Ketch Me as I Fall

It had been a few days since Cael had arrived and curiosity had finally won me over. I wanted to see how he worked. Because despite everything we had been through together, there was still a lot I didn't know about him. And his fighting style was one of them.

"When do we get to practice magic?" Ally asked, shaking her hands out as she bounced back and forth on the balls of her feet.

"Your powers are not 'magic'," Cael grumbled. His bright eyes rolled. "And before you can use your powers efficiently…" He said it in almost a correcting tone, "You need to know hand-to-hand combat."

"I know hand-to-hand combat," Ally said, almost bored now. "My dad and I took classes."

"But you've yet to have use of it on a hunt, correct?" Cael asked.

"I've only ever been on one…"

Cael looked at me as I sat against the wall and I shrugged. "Elly didn't want her to go. She barely even knew about the supernatural." I explained. Speaking of the older blonde. She had decided to stay in bed today, and I wouldn't force her out of it again.

"Well. If you think you're ready…" Cael cracked his neck. "Show me."

Ally looked confused, and I couldn't blame her. I wasn't sure what he had in mind, but I knew it would probably be similar to my way of 'teaching'. Better to just dive straight in and shove her into a situation she's not ready for. Sure we could try to teach her like a normal teacher/student relationship, but she seemed more the type to learn better getting her hands dirty anyway.

"Show you how?" Ally questioned as she took a timid step forward. "I don't want to fight a friend."

"I am not here to be your 'friend'," Cael said with a roll of those larimar eyes. I chuckled a little as Ally smiled. "You will not like me once we are done. But the more you hate me, the more you will learn."

"I doubt you could do anything to make me hate you pretty boy," Ally smirked at him.

Cael's head tipped to the side like a confused dog. It almost made me smile at how oblivious he still was. He had never been hit on before.

"Can't you see my true form? Are you not afraid of it?" He straightened, studying her.

Ally shrugged. "Not really. There's nothing to be afraid of. Besides, I can pick and choose what I want to see when it comes to angels and demons." She pointed over his shoulder. "Right now I can see your bright halo and those beautiful wings. They remind me of a red-tailed hawk."

"A hawk?" I asked and she nodded. "That's fitting."

I smiled as Cael developed a bit of a blush. It was an odd thing to see on him, but it did seem like he was starting to understand that she was flirting with him. This could be interesting.

"You said before I have horns, right?" I asked, "What else?"

Ally turned to me, her turn to be confused. "You didn't know you had horns?"

"Nope." I smiled a little. "Just thought I held the pitchfork." That wasn't totally true. I had tried once or twice to look at myself and see what I was now, but every time it had just been…sickening. It had been hard enough to accept that I was what I was now, I didn't need the constant reminder looking back at me in the mirror. 

Ally's eyes danced around me for a moment, studying me as she tried to decide what to say. "When I take the filters away…your skin is ashen. Not black but like you've been burnt away and are made of nothing but ash." She studied a spot just over my right shoulder. "And you have wings too. But they look more like a bat than a bird. That seems to be a theme between angels and demons. Like Dad's look like a Gryfalcon, just singed in some places. But every demon I've seen looks like some sort of bat." She looked back at my head, but just above it too. "Your horns kind of spiral back like a rams, but not fully. They're honestly pretty small compared to some others. And then there's…" Ally trailed off and pointed at her mouth as if she wasn't sure how to explain what she saw. "You have…how would you describe that Cael?"

"A smile full of knives for teeth that goes back to her ears?" Cael huffed.

"Yup. That." Ally nodded.

"Do I have a pointed tail too?" I joked, though the body she described did sound pretty badass, I was sure it was only part of the mess I was.

"Nope." Ally glanced abc to Cael again as if asking for help once again, but turned back when he didn't look like he was going to supply any. "Your eyes are like…umm…like they're just fire. They glow more when you're upset. Like when mom was hurt, they were huge infernos."

"What do they look like now?" I pressed.

"They're just barely flickering." Ally continued. "They're more of a smoke grey than anything else, but there's a small golden flame in the center. Like it's just waiting for more fuel." She laughed a little. "They change color too, like after you've spent time with Ketch. They turn blue."

