Hell, 5th Circle- E.N.V.Y - Six Years Ago
Castiel fell through the portal from Greed in pain, clutching his heart. His eyes were shut tight, but the atmosphere still had the stink of decay and death. The momentum made him feeling like he was tumbling down a cliff made of jagged rock with each spike stabbing him in various places along his body, cutting his clothing, piercing his skin and making him bleed. He knew the reality of the situation. It was flat...and this was all in his head.
Dante came after him soundlessly. And stood above him. Castiel managed to open his eyes for the briefest second, catching a glimpse of the Fallen with his wings extended, standing before a crimson sky before Castiel's pain returned full force and it felt like poison was coating every vein, every cell. If this was death, then death needn't be so slow and drawn out, did it?
"Kill me," Castiel managed to beg. He knew Dante was there. He still had sense enough to feel it. "Kill me, please. Please, just kill me."
"I'm not going to kill you, Castiel," said Dante, kneeling down. "I know this is painful. I know that what you released is hurting you. But it was necessary evil. You have to understand this."
"Please. Please," Castiel pleaded, shutting his eyes again. "Please just end me."
"You love him," Dante mused in a slightly surprised voice, kneeling down next to Castiel and reaching out one finger to stroke his cheek. "You love him so much, it's causing you this pain. What you're feeling right now is despair...hopelessness..anger. All this, for a demon never worthy of the love of an angel wrought from heaven...Let him go, Castiel...It's the only way you can go on."
"I can't," Castiel whispered, barely audible. "I can't. I can't."
"Channel your anger. Focus. Your heart is a stubborn one, but not without strength," Dante implored. "Come on, Castiel. I would have never chosen you for this if I didn't believe you could handle it. You want to see Dean again, don't you? This is our only option."
"Why are you...doing this?" Castiel managed to say between labored breaths. "Do you intend...to do this to him...as well?"
"Do this? No...what I have in store for Dean is something far worse than what is happening to you...," said Dante on the pretense of gentility, cupping Castiel's chin so that he was forced to look at him. "I came to Dean in my time of need, long ago...instead of helping me, aiding me, he hardly recognized me for what I was and banished me to the ninth circle. I will not kill him, he's already dead. But I will break him, Castiel. I will break him and you are going to be with me. Every step of the way. If I have to tear your heart out a million times and one, I will."
"This was your plan along," Despite the agony he felt, Castiel smiled, but there was no humor or gladness in the notion. "You chose me...You chose me because you knew I could not deny you."
"I chose you because you are Dean's heart," Dante told him. "Quite simple, really. In order to break someone...why not start where it hurts? But your love runs deeper than I expected...But you will obey me. You will obey only me soon enough."
Dante raised a hand, curled his fingers. Castiel writhed in agony from pain beyond anything he could comprehend. His insides burned. His wings extended on reflex to curl around himself in a protective cocoon but even that failed. They weakly raised, hardly an inch before flattening underneath him. Blood began to blossom from his back, wetting his clothes, spreading across his wings where feathers tore off in a gust of wind fueled by Dante's show of power.
'You and me until the very end, Castiel...Until the very end," Dante whispered, leering down at Castiel. Castiel didn't want to look but he had no choice. Dante's dark eyes became swirls of grey in an endless abyss. Within them, he could see everything. Within him, the last of his resistance crumbled like dust.
And then the darkness encompassed.
Hell, 9th Circle - T.R.E.A.C.H.E.R.Y - Present Day
Castiel was not long behind Dante. The tallest...the only...structure was this massive castle that reminded him of the king's castle with subtle differences. It must have taken years to build, and there was less of a towering nuisance feel to it. It was decorated with the black and maroon symbols of the Fallen on the exterior. Sigils of various design...and some designs that Castiel recognized as ones meant to keep a foul presence out. That amused Castiel. The fact that Fallen found something more foul than themselves to fear. But he didn't have to know what they were keeping out. None of these symbols were meant to ward off demonkind. These were unique. He had never seen these before, and yet the meaning remained the same. These were for the shadowcrawler that John Winchester mentioned.
Indeed, the shadowcrawler must have been something to put the war between demon and Fallen to a halt. As long as Castiel had known it, the Fallen and demons had been at war. It certainly wasn't helped when the King at the time, Dean, had killed most of them in a fire during Lucifer's rise.
