Angel Wings and Demon Pitchforks

17. No Shirt At All

Sam ran his hand through his hair.

What if they hate me?

No, I can't think like that.

Sam paced in front of the couch waiting for his brothers as Jess' words echoed threw his head.

"They'll understand, you just need to explain it to them."

Sam was about to apologise to his brothers. With words. From his mouth. Words that he would say. Talking with his voice.

"Hey Sam, you wanted us?" Michael asked as Dean and him walked over and sat on the couch.

"Um, not to push this but I have to go to Cas' for the sleepover. Is this going to be quick?" Dean asked.

Sam nodded and took a deep breath. He could feel tears welling up in his eyes. It was ironic, but now that he really wanted to talk, he couldn't find the words. They wouldn't come. Michael and Dean's expressions dropped when they saw their brother cry, and they jumped off the couch to embrace him.

"I'm sorry for not speaking to you." Sam finally said, tears running down his face. "I just--"

"Oh Sam." Michael rubbed his back. "It's okay, we know. We know why."

"We're so sorry we had to move," Dean says, "Sometimes I wish that dad never died just so you didn't have to leave Lawrence."

"But Dean, he—"

"You've always been more important to us, Sam."

"I missed your voice." Michael whispered and tightened the embrace.

All of them were teary eyed now; Sam sobbing into Dean's shoulder.

"Okay." Dean said as the boys broke apart wiping their eyes. "As much as I want to stay here with you guys, I have a sleepover to attend."

"Yeah," Sam nodded, "Uh, Michael, earlier Jess and I were talking about going roller skating and we were wondering if you could take us?"

"Sure buddy." He messed up Sam's long hair. "Dean, you want a ride?"

"Yeah, why not."

"Okay well I meet you guys in the car in 20 mins. Oh, and invite Jo."

"She and Charlie are out vandalising things with sticky notes." Dean replied with a smile.

"Then don't invite Jo. Let's not disturb them." 

---

Michael pulled up to the Novak household unsure of what to do. He didn't want to go in, Lucifer would be there and he-- well he just couldn't. So he just sat there, maybe Lucifer would just think he was in a hurry... yeah. That way he wouldn't hate Michael.

"Okay, well I'm off," Dean said getting out of the car.

"Oh wait, I'm going to say hi to Gabriel and introduce him to Jess." Sam grabbed Jess' hand slipping out of the car.

Michael groaned. Really, it would never seem like Michael was in a hurry now and if everyone was going to the door then it would be rude if he didn't. But Michael couldn't seem to move as he saw Lucifer answer the door. He couldn't breathe either. The blonde was wearing long pyjama pants and nothing else. He was not wearing a shirt. No shirt at all. He felt Lucifer's gaze shift over to him and he looked down as quick as he could, feeling a hot blush spread from the back of his neck to his cheeks.

----

Sam pulled Jess towards the door of the Novak's house.

"Wait so Gabriel and Castiel live in the same house?"

"Yeah they're brothers."

"So all the Novak's have the Winchester's smitten."

Sam gave her a light shove. Dean knocked on the door and the three waited for someone to answer. They could hear lots of yelling before a shirtless Lucifer opened the door wearing his classic bunny pyjama pants.

"Hello Winchester's, and new addition I don't recognise, what can I help you with?"

"I'm here for the sleepover with Cas." Dean said.

"Oh yeah." Lucifer looked at Sam and Jess. "Hang on, Gabe said you weren't coming."

"I just wanted to say hi and introduce him to Jess, my friend from Kansas."

"Oh, okay cool. Just a second." Lucifer turned to the inside of the house, not registering that Sam just spoke to him. "Cassie and Gabriel Novak if you don't get your ugly butts down here in 5 seconds I will tell your guests that you hate them and don't want them here! I'll do it! Do you remember Liam from fourth grade!"

Cas came running down the stairs, his hair a mess, as Gabriel skipped down behind him.

"Hey Dean." Cas said.

"Hiya Sammy." Gabriel waved, his eyes lighting up. "You change your mind?"

"Oh, no. I just wanted to introduce you to my friend Jess from Kansas."

Gabriel's mouth almost hit the floor. "You're talking again!" Sam laughed and nodded. "Oh, I'm so proud of you!" He leapt through the doorway to give him a hug. Sam caught Jess's eye and shot her a glare. Stop looking at me like that. She just smirked.

"Wait Sam can talk?" Lucifer was very slow this morning. 

"Shh, Lucifer. This is a big moment." Gabriel pulled away, causing Sam to instantly miss the contact. 

"Nice pj's Gabriel," Jess said. They were a baby blue with candy all over it. It reminded her of a certain someone's birthmark. 

"Thanks," Gabriel grinned, before looking back at Sam, "are you sure you don't want to stay? Lucifer ordered pizza and Alfie bought a pie."

"Yes!" Dean cheered. "Alfie's my favourite Novak!"

"Rude," Lucifer feigned offence and Cas shoved him.

"Come on, Dean." Cas lead him into the house. Castiel was acting more nervous, Sam noticed, maybe he was sick or something. He had looked a bit pale when he came to the door. Sam turned back to Gabriel.

"I can't. Jess and I are going roller skating," he said. "Maybe another time?" Gabriel's eyes flashed.

"Yeah, sure. You two have fun. Don't hurt yourself." He retreated back into the house. Lucifer was the only one left, his eyes fixed on the impala.

"Does Michael hate me?" He muttered.

"No!" Sam said quickly. "No he doesn't he just--"

"He's going through something at the moment," Jess finished. "He just needs some space."

Lucifer sighed. "You don't need to lie to me."

"Lucifer--"

"Have fun you guys." Lucifer smiled and stepped back into the house, closing the door. Sam and Jess gave a small wave goodbye and walked back to the car. As soon as Jess closed the door, Michael started the engine. They were out of the driveway in no time flat.

"Michael, it's a 30 zone. You're going 40." Sam warned. Michael braked suddenly as they came up to an intersection. He was gripping the wheel as if his life depended on it. "Michael?"

"I'm fine."

Sam and Jess exchanged a look. No he wasn't. Maybe it was the fact that Lucifer had been shirtless. Now, Sam wasn't going to go steal his brother's man, but Lucifer was a very good looking guy. Sam smirked; Michael was flustered.