Star-Crossed Lovers

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But I see your true colors

Shining through

I see your true colors

And that's why…

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The Winchesters were reading when it happened.

Dean was at the counter, translating an ancient Echocian text with the help of Castiel while Sam was reading over an old Latin Bible. Dean had been keeping an eye on Sam, mostly just suggesting ideas to Cas about the script.

The first sign of danger was the glass shattering and Gabriel dropping to his knees. Dean, along with Sam and Castiel, came rushing to the Archangel's side. Gabriel was grabbing his head, clearly in pain.

Only seconds after that, Castiel fell to the floor as well. The two angels were gasping in pain, their grace making the room's air thick.

"Guys," Sam was saying, putting a hand on Castiel's shoulder.

Gabriel was the first to regain his breath. Still gasping deeply, Gabriel stood on shaky legs with some assistance from Sam.

"Lucifer," Gabriel said, voice weak. "He's here, he's walking the earth."

"What?" Sam said faintly.

"I thought - the eclipse isn't for hours," Dean protested.

"That wasn't Lucifer rising," Gabriel shook his head, pinching the bridge of his nose. "By his power, I suspect he rose sometime last night. He's in a vessel now - that was a warning."

"A warning?" Sam asked.

"He's been concealing his power since now," Gabriel said. "Releasing it so violently would serve to warn the angels - warn them to stay away."

It was then that Castiel stood as well, much shakier than Gabriel, still having to hold onto the counter.

"But the eclipse-,"

"I got it wrong," Gabriel said, looking frustrated with himself. "The battle will happen on the eclipse, but Lucifer planned to rise before that. Find a temporary vessel, get his bearings, I guess."

"Great," Dean said sarcastically. "Just awesome."

"Okay," Sam said, clearly trying to absorb the new information, process it, and find a new road in a couple seconds. "What now?"

"What now is I handle it," Gabriel said, looking at them both sharply. "If those two get to you and fight, they'll take out half the planet. If they fight like this, there shouldn't be too much destruction."

"Too much?" Sam repeated with a scoff. "How much is that, exactly?"

Gabriel's eyes shifted to the right. "Most of west America should be alright."

"Most of-," Sam cut off incredulously. "You think that's acceptable? Because I sure as hell don't."

"Well, what would you have, Sam?" Gabriel asked, pained. "Fifty million lives or four billion?"

Those numbers knocked the wind out of Dean. Those were really the numbers they were working with, those were the odds. This wasn't a joke anymore. This wasn't saving one guy from a werewolf or a girl from a black dog - this was the fate of millions, billions of people.

"People aren't numbers," Sam said strongly. "They're people and we have to save them. That's what we do - that's our job."

"You idiot," came the deadly voice of Gabriel. Dean's eyes widened at the tone.

Looking to Gabriel, he could see his eyes aflare with whiskey-coloured fire. His power, his grace seemed to pour off him, filling the room and leaving lingering threats. It was then when Dean realized that no matter how much of a jokester Gabriel pretended to be - he was just as powerful as his brother, just as furious. Heaven's greatest weapon - an Archangel.

"This isn't about your job anymore," Gabriel went on, stepping into Sam's personal space. Dean stepped forward, but Castiel grabbed his arm. "This is the fate of the world. Are those cheap words to you, Sam? Those people are already dead. It isn't about preventing anymore - it's about damage control. So, unless you're planning on saying yes, your ass stays here while I handle it."

Sam's breathing had changed during the conversation. His head tilted down and his shoulders slouched. Anyone would've believed that he took Gabriel's words to heart, that he was about to mutter a sorry and back down. But not Dean. Only Dean, after decades of study, was able to see the raging fire swirling in Sam's eyes, the subtle twitch of his fingers, the tense line over his forehead. And when Sam looked up - oh hell no.

Dean knew that expression very well. It had usually only been reserved for their father.

"And what exactly are you going to 'handle', Gabriel?" Sam asked, the strength in his voice making Gabriel raise his eyebrows. The guy probably wasn't used to people as stubborn as his little brother.

Dean always said Sam was the only person he knew that could argue with a brick wall - and win.

"Whatever needs to be handled," Gabriel said stiffly.

"Ah, so translation - 'I have no clue'," Sam shot back. "You'll get yourself killed is what you'll do. You said it yourself - you're no match for Lucifer or Michael."

