[Fic] "Until Death"

[lux_tuli]

Title: "Until Death"

Fandom: Supernatural

Rating: Teen

Pairing(s): Michael x Lucifer

Characters: Lucifer, Michael, Sam Winchester, Castiel, Gabriel, Naomi

Word Count: 3,626

Summary: [Corporate AU] Behind Nick’s back, Fergus sells Wesson Inc over to Michael, CEO of Milton Enterprises. With the fate of the company now in Michael Milton’s hands, the only way left for Nick to salvage any control over the situation is to marry the rival CEO.

Originally posted: March 8, 2017

“You did WHAT!?” Nick Novak roared out, his face turning an uncharacteristic shade of red in pure rage, as his financial advisor, Fergus MacLeod, had just informed him that he had sold his company, which he had built up from the ground on sweat, blood, and tears, to his rival, Milton Enterprises. His Vice President, Sam Winchester, restrained him by grabbing a hold of the back of his shirt before he could land a hit on Fergus. His height advantage allowed him to stand steady as his boss thrashed in his arms.

 

“Our profits have plummeted over the past three years and have continued to do so. You keep clinging to the hope that one day our numbers will recover but you’re wrong. I did what was best to ensure the future of the company.” Fergus explained smoothly.

 

“This company will not have a future now that you sold it to Milton! You better get your face out of here before I smash it in! You’re fired!” Nick started shouting while Sam attempted to calm him down.

 

---

 

The employees of both companies were meeting at the luxurious Riverfront Hotel where the acquisition of Wesson Inc by Milton Enterprises would be announced. Everything was out of Nick’s hands at this point so Michael Milton and his executives were in charge of organizing the meeting and giving the presentation. All he could do was sit there and frown at their fate.

 

Nick had never met Michael Milton personally nor had he had the need previously as they were rivals but he had seen his face before on television and on the covers of magazines and newspapers. He was always wearing a pristine suit from a high end label with a serious personality to match.

 

After most of the employees had cleared out after the meeting, only the executives had lingered behind, though Nick wanted nothing more than to get the hell out of there and drown his sorrows with copious amounts of liquor. He had tugged at the white suit that Sam had urged him to wear, telling him that it would be impolite to show up in his usual casual fare. Though he did not understand what was the point of bothering to keep appearances since it hardly mattered anymore.

 

Nick watched as Sam went off to engage in a polite conversation with Rafaela, Michael’s half sister and Vice President. She looked just about stern and disciplined as her half brother. He groaned as Michael approached him, reaching a hand out to shake but Nick refused. Whether it bothered Michael or not, it did not show on his face.

 

“I wanted to discuss with you the finer details of transitioning your company over smoothly.” The Milton CEO had assured all of his employees that they would still have a job once they merged together, whether it be the same or in a new capacity. They had even promised to keep some of his executives, though fitting them in different positions since Milton already had his own team of executives. For instance, Sam was going to be placed in the legal division. The only person’s fate who was not clear was Nick and he was pretty sure that he was just going to get the boot.

 

“Why does it even matter? It’s not like I even have a say anymore.” Nick grumbled. Michael regarded him silently for a few minutes.

 

“Perhaps, but I would think that your employees would look to you for guidance during this time. They had pledged their loyalty to you and I know that they will not warm up to me instantly.”

 

“You mean your employees.” Nick corrected bitterly.

 

“Well, perhaps if you had kept a closer eye on your financial advisor then you would have never found yourself in this predicament.” Michael sneered, rubbing the circumstances in his face. Nick growled as he was supposed to be able to trust his executives and Fergus had betrayed not just him but the company as a whole.

 

“Why, you son of a…!” Sam was not anywhere near enough to grab a hold of him before he lunged forward and punched Michael Milton in the face. He could vaguely hear all the conversation around them die off as his blood boiled, the sound ringing in his ears.

 

As soon as Nick had made the first move, Michael did not hold back and tackled him onto the floor. The Milton CEO was stronger than he had anticipated, able to match Nick in strength and he had done mixed martial arts as an extracurricular activity throughout high school and college.

 

Sam, along with Rafaela, wasted no time in jumping into trying to break up the fight, probably wanting to avoid the police getting involved in the altercation and causing public drama. Before they were broken apart and dragged to different corners of the conference room, Nick could see the black eye on Michael and additionally feel that he had a bruise forming on his right cheek.

