Unexpected Destinies Chapter 158
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: 3,810
Summary: Raphael shares his revelation with the others.
PRESENT
"Ready to go?" Dean asked his grandfather and Bobby when he came down the stairs to join them.
"Beyond feeling like I'm forgetting something because I don't have anything with me, sure," Bobby replied.
"It is odd not needing to gather everything ourselves," Samuel agreed. "But also kind of nice."
Dean laughed. "Yeah, well given the amount of hemlock we need for this potion and just where you get a bezoar, I'm quite glad not to have to get it all this time."
"Good points," Bobby agreed.
"Either of you know where Sam is?"
"He was in the living room with Gwen a few minutes ago," Samuel replied uncomfortably.
"Something wrong?" Dean asked, tensing.
His grandfather sighed. "Your brother was being difficult again. I swear, there are times when I wonder how he can be Mary's son, he's just like a clone of your father occasionally."
The words made Dean's stomach clench but he forced himself to relax. He'd gotten better at letting his brother's words and actions roll off him since their first big argument a few days ago, but he'd come to accept that it would never just be easy or painless.
"I'll go get them," Dean said once he was sure he had control of his voice.
It was best for everyone if he got Sam past whatever mood his brother was in before his new bond brothers and husband arrived. Though Castiel hadn't said anything, he knew his angel was longing to put Sam in his place for the way his brother had upset him. He was grateful for his husband's restraint but knew that it wouldn't last forever either, especially since there was a part of him (small but growing steadily) that would not only not object, but delight in it as well. It was the same part that had been unable to not be amused by Raphael's stunt with the flying and 'failing' to cushion Sam.
"Gwen, Sam," Dean called out, hearing the raised voices as he approached the living room. "It's nearly time to g- oh, hey, Raph."
The way both his brother and Gwen spun about at his words, scanning the room, told Dean that his bond brother hadn't alerted them to his arrival. The way Sam swallowed and looked like a little kid with his hand caught in the cookie jar told him that his grandfather had been right about the nature of the argument between his brother and Gwen. He sighed and tried to force the thought from his mind, focusing his attention on his bond brother instead of his brother.
Raphael's protective tendencies when it came to Sam's childish and unreasonable behavior hadn't gone unnoticed but Dean just wasn't quite sure how to deal with it. He'd never been the recipient of that kind of attention before, always having been the big brother himself and the son of someone who'd had to rely on him to take care of not only Sam, but himself as well. So yeah, being protected like this, or having someone wanting to do so who wasn't his husband was odd. He had no doubt though that both Michael and Raphael would ensure that he got used to it as he couldn't see either of them giving up on it. He'd never have done so with Sam.
The thought actually warmed Dean as he knew that they viewed him with the same affection and love that he'd always viewed his brother with. It was an amazing thought and one he cherished though he joy of it was short lived as it vanished the moment he caught sight of his bond brother's face.
"Raph, what's wrong?" Dean demanded, stepping forwards hastily.
For lack of a better way of putting it, the archangel looked like he'd seen a ghost and it frightened Dean as he'd never seen Raphael so spooked before.
"Oh, this isn't good," Gwen muttered, stepping to the door quickly. "Bobby, Samuel, I think you'd better get in here quickly."
"Raph?" Dean questioned again, laying his hand on his bond brother's shoulder.
That seemed to finally get through to the archangel and Raphael turned to look at Dean, a troubled expression on his face. "We missed something rather obvious."
"Huh?"
Dean would have said more but just then the room went from being merely occupied to crowded as Bobby and Samuel arrived at the same time Michael and Castiel did.
"I thought we were meeting outside," Castiel said before his stance stiffened. "What is wrong, Brother?"
"Okay, will someone please explain what's going on here?" Samuel demanded as Michael reacted as well, moving to Raphael's other side.
"It is Sam Winchester," Raphael began, drawing everyone's attention that way.
"What about me?" Sam snapped, crossing his arms over his chest defensively.
"What you were saying-"
"Was none of your business. Eavesdropping is impolite and eavesdroppers never hear anything that they like."
"Dude, seriously?" Dean demanded. "You still haven't figured out that angels have absolutely no concept of privacy?"
"You seem to get it."
"Yeah, because I've earned it!"
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"It means that we honor Dean's request for it as we respect him. Well, we honor it mostly," Michael replied with a fond smile. "Sometimes it's too much fun to resist ignoring it."
"Pervert," Dean muttered.
"Like when?" Gwen inquired, curious.
"Like in the early morning or the middle of the night. Dean can be... adorable when still half asleep."
"Hey! I'm not adorable!" Dean exclaimed indignant. "And don't even think about saying what I know you're thinking, Cas."
