Chapter 77

It doesn't feel like Sam and Lucifer spend a long time chatting, but when they hear the conversations outside, they realize it's later than they thought. Sure enough, a glance at the clock reveals that it's past nine in the morning, and they've been here for well over eight hours.

"Ah, crap," Sam mutters. "People have gotta be wondering where you are by now."

Lucifer just shakes his head. "No, I spend enough time alone that no one's going to question it."

"Oh, true," Sam replies. "Well, I'm gonna get dressed."

"Go ahead," Lucifer replies with a smirk, not looking away.

Sam rolls his eyes. "Perv."

"You had no problem with it earlier," Lucifer reminds him.

"And I regret every moment of it," Sam lies. It was actually pretty nice sex, as much as he hates to admit it. "Go, shoo." He gestures for Lucifer to leave, and, after rolling his eyes, he does.

Lucifer glances in both directions, not quite sure where to go, until he finally settles on the war room. He knows that's where he'll find people, and eavesdropping is better than nothing.

Apparently, he and Sam aren't the only ones who "slept in," because he sees Jo as he's meandering the halls. She looks up at him, but on the off chance she was going to say something, she doesn't get the chance, because Lucifer carefully avoids her gaze and walks past her. Not doing that today. Not after such a nice night with Sam.

Sam waits until the door is closed before quickly stripping off what he's wearing now and throwing on some new flannel. He quickly heads out to the war room, because he's always awake well before now, and people must be suspicious.

... Or not?

The only people who even acknowledge his existence are Dean and Castiel, the former waving him over. Because he really can't avoid it, he reluctantly obliges, giving them a small smile that he hopes looks less fake than it feels.

"'Morning," Dean greets him.

"'Morning," Sam replies, not bothering to mention that he didn't actually get any shuteye, and it's weird to say "good morning" when he hasn't slept in almost twenty-four hours. There's no way he's lasting another twelve without coffee, that's for sure. "What's new with you guys?"

"We're still being held in the bunker against our will," Castiel replies. "Not much be new."

"You never know," Sam says with a careless shrug. "Anything from the people who disappeared yet?"

Dean shakes his head. "Zip. Looks like Chuck really did pull them. Either that or he's locked them up and they're in one of the empty rooms like he does to Jo and Lucifer a lot."

"Yeah, that's possible," Sam agrees.

"Doesn't really matter, though," Dean adds. "You're right. They're probably fine. No need to worry about them."

Sam's mind flashes back to watching Jess burn on the ceiling again. "Yeah, I'm — I'm sure they are."

Dean gives him a curious look, but thankfully, he doesn't question it. There's no easy way to explain that he's been lying to Dean and Cas about what happened to Jess and Kali, and just about everyone else, too. The truth will come out eventually. It always does. He might as well hold out as long as possible.

That's the last thing Sam says for a long time. Occasionally he can get a brief, one- or two-word sentence in, but otherwise, it's mostly Dean and Castiel speaking. He just stands there, trying to feel at least somewhat involved in a conversation he has no part in, and he hates every moment of it.

Meanwhile, Lucifer is standing with his arms crossed, looking between Jo and Michael's conversation and Sam, Dean, and Castiel's. He'd like someone to talk to — who wouldn't? — but, of course, no one wants to talk to , so he's out of options.

He can't honestly say he's not bitter about it. After all, he and Sam just spend the night together, and there was never a dull moment — and in a good way, for once. Would Sam really rather listen to Dean and Castiel practically ignore him than talk to Satan? Well, probably, actually, knowing his hunter status. But that does raise an interesting question: does Sam still see him as just a monster like everything else he's faced, or is he something more, like Gabriel and Castiel?

Jo and Michael are a different story, but not by much. They seem to be having a grand ole time together. He's not quite sure who he's jealous of — Jo because she gets to be with Michael, or Michael because he gets to be with Jo. Certainly Lucifer and Michael have more of a history. They were once brothers, best friends, and there was hope at a time that they would return to that level of friendship, despite the fall. Unfortunately, Michael doesn't seem to want to give him the time of day, never mind engage in an actual conversation with him.

