Chapter 137

"Ah, so you alive!"

Gabriel, who is very much alive and didn't realize anyone thought otherwise, rolls his eyes and spits out the first sarcastic remark that he can think of, his immediate response every time Dean talks to him. "And, unfortunately, so are you."

Dean snorts. "Good to see you, too."

"We were wondering where you were," Jack tells him. "You're usually there when I wake up."

Gabriel nods. "Yeah, I know, which is why I was very confused when I popped into the garage and it was empty." The kid must not be sleeping as much as he used to. It's probably a side effect of his power getting stronger, because god knows it is. He's been aware of that for a while, but he's done his best to keep that knowledge to himself. He doesn't want Jack getting ahead of himself and trying to do things he's not ready for.

"So, where were you?" Dean asks.

"I don't see why that's important," Gabriel replies.

Dean shrugs. "Hey, if you have a secret hiding spot that's more fun than the rest of the bunker, I'd like to know."

"Unfortunately not," Gabriel says. "We're all in this hellhole together."

Dean sighs dramatically. "Well, it was worth a shot."

Sam takes that moment to talk into the room. They both woke up -- is leaving Sam's dream considered waking up despite the fact that archangels don't sleep? -- at the same time, but while Sam was forcing himself to get up, Gabriel immediately disappeared to check on Jack, thus the difference in how long it took to get to the war room.

Unfortunately, it seems there wasn't enough of a gap, because Dean puts on the most shit-eating grin and says, "Ah, okay, I see what's going on here."

Sam runs a hand through his hair, looking far too tired for someone who just woke up. Why the human body works that way, Gabriel will never understand. "What's going on here?"

"You and Gabriel?" Dean bounces his eyebrows.

"What about me and Gabriel?" Sam asks, and it takes all Gabriel's self-control not to facepalm.

"You guys are..." He bounces his eyebrows again. "Huh? Huh?"

"No, we're not," Gabriel says. "Now butt out, will you?"

"Uh huh," Dean says, and he makes it clear that he doesn't believe it.

Gabriel rolls his eyes. "This is why you have no friends."

~~

Though Michael considers his time with Jo this highlight of his earthly experience, at the moment, he must admit that he's rather fascinated by the nephilim. It seems Gabriel has an interesting way of teaching, and while Michael's obviously no expert on the matter, he has to admit, he's not very fond of Gabriel's methods.

Jack seems as interested as Michael is; he takes in every word Michael says like it's the most important thing he's ever heard. It's a nice feeling. It almost reminds him of ruling over Heaven, when all the angels would hang on to his every word. After so many years in Hell, he'd forgotten what that felt like.

Their conversation is cut short when Lucifer shows up in the war room. If his eye roll is anything to go by, it wasn't his choice, but he doesn't try to fight it. He leans against the wall, his arms folded over his chest.

"Oh, Lucifer came back!" Jack remarks, and unlike Michael, he seems excited about it. He waves at the archangel, who gives a small wave back.

"I don't think he wanted to, though," Jo remarks, a frown on her lips.

"I think it would go better for all of us if we ignored him," Michael says. "He doesn't like he wants to talk." And, more importantly, Michael doesn't want to talk to him. It's not that he doesn't his brother; he's just come to realize that any and all attempts to befriend him end horribly. His decision to self-isolate was probably the best choice he's ever made -- not, of course, that there's much competition; he hasn't made very many good choices.

"Are you sure?" Jo asks. "I'd feel kinda bad..."

"He doesn't seem to mind," Michael remarks.

As if on cue, Chuck pops into the room right in front of the anti-social archangel. "Lucifer, go talk to people."

"Go fuck yourself," Lucifer deadpans.

Chuck just groans and disappears.

Michael fights the urge to roll his eyes. How Lucifer puts up with their father like this, he will never understand. Still, he does think things would go more smoothly if everyone ignores him, so he resolves to do just that, turning his attention back to Jack and continuing their conversation as if nothing happened.

A minute or two later, Jo says a brief, "I'm gonna go see what Lucifer's up to," and walks away.

Michael watches her leave with a frown. So much for leaving him alone, huh?

Jack seems to view it in a different light, because he says, "I'm glad Lucifer gets to have a friend. I'm sure he's been lonely."

Michael wants to refute that, but he's not sure he can. He knows this whole ordeal has been rough on his brother and he doesn't want to make it worse, but at the same time, he's not sure talking to him is making it better. He can't imagine that helping , Lucifer included. Unfortunately, it looks like it's too late to stop Jo.

Michael fights back a sigh and turns his attention back to the kid. "So, where were we?"