Choices
"Go away, Lucifer," Michael said, "I'm busy."
"Aww, c'mon Michael. Take a break. The garrisons can wait a while. Let's do something fun!"
Gabriel watched with apprehension. Michael had become increasingly bitter towards Lucifer, and that worried Gabriel. He loved his brothers, but he would never be able to choose.
"No, Lucifer. The garrisons must be trained in the defense of Heaven," Michael grunted and turned back to the angels in front of him. The angels in front of the eldest Cherub were to be the leaders of the garrisons of Heaven. They held their black wings stiff at attention.
"Who's going to attack Heaven?! It's paradise, for Dad's sake!" Gabriel chuckled quietly. Lucifer really was something else.
"Gabriel! Take Lucifer away, please," Michael gritted out through his frustration. Gabriel walked over.
"Come on, Brother. Let's leave Michael to his training." To Michael he said, "He's right. You could use to spend a little time with us more often. Everyone needs rest, Brother."
"Yes, you are right. Thank you, Gabriel. But not right now." Michael's face softened momentarily for his little brother, then he turned back to the soldiers in front of him.
Gabriel led Lucifer away from the training grounds. He disliked the animosity between his brothers, and decided to try to explain a few things to Lucifer.
"Be patient with Michael. He has odd ways of showing affection."
"Nah," Lucifer replied. "He just doesn't like me." He acted nonchalant about it, but Gabriel could see hurt in his eyes. Lucifer wanted Michael's approval.
"That's not true, Lucifer. Of course Michael loves you. You're his brother."
"He loves you more than he loves all of us. And he loves that stupid sword of his even more! He used to like me, Gabriel. What changed? What did I do wrong?" he turned towards Gabriel, tears in his eyes. Gabriel wasn't sure what to say at first.
"You did nothing wrong, brother. You are perfect because our father created you. Michael does love you, even if he doesn't show it. We all love you Lucifer." Gabriel pulled his little brother into a tight hug. Lucifer backed away smiling.
"Thanks, Gabriel." Lucifer flew off to unknown regions, and Gabriel watched him go, wondering if what he'd said was true. He certainly loved his brothers. Michael and Lucifer were the most important things to him. But if his brothers didn't get along… It was plain to see that Michael did not in fact like Lucifer, maybe because Michael now had to fight for their father's attention. Whatever was happening, Gabriel didn't like it. Something was going down, and it wasn't going to be good.
Just to clear up a few things, the sword referenced in this chapter is Michael's Flaming Sword with which he defends humanity. That might not be known so I thought I would explain.