Title: we discover ourselves inside the kingless kingdom
Disclaimer: not my characters; title from Denise Levertov
Warnings: takes place during 5.10
Pairings: none
Rating: PG
Wordcount: 245
Point of view: third
Prompt: Lucifer/Castiel: I want to be there when your hot black rage rips wide open
Lucifer studies him, this youngest of all his brothers, so sure and calm and still believing in Father while trapped by the Star of Morning.
Lucifer has stood where he stands and felt what he feels, and when he realized the truth, war broke out and angels were cast from the heavens to languish in the Pit.
Lucifer, though, can learn from his mistakes. Judging by the child before him, Father cannot. Father continues to do the same damn things, over and over, and now he has left. Gone elsewhere, leaving unprepared angels in charge, like that foolish Zachariah.
And Castiel has so much potential. So much pain, so much rage. Despair, pooling where his grace used to reside.
And soon enough… yes, Lucifer recognizes this child. He once was this child, except there was no one to guide him, no one who would dare stand beside him. He had followers, and he had enemies. Brothers who turned away, brothers who listened, but no one who was his equal. His only equal cast him low.
This child, Castiel, is not his equal. One day, perhaps, but not yet.
But when Castiel finally realizes what Lucifer learned so long ago, he will become a force to be reckoned with, stronger than anyone left in Lucifer's army, and Lucifer must have him on the correct side.
And so he is gentle with his brother, and plants the seed that will one day flower in his light.