He wondered why the demon and Fallen were blind to John Winchester and his entourage. By default, the life force in a human soul was the most potent substance in the world...and yet no demon, Fallen nor shadowcrawler held an interest. Was it pure luck or mere indifference? Either way, John Winchester needed to consider himself lucky.
And yet there were few demons. Castiel, able to utilize his Will, could stretch out and sense that much. Less than five, for sure. And yet the land echoed with the ghosts of many. They had all been eradicated...which in this realm meant something different than simply death. John Winchester hadn't been wrong before. Death was merely absence of presence from one realm. Destruction was complete annihilation of the soul as well as body...and though Castiel could see no physical evidence of this genocide...it was obvious. It was in the ground where no doubt many bodies had once been, buried under with time. It was in the black and red skies above that didn't look promising. Shadowcrawler, leaving this part of the realm yet alone because it wasn't they were seeking.
Castiel was no fool. He knew what the shadowcrawler wanted. He knew who they answered to. They would not harm Fallen. They would not harm humans because there was only one being here that held a particular interest to them.
When Castiel entered the grand castle, he wasn't surprised to find that he wasn't very welcome. There were eyes in the darkness, watching his every move. Fallen in every corner. Roughly five hundred. They were the dominant species in this realm and yet powerless without their Will. Castiel wondered how they hadn't wiped out the demons themselves rather than leaving these shadowcrawler to it...but again, that really didn't require an answer. They were afraid.
He heard a sharp intake of breath and his eyes darted to the source. Merrick. He was on his knees, looking battered and beaten with several cuts on his face and more on his body where blades had run through, a signature of combat. Ten years and he hadn't changed. Much like the one he guarded, he was quick to rush into battle headfirst before assessing the situation...and it looked like it had gotten him into trouble...again. He was on his knees with two white suited Fallen holding his shoulders on either side to keep him in place. One was a red haired female and the other a blonde boy no younger than Sam.
They smiled at Castiel when he looked over, but Castiel gave no physical regard to his old "friend". If Merrick was ever his friend. He was the King's Guardian...or still was. He never got along with him. Merrick was a typical demon with no morals and a loud mouth. But he guarded Dean with his life, and in the end, he paid that price. By his presence here, it looked like his allegiance hadn't changed and wouldn't any time soon.
But him being here was a good indication of what was going on. He hadn't been killed, only hurt. Merrick was bait.
It was Lucifer who regarded Castiel first, sitting upon his "throne". He had likely built this castle himself with the help of his Fallen to replicate what he had lost. Not to mention, it provided protection from the shadowcrawler. Not that he needed it. The shadowcrawler had no interest in the Fallen. Fallen..Angels. They didn't possess souls.
"It seems this is a tourist location," said Lucifer with mild annoyance. But he tilted his head at Castiel. "Though I am surprised to see you, Castiel."
Dante was next to him, standing next to Lucifer's throne like a Guardian. Castiel knew better. Dante bowed to no one.
"Hello, Lucifer," said Castiel politely.
"The last time I looked upon you, you were beaten to a bloody pulp," Lucifer mused. He indicated Merrick. "Not far from resembling the dutiful Guardian over there."
Castiel smiled. "No thanks to you, brother."
"I see you've retained your insolent manner," Lucifer noted sourly. He turned to Dante. "Why did you bring this celestial here?"
"There are many things you don't see from behind the protection of four walls, Lucifer," said Dante lightly. "But I did not bring Castiel here. He came of his own free will."
Lucifer turned back to Castiel sharply, and a slow realization seemed to dawn upon him. "I see. Interesting. Dante, did you know Asmodeus came back from patrol today with Merrick? Have you...Have you met Merrick before?"
On the pretense of being very put out that they were not acquainted, Lucifer stood up and strode over to Merrick. There was nothing gentle about the way he dragged the demon forward by the hair and dropped him at the foot of the throne.
"The Prince's Guardian. Originally, I assigned Lilith to be the Prince's Guardian...but he later chose Merrick. I've always respected him. He had decent roots," Lucifer explained, circling around Merrick. "I never dreamed for one moment that he would turn on me. It is for that reason that he was killed in life, you see. Lilith and him. He chose the Prince over me."
"You have a jaded memory on the events of the past, my King," said Merrick scathingly.
