[Fic] "Sweet Child of Mine"

[lux_tuli]

Title: "Sweet Child of Mine"
Fandom: Supernatural
Rating: Teen
Pairing(s): Gen-fic, past Michifer
Characters: Castiel, Lucifer, Michael, Sam Winchester, Dean Winchester, Gabriel, Chuck Shurley
Word Count: 5,888
Summary: [S5 AU] Castiel was always different from the other angels. Unbeknownst to most of his brethren, it was because Cas had been born out of the union of grace between a mated pair of angels, which so happened to be Michael and Lucifer. With the seals broken and Lucifer now roaming the Earth, Cas finds himself torn between being the obedient son to Michael and wanting Lucifer to be safe from harm, all while wanting to protect the Winchesters.
Written for: Castiel Big Bang
Originally posted: April 21, 2017

It was certainly rare but not an impossible feat for an angel to be born out of the union between a mated pair of angels rather than be created by the hand of God. Castiel had been the very first, sprung forth from the combined grace of Michael and Lucifer.

 

As a fledgling, Castiel was often in the company of Lucifer while Michael was busy performing his duties as the eldest. Of course, everything had changed when Lucifer rebelled against God. Castiel became separated from his one parent and his other became ever more distant than before as he took command of the Host when God departed. He had found himself in the care of Gabriel, until he too had left.

 

When Castiel had become of age, he was placed under his father’s garrison with all orders coming through Raphael. One of the few times he had seen Michael was when he was brought before him and his grace was bound so that his status as an archangel would be hidden from the others. He had never said it but Castiel was pretty certain that Michael was ashamed of him because he was a painful reminder of what he once had with Lucifer and what a scandal it would be if the others knew. Their mating had been in secret and only a handful of angels knew the truth. The others would probably mark him as a villain by just mere virtue of being Lucifer’s child.

 

Castiel had always tried to be a good soldier, following his father’s orders without complaint but as soon as he had become entangled with the Winchesters, he was no longer so compliant. Michael had given him the honor of being the one to raise the Righteous Man out of Hell, knowing what these events would amount to.

 

The Apocalypse.

 

While the other angels rejoiced for paradise that would follow, Castiel was displeased with the notion of his parents having to fight and subsequently kill the other, all supposedly done in the name of God.

 

 ---

 

As the seals were broken and Lucifer was unleashed onto the earth, Castiel was doing his best to protect the Winchesters. Not only because denying his parents their true vessels would ruin their plans but he sincerely cared for the humans as friends.

 

And as soon as they had been pulled into another one of the Trickster’s schemes, Castiel knew by that familiar spark of grace who they were really up against. He remembered the brief time he had spent in Gabriel’s custody fondly. His uncle had taken after Lucifer in bringing Castiel down to earth for visits and teaching him all that he knew. And it was Gabriel who had taught him how to fly as he still had been rather young as a fledgling when Lucifer had been cast out.

 

He was snapped inside the warehouse where Gabriel was surrounded by a ring of holy fire, the brothers finally realizing the truth of what they were dealing with.

 

“Hey, nephew.” His uncle greeted him cheerfully as if he had not teleported him far away to be mauled at by vicious creatures. Though, perhaps that part had not been intentional. Still, Castiel was not amused by Gabriel’s antics.

 

“Nephew? I thought you angels regarded each other as siblings?” Sam scrunched his face up in confusion. Castiel declined to comment so it was his uncle that spoke up.

 

“Well, yeah but Castiel is a little special. He wasn’t created by God like the most of us were.”

 

“Gabriel.” Castiel said firmly, hoping that his uncle would get the hint and be silent. He had no desire to speak of the truth behind his creation. A part of him felt bad for lying by omission but he saw no value in divulging it.

 

“Huh, then how the hell was he born?” Dean glanced over to Castiel.

 

“This isn’t information that is shared with humans but it is known to happen on rare occasions when a pair of angels mate. Sometimes a new angel is born from the joining of their grace.” His uncle revealed with a grin.

 

“Wait, you’re saying that Cas has an angel mommy and daddy?” Dean seemed perplexed by the notion.

 

“Sorta. It’s not exactly the same as human procreation though…” Gabriel shrugged.

 

“Gabriel, that is enough.” Castiel finally snapped in Enochian, which finally caused the older archangel to finally go silent

 

“Whoa, Cas, are you alright?” Dean put a hand on his shoulder in concern.

