A/N: Okay so this is hard... adding an extra thousand words per chapter. But I'm going to do it. If I'm screwing up somehow please tell me. If something doesn't make sense, if I get too repetitive, anything really. It'll just make this fic more enjoyable if you help me fix myself. As always, I'm looking for a beta.

Third Grade

Sam Winchester:

He got the call from Bobby when he was getting ready to walk to school with Gabriel. The call was simple, he was just calling to check in, but it had been so long that Sam couldn't shut up. He talked to Bobby for ten minutes straight before Bobby finally asked to talk to Dean. His brother was much faster; it took him fifteen seconds to have his fill before Sam got the phone again. "You seem a lot happier than usual." Bobby informed him easily, as if this is a normal conversation.

"I have two friends other than Dean!" Sam exclaimed as he held the phone tightly in his hand just as John walked past. His father stared at him for a moment then left as if his son hadn't said a word.

"That's good. I heard you're at the top of your class with grades every year. Glad to see some smarts in one of you boys." Sam grinned at this but didn't say anything else, suddenly feeling exhausted. "I may come into town for a while." He continued.

Whenever Bobby comes into town, Sam and Dean get to play normal for a while. It's fun but sometimes John gets really mad and tries to get Bobby to stop and instead teach them everything he knows about hunting, but Bobby is nice. He understands Sam which is good because sometimes it seems like no one else in the world does. Not even Gabriel or Nick, but those are just some feelings he gets from time to time.

"I have to go to school, Bobby, but I'll talk to you later." Sam nodded then listened to Bobby's insult before finally letting him go. Sam rested his hand on the countertop and listened to the quiet of the house. Both Dean and John are here but they've changed lately, Dean more than John. They're predators and someone like Sam? He's just prey. He left the house knowing they both heard every single sound he made.

…

"Bobby is good to you?" Nick asked quietly from beside him. They're on their bench at the park but today Sam isn't reading his book like he usually is and Nick isn't studying for classes. Instead they're sitting there talking without looking at each other.

"Yeah, he's a good man, a better man than my father." He nodded. At one point he would have felt like dying for saying it aloud but Nick has a way of making Sam feel like his opinions are okay. They're something precious he needs to share because otherwise he might lose them and no one wants that. Well at least Nick doesn't seem to want that to happen. He's always trying to boost Sam's confidence which is great, especially because Dean hasn't been holding back his tongue lately when it comes to how Sam doesn't follow John's orders. Recently Sam has begun saying 'no.' He doesn't fight or argue but he doesn't do what he's told which must be horrifying for someone like Dean.

Honestly, Sam feels bad for his big brother.

He traced patterns on the wood, first he drew the necklace that he gave to Dean a few years ago, then he started on John's gun, and finally he drew Nick and Sam together while holding each other's hands. The last picture took a lot more thought and concentration but after a while he gave in and drew it on there with a pencil. Luckily the wood is off-white, otherwise it wouldn't show.

Nick watched for a while and soon… soon Sam was done. He put his pencil back in his back then sat back down on the bench as though nothing had happened but before he could do or say anything, Lucifer had his phone out and was taking pictures of the drawing. "This is too much, Sam, even for you." He beamed but didn't look upset in the slightest despite his words. Sam shrugged, not understanding and not caring as he began to fiddle with his hands.

"How're you enjoying middle school? Is it hard?" Sam asked curiously making Nick glance over and smile softly before nodding.

"It's a bit hard, but still almost impossible to fail. The teachers take your insults more seriously and your brother is still the same twerp he's always been. Middle school is just full of kids trying to impress, so it's not that impressive." Nick informed him easily, as though he had already thought of all this and was planning on telling him from the beginning but now Sam is dragging it all out early.

"It sounds like fun." Sam murmured as he traced the picture of Nick and him.

They sat in silence for the rest of the day.

…

Sam did his best not to get in Gabriel's way as they walked to school together. Nick tried to walk to school with Sam for about a week but it didn't work out. Different schools and the times they start are just a hassle to deal with and apparently Nick's older brother has been keeping too close of an eye on him and Nick doesn't want him to meet Sam just yet. "So I hear you're in the same class as Castiel." Gabriel said with a smile, his hands in his pockets as he sucked on his lollipop.

"Yes, it will be my second time in a class with him." Sam nodded as he balanced his fourth book in his arms. Gabriel just stared for a moment.