"Michael, Castiel, we overlooked something important," Raphael stated, instantly washing away the good mood. "Something that we should not have."
"What is it, Brother?" Castiel asked.
When his husband stepped closer, Dean was suddenly surrounded by wings on most sides. Both Michael and Castiel reached out towards Raphael with theirs and, standing next to the archangel, he was enfolded as well. The only gap in the circle of feathers around them that would otherwise have cocooned them off from the rest of the world was between Michael and Castiel, allowing all of them to keep an eye on Sam. The way his brother was watching them told him that Sam knew that something more was going on than what his brother could see and he wouldn't be surprised if the way his brother's eyes were darting between the three archangels had something to do with a futile attempt to try and view their wings. Although Sam's reaction to his explanation of what he'd been doing last night while watching the movie had looked nonchalant at first glance, to his practiced eye it had all but screamed jealousy and he sighed. He'd been unable to stop wondering if Sam hadn't mentally been bemoaning the fact that his brother couldn't see them with each and every look Sam had thrown his way the rest of the evening. He'd wanted to believe otherwise but the way his brother's eyes had lingered on his fingers as he groomed Castiel's wings had left him in little doubt of his conclusion.
They didn't have time for that now though so Dean turned his attention back to Raphael instead, letting the others worry about Sam for a change.
"What he was saying and his attitude," Raphael finally continued, relaxing fractionally under the combined support of his family. "It was all like Lucifer."
"What?" Dean demanded, eyes going wide, a sentiment echoed by some of the others and he could sense more than hear Bobby shifting into a ready position.
"Wh- I- How dare you!" Sam exclaimed, face clouding over. "I am not Lucifer!"
"No, of course you are not," Castiel replied dismissively. "That we would have sensed long ago."
"What do you mean, Raphael?" Michael inquired, glancing between the two.
"Do you remember during the Rebellion when you and Lucifer fought, what he said to you? How he tried to justify his treason and tempt you to follow in his path and join him? And all that he'd said before, in the time leading up to the Rebellion?"
"Yes, of course."
The pain that Dean could practically feel emanating from his friend at those words made him reach out and gently squeeze the tip of the chocolate brown wing that was near his shoulder, easily distinguishable from Castiel and Raphael's midnight colored wings. He couldn't reach Michael himself from where he stood, ensconced between his husband and other bond brother, but he could tell the sentiment had been received and appreciated from the way his friend flexed his wing so the feathers caressed his shoulder and neck.
"He sounded like that," Raphael stated, clearly still shaken. "The reasoning, the arrogance and the certainty that he was right; it was all exactly like how Lucifer sounded back then. So very prideful."
The words were like bullets, each one striking home with deadly precision and Dean flinched back, right into a wall of feathers. The wings pressed back against him, soothing and supportive and he had absolutely no idea whose wings they were, but he didn't care, more than happy to take the proffered comfort from any of them.
"Just what are you saying?" Bobby demanded shakily from somewhere behind him.
The words were all that was needed to break the spell and Dean's eyes darted to look at his brother. Sam looked as stunned and horrified as he himself felt and he was unbelievably grateful for that small favor. With the way that things had been going, a part of him wouldn't have been so that surprised if his brother had simply shrugged it all off. The fact that Sam was still with it enough to be so horrified at the idea was an immense relief, though he was sure that the denial wouldn't be far behind. It was the Winchester way after all. He only wished that he could do so as well but Michael's memories of that horrendous, faithful day when Lucifer had rebelled were far too fresh for him to ever be able to even attempt it.
"Castiel?" Bobby prodded again.
"I am not sure," Castiel replied and Dean felt a hand come to rest on the small of his back. "Raphael?"
Before his bond brother could reply, Michael stepped away from the group and moved towards Sam. Dean saw his brother startle and try to step away but it was already too late and Michael had hold of his brother's arm.
"What are you doing?" Sam demanded, trying to pull himself free as Michael raised two fingers to his forehead. "Let me go. Don't touch me!"
His friend completely ignored Sam, though, and Dean's breath caught in his throat as Michael touched his brother. He wasn't quite sure what his bond brother was doing, but he was afraid of the outcome nonetheless. Given what Raphael had just said he didn't think that there could be any possible happy ending here. Somehow, some way, his brother had changed enough to become akin to Lucifer of all people and not just in the vague kinda way that Gabriel had once described while trapped in a circle of Holy fire in an abandoned warehouse. That had never held much significance as far as he was concerned as it could have applied to any number of siblings across the country, let alone the rest of the world. This, however, this was completely different and Raphael was definitely spooked enough for him to not even doubt the veracity of the archangel's claim, horrible as it was.
