You know reviews come first lol!;
Star: LOL! It would be, but I'm not a huge fan of Castiel, so no fluff for him. But Jack and Gabe need some fluff, poor babies, after everything they've been through, they need fluffy stuffs!
Kathy: Thank you so much! I'm so happy you enjoy it! Cas is soooo jealous!
Aly: LOL! I'm not a big fan of Cas, but seriously, he does need to tone it down or go sit in the corner or something! Never ever say those things in front of a kiddo like that! Horrible! Bad Cas, bad!
Telentropy X: Really, he needs to, it really doesn't suit him. Gabe is going to teach him everything he knows! LOL! A mini-Gabe is just what Luci needs, right? Honestly, I feel like Jack is kind of okay with it, he likes hanging out, and being with Lucifer. Michael does need to set some things straight, make sure they know what there is to know, and set Castiel in his place a bit.
cutecookielove: THANK YOU SO MUCH! Though it just keeps getting fluffier! That's my game! LOL! He does have a reputation to uphold, he doesn't even let Jack call him that in front of people (and he still does it despite Lucifer's warnings and tickles), nahhhh he'd probably enjoy it! Lucifer's a cutie and he knows everyone knows it too!
164Elizabeth:LOL Gabe is doing so much better! I don't know about Raph, but someone might make an appearance or two, not going to name names or anything! **Mysterious face** Cas does like to do stupid things, but hopefully he'll realize he's outnumbered this time, one can hope!
Katie: Thank you so much! Hopefully they will be on the show too, but not holding any breaths, thats where I come in!
Saphirabrightscale: HI! LOL! Always more chapters! Gabe is going to make Jack his 'trickster protege' and we all know it! Thank you so much! It's annoying that they all basically ignore the fact that there was another nephilim, and how did she die?, and yet Cas is supposed to be the good guy with Jack and everything! IT GETS TO ME! Michael being free is definitely a YES!" *pumps fist enthusiastically*
AN: Nothing too important, super stoked that I got a new computer, its so much better and so much easier to work with! And I got new internet! Everything is running so much faster now! AND YOU GUYS ARE SO AWESOME AND I LOVE YOU!
Lucifer woke the next morning before the boy did, he stretched, rubbing at his face, and scratched at his chin for a quick moment, before smiling down at the young nephilim still sleeping so soundly. He smiled, petting at his head softly, fingers running through the soft strands, Jack sighed softly and nuzzled closer, licking his lips. Lucifer went still for a moment, halting his fingers until he settled back down again falling back into peaceful slumber.
Never had he thought he would have something like this.
Something so sweet, and happy, and peaceful, not after all that he had done in his long eternal life.
He didn't get happy endings and good things, they just didn't come his way, and when they did they sure as hell didn't stay that way, often there long enough for him to find that he liked it and then it was snatched right from his hands.
But not this time, this time it was still here, he was still here, in the form of his little boy sleeping so soundly on his chest. He can't stop from smiling, petting his hair softly, humming deep in his chest softly, as he traces a thumb over his cheek bone and down around the curve of his jaw. Jack hums in comfort and nods into his chest again.
When he sleeps, his mask slips, the glamour he holds over his features, the one that maintains his aged appearance, fades slightly, and he looks more like his actual age then ever. His face morphs into something more peaceful, something more youthful, not bothered by the stresses of the world around him. His son is only months old and already has lost so much in the childhood he should have had. Fledglinghood is something to cherish, for it leaves just as quick as it arrives, Lucifer has the power to deage his vessel, part of him wants to, to see those bright large eyes he is sure the boy would have, the cherubic features not changed by aging, to hear those little feet pitter patter around the house, and hear the youthful giggles as he goes, but he doesn't dare think about it without the little ones permission.
"He looks like a fledgling when he sleeps."
Lucifer looks up, smiling at the arrival, "Doesn't he?", the other smiles at him, crossing his arms loosely, eyes shining at the sight the two make, "Fatherhood suits you brother."
"And you would make a great uncle, I'm sure," Lucifer stays his hand, rubbing his thumb over his smooth cheek as he gives the other his undivided attention, "What brings you here Michael?"
God's eldest archangel shrugs, "I always keep an eye on you.", Lucifer makes a slight face, "Making sure that I don't cause havok?", Michael shakes his head, "Making sure you remain safe from harm", he kneels down, resting his elbows on his knees as he bends, and reaches out to brush his blonde locks back much like he had with Jack a moment earlier, and Lucifer smiles at the feeling.
