Michael knew, if he wasn't careful about this, that this situation could very, very easily spiral into something dangerous, and violent, and quite possibly bloody. So it was taking almost everything he had to keep himself in control for the most part, not wanting to completely overpower Adam, but wanting to be able to stop him if he made a move for Dean. The lack of emotion on the demon's end was more concerning than anything, and the archangel genuinely wished he had enough juice to be able to teleport, because he wanted to get Adam the hell out of there. Forget Dean - what this might be doing to Adam, emotionally, was worse than anything.

He took another step back when the anger finally began to flare - but he hesitated in his retreat, not wanting to back into the barrier and cause Adam any more harm. The demon simply continued to stare at his brother, almost willing the anger to return at full force, while Michael, himself, was praying, internally, that he would be able to keep his cool long enough for them to leave. He didn't want to deprive Adam of justice, but he also didn't want Adam to end up doing anything that he might end up regretting later. Hating himself for, even.

"I knew it was only a matter of time before…" Dean's voice drew Michael from his thoughts, and Adam visibly shook as his brother spoke. Something hot and heavy was weighing down on their chest from the demon's end, something close to the anger he was used to, but somehow deeper than that. It was something hurt, as well as pissed, and the demon withdrew a bit as they both acknowledged this. Dean scrutinized them carefully, his expression guarded, silent.

Michael hated that - not being able to tell what someone else was feeling. Granted, after spending so much time with Adam, it was usually as easy as simply being able to feel it himself; He couldn't do that, with Dean. He didn't know what the hunter was thinking. What he might be about to do, or say, or what emotions were driving him at that point.

It was frustrating.

Finally, Adam worked up the nerve to step forward; Dean tensed the second they moved, and Michael inhaled sharply as he fought to steady them again, pushing Adam back a little and taking a few steps away to distance them again. "No…" He started, quiet and soothing.

Dean's eyebrows furrowed, uncomprehending. Michael grimaced a little, jaw clicking slightly as they set their jaw, and the archangel let his gaze flicker briefly to Dean's before he ripped it away again. Adam was silent, surprisingly and yet unsurprisingly - on one end, Michael had expected some extreme profanity from the demon. And on the other… Adam most likely had more to do than he had to say when it came to the Winchesters.

"You son of a bitch…" Adam finally mumbled, seeming reluctant to do so. His voice was steady enough, but Michael could still feel the hurt, angry, fire pulsing at the surface, ready to break loose at one wrong move from any of them. "You son of a bitch," the demon repeated, teeth clenching together as their eyes rose to Dean's once more. "I oughta rip you limb from limb."

Dean didn't move, not an inch - Michael almost admired his bravery - but his face drained completely of whatever color was left, and his mouth twisted, muscles in his jaw tensing. He opened his mouth, but the second he did, that rush of anger finally seemed to flare up.

"Adam-" Michael groaned, fighting back a snarl as the demon attempted to push his way forward, ready to lunge for the hunter. The archangel stumbled back as far as possible, reaching backwards slightly to feel for the barrier so he didn't back into it completely. Dean's expression seemed to change, considerably, at the sound of Adam's name - something both the archangel and the demon seemed to notice, but it didn't seem to be enough to stifle the latter's fury.

"Adam?" Dean demanded, his tone suddenly a little stronger, a little braver. He even dared a step forward, and Michael's defense crumbled briefly as Adam made another attempt at shoving him down, anger rising rapidly. "Adam- hey- are you in there? Can you hear me?"

The struggles quieted for a second, and Michael hesitated, but didn't falter, just in case the demon tried to take him by surprise. The fury seemed to be growing with each passing second, each word Dean spoke - but, thankfully, the hunter's question stifled the demon's fight for control as they just stared at him, disbelieving on Adam's end and worried on Michael's.

"What the hell are you doing to him?" Dean seethed, grip tightening even further on the shotgun. He braved yet another step forward, and Michael flinched, tensing - but Adam was still, now, silent, watching. "Adam," the hunter tried again, locking eyes with them briefly, searching. "Adam, it's Dean."

The realization hit them both at the same time, and Adam recoiled, letting Michael take the rest of whatever control he'd had left. The archangel paused, glancing away from Dean for a second; A retreat was the last thing he'd expected from Adam's end, considering how angry he had been - and how angry he still was. But there was something else, now, something that Michael couldn't quite place. Disbelief, almost, but stronger.

Because, of course, Dean would think that Adam was in some kind of trouble. Still stuck with Michael, trapped beyond his own control. The thought made the archangel's stomach twist uncomfortably - and something cold and defensive rose up in their chest in response, Adam's unspoken, irritated way of reassuring the archangel that he was exactly where he wanted to be.