"Michael?" Samuel asked, an edge of warning in his voice when Sam whimpered.
"He's not hurting him," Dean stated, not taking his eyes off his two brothers.
"Then what is he doing?"
"I don't know."
The silence that met that declaration was quite telling and Dean hoped that they took it to heart. He'd not spent any time really thinking about just how much- indeed if at all- his old family trusted his new one and he now realized that he probably should have. They'd all have to work together if they were going to end this damn Apocalypse in the way that they wanted to and they simply couldn't afford any more discord or suspicion within their own group. Sam was already doing enough of that for all of them combined and then some.
"Mike?" Dean asked when his archangel finally stepped back and released Sam.
"His soul looks normal and is not displaying any signs of the fusion that yours does from what happened to us," Michael replied.
"Oh, good."
Dean had to admit that he hadn't even thought of that though, as Raphael had said, he probably should have. It was a stupid oversight to make, especially given that he'd been one of the people to experience what that felt like and how powerful of a connection it was. Not to mention just how big of an influence it had been on him and his behavior. He shuddered to think of precisely what Sam might have done if Lucifer had influenced his brother in a similar manner. Somehow he thought that it would make all that Sam had done while on the demon blood with Ruby pale in comparison.
"Now just hold on a goddamn minute," Bobby thundered. "What the hell do you mean, the fusion that Dean's soul has from you? What happened?"
"It's nothing, Bobby," Dean said.
"It sure as hell doesn't sound like nothing to me. What did you do, ya idjit?"
Unfortunately this was a conversation for which he actually needed to be able to see the other hunter, so Dean reluctantly stepped away from Castiel and Raphael in order to be able to see around their wings. "It wasn't something that we planned on."
"I definitely hope not!" Samuel exclaimed.
"It was a side effect of performing the Rite of Contressa," Castiel explained. "When Michael and Dean did it while both in Dean's body, the power of the rite brought them even closer together than mere angels and vessels normally are, even for Michael."
"And it caused Dean's soul to fuse somehow?" Gwen asked. "To what?"
"Michael's Grace."
"So let me get this straight, the two of them basically started melding into one and you didn't think it important to tell us this before?" Sam demanded, throwing Dean a suspicious look. "How the hell do we even know that he's still my brother anymore? He's not been acting right since he came back."
"See what I mean about how warped his thinking has gotten?" Raphael pointed out, looking at him and the other two archangels. "Reminiscent of Lucifer, isn't it?"
Dean clung to those words and tried to use them as a shield to protect against the hurt of Sam's accusations. Perhaps that wasn't his brother talking at all, perhaps it was the devil speaking through Sam somehow? Much as he'd love to believe that, he couldn't help but recall his husband's earlier comment of how they'd have noticed right away if Lucifer were actually hiding in Sam right now. No, whatever this was, it was far less than the complete possession which would be the only good excuse for all the hurtful things that his brother had said ever since their reunification.
"Yes," Castiel responded, head tilted as he observed Sam. "I do not see how I missed it before."
"I am not Lucifer!" Sam all but screamed, face red.
"If anything that makes the situation even worse," Michael replied calmly. "As it means that you still retain your free will and have done all of this of your own volition. At least if you were truly being possessed by my brother, then you would have a valid excuse for your behavior."
What Michael said was so similar to his own thoughts that it threw Dean for a moment. In the end though it only served to highlight the crucial point of both of their thoughts. You didn't need an ongoing possession- or whatever the appropriate word was for what he and Michael had as possession just wasn't right on any level whatsoever- in order for there to be a continued influence. But what Michael said was right, without it there was absolutely no excuse for the way that his brother had been behaving.
"Okay, time out. Just what are you guys saying, exactly," Gwen questioned, stepping forwards. "Because it might make sense to you guys, but not to the rest of us."
"They're saying that Dean isn't himself anymore," Sam replied. "They're saying that he's Michael's puppet."
In the blink of an eye Raphael stood before Sam and had fisted his hands into his brother's clothing. "Your brother isn't the one who's being someone's puppet here, Sam Winchester."
"Whoa, Raph!" Dean exclaimed, stepping forwards hurriedly. "Trust me, that's not gonna help."
"Your brother aggravates me," Raphael stated.
"The feeling is more than mutual at the moment, but physical force isn't going to do anything more than make him feel even more justified in his opinions."
"Damn right it will!" Sam snarled as soon as he was released. "What's wrong, Raph? Can't get your way so you throw a temper tantrum? How mature."