Michael has known he was here for a long while now, since they had both gotten out of the cage, just as he had known that the elder had gone straight back to Heaven, there was much to fix and many to praise or punish for their actions. The time in the cage had shed Michael's built up shell, tearing down the walls that he had built around his heart to protect himself, and it was during that time that they had actually say down and talked, they had yelled and they had cried, clutching to one another in a show of emotion that neither had not been known for for such a long time.
Gone was the soldier, Heaven's Commander, and in his place was the eldest archangel, the one who used to play with the fledglings in the Garden, sharing attacks of tickles and allowing young angels to clutch to his wings when they were frightened.
He had taken many angels to task for their actions, like their Father in that aspect, more of a 'spare the rod' guiding hand then anything. He had no doubts that many bottoms had been burned for some time.
Heaven's numbers had been low enough that Lucifer had been alerted to it, having been the only one there to receive Michael's rolling agony of what had become of their family, Father may be gone (and according to them He still was, this Chuck character that had been built up was not their Father, He may be God, but He would never be their Father) but His essence of Life still resided deep within the Garden, in a place only He Himself, or an Archangel, could reach, and when Michael had retreated to that place the numbers started to climbing.
He came to visit sometimes, they could never go back to what they were, but they both agreed to start again, to become better then what they were, and they spent most of their times together when he did visit out back in the garden, grooming their wings. Lucifer had always enjoyed it when Michael would groom his wings, and his older brother liked to tease him about the soft purring sounds he made, it was a mutual thing they enjoyed.
"Gabriel is here."
The elder nodded, his gaze lifting upwards to where he knew the guest room to be, imploring slightly. Lucifer smiled, turning his gaze back to the child sleeping on his chest, and picked softly at the ends of the boys hair. His brother was concerned and he could see it on his face, he needed to make sure he saw to their messenger before he made his leave.
"How is he?"
Michael turned back to look at his younger brother, the blonde focused back on his child's peaceful face once more, "Go check on him."
The elder smiled at the younger, nodding at his permission to actually enter into his house, and stepped further into the room, petting his head as he passed, and made his way up the stairs.
Lucifer smiled at the feeling of his brothers hand on his head, and leaned down to whisper softly to the sleeping nephilim, brushing his hair aside. Jack inhales deeply and tucks his head closer under his chin and sighs softly, falling back into the clutches of his deep sleep.
Michael sat tenderly on the side of the bed, smiling down at the messengers peaceful face, humming to himself in thought as he rubbed the pad of a thumb over the scabs around his lips. Lucifer had shared with him the condition their youngest brother had been in when he'd been found, Heaven had felt his rage, and he been trying to find a moment of spare time to come down here and see to the messenger himself, but things were still quite hectic in Heaven at the moment.
There was very few spare moments to be had and what ones he was able to scavenge he had only enough strength to make it to his bed and collapse face first into his cloud-like pillow.
Gabriel hummed softly in his sleep, curling closer to the fingers stroking over his cheek, he heard familiar humming and felt his grace uncoil slightly, reaching out tentatively to whom he hoped it to be. The grace in question reached back, caressing his in familiar warmth, and it was enough to encourage him to open his eyes. Golden eyes blinked sluggishly, still feeling the pull of sleep, but he managed and he was happy he had.
The smile that awaits him isn't something he'd seen in a long time, and it takes him a moment to catch his bearings, and his brain to catch up with his mouth. Fingers still cover his cheek, a thumb brushes the corner of his lip, "How do you feel?"
Gabriel knows he's no longer in that place, he's been here for a couple days now, his older brothers grace slowly but surely helping his grow stronger and his vessel to heal, he knows that the nightmare is over, physically, but the nightmares would haunt him for a while to come. His eyes water, and he fights to get the blankets off, eyes filling with tears, and his hands begin to shake madly.
Vaguely, of the din of his mini hysteria, he can hear his brother make a soft sound in the back of his throat, and large hands pull the blankets from his hands, away from his leg, and Gabriel jumps haphazardly from his bed into those arms. They pull him close, pressing him to a strong firm chest, and he breaks into a sob, clutching his tunic as burrows deep into his chest. Michael holds him, picking him up like a babe, and sits back on the edge of the bed pulling him into his lap, and he holds him there, pressing his head to his chest, petting his hair back and whispering softly to him.
His sobs begin to fade in a moment, his chest heaving deeply, and he turns slightly closing his eyes as fingers brush his tears away, "There there little one, let it out, that's it."
