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[Fic] "Where to go from here?"
Every day that passed inside the Cage had been rather predictable because each day was consistently the same. Michael and Lucifer hardly strayed away from their routine, which comprised of some small chatter - mostly reminiscing over the old days, a long silence stretching out over them, and then cuddling close together - mostly at Lucifer’s insistence because Michael radiated sheer warmth.
They both instantly recognized that something had gone very, very wrong when Lucifer let out a low hiss in pain and the palm of his vessel’s hand grasped at his upper arm, at the very spot where his Mark was located. The existence of which Lucifer refused to acknowledge.
Only the archangels and God’s scribe, Metatron, had known the truth. None of the other angels were aware of the circumstances of the war waged against their Father’s sister or how in order to seal her away the Mark was placed onto Lucifer. The Mark that had eventually corrupted Lucifer, causing the once glorious Morningstar to rebel. Though he was adamant in that he had always denied the claims from Michael or Gabriel saying that the Mark had caused him to change, his pride preventing him from admitting the truth.
Lucifer might have passed the Mark onto Cain, whom had eventually gave it to Dean Winchester, but that was not a permanent fix. It only lessened its tainted hold over him but it did not completely dissipate.
As Lucifer’s hisses escalated into shrieks of agony, Michael used his strength to rip his younger brother’s shirt off so he could inspect the cause of his distress. He could only watch in horror as it slowly faded from his skin. Neither one of them had time to gain their bearings when the whole Cage was rattled so severely, it was as if they were inside a house on Earth that got slammed by a massive hurricane. The two archangels were flung about like ragdolls, Michael could hear Lucifer let out a deep groan as he was bounced off the bars of the Cage and thrown in the other direction.
Michael had scrambled to get a tight hold of a bar to keep him steady and when Lucifer was heading towards him, he wrapped his free arm around him. But his efforts ended up being in vain as a thick cloud of dark smoke tunneled up from below. It blew off the top of the Cage and the brothers were carried upwards, the combined power of their wings unable to resist against the current, until they were tossed onto the surface.
It was a beach, either a rather quiet one or abandoned as there were no humans present to witness their sudden appearance. Michael felt the lower half of his vessel get soaked from the tail end of waves crashing up against him and a heavy weight on his chest as Lucifer had somehow landed on top of him.
“Lucifer.” Michael, still in the form of a rather young John Winchester, had called out to his brother. He had yet to move off of him so he was worried that perhaps he had gotten whiplashed. When icy blue eyes stared down at him and a grin formed across his face, Michael knew for certain that he was not unconscious.
“Yes?” Lucifer drawled out and rested his chin on his chest. Michael was starting to feel like he was a piece of furniture to his brother, a rather wet one.
“Could you perhaps remove yourself so that I can get up?” Michael asked politely. From all of his experience of raising Lucifer and other fledglings, Michael had gained a vast and practically endless amount of patience.
“But, Michael, I rather enjoy the view from up here.” Lucifer leered at him. It was unclear to Michael whether his brother was relishing the feeling of coming out on top since in most of their fights Michael tended to end up as the victor despite the two of them being evenly matched for the most part or whether it was something more lewd.
“We have no time for your games.” Michael reprimanded him, to which he was given a dramatic eye roll.
“And so rather than savoring our newfound freedom, you want to go gallivanting off after our dear old aunt? Why? Do you still see yourself as the humans’ protector even after all that you have witnessed? They are unworthy.” Michael sighed as Lucifer rehashed some of his old anti-human rhetoric.
“It is my duty as the eldest. Besides that, she is partially our responsibility given the role we played in sealing her away.” Michael reasoned, though he knew it was fruitless to try to argue with his brother about this.
“And look at where your sense of duty got us the last time! Both of us tossed down into the Cage because you were too stubborn to stand down with me! We? You make it sound like it was a group effort when most of the heavy lifting came to my ability to deceive her and gain her trust.” Lucifer seethed, his eyes narrowing into slits as he gripped the lapels of Michael’s jacket. The eldest thought for a moment that his little brother was going to punch him and had barely restrained himself by tugging at his jacket instead.
“Then why don’t you join our aunt and bond over your mutual desire to eradicate all of our Father’s creation?” Michael sneered and something inside Lucifer snapped as his one hand let go of his lapel and punched him in the face. But Michael was not just going to lay and take it so he bucked his hips to throw off Lucifer from his body.