"Oh shut up, Sam!" Dean snapped, turning on his brother. "If anyone's being childish here it's you. Grow up already. You think you're so smart and have it all figured out, don't you? Well if that's so then why are you reminding people of Lucifer, huh?"
"I-" Sam began and broke off, shock and rage warring for dominance on his face.
Dean would be lying if he said that he didn't get an immense sense of satisfaction from just letting his brother have it or for rendering Sam speechless. "You'd think that you'd have learned better after everything that happened with Ruby, but you really haven't, have you?"
"I did!"
"Then why are you acting exactly the same as you did back then?"
"I- I'm not."
"Is that a statement or a question? 'Cause it sounds like a question to me."
"He's right, Sam," Bobby said softly. "You are acting like you did back then."
That seemed to finally get through his brother's thick skull and Dean couldn't help but feel glad. If he'd known that it would take a united front, then he'd have organized this long ago, but he hadn't thought it would be that simple. Not that it really was, at least not without Raphael's revelation.
"As for what Raph and the others are saying, it's quite simple. Being a vessel to Michael or Lucifer is different from being a vessel to any other angel. With the others- except for the other archangels- the vessel pretty much gets pushed down within their own meatsuit and has only minimal awareness of what's going on. With the other archangels the vessel gets burned out of existence. With Mike and Lucy, though, the vessel can be made aware of everything that is going on around them and is able to interact with Mike or Lucy should they wish to do so."
"Okay, so Michael keeps you aware?" Samuel asked.
"I would, but it's not necessary," Michael replied. "For some reason Dean is able to regain consciousness on his own."
"I take it that's not normal," Bobby said.
"No, it is not."
"Dean, it seems, is incapable of following even that rule," Raphael commented with wry amusement.
"Oh, bite me, Raph," Dean retorted. "And don't ask me how I do it because I don't know. It just happened the first time Mike took me as his vessel and since then we've been able to ensure that I don't even lose consciousness at all."
"What does all of this have to do with what you guys were talking about earlier? With what Raphael was saying?" Gwen asked.
"In being aware as Dean is and as Lucifer was able to make Sam whenever he wanted to, it opens them up to being influenced," Castiel explained.
"What do you mean, influenced?" Sam demanded sharply.
Part of him wanted to snap at his brother for being so rude to his husband, but the rest of Dean was rejoicing. The others might not be able to tell but a lifetime of practically living in each other's pockets had allowed him to become intimately acquainted with each and every one of Sam's tones and that meant he could clearly hear the hint of fear and uncertainty in his brother's voice right now. Although he didn't want to scare Sam, he knew that nothing else was likely to get the desired results anymore. Not with all that had already happened and just how good his brother had gotten at deluding himself about precisely what it was that was going on here.
"The closeness between an aware vessel and their angel is nearly unfathomable for anyone who has not been in that position," Castiel replied. "The vessel is open in a way that humans normally never are, soul to angelic Grace. One cannot be that close to someone else without being affected by it. Dean and Michael say that they can share feelings and thoughts as easily as most people share glances."
"So, basically, you're saying that Michael's closer to your boyfriend than you are," Sam sneered.
The wings closing around his shoulder and pulling him closer was not at all unexpected and Dean went with it, sending the mental equivalent of a hug along the bond to his husband. It wasn't truly needed as he didn't feel any insecurity or anything remotely similar from his bond mate, but he wanted to do it nonetheless.
"Dean and I share a profound bond of our own and have in some form ever since I gripped him tight and raised him from Perdition. Our relationship has never been normal in any manner whatsoever," Castiel replied evenly.
"Stop deflecting and avoiding the truth, Sam," Dean ordered.
"What truth?"
"That you've allowed Lucifer to influence your thoughts and actions," Raphael stated bluntly. "You have taken some of my brother's worst characteristics and adopted them as your own. His pride, arrogance, self-righteousness and easy derision of all those who disagree with you."
"But he was cleansed," Bobby interrupted. "He went through countless spells and rituals to do so. Why didn't they cleanse him of this?"
"Because this is not some taint that lingers on his body and soul," Michael explained. "This is a voluntary, if perhaps subconscious, decision that Sam made for himself. No cleansing spell or ritual out there can strip him of that, or rather none that do not make use of the dark arts."
"This can only be done in the same way in which it was done," Castiel added. "Through Sam's own free will. Only this time with a conscious rejection of Lucifer's influence now that he has been made aware it."
A.N.: Okay guys, I'm so sorry for the long wait, I'd never intended to leave you hanging for so long a cliffhanger like that. So if anyone has figured out how to grow money on trees please do let me know! I'd love to grow it and write all day instead of working for it.