"Spent time with?" I questioned, almost immediately regretting it.

"Ya. That." A small blush came ot her face and she scratched the back of her neck."

I felt a blush creep across my cheeks. I cleared my throat. "That's enough of that." I looked at Cael. "Care to show her how quickly an enemy can strike?"

"Wai…" Ally had no time to say whatever had been on her tongue before Cael knocked her to the ground.

He crouched above her, hand resting inches above her throat. I knew he wouldn't hurt her, but she needed to know just how quick some monsters would be. I nodded and watched as he helped her back up.

"Don't take your eyes off him," I said, sliding my legs underneath myself. "Again."

And Cael took her down again. He was faster than most of the other angels I had met. Driven more by battle than by God himself. He was all too perfect for a lesson like this. So I continued to watch as over and over again, Ally met the ground.

"Again," I said for the ninth, maybe tenth time.

Ally had just gotten to her feet, a light sweat covering her brow. There were light bruises that were starting to form along her back. She siped a hand across her forehead before sweeping her long hair out of her face and back into a ponytail. She shook her hands out again and stretched her neck before getting into a better stance. I smiled, she would get him this time.

And sure enough, this time when Cael rushed forward, it was him that ended up on his back instead. It had almost been too quick for my eyes to catch it, but Ally had ducked low of his arms and swiped her leg under his feet, making him lose balance. I smirked as he looked up at her, a little shocked. She was still proving to be a quick learner. I looked at her as she stood from where she'd stayed crouched, a smile spreading across her face.

"Good job, kid." I smiled. "Do it again."

Ally rolled her eyes but held her hand out to help Cael to his feet again. Those zircon eyes still seemed surprised, though it was quick to leave as his mouth shifted into a smirk. There was no time for her to react, and if I would have blinked, I was sure I would've missed it. Ally was back on the floor, Cael now sitting over her with his legs on either side of her, her hands pinned above her head.

"Ass…" Ally grumbled.

But she was just as quick to hook one of her legs around his and pull, dragging it away and making him lose balance yet again. And then her other leg was coming up to catch Cael in his side, hitting hard enough to send him to the ground again. She shoved his hands away from her and rolled to stay on top of him, using her knees to pin his arms down at the bicep. Then she took hold of his hair and ripped his head to one side. I jumped ot my feet as I saw Cael wince.

"Ally." I was firm with her name. "That's enough. I think we're done for the day."

Ally didn't move. She kept Cael right where she wanted him as she caught her breath.

"Ally." I tried again, letting a growl slip past my lips with it.

She looked at me then, and those mismatched eyes met mine. The beautiful crimson red and the bright true gold made me all too uncomfortable.

"Let him go." I stayed firm, she couldn't know how she made me feel. "Now."

Ally exhaled deeply and finally released her hold on Cael's hair. She removed herself from his chest and stepped away from him, her arms wrapping around herself as if she had returned to herself. Like she was no longer whatever had just pinned a warrior angel to the ground.

"Thank you. You can go rest somewhere if you'd like." I took a few steps towards them. "I'd like to speak with Cael alone anyway."

Ally didn't speak as she left the room. She didn't look at either of us either.

"You see what I mean now, ya?" I asked as soon as Ally was out of earshot.

Cael had sat up on the floor, an arm resting against his knee as he stared after her. He was quiet and looked to be in thought. When he finally seemed to find his voice again, it was quiet. "You said you wanted strong. You've certainly got it."

"I didn't want out of control, Cael." I sighed and extended him a hand. "I'm afraid that's where she's heading."

"Should her training continue then?" He took my hand and I pulled him to his feet. I had to look up at him now. 

"Yes. She still needs to know all of this." I took a step back. "We'll just have to be careful not to push her too far. I don't need a broken Nephilim."

Cael nodded. "Did this start after you made the deal?"

My turn to nod. "Ya. After we got home I started to notice it."

"Which part of her soul did you take?"

The question threw me. "What do you mean? We take the whole soul, not parts."