"They're still my brothers," Gabriel said. "I should be the one out there. Look, both their vessels are right here, if I can stall-,"

"Stall?" Sam scoffed. "For how long? They'll find us eventually. We'll need you here."

"Perhaps," Castiel's calm voice interjected. "We could gather ourselves and discuss a plan together?"

That was a great thought that Cas had, but it hadn't exactly happened that way. What happened was mostly shouting and arguing with very little actual conversation. It was decided by Gabriel and no one else that he would leave to 'scout out the playing field'. As in, he was going to see if there were any angels he could turn to their cause. Any angels whose loyalty wavered. Castiel had then stood himself by the window like a guard dog and stayed there all day.

Dean wasn't quite sure what time it was, as the windows in this place always looked the same. But he could see Sam getting tired. So, after promising to wake him if anything changed, Dean dragged his little brother to sleep. Dean didn't blame the kid for being exhausted… it had been a rough few weeks for both of them.

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Sam was surprised at how quickly he fell asleep. He never actually planned on falling asleep, just laying there to appease Dean. Despite this, sleep grabbed his mind almost as soon as he laid down.

His dream was hazy at first, until he felt a painfully familiar hand on his cheek. Letting his eyes flutter open, Sam was greeted with the sight of Jess. At first, Sam was confused why he was dreaming of Jess sleeping next to him. He had many dreams of Jess since she died, but most had been nightmares.

"Hello, Sam," Jess smiled… but, that wasn't Jess's smile. Those were not Jess's eyes - this - this wasn't Jess. Wasn't his Jess.

Jerking away from the hand and stumbling to stand, Sam put a good distance between himself and Fake Jess.

"Sam?" Jess's face looked confused. "I thought you missed me."

"You," Sam said, eyes alight. "Aren't Jess."

"Hm," Fake Jess said, her demeanor slackening, like she was dropping the act. Good.

Then the image of Jess shimmered and dissolved, leaving a man who looked to be in his mid twenties with blonde hair and icy red eyes.

"I'm impressed, Sam, really," the man clapped. "Thought you'd still be all… broken up, or whatever. Easy to mold."

Sam was breathing heavy because he knew he just knew who this man was. Just as he knew to breathe, he knew this was Lucifer. Not a dream of Lucifer, this was Lucifer.

"Lucifer," Sam said, not a question. He tried to make his voice sound strong, but the word had been weaker than he intended.

"Wow," Lucifer said, a smile spreading across his face. "You know me just by this old suit? We really are meant to be."

"No," Sam said without hesitation. "That's my answer, always. No."

Lucifer sighed. "So Gabriel got to you, huh? Look, Sammy, I'm not the bad guy here."

"Really?" Sam said sarcastically. "Lemme guess, Satan, you're just misunderstood?"

"Honestly?" Lucifer said. "Yeah, basically. I mean, it's a longer story... but that's the gist of it."

"Right," Sam said. "Answer's still no. Even…,"

"Even…?" Lucifer prompted. "I bet Gabriel told you I hurt you or Dean to get you to say yes, right?"

Sam just stared at him.

"Sam," Lucifer made his voice softer. "I would never hurt you or Dean. Believe it or not, I love you. You're my vessel, my one true vessel. I love Michael, too, by the way. He's the one that's gunning for a fight, not me."

"Even if that was true," Sam said. "Your lackey killed my parents, so you'd still be on my shit list."

"Hey," Lucifer said, pointing a finger at him. "I didn't tell him to do that. All I told him to do was protect you - and your brother. He protected you."

"Protected me by killing my mom and dad?" Sam scoffed, but his eyes held a curious gleam.

"Yes," Lucifer said, straight-faced and honestly. "Sam, the night Azazel killed your mother was the night she raised a knife to your crib."

Sam froze, his muscles tensed. Why did that affect him... it was a lie. Of course it was a lie because demons- The Devil lies, obviously he does. He did, just then.

"Liar," Sam accused, arms crossed.

"Why does everyone think that about me?" Lucifer rolled his eyes. "I don't lie, why would I? Azazel killed your mom because she was about to kill you, Azazel killed your dad because he was coming up with plans to kill you. Azazel saved you, Sam. Both times."

Sam took in a shuddering breath. "My dad would never do that."

