Fic: A History of Heaven (Gabriel/Various Angels, PG-13 for this chapter) 48/59
For full notes and other chapters, please see the Masterpost.
Notes: Sammael = Lucifer
Chapter Rating: PG-13
Chapter word count: 784
Chapter Summary: Gabriel is realizing that Jesus isn’t long for this world.
CHAPTER 48:
Feed My People
They want me to feed them.
Gabriel cracked one eye open. He had been sunning himself while Jesus preached, but the day was drawing to a close and the crowd was growing restless. So feed them.
I don’t have enough food.
So don’t feed them. Gabriel closed his eyes and settled back against the grass behind Jesus. Problem solved.
That’s not very generous.
Why do you have to be generous?
Because I preach generosity!
Why don’t you preach thoughtfulness? Blessed are those who think ahead and bring their own supper, for their bellies will be full. But woe to you who were stupid and thought a full day out would include meals.
You’re heartless.
Gabriel could feel Jesus’ smile in his mind even as the man scolded him. He just smiled back, spreading his arms. Look at me, Jesus, and tell me where my heart is. In his true form, he literally was heartless.
I can’t just do nothing. They expect more than that.
Gabriel sighed, rolling onto his belly and propping his chin in his hands to look at Jesus. What do you expect me to do? You’re the miracle-worker here.
And you can’t even offer advice?
You’re the son of the Creator. Create.
I can’t create from nothing!
Then find something. Gabriel waved a hand toward the crowd. They can’t all be so stupid as to have brought no food. Find someone who has food, and just… make it more.
Jesus sighed and beckoned for Simon Peter, his most solid of disciples, to come forth. They had a whispered conversation, and then Simon Peter was heading off to find someone with food.
Gabriel spread his wings and slumped back against the grass, letting his feathers soak in the sun’s heat. It was about as effective as the rain had been, but Gabriel preferred the knowledge that sunlight was streaming through his spirit instead of water. Sunlight was almost fire. It was familiar and comforting.
Missed me?
Just about as familiar and comforting as the slide of another angel’s grace against his own, and Cariel’s murmur in his mind. Gabriel smiled, purring his pleasure at his second’s company. Immeasurably. He rolled over, opening his eyes and reaching up to curl his arms around Cariel’s waist. “How goes Heaven without me?”
“Same as ever,” Cariel answered. “Michael terrifies the younger angels, when he’s seen at all. Raphael puffs up and shouts a lot. Barachiel learned a joke that honestly isn’t funny, but he laughs and laughs so hard after telling it that you can’t help but laugh too, and then he’s just convinced that it’s that much more hilarious and goes off to tell it to someone else. And you are missed, every day.”
“Jesus is making enemies right and left here,” Gabriel sighed. “Apparently, his way of driving me batty is to piss off every Pharisee he crosses paths with. At this rate, the entire system of Jewish elders are going to be calling for his blood!”
“But he’s got you.”
“For now.” Gabriel closed his eyes. “I don’t think he’s going to live a full life. These controversial prophets always die young.”
“Surely God won’t let them slaughter the one He calls His Son.”
“I’ve been doing some reading,” Gabriel said, carding his fingers through Cariel’s wings. He could barely feel the caress of Cariel’s spirit against his own. He ached for a physical body again. “The prophets of old. I actually went back and looked at what they wrote. I think God will. ‘I will strike the shepherd,’“ he quoted, “‘and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’“
“Yes, but he’s got you. You won’t let anything happen to him.”
“I’ll do my best,” Gabriel said, “but the will of God cannot be stopped. It really is a shame, though. Aside from the Pharisees thing, he’s my favorite prophet.”
“You just like him because he talks to you.”
“So?” Gabriel saw a green tinge creep through Cariel’s grace, and he had to smile. “Why Cariel, are you jealous?”
“I am not,” Cariel protested. “I just don’t like him.”
“Just as I don’t like Metatron?”
“Exac-shut up.” Cariel flapped his wings once and scowled, looking away.
Gabriel rolled them over so Cariel was beneath him, smiling down at his Seraph. “You know I love you best. No human, not even the Son of God, can change that.”
“Really?” Cariel asked.
“Really,” Gabriel answered, pressing his grace closer to Cariel’s.
Gabriel? Jesus’ voice slipped into Gabriel’s mind, and Cariel vanished. The Seraph never wanted to meet Jesus and always made a point of disappearing whenever the man’s attention was on Gabriel. I think I made too much…
Next...
