A.N. I'm so sorry, dear readers... my Muse decided now was the time for a holiday, or something. I got stuck. Thankfully, she returned and I am happy to report that the story is back on track. Onwards!
"WHAT?!" Cas shrugged unhappilly. "I know. I cannot begin to understand." Sam grabbed his fuming brother by the hand. "Dean... calm down." Dean spun around to him. "I am calm! Sorta. I just don't get it." He turned back to Cas. "Michael basically ordered you to let us kill Lilith, even though you told him? You told him killing Lilith would be the breaking the final seal, and he still ordered you to let us go about it, and not to return until we have?" Cas nodded, an utterly unhappy look in his blue eyes. "I don't understand either. It almost seems Michael wants the Apocalypse to happen..." Dean swiftly sat down next to the angel. "Well, he can stuff it. We're not going to gank her. Not for his pleassure." He pulled Cas into a hug. "I don't want to be his meatpuppet, Cas. I want to be with you." Cas swallowed and burrowd into Dean's shoulder. "Well," Sam piped up. "... if you don't give him permission, he can't make you."
Dean looked at his baby brother. He still hadn't told Sam that Lucifer would be trying to get him to share his body with the fallen Archangel. "Then I won't. You wouldn't, would you, Sam?" Sam huffed. "Hell no. I'm happy being me. I wouldn't like to be an Archangel's bunkbuddy, no thank you." Happy for now, Dean returned to hugging his angel. "Dean, I'm a bit uneasy about this. I am afraid Michael, or his underlings, will try and manipulate you to do their bidding. And they are very persistent." Dean chuckled. "They don't know the Winchester streak of pigheadedness." Sam laughed too. "Yeah, Cas. Dean can be as stubborn as the proverbial ass." The look he got from the green eyes would have evaporated him, if it could. "Don't underestimate your hardheaded idiocy, Sammy."
Sam grinned, happy he could still yank Dean's chain. Seeing him hug Castiël like that... it would take some getting used to, but Sam was happy to see Dean at ease like that with someone other than him. Dean deserved a little happiness. He just wished he didn't feel like the proverbial third wheel. Cas pulled free from the hug. "So. Now what will we do?" Sam smiled. He liked the angel. He pulled up a large book. "Well, I have been looking up some demon trapping spells, but I haven't found anything that made me feel certain it could hold the likes of Lilith." Cas walked over to him. "Please, allow me, Sam." A bit reluctant, he handed the book over. Cas started reading, his finger scooting over the page like it was chasing the words. Impressed Sam watched him, as he flipped pages with a speed that made Sam envious. Cas closed the book. "I agree with you, Sam. Nothing in here seems adequate. And since the Heavenly library is closed for me, I think we might have to re-adjourn at your associate, mr. Singer's house. I take it he has quite the collection of lore." Sam took the book back. "You read that all?" When the angel tilted his head in confusion, Sam could see what Dean saw in him. He looked kinda cute, like a puppy. "Yes. I can read quite swiftly." Cas sat down next to Sam, making Sam a bit uneasy. "Sam, I need to offer you an apology. I haven't been treating you correctly."