"Six days, not even a week, and you two managed to adopt Satan."

Sam looked down, shifting uncomfortably in the study as Bobby paced in front of his desk. He was surprised Cas was still there, getting this dressing-down without a word, just the same resolute stare that the angel always had. Bobby had been quietly livid when he had stumbled over an explanation when the old man came home and didn't know what to add when Bobby took a good look at the sleeping devil in the spare bedroom.

"And you, feathers, could have dropped me a line. Popped in for a moment to give me an update about what was going on in my own damn house."

"I apolo- "

"Can it," Bobby snapped, Cas immediately closing his mouth and Sam made his focus be entirely consumed by the terrible threadbare carpet on the floor in here. "Damage is done. Dean knows?"

Unable to speak, Sam nodded his head.

"And he didn't kill him outright? Maybe –"

"He plans to, just not right now." Sam was nervous, voice hoarse and scrapping and there's a sense of foreboding in him that the next time he goes to look in on Luci that he'd either have a corpse or a pile of ash.

"Balls."

Bobby took off his hat, rubbing his forehead, but whatever he was about to say next was cut off by a small thud coming in the vicinity of Satan's bedroom. Because of course, why wouldn't it be?

"Go see what the not so wanted house guest is up to, while the angel and I discuss what constitutes proper safekeeping."

Cas's face was tight, the angel not saying a word as Sam swallowed down a protest that he was not a little boy. It wouldn't get him anywhere right now, just a meaningless fight, and wouldn't change the fact that part of this was his own fault. He had invited Luci through the door and then put off telling Bobby until the old man was climbing up the front steps.

Gabriel's harsh words from an impromptu dream visit were echoing in his mind: You let him out. He is your responsibility.

Slipping away, glad to be away from the tension in the study that had been growing heavier in the gloom of dusk, he went down the hall, finding Lucifer half in the downstairs bathroom, wheezing.

"What are you –"

"Be quiet," the fallen angel hissed, half leaning on the doorknob. "Not using that other stuff. Degrading if I have to put up with this."

"With what?" Sam raised an eyebrow but he wanted to hear it, got some thrill out of this that he couldn't quite place.

"Don't be obtuse. You're stubborn, not stupid."

Sam crossed his arms, trying to hide his worry that Lucifer still wheezed so much, his words in sharp staccato. He was healing, slowly, the damage going down each day but that he was still so sick was a testament to how bad he had really been. How the devil even got all the way here from where ever he was popped out at was a mystery unto itself.

Sam pushed away thoughts that Dean had anything to do with that if Lucifer's fear was real and he knew it was.

"Waiting on my answer."

Satan had managed to get his sweat pants down and was currently on the john, glaring up at the indecency of Sam staring at him while this was happening.

"The whole digestive system your kind insist on having."

Sam rolled his eyes. "How we stay alive, Luce."

What he didn't like right now was how just a short walk had winded the fallen angel, a pallor in his skin with a layer of sweat stuck to it. Knowing Bobby was a packrat he left the scene for a minute, digging around in the back closet till he found it, still in one piece. In some ways, he was surprised the old man hadn't taken it outside and lit it on fire after Gabriel had healed him, but probably Bobby felt that it could be useful in the future.

Keeping it closed he wheeled it back to the bathroom door, positioning it as Lucifer was getting himself righted. Flushing, the angel just got in without complaint and Sam thought even Lucifer had been pondering how he was going to get back to bed.

"Pick your feet up."

He was obeyed and Sam got him back to the backroom, exhaustion already setting in as he moved around to help Lucifer out, no matter how much the latter tried to handwave him away. Seeing the dark circles under those eyes as he laid the back of his hand against that too warm skin told him something he had been missing.

"Going to take your temp," he said, fumbling a little with the ear one that Cas had dragged back as Lucifer got himself out of the chair and onto the bed. "You not sleeping much?"

Lucifer wouldn't look at him as he stuck the tip of the thermometer in the devil's ear, which should be hilarious. This whole situation made him feel like he should be laughing himself into madness.

"Up again," he said when the silence between them stretched on and a beep told him it was back to over a hundred and two. The fever the devil couldn't shake, maybe because he was eternally cold. "Going to give you something for that and your breathing."

Lucifer was sitting up, he had to be with his lung issues, fingers clutching at the sheet, eyes cast away and Sam wanted to shake him all over again. Demand that he at least answer the questions because they were trying to keep him alive instead of just murder him outright. He already knew that the animosity between them could definitely grow deeper and a sick Satan was one that wouldn't be leaving anytime soon.