Chapter 159
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: up to and including Exile on Main St., AU from the end of season 5
Warnings: AU, slash
Word Count: 3,810
Summary: Raphael shares his revelation with the others.
PRESENT
"Ready to go?" Dean asked his grandfather and Bobby when he came down the stairs to join them.
"Beyond feeling like I'm forgetting something because I don't have anything with me, sure," Bobby replied.
"It is odd not needing to gather everything ourselves," Samuel agreed. "But also kind of nice."
Dean laughed. "Yeah, well given the amount of hemlock we need for this potion and just where you get a bezoar, I'm quite glad not to have to get it all this time."
"Good points," Bobby agreed.
"Either of you know where Sam is?"
"He was in the living room with Gwen a few minutes ago," Samuel replied uncomfortably.
"Something wrong?" Dean asked, tensing.
His grandfather sighed. "Your brother was being difficult again. I swear, there are times when I wonder how he can be Mary's son, he's just like a clone of your father occasionally."
The words made Dean's stomach clench but he forced himself to relax. He'd gotten better at letting his brother's words and actions roll off him since their first big argument a few days ago, but he'd come to accept that it would never just be easy or painless.
"I'll go get them," Dean said once he was sure he had control of his voice.
It was best for everyone if he got Sam past whatever mood his brother was in before his new bond brothers and husband arrived. Though Castiel hadn't said anything, he knew his angel was longing to put Sam in his place for the way his brother had upset him. He was grateful for his husband's restraint but knew that it wouldn't last forever either, especially since there was a part of him (small but growing steadily) that would not only not object, but delight in it as well. It was the same part that had been unable to not be amused by Raphael's stunt with the flying and 'failing' to cushion Sam.
"Gwen, Sam," Dean called out, hearing the raised voices as he approached the living room. "It's nearly time to g- oh, hey, Raph."
The way both his brother and Gwen spun about at his words, scanning the room, told Dean that his bond brother hadn't alerted them to his arrival. The way Sam swallowed and looked like a little kid with his hand caught in the cookie jar told him that his grandfather had been right about the nature of the argument between his brother and Gwen. He sighed and tried to force the thought from his mind, focusing his attention on his bond brother instead of his brother.
Raphael's protective tendencies when it came to Sam's childish and unreasonable behavior hadn't gone unnoticed but Dean just wasn't quite sure how to deal with it. He'd never been the recipient of that kind of attention before, always having been the big brother himself and the son of someone who'd had to rely on him to take care of not only Sam, but himself as well. So yeah, being protected like this, or having someone wanting to do so who wasn't his husband was odd. He had no doubt though that both Michael and Raphael would ensure that he got used to it as he couldn't see either of them giving up on it. He'd never have done so with Sam.
The thought actually warmed Dean as he knew that they viewed him with the same affection and love that he'd always viewed his brother with. It was an amazing thought and one he cherished though he joy of it was short lived as it vanished the moment he caught sight of his bond brother's face.
"Raph, what's wrong?" Dean demanded, stepping forwards hastily.
For lack of a better way of putting it, the archangel looked like he'd seen a ghost and it frightened Dean as he'd never seen Raphael so spooked before.
"Oh, this isn't good," Gwen muttered, stepping to the door quickly. "Bobby, Samuel, I think you'd better get in here quickly."
"Raph?" Dean questioned again, laying his hand on his bond brother's shoulder.
That seemed to finally get through to the archangel and Raphael turned to look at Dean, a troubled expression on his face. "We missed something rather obvious."
"Huh?"
Dean would have said more but just then the room went from being merely occupied to crowded as Bobby and Samuel arrived at the same time Michael and Castiel did.
"I thought we were meeting outside," Castiel said before his stance stiffened. "What is wrong, Brother?"
"Okay, will someone please explain what's going on here?" Samuel demanded as Michael reacted as well, moving to Raphael's other side.
"It is Sam Winchester," Raphael began, drawing everyone's attention that way.
"What about me?" Sam snapped, crossing his arms over his chest defensively.
"What you were saying-"
"Was none of your business. Eavesdropping is impolite and eavesdroppers never hear anything that they like."
"Dude, seriously?" Dean demanded. "You still haven't figured out that angels have absolutely no concept of privacy?"
"You seem to get it."
"Yeah, because I've earned it!"
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"It means that we honor Dean's request for it as we respect him. Well, we honor it mostly," Michael replied with a fond smile. "Sometimes it's too much fun to resist ignoring it."
"Pervert," Dean muttered.
"Like when?" Gwen inquired, curious.
"Like in the early morning or the middle of the night. Dean can be... adorable when still half asleep."
