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Sam was violently jerked from his partially restful sleep by a pair of cold hands on his arms. He scanned the pitch-black bedroom of the bunker until his hazel eyes met frantic red ones. He jumped a bit, letting out a small groan at the whiplash he caused himself. “Jesus, Lucifer what are you doing here?” he loudly whispered, not wanting to wake his brother.
The fallen angel moved his hands up to Sam’s shoulders and squeezed them impossibly tight, a slight tremble in his voice. “D-dad. He’s looking for me, trying to lock me back up in Hell. Sam, I can’t go back. I know you understand. Please, you have to do something.”
Sam winced at the pressure being put on his body and tried to pry them off. “Okay, hey Luci, you’re hurting me. Here,” he stood up, still slightly dazed and tried to lead him to the bunker’s panic room, closing and locking the door. “We’ll be safe in here okay? Tell me what’s going on.”
Lucifer let the fear and anguish he’d been holding in for so long come out in cries of agony, collapsing at the younger hunter’s feet. “I-I escaped Hell a few days ago. I’ve been in there so long, torturing and being tortured and I just can’t take it anymore! I want a taste of freedom, of a normal life! I didn’t think I screwed up that badly with Dad to be locked away for millennia. I just…I…” he trailed off, another sob wracking his vessel. Hot tears streamed down his cheeks as he tried to catch his breath.
Sam listened carefully before kneeling in front of the broken angel and cupping his chin, tilting it back slightly to look at him. “Deep breaths, Luci. We’ll talk about this again in a moment, but I need you to breathe with me.” He moved his free hand down to take Lucifer’s hand and placed it on his chest, taking a deep breath in and encouraging the other man to do the same. After a few cycles of inhale and exhale, Lucifer finally caught on and followed Sam’s pace, calming himself down. “Good, very good, angel.” He pulled him into hug, wrapping his huge arms around the smaller man.
Lucifer went limp in his arms at the praise, burying his face in his chest and grabbing a handful of Sam’s shirt, scared to let go. “M’trying,” he mumbled.
They sat in silence for a few minutes, Sam rocking him gently back and forth. “I know, you’re doing so well. We can keep talking but only when you’re ready, okay?”
They spent several more minutes in silence until Lucifer was the one to break it. “He ripped Gabriel from my arms before he cast me out. We were children, Sam. I thought I’d never see my baby brother ever again. I don’t even know if he’s still alive.”
The hunter ran his fingers through the sweat soaked hair, letting them trail over his spine and move to rest on the small of his back. “Gabriel’s alive and well, Luci. You’ll see him soon. But right now we have to make sure you’re safe. I think Castiel may be able to help with that.” He broke the hug for a few seconds, readjusting his body to get his arms under Lucifer, picking him up bridal style and standing up in one swift motion. He moved one of his arms so it was supporting his weight, unlocking and opening the panic room door with the now free hand. Once opened, he got his other hand back under him so he wouldn’t strain himself too badly. Sam carried him to the living room area and laid him on the couch before clasping his hands together prayer style. “Hey Cas, we could really use your help right about n-“
There was a soft woosh and then a “Hello, Sam,” behind him, causing him to jump. Again.
“Must you always be behind us?” he grumbled.
“What do you need?”
“Well, your brother is being hunted by God and we need to know if you can like, ward him against him. If that’s even possible.”
Castiel walked over to his older brother and straddled his lap for leverage, carefully pulling his wings into the physical plane and placing a hand on both. “I can try. Enochian works on other angels. I’m not sure if it’ll work on Father,” he stated bluntly. “But it won’t hurt to try. Well, it will hurt quite a bit, but you know what I mean.” He was met with unamused silence. “Anyway…” he cleared his throat and focused on building up his grace, eyes glowing their icy blue. After a few moments he pressed down on his wings, focusing his energy into it as he branded them with a bible verse in Enochian. ‘But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. Galatians 5:18’. However, that was twisted into ‘You are led by the Law, not under the Spirit. Corrupted Angel Code 518.’
Lucifer pressed himself deeper into the couch, a bloodcurdling scream permeating the otherwise semi-quiet ritual. “For fuck sake, Castiel! A bible verse, REALL-“ he was cut off as another scream ripped its way out of his throat.