 

“My parentage is irrelevant, we should be more concerned with averting the Apocalypse.”

 

 ---

 

As they made their way into Carthage, Castiel secretly hoped that the Colt wouldn’t work against Lucifer. Surely, there had to be some other way to resolve things, a way that did not involve either one of his parents dying. He prayed to God for a peaceful resolution but he received no answer.

 

He should have suspected it was a trap when he started following the reaper inside the building. And now because of his recklessness, he was trapped in a ring of holy fire and saw a figure standing against the wall. Though he did not recognize the vessel, a middle aged man with short dirty blond hair and icy blue eyes, there was no doubt about to whom the grace belonged.

 

“Lucifer.” The fallen archangel pushed off the wall and walked closer to him. He had not seen Lucifer since their family had been broken apart millennia ago.

 

“My dear little Castiel, how you have grown. It’s a shame that I was unable to be there as you came of age. How has Michael been treating you and don’t you dare think of lying to me.” Lucifer reached out as if he was going to touch him but stopped as he regarded the ring of fire trapping him.

 

“Father has been...distant. Most of his word is carried down through Raphael.” At the admission, Lucifer looked very displeased. Realizing that he would be unable to sway, Lucifer left, leaving him behind the circle of holy fire.

 

By time he had managed to escape and reached the Winchesters, Lucifer had already initiated the ritual to summon Death and he wasted no time in flying them away while he was distracted.

 

---

 

They had been at Bobby Singer’s house, the failure of Carthage and the humans that they had been unable to save looming over them like a gloomy storm cloud, when all the sudden Lucifer appeared, arms folded neatly behind his back. Castiel reacted instantly, standing up with his angel blade drawn and putting himself between his parent and friends. Not that his blade could do any lasting damage on an archangel. Michael had been sure to only issue a standard seraph blade as to not raise any eyebrows amongst the others.

 

“How did you find us? I warded them against you.” He asserted.

 

“True, you did but you’re not warded against me. Not that you could really.” Lucifer smiled at him while the Winchesters reached for their guns, despite how pointless it was.

 

“What do you want? You are not taking Sam Winchester as your vessel.” He stepped protectively in front of his friend.

 

“I don’t know whether to be impressed or worried that you have grown to be so defiant in my absence. Is it too much to ask to spend some quality time with my son?” Castiel cursed as he heard the audible gasps from the brothers.

 

He does not know what to say to his friends so he decided to brush off Lucifer, “I will not be deceived by you.”

 

“If you are going to be angry with anybody, it should be with Michael for separating us and neglecting you. I didn’t want to leave you but my hands were tied.” Lucifer tried to appeal to him.

 

Castiel recalled all the years that he had felt abandoned and forgotten by his parents. Offspring from a mated pair were to be celebrated and cherished, or so the old legends told it, but he never had that luxury.

 

“As if raising me in Hell would have been a better alternative.” Lucifer pursed his lips in displeasure.

 

“At least we would have been together, I wouldn’t have tossed you aside or bound your grace. You think that I wouldn’t notice what my dear brother had done to you?” He could see the cold fury set on Lucifer’s face, not directed at Castiel but Michael.

 

“Speculating what ifs and could have beens mean little at this juncture. The simple fact is that I was left alone and I will not help neither you or father.”

 

“Castiel,” Lucifer frowned, “I’m not going to force you but I hope one day that we can be a family again.”

 

That was all he said before he flew away. He had been tempted to fly away too in fear what the brothers would say once they finally regained their composure.

 

“Holy shit,” Dean let out a deep sigh, breaking the awkward silence that had clung to the air after his departure.

 

“Cas…” Sam started.

 

“I’m sorry for hiding my parentage from you but I was afraid of how you would react.” He apologized sincerely.

 

“That’s why Gabriel called you nephew...do the other angels know?” Sam questioned out of curiosity and Castiel could not detect any anger in his voice.

 

“Only a trusted handful, most of them are ignorant,” His father’s shame had rubbed off on him and he had not spoken a word of it to anyone, not even to his close friend Balthazar.

 

“Look, no matter what, you’re still our friend, Cas. I know that you have disobeyed Heaven...and Michael for us, I cannot even imagine how hard that must be.” Dean spoke softly.

 

“Sam, Dean, thank you, you don’t know how much that means to me.”