"My brother never mentioned you… and I don't think someone is likely to easily forget you, Sammy boy."

"That's because he was too busy trying to get the attention of my older brother." Sam added with a frown, it's true but he doesn't care that much anymore. It used to bug him a lot when he was younger but now he has Nick and Gabriel. Life is easier on him.

"Dean Winchester is incredibly popular for a dick." Gabriel nodded and plopped another sucker in his mouth while he threw the trash on the ground. Instantly Sam picked up the trash and put it in the nearest trashcan with a smile.

"Are you popular, Gabriel?" He asked with a smile as he looked up at the blue sky. Another perfect day it seems, maybe after school Nick can tutor him. That'd be great!

"I'm just me and you're just you. We should hurry so Nick doesn't complain about me making you late." He said then took off running leaving Sam to chase after him with a big smile on his face.

…

A shift appeared in Sam and Dean's relationship that he hadn't noticed until three months into the school year. Dean just isn't around much anymore. He has a life and Sam should be happy but he's not. Who cares if Dean has a life if it means he'll be leaving his little brother? He's doing better than he has in a long time. But who could ask Sam to be happy over losing his brother? So he won't be okay with it. He'll be a spoiled brat if he has to but he doesn't want to lose Dean.

That night it as just going to be Dean and Sam eating dinner together but instead Dean brought his brother a happy meal he wasn't too happy about and took off. Apparently the ladies were calling him but why couldn't they wait thirty minutes? Why couldn't they let Dean and Sam eat a meal together? But waiting at home isn't very interesting so Sam did something different, something strange. He called Nick's number, listening to it ring three times before his friend finally picked up. "Hello Sam." It was a simple greeting but it made him happier than anything else has today.

"Do you want to come over? Dean and John aren't here… I don't want to be alone." Sam explained easily because Nick has never laughed at him for being weak before. That means that he can show himself for who he is. There was silence on the other end but then Nick agreed.

"I'll be right over."

…

It became a regular thing to have Nick come over when everyone else had gone. They'd play games like katamari and Mario kart, never once trash talking each other. Sam isn't very good at that anyway. But it's fun, something that he hasn't had the chance to do in a while with John and Dean constantly busy, but that's why Nick's here. "Where did you find this?" Nick asked as he made a twenty-four feet ball of junk playing katamari.

"John and Dean aren't home a lot so they took me to a used video game store and got me ten cheap games so I would stop complaining about them being gone all the time." Sam explained with a grin as Nick tried to pick up a cat with the ball. One day he will be able to, but not today and not as a complete newbie at the game. Nick didn't say anything, his expression blank as he stared at the screen but he didn't get to the fifty feet height he was supposed to get to.

"I'm glad you have me." He said so softly that Sam almost didn't hear it. But he did so he smiled and nodded.

"At least I have you."

…

"You're still reading that book series?" Gabriel asked with a frown. "It sounds depressing." Sam laughed at that, grabbing the teacher's attention but they're in the playground so it doesn't really matter.

"It is but I really like it." He laughed at the disturbed look on his friend's face but he didn't deny it. Gabriel has become a new constant in Sam's life. He helps out with the bullies and makes sure Sam can keep his head on straight, even when he freaks out over a quiz or a test. That stuff can get pretty rough with Dean gone.

"Your brother has been coming over a lot lately. Is he trying to get on my nerves?"

Sam shrugged with a smile but this is new information to him. Gabriel looked at his friend oddly but didn't say anything. Soon they were swinging on the swings, running around with a soccer ball, and just trying to have a good time. Gabriel didn't bring up Dean again, and Sam lost his voice for the next three hours.

…

"Why does Dean come over?" Sam asked curiously as Nick handed him the remote. He lost at katamari again. Sam turned it onto his own save and began to work towards building another star. He can't talk about this to Gabriel but Nick is different, he's always been different.

"Dean and Castiel have become friends." Nick explained as though this is just vile. So… Dean has been running off because he likes Castiel better than Sam. That makes sense. It makes perfect sense. Sam pulled his knees up to his chest and began to play.

"That's good for him. He doesn't have many friends even though he hangs out with a lot of people." Sam commented idly as his eyes burned. He didn't have to say anything; Nick just pulled him back so that he was leaning against Nick's chest.

"You beat the level." Nick smiled after a few minutes had passed, but Sam just yawned and started to fall asleep. Nick didn't hesitate. He picked up the child and tucked him into bed before letting himself out. For some reason Sam didn't cry about losing his brother just a little bit more. Instead he was just happy to have someone, anyone at all.