The younger angel pulled back and got off his brother. “Yes, corrupting a bible verse and putting it in Enochian may be the only thing to save you. My work here is done.”
Dean had woken up from the screaming and stumbled into the seating area just as Cas teleported away. “What the Hell is going on here?” he demanded, half asleep.
Sam knelt down next to Lucifer, taking his hand. “It’s over now, you did so well.” He looked up at Dean, a protective glare in his eyes. “Lucifer was and could still potentially be in danger. Cas branded his wings with some backwards ass bible verse or something to hopefully protect him.”
The eldest Winchester brother narrowed his tired eyes. “So what, you’ve got sympathy for the Devil? Even though he tortured you and almost killed you? You’re just…what, fine with that?”
“You didn’t see the fear in his eyes or hear it in his voice, Dean. He didn’t ask to be thrown in Hell. He was put there against his will, made to torture souls for eternity. It’s not entirely his fault,” Sam snapped back, not wanting to argue. “Just go back to bed, I’ll handle this.”
“I’ll h-“
“I’LL HANDLE IT!”
“Alright, geez. Have fun I guess,” Dean mumbled, going back to bed.
Sam turned back to Lucifer, brushing the hair away from his face. “Let me get you some water and a cool rag, you’re sweating buckets.” He stood and began to walk away when a hand grabbed him by the wrist.
“Please don’t leave me,” Lucifer squeaked out.
“I’ll be right back, darlin’. Just in the other room. I promise.” The hand let him go, though reluctantly and Sam made his way into the kitchen. He grabbed a few water bottles from the fridge and ran a hand towel under cold water, wringing it out. He brought it back out and laid the cloth over the angels forehead, hoping it would soothe him a little. “Here, sit up a little if you can and drink some water.”
Lucifer pushed himself into a sitting position, wincing a bit from the brand. It would take some time to heal. He allowed the hunter to place the bottle to his lips, taking long but frantic gulps of the cold liquid until the bottle was empty. He grabbed the second bottle before Sam could ease him into it and chugged it within a few seconds.
“Whoa, whoa, slow down a little, Luci. I don’t want you getting sick,” Sam urged a second too late. “Why don’t we get you into bed so you can rest. You must be exhausted.” He scooped him up with ease and carried his angel to bed.
“M'fine, Sam,” he protested, retracting his wings so they weren’t in the way. He let out a hiss of pain as they folded back into him. “Don’t think I can sleep.”
“Well then we can just lay together, but if you can I really would like you to try to sleep. You need your strength,” he whispered as he stepped back into his and Dean’s room. Sam laid the other man in bed closer to the wall before climbing in next to him, pulling the covers over both of them and wrapped his arm around Lucifer. “I’ll be your guardian human. You’re safe with me.” They laid together, the fallen angel curling into the tall one’s chest and closed his eyes finally feeling safe. It didn’t take long before they were both out cold.
The next morning was much the same as it usually is. Both brothers wake up at the ass crack of dawn, put on a pot of coffee, make breakfast, and throw on some real clothes before they can actually start the workday. Except this time they have a companion other than Castiel. Sam came back with a plate of
eggs, toast, and bacon, as well as a glass of water and one of orange juice. "Figured you might be hungry after last night."
Lucifer raised a brow and smiled up at him. "I can walk, Sam. I don't have to be bedridden. In fact, I'd rather be out there with you guys."
The hunter nodded and carried the plate and cups into the living area, setting them down on the coffee table. "Will you be alright here if Gabriel stays with you while Dean and I work this case? I don't want you out in public right now as I don't think it would be safe. We need to make sure that warding is actually going to
hold."
The angel frowned a little, but ultimately agreed. "Just as long as I have someone here I should be alright. Though I'd rather it be you."
Sam chuckled and pressed a kiss to his forehead. "I know, but I shouldn't be gone too long. It's a case we've worked hundreds of times before. Be good and rest," he teased, following Dean out the door. As soon as the lock clicked, there was a flap of wings and an oof as Gabriel stumbled through his ungraceful landing.
"Hello, brother."
