Unexpected Destinies Chapter 10
Title Unexpected Destinies
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: up to and including Exile on Main St., AU from the end of season 5
Warnings: AU, slash
Word Count: 2,727
Summary: Castiel watches over Dean in as many ways as he can.
PAST
Castiel frowned as he flew into the room Dean had texted him about earlier in the day only to find the hunter sprawled across the bedspread, fully dressed. Empty beer and whiskey bottles lined the room and it was easy to guess how the evening had gone and the reason his charge now slept. He frowned, unfortunately all too familiar with both the reason and the desire Dean felt to seek oblivion in alcohol. He was also familiar with how futile a gesture it was and the detrimental results that inevitably followed.
Not wanting Dean to suffer either those or the uncomfortable looking dark patches on his skin, Castiel stepped forwards. A simple touch was all he needed to clear the alcohol from the hunter's system and Dean mumbled incoherently as he shifted slightly before dropping back into a deeper sleep. He hesitated before going any further, but he didn't like the marks Dean's clothes left even if they did fade with time. Mind made up, he started at the hunter's feet, pulling at the shoestrings until they came undone and he could pull Dean's shoes and socks off. That done, Castiel moved higher up the bed, trying to think of the best way to accomplish his goals. He needed to get his human under the covers as well as out of his clothes so he pulled the bedspread and sheets down on one half of the bed (and Castiel was surprised to note that there was only one bed now) and then carefully rolled the hunter onto his back.
Dean muttered, moving slightly, so Castiel touched his face and mimicked the soothing sounds he'd heard Dean mutter to a frightened child they'd saved. Although he didn't use his powers, he found the hunter calming. It was surprising seeing how he'd witnessed Dean's ability to wake at the even the smallest of intrusions. Indeed, it had taken a lot of skill to slip into the brothers' room before, but now he could touch Dean and the hunter didn't wake. The thought warmed him, both with pride and joy as he turned his attention to Dean's jeans. The belt was simple as he'd seen Dean put it on and take it off before, but the button proved to be a bit more difficult. He struggled with it a little before it finally popped through the hole. Dean seemed a bit more agitated, but didn't actually wake, which Castiel was happy for. In comparison, to the button, the zipper was easy and he started to remove the jeans, lifting his charge slightly to do so.
The shirts proved to be more difficult as Dean's arms had to be gotten out of the sleeves first. During the process, the hunter rolled onto his stomach, thereby making things easier and hard all at once. What Dean had also done, though, was to wrap an arm around Castiel's waist and bury his face into Castiel's side before sighing contentedly and settling down once more. Another feeling of warmth spread through him, this one unfamiliar though he quickly decided that he liked it. Throwing the shirts aside, he looked down at his charge only to find that he'd been too late as there were already some marks on the smooth skin. As before, he automatically found himself reaching out to touch and felt Dean shift against him as he did so, though he still failed to wake.
The skin was surprisingly soft under his fingers, not at all as rough as on Dean's hands and Castiel found himself fascinated. He wanted to touch all of the hunter, to see if he felt like this anywhere else. He was afraid to wake him though and so instead pulled up the sheets and settled down. It had been his intention to watch over Dean tonight as he slept and he could do that from here just as easily as he could from the, now nonexistent, second bed. His fingers, though, continued to run up and down Dean's back as that seemed to sooth the hunter.
/
The warmth of another body was the first thing Dean became aware of as he woke and it made him smile. Obviously he'd gotten lucky last night even if he couldn't immediately recall any of it. He'd take any good thing right now no matter how small as he knew how sorely they'd be lacking once Lucifer broke out once again.
The thought brought everything he didn't want to think about rushing back along with everything that he did to avoid thinking about it all. This, in turn, reminded Dean of his decision last night to stay in and drink instead of going out. So what was going on here?
"Good morning, Dean."
The voice was rough, gravely and unmistakable. "Cas."
Dean moved his head slightly and the feel of rough fabric like that of a trench coat sliding across his face confirmed that it was indeed the angel he was snuggled up against. He started to pull back but then paused. He was warm and comfortable, and Castiel seemed to be in no hurry to move. His own reaction was based on the fact that he didn't want to reveal his feelings for Cas, but he doubted the angel would know what it meant, and because he didn't want Sam to walk in on them, but that was no longer an issue. So why shouldn't he just enjoy himself for a bit?
It was harmless, really.