…

"So this is what nerds do outside of school." Dean said with a smirk making Sam glance up from his book. This is the first time Dean has really spoken to his brother in a whole month. Sam set down the fourth book in the series then grinned.

"That's just what we want you to think." He teased making Dean laugh obnoxiously. They're at home together for the first time in a while too, it seems like his brother has really missed him or he just needed a change of scenery. Either way, Sam's just happy to have his brother around again.

"So how've you been, seems like we haven't talked in ages?" Sam didn't bother to inform Dean that it's his fault.

"I'm good, school has been fun."

"Of course you would say that."

"How are you?"

"I've been better. There's a kid I've been hanging out with and kids I've had to fight with." He shrugged. It's the same old, same old for Dean. They were sitting at the kitchen counter, Sam eating lucky charms while Dean grabbed a coke from the fridge. "So how's it like being the most boring person alive?" He asked with a smirk.

"Shut up, Dean!"

"Bitch."

"Jerk."

They grinned at each other and suddenly… all was forgiven. Just like that.

…

When his teacher asked for him to come in front of the class and talk about his family, Sam stood there for five whole minutes before finally sitting back down, never having said a word. When the teacher demanded to know why he didn't say anything, Sam just looked at her with his big sad eyes and said, "John told me not to talk about it." He was sent to the principal's office.

That's how Sam wound up sitting in the waiting room looking at the sickeningly yellow walls and how the secretary is smiling way too large and how her teeth remind Sam of the big bad wolf from that book that Dean stole ages back. This was after they discovered the hundred dollar debt to the library because John and Dean refused to take Sammy back. They paid their debt, after a couple months, and then told Sammy that they're never bringing him back. He was upset but never said anything about it.

Why would he?

He was taught when he turned three years old that he can't complain, because nothing is going to change. The secretary sat behind her big brown desk with her heels tapping out the beat of a children's song on the ground. It sounds familiar but Sam didn't really grow up with those happy tunes, so he really doesn't know any of them.

"Sam, your daddy's here and he needs to talk to you with the principal." The secretary called in a sugary sweet voice, as though that will make everything all better. He stood up slowly, his shoes sliding slightly on the slick floor, but he didn't mind it so much. If he slips and falls and breaks his nose… he won't have to look at John's face. He won't have to see that look of disappointment. If he's going to ignore his teacher then he needs a good lie. He has to make life at home sound good and normal although he's never been told what normal is. It's the way their house works… it's the way they survive. But at the same time it's not working and they aren't surviving. He calls his dad John and he wants nothing more than to run away forever with his brother, Nick, and Gabriel. It'd be perfect.

But then Sam made it into the principal's office and looked at the chubby man behind yet another big brown desk before finally glancing over at John who's scowling like always when Sam is around. He sat down in the orange plastic seat beside his biological father, the man who has never felt like anything more than a commander. The commander he never wanted but can't get rid of. "So Sam, I've heard that you refused a direct order from your teacher." John started, his voice rough and low but Sam could hear the danger in there, the very one that has taken so much from him, like the books Sammy would drown in at the library, the days he could spend playing toy soldiers with Dean, and the times when he wanted to play outside rather than learn the different criminal types.

"Yes sir, it was wrong of me, sir." Sam said quickly, keeping his head bowed and his hands firm by his sides. He's not going to show John any other faults; he can't see Sam acting any weaker than he already has.

"This is the first time Sam Winchester has ever gotten in trouble at school. I encourage it to be his last. He's a bright student, he'll go far, but not if he's being rude to the staff." The principal added as if his input even matters. It must be nice to live so oblivious to the truth. Sam would love to live like that too, but John won't let him.

"I think we're done here. If you don't mind, I would like to take Sam home and make sure this never happens again." John said with a dark look towards his son before standing up. Sam brought his backpack but left his lunch, it doesn't really matter. He doesn't think he'll be hungry for lunch tomorrow anyway.

The drive was silent, and Sam was grateful.

…

"You ignored a teacher's order? Wow Sammy! I didn't know you had it in you! So what did she want you to do?" Dean asked with a grin on his face as he dropped his stuff off on the table and sat down in front of his younger brother. Of course he'd be excited; this is the most exciting thing that Sam has done since the day he was born. But he can't say what he did. If he does then the joking will stop, the smile will fade, and it'll be that dark silence once more. Sam hates that silence more than anything.

