Chapter 28: Heaven's Traitors

"Chamuel is too good at this," Obizuth groaned as she flopped back on the bed of a small, beaten down apartment. A large, blue tongued lizard glared at her from it's tank that sat on a new, wooden desk.

"Well he was a therapist," Ancitif pointed out, the room was white with a single twin bed, a few posters and a couple more tanks that held snakes, tarantulas and lizards.

"An angel therapist! If this was Sam and Dean? They'd be at each other's throats," the red head growled, sitting up to look over at the other who was gingerly placing random fruits and vegetables in a small bowl. His hair having grown out some, brunette curls peeking from under his black wool beanie.

"Well, these guys aren't Sam and Dean," He said simply

"You're right, they have slightly better coping mechanisms," She snorted, getting up and snagging some of the veggies from the bowl.

"Hey!"

"Shut up," she snorted, pulling the tank's lid off and dropping the greens in front of the lizard.

"Here you go little fella," She said to the animal in a sing-song voice.

"He likes it in his bowl," Ancitif replied, getting to his feet and making towards his pet.

"Don't you, Alan?" His voice became babyish as he placed the bowl down. The lizard ignored the food that settled in the dirt of his tank making his way to the bowl with sluggish movements.

"Spoiled ass lizard," she huffed "You treat that thing better than you treat me,"

"You'll think of something," Ancitif said with a shrug, petting the Skinks head softly causing the lizard to blink up at him before eating, "That's because he's an animal. No lying, cheating, stealing. Just a bowl of veggies, and sometimes he comes to me when I call, sometimes."

"If I don't and they find the Chamulet I'm sunk," She groaned, flopping dramatically on the bed. "Animals are so boring, except those little monkeys that yell. I'd own five of those if I had the chance,"

"You know,"

Arphaxat stepped into the room, his eyes glowed with laughter. A smile bright on his face, "Abel is afraid of heights,"

Both demons turned to look at the blonde, neither giving him so much as a nod.

"Are we talking all heights? Or do I have to throw the guy from a plane?" Obizuth asked with an arched eyebrow.

"Wow Arphaxat, thank you so much for getting me the information I need!" Arphaxat said in a mocking, valley girl accent.

"What do you want? A medal? You got free sex, be happy with that." Obizuth laughed, sitting up to face the blonde.

"I'm guessing you have to pay for yours?"

"Har har, you're so clever. What do you want, Arphie?"

"I have a plan that might just get you your cruddy little amulet."

"Throw Abel off a plane?"

"How about a skyscraper,"

"How is this going to break up Cham and Abel?" Ancitif interrupted, causing Arphaxat to smack the back of the man's head.

"I'm working on it," he roared angrily, the sudden rush of anger caused both of the other demons to share a look, Ancitif fell quiet as he continued to pet the lizard that didn't seem to give any of them any mind.

"How the hell am I going to get the Chamulet if I throw him off a building?" Obizuth asked with narrowed eyes, crossing her arms over her chest and tilting her head down.

"Oh," Arphaxat snapped his fingers, a bottle appeared in his hand. The liquid inside seemed thick, a light orange that shone to gold in the lights of the beaten up old room.

Obizuth's jaw dropped, gasping loudly as she snatched the bottle from his grip. Her blue eyes wide with astonishment.

"Oh I could kiss you," She laughed, shaking the liquid lightly. Flecks of an unknown substance floated in the oils, dancing with the movement.

"No thanks, I just had lunch, wouldn't want to lose it," Arphaxat said with a grin.

"Hey, Ancitif," Obizuth sang out, whirling around quickly causing the hood on her jacket to slap Arphaxat in the face. He groaned, pouting as she practically skipped up to the man on the floor.

"What?" He asked with exasperation in his voice, closing the top of his lid to his pets tank. Letting his hand rest on the top of the seventy gallon tank.

"You're so good with animals, you know," She grinned at him, "And you're so strong, and handsome,"

He rolled his eyes, letting out an annoyed sigh, "What do you want?"

Arphaxat leaned in to hear what Obizuth was about to say, letting his hand rest on the large reptile tank, glancing between them as the red head grinned broadly at the brunette, "How good are you with Hell hounds?"

***

"Alright, so here's the plan," Abel said, standing in front of his friends who all clustered around the King, his eyes scanning the group silently counting everyone to himself. 'Eight, a group of eight. And Norma.' he thought to himself, glancing at Chamuel who gave him a nod.

The map of the city had been pinned to a large cork-board, red, blue, green and purple string raced all over the map. Abel took a swig of the redbull in his hand, using one of Cain's golf clubs to point towards the map. Paper crumpling lightly under the iron head of the club.