He flipped his still topless brother onto his belly and straddled his back to keep him pinned down, hands holding his wrists together above him in one hand. Lucifer gagged as he got a mouthful of sand and Michael used his free hand to help tilt his head up so he could spit it out, not that his brother had any worry of choking as angels did not need to breathe, then carding his fingers gently through short blond hair.
“I’m nothing like her.” Lucifer mumbled out, his voice hoarse. Michael was not convinced as his brother had yet to prove himself.
“Then show me!” He commanded, speaking with as much authority as he did when standing before the Host, ordering their siblings. Lucifer merely grumbled out something incoherently, a noncommittal answer. His hands were rested on Lucifer’s back, feeling that despite how much light that the flesh had absorbed from the sun, his body was still so frigid.
Michael still remembered the time when his dear brother had burned hotter than all of their siblings combined. He used to call him, “his sun”, not only for the heat that his grace had oozed but the fact that his life used to circle exclusively around him. But that all changed when he was cast out. It had not only been kicking Lucifer out of their home but he was then denied the warmth the Host had provided and so his grace turned cold as ice.
He took another glance at Lucifer’s vessel, Nick. Michael recalled at how the man could barely contain his brother without bursting at the seams. John, while not his true vessel, was of the bloodline so he could withstand his grace for however long he needed but Lucifer was not so fortunate and it would probably be a matter of time before Nick started decaying once more.
“How is your vessel?” Michael asked, even though he already knew the answer.
“It’s only a matter time before he collapses and I’m left to my true form. Though I prefer that than being stuck down in the Cage for another moment.” There was one option to make Nick stable for Lucifer but Michael was hesitant to offer it. He could bind their grace together but that action was typically reserved for two angels that decided to bond with each other as mates. Not an action taken lightly as it was a lifelong commitment and not reversible once done.
“How about you swear to me that you won’t harm anymore humans or resume your foolish former plans and I will then ensure that this vessel will last you.” Michael offered, putting out the only condition for which he could forward with this plan.
“Surely, you jest! Unless you have a cure all for failing vessels, you’re lying!” Lucifer accused, showing his teeth in a show of anger.
“I’m not. I would us have bonded and the exchange of grace between us would allow Nick to permanently host you.” Michael clarified, leaning forward against his brother. As soon as Lucifer understood what he was suggesting, his face flushed red as if he was warm but Michael knew that he was still cold.
“You…! Don’t say such things so casually as if it means nothing! Don’t tell me that your time in the Cage has caused you to forget the significance of what that entails!” It was clear that Lucifer thought him as mad or that he did not know of what he was speaking but he was wrong. The Cage had not dulled his mind at all.
“I’m aware of what I’m saying, little brother, and I stand by what I’m offering to you. The question is whether you accept or not.” For all the eons that Michael had lived, he had never once thought about mating. He was always so tied to his duties as the eldest archangel and honestly there was no one he had considered worthy of bonding with...except Lucifer.
Despite all the hurt in the past, how betrayed Michael felt when Lucifer rebelled against their Father and how torn he had felt when it came down to him to cast his brother out, that love had never faltered.
“Why? Why me? You’re the good son, surely you deserve better than the Devil.” He spat out the title in disgust. It was one of the names that the humans had given to him and not his own.
“Do you truly think yourself unworthy of me? You who were all the brightest of us all and the most loved?” Michael grabbed a hold of Lucifer’s chin and tilted his face to the side so he could stare into his eyes.
“That was the past. You know better than anyone else of how far I have fallen.” Lucifer averted his eyes, avoiding making contact with Michael.
“But I still love you just the same, that has not changed.” Michael leaned forward so that his chest was completely pressed against his back and that he was then able to lay a chaste kiss on Lucifer’s cheek. His brother scrunched his eyes shut at the action.
“Have I struck you completely speechless? How unusual.” Michael teased as he chuckled while Lucifer remained quiet. He ran his hand lovingly over his face.
“Brother please…” Lucifer pleaded, unusual for his character, though he was perhaps taken off guard by Michael’s behavior. He still stubbornly refused to open his eyes.
“Is that a yes?” Michael asked for confirmation, angels were after all beings of consent. They could not act without permission when it came to vessels and initiating a mating bond. He felt his brother shiver beneath him as he ran a finger teasingly over his lips.
