Chapter 2: Problems and Comfort

*1 = I beg mercy

*2 = I beg you

Lucifer looked up as Crowley walked in holding a stack of papers and let out a sigh. "Is it too much to ask for that not to be for me?"

The Scotsman sat the papers on the corner of the desk and chuckled. "Afraid not mate. I got thirty torture forms, twenty requests for pardons, and about a hundred for the closing of deals so the hell hounds can bring them down."

Lucifer groaned and put his head in his hands. This paperwork was going to be the end of him. The tinkling of glass made him look up to see Crowley pulling out his potion. The demon poured the required does into a small cup of coffee and brought it over to him along with a doughnut. The devil frowned; he was sure that coffee and sugared pastries were not the type of food the Gabriel had in mind to have him eat.

Crowley sat the plate and cup down with a smirk. "I won't tell the mouse if you won't."

The blonde gave him a weak smile. "Thanks. I'm sure Gabby wold be pissed to see you feeding me this."

"Which is why I'm not saying anything. When was the last time you got any sleep?" The demon asked looking him over.

"When did you bring me the report on the last skirmish? The one with Drepannon?"

Crowley shook his head. "That was last week. Right after you got back from your overnight stay with the mouse, moose, and squirrel."

"Oh." Lucifer said numbly, he was beginning to lose track of his days again he really needed to get a watch or something. "I can sleep later. You just brought me more paperwork. I'm already behind because of the break in."

Crowley sighed and picked up the papers he had just sat down along with the ones that Lucifer was working on. "These can wait. Go get some rest."

The devil frowned. "Those need my signature."

"Which I can easily forge. I'll be in my office across the hall if you need anything." Crowley said. "I'll also lock the door so you won't be disturbed."

Lucifer swallowed hard. "Thank you Crowley. I know I don't say it but I really do appreciate you and all you do for me."

"Likewise." The demon said, walking out with the papers and locking the door behind him.

Crowley walked across the hall and left his huge double doors open for once just to keep an eye on Lucifer's room. He rarely did this but when he did all the demon's knew that the Devil was not to be disturbed unless it was an absolute emergency. Throwing the stack of papers down on his desk he poured himself a drink; this was going to take a while.

Crowley wasted no time in digging into the papers and soon he was more then halfway through them. It made him wonder why it was so hard for the angel to focus. Maybe Lucifer was worse off then he thought. He would have to take a trip to go see the mouse and find out if he had something in his lab to help the devil focus a little better. A flash of color drew his attention and Crowley looked up and his expression morphed into a glare; Michael was here.

"What can I do for you?" Crowley asked, pleased when he made the archangel jump a foot.

Michael turned and look at the demon before looking back at the door. "Why is it locked? Lucifer never locks his rooms."

"I locked his rooms." Crowley said. "He supposed to be resting. Gabriel's orders."

"Gabriel didn't say anything about that to me." Michael said with a frown.

Crowley couldn't help but feel a spark of sadism rise up in him.. "Why would the mouse tell you anything about Lucifer? You're not his mate."

The First Born actually flinched at that. "He's still my brother. I know he hasn't been feeling well so I wanted to check on him."

"He should be sleeping." The Scotsman said. "Now that you did your job then get out."

Blue eyes flashed. "Not until I see Lucifer."

Crowley leaned back and took a drink of his whisky, staring at the angel. "Lucifer runs hell. I run the day to day things. When I am indisposed, he takes care of it all. When he is indisposed, I run it all."

Michael's glare grew. "What does that have to do with anything?"

"Lucifer is, at present, indisposed. So do me a favor? Get out of my domain yeah? You're not welcome here. Not anymore." Crowley said setting his glass down.

Michael seemed to puff up with anger before he seemed to deflate. He turned and looked at the closed door once more and the demon was impression with the angel's ability to look like a kicked puppy. Michael seemed like he was actually concerned with the well being of Lucifer. Figuring that it wouldn't hurt he got up and pulled out the key to Lucifer's rooms and unlocked the door. He stepped inside and the First Born followed him frowning and Crowley knew why.