Donnie and Israfil sat on the floor, beaming up at the map. Abel had come to them after waking up, explaining the idea he discussed with Chamuel. The two men were quick to help him make the map as well as Norma who graciously sprinkled glitter over it when they finished.

Baal and Sam settled on the couch, Bailey sitting beside Mishka, sipping her own redbull occasionally, her fingers dancing through Mishka's short hair. A pair of sharp, hairdresser scissors in her hands. Snipping off a few pieces of the others locks.

"I love your hair, so much easier to cut than Sam's," She whispered to the short haired woman who grinned towards her.

"Sam's probably turns into a birds nest if he doesn't get it layered often," Mishka replied,

Sam glared at her. Running his finger from one end of his neck to the other, his glare turning into a grin.

Norma and Cain stood behind the couch, both leaning on it from the back. Cain rolled a cold can of soda between his palms, Norma fiddled with her phone humming to herself. She had taken many pictures of the group, posting them on her personal twitter with their hashtags. Most, if not all, of the pictures were when the group wasn't paying attention. Blurry pictures, pictures mid laugh, pictures from eating. She loved posting them, their fans seemed to eat them up as well.

"The Chamulet was dropped in the sewer, according to Israfil it'll attempt to find me. Using whatever it can to make its way back to me, me and the Chamulet have a bond, apparently, so it's going to find me."

"We can't wait for that though," Baal interrupted,

"That's why we have the plan," Chamuel piped up from his spot beside Abel. Delighted to be in the hunters good graces yet again.

"Anyways, it'll try to find me. But until then we're going to try to find it before someone else. Someone like Butch."

"How's it going to find you? I don't think that thing can sprout legs," Sam asked, Bailey nodded in agreement. A murmur passed over the group, Abel put his hands out to try and silence them.

"Guys shut up!" Cain said, his voice echoed around the group. Abel shot his brother a grateful look before continuing.

"Israfil?" The angel leapt up from his spot. Holding out his guitar and settling himself in front of Abel. The white acoustic guitar gleamed in the light, Iggys name the only thing breaking up the beautifully done paint job.

The lights flickered a few times as he raced his fingers over the strings causing the guitar to humm.

Bailey glanced around confused as the angel of music started to play his song. The lights snapped off, Bailey stopped what she was doing. Puzzled now,

"What...is happening?" She whispered to Mishka who put a finger up to her lips,

"Just watch,"

The guitar strings flashing in the darkness to a brilliant gold, a light swelled from the guitar and wrapped itself into a tight ball before them. An image popped up of the Chamulet. Bailey's jaw dropped, the scissors clattered to the floor as she watched the light flicker and move. It's brilliant glow flooding the room around the group turning their faces to stained glass as they watched.

"The Chamulet, also known as an Adinkra, is where angels from the beginning of human vessel use held their grace. Every angel's Adinkra is special, specific for either the angel or a god."

The picture flashed to show angels of all types flying around in the heavens, they all looked like watercolor as they sang into the air. The gold charms around their necks glowing with the warmth of their happiness.

"Back in the day angels couldn't take a human vessel without it. Human bodies weren't evolved to support our power, our grace,"

The picture changed to show the silhouette of a human collapsing under the might of an angel.

"But with the Adinkra we could store a lot of our grace into it, depending on our assignment, depending on what our grace could do. As well as what the Adinkra symbolized in the human culture itself. These were made by the Ashanti people and loved deeply by Archangel Faith,"

It showed the glow of gold wrapped around the human silhouette, they stood and raised their hands to the air in triumph as a halo raced over their head.

"Then there's Abel, he's not an angel, but the Adinkra chose him. How? Why? I'm not sure."

The picture shifted to Abel, causing the hunter to blink in surprise. A large halo around his head that reminded the man of an old painting. Bright gold lines shone off the stained glass style picture, he stood with his baseball bat overlooking a cliff. He felt a shot of fear race through his veins, it was as though he finally fully realized, the fate of the world was on his shoulders.

"With that being said, it picked him. So it'll find him. It'll make it's way from the sewer using whatever I can, using animals, other people, whatever it needs to reach its king."

Abel flinched at being called a king, it felt odd. He didn't feel like a king, in fact, he hardly felt as if he deserved the title. Watching as the shape of a rat carrying the gold charm appeared in the angel's light, carrying it up the tubes of a sewer.

"How do we know it picked him?" Baal asked, his head tilted to the side as he fiddled with the straw that stuck out of his coffee mug.

"Because if it didn't pick Abel it'd have found its way back to me, I was it's keeper. The one Faith picked to carry it until her chosen one arrived,"

The lights flickered back on, the song came to an end. Everyone glanced around at each other in silence, questions hung in the air but the group stayed silent until Cain finally spoke out.

"How do we know Abel's this...King of Kings? Maybe it's someone else?"