“Yes.” Lucifer whispered weakly, but angelic hearing did not miss a beat so Michael heard it loud and clear. Michael rose up from his position of straddling Lucifer’s back and used his arms to pull his brother up with him. When they were both up on their vessels’ feet, he turned Lucifer around to face him. Cupping his face, he reeled him in close until their bodies were pressed up against each other, disregarding the dampness coating their lower halves, to kiss him fully on the mouth while he extended his grace out of his vessel to latch onto Lucifer’s.
Michael felt the cold of Lucifer’s grace brush up against him but it did not bother him. As their grace wove into each other and became attuned, Michael could feel his awareness of Lucifer and his grace grow stronger. There were various perks of a mating bond. Mates could sense each other’s location from any distance, communicate telepathically, and the combined power being shared between them.
Lucifer let out a moan, breaking away from the kiss, his nails digging little crescent shapes into Michael’s back but he did not allow him any rest as he sought out his lips once more. It was a perfect union as cold and hot become one. The frost from Lucifer’s lips melted into water droplets when it came into contact with warmth from Michael’s.
When they finally separated, Lucifer letting out a long shuddering breath, the sun which had been standing tall in the sky when they emerged on the beach was now starting to set.
“Perhaps we should find shelter for the night and then we can decide what we want to do.” Michael suggested, not that the two of them needed protection from the elements or sleep but he did not want to draw unwanted attention towards themselves.
“And get you a new shirt, unless you want to continue to walk around like that.” Michael brought attention to the fact that Lucifer had lost his top in the Cage and with being suddenly flung out, they had not had the time to replace it. As much as he would not mind seeing his brother like this, Michael was rather possessive. And now that Lucifer was his mate, he would not tolerate anyone looking at him in the same way he did.
Not far from the beach, there was a boardwalk bustling with activity even for it being dark out. The whole area was lit up brightly by the various light poles lined up along the wooden pier and the lights that decorated the rides. As the two archangels walked about, letting their pants dry up in the process, Michael had conjured some human currency into his pocket, taking their Father’s commandant of not stealing seriously.
“Why can’t we just fly somewhere?” Lucifer whined as he took in the expensive prices of the trinkets in one of the various gift shops.
“I was under the impression that you wanted to lay low. I imagine our siblings are on high alert after Amara being released so I would advise against use a great deal of our power unless you want to get spotted.” Their brothers and sisters would attack Lucifer on sight without taking a moment to ask a question and of course Lucifer would retaliate in self defense. Michael thought it would be best to avoid any casualties, if possible. Though, given their bond, Michael was obligated to protect his mate so if one of their siblings hurt Lucifer, he have a duty to act on his behalf.
“I don’t know what even happened up here during our time trapped because I sense so many of them on the surface. Since when did the angels leave the Host so willingly?” Lucifer pondered as he set back down the jar of sea salt taffy he had been inspecting.
“Do you want it?” Michael asked gently, unaware if his brother had developed a taste for human food or not. They did not require sustenance like humans did but that did not mean that they could not enjoy the taste of food.
“Do I look like Gabriel?” Lucifer responded snarkily and as soon as he realized what he had said, sadness overtook his face. It was sometime into their stay in the Cage that Michael had learned of what had transpired between them. Lucifer never stopped feeling guilty for killing their baby brother.
“In any case, I don’t have an idea either. I can imagine that the Winchesters have a clue since they get themselves tangled in so many messes.” Michael finally responded as he grabbed the jar of taffy that Lucifer had turned down. His brother looked at him as if he were crazy.
“Really? You want to go have a chitchat with Sam and Dean? As if we can just walk up to them and they will accept us with wide arms like an old friend? I’m seriously reconsidering your sanity.” Michael sighed. It was not as if he had forgotten how the brothers had worked against them and how it had been Lucifer’s true vessel that had cleverly trapped them down in the Cage.
“I’m well aware of their ill will towards us but surely they are wise enough to recognize the greater threat at stake here.” Michael responded logically and Lucifer scoffed as he rolled his eyes, displaying quite clearly that he did not have as much faith in their true vessels as he did.
“I suppose all traces of your grace has faded off of Samuel by now?” Michael inquired. Even after an angel departed from a vessel, a fragment of their grace remained behind for a while, though eventually disappeared with time. If there were still traces of Lucifer’s grace on Sam, they could make use of that connection to discover their location. Though it was doubtful with how much time has probably elapsed since they were last on the Earth.
“Indeed, it has. I am unable to feel him at all. And I’m sure you are aware that our brother Castiel has engraved a warding into both of their ribs?” Lucifer confirmed.
