Michael's stomach lurched once at the sound of his brother's name, and then everything stilled.
Adam was silent. Michael could feel the disbelief radiating from him, but that small gleam of hope was burning even brighter in the demon now. It wasn't quite joy - to be truthful, Michael had never felt actual, real joy coming from the demon. He insisted that he just didn't have the capacity, but Michael disagreed - after so long, being trapped, Adam just didn't have many reasons to feel joy, is all. And he'd probably long forgotten what it felt like by now. But this, this was definitely close, and once Michael's shock subsided, it hit him just as fiercely.
A part of him couldn't believe it, the fact that his brother had been right there, oh-so close, and he hadn't even known it. He should have been able to tell… Was he really that weak? The archangel almost faltered, but Adam pushed through it, irritation rising faintly toward Michael, an internal insistence that he hadn't known, either.
"Lucifer…" Michael mumbled after a moment, wide eyes flickering across his brother's face. Well, not quite his brother's, but you get the point. Lucifer's lips twitched ever so slightly in response, but he seemed more smug than anything, somewhat triumphant, even. The Devil leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest, adjusting the sunglasses slightly and turning his head to the side, toward Gabriel, who had moved forward beside him.
"Speechless, the both of 'em. What'd I tell you?"
Gabriel only rolled his eyes, clearly not in the mood for the Devil's antics, at all. Michael only continued to stare, eventually scooting them forward a little on the bed - he didn't dare try standing, because even that small movement made his wings hurt - to get a closer look. Lucifer shifted back just a little bit, but otherwise, he didn't move, his head turning back toward Michael.
After a moment, though, a smile broke across their face from Michael's end, only to instantly turn into a grin from Adam, who finally spoke up. "I knew you were too stubborn to die."
"Shut up," Lucifer chuckled, "you believed I was dead just as much as Micha did." Gabriel's eyes narrowed faintly, watching them. He flashed confused looks in Michael and Adam's direction every time one of them spoke, unable to really figure out which one was talking, but Lucifer didn't miss a beat. "And, technically, I did die."
"Yeah, technically, but, I mean, you're not dead, so-" Adam cut off, abrupt. There was a long, long pause, before the grin slowly began to melt off of their face, and Michael frowned even deeper when he realized that something else was radiating from the demon now, something familiar - betrayal. "... you lied."
The smile vanished from Lucifer's face in an instant. "No, I didn't."
Michael was silent, now, completely torn. He knew how much integrity meant to Adam - how much lying pissed him off. When he deemed someone a liar, his trust in them was broken. And that had been a trait he'd had even as a human - it had only gotten worse after the angels, and then with what happened with Sam and Dean, even the smallest, white lie was considered unforgivable. Michael suspected it might be part of the reason he was so content with sharing a body with the archangel, too - Michael literally couldn't lie to him, not that he would anyway. The demon was literally inside his head.
And this… this was bad, because Adam had trusted Lucifer. He had trusted him a lot, and even Adam could admit that. They didn't always have the best relationship - I mean, hell, Lucifer had tortured the demon in the Cage. But after that, after the Transformation, they had seemed to bond. They got on each other's nerves, annoyed one another to death, but it was… well, to be completely honest, Michael had always found it somewhat adorable. They argued like brothers.
Michael would know…
"Yes… you did," Adam said slowly, fingers digging slightly into the cot beneath him and Michael as he leaned their head back, eyes never once moving from Lucifer. "You told us you were dead. You said that. Yourself. How is that not lying?"
"I told you that the Lucifer you were searching for was dead, Adam," the Devil responded smoothly. "And I didn't lie. That Lucifer is long gone." He shrugged his shoulders and turned away, heading back over to the desk. "Oh, and I told you I was a demon - which, I mean, technically, I'm considered the ruler of demons, so…"
Adam didn't relax, but he didn't say anything else. Michael took the chance to speak up again, a little bit quieter, and much less accusing than the demon had been. "... but why didn't you tell us before, Luci?" The archangel asked slowly, his eyes tracking his brother. That part, he didn't quite understand. If Lucifer knew they were searching for him, then why hadn't he spoken up sooner? Why had he let them believe he really was dead, when he wasn't?
Lucifer paused, pursing his lips and leaning over the desk, facing them with a half-thoughtful, half-guarded expression. "Ehh… confidentiality, y'know." He gestured slightly. "I wasn't technically supposed to tell anybody. But then Gabriel was starting to figure it out, since he's strong enough to see my true form even with the warning that B- Iiiii'm under, and, uh, yeah, I should've been a little more careful with the nicknames around you." He shrugged at Michael. "My bad. Don't think it'll change too much, though…"
Gabriel narrowed his eyes, moving over to sit beside Michael and Adam. They tensed up at once, from the demon's end, and Adam spared the other archangel a wary, irritated look before they focused their attention on Lucifer again. "Change too much of what?" Unlike Michael, Gabriel's tone was straight-out accusing, ready to call the Devil out. "Your next evil scheme?"