Everyone's eyes turned to Israfil, even Abel looked to the angel.

"Honestly Issy, I don't get how I'm the king, I'm...not even..."

"If you say a real man I'll beat you," Chamuel said quickly, interrupting the hunter.

"I'll also beat you," Donnie pipped up, "give you the ol' one two!" He laughed, punching the air playfully, Israfil laughed.

"Yeah yeah," Abel chuckled, waving a hand dismissively.

"Well, honestly?" Israfil said, "it's because of Chamuel,"

Chamuel looked surprised, blinking at his friend who stood up with a stretch before settling down beside Donnie.

"Me? Why me?"

"Well, you're what Faith called a 'LionHeart' an angel of intense power with a personality to boot! I knew it was you from the moment I met you." He laughed, "hundreds of years I waited for you to meet Abel. Faith said the LionHeart and the King will be like destiny upon meeting and when you fought those raccoons? I knew it was you two,"

Israfil played a few more tunes, and a small picture of Chamuel came up now. His wings large, a lion's head placed over his own, a sword in his left hand. It vanished in a few seconds but the image lingered in Chamuels mind. He had just been a low level angel, he wasn't special. Though angels tend to have two modes, asshole and boring, he always assumed he fell into 'boring'.

Silence followed this, Abel and Chamuel shared a look, shuffling nervously.

"That's...a lot," Chamuel whispered.

"Let's put a pin in that," Sam said, standing up and making his way to his nephew.

"What's the plan Abe? We can talk about this whole...King and LionHeart thing later." He chuckled, attempting to break the awkwardness of the air around them. Abel felt comfort with his uncle's presence.

"Right, so, we're all going to split up." Abel started, "we gotta comb this damn city until we find something. Anything. Israfil said it'll find its way to me, but it might still be in the sewers."

Abel paused, eyes brushing over the group who had their full attention on him. He felt a prickle of pride towards his friends, himself, he never thought of himself as a leader and yet he stood here, everyone's lives in his hands.

"So I'm sending two people into the sewers,"

"Who are you sending?" Cain asked, something in the man's face made Abel shuffle nervously. Was he jealous?

"Not sure yet, me and Cham are gonna talk about it more,"

Cain looked as if he wanted to argue but remained silent.

"We're gonna talk about it with everyone tomorrow morning," Chamuel said, "well assigned everyone to their positions," the angel leaned against the back of a chair that had been placed beside the map. Sam stood beside him, typing on his phone.

"Why not now?" Bailey asked,

"Because they're going to talk about it with me first," Sam huffed, "Since I'll be staying here in case anyone needs extra help. I'm going to give everyone a handful of phone numbers," he said, holding up his phone, "you call that phone number, I'll act as a parent, police chief, whatever you need."

Abel nodded, Sam glowed with pride as he went back to typing on his phone. Silently wondering if Bobby approved from where he sat in Heaven.

"Right, so two in the sewer, keep your eyes open, take pictures. Then two are going to go to the police stations, look through the lost and found areas, two are going to explore the streets and talk to people, and finally two are going to check out inside buildings, mostly office buildings. Try and see if we can spot it, check lost and founds, anything!"

Everyone murmured to one another, Bailey eyed Abel for a few seconds,

"How are we going to find this tiny thing? It's like trying to find a needle in a stack of needles,"

Israfil pipped up this time, "when an Adinkra is away from their chosen one it'll let out a whine and glow. Trust me, you'll know the sound if you're listening for it."

Israfil pulled the guitar around himself, brushing his fingers over the notes before playing one that sounded like the hum of a harp.

Everyone nodded to themselves, "it'll sound similar to that,"

"Can other people hear it?" Mishka asked, "seems like an easy way to find it for someone who wants to use it for evil,"

"Only souls close to the owner of the Adinkra can hear it, us angels aren't that dumb!" He laughed out the last part, leaning against Donnie with a grin.

"Can other souls use its power?" Cain inquired, arching his eyebrow at the happy angel.

"I'm...not sure, I've never experienced an Adinkra choosing a human soul, I guess it's possible but I wouldn't know how. This is all new territory,"

"Any more questions?" Abel asked, everyone shook their heads, "alright, we're gonna wake up tomorrow morning early. Everyone's gonna be assigned something, we'll split around ten, meet back here at ten. That'll give us a good amount of time to try and find this damn thing,"

Everyone murmured their agreement, Donnie smiled brightly, "you got it King Abel!" He bowed his head at the other, causing Abel's face to turn red.

"Shut up!" He laughed, playfully slapping the top of his friend's head. Donnie's eyes glowed at the others touch,

"You're a mean king,"

"And you're an ugly jester,"

"That brings me to my next point," Chamuel said, standing up tall now. He felt anxiety prickle in his bones as he stood just in front of the cork board, he rubbed his hands together anxiously.