"Not even if he figured it out?" Lucifer prompted. "He would let the vessel of Lucifer live and walk this earth? Do you really believe he would do that, Sam?"

Sam looked away. Because… he didn't know. He needed to think. His dad, he wouldn't have hurt Sam, would he? Even if Sam was… even if Sam was the vessel of Lucifer, the… image of Lucifer. God, Sam really needed to think.

And his mom. No. Sam had grown up on stories of how wonderful she was. His dad practically hailed her as a goddess. Not one time had he ever spoken lowly of her. Dean was the same, although he couldn't remember much of her. She was an idol to him, someone he knew was always watching from… she couldn't have.

"Exactly," Lucifer said, taking Sam's silence for acceptance. "I just want to protect you, Sam. Which is why, I'm going to have to ask you to come with me."

"No."

"Oh, Sam," Lucifer said, taking a step forward. "I may need your consent to possess you, but I don't need it for anything else."

Sam felt panic rush through him before he remembered that this was just a dream. Lucifer couldn't actually hurt him.

Though, like most times in his life, Sam was completely and utterly wrong. He realized this when Lucifer reached out and his vision went white.

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Castiel jerked so abruptly that Dean was surprised he didn't fall over. The angel's eerily blue eyes were blown wide as he disappeared from the room.

Dean looked around for only a second before he heard his name being yelled from their room. Rushing to the room, he found Castiel standing in there alone.

"Where's Sam?" Dean said, not even trying to keep the panic from his voice.

"Not here," Castiel said painfully. "I… I don't know how, nothing should be able to penetrate these wards. Nothing."

Dean was truly panicking now.

He watched as Castiel's eyes took on a blank look and moments later Gabriel appeared, looking stricken.

Dean didn't waste any time before he grabbed Gabriel by the lapels of his jacket and shoved him against the nearest wall. It was a testament to how upset Gabriel was that he let himself be handled in such a way.

"What the fuck, man?" Dean demanded, angel still locked in his grip. "Where the fuck is my brother?"

"I don't know," Gabriel said honestly. "I underestimated Lucifer's power. I didn't think he'd be so strong without Sam."

Dean wanted to yell and scream at the angel because anger was just so easy. It was the easiest emotion for him to feel. Really, growing up, anger and happiness were the two emotions that he wasn't berated for so… those just became the most common. But, right then, Dean wasn't angry - he was scared, so scared.

Lucifer, the Devil himself, had his baby brother and Dean… Dean never felt more like a failure. He was suppose to protect Sammy, that was his job, his one and only purpose in life. Letting Sam get taken by fucking Lucifer was a pretty huge failure in Dean's eyes.

But right now, Dean took a breath, right now Sam doesn't need Dean's problems, he needs to be saved. And damn if that wasn't what Dean was going to do.

Dean released Gabriel and stepped back.

"If I had to guess," Gabriel said. "The curse that Lucifer bares is what made it possible for him to infiltrate. The wards are for Archangels and maybe… maybe that curse has turned Lucifer to far. If that's true, this place should still hold against Michael and Raphael."

"No way," Dean said. "No way am I staying locked up behind these damn walls while Sam's out there. No fucking way."

Gabriel looked like he wanted to protest, he really did. "If you go to that battle, whether you say yes or not, you'll die."

"I have to find Sam," Dean said. Sam was all that mattered now, all that ever mattered.

"All you'll find in that battle is death," Gabriel shook his head. "If you go… Knowing Lucifer, I would bet Sam has already said yes or he will soon. If you go, all you'll see is Sam dying."

"Then he won't die alone," Dean said, locking his jaw. He didn't plan on living on this earth without Sam. He had always known that if Sam went first, if he couldn't save him, Dean would be following within hours. Life without Sam wasn't life worth living.

Gabriel looked at him, something deep in his eyes shifting, as if he was only now realizing just how strong the bond between soulmates was. How far above himself or anyone else he put Sam.

"I'll be there as well," Castiel spoke, surprising them both. "I had always been under the impression that love was following orders, obeying heaven. You and your brother have taught me, perhaps unintentionally, the love free will allows. Even if I won't live much longer, I've spent my last few days free, which is more valuable than a million years chained to a false purpose."

Dean looked at the angel with respect and nodded solemnly.

Gabriel sighed. "Well, I'm not getting left behind. It's your life, kid, if you wanna do this, then, let's do it."

