Chapter Text
Gabriel ran away. That much he knew. His little brother, cowardly at that, fled because he couldn't handle the pressure. He didn't know why, being an archangel in itself was stressful. Now, of all times, he fled? When he needed him most? He can't do this with just Raphael by his side, he needed him too.
He didn't just let him walk out, of course. He chased him to the gates, using a soft voice and promising words to coax him to stay on his side alone. Don't join Lucifer, he urged, He'll just ruin you. You don't know what you're doing, Gabriel. That's what he spoke as he chased his brother's back.
Goddamn it, Michael. Was shouted back at him, the broken and strained voice being caught in the wind, blowing back to him. I'm not on his side, I told you that!
But you're on mine, right? Michael shot back, a bit confused on why he was running away in the first place. Heaven's gates caught up to them, and Gabriel tipped over the edge. Just barely, almost teasingly. As if threatening. No, he had shot back, dead serious. No I am not on your side either.
This is childish. Michael had said, quickly catching up and flinging his arm out to grab him, claiming it was a temper tantrum. Come back inside, don't act like a baby. Do your orders.
Gabriel had fallen back, Michael's grace barely brushing against the beauty of his brother's as he fell out of sight, plummeting towards Earth. To the human race. Away from the troubles of war. Why couldn't he have been smart for once and choose the side he was destined to be on? He knew he was an intelligent being. He knew being on Michael's side was the best choice here. Apparently not.
So he settled for watching the grace of the angel disappear over the edge, an indifferent expression on his face.
-
The world was erupting in chaos. Lucifer was free, angels were falling, and the apocalypse was beginning. Michael was roaming the area, using a young John Winchester as a vessel. There was this nagging feeling pulling at his grace, like something was terribly wrong. He kept digging his nails into his chest, scratching at the skin, wishing the feeling to just up and leave. But it didn't. It kept pulling, tugging, urging him to check on the situation.
He didn't need a confrontation with Lucifer, but he couldn't bear this annoyance anymore. He needed to settle things. He snapped his fingers, and in an instant, was teleported to the area where something had happened.
He took in his surroundings. The room, more like a place for a meeting, was in ruins. Tables were turned, glass was shattered, blood everywhere- and oh, a body. The annoyance grew, causing him to let out a huff. He just had to come here for a corpse of someone he didn't even know? How pathetic. Turning his head, Michael looked straight ahead, ready to leave, and that's when he saw it. The reason why he was brought here.
His mouth ran dry, and his breath hitched.
There was not one but two corpses in the room. The second one, he knew very well. The vessel of Gabriel laid motionless on the floor, golden eyes wide and drained of all life. Noticing an object protruding from his stomach, Michael stepped closer to get a better look, recognizing the object as the blade of an archangel.
If the soulless eyes, line of blood running from his brother's lips, and the blade buried into his stomach wasn't a giveaway that the archangel Gabriel was dead, the imprinted black wings bursting out from shoulder blades and imprinting onto the floor sure was.
Lips parted, he wasn't sure on what to say. What would one say to a corpse of their brother? What, who was going to blow the horn to announce Judgement Day now? That was insensitive. Besides, who would speak to something that would no longer respond?
Before he could comprehend, his legs had already trudged him over to the fallen warrior, crouching down. His arms tucked in towards his stomach, he let out a breath of air. The downturn of the angel's lips was too unusual, differs greatly from the famous wide set grin. Did he expect him to be smiling in a moment like this? Maybe. Humor was definitely the youngest angel's life source, and he always assumed he'd go out with it.
He was wrong.
"He wanted it to be over, you know that, right?" A voice spoke out, echoing in the quiet room. Michael slowly turned his head to the side, to see the ruined and slowly withering vessel of Lucifer in the doorway. How did he not sense him approaching?
"Lucifer," He snarled out, rising to his feet and backing away from the empty vessel. He wasn't prepared for a battle yet. Damn it, he should've expected this to be a trap!
"Relax, I'm not gonna fight." The fallen angel drawled out, raising his hands in surrender. He then moved them to the side, shrugging. "At least, not yet."