Lucifer spun around because of course he was behind him. That was their favorite game to play, how badly can we startle the human/angel by appearing out of sight. "Gabriel!" he cried, throwing himself into his outstretched arms. "I thought I'd never see you again!"
Gabriel wrapped his arms tightly around his sibling, fighting back tears of his own. "I searched for you for millenia. Our dick of a Dad told me you ran away because you hated us. I didn't believe him. I may not have really known you, but I remember vaguely how you cared for me as a fledgling. I could never forget that." He ran a hand through Lucifer's hair and looked down at him. "I love you, Luci. I will bring the entirety of Heaven down to protect you if I must. I know Sam would do the same given the chance. He's really taken with you, you know." He rambled on for a few minutes before realizing what he was doing and stopped abruptly.
Lucifer took that chance to look up at him, placing a calloused hand on his cheek. "I love you too, little brother." He patted his face before pulling back and sitting on the couch and patting the space next to him. He pulled his plate closer and offered the archangel a piece of bacon, which he politely turned down. He shrugged, making a sandwich out of the eggs, toast, and bacon and ate in silence. He really wasn't sure what more there was to be said.
Sam got home late that night and was met with a cross angel standing in the doorway. "Shouldn't be gone too long, huh? I was worried about you all day!"
"Hey, I'm really sorry, there were a few last minute calls we needed to take. How was your time with Gabriel?" the hunter asked, trying to steer the conversation away from himself. He maneuvered around Lucifer and waved him over to the couch, putting one of his arms on the back of it as an invitation.
"We got caught up and then he got called back to Heaven. Dunno for what but I'm sure he'd tell me if it's important. It was good seeing him again," he admitted. "How were the cases?" he asked, sitting down and leaning into the tall one.
Sam wrapped his arm around his shoulders, hugging him close. "Wasn't bad I suppose, but I'd rather not talk about work. I'd rather talk about you. How are you feeling? Is there anything I can do to make you more comfortable or happy?"
There was a moment of silence followed by a contented sigh. "If I'm being honest? Still scared as hell. Exhausted. I'm not sure I'll ever really recover, Sam. But you make me feel as safe as I'm able to feel. You make me happy even if I just got here. I just want to stay by your side, learn how to live on this Earthly plane. I mean, I don't even know how to do basic things like cooking or baking, and I'd love to learn. I want to learn from you."
Another moment of silence.
"I'm not really sure how to help with your trauma, hell I'm still working through mine, but we can keep busy at the very least. Why don't you help with breakfast in the morning? If you want to, that is."
Lucifer flashed a devilish smile. "I'd be honored, Winchester."
The night went much like the last, until it didn't.
There was a knock at the window, startling Lucifer awake. It didn’t seem to bother the two brothers which was odd but he didn’t think much about it. He got out of bed carefully as to not disturb Sam and walked over to the window, drawing back the blinds. His father’s eyes stared back at him, glistening with hatred. The angel stumbled back, trying to force a scream that never came no matter how hard he tried. He turned to wake the men in the room, but when he did he saw them standing there, angel blades in hand. “It’s time to go home, Lucifer.” Sam stepped closer to him, holding the blade tip to his throat.
Lucifer backed up until he bumped into the windowsill. Long fingers with black talons smashed through the window, grabbing him by the hair and yanking him out the window. They dug into his flesh as they carried him into the night, eventually dropping him into a black hole in the ground. He fell, wings burning until he hit the hard bottom of the Hell cage. However, this time was different. He could smell something burning. He peered through one of the cracks and saw the outside engulfed in flames. Quickly backing away as the heat lapped through the holes of the cage, he curled up in the middle of it and began to scream. “What have I done so badly I deserve this? The cage, the holy fire, the abandonment? The pain. I just want to be loved!”
“I just want to be loved!” It came out as such a pitiful cry, voice hoarse from screaming all night.
Sam had been trying to shake him awake for a good hour, not making any leeway. He turned to a very much awake Dean, tears in his eyes. Pleading for help. The eldest Winchester got up and grabbed a bottle of cold water, throwing it over the trembling man. Lucifer let out a muffled scream as he bolted upright, trying to find the assailant to fight them.