"Hey! I'm not adorable!" Dean exclaimed indignant. "And don't even think about saying what I know you're thinking, Cas."
"Michael, Castiel, we overlooked something important," Raphael stated, instantly washing away the good mood. "Something that we should not have."
"What is it, Brother?" Castiel asked.
When his husband stepped closer, Dean was suddenly surrounded by wings on most sides. Both Michael and Castiel reached out towards Raphael with theirs and, standing next to the archangel, he was enfolded as well. The only gap in the circle of feathers around them that would otherwise have cocooned them off from the rest of the world was between Michael and Castiel, allowing all of them to keep an eye on Sam. The way his brother was watching them told him that Sam knew that something more was going on than what his brother could see and he wouldn't be surprised if the way his brother's eyes were darting between the three archangels had something to do with a futile attempt to try and view their wings. Although Sam's reaction to his explanation of what he'd been doing last night while watching the movie had looked nonchalant at first glance, to his practiced eye it had all but screamed jealousy and he sighed. He'd been unable to stop wondering if Sam hadn't mentally been bemoaning the fact that his brother couldn't see them with each and every look Sam had thrown his way the rest of the evening. He'd wanted to believe otherwise but the way his brother's eyes had lingered on his fingers as he groomed Castiel's wings had left him in little doubt of his conclusion.
They didn't have time for that now though so Dean turned his attention back to Raphael instead, letting the others worry about Sam for a change.
"What he was saying and his attitude," Raphael finally continued, relaxing fractionally under the combined support of his family. "It was all like Lucifer."
"What?" Dean demanded, eyes going wide, a sentiment echoed by some of the others and he could sense more than hear Bobby shifting into a ready position.
"Wh- I- How dare you!" Sam exclaimed, face clouding over. "I am not Lucifer!"
"No, of course you are not," Castiel replied dismissively. "That we would have sensed long ago."
"What do you mean, Raphael?" Michael inquired, glancing between the two.
"Do you remember during the Rebellion when you and Lucifer fought, what he said to you? How he tried to justify his treason and tempt you to follow in his path and join him? And all that he'd said before, in the time leading up to the Rebellion?"
"Yes, of course."
The pain that Dean could practically feel emanating from his friend at those words made him reach out and gently squeeze the tip of the chocolate brown wing that was near his shoulder, easily distinguishable from Castiel and Raphael's midnight colored wings. He couldn't reach Michael himself from where he stood, ensconced between his husband and other bond brother, but he could tell the sentiment had been received and appreciated from the way his friend flexed his wing so the feathers caressed his shoulder and neck.
"He sounded like that," Raphael stated, clearly still shaken. "The reasoning, the arrogance and the certainty that he was right; it was all exactly like how Lucifer sounded back then. So very prideful."
The words were like bullets, each one striking home with deadly precision and Dean flinched back, right into a wall of feathers. The wings pressed back against him, soothing and supportive and he had absolutely no idea whose wings they were, but he didn't care, more than happy to take the proffered comfort from any of them.
"Just what are you saying?" Bobby demanded shakily from somewhere behind him.
The words were all that was needed to break the spell and Dean's eyes darted to look at his brother. Sam looked as stunned and horrified as he himself felt and he was unbelievably grateful for that small favor. With the way that things had been going, a part of him wouldn't have been so that surprised if his brother had simply shrugged it all off. The fact that Sam was still with it enough to be so horrified at the idea was an immense relief, though he was sure that the denial wouldn't be far behind. It was the Winchester way after all. He only wished that he could do so as well but Michael's memories of that horrendous, faithful day when Lucifer had rebelled were far too fresh for him to ever be able to even attempt it.
"Castiel?" Bobby prodded again.
"I am not sure," Castiel replied and Dean felt a hand come to rest on the small of his back. "Raphael?"
Before his bond brother could reply, Michael stepped away from the group and moved towards Sam. Dean saw his brother startle and try to step away but it was already too late and Michael had hold of his brother's arm.
"What are you doing?" Sam demanded, trying to pull himself free as Michael raised two fingers to his forehead. "Let me go. Don't touch me!"
His friend completely ignored Sam, though, and Dean's breath caught in his throat as Michael touched his brother. He wasn't quite sure what his bond brother was doing, but he was afraid of the outcome nonetheless. Given what Raphael had just said he didn't think that there could be any possible happy ending here. Somehow, some way, his brother had changed enough to become akin to Lucifer of all people and not just in the vague kinda way that Gabriel had once described while trapped in a circle of Holy fire in an abandoned warehouse. That had never held much significance as far as he was concerned as it could have applied to any number of siblings across the country, let alone the rest of the world. This, however, this was completely different and Raphael was definitely spooked enough for him to not even doubt the veracity of the archangel's claim, horrible as it was.