Michael has always been his big brother, always, even during that time they had been at odds with his taking over Heaven and the other running from his family like he had, Michael had always been watching over him. Never visibally, but he would be a fool if he hadn't noticed how some things seemed to just happen. As if by miracle or some unseen force, and Gabriel has been around long enough to know that miracles don't just happen, and there was only one who would do such things so obviously and yet so mysteriously.
He looks up to meet his gaze, and the eyes shine down at him softly, gentle, understanding, and tears almost fill his eyes again, Michael presses his lips to his nose teasingly. Softly, pecking the top of his nose gently, and he smiles at it, wetly, he smiles. It has always made him smile, ever since he was a fledgling.
"I missed you."
"You didn't come."
"Had I known you were there I would have razed Hell to the ground until I was able to reach you."
Gabriel nuzzles into his neck, a sense of safety washing over him, and his eyes droop once more.
"I'm sorry I left."
"Hush," Michael hums, kissing at his ear, "You have nothing to apologize for. I am sorry I made you want to leave you're home. That was never something I wanted, for any of my younger siblings, least of all you."
They fall into silence after that, Michael rubbing at his back and his head, and he falls into a peaceful sleepy state again, dozing off slightly tucked into the curve of his neck, Gabriel starts when he feels his brother shift, fearing that he's going to leave again, but Michael hushes him one last time pulling him closer as he shifts to stand, picking him back up again, and turns to settle back into bed. The sun has barely begun to crest the horizon and his little messenger needs more rest, he settles into the pillows and tucks Gabriel in close. The youngest archangel sighs comfortably, nodding up under his chin as he settles on his chest, yawning tiredly.
"Go back to sleep my little one," he brushes a thumb over his cheek bone, scratching at the spot right before his ear, "It is still early and you still have much more healing to do."
Gabriel sighs contentedly as his brothers grace curls around his, like Lucifer's does, warming and lulling him to sleep.
"Now isn't that a sweet sight?"
Gabriel smiled at the sight on the couch, leaning against his brothers side as he helped him make it down the stairs without tripping over his own feet. Michael was as good a crutch as there was, his arm solid around his waist, both smiling at the pair on the couch. Lucifer had fallen back to sleep, he was naturally an early rise, as he used to bring in the dawn, but that did not mean that he stayed awake afterwards. Michael can count on one hand the number of times he'd seen his brother wake up that early and stay awake and he didn't even have to use that whole hand either, and their brothers son was still fast asleep, not having woken at all in the short hours of the morning, still tucked under his fathers's chin.
Michael smiled at the pair, they did each other so much good, the messenger turned suddenly, as if it finally dawned on him that Michael of all Archangels was here, in Lucifer's home, and he was not in battle mode.
"Michael! How are you-"
"Who do you think helped him find this place?", the elder smiled at him softly, thumb rubbing against his hip bone, "I have known where his home was for a long time. I come to visit when I am able, but alas, free time is not easy to come by these days. There was much that needed fixing in Heaven."
They made it to the bottom of the stairs and Gabriel leaned into his side even more, resting back against his shoulder. The pair watched father and son for a long moment before they were interrupted, "Take a picture, it'll last longer."
Michael smiled as Lucifer peaked an eye open at them, rubbing the nephilims head when he too stirred, and quickly helped him drift back to sleep. Gently, he lifted the boy off his chest, sliding out from under him with a gentle sort of ease and quickly settles him back down on the couch cushions before he's disturbed into waking. Jack sighs softly, curling into the blanket he lays over him, turning to nuzzle into the pillows that are still warmed from his laying on them. Lucifer smiles down at him, like they can't see it, and brushes through his hair a moment before he stands, and cracks his back.
He steps forward to look their youngest brother over a minute later, reaching out with his grace, and Gabriel smiles at him as he leans heavily agaisnt their eldest brother. Michael happily accepts his weight and curls an arm around his shoulders.
"How do you feel?"
The messenger leans into the hand that cups his cheek, his brothers cool thumb brushes his cheek like Michael's had earlier that morning, "Better. Getting there?"
"And get there you will. I know you do not like to stay in one place for too long," Lucifer leaned forward, downward, their foreheads almost touching and Gabriel looked up to keep his gaze, Michael hummed next to him, squeezing his shoulder lightly, "But you will stay here long enough that I am satisfied."
Gabriel grinned at him, "Fatherhoods softened you Luci?"