“Hey, kid. Cool your jets, you were dreaming.”
Sam shot him a displeased look but turned back to the petrified angel, gently taking his wrists and pulling him into a tight hug. “You’re okay, Luci. It’s Sam, I’ve got you.”
“No! Let me go, don’t stab me please!” he pleaded, voice shaking.
“Stab you? Luce, my love it was just a nightmare. You’re safe here, I promise,” he reassured. He held him as if he were a scared toddler, legs wrapped around the taller man’s waist, arms around his neck. Sam had his arms wrapped around the angel’s hips, one hand on his lower back rubbing circles over it. He softly sang one of his favorite songs, one he thought would make him giggle if nothing else.
“If love is what you need, a soldier I will be…”
Luci pulled back a little to give him a confused look.
“I’m an angel with a shotgun, fighting till the wars won…”
The angel did in fact giggle like a schoolboy. “Oh no…”
“I don’t care if Heaven won’t take me back…”
“Sam, please…”
“I’ll throw away my faith babe, just to keep you safe…”
“SAM!”
Sam chuckled and kissed his forehead. “What, don’t like my song?”
Lucifer gave him a soft smile, moving one of his hands to his cheek. “It’s cute, but also you’re terrible at singing.”
The hunter pouted, gently dropping him on the bed before getting in next to him and pulling him close. “Not like you can do any better,” he teased.
Luci smirked and snuggled closer to him. “Wanna bet?”
“Sure do.”
He cleared his throat and even though his voice was hoarse, he sang.
“For Heaven’s sake, we’re missing hope…”
Now it was Sam’s turn to be confused.
“Been savin’ face, and throwin stones…”
An eyebrow raised now; we’re getting somewhere.
“Take your mistakes, just let them go. Cause’ don’t we all wear those…”
The face of recognition is a beautiful thing really. “Broken Halos…” they sang in unison before bursting into a fit of soft laughter.
“I didn’t realize you enjoyed Christian music, Lucifer. I’m not judging, I just figured with the trauma and all…”
The fallen angel shrugged. “Sometimes it just hits different. It’s just…music to me most of the time. And I know you’re still in the faith. I figured you might enjoy it, coming from me anyway.”
Sam smiled and cupped his face, pressing a tender kiss to his lips. They stayed like that for a few moments, taking in the warmth that flooded over them before parting. “I enjoyed it because it came from you.” They cuddled closer together, if that was even possible at this point, holding each other until the sun came up.
The duo made their way into the kitchen later that morning, the former pulling out ingredients from the cupboards and fridge. “Today’s lesson in cooking is pancakes. Pretty easy. You can work on cracking the eggs into the bowl. Try not to get any shell in it, but if you do just scoop it out with the bigger piece of shell,” Sam explained, turning his back to pull the griddle out.
Lucifer frowned at the eggs for a moment before picking one up and crack. The yolk slid off the counter and landed at his feet with a plop, oozing around his feet. Sam turned and snickered a bit, going over to help him. He picked up another egg and placed it in the angel’s hand, placing his own hand over top of it. He tapped the egg softly on the edge of the counter until it just began to crack and split it over the bowl with the other. The egg fell cleanly into it, which earned a small gasp from the smaller man. “Oh…”
Sam threw his head back in a laugh and buried his face in Lucifer’s neck. “You’re literally so precious,” he murmured.
Luci’s face burned a bright red and leaned his head back a little to rest on Sam’s. “Am not, you’re just sayin’ that.”
“You are though. The smallest things get the biggest reactions out of you and it’s adorable,” he assured.
They got back to cooking, Sam mixing up the dry ingredients while Luci mixed the wet, eventually combining the two and mixing it both hands on the whisk. They brought the bowl over to the griddle and they took turns pouring batter into shapes. The hunter took the last of the batter and poured it into two thin but stable circles. After they were finished cooking, he put them on a plate and picked up the rings, taking them to the table with some edible markers. Luci tilted his head a little, watching him from afar. “What are you doing?”
A few minutes passed in silence. Finally, Sam brought the pancakes back to him on a plate, a small crack forming in the tops of them but were still together nonetheless. Something was written in Enochian around them.
Don’t we all wear those broken halos.