I'm taking back the crown

[lazyfer]

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[sellerofsins]

"Who's a good girl? Who's been a good little princess? Oh, she's a beaut, isn't she?" Aleister asked as he finished petting the hellhouse that Bobby could not see, only heart. She was the one watching over this place, he was determined to make sure Bobby didn't get out and nothing bad got in. He was being protective - he was sweet like that.

"Juliet, stay." The hellhound whined and Aleister sighed. "Be a good girl for daddy.!

With that, he shut the door on the hound and turned to Bobby, grinning. "Fancy a whiskey and a chat, mate?"

[ditchable]

"Your stupid dog is creeping me out," Bobby offered, because he was not sure what else to even respond right away.

How did one talk to the King of Hell while being a soul trapped in Hell? Admittedly, a very nice corner of hell, based on what he'd heard and seen in his time, he hadn't really imagined Hell looking that fancy.

He'd never been anywhere this fancy when alive. He had also never been cooped up for this long. "I fancy getting out of here, "mate"." Damn limey bastard. "I still don't understand what your play is here. The boys ain't lookin' for me, they think I'm in Heaven. Done and dusted. As I oughta be. You gave my soul back, remember?"

[sellerofsins]

"And then, when it was adrift, I took it back. What can I say? I wasn't ready to part ways. Heaven kind of keeps my sort out and we still have so much to talk about." They didn't, not really, there was no reason to keep Bobby. He could say bargaining chip but Bobby knew better than that. No, he was keeping him because he wanted him. It wasn't any deeper than that.

He sat on the couch and looked up at Bobby, smiling. "Sit down, relax. It doesn't always have to be you trying to bust my plans and work out what's what. We could just chat. You know, like normal people."

Not that he knew what that was like but he'd definitely seen Bobby do it before.

[ditchable]

"I'm in Hell, I don't exactly know what the weather was like today." Which really cut down on smalltalk potential. Bobby sighed but he knew that protesting was kind of futile. So he sat down on the couch next to Aleister, leaving some generous space between them.

There were so many unanswered questions and in a way he was scared of what the answers could be. Even some of the questions were making him nervous. Was Aleister truly attached to him? In what way? What did that mean for him? What did it mean for his soul?

He had believed in it all once, Heaven and God and being good. Obviously his faith had been shattered many times since, yet being stuck in Hell was unsettling nonetheless.

"How are they?" He might as well ask about the one thing he cared about. "My boys. I'm sure you're keepin' track. How are the idjits doing?"

[lazyfer]

Something unusual had happened. Lucifer often didn't see anyone for a long time. Lately, however, things had been developing. He wasn't sure what caused it, though he assumed it was somehow related to the Tenaz brothers. Things always seemed to be.

There were demons near him every now and then, especially now that Aleister wanted to soundproof that place. One of them, an adorable little thing with the most besotted eyes, tripped near his catch one day. Dropped something. A vial rolled past the bars.

Lucifer inhaled it when he was alone. Grace, he had known that right away. But this, this was archangel's grace. His Raphael's grace. Somewhere out there his little brother was still alive and somehow in a position to have grace taken from him.

Maybe he had spent too much time in Sam Tenaz, making him more sentimental about brotherhood than he'd ever been before. Maybe he truly felt that strongly. That possessive, anyway. If Raphael was out there, being used, Lucifer was going to put an end to it. As simple as that.

With the strength so graciously provided by said archangel grace, he didn't doubt that he could. All he needed was an in. And he was certain Aleister was going to provide one.

So he started playing the song loudly. Hallelujah, by Leonard Cohen. It seemed fitting. He had a feeling it would draw him in.

[sellerofsins]

"I'm starting to think that when you want my attention, you turn up the music. I just felt it was fair to tell you that until you're soundproofed, this is the last time I will come." He had to set rules and boundaries. Daddy had enough. Aleister spread his arms out playfully. "Cherish it, it's our final conversation."

