Chapter 112

It took Michael a while to understand that humans don't fall asleep as soon as they go to bed. There's some squirming involved, trying to get comfortable. It's weird, but he accepts it as just another strange human quirk.

But one night, it seems to take Jo a particularly long time to fall asleep. She's tossing and turning, pulling the covers up and then kicking them off.

He's not sure if he should say something about it or not, but after a few minutes of contemplation, he says a quiet, "Jo?"

Jo rolls over to look at him. "Yeah?"

So she definitely awake. But how does he ask about this? What's the least weird way to phrase it? Or should he just go for it? He might as well just ask.

"Why aren't you asleep yet?"

Jo gives a short, humorless laugh. "I wish I knew."

"Oh."

Jo sits up with a sigh. "I'm way too awake for this late at night."

"Is there anything I can do?" Michael asks, sitting up as well.

Jo shrugs. "Just hang out?"

"That would definitely be something I can do," Michael says.

Jo rests her head on his shoulder. "Are Chuck and Lucifer worrying you a little bit, too?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, Chuck let Lucifer kill Jess and Kali," Jo says. "Who's to say he's going to stop there?"

Michael shakes his head. "He will. Chuck wants us here to entertain him, not to kill each other."

"Then why kill Jess and Kali?" Jo asks. "And the fact that Lucifer was the one that did it... I know he doesn't like me. I'm pretty sure he doesn't like you, either. What if —"

"Don't," Michael says quietly. "Don't say that."

"But we could be next," Jo insists, her voice just a whisper.

"No, we can't," Michael says. "I'll make sure of it. You mean too much to me for us to even about that."

Jo smiles slightly. "You're like my guardian angel, kinda, aren't you?"

"I guess so," Michael agrees. "You know, that would make you the first non-prophet to have one."

"Really? I'm honored," Jo jokes.

"As you should be," Michael says with a playful smile.

"Can I ask my a favor?" Jo asks.

"Always," he replies.

"Do you want to take me to the roof and look at the stars with me?"

Michael smiles. "I would love to."

Michael stands up and takes her hand, giving her a silent cue to do the same. With the flap of his wings, they find themselves standing on the roof.

But they're not alone.

Lucifer is kneeling on the ground, gripping his bloody angel blade tight. It's not just his angel blade that's covered in blood, though. His entire body is. His face is covered in gashes, his chest full of holes.

As soon as he sees the two arrive, all the wounds disappear, as well as the blood they caused. He stands up immediately and backs away.

"Lucifer, what..." Michael breathes, gaping at him.

"What are you doing here?" Lucifer asks, almost defensively.

"We were just gonna look at the stars," Michael says. "Luce, what happened to you? Are you okay?"

"It's nothing," Lucifer says, his tone closed off. "If you want to look at the stars, I'm gonna go —"

"Wait," Michael says quickly, grabbing his arm before he can leave.

Lucifer tries to pull himself free, but Michael's grip is too strong.

"Lucifer, who did that to you?" Michael asks.

Lucifer grits his teeth but doesn't answer.

"Was it Chuck?" Michael asks.

Again, Lucifer is silent.

"Lucifer, who did that to you?"

Lucifer doesn't respond.

After a pause, Jo says quietly, "You did."

Lucifer doesn't admit it, but the way he looks over at her in surprise is confirmation enough for both of them.

Michael isn't sure how to feel about that, but ultimately, confusion wins out over sympathy, and he asks, "But... why?"

In an almost emotionless state, Lucifer says, "I'm not having this conversation with you."

"What do you mean, you're not having this conversation with me?" Michael demands. "I came up here and you were covered in blood! I think you owe me —"

"Nothing," Lucifer interrupts. "I owe you nothing."

"Well, okay, but I would an expla—"

"I don't care what you'd like."

"But —"

"Just leave me alone." Lucifer yanks his arm back one more time, and this time, he manages to free it. He's about to fly away — he's not sure where, but he's sure he could find somewhere — but the sound of Jo's voice stops him.

