Michael sighed as he walked down the stairs towards the cells. He ignored the reaching hands of siblings as they reached through the bars towards him. He had not been down here for some time now, the last being when he had put his target in here. It was admittedly very frightening in here, not that he would admit it being an archangel with a reputation of being fearless to uphold, but he would not want to stay in here.
One could heard the wails of the prisoners.
The moans and groans.
The rattling of chains.
It was not a sound nor place that he would openly wish on those who did not belong here. Like the one he was going to get now.
After returning to Heaven and hearing of his brothers sacrifice he had taken a special interest in seeing the file for this ones charges. He had been angry when he had given the affirmation to put him in here and to throw away the key. Lucifer had just gotten into the garden and this particular angel had simply let him in. He had not thought of the fact that Gadreel would not have known of his elder brothers plans nor had he been wrong to trust him. Lucifer was his elder brother and they had always raised the younger angels to trust them.
He had been appalled at the treatment of this younger brother after he had left him in the care of the guards.
The Archangel turned the corner of the corridor following the line of glowing torches down the hall towards the large stone door on the opposite side.
He'd reviewed the charges of his case and decided that he had suffered enough, releasing him of all charges from the garden.
He nodded once at the guards posted at the door and they opened the solid gate. Michael stepped inside, his sandals making noise as he walked over the rough rock surface. In the poorly lit room he could just make out the silhouette of a body leaning against the far wall. The smaller figure shook as he walked closer and closer, not making a sound until he knelt in front of them.
Gadreel looked up at him with such fear that it made his wings twitch. The younger angel licked his lips as if he were going to speak but never uttered a word. They held each others gaze for a long moment until the old sentry let his eyes drift back to the floor. Michael made no movements fora long time, fearful that should he attempt to that the younger angel would break, but after what felt like an eternity he allowed his voice to travel towards the younger angel.
"Come, Gadreel, you are free"
Gadreel was silent for a moment after that, not moving an inch from his position. But then he spoke in a voice that Michael had not heard in such a long time.
"I do not have anywhere to go"
Michael's heart broke as he thought of that. Those who were imprisoned were not meant to come out again. Gadreel had given up hope of ever coming home once more.
"You will stay with me until we can get you another room."
There was more silence, but the archangel was having none of it. He reached out gently, taking the younger angel up under the arms and helped him to his feet. Gadreel stumbled as he was pulled to his feet and fell into his oldest brother. Michael caught him easily and helped him catch his balance. It was too dark to see the actual condition of his younger brother but he knew right away that he would have to get Raphael to help him build up more muscle, they'd have to fatten him up too for he was too thin.
Gadreel felt his arm being wrapped around the eldest archangel gently, and as Michael turned them towards the door. Each step he took hurt his feet but he made them in silence, relishing in the fact that he was finally going to get to go home. Michael was patient as he lead the younger weaker angel to the stairs, as they began to climb up them.
Around the sixth step they stopped, Gadreel was sweating beads, breathing harshly. Michael waited for him patiently wiping his face off with extra fabric of his robes.
"I can carry you the rest of the way if you would like me to"
Gadreel shook his head shyly, "I need to do it Sir"
Michael nodded, he could understand that. He adjusted his hold on the smaller angel and waited until his younger brother indicated he was ready to continue on. Gadreel fisted the shoulder of his brothers robe and nodded his head. Michael was gentle but firm as he tightened his hold on his younger brother.
They made it to the top after a long time, Gadreel squinted in the shining light, raising his free hand to shield his eyes. Michael turned them in the direction of The Archangel's Garden, their home. Gadreel watched as the other angels watched them as they walked past slowly, as they stared at him. He was the traitor, the one who had let the serpent in the garden.
"Ignore them, they just do not know better"
Michael's voice was soft in his ear, he turned his attention towards the archangel but much to the surprise of the gatekeeper the archangel was looking ahead at the path leading them closer and closer to the Archangel's home. He stumbled over the door step but Michael held him up right. He was lead through the grand entrance into a spacious foyer. Through another great entrance and lead down a hall containing four doors. He recognized the names encrusted on each door, and was shocked when they stopped in front of Michael's rooms. He had been speaking the truth.
"I will always keep my word little one"
He had not been called little one in such a long time and it filled him with unfamiliar warmth. Michael reached out with his spare hand and gently pushed open his room door. Gadreel did not have to block out the light as the torches on the wall flickered into life as they entered. His eyes widened in slight fear when when he spotted Raphael seated on the elders bed. There was a table, he noticed it as soon as he looked around, next to the bed that held medical supplies.