"It was nothing important." Sam said hoping his brother would drop it.

"Come on! Tell me what she wanted you to do! The one thing a teacher can ask for that makes Sam Winchester say, 'Hell no, bitch, I'm going to do my own thing.'" Sam gasped at the curse word directed at a teacher but Dean's still grinning so he just smiled lightly in return. But his smile faded, because Dean's not going to drop it. This is the one moment that Sam has ever truly acted like him, so he'll want to know what made Sam do something so out of character.

"She… she wanted me to talk about our family to the class."

Dean's smile faded and soon he was staring at the window, a scowl and glare where his eyes were bright and how he was grinning so hard that Sam knew it should have been hurting him. He didn't have to explain. In their family there is an unspoken rule not to talk about it, anything to do with the family, they have to pretend to be normal, raise no questions, and just bury it all deep inside so they don't have to deal with it.

It was another moment of silence, the kind where it feels like something just died right in front of you but you couldn't do anything to help it. So instead you're sitting there watching it rot.

Sam wished Nick could be here.

…

This wasn't something Sam has been thinking about for ages and has now finally decided to do. It's just something that he's randomly doing. So when he got to his classroom, after ignoring all of Gabriel's worried questions, Sam walked up to Castiel's desk and stared at him making the boy stare at him too with those big blue eyes of his.

"Why are you hanging around Dean all the time? Why did you choose him and why are you better than me?" Sam demanded even though he already knows the answer to that last one. The teacher glanced up but didn't see anything wrong with the situation and went back to her papers while Castiel just stared. Slowly he tilted his head to the side.

"Dean is interesting to me and I am interesting to him, but Sam Winchester… I am not better than you." The words stung for some reason, and Sam couldn't figure out why. All of it hurt so much he wants to cry, but instead he just nodded gruffly and walked to his desk to read his book.

By the time lunch rolled around he took one look in his lunch bag and saw that everything had died overnight, just like he'd thought. Trashing it he then ate lunch with Gabriel and they pretended like nothing's wrong. Because nothing is… they're perfectly fine and Sam is perfectly fine and everything is fine.

Because the Winchester's don't talk about it and Sam is tired of breaking all of John's rules, especially when all they do is hurt the family.

So is it so bad to wish he could live in someone's dream world for a bit?

He asked Gabriel about that and he just grinned. "I'll let you live in TV Land, forever and ever, no getting out for you Sammy boy!"

Lucifer:

Nick wasn't jealous when he found out about Bobby Singer and what kind of man he is to Sam Winchester. He was happy, actually, when Sam said that he told Bobby about Nick. So the first thing Nick did was look up who the hell Bobby Singer is and then proceeded to go through his past, fingering everything he could get his hands on, all the information there is. That's when he found something interesting that he's fairly sure Sam doesn't know about. Bobby Singer's wife had brain cancer and after a while Bobby had to pull the plug, because she had begged to die. Bobby doesn't seem like the kind of person who would put such a burden on someone so young. Just knowing it will hurt Sam, knowing how much he feels for the people around him. He's too empathetic.

But as Nick walked into his class he was annoyed to find that he'll be sharing gym with Dean Winchester. He's already laughing with the other kids and joking around. Nick didn't even look at him after he first noticed the boy there and instead focused on anything else. Right when the bell rang a girl walked into the class. Obviously she's younger, probably around Sam's age but she's here and has a backpack and a sucker in her mouth. The first thing he noticed was her fiery red hair and then blue eyes lighter and brighter than even Castiel's. He shouldn't have noticed so much about her but all he could think is how he could make her get close to Sam, give him someone to care for and love… and then he'll kill her.

It will be so romantic…

…

When Nick got home and found Dean Winchester sitting in his kitchen looking like the complete and utter dick that he is, he immediately searched the house for Anna but she's not here… which means some other little bastard brought him here. Sure enough within seconds Castiel was sitting next to Dean with two cans of soda in his hand. He handed one over to Dean silently then opened his up with a look of pure concentration on his face. Castiel has always been the interesting one.

It was strange watching his younger brother turn to Dean with those expectant eyes as though he believes this man can solve everything, answer all the questions he's ever had, and be anything Castiel could ever need. It's strange, but it makes sense for Castiel to feel the need to cling onto someone different from the rest of us. Dean Winchester is definitely different but he's lacking the innocent trust and hope that Sam has.

