"I'm the same, really," Crowley shrugged. Most of the time he flirted just to push people's buttons, as was his general way. There were only certain occasions when he actually did it with intent, most of the time he did it to rile people up, it was an effective way to exploit people and manipulate them into giving up their weak spots, that way he could go for the jugular if needed. Sometimes, though, he was just being friendly. As was the case with Gabriel, and with Michael as well.
Although maybe it was a little more than friendliness. However, Crowley knew just how far to push things, well, most of the time at least.
He should have known Michael would ask about Raphael, it was bound to come up. Seeing Castiel again, knowing he only had memories up to the point so soon after his betrayal, so soon after he'd stabbed him in the back that time so long ago and gone Godstiel. He'd missed out on all those other betrayals, missed out on the time he'd consented to letting Lucifer possess him and let him free from the Cage, he'd missed out on the rabid dog spell, he'd missed out on so many lovely memories.
Crowley slowly looked up at Michael, meeting the archangel's eyes unflinchingly and giving him an open, raw expression. Michael was owed an explanation, Raphael was his brother, after all.
"After you and Lucifer went into the Cage, there was a power struggle in Heaven. Raphael and Castiel were at loggerheads and Castiel sought out my assistance. We joined forces, seeking out the souls of Purgatory. We had plans to use the power of the souls, him to gain control of Heaven and me to gain control of Hell. It was win win. I won't bore you with the gory details of in between, a bit of torture of alpha monsters here and there," he waved a hand airily, "Castiel's true loyalties were with the Winchesters. We argued multiple times about it. The Winchesters didn't know about our alliance, they didn't even know I was alive at that stage, Castiel and I had faked our death in order to advance the plan."
He sighed. The memories of the betrayal lay fresh in his mind.
"I guess Castiel's conscience won out in the end, or his guilt or whatever. He betrayed me. So I sought out Raphael. Made him the same deal. Then, we were set to open the door to get the souls of Purgatory, the spell was all good and ready and wouldn't you know it? A Winchester distraction allowed Castiel to show up and switch the spell, and he took all the souls himself. Godstiel then snapped his fingers and Raphael was..." Crowley shook his head. "It wasn't pretty."
Crowley had the last of his drink and let out a harsh sigh as it burned down his throat. "The Castiel that's here in Preya, he isn't the same as the one that I knew when I was back there. He doesn't remember everything that went down. But he remembers killing Raphael. He never answered for that." Crowley placed a hand on Michael's forearm. "I'm truly sorry." The hand was gone in moments, though Crowley meant what he said.