"Michael?" Samuel asked, an edge of warning in his voice when Sam whimpered.
"He's not hurting him," Dean stated, not taking his eyes off his two brothers.
"Then what is he doing?"
"I don't know."
The silence that met that declaration was quite telling and Dean hoped that they took it to heart. He'd not spent any time really thinking about just how much- indeed if at all- his old family trusted his new one and he now realized that he probably should have. They'd all have to work together if they were going to end this damn Apocalypse in the way that they wanted to and they simply couldn't afford any more discord or suspicion within their own group. Sam was already doing enough of that for all of them combined and then some.
"Mike?" Dean asked when his archangel finally stepped back and released Sam.
"His soul looks normal and is not displaying any signs of the fusion that yours does from what happened to us," Michael replied.
"Oh, good."
Dean had to admit that he hadn't even thought of that though, as Raphael had said, he probably should have. It was a stupid oversight to make, especially given that he'd been one of the people to experience what that felt like and how powerful of a connection it was. Not to mention just how big of an influence it had been on him and his behavior. He shuddered to think of precisely what Sam might have done if Lucifer had influenced his brother in a similar manner. Somehow he thought that it would make all that Sam had done while on the demon blood with Ruby pale in comparison.
"Now just hold on a goddamn minute," Bobby thundered. "What the hell do you mean, the fusion that Dean's soul has from you? What happened?"
"It's nothing, Bobby," Dean said.
"It sure as hell doesn't sound like nothing to me. What did you do, ya idjit?"
Unfortunately this was a conversation for which he actually needed to be able to see the other hunter, so Dean reluctantly stepped away from Castiel and Raphael in order to be able to see around their wings. "It wasn't something that we planned on."
"I definitely hope not!" Samuel exclaimed.
"It was a side effect of performing the Rite of Contressa," Castiel explained. "When Michael and Dean did it while both in Dean's body, the power of the rite brought them even closer together than mere angels and vessels normally are, even for Michael."
"And it caused Dean's soul to fuse somehow?" Gwen asked. "To what?"
"Michael's Grace."
"So let me get this straight, the two of them basically started melding into one and you didn't think it important to tell us this before?" Sam demanded, throwing Dean a suspicious look. "How the hell do we even know that he's still my brother anymore? He's not been acting right since he came back."
"See what I mean about how warped his thinking has gotten?" Raphael pointed out, looking at him and the other two archangels. "Reminiscent of Lucifer, isn't it?"
Dean clung to those words and tried to use them as a shield to protect against the hurt of Sam's accusations. Perhaps that wasn't his brother talking at all, perhaps it was the devil speaking through Sam somehow? Much as he'd love to believe that, he couldn't help but recall his husband's earlier comment of how they'd have noticed right away if Lucifer were actually hiding in Sam right now. No, whatever this was, it was far less than the complete possession which would be the only good excuse for all the hurtful things that his brother had said ever since their reunification.
"Yes," Castiel responded, head tilted as he observed Sam. "I do not see how I missed it before."
"I am not Lucifer!" Sam all but screamed, face red.
"If anything that makes the situation even worse," Michael replied calmly. "As it means that you still retain your free will and have done all of this of your own volition. At least if you were truly being possessed by my brother, then you would have a valid excuse for your behavior."
What Michael said was so similar to his own thoughts that it threw Dean for a moment. In the end though it only served to highlight the crucial point of both of their thoughts. You didn't need an ongoing possession- or whatever the appropriate word was for what he and Michael had as possession just wasn't right on any level whatsoever- in order for there to be a continued influence. But what Michael said was right, without it there was absolutely no excuse for the way that his brother had been behaving.
"Okay, time out. Just what are you guys saying, exactly," Gwen questioned, stepping forwards. "Because it might make sense to you guys, but not to the rest of us."
"They're saying that Dean isn't himself anymore," Sam replied. "They're saying that he's Michael's puppet."
In the blink of an eye Raphael stood before Sam and had fisted his hands into his brother's clothing. "Your brother isn't the one who's being someone's puppet here, Sam Winchester."
"Whoa, Raph!" Dean exclaimed, stepping forwards hurriedly. "Trust me, that's not gonna help."
"Your brother aggravates me," Raphael stated.
"The feeling is more than mutual at the moment, but physical force isn't going to do anything more than make him feel even more justified in his opinions."
"Damn right it will!" Sam snarled as soon as he was released. "What's wrong, Raph? Can't get your way so you throw a temper tantrum? How mature."
