Lucifer wanted to scream. He wanted to scream loud and long because he couldn't get Cas back. Because there was an animalistic instinct possessing his younger brother who he loved. He stood in the darkness as the trees cried out, singing a song of mourning and of pain.
He dropped to knees. "Gabe," he whispered as he brother moved next to him.
"Lucifer."
"He's gone," Lucifer said numbly. "Gabriel, he's gone."
He felt a hand on his shoulder. "We'll get him back."
"You don't know that."
"But I know you, and Dean. And I know that you won't sit idly by while Cas is here and I know that Dean will never stop looking if he loves Cas even half as much as I think he does."
Lucifer nodded. "But it may be impossible to restore his humanity."
"We will find away. Don't doubt us."
"Not for a second. Is Dean alright?"
"He's shaken but alright. Sam's with him," Gabe said.
"You sure?"
"Positive."
Lucifer relaxed and another voice came from nearby. "We have to go," Asmodei said. "We must search for him."
"Asmodei," Lucifer said. "Are you not worried for him?"
Gabe made a noise as if to defend Asmodei but Asmodei shushed him. "I'm terrified," he said. "Don't think I'm not."
"Hey," came Sam's voice. "Come on." He switched on a flashlight, flooding the area with bright yellow light. Lucifer could see Dean, a single shining tear track on his cheek, his face pale.
"Dean," he said. "How are you?"
Dean furrowed his brow at this unexpected show of concern. "I'm fine," he told him. The disbelief was etched across the Archangel's face.
"Right." Lucifer nodded, not believing a word Dean said. "The fastest way to find him is to split up. But that's also the most dangerous way, what with what ever the Hells lurking out here. Stay together."
Gabriel nodded. "A wise decision my brother. We need people watching from all directions. Everyone takes a light."
Dean took three more from his pocket, handing one to each Angel. "Be careful with them," he warned. "If the light flickers or goes out we're dead." He moved uncertainly and nervously around. Asmodei approached him.
"You realized something," he said slowly. "Or at least saw something. What aren't you telling us?"
Dean shivered as he remembered the once blue eyes staring down at him, now blood red. He hesitated, not wanting to speak of it. But these Angels were Cas's brothers and if Sam was where Cas was, Dean would want to know. "He had red eyes," Dean said, forcing the words out from behind gritted teeth. "His entire eye, whites and all, and it looked...chunky? Like blood almost."
Asmodei swore in Enochcian. "That's not good," he said. "I do not know what that means but I do know it is bad."
"No shit," Sam muttered, throwing a glance at Dean. "Nothing here's good."
Dean was pale. "Yeah. Um, let's go that way." He pointed to his left, where Cas had run off. "He took my knife."
"Be careful then," Sam warned. "Stay behind me. Without a weapon whatever's out there is more likely to go after you."
Dean shook his head. "That's not happening. You Sam, you are staying behind the Angels. Safest place."
Sam threw up his hands in exasperation. "We're in freaking Eden, Dean! We are not arguing about this! None of us are safe, you might be a better hunter but I have a weapon and I'm physically bigger than you. We also know that if Cas turned, if his humanity's gone then you're the prime target."
"How do you know?" Dean asked, genuinely curious. "I didn't know that."
"You idiot!" Lucifer exclaimed. "It's obvious! He's in love with you, or he was before, but Eden twists and distorts. You are a threat to his stone hearted facade, you alone could break through to him because you also love him. He might not know that much but he is aware of his feelings for you and he knows you pose a threat because he- in some twisted, animalistic part of him- likes the power. He's nearly invincible but you, Dean, you are his Achilles Heal."
Dean swallowed, cast his eyes to the ground. "You're sure?"
"I am."
Silence descended. All eyes, all lights were trained on Dean, waiting for him to speak and when he finally did Sam felt his heart sign in relief.
"Fine," Dean said. "If I'm his weak spot then you told me I have to stay safe and I will. One condition; something's happening out there that can potentially threaten a mortal life, Sam and I change places."
"No!" Sam protested. "You're Cas's only chance."
Dean raised his eyes to Sam's. "It comes down to you or him, it's always going to be you."
Gabriel sarcastically applauded. "Touching you two, real touching. Can we please focus on finding my brother now? Sam just agree."
Sam didn't argue again. "Fine," he agreed unhappily, sending a sharp glance at Gabriel.
Asmodei nudged Gabriel and smiled at him. He lowered his voice to barely a whisper "They remind me of you and Cas back before everything..."
"Before everything went to shit?" Gabriel finished, tone equal.
Asmodei nodded. "Right," he said loudly. "Let's go find Cas."
AN: Okay guys, we're close to a reunion- a proper one! Hope you like this chapter!