 

 ----

 

Even though Lucifer can track down Castiel easily, he does not disturb them by making an unannounced appearance. Michael had not sought out Castiel either even after he disobeyed him, probably placing the blame on Lucifer and discarding him as a lost cause.

 

Although, Meg turned up at the residence of Bobby Singer with a message from Lucifer. Bobby had a shotgun pointed at her as she stood in the doorway.

 

“Don’t shoot the messenger, Lucifer thought it would be better to send me than show up personally without warning,” Meg defended as she held her arms up.

 

“What does he want?” Castiel demanded.

 

“First off, is it true that you’re his son?” She asked in a curious tone, though he is not sure where he had heard it from. None of the demons had been aware of the truth before, unless Lucifer finally decided to be forthcoming about acknowledging him. He probably did just to spite Michael.

 

“That’s none of your concern,” He growled out. His parents did not define who Castiel was. He was neither an obedient little soldier of Heaven nor a fallen angel of Hell.

 

“How about you get to the point?” Dean spoke up, laying a reassuring hand on Castiel’s shoulder, for which he was grateful for the change of topic.

 

“Lucifer says that he can unbind your grace.”

 

“In exchange for what?” Castiel scrunched his eyes in scrutiny. He doubted that Lucifer would offer such a thing without something in return.

 

“Nothing, though I think he will be happy just to piss Michael off.” This was starting to sound like Lucifer’s latest motto. First it was “screw God” and now it was, “I did just because it pissed off Michael”.

 

---

 

Castiel followed Meg to an abandoned hotel crawling with demons, though none of them dared to come near them. Once he was led to the room where Lucifer was waiting, he felt cold hands touch his face. No matter what, he was not going to let his guard down. Meg took her leave with a small bow.

 

“You deserved better. You should have been treated like a prince and not downgraded to a seraph.”

 

“It has taught me humility.” Castiel scowled at the thought of being elevated as a prince. He thought that it was better this way, he bore none of the arrogance that such a status would have brought.

 

“Don’t defend him.” Lucifer hissed.

 

“You said you could unbind my grace, is it true?”

 

“Contrary to belief, I do not lie, I have no reason to when the truth can be much more cruel.”

 

“The others will find out if you go through with this.” Castiel reminded him.

 

“So be it. You have nothing to be ashamed of and I have nothing but pride for you.” Lucifer held his cheeks between his hands.

 

---

 

Castiel had not lingered in Lucifer’s presence for long after he had unbound his grace, he might have been grateful but that was not going to change his mind. He was not going to abandon the Winchester brothers in favor of either one of his parents. They were both in the wrong.

 

“So, did the Devil make good on his word?” Dean asked when he returned.

 

“Indeed, I feel a surge of power that I have never felt before. Though I’m afraid that any of my siblings that I come in contact with will be able to sense the same thing.”

 

“Meaning?”

 

“They’ll know that Cas is an archangel which will probably lead to a lot of questions, right?” Sam reasoned.

 

“Precisely and most likely turn to Michael in their confusion for answers.” He cared not if it would inconvenience his father. Served him right for hiding the truth about him all this time.

 

---

 

It had been bad enough trying to protect the brothers from his parents attempting to wear them as vessels but then Anael had decided to travel back in time to kill John and Mary to prevent Sam and Dean from ever being born. He would not allow it, not even if it would bring the Apocalypse to a screeching halt. The Winchesters were the closest thing that he had to a family. They were there at his side when most of the host had abandoned him.

 

There was no choice but to follow after her. Castiel did not want to kill her but he would do what he must in order to protect his family.

 

Now that he was freely able to access his archangel grace, Castiel was capable of time traveling without any severe repercussions. If he had still been cut off, he would have most likely been knocked out from the act.

Locating the young and still newly married couple was not that difficult of a task, Sam was able to find their address in the phonebook. What became problematic was when Mary opened the door of her home and Castiel could tell right away that there was a life growing inside of her belly. He had not wanted to alarm Dean so he had kept quiet on what he knew.

 

John had slipped away when they were too busy talking with Mary and Castiel was too late in realizing that he had been drawn away by Anael. As soon as they had noticed his absence, they had pursued after him. Not only were they met with Anael but this timeline’s Uriel as well.

 

John had put up a fight against his sister and she had sent him flying through the wall and out of sight. Sam and Dean were struggling as well. They were strong but angel strength almost always triumphed.