"I'm sorry."

Lucifer looks over at her in surprise. "What?"

"I'm sorry," Jo says again. "It's obvious Sam meant a lot —"

"This isn't about Sam," Lucifer snaps, with enough hostility to cause both Jo and Michael to recoil.

"Then..." Michael squints at him, studying him. "What is it about?"

"If I tell you, that would ruin the point," Lucifer says. "Hell, talking to you now is ruining the point." Under his breath, he mutters, "This whole fucking thing is ruining the point."

"What do you mean?" Michael asks. "Lucifer, what's going on? Talk to me, brother."

"Don't call me that," Lucifer hisses.

"What? Why?" Michael asks. "I thought we were past this. I thought we were friends again — I thought we were again."

"I don't have friends," Lucifer snaps. "I don't have a family. I don't want one. And I sure as hell don't want to bitch about my problems to some goodie-two-shoes archangel and his sex toy with Chuck eavesdropping on every word."

Michael frowns. "But —"

"I mean it."

Jo eyes him for a moment, then asks, "If this isn't about Sam, is it about Chuck?"

Lucifer glares at her. "Will you shut up?"

With the flick of his hand, he takes her voice away. Jo opens and closes her mouth, trying to make some noise, but she can't.

Michael sighs. "Lucifer, really?"

Lucifer just crosses his arms.

Michael shakes his head to himself. He doesn't even bother asking Lucifer to give her her voice back. He doesn't seem very confrontational at the moment. If anything, it seems like hed like to avoid a confrontation. It shouldn't be too hard to convince him to do it before they go their separate ways. But first, he wants to figure out what's wrong with his brother.

"What did Chuck do?" Michael asks. If Lucifer shut Jo up for that, she must have been right.

"Everything. Every fucking thing."

Michael sighs. "Don't you think you're being a little dramatic?"

"No, I'm not," Lucifer says. "Chuck has had a personal vendetta against me since day one, and I'm sick of it."

"And your solution is suicide?"

"If that's what it takes, then yes, it is."

Michael gapes at him. "Seriously?"

"Yes, seriously," Lucifer snaps. "I'm sick of playing this stupid fucking game. I'm not some pawn for Dad to play around with when he gets bored, and I am giving him the satisfaction of watching me inevitably end up doing exactly what he wants."

"But you can't kill yourself," Michael protests.

"Chuck has to drop his guard sometime."

Michael raises an eyebrow. "Wow, Lucifer, you..." He just shakes his head. "Wow."

Lucifer just glares at him.

"And what did he say, watching you just stab yourself over and over?" Michael asks.

Lucifer scoffs. "You think he came down to see me?"

"Um... yes?" Michael says uncertainly.

"No, he didn't," Lucifer says. "He doesn't care. He cared. And if he can't use me for his own entertainment, he will never care."

Michael sighs. "Lucifer, you know that's not true."

"Look, I really don't care whether or not you believe me," Lucifer said. "You'll figure it out on your own time. And until then, I'm out."

"And he's gone," Michael says with a sigh.

"But I have my voice back, at least," Jo says.

"At least there's that," Michael agrees. "I really wouldn't want to go crawling to Chuck for help, especially after that."

"I think it's hilarious that you think Chuck would help me," Jo remarks.

"Oh, he would," Michael says. "Lucifer's right about one thing — Chuck's using us for his own entertainment. And I'm thinking you're one of his favorites, with how much he's put you through. He wouldn't want Lucifer messing with his soap opera."

"That's true," Jo agrees. "I just can't believe Chuck didn't go say something to him. I mean, he looked awful."

"I know," Michael says. "After all this, I'd like to think that he likes us, and that's why he's watching us. But there's no way he hasn't noticed Lucifer like this. So where is he?"

Jo sighs. "I think your faith might be a little misplaced."