"And you betrayed me," Lucifer countered. "However I do not begrudge you your decisions, Merrick. Asmodeus surely brought you to my side of the..realm...for a reason."
"My Lord," Asmodeus was quick to defend himself. "I brought him here for you. He is one of the last demons in this realm, minus the Prince and Lilith. You will be pleased to know that I believe this can end the pesky nuisance. A swift end to our little demon problem."
"Oh, you believe that, do you?" Lucifer mocked him. "Well, good for you. Shadowalker, do you hear this? Looks like your perfect plan of revenge is coming much easier than expected. All because Asmodeus here was so astute as to capture our new demon friend."
"What are you talking about?" Dante snapped impatiently.
"What do you think? You brought the biggest incentive here," Lucifer's lip curled and he walked back to his throne, slowly sitting back down, resting his cheek on his palm. His eyes twinkled in a strangely triumphant manner. A way a child would look if they had been given the greatest treat.
Dante glanced at Castiel, searching their surroundings with an apathetic look. There was something in his eyes that confirmed Lucifer's words. The dead look that the others had seen before...a strangely subtle black swirl within the irises.
"He's obedient," said Dante dismissively. "He will not betray me. He does not have the mind nor the power to do so. Besides...we are working towards the same aim, Castiel and I."
"For now...But what happens when he becomes aware of his actions of...your actions?" Lucifer leaned back in his seat. "If I should derive what I know of you...Your persistent desire for companionship hasn't changed. However, forcing company against their will...My, Dante, have you learned so little from me?"
"Coming from the angel who ripped a child from their parents' hands to make him Prince, that's high criticism, Lucifer," said Dante coldly. "I daresay I've learned from the best."
"We all have our demons...Hehe. No pun intended...but you...You should know better," Lucifer told him. "Merrick is a Guardian who's life is sacrifice. But Castiel. Tsk tsk, Dante. You disappoint me. My Prince may come here to establish a peaceful resolution in releasing Merrick and leave unscathed. He has that possibility and that capability...but for the angel?" Lucifer's voice dropped to a soft whisper. "He'll burn this entire realm to ash."
"You're wrong," Dante countered. "He sacrificed himself for the sake of mankind. A fool move to make as king of the underworld but he-"
"For mankind?" Lucifer laughed, the sound rich with amusement. "Really, boy. He didn't let himself rot in this prison for a thousand years for them. He did it for him."
Castiel looked over then. As if something had caught his attention at last. His eyes locked with Lucifer's. It was almost like Lucifer could see where Dante's grip on Castiel's mind started and where it was left. The angel still had his memory, still had enough of himself to recall what Lucifer was saying...
"I had you at the throat, celestial. I was going to rip your heart out and feed on your Grace until you became an imprint in my castle," Lucifer's smile twisted into an uncharacteristically ugly sneer. "and were it not for Dean, I would have done so, gladly. It was in my final moment in the first circle that I realized the depth of that sickening attachment. I have known sin and death..the corruption of all life since I was crowned. While you may walk like one of mine...utilize your power like mine...you will never be one of us."
Lucifer stood up then, and above all else he was. As he always was. The most beautiful angel. Once, perhaps the most dangerous. Upon first glance in this castle, Lucifer looked a shell of his former self, of his former glory. The rebellious son who had led all these angels into battle against Heaven and Earth. And yet when Lucifer stood, a flicker of that power he once held, came to light.
"Do you think so little of me, Shadowalker? I know what you seek," Lucifer spat, teeth clenching in rage. "I know what you're here for. You think to kill me with my sword? Put an end once and for all to the cold tyranny of Lucifer? You stupid child. You were always ambitious and I knew this. Where I come from, that's always a commendable attribute. But for you...Hahaha...You're an arrogant swine with a temper problem. I don't have my sword, child. You lose. You won't get my weapon, because I am not King...but don't worry. I expect you'll be seeing it soon enough when his hand clutches your head as a new monument for all those who oppose."
Dante's gaze could burn through steel. All the pretension gone. Almost immediately following Lucifer's proclamation, the Fallen Lucifer had gathered here over the years surrounded Castiel as though in threat. Castiel was barely distinguishable as a head above the crowd. All of them, the same angels that willingly followed Lucifer to battle. It was a threat, to be sure. They had been deprived of their bloodthirsty nature for too long.