 

A whirlwind of emotion passed through him at the sight of Uriel. He had once considered Uriel as a friend, they were in the same garrison and had fought alongside each other. But then he learned that he had deliberately been breaking the seals to set Lucifer free and even killed their own siblings. He balled his hands into fists, biting down on his lip to prevent himself from yelling at him, lashing out for his betrayal.

 

“You….can’t possibly be…!” Uriel’s face scrunched in confusion as he looked at Castiel, past his vessel and directly into his grace. Even Anael had paused in the midst of fighting to stare at him in awe, realizing that he was not a mere seraph.

 

Any questions that they may have had were forgotten as another angelic presence joined them. Castiel felt a lump to start to form in his throat.

 

“Anna,” He heard the deep voice of John Winchester call out. If only. Castiel’s grace had hummed in recognition when Michael had descended. He was surprised that he had come down personally after sending Zachariah to all of his dirty work.

 

“John…?” Mary Winchester spoke tentatively.

 

“That is not your husband right now.” He watched as his father set his hand on Anna’s shoulder and burned her away. He did not understand how he could do that without hesitation. Did his family mean so little to him?

 

“Michael, I didn’t know…”

 

“Goodbye, Uriel.” Michael dismissed him before turning to Castiel, “You have disobeyed your orders.” He reprimanded as he walked closer, setting his hands on Castiel’s shoulders. Would his father just burn him away without a blink of an eye like he did with Anna?

 

“Is this where you lecture me and say that I’m just like Lucifer?” Castiel retorted.

 

“Castiel, I raised you better than this.”

 

“Did you? Lucifer was the one who looked after me while you were too busy trying to play at being God’s obedient little soldier and when he left, Gabriel took charge. You never once treated me like a son.”

 

“Yes, Michael, do tell how you took care of our son.” He felt Lucifer pop in behind him.

 

“What are you doing here?” Castiel asked, his body tensing at both of his parents being in the same room.

 

“I sensed your distress.” He said casually. Castiel was aware of a connection between a child produced from a mate bond and the parents but he was not sure what it all entailed. Neither one of his parents had spoken much on the matter.

 

“Shit, we’re fucked,” Castiel heard Dean curse. Michael had withdrew his hands and Lucifer stepped in front of him, shielding Castiel with his vessel.

 

“Why are you here? This isn’t the intended battlefield.”

 

“Unlike you, I care about our son.” Lucifer sneered and pushed Michael up against the wall, his body crashing against the surface with a loud thud. The force of the impact caused the whole garage to shake, the vibrations causing the cars to slightly move from their parked positions.

 

“You think that perhaps we should leave while those two duke it out?” Dean whispered. Castiel watched as Michael shoved Lucifer back and forced him to the ground as he considered the suggestion.

 

“I still cannot believe that they’re mated.” Sam commented.

 

“Things used to be very different.” Castiel provided awkwardly, remembering the moments as a fledgling when he happened upon them being loving towards each other. They were never blatant with their affection but in the safety of privacy they did not hold back their caresses and affectionate words.

 

“Sometimes I wonder if this is just foreplay for them.” A new voice spoke up. Gabriel.

 

“I thought that you didn’t want to get involved?” Dean recalled his uncle’s refusal to assist them.

 

“Yeah, I’m not. Do you think that I want to get in the middle of those two right now?” Gabriel rolled his eyes and pointed at the two archangels. Michael had a hand fisted in Lucifer’s dirty blond hair and Lucifer had his nails sinking into Michael’s back.

 

“Will John be alright?” Mary asked.

 

“Well, I would hope…” Gabriel started but Castiel cut in.

 

“I don’t believe that Michael would jeopardize the future of Sam and Dean as the true vessels so he will probably heal John before he departs. Possibly scrub his mind of all this as well…” And most likely Mary’s as well but he left that unspoken.

 

“Guys, guys, this isn’t the time or the place,” Gabriel waved his hands about as he walked towards his brother.

 

“Gabriel, you’re alive,” Michael paused to look at him. Lucifer, however, appeared unsurprised.

 

“Yeah, word of my death has been greatly exaggerated.” Lucifer took advantage of the moment and pinned Michael down to the floor, straddling his hips. Gabriel just shook his head.

 

“You should know better than to let your guard down in front of your opponent,“ Lucifer chided.

 

“Enough of this! Get out of John Winchester and leave the Winchesters alone!” Castiel snapped.