The couch that had once been in the main room was gone, Lucifer having thrown it out in a fit of rage after the breakup. Same went for the pictures that once sat on the desk; they were now in the locked bottom drawer. Going over to the bedroom, Crowley slowly pushed open the door and he heard Michael gasp behind him, and why wouldn't he? The huge bed that dominated that room was a pile of splinters, torn fabric, and twisted springs. Michael and Lucifer had gotten the bed together after they first returned from hell. Michael seem startled until Crowley pointed out his boss.

Lucifer was sleeping with his back pressed up against the wall, a habit he had developed while in the Cage that Michael had thought for sure he had broken him of. Instead of a bed, the blonde had a small pile of furs under him to make a soft 'bed'. There was even one rolled up to use as a pillow and the rest were actually being used properly. Michael took a step towards Lucifer, his pale form making the First Born's stomach drop in concern but Crowley put a hand out to stop him.

Michael wanted to protest but knew that if Lucifer hadn't woke when they came in that he was truly in need of rest. If nothing else his time spent in the Cage meant that his younger brother was a light sleeper. When they first started sleeping together Lucifer would wake at the slightest movement and it normally took him hours to fall back asleep. Michael couldn't help but wonder if that had all come back because of him. With a sigh he gave Crowley a nod turned and walked out. Crowley waited until he was sure the angel was gone before turning to look as Lucifer. Blue eyes met him and the relief was clear in them. The demon nodded and walked out, shutting the doors behind so that the devil could rest.

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

"What do you want me to say Michael?" Gabriel snapped, carefully adding some lavender to his latest potion.

"You can tell me what's wrong with him!" Michael all but yelled.

Gabriel glared up at his brother, his gold eyes flashing; the Fourth Born still had his sigil cuff on but it was nearly time for it to come off. "Yell at me one more time in my lab and make no mistake I will put you in your place Mikha'el."

Sam, who was helping Gabriel by fetching the angel whatever he needed, looked up at the difference in name pronunciation and was shocked to see the nervousness running through the First Born but wisely said nothing.

Michael took a few steps back and hung his head. "Ol lava akada." *1

Gabriel's glare didn't lessen, if anything the Trickster looked even angrier. "I'm not the one you should be asking forgiveness from."

"Gabriel, ol lava elasa." *2

"Speaking in Enochian to me isn't going win brownie points with me, Brother." The smaller blonde said. "I also refused to speak in another language in front of Sam. I'll keep no secrets from him."

Blue eyes turned to look at the human and then back. "I know you don't care to hear this Gabriel but Sam is human. Our secrets are not meant for human's ears."

"Sam and I have been talking about starting a courtship. Father has given us his blessing for whenever we decide to do so. That gives Sam the same rights as Dean when it comes to knowing about our so called 'secrets' since he will be the mate of an angel. Even more so since he'll be the mate of an archangel." Gabriel said coldly. "Sam could you grab me the valerian root please? Third case from the back, second shelf, fourth bottle."

Sam nodded. "What color am I looking for Gabe?"

"It's in a clear bottle. I need the brown powder, not the whole root please." Gabriel said. "And I want a kiss before you go."

Sam chuckled and kissed the blonde as he disappeared into the back to go get the required ingredient. Michael looked over his brother's work and took in what he had on the table. Chamomile, lavender, oat straw, passion flower, and just now he asked for valerian root. All herbs used for sleeping.

"A sleeping potion?" Michael asked softly. "For yourself?"

"For Lucifer. He can't sleep. Does that answer your question Michael? Lucifer is dealing as best he can given his problem." Gabriel said. "So what are you going to do about it?"

That brought the First Born to a halt. "Me?"

"Yes you." The Trickster confirmed. "This is because you acted just like Sam did the night he and I broke up. So now you need to fix this unless you want Lucifer in a similar state. Think you can do that?"

"Gabriel I'm being serious." Michael scolded.

"So am I." Gabriel said looking up at his brother. "Do you know why Lucifer said yes to me?"

"No." The First Born said, curious as to the sudden change of topic.

"He said yes because he knew that the person he was in love with would never be able to love him back. He told me that he wasn't sure if he could love me but him being with me was better then being alone. I was very lucky that he did fall in love with me. Lucifer decided to settle for second best as the Second Born. He did it because he knew he wasn't good enough for you."

