"See? Made it safe and sound," Castiel says with a reassuring smile as the three boys walk off the airplane.

"Mm," Dean replies, still seeming shaken.

Castiel can't help but find it amusing that Dean is scared of planes. He wouldn't have guessed Dean was afraid of anything at all if he hadn't been so panicky on the flights to and from California. It was rather entertaining, really.

He had to constantly reassure Dean that it would be okay throughout the whole flight, holding him close and whispering in his ear. It wasn't easy, but Dean got through it. This does raise the question of how he survives flying around the country for football games, though.

Dean and Castiel travel enough that the whole process is nothing exciting, but Lucifer, who barely even leaves the house, seems to be loving every moment of it. He had been adamant about taking a limousine home, even though someone doubtlessly would have been able to pick them up, and there are always cabs around. Dean and Castiel humor him with it, and Lucifer seems ecstatic about it the entire ride until they finally reach the Novak house and have to leave their fancy limo.

Castiel carries Misha inside while he sits in his giant crate, with the other two taking bags. Castiel has to strategically maneuver the cage around so he can push the doorbell with his knee and wait for someone to open it for them. That someone is Claire, which doesn't come as a surprise to anyone. The only other three who aren't away at college at the moment are Michael, Samandriel, and Anna, and they can already hear the boys arguing and Anna usually hiding in their rooms.

They carry the bags all inside, dropping them all in the middle of the kitchen because no one wants to carry them into bedrooms. Castiel puts Misha's cage down and opens the door. Instantly, the dog is out, jumping on his owner energetically. Castiel crouches down and pets him, attempting and failing to calm him down. Dean watches them with an adoring smile, and Lucifer looks on jealously, wishing he had a dog of his own.

"My god, Mike, you're sounding more like a republican every day!" Samandriel complains loudly, causing everyone to subtly eavesdrop on his argument with Michael.

"I despise the two party system and refuse to label myself as either," Michael replies.

"Then allow me to label you. Republican."

"Abraham Lincoln was a republican," Michael tells him. "Nothing dishonorable about that."

"Not a Lincoln republican," Samandriel clarifies. "You're Donald Trump part two."

"You little..." Michael stands up abruptly. "I don't have to put up with this." He walks away, giving Dean, Castiel, and Lucifer a very brief, clipped "Hello" in passing.

Castiel looks between his oldest and youngest brothers, raising an eyebrow. What's gotten into them?

"They're always like that," Claire says for Dean and Castiel's sakes.

"You're joking," Dean says incredulously.

"You have no idea how much I wish I was."

"Yeah, it's getting bad," Lucifer agrees.

"Not my fault our brother is an insensitive prick," Samandriel says defensively.

"Yeah, but..." Lucifer sighs and shakes his head. "Never mind."

"Is someone gonna go check on him?" Dean asks, glancing in Michael's general direction.

"I don't even bother anymore," Lucifer replies. "He won't listen to me. He's gotten really testy with us lately."

"Maybe that's because someone is always picking fights with him," Claire suggests with a pointed look at Samandriel.

"He starts it!" Samandriel protests. "I don't just walk up to him and tell him I want to start a fight."

"No, but you do take any chance to fi—"

"Alright, enough!" Lucifer yells, silencing them both.

Claire looks down at the floor, her hands clasped behind her back. After a moment of tense silence, she mutters, "I'm gonna go tell Anna you're here," and walks away.

"You good?" Castiel asks his older brother.

Lucifer sighs. "I never thought I'd say this, but I'm honestly considering moving out."

Castiel gapes at him. "You're — but — you — what? You love living here! What are you talking about?"

"I loved living here before I became the new Michael," Lucifer corrects him. "This blows, man. You don't even know."

"At least you're not policing Gabe, too," Dean reminds him. "Could be worse."

Lucifer scoffs. "I'd take him back in a heartbeat. But right now, I'm just stuck with you guys, so... welcome to the Novak police force, you two."

"Do I get a badge?" Dean asks.

"No, you just get gray hairs," Lucifer jokes.

Castiel glances at Samandriel, who sits at the kitchen table with his arms crossed, obviously resenting this conversation. Castiel looks over at Lucifer, who, unlike Samandriel's obvious annoyance, just looks done with everything.

Castiel pauses for a moment, then stands up because the author forgot he was still on the ground next to Misha. He digs through his suitcase without a word and pulls out a bag of dog treats, causing Misha to go wild. He takes two treats and hands them to Lucifer silently.

Lucifer gives his brother a small smile before holding one treat out in front of him. Misha instantly takes it from his hand and eats it as if expecting it to disappear in his mouth if he takes too long. Lucifer gives him the other treat, which Misha demolishes just as quickly.

The dog jumps up, putting his front paws on Lucifer's chest, probably hoping for more. He chuckles and ruffles the dog's fur, a smile creeping up on his face. He seems to be enjoying himself just a little bit more with the dog's company, and that's exactly what Castiel was hoping for.