"Say that again, and I'll show you just how soft I've become."
He smiles, going cross eyed to maintain eye contact, and Lucifer licks the tip of his nose with the tip of his tongue playfully, Michael rolls his eyes at the pair but couldn't agree more with the messenger, little Jack had indeed softened their brother, and this softening was for the better.
But he nodded, smiling up at the morningstar, Lucifer made a noise of amusement and brushed his fingers to the back of the youngers neck before letting him go and stumbling into the kitchen to begin on breakfast. Something light and fresh was on his mind, as it was a special occasion when Michael came to visit.
They followed after him, at a slowly pace, as Michael had allowed Gabriel to lean most of his weight on him, he would still walk the distance from the stairs to the kitchen on his own. It would help him regain his strength.
"Father?", the young one's voice floated softly over the kitchen where the adults had gathered, Dean was well into his third cup of coffee, Sam his second cup of tea, and Castiel was broding uncomfortably in his chair as the three archangels conversed, all turning at the sound of the voice. The seraph stood at the call of the nephilim boy, turning to face him, and Lucifer set his spatula down behind him, turning at the same moment. Jack stood in the door way, hair a mess, blanket still wrapped around his shoulders, and he rubbed a fist over his eyes as if to try and rub the remaining grains of sleep from them.
"Yes, Jack?", the angel stepped forward, ahead of the archangel, but Lucifer paid him no mind. The boy knew who he wanted, as he stepped passed the seraph with a small smile, and curled himself back into the archangels chest, Lucifer chuckled softly, curling his arms around the small body, around his waist, and he rocked them gently side to side.
Jack sighed sleepily and let his eyes close as he pressed his head to the archangels chest. Castiel doesn't let out a sound of irritation as the boy curls into the archangel, but his face says it all, it was the same face he had made when he'd stepped into the kitchen and saw Michael seated at the table.
"Kiddo, if you're still sleepy you should go back and lay down, today's going to be a lazy day anyway."
Jack shook his head, sighing softly into his father's chest, and nuzzled closer. They both ignored Gabriel's chuckle from the table, and Lucifer grinned at the group from over his head, and ran his fingers through his hair.
"Did you wake up and I was gone?"
The boy nodded into his chest and he chuckled, "How about you let me finish making our guests breakfast and then we can make it a movie day? We'll hang out on the couch and all of us can watch whatever you want. Sound like a plan?"
Jack nodded again and Lucifer chuckled when a moment passed and the boy didn't move an inch, breathing in deeply, and exhaling gently, "Kiddo, you have to let go so I can finish,", Jack shook his head and held on tighter. Lucifer smiled, leaning down to press a kiss to his temple, "Why don't you take uncle Gabe and I'll meet you there in a minute?"
Gabriel perked up at the sound of his name and turned to look up at Michael as if asking for permission to do so, the elder raised his head slightly, tilting his chin slightly, and the messenger pushed himself up from his seat and wobbled across the kitchen, reaching for the kiddo, Jack turned as he got nearer and quickly latched onto the other archangel, Gabriel smiled and curled his arm around his shoulders.
"Why is he so tired?"
Castiel gave a sharp glare in their direction, "No doubt something he's done.", Lucifer glared at him in return, "Castiel. Let it go, he's made his choice, respect it.", the archangel turned to answer the messengers question, "My sword, it seeped into his soul-grace, leaving him exhausted. Honestly, I'm surprised he's lasted as long as he has."
Jack mumbled, tugging on the messengers sleeve, and Gabriel smiled down at him leading him from the room and back to the couch.
"From what I've heard, you are my little nephew?"
Jack turned slightly from where he'd curled himself into Lucifer's side, turning slightly on his shoulder, hair brushing over Lucifer's chin. Pale fingers rubbed at his shoulder and over his back, tugging him closer.
In the chair next to him sat the man he didn't recognize, but who had been there all morning, uncle Gabriel curled around him much like he curled around his father. Michael smiled at the young nephilim from his spot on the couch that had been snapped up across from them, his fingers running absentmindedly through Gabriel's hair. Jack stared at him a long moment, trying to place where he had seen this man before, because though he hardly knew his face, he knew he had seen it somewhere.
His mind wandered to possible occasions he could have seen his face before.
The first thing his mind went to was the pictures on his fathers dresser, and he knew who this was almost instantly, and he turned to peer up at his father inquistively, wanting to be told he was correct in his assumption before he said anything out loud and said it wrong, Lucifer turned slightly, peering down to meet his youthful gaze, and smiled, "Yes little one, that's Michael."