It was as he'd shifted slightly that Dean had realized what else had been bothering him. When he'd moved his arm, he'd clearly felt the sheet brushing his skin. The thing was, he could have sworn that he'd fallen asleep on top of the covers, fully dressed. A few more movements confirmed what he'd thought, he was now wearing only his boxers.
Reluctantly opening one eye, Dean wasn't in the least surprised to find Castiel watching him. "Cas, did you undress me?"
"Yes."
The confirmation sent a little thrill through him instead of the indignation or anger he was sure he'd have felt even a few weeks ago. "Why?"
"Sleeping in your clothes appeared to be uncomfortable for you."
Oh, well, that made sense. Dean could still feel the ghost of a touch along his lower back where the angel's fingers had brushed his skin the other day. Besides, it was such a Castiel-like thing to do, to act on that kind of sentiment without a clue as to the greater implications or any respect for privacy or personal space. His eye fell shut again as Castiel's fingers hesitantly brushed through his hair and if he could have, Dean knew he'd have been purring. It was wrong to be enjoying such a simple touch in this way, to take what was given in comfort as so much more, but he couldn't help himself. Cas was right here, so close, and he'd initiated all contact, so why shouldn't he enjoy it even if he knew the angel had never meant for it to be like that?
Dean dozed for a while, warm and secure in the knowledge that he was not only safe, but with someone who cared about him even if it wasn't in the manner that he might want it to be. He was only half aware of the fact that Castiel's fingers had moved from his hair to his back as it all felt good, nice. He'd always been tactile in a way neither his father nor Sam was and he loved to be touched. It was probably one of the reasons why he enjoyed sex as much as he did. He wasn't sure how long he'd lain there, for once not rushing off to look for the next hunt, but after a while his stomach started to rumble.
He moaned and buried his face deeper between the mattress and Castiel's side. Dean wanted to just ignore it, but knew it would only get worse. The slight shaking of his makeshift pillow also told him that the angel was amused by his antics and he gave in with a groan.
"Okay, okay, I'm up."
It was with an effort that Dean pushed himself into a sitting position, opening one eye blearily as he scratched his stomach. The clothes he'd worn the previous day were strewn about the room as if flung in passion rather than the clinical undressing he knew it had been.
"What, you didn't know where to put my clothes, so you threw them everywhere?" Dean asked, opening his other eye and looking at the angel, amused.
"I would have placed them on your duffel, but you had wrapped your arm around me and didn't look like you'd let go," Castiel replied.
"Oh." Dean fought the blush that threatened down, he was not a schoolgirl with a crush damnit! "Sorry about that."
"I did not mind."
"Okay, great." A frown. "Did you mojo me sober again?"
"Yes."
Dean opened his mouth to complain, but then shut it again. It probably wasn't worth it, besides the alcohol had done its job, letting him fall asleep quickly and not dream, so he couldn't really complain that he was spared the inevitable hangover this morning.
"I gotta shower."
/
When Dean emerged from the bathroom in a cloud of steam, he stopped in surprise when he noted that all of the empty bottles had vanished. He felt briefly guilty that Castiel had cleaned up after him, but it wasn't like he'd asked the angel to do so. He'd been planning on taking care of it himself as soon as he'd showered and gotten something into his stomach. Castiel himself was nowhere to be found and he ignored the pang of sorrow and turned towards his duffel instead to get dressed. He'd just finished pulling on an over shirt when there was a flutter of wings behind him followed swiftly by a mouth watering aroma.
"Dude!" Dean exclaimed turning around. "Did you get me breakfast?"
"You are hungry."
"Yeah, but..." Dean trailed off, shaking his head. "You're awesome!"
Castiel's head tilted, clearly not understanding what was so great about what he'd done. "Thank you."
Dean grinned as he snatched the brown paper bag and coffee cup from the angel's hands and settled down at the table. Inside the bag were two styrofoam containers, one with an omelet that smelled of bacon and sausage and the other with pancakes and maple syrup. At the bottom were some plastic cutlery and a plastic pot with cut up fruit.
"What's this? You eating as well?" Dean asked, pulling out the fruit cup.
"No, it is for you. You don't eat enough fruit," Castiel replied.
"That's 'cause it's gross, dude."
Castiel reached out and grabbed his wrist as Dean moved to push the fruit cup away from himself. "I got this as I knew you preferred meat in your omelets, but next time I will get a vegetable one if you don't eat this."