"Oh shut up, Sam!" Dean snapped, turning on his brother. "If anyone's being childish here it's you. Grow up already. You think you're so smart and have it all figured out, don't you? Well if that's so then why are you reminding people of Lucifer, huh?"
"I-" Sam began and broke off, shock and rage warring for dominance on his face.
Dean would be lying if he said that he didn't get an immense sense of satisfaction from just letting his brother have it or for rendering Sam speechless. "You'd think that you'd have learned better after everything that happened with Ruby, but you really haven't, have you?"
"I did!"
"Then why are you acting exactly the same as you did back then?"
"I- I'm not."
"Is that a statement or a question? 'Cause it sounds like a question to me."
"He's right, Sam," Bobby said softly. "You are acting like you did back then."
That seemed to finally get through his brother's thick skull and Dean couldn't help but feel glad. If he'd known that it would take a united front, then he'd have organized this long ago, but he hadn't thought it would be that simple. Not that it really was, at least not without Raphael's revelation.
"As for what Raph and the others are saying, it's quite simple. Being a vessel to Michael or Lucifer is different from being a vessel to any other angel. With the others- except for the other archangels- the vessel pretty much gets pushed down within their own meatsuit and has only minimal awareness of what's going on. With the other archangels the vessel gets burned out of existence. With Mike and Lucy, though, the vessel can be made aware of everything that is going on around them and is able to interact with Mike or Lucy should they wish to do so."
"Okay, so Michael keeps you aware?" Samuel asked.
"I would, but it's not necessary," Michael replied. "For some reason Dean is able to regain consciousness on his own."
"I take it that's not normal," Bobby said.
"No, it is not."
"Dean, it seems, is incapable of following even that rule," Raphael commented with wry amusement.
"Oh, bite me, Raph," Dean retorted. "And don't ask me how I do it because I don't know. It just happened the first time Mike took me as his vessel and since then we've been able to ensure that I don't even lose consciousness at all."
"What does all of this have to do with what you guys were talking about earlier? With what Raphael was saying?" Gwen asked.
"In being aware as Dean is and as Lucifer was able to make Sam whenever he wanted to, it opens them up to being influenced," Castiel explained.
"What do you mean, influenced?" Sam demanded sharply.
Part of him wanted to snap at his brother for being so rude to his husband, but the rest of Dean was rejoicing. The others might not be able to tell but a lifetime of practically living in each other's pockets had allowed him to become intimately acquainted with each and every one of Sam's tones and that meant he could clearly hear the hint of fear and uncertainty in his brother's voice right now. Although he didn't want to scare Sam, he knew that nothing else was likely to get the desired results anymore. Not with all that had already happened and just how good his brother had gotten at deluding himself about precisely what it was that was going on here.
"The closeness between an aware vessel and their angel is nearly unfathomable for anyone who has not been in that position," Castiel replied. "The vessel is open in a way that humans normally never are, soul to angelic Grace. One cannot be that close to someone else without being affected by it. Dean and Michael say that they can share feelings and thoughts as easily as most people share glances."
"So, basically, you're saying that Michael's closer to your boyfriend than you are," Sam sneered.
The wings closing around his shoulder and pulling him closer was not at all unexpected and Dean went with it, sending the mental equivalent of a hug along the bond to his husband. It wasn't truly needed as he didn't feel any insecurity or anything remotely similar from his bond mate, but he wanted to do it nonetheless.
"Dean and I share a profound bond of our own and have in some form ever since I gripped him tight and raised him from Perdition. Our relationship has never been normal in any manner whatsoever," Castiel replied evenly.
"Stop deflecting and avoiding the truth, Sam," Dean ordered.
"What truth?"
"That you've allowed Lucifer to influence your thoughts and actions," Raphael stated bluntly. "You have taken some of my brother's worst characteristics and adopted them as your own. His pride, arrogance, self-righteousness and easy derision of all those who disagree with you."
"But he was cleansed," Bobby interrupted. "He went through countless spells and rituals to do so. Why didn't they cleanse him of this?"
"Because this is not some taint that lingers on his body and soul," Michael explained. "This is a voluntary, if perhaps subconscious, decision that Sam made for himself. No cleansing spell or ritual out there can strip him of that, or rather none that do not make use of the dark arts."
"This can only be done in the same way in which it was done," Castiel added. "Through Sam's own free will. Only this time with a conscious rejection of Lucifer's influence now that he has been made aware it."
A.N.: Okay guys, I'm so sorry for the long wait, I'd never intended to leave you hanging for so long a cliffhanger like that. So if anyone has figured out how to grow money on trees please do let me know! I'd love to grow it and write all day instead of working for it.
Chapter 159