And he was hoping that was a forever sort of deal. He wanted to have Lucifer buried, his mother enslaved onto a good path and Bobby to slowly get used to the situation while he looked for a solution. There had to be one, after all.

Things were slowly starting to come together, he was just on the edge of achieving so much. So why not do a victory lap and say goodbye. "What do you want?"

[lazyfer]

"Oh, you're exactly right. All I want is your attention." Lucifer looked at Aleister, really looked at him. Beyond that vessel he was wearing, looked at what he was made of. At what he'd achieved in spite of it all. He had balls, he had vision. He could give him all that.

It wouldn't keep him from making him grovel at his feet, but still. He'd achieved miraculously much. It was impressive. "I want to offer you a deal. You are never going to rule Hell. Not the way I did. Not without being hated by everyone. Not with them all just plotting your demise. Together, though. You and me, we could achieve so much. Your cunning and my, how do you call it? Brutish strength? Brawn? Pure essence of power? What a combo. If you strike now and take that deal, I may even go ahead and supersize it for you."

[sellerofsins]

"Oh, golly. What a deal!" Aleister mocked with his most upbeat tone, unable to believe Lucifer was even trying this on him. Why did he think he was that stupid? Or did he know he'd reject it and he was just playing a game. "Here's the thing, the only one who could possibly benefit from this deal is you. You just want to have power, to get back on top and restart your stupid apocalypse. And once you've done that, you do away with the humans, the angels... the demons. Especially my kind."

Once human, now demon - they were just the lowest of the low to an archangel like Lucifer. "You think I'm dirt beneath your shoe. And I have a rule to never do business with people who can't wrap their head around mutual respect and keeping their word."

He shrugged his shoulders. "Sorry, father of lies, I'm not buying."

[lazyfer]

"Still no sign of him? Annoying." Lucifer sighed as the demon reported to him. He might have to send out a sign of his own if he wanted to get Gadreel's attention. "Go get lost. Do something useful. Tempt some nuns or whatever it is you do."

He waved the demon off and leaned back in his throne, wishing they'd stop prattling on about nothing much already. "It's time to play with my puppy," he finally announced, turning his head when that suggestion was taken as an order and the cage was pulled out of the wall. "Let him out."

Leaning forward, Lucifer propped his elbows up on his thighs, watching as Aleister was wheeled out. He held a hand out, curling his fingers in to gesture him closer. "C'mere, puppy. There's a good boy."

[sellerofsins]

Revenge would be had one day. He was sure of it. He kept telling himself that as he crawled across the dirty floor to Lucifer. He would put Lucifer back in his cage, clear house and destroy every loyalist then started a 10 year campaign to rid khaki and short sleeve button up shirts from the Earth. Even if he had to use all of his powers to do it, he would.

He shuffled over to Lucifer and kept a cautious distance. He was in agony and he didn't fancy provoking. So he didn't look at him, he just tried to stay a bit away from him and not piss him off. He just had to survive this so he could destroy them all.

[lazyfer]

"Aw. You're looking all patchy still. How are your injuries, puppy?" The faked pity was entertaining him for now, while he sat in his throne and looked down at the man who would be king. He knew he hadn't entirely broken him yet, which in some ways made this even sweeter. Knowing how reluctant he truly was.

"I've got some interesting things to share, puppy. Do you want to hear? Just bark, I'll tell you."

[sellerofsins]

"They're fine, master. Healing." He hated to call him that but it was master or daddy and he was not calling him daddy. He had some self respect. He didn't know what move was best but right now, playing along kept him out of pain and usually made him lose focus and attention. Lucifer liked to torment but to a point.

Aleister looked forward to his time in the cage, it was much safer there.

Even so, if he was out, he might as well get some information. He just wished demons weren't watching him. In embarrassment, he lowered his head and very quietly barked.

[lazyfer]

Lucifer was lounging on the throne when a demon came in. A demon who was bleeding from several wounds, his clothes hanging off of him in shreds and his eyes showing the horrors he had witnessed.

