shh...

“you’re not exactly jumping to stop it either.” from his point of view, anyway. he hadn’t really seen any of them doing anything remotely helpful, which, he supposed now that made sense. didn’t matter which way you looked at it, the angels wanted lucifer out. “you’re willing to put the whole of humanity at risk over a pissing contest. what if he beats you?” dean didn’t see why that wasn’t an option. “and as for gettin’ this ass? you can sing for it. life as an angel condom? no thanks.” 

“he won’t beat me,” he said maybe just a bit too quickly. it was a possibility that michael had contemplated, but perhaps his ego was stopping him from fully considering it. or maybe it was the fact that michael couldn’t fail. because if lucifer beat him, that would mean failing his father and that was something michael just couldn’t let happen. “and what makes you think you have a choice in this?”

“… i’m your what?” okay, queue the dumb bitch in him, he wanted whatever michael was saying? s p e l l i n g out for him. maybe this was no big deal to the angel, but to dean? his entire thought pattern was in free fall. sam, lucifer, vessels, swords… of course, the eldest winchester knew. in his gut he understood the words perfectly, but he needed a damn minute to process it. he and sam, the true vessels for none other than the michael and lucifer? that was way above his paygrade. “no,” he lifted a brow. “i– i was the first seal because–” he didn’t feel the need to finish, figured the angel knew exactly why. dean was told the first seal broke because he did, because a righteous man chose to shed blood in hell. he took a moment, let it breathe before he felt like everything he’d been paranoid about? was being confirmed. he’d been lied to, told he could stop this from happening, yet, here michael was… “you don’t want to stop lucifier being freed, do you?” why else would he be here telling dean all this? he needed him, to say y e s when it came to blows. “all of you, you want this to happen, you want the last seal to break?” it was a question as much as it was a statement, and it was paired with a scoff of judgement, a look that simply said ‘i fucking knew it.’

so the human wasn’t as dumb as he looked. but still, he wasn’t seeing the full picture. “i don’t want any of this.” he really didn’t. regardless of how things transpired, lucifer was still his little brother and michael still loved him. but just as god told him to cast his brother down to earth and into hell’s cage, he would fight lucifer as god asks. it was rather unfortunate that his love for his brother was outshined by michael’s obedience to his father. “no more than you would want to kill sam. but i am going to kill lucifer,” and he was going to use dean to do so. “i have to do this.” one way or another; there was no way to stop michael from his path. 

“i don’t know what to think.” at least that was honest, he was unsure, wary of them all. he couldn’t shake that feeling that they weren’t to be trusted, just because they’re angels didn’t make them good. he’d seen enough to know that. were they trying to help or were they hiding something? perhaps it was his paranoia ( there’s a lot of that let’s be real ) but something was in the air and for him, it wasn’t a victory. “son of a bitch.” how was he supposed to digest that? how was he supposed to tell sam? no, he couldn’t. not yet. “okay, so…” a pause, he rubbed at the back of his neck, a nervous type of habit – being in michaels presence would do that to anyone, he would assume. “where is it? your sword?” he clarified as, obviously, he wasn’t into the idea that another person would be used by an angel - blissfully unaware ( or stupidly ) that michael was implying they were one in the same. “more importantly why don’t you have it already?” 

michael wasn’t meant to be in this position, spelling out for dean what his destiny entailed. he had sent zachariah to explain it to the winchesters but it seemed the angel had failed to do so. “dean, you are my sword.” there it was, the bomb drop. now the fate of the winchesters has been aired out. “didn’t you wonder why we pulled you out of hell? why you were the first seal?” a righteous man sheds blood in hell, and only a righteous man could be michael’s true vessel.

his observations were interrupted by a presence suddenly next to him. his eyes glanced over to see his sister seated beside him. “do you think they know what’s coming?” michael asked, his gaze once more focused on the preacher ahead, speaking the biblical story of the prodigal son.  @helabound​ 

“no. there has to be another way.” he had to believe there was. there was no way he would allow sam to get back on demon blood, ( unaware that he actually is already ) no way he’d see his brother go down like that. they find ways to kill monsters, they would find one to kill lilith too. had to. “something like the demon knife but strong enough to take her out.” if anyone would know if something like that existed, it would be michael, right? though, it was a stab in the dark and– wait, what was that? “lucifers true vessel? that’s–” he paused, searched his face. “oh you’re kiddin’ me. you’re saying sam is the poor bastard the devil needs?” all the more reason to ensure he stays locked up, then. if it was true, after all, it would mean the literal fucking devil would be gunning for him. a thought that almost curdled his blood. “yeah well don’t get me wrong, but fan clubs aren’t my thing.” like basically, leave him alone. “especially when you’re all a bunch of dicks.” even castiel was now, after whatever heaven did to him for straying from the status quo. “if sam really is the only one to take lilith down what do you need with me?” surely, nothing? he wasn’t important, he wasn’t going to believe otherwise. 