Finally, the archangel forced himself to respond, letting some of his defense slip just a little. Adam didn't make a grab for the control, simply staying still and silent, watching and listening. "He knows… who you are," Michael said carefully, and Dean's eyes narrowed slightly. "I'm not doing anything to him-"

"Yeah? Why the hell should I believe you, asshole?" Dean snarled. Michael paused, blinking at the hunter. In any other situation, he might have snapped back - but he didn't even get angry at the interruption, the blatant disrespect. If anything, some part of him was almost aching for it.

Unfortunately, that was one of the strings, for Adam, and Dean had just cut it. The demon rose up, pushing Michael down in the process - somewhat unintentionally in his haste to retake control - and before the archangel could react, the demon was storming forward. "Hey," he growled, ignoring Michael's internal protests as he scrambled to reign Adam back in. "Nobody calls Michael an asshole but me, you-"

"Adam- Adam- Stop-" Michael cautioned, cutting off whatever Adam was about to say - Michael would have bet anything that it would be more profanity - and reeling them backwards a few steps. Dean, to his credit, hadn't even moved, but his pupils had shrunk considerably in size and he was now staring at them as if they had grown a second head.

With one last snarl, Adam relented, but he didn't surrender the rest of his control. Michael hesitated, but ultimately allowed it; As long as he wasn't actively trying to rip Dean apart limb from limb, as he had threatened, then there was nothing wrong with it - mind you, he stayed cautious. The demon did continue, though, spitting at Dean, "fuckin' dick…"

Now that the realization had seemingly set in, Dean looked even more bewildered. "Adam?"

"In the flesh," Adam sneered, and Michael fell silent, glancing at Dean as the two interacted. The demon's anger hadn't faded a bit, but he didn't seem particularly murderous. Besides, maybe talking things out with Dean would do them some good - provided, Adam actually listened- "Shut up, Michael."

"I didn't say anything," Michael protested right back, and Dean visibly hesitated, looking them over carefully. He looked even more confused, now, the two of them talking back and forth to each other from the same mouth - so the archangel made a mental note to keep his responses to Adam internal, as much as he possibly could. He hadn't really considered the idea that they pretty much looked like one person just talking to himself…

"How are you- what…" Dean took a deep breath, holding it for a good few seconds, before letting it out slowly. Michael turned his focus back to the hunter, while Adam's had never quite left. "You're okay, with…" The hunter gestured slightly.

"What, with Michael?" Adam finished scathingly, eyes narrowing to slits at his brother. "Oh, sure. At least, that is to say, I don't want to rip his throat out." A snarl built in their throat, and Michael rose up a little bit more, fully prepared to take control again. "You, on the other hand…" The demon let his words trail off, but their lips twitched, curling back slightly as Adam bared their teeth at the hunter, finally causing Dean to step back - more out of surprise than fear.

"What did I do?" Dean demanded, genuine confusion written across his face. Adam stilled, and Michael decided that this was as good a time as any to strengthen his grip just a little bit, because that question, if nothing else, would most certainly be enough to set him off.

"What did you do?" Adam hissed, maintaining enough control to respond, himself. Michael was just relieved he seemed to have enough sense not to try to move forward, even now, but he could tell that the demon was still close enough. "What did you do? You left me in Hell!"

It was Dean's turn to stiffen, now. The confusion fizzled out, replaced by guilt - finally, an emotion Michael could actually register, and understand. For a moment, he almost sympathized with the hunter - but, regardless, he stood by Adam. It was wrong, how the Winchesters had done him, leaving him to rot like that. But this wasn't about how he felt toward them; It was about how Adam felt toward them. And, if he wasn't so worried that Adam might end up regretting doing so later on, Michael honestly would have let him pulverize them.

"Listen…" Dean finally lowered the shotgun completely, as if the threat had passed - Michael snorted, internally, because it most certainly hadn't. The archangel could hold Adam off for now, sure, but he still wasn't exactly at full strength. If Adam wanted to, badly enough, he could overpower the archangel with ease, with enough of a fight. "I'm sorry, I really-"

"Sorry?" Adam echoed, his voice raising slightly now as his fury grew. Michael grimaced, anxiety bubbling in his chest as he struggled to keep a hold on the demon. Dean really sucked at this… "You- You and your brother left me to rot in Hell for ten fucking years and you're just sorry?"

"Me and Sam- we tried, man, we did," Dean insisted, raising one hand slightly, almost defensively. He stepped forward, just a little bit. But, to Michael's surprise, it was Adam who pulled them back, taking a few steps back, away from Dean, as his glare sharpened.