“Then perhaps we can track down Castiel instead. Surely, given his closeness to the brothers, he would be aware of their location.” Michael suggested as he went to the cashier to pay for the taffy, his brother giving him a disbelieving look.
“He molotoved you with holy fire.” Lucifer ground out between clenched teeth, apparently still upset that he had hurt him. He long had insisted on a claim over him as he had viewed Michael as his well before being mated, that only he had the right to hurt the eldest.
“And I seem to recall that you had paid him in kind by killing him.” Michael replied calmly. If it were not for the fact that they both had witnessed Castiel retrieve Sam’s body before it fell into the Cage, they would have been surprised to know that he was still alive. The only possible explanation for his continued existence was that it had to be the will of their Father.
Lucifer offered no complaint as Michael ushered him into a clothing store to find him a new top. Neither angel were particularly picky when it came to clothing. In their true forms, they were nothing but various wavelengths of light and had no need for clothing, which was a human concept to preserve modesty. But as they were attempting to blend in with the humans, it was best to act like one.
His brother had simply grabbed a green shirt with some text about the state of New Jersey off the rack and that was that. After Michael had paid for it, Lucifer ripped off the price tag and slipped it over his head. At the start of the boardwalk was a busy stretch of road and from there he hailed a taxi cab so they could find a lodging for the night. The taxi driver took them to a nearby motel that offered a vacancy.
The decor was tacky, the outside walls was painted in a puke green with the signs in yellow. It was an abysmal sight but it would have to do. Lucifer trailed behind Michael as he walked up to the innkeeper, a petite woman with thick glasses and curly dark hair, which was probably for the best leaving the talking to Michael considering Lucifer’s hatred for humans.
“Hello, would you like a double bed or two separate rooms?” The clerk greeted them politely, looking between the two of them.
“One single bed would be fine.” Michael replied smoothly. Not that money was really an issue but he knew that the single bed option would be cheaper. And it was not like either one of them intended on sleeping. Even if they did, he knew that Lucifer would insist on them sharing so he could curl up against his vessel.
He heard his brother let out a low cackle, probably having an indecent thought and the clerk flushed red in embarrassment. His brother would not stop laughing as Michael accepted the key and followed him to their assigned room.
“What has you so amused?” Michael inquired as he closed the door to their room behind them and inspected their quarters. Off against the wall was a plain queen sized bed and opposite that was a kitchenette with a small table and few chairs. In back was the restroom, which was completely unnecessary for them. He set the bag with the taffy on the counter.
“That poor woman, she is probably flustered thinking that you are going to ravish me! You know those humans think it’s sinful for two men and two women to be intimate in the biblical sense.” Lucifer howled out, his body rumbling from his hearty laughter. Michael scrunched his eyebrows together in surprise.
“Why? To our Father, love is love. Gender is irrelevant.” He responded, perplexed and purposely not addressing his brother’s first comment. Michael could not fathom what the humans’ issue was.
“Apparently, not to them.” Michael could feel that Lucifer wanted to go into another tirade about humans and silenced him with a kiss. It worked as Lucifer got distracted and deepened the kiss, pressing Michael against the wall.
“So, how exactly do you intend to track down our little brother? Combing across the Earth would be tedious.” Lucifer disentangled himself from Michael’s hold around his body and laid on his stomach on the motel bed. His blond hair was ruffled as if the wind had blown through it and caused it to go into disarray.
“We could summon him.” Michael sat up on the bed. He could easily gather up all the ingredients he needed to perform the spell.
“Oh, so you’re going to be aggressive then?” Lucifer purred out, obviously commenting on something other than the topic at hand.
“Was last night not to your satisfaction?” Michael referred to the activities that had commenced between them after Lucifer had thrown him against the wall. Apparently, despite his original intention to use the room for strictly business, the other archangel had ended up not being too far off when he had joked about a ravishing.
“Mmm, it was but I can never have too much of you.” Lucifer pushed himself up and nuzzled his head against Michael’s shoulder.
“You’re insatiable.” Michael said. It was meant as a jest because honestly he did not mind too much.
“Well, what do you expect from the father of sin? Of course greed would be counted among my virtues.” Lucifer teased before his teeth nibbled at the stretch of skin across his neck, determined to leave a visible mark on him. However, Michael did not allow him to continue as he pulled him into his lap and cupped his face.