When Nick left to get away from Dean, he was surprised when he found Anna sitting on the front porch. She wasn't there when he got home but he must have been inside staring at the two interacting for several minutes. "I'm sorry Lucifer but I've given up on Dean." She said softly, her red hair falling in front of her face. Apparently his nickname has been spreading around the family.

"Have you given up on him because of Castiel?" Nick asked with a sympathetic smile as he sat down beside her. He doesn't want to make her upset, it would be so much better if more people in the family were sympathetic towards him. Then maybe they could help like Gabriel has.

"No… I'm pretty sure he liked dick before Castiel." Anna spat and then covered her face with her hands but Nick saw her red eyes anyway. She's upset but she'll live. Gripping her little fists tightly in front of her face, she took in several deep breaths. "Why did you want my help anyway?" She asked, in an almost pathetically weak voice. Nick isn't known for lying so he just placed a hand on her trembling shoulder and turned to her.

"I like his brother, Sam, and I believe he needs someone to be there for him who isn't so… destructive. So I wanted you to keep Dean occupied while I helped his younger brother." This is the truth, although it may not be the whole truth. It's the most he's truly given anyone at this point who isn't Gabriel.

"So you're gay for his brother? It seems like all the guys around me are gay…" Anna murmured and shook her head. "First Castiel, then Gabriel, and now you, it's kind of annoying. I'm pretty sure Michael is gay for you but will never realize it or act on it." She added with a smirk as she glanced over at Nick.

"You are a disturbed child." He informed her blandly, the night air feeling cool and calm around them, as though just ready to take away all the stress and pain. But it's not doing anything for Anna, not that he really cares. Family doesn't mean much to Nick; it never really has, because his dad left which means that they aren't worth it, so Nick should base worth on something other than blood. But Sam… Sam is different.

Anna laughed suddenly, she laughed long and hard and soon it became hysterical, but then she was gripping him tightly as though she just wants her big brother to protect her. "I'm so sick of never getting what I want." She hissed, her eyes closed and tears dripping down her cheeks. Nick didn't say anything but he couldn't bring himself to move either. For some reason, Castiel hurt Anna when he got closer to Dean. He hurt his big sister and will probably never realize it either.

They sat like that for an hour and then Nick brought her in through the back just as he heard Castiel and Dean start walking towards the front door. Anna made a silent agreement with him never to speak of this and it was done.

They were done.

…

When Sam had called Nick asking if he could come over, he was beyond ecstatic and made sure to make himself look casual and yet still well dressed while planning exactly what he'll say and what he'll allow himself to do, but Gabriel caught him before he could go. "Did… Did Sam invite you over to his house?" Gabriel demanded looking upset and jealous. This… isn't a good sign but it doesn't matter just yet because Nick needs his little brother still and Sam obviously likes him best.

"Yes, he invited me over while his brother is here." Nick nodded and motioned upstairs towards Castiel's room where his younger brother is currently playing cards and listening to bad music with Sam's older brother. It's a bit disturbing how quickly Nick got used to Dean's presence but they have never spoken to each other while he has been here.

"Go have fun then." Gabriel's voice is harsh and clipped but Nick chose to ignore it. He refuses to complicate things before he's ready, especially before Sam is in middle school. So when he left he didn't look at Gabriel once knowing his brother's expression will probably anger him. Gabriel can have his one sided crush for as long as he wants but the moment Nick makes his move he has to be out of the way. But when he began his trek to Sam's house, he found that he doesn't care about all the things he'll have to do in order to keep Sam safe. He's willing and able to kill, steal, and destroy anything that will get in his way. Of course killing is something he hasn't done just yet but he doesn't doubt that it'll happen. After all… he'll do anything for Sam.

The moon is full and the night air is just as chilled as it was the last time he was out at night, which was with Anna during her breakdown. It's a pleasant thing to think about actually, because even though Anna failed, Castiel somehow managed to take over where she was supposed to. Everything is working out so beautifully that it must be fate! With Sam reaching out because of his brother's absence and the way that Sam is brightening up and showing Nick just how much he's growing with these last few years… his confidence is increasing. It's a good thing.

When Nick got to Sam's house he didn't bother to knock and just opened the door, but what he saw was surprising. Dean always seemed to have a brother complex as he threatened to beat up Nick for just being friends with Sam last year, but the house is in obvious disarray. There are empty beer bottles everywhere and fast food wrappers, clothes littered the floor and Nick knows he saw a beetle crawling underneath one of Dean's shirts. He only knows it belongs to Dean because he saw the idiot walking down the hallway with that stupid bright green shirt that stated he's single and looking for frisky women. Those women should see this before they pick him.

