"I know it was you." He stiffens at the approach of the one behind him. "Who else would play such a trick against us all?"

"I'm in the middle of something."

Fingers wave over his shoulder, and he watches as the class he'd been instructing parts in dismissal, arms curl around his waist from behind and he looks down at the hands that meet in front of him.

"What were you saying?"

He smiles despite himself, turning, looking up at his older brother. "Hey, Nis." His older brother returns his smile, pecking his cheek lightly. "Hello, baby brother."

"Would it help if I said I was sorry?"

The Captain chuckles lowly. "It would not." And buries himself into the side of his neck.

Haniel stared at him in shock, his mouth hanging open, as the others rushed forward, leaving him standing there on his own. Nisroc stood in front of him, vouching for his honor, parlaying terms from their Archangel, requesting the opportunity to show the youngest what it truly meant to be a fearsome Power. Thaddeus stood there, looking so smug, his hand curled tightly around the grip of his whip, he turns to look at him with wide, fearful eyes, the Warden looked so smug.

"Give me time, let me show him, he can learn." Nisroc stepped forward, his finger curled tightly around the hilt of his sword, his loyalty was with his Archangel, but his heart was with his brothers. "As his Captain. Let me have this task."

Michael glared at him from over his Captain's shoulder, jerking his head in the form of a nod. "You have one week."

"Thank you," he bows his head. "Thank you."

Nisroc turns stiffly, dismissing the others with a wave of his hand, and takes hold of the shoulder of his tunic harshly as he tugs him around. "Come on." Haniel stumbles as he's yanked forward, curling his fingers around his older brothers wrist, tugging experimentally. The others depart, separating from their side, not sparing them a simple glance as they strode down the hall, in the direction of his office.

"Nis! Nis, what's going on! Nis! Where are we going!"

"Be silent." He's shoved forward forcefully, he stumbles over his feet, nearly tripping as he's thrown into the office. The others wait for them there, sans Thaddeus, anxiously waiting for their own arrival. Haniel stumbles around as his older brother walks in behind him and closes the door behind him.

"Nis!" His voice cracks in fear. "What's going on!"

"Nothing, baby brother, nothing's going to happen to you." His older brother, his Captain, steps forward and pulls him into a warm embrace. Haniel stiffens for a moment, and slowly, he folds around his older brother. "No one is going to change you. You are perfect just the way you are. We'll protect you."

His chest rumbles with a chuckle as he slides up against him, an arm raised for him to duck under, and he presses his ear to his chest to listen to the heart beat thump under his chuckles. Fingers tangle in his curls, and he sighs in comfort, closing his eyes lightly.

"Rough day?"

"The roughest. You are so mean."

Another rumble of chuckles. "I'm your Captain, I'm supposed to ensure you're working at your full potential."

"You had me plank for fifteen minutes."

A finger tapped to his lips gently. "You got mouthy."

"I'm your baby brother." He smiles slightly. "I'm supposed to be mouthy."

There's the soft sound of a book closing, and his brother slides out from under him, turning over to loom over him instead. He smiles up at him, laying between his arms, his older brother returns his smile. "Is that so?"

"Only speaking the truth."

"Then, if that be truth, as your older brother." He lowers himself slowly. "It's my job to make you feel like a fledgling again."

"Nis! No!"

He chuckles against his neck. "I have to, little Hani, it's my job."

The laughter of the Powers giggled airily as he watched his older brother loom over him, his arms captive above his head by one of his other older brothers, Nisroc smiled down at him, cracking his fingers lightly. "Hold him down." He knelt beside him, sitting on his knees lightly, and leaned over menacingly. "It's my turn."

When ten fingers pressed against his bare belly, he knew he was going to regret every prank he'd ever played against his older brother.

When he pressed his lips to his belly, rubbing his beard in, he knew he was going to die.