Chapter Text
Hannah asks Castiel if the Warehouse is the right space for them. She asks him once in the car, and then twice as they walk through the abandoned building. She takes notes and makes a quick sketch of the floor plan while the other three angels just observe, waiting for orders.
Castiel waits until they disperse, sent on an errand by Hannah, before turning to her.
“I can’t stay,” he says, pursing his lips as her face falls.
“I thought as much,” she says, hugging a clipboard to her chest. “How long?”
“I don’t know,” he runs a hand through his hair, knowing she watches the gesture with confusion, “I’m not a leader.”
“You say that but--”
“You can take care of them for now,” he interrupts, “I have faith in you."
Castiel feels the ghost of shame pass over him as her chin lifts and her shoulders square forward. He knows just the words to motivate angels, if not much else.
He’s out the door and in his car within the hour, staring ahead at the highway. There’s a blue sign to his right, labelled ‘bus station.’ He looks down at the steering wheel, knowing that his car makes him easier to track.
He leaves it in a 24-hour Walmart parking lot, pocketing the key in his trench coat.