“you think i haven’t searched for other ways?” it was the arrogance of humans that made them think they could possibly know more than an archangel. of course, what michael didn’t realize was that it was his own arrogance that had him show up to dean in the first place. he wordlessly gave his confirmation with a nod. in a position where other angels would be insulted by the almost-blatant disrespect dean held for their kind and displayed currently, michael was seemingly unaffected by it. “if lilith succeeds and i have to fight lucifer, i will need my sword; my true vessel.” 

“see i think it is.” and that’s why he was suspicious, not just of him but all of them. “out of your capabilities? give me a break.” that right there sounded like bullshit. or was it just the fact that if it wasn’t then everything happening was way over his paygrade? “you’re tellin’ me you, leader of the god squad, all-powerful angel can’t stop this yourself? if you can’t do it how are we supposed to?” we being him and sam, the other hunters gearing up to fight. “you all keep fluttering down here for what?” because so far none of them seemed to give any useful tips.

“your brother knows how.” he knew dean didn’t approve of sam drinking demon blood but if that was the only way the youngest winchester could kill lilith, it had michael’s seal of approval. “lilith isn’t just any demon. she is the first; a product of lucifer's design and creation. and the only way she will be killed is at the hands of lucifer's true vessel.” don’t let it be said that michael was lying to dean. the archangel could very easily kill lilith but sam had to be the one to do it if they were going to start the apocalypse, and that put it out of michael’s capabilities. “for you, dean.”

“…” dean’s mouth only formed a silent ‘o’ at the expression, taking it as confirmation ( and actively making every hair on his body stand up. ) “corncerns?” his head tilted upward and to the left, lips pursed before his lower one jutted out and he shook his head. “no idea what you’re talking about.” though his eyes clearly darted from side to side, it wasn’t at all convincing, which was the only reason he relented at all – dean recreated the space, sitting atop his stool with a stiff posture that was actively leaning backwards ( angels make him edgy, sue him. ) “alright, yeah.” he admitted, though it was already clearly stated michael already knew. “i think you’re all a bunch of shady dickless ducks.” damn, ain’t no truth like the brutal kind. “every one of you i’ve met is quick to tell me that ‘i’ll do everything i’m supposed to do’ and not one of you,” which now included castiel after he had been reprimanded by heaven for stepping ‘out of line’. “…says how.” dean maybe looked like he was confident but on the inside? holy fucking shitballs, was he actually here talking to heavens leader? the michael? “cas told me i’m the only one to stop this.” given the fact he started it, it seemed fitting. “but now?” a clear shrug of confusion. “we’re all just running around trying to stop lilith from breaking the final seal, which i’m bettin’ you could do with a snap of your fingers.” 

michael nodded, watching dean’s almost-laughable attempt to lie. the human’s opinions didn’t offend the archangel like it would some of his brothers. it was hard to feel insulted by a species inferior to him. michael followed dean in leaning back, his arms moving from their crossed position on top of the counter to resting on his elbows. one hand folded over the other as his attention was focused on dean. "not everything is as simple as that,” referring to stopping lilith. not that michael wanted to stop her; she was the only thing left that prevented him from fighting lucifer. “some things are out of my capabilities.” sam winchester was the one that needed to kill lilith. 

a faintly audible groan rumbled his chest. of course, another angel flaunting their importance and assuming he would just know by the shake of his feathers who he was. “right. sure.” narrowing his eyes, he decided to bite and give it some thought. castiel was too uptight for guessing games, zachariah, too cocky, raphael, too bold… he mentally noted all the angels he had met, until only one elusive name remained, causing his shoulders to stiffen and his upper body to lean away. “michael?” no way.

he didn’t voice his confirmation but the raise of an eyebrow and the look of amusement in his eyes should be enough for the winchester. “so you have some... concerns with myself and the other angels.” it was a statement rather than a question. he knew the human’s feelings towards the angels and the lack of trust in their plan. 

that sound was growing all too familiar at this point. every time he heard it, the hairs on the back of his neck prickled and his shoulders tensed. ah, great, another one. he thought. “figure of speech.” dean quipped, noting that unless one of the angels he’d met has changed their vessel, this was a new one. “which one are you then, sneezy or sleepy?” 

a smirk spread on michael’s face. the reference was obscure to the archangel but he found humour in dean’s assumption that michael was one of his lesser brothers. “you know who i am, dean.” though he was leaning forward against the countertop, his posture and demeanour were straight, exuberating the essences of heaven’s highest angel. 