 

“Jesus Christ, Nick! I know you’re upset with how Fergus screwed us over but that does not justify you attacking the CEO! You better hope that he does not press charges against you for assault.” Sam yelled at him, lawyer instincts instantly kicking in.

 

---

 

While Michael Milton had promised to keep his employees, the same had not been true for his younger brother Gabriel who ran a candy shop out of the first floor of his company’s headquarters. As a favor to his brother, Nick gave him an insanely cheap rent, allowing him to run his shop without any major worry. Though Michael Milton, Nick was unclear whether it was in retaliation to their fight or not, decided to give him a 30 day notice for his eviction.

 

If Nick was mad before, he was absolutely seething now and he stormed right up to Milton Enterprises’ headquarters to give him a piece of his mind. The secretary, Naomi, gave him a hard time about not having an appointment scheduled with the CEO when he demanded to see him.

 

“I’m sorry, sir, but Mr Milton’s schedule is quite busy today. I could schedule you in an appointment in two weeks’ time if that would be acceptable…?” She offered politely but Nick was not having any of it. He could not possibly put this off, the issue had to be addressed immediately.

 

“You tell that scumbag that I’m seeing him right now or I will give him another black eye to match his current one!” Nick slammed his hands down onto the reception desk and he could tell that she was on the verge of calling security when the office door opened and Michael Milton emerged, his black eye covered up with makeup.

 

“Don’t worry Naomi, I have this covered. Now, Mr Novak, if you would desist in harassing my secretary and allow her to do her job.” Michael scolded him like a child and folded his arms in front of him.

 

“And before you make even more of a scene, how about we take this inside my office?” It was an order, not a suggestion despite the way that it was phrased. Nick reluctantly followed behind the other man as he turned around. He refused to sit down in a seat as Michael walked around his desk and sunk down into his chair, folding his hands in front of him.

 

“You have some nerve!”

 

“Me? Like you are one to talk. First, you assaulted me unprovoked at the meeting and now you turn up in my office causing chaos. Perhaps I could refer you to a therapist to work out your unresolved anger issues.” Michael said cooly. Nick growled at him. He knew that he was quite a bit of a hothead when mad but he felt that he was justified in his anger.

 

“Not only have you taken over my company but now you’re kicking out my baby brother!”

 

“Ah, Gabriel Novak, I presume? And what do you presume to do about it? Beat me up to a pulp? Do so and I won’t have any hesitation in bringing in the authorities this time. The small remnants of your reputation as a businessman would be ruined and you would have nice cushy jail cell waiting for you.” Michael rose up from his chair to stare down at him. He was not nearly as tall as Sam who was a giant but he still held a few inches over Nick.

 

“Well, that sure beats letting you walk over me like a carpet!”

 

“Then if you wish to do something about it so badly, marry me.”

 

“What!?” Nick flushed red in embarrassment and disbelieving that he had heard him correctly.

 

“I said, marry me.” Michael confirmed. Nick wouldn’t deny that the other man was attractive with that short curly black hair and those piercing green eyes but after his failed relationship with Lilith, he thought it was for the best that he stayed single.

 

“B-but, I hate you!”

 

“How cute, you have such an incredibly naive view of marriage that it is purely founded on the concept of mutual love. I don’t care for you either but this could be a very good political move for both of us. For me, it would make my new employees more at ease with being put under my direction and you would be able to have a voice in matters even if you no longer have full control.”

 

---

 

Back at his condo, Nick was drinking right out of the wine bottle, one of the expensive ones from his rack, as he explained the circumstances to Gabriel. He had not given his answer to Michael yet about the proposal but he was leaning towards accepting solely for the purpose of protecting his younger brother, his pride be damned.

 

Oh the lengths he was willing to go for family.

 

“Are you crazy, Nicky? Don’t bend over for that dick just to spare me.” Gabriel reassured him as he leaned back into the couch but as the big brother, it would not just do for him.

 

“But everything that I worked for...I built this company from the ground up.” Nick had sacrificed so much. He had even gotten disowned briefly by his father for pursuing his dream rather than follow the plans that he had laid out for him and it was only after that his company turned successful that his father changed his mind.

 

“This isn’t the end...think of it as a chance for a new beginning. I know that you always liked painting, perhaps you could go do something artistic.” His brother offered optimistically.