"Hey Nick!" Sam grinned from the couch in the center of the living room. He isn't quite tall enough sitting down for his head to be seen so it's no wonder Nick hadn't noticed him at first. Obviously Sam Winchester thinks his house is normal. He instantly got up and ran to the kitchen looking more excited than he's ever seen the kid. "What do you want to drink? Are you hungry? I have a game set up, in case you want to play." He's trying so hard to make his friend comfortable.

Nick found himself stepping around the mess before slowly landing on the (miraculously) clean couch. "What kind of drinks do you have?"

"Coke, beer, water, milk, and something red… oh wait. Sorry no, that's um… just the first four." Nick didn't question the 'something red' and instead asked for water. It didn't take long for Sam to get the drink and it took even less time for Nick to make up his mind. "So I have this game called katamari, do you want to play?"

"How about you play first and I'll try to clean this place up a bit, then I'll play?" He asked in return making Sam look at him oddly before shrugging his shoulders and nodding. Nick was surprised the house had trash bags but it definitely helped him pile the trash inside as he began to clean up the house. Sam could get sick in these conditions. So he picked up the trash, made a pile of the clothes, and found the wash machine only to find out they don't have any detergent.

He kept cleaning and ten minutes later it was his turn to play… which was confusing at best. The game is basically a weird human-frog thing that rolls a ball around and everything it hits can attach to it as long as it doesn't exceed the height of the ball already. It's interesting and after the first ten minutes, Nick realized he lost by only gaining four inches rather than fifteen. He glowered at the screen but Sam just laughed making this slightly better as he handed over the remote and went back to cleaning. They did this for five hours and then Nick left so that Sam could sleep and be ready for school in the morning.

All the while he was a bit pleased with himself. Sam's house looks a lot more presentable, but that's not what's making him ecstatic.

Sam wanted Nick to hang out with him.

…

When Nick found out about how Sam was sent to the principal's office, he was stunned but quickly did all he could to get the information he needed on the event. Apparently Sam had been asked to stand in front of the class and talk about his family which is an obvious problem for the Winchester family, but Sam doesn't usually lie so instead he just refused. It's beautiful.

So when Nick saw Dean walking around school with a big smile on his face, he knew that taking Sammy away from his family will be much easier than he had originally thought. Honestly, after so many years of being around his brother, Dean just doesn't get it and he probably never will at this point. Sam is on a completely different level from Dean. It would be interesting if it weren't so pathetic at the same time. He goes on and on about his brother's achievements and laughs about the teacher incident but in the end he doesn't really know Sam and doesn't really give a damn either. It's just interesting to see because for all he claims to know his brother, it's obvious that there are things Sam isn't telling him, and that he doesn't even know the first thing about Sam.

Dean thinks the rebellion was because Sam was finally pulling an attitude, finally doing something Dean would, and finally just being a kid. But no, Sam hasn't been a kid since he first learned what his dad's day job is. He hasn't been a kid since John first pulled him aside and told him about the monsters that people can be. So really, Dean doesn't know his little brother at all, but that's okay. Nick knows him well enough and that's fine.

As long as Sam has someone then he'll get through this and he'll become Nick's perfect partner.

That night, Nick found out Sam's teacher's home address, and patiently waited for Sammy to call him up and ask for him to come over, but Dean didn't show up to play house with Castiel so in the end, Sam didn't call either. When summer comes, in the very middle of it actually, Nick will kill Sam's third grade teacher, and he'll do it with a smile.

…

Gabriel was looking rather smug when he got home from school. Three weeks left until they're all a grade older, and really, Gabriel shouldn't be all that happy with this. It means he'll only have one more year with Sam before he'll be separated from him, but then again he'll only be separated for a year, so it's not too bad. Naturally this pisses Nick off but it's all part of the plan.

"Sammy relied on me a bit today… cried on my shoulder and told me his sad sad tales. It was quite sweet; too bad you missed it, Lucy." Gabriel grinned, not looking upset in the slightest at his older brother's loss. Nick refused to acknowledge him and instead tried to focus on studying for exams. He's not the best in his class and sometimes it takes a while to focus on math, he understands history and English, poetry really is his forte, but math and science is annoying at best, although he does enjoy a good experiment.