"It's to your great misfortune that it is not that sword I require to end you," Dante whispered, drawing close. There was a brief, flash of steel before Dante plunged his blade into Lucifer's shoulder. Blood burst from the new wound, splashing Dante's face and running down Lucifer's arm in torrent, dripping onto the floor. He collapsed to his knees, legs failing to support his proud stance any longer.
"Dean was weak. He could never kill you so he opted to entrap you here instead. But he is not an innocent soul in this realm, just like everyone else. You cannot enter Treachery without force or without betraying something yourself. This is my game board, Lucifer...and you're going to play by my rules," Dante dug the sword deep into Lucifer's shoulder until Lucifer swayed dangerously to his side. He let go then, walked around him, ignored the panic-stricken faces of the Fallen looking his way.
Dante raised a hand towards them and a flood of black vapor poured in from the ceiling. It was hot like fire and smelled like pure sulfur. The smoke surrounded them, penetrated them without cause until the Fallen were no longer seen through the massive cloud of black. Castiel stepped away, watched them panic, cry out each other's names. Something was affecting their minds, making them see things. He heard desperate pleas for release, cries for help and aid as they struggled to fight off what they could not see.
The screams reached a deafening note. Even Castiel could not stomach it, he turned away...He didn't know why he wasn't affected, why the shadowcrawler were not destroying him. But he realized, looking at Dante, that Dante had full control of these creatures. They had no form for now. It was a shapeless mass that consumed...and when it began to dissipate, Castiel saw for his own eyes, the creatures that Dante had created. Shadowcrawler, different perhaps in that they still had the wings of Fallen, as shadowy and transparent as the rest of their "bodies." The shadowcrawler with their gleaming white eyes, leered at Merrick, Castiel and Dante before scattering, disappearing into the darkness between tall pillars.
"How could you ever hope to know the threat you faced, when you have never walked the dark places of all realms? I have walked the path of the exile for years. My own King turned on me and cast me down here just as he did you. And yet in these final moments you show him the utmost loyalty. Why is that? You still regard Dean as your greatest success, Lucifer?"
"I certainly don't regard you as mine," said Lucifer steadily. "You're a leech, Dante. And no matter what you do, no matter what you try. You are and always will be...nothing to everyone who comes in contact with you."
Dante's lower lip twitched. Merrick, watching from not far, still bound by the wrists could only guess what would happen next. Dante came up behind Lucifer like an assassin, pulled his head back and raised his sword to the angel's throat. From the distance, Merrick could see it had a strange snake-like design going down from the hilt to the tip. Merrick had defied everything Lucifer stood for to die for Dean. Even though he died before Lucifer rose again, he would have never followed him. He never loved Lucifer. The ideals Lucifer had were twisted and selfish, meant only to serve his own purpose. And yet even now, he could not watch him die. Not like this. Not by him.
Perhaps he should have warned him in some way. Perhaps said something...but there was nothing to be done when Dante's stroke fell. He closed his eyes, only heard the sound of flesh being cut. Centuries living in the hell realms, centuries seeing sights that should have been considered physically impossible, too grotesque for a decent viewership...and he couldn't look when Lucifer died. He certainly deserved it and much worse, but that didn't mean he had to look at it as it happened.
And so fell, the proudest of them all.
Castiel stepped forward, apparently unfazed unlike Merrick. He regarded Lucifer's dead body with some distaste before coming to a stop in front of the throne where he addressed Dante. "What do we do now?"
Before Dante could answer him, Lucifer's body took on a strange white glow. That wasn't unheard of. Angels usually marked the ground with wings after dying...and their Will usually went to the one who killed them. Lucifer was a grand exception to that rule. When he "died" the first time, his power went to Dean, his successor. It was a trait reserved for the royal-class demon of their kind.
But this light shot towards the ceiling in a bright beacon, cutting through the roof and making contact with the sky. Like a signal...or it so it seemed. When Lucifer's light hit the sky, something strange began to happen. The black clouds parted and a semi-transparent red sphere that looked remarkably like a magic barrier began to unravel, dissolving in various spots.
"What's happening?" Castiel asked as the three of them stared at the sky.
"The anti-magic barrier has gone down," Dante told them, his nostrils flared and pupils dilated with rage. His eyes shot towards Lucifer's glowing body. "Bastard. He must've known. He cast it."