"Nightmares?" he guessed, picking up bottles and shuffling out the doses onto a small napkin on the bed stand.

A nod, the irony not lost on Sam.

"Should have told me sooner. Can give you something that may help since it's probably just your brain and not outside influences. Hold out your hand."

A hand was offered and he dropped the pills into it, handing over a cup of water. He kept an eye on Lucifer, making sure those pills were taken as he pulled up the seat of the wheelchair, leaving it against the wall. Might as well not make it easy for Lucifer to try to escape, the last thing he needed was to find Satan trying to figure a way down the front stairs to whatever freedom he thought was out there.

Pills taken, Sam took the water back, not missing the slight tremors in the devil's hands. Bobby and Cas had been quiet and he hoped that maybe he wasn't too hated right now as he started for the door.

"Sam."

He turned, waiting, Lucifer looking at him but nothing else followed as the devil went back to clutching at the sheet. He wanted to press, demand that Lucifer tell him whatever it was he wanted to say when he said his name like that. Instead, he pushed his anger back for a little while longer.

"Going to make you something to eat and some of that tea to help you sleep. Doesn't taste real good, but it should help."

All he got was another nod, and he slipped out going to the kitchen, seeing Bobby and Cas seated by the big desk, voices soft and he didn't know if that was good or bad as he put the kettle on. The little container with the concoction Gabriel had given him was still up on the top shelf, complete with a strainer. He smiled a little at the memory of his first taste of the stuff.

"I'm an archangel, not a chef. And there's such things as honey, you know," Gabriel had huffed, arms crossed, and Sam had had to bite back words about how he was surprised it just wasn't pure sugar.

The little bottle of honey was up there too, and he got it down, taking out a spoon. This was his 'in case Cas had to be out for a while and he might fall asleep' safeguard.

Some nights, when it was crushing, this weight from the absence of Dean, he swore Cas was close to him as he slept dreamlessly. Like there was a scent caught in him, a warmth along him, even if Cas was across the room from him when he opened his eyes.

None of this was helping. It was just wishful thinking from a lonely imagination seeking refuge and he distracted himself by getting the tea set in the strainer.

A hand was on his shoulder and he managed only to jump a little, turning to find Bobby behind him, looking solemn but not so angry anymore.

"Get the idea that whatever is going on, we can't just toss him out. Just wish he'd had found a different place to roost."

"I know," Sam whispered, letting his eyes slip closed for a moment. "I know."

~x~

With his hearing, he could pick up on Lucifer's whine even on the other side of the house, protesting the leaving of Sam, as he waited by the front door. It was good that Singer could not hear it, as it would only agitate the man further.

"Good to get out of here. You two need a break, get that boy's mind off of all this for a little while."

Castiel gave a small nod. "If his condition worsens or if you have any concerns, please pray or call me."

"Trust me, already got you on speed dial."

Castiel could feel the distant weight of the phone in his pocket, the one he kept now for Sam to call him when he had to slip away and attend to something on earth for Gabriel. It allowed him to ease Sam's mind, or to tell him if there was a delay, and he found himself surprised over how grateful he was over the simple device to allow him to communicate with humans.

His eyes fell to the front door and he thought of this morning when he had taken Lucifer to the porch beyond it. Being trapped, even if not physically, was uncomfortable for any of his kind, and he knew his fallen brother had been appreciative even if he didn't voice it.

Memories of how badly he had felt towards the end, the way the flesh had clung to his dying form too tightly haunted him still.

"Did they know how bad it was for you before Dad popped by to power you up?" Lucifer had asked, watching him in the early morning sun, barely warm enough beneath a heavy blanket.

"No," he had said, and he had no real desire to share it with any of his humans. They knew he was taking longer to heal, bled more, grew tired, and lost abilities, but the sheer brutality of physical existence had begun to overcome him and he remembered how lost he had truly begun to feel.

"Well, he's not happy," Sam said, coming up to them, bag hoisted over one shoulder. "But he'll live. Might be petulant, just ignore him."

"So, same as usual," Bobby answered, and Cas like the small smile the boy gave in return. "Be safe out there."

"Will do."

Castiel got the door for his friend, grateful that Singer had kept his thoughts to himself instead of lecturing him on actually guarding Sam before they left.

The hunt was only a few miles east of here, something simple for Sam to take his mind off of everything, and Castiel found he enjoyed being outside, the air warming up as Sam put his bag in the car. There was a strain in Sam that Castiel picked up on, which may be from simply dealing with Lucifer. He did not want to push, making more of an effort to not hear the thoughts in Sam's mind. Privacy had been something unaccustomed to before he met with this family but was something that had grown in value to him the longer he remained.

