Wanting to believe something and truly believing it existed on two separate ends of the spectrum of existence and Sam Winchester was left in a state of complete disbelief. Hundreds of thousands of years of anger couldn't simply be wiped clean from one simple game of possum. Personal experience spoke to the validity of this belief. When a fight broke out between the Winchester brothers it would be months later before either would even speak to the other even though Sam and Dean would sacrifice the world for each other and have done so several times already. The younger Winchester could relate to the feelings that must have gone through the fallen archangel when he was betrayed by not only his Father but his beloved elder brother as well. If he personally experienced that kind of heartache he wouldn't think he could forgive them, unless they were at Death's door. Why would the devil suddenly decide that it was alright to derail all his plans for the apocalypse after getting a taste of victory? Forgiveness could be given but there was no forgetting the wrongs of the past completely. Distrust ultimately would grow out of that feeling and mistakes could repeat themselves. Despite all his hesitations Sam wholeheartedly wanted to believe that all of it was behind them. Peace would be restored among the four archangels and in turn return calm to the heavens.
The younger Winchester slowly turned his gaze back over toward his lover who was happily helping his elder brother groom out the blood from his pure white wings. A soft smile appeared on his features as he could see the complete sense of calm swirling around Gabriel. More than anything he wanted to protect that bliss and make sure nothing ever caused the Trickster heartache again. If things were as Michael claimed then Sam was one step closer to making that promise a reality. Luckily not even Death had the power to separate the two which was the only foreseeable cause of pain for either partner. When Sam kicked the bucket for good, Gabriel would be able to enter into the hunter's personal heaven and simply exist there for eternity. That was one of those benefits of having an angel for a boyfriend. While that was true Sam couldn't let go of life when his brother was also very much alive. Sam and Dean needed each other just as much as they needed their respective angels. Not a single individual among the four would have it any other way and for the most part the powers that be felt the same.
The younger Winchester scanned around the room and found that Raphael hadn't flew off the moment he healed his elder brother's injuries. Instead the third born Archangel was sitting in a nearby chair scanning through a brown leather bound book that appeared to be at least five hundred pages. The hunter enjoyed reading as much as the next person but he didn't know what could be so fascinating to a being who was as old as time itself. All of his focus was centered on the pages before him and not even a buzzing fly could disturb the archangel from his reading. With ease the celestial being flipped the page and that prompted the Winchester to take a closer look. On the left hand page Sam noticed a diagram of the human body which depicted the different spiritual chakras and on the right was text he couldn't quite make out. The young man was about to question the celestial being on the contents when he heard him say, "Fairly accurate for beings who don't understand the simplest concept of the divine."
Immediately the Winchester couldn't help but be insulted by the comment. Humanity wasn't to blame for their lack of knowledge about the supernatural, particularly about God and the angels. Most couldn't handle the truth that creatures different from themselves walked among them. Instead of lashing out Sam bit back his disgruntled feelings and continued to observe as the archangel continued to read unphased by anything going on around him. Castiel's own curiousity grew as he too walked over to peek at what had occupied the archangel who was often so stuffy since the disappearance of God. "Healing techniques using ones spiritual essence?" Sam blinked a few times when he heard the dumbed down explanation of what Raphael was studying. Honestly he had to admit that did sound rather interesting and it would be something he'd like to read up on himself. He did however know that the human body could do amazing things when the mind believed it could. Promising things could be made reality if they could harness that natural gift.
"Humanity listens sometimes, Raphael." Michael commented. A small breath escapes the mighty archangel's throat as he watched as Gabriel snapped a fine tooth comb into existence and began running it through his uninjured primary wing. Clearly his younger brother wasn't simply going to drop the issue with his wings and he only had himself to blame. From when they were younger Michael had always made a point to address the importance of wing care. Apparently all of his younger siblings paid attention because they were now holding the leader of heaven to the same standard as he held them all those years ago.
Small hisses filtered out through Michael's mouth when his younger brother tug out some of the dangerously mangled feathers. A non-sympathetic expression appeared on Gabriel's features as he pulled the loose feather out from the comb's teeth and placed it on the floor beside them. "Stop whining like a fledgling Michael."
"Just you wait until I get a hand on your wings little brother." Michael ominously stated. Gabriel shuttered at the thought of his elder brother carrying out the preening process. While his own wings weren't in the worst shape it would be fairly obvious to another angel he hadn't had another help him in ages. Unlike Lucifer he had no excuse to not have perfectly maintained wings since he was able to conjure up beautiful women who kept him company.