Anger was Dean's first instinctive response to being told what to do like this, but it was quickly washed away by wonder and astonishment. No one had ever tried to make him eat his fruit and vegetables since Mom had died. Oh, sure, both Dad and Sam had made comments at times about his food choices, but neither of them had made any real effort to get him to eat better. Snide and pointed comments had pretty much been the extent of it. So, to have someone now make an effort to get him to eat better... well, quite frankly, it touched him in a way he hadn't expected it to. Not to mention Cas' wording.
Next time.
Dean swallowed around the sudden lump in his throat. "Yeah, okay."
Surprisingly he couldn't find it in him to come up with one of his usual witty retorts. There was just something far too honest and real about Castiel's concern for him to belittle it. Not to mention that the angel was the last person he had left. Sammy clearly didn't want him around and as for Bobby, well, Bobby had gone along with Sam's idea and Dean wasn't really sure where he stood with the older hunter now. He'd not yet been able to tell the other man about what had happened between Lisa and himself, though he'd known he'd probably end up at the salvage yard sooner or later. Now, however, now he wasn't so sure.
Castiel didn't immediately let go of his wrist or look away from his eyes and Dean could feel his heart speed up as he found himself unable to look away. He'd have to find something to do about this situation as it was starting to get ridiculous. It was pathetic how often he reminded himself of a stupid schoolgirl with her first crush. Then, suddenly, the angel looked away and released his wrist. He missed the contact immediately, but pushed the sentiment aside and opened the fruit cup. He'd always eaten what he liked least first so that he could then savor the rest of his meal.
Instead of vanishing back to Heaven or wherever else he went to these days, Castiel moved to the second chair and sat down. In the past it would have bothered him to have the angel watching him as he ate, but Dean had long since gotten over it and was simply pleased for the company.
"I have started training with Xarael as you suggested," Castiel said when Dean started on the pancakes, breaking the comfortable silence that had fallen.
"Oh, and?"
"It is difficult as we only know very little about an archangel's powers and abilities."
"They kept that knowledge to themselves, I take it?"
"Yes."
"Aren't there any of them left?"
"Other than Raphael, Lucifer, Michael and Gabriel, there were only Simiel, Jophiel and Raziel. Simiel sided with Lucifer and was cast into the Pit, Jophiel was killed during the rebellion, holding Lucifer off until Michael could fight him, and Raziel was given a task by Father and hasn't been seen since."
Dean sighed, he could already feel the frustration and stress rising and taking up residence in his back and neck.
"And I don't suppose your Father has decided to step up to the plate and show his face yet, has he?"
He regretted the words almost immediately, the image of a hopeless Cas still far too clear in Dean's mind for his comfort.
"No, He hasn't," Castiel stated evenly. "I fear, as before, that we will need to deal with this ourselves."
"Right, after the bang up job we did of it before."
"We could not have foreseen that Sam would pull Michael into the cage with him or that the cage wouldn't be able to hold the both of them."
"It wasn't just Michael."
"What?"
"It wasn't just Michael that Sam pulled into Hell with him, it was Adam was well," Dean clarified. "I still can't believe he did that."
"He was probably thinking of the damage Michael could cause."
"That's bigger picture bullshit," Dean snapped crossly. "If we were into that, I'd have said yes to Michael when Zachariah first told me I was his vessel. And I know Sammy thinks that too, or at least he used to, always complaining when Dad wanted to use someone as bait."
"Your brother has changed a lot since then, Dean."
"I know, but Adam is, was, his brother, his younger brother! I just can't understand how he could do that to his own family."
"Probably the same way he abandoned you."
The words were said quietly but they felt like blows nonetheless to Dean and he glared at the angel for daring to bring that up.
"There is a reason that you are the Righteous Man, Dean, and not your brother or anyone else. You care about what is right and just. You don't allow such things as the end goal to compromise your morals and your actions. Regardless, the important thing is that you couldn't have foreseen that events would unfold like this and are thus not to blame. Locking Lucifer back up in his cage was a good solution to the problem and you helped bring that about. If nothing else, it has bought us more time to find a more permanent solution."
A.N.: In regards to the archangels I chose to use, I did a search for the 7 and kept finding different ones listed. There doesn't seem to be any consensus out there- heck, several mention Uriel!- so I picked those I wanted based on what role they'll play in the fic.
