Silence fell upon the room as both Egyptians ran for each other. As soon as Horus hit the floor he was off running. Osiris fell to his knees before his child and enclosed around him when he felt the small body make impact against his own. Horus buried himself into his father's chest and clung on as if his life depended on it.

They stayed like that for a long time.

The father cradling the back of his son's head as tightly as he could bent over the small person in his arms.

It's a long moment before he pulls away only slightly.

Horus sniffles as he gazes up at his father but returns the smile when one is offered over to him first.

"I thought I would never see you again, my child."

"I was scared daddy, but Angel Michael protected me!"

Osiris smiled as he pulled the boy back into his embrace, looking over his shoulder at the aforementioned angel and smiled mouthing a silent thank-you.

Eyes spun around when Anubis threw a punch into the wall, splintering it in a spiderweb pattern and he growled darkly. Anger radiated from him in dangerous waves of warning. He was like a ticking time bomb waiting to be set off.

With the shock of Anubis exhibiting his rage struck the others they finally set into motion. Chuck and the other angels converged on Michael and Azrael. Dean made his way to his brothers side quickly. Death made to grab at Anubis and Osiris and his child moved themselves out of the way of the other families.

They paid no mind to the lack of Dick Roman's underlings nor the threat of Apophis and his grand goals for the moment.

Chuck pulled Michael, and indirectly Azrael (oh they were going to have a very long talk), aside as soon as his reverie was broken. He reached a hand up to cup his eldest Son's cheek tenderly as he took the time to look over the angel in front of him.

Much too pale for his liking.

He could use some much needed rest as well, the bags under his eyes looked more like bruises at this point.

"It may be a moot question, but are you alright?"

He wanted nothing more than to find the ones responsible for his son's state and take his rage out upon them himself.

Michael nodded softly taking comfort in the feeling of his father's thumb rubbing over his cheek softly and his brothers so close to him once more.

He felt protected.

"I am fine father, tired, but fine."

Chuck surveyed him closely and shook his head sternly.

"Do not lie to me child, let me see your hands."

Michael sucked in a breath at his father's tone as he brought his hands up for examination. Chuck pat his cheek softly turning to gather both hands into his grip, turning them over as gently as he could.

The holes within the palms were evident, light shone through them.

Chuck grit his teeth at the sight touching a single finger to both wounds and watching closely as they healed over on themselves. Michael sucked in a breath at the quick burning sensation but trusted his father enough not to attempt to pull away in what would be a vain attempt.

"I will see to your wings later."

He nodded, the hand returned to his cheek folding around the back of his neck and pulling him into his father's shoulder. Michael was not one to show such weakness as to succumb to something as trivial as a hug. But in this instance he sank into his parent folding over him in their height difference and clung to the back of his jacket.

Chuck took hold of him though, scratching at the back of his head and whispering into his ear words of comfort. His son has been hung like some prize and bled as if he was a blood farm, he'd be damned if he let him out of his sight anytime soon.

Gabriel and Raphael were silent behind their older brother, the only time they had seen him like this had been right after he had sealed their brother in his cage-speaking of Lucifer. Gabriel turned to look for his brother whom had been at his side only a moment ago. A frown graced his features when he saw his brother retreating silently in the commotion. Gabriel elbowed his brother in the arm and Raphael followed his gaze sadly.

Death was having no luck in getting Anubis calmed enough to switch back to his complete human form, despite the recruited help he had in the form of Osiris and Horus. Sure they had him on the couch at least, but he was in a state now that not even Dante and Nero dared go near him.

Thinking quickly but thoroughly Death turned his attention to the archangel.

Raphael felt eyes on him from the other side of the room and looked up to meet his uncle's gaze. Death made a minute motion with his chin, he followed his motion and frowned.