"You didn't try hard enough, did you?" The demon hissed, and the anger gave away to that hurt, fiery feeling again. Michael frowned a little bit, exhaling. He couldn't even imagine the emotional toll this was taking on Adam. He knew that the demon was angry, obviously enough, but aside from that - the hurt, the betrayal. Michael couldn't even handle it, and he was practically experiencing it second-hand. "You gave up, didn't you? You wouldn't have given up if it was Sam." Adam quieted, just for a second. "You didn't give up when it was Sam."

The guilt flickering through Dean's eyes intensified, and through that small, spark of sympathy, Michael almost thought good. Good, because of all the pain that he had inflicted on Adam, intentionally or otherwise. "I know, I can't make any excuses-"

"You're damn right you can't," Adam growled.

"-but I'm sorry," Dean insisted, searching their eyes carefully. They narrowed, in response, but Adam didn't say anything else. "I really am."

Silence. The demon was quiet, now, to Michael's surprise. Even more surprising, was the fact that he was actually thinking Dean's words over, replaying them in their head, silent and considering as he stared at his brother. Michael struggled to keep his own thoughts silent, knowing that the demon just needed this moment, needed a second to get his own thoughts together, his feelings.

And then, finally, slowly, astonishingly, the anger fizzled out, bit by bit. But it was replaced, in an instant, by that building pressure on their chest, the burning, aching, pain. No anger, just pure pain, almost suffocating. Michael shuddered a little bit - or maybe it was Adam, even he didn't know - as the demon finally just shook their head and looked away from Dean. "It doesn't matter. Lucifer was right," the demon mumbled, almost to himself. "I'm blood. Not family."

Dean hesitated, opening his mouth to respond, but he couldn't seem to figure out anything else to say, because he snapped it shut almost as soon as he opened it, looking away, himself. Michael kept silent, at least until Adam suddenly retreated, retracting the rest of his control and retreating back into their mind, somewhat hesitantly, almost unsure.

"Adam…" Michael mumbled, and Dean's eyes flickered up at once, eyebrows raising slightly. He seemed to be on the defensive, now that Michael was the one speaking; Hell, he even raised the shotgun again - as if rock salt was going to do much against an archangel, really now - and took a few steps back, as if to counter his earlier approach. Michael just sighed a little, short and strained, and glanced up at Dean carefully. "He'll come around… probably."

"Uh huh." Dean studied him skeptically, cold and guarded once more, and Michael stifled another sigh. He hadn't even interacted with the hunter that much - despite the fact that Dean had been created, specifically, for him. To be his true vessel-

A familiar rush of anxiety hit him, from Adam's side, as the thought crossed his mind. As much as Michael wanted to retreat with the demon, he knew he had to deal with the hunter first.

-but, anyway, despite their short interactions, there was something deeper, simmering on the surface, of how Dean was acting towards him now. Something close to fear, not just the wariness he had displayed slightly during their short talks. Michael's eyes narrowed faintly, considering that, and let his gaze flicker back up to Dean for a moment as he studied the hunter.

A part of him considered asking him about Lucifer, but the archangel refrained from doing so, just in case they were already on the hunt for his brother. Even if Lucifer was the cause of Hell's gates suddenly coming open - maybe there was a logical reason, a good explanation on his brother's behalf. Michael wasn't sure, he wasn't sure of much these days, but he knew he wanted to, at least, give Lucifer half a chance. Benefit of the doubt. Hear him out, before he turned against him. He had made that mistake once, and it had cost him - literally - everything. But, with that in mind, he had to wonder what the hunter did know…

"Dean?"

Ah, that voice was familiar. Michael looked up, as Dean turned his head, but kept himself facing the archangel, still not quite trusting him - not that Michael didn't understand - as a vaguely familiar face came into view. Sam Winchester. The hunter had his mouth open, shotgun in hand, ready to say more to his brother - only to stop short, wide-eyed, as his hazel eyes focused on Michael.

There was a flicker, a rush of fury from Adam, before it disappeared again. The demon stayed back, still just lingering in the back of their mind, probably back in their safe place. Michael relaxed, glad to know that he wouldn't have to keep the demon back again, but concerned by the distance he was keeping, now, the pain swirling in his chest.

His attention was drawn from both brothers, however, when another figure emerged. This one was more easily recognizable - not the vessel, but the true form of the angel who had followed the taller hunter out. Like Sam, Castiel visibly stiffened the second he saw Michael, and, like Sam, he only stared, blue eyes wide, alarm written across his face.

Michael inhaled slowly, glancing between them. Ultimately, however, his gaze settled on Castiel. His brother; One of the many siblings he had let down, in more ways than one. The archangel grimaced, taking a step back - just to show them all that he truly meant no harm - and raised his hands in a half-placating, half-defensive gesture.

Clearly, explanations were required on both ends…

Fuck.