting with a: "Well, Cassie, what do you think?" In an almost sarcastic tone, knowing Castiel would only shrug and look at his older brother with his wise blue eyes.

Balthazar's sassiness made him unpopular with his other siblings. His sarcasm was cutting, quick to give back a witty retort to anyone, even to Castiel.

But he was sweeter with Castiel. He smiled and laughed at and with him, calling him Cas and Cassie. And, in the end, he decided he liked Gabriel. He was sweet, kind, and good with Castiel, which was the most important thing to Balthazar. Gabriel grinned and chuckled often, though sometimes, he'd give Balthazar an odd look, his eyes sad. Whenever the young angel asked him about it, Gabriel would only shake his head and laugh, pick him up and swing him around, setting him on his shoulders to make him giggle, responding simply with: "You just remind me of someone, Balthy,". Balthazar often wondered who Gabriel spoke of. Micheal seemed to think the same as the other archangel, always angry and wanting to fight Balthazar until Gabriel steeped in: "Michael. His name is Balthazar," The eldest archangel would swallows and turn away, his head held high with pride. Balthazar and Castiel fought, but it was all just play.

Castiel tossed his brother to the ground, straddling him and slapping his face. Balthazar could have thrown him off, but he let the other angel hit him until a fist came in contact with his cheekbone.

"Cas! Cassie!" Balthazar yelled, and Castiel immediately moved away. "Father, Cas. One of these days, you're going to kill me," He murmured jokingly, rubbing his face. Castiel's eyes widened and he talked the blond in a massive hug, wrapping him tightly in tan arms and black wings.

"No! No, Balthazar! I would never, ever, ever kill you," Balthazar chuckled and ruffled Castiel's thick raven hair.

"I know,"