Chapter Text
“If he catches us, he’s going to murder us”
Large white wings flapped silently in the warm air of the pride ring. Micheal spoke out to his brothers, Raphael and Gabriel who flew beside him, their bodies relaxed and calm, a harsh contrast to Micheals own demeanour. This was the first time the brothers have ever done something so daring, so rebellious. Hell was forbidden to all angels, even the princes themselves, it was a direct order from their father, all mighty, that they stay away from hell and all associated with the sin filled kingdom.
Now Michael was compliant with this order, he had no reason to go down there, no matter how many times he missed Lucifer or felt the unyielding need to apologise to him for all their mistakes, he never once considered defying his father, after all, with the fall of Lucifer, Michael became much more than just the twin of the Morningstar, he became Micheal, a prince of heaven, the kingdom's fierce general, and their father finally, truly saw him. The banishment of Lucifer dimmed the lights, but the darkness allowed Michael to glow, a fact that deep down Michael selfishly admits he loves.
“Michael stop worrying, he won’t even know that we were here” Gabriel spoke out to his brother across from him. He glided lazily in the air, twisting and spinning as if he lounged in the clouds from back in heaven. This outing for the brothers was uncharacteristic, not only because it was highly illegal and if their father found out, worst case scenario they’d me smited, but because Gabriel was the instigator. Gabriel was the oldest of the four brothers, their fathers’ messenger. He was always the mediator between his youngest brothers, never wanting a fight to break out or for any of them to face their father’s wrath. So, to outwardly wrangle his brothers into smuggling themselves into hell was quite frankly confusing, it also didn’t help that he still hasn’t told any of them exactly why they are here.
Raphael’s head perked up hearing the voice of his brother, silently gliding so that he flew close behind Michael, Gabriel catching his curious gaze, sighing before Raphael could speak
“Gaberiel, you never actually told us what we’re doing here? Every time we have asked, you grumble and dodge the question… is there something actually wrong?” Raphael's concerned voice rang through the quiet between them his green eyes flickering between Michael and their brother.
“First of all I don’t grumble, you make me sound like some kind of bear, and second! What part of surprise do you not understand, I swear, you two have only grown more impatient” Gabriel whined out to his brothers, flapping his wings in emphasis, receiving an eyeroll from Raphael and a harsh glare from Micheal. Gabriel snapped his head back towards the front, facing away from his brothers as he took position at the front. Raphael's gaze wandered back to sightseeing, but Micheals cold sharp glare stayed fixated on Gabriel
He’s hiding something
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Gentle feet landed quietly on top of the roof of Lucifer's palace, their claws anchoring themselves on the slippery surface. The brothers folded their wings close, making themselves as small as possible. The wind curled around them, snagging on their clothes and ruffling their feathers as they made their descent towards a large picture window below them. Yanking opened a hatch on the top that granted them access inside. Gabriel halted before the tree of them could climb inside. His hands hesitated on the latch, quickly he turned around to face the confused faces of his brothers, swallowing the lump formed in his throat he spoke.
“So, before we go inside, you mustn’t be mad at me, and you must not tell father” Gabriel’s tone turned sharp towards the end, his eyes looking over his brothers, lingering on Micheal who looks back with that calculating glare, his jaw tightening. “Am I understood, Micheal?” Micheal tore his eyes away from Gabriel at the jab, averting his gaze towards the crumpling roof below him.
“you don’t have to say it like that”
“I do.” Gabriel shot back, eyes narrowing. “Because I remember the last time you wanted Father to see something.”
The air thickened. Michael’s wings drew in close, feathers twitching. He didn’t answer.
Gabriel sighed, with less anger now, more a weary warning. “Just… Don't make me regret bringing you, alright?”
Michael didn’t meet his eyes. “Fine.”
Raphael shifted between them, tone careful. “Let’s just get this over with.”
Gabriel seems satisfied with his brother's response, proceeding to climb inside the castle, Raphael quickly following second, awkwardly stuffing himself and his large wings into the small opening, and lastly Michael followed, scanning the horizon before quickly slipping in, not before propping the hatch open for a quick exit.
