They watched them all run around, playing a game of tag, in the clearing of the Garden they frequented the most. It was one of those rare days where they could get together, the group of them, rare even for days of rest. They all leaned forward when one of the little ones tripped up, falling to the ground rather harshly, and looked down to the slightly bleeding knee that had been scrapped and he poked at it cautiously.
From beside him, he heard the Healer heave an exasperated sigh, "Why is it they cry so when it is I who touches their cuts and scrapes, and yet, it is not so much an ordeal when they do so?"
There was an aura coming from the Messenger, and they all knew he was about to say something that quite possibly may ruffle the Healer's wings, "Simple. You're terrible at your job."
A finger pointed in his direction "Keep poking at me, baby brother, and I'll show you just how terrible I am at my job."
He chuckled softly when the Messenger turned to look at his archangel, "Mike! Raph is threatening me!"
The Captain smiled in amusement as he watched his archangel heave a tired sigh and proceed to pinch the bridge of his nose in his own exasperation, "And I am threatening you both, do not force me to come between the two of you."
Lucifer snorted in amusement when both of the younger archangels nodded quickly to the eldest. Michael turned a look on him, and he raised his hands in peace, nodding back towards the fledglings that continued on their game uninterrupted.
"Because they are stronger then all of us."
The oldest archangel answered the Healers question after a moment, watching the three of them rather closely, he had always had a soft spot, and protective side, when it came to the fledglings, and especially to the one he was rather fond of.
They all nodded in agreement, the Captain leaned back on his hands, smiling as his youngest charge managed to pat the older of the two on the shoulder, and bolted in the other direction. They had come such a long way since the day they had met, though they've had a few bumps along the way, the young fledgling was making him proud each and every day with the progress he's been making.
"How much do you think still haunts them though, silently, kept to themselves?"
A seriousness had fallen over the Messenger, watching the young ones race around just as fledglings should, as it wasn't so long ago that the freedom to do so without fear of capture kept them from playing as they did now.
"I think, more, then they will ever admit to."
Beside him, the Morningstar nodded "They are the true victors of the war." He smiled faintly at the bright peal of laughter that came from his own charge as she dodged the others reach "Being able to live despite the tragedy that was beholden. That is true victory."
Again, they each nodded in agreement, marveling at the strength that one so small could carry with in them, the Healer crossed his legs under him as he sought another comfortable position.
"They are fighters, survivors, already and at such a young age. The fact that they kept that spark of innocence, the laughter returning as peace continues its play among us, shows just how much stronger they are then we."
They smiled as thy were interrupted by the ones that their conversation circled around, their giggling making everything seem brighter, as little hands tugged at the Captains arms until he conceded and finally stood from where he relaxed in the warm patch of sun, the fledgling they'd been playing with hugged her arms around the neck of the Morningstar. She kissed his cheek when he tilted his head up for one and giggled at the arms that pulled her closer to his chest, not seeing the others watching in amusement.
"What can I do for you, little bird?"
"Will you play with us, Luci?"
He hummed playfully, "Play with you?" he dig his fingers lightly into her sides, making her squeal brightly and twist about like a fish caught on a hook "Can I play with those little wings of yours?"
"No, Luci! Not that!"
"Not that game?" His brothers watched them amusedly, their smiles as bright as the fledglings was, eyes softened as they always did when looking upon the little one, they were all so fond of, no one more then he was of course, the first fledgling to let him close again. "But I love that game!"
"Luci!"
He leaned forward to kiss her nose quickly, "Alright, alright, I will play with you." He peered over her shoulder "As I can see that you're little friends have already roped the mighty Power into playing with them." He chuckled when said Power made an interesting gesture in his direction for his comment, before turning to try and catch one of the two little ones running around him, Akeelah smiled bright, leaning forward to kiss him on the cheek "Thanks Luci." He smiled, patting her on the bottom lightly as he slowly pushed himself up to stand "You're it!"
"You little—"