Dean nodded, satisfied he had gotten his point across clearly. Good.

"You did lead angels, right Cassie?" Gabriel said, eyebrow raised.

"Yes," Castiel said.

"You think you could do it again?"

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Sam blinked sluggishly… where was he? He went to raise a hand to his eyes, but jerked when he found himself tied down. Eyes snapping open, Sam saw that he was tied to a tree, sitting, with his hands behind him, locking the tree's trunk in his arms. Sam pulled at the restraints, feeling the uncomfortable tug in his shoulders before realizing it wasn't going to budge.

"Ah, look who's awake."

Sam looked to his left to see Lucifer sitting on a headstone… it looked like they were in a graveyard. What was worse was the sky was gray. Not because of the time, but because the sun was slowly beginning to be eclipsed by the moon. It truly was apocalypse now.

"Where are we?" Sam demanded, his voice stronger than he was feeling.

Lucifer scratched his head. "Well, it's a graveyard now… but. Back in the day this was a lake... or the edge of it. This was the first spot of earth us Archangels were shown. Michael and I used to come here all the time, you know. Michael's always been one for sentiment."

"Thought you didn't want to fight?" Sam said, mostly just stalling for time now, like Dean taught him.

If you're ever taken by anything or… anyone, you stall, Sammy. If you can't fight, stall, 'cause I'll be there soon, okay?

"I don't," Lucifer shrugged. "But big bro does. I never asked for this, Sam. I never asked for this curse - never asked to be what it turned me into - that's on dad, not me. I just want what everyone else does - my little piece of happiness."

Sam was silent.

"I bet I'm not what you expected," Lucifer smiled. "No horns or hooves."

"Nah," Sam shook his head, eyes narrowed. "Actually, you're exactly what I expected. You're charming, your arguments make sense, you don't seem intimidating at all. But, I'm your vessel and I can see you, the real you. You don't need horns - you're just another monster, no different than everything else I hunt."

"I love that fire, Sam," Lucifer said, words nice but eyes angry. "Save it, you'll need it when we fight Michael."

"I won't be fighting anyone," Sam glared as fiercely as he could.

"But you will," Lucifer said, almost resigned.

Sam looked at the man. He could feel the hate and anger pouring off of him. Yet, he could also see that glimmer, that glimmer of what he used to be. He could easily see how this could have been a good person, a friend even. But that glimmer was shaded darkness so deep that Sam didn't think any light could penetrate it.

"Look," Sam said, attempting to appeal to that glimmer. He knew his words wouldn't turn Lucifer around but he still needed to stall. "You were like me once, right? You know what it's like to have a soulmate."

"Shut up, Sam."

Sam heard it, faintly, in the distance. It was a sound he usually associated with comfort, now it filled him with dread. The purring of the Impala's engine.

No, no, no, what the actual hell was Dean thinking? This is exactly what they wanted - he was playing right into their hands. Of course, when it came to Sam, Dean never did seem to think clearly.

The sleek black car flattened the grass as it rumbled to a stop. Dean stepped out of the driver's seat alone, cocky grin and relaxed stance.

"Hey, hope you guys didn't start without me," Dean said, chin up.

To say Sam was confused wouldn't even scratch the surface. What the hell was… what the hell was going on? Dean was alone, without the two angels - were they alright? He didn't look very bothered that he was unarmed and vulnerable in the face of Lucifer. Great… his brother picked a great fucking time to go off the deep end.

"You boys are just full of surprises," Lucifer said, standing up. "I expected Michael to drag you here kicking and screaming."

"Not really my style," Dean said. "Sam's here so I am too. You okay, Sammy?"

"Am I…?" Sam said incredulously. "Dean, what the hell!"

"You really thought I'd leave you with that," Dean waved his hand at Lucifer. "But don't worry about him, he'll be dead soon."

"That so?" Lucifer raised an eyebrow.

"Oh yeah," Dean said. "'Cause I'm saying yes."

Sam jerked at that. Dean was saying yes to Michael? No, no that didn't sound like Dean at all. Dean wouldn't allow himself to be possessed by someone who wanted Sam dead. So… unless…

"I'm sorry, Sammy," Dean muttered again, dabbing the wet cloth to Sam's bloody brow.

"I already told you," Sam winced as the cloth touched the cut. "It's not your fault. You saved me, Dean."

