(no subject)

[winged-healer.livejournal.com]

Date: February 20, 2000 (early)
Setting: Michael's Room then Gabriel's Room
Status: Raphael, Michael, Gabriel (Private)
Summary: Raphael leaves a note for Michael before going to Gabriel's room and leaving.



Raphael woke while it was still dark outside and was careful not to disturb the being he was sleeping with. Exceedingly grateful that Michael hadn't flung his arms around him while they slept, he slid out and miracled a pen and paper. Hastily, he scrawled Michael a message.

Michael,

I need to tell you something but I cannot tell you here. Meet me away from the mansion, near where Aziraphale used to live - St. James Park, by the pond. From what I understand it's... a good place to meet.

Please be prepared. I do not want to say more here but understand that some things are not beneficial. Or meant to happen.

I will see you soon.

Yours in faith,

R~~~~~

He set it next to Michael on the bed where he would see it as soon as he woke, allowing it to glow faintly so that he would notice it but it wouldn't wake him up. Then he walked out quietly and made his way to Gabriel's room.

"Gabriel? Are you there?" He asked, knocking gently on the door.

Comments

[archangel-mike.livejournal.com]

Michael slowly returned to the world of living. Blinking sleepily he took a moment to realize that the lack of warmth by his side was a result of him being alone in the bed. Raphael wasn't there.

Of course his mind immediately came up with about a thousand different scenarios of what might have happened, each even worse than the previous ones combined. However, he forced such thoughts aside. He perhaps wasn't always the brightest candle in the room, but he was a warrior by nature, and a true warrior did not panic that easily. It wasn't only because he was big and could use a sword well that he had been set to lead the Heavenly Hosts in battle. If he could deal with a battle with countless demons, he certainly could find out exactly why Raphael wasn't there without panicking.

This line of thought took him about as long as it took his eye to see the glowing letter. He opened it carefully and started to read, hopeful to fnid some kind of an explanation. And he did, of course -- although this answer brought even more questions. What was it Raphael wanted to tell him? And why couldn't he tell it at the Manor?

Well, he decided, there was only one way to find out.

He went outside, spread his wings, and started flying towards London.

[dontcallmegabby.livejournal.com]

Belial leaned against Gabriel, torn between glancing about at the angel's room and keeping his eyes on the face before him. He shifted on the bed and caught Gabriel's chin with his hand, cupping it delicately with the tips of his fingers, and stroked his thumb across the angel's lips. A breathless smile curled the corners of his mouth with joy; with concealed apprehension.

They leaned together, drifting inwards with temptation, Belial's eyes heavy-lidded, and they were caught in midair, paused. Hesitating, lips so close.

Belial's touch sent currents through the angel's incensed nerves, thrilling, caressing, comfortable in a way Gabriel never would have guessed but now couldn't imagine not feeling. The ache of being this close to the demon - of want, of something more that he could not define but which coursed through his veins with breathless intensity - swelled in him, and he pressed forward, seeking to banish the space between them...

And then someone else was calling his name.

His eyes flickered to the door even while his hand sought Belial's wrist. He recognized Raphael's voice easily. Heard the anxious edge to it, and quickly ascertained what the reason for this visit must be.

And recognized just as easily that Belial's was hardly a conducive presence in the matter.

Belial, for his part, had been close enough to Gabriel to hear the hitch in his breath, had felt the angel's pulse spike beneath his fingers, but even so had not expected quite this reaction. Still, he couldn't imagine Gabriel would suddenly be trying to shove him into a closet without some reason, so except for a curious look cast in the archangel's direction, he put up no protest, and quite suddenly found himself tucked into an old armoire with little leg room and even less explanation. He blinked.

Gabriel pressed a quick kiss to his temple, muttering quickly, "I'm sorry, but I can't... I just can't." And then the doors were being shut around him, and Belial was left alone with his thoughts and a heavy coating of dust.

Gabriel, feeling perfectly puerile and utterly ridiculous, quickly straightened his shirt as he made his way towards the door, paused, forcing his heartbeat to slow to a less frantic pace, and straightened his shirt again. He felt a flush creeping into his cheeks at his own silliness, but promptly forced it away. He couldn't let Raphael find out, not now, not like this...

Easing his expression into one more empathetic, he opened the door. "Raphael," he said warmly, any irritation from their last meeting forgotten. If his suspicion about this meeting was right, it was hardly the time for harsh feelings. Raphael would need support more than anything. "Is everything all right?"

[winged-healer.livejournal.com]

Raphael smiled in relief when he saw Gabriel, though his eyes were glassy.

"No... and yes. Gabriel - I think I'm ready to tell him. Will you come? You don't have to stay," he added quickly. "It might be better if you were only nearby. But I want to make sure I don't back out.

I mean, I think I'm doing what I have to do. But I'm afraid, Gabriel. I'm so afraid." He looked at the floor, then back up at Gabriel. "I am sorry it's so early, but will you come?"

[dontcallmegabby.livejournal.com]

Gabriel staunchly waved away any of the anxiousness that might have crept into his expression, giving the other a warm smile. "Of course I will, dear," he said, keeping his voice as optimistic as possible.

And, really, why should he worry? This was going to be good. For both of them.

For all of them.

He placed a soft hand on the other's arm, led him downstairs, outside where they could unfurl their wings, stretching up towards the pale dawn sky. Fighting the sense of apprehension that coiled in his stomach - that may well have been as much Raphael's as his own - Gabriel waited for the other angel to take flight before following him.

Up, higher, clearer. Free from the worries of the world below.

... Although he did hope Belial would realize he could come out of the closet.