"S-so," he started, clearing his throat.

"You got this, Goose," Abel murmured, his smile made courage race through the Lionhearts veins.

"I have a big announcement that might...change everything, and, if you want out. This is your time to get out, if you help us tomorrow you're signing up for something that might bring you to an early death,"

Everyone looked shocked, staring at Chamuel with wide eyes. Waiting in silence for the angel to talk,

"I've... denounced God,"

Sam let out a dramatic sigh, placing his hands on his hips and staring at the ground. Baals shoulders dropped, his eyes growing wide with shock and fear.

"What...does that mean?" Bailey asked, looking from Baal to Sam back to Chamuel. A ripple of whispers washed over the group,

"It means," Chamuel cleared his throat, attempting to keep his anxiety out of his voice.

"That I'm no longer an angel of the Lord. I've basically gone rouge, the angels...they wanted me to give up my Grace for love, let war take over, destroy everything,"

He paused, waiting to see if anyone had anything to say before continuing, "I didn't want that, I believe in the people, in us. So...I denounced God, the angels, everything. That means..."

"We're alone in this," Sam whispered.

Everyone remained silent, an ominous stillness hung over them as they waited for Chamuel to continue.

"Were alone, anyone who helps me and Abel at this point will also be considered a traitor and if they see fit..." he hesitated, Abel brushed against him, he let out a sigh,

"They'll hunt you down and kill you, torture you, whatever they want too. For information, for fun, angels...aren't always as nice as me and Israfil,"

Israfil looked down at his feet, Donnie wrapped his arms around his friend hugging him tight causing the Angel of music to grin.

"So this is your chance, you leave now, you'll probably be fine,"

Bailey got to her feet, "no offense," she started, shoving her hands in her jacket pockets.

"But I'd rather die being tortured by Angels, attempting to save this shitty planet, than go back to working for nothing."

Everyone murmured their agreement, Bailey glanced around her before taking a few steps forward. Holding her hand out to Chamuel,

"I will risk my life for the King and his Lionheart, who's with me?" She turned towards the group, everyone shouted in agreement. Bailey smiled, catching Baals eye who glowed with pride.

"Angels would already turn me to toast if they caught me," Baal agreed, "might as well die going out with a bang,"

"Angels already hate me," Sam said with a shrug.

"You know I'm with you!" Israfil said,

"And I go wherever you go, Abel!" Donnie added, "you're stuck with me."

"I wouldn't want it any other way," Abel laughed.

"You can count on me, I might not be a hunter but I think I can help," Mishka mused, Cain nodded with a smile.

"You got my Sword," He said,

"And you have my bow," Mishka added,

"And my axe!" Donnie finished,

Abel laughed at the reference, grinning at his friends.

"I'm here for this too, oh how exciting, I can't wait! It makes me want to bake," Norma laughed,

"So we're doing this, we're team Born Again," Abel beamed.

"If Abel's Frodo does that make Cham Samwise?" Donnie asked Cain, the doctor frowned. Something deep in the brunette's eyes sent a chill through Donnie but it was gone so fast he wasn't sure if he imagined it.

"Same wise?" Chamuel blinked in confusion.

"Samwise? You never saw Lord of the rings?" Sam asked with shock in his face.

"I read the hobbit, well, some of it," Chamuel spluttered.

"Alright alright, add it to the list!" Abel laughed.

"So what now?" Mishka asked, "now that we're all Heavens traitors,"

"That's a good hashtag," Donnie mused, "maybe we should get that trending. That way we'll know who's willing to help us if we need it,"

"Donnie your genius never ceases to amaze me," Abel laughed, the dark skinned man leapt up and knocked his fist to Abel's before dramatically wrapping his arms around the king in a tight hug.

"So what now?" Mishka repeated,

"Well," Baal got to his feet, making his way to Abel and slapping a hand on his shoulder.

"I say we break up, I gotta few things to teach the king here," he laughed. Abel grinned up at Baal, eyes glowing.

"Alright everyone! Break!" Abel shouted, Sam and Baal shared a high five as Bailey made her way to the older hunter.

"Hey Sam, can you help me learn a few more things?" She asked with a tilt of her head, "I'd love to read more of your journals,"

"Yeah! Of course, come on, I gotta call my wife first but we can study after," the pair made for the stairs, trotting upwards.

"And you," Baal said, flashing a smile at Abel, "I noticed you and Butch fighting. You got moxie, kid, but your punch needs some work. Lemme help you,"

Abel grinned wide at this, "a demon king gonna teach me to fight? Wouldn't have it any other way, Chams, you coming?"