 

This time, Lucifer did look shocked, though it was brief as it turned into a grin, “I believe our son gave you an order.”

 

“This isn’t the end of this.” Michael looked at Lucifer then settled on Castiel. Warm bright grace departed from John Winchester and Lucifer rose up, no longer needing to pin the man. Mary rushed over to her husband, calling out his name.

 

“Great, I have to clean up after his mess.” Lucifer grumbled as he stared down at the Winchester couple.

 

“Your vessel…” Castiel observed, noticing marks that had not been there before.

 

“The unfortunate consequence of exerting myself against Michael. I don’t have the fortune of being to inhabit just any vessel, not when I had been cast out. Only my true vessel can hold me permanently.” His eyes flickered over to Sam. Before Castiel can protest, Lucifer sighed and added, “Yes, I’m aware of how protective you are of the Winchester brothers. I wouldn’t even need to bother if Michael would just walk off the chessboard.”

 

“What do you mean?” Dean asked.

 

“I have no desire to fight or kill my brother despite our issues. And I certainly have no desire to make myself a pawn in Dad’s so called master plan. Fate is overrated bullshit.”

 

“Yeah? Well, I say you been falling for it anyways since you gone and raised the Horsemen.” Gabriel retorted.

 

“I’m not stupid. It’s self defense. Just because I don’t want to play ball doesn’t mean that I am going to give him an opening.”

 

“Still the strategist, huh?"

 

---

 

“This is unnecessary,” Castiel had told Lucifer as he guided them back to the present after erasing the minds of John and Mary of what had happened. He was an adult, he did not need to be coddled as if he was still a fledgling.

 

“Nonsense. You’re not used to your grace at full strength and time travelling is a huge strain.” He was inclined to disagree. Castiel thought that he held up pretty well considering.

 

“Don’t be such a mother hen, Luci, Castiel is a big boy now,” Gabriel teased.

 

As soon as they returned to their present, Gabriel had left as soon as he had came but Lucifer did not seem to have any intentions of leaving, instead following after them.

 

---

 

“Are you seriously tagging along now?” Dean had finally turned to Lucifer as they stepped onto the front step of the prophet’s house.

 

“I like the sound of this Team Free Will that you have formed…” The fallen archangel shrugged as he looked around, “So this is the supposed prophet’s place?” He did not sound impressed.

 

“Just behave, okay? He’s probably going to freak out,” Sam told him.

 

“Honestly, if he survived Zachariah’s atrocious bedside manner, he will be fine.” Lucifer rolled his eyes. Dean huffed before knocking on the door. The door creaked open and holy water was splashed onto Lucifer’s face. He glared at the prophet.

 

“Do I look like a demon?” He wiped off his face with the end of his sleeve as he scowled.

 

“What are you guys thinking bringing Satan to my front door!? I had enough with angels trying to screw with me!”

 

“Your true face could be regarded as scary to some.” Castiel responded to Lucifer.

 

“My precious baby, did you just try to crack a joke? Except not even prophets can see our true forms.”

 

“Nothing against you Castiel but your fathe…” With a glare from Lucifer, Chuck corrected himself. Michael had always been considered to be his “father” and Lucifer hated the idea of being compared to him so he did not like being referred to as “father”, “mother here is terrifying.”

 

“I know how to behave, I just prefer not to.”

 

“Keeping Lucifer within my sights ensures that he’s not causing any trouble,” Castiel explained.

 

“And how are you sure that he’s going to listen to you?”

 

“I can always call down Michael.”

 

“That’s not funny.” Lucifer hissed at him.

 

“Please don’t, I rather not have the Apocalypse go down in my front yard.” Chuck reluctantly opened the door wider, letting them inside.

 

“I guess introductions aren’t necessary since you recognize Lucifer…” Sam stated.

 

“Which prophet are you? Moe, Larry, or Curly?” Castiel scrunched his face in confusion as he did not recognize any of those names that Lucifer had listed as belonging to a prophet.

 

“Chuck.”

 

“Who are Larry, Curly, and Moe?” Castiel asked.

 

“The Three Stooges...from a TV show, Cas.” Dean answered.

 

“There is no prophet by the name of Chuck.” Lucifer insisted.

 

“Well, obviously you’re wrong.” Dean brushed him off.

 

“You don’t understand, I had all the names of all the prophets seared into my mind and this Chuck is not among them.”