 

---

 

Naomi let out a sigh the next time that Nick barged into Milton headquarters but offered no complaint, instead welcoming him into the CEO’s office. Michael looked up from the paperwork that he was reviewing and raised an eyebrow, “I suppose that you have reached a decision then? Unless this is going to become a regular habit then I must insist that you desist.”

 

“Well, you better get used to seeing this mug because you’re gonna be stuck with it.” Nick stalked closer to the desk and rested both of his hands against the surface.

 

“Till death do us part.” Michael parroted the line from the marriage liturgy, lips curving into a predatory smirk. His hands tugged on the lapel of Nick’s jacket, pulling him forward until he was close enough to kiss. It was slow and tender, unlike the violence of their normal interactions. His body automatically tenses at the action and his eyes went wide in shock, fingers lifting off the desk and digging into Michael’s back in retaliation. The other CEO responded by biting down on his lower lip hard enough until a cooper taste filled his mouth.

 

“What was that for?” Nick gasped out as he tried to catch his breath after Michael had pulled back from the kiss.

 

“Got to practice for the wedding, darling, to make it look convincing or do you want it to be obvious that it is a sham?” The endearment was mocking as Michael put a reason behind his actions.

 

“You could have gave me a warning, you ass!” He growled out in annoyance. He did not appreciate being taken off guard like that.

 

“And where would the fun be in that?” Michael teased, which pissed Nick off that he was getting off on purposefully annoying him.

 

“You bast-” He had started to curse until he was pulled into another kiss, this time a lot more forceful as a demanding tongue prods into his own mouth and he is barely given any opportunity to breath. The kiss was practically suffocating and Michael does not relinquish him until Nick starts to feel his head get dizzy from the lack of oxygen.

 

“Any other complaints?” Michael was smug as he looked down at him.

 

---

 

Nick is unsure if Michael had made a formal announcement about their future nuptials, for which they have not even formulated all the details for, as Sam approached him, looking at him as if he lost his mind, “First you gave the guy a black eye and now you are marrying him?”

 

His former vice president had known him for long enough that he had no qualms about calling him out on his bullshit. Regardless of that, he was a good friend, often times being the calm voice of reason when Nick had lost all control over his emotions.

 

“Word spreads fast…” Nick mumbled out in complaint before addressing Sam, “Who told you?”

 

“Does it matter? You’re avoiding the question.”

 

“Well, to be specific, that wasn’t really a question that you asked.” His snark earned him a firm slap on the shoulder and a steady glare from Sam. Nick let out a huff of air before responding more seriously, “It allows me to preserve some of my dignity.”

 

“How?” Sam stated, perplexed. He grumbled out a string of incoherent sounds, which only affirmed the point that he was not too sure himself. “Have you truly thought this through?”

“Well, if it doesn’t work out, I can always slip a knife into his back while he’s sleeping.” Nick joked but Sam was unamused.

 

---

 

Michael waited until he has gotten an engagement ring for Nick before making an official announcement before the company, Nick standing beside him in a show of support but letting his fiancee take the lead. The ring itself is nothing fancy, just a simple silver band, but Nick feels awkward as he is the only one wearing a ring, as if he was the woman in the relationship. He was still adjusting to the weight of it on his finger, it felt so foreign that sometimes he just wanted to rip it off.

 

A summer wedding, huh. The whole affair was going to be huge, with hundreds of people invited between family, company employees, and associates.

 

It was going to be one hell of a show and thankfully Nick knew how to act.

 

---

 

Nick was clad completely in white from head to toe, a pristine suit, though he found himself tugging at the collar for being a tight fit. He preferred his clothes to hang a little more loose. To help soothe his nerves, he had already consumed two shots, leaving him with a nice buzz that mellowed him out.

 

“You reek.” Sam, his best man, one of the few choices he had in the whole ceremony, crinkled his nose at him as he inspected him, straightening out his suit.

 

“Thought I would get the celebration started early.” Nick grinned.

 

“I bet.” He snorted.

 

Nick had largely tuned out the priest, paying attention just enough so he knew when to chime in with his vows. With his back to the gathered audience, he could not look at them so he focused on the architecture and the icons of the church, disregarding his husband to be standing beside him. His attention centered on the statue of St Michael in the corner, looking at it in contempt.

 

When it came time to seal the vows with the traditional kiss, Michael dipped him back and his lips were gentle, just barely brushing against him. Not long either, over as soon as it started, Michael had not drawn it out as he had done back inside his office. Though, in front of a bunch of witnesses, it was for the best.