“What?” Lucifer asked when he saw the serious look on his brother’s face.
“I don’t like hearing you refer to yourself as that. I’m not saying that I condone your past transgressions but you are not the epitome of sin nor are you responsible for anyone else’s sins.” Humans all too often blamed the Devil whenever evil happened, taking no responsibility for themselves.
“Oh, finally a believer of free will, are you? Dear Father, how I have corrupted you, Saint Michael! I wonder how dear old Dad would react if he could see his good son now!” Lucifer cackled and Michael groaned. He hardly considered himself fallen in any fashion. Besides that, if he was fallen it would be rather apparent as his powers would start to wane.
Mostly due to Michael’s insistence to avoid Lucifer being caught by one of their siblings, his brother had stayed inside the motel while Michael went out to gather ingredients for the spell. Knowing specifically what he was looking for, it had taken little time but there had been a potential risk, hence his precautions.
Once he had collected everything, Lucifer had joined him in preparing the spell and readying the holy fire, which is to ensure that Castiel would stay and listen to them considering their last meeting was not on good terms.
“...brothers.” Castiel greeted them hesitantly as he appeared inside the circle, his bright blue eyes confused as his face went pale.
“You’re no longer in the Cage.” He stated the obvious, trying to process what their presence meant for Earth. His eyes squinted as he looked more closely at the two archangels.
“What an excellent deduction, Sherlock.” Lucifer said sarcastically, hands on his hips. Michael did not understand what this ‘Sherlock’ was or why he was calling their little brother that.
“Oh, honestly! It’s the name of a detective from a popular book series.” Lucifer acted like he was affronted by Michael’s lack of knowledge on the matter.
“Brother, for how much you claim to despise humans, you certainly know a lot about their culture.” Michael pointed out to which Lucifer scoffed and shook his head. Before Lucifer could rebuke his remark, Castiel spoke up.
“The two of you are bonded.” He blinked at them dumbly, probably taken aback by this revelation.
Angels were capable of seeing each other’s through their vessels, instantly able to recognize one another without issue. And by the same vein, angels were able to tell when they came across a mated pair. Therefore it was no surprise when Castiel took notice rather quickly of their status.
“He looks absolutely scandalized,” Lucifer giggled as Castiel remained wide eyed.
“I suppose congratulations are in order then. Though, is this why you summoned me?” He spoke politely, careful not to provoke the wrath of the archangels when he was at their mercy.
“Aww, you’re so cute but I’m afraid that you already missed the wedding and the honeymoon.” Lucifer teased and Michael nudged him in the side with his elbow, telling him to behave.
“Since when is the moon made of honey?” Was Castiel’s innocent response. Michael sighed, for even with is lack of understanding of most popular culture reference, he knew at least what that term meant. Though he preferred to keep his little brother in the dark rather than inform in graphic detail of what exactly he has been up to with Lucifer.
“No, this is in regards to the Winchesters and what information they may possess about what has transpired up here. Surely, it has not escaped your notice that the Darkness that we and our Father sealed eons ago has been freed? You do well to inform us of their location so we can be enlightened.” Michael told him sternly, folding his arms in front of his chest in a show that he meant business.
“And how can I be certain that Lucifer will not use the opportunity to make a ploy for Sam?” Lucifer had the audacity to look offended at the question but Michael knew it was a fair one since during the Apocalypse days he had never relented in pursuing Sam. He felt somewhat jealous of how much attention his brother had lavished towards his true vessel, even though the feelings were very much one sided.
“The bond has made Lucifer’s current vessel stable so he has no need for Sam nor should he have any desire to go after him.” The last part of his message was a warning directed at Lucifer, who stuck a playful forked tongue at him. Michael let out a small growl as he was being serious. Castiel looked between the two archangels, taking time to decide whether he wanted to comply or not.
“Alright, I will see if I can arrange a meeting. Only if they’re amicable. I will not betray their trust for you, not even if you ordered me to.” Castiel advised them firmly. Lucifer let a grin slip as the seraph still had a rebellious streak.
“That would be fine.” Michael nodded.
“Since I doubt either one of you have a cellphone, I will pray to you once I have talked this over with them.” Michael was unclear as to what the device Castiel mentioned was but he could see a look of recognition on Lucifer’s face. He would ask his brother later. Without hesitation, Michael put out the ring of holy fire and allowed Castiel to go, after which he snapped the carpet clean so that the motel staff would not be wondering why it had a circular shaped char stain.