"She's not human, Alex." Cael walked away from me and took a seat at a small table in the corner. 

"So what?" I turned ot face him. "She has more than just one?"

"Not necessarily. It's considered a mixture. The human soul and angel grace. You can't split a normal human soul. But this one…" Cael nodded his head back and forth as if he was weighing the options. "You could potentially be leaving her with only angel grace."

"Fuck…" My hand went ot my head as I closed my eyes. "The deals only take human souls." That was a problem. A huge problem.

"You could also be taking all of it." Cael shrugged. "She could be struggling to keep hold of the grace she has left. And this could be her reaction to it being stripped away. She gets angry and worked up because it's the only thing keeping her grace there."

That did nothing to make me feel any better. What the fuck had I done? What exactly was I doing to her? How could I have let this happen?

"But I'm not sure which one it is." Cael's eyes were trained on the spot she had been before leaving. "We just need to keep an eye on her. I see where your concern is coming from, but she's a good person."

I cocked an eyebrow. "Are you saying you like her?"

"What?" Cael's eyes finally tore from the spot and met mine.

"You like her," I stated this time. "You have never said anything that nice about anyone else before."

"I never said I liked her." He rolled his eyes. "I don't even like you most of the time."

"But you do like me sometimes and that's all I needed to hear." My tone switched ot a teasing one and he looked confused again. It was like watching Cas trying to figure out Dean again. "We've got to get you like a human-to-angel translator or something."

"I am not good with emotions. They take me longer to process than you do." Cael explained softly. "I do not spend much time around humans or other angels."

"Well, you're gonna have to get used to it." I walked over to him and patted his shoulder. "I'm gonna need you to stick around for a bit."

"Just for the training, or are there other things?" He questioned.

"I want you to be here as a part of the team again, Cael." I shrugged a little. "I can use another angel. And a strong one at that."

"I'm not strong." He frowned. "If you want strong, go find Lucifer."

"You're stronger than Cas."

Cael stared at me for a long moment. "I will stay as long as I feel needed. But you will not need much of my help."

I nodded and started to leave the room. "We'll just have to see about that, huh?"

I shifted in a kitchen chair, reading through another pile of old files. It felt like the only thing I could do while everyone else slept. I took a deep breath and was about to exhale when I began to hear footsteps coming down the hall. I listened closely, falling into the silent darkness as easily as any shadow would. Maybe Elly had had a nightmare again, she'd been having them frequently enough. I paused in the shadows, thinking of how best to intercept her, when I realized these steps were too heavy for her. This wasn't Elly. I was quick to flick off the light I had been using and flatten myself against the wall. Who could be coming in at this hour?

I silenced the breath in my still chest as they continued to get closer, becoming truly one with the shadows as they passed the open kitchen door. I slid out after the steps had gone a few feet away. I found no threat in the figure that continued away from me. Where had he gone off to this time? 

I silently stalked Ketch as he continued down the hall and to our room. I bent around the door frame as he continued through the room and into the adjoining bathroom, flicking the light on. I watched him through the mirror's reflection as he undressed. He tossed a new suit coat aside and began to unbutton the sleeves. When had he bought that? He certainly hadn't worn it around…the thought stopped as I saw his hands, coated with something dark. The white shirt and almost pristine tie he wore seemed to be splattered in it as well. He didn't toss those clothes aside with the jacket, instead, he threw them into a trash can next to the sink.

The smell came to me next. It was the unmistakable sickly sweet, rusted iron smell of blood. And it was strong. Strong enough that I was sure that was what covered him. What had he done?

His pants followed the shirt and tie, but his underclothes joined the jacket in our hamper. They must have managed to remain clean or could be washed clean enough later. I watched as he turned naked ot the counter and began to dig through one of the drawers. I blinked as a match was struck and he threw it into the trash can with the discarded clothes. He left it there as he walked away from the mirror and turned the shower on. Then he came back and retrieved the bin of burning clothes.

