Here We Go Again
Today was meant to be a lazy day for the Winchesters. The sun was out and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. The only thing making it a bad day was the angel currently sitting in Bobby's lap. They were all out by the lake, enjoying the warmth of the sky while Balthazar sat in Bobby's lap whimpering softly, Custos licking his fingers. He had woken up complaining about a tummy ache that morning. Dean had given the angel some medicine and Sam had checked the angel's temperature, but nothing seemed wrong. They had offered to stay indoors with him for the day, but Balthazar had insisted that the fresh air might help. They all knew he just didn't want to ruin everyone else's day.
Dean and Sam sat on the dock with Cas and Gabe, feeding some bread to the ducks, thinking that it was the best way to keep the two angels silent while their brother rested in Bobby's arms. Dean handed a chunk of bread to Cas and Gabe, watching the ducks swallow up the bread as the angels threw the pieced when something weird happened. Out of nowhere a sharp crack of lightning hit the boat bobbing against the dock, sending splinters of wood everywhere. Dean and Sam quickly threw themselves over Castiel and Gabriel to protect them from the explosion of would.
"What the hell…" Sam's voice died as Bobby suddenly started shouting. The four glanced over to the chair Bobby had been rocking Balthazar on to see a miniature storm brewing around the hunter and angel. Balthy was clutching at his head, shaking in Bobby's hold as the hunter tried to calm him down, but the storm only grew stronger. The Winchester's shot up, grabbing the angels and rushing towards Balthazar, Bobby, and their hellhound puppy. Kevin and Charlie rushed over too from where they had been hanging up laundry. Balthy let out a loud whimper and air swept at the brothers, pushing them away when they got too close. The two shared a terrified look and Gabriel struggled to get closer to his brother.
"Balthy, can you look at me?" he asked. Balthazar shook his head, pulling at his hair tighter. Gabe stared worriedly at his brother. "Come on, Balthy, please?" Whimpering softly, Balthy looked up and everyone gasped. His eyes were glowing a blue-white light.
"Is that…"
"His grace," Cas gasped. Bobby got up to his feet then, rocking Balthazar gently in attempt to calm the angel. They had gone through this before and they knew exactly how crazy things got when an angel with a maturing grace got upset. Dean pinched the bridge of his nose as he watched Balthazar's body pulse with light.
"Here we go again," the hunter grumbled. "We barely survived the last time one of you guys hit puberty." Gabe glared at Dean and the hunter quickly muttered an apology. Gabe then turned his gaze back to Balthazar and reached out to his brother, rubbing Balthy's back gently. "I thought Michael said Cas and Balthy's wouldn't be like yours, Gabe? He's still sprouting a fucking thunderstorm," Dean commented.
"It's not as large as mine was," Gabe replied, continuing to comfort Balthy. "We need help," Gabe stated, looking to the brothers. Dean glanced over at his brother and Sam nodded, looking to the sky. The younger Winchester sent out a quick prayer to any angel he could think of and with a flutter of wings two angels appeared between Dean, Charlie, and Kevin. One was Lucifer and another the group hadn't seen before.
"Hannah!" Castiel cried, running to his sister and flying into her arms for a hug. She smiled at him, brushing her fingers through his feathers.
"Hello, Castiel," she said with a small smile before looking to Dean. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Dean. I've heard a lot about you when working with Cas." Dean glanced down at the little angel currently in Hannah's arms to see Cas blushing a bright pink. He didn't even try to hide the smile.
"What can I say," Dean teased. "Cas is a fan." Hannah chuckled and adjusted Castiel in her arms. When Balthazar let out another whimper her face instantly fell. "I apologies for any wait. Michael couldn't make it and had me come down with Lucifer instead."
"I don't need a babysitter," Luci grumbled, reminding Dean of the angels when they got grumpy.
"You do until Michael believes he can trust you," Hannah commented, setting Cas back down on the ground and walking over to Balthazar. "Hey, Brother," she whispered softly, reaching out and taking Balthy away from Bobby.
"H…help me, Hannah!" Balthy hiccupped. "It w…won't stop!" Hannah hushed her little brother softly, bouncing up and down as she tried to calm him. Lucifer stepped forward, wiping away the tears building up in the angel's eyes.
