Work Text:
Another rotation around the sun. Another cold winter night. The silence in the halls was agonizing.
.. and Michael's bed was cold.
He noticed all the time that his bed was cold. There wasn't an indent beside him from the other body, there wasn't a strong, slender frame for him to latch onto for warmth.. that cologne that was practically burned into the being was gone, as well.
Every night he tossed and turned, nightmares and night terrors awakening him from an already fitful sleep.
Michael grieved and mourned the chaos every day.. but even moreso once the year ended. Another rotation completed. It was another year.
Another year his life was filled with silence, another year of the same, boring routine.. and another year that he was reminded of how cold his bed was.
No amount of blankets could match the embrace of the Lightbringer. No amount of cologne would ever linger the way his had. No amount of prayers brought him home. Michael would simply sleep alone.
When they were younger, it wasn't odd for them to sleep in a pile. Michael, Simeon, Raphael, Metatron, Uriel, Gabriel, the missing one.. they'd snuggle by the fire with candies and treats and hot drinks (when they got older, Father gave them adult drinks).. and they'd play games until midnight. Then, they'd see who'd be awake until sunrise, then that one could skimp out on their chores. Which, was a fine game, until they all pulled it off and Father got angry..
Now, however, Michael would let Luke lay beside him as he read children's books to him. Even though the boy insisted he wasn't a child, Michael couldn't help but take joy in the way his eyes would flutter close as he read silly tales of poorly drawn puppies going on grand adventures. Just as a child would.
Then, Michael would carry him to bed, and tuck him in. Simeon peered in, and a few words were exchanged between the grownups.
At least, when Simeon was there, he would. Once he was gone, Michael had only the gentle crackling of the fireplace from the living area could be heard.
His fellow Archangels gather around the fire, drinks in hand, and would share calm conversations, reminiscing about the year. They'd share those unrealistic resolutions.. then, they'd usually pass out before midnight.
Michael stopped partaking. As he got older, as he was gone for longer, those simple times where they sat together brought him.. pain. Raphael, of course, noticed, but he neglected to ever say anything.
Michael would lay in his cold bed.. and he'd cry. Curled up into a little ball, on the edge of his side of the bed, clutching the sheets.. something straight out of a teen romance.
Once Simeon was given back his wings, and he had returned, he came into Michael's room while tears were being shed.
"My friend," his gentle voice called, closing the door as he came over to Michael. And, although Michael was the older one, Simeon brushed his hair from his face, and wiped away some tears. "What brings you so much pain? Aren't you looking forward to the New Year?"
Michael couldn't bring himself to answer. He wasn't. Simeon could tell.
"Would some frozen berries cheer you up?"
"No, thank you," the not-so Mighty Archangel replied, sniffling, "..I'm grateful you're here again."
"I missed you, too, Michael."
Michael didn't dare ask any extra questions. Simeon, however, kept talking.
"He fell in love," Simeon whispered, watching Michael."
"..I heard. Luke said you covered his eyes."
"Yes.. kissed them right in front of everyone. He's still bold."
He never kissed Michael in front of everybody.. but, perhaps, because there was no competition.
"And he held them against his side all night.. whispering in their ear, looking at them with a lidded gaze.."
Michael.. had nothing to say.
"..that doesn't bother you?"
"Is he happy?"
"..I'm sorry?"
"Answer me, Simeon. Is he happy?"
Simeon paused, reading Michael's unreadable expression and registering the demanding, the pleading tone.
"..he is."
"Then let him kiss and hold them in peace. And let me rest, Simeon."
Simeon nodded, tucking Michael's hair behind his ear, the way Michael did Luke's. He left the room, leaving Michael to lie in his self pity and loathing.
And, moreso than ever.. Michael's bed was cold.