Lucifer had decided to expose Michael to a bit of the human’s popular culture while they waited for a response from Castiel and turned on the television that the motel provided. The blond spooned up against him, resting his head on his shoulder as they watched. Though Michael could tell that he was not fully focusing on the activity as his hands drifted from his side to his chest, sneaking underneath his shirt to stroke the flesh.
“Luci…” Michael gasped out.
Three hours passed before Castiel finally prayed to Michael, it probably took a lot of convincing on his little brother’s part to get the Winchesters to comply. They did not want them going to their base of operations and instead arranged for them to have a meeting at a diner. The diner ended up being located out in the countryside overlooking a lake. The archangels were the first to arrive at the scene, using their wings to fly there because of the great distance.
They had gotten a booth by a window with a view of the lake. Michael had ordered a coffee to try while they waited, though Lucifer refused to order anything. His head was slumped over his folded hands as he looked out the window.
“Hmm...interesting…” Michael murmured as he took a sip of the hot beverage.
“Would you care to try a sip?” He offered and Lucifer tilted his head to raise one eyebrow at him before unfolding his hands to press his finger against the mug. Cold grace surrounded the contents and froze it over solid, leading Michael to narrow his eyes.
“Luci, behave.” Michael had shortened his brother’s name because it would be highly unusual for a human to have his name and would draw unwanted attention from humans. It was not uncommon for humans to name their children after himself or any other of his angelic siblings but Lucifer’s name was heavily taboo considering his status. Nor was it the first time that Lucifer had heard this particular nickname, Gabriel used to fondly address him like that. Michael pulled Lucifer’s hand away from the hug and let his own grace wash over the coffee, causing it to unfreeze.
“I don’t understand why you bother. There’s nothing to gain from acting like one of these mud monkeys.” Lucifer whined. Even if he was able to get his brother to step down from committing mass genocide against the humans, he knew it was fruitless to ever change his opinion about them.
“Quite hypocritical, don’t you think? If I recall, it was you who was urging me to watch television with you earlier.” Michael pointed out neutrally. Lucifer scowled at him.
Before he could respond, they heard the bell on the door ring and both of them could feel the proximity of their true vessels. True enough, Castiel’s warding prevented any angel from finding them but that did not stop the bond between true vessel and angel ringing out whenever they were nearby. Lucifer turned back towards the window while the Winchesters walked over, Castiel following close behind. Michael did not miss the angel blade that was hidden up their brother’s sleeve.
The humans just stood next to the booth, not making a move to sit down across from them. He could hear Lucifer growing agitated, “Oh for fuck’s sake, just sit down. You two look utterly ridiculous standing there like a statute.”
“Luci…” Michael called his name, about ready to scold him for his behavior.
“What? I’m disappointed, especially in you Sammy. They had the balls to defy us before and now look at them. I can practically smell the fear radiating off them.” Lucifer crossed his arms in front of him petulantly. Michael had not expected Lucifer to treat Sam so harshly, especially since he had practically worshipped his true vessel when they had last walked the earth. Though, perhaps he had become bitter about being thrown into the Cage again.
“Well, screw you too.” Dean snarled out and Michael just wanted to bury his face underneath his arms. Perhaps he should have just left Lucifer back at the motel as his childish behavior was not helping with the Winchesters, with whom they already were not in good standing.
“I resent that!” Lucifer growled at Michael. Ah, he had not realized that he had projected that particular thought through their bond.
“You’re acting like a fledgling and no better than these humans that you so scorn.” Michael chided. A confused look came over the Winchester brothers when they realized they were was more going on to the conversation as they realized that Lucifer’s response was not directed towards Dean. Between the two of them, Sam had looked the calmer and collected one, a sharp contrast to Lucifer.
Lucifer hissed at him for the insult, icy blue eyes shining. Castiel looked at the both of them in curiosity.
“Does the bond not quell arguments?” Lucifer let out a snort. Castiel had probably assumed that since a mated pair was in attune with each, that the harmony would somehow prevent conflicts arising between the two. Then again, mated pairs were not too common.
“Hardly. It bears little impact in that regard. Though, it would dissuade us from going into battle against each other with the intent to kill.” They could certainly still spar and fight each other since at their core they were their Father’s soldiers.