He laid a hand on his brothers should in a sign of strength and comfort as he crosses the floor to meet at the Egyptian's side. Anubis glares at him in warning as he sits next to him unphased. Raphael leans back against the back of the couch not bothered by the threat next to him. Silently, much to the amusement of the others, he reached a hand out for those jackal ears and scratches a few fingers at this spot behind them. Anubis growls but this time it does not hold the same threat the others of the kind had, and then it happens.

The young god hums in contentment and folds into his side as he nudges into his hand even more.

Azrael snorts at his best friend acting like such a puppy and just barely holds back a finch at the ferocious glare his father sends his way over the shoulder of his older brother.

Oh ho ho.

Lucifer looks up at the sound of the door creaking open.

He stands when a familiar head of dark hair pokes through the crack. The fluttering in his grace at the sight of his sickly looking beloved older brother halts itself at the sight of the one human he finds himself growing attached to.

Alex looks up at him apprehensively as he stands and crosses his arms.

"..Heeeyy..."

"Here to enthrall me with tales from your adventures?"

She rubbed at the back of her neck stepping into the room reaching back to close the door behind her softly.

"Look, I know you're mad-"

"Mad? What do I have to be mad about?"

Her mouth shut with an audible snap. They stared at one another for a long time not daring to be the first to break the silence between them. Lucifer drew his brows together and lowered his chin, his ice blue eyes took on that glint that usually meant no good.

She took a breath.

"Are we still friend-"

"What in Heaven and Earth were you thinking!"

It was a natural instinct to duck under such an exclamation. Her cheeks took on a tint that she was not used to and the slight heat was a new sensation she had only felt a few times before. Only once did Alex dare to look up and in that single moment she regretted it immediately. Lucifer was not happy and his every emotion shone in his eyes like a different colored glint.

"Do you realize how much danger you placed yourself in! What could have happened to you!"

Alex looked down gazing at the carpet and shuffled her feet softly.

"But we got your brother back. Isn't that what you wanted?"

"Not at your expense!"

This prompted her to look up at him finally. Her eyes met his and she just barely held back a flinch at the sudden chill that spread down her spine. Lucifer gave her a look clearly expecting her to say something in accordance.

But the only problem was the fact that she didn't have anything to say.

"What? Why would you care? I'm only human."

"That's exactly why I care!"

She stood her ground even though her heart fluttered dangerously when he suddenly unfolded his arms and crossed the floor with a purpose in his step. She looked up at him when he stood chest to chest (although, considering, it was more like forehead to chest) and held a breath when he cradled a hand to her cheek.

"That is exactly why I care Alex! I don't get attached, especially not to Humans, but your different. Alex you're like a sister to me. Of course I would care if something happened to you, why do you think I was so angered when you were sneaking out to meet that boy? When you got suspended for those three days for punching that girl in the face? I care about you."

He rubbed her cheek bone with his thumb, "And so I want to know, why on earth you would do something so reckless!"

"I just wanted you to be happy. I heard Gabriel talking about you and Michael to Sam and I just wanted to get him back for you. I mean, Azrael wanted him back too and Anubis swears that where we go, he goes."

Alex looked up at him apologetically, "We're still friends though, right?"

Lucifer stared at her for a while, both gazing into the others eyes, before sighing heavily and draping an arm around her shoulders. He pulled her into a slow but comforting hug as they both swayed in step where they stood.

"Of course we're still friends."

She smiled into his shoulder.

"But that doesn't mean you're off the hook either."

Azrael had known that it was only a matter of time before his Father came to him.

Chuck had not been a happy camper when they left and he sure wasn't one just yet either.

"You."

A finger was pointing at him sternly, his brothers attention turning from Father to him quickly.

"Come."

He had no choice but to follow. One does not not listen to what God tells them to do. You just don't do it. Dante and Nero whine as he leaves them, but he shakes his hand for silence, and Dante yaps at him as he turns himself back over in Michael's lap indicating that yes, he still would very much want a belly rub (please and thank you).