 

“You must be mistaken...I recognize Chuck’s name.”

 

“Maybe God added another prophet after you got the boot.” Dean suggested with a shrug.

 

“No, God is a master strategist….He wouldn’t tack on a random prophet as an afterthought.” Lucifer eyed Chuck with suspicion.

 

“Okay, let’s entertain this notion that you’re suggesting, how do you explain Chuck’s visions then?” Dean pointed out. Lucifer’s eyes narrowed, and Castiel grabbed onto his wrist, worried about what he was going to do. He turned away from Chuck and reached for the amulet hanging around Dean’s neck.

 

“I had heard that you attempted to locate our Father using this?”

 

“Yes, to no avail, it was a waste of time.” Castiel answered, wondering where Lucifer was going with this.

 

“According to Raphael, He’s dead.” Dean added, recalling the encounter where they had trapped the archangel. His uncle was probably still angry that he told him off.

 

“Oh please, Raphael has never had much faith...but quite a paradox this presents….God is alive and well yet you cannot find Him...perhaps He had turned this little charm off so He could continue to hide in plain sight?” Lucifer turned on his heel and stared at Chuck.

 

“You’re not implying that…” Sam started.

 

“No. Chuck, really? The hack writer who drinks himself into a stupor? No offense, by the way.” Dean shook his head in disbelief.

 

“Dad always liked having front row seats to the actions.” Despite the responses from the Winchester brothers, Chuck had not spoken a word, not even to deny it. The prophet then let out a deep sigh.

 

“Fine, you caught me red handed. I never thought that anyone would be able to pick apart my cover.”

 

“Who, wait, what!? Lucifer’s right?...Oh fuck, that sounds so wrong coming out of my mouth.”

 

“Chuck...sorry, that’s probably too casual.” Sam dropped down to his knees. Castiel had heard his prayers before so he knew that Sam had a lot of faith. Lucifer rolled his eyes and pulled him up by the back of his shirt.

 

“Just don’t,” He clicked his tongue, like scolding an unruly fledgling, before focusing his attention on God.

 

“Samael.”

 

“Don’t you call me by that stupid childhood name that you gave me. I no longer answer to it.” Lucifer hissed. Castiel had known that Lucifer’s current name was just a title that he had then taken as his name, leaving the one given to him by God behind. Sam shuffled about awkwardly on his feet, realizing the connection between their names. It was probably no mere coincidence.

 

“Can’t you call off the Apocalypse?” Castiel asked.

 

“Oh, Castiel, I have heard your prayers, every single one of them. It’s not so simple. I know how painful it must for you to be pulled in so many directions…”

 

“What? You just go to Michael and tell him to back the fuck off. End of story.” Lucifer snapped as he crossed his arms.

 

“I invented free will for a reason. Michael will need to come to his senses on his own.”

 

“That’s a bullshit excuse and you know it. I don’t want to kill my mate but I’m not going to roll over and just let him stab me in the belly either.” Lucifer stormed out of the house, ripping the door off the hinges and slamming it onto the ground. Castiel briefly looked at God before following after his parent. It was easy to track him him down because of the tree that was now covered in ice despite it not being winter.

 

“That son of a bitch!” Lucifer growled out.

 

“I didn’t know that God was born from a dog.” Castiel joked in an attempt to lighten the mood.

 

“Oh, you sweet child of mine.” Lucifer turned around and pulled him into his arms for a hug.

 

“I will make things right…for your sake.” His mother placed a chaste kiss to his forehead before he relinquished his grip. Castiel gave him a puzzled expression, unsure of what he meant. Lucifer gave him a weak smile before he flew away without any indication of where he was going.

 

He returned to Chuck’s house alone. Dean was not surprised in the least but Sam appeared to be a bit troubled, “Where do you think he went?”

 

“Who cares?”

 

“Dean!” Sam hissed out, “He’s still Cas’ mother.”

 

“It’s alright, Sam...though it is rather troubling that he took off suddenly..” It did not sound like he had any interest in fulfilling God’s vision of the Apocalypse but he was concerned by the fact that he had not given him an idea of where he was going.

 

“I can tell that you’re worried. They’re both at Stull Cemetery.” Chuck spoke up. He was instantly alarmed by the location, Castiel knew that was the foretold location of where the Apocalypse was supposed to end. Where his parents were intended to fight each other in their chosen vessels, except for the fact that neither one of them were in the vessels that they intended to wear.

