It was not often when it was brought to Michael's attention of the hidden worries for the other Archangels well being. But they had come, voicing such concerns, and here he was coming to investigate.

They'd been so busy, and perhaps a tad neglectful, but it was no reason for him to be worrying them as much as he was.

"Brother?", Michael's voice carried softly over the din of the room, "How are you?"

The muscles in his back stiffened at the sound of his voice and still he refused to turn to face him, most likely knowing that he would not approve if he were to see the actual state he was honestly in.

"I am fine. Busy but fine. What brings you here?"

Michael stepped further into the room, "The others are worried for you brother, you have frightened them."

"I do not know what they are frightened of. Everything is fine."

Raphael stiffened when he felt his brothers hand curl around his upper arm, hands stilling in their actions, and he was forced to turn around. Michael looked him over, the bags under his eyes and the paleness to his skin. He was an absolute mess.

"You need to rest little brother."

"I am fi-"

"You are most certainly not fine."

Michael looked him over more closely, questions flooded his head at the sight of the younger archangel, when the last time he'd rested was? Washed? Eaten? When he'd at least taken a break from this all.

Even he had to take breaks lest he fall himself.

"Little brother, I worry for you", he caressed the younger's cheek softly, tenderly, "You are working yourself to the bone."

They stared at each other for a long moment, into each others eyes, neither wanting to break the contact first and fold to the others will. But even Raphael could see the concern lacing his older brothers features and it made him feel bad. His brother was worried and that was never something he wanted to make him feel.

He didn't want to worry anyone.

Raphael sighed softly and looked down, averting his gaze, "Perhaps I could take a small break. Michael!"

He barely got the statement out before his older brother swooped down to scoop him up, his arms wrapped around the taller archangels shoulders as his feet left the floor, he felt a tingly feeling on the side of his neck when his older brother leaned in close to press a kiss to the spot behind his ear.

Raphael couldn't help the smile that came to his features, that had always been a ticklish spot of his, "You will take more then a small break little brother. We are going to go take a nice long nap together."

That sounded nice. A good grooming also sounded quite nice.

"We shall groom those wings of yours, they're a mess little brother, how about a nice back rub?"

Oh, and that sounded quite nice too, a back rub. Surely his muscles were all tight and cramped. Raphael nodded, laying his head on his brothers shoulder instead of fighting it. Hands were already kneading into his lower left back and he almost melted at how good it felt.

Michael smiled at him knowingly, "Do you like the sound of that baby brother?"

He nodded shyly, and gave a soft giggle that hadn't been heard in eons when Michael kissed at that spot again, "I thought you would. Is that...Is that a giggle I hear?"

Raphael looked down at him, his eyes shining brighter then they had in a long long time, and shook his head.

"No? Are you sure?", he giggled again, "There it is again!"

Michael chuckled and turned out of his brothers office, down the hall, and to their secret garden. Where the Archangels used to go when they needed just a moment of rest. Where there was a warm glow from the sun and tall trees that cast shade of the free hanging bed between the trees and above the clear blue stream.

"Don't worry baby brother, I'm sure I can find it again, we are going to spend the entire night together."

The younger archangel yawned tiredly, the warmth from his brother and the rocking motion from his steps slowly lulling him to sleep, and Michael so knew it too.

Gently he set the younger on the free hanging bed and he climbed up next to him, "Are you sleepy baby brother?"

Raphael nodded, feeling his eyes getting heavier and heavier, Michael kissed his forehead once and fel to the side gently, raising his arm for him.

"Come here little one, big brother will make sure you get well rested, I will take care of you now."

Raphael cuddled closer, taking this moment as his own to let his inner fledgling out, nuzzling into is brothers chest.

"Go to sleep baby brother. Close those eyes of yours. There you go now."