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Chapter 7

"We could use a few." Raphael agreed, slipping on to a seat and facing his brother.

The others followed his example while Lucifer poured out drinks for everyone.

"So spill. You never leave Heaven. Even Gabriel left more often than you did and he had to stay with the old man almost 24/7. How bad is whatever that happened?" Lucifer asked spearing Raphael with a piercing look. Sam made sure his eyes were fixed on his glass, refusing to look at the Devil while the others subtly leaned forward.

Raphael took a sip of his drink and said "First off, Gabriel's been MIA since the Fall and has been declared dead."

The glass slipped from Amenadiel's hand while Lucifer looked stunned for a moment.

"What –" Raphael cut off Lucifer with a hand and continued "Father said that the moron is still alive and apparently the last he saw our wayward brother, he was trying to decide between two ridiculously similar sounding ice cream flavours."

"Okay, what? I think I lost you somewhere." Lucifer asked with an even voice which was belied by how shaky his hands were as he poured out Amenadiel a refill.

"He got pretty badly injured during the war. Some of your followers went after the fledglings. He stepped in and made a quick work of them. But one of them managed to hit him. Just a small gash on his arm, but it was poisoned. He didn't know it then and just ignored the gash in favour of calming the little ones down. Once they were calmer he asked Joshua to watch over them and left. After all the chaos died down someone noticed that no one's seen Gabriel in a while and started coming up with ridiculous theories basing them on how close you two were. Joshua shut them up quick and then one of the younger ones, Balthazar I believe, found him bleeding out in the garden. He was running a fever and wounds were randomly opening up all over him. Healing him using my Grace just accelerated the poison and then he just faded and disappeared. Just like that. Gone. No light show and scorched wings. Just …" Raphael emptied his glass in one go. Lucifer filled it again with a horrified expression while Amenadiel stepped forward and slung an arm over Raphael shoulders.

"Sorry, I …"

Raphael waved aside Lucifer's apology and continued "Eh, apparently he's still alive. I call dibs on punching the moron for letting me think he was dead all this while"

That prompted a smile from Lucifer and a shake of his head from Amenadiel.

Raphael took another sip and said "As for why we are here, what's your opinion on humans?"

"You showed up to ask me that? For real?"

"Just answer the question, Lucifer."

"Ah, well. They are fun. No, I'm serious. They are honestly way lot more interesting than most angels and demons that I can think of. I mean, Zachariah? Lilith? That ought to explain my point."

"Do you wish to end humanity? Bring about the apocalypse?"

"What is this, twenty questions?" Lucifer huffed out.

"Luci, just answer the question, baby brother." Amenadiel prompted.

"Fine. I don't want the apocalypse. Humans are more fun alive than dead. There, I said it. Happy now? Sheesh, there's a human here. I've got to keep up my evil overlord image you know." Lucifer answered with a definitely not a pout on his face.

The situation was so ridiculous that Sam couldn't help but laugh.

"See you have totally ruined my image. Totally ruined." Lucifer said irritably although that was destroyed by the wink he send in Sam's direction.

Sam laughed again.

"Will you finally tell me what's wrong now?"

"I admit that I'm pretty curious too." Amenadiel said backing Lucifer.

"Lilith's dead. The Beast is out."

"What? And I'm finding about this now?"

Lucifer snapped his fingers and Crowley tumbled out of thin air. Crowley went into defensive but relaxed when he saw the Morningstar.

"King."

"Crowley, what is this I hear?"

"See for yourself, my Lord." Crowley said stepping forward such that he was within Lucifer's reach. Lucifer raised his hand and placed two fingers on Crowley's forehead.

A moment later, Lucifer stepped back, a frown marring his face. He tapped Amenadiel's forehead and the latter shook his head as though he was trying to shake off cobwebs from his head.

"Maze, you are in-charge of the bar. I expect the place and most of my customers in one piece." Catching a look from Amenadiel he amended, "Okay all my customers in one piece. Other than that have fun. Oh, and if anyone asks, tell them I'm unavailable."

"Okay. Sounds fun. Shame I'll have to miss out on you cutie." Maze replied with a pout aimed at Raphael, who winked back. Lucifer looked on at the exchange in confusion and asked "What did I miss?"

Amenadiel groaned and buried his face in his hands. Raphael shrugged at Lucifer and indicated Amenadiel with a jerk of his head. Looking at his brother and at Maze who had an amused smirk gracing her face, Lucifer burst out laughing and disguised it as a fit of coughing when Amenadiel looked up at him sharply. Crowley watched the entire exchange with amusement while Sam tried to hide his grin.

Lucifer, recovering from his impromptu fit of coughing, turned towards Amenadiel, "You coming, Ames?"

"Sure."

"Lead the way, Crowley."

"Very well, my Lord."

Crowley did a complicated hand gesture and in the next moment they were standing in The Haven's foyer.

A/N:

1. Special thanks to chiaragiuglianocg and UxoriousBark.

2. Feel free to send suggestions, criticism and opinions.