The car was started in silence, Castiel settling himself into the seat, but a glance over told him that his friend was on edge, hands tight on the steering wheel as they pulled out. He tried to think of what to say but he was always poor at starting conversations, even more so when it was tense. It was not something that came simply to him. Dean had always scolded him for skipping the pleasantries.

"He didn't want me to leave, at all," Sam said after a few minutes. "I hate to say it, think he was terrified. Thought maybe at first it was because he thought Bobby wouldn't help him but I don't think that was it."

There was a glance in his direction and Castiel found himself curling up his hands in his lap, some learned response he had gained from his time falling. It was not lost to his friend.

"Tell me what's going on. I know Dean – Dean wants –" Sam couldn't seem to finish that sentence and it trailed off, the words lost but known all the same.

A parking lot was coming up and Castiel pointed at it, Sam driving into it and turning off the car, face tight with an apprehension that Castiel wished he could put at ease but knew his news would not be welcomed.

"Would Dean – Michael, either of them, actually kill Lucifer after all of this?"

"I don't know, Sam."

A nod, Sam absently wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, eyes still focused on the grimy asphalt in front of them and nothing else.

"What the hell is actually going on, Cas? Feels like I don't have the whole picture here, that all of this is even worse than I've been imagining."

"I only just found out." Castiel paused, understood he was hedging, disliking the look in Sam's eyes when the boy finally turned to look at him. "Dean has shifted his focus from monsters."

"Not, not like humans, right?"

"Demons."

"Okay." Sam ran a hand through his hair, taking a breath. "Getting the idea it's worse than just casting them out."

"He has been killing the hosts. I believe he feels that it saves them the pain of remembering what was done in the body when they are alone once again."

"Isn't that kind of what you guys did already, maybe not for the human benefit."

Castiel released he was shifting in his seat, uncomfortable and Sam's full focus was on him now.

"How many?"

"From my understanding, at least a dozen a day now."

"Christ." Sam hit the steering wheel, already aware that Michael would simply increase the numbers more and more until he ran out of the twisted souls on earth and his attention shifted to something else. "Is that why he doesn't come, because of what's in me?"

"Sam."

"Don't." Sam's voice was soft, lost, and Castiel moved closer to him, placing a hand on his shoulder, disliking how the man flinched.

"What was done to you was not your fault. Our brother knows this. I believe he is keeping his distance because he does not wish to harm you."

Sam shook his head. "And with me gone, then Lucifer is a sitting target, at least that's what Luci thinks, right?"

"Yes."

Castiel let his hand fall back to his lap, unsure of himself as Sam ran a hand through his hair. He was prepared if Sam turned the car around and went back to Singer's to try to safeguard Lucifer, to keep his brother from doing something there may be no return from. Instead, Sam just leaned a little against the door, defeated.

"Anything else I should know about?"

Pausing again, he knew his hesitation was being picked up on as Sam let out a low sound, something like a laugh caught in sorrow.

"Spite it out, Cas."

"When Father removed Raphael from heaven he spoke to the Choir." Castiel felt himself swallow, a strange human thing, as Sam's focus was instantly on him. "Of the things he said was that Michael was to be honored and remained the Viceroy of Heaven."

"Does Dean know?"

"We do not believe, in his condition, he was capable of hearing. Gabriel thought –"

"Screw Gabriel!" Sam's hand hit the steering wheel again, this time hard enough that there could be a injury as Castiel grabbed him. "He needs to know. Either you tell him on our way out to this place or I tell him when we get there, but he needs to know."

"Alright, Sam."

Gently, he took the man's hand, turning it over, already sensing that there was a bruise forming deep in the tissue. A soft press and he used it as an excuse to let Sam have some of his grace, to soothe his soul as well as his body.

"Cas, I'm sorry –"

"We are both worn. I am unsure if he will believe us."

"He needs to know, even if he's too stubborn to take our word for it."

Castiel did agree with Sam as he let go of his hand. Michael should know he had a home just as Gabriel was probably correct in his estimation that Michael would not accept it as such. Somewhere out on this earth was a lost archangel, one who had torn himself asunder and had reformed only to suffer all over again.

He stayed close to Sam as the car was restarted, a haunting reminder to both of Dean. Dean has loved this car, put his soul into it, one of the few things he ever owned, and being in here was still stifling to him without his brother. He imagined that it was worse for Sam who had grown up in it.

