"Brother."

Lucifer stopped, hand inches away from the handle of his car door, and withdrew his arm immediately. He straightened, hands inching up to adjust his suit a bit - Kind of a nervous habit by then - And kept his gaze firmly fixed on the car. He didn't bother to spare a glance behind him - The voices, hell, the simple word let him know exactly who was there. Yes, voices. Three, to be more exact. And oh, Dad, did Lucifer know exactly who it was. After all, they spoke so effortlessly synchronized, and the Devil knew… Exactly who it could be. "Raphael… Gabriel…" He trailed off, and swallowed hard before continuing, more quietly. "Michael."

"Oh, good. You remembered."

A hand on his shoulder, gripping too firmly for comfort, only helped Lucifer's anxiety grow. He cast a glance at his older brother, tense, before turning to face Michael completely. The archangel glared back, cold and unamused. "N- No hello?" Lucifer tried, forcing a smile. "No hug? "How've you been, Lucifer"-"

"Quiet," Michael snarled, and despite himself, Lucifer flinched rather violently. "You know I of all people couldn't care less how you're doing, serpent."

"Alright, then," Lucifer mumbled, trying to ignore how much that actually fucking hurt, and edged back, grimacing when he realized his other two brothers were now behind him. "Clearly you came here on business so- What is it? What does dear old Dad want?"

"You. In Heaven."

Lucifer did a double take, staring at Michael in complete disbelief for a moment before finally managing to spit out a response. "I- I beg your pardon? Dad wants me- In Heaven? Oh brother you must be mistaken, must have gotten your information wrong, misunderstood something-"

Michael sighed, eyes hardening as he stepped forward. Lucifer, for all his brave words, he dropped his gaze and tensed his shoulders up, going still and silent as his brother stopped, only within several inches of him, and leaned forward even closer with a growl. "I don't get information wrong, and I don't misunderstand anything," he whispered coldly. "I have orders, and I will carry them out."

Lucifer stared down at the space between them - Such a small space, but seeing that there was even a little sliver of it helped calm his nerves. Just a smidge. "And…" He stopped for a moment, as if questioning whether he wanted to say this to his brother, the only one of his siblings who could ever truly intimidate him. "And if I refuse…?"

Michael looked down at him, tilted his head to the side, and put one foot forward. Lucifer's breath caught in his throat as the space between them was closed. "You really shouldn't."

Lucifer looked up at him, silent for once, then away again. He was incredibly unnerved - Why the hell would God want Lucifer of all people in Heaven? The Devil squirmed slightly before clearing his throat, leaning back a bit and lifting his chin to look his brother in the eyes. "When?"

Michael smirked, icy and satisfied, and put a hand on his brother's shoulder, squeezing tightly. Lucifer grimaced, looking away and waiting to be teleported. It didn't happen. "A month," Michael told him. "Father has given you a month. Tie up loose ends. Say goodbye."

"S-" Lucifer cut off for a second, taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly. "So this… Is a permanent thing."

"I'm afraid so," Michael responded, eyes gleaming as he stared down at his younger brother. "And Samael?"

Lucifer stiffened, his gaze snapping up to Michael's face. "That is not my name." He growled. Michael narrowed his eyes, but he smirked, cold and cruel as he leaned back, releasing him.

"I'll be sticking around. Observing. Make sure you don't try anything." The archangel stepped back, and grinned. "Just like old times."

And then he was gone.

Lucifer stared, he stared hard as hell at where Michael had been, then turned to look over his shoulder. Gabriel and Raphael were long gone, too. The Devil took a deep breath, squeezed his eyes shut, and slammed his fist into the roof of his car before getting in.

"Son. Of. A. Bitch."