 

Nick was all too happy when they finally arrived at the post wedding reception and he could down all the booze that he wanted, caring little if he remembered this day come the next morning or not.

 

“Yeah, no, I’m cutting you off.” Sam grabbed the wine glass out of his hand before he could even take a sip.

 

“Sammy! Don’t spoil my fun.” Nick pouted at him.

 

Thankfully, Gabriel had come to his aid later, slipping him an entire bottle of champagne.

 

---

 

Once the pomp and circumstance is over, Nick and his newly minted husband retire to their hotel room. He instantly stripped off the stuff suit jacket and unbuttoned his shirt to get comfortable, before letting his body collapse onto the couch. Michael is a lot more methodical in stripping off his suit, folding each part nicely before he slid on a pair of pajama pants then pulled out a briefcase and from that paperwork.

 

“Workaholic, much?” Nick snorted as he used the remote to browse through the channels of the television, looking back at him out of the corner of his eye.

 

“A CEO’s job is never done.”

 

“Well, I cannot really speak of that anymore since you know, lost my job and all.” Michael shot him an unimpressed look. Nick had retired to the bed early, while his husband was still doing work, but several hours later his mind registered a warm body settling beside him.

 

Nick was aware that he tossed and turned in his sleep but he was caught off guard when he woke up, body draped over Michael and head resting on his chest. As his eyes slowly adjusted to the daylight and realization dawned at him, he caught of glimpse of Michael, who had already been awake, looking down at him with a grin.

 

“Damn you,” he cursed as he shoved himself off of Michael and buried his head under the sheets in embarrassment.

 

“Come now, baby, there is no need to be shy.” Michael teased him.

 

Nick poked his head out and hissed, “You’re an asshole.”

 

---

 

There is no honeymoon so the following day, the two of them go into work. Nick still did not have an actual position with the company but that was not going to stop him from speaking his mind. Michael was booked with meetings in the morning so he was left to his own devices, which he used to walk around the building and get a feel for the place.

 

“Can I help you?” Nick is greeted upon entering the finance department by a handsome man in a beige trenchcoat with dark hair and his eyes a shade that bore remarkable resemblance to Michael but he wrote it off as coincidence.

 

“Aren’t you a cutie?” He flirted unabashedly, which caused the accountant to fluster in embarrassment. It is not like his marriage to Michael meant anything and he never said that he had to be loyal.

 

“Please, this is improper.”

 

“Ah, don’t worry, I won’t tell if you won’t.” Nick winked.

 

“It’s not that...You’re my brother in law.”

 

“What?” His jaw drop at the realization.

 

“I’m Castiel, Michael’s younger brother.” Now that he had mentioned it, Nick had recalled catching a glimpse of him at the wedding but Michael had not bothered to introduce any of his family or if he had, Nick had been too intoxicated to remember.

 

“Oh.” He uttered dumbly, at a loss for words.

 

“We met at the wedding reception when my brother introduced you.” Well then, in that case, it was definitely the alcohol’s fault.

 

Nick made a firm mental note that if he flirted with someone that he made sure they were not related to his husband. He wondered if Castiel was going to tell Michael or whether he was too embarrassed to say anything.

 

---

 

Despite his earlier mistake of hitting on his brother in law, Nick was not deterred from trying it again. He had needs and there was no way in hell that he was going to go to his husband to sate them.

 

But, as it turned out, someone had tattled as when Nick goes to check on Michael in his office, he is slammed against the wall and hissed out, “Do you find this amusing? Strutting around with my ring on your finger and throwing yourself at other men?”

 

“Amusing? Hardly. I didn’t think you would care much for fidelity.” Any attempts to push at Michael’s arms were unsuccessful.

 

“Maybe if you were not flaunting yourself in front a bunch of witnesses! Your reckless actions could sully both of our reputations!”

 

“Not like I have much of a reputation left to lose.” Nick shrugged.

 

“You are so infuriating, do you know that? I tried to do you a favor and all you have done is stomp all over my kindness.”

 

“Oh, is that what you call it?” His comment sent Michael into a frenzy and before he knows it, their mouths are clashing against each other. It was heated and violent, no tenderness to be found.

 

So much for having a sexless marriage, Nick idly thought as he gathered up the remnants of his clothing that had been scattered across the office. He limped out, purposely avoiding eye contact with Naomi, hoping and praying that the walls were sound proof so that she had not overheard.