“death. the death, and– what? what does it look like? uh– like, a woman, like– two eyes, a nose and– well, hot. she’s hot.” he spoke down the phone to bobby, finger and thumb pressed against his eyes. the two spoke for a couple minutes and concluded that he’d fill him in properly in person, there was, however, one thing on his mind. “hey bobby, would you say sex with death is technically necrophilia?” not that he was thinking about it, he was just voicing his own thoughts ( and as always, finding humour in stressing out the ol’ man. ) “bobby? b–son of a bitch,” moving the phone from his ear, he chuckled when he realised the elder man had hung up on him. “oh i’m so going to hell. again.” he muttered to himself and relented into a soft laugh as he poured himself another drink. 

“what makes you say that?” asked michael, now seated next to dean where previously the stool stood unoccupied. the faintest flutter of wings could be heard from his sudden appearance. his eyes glanced down to the drink the human had poured. a wasted past time that michael didn’t understand the appeal for and yet, humans practically worshiped their drinks.

he  could  understand  why  his  fellow  siblings  wanted  the  END  to  come .  this  place  was  a  WRECK  .  michael  had  grown  impatient  with taking down their brother and while azrael  didn’t  want  to  be  in  the  middle  of  it  all ,  he  somehow  was  .  STRICT ORDERS  were given  to  him .  all  the  SEALS  needed  to  break  .  some  which  the  archangel  did  himself .  now  it  was  all  up  to  the  YOUNGEST  winchester  .  lilith  was  the  prime  target .  he  sat  in  STILLNESS ,  lost  in  thought  when  someone  at  the  corner  of  his  eye took  a  seat  next  to  him .  “  DARK  day .  “  he  muttered  , glancing  their  way . 

“the first of many,” michael said as he sat next to his brother. it was only a matter of time before the last of the seals were broken and the archangel would fight lucifer. the world couldn’t be any less prepared for what was about to happen. “what’s on your mind, azrael?” he asked the other. 

✗ Oh hello, death, have you seen [ MICHAEL ] who looks a lot like [ CHRIS WOOD ]? He is an [ UNKNOWN ] year old [ MALE ] who is also an [ ARCHANGEL ]. He is described as [ + POWERFUL , + LOYAL ] but also [ - CALLOUS , - WRATHFUL ]. I do believe he owes me a soul.

usually he’d look the other way when it came to the body count rising, more because he didn’t have that fibre of care in his body, but this time he didn’t. there was that sense of familiarity that made him walk closer, to actually come to a halt and stare. no he didn’t know who she was, but he had met her before. he only momentarily locked eyes on the human slumped on the ground before he took another look at the one in question. it was then he recognised the face, the dots finally connecting as he scoffed. “no.” technically perhaps to her, considering she had killed him. but so had many others and yet they failed to make it permanent. “wanna try again?” he was almost teasing, considering the current situation. 

her eyes narrowed but the smirk stayed on her lips, scanning for any answer as to what this (what she previously thought was) human really was. “maybe,” her tone indicating that she was considering it but seeing as how last time turned out, something told her this time would be the same. she took a few steps forward, her eyes scanning and gauging his reaction as she moved. she stopped when there was still a foot or two of space between them; not close enough to touch the other but still very much in his presence. “life binding spell?” she asked, taking a guess at what brought him back.

it was almost a tragedy to see him wobble a couple steps backwards after what happened with lilith. it wasn’t his injuries he cared about ( though they indeed hurt like hell, and having her name carved into him wasn’t something he was pleased about ) it was that he allowed her into his head in the first place. all it took was the use of his ( dead ) girlfriends voice and all his instincts wavered and hesitated. typical. stupid. idiot. he’d been brooding ever since, nursing his pain with whiskey and whatever painkiller he could find – a terrible combination, but it kept him somewhat subdued. 

cade ventured out tonight, sick of the same four walls and finally feeling like he didn’t look too much like a punching bag. distractions were certainly required, but he hadn’t expected them to come in the form of a young ( cute ) blonde. “i’m sorry?” he turned his head, visibly amused by her question. “honestly i’m thinking it’s probably better if i don’t.” a laugh, because truthfully he didn’t want to know, his future was probably as sad as it was gonna be painful. he paused – left it there for a few seconds before he sucked in a breath and changed his mind. 

“actually, what the hell. why not?” twisting to face her, he offered her a smile. “you any good?” 

she shrugged her shoulders as if to say ‘your loss’ before giving him a smile when he agreed. she grabbed the beer that was placed down in front of her and moved to sit next to him. “well, i learned by watching my grandma and i read a book on it once, so let that say what it will,“ she said once she was seated on the stool. placing the beer on the counter, she held her hand out. “give me your hand.”