The room inside was dark, the only light filtering through the light curtains draped over the picture window. Their eyes glowed as they scanned around the room, taking in the interior. Rapheal puffed out his feathers giving them a shake once he landed on the cool tile, adjusting to the change of temperature. Inside was warm, cozy, a fireplace crackling on the other side of the room, its flames flicking around, enlarging their silhouettes on the opposite side.
Micheal’s steel grey eyes roamed around, his brows furrowing in confusion at what he could see. Toys, blankets, stuffed animals… by now he had subconsciously moved closer to the fire, the familiar heat warming him deep in his bones, easing the tension, calming him. When Michael turned to look in the corner he had not yet investigated, his feet froze, the air in his lungs seemingly vanished as his eyes widened.
A bassinet.
His brothers had yet to seem to notice the small piece of furniture, each in different parts of the room, Raphael looking over the bookcase, while Gabriel had disappeared into a side room. The fire behind Micheal crackled louder, the blazes seeming burning hotter and taller as he slowly approached the crib tucked safely away in the corner. His silhouette climbed over the walls, extending further and further as he neared, on the walls his curled wings transformed into jagged angry lines, his shadow was transformed into a form it crept closer and closer towards the bassinet. Before Micheals clawed hand could pull back the flowing drapes to pear inside a soft cry pierced through the silence.
The cries of a baby froze Michael once again, his hand unable to continue as he looked down in horror at the drapes concealing the crying child. Before Micheal could continue he was shoved roughly out the way by Gabriel's shoulder, Micheals wings fluttered as he was pushed aside. From his place now pressed to the wall he was able to see Gabriel, his face relaxed, a light shine in his eyes as he reached into the crib, pulling out a bundle of blankets. Gabriel cooed at the child in his arms, rocking them gently. Once the infant was revealed from behind their drapes Raphael came rushing over, his hands resting gently on Gabriel’s shoulders as he peered down.
Raphael’s face softened, a small smile creeping onto his face as he placed a finger towards the baby, Michael could just see small hands wrap around his finger, gripping tight. The rustling from Micheal made Gabriel’s head snap up, his lavender eyes scanning him before narrowing. Passing the child over to Raphael, who took them over towards a rocking chair, both brothers watching. Gabriel's hands now free, he swiftly turned towards Michael, further pinning him closer to the wall.
It wasn’t often that Gabriel looked or made himself to be so imposing, he opted to be seen as a more friendly and open individual for people. But now as he stalked closer to Michael, his shoulders square, gaze cold, and wings slightly unfurled. He towered over Michael, not only in height, but in intimidation.
“Did you hurt her?” Gabreil spoke lowly, an unfamiliar growl present in his tone.
Michaels' eyes shot open, taken aback by the brash question. Deep down the accusation stung, Micheal had made mistakes he will admit that, but he would never just harm a child for no reason, despite what some may think. He’s not a monster.
“Of course I didn’t, I didn’t even get to see what the damn thing looks like before you shove me out of the way, maybe you should have more concern for me than some child we don’t even know anything about!” Micheal spat out, snarling at Gabriel as he shoved his brother out of the way, straightening himself, he gave one final glare to Gabriel, their sharp gazes slicing against one another before Micheal makes his way towards Raphael and the child. Gabriel grumbled before slipping back into the room he previously emerged from.
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Raphael sat comfortably in the chair, his back facing where he previously left his brothers, his sole focus on the small bundle in his arms. Rocking both him and the baby in the chair, he was finally able to properly take her in. She was small in Raphael’s arms, though most things were. Her large curious eyes peered up at him as a smile spread across her round cheeks, euphuising their rosy glow. Raphael giggled along with her as he stroked her face, her skin was pale and soft, a happy laugh erupting from her as he tapped her nose. Her small chubby hands reached up to grab onto his fingers. The disturbance of the blankets allowed them to fall to reveal the faintest of her light blonde locks, nearly identical to the three brothers, just a tad darker.
Raphael sighed as he rocked her, she was beautiful. But a melancholy feeling washed over him, once that made his eyes glass over and his throat tight.
“Can I see her?”
Micheals quiet voice shocked Raphael out of his trance, the commotion from Micheal startling Raphael caused the child in his arms to let out a coo, Micheals eyes snapping directly to her. Sharp steel grey peered into large ruby ones, her small hand reaching out to grab onto Micheals clothes. Feeling the tug of the child Michael swiftly stepped back, bringing his hand to hug himself as he ventured towards the back of the chair, finding it safer to observe the child from afar.