Sam had watched the interaction between the three archangels and again smiled at how they seemed to get along. Despite being some of the strongest beings in the universe the three celestial beings acted like any other pair of siblings would. He wondered how the dynamic would change once Lucifer was back in the picture. He tried to imagine it by placing himself within the sibling structure but it just didn't seem logical. Could Michael actually be a bigger softy when Lucifer was around? Was it possible that the addition of the second born would bring out more of Gabriel's playful side? The Trickster even more mischievous seemed impossible to say the least. Regardless of what Sam thought he still wanted to experience those interactions for himself with the other angels. Those passing thoughts disappeared from his mind and suddenly the hunter recalled Michael's last statement which made Sam all the more curious about the relationship between humanity and the divine. "Michael what did you mean when you said humanity listens sometimes? I thought angels never came to Earth until now."
Needless to say it was refreshing to interact with a human who wasn't blinded to the truths of the universe. Even though Sam had only meet Castiel recently he had already come to know much more than most humans would know about angels within their entire lifespan. "That is correct in regards to lesser angels but Archangels are different." Michael wouldn't admit this out loud but when the Earth was young the Archangels would often sneak their way down to the newly formed planet to have some fun. In the beginning that was frowned upon mainly because God didn't want to influence the development of his new creation, humanity. " Secretly when one prays to Raphael hard enough he'll send down whispers on how to cure their loved one even though Raphael is put off by humanity as it is." Quickly Raphael gazed up from his book and sent a half glare in his elder brother's direction. Apparently he didn't want it to be known that deep down the third born was still a big softy. Michael simply smirked back in reply before returning his gaze back toward Sam.
With how Castiel spoke about Raphael Sam found it hard to believe that he secretly helped humanity from his post in heaven. The third born practically insisted that the title match went down and cared very little about what happened to humanity as a result. "On occasion I've been known to also appear on the Earth even though most of my time is spent defending heaven. When priests invoke my name during an exorcism I answer with the full wrath of heaven behind me. Even without a vessel my light reaches all of God's creation." That information would certainly prove useful when they encountered powerful demons like Azazel in the future.
Innocently Michael shifted his glance back toward Gabriel who decided to answer for himself instead of letting his elder brother speak for him. Despite having his attention taken from the grooming process the youngest archangel didn't allow for his elder brother to step out just yet. Another defeated breath escaped Michael's throat when Gabriel took hold of the base of one of the other secondary wings and continued straightening the spines of the feathers. "When it comes to humanity no angel has had more interactions with them then me, bucko. Considering my station as messenger of God, it couldn't be helped." Sam slowly nodded in understanding. He'd read most of the bible since he became engrossed in the life. Gabriel once again glanced over Michael's wings and was satisfied with how they cleaned up. He waved away the mess left behind by the grooming which finally allowed the mighty archangel to return his wings to the other dimension out of the sight of preying eyes.
Michael pulled himself from the floor and then moved trying to catch Gabriel who was moving about the room like the little hummingbird he always was. Raphael lightly shook his head and returned to his reading not paying much mind to the childish antics of his siblings. In his personal opinion both Gabriel and Michael were both far too relaxed considering there hadn't been any true guarantees that Lucifer was finished with his rebellious end of the world plot. Castiel on the other hand couldn't help but smile as he watched the true nature of his siblings shine through the barriers they placed around themselves for centuries. The burdens placed on them didn't seem to hold them back and they were simply able to be. Just as Michael finally cornered Gabriel against one of the far walls of the motel room an echo of angel wings broke the peaceful veil. A tense energy filtered throughout the room as all eyes landed on Lucifer.
A strange sense of calm and nervousness rolled around in the younger Winchester's gut when his eyes landed on Nick's form that was currently being used to house the devil. Despite being in the room with three other archangels Lucifer appeared perfectly calm. Since Michael had seen him the other day Lucifer's vessel had a few more burns outlining the left side of his face. Deep down he couldn't help but be sorry for the unfortunate human who came across his brother first. There was no telling the extent of the pain Nick had endured and continued to while subordinating himself to the devil's whims. The eldest of the archangels glanced down to his brother's left hand and noticed an golden chalice. "More demon blood brother?"
Instead of answering the question right away the fallen archangel pulled the cup up to his lips and threw back the vessel sustaining liquid like it was water. Upon finishing the drink he prepared for himself Lucifer placed the cup down on the long dresser beside him and then shifted his glance back toward Michael. "Don't judge me brother. I only do what I need to do. Unlike everyone else in the room I haven't obtained my true vessel." Innocently Lucifer shifted his glance slightly in the younger Winchester's direction before continuing with his thought. "Sammy over there won't say yes to me and I know Gabriel won't let him say yes. So here I stay until we go home." Again Lucifer shifted his glance back at his elder brother with a questionable look. "We are going home, right?" There was little question that Lucifer was thinking that Michael want to thrust his essence back within the cage from where it came. Considering their questionable past Lucifer wouldn't put it past his elder brother to trick him into submitting and then throwing him away again all for the greater good.