"We'll help, Balt. I promise," Lucifer stated, pressing his hand against Balthazar's forehead and closing his eyes. "Just focus your Grace on something." Balthazar shook his head, unable to focus. The storm crashed around him harder, startling the others when a bolt of lightning cracked loudly. Lucifer opened his eyes looking the angel in the eye. "Focus your Grace on me then," he ordered. Balthazar gasped in fear, shaking his head frantically and trying to pull away from his brother. Luci smiled, kissing the top of Balthazar's head. "It'll be alright, Balt. I promise I won't let anything happen." Hesitantly, Balthazar closed his eyes. The storm grew for a moment and Balthazar started to glow brighter.
"Close your eyes!" Hannah ordered and everyone did as ordered until the light faded. When they opened their eyes Balthazar was leaning against Hannah's shoulder, breathing heavily. Lucifer smiled at his little brother.
"See, everything's okay," he reassured his brother. Balthazar looked him over a few times before mirroring Lucifer's smile.
"It over now?" Cas asked. Lucifer lifted Castiel up into his arms, shaking his head.
"No, your brother's grace will be a little touchy for a while, but it won't be as destructive as Gabriel's was. The most damage he could probably cause right now is some broken glass," Lucifer stated. Relieved looks passed over the Winchesters' faces. Broken glass was way better than hurricanes in their house.
"He'll have to practice of course, but I'm sure Gabe will help him with that," Hannah said, looking to Gabriel. The archangel nodded and Balthazar shared a thankful smile with his brother. Hannah looked down at the little angel in her arms and smiled. "Let's get you to bed," she said softly, walking towards the house. The others followed her inside, going to the living room while she zapped to the bedroom. Lucifer sat down on the couch with Castiel and Gabriel joined him. Lucifer was tapping Castiel's forehead, brows scrunched in concentration.
"Uh, what are you doing?" Dean asked, sitting down on the armchair. Lucifer didn't glance up at the hunter. Instead he continued to…do whatever it was he was doing.
"Checking how his grace is developing," Lucifer stated, dropping his hand away from Cas and looking to Dean. "Don't worry. It won't be for a long while yet." Cas let out an annoyed little huff and poked at his wings.
"Why not now?" Cas grumbled, lip sticking out in a pout. Lucifer laughed at his brother, ruffling Castiel's hair.
"You're too little yet. I doubt the Winchesters want to deal with two angels with maturing grace's at the same time." Cas shrugged and went back to playing with his feathers. Kevin cleared his throat then, making himself known in the room.
"So how do angel grace's work actually?" he asked. Lucifer thought for a moment.
"Well…" Lucifer paused, trying to keep it as simple as possible. "At their ages their grace' can do a lot before wearing them out. They can create and hide things with ease at this age and as they get older they will be able to hold their spells out for much longer. Like hiding their wings for example." Lucifer turned his eyes to Gabriel. "Gabe, hide yours and your brother's wings for a second alright?" Lucifer requested. Gabe nodded and in a moment Cas' wings and Gabe's vanished. "Gabe should be able to keep this up for a couple of hours. With Balthazar being new to this he'll only be able to let them last a few minutes, but when they get older they could keep the spell going for years," Lucifer explained. "The same goes with creating things."
"So the older the angels get and the more practice they receive the easier it will be for them and the longer they can make their spells last," Charlie summed up. Lucifer nodded, looking up when Hannah entered the room.
"How is he?" he asked. Hannah smiled.
"Fine. He's out like a light," she chuckled, reaching out and picking Castiel up off of Lucifer while Gabriel snuggled into Lucifer's lap. Luci smiled at Gabriel and let out a small chuckle.
"Boy, I miss these days," the archangel sighed, playing with Gabriel's feathers. "It was all so easy then." A sad expression mixed with determination flowed across Lucifer's face and the Winchesters silently wondered what the angel was thinking about.
"They're so cute as babies!" Hannah cooed, pinching at Cas' cheek to annoy the little angel. Cas whined, batting at his sister's hands, but she was faster than him. The smile returned to Lucifer's lips and he let out a hearty laugh.
"If you think they're cute you should have seen Michael!" Luci laughed. "We used to call him the pudgiest angel in the garrison. He'd get so mad his wings would puff up and –"
"Your one to talk, Brother," Michael grumbled as he zapped onto the other side of the couch, a grouchy expression on his face. Lucifer laughed at him and the Winchesters could have sworn they could see Michael's lips threatening to turn upwards into a happy smile. Michael looked away from Lucifer and glanced around at his younger brothers, frowning when he only counted two. "Where's Balthazar?" Michael questioned, voice suddenly sounding a little nervous.
"He's in his room resting. Lucifer took care of him," Hannah reassured the archangel. Lucifer gave her a thankful smile and then turned his head to see Michael's reaction. Michael was staring upwards, head resting against the couch and eyes distant as he locked himself into his thoughts.
