Up and downs (2)

"Michael," he greeted his brother. Michael was turned away from him, wearing a male vessel this time, a different from the one he wore when he saw him a couple of years ago. The female vessel of that time made Michael look more gracious, the soft curves and small form contrasting the great sharpness of his grace. Lucifer never knew if Michael was 'rubbing on his face' how great was the difference between them or not. He knew he looked hideous after managing to destroy that Cage in contrast with Michael's pure grace.

Lucifer looked around; he wasn't surprised that their encounter took place in the cold lands of Antarctica. It was obvious considering how secluded it was. He was a little taken aback though, to see the aurora that illuminated them from above. It had been a while since he had enjoyed the beauty that the earth's nature had to offer. It reminded him of the early days when he was just a fledgling, sitting in burning stars as he and his brothers watched the universe expand and evolve.

"Feeling nostalgic, brother?" Lucifer added pointing up to signal the sky. He knew that Michael's thoughts and his would wander at the same place.

"Probably," Michael answered turning to look at him, his wings following the same fluid movement. "After all, it has been more than a decade since the last time we have seen each other."

"I can't imagine what torture you've been through without seeing me." Lucifer scoffed. "I wonder how it must felt not seeing one of your own kin for a long time."

Michael just gave him a look that Lucifer couldn't describe, but it was one he had seen mothers give to their child when they pouted stubbornly. It made his grace flare in annoyance.

"You have been spending more time on earth; I thought you said that you did not have any interest in humanity," Michael said, ignoring his previous comment.

"I don't see how that's one of your business." He shrugged easily one wing.

"That is not an answer," Michael replied, his frown deepening. He attempted to walk towards him, but Lucifer held a palm high.

"I don't plan to destroy mankind if that's what you're afraid of. We had a deal; I gave you my word. Can we just enjoy the glorious view in front of us and not fight for once?" Lucifer asked, sarcasm clear in his tone, but Michael didn't seem to grasp what he meant.

"Indeed, it is beautiful," he said instead, frowning in confusion before glancing up. "Do you remember the first time they appeared in the sky?"

He sneered. "As if I could forget anything."

Michael ignored him, choosing to unfold his wings from his back instead. He changed the magnetic field on them, reaching the maximum extent they'd be able to obtain in a vessel as dragged part of the aurora to dance around his appendages. Lucifer could taste the change in oxygen and nitrogen in the air apart from Michael's grace as he continued: Lucifer could only compare it with the raw feeling of Creation's power. That moment when they waited quietly in the nothing for the energy to finally burst and for their Father to begin all.

Michael always felt like that moment of suspense before this universe was created. And not even that description would be enough to compare his grace.

"Gabriel and Raphael loved when I taught them this trick." Michael kept moving his wings in what he would have called a playful gesture. Lucifer's feathers twitched, remembering those times they would brush their wings together, creating, and destroying new constellations with the sheer power of the coalition. The colors they managed to obtain were more exquisite than the ones in the sky. He longed to touch, to walk closer to his brother, and enjoy the familiarity he knew he would feel. "You never could." The words stopped him. "The brilliance of your wings made it almost impossible."

"You came for something," Lucifer said tightly, the fire of his wings brimming in intensity at his exasperation, melting the ice around him. "Speak, Michael. Stop playing."

"Never giving a chance to redeem and forgive," he murmured. "One would say that you have not changed, brother."

"I never change," Lucifer spat, glancing briefly away from Michael.

"Is that so?" Michael looked steadily at him as he started to walk closer. "Then the rumors I have heard about you spending more time on earth were lies?"

"Have you been gossiping, brother?" Lucifer mocked and turned. It wouldn't have surprised him if Michael told him that there were angels supervising him. He had already felt them sometimes, trying to cloak themselves from him. Michael wasn't a fool; he knew that Lucifer was too powerful to not notice. That just meant that he wanted to see his reaction. He was testing him.

With furrowed eyebrows, he looked over his shoulder; Michael hadn't moved an inch, clearly still waiting for his answer. Lucifer merely grinned as he began speaking nonchalantly.

"A human made a deal," he started. "He wanted me to be his friend." Michael raised an eyebrow when he shrugged in a 'what can you do' gesture.

"And you accepted?" He questioned in an incredulous tone.

"It may have influenced that I was a little bored that day. You probably don't know, but demons can be so dull." Michael didn't seem completely convinced but didn't press for more answers.

"That still does not explain why you are spending so much time on earth."

Lucifer slowly tsked. "Brother, I know that you've never had a friend, but usually they tend to spend time together."

"Yes, I had." Michael tilted slightly his head, looking intently at him. He had seen that same gesture a handful of times since he got out, it was as if he was waiting for something from him but Lucifer could never figure out why. The familiarity that they once had before his fall? The camaraderie? It'd be too innocent of him to think that they could go back and retrieve the kind of relationship they had. He didn't peg Michel as an idealistic dreamer.

"Brothers don't count. You came here to only talk about the choices I've in friends then?"

Michael wrinkled his nose slightly. "You cannot deny how suspicious your actions are, considering what he is."

"Oh. What was that, Michael?" Lucifer asked with a vicious grin. "I think it smells like blasphemy, don't you think?"

"You were the one who did not possess any sympathy towards humans, not me." Michael tried to defend himself. "I am not here to judge you, Lucifer."

"Then why did you come to see me, Michael?"

"Have you forgotten? We agree to see each other the last time we met."

"Oh yes, though you never specified the day." He tapped his chin. "This is about the souls, I guess?"

"Yes." Lucifer sighed at his brother's answer, the playfulness he had before had disappeared completely as his wings went back to their usual state. He was all business now.

"It's not fair that you always get with the best." Michael ignored him as he looked down for the first time, lips forming a thin line.

"I assume that you already have them prepared for me?"

"It seems that you hadn't heard me. I said that you never specified the day." Lucifer smiled a little too toothily. "I haven't prepared anything."

Michael grew silent for a moment. "If I had given you a day," he said, "would have it been any different?"

Lucifer pursed his lips as in deep thought. "Probably not," he conceded, and with his wings held high, he added. "Now, follow me if you want them."

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