"Always," Chamuel breathed out, the look the angel gave the brunette spoke a thousand words as he followed them out of the home.

***

Cain watched as Abel followed Baal out, Chamuel close behind them. Typing something into his phone, he glanced awkwardly around feeling discomfort at being in the group without his brother. Which was an odd feeling he couldn't seem to wrap his head around, did he care about Abel? Since he learned of the man's existence he only felt envy towards him yet, he found himself enjoying their time together even if it had been terrifying. Though he hated how Abel seemed to believe himself the smartest person in the room.

He watched as Mishka, Donnie and Israfil collected together in a small circle. They chatted with one another, laughing among themselves. Cain blinked a few times, he was tired, maybe he'd call home? He'd feel less lonely if he saw his mother's face.

"Hey Cain!"

Mishka's voice broke over his thoughts, he looked towards her with a puzzled expression, they were all his age. They all seemed to enjoy each other's company, yet Cain often felt years ahead of his peers.

"Yeah?" Cain asked, standing up from his spot on the couch. Ready to excuse himself to his room to call his mother,

"Want to play some games with us? We're gonna play Mario Kart but turn it into a drinking game," Donnie practically shouted this, excitement clean in his face. Israfil's smile took up the whole of his face.

"Yeah! And I'm gonna win,"

"Issy you've never even played," Donnie laughed.

Cain looked around confused, they were asking him? Most people avoided him. Was this a trick, maybe?

"Me?"

"Is there anyone else named Cain around here we don't know about?" Mishka replied with a laugh that turned to a snort, he blinked a few more times in surprise. Hesitating now, are they going to humiliate him if he loses?

"I've...never played it," he admitted. The man never had much of a childhood, he either studied or hunted with his father. That is, beside the few sports he was forced to play to fit his mother's odd agenda she had for him.

"So? Me either! We're gonna get super drunk, it'll be a blast," Israfil said with a bright grin, Cain looked at Israfil as if he'd grown a second head. Part of him felt as though he were above these people, he was after all, the king. The real king. But another part of him wanted more than anything to play the game with the group.

"And...you want me to play?" Cain asked with a shocked look on his face. No one questioned the confusion, Mishka nodded.

"Of course, you're our friend, idiot,"

"... friend?" He whispered, a smile broke over his face. Was it a trap? Could it be a way to get close so they could betray him? Maybe they wanted to just fill an empty spot on the couch?

He never had a friend aside from Amaryllis, who was less a friend and more a pawn in his scheme to reach the top. Perhaps it would be good to indulge, after all, his mother's rambling did tend to bring him down. Though he was certain this was a trick, he wanted to give it a shot regardless.

"A-alright," he chuckled, "you'll have to show me everything though, I don't think I've...played anything like that,"

Donnie beamed at the other, "oh I'll show you! Okay, so whenever you get hit by a green shell, you take a swig of beer," Donnie continued to explain the rules as Cain made his way to his friends. Donnie slapped a hand on the man's shoulder, Cain flinched but the motion was friendly, it didn't hold an ounce of anger, expectation, nothing. It caused the smile on Cain's face to grow, he had friends.

***

Cain stared at the screen, it had been a confusing learning process but the doctor got control of it quickly as he moved his fingers over the buttons and joystick of the remote. The pain is neck dulled as the alcohol did its thing,

"No no no no!" Mishka shouted as Donnie reached past Cain and attempted to mess her up with his hand. She laughed, leaning away from him as his hand slapped at the remote. Cain froze for a second but the hand motion was playful, causing him to relax once more.

"I won't let you win again!" Donnie laughed, Cain's smile beamed as his car raced past Mishka's and Donnie's who both fell off a ledge.

"Donnie! I'd have been in first!" Mishka squeaked, shoving the other playfully.

"I won!" Cain laughed, punching the air. The group all hollered in excitement for the doctor, Donnie playfully patting his shoulder while Mishka grabbed his arm and shook him. He was shocked at the excitement the others shared with him, energy flooded his veins, an energy he couldn't recall ever feeling before.

"Hah! The great Mishka falls!" Israfil joined in,

"Oh shut up, you lost again Israfil," Mishka chuckled.

"I go the speed limit!" His words slurred as Donnie yanked a large bottle of brown alcohol from the coffee table. The table was littered in snacks, beer bottles and shot glasses. The top of the table sticky from the alcohol that had been spilled,

"The point is to win !" Cain laughed, Israfil grabbed the shot and downed it. Slamming the small glass upside down on the table,

"Okay, again!" The angel shouted. Bailey and Sam entered the room, chatting to themselves only for the pair to rapidly join in on the fun.

Sam sat down on the couch, taking Mishka's controller.

"Alright, let me show you kids how it's done," the older hunter laughed. Bailey stood behind the couch with a hard cider in hand.