Chapter 11
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: up to and including Exile on Main St., AU from the end of season 5
Warnings: AU, slash
Word Count: 2,727
Summary: Castiel watches over Dean in as many ways as he can.
PAST
Castiel frowned as he flew into the room Dean had texted him about earlier in the day only to find the hunter sprawled across the bedspread, fully dressed. Empty beer and whiskey bottles lined the room and it was easy to guess how the evening had gone and the reason his charge now slept. He frowned, unfortunately all too familiar with both the reason and the desire Dean felt to seek oblivion in alcohol. He was also familiar with how futile a gesture it was and the detrimental results that inevitably followed.
Not wanting Dean to suffer either those or the uncomfortable looking dark patches on his skin, Castiel stepped forwards. A simple touch was all he needed to clear the alcohol from the hunter's system and Dean mumbled incoherently as he shifted slightly before dropping back into a deeper sleep. He hesitated before going any further, but he didn't like the marks Dean's clothes left even if they did fade with time. Mind made up, he started at the hunter's feet, pulling at the shoestrings until they came undone and he could pull Dean's shoes and socks off. That done, Castiel moved higher up the bed, trying to think of the best way to accomplish his goals. He needed to get his human under the covers as well as out of his clothes so he pulled the bedspread and sheets down on one half of the bed (and Castiel was surprised to note that there was only one bed now) and then carefully rolled the hunter onto his back.
Dean muttered, moving slightly, so Castiel touched his face and mimicked the soothing sounds he'd heard Dean mutter to a frightened child they'd saved. Although he didn't use his powers, he found the hunter calming. It was surprising seeing how he'd witnessed Dean's ability to wake at the even the smallest of intrusions. Indeed, it had taken a lot of skill to slip into the brothers' room before, but now he could touch Dean and the hunter didn't wake. The thought warmed him, both with pride and joy as he turned his attention to Dean's jeans. The belt was simple as he'd seen Dean put it on and take it off before, but the button proved to be a bit more difficult. He struggled with it a little before it finally popped through the hole. Dean seemed a bit more agitated, but didn't actually wake, which Castiel was happy for. In comparison, to the button, the zipper was easy and he started to remove the jeans, lifting his charge slightly to do so.
The shirts proved to be more difficult as Dean's arms had to be gotten out of the sleeves first. During the process, the hunter rolled onto his stomach, thereby making things easier and hard all at once. What Dean had also done, though, was to wrap an arm around Castiel's waist and bury his face into Castiel's side before sighing contentedly and settling down once more. Another feeling of warmth spread through him, this one unfamiliar though he quickly decided that he liked it. Throwing the shirts aside, he looked down at his charge only to find that he'd been too late as there were already some marks on the smooth skin. As before, he automatically found himself reaching out to touch and felt Dean shift against him as he did so, though he still failed to wake.
The skin was surprisingly soft under his fingers, not at all as rough as on Dean's hands and Castiel found himself fascinated. He wanted to touch all of the hunter, to see if he felt like this anywhere else. He was afraid to wake him though and so instead pulled up the sheets and settled down. It had been his intention to watch over Dean tonight as he slept and he could do that from here just as easily as he could from the, now nonexistent, second bed. His fingers, though, continued to run up and down Dean's back as that seemed to sooth the hunter.
/
The warmth of another body was the first thing Dean became aware of as he woke and it made him smile. Obviously he'd gotten lucky last night even if he couldn't immediately recall any of it. He'd take any good thing right now no matter how small as he knew how sorely they'd be lacking once Lucifer broke out once again.
The thought brought everything he didn't want to think about rushing back along with everything that he did to avoid thinking about it all. This, in turn, reminded Dean of his decision last night to stay in and drink instead of going out. So what was going on here?
"Good morning, Dean."
The voice was rough, gravely and unmistakable. "Cas."
Dean moved his head slightly and the feel of rough fabric like that of a trench coat sliding across his face confirmed that it was indeed the angel he was snuggled up against. He started to pull back but then paused. He was warm and comfortable, and Castiel seemed to be in no hurry to move. His own reaction was based on the fact that he didn't want to reveal his feelings for Cas, but he doubted the angel would know what it meant, and because he didn't want Sam to walk in on them, but that was no longer an issue. So why shouldn't he just enjoy himself for a bit?
It was harmless, really.
