Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or Supernatural. No money is being made.

Warnings: Slash.

Chapter 10 – Playing with Hellfire

Harry would never know what had possessed him when he invited Gabriel to live with them. Maybe if he had known that the Archangel was also the trickster god Loki then he wouldn't have done it.

Gleeful shrieks filled the backyard, and Harry smiled when he saw a tiny blue blur tackle Lucifer while Gabriel laughed like crazy in the background.

Then again, maybe he would have still invited the trickster to stay – if only so he could see his family this happy.

It had been clear as day to him that Lucifer missed his brother dearly. And he wasn't cruel enough to keep Gabriel away. Even though he was slightly surprised that the house was still standing after a day with both Archangels deciding that a prank war was the best way for them to commemorate their reunion.

Teddy had been absolutely delighted at the prospect and claimed Gabriel – who had introduced himself as 'Loki, god of amazingly awesome pranks' to the four year old – as his team mate.

Lucifer had dramatically proclaimed that he would not stand for such betrayal and promptly turned both of them into little monkeys. That plan backfired spectacularly since both monkeys, one of them a really pretty turquoise, tackled the Fallen Angel and used him as a jungle gym until Lucifer turned them back.

After that an all out war was declared and Harry took refuge in the kitchen.

As far as Harry could tell Lucifer was losing, badly. Not that the Archangel seemed to mind.

Laughter filled the room, and Harry smiled.

Life may be a bit crazy but he wouldn't have it any other way.

"Where's Harry?" Gabriel was munching on a chocolate biscuit, ignoring Lucifer's frown at him talking with his mouth full.

"He's in a meeting. He's looking at schools for Teddy. He doesn't like any of them as of yet."

"Why does the munchkin need to go to school?" Gabriel frowned, taking a seat beside his brother.

"That's what human children do, I've been told."

Gabriel hummed, leaning against Lucifer.

Lucifer let him. He knew just how much his brother had missed him. He knew it was a comfort to his younger brother, and – even if he would never admit it – it was a comfort to him as well.

He had been locked away for so long. He missed feeling another's Grace mingling with his own. It was a comfort, a reminder of simpler times.

"I'm sorry," he whispered and he felt Gabriel tense. "I do not regret what I did. I do, however, regret what it did to you. I never meant to hurt you, Gabriel." And he hadn't. The last being he wanted to hurt was his little brother. He had always been so close to him. Part of him had felt betrayed when Gabriel had refused to rebel with him. Not that he was surprised by it. Gabriel had always been so incredibly loyal to their Father. Lucifer was sure that Gabriel had been the one that had hurt the most when he was locked up and their father vanished.

It truly did not surprise him that Gabriel had hidden himself behind the mask of Loki.

Lucifer saw Gabriel's wings fluttering and he remained silent. He knew that Gabriel only did that when he was nervous.

"I resented Harry, at first." Lucifer closed his eyes. He did not want to pick sides, but if it came down to it – no matter how much it would hurt him – he would always pick Harry. "A mere human did what I couldn't do. What did he have that I didn't? How could a human tame you, make you reconsider, when I couldn't? What was so special about him that you would change for him when you didn't do it for me?" Gabriel took a shuddering breath, his wings curling around them. "I still don't understand. But it's alright, now. I don't know how, but he gave you back to me. You're my older brother now; the Lucifer who taught me to fly and to fight. The one who was there for me when I needed him. You're Lucifer again. I don't care how it happened. I'm just thankful that it did."

Gabriel sounded so incredibly young, that Lucifer felt as if they were both back in heaven and he was listening to a little angel that worshipped the very air he breathed. Michael had always said that he would be a bad influence for their younger brother.

Lucifer had always teased him back, saying that Michael was only jealous that their youngest brother liked him better.

That had lead to so many mock fights between them that Lucifer had lost count.

"I never stopped being Lucifer, brother." He struggled to explain, he didn't really have the words. "I was simply fighting for what I believed was right."

"Against us? What made you believe you needed to fight against us?"

"I did give all of you the chance to join."

"If you had succeeded Harry would never have lived."

Lucifer couldn't contain the flinch those words caused, and Gabriel pulled away from him.

"You truly love him." Gabriel shook his head and sighed. "I pity this world when Harry dies. I'll never understand what Father was thinking when he allowed the two of you to meet. I fear what you'll become once you lose Harry."

"When I lose Harry the world will burn."

"And you along with it."

Gabriel stood and made his way out of the room, wings still tightly wrapped around him, as if shielding him from the truth he had just learned.

"Gabriel!" the shout rang through the house, startling Gabriel out of the staring contest he was having with little Teddy.

Lucifer practically flew into the room, and with a snap of his brother's fingers Teddy was asleep.

"There's something wrong with Harry."

"Go!"

Lucifer didn't need to be told twice, whit a flutter of wings he was gone, and Gabriel slumped on the couch.

He had never seen that look on his brother, so full of panicked fear shadowed by overwhelming rage.

He glanced at the child and with a snap of his fingers Teddy was tucked in his bed.

He didn't know what was happening with Harry, but for Lucifer to be in the state he was in it couldn't be anything good. Part of him wished it was something mundane, like a Muggle mugging.

But a bigger part knew the truth.

Either the Demons or Angels had made their move.

In the long run it didn't matter. Angels, demons – they were all playing with fire, and Gabriel was sure that they would all end up burned.

Gabriel sighed and leaned back waiting for his older brother to come home.

A.N.: Hey guys. My laptop broke. it's in the store to get fixed. I'm using a borrowed laptop that's older than dirt. I did my best but I wasn't able to write more before the thing crashed on me. I don't want to risk losing more of the chapter so I'll post this little bit, and hope that I'll have my laptop back this coming week so that I can write without worrying about the laptop crashing every five minutes :/