"Kick their ass, Sammy!" Bailey shouted over the loud music of the game. Israfil snorted,

"Okay, if I win everyone has to take a shot!" He yelled

"And if you lose?" Cain asked, grinning at the other as he changed around his character. The angel's voice use to annoy him, he sang every other sentence but tonight he found himself enjoying it. He even found himself singing a word or two as he continued to drink.

"I take three shots!"

"No way, you'll die before you even finish them," Donnie snorted

"That's why we have a doctor!" Israfil laughed

"I'm off duty for another two weeks, if you can stay alive that long I'll help you," He replied with a smile in his voice.

"An angel dying of alcohol poisoning is something I've yet to see," Sam chuckled as the game started.

Israfil stared daggers at the screen, the cheering, shouting and laughing filled the room. Sam shoved Cain a few times playfully, at first the doctor felt offended but recalled Mishka and Donnie doing the same thing. He returned the shoves after a few seconds of thinking, laughing now. Taking a swig of his bottle of beer whenever he was hit with anything,

The alcohol dulled his anxieties about the group, causing the constant need to analyse everything to fall silent. He was laughing loudly as he skipped past Israfil, exploding towards Sam on the track who didn't seem bothered by the doctor's car. Cain practically shouted as Sam knocked him skillfully into a ditch, Sam yelled in triumph as Cain took a shot of whiskey. Wincing at the hot liquid that rolled down his throat. His red hooded character came back on screen and he was off again, his mind swaying from the bitter alcohol.

The sound of Abel, Baal and Chamuel clambering down the steps to the man cave was drowned out by the music, the metal on the bottom of Abel's shoes the only sound that alerted the group to their entrance.

"Oh no, Israfil, oh no!" Sam laughed,

"Noooo Sam noooo!" The angel shouted as Sam took first place. Everyone cheered, Israfil groaned loudly, grabbing his chest in an over dramatic fashion.

Sam ruffled the Angels hair playfully,

"Okay everyone! Lets take a shot for Issy, some of us aren't nearly drunk enough," Donnie said, holding up his shot glass.

Abel trotted over to the group, grabbing the glass out of his friend's hand and throwing himself next to Donnie and Cain. He grinned, taking the shot without a second though.

"Let's do this!"

"Abel's here!" Israfil shouted, "Party can start!"

"Baal, sit with me!" Sam yelled over the music, taking a shot of alcohol with a grimace. Handing a shot glass to the demon who made his way past the group and sitting beside his friend. Taking the glass with a grin, Bailey joined the two as well. Taking Sam's empty shot glass and filling it, flopping down beside him.

"Come on, Chammy!" Abel called to the angel who was pulling a bottle of beer from the fridge that sat beside the large couch.

"Oh no, I'm not sitting next to you so you can mess me up!" Chamuel laughed, shoving himself beside Cain and Mishka, the doctor's heart skipped a beat. Did the angel want to sit by him? Was it on purpose? The doctor's face burned softly, hoping no one would notice the red that speckled his cheeks.

"Shot?" Cain asked, offering the alcohol to the angel who held his hand up towards the alcohol in the small glass.

"I'm good, thanks,"

"Aw come on!" Abel shouted from his spot beside Donnie, "peer pressure! Am I right, boys?" He asked, turning towards Donnie and Israfil,

"Take the shot, take the shot, take the shot!" Israfil chanted, followed by Abel, then Sam, Cain joined in now with Mishka yelling it out as well.

"Do it do it!" Bailey giggled, Baal finally joined in before Chamuel groaned. He took the shot from Cain and downed it causing everyone to explode in cheers and laughter.

Cain playfully nudged the angel that was smashed in against him, Mishka ruffled his blonde hair as Chamuel laughed. Glee flashing in his gaze as Cain handed the blonde his controller. Their hands brushed as the blonde took it causing a spark to race through Cain's fingers.

"Okay okay, what're the rules?" He asked with a laugh.

"Drink whenever something happens, we had an entire sheet of rules but I think we used that to mop up some beer so we're just guessing now," Donnie explained.

"And you have to take a shot if you die," Mishka added.

"Oh I am so down, I haven't done this since high school," Bailey laughed as Israfil handed her his controller.

"So I just gotta drive?" Baal asked as Sam handed the demon King his controller.

"Yeah, and you try to stay on the path," Sam explained the rules the best he could despite his words slurring together.

"How do you even know how'ta play?" Abel asked Sam, taking another shot of alcohol with a groan.

"Me and Dean didn't just drive around and gank everything. We had days off!" Sam laughed, "and Dean was terrible at this game,"

"That's cause he didn't have the Impala in it," Bailey mused.

"Probably," Sam laughed as the game started it's countdown.