"You did well, Lucifer," Michael finally stated. Lucifer smiled a little at his brother.
"Thanks –"
"No, I mean it, Luci," Michael but in, turning his full attention to his brother. "You've changed, Brother. Ever since you saw these three you've been different. You've protected them and our other siblings. I…" Michael trailed off. "I have something for you." Michael stood from the couch and everyone watched in confusion as Michael pulled out his angel blade and sliced it across his palm. "You have regained not only Heaven's but also my trust and as payment I release you from your sentence." Michael held out his angel blade to Lucifer and the archangel stared at it with wide, unbelieving eyes.
"I…I…you really…"
"Just except it before I change my mind," Michael grumbled, pushing the blade into Lucifer's hands. Lucifer stared at the blade for a long while before slitting open his own palm with it and taking Michael's bleeding hand in his. Their graces and blood melded together, creating the ultimate blood oath and their skin quickly heeled. The two brothers pulled back their hands and Michael nodded.
"You are free of all charges now, Brother. The pit is no longer your home. As always, you belong in Heaven." Lucifer smiled up at his brother.
"Thank you," he whispered. Michael nodded and zapped out of the room. Leaving the stunned party alone. Dean shook his head, walking to the liquor cabinet.
"I think I need a drink," he moaned. "Anybody else?" Everyone other than Cas and Gabe raised their hands and Dean got to filling the glasses. Just as he was about to take a sip of his own it disappeared and reappeared in the hands of a smirking silver winged angel by the doorway. "Goddamn it, Balthazar!" Dean shouted, reaching for the angel. Balthazar jumped out of Dean's reach and ran to Lucifer, jumping into his brother's arms next to Gabriel.
"Hehe…What I miss?" the angel asked, lifting the drink to his lips. Lucifer waved a hand over the drink, instantly turning the alcohol into apple juice. Balthazar glared at the juice in his hand. "Bugger." Sam let out a laugh, refilling Dean's drink and walking over to the angel on Lucifer's lap.
"Looks like you're feeling better," the younger Winchester chuckled, watching as Balthazar grudgingly drank his juice. "Still, you need to rest." Sam was about to pick Balthazar up, but Balthazar's arms wrapped around the middle angel tightly. Sam stared at him with wide eyes for a moment and Lucfier simply smiled.
"I'll do it," he stated, getting to his feet and walking towards the doorway while cradling Balthazar.
"Awe, Luci, I feel better. Honest!" Balthazar whined, pouting as Lucifer carried him upstairs. Sam tapped Gabriel and Cas then, pointing after Lucifer and Balthazar.
"Maybe you two should go take a nap with Balthy just to keep him company," Sam offered. The two nodded and rushed after their brothers, catching up to them on the stares. Lucifer smiled on entering the angels' bedroom, clearly impressed with it. He walked over to the bed by the wall and set Balthazar down, watching as Gabriel and Castiel cuddled up next to their brother. Lucifer sighed, laying down next to the three and letting his wings manifest. He draped the giant wings around himself and his baby brothers protectively, pulling them close.
"What are you going to do now, Luci?" Gabe asked suddenly. Lucifer frowned, giving his brother a questioning look. "Now that you're pardoned from your crimes," Gabe clarified. Balthazar's eyes shot open at that a look of surprised on his face, but it instantly changed to one of pain when his head started to throb. A blast of lightning sounded outside and Lucifer gently rubbed Balthazar's back, trying to calm the angel down again. He smiled as his brother relaxed and felt himself relaxing too.
"Well…" Lucifer hummed, using his free hand to poke Gabriel's nose and the Cas'. "Look after my brothers I suppose," Luci stated with a giant grin. "I wasn't there for any of you back then, but now I have the chance to making it right. I promise that I will do everything in my power to protect you and our brothers," Lucifer promised, pulling his brothers to his chest and hugging them gently. The angels smiled in his hold, slowly drifting into a pleasant sleep. Lucifer kissed them each on the head. "I promise…" he whispered. "I'll never abandon you three again." His brother's nuzzled closer to him, tiny fists pulling him closer.
"Love you," the three whispered sleepily. Lucifer closed his eyes, envisioning a future with just him and all of his brothers and sisters together and happy.
"Love you too," he whispered back, completely oblivious to Michael and the others watching in Heaven. As he watched his brother look after the three angels all worries of releasing Lucifer dwindled away.
2 angel graces down and one to go! Sadly that won't be for a long while yet. Cas is a slow grower XD