It was as he'd shifted slightly that Dean had realized what else had been bothering him. When he'd moved his arm, he'd clearly felt the sheet brushing his skin. The thing was, he could have sworn that he'd fallen asleep on top of the covers, fully dressed. A few more movements confirmed what he'd thought, he was now wearing only his boxers.
Reluctantly opening one eye, Dean wasn't in the least surprised to find Castiel watching him. "Cas, did you undress me?"
"Yes."
The confirmation sent a little thrill through him instead of the indignation or anger he was sure he'd have felt even a few weeks ago. "Why?"
"Sleeping in your clothes appeared to be uncomfortable for you."
Oh, well, that made sense. Dean could still feel the ghost of a touch along his lower back where the angel's fingers had brushed his skin the other day. Besides, it was such a Castiel-like thing to do, to act on that kind of sentiment without a clue as to the greater implications or any respect for privacy or personal space. His eye fell shut again as Castiel's fingers hesitantly brushed through his hair and if he could have, Dean knew he'd have been purring. It was wrong to be enjoying such a simple touch in this way, to take what was given in comfort as so much more, but he couldn't help himself. Cas was right here, so close, and he'd initiated all contact, so why shouldn't he enjoy it even if he knew the angel had never meant for it to be like that?
Dean dozed for a while, warm and secure in the knowledge that he was not only safe, but with someone who cared about him even if it wasn't in the manner that he might want it to be. He was only half aware of the fact that Castiel's fingers had moved from his hair to his back as it all felt good, nice. He'd always been tactile in a way neither his father nor Sam was and he loved to be touched. It was probably one of the reasons why he enjoyed sex as much as he did. He wasn't sure how long he'd lain there, for once not rushing off to look for the next hunt, but after a while his stomach started to rumble.
He moaned and buried his face deeper between the mattress and Castiel's side. Dean wanted to just ignore it, but knew it would only get worse. The slight shaking of his makeshift pillow also told him that the angel was amused by his antics and he gave in with a groan.
"Okay, okay, I'm up."
It was with an effort that Dean pushed himself into a sitting position, opening one eye blearily as he scratched his stomach. The clothes he'd worn the previous day were strewn about the room as if flung in passion rather than the clinical undressing he knew it had been.
"What, you didn't know where to put my clothes, so you threw them everywhere?" Dean asked, opening his other eye and looking at the angel, amused.
"I would have placed them on your duffel, but you had wrapped your arm around me and didn't look like you'd let go," Castiel replied.
"Oh." Dean fought the blush that threatened down, he was not a schoolgirl with a crush damnit! "Sorry about that."
"I did not mind."
"Okay, great." A frown. "Did you mojo me sober again?"
"Yes."
Dean opened his mouth to complain, but then shut it again. It probably wasn't worth it, besides the alcohol had done its job, letting him fall asleep quickly and not dream, so he couldn't really complain that he was spared the inevitable hangover this morning.
"I gotta shower."
/
When Dean emerged from the bathroom in a cloud of steam, he stopped in surprise when he noted that all of the empty bottles had vanished. He felt briefly guilty that Castiel had cleaned up after him, but it wasn't like he'd asked the angel to do so. He'd been planning on taking care of it himself as soon as he'd showered and gotten something into his stomach. Castiel himself was nowhere to be found and he ignored the pang of sorrow and turned towards his duffel instead to get dressed. He'd just finished pulling on an over shirt when there was a flutter of wings behind him followed swiftly by a mouth watering aroma.
"Dude!" Dean exclaimed turning around. "Did you get me breakfast?"
"You are hungry."
"Yeah, but..." Dean trailed off, shaking his head. "You're awesome!"
Castiel's head tilted, clearly not understanding what was so great about what he'd done. "Thank you."
Dean grinned as he snatched the brown paper bag and coffee cup from the angel's hands and settled down at the table. Inside the bag were two styrofoam containers, one with an omelet that smelled of bacon and sausage and the other with pancakes and maple syrup. At the bottom were some plastic cutlery and a plastic pot with cut up fruit.
"What's this? You eating as well?" Dean asked, pulling out the fruit cup.
"No, it is for you. You don't eat enough fruit," Castiel replied.
"That's 'cause it's gross, dude."
Castiel reached out and grabbed his wrist as Dean moved to push the fruit cup away from himself. "I got this as I knew you preferred meat in your omelets, but next time I will get a vegetable one if you don't eat this."