The small display brought a laughter to Raphael “She’s not going to hurt you Micheal, she just wants to meet you” he chuckled out from the chair. He stilled behind the seat, his arms still wrapped around himself as he swallowed, averting his eyes to the ground as he scuffed his feet.
Raphael sighed, allowing his head to rest against the back of the chair.
“She looks a lot like Lucifer, doesn’t she? Guess that’s why Gabriel dragged us out here, he wanted us to meet our little niece” Raphael and her giggled as he lifted the baby to snuggle their faces together.Their small moment of joy interrupted as Michael scoffed behind him.
“Please, if anything it's incredibly rude, clearly Lucifer didn’t want anyone, especially us to know about her, otherwise we would have, I don’t know, found out ourselves!”
Micheals raised voice had caused the baby in Raphael’s arms to start to cry, Raphael quickly rushing to comfort her
“Well Gabriel obviously found out some way” Rapheal spoke in between frantic shushes.
“Yes of course that makes perfect sense, how predictable that Mr can’t do anything wrong and A grade pain in my ass have been all buddy-buddy enough-“
“Micheal calm down, you’re upsetting her.” Raphael spoke firmly, his tone sharp and scolding. Perfectly silencing Micheals rant. Micheal behind him huffed and turned around, his eyes roaming the bookshelf next to them.
“Micheal, are you causing trouble?” Gabriel called out from across the room, emerging from the side room, shaking a bottle. As he got closer to his brothers and their niece, he promptly lightly shoved Michael with his shoulder as he passed him. Rapheal watched the display with concerned eyes as Gabriel crouched down beside him, handing him the bottle.
“Here, I made this for her, it should calm her down”
Raphael gently gave the bottle to the baby, watching constantly as her eyes started to drift “Gabriel, do you know her name?” Rapheal quirked his head back up at his brother who now stood.
Gabriel gave a soft smile, nodding slightly “Her names Charlotte, Princess Charlotte” Rapheal responded with a soft coo and a warm smile, caressing her sleeping face.
Behind them Micheals eyes found a portrait of Lucifer and Lilith, they were posed together regally, they were happy smiling, a blistering feeling burned under Micheal’s skin as he looked at the portrait, as he looked at her.
Michael’s eyes flicked to Raphael, voice low and sharp. “I assume this hell spawn is Lilith’s?”
Raphael hesitated, shifting the baby slightly in his arms, a small frown tugging at his features. “Well… that would make sense, I guess. She’s his wife,” he said, the words a little uncomfortable.
Michael scoffed, stepping closer, voice dropping into a bitter edge. “More like his whore.”
Silence fell for a heartbeat. Then Gabriel’s lavender eyes snapped to Michael, narrowing with a sharp flare. His wings bristled slightly, shoulders stiff.
“Michael… how dare you speak like that!” His tone was low, dangerous, shaking with a mix of fury and disbelief. “Do not drag her into this! Show some- some decency, even if you have no respect for anyone else!”
Michael’s mouth tightened, a defensive edge creeping in. “She doesn’t matter-”
Gabriel took a step closer, hands clenched, his voice rising just enough. “You’ve gone too far this time! You think this is clever? Or funny? Because it’s neither. You- you’re impossible. Absolutely impossible!”
Raphael’s hands tightened on the baby instinctively, glancing between his brothers. “Michael… calm down,” he said softly, voice firm, trying to keep the baby from crying.
Michael’s eyes flashed, his chest rising and falling with frustration. “I’m not calm! You guys just… everything’s always everyone else’s way!”
Gabriel let out a frustrated growl, wings flaring slightly. “Enough!” he snapped. “I can’t deal with this right now.” Gabriel turned swiftly, shooing Micheal away with his hand.
With a sharp turn, Michael stormed toward the hatch, wings beating hard as he shot up to the roof. He paused for a moment at the edge, glancing back, eyes blazing, then disappeared into the night to wait until the others were done with the baby.
From below, Gabriel’s voice carried over, calm but dripping with exasperation. “Brat.”