Jo is different. Their past is as simple as the explosion that killed her, but it's the future that he's wondering about. There's something about her that he doesn't find often — it's definitely not love; he's felt it for the Winchesters' band of misfits, too. It must be how she won't cooperate that gets him. That's why he likes picking fights: it brings out the fire in her. Michael seems to have stolen her away in a sense, though, so he doesn't even bother. It figures Saint Michael would bring out the best in her, and he hates it.

Lucifer heard Sam's voice inside his head. Wow, Sammy, another prayer? He looks over to see Sam watching him quizzically, likely remembering that the archangel can't put words in his head to answer. Lucifer shrugs slightly, large enough so Sam can see but small enough that hopefully, no one else picks it up.

Sam asks.

Well, let's see. He could talk to him. He could convince Dean that Lucifer isn't going to massacre everybody. He could acknowledge Lucifer's existence to more than just Lucifer himself.

But he shakes his head anyway. He wouldn't say it even if he could. He's a freaking archangel; . He's not stuck relying on a human — and a hunter, nonetheless.

Sam tells him.

Lucifer bounces his eyebrows like Gabriel in Doctor Sexy; a very open-ended answer.

not

Lucifer shrugs. Depends on his mood and whether Chuck needs anyone else exterminated.

Sam guesses.

Lucifer's brows draw together in confusion. Where'd he get that from?

Lucifer bites back a laugh, but he's unable to hide his amused smile, which is all the answer Sam gets.

not

Lucifer glares at him. Whether he's referencing the fall or the cage, it's definitely an off limits topic.

Lucifer gives him a look.

Sam admits.

"Are you two telepathic or something?" Charlie asks suddenly, silencing all conversations when people see she's talking to Sam and Lucifer.

Lucifer gestures to the hunter, partially because he knows Sam won't want to answer but mostly because whatever he says will probably be the wrong thing

Sam glares at him.

Lucifer smiles with mock innocence.

"It's a long story," Sam tells Charlie vaguely.

"We have absolutely nothing but time," Dean replies, crossing his arms and giving his brother an accusing look.

Sam shoots Lucifer a helpless look, so he finally decides to step in.

"Absolutely nothing just happened. I mean, he's standing right next to you. You would have noticed anything weird."

"He's too caught up in his fairytale romance with Clarence for that," Meg replies.

"Okay, you're not helping," Lucifer tells her.

"Wasn't trying to."

"Guys, enough!" Sam snaps. "We're all stuck here. Can we at least to make it through this without fighting?"

"No, because apparently, you're talking to , the one person in this entire building you're supposed to be talking to."

"I don't have to play by your rules, Dean," Sam tells him. "I'm in my thirties. I think I can think for myself."

"Apparently not!" Dean says angrily. "Do you not remember everything he's done? I mean, it was aimed at you, for gods sake!"

"What about everything Cas has done?" Sam challenges, making the angel in question look down at the floor awkwardly. "Working with Michael to make you say yes, working with and betraying Crowley to open Purgatory, letting the leviath—"

"Cas has more than redeemed himself," Dean interrupts. "He's for us, like, twenty times already! So unless you can honestly say you think Lucifer has redeemed himself, too, don't you compare him to Cas, who has done but try to make the world a better place."

Sam's hesitation is all they need to confirm that Lucifer isn't like Cas.

"Yeah, thought so," Dean says.

Lucifer marches out of the room, practically seeing red because he's so angry. It was stupid to hope that Sam would stand up for him. He's just a monster, after all. Why would Sam ever stand up for a monster?

Dean crosses his arms and looks up at Sam, waiting to see what he'll choose — Lucifer, or Team Free Will? Sam glances between his friends and the hall Lucifer stormed off through, knowing he has to choose, but not sure who he's supposed to pick. Finally, his gaze settles on Castiel.

"You know I didn't mean anything by that, right?" he asks. "You're basically my second brother. I'm not holding any of that against you."

"You probably should, but thank you, Sam," Castiel replies.

Sam just nods his head in response. Without another word, he turns around and, ignoring the death stare Dean doubtlessly wears, walks out of the room.