Azrael follows his father in that sort of forced silence that usually follows a prisoner on their way to their sentence of death with all eyes on his back as he passes them. Anubis looks up from the living room, stretched out on the couch and Raphael still scratching at his scalp and playing with his long ears (as he has yet to fade them away and admittedly it's a funny sight to witness).

Chuck leads him to what he can only assume is Jody's study and steps aside waiting expectantly for him to enter before closing the door and railing on him for his yet to be admired actions in going ahead to retrieve Michael without his expressed consent.

The click the door makes as it locks into place is the loudest sound he has ever heard.

Father rounds on him quickly.

"What in my name were you thinking!"

"I-"

"This better be one heck of an explanation son! It better rock my socks and for your own well being you better make it a good one!"

"Dad I wanted to get Michael back!"

Chuck goes silent for a moment and he can't figure out in the moment that follows if it's a good thing or not. He hopes it is, for he likes being able to sit comfortably with his siblings.

"And that is a very noble decision but it was not yours to make. Turn."

Azrael shakes his head stepping back a pace. Chuck halts him with a look that clearly is not something that appears on a mere humans face because its enough to make the angel of death quiver and do as he's told despite his initial resistance.

"Michael mentioned to me that you may have hurt a wing?"

Damn his older brother and his eagle eye in picking out injuries even when they are so well hidden from anyone else who might be looking. Michael always called it his special power as he was the oldest brother.

Special power his ass, it was down right annoying at times.

Chuck smacked him gently but pointedly over the back of the head reprimanding him silently for damning his brother. Azrael shuttered when he felt gentle fingers glide over the ridge of his left wing and promptly let out a Yelp when those fingers moved over the sore spot.

"Not only did you down right disrespect me and put yourself in a dangerous situation without need, but you managed to sprain your auxiliary wing."

He feels a sudden burst of heat go through the wing bone and he almost pulls back (if it wasn't for his father's hand keeping him from doing so) and soon his wing, though numb, is slowly starting to heal itself. Knowing his father's power it will be completely healed by morning.

"Naughty fledglings must be punished Azrael. You know I can not let this go unattended to."

The angel gulps at what his father is insinuating.

"But-But I'm not a fledgling!"

"Compared to your other siblings you are."

He doesn't get the chance to rebuke the statement in any fashion as a hand closes around his ear and pulls him across the study to the desk chair that sits awaiting them.

Admittedly, Azrael kicks, because despite knowing that he has full on earned this he still will not take it easily. Though his efforts are in vain as his Father is quite adapt in holding misbehaving fledglings over his lap in order to deliver blows (of what he calls justice).

The young angel also knows that his dad is being extremely generous in letting him keep his pants on for this. Last tiem he was in this position it had been when he had 'accidently' spilled the bubonic plague on humanity. People called the aftermath a thunderstorm, Azrael had different names for it.

"Do you know how worried we were!"

Not that it wasn't painful before, but it was seriously starting to burn here.

"How reckless you were!"

He yelps in discomfort and feels the back of his eyes starting to burn.

"You could have been killed Azrael!"

He's broken. Sobbing like some fledgling over his father's knee and he doesn't even feel like he's going to be stopping anytime soon either. He does not regret getting Michael back but he is starting to regret how he had gone about it.

Perhaps going behind his dad's back had not been a good decision after all.

It's a good half an hour after Alex returns downstairs and Azrael returns teary eyed and red in the face to the care of his brothers sitting on the couch with Anubis that Michael ventures in the direction the young human points in upon his request.

Gabriel pulls their younger brother down with him and he settles into the messengers side comfortably taking all the light touches and gentle comforts he can at the moment (Michaels not blind he can see the way he squirms despite the golden winged brothers attempt to help him—father was not a happy camper) and he makes his way up the stairs near as silent as Alex had come down from them only moments ago.

The room is exactly where she said it would be.

The blondes back is to him as he opens the door but he knows by the way his shoulders tense that the other knows of his presence in the doorway.

"You've been avoiding me, little brother."

His shoulders rise up passed his ears and his fists clench in an emotion he can't quite place at the moment.