"I didn't know that." Michael said, feeling a bit pained at finding that out.

"Okay. Did you know that I asked Lucifer to be my mate?" The smaller blonde asked.

Michael felt his heart stutter and blood run cold. "You asked Lucifer to mate with you?"

"Yes I did." Gabriel confirmed. "And he turned me down. He said he didn't think it was fair that he mate with me when he was still in love with someone else. He didn't want to trap me with him when there was a chance I could find someone I was truly in love with. I told him I understood and I didn't ask him again. Him saying no didn't make me love him any less. If anything it made me love him more because he wanted to put my happiness first. If nothing else Lucifer has never lied about how he feels nor did he ever lie to me the entire time we were together, something I took to heart and put to use for my relationships. Lucifer values love, honesty, and loyalty in a relationship above all else. Do you understand this Michael?"

"I think so." The First Born said with a nod.

The youngest archangel sighed at the colors he saw. "No you don't."

"You're right. I don't."

"You started disappearing on him Michael. He didn't know what you were doing and you refused to tell him." Gabriel said glaring at him once more. "He was worried about you and you not only told him that it was none of his business where you were or why you were coming back hurt but you also threatened him with his greatest fear. All you did was prove to him that you didn't really care. That you didn't want to be honest with him and it made him question your loyalty. He knows you love him but he also knows that you can love someone and still not trust them. Do you understand now?"

"What I'm doing isn't-"

"He has been in love with you since before I was born. What does that tell you?"

Blue eyes went wide with shock. "He...He has? Why didn't he say anything?"

"Because he didn't think he was good enough for you. Are you not listening to me?" Gabriel spat, tried of his brother's ignorance. "Think about it. You are our Father's First Born. His Warrior. You are everything that the rest of us could only hope to be. You are our big brother. Our Hero. Why would you even think about dating one of us much less give us the time of day?"

"I...I never thought of it that way. I didn't know the others even saw me like that." Michael admitted. "Do you see me like that?"

"We all see you like that. Whenever you would talk to one of the younger ones it was revered as the best thing ever. 'The First Born talked to me.' That was something the younger angel's strived for. Something Lucifer strived for. All he ever wanted was for you to acknowledge that he was worth your time." Gabriel explained, hoping that Michael would understand and Lucifer wouldn't kill him for telling this to the First Born. "Lucifer has never stopped seeking your approval. He has never stopped seeking your love."

Michael frowned, seemingly thinking over everything he had been told before turning to leave. "Thank you Gabriel. I'm grateful for your help."

"Michael."

The blonde paused, his wings frozen in mid flap as he turned to look at his younger brother once more, his face questioning.

"You ever do this to him again and I'll make those injuries you keep showing up with look like child's play is that understood?" Gabriel asked without looking up from the notes he was writing.

"Crystal." The First Born said before vanishing.

Sam came out from behind the shelf and wrapped his arms around the angel. "You could have just asked me to leave. I wouldn't have minded."

Gabriel shook his head as he turned to kiss his hunter. "I wanted you to hear it. I wanted you to know. I meant what I said about keeping no secrets from you."

"Thank you for that." Sam asked, pulling the bottle that Gabriel asked him for from under the angel's desk. "Did you really ask Lucifer to mate with you?"

"Yes I did and yes he really did turn me down. He's been in love with Michael since the beginning." Gabriel said. "He was always too afraid to tell him."

"So what are we going to do?" The hunter asked. "Are you going to try and get them back together or just leave them be?"

Gabriel added the valerian root powder and put a lid on his mixture. "That depends on how hard Michael tries. I have a feeling though that tonight is going to be rough."

"Why?" Sam asked.

"Because I could sense the he went to hell to see Lucifer. I have no doubt the at some point we are going to be graced with Lucifer and his mindset is going to be unbalanced." Gabriel said. "I just hope he doesn't blow up."

Sam suddenly reached out and grabbed his angel and lifted him onto the table, being mindful of the other things there and pressed against him, letting Gabriel feel how hard he was. "I thought for sure you were going to put Michael in his place. I don't know what language you said his name in but the was one of the hottest things that I have ever heard pass your lips."

