Chapter 22: Happiness Is Free
Gabriel sighed as he woke to the feeling of being nearly smothered by the two six foot tall bodies that were in bed with him. He sighed happily and wiggled a little bit getting a bit more comfortable. Sam nuzzled into his hair and Lucifer's arms tightened around the both of them. It was nice. The past six months were like a dream that he never wanted to wake from. His family was happy and he had finally mated with Sam with Lucifer giving his blessing for their union, much the way he had when Dean and Castiel had mated. It was nice.
"Stop thinking so loud Gabby. You'll wake Sam." Lucifer muttered, burying his face into the back of his brother's neck.
"Sorry Luci. Just can't believe how lucky I am." Gabriel said with a smile. "I woke up to two hunks in my bed. How can I not be happy?"
"You can be happy and asleep."
"It's time to get up anyway." Sam muttered sleepily. "I'm hungry."
"I'll cook for you Sammich. Just let me get dressed."
"Then I guess-"
Lucifer was cut off as Gabriel sat up suddenly his eyes wide. "Do... Do you hear that?"
Sam cocked his head a bit, listening. "What? I don't hear anything?"
Gabriel managed to wiggle out of the bed and pulled on a pair of jeans to cover his nudity. "I can hear Father."
"What?" Lucifer asked. "Are you sure?"
"No Luci, I just decided to prank you the minute I woke up!"
Sam chuckled and climbed out of bed to join his mate and began pulling on his clothes. "Easy Gabe. It's fine."
"No it's not fine." Gabriel said. "Why the hell is he showing up now?"
Lucifer got up from the bed and reached out and carefully rubbed his younger brother's back, avoiding the still angry red scars from the angel cutting off one set of wings. "Maybe he wants to talk."
"Then I'm a drag queen."
"Well you are a queen." Lucifer said.
"Yeah. A drama queen." Sam said with a smile. "You going to put on some more clothes?"
"No." Gabriel said. "I want him gone."
Lucifer sighed and Sam tossed the archangel his jeans. Lucifer quickly pulled them on and pulled on a button up shirt and ignored the buttons in favor of going after Gabriel, who was already out the door. Lucky enough Sam was quicker and headed the younger angel off at the stairs. The last thing they needed was for the Fourth Born to explode on God.
"Just hold on Gabe. Before you decide to be all smite happy at least let's hear him out." Sam said softly, pulling the angel close to his chest.
"He's not alone either. Seems like Michael is with him. I can feel his Grace." Lucifer said softly.
Gabriel suddenly turned to look at Lucifer. "He won't touch you Lucifer. I promise. Just stay near Sam okay?"
The blonde nodded and suddenly Castiel was standing at the top of the stairs. "Chuck and Michael are here. They've asked to speak with all of us. Dean wants to throw Michael out if you'll let him Gabriel. They are in the living room."
Gabriel nodded and he let out a shaky sigh and his illusion flickered for a moment, revealing his scars, something that tended to happen anymore when he got really uneasy.
Sam however was frowning. "Chuck is here? But I thought you said God was here."
Gabriel and Lucifer both turned to look at Sam with a look that clearly said that the two didn't think the hunter was fully awake. Sam's face was confused before realization lit it up. The hunter's jaw dropped and shock widened his green eyes. Lucifer chuckled at the reaction and Castiel looked confused.
"Is something wrong Sam?" Castiel asked.
"He's fine. Tell Dean not to throw them out just yet." Gabriel said. "We'll be right down."
Sam waited until Castiel was gone before round on his mate. "Chuck? Chuck is God?"
"Yeah. Wasn't sure how to tell you." Gabriel said, the illusion flickering again.
"Gabby do us all a favor and drop the illusion for now okay?" Lucifer said. "You're just wasting your energy trying to keep it steady. It'll be easier to put it back up later when you feel up to it. Might as well make then as uncomfortable as we are."
Gabriel nodded and turned away from them and dropped the illusion. Sam grabbed the angel and pulled him back around and kissed him soundly, gently running his fingers over the scars. Gabriel tensed but soon relaxed under the gentle touch. It had taken a while but Sam had gotten his mate to accept the scars and was even allowed to touch them. To Sam they weren't the horrors that Gabriel saw them as, but as a symbol of how strong his mate was to survive something so terrible.
Sam pulled back from the kiss leaving Gabriel to whine. "What did I tell you? You are beautiful, scars or not, and I love you."