Lucifer let out a low sigh. "Jeez, if I had eyes, I'd be rolling them…" He muttered under his breath, folding his hands together and leaning back once again. "Also, like I said. Confidentiality. I can't tell you guys more than you already know, so." He spread his hands out, then folded them again, shrugging once more. "Sorry."
"What the hell do you mean-" Adam started, just as accusing, but in a different kind of way; While Gabriel just seemed convinced Lucifer had something bad up his sleeve, and was planning something… well, Devilish, Adam just seemed more irritated over the fact that Lucifer wasn't willing to at least tell the two of them about whatever the hell was going on. Michael cut in swiftly, cutting the demon off easily and speaking up, himself.
"-you can't tell us?" Michael softened their tone as much as possible, glancing to the side for a moment and offering a small frown. "Gently, Adam…"
"Shut up, asshole…"
Gabriel leaned away from them ever so slightly, looking a mix of confused and unnerved, and Lucifer's lips tugged upwards the slightest bit, rolling his head a little on his shoulders and reaching up to crack his neck with a sigh. "I mean… well, about what it sounds like, y'know. I can't. I would, but, uh, no. Too risky. At least right now."
"We already know who you are," Adam grumbled, frustrated, but he didn't sound as spiteful now - there was still some betrayal lingering under the surface, and genuine confusion, but for the most part he just seemed… hurt. Hurt and annoyed. "What else is so important that you can't tell us?"
"I gotta admit, Adam," Lucifer spoke thoughtfully, tilting his head to one side. "I kinda like it when you're jealous." At this, the demon's irritation rose even further, shooting the Devil a deep glare. Michael only sighed and closed their eyes for a moment, shaking their head a little bit. Gabriel had long fallen silent, but his gaze was focused on Lucifer, clear distrust in his eyes still.
"The fact that you're around the Winchesters isn't a good sign," he muttered, eyes narrowing ever so slightly. "Who killed you? One of them, right?"
"Dean," Lucifer responded smoothly, but both Michael and Adam noticed his head twitched toward them, just for a split second, before he had turned his attention back to Gabriel. In response, the archangel snorted out a sarcastic-sounding laugh and nodded.
"Right, and you're here for revenge, aren't you." Gabriel arched his eyebrows at the Devil, and Michael frowned a little bit, opening his mouth slightly as if to speak - only for Adam to snap it shut again for them, shushing him internally.
Don't, this is getting good.
Lucifer huffed out a laugh. "Mm, not for that, not against the Winchesters, no," he responded, then paused, letting out an irritated little huff and shaking his head. "Listen. G. Micha. Adam. It's out of my hands. So just wait it out, calm your tits, and be patient." He inclined his head toward Gabriel as he spoke next, eyebrows furrowing as the smile melted off of his face. "And keep quiet, would you? I know these two won't have any problems keeping it a secret- right?"
"Yes," Michael agreed instantly, and Adam let out an irritated sigh, but he seemed to agree. Lucifer hummed, focusing his attention back on Gabriel.
"But you, on the other hand, I'm worried about." Lucifer arched an eyebrow and crossed his arms over his chest, only to drop them at once, instead pressing his hands against the desk as he leaned forward with a hum. "I can't tell you much, Gabriel, but I can tell you that it is very, very important that you keep your mouth shut. The more the Winchesters know, the more dangerous it'll be. You three knowing is already going to make things harder."
"So you want me to lie to the Winchesters about something that could, quite possibly, get everyone killed, for you?" Gabriel asked dryly, raising an eyebrow at his brother. The archangel was practically radiating skepticism, as well as disbelief. "Lucifer, Lucifer, Lucifer, how stupid do you think I am, exactly?"
"Stupid enough, if you want me to answer that question honestly," Lucifer said idly. "And, who the hell said anything about people getting killed? Brother," the Devil sighed, leaning forward over the desk. "I pose no threat to the Winchesters. Not this time, at least. Maybe after this is all taken care of, sure, but now? I just want what everyone else wants."
"And what's that?" Gabriel snorted.
"The end of the end of the world." Lucifer gave a one-shouldered shrug, leaning back again. "I mean, I haven't killed anybody yet, have I?"
"Yet?" Michael spoke up tentatively, and Adam let out a few snickers internally. Lucifer's head twitched in his older brother's direction, and a slight grin cracked across his face before his attention was redirected back to Gabriel, smug once more.
"Only the best intentions now. Scout's honor."