Notes: Sammael = Lucifer
Chapter Rating: PG-13
Chapter word count: 784
Chapter Summary: Gabriel is realizing that Jesus isn’t long for this world.
CHAPTER 48:
Feed My People
They want me to feed them.
Gabriel cracked one eye open. He had been sunning himself while Jesus preached, but the day was drawing to a close and the crowd was growing restless. So feed them.
I don’t have enough food.
So don’t feed them. Gabriel closed his eyes and settled back against the grass behind Jesus. Problem solved.
That’s not very generous.
Why do you have to be generous?
Because I preach generosity!
Why don’t you preach thoughtfulness? Blessed are those who think ahead and bring their own supper, for their bellies will be full. But woe to you who were stupid and thought a full day out would include meals.
You’re heartless.
Gabriel could feel Jesus’ smile in his mind even as the man scolded him. He just smiled back, spreading his arms. Look at me, Jesus, and tell me where my heart is. In his true form, he literally was heartless.
I can’t just do nothing. They expect more than that.
Gabriel sighed, rolling onto his belly and propping his chin in his hands to look at Jesus. What do you expect me to do? You’re the miracle-worker here.
And you can’t even offer advice?
You’re the son of the Creator. Create.
I can’t create from nothing!
Then find something. Gabriel waved a hand toward the crowd. They can’t all be so stupid as to have brought no food. Find someone who has food, and just… make it more.
Jesus sighed and beckoned for Simon Peter, his most solid of disciples, to come forth. They had a whispered conversation, and then Simon Peter was heading off to find someone with food.
Gabriel spread his wings and slumped back against the grass, letting his feathers soak in the sun’s heat. It was about as effective as the rain had been, but Gabriel preferred the knowledge that sunlight was streaming through his spirit instead of water. Sunlight was almost fire. It was familiar and comforting.
Missed me?
Just about as familiar and comforting as the slide of another angel’s grace against his own, and Cariel’s murmur in his mind. Gabriel smiled, purring his pleasure at his second’s company. Immeasurably. He rolled over, opening his eyes and reaching up to curl his arms around Cariel’s waist. “How goes Heaven without me?”
“Same as ever,” Cariel answered. “Michael terrifies the younger angels, when he’s seen at all. Raphael puffs up and shouts a lot. Barachiel learned a joke that honestly isn’t funny, but he laughs and laughs so hard after telling it that you can’t help but laugh too, and then he’s just convinced that it’s that much more hilarious and goes off to tell it to someone else. And you are missed, every day.”
“Jesus is making enemies right and left here,” Gabriel sighed. “Apparently, his way of driving me batty is to piss off every Pharisee he crosses paths with. At this rate, the entire system of Jewish elders are going to be calling for his blood!”
“But he’s got you.”
“For now.” Gabriel closed his eyes. “I don’t think he’s going to live a full life. These controversial prophets always die young.”
“Surely God won’t let them slaughter the one He calls His Son.”
“I’ve been doing some reading,” Gabriel said, carding his fingers through Cariel’s wings. He could barely feel the caress of Cariel’s spirit against his own. He ached for a physical body again. “The prophets of old. I actually went back and looked at what they wrote. I think God will. ‘I will strike the shepherd,’“ he quoted, “‘and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’“
“Yes, but he’s got you. You won’t let anything happen to him.”
“I’ll do my best,” Gabriel said, “but the will of God cannot be stopped. It really is a shame, though. Aside from the Pharisees thing, he’s my favorite prophet.”
“You just like him because he talks to you.”
“So?” Gabriel saw a green tinge creep through Cariel’s grace, and he had to smile. “Why Cariel, are you jealous?”
“I am not,” Cariel protested. “I just don’t like him.”
“Just as I don’t like Metatron?”
“Exac-shut up.” Cariel flapped his wings once and scowled, looking away.
Gabriel rolled them over so Cariel was beneath him, smiling down at his Seraph. “You know I love you best. No human, not even the Son of God, can change that.”
“Really?” Cariel asked.
“Really,” Gabriel answered, pressing his grace closer to Cariel’s.
Gabriel? Jesus’ voice slipped into Gabriel’s mind, and Cariel vanished. The Seraph never wanted to meet Jesus and always made a point of disappearing whenever the man’s attention was on Gabriel. I think I made too much…
Next...