Acceptance

Disclaimer: I don't own Supernatural or any of its characters.

Lucifer strolled through Heaven towards Gabriel's 'house', for lack of a better term. Of course it wasn't really a house, but the room resembled one from the inside. Most angels, including archangels, only had either an office or a sitting room, depending on their ranks and needs, but Gabriel was different. He had Sam and he wanted something that at least resembled a family home.

Lucifer reached his brother and nephew's personal space and knocked on the door.

Gabriel opened the door to see his older brother. He immediately stepped aside. "Hey, Lucifer."

"Gabriel," Lucifer greeted before walking inside. He found himself in a spacious living room, even bigger than the one he had on Earth. There was a large white sectional couch with another matching sofa across from and a glass coffee table in the middle of them.

"I didn't know you were coming. I think I've seen you once in the month since we got here," Gabriel commented.

"Yes, well, it turns out that running this dad damned place isn't exactly easy. Plus I have to clean up all of Michael's messes. I'm reviewing the case of every angel that got sent to prison and trying to find every angel that left during his reign. Like Metatron. Apparently he took off not long after Dad did. There are a few others too," Lucifer said. He didn't intend to force anyone to come back, just to give them an option, much like he had with Anna."

"If you're reviewing prison sentences, I suggest starting with Gadreel. After all, his biggest sin was being tricked by you," Gabriel said before sitting down on the couch and propping his legs up on the table.

"Already in the works. You know, we could use you back in the fold. Can I get you to resume your archangel duties?" Lucifer asked.

"Maybe eventually. Right now, I'm still pretty sure that if I see Michael, I'll kill him. That's why I don't leave here often," Gabriel said. He hated his his oldest brother right now. Honestly, he wasn't sure he would ever stop hating him. The bastard set out to kill his son. He had and still was causing harm to both his boys. He'd broken up their family. Gabriel didn't think he'd ever forgive Michael for that.

Lucifer nodded that he understood. "Just try to remember that we did win."

"It's hard to remember that right now. I'm watching the misery in one of my kids. The other I can't see, but I know he's miserable. This place has become a prison to my son. So it's not exactly easy to see this as a win," Gabriel said.

Lucifer sighed and went over and sat next to his brother. "I had to, Gabriel. It was the only way to end it peacefully."

"I know. I'm sorry for getting pissed at you when you told me what you'd agreed to. I know it's not your fault. I was just pissed and you were the one that gave me the news," Gabriel said.

Lucifer nodded that he understood. "How's Sam?"

"I covered that with miserable, didn't I? He's not great. By the way, don't expect him to understand that this isn't on you. He does blame you for your choice. Honestly, he's mad at everybody. He's not good at controlling his anger. He takes it out on pretty much everyone around," Gabriel said. That was certainly what was going on now. Since they'd gotten to Heaven, his son had snapped on several occasions. Gabriel was trying to be understanding, but it was really starting to wear on his patience.

Lucifer chuckled. "I'd say he likely got that trait from me. Where is he anyway?" Lucifer wondered.

"I had him go for a walk. Told him he should get a change of scenery. It was either that or I kill him," Gabriel said. He wasn't all that comfortable with Sam strolling around Heaven without him, knowing most angels wouldn't accept him. Plus, Michael wouldn't dare hurt him now that Lucifer was in charge, but that didn't mean Gabriel wanted his hate around his son. But he couldn't keep Sam cooped up for all eternity. He was going to run into other angels eventually.

"Does he even know where anything is? What if he strolls into someone's Heaven?" Lucifer asked.

"I directed him to the garden. I think he'll like it there," Gabriel said.

"Everyone does. Well, I have to get back to work. I'll see you later," Lucifer said before standing up and heading for the door.

Xxxxxxxxxx

Sam found himself surrounded by trees as he continued to walk. He could only assume it was the garden. It certainly wasn't what he would've expected the Garden of Eden to look like. Then again, his dad had told him it looked different for everyone.

Sam stopped walking and took in his surroundings. His father was right, it was nice here. Well compared to everywhere else in Heaven, aside from his 'home'. Everywhere else was tense and uncomfortable for him. Even just walking here, he'd walked past about a dozen angels. They had all stared at him like he didn't belong. They hated that he was there.

Sam soon heard some rustling in the trees followed by a kind voice. "Hello, Sam."

Startled, Sam turned to see a man with a pair of weed whackers standing not far from him. "Who are you?"

"Can't you tell?" the angel asked.

Sam shook his head. "There's two much Grace here. I can feel it everywhere?"

"You can't differentiate. I'm surprised your father hasn't shown you how. I am Joshua," he said.

"I haven't told him about it," Sam said. He didn't talk to his father much since they came to Heaven. He didn't really talk to anyone, and when he did, he was usually unleashed his anger. That was why he spoke very little right now. His dad was putting up with the anger for now, but Sam knew his patience was dwindling.

"Meditation will help. It's a technique used to calm the mind. You should try it until you can learn to get used to the Grace around here," Joshua said.

"Why tell me that? Why talk to me at all. Every angel I've seen, aside from my father, Lucifer, and Cas look at me with either hatred or fear. Why don't you?" Sam asked curiously.

"You must understand that they've all been taught that nephilims shouldn't exist. That you are all dangerous. I know differently. I know you will not harm anyone here. I know because God assured me of such. He speaks to me at times," Joshua said.

"God talks to you?" Sam asked surprised.

Joshua nodded.

"Great. Do me a favor. The next time he calls, Ask him why he saw fit to destroy my life," Sam said resentfully.

"I can understand your anger, Sam. You're suffering. But sometimes things appear differently than they are. This seems like a punishment to you, but it was done to help you. I know you don't want to be here, but it's quite possible that it's the best place for you," Joshua said.

Sam laughed bitterly. "The best place for me. "Aside from less than a handful, I'm rejected by everyone here." It was ironic. The reason his father originally planned to bring him to Heaven was because he worried humans would persecute Sam on Earth, but it wasn't much different here. Angels were just as hateful as humans might one day be of him.

"For now, but everything is subject to change. I have no doubt that you'll give all of them a reason to change their opinions of you, even Michael," Joshua said.

"Yeah, if you say so," Sam said in a reluctant and annoyed tone before walking away.