Fic: A History of Heaven (Gabriel/Various Angels, PG-13 for this chapter) 55/59
For full notes and other chapters, please see the Masterpost.
Notes: Sammael = Lucifer
Chapter Rating: PG-13
Chapter word count: 1,080
Chapter Summary: God’s return to Heaven brings a completely unexpected revelation for Gabriel.
CHAPTER 55:
Go
Gabriel climbed to the top of his tower and launched himself from the highest peak, fanning out his wings as he fell through Heaven. One powerful downstroke checked his fall before he crashed, and he was soaring through the sky, pushing his wings faster and faster. Far below, his brothers looked up to see the Messenger flying as swiftly as he could toward the Garden, and Gabriel could feel the ripple of relief that passed through them. God was here. They were not alone.
Joshua was working in a patch of the Garden as Gabriel landed, looking up to offer the Archangel a tired smile. “Haven’t seen you around here in centuries, brother.”
“I haven’t had a reason to be here.” Gabriel trailed his fingers along the ridge of Joshua’s wing, making the Cherub grin and squirm slightly from the ticklish sensation. “Father has called me.”
“Then you shouldn’t keep Him waiting.” Joshua nodded inward. “He’s at the center, with Metatron.”
“When isn’t He?” Gabriel grumbled, but he found one more smile for Joshua before starting down the Garden path.
“Gabriel!” Metatron bounded to Gabriel’s side as soon as he saw the Archangel, a thick book bound in green leather clutched in his hands. “This is for you! I wrote it all down, exactly as Father said!”
“Er… thank you?” Gabriel accepted the book warily from Metatron, glancing at the cover. There was nothing to give away the contents, no hint at a title.
Behind Metatron, the brilliant flame of God was seated by a small pond, His fingers skimming through the clear water. Gabriel couldn’t focus on his least-favorite brother what with God so near. He bowed low, covering his head with his wings. “Father. It has been a long time.”
A very long time, but you still answered My call as swiftly as ever.
“I am still Your Messenger.”
God drew His hand out of the pond and patted the grass beside Him. Gabriel hurried to sit at his Father’s side, hugging the book to keep from reaching for God.
You are injured.
God’s thumb smoothed over a healing cut across Gabriel’s shoulder, left by Raphael during a particularly violent disagreement. Gabriel closed his eyes and bowed his head, feeling familiar shame at his loss of control bubbling up within him. “Raphael and I… do not agree on many things.”
The answer wasn’t with words, but with a feeling. Sadness rolled across Gabriel’s spirit, feeding his shame. Gabriel tightened his wings and bit his lip. “Father… could I ask you a question?” Privately?
Gabriel didn’t need to speak the words for God to hear them. His Father’s hand slid behind him, over his wings, and then God’s attention turned to Metatron. After a brief protest-“Who will take the minutes!?”-Metatron slunk toward the Garden’s gate.
Speak freely, Gabriel.
Gabriel’s fingers dug into the leather cover of the book, his wings drawing in tightly against his back under God’s touch. Lucifer had questioned Father all the time, when he was here, but Gabriel was not so bold as his lost brother. Very rarely had he actually questioned his Father directly about his motives, but now, he had to.
“Father… why did You make us like this? Raphael and me. You fashioned us according to Your wishes. You crafted us to be completely opposite, with no way to come together and find peace. I have tried and tried to reconcile my differences with him. I have tried! And I know… I know he must have tried too. But we just… we can’t. We can’t, Father. We are too different.”
God drew Gabriel close. His grace wrapped around the Archangel, blanketing him in warmth and a solemn sort of love. While direct contact with their Father frequently injured angels, Gabriel could feel Him holding back, keeping His power from burning Gabriel’s fragile spirit. This was a hug, an embrace from the Creator to one of His creations.
I set the pieces, Gabriel, but you