Gabriel just stared at him, clearly unconvinced. Finally, the archangel just cleared his throat, shook his head, and pushed himself to stand. "Yeah, well, no. Sorry, Lucifer, but you've caused too much trouble in the past, and you've given me no reason to trust you now. I meant it when I said you were incapable of changing, brother." He narrowed his eyes at the Devil. "And if you really think I'm going to keep this kind of information from them so that you can play '101 ways to be a pain in the ass' again, maybe you're the mentally challenged one."
Lucifer was silent, but the smile on his face had vanished, and his eyebrows were furrowed together. He was completely still now, silent, as if frozen. Michael blinked at his younger brothers, hesitating slightly as he turned his head to watch Lucifer. He seemed genuinely upset at Gabriel's words, though, not the fact that his brother didn't trust him enough to keep his secret. Michael faltered, looking back toward Gabriel.
"... Gabriel…" The archangel started, somewhat hesitantly, as he turned his attention to his brother. Both of them turned to him, Lucifer looking intrigued and Gabriel looking curious - at least until he registered the slightly pleading expression that had crossed Michael's face.
"You've gotta be shitting me," the archangel uttered, eyes widening slightly in surprise as he stared at his older brother. Michael gave him a desperate look, sparing Lucifer a glance. "Michael, come on. This is Lucifer we're talking about. Lucifer? You know, master manipulator?" He emphasized, but Michael didn't falter.
"People change," Adam spoke after a moment, eyes narrowing slightly as he looked toward Lucifer. He was still pissed off, Michael could feel it, still irked that the Devil hadn't told them who he was all along, but he was still standing with them. Or, rather, with Michael, in all honesty. "Even complete and total douchebags who might not deserve to be given a chance," the demon added harshly, but Lucifer only smirked.
"Love you, too, Adam."
"Okay, seriously, go to Hell," Adam spat back in response, seething, already, just from that - a part of Michael wanted to laugh, but the rest of him was more focused on trying to calm down the fury simmering through the demon. "Point is-" Adam inhaled sharply, turning back to Gabriel. "He's your brother. Whatever he's done, you at least- at least…"
Silence.
"Oh, fuck me," Adam mumbled, and then he had retracted the last of his control. The sudden retreat brought a spark of panic to Michael's chest, unable to help but think back to how horribly, despairingly lost he had been before, when the demon had been sleeping. Before the anxiety could get the best of him, however, he heard a soft, internal sigh from Adam, half-irritation, half-concern. Halo. Calm your ass. I'm still here.
Michael hesitated, but, after a moment, he relaxed. Being in full control suddenly felt… well, it felt wrong, after what had happened, but the reassurance that Adam was still there, still talking, to him, at least, was enough to calm his nerves. The archangel shook his head a little and forced himself to focus on his brothers again, taking a deep breath and looking up. Gabriel was silent yet again, his gaze focused on Lucifer, but the Devil had redirected his own attention to start shuffling through the drawers of the desk, humming to himself.
Michael paused, his eyes straying toward Lucifer. Just before this, his chance to make things right with his brother had been completely, one-hundred percent impossible. But now that chance was back - and Lucifer seemed to be wanting a chance now, too. A chance for… something. But he seemed genuine - his promise that he meant no harm, the fact that he was there, helping the Winchesters, it seemed genuine enough, and… and Michael wanted to believe his brother. He needed to believe his brother.
Taking in a breath and holding it for a moment, Michael summoned whatever confidence he had left, turning his attention back to Gabriel. "I- I think we should give him the benefit of the doubt." He paused, steeling himself, as his younger brother's gaze flicked back to him. "I think we should try and trust him," the archangel added, his eyes darting back toward Lucifer. His brother had looked up, ever so silent now, mouth shut tightly, but his eyebrows pinched together.
"After everything…" Gabriel sighed, rolling his eyes toward the ceiling. "Why?"
Michael paused at that. Why? Hell, he didn't know. Even the archangel knew that his own guilt was influencing him here, but at the same time, it felt stronger than that. He wanted to give Lucifer a chance to prove himself, a chance to show that maybe he really had changed. After all, they'd been wrong about so much - about God, for instance. So maybe, just maybe, they were all wrong about Lucifer, too. But how were they supposed to know that if they didn't give him a chance?
"Because…" Michael ran his tongue over his lips, hesitant, then swallowed and looked up again, sparing Lucifer another glance. "Because somebody has to."
Well said, Adam sounded impressed, and Michael actually took a second to soak that in, because it was a rare occasion when Adam actually gave anyone a compliment, one that needed to be savored for as long as possible. The demon snorted a little despite himself, but he was silent now, and so Michael redirected his attention to his brothers.
Lucifer's expression didn't change much. His eyebrows twitched, but that was it. Gabriel, on the other hand, had seemed to visibly recoil at Michael's words, still staring at him in disbelief. They were all silent for a while, until, finally, the hostility flickering through Gabriel's eyes had faded, slowly shifting into an odd, thoughtful look, as he focused on the Devil once more.