"I shouldn't have pushed you so hard."

"Dean, I would have been shot if you didn't," Sam gently grabbed his big brother's wrist, lowering the cloth with it. "I know you wouldn't ever hurt me on purpose."

Sam wasn't sure what that particular memory popped into his head. There were a lot like it. In their line of work, sometimes it hurt to help. He remembered Dean's pained face every time he had to give Sam stitches or dress one of his wounds. He knew what he had said all those years ago was still true. Dean would never willingly hurt Sam. He had to trust his brother. He might not know what the hell was going on but Dean obviously did.

He trusted Dean.

"Great," Lucifer shrugged. "Not that newsworthy, really."

"But it is," Dean said. "What do you think will happen when I say yes to Michael but Sam doesn't say yes to you? Who do you think will win that fight?"

Lucifer wavered but quickly regained his stride. "I could just kill you now."

"I wouldn't," said a new voice.

Everyone's head turned to see a man in his mid-thirties with sandy brown hair and silver eyes. He was wearing a formal suit with a black tattoo snaking up his neck. This, Sam summarized, must be Michael.

Lucifer's face slackened, lips parted as his eyes brushed over the other angel. "Hello, brother."

"Hello, Lucifer," the man walked forwards, a hungry look clouding his eyes. "I've been waiting so long for this day."

"I've missed you," Lucifer said. The words should have been endearing but from his mouth… they sounded awful. They sounded like a serial killer talking to his victim. His red eyes glowed and his breathing quickened. He was excited, Sam realized, excited to kill his brother. His soulmate.

"As I have you," Michael's tone matched his brother's. "Was that a yes I heard, Dean?"

"Might've been," Dean said evasively. "Depends on what your plan for my brother is."

"He needs," Michael's hands twitched. "He'll say yes to Lucifer - he has to. It's the only way - a fair fight. A fight… fight to the end."

Sam took a moment to look at Michael, really look. Michael had a frantic look in his silver eyes. He looked like a junkie in need of a fix. Sam knew that as desperate as Dean may be to save him, Michael was just as desperate to kill Lucifer. That curse really had taken their bond and flipped it. Completely. Inreveservably.

"Dean?" Michael prompted, voice tight and eyes never leaving Lucifer. "Now."

"Already said yes," Dean smiled and blinked. But… when Dean blinked, his eyes opened golden, not green. And holy fuck if that wasn't weird.

His stance changed, his face changed, and Sam's lips parted as he realized this wasn't Dean any longer. This was the Archangel Gabriel.

"Sorry, bro," Dean - Gabriel winked. "Now, looks like we're having a fight, eh?"

"No," Michael roared, wings flashing behind him. "You - you're ruining it - you're ruining everything. Remove yourself immediately, Gabriel."

"No can do," Gabriel said.

"Please," Michael pleaded.

Sam saw then, that behind the fire of rage, it was just broken. It was empty and it was pain. Maybe Michael just wanted the pain to stop. Sam himself had never felt hate for Dean. He had been annoyed at times, sure, even upset with the older boy but… he never felt hate. He wondered how painful it must be for Michael to hate his soulmate.

In that moment, Sam felt honest sympathy for Michael - and for Lucifer. It was the same sympathy and guilt that washed over him every time they had to kill a monster who didn't ask to be turned. It was just like Madison, the werewolf girl he had quickly befriended. She was more pure than most humans, yet she had to die. Sam himself shot her in the chest. In the chest because she asked for an open casket funeral, for her family. That had almost broken Sam. It was the same for these two, albeit on a larger scale. According to Gabriel, neither of them asked for this, and yet here they were. Sam knew that if this had happened to him, just like Madison, he would've begged for death.

"Sam," Lucifer said, looking down expectantly. "I need you to say yes right now. If you do, I might kill Dean now but I swear I'll bring him back for you. You know I would, I have no reason to lie."

Lucifer was right - Sam did believe that. He truly believed that Lucifer would let him and Dean live… but in what world? A world destroyed, a dystopia where they would never truly be happy? That wasn't the life either of them would want to live.

Sam was silent, his answer clear.

Sam was about to speak, but then the day turned completely into night. The eclipse was in full completion.

Lucifer hissed as Michael unsheathed the blade on his waist. In one blink, the angels were there and then they weren't.