"What does that mean? I was able to utilize my power just fine," Castiel replied.
"Yes but now everyone else can too," said Dante, stepping away from the throne and facing the double doors" No matter. No matter. It changes nothing."
Castiel spoke to his back, calling his attention back from his reverie. "But what about the others? Will they come now?"
"More than likely, yes," said Dante evenly. "But no matter, like I said. We have nothing to fear. And I have a plan, Castiel. I always have a plan. Establish a Link to your demon and follow my instruction."
John had let them out of the little hole in the ground after Castiel had left, unbound them, much to the consternation of his troops. But he had assured them they had meant no harm. Not Carmen or Balthazar anyway. It was a bold move, but if he was truthful in what he said before, those guns could hurt them.
It was a weak thing to feel mortal again, but Carmen had little choice in the matter. She felt fatigued. Hungry...pissy. And she needed to see Sam to the point where everything pissed her off. Trees were pissing her off.
John led them into his big tent. The one she initially thought she was going to be put in before he opened a trench in the ground and let them all fall in.
The big tent was not that impressive. There was a cot in the middle of the room with various guns stashed underneath in a not-so-subtle way. An overflowing weapons cache...There was no way he was planning to use each weapon for any reason. He wasn't going to have new visitors either. He had a long table at the end of his bed with a map of it. If you could call it a map. The map was hand-drawn and had certain tacks in the middle of different colors. At a glance, she saw that there was a drawn mountain that he had indicated with green flags. Several red tacks over something labeled "White Plains". More on the other side labeled "Black Hand".
Boys and their stupid toys.
What a douchebag.
Staying around him long enough, you learned that pretty quickly.
"I do apologize for the restraints," said John conversationally. "It was really just a precaution for our safety...until we ascertained who you were."
"You still don't know who we are," Carmen pointed out irritably. "You know our names and our species and by the order of things, I wager that's not a good thing in your eyes."
"Your species is not a problem...if you have to put it so blandly," said John, frowning. "Your purpose here is another thing altogether. Your escaped friend was pretty vague, but why are you here?"
They spoke at once.
"I'm here to escort Castiel back to Heaven and -"
"I just want to find Sam. And De-"
"You're escorting your friend back to Heaven? You really are an angel," said John, eyeing Balthazar. "Or you think you are. All I've seen here are Fallen. Your friends little show of power was the first time I saw an angel's wings...The ones here are clipped and pretty much as human as we are...sans the souls."
"I know I am an angel," said Balthazar, affronted. "But to regard me me a little more respectfully, you can call me a Celestial being."
"Or he can sneeze and you get a great new nickname," said Carmen sarcastically
"So in a nutshell you're here to take your friend back to Heaven and you're here for...Dean," said John slowly. "Am I following correctly, so far?"
"Friend is a broad term. He's a traitor and he has to face trial. The only reason I was brought along I suppose is that fate hates me and my objective is to take him back. It's imperative that I do so. Castiel is unrestrained by the anti-magic barrier over this realm, and that makes him your greatest threat," said Balthazar.
"Anti-Magic Barrier? Is that why I feel like a goddamn ant right now?" Carmen huffed. "Jesus."
"You're obviously not very familiar with the inhabitants of this land," said John, addressing Balthazar. "That barrier you guys are talking about was placed six hundred years ago. It's what made them all start shootin' blanks. Including the one who cast it. You should actually be happy it's up, otherwise...well...it wouldn't be pretty."
"Your inhabitants are restrained about as much as we are," said Balthazar. "I'm going to move to pursue Castiel on foot. Do you have any idea where he might have been headed?"
"There's only one other place besides this camp on this side of the mountain. That's through the white plains. But that is Fallen territory. They don't bother us as long as we remain neutral in their conflict...but I honestly don't think they'll be too happy if we direct an enemy into their lands," said John hesitantly.
"I am not here to slay the Fallen or save your people. My objective is Castiel and it shall remain so for as long as I am here," said Balthazar dismissively.
"Your swords," said John, indicating Balthazar's belt and the sword on Carmen's back. "Those are augmented to you through that magic, aren't they? Those won't help you here as long as the barrier is in place. You'll be destroyed on sight. Numbers mean everything here. You'll be overwhelmed."