Raphael roughly slammed his book closed and then chucked it across the room onto the bed before standing up in a threatening posture. His archangel blade slid into his hand and a dark expression appeared plastered upon his features. Ever since the mark corrupted Lucifer Raphael had closed off any and all feelings of the second born out of his own preservation. All of this talk was new to the angelic healer and clearly he was not pleased. "You..." Raphael hissed as he approached the devil. "...will never be welcomed back to heaven, not after everything you did."
"Everything I did?!" Lucifer's usually calm and patient voice was becoming irritated as he was once again blamed for things that were not his fault. His blue eyes flashed red as his anger was began raising to the surface. "Who are you to condemn me for my behavior, Raphael?"
"Lucifer." Michael warned.
The second born shot back a glance at his elder brother. "No, Michael. I'm not simply going to let this go especially when you know I'm right. If Father won't punish him..." Slowly Lucifer turned back around and glanced back at his younger brother darkly. "...then I must." Gabriel watched on silently hoping that Lucifer wouldn't snap again like he had with Michael all those years ago. At the end of the day Lucifer was still older then Raphael and it was his responsibility to teach his younger siblings right and wrong just as Michael did onto him.
Raphael of course was still holding onto the belief that Lucifer had to be destroyed for paradise to be restored. If Michael wouldn't make a move against the devil then he would. In a flash Raphael charged his elder brother who simply leaned out of the way and grabbed onto his thrusting arm before promptly disarming him. The archangel blade fell to the ground and Lucifer used his superior strength the force his younger brother onto the bed face down. The devil continued to stare at his younger brother before snapping his fingers which brought two things into creation, a pair of enochian infused cuffs and a paddle. Roughly Lucifer pulled his brothers hands together and snapped the bindings on to prevent him from fleeing. The sheer strength of Lucifer's grace held Raphael down which caused the third born to growl in annoyance.
The argument between the two archangels brought out the rough and tough big brother out of Lucifer's being. "Choosing to love our Father and our brothers more than humanity was soooo wrong? I admit temping Adam and Eve with the forbidden fruit wasn't my proudest moment but none of that was as unforgivable as your own crimes, brother." Carefully Lucifer picked up the paddle and gently ran his hand across the rough surface. Considering what he was trying to achieve that would do nicely. With his free hand he pulled back Raphael's trousers and briefs to reveal his bare backside.
A calm but serious expression appeared on his features as he pulled the paddle back up to his head level and then forcefully swung it back down onto his unprotected flesh. The thwack echoed throughout the room followed by the loud cries of the third born as the pain radiated throughout his being. "That was abandoning the fledglings." Lucifer calmly stated. Castiel was somewhat surprised to hear the disappointment laced within his voice. For the longest time he believed that Lucifer stopped caring about the angels born after Gabriel. Clearly even after all that happened in his core he still held onto the feelings that Castiel and the others always witnessed when they were with Lucifer growing up.
Lucifer pause for a long period of time before raising the paddle up once again and brought down three more solid whacks in quick succession. The third born tried to be brave about the punishment but he couldn't force back his cries which fell upon deaf ears. "That was for abandoning Gabriel!" The devil hissed. Although Lucifer was always closest to Michael it was also known that the second born adored the youngest of them. When he wasn't tending to his own responsibilities to heaven he would help raise the unpredictable archangel. It was Lucifer who taught him how to manipulate others and create elaborate tricks. On good days they were a troublesome duo.
Michael watched on as Raphael's backside was growing irritated after every blow but he knew this had to be done. Raphael needed to have his whole outlook readjusted and it wasn't like Naomi could climb into his head and reprogram the healer. Besides this was the harsh responsibility of an elder brother and Lucifer was well within his right. Of course Lucifer didn't end his torment there. His expression darkened further when the memories of the more sever crimes came to mind. With that the devil once again raised the paddle and struck his younger brother with a rapid strike of three. Raphael whimpered pathetically as the intensity level grew and the pain even more unbearable. "That was for abandoning me!"
A noticeable tremble was starting to become apparent to everyone in the room. At this point Gabriel had to turn away because he was not comfortable with the distress of his elder brother. Sure Raphael could be a major dick but Gabriel still didn't like to see any of his family suffer. Another flash of red overtook Lucifer's eyes as he came to the second worst crime committed by his younger sibling. Once more the fallen archangel raised the paddle and begun the next set of three strikes which were interrupted by Raphael shouting for Lucifer to stop. "Enough Luci please!" He begged.