As Sam drove on, the sun light on them, bright and warm, Castiel began to mentally prepare his prayer to his brother.

~x~

Sam's voice was quiet now. It had been that way for weeks and Michael was unsurprised that it was almost a strain to hear the majority of the prayer that had come to him from his human brother a few hours ago. Something about Father having spoken about him, telling heaven to accept him as is.

He let out a bitter laugh, not feeling the cold wind on him, a corpse at his feet that he was still debating on moving so at least the family of the human could have closure.

Dear old Dad, apparently big on the abandoning part towards him, came for the rest. Simply took Raphi away to not have to face his big consequences of what he had done to their brothers. Lucifer, while suffering, was free and had shacked up with his family. Gabriel off flouncing around doing Gabriel things and ignoring him, though Dean was still keenly aware that his brother may still half-heartedly try to come for him when he used his grace.

But for him, nope, it was left to be torn apart from grief, then reborn broken to start the whole damn play over again. Thanks, Dad, don't want what you're giving out.

Sam – Sam's voice echoed in him, loud and clear and positively distressed and Dean pushed off without thinking.

He had wanted to remain cloaked but that idea was lost as he came to the room, some little run-down place that was the Winchester Family special. Only this one was torn apart, furniture knocked over, the mattress on the bed pushed half off. Sam was bleeding, panting, and half-conscious and he realized the other name his brother was trying to say.

"Sam."

Those eyes were glazing over but Michael didn't miss the fright in them, the look of fear that death had come and he crouched down.

"They took him – they were here for him."

"Who?"

"Cas. It was demons. Only a few at first and then –" Sam coughed, spitting up a little blood and Michael reached out, not missing how Sam flinched when he touched him to heal.

"Castiel is a Seraph now, Sam. He would be hard to contain for a few black-eyed minions."

A head shake, Sam looking clearer. "No, something else happened, they picked on me to get his attention, and then there was light and he was –"

Michael put his hand to Sam's head again, looking for the memory he wanted. Through the boy's limited vision that was exactly what happened, which meant something more powerful was stirring. With a limited presence on earth from heaven and Crowley's big take over that caused mixed opinions in the lower depths, he was unsurprised over violence. No, what bothered him was that Sam would be a better target for those seeking power or some sort of barter than an angel of the choir.

Sam was staring at him like he was about to go off the deep end and Dean shook himself out, realizing this was the first time he'd been around Sam for a long time.

"Come on, you big lug, going take you back to Bobby's," he said, helping his brother up. "Whatcha two doing out here?"

"Haunting," Sam murmured, looking around the room like Cas's body would have escaped his notice. "Just for a break."

"Grab your bag. Good. Going to feel a bit weird."

He opened his wings, gathering his brother and the car parked outside, depositing the latter outside of Bobby's and the former in Bobby's study, relieved he hadn't accidentally reversed that. His eyes took in Lucifer on the couch, under a blanket, looking completely at home.

"What the blue hell happened? Sam, are you alright?"

Sam was answering but it wasn't important as a very old rage uncoiled within him. Lucifer's blue eyes, as cold as his being, widened and Michael was close to trying to draw his blade, simply end this right now. It was the essence of what he was, the first commands, drive back the dark and protect all life if it was worthy. Even if Lucifer wasn't directly behind this, something he had created was and he long ago forfeited his right to –

"Dean."

Sam had moved into his field of vision, blocking out his view of his fallen brother and Dean blinked a moment, aware that Sam had placed a hand on his shoulder. It pained him that Sam looked like he might die, that he would ever do anything that wasn't in his brother's best interest.

It was gut-wrenching that his little brother was once again afraid of him.

"Cas is pretty big now, bigger than when he got tangled up in this. Not a whole lot out there that could just up and drag him off. I'll see what I can find out."

"Okay." Sam looked uncertain, letting his hand fall and Dean took in Bobby who had a strange look on his face, expressing something he couldn't name.

He opened his wings and took flight, knowing that it was wise to leave while he still had some control, Sam's pain palatable in the air. He knew Sam didn't want to see him like this, what he wanted was Castiel and he would find that stubborn little angel and bring him back to his brother, it was one of the few things he could offer Sam, perhaps better offered to him in the heavenly planes instead of going through endless heartbreak on earth. If he had simply taken Sam to heaven, then both of them would be safe.

The dark humor that he may finally be forced to contact Gabriel was not lost on him as he flew, looking for the next demon to not only vanquish now but strip information out of. Michael smiled in expectation.