Jack perked up slightly, leaning against his fathers arm as he leaned forward, "You're Michael?"
The archangel chuckled at him and nodded, smiling at the boy as his sleepiness won over his curiousity, and he leaned back into his fathers shoulder. Lucifer turned slightly when he did, accomodating his position, and leaned slightly to press a kiss to his hair, returning to his conversation with Gabriel in the next morning. He tugged a blanket over the nephilims shoulders without looking, their conversation having taken an interesting turn, but he'd be a fool if he didn't notice that his kiddo was tired. Jack was on the verge of falling asleep again, and it wouldn't be too much longer either.
"You're Jack."
Lucifer rolled his eyes at his brothers teasing tone and shot him a look, Michael smiled at him cheekily, scratching Gabriel's head meaningfully. The messenger hummed softly and turned to gaze up at him, meeting the shining gaze of his oldest brother, and reached forward to smack the morningstar's leg. One does not let Michael get scolded when they are laying in his lap.
"It is nice to finally meet you little nephew, I have heard much about you, I look forward to watching you grow."
The boy didn't so much as respond verbally, as he did nod sleepily into his fathers shoulder, eyes drooping dangerously. They talked later into the night, catching up and the such, Jack sleeping soundly, his head cushioned in Lucifer's lap much like Gabriel's was in Michaels. Lucifer adjusted again, leaning back into the cushions behind him, pulling Jack back with him. His boy curls up, nuzzling into his thigh, his legs curling up at the other end of the couch.
"He is amazing brother", Michael smiled at his peaceful appearance, leaning back into the soft couch, petting at Jacks hair softly, he hadn't seen his brother look so at ease in such a long time, "You should be very proud."
"I don't think it's possible for me to be any prouder. He's going to save us all."
He was indeed, and he didn't even know it yet, the boy was still so young, barely old enough to considered a fledgling yet. He smiled at the boy, hating having to leave so soon, but things were still so hectic in Heaven and they still had so much work to do. But now that he knew Gabriel was safe and sound, he was here, and of course he had his new nephew, Michael planned to visit as much as he was able.
"But first he has to learn."
"When he's older", Lucifer looked down at the sleeping nephilim, scratching at his scalp tenderly, smiling down at him gently, "I want him to have a happy childhood. Enjoy himself. Explore. Have fun. Get dirty and wear himself out. Be a kid."
Jack hummed softly, turning in his sleep, his nose brushing against Lucifer's stomach. He smiled, brushing a thumb over his cheek bone, stroking his finger down the bridge of his nose, before reaching for the blanket and pulling it up over him.
"You are going to be a great father, little brother, even I can see the adoration you have for the boy. He is going to have a happy life, he's changed you brother, for the better. I am happy for you."
Michael stilled his hand on Gabriel's head, fingers halting in their scratching, "Brother, I have not truly seen you for a very long time. Looking at you now. It is like looking at the Morningstar again."
Lucifer looked down still, not wanting to look up ant meet his gaze just yet, "Michael, I don't think we can ever be what we were. But I want to try. To be better. I want to be a family again."
His older brother shifted, the couch he sat on gave a soft creak, and a warm hand cupped his cheek. He was forced to look up, fingers hooking under his chin lifting his head up, and their gazes met.
"Little Brother, you have no idea how long I have waited to hear such words. You will always be family. No matter what. You will always be family. You will always be my little brother. Will always be my fledgling.", he rubbed his thumb over his cheek much like he himself did with Jack, it was clear to see where Lucifer had gotten his affectionate side, and looked down at the youngest archangels peaceful face, at the shine of their graces weaving together, mending and strengthening, "You will all always be my fledglings.", and behind Lucifer, "Even you Castiel. Though I must say, the boy is my new favorite, if anything were to cause him harm or upset, I will not be leniant."
He gave the seraph a pointed look, until, even Castiel had to look away.
AAAHHHHHHH! MICHAEEEEELLLLLLLLLL IS HEREEEEEEEEE! Michael and Gabriel are so sweet together! Michael is like a hovering parent, honestly, he's going to watch Gabe like a hawk! Jack and Michael? Ummm yes? They need to have an actual meeting! Will Michael return? Will Jack get to test Gabriel's teachings? Will Lucifer learn that his son and brother are conspiring against him? Will Castiel drop his pettiness?