Gabriel let out a moan and his body was quick to respond, growing hard under the human's gentle rocking. "If this is how me speaking gets you then allow me to speak in several more."

"Please do." Sam all but growled out as he attacked the blonde's neck with harsh bites.

Gabriel let out a startled half moan at the biting and began to whimper, clinging to the taller man in front of him. Since Sam had discovered that the angel didn't mind a little rough handling, the hunter was more then happy to give the angel all the pain he wanted. The didn't do it all the time, just when things got to be too much for the angel or if Sam got a bit too excited. Like hearing the sounds that were now falling from his angel's lip. French, Spanish, Russain, and was that...Romanian? Another bite drew babbling in Latin and Sam reached down for the angel's jeans.

"He you guys dinner is just about ready and-OH!"

Sam and Gabriel pulled apart to find Dean staring at them.

"Seriously you guys?! Seriously?! Do you have to do that here?!" The hunter asked, a look of disgust on his face. "Anyone could walk in on the two of you! What if Chuck walked in? Or Crowley?!"

Gabe let out a chuckle. "My dad wouldn't say anything other then to give advice and Crowley would start stripping to join us."

"Fuck you! That's disgusting!" Dean snapped. "All least shut the fucking door! Or go to your damn room! I don't want to see either of your bare asses!"

"Not like you haven't seen mine before Dean." Sam teased, as he leaned back down to nibble at the blonde's neck again.

"Whoa! Hey! No! Stop that! Bad Sammy!" Dean yelled, grabbing an apron and balling it up to throw at them.

Gabriel caught it and sat in on the table next to him. "If you don't like it then leave! It's my lab!"

Dean turned and walked out, slamming the door behind him, muttering about getting a spray bottle for the next time. Sam grinned and pulled the angel down off the table and onto the floor. Clothes went flying as Sam quickly stripped them. Outside Chuck walked up to the door, intent on yelling at the two since they hadn't returned with Dean. He paused at hearing the noises from within.

"You haven't seen anything yet Gabe."

"Oh my! Come here you naughty thing."

Chuck backed away with a chuckle and decided to set their plates aside for later.

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Sam tensed, waking from a deep sleep as he felt someone come into their room. He reached under his pillow and gripped his knife tightly. He paused as he heard the sounds of clothes hitting the floor along with a bottle and a muffled curse. Knowing someone who was trying to kill him wouldn't be so loud, he peered through the dim light just in time to see Lucifer fling his boxers to the floor before joining them in bed, curling his cold nude form against Sam's.

Not sure to make of what had just happened Sam turned and gave Gabriel a shove. "Gabe wake up. We have a problem."

"We just had sex before bed. Wasn't four times enough for you?" The blonde muttered.

"Gabe...Lucifer is cuddling me."

That had those gold eyes opening to stare at the human in the dim light of the night light. "What? Are you dreaming?"

Sam shook his head as he felt Lucifer's cold arm slide around his waist. "Not dreaming. He's naked and cuddling me. He also smells like honey."

Gabriel sighed. "He's drunk then. Switch me spots. He'll freeze you in no time."

Sam shrugged but quickly switched spots with the blonde, watching as Lucifer latched onto him with surprising quickness. "Is this what you were talking about?"

"Yup. I bet you anything that tomorrow he'll wake up and have no idea how he got in our bed much less how he got in the bunker." Gabriel said. "He doesn't want sex. He just needs to know he isn't alone Sam."

The brunette stared at the passed out Morningstar, who was clinging to his angel as if Gabriel were the only thing keeping him sane. Shaking his head he figured what the hell. He knew that neither Gabriel of Lucifer would do anything with each other and if Lucifer needed this then he wasn't going to deny him the need for basic human, or in this case angelic, comfort. Sam cuddled close and flung his arm around both the angels drawing a confused noise from the smaller archangel.

"Sam?"

"In the morning tell him the next time he wants to cuddle that he should get here before I fall alseep. I came very close to stabbing the idiot." Sam muttered, burying his face in those blonde locks, not realizing that he had just made his angel very happy.