I stalked into the room then, as quietly as I could manage. I snuck for the hamper, as silent as night, and quickly, yet without a sound, pulled his jacket from it. I ran my hands over it, examining it as closely as I dared while still keeping an ear out for his movements. It didn't seem to be as covered as his hands or shirt had been, but there were still small specs of blood that littered it.

I jumped when the sound of water slamming into the trash can came from the shower. I could smell the sweet smoke as he put the fire out. It was followed by the sickening smell of burning synthetic fibers. I carefully replaced his jacket and crept towards the bathroom door to peer around it. I watched as he used the shower head to wash away the last of the ashes before slowly stepping under the water himself. Rusty brown blood slowly started to wash from his skin, slipping onto the shower floor and down the drain.

Had he gone on another hunt? I thought he had only gone out for more information on Lucifer. If he had gone hunting, why alone? Not that he couldn't handle himself, but it had always been a rule to hunt in pairs. You could never really know what was going to happen or what you were getting yourself into. I quickly became a shadow again as he turned to face the doorway. 

I had to be overreacting. I was sure of that. He had just been hunting and hadn't said anything about it. Maybe he had found a case on the way back from whoever his informant was and had taken care of it quickly. He had looked bored recently. And I had been spending more time with Elly, Ally, or Cael recently, which suddenly didn't feel fair to my partner. I really should pay him more attention. Maybe we could go on a hunt together. Just the two of us. We hadn't had a chance to do that in ages, and it would be nice to get out of the bunker. I was starting to forget what the sun looked like. 

"Ketch?" I called from the doorway once I had kept back to it. "Did you just get in? I didn't hear you."

"I'm sorry, love. I should have told you." He called. "I'll be out in a moment. Just wait for me like a good girl."

I scrunched my face in confusion. He didn't want me in there. But he had already burned everything away. Was he still covered in blood then? 

"Arthur, you never did tell me about what you found on Lucifer." I continued as if this was just another day. "What did your contact say?"

"Mostly just rumors," Ketch called. "Apparently he's trying to get into different places. Mostly tried Heaven from what everyone has seen. But I'm sure I don't have to tell you how that went."

"So, Heaven knows he's back?"

"I would assume so, love."

I walked over to the bed, not bothering to cover my steps now, and sat on the edge of the bed. "That's a problem, isn't it? We're going to have angels all over the place."

"It's very possible." He answered.

The water hushed softly and I listened carefully as he stepped from the shower to grab a towel.

"And if Heaven knows, then I'm sure Hell does too." Ketch didn't answer. Just came into the room with a towel around his waist. I felt like he was hiding from me even now. I suddenly felt like I didn't know the man in front of me.

"It would make the most logical sense for that to be true." He nodded.

"Arthur?" His attention turned fully to me. It was such a bittersweet thing to use his first name. It was something I rarely used in day-to-day conversation. But when I did, he at least knew I was serious. Those silver eyes shifted over me, somewhat uncomfortable as I searched for the words to say. "Would you like to go on a hunt with me? Just the two of us?"

His face softened and a small smile appeared on his lips. "I would love to. Do you have one in mind?"

"Not yet. But I have all the time to find one." I paused and bit my lip. "I'm sorry if I haven't been the best partner recently. I haven't meant to ignore you." I looked down at my hands, only now seeing the p\bits of blood that had transferred from the jacket. I rubbed at them until they disappeared.

"Elly needs you," Ketch said softly. "I understand that."

"But it hasn't felt fair to you."

"Life isn't always fair, love." I looked up at him as he came to sit beside me, his hand taking one of mine. "There's been a lot for you to focus on. I don't expect all of your attention every day. It's not fair to anyone else if I steal you away."

"What if I want you to?"

He chuckled softly and squeezed my hand. "What are you saying?"

My eyes flickered over him, over the man I chose to love. Those poisonous mercury pools that pulled me in and threatened to drown me. The body that was so rough from hard work and stained black with blood, but yet so gentle and kind with me. It was almost too much sometimes.

"Can I keep you?" I said softly. I felt my chest strain as my heart fluttered. He always made me forget the serious conversations I wanted to have. 