Cain watched Chamuel as he laughed, chatting with everyone, enjoying himself. The blonde was beautiful in the eyes of the doctor but jealousy burned deep in him as the angel's blue eyes always seemed to find Abel. Even though Abel paid more attention to Donnie and Israfil it was as though Chamuel couldn't stop glancing over at him, Cain bounced his leg with anxiety as he took another shot in an attempt to drown out the emotions. Why did everyone like Abel so much? Why did the angel have to fall for the wrong King?

"Pizza time!" Norma shouted into the large man cave, poking her head down from the stairs as she made her way down the steps. Holding a few pizza boxes in her arms with a smile clean in her face,

Israfil clapped, laughing so hard tears raced down his cheeks from whatever Abel had said.

"Bring it! Over here!"

Norma laughed, placing the food down in front of the group. Not seeming to care about the mess that she pushed out of the way to make room, the empty cups of alcohol dropped to the concrete floor below.

"I hope you're all hungry," she sang

"Did you want to play, Auntie?" Mishka asked, opening one of the boxes.

"Oh dear thing, no thank you! You kids have fun," she turned on her heels, brushing her hands on her apron before making way back upstairs.

"I'm tellin' ya, she's trying to make us fat!" Donnie laughed, yanking a pizza box towards him. "Issy, you and me, this one's ours!"

Israfil sang out gleefully, "pizza pizza we love pizza,"

The group laughed as they dug into the food,

"Vegetarian! Cham, Cain, yours!" Abel said, handing over the box.

"And whatever this disgusting mess is," Abel laughed as he tossed the box to Baal and Sam who both shot him a look.

"Some of us like olives!" Sam snorted.

"Okay okay, before we start digging in, let's take a picture. This is us! Team Born Again!" Abel shouted, holding up his phone.

"We're the official team," Donnie agreed,

"Whoo, born again!" Israfil sang out

"Oh my hair is awful!" Bailey laughed, fiddling with her long locks.

"Have you seen Cain's hair? You're fine!" Mishka laughed

"What's wrong with my hair?"

Chamuel reached forward and smoothed the man's hair down, chuckling as the front refused to lay flat just like Abel's.

"Nothing, Mishka's just being mean,"

"I never said I was nice," she pointed out.

"Alright! Let's do this," Abel jumped up, holding his phone up.

"I gotcha," Chamuel chuckled, his grace wrapped around the phone, holding it up.

"Alright everyone say Born Again!" Sam shouted as the group clustered together. The camera flashed, Chamuel handed the phone back to Abel who beamed at the picture. Only to frown for a few seconds, in the back beside Sam, he swear he could make out the shape of someone else but he was snapped back into reality by Bailey's voice.

"Alright, movie time while we eat?" Bailey asked, opening a box of pizza. Holding it out to Abel who snatched a piece,

"Top gun!" Abel shouted, sipping his beer.

"Were not watching your gay pilots again," Chamuel laughed.

"Come on Goose,"

"Maverick,"

The look the two shared a look over Cain which sent a rush of angry fire into the doctor, envy bit down on his heart and ripped it to pieces. He clenched his jaw, attempting to keep his mind off the flashing smiles the two shared randomly. Soon, Chamuel would forget Abel and he'd be sharing goofy nicknames with the angel.

"No, I got it," Mishka pulled out her phone, using it as a remote for the large, flat screen TV.

"Something funny," Israfil yelled.

"Okay everyone, another shot before we watch this, y'all need to be hammered," Mishka flipped through the movies on one of the many streaming services.

"Oh no, what is it?" Sam asked, Baal took two shots and grinned.

"I'm ready!" He said with a slur in his voice. The group chatted with one another as she flipped on the movie,

"Oh SuperBad!" Abel laughed, "I am McLovin!!"

Cain snorted in laughter, grinning drunkenly at his brother, "how old are you?"

"Old enough," Abel shot back, mimicking the movie.

"To what?" Cain asked with a broad grin,

"To party!" Donnie and Abel shouted at the same time, exploding in laughter. Shoving each other playfully, Cain laughed as well. Despite the jealousy he felt, for the first time in his life, he felt honestly happy. For the first time, he didn't think of death.

***

"Chams, I'm telling you," Abel slurred, "it's not the guy from Dream a little dream, that's Corey Feldman,"

Chamuel helped the drunk man up the steps, though he was heavily drunk as well he had a bit more control.

"We're lookin' that up 'morrow," Chamuel laughed as they pushed into the guest room. They both collapsed on the bed, laughing.

Abel rolled off the large bed, going into his bag and pulling out a few glow sticks.

"Wanna make this place bright?"

"Sleep under the stars!" Chamuel chuckled, watching as the hunter flipped out a pocket knife and made a few holes into the plastic tubes.