"Why?"

Lucifer was never good in this sort of situation, pushed into a corner with no escape, but Michael did not have the strength to accommodate him and dance around to simply give him peace.

"Lucifer. Why?"

This time the younger archangel spins around, fists clenching at his sides, "Because-! I-! I don't know, okay! I don't fucking know!"

Michael hums.

"There is no need for such language."

Lucifer merely looks at him with his range of emotions and admittedly it is kind of saddening to be on the other side of. Though his admission has been a surprising one Michael hid his shock well.

"If it's any help, I'm sorry."

Its Lucifer's turn to be shocked into silence. Michael had just apologized. Michael had apologized.

"While I am not excusing what you did in the Garden, I am acknowledging that I was possibly a bit too harsh."

"A bit too-You locked me a cage! Like some sort of wild, crazed animal!"

"You didn't show any difference between yourself and the wild creatures, now did you?"

"I'm not going to argue with you over who was right and who was wronged."

Michael goes quiet for a moment and thinks over his next response carefully. Lucifer is dangerous when backed into a corner and though on normal circumstances he would never stand a chance against himself, in his weakened state Michael is cautious.

"LuLu..."

The old childhood pet name does as it has always done, and he smiles as his brother turns away with a reddening blush.

"LuLu want a hug?"

"Stop calling me that."

"LuLu want some wing scratches?"

Lucifers glare says one thing but the longing in his face says another. Wing scratches had always been a weakness for the second prince and it was something only a lucky few knew, let alone got to see. Lucifer stretched out purring like some overgrown feline. Michael smiles at him knowingly, letting his arms hang open.

"LuLu's got to give me a hug to get some wing scratches."

He's torn between giving in to his older brother and getting his beloved wing scratches that he has not had in as long as he can remember, or keeping his guise up and retreating even further into himself.

Michael's become quite adept in getting stubborn angels such as Lucifer to do as he wants though.

"All the wing scratches LuLu, all the wing scratches. That one little spot under your second primary that makes you feel so good. And it can be all yours and all you have to do is give Micha a hug."

He's been treated like a child, but at the aspect of getting his wings scratched he can't bring himself to care all that much. Lucifer looks mighty embarrassed at the actions he's about to take but he slowly does move forward.

Wing scratches have always been his weakness and Michael knows that all too well (the thought fleetingly crosses his mind as to what might have been the outcome if Michael had been scratching his wings during that whole incident all that time ago—Lucifer's been known to agree to anything as long as he got more wing scratches in return) so he's a bit smugly happy when his little brother folds himself into his chest, burying his nose into his shoulder.

The elder wraps his arms down around him, "There, now was that so hard?"

He lays his chin on the youngers soft blonde hair.

"I missed you LuLu."

"Miffed you too Micha."

Though his reply is muffled by his shoulder he can still understand what is being said to him. Michael smiles at the small voice and runs his fingers through the tips of the blonde locks on the back of his brothers neck. Lucifer mumbles something else, so softly it's hard to hear at first, but when he makes it out he smiles again.

"Yes LuLu, you can still get you wing scratches."

His little brother burrows deeper into his shoulder and it doesn't take them long to make their way back to the bed on the other end of the room. Michael sits, pulling Lucifer down with him, and settles the younger down in his lap as he leans back into the pillows.

"Let me see your pretty wings LuLu"

Lucifer nuzzles into his leg and shifts his shoulders only just, large rose gold wings appearing from thin air. Michael smiles at the sight of them and moves a cautious hand down towards one. Lucifer stretches and purrs almost immediately and Michael has to seriously control himself as to not burst out laughing at the sound.

His brother goes completely lax in his lap and it brings a smile to his face, "Do you like that LuLu?"

Lucifer nods, purring, cuddles in his beloved older brothers lap. No words are spoken between them after that.

None are needed.

Not as fantabulous as the other chapters but I got it up! I will be away for a while but you'll know when I can finally get back on! Wish me luck!