Michael gently nodded his head at his brother and lead their baby brother to the bathroom.
"You can wash before he looks you over. Do you need help?"
Gadreel knew that he should probably say yes but his pride did not allow him to do so and therefore he shook his head slowly.
"No I can manage"
Michael let him down gently on the side of the tub, "Of course, call if you need anything"
The gatekeeper nodded slowly, still not used to this type of affection after such a long time. Michael waited a moment more, cradling the back of his neck with a warm head.
"Do not fear us baby brother, you have been wronged and we are here to help you now"
Michael's thumb was gentle as he rubbed it against his cheek. His eyes were full of such love that it almost made the worn gatekeeper shed tears. But he held them in. The Archangel let go of his neck and backed out, cracking the door behind him as he did to give the younger angel his much wanted privacy. Gadreel removed his top first, his arms tender at the sores covering the skin. He turned to look at himself in the mirror. He was pale, much paler then he remembered himself being. There was dark smudges on his face, bruises covered his arms, the skin broken where the rusty manacles had kept him in place. There was dark bags under his eyes and his face looked thin.
He looked like a prisoner.
His gaze traveled downwards, where the sigil was still branded in his chest, the one he had used to finally put himself out of his misery. The faint lines of his time in the guards fun house.
He traced the lines with a soft hand. Taking a deep breath, the gatekeeper turned away from the mirror and headed towards the tub. He sank into the warm water, letting it sooth the tension from his muscles.
Michael and Raphael paused in their conversation, looking up, as the door to the washroom opened and their new charge walked out. More like stumbled out, having both archangels jumping out to catch him in case he lost his footing all together and fell. Gadreel steadied himself on the wall next to him and took a moment to catch his bearings. The Prince and The Healer stood just off to his side, looking him over silently, waiting for him to give them the ok to come closer.
Raphael's eyes wandered over the welts on his younger brother's arms and the sigil just beginning to heal over on his chest. He was favoring his feet a bit too much for the Healers liking. There was bags under his eyes and he was far too pale for Michael's liking. The gatekeeper shook his head once, twice, before looking back up towards his older brothers. They took that as their cue to come closer, surrounding the smaller angel in a loose circle.
"I want to see these welts, Little One, and take a look at that sigil on your chest to make sure that it is healing itself correctly, and your feet as you seem to be favoring them as you stand. Speaking of which, come, come, lay yourself down, you look exhausted."
Gadreel never had the chance to get anything out as they gently ushered him towards the elders bed. He looked reluctant to touch his bed, even if it looked soft and inviting and warm and Father was he tired, but he mustn't let his guard down. A warm hand on his shoulder, gently massaging to skin tore him from his thoughts as he was gently pushed downwards.
"Come now, Doctors orders Little One, lay down baby brother"
Gadreel allowed himself to be pushed down on the soft bed, his eldest brother sat down on the edge next to him, running his fingers through the younger angels damp locks. Raphael left them for a moment to retrieve a jar of salve from the table. Gadreel looked over at the other archangel at his side, Michael returned his glance with a soft smile.
"Close your eyes Little One, we will take care of you."
The gatekeeper wanted to protest, he had to stay on guard in case this was all another trick, but his brother's hand was warm and comforting and soothing as it ran through his hair. The blanket he pulled over him was warm and soft. The tune he hummed was deep and melodic. Raphael returned shortly after the youth's eyes fluttered shut, a smile making its way to the Healers face as he spotted his younger brother.
"He is peaceful when he is sleeping"
"Yes, he is, our brother has been falsely punished Raphael and we are to blame."
Raphael nodded as he gently covered the red welts with the salve, shushing the younger angel when he began to stir at the sudden touch and the coldness of the rub. Gadreel calmed back into his slumber, his free hand subconsciously latching onto Michael's. The Archangel gladly returned his gesture, rubbing his knuckles gently with his thumb. He gently helped to pull the blanket down just past his chest to allow easier access to the sigil on his chest. The gatekeeper shivered slightly at the sudden loss of warmth, but was calmed by a gentle hand on his forehead.
Raphael sat on his other side, lightly poking at the red spots along some of the deeper portions of the sigil, it looked as if he had cut it out with a piece of jagged concrete.
"How did you say he was found? This looks like it is healing well, but that it would be painful"
"They found him in the waiting cells, barely alive, his chest bleeding badly because of the sigil"
Raphael hummed, nodding his head once. He was satisfied with the way the sigil looked and headed down towards the youths feet. He lightly picked one up, frowning at the red patches and poked at the sole, startling when the gatekeeper kicked out lightly in his sleep, twisting onto his side slightly to get away from his hand, and the healer smiled.