Gabriel flushed and nodded and Sam took both angels by the hand and led them down the stairs. They were met with the strange sight of Castiel sitting on Dean's lap. The hunter was glaring at Michael, who was sitting on the couch with a black eye. Chuck was sitting at the other end of the couch peacefully watching but he was still a bit tense. Sitting at his feet was a bundle wrapped in white clothe. When the three entered the room Chuck looked up and graced them with a blinding smile. Michael looked up and his blue eyes locked on Lucifer, who stayed behind Sam. Gabriel ignored both Chuck and Michael in favor of checking on the bond mates.
"You two okay?" Gabriel asked softly.
"Yeah. I'm fine." Dean said. "I just lost my temper."
"I can see that. Did you break anything?"
"Cas healed me. I'm fine." Dean said. "Now that they've seen you can I throw them out?"
Gabriel turned to glance at the two. "No. Not yet. I promised Sam food."
Dean let out a growl. "I don't like it."
"I'm making bacon and sausage." The blonde said with a smile.
The brunette let out a defeated sigh. "Fine. They can stay till after breakfast."
Gabriel and Lucifer ducked into the kitchen to start cooking, followed closely by Castiel, leaving the brothers alone. Michael stood and turned towards the kitchen and both Sam and Dean glared at him. Michael flushed and returned to his seat, but his gaze was locked on the kitchen. Chuck started laughing and shook his head, he never expected that an archangel would be afraid of angering a human. It didn't take long until the smell of food filled the house.
Castiel poked his head out of the kitchen and turned to Chuck and Michael. "Coffee, tea, or hot chocolate? Gabriel wants to know."
"Coffee. Black." Michael said softly.
"Hot chocolate sounds good." Chuck said. "With marshmallows if you have them."
Castiel nodded. "I'll ask." He said as ducked back into the kitchen.
There was a muffled 'What does he take me for?' followed by a laugh. Dean shook his head knowing that Gabriel had been insulted by the prophet's request. Sam let out a chuckle and shook his head. Sweets of any kind were a staple in the house these days with both Gabriel and Lucifer having a sweet tooth, though the Devil's was far less pronounced then his Trickster brother's. There was a snap and a large round table appeared. A second snap had the food spread out over it with plates and drinks.
Gabriel came in followed but Lucifer and Castiel. Dean took a seat with Castiel next to him. Lucifer took a seat next to Castiel and Sam took a further seat away leaving a space for Gabriel to sit next to them. Michael sat next to Sam only after Dean glared at the angel so hard he flinched, leaving Chuck to take the last open seat.
Breakfast was quite, something that was unusual. Most of the time it was loud, with many stories being told, hunts being decided on, and general horseplay. With the addition of Michael, things were tense. Especially with what happened with the Second and Fourth Born. Luckily enough it was over very quickly and once everything was cleaned up some comfortable chairs were summoned. Dean and Castiel had a cushy loveseat while Gabriel, Sam, and Lucifer had a nice plush couch with the youngest archangel in the middle of them.
Chuck gave them a smile. "I am very happy to see that you three have found happiness."
"Thank you." Castiel said. "I like to think that God knew what he was doing when he commanded me to pull Dean from hell. That he knew Dean would be my mate."
"And you would be right." Chuck said.
The mated couple frowned, confused.
"Enough." Gabriel said sharply. "You came here for a reason otherwise you wouldn't have spoken to me before you got here. You called my name."
"I did. I wanted to give you some warning in case you wanted to leave." Chuck said. "I know that when we last spoke we didn't part on the best terms."
"I cut my wings off and threw them at your feet because your other children are too close minded to think for themselves because you abandoned them for so long." Gabriel said, causing most of the room to flinch and Sam and Lucifer to reach out and take the angel's hands. "I didn't think I'd see you again after the way I spoke to you. I figured that at the very least I'd be Exiled and cut off from the Host like Castiel was. Or maybe thrown into a Cage like Lucifer was. That kind of thing seems to happen a lot when you stand up to your Father."
Chuck frowned. "You're right. About everything Gabriel. Everything you said to me was true."
"Tell me something I don't know."
"Gabe." Sam warned. "Please."
Gabriel sighed. "You're right. Sorry. Please continue."
"I guess even archangels bow to the Winchesters now."