Explosions lit up the dark day's sky like fireworks. Sam realized they were flying and fighting, faster than his human eyes could preserve. But… it looked there was some kind of forcefield? Everytime the angels clashed near the edge of the graveyard, they stayed there, like they couldn't leave.

Once, they got very close to Sam and he felt searing heat next to him. Like an explosion just went off inches away. Opening his eyes, Sam saw Dean standing over him, not Gabriel, Dean.

"Dean," Sam gasped.

"Hey, little brother," Dean said, calmer than he probably was. His brother knelt down and started working on the rope that held Sam's arms, untying the complex knot with practiced ease. Sam rolled his shoulders, accepting the hand Dean offered.

"Gabriel's possessing you?"

"Yeah, long story," Dean said gruffly. "Look, you ain't gonna like this but I need you to stay here, alright? They need me up there."

"Dean - no-"

"Don't do anything stupid, Sammy," that was all Dean said before his eyes blinked to golden and he disappeared.

"Dammit," Sam cursed. Looking up, he realized there were two sets of clashing explosions in the sky and his stomach twisted as he realized one of those sets included his brother.

Sam looked around uselessly, feeling out of his league. He still didn't understand what was going on. That was when Sam heard yelling from his right, a voice he recognized as Castiel.

Sam ran, dodging headstones and trying to keep his footing as explosions shook the ground.

Finally reaching the edge of the graveyard, Sam found Castiel and two other angels he didn't recognize.

"Cas," Sam panted. "What the hell is going on?"

"The apocalypse," Castiel glanced up at him, carving warding symbols in the dirt. "I've rallied the angels I could and we're working to maintain a protective field. Raphael would not go so directly against Michael and Gabriel's dealing with him. We are planning to allow Michael and Lucifer to fight and then kill the winner with overwhelming force."

Well… at least that was information. It was scattered information with missing patches but… it was a lot more than he knew before. "And Dean?"

"Dean," Castiel said, still carving the symbols. "May not be Gabriel's true vessel, but he is still an extremely strong human and his body amplifies Gabriel's power greatly. Raphael's inhabiting a vessel that can barely hold him - this gives Gabriel the advantage."

"And Dean agreed to that?"

"When it was impressed upon him how important this choice was to your survival, yes he agreed."

"Okay," Sam said, trying and failing to process. "Is there anything I can do?"

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Dean was aware of everything that was happening. It was a condition he made Gabriel agree to before he said yes. He still couldn't believe he was doing this but… if it helped Sam, he would. He would do anything.

Dean knew that those were usually words thrown around carelessly. He knew that many people would say to each other 'I would do anything for you'. Not many of them meant that - but Dean did. He would walk straight into hell if it meant Sammy would be okay. He didn't know the core reason for it, maybe it was years of their dad drilling it into his head, maybe it was that Sam was his brother, or his soulmate or maybe it was just because he loved Sam that much.

But to Dean, that reason didn't matter all that much. What mattered is that it was true and it would never change.

It felt incredibly weird to be possessed. He had never been fully possessed like this before. He couldn't feel anything, but he imagined Gabriel did that on purpose. They were in a fight, after all.

Dean wasn't sure what Gabriel was seeing, but Dean preserved the battle as dancing lights. Pure lights bouncing off invisible walls and falling into each other. He couldn't tell which light was which - he could only hope they were winning.

He could feel Sam, though. The damn kid never did as he was told and had, in fact, moved from where Dean left him. Luckily, he was near Castiel's presence. It was weird feeling that. It was almost like, just as Gabriel was possessing his body, Dean was possessing Gabriel's senses.

He felt the glow of Sam's soul, the gentle brightness that encompassed his brothers form and moved in perfect motion with him. His soul, just like every other part of him, was beautiful. It was young and curious yet cautious and wise. It was just - Sam, in the purest form of himself.

Dean saw the sky as Raphael knocked Gabriel on his back. Gabriel and Raphael fought each other in hand-to-hand combat for what seemed like hours while the sky still shone black. Eventually, Gabriel had turned the tables and was standing over his bloodied brother with a blade to his throat, the explosions of Michael and Lucifer's fight still lighting up the sky.

"Please, Raphael," Dean heard his voice say. "Don't make me do this, brother. I'm begging you."

