Jeremiel and Raguel watched as numerous maidservants bustled around Jeremiel's immaculate home, preparing for the evening's gathering. Walls were washed, mirrors were polished, and floors were scrubbed clean.
"You don't have to do all this. It feels wrong to have such an elaborate celebration... without our Brother." Raguel's voice was tinged with sadness, his wings held low on his back.
Jeremiel reached over to his older Brother, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Nonsense, I think a good night together is exactly what we need. His absence will leave a hole in our hearts, but he would not want us to spend our lives miserable either. That was not his way."
Shrugging Jeremiel's hand from his shoulder, Raguel looked toward the ceiling. "I suppose. It just... it feels empty."
A soft knock interrupted the men, and they heard a maidservant greeting their eldest Brother and his wife. The young maid led Gabriel and Emilia to the parlor, and bowed. "Master Jeremiel, Seraphim Gabriel and his wife Emilia for you."
"Thank you, Cordelia. Would you mind preparing some tea for us?"
"Right away, Master Jeremiel."
Once the maidservant hurried away, Gabriel and Emilia settled into the parlor with the other Seraphim, his hand settling in place on his wife's knee. He turned to his younger Brother, a smile masking the sadness behind his eyes. "So, Raguel, 950, hmm? Ah, to be young again. Of course, Jer doesn't have to worry about that for some centuries yet."
Jeremiel snorted derisively. "Oh, hush up, old man. Did you happen to see any of the others on your way over?"
Emilia's brilliant blue eyes became large as Gabriel frowned. "No, but we certainly heard Zerachiel and Azrael this morning. It sounded like a lot of his dishes were being broken, what we could hear over the arguments..."
"They really are always at it, aren't they? I wish the Ruler hadn't put such obstinate and stubborn men together. Zerachiel has always done things just for the jokes, and Azrael seems determined to not let him have his fun. We hear them all hours of the day and night; I feel for his maids." Emilia rubbed her eyes, the weariness from hearing the constant arguments plain on her face.
"Has anyone heard how the others are faring with their... new assignments?" Raguel asked hesitantly, as if he was worried about the answer.
Gabriel shook his head, and Jeremiel mirrored his eldest Brother. "No, I don't see either of them. I didn't know it was possible, but Raphael has become even more reclusive. He just seems to be trying to bury himself alive in that library. As for Remiel..." Jeremiel paused, not sure how to continue. "I don't think he's okay. He seems to feel a lot of guilt about... our youngest Brother... and having Samael around all the time must only remind him constantly."
Cordelia returned with tea for her master and his guests, and a gentle knock at the door alerted her. "Excuse me please, Master Jeremiel. I believe more of yo-". The maid was interrupted by violent pounding at the door, followed by the sound of two men arguing, muffled by the door.
Raguel sighed, weariness plain on his face. "It sounds like Zerachiel and Azrael have arrived. Good luck, Cordelia."
Jeremiel stood, his brows drawn low over his eyes. "No, Cordelia. You stay back. Azrael is dangerous. Do not open the door for the rest of the evening, I will take care of it. Understood?"
Cordelia nodded, knowing her master could be moody, and did not want to upset him more than the pounding on his door seemed to. She excused herself to the kitchen, and made herself scarce.
Gabriel, Emilia, and Raguel held their breaths as their Brother made his way to the entryway of his home, where the tumultuous arguments outside his home continued. The Seraphim opened the door, where his older Brother held the Archangel in a headlock, and the Arch pulled on the Seraphim's wing in an attempt to free himself.
"Are you two just about finished? Stop your childishness and act like men. Shoes off in the entryway, go sit in the parlor, and behave. Tonight isn't about you two, it is about Raguel. Am I clear?" Jeremiel's voice cut through the arguments, Zerachiel releasing Azrael as his younger Brother spoke.
Azrael reluctantly released Zerachiel's wing from his grasp, unwilling to let any advantage slip. The Arch scoffed at Jeremiel's strict words, and decided he was interested in a new opponent. "What makes you think you're in charge around here, Seraphim? The Ruler has given me orders…"
Jeremiel had had enough. He grabbed Azrael by the hair, slamming him against the wall, pinning him with his weight. The Seraphim's right hand shot up, grasping the Archangel's neck. He leaned in next to Azrael's ear, hissing low so only the Arch could hear. "You may have orders, but I am one of the only Brothers who are in good favor with the Ruler. I follow my orders strictly and I have never once slipped up. I am the only Seraphim to have never been whipped. Do you really want to test your luck with the Ruler's favourite Seraphim? Think wisely and carefully before you make your next move."
The pinned Archangel muttered under his breath, obviously bested. He had heard of the moody Jeremiel, but had never thought that he would be such an adversary. He grumbled his agreement, and Jeremiel released him from his grasp. Zerachiel tried his best to suppress his grin, relieved that Azrael had finally received aggression from someone other than himself.
Not long after Zerachiel and Azrael had settled in Jeremiel's parlor, seated across from one another, silently staring the other down, Raphael and Orion quietly made their way into the home. Emilia noticed it was a stark contrast between the Brothers and their respective guardians- Azrael would not let Zerachiel move without contest, where Raphael and Orion had almost come to an understanding with one another.
Before allowing himself to sit among the Seraphim, Orion did something that shocked Emilia. He politely introduced himself to each of the Brothers, offering his hand and a small, awkward smile. She almost felt bad for the Archangel; she couldn't imagine how uncomfortable it must be to be one of two Archs in a home full of Seraphim, to be seen as an enemy, trying to make a better impression.
A final, hesitant knock rapped on Jeremiel's door. He rose to allow his final Brother and his guardian into the home, and his stomach clenched when Remiel came into view. The middle Seraphim, always so pristine in his appearance, looked disheveled and gaunt. His face had become hollow and sunken, and his eyes showed dark shadows of insomnia below. Remiel's toned body has lost its shape; the weight loss had stolen his figure from him.
"Rem... are... are you okay?" Jeremiel's concern was clear in his voice as he reached for his Brother.
A gruff voice snarled through the concern as Samael shoved his way into the home. "He's fine. Let's get this over with."
Jeremiel's dark eyes flashed as he watched Samael force his way past; he cracked his knuckles against his palms before taking Remiel under his arm, shutting the door to the outside world behind them both.