"Cas, you gotta help me."

Castiel looks up from his lore book to see a visibly stressed Sam in front of him.

"Hi?"

"Gabriel won't leave me alone," Sam says. "You guys are brothers. Can you talk to him? Because I'm getting really close to just smacking the guy."

"He won't listen to me," Castiel says. "He never has, and I'm assuming he never will."

"Come on, Cas, you're the best shot I have," Sam says. "He's driving me insane."

"Sorry, Sam, but I can't help you," Castiel says. "You could try asking Michael. Michael's always been good at smacking some sense into him."

Sam glances at Michael — or, technically, at Adam. Michael let Adam take over the vessel not long after he returned from Heaven with the news that the angels were just scared enough of him that they agreed to take on Amara. Occasionally, Adam will start talking to no one, so it's evident that Michael is still here, even if he doesn't control Adam's body. Sam could probably get his attention if he tried.

"Do you mean literally smack some sense into him, or have you just been talking to Dean too much?" Sam asks cautiously.

"Both," Castiel replies.

Sam eyes him hesitantly for a moment. "I don't really want Michael to actually hit him. The bunker's walls are strong, but I have a feeling an archangel is stronger."

"Did someone say 'archangel'?"

Gabriel appears next to them with a quiet flap of his wings, a smug smirk on his face. Sam rolls his eyes so dramatically that his entire head goes with it, and Castiel stifles a laugh. He feels bad for the guy, but, at the same time, it's kind of funny to watch. When Gabriel wants something, he wants it, and right now, he has his sights set on Sam.

Castiel pats the hunter on the back sympathetically. "Good luck."

~~

"Can we just get on with it already?" Lucifer asks, exasperated. "Amara's not getting any weaker!"

"Oh, shut up," Dean snaps. If he hadn't said it, someone else would have. It's basically everyone's default reaction to Lucifer speaking.

"He's not wrong."

Everyone looks to the source of the voice at once. It happens every time he speaks. Judging by his posture and his grim expression, it seems to be Michael that speaks, with Adam ticked safely away.

"The longer we wait, the longer she's been free, the more powerful she's going to get," Michael says. "Unless you have any plans to find someone or something else that you think is powerful enough to defeat her, we should strike soon."

"You know that probably means we're walking straight towards death with open arms, right?" Jo asks.

"And procrastinating will just make it worse," Michael says. "If we want any chance at defeating her, we'll attack now."

No one immediately answers that. Castiel surveys the room, and it appears everyone is feeling as apprehensive as he is. Though that doesn't bode well for their chances, it's oddly comforting to know that everyone else feels the same way.

It's Sam who breaks the silence. "Tomorrow, then. Gives us just enough time to prepare."

"And to say your goodbyes," Lucifer deadpans.

"Well, hey," Dean says with a half-assed smile. "Last day on earth? Sounds like the perfect time for a party if you ask me."

Everyone murmurs in unenthused agreement.

"Great." Castiel forces a smile. "I'll get the beers."