"... Fine," the archangel finally agreed, pushing himself to stand. "I'll keep my mouth shut for now, Lucifer, but I swear, you give me one reason…" Gabriel trailed off, stepping toward the door. "I love you, brother, but I won't hesitate. Not about this." Not waiting for a response, he turned away from his brothers and left the room, shutting the door behind him firmly.
"Mm." Lucifer tilted his head, staring at the door, then slowly brought his attention back to Michael. After a moment, however, a small grin tugged at his lips. "Wow, Micha."
That, along with an internal chuckle from Adam, had a very faint smile forming on Michael's face despite himself, however bewildered he was. He spared his brother a glance, slowly relaxing onto the cot again, and slowly eased backwards into it a little more with a soft sigh, and a faint wince as a spark of pain shot through his wings. Regardless, he brushed it off. "What?" He tilted his head, and blinked when the internal laughter from Adam only intensified, and Lucifer's grin widened slightly as he shook his head, pushing himself away from the desk.
"Just didn't know you had that in you now, s'all," the Devil replied casually, stepping around the desk and taking a few steps toward Michael. The archangel let out a quiet hum of acknowledgement, and understanding. "Gabe said he was going to heal your wings," Lucifer added casually, staying still for a good few seconds before walking forward. "Guess he won't be too keen on doing that now. He's always been a bit stubborn, hm?"
Michael paused, eyes straying toward his wings. He hadn't been able to tuck them away, still in far too much pain to even consider moving them. "He'll come around," he muttered, albeit uncertainly. Adam offered an internal snort, and Michael raised his eyebrows, glancing away. "He will," he insisted, ignoring the demon's unspoken mmmmhm. "He's just… wary."
"And rightfully so." Lucifer leaned himself against the cot, tilting his head toward Michael. "Mm. Hey, Micha," he said suddenly, cocking his head even further. Michael immediately brought his gaze back to his younger brother, eyebrows furrowing. "You like kids?"
"Kids?" Michael stared at him, puzzled, and trying not to laugh at the internal groan that came from Adam at the mere mention of the word. "I mean…" He furrowed his eyebrows slightly. "I suppose I do. The young humans are adorable, at least. If not somewhat loud, but-" He cut off, with a gasp, and went completely still as Lucifer reached out while he was talking, and promptly closed one hand around the tip of one of Michael's wings, gripping tightly. "Ow-"
As soon as the word left his lips, however, the pain began to ebb away. The wing his brother was holding began to feel a lot less heavy, the sharper pains dulling away into smaller aches, and the archangel held his breath for a moment before letting it out slowly through clenched teeth, shaking a little from both the pain and the shock. Damn, Adam mumbled.
"Personally, I don't like human kids," Lucifer spoke casually, as if nothing had happened, and released Michael's wing with a hum. "But, then, I don't like any humans, so that's just a given. I did have a kid of my own, though, and he was half-human, so…"
Adam choked, and Michael paused, eyes going wide, and looked down at his brother in complete shock. "Wait a second, you what- OW!"
Lucifer just chuckled a little bit, his hand now clasped firmly around the other wing. Michael jolted a little, jerking against his old somewhat instinctively, but Lucifer held on tight enough so that the archangel couldn't get away. "You always were so easily distracted."
Michael just shook his head unable to respond until the pain had, once again, subsided. But, by then, Adam had decided that was as good a time as any to take control. He reeled them backwards once Lucifer had let Michael's wing go, nothing but absolute shock radiating from the demon. Not even a flicker of irritation, or anger, which was a shock in itself - he was completely, utterly stunned. Hell, both of them were. "You- you-"
"You had- a kid-?" Michael managed to spit out when the demon had proved incapable of speaking. The archangel had a little trouble getting the words out, himself, still trying to wrap his head around the idea of his brother being a father, to a Nephilim, and what the hell-
Lucifer nodded, crossing his arms and leaning back. "You miss a lot in captivity, man," he told them, looking serious despite the amusement lacing his words. Michael just opened and closed their mouth, while Adam was still trying to force out a coherent sentence, shock growing with every second. "I mean, I briefly became President, too. Oh. And God. I became God. Kind of."
"I…" Yeah, that was all Michael could say at the moment.
"Close your mouth, Micha. You'll attract more flies than usual." Lucifer paused and turned his head, briefly turning toward the door, and the smile on his face seemed to turn a little bit more smug as he turned back to Michael and Adam. "Well, I've probably got time for some stories. So, if you want-" He did a brief jazzhand motion with both hands, eyebrows raising, "I'd be happy to catch you up."
"Please," Adam finally choked out, while Michael nodded vigorously, eyes wide. "Jesus Christ."
"Jesus was a corrupt liar," Lucifer said dismissively, leaning back and tilting his head with a low, thoughtful hum. "Alright, now, then, let's see…"