The sight made Lucifer perk up and he actually got to his feet, a smile on his face. "Gadreel." He'd recognise his handiwork anywhere.

The demon made some sounds, blood pouring from his mouth. Right. Ripped out tongue. Aw. It was definitely Gadreel. "Turn around. I want to see."

Lucifer grinned at Aleister as he saw him glancing up from where he was bent over the stained floor. "Are you curious, puppy?"

Having turned around, Lucifer could read the message easily. A meeting point. Sweet.

[sellerofsins]

Fucking hell. Aleister looked at the state of the demon with horror in his eyes. He had a bunch of co-ordinates scribbled on him in Enochian, he was falling apart and his tongue was completely gone. Gadreel must have had quite the hate boner for demons. He looked from where he was sitting, wondering how Lucifer could be looking for a demon slaying angel.

"I'm -- I'm a little curious."

He couldn't help it. He knew of Gadreel, of course, everyone did. The schmuck that let Lucifer tempt Eve, the one who caused the first sin and the great downfall of men. He always assumed he'd have hated Lucifer for being tricked. So what was this whole thing?

[lazyfer]

"The first temptation, that's what he supposedly let happen, isn't it?" Lucifer figured he could indulge Aleister in a bit of lore, while the demon collapsed in front of him. Whatever, made it easier to read the message. Less swaying. He looked at Aleister, one foot on the fallen demon's shoulder. The poor thing was still twitching a little.

"In order for that temptation to happen... Well. Let's just say, technically? Second temptation." Lucifer winked with a grin. "It's hard to resist the Morningstar. He never really got over me. Angels. So damnably loyal."

[sellerofsins]

"He was loyal to you?" So was Gadreel tricked or was it a deliberate decision? He found it strangely fascinating and all he wanted to do was learn more but he doubted Lucifer was going to share anything that would truly be useful. He read the message on the demons back, glad he had Enochian under his belt.

It was a meeting place, a word he couldn't translate and then a bunch of slash marks under it.

"He doesn't like demons much, does he?"

[lazyfer]

Lucifer snapped his fingers, making everyone in the throne room start. Sometimes he exploded people like this, he understood why they were so twitchy. All he did right now though was look at Gadreel, who was stood beside him and brooding. It was slightly annoying in a way but also a good look on him, so Lucifer let him. "I've got it."

That said he got up and stalked over to where Aleister was cleaning the floor. Well, licking it clean. Whatever. He grabbed him by the ear to make him sit up. "We're gonna go on a long walkie, puppy, you and I. And Gadreel, sure. Why not?"

He looked down at Aleister, rather enjoying how he looked. Beaten down, miserable, with the worst outfit imaginable. "We're going to seek out a certain pair of brothers, puppy. I know you've got an in with them. They always get so tetchy around me."

[sellerofsins]

Would the non-stop humiliation Congo never end? He had a fair few new beatings, some burnings and he was being as good as he could be. As much as he hated how every demon around him enjoyed the show, he still fucking did it! When was Lucifer going to leave him the hell alone? He winced as he let Lucifer haul him up, closing his eyes tight.

"We're going to see the Tenaz brothers?" Oh shit, not dressed like this. Come on? That wasn't fair. He wanted to protest but Gadreel was bearing down like the giant hunk of muscle he was. Balls. He had to approach this logically.

"Splendid." Damn it. "May I say, master, that-- that they won't really do any deals with me if I'm dressed like this. And acting like this. They won't respect the deal, you see."

[lazyfer]

"I'm not looking to do any deal with them, puppy. Do I look like I'm in sales? I got you cute little fuckers for that." He indicated the demons around them, who were indeed working like the busy worker bees they were. It was cute. "I'm gonna give them a quest. Hero types love a good quest. Gadreel's a bit like that too, it's adorable."

He smiled an indulgent smile Gadreel's way. "You just tell me how to track them down and then, if you're good, you can stay in the boot while I talk to the two. See? I'm a good Master, aren't I?"