Michael's gaze glanced from Gabriel back to Lucifer. "You-"
"Killed him?" Lucifer sighed, placing his hands on his hips as he gazed over at the blonde, staring intently, "Yeah, I did." Was there regret in his tone, pain on his face? No, he was faking it. He had to be. He didn't care about them anymore, that's why this was all happening! Right?
"Why?" Michael's voice was firm, angelic blue eyes glowering with not-so-hidden rage and agony. He was in mental and physical pain from the death of the youngest brother. He couldn't believe that Lucifer actually took a shot at his family. Their family.
The devil hummed, once again shrugging his shoulders as if he hadn't a clue in the world, "Well, because now you're all alone! No backup! The two babies of the family are dead," Lowering his head to try to intimidate him, his lips pulled back to bare teeth, "I thought it was time for the two adults to talk it out."
"Clever wordplay, but I don't think that's true." Michael stepped to the side, and the two brothers began to circle each other, "He told me, so I'm sure he let you know, too. He wasn't on my nor your side. You didn't just kill him in fear he'd switch sides."
"Right, so smart you are, Michael! I knew you weren't a dumbass!" Lucifer stopped in his tracks, clapping slowly, mocking him, "Maybe I wanted to take a mental hit." Michael furrowed his eyebrows in confusion at those words.
Before he could respond, the fallen angel rolled his eyes, "Wow, maybe you are actually stupid. It's not a secret. Your affection, or was it //attraction//, for dear little brother is quite evident."
Michael remained still as a statue as Lucifer walked around him, nudging the archangel's legs with the tip of his shoe. The body slightly moved, Gabriel's head slowly falling to the side. The dark haired male really had to grit his teeth to prevent on an outburst. The dead shouldn't be disrespected, especially not Gabriel.
"Of course I loved him. He was my little brother." He insisted, slowly turning around to face the younger man, so he didn't stand at a disadvantage.
"Oh, yeah. Right. I bet this," Luficer gestured to the deceased angel, "affected you more than Raphael's death did."
Michael tilted his head. Though that may be true, it didn't mean anything. "I mourn both of our fallen brothers equally, why aren't you feeling any sorrow for this?"
"I do! I loved both of them! But this, this war...it took them away." Lucifer's voice began to raise, unknown emotion filling his tone, "It's an unfortunate turn of events, yes, but I had to. I didn't want to. He made me do it."
Michael's eyes widened, before shaking his head. "I'm all alone, Lucifer! Raphael is gone, now Gabriel! I'm all alone! You took away all I had left!" Was he talking about who was on his side, or perhaps something different? Lucifer must of caught the hint, he knew Michael all too well.
"You have //me//, older brother! You always had me! I adored you! But you cast me out, because I thought something different!" He pointed at himself, voice cracking, "Your precious little horn blower rebelled as well, you know! He ran away! He was just as disloyal! Yet you chased after him constantly. This isn't about military losses, Michael! This is about family!"
The archangel stepped back, refusing to believe the other's words. "If only you did what Father asked-"
"Brainwashed as always. You don't seem to get it. Father. Isn't. Here." Lucifer put an emphasis on every word, "Free will-"
"I don't believe in free will, brother." Michael cut him off before he could spew into another lecture, or speech, or whatever. Lucifer stared him down, shaking his head. He backed up, and began to walk to the entrance of the room, letting out a very loud and audible sigh.
"I'll see you on the battlefield. Give it your all." He spoke, reaching out to tap his fingers against the wall before letting his hand drop back to his side. You know I will, and Lucifer was gone.
Michael stood there, taking in all that happened silently. He turned, getting ready to take off and hope to forget everything that happened, before a rustle sounded out a few tables over. Keeping his gaze locked on the direction of the sound, he held out his hand. The archangel blade slide down his sleeve and he gripped it tightly, beginning to step forward, slowly.
That was until a familiar face popped out, slicked back blonde hair bouncing as he jumped up. Startled, Michael quickly scrambled backwards.
"Gabriel?" Michael asked, in obvious disbelief. He thought this had to be a trick, it had to be. Some sick joke.
"Yo, Mikey." The youngest archangel stretched, looking around as if he wasn't just presumed dead. "How's it hanging?"
And there was that familiar, wide set grin.