Anger was Dean's first instinctive response to being told what to do like this, but it was quickly washed away by wonder and astonishment. No one had ever tried to make him eat his fruit and vegetables since Mom had died. Oh, sure, both Dad and Sam had made comments at times about his food choices, but neither of them had made any real effort to get him to eat better. Snide and pointed comments had pretty much been the extent of it. So, to have someone now make an effort to get him to eat better... well, quite frankly, it touched him in a way he hadn't expected it to. Not to mention Cas' wording.
Next time.
Dean swallowed around the sudden lump in his throat. "Yeah, okay."
Surprisingly he couldn't find it in him to come up with one of his usual witty retorts. There was just something far too honest and real about Castiel's concern for him to belittle it. Not to mention that the angel was the last person he had left. Sammy clearly didn't want him around and as for Bobby, well, Bobby had gone along with Sam's idea and Dean wasn't really sure where he stood with the older hunter now. He'd not yet been able to tell the other man about what had happened between Lisa and himself, though he'd known he'd probably end up at the salvage yard sooner or later. Now, however, now he wasn't so sure.
Castiel didn't immediately let go of his wrist or look away from his eyes and Dean could feel his heart speed up as he found himself unable to look away. He'd have to find something to do about this situation as it was starting to get ridiculous. It was pathetic how often he reminded himself of a stupid schoolgirl with her first crush. Then, suddenly, the angel looked away and released his wrist. He missed the contact immediately, but pushed the sentiment aside and opened the fruit cup. He'd always eaten what he liked least first so that he could then savor the rest of his meal.
Instead of vanishing back to Heaven or wherever else he went to these days, Castiel moved to the second chair and sat down. In the past it would have bothered him to have the angel watching him as he ate, but Dean had long since gotten over it and was simply pleased for the company.
"I have started training with Xarael as you suggested," Castiel said when Dean started on the pancakes, breaking the comfortable silence that had fallen.
"Oh, and?"
"It is difficult as we only know very little about an archangel's powers and abilities."
"They kept that knowledge to themselves, I take it?"
"Yes."
"Aren't there any of them left?"
"Other than Raphael, Lucifer, Michael and Gabriel, there were only Simiel, Jophiel and Raziel. Simiel sided with Lucifer and was cast into the Pit, Jophiel was killed during the rebellion, holding Lucifer off until Michael could fight him, and Raziel was given a task by Father and hasn't been seen since."
Dean sighed, he could already feel the frustration and stress rising and taking up residence in his back and neck.
"And I don't suppose your Father has decided to step up to the plate and show his face yet, has he?"
He regretted the words almost immediately, the image of a hopeless Cas still far too clear in Dean's mind for his comfort.
"No, He hasn't," Castiel stated evenly. "I fear, as before, that we will need to deal with this ourselves."
"Right, after the bang up job we did of it before."
"We could not have foreseen that Sam would pull Michael into the cage with him or that the cage wouldn't be able to hold the both of them."
"It wasn't just Michael."
"What?"
"It wasn't just Michael that Sam pulled into Hell with him, it was Adam was well," Dean clarified. "I still can't believe he did that."
"He was probably thinking of the damage Michael could cause."
"That's bigger picture bullshit," Dean snapped crossly. "If we were into that, I'd have said yes to Michael when Zachariah first told me I was his vessel. And I know Sammy thinks that too, or at least he used to, always complaining when Dad wanted to use someone as bait."
"Your brother has changed a lot since then, Dean."
"I know, but Adam is, was, his brother, his younger brother! I just can't understand how he could do that to his own family."
"Probably the same way he abandoned you."
The words were said quietly but they felt like blows nonetheless to Dean and he glared at the angel for daring to bring that up.
"There is a reason that you are the Righteous Man, Dean, and not your brother or anyone else. You care about what is right and just. You don't allow such things as the end goal to compromise your morals and your actions. Regardless, the important thing is that you couldn't have foreseen that events would unfold like this and are thus not to blame. Locking Lucifer back up in his cage was a good solution to the problem and you helped bring that about. If nothing else, it has bought us more time to find a more permanent solution."
A.N.: In regards to the archangels I chose to use, I did a search for the 7 and kept finding different ones listed. There doesn't seem to be any consensus out there- heck, several mention Uriel!- so I picked those I wanted based on what role they'll play in the fic.
Chapter 11