The cries for the activity to stop only brought on another set of three from Lucifer who glared down at him without an ounce of sympathy. The once powerful archangel was now practically reduced to a sobbing mess before him and yet that wasn't enough to appease him. "Those were for wishing for Michael and I to kill each other!"
"I didn't!" Raphael shouted back. He could practically hear Lucifer raising the paddle again. "I swear I didn't! Never. I never wanted that." The celestial being choked out between the sobs. Looks of confusion appeared around the room. How was that not what Raphael wanted? He had insisted that the apocalypse be fought and there was no way both would come out of that alive. Two powers of that level clashing could only result in death. Slowly Raphael turned his head trying to look into his elder brother's eyes. "I wanted my brother back, my real brother. I wanted the darkness within you to be vanquished. I wanted you to return.. the you I remember from when we were fledglings. The Lucifer who would pull me into his wings at night when I was scared. The Lucifer who used his gifts to create such beauty all of his own. The Lucifer who shined the brightest amongst all of God's angels." Tears were streaming down his face as he spoke the words he held back for so long.
Lucifer glanced down at his younger brother with disbelief as he peered into his own dark orbs. Deep within his eyes the devil could see what Raphael had kept hidden from everyone for ages. Hidden behind the tough exterior lied the innocent and youthful healing hand of God. Without another word Lucifer found himself pulled into the memory where the truth lied.
The second born found himself standing within Raphael's childhood room within heaven. Outside the window which was looking at the garden Lucifer could hear the crashing of his own and Michael grace. While he had been engrossed in the ongoing fight he hadn't truly thought how the other angels perceived the battle. Needless to say it was unnerving to see it from the outside. Slowly his gaze shifted around the room which was filled with books of all kinds. In the far corner Lucifer found a young Raphael curled up in tight ball with his six dark brown wings wrapped around his small frame. His body was trembling as the battling outside the window grew louder and louder. "Stop them... please Father stop them." The young archangel cried.
Clearly this was the breaking point for Raphael. He had tried to put an end to the fighting between the older archangels himself to no success. Fear had begun to consume him as it should considering the intensity of grace being thrown around. Before Lucifer was pulled back to reality his attention was again taken by another sound echoing throughout the room. The devil blinked a few times when he focused on the large wooden door leading to Raphael's peaceful refuge. A panicked Gabriel was pounding on the door. "Raphael please! Open the door, help me stop them!"
Raphael curled around himself tighter and whispered. "I can't...I'm not strong enough..." Pitifully he rubbed his eyes trying to chase away the tears but the helpless feeling persisted. "Luci where are you? I need you."
The memory melted away and once Lucifer had returned to the present. His dark expression slowly was replaced by a softer saddened glance. All this time Raphael felt helpless and was hoping by some miracle the Lucifer he remembered would somehow return. Without prompting Lucifer dropped the paddle and moved to release his brother. An unsure expression appeared on Raphael's features and another surprised yelp escaped his throat when he was pulled into his elder brother's chest. "I'm sorry... I'm so sorry Raphy."
"Lucifer you're cold." Raphael complained.
"Shut up." Lucifer commanded before pulling him in tighter before looking up to see Michael standing there. A small smile appeared on his features when Raphael began to relax in his embrace. The last thing he wanted to do was discuss brass tax but he could tell that was the only thing on his brothers mind. "I called off the horsemen."
Gabriel smiled as he saw as the last of the sores from the chaos of heaven were finally being healed. The four of them seemed to be on the fast track to restoring their brotherly bonds. The Trickster being the crafty mischievous being he was snapped his fingers again and the room got decorated with congratulation themed balloons and a flowing fountain of beer appeared on the table. "Enough depressing talk, lets celebrate!"
"And people call me the devil." Lucifer joked which got a halfhearted 'ha ha' out of Gabriel in reply. Before Castiel and Sam were aware of it the four archangels were sitting around enjoying drinks without a care in the world. Both looked at each other as the shock continued to swirl around their minds. Clearly this whole peace thing was true and not just some cruel joke. Without question that was the highlight of Sam's year and he continued to pray that the upswing would continue.
To be continued...
Hello my fellow SPN family memebers! For a while I was stuck while writing this chapter. Mid chapter I got inspiration to dive into the relationship Lucifer as with Raphael. I think that came out pretty well. It seems that everything has returned to normal but has it really? Find out in chapter 15. If you liked anything you read don't forget to leave me a little review. I truly love getting feedback from everyone. Until next time, again I hope you enjoyed.
Thank you again Rutvi for the kind words in your review for the last chapter. I really love to write interactions between the archangels. So many cute moments that can be born from that unexplored aspect of the series. Hope you continue to enjoy the story.