Castiel bristled at that. "We don't bow to them. We are not their slaves. We are their friends, their family, their lovers. We are honored to have people like them who are willing to trust us with their love. It's not something that is easily given and to receive it is worth more then then anything any world or plain has to offer."
Chuck smiled and his eyes lit up. "I'm glad you feel that way. I'm proud of you."
Castiel's confused face came back and Gabriel shook his head. "Just ignore him Cassie. He can be a dick."
"Gabriel." Michael growled out.
"Michael." Chuck snapped. "What did I tell you?"
The First Born flushed. "I apologize."
Dean watched with wide eyes. "Wow...What kind of mojo do you have going there Chuck?"
"None." The prophet admitted. "Michael is just like you. He always listened to his Father."
Dean was about to say something when the realization of what he was being told sunk in. "The fuck? You're God?!"
Chuck turned to look at Gabriel and Lucifer. "You didn't tell them who I was?"
"Didn't seem important." Gabriel said. "Just like we weren't important when you ran off."
God let out a sigh. "I know this is difficult but you did tell me to find you here when we were ready to apologize right?"
"I also didn't think I'd be getting one." The Fourth Born said.
"I know you're still mad at me but I have come to make my apologies if you'll be willing to hear me out." Chuck said.
"I am willing on one condition." Gabriel said. "Just tell me why Michael had to come."
Chuck looked at Michael, who in turn, looked at the ground before softly speaking. "Can my answer wait until the end please?"
The blonde frowned, seeing the stone gray sadness and bile green regret mixing with sapphire colored sorrow; whatever was going on with Michael, it was hurting him badly. "Alright."
Michael seemed slightly relieved and Chuck spoke up again. "I want you let you you know that you were right about everything and I would like to say that I am sorry. I should have put a stop to what was happening but I did need you to learn how to be strong and live in a world without me in it. So I have stepped back up and have taken over leadership of heaven once more. Things are in order and running smoothly and with Michael at my side we have restored heaven back to the way it was and dealt with those that were corrupting it. Because you spoke the truth and stood up for what you believe, heaven is back in order and it is once more the place you remember. I even brought back a few angels that I know the Winchesters would have like to have back."
Gabriel nodded. "Thank you."
"You, along with Lucifer and Castiel, are allowed to return to heaven whenever you like. Any missions you get, should you want them, will only come from myself or Michael. Heaven is open to all of you so you can visit anyone who has passed away should you want to." Chuck said. "I hope that this will be a good start to an apology. Anything else you want or need don't hesitate to ask."
Gabriel was silent for several long moments before nodding. "It's a start. It will take time but I think we can work towards having a stable relationship again. I made a promise to Sam that I wold give this a chance. So yes. Yes. I am willing to forgive you."
Chuck smiled and before anyone could blink, he was hugging Gabriel and thanking him for the second chance. The blonde hugged him back, as did Lucifer before Chuck moved away. He stood and moved away and stood in the doorway by the kitchen. He turned and nodded to Michael. The First Born seemed to steel himself and stood. He walked over to Lucifer and held out a small box.
Lucifer seemed shocked. "Michael?"
"I'm sorry Luc." Michael said softly. "I never meant to hurt you and I had no right to treat you the way I did or to hit you. All I can do is apologize and make you a promise. I love you Lucifer Morningstar but I don't deserve you. You deserve someone who makes you happy and treats you with respect and gives you everything your heart desires."
"I don't understand." Lucifer said softly, taking the box.
"This was going to be... It was going to be my courting gift to you." Michael admitted. "Now it's nothing more then a promise to never again come into your life. I hope you find someone who loves you the way that Gabriel does. Goodbye Luc. I'm sorry."
Just like that there was a rustling and Michael was gone leaving Chuck standing there with a look of sadness. Lucifer frowned and opened the box. Sitting inside the box was an ornately designed bracelet made of platinum with blue diamonds surrounding a single eggshell white feather that was sealed in a large solid diamond. Lucifer stared at the bracelet in shock before closing the lid and vanishing.
"Should we go after him?" Sam asked.
"Not this time." Chuck said. "Michael and Lucifer have to work this out on their own. While they are doing that I do believe I have something that belongs to you Gabriel." Chuck unwrapped the bundle he had brought with him to reveal a set of golden wings. "How about we put these back where they belong so you can fly properly again? And maybe while we're at it, see about getting rid of those scars."
