Hello, brother.

Brother, I'm Sorry.

Michael froze and a blank expression crossed his face. He didn't say anything.

"We could do it." Lucifer continued, a slight hint of pleading in his once taunting tone. "Gabriel and Raphael could come too - although I doubt Raphael would want to. It doesn't matter whether it's all four of us, or the three of us if Raphael doesn't want to, or just me and you! I just want you with me. We used to do everything together, Michael - that doesn't have to change!"

Michael felt his heart shatter. "I love you Lucifer, you know I do, but I... I can't do it."

The look on Lucifer's face was enough to tell Michael that his heart was breaking too. "Why not, Michael? We could leave, never come back... Come away with me, Michael. Walk off the chessboard with me. I love you!"

Michael felt a hot tear trace down his face. Curse these human vessels for being so sensitive and - ugh! Too many feelings. "I know you do. And of course I love you too, but you know I can't come with you." Michael's tear stained face looked pained - he so desperately wanted to leave with Lucifer and never come back. They used to find plenty of hiding places when they were fledglings (even ones that Father did not know about) - they would spend ages there, enjoying each other's company and disappearing together. He wanted to do so now. But he couldn't - he was a Good Son.

"Why?" Lucifer was evidently trying to stay calm, but his vessel betrayed him - a tear dripped from his eye; He wiped it away angrily. "Tell me, Michael, if you love me as much as you say you do, then why won't you come with me?"

"Because I am a Good Son."

"That's NOT an excuse!" Lucifer yelled suddenly, but he regained his composure just as fast. "I... I'm sorry. I shouldn't snap. But that is not an excuse. I... I don't want to be without you, Michael."

"I know." Michael said quietly. "I would spend forever and always with you if I could - but I can't! How many times do I have to tell you? You did wrong, now you have to pay. I love you so, so much, but this has to happen."

Michael took a few wary steps forwards towards the Devil until he was right in front of him. Placing one hand on Lucifer's shoulder and one on the back of his neck, Michael leaned forwards and tenderly kissed his younger brother's forehead. Lucifer leaned into the touch gratefully, his hands coming to rest on Michael's hips. Michael reluctantly broke away and took a step back, his hands moving to cup Lucifer's face. He stroked his thumbs across Lucifer's cheekbones and smiled sadly as the Morning Star gazed into his eyes steadily, affectionately.

Trustingly.

Michael spoke after a moment of this. "I love you. I love you so much, little brother, more than anything - please don't ever forget that, no matter what happens between us. I'm so sorry, Lucifer, I love you."

A look of confusion crossed Lucifer's face. "I love you too, but why are you apologising? I don't understand. Why are you saying sorry?"

"I never wanted this." Michael was still petting his brother's face and hair, almost as if he were trying to memorise him. "I never wanted any of this, but Father commands it. I'm so sorry, my Morning Star."

Lucifer was about to speak when Michael cut him off.

"You can't come back to Heaven, Luce. You can't stay on Earth. So you have to be locked up in Hell instead."