“What bond?” Sam inquired, finally taking a seat at the booth. Indeed, it would have seem that Castiel had not informed the humans of that detail. If the circumstances were different, Michael would feel no obligation to tell them as it was not their business but perhaps it would ease any concern about Lucifer wanting to take Sam.
“When a pair of angels have gotten extremely close and decide to cement that relationship, they may choose to mate, binding their grace together. It’s not an action taken lightly as it is for life.” Michael started to explain while a toothy grin appeared on Lucifer’s face, anticipating their true vessels’ reactions
“Whoa, wait, what!? Are you saying that you two got angel married?” Dean nearly shouted in shock and Michael had to snap his fingers to put up a sound barrier around there so the other patrons of the diner were not alerted.
“It’s not exactly the same as a human marriage but I suppose it’s a suitable comparison in order for you to understand.” Dean’s mouth had dropped but no sound came out. Sam merely gave a thoughtful look.
“I suppose that is why his vessel is holding up? Last time I saw him inside Nick, his body was crumbling apart as if he would burst at any moment.” Sam nodded towards Lucifer, whose skin was completely blemish free. Well, aside from the hickeys that Michael had given him but those were well concealed by his clothing.
“Precisely.” Michael confirmed.
“Hold up, let’s take a step back here. You’re brothers and you are telling me that you got hitched. Doesn’t God frown upon incest?”
“Like I care what good old Dad thinks.” Lucifer huffed.
“You humans came up with your own standards of morality. Our Father had nothing to do with it, despite your claims. Now, if we could move past this to focus on the matter at hand? Like why has the Darkness been released?” Michael said authoritatively, as if he were back at commanding angels in the Host. Castiel urged Dean to sit down, which he reluctantly did so next to Sam.
“What makes you assume that we know?” Dean said defensively.
“You two are always at the center whenever things go wrong.” Lucifer chimed in with a dramatic eyeroll.
Sam had commenced telling the long story, starting off when they had been tossed into the Cage and worked his way up to the present. Lucifer had interjected several times telling them how stupid some of their decisions had been and Michael had hushed him so that Sam could carry on. Michael felt saddened to hear of Raphael’s death, another one of their siblings gone and left the two of them as the last archangels. He could not read Lucifer’s expression as he kept his face hard as a stone. Though Michael knew that in spite of that facade that Lucifer cared deeply.
He saw Lucifer clenched his fists in his lap when they got to the part where Dean had gotten the Mark from Cain and subsequently the removal of which, that had jump started the whole release of the Darkness. Michael had been tight lipped though on the matter of her being their aunt, their Father’s sister and likewise Lucifer had not commented, not even to boast about how their plan to seal her away had relied entirely upon him. The Winchesters had no hope of facing her on their own, no human could possibly match her power.
“You knew getting rid of the Mark would go south but you did it anyways? Honestly, I expected better of you, Sam.” Lucifer sneered.
“My brother was dying! Wouldn’t you have done the same thing for Michael!” Sam snarled back at him, providing justification for his actions.
“Michael wasn’t the one that ended up with the Mark! And no one did anything for me, except giving me the boot out of heaven!” Lucifer growled out, flattening his hands on top of the table to push him up from the booth seat. The bitterness was evident in his voice. Michael could feel his icy grace rumbling with rage and set a hand on his back to soothe him. He knew that he had made a promise to never hurt Sam and he felt as though Lucifer was about ready to break his word, a trait that he had valued highly in himself.
“Well, perhaps I should take Lucifer and retire to our motel.” They had the answers that they needed of the circumstances and thus there was no other reason to linger around the Winchesters.
“That’s it? No plan for ganking that bitch? You’re just going to take off?” Dean said blandly.
“To be frank, you two don’t have a chance of facing her alone. Nor do we have any use for you. Neither one of us require our true vessels anymore. Besides that, when have you ever shown any interest in working alongside us?” Michael stared at Dean critically as he allowed the condescension to roll off him. By the we, he had meant himself more than his brother but had included him so he was not left out, especially since he would be relying upon his help this time and not fighting against each other.
He lowered his hand to wrap around Lucifer’s waist before flying them away, leaving the Winchesters and a rather quiet Castiel behind in the diner.
“I know that I have quite the reputation amongst humans, but that was cruel of you brother, especially given that you are supposed a beacon to humans. You could stand to work on your bedside manner.” Lucifer spoke as he snuck his hand inside the jar of taffy, fishing one of the candies out by the wrapper, while he leaned against the counter of the kitchenette.
