I'd like to thank my wonderful beta threateningmysins (archieveofourown), without whom I would have made quite a lot embarrassing mistakes, thank you =) Still English isn't my native tongue, so if you find the wording strange or something - well, sorry in advance for that.

I really hope you enjoy my story.

The rating may go up later on.

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Out of the four of them Lucifer had always been their father's favorite and yet, as Michael was the eldest, he was the one who ruled them after their father passed away.

Out of the four of them Lucifer had always been the brightest in every single way. From his complexion to his mind – he outshone them all.

Gabriel was the jester, always willing to conjure smiles on his siblings' faces and chase the seriousness away.

Raphael was a traditionalist at heart, and although nothing exceeded his loyalty toward their family, he was easily blinded by pride.

Michael was the first-born, the dutiful one, calm and collected, always ready to please their father. He was the good son.

And so Gabriel had come to expect many stupid things from all of them. All of them except Michael, of course. He could always count on Michael to make the right choice, make the best decision. Whatever his oldest brother did, he needn't doubt for an instant it would be anything but correct, proper, righteous even; for Michael was the most selfless of them all. Forever ready to sacrifice his time and energy to do right by the people of the kingdom he had inherited.

He held his head, upon which their father's crown rested, up high when he spoke to his folk, but Gabriel knew that the weight of the delicate silver ornament took its tolls on his favorite brother. The shade of the shadows under his eyes grew darker, while his skin turned paler. Although his brother never lost his composure, he wasn't fooled by it. Michael's bloodshot eyes indicated sleepless nights caused by the worries his regency brought with it.

"He needs a spouse.", Gabriel mused. Somebody to lure him into bed at night and divert him from the matters of the state he constantly concerns himself with. Somebody who would let him forget his countless duties for a while and bring joy back into his eyes.
Somebody to help him carry the oppressing weight of his heritage.

As he suggested the possibility of marriage to his eldest brother, Michael looked up from his work with an unusual look on his face. He appeared to be baffled as well as dumbstruck. One of his rare smiles made an appearance and Gabriel can hardly recall when his brother had last looked at him like this – like he was an absolute genius. It must have been when they were still children.

"Marriage! Of course, how could I have been so blind? It would be a perfect means to boost trade, secure our relations with other royal houses, and therefore ensure lasting peace. How could I not have thought of it? This is truly a marvelous idea Gabriel, thank you for your advice."

He should have known it. Leave it to Michael to turn the sacrament of love into a tool to gain political advantage.

A feeling of dread settled in his stomach. What if it wasn't Michael's intention to find a spouse for himself, but to marry off various members of their family? Despite his newly gained worry he couldn't help a smile from tugging at the corners of his mouth as the notion of Lucifer marrying anyone came crept into his mind.

He looked back to Michael, who had vigorously started to write a letter.

"Who are you writing to?", he asked, not certain if he even wanted to hear the answer.

"Our neighbors,", his king said without looking up to meet his worried glance, "to inquire if they would be interested in unions between our families."

Plural, he had used plural, as in more than one wedding.

"I especially hope we can come to an agreement with the Winchesters, their access to the sea and iron deposits make them outstanding candidates, don't you agree?"

They were also known to keep to themselves and for being hot-blooded and impulsive, but who was he to argue with his king. Only Lucifer had the courage to do that and even he approved of how their brother governed the country … at least most of the time.

"Shall we send an envoy to accompany the letter?", he asked hesitantly instead.

"That would certainly be the best course of action. As a matter of fact I already have in mind who we could send. Such a prestigious union should be negotiated by a person worthy of my trust. I intend to send one of my brothers."

Time for some damage control.

"In this case I would recommend sending Raphael.", because Lucifer was never a good choice when it came to diplomatic discussions and Gabriel didn't want to get himself involved in the whole matter anymore than strictly necessary. He didn't intend to get into the line of fire and end up married to a person he hardly knew as a result.

Michael only nodded absently to show his approval, still engrossed in his writing. This went on for a couple of minutes before he paused. He tapped his quill on his desk a few times before looking up to meet his brothers gaze. The regent's eyes drifted back and forth between the half written letter and his blond brother a handful of times before finally settling on his younger sibling.

"Not many members of our family have expressed their desire to be wed."

The words he didn't say rung so much louder than those he had actually voiced. Who could he annex into the Winchester family? Who to use as an anchor to gain deeper access to their neighboring country's resources? Who indeed, this was the question.

"Our cousin Castiel is the only one I could think of right now.", Gabriel suggested gingerly. Other words were dancing on the tip of his tongue, waiting for the moment they could cross the border of his lips.

"Aye, he has in fact spoken of the matter several times. In addition to that he is pleasant, pious, and possesses a bright mind. He would be a suitable party for one of John Winchester's sons."

Michael blinked a few times, seemingly starring at nothing, as if he was going to say more, but he remained silent. And so the words Gabriel had previously held in took the opportunity, used their owner's tongue as a springboard and jumped into existence.

"What about you? You should marry!"

He hadn't meant for the last part to come out so commandingly, but it seemed that his enthusiasm concerning the matter had overruled his restraint for the lapse of a few heartbeats.

"Think about it", he tried to save the situation, "you are the oldest out of our generation, it would only seem right for you to be the first one to marry, besides, the throne is in dire need for an heir. If anything were to happen to you, Lucifer would be crowned king and while we both love him madly, we are also aware that he is unfit to rule."

Gabriel knew that if he would list his true reasons for wishing his brother a spouse he would remain unsuccessful at his attempt to convince Michael. Taking matters of the state to argue his point, however, was always a good decision. It hurt the younger brother a bit that Michael was more concerned about what could benefit the state, than Gabriel's worries about his physical, as well as mental, health.

"That is the reason he is the only one worthy of wearing our fathers crown, whereas Raphael, Lucifer and I would be our kingdom's downfall.", he reminded himself silently, the thought leaving a bitter taste on his tongue.

Thankfully his dark-haired brother shook him back to awareness as his clear baritone voice filled the room once again.

"You are right, and not for the first time today I might add. Getting married …"

Gabriel could almost see how Michael turned the idea over in his head and for the second time today a smile was born on his king's face. It was in no way comparable to the first one. The one which had occurred earlier had been one of satisfaction, evidence of how smitten he had been at the prospect of increasing his country's wealth.
This one however, it was private. Michael smiled just for himself. And his eyes, no, his whole face appeared to be involved in the smile. His entire being seemed to beam at the prospect of finding a companion.

The last time Gabriel had witnessed his favorite sibling radiating like that had been before the death of their father.

"Yes, I think I would like that very much."

All in all Gabriel was satisfied with himself today. They didn't call him trickster behind his back for naught. Thanks to his sly words a new hope for the happiness of his brother was simmering at the future's horizon.

Had he known beforehand what the following months would ensue though, he wouldn't have congratulated himself quite so much.