Raphael said nothing, staring up at them with cold eyes, eyes that were resigned and lifeless.

"You…," Raphael spoke hoarsely. "Chose them over… us."

"Yes," Dean heard his voice break. "I did."

"Then," Raphael said. "There is nothing left to fight for."

Dean felt Gabriel prepare to say something, anything - an argument or perhaps a plea. However, what the angel was preparing was wiped away as a massive explosion shook the ground with the force an earthquake would envy.

Gabriel turned around to see Michael straddling Lucifer with a blade against his heart. They were quite far away, but with Gabriel's hearing, Dean could make out every word.

"Say it," Michael panted, his eyes crazed. "Say I won. Say it!"

Lucifer's breath was coming out as short, painful puffs. "You won. Congr- congrats."

"I hate you," Michael said. The words sent a shiver down Dean's spine because that… that was the same tone he used with Sam with he said 'I love you'.

"I know," Lucifer grabbed onto Michael's wrist.

There were only seconds - seconds that seemed like hours - before Michael raised his hand, along with Lucifer's, and brought the archangel blade down and into the chest of his brother, impaling him through his heart.

There was red light, hellfire, and jerking from Lucifer before his vessel laid still, dead, upon the evening ground.

The blade looked to be made of lead as Michael let it slip from his limp hand. With Gabriel's eyes, Dean could see there bond, their true bond. With the death of Lucifer, the bond's black strings recited and melted into nothingness. Like scales, the black ash broke away at Lucifer's end and reached Michael's chest within a half second. Bright golden, yet everlasting sadness, now encompassed the string-like bond.

Dean realized then, that the curse was gone. It had died with Lucifer and… with no curse, there was no hate - only love. Which, it seemed, was far more painful.

Dean watched as horror washed over Michael as he realized what he had done - when he realized he had just killed his soulmate and Lucifer… Lucifer had let him. Maybe… maybe Lucifer just wanted to be free too.

Dean heard the screams of anguish and broken faith from Michael, but Gabriel turned his head when Michael turned the fallen blade on himself. He didn't watch as the mighty archangel followed his brother in death.

Michael and Lucifer were dead.

Dean wasn't given any warning before Gabriel exited his body. He was left coughing and gasping on the ground as he tried to gather his bearings. When he looked up, both Gabriel and Raphael were gone. He also realized that the wounds Gabriel had gathered in the battle had disappeared. Dean blinked a few times before he got himself up and started jogging in the direction he had felt Sam was in.

When he finally got there, Sam was standing with wide eyes and… dirty hands? Dean didn't care and he wasted no time pulling his little brother into a crushing hug. He tugged on Sam's hair, which must have been painful for the other, but his little brother didn't protest in the slightest.

He just stood there for minutes, feeling Sam's chest rise and fall against his own. Feeling Sam's hair against his face and his arms wrapping around his body. It would seem Sam needed this just as much as Dean himself, as his grip was bruising. Finally, they pulled away.

Castiel then spoke from there right and Dean tore his eyes away from his brother to focus on the angel.

"Michael and Lucifer are… gone," Castiel hesitated. "I don't know where Gabriel and Raphael are."

"Here."

Dean's eyes flickered to the right, seeing Gabriel in his old vessel.

"I can feel Raphael," Gabriel said grimly. "He's in Heaven and I… I don't think he'll be much of a problem anymore."

"Very well," Castiel said. "What are your orders, brother?"

Gabriel seemed dumb-struck as his eyes scanned over Castiel and the other gathered angels. Dean supposed it would be a shock… now that Michael was dead, Gabriel was probably pretty high in the chain of command.

"I…," Gabriel straightened. "Heaven is in shambles, we need to restore order, I guess. Castiel, you can take the Winchesters home for now."

"What are we doing now?" Sam asked.

"Just," Gabriel said, with a weight Dean had never seen him bare before. "Go with Castiel and we'll figure it out later. After everything has… settled, at least somewhat."

Dean then nodded his agreement, because he had never felt so tired in his whole life. He saw Sam had done the same.

Castiel's glowing hands touched his and Sam's foreheads and blinded their eyes with white yet again.

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When Dean reopened his eyes, there were back in Bobby's living room. Just him and Sam, Castiel was nowhere to be seen.

"Dean?" Sam asked, looking at him with those beautiful hazel eyes. "What the hell just happened?"

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