"Michael, I think this one has tickling footsies"
Michael smiled, his eyes shining softly, "We will store that knowledge for later. Maybe it will help bring him out of his shell to us"
Raphael returned his smile, keeping that knowledge for later. The smile fell from his face as he took in a particularly deep gash. How their younger brother had managed to get such injuries on the bottom of his feet was behind him. He turned his gaze towards his older brother, his eyes telling him what he was thinking.
"You have to stitch it?"
Raphael nodded his affirmation. This would undoubtedly wake their younger brother from his much needed rest but it was the only way to get it to heal correctly. Michael nodded his head at the Healer, indicating to get his things ready while he awoke the young angel on his bed. After everything their younger brother had been through, it would not do him any good to try and stitch his foot whilst he was sound asleep. Michael sighed through his nose and leaned forward, placing a hand on the side of the younger angels cheek, caressing it lightly.
"Baby Brother, I know you want to rest, but we need you awake for this part"
Gadreel startled awake at the closeness of the voice. His eyes snapping open, fear flashing in them before he could hide it, Michael's eyes were full of concern as he had seen the flash of fear in the younger angels eyes. Raphael, on the other side of the room was busy threading the needle and looking through his assortment of medicated bandages, noticed the silence but thought better then to talk about it. Michael brushed the youths hair out of his face.
"It is alright Little One, Raphael will work quick"
Gadreel shook his head, attempting to scoot away but found himself too weak to do so. Michael cradled his cheek gently. He had heard rumors of the guards mistreating some of the prisoners but ahd never had evidence like this before.
"Baby Brother, how did you come to gain such injuries"
"Michael"
Raphael warning went unheeded as the eldest stared the younger in the eyes. Gadreel took a deep breath before he finally broke.
"The..The...They were not happy that I had walked back in...They said that they would make sure I could not walk again...It is alright though...I am used to it"
Michael's eyes hardened, and somewhere over his shoulder he was sure that Raphael was frozen in shock, Gadreel feared that he may have spoken out of line or that they thought he was lying. After a moment the elder archangel looked a tad guilty at frightening the younger angel. It was not he that the archangel was angered at and he felt bad that he had made the gatekeeper feel as such.
"It is not your fault Little One, you have been wronged and we are sorry to have noticed sooner."
Raphael came closer, the silver needle glistening in the torch light. Gadreel's eyes shot to the sharp object and his face twisted in fear once more. The Healer felt bad but it had to be done and sooner rather then later. Sitting on the end of the bed nearest his injured foot, the Healer looked over at his older brother.
"Michael, could you please hold him, this is bound to hurt"
The elder Archangel nodded and scooted up beside the younger, wrapping his arms around him. Gadreel struggled sluggishly against his hold but Michael held him fast, resting him back against his chest. The younger let out frightened sounds as he turned away from his feet and buried his head in the elders chest. He felt warm lips press against his temple and warm hands rubbed against his arms.
"Hush Little One, you are under my protection now, I would not allow anything to harm you"
Raphael nodded his head in agreement to his brothers words, indicating that he was going to begin. Gadreel felt a small pinch and a slight tug as the needle was pulled through the skin and the stitch tightened. It was a bit uncomfortable, but with the youths attention drawn to the elder as he whispered a story into his ear, it was not so bad. It was over before he knew it, and as Raphael gently wrapped the gatekeeper foot up in the medicated bandage he had to smile as he watched his older brother gently lull the youth back to sleep. As Gadreel yawned largely, laying his head back down on his older brothers chest. Raphael gently patted Michael's own foot.
"I must return to my Pantheon, he must rest as much as he can and these bandages have to be changed at least twice every three or so days. If anything seems to worsen call for me"
Michael nodded, thanked him softly over the head of their slumbering baby brother, and bid him a good night. After The Healer closed the door behind him, Michael turned his attention back down to the wronged youth resting against his chest, kissing him on the forehead once more.
"You are safe now Little One, rest"
And rest he did, the entire night. And if he awoke the next morning only to find the archangel still wrapped around him, sound asleep, and the only thing he did was snuggle back up against his biggest brother, his rescuer, and his arms tightened around him warm lips brushing his forehead gently.
Well they just didn't say anything about it.
I thought it was about time that Gadreel got some sort of justice! Loved him!
Anyone you want Big Bro Michael to be all big bro-y with lets me know lol! I love requests!