The morning sun slanted through the windows of the dorm room, casting soft golden light over the wooden floor and the modest beds that lined the walls. Castiel sat cross-legged in the center of the room, eyes closed, a soft white glow surrounding his body as he meditated. Resting across his lap was the hilt and broken blade of the Sword of Saint Michael—its aura faint but unmistakably holy.
He wasn't doing anything specific with his powers, just letting the divine energy flow through him like a river, settling into the calm between thoughts. he felt peace.
Kurt Wagner—Nightcrawler—walked in quietly. He had just returned from early morning prayers in the chapel. The smell of incense still clung faintly to his blue fur.
"Guten Morgen," Kurt said, his voice soft but cheerful as ever. He noticed the sword right away. "You meditate with that every day?"
Castiel opened his eyes and smiled. "Yes. It helps me stay connected—to God, to my purpose. It's not just a weapon. It's... holy."
Kurt tilted his head, crouching beside Castiel. "What is it exactly?"
"One of the pieces of the Archangel Michael's sword," Castiel answered. "Forged by his own power. This is the hilt and the largest fragment. Father William said Michael spread the pieces across the world after casting Lucifer out."
Kurt's golden eyes widened with wonder. "That's incredible... may I hold it?"
Castiel's smile widened, and he raised an eyebrow. "No."
Kurt blinked.
Then Castiel laughed and handed him the sword. "I'm joking."
Kurt chuckled and gently took the hilt in his three-fingered hands, treating it like a relic. "It's warm... not with heat. With light."
"That's the divine energy," Castiel said softly. "It recognizes people with faith."
Kurt returned it a moment later, bowing his head in a brief prayer. "Danke."
Just then, the door burst open. Piotr and Bobby walked in, dressed in full X-Men field gear—sleek, tactical uniforms with their signature X badges.
"Time to roll," Bobby said, throwing his jacket over his shoulder.
"Mission?" Castiel asked, standing up quickly, excitement in his voice.
"Small one," Piotr said. "Training op near Queens. Some mutant kid's powers flared up—accidental damage. Just crowd control, nothing dangerous."
"Can I come?"
The three roommates paused.
Kitty entered from the hall, zipping up her uniform. "Sorry, little angel. You've gotta earn your wings first."
Kurt grinned apologetically. "It took me two years to get on a team."
"You're still a student, remember?" Bobby added, ruffling Castiel's hair. "We'll bring you back some pizza."
The trio filed out, leaving Castiel alone once again.
He sighed and returned to the floor, settling into a meditative pose again. For a while, the silence felt comforting. He prayed under his breath, tracing a cross over his chest. The sword pulsed gently in his lap.
But soon, the hours began to crawl.
Boredom crept in like a cold draft. After another hour of stillness, Castiel stood and walked over to the television in the corner of the room. He picked up the remote and started flipping through channels, trying to understand what the world was so fascinated by.
News, sports, game shows, cartoons. Then something... strange.
He tilted his head. A man in a pizza delivery uniform was standing awkwardly at the doorway. A young woman in a tight outfit opened the door. They talked briefly, and then—without much warning—things escalated.
The woman was bent over a couch. The pizza guy began spanking her.
Castiel frowned, genuinely confused.
When his roommates returned thirty minutes later, carrying boxes of pizza and smelling faintly of smoke and concrete dust, they were met with Castiel's voice:
"Why is this pizza man spanking the babysitter? Is this... a sign of love?"
Piotr froze mid-step. Kitty dropped her pizza box. Bobby choked on his soda. Kurt crossed himself.
"What the hell are you watching?!" Bobby asked, running over to the screen.
"Is this not a love story?" Castiel asked, tilting his head. "They appear... very affectionate."
"Castiel," Kitty said, trying not to laugh, "you're watching porn."
"Porn?" Castiel repeated the word slowly.
"Yeah," Bobby said, now covering the screen with a pillow. "Uh, stuff adults usually watch alone. Very alone. Like, never in the same room with your friends."
Castiel blinked a few times. "I see. So this is not... appropriate?"
"Not unless you wanna get detention from Storm and a lecture from Charles," Kurt said quickly.
Castiel nodded slowly, remote in hand. "Then I will meditate again."
And with that, he calmly turned off the TV, crossed the room, picked up his sword, and resumed his prayer position.
The room was silent for a moment.
Then Piotr laughed. "Welcome to the X-Mansion."