 

“Wait, you mean in Lawrence?” Dean was perplexed, noting the connection to his hometown.

 

“No. Neither one of them are in their true vessels.”

 

“I believe Michael has decided to make do with their half brother, Adam.” Even though Adam was not the true vessel, he was still of the bloodline which gave Michael the advantage over Lucifer, who was still wearing the form of Nick.

 

“Wait, but he’s dead-” Dean started to protest but Castiel had no time to stand around idle when his parents were about to fight each other to the death. No, there had to be some other way. Without offering any sort of explanation or notice, lest he drag the brothers and potentially endanger their lives, Castiel spread out his wings and flew to Stull Cemetery.

 

This was for the better, at least they would be safe under Chuck’s protection.

 

---

 

Lucifer was eerily calm as he kneeled on the ground, hands resting on his lap, immovable even though Michael loomed over him, archangel blade firmly in hand.

 

“No!” Castiel cried out, helpless as he was faced with the exact situation that he had been trying to avoid. Michael tilted his head towards him, eyes narrowed in barely contained fury.

 

“You have no right to be here.” His father scolded before turning his attention back onto Lucifer, “And I expected more of a show of resistance from you.”

 

“I don’t have any desire to fight you, brother. Please, I beg you, just stand down, we don’t have to do this.”

 

Michael let out a bitter laugh, “Like I have any choice after you betrayed me. Betrayed our father. Unlike you, I’m the good son. I follow my orders.” He lifted his blade so that it rested against Lucifer’s throat.

 

“Stop, do you really think that this is what God had intended!?” Castiel shouted. Why did his father have to be so stubborn, unable to see beyond his own rose tinted lenses.

 

“Shut up, you’re just as bad as Lucifer. Your duty was to guide the vessels towards their destiny. But you chose them over your own family.” Michael growled out, pulling his blade away from Lucifer to point at him.

 

“And what about you? You chose your twisted sense of duty over your mate and child!” Castiel stomped towards him, getting right into his father’s face.

 

“Castiel, please go, this isn’t your battle to fight.” Lucifer protested weakly, tugging on the end of his trenchcoat.

 

“Enough of this, get out of my sight before I decide to kill you next.” Michael hissed at Castiel but he was not going to back down that easily. He placed himself in front of Lucifer, shielding him.

 

“I’m not going to let you do this.” Castiel insisted, which seemed to infuriate Michael even further. Before he knew it, his father had driven his blade right into his chest, Castiel’s vision turning white and only vaguely registering the loud cries from Lucifer.

 

---

 

Castiel shot up from a couch, nearly rolling off the piece of furniture in the process, but was ushered to lay back down by Gabriel. His mind was hastily trying to process what had happened. Michael had stabbed him so logically he should be dead, though he was unsure of what happened to angels upon dying. It was not like they had a human soul.

 

“Gabriel, is this the afterlife?” He inquired in confusion, unsure if he was actually conversing with the real Gabriel. He had been quite alive when they had parted ways.

 

“Whoa there, kiddo, calm down,” Looking at his surroundings, Castiel noted the familiar appearance of Chuck’s house, “It took a lot out of the old man but he brought you back after Michael went a little stab happy.”

 

“Michael...what happened to them? Is Lucifer…?” He rose back up, about ready to take off and investigate.

 

“What did I tell you about calming down? Do I have to tie you to the freakin’ couch?” Gabriel huffed then shouted, “Luci, come in here before your boy has a heart attack!”

 

Truth enough, Lucifer walked through the door, though his vessel was oddly devoid of any blemishes and sores that existed before. He took a seat beside him on the couch and Gabriel took the opportunity to give them some privacy.

 

“You’re alive.”

 

“I should say thanks to you but that was rather foolish of you.” Lucifer gave him a small smack to his chin.

 

“What happened afterwards?”

 

“Apparently the old man had a change of heart about not stepping in. He showed up right after you got stabbed. Put Michael into timeout…” Lucifer started to explain but was interrupted as Sam and Dean came barreling into the room.

 

“Cas!” He heard both of his friends call out his name in relief. Next thing he knew, he was pulled into a tight hug, “Thank God that you’re okay!”

 

“Thank you.” Castiel responded as he heard a low chuckle coming from Lucifer, “So, the Apocalypse?”

 

“Officially over, so spake the Lord.” Chuck, who had walked into the living room, had chimed in.