If Chuck had bothered to look up from where he was unwrapping those golden wings, he would have seen the look of pure joy and happiness that crossed the Fourth Born's face.
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Lucifer cursed as he searched high and low for Michael. He had searched every nook and cranny of heaven, even both of their personal areas, which Lucifer was surprised to see that his still existed. When it was clear that the First Born wasn't there he left and began searching earth. That turned out to be a wild goose chase as well but as he stood at the top of Mount Everest watching the stars go by a sudden thought occurred to him and it made his heart freeze in his chest. Surely there was no way, no reason, for Michael to go there, but it made more sense the longer he thought about it. It was the last place they had been where their relationship was the least volatile.
Lucifer spread his white wings and steeled himself. This was not going to be pleasant. This was the last place he wanted to be. So many bad memories. He landed in hell and stumbled, nearly falling to the ground as he was hit with a wave of panic that he tried to suppress. Looking around he found out that he had been right. Michael was in hell, standing at the foot of the Cage staring into it. Michael's wings shifted a bit but other then that the First Born didn't acknowledge that Lucifer was even there.
"Michael?"
The First Born sighed and hung his head a bit. "Go home Luc. We've said all we needed to say to each other. Go back to Sam and Gabriel. Be happy."
Lucifer held out the box. "Why did you give this to me?"
"I told you. It's a promise. After my fight with Gabriel I realized that he was right about everything. I also realized that no matter what our Father says, that I don't deserve you. Not after hitting you. Or hitting Gabriel for that matter. That was when I decided that I would make sure not to hurt either of you ever again. I gave you a physical promise since I know my actions say otherwise. I didn't think you'd chase me down though." Michael said. "Please just go home. You'll never have to see me again. I know how to disappear when I want to."
"What if I don't want you to?" Lucifer said softly.
Michael turned to face him. "I can't imagine why you'd want to be around me after everything that I've done to you."
Lucifer shrugged and took a shaky step closer, his fear of being so close to the Cage growing with every step. "Mike, I know that you didn't mean to hit me. Gabby told me about the spells that were on you. I forgave you for what happened. When Gabby went after you...I thought for sure that he'd killed you for what happened. That thought scared me more then anything. Please...I've waited this long for a chance to be with you. Please don't abandon me now."
"Luc I don't think-"
"You asked me once if you had pushed me too far to forgive you right?" Lucifer asked, not caring that he was now visibly shaking, being only a few steps away from the Cage. "I never gave you an answer. Well the answer is no. No you haven't pushed me too far. Despite everything that's happened between us I still love you. I would love to be your mate if you'll still have me."
Michael frowned and stepped closer pulling the Devil into his arms. "Luc you're shaking."
"I don't want to be here." He whispered. "I don't want to go back in the Cage."
"Then why did you come?"
"I came because I love you."
Michael closed his eyes. Those were the words that he had wanted to hear for so long. Funny how it had to take him losing everything, being willing to walk away and never seeing Lucifer again in order to hear them. Michael tightened his grip on his younger brother and spread his wings and they reappeared in his area of heaven laying on his bed. Lucifer didn't seem to notice the change so Michael placed a gentle kiss on the top of that blonde head, savoring what he could before it was gone again.
"Luc? It's fine. Look. We're not in hell anymore." Michael said softly.
"I know." Lucifer sighed.
"You okay? If not then you can take all the time you need. I'll take you back to Gabriel and Sam whenever you're ready." Michael said, pleased that his voice didn't crack.
"What...What if I don't want to go back to them?" Lucifer asked, looked up and locking his blue eyes with Michael's. "What if I want to stay with the one that I want to be my mate?"
"I think that your mate would be very happy to hear that." Michael said softly. "Your mate is a very lucky angel."
"Yes. Yes you are." Lucifer said leaning up and locking their lips together.
Michael let out a moan as he responded to the kiss. The two fumbled for a minute before breaking the kiss. Michael took the box from Lucifer and opened it. With a smile he carefully placed the bracelet on Lucifer's left wrist, watching as a blinding smile lit up the Morningstar's face. Their lips met again in a gentle kiss before the broke apart, laying down once more.
SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Chuck paused and titled his head making Gabriel look at him questioningly as he paused in stretching his newly re-attached wings.
"Dad? Everything okay?"
Chuck nodded. "Yup. All of my children are happy again. I couldn't have asked for anything more."