"Go die and let me study." Nick retorted and continued working on his review but Gabriel wasn't going to allow that. Instead he sat down right in front of Nick and smiled innocently.

"You know that smile he gets, when you've just offered him everything he was asking for when it was just something as small as an alternate world to talk about?" Gabriel asked with that slow smirk of his.

"You keep talking and I will get rid of you. I don't care that I need Sam to have a friend right now, I'll just replace you with someone else." Nick growled.

Gabriel stopped smirking.

…

Nick killed her.

It wasn't something he really thought about much, yes he considered it when it happened but didn't actually do anything about it except find his teacher's address. When school got out and Sam came over to talk about the fourth book he just finished, Nick remembered just what he has to do, so he prepared for it. Taking a life isn't something he's done and he knows it's something that Michael would disapprove of. Does he really even have to question it?

But he found himself preparing to get the job done anyway. Arson is easy, but getting away with it is hard. So he has to make it a gas leak, and make sure it all looks pure accidental. Something quick and easy so that she doesn't get out alive, because no matter what she has to die. No one can get away with hurting Sam like that. Of course he'll never mention it; the kid is strong like that. He pretends like it was fine, but in the end it really did hurt him. Something changed in his relationship with his brother and father.

It hurt Sammy which means more to Nick than anything else.

He did it in the middle of the night in July, thought about backing out but didn't, and grabbed a box of matches and checked the layout of the house once again so he could know exactly where to go to make her bedroom burn as she's sleeping. He checked her schedule, made sure she was home, now all he has to do is watch her burn. And he will. Because Nick will be breaking into her house just to burn her alive, then he'll make the house burn with her. It'll be simple.

But it wasn't.

Nick got there easily enough and when he broke into the house she was asleep in her bedroom, single and ready to die, reading a book with her lamp light on. Nick puts on a black mask easily and bursts into the room, throwing the gasoline from a bottle in his hand onto her before grabbing a lighter and setting her on fire before watching with wide eyes as she burned alive right in front of him. It's not quick like in the movies. She's screaming and crying and jumping, waving her arms around wildly trying to save herself, but it's not working. She's going to die. But he watches in horror as the smell of cooking flesh fills the room, the heat uncomfortable against his jeans and jacket.

Nick stripped off his mask just as she fell to the ground, no longer fighting, her body no longer looking human. He tossed his mask on top of her and then poured the gasoline over the walls and lit another match. He'll burn this place to the ground and then… it'll be over. Because he did it… he killed her for hurting his Sammy and he doesn't regret it in the slightest. Yeah, his stomach is clenching but that doesn't matter because right now he's done something many men in this world have never even attempted.

The house burned and he was left fleeing the scene of the crime as the fire trucks screamed in the distance. He breathed in deep and then laughed loudly into the night air, he could swear his flesh smells just like death and he kind of likes it. This wasn't easy but then again he knows it'll be a lot less harsh next time. He'll be able to kill swifter with less hesitation.

It's an idea that he doesn't mind. If it's to protect Sam, to keep him, Lucifer will do anything. He will kill, torture, and destroy everything in order to make sure Sam doesn't leave or have any reason to. Once he got home he ignored Michael's angry shouts and demands as he ran upstairs to take a shower and change his clothes. He doesn't mind the stench of his activities but at the same time he doesn't want anyone to figure out what he did. The worst thing that can happen is for him to get caught before he's even gotten a taste of what it is he wants.

When he got out of the shower and made it into his room, Gabriel was sitting on Lucifer's bed looking tired, as though the world just collapsed around him. "What did you do tonight, Lucy?" He asked as if he knows exactly what Lucifer did. He didn't bother answering and instead just tossed on a shirt and some boxers, not really caring what he's wearing as long as he's wearing something.

"Come on Lucifer, you can tell your younger brother what naughty things you did for Sammy boy." Gabriel smiled but it's cold. It's really cold.

"I think… I'll be going by Lucifer from now on." He answered, not bothering to mention the murder, or even the fact that he committed a crime to begin with. They sat in silence for a long time but nothing changed. Soon Gabriel left his older brother alone, glancing back one last time before disappearing down the hallway.

It's strange that someone else knows what he did and he won't do anything about it, but honestly, Lucifer doesn't mind. He did what was right and it's not as though Gabriel knows about the fire.

Lucifer had good dreams that night, none of which involved Nick.