"Is it Monday already? Spare it, Winchester. We're used to this kind of shit. I don't know about wings over here, but I am," said Carmen. "But I don't plan on making a trip to the Fallen for...Cas. Believe you me, he's the last person I want to see right now. I need to find Dean. And I know you know where he is. You wouldn't get all clammy when we mention him if you didn't know."
John looked at her, really looked at her, close and all. When he leaned forward with his hands splayed on the table, she backed up a step to keep the proximity exactly as it had been. "You look a lot like him."
"So do you, but you don't see me staring like a cockbite," Carmen snapped.
"You must be sired," said John, ignoring the name-call. "I had heard the rumors about things like that. He created you, didn't he?"
"On accident," said Balthazar. "But that's besides the point. You said the white plains, right? Am I correct in assuming the plains are north of this location?"
"You are correct," John nodded. "Don't say I didn't warn you."
Balthazar shrugged one shoulder as if it all really didn't matter to him. Carmen couldn't help but feel bad for him. Of everyone who was here. Balthazar was the last person who belonged. Demon, Fallen and every other vile creature that plagued Earth and then some were already here...and then there was an angel.
He turned to her in that moment. "Good luck, Carmen. Be careful if you find any more of those creatures from the sand. Those crawler. I have a feeling you're going to need much more luck than I will."
"You're going into a nest of Fallen, Balthazar. Try not to get yourself killed with any heroics. I'd hate for the only source of Immortal Flame anywhere to die," said Carmen jokingly.
Balthazar flashed her a crooked smile, the first genuine one she had ever seen before he turned and walked out of the tent, into the darkness. Carmen waited for about half a minute until she spoke again, watching where he left. She fleetingly debated going with him, if only to have his back...but Sam was her priority. In a way, she partly felt responsible for what had happened to him.
But then again, she didn't plan on getting separated from him either.
Carmen rounded on John the moment Balthazar left. "What did you mean when Cas left? You said 'You're part of him.' What did that mean?"
Abruptly, John looked uncomfortable. He turned away from her, avoided eye contact. He cleared his throat, curled a fist over his mouth and was suddenly busy with folding up the map on the table. "Well...I...I mean...that really didn't mean anything...I wouldn't really...you know..put much stake in what an old man says."
"You're not an old man," said Carmen. Now it was her turn to move forward in an attempt to intimidate. He wasn't going to tell her. And without being able to influence his mind, it was a useless effort. "Look. I don't know why you're here or if what Castiel said was true. That you sold Dean. Frankly, it's really not my business either. What you do or choose to do is on you. But there's those...things crawling around every corner. These are the people walking around this realm...and I'm at a complete disadvantage to fighting them. You saw what happened with Castiel. He broke your chains when neither Balthazar nor myself could do that. I know you know more than what you say. I know you're more than what you appear. But please just tell me this. Is Dean here? Is he alive?"
"He's alive. He's here," said John quietly. "Or...as alive as you can be in this realm. If your lost friend is anywhere, it is with him."
"And you're positive on that," said Carmen. "You're positive. What if they were taken by those...crawler thingies?"
"They weren't," John answered.
"But how do you know?"
"I know," He said more firmly. "But listen...It's much more complex than you think...I know your Fallen friend has you believing I gave Dean up..sold him, as he put it...But it's not like that. We both know it wasn't-"
"Sorry to interrupt," The voice made Carmen jump and John's head shoot up, locking eyes with Balthazar. "But...I believe the anti-magic barrier has fallen."
"What? You're not serious...wait...," Carmen looked around at John. But now that Balthazar had said it. He was right. Her body felt like it was escalating in temperature. Power she could feel tingling at her finger tips that she hadn't felt in too long. "How is this even possible? Can't a barrier only go down if-"
"The caster is dead," Balthazar finished.
"Damn it," John cursed furiously. "The Fallen are going to descend on here now. There's nothing stopping them. If your friend, Castiel, if he's with them, then you should brace yourselves for a fight. We need your help holding down this location."
"I wouldn't be so sure, human. My senses are sharper than yours. There is no army coming in this direction. I detect only one," said Balthazar, and yet the way he said it, sounded like that was about as bad as an army of Fallen.
"How long do we have?" John asked.
"Ten minutes, give or take. Enough time. Tell me, is it still possible to uncover the other old demon and human trenches running along the forest floor? I believe I may have an idea," Balthazar stated, tapping his lower lip with a small little smile.