Tossing one to Chamuel, the two painted the room. Tossing the glowing liquid against the walls, each other, laughing as they did so until they were both covered in the light. The pair ran their fingers over the white walls, making large pictures, and started a sword fight before they both collapsed down on the bed together. Their laughter filled the bright room as they stared into the stars.

"That's the little Dipper," Chamuel said with a chuckle,

"How can you tell?"

"Imagination,"

"Shut up, you're stupid," Abel grinned his eyes bright with laughter. As the pair continued to point shapes out in the 'stars'. Abel pushed himself closer to the other. Letting his arm rest between them. The blonde turned to look at his friend, bright, warm red stars covered his face. Abel glanced over to the blonde, eyeing the blue that dotted the angel's features, sticking to the man's hair.

"You've got blue all over you," he murmured, Chamuel smiled wide. Staring into the man's brilliant green gaze, he looked back to the ceiling. His heart pounding loudly against his chest, letting his hand fall off his chest he brushed it against Abel's. Side eyeing the man who had his eyes closed, a peaceful smile on his lips.

'It's just something small. People do it all the time, it doesn't mean I'm indulging Jedidiahs feelings right? Or are they mine?'

The angel let his fingers move forward, pushing themselves against Abel's open palm. Abel smirked, without any hesitation the king laced his fingers with the others. Abel's hand fit against Chamuel's perfectly.

Their hands covered in reds and blues, making their combined palms a brilliant, loving purple

that stood out against Chamuel's warm, peach skin. Once more, as they laid together, laughing, talking about nothing, the angel felt a peace come over him that no one else had ever brought him. It was as though he found home, in the middle of the end of the world. He found home.

A spark flashed through the angel, he looked over at Abel again, smiling wide. But he could see the man was rapidly falling asleep, Chamuel chuckled.

"Good night, my king," he murmured.

"I'm not a king," Abel whispered drunkenly, "I'm McLovin',"

Chamuel smirked, "you're a king to me," he added but Abel had already fallen into the darkness of sleep. Chamuel let out a breath, the LionHeart let his own eyes fall closed against the soft twinkling lights above.

"And I'll protect you with everything I have in me," he whispered before succumbing to the warmth of sleep.

***

Chamuel groaned, his head pounding painfully as the first rays of sunlight dotted the skies above. They didn't need to wake up just yet but the need to use the restroom was strong. Abel had curled himself against the angel, his head pressed to Chamuel's side. Holding onto the man's arm like he usually would a pillow causing the angel's heart to leap.

He didn't want to move but the pain in his bladder made him slip away from the others' warmth and step out of the comfortable room. A few stars still twinkled from the heavens in the darkest spaces of the area. His head pounding hard against his skull as the watery sunlight of the morning splashed through the large home.

He walked barefoot towards the restroom but paused at the sound of a voice. The smell of food made his stomach hurt but he could hear Norma, though he couldn't make out what she was saying. He wondered if maybe Sam was awake? He didn't think so, the older hunter was dead on his feet the night before needing Baals help to get to bed.

Chamuel closed his eyes, attempting to teleport but it was no use. He couldn't tap into that part of him anymore and that brought a sense of emptiness to his heart. He lightly climbed down the steps, moving past the large opened room and towards the living room where the kitchen was attached too.

He pushed himself against the wall so she wouldn't see him, closing his eyes to catch what she was saying, maybe she's on the phone?

The soft sound of sizzling meat could be heard,

"Oh what a wonderful idea," she sang out,

"I can not wait to eat!"

'Chamuel calm down, she's just making herself breakfast' he thought to himself. Shaking his head and making his way to the restroom. On the way back up the stairs he no longer heard the woman, in fact, the lights were all off as if she'd never been in the kitchen. He shrugged and quietly made his way up the steps and ducked into the room.

Abel sat up as Chamuel entered, blinking groggily at the man.

"You alright?" His voice was sleepy, his eyes half open.

"Yeah, just bathroom. Hey, have you seen Norma eat at all while we've been here?" He asked, shivering against the cold air as he climbed back into the warm covers. His heart skipped a few times as Abel pushed himself against the angel.

"It's way too cold for you to leave the bed," he murmured, he was half asleep already as he buried himself against the man. The angel let out a soft gasp at the sudden closeness, his heart burned.

"No, I haven't." Abel finally answered, Chamuel wrapped his arms around the King. Letting his head rest on the pillow as Abel started to snore softly. He admired the man, his warmth, his smell. He was in deep, or was Jedidiah in deep?

Something suddenly felt off in the cold home but his head hurt far too much to concentrate on it. The warmth of the other pulled him back into sleep, his face buried into Abel's hair. He could hear Norma's voice again, but this time it sounded as though it were coming from the walls.