“I saw no need to coddle them. They’re not some young fledgling in need of guidance. And I have never heard you complain about my bedside manner before.” Michael wrapped his arms around Lucifer just as he popped the taffy into his mouth.
Michael was stretched out on the bed leisurely, top left forgotten on the nightstand, with Lucifer straddled across his lap, his white wings folded defensively behind him. The tips of the feathers were lined with frost. He had reluctantly brought them out onto this plane on Michael’s insistence of wanting to see them.
“This is hardly fair.” Lucifer complained as his wings were on full display while Michael had kept his own wings hidden.
“Their beauty has not diminished at all.” Michael admired as his forefingers stroked over the feathers, causing Lucifer to shudder. Lucifer’s nails clawed into his shoulders, hard enough to leave crescent shaped marks behind.
“It has been a long time since someone has last touched your wings, hasn’t it?” Michael asked with a grin, knowing that most likely he had been the last one. Lucifer had certainly used to show off his wings in pride in front of their siblings, but he did not allow just anyone to touch them. He suspected that only he and Gabriel had ever held the honor.
And despite the fact that Lucifer had been the father to the demons, he had held nothing but contempt towards them so Michael knew that he would not even allow his most loyal demon to touch them.
“That last time you had groomed them right before you cast me out.” Lucifer admitted, lowering his eyes at the memory. He lifted his left hand to cup his face. Michael could tell that the past continued to hurt his brother but unfortunately there was no taking it back.
“Show me yours.” Lucifer demanded and Michael was more than happy to oblige. Tawny olive wings emerged, completely surrounding both of their vessels as he extended them, not being reserved like Lucifer. Michael personally found them dull compared to his brother’s which were bright and awe inspiring with its beauty.
Michael hummed as Lucifer carded his fingers through the feathers, it had been a long time since he had allowed anyone to touch his as well. Lucifer had the exclusive right to groom his wings and the notion of having any of their other siblings take up the mantle felt so wrong to Michael that he had not bothered, despite urging from Raphael, who had frequently had made comments about moping and allowing his wings go into such a disarray.
It was not that he could not trust anyone else to do the job but Lucifer was special to him. They had a relationship that no one else could understand. Michael had raised his brother while their Father was busy with creation. Back before their Father had went on to give life to Raphael and Gabriel, Michael had thought Lucifer had been created to complete him, to be his other half.
“What are you plans now that we are up to date on the circumstances?” Lucifer inquired in regards to the threat of Amara. As much as he would like to stay in the motel like this for the rest of time, Michael knew that he could not ignore her, not when she posed such a danger to all living creatures, not just the humans. Michael could not bear the thought of standing aside while even more of their siblings died.
“I want to stop her...but I’m at a loss on how to proceed. Father has been absent for ages so I’m assuming he will not come to our aid. Even both our power combined is no match to hers...and I refuse to have another Mark put on you to seal her away.” Michael rubbed his thumb at the spot where the Mark had previously sat on Lucifer’s upper arm, giving him a weak smile.
“If only the Cage was not broken, we probably could have tossed her down there..” Lucifer sighed. That was true, being forged by their Father, it would have the strength to contain her.
“And I feel that I should return to the Host to unite our siblings. They had been without proper leadership for too long.” Michael added reluctantly, knowing that was the last thing Lucifer probably wanted him to do.
“What happened to avoiding detection by our siblings?” Lucifer tilted his head at him, lurching backwards but Michael put a steady hand on his back to stabilize him.
“Raphael is dead and it is my duty as the eldest to look after them.” Regardless of whether he was still considered to be their Father’s good son or not, that was irrevalent at this point.
“After everything that has transpired, you still wish to cling to your so called duty? To continue playing the role of father? Do you honestly think that they will accept you with wide arms when they realize who you have mated with? Don’t be naive, brother. They are going to say that I have corrupted you and will look at you with distrust.” Lucifer spat out, his hands curling tightly around the bone of his wings.
“Even so, I have to try because they are our family and certainly you have realized how our numbers have started to wane. I promise you that no matter what, I will not abandon you again. I meant every word when I offered myself to you.” Michael said smoothly, running his hands back through Lucifer’s wings.
“And how easy would it be for you to lie.” Lucifer responded skeptically. The doubt coming from his mate hurt, though he supposed he could not totally blame him when he had let his brother down before.
“You need to let go of the past eventually or it will continue to consume you.” Michael warned him.