[heydemon]

"Let me close, yeah? I don't want to hurt you." They had realised swiftly that Raphael seemed most calm when only Sam was close by. Maybe it was arbitrary, because Sam had been the first to get to him and therefore the one to lead him out. Maybe he recognised Sam because of the extended amount they had spent together around the Mystery Spot.

Sam had no idea, but he was standing by the door, trying to approach Raphael. He held his hands up, moving closer slowly and gesturing to his own mouth. "I want to free your mouth, Raphael."

It looked grotesque, the way it was stitched up. It looked so surreal it was hard to accept as something he was actually looking at.

[tvtroper]

Raphael made a strange whine noise from his safe corner, ready to scratch the shit out of the next person to touch him. Castiel had tried earlier and he still bore the marks of his attack. Raphael was not especially strong right now, he was weak with low grace and healing slower than he should. He was covered in blood and filth as he looked up at Sam, far from the picture of an archangel.

At the request, Raphael raised his hands and touched the stitches. They hurt a lot and he wanted them out but any time Sam approached, he backed up until he had no wall left.

He watched Sam intently, eyeing up his hands to try and see if he had any weapons with him. Raising his hand, he pulled at the thread and then whimper. Ow.

[heydemon]

"I have these." Sam held up the smallest pair of scissors he'd found, the one by one of the first aid kits they kept around. He hoped it looked as non-threatening as possible, while also being a good tool for the job. "Let me cut it, yeah? You're only going to hurt yourself more if you pull on it."

His heart hurt looking at Raphael like this. It wasn't right. He was an archangel. He was a hero, he had fought for the good of humanity. For the world. "Please, Raphael. I won't hurt you. I want to help."

[tvtroper]

Raphael woke up with a start. It was unusual for angels to sleep but with no grace, he used it to power himself up. He heard Sam, felt Sam, outside of the room. Outside of the bunker. He felt panic and fear. He almost felt hope.

Raphael staggered to his feet. If he left the bunker, he was vulnerable to Lazar. But if he stayed, he couldn't protect Sam. He only debated it for a few moments before he clicked his fingers and travelled.

There were a lot of demons. Tons of them. They were rushing into whatever house the Tenaz were in and while Raphael had no context, he didn't need it. He heard Sam yelling for Matty and a gun going off.

Cocking his head to the side, he summoned all of his remaining grace and then let his eyes turn a blinding white as he started to smite every demon near him. Reinforcements were here. The demons tried to escape but every door was blocked, every window was slammed tight as Raphael unleashed a wave of righteous energy.

There was suddenly quite. A strange stillness. Matteo was staring at him, wide eyed and opened mouthed. Raphael turned and saw Sam. Then suddenly, he smiled. A bright, innocent smile. "Sam."

[heydemon]

"Raphael..." Sam stared at that vision before him. The Archangel Raphael. No doubt about it now. There wasn't a single flaw on him, no dirt, no dust, no bruise or even a speck of blood. He was clean, pure, and his smile was so free of guile that he barely even looked like the Trickster Sam had known once.

This was the Archangel Raphael. The one he'd read about. Even now he could feel the power radiating off of him. "You didn't have to do that, I... Did I call you?"

He certainly hadn't meant to. Sam exchanged a look with Matty, his eyes wide. Panicked, almost. What did he do?

[tvtroper]

Raphael walked over to Sam and then placed his hand onto the younger Tenaz's forehead. A strange bolt of something pure and powerful came through Sam and every wound was gone, every ache was eased and even the dried blood on his face was gone. "Sam."

"Woah, what the fuck? That was full archangel. What did he just do to you?" Matty asked as he approached the two. The closer he got, the more prickly Raphael got. He turned and practically hissed at Matteo. "... Dude, did he just hiss at me?!"

Raphael turned away from Matteo and back to Sam, cocking his head to the side. Sam was safe, he was a good angel again. He was put here to heal and he'd done it. Remove the evil, cure the weak.