His hand left mine and slid up my body until it was pushing at my shoulder, asking me ot lie back on the bed. His hand slid over my neck, stilling against my pulse as his lips came to capture mine. His body was warm as he blanketed over me.

"It's not fair that you're already undressed," I mumbled against his lips as my fingers worked to pull the towel loose.

"You're right." He growled. "We need to fix that."

His hands took my waist roughly, his lips taking mine again. I was surprised once his tongue passed my lips, carrying the sweet taste of brandy with it. Had he been drinking? We didn't have anything that hard in the bunker anymore. 

I reached up to caress his chest, but he grasped it firmly and pulled it back down to my side. Already fighting for dominance. That was fine by me. I was quick to slip from his grip and slide my hand back down his chest until I had him in my grip. His lips broke from mine, a groan whispering past them as I stroked gently.

"Must you do that?" Ketch breathed against my neck.

"I like watching you get all…" I stroked again. "Bent out of shape."

He looked down at me with deadly gunmetal eyes, trying to hold back the lust I could already see in them as I continued to touch and tease. I smirked at him before stretching up to kiss his neck softly. Another low groan passed his lips, sending a wonderful shiver down my spine.

I slipped my free hand under the pillow just behind my head. I fished around between it and the sheets as I kept him distracted with talented fingers and small nips. Soon enough my fingers found what they had been searching for. A pair of handcuffs. I couldn't keep the smirk from my lips. I let go of him, but I didn't wait much longer than to hear the displeased moan pass his lips before acting. I flipped us quickly, putting myself on top before slipping the handcuffs around his wrists and between the slats of the headboard even faster. I kissed him quickly once I had succeeded, enjoying the look of surprise on his face.

"I can't believe I let you do that…" Ketch mumbled.

"What do you want me to say, Arthur?" I straddled his hips. "I love seeing you all tied up and ready for me."

I watched those molten eyes as I licked my hand slowly until it was more or less dripping. Then I took him in it again and started to stroke again. Touching and teasing so lightly, running my fingers over him easily and skillfully. I watched his hands turn into fists as my free hand joined the other. His eyes closed and he took in a deep breath. It felt so good to have this control over him. I kissed just above his waistline.

"Alex…please." It was only a breathy moan.

"I've only just started." I licked just above the tip.

I watched as his chest rose sharply as I licked across the head. I kissed down the length, swapping places with my hand when I needed to. I kept my eyes on him as I took just the tip into my mouth. He closed his eyes again and I relished in the moan that rumbled in his chest. It meant I was doing a good job.

Still keeping an eye on his face, I pulled just the tip into my mouth, dragging my tongue along it as I sucked. Slowly and slowly, I pulled more into my mouth, until I had the whole thing soaking wet. I started to bob back and forth, leaving my tongue to drag coarsely along it with every pull. I was starting to drag every moan and plea from him that I could. This control felt so good. To be able to have him wrapped so easily around my fingers that he slipped into Latin and broken Enochian just to ask for more. 

This was almost going to be too much fun for me.

"We'll be out of town for a few days," I explained to Elly after I placed a kiss on her forehead. She nodded and hugged her pillow closer to her chest. "Ketch found us a hunt." Elly frowned. "It'll be ok, Elly. It's only for a little bit. We'll kill the monster and come right back."

"I know." She whispered.

"Elly, I need you to get out of this room. Go spend some time with your daughter. I know she misses you and as much as she loves to hang out with Jack and Dean, I don't think she can stand another black-and-white western movie marathon with them." Elly's lips parted in a small smile. "I bought two movie tickets for tonight. Go have fun. Forget about life here for a night. You can even take my car."

"Thank you, Alex."

"You're welcome, hun." I pulled her into a gentle hug and she laughed. "Please try to stay out of bed. It's meant for sleeping only right now. Deal?" She nodded. "Good. I'll text you once we get there."

I stood and left the room, taking one of the bags from Ketch as I walked with him down the hall.

"Do you think she'll be ok?" He whispered.

"Ally!" I heard Elly yell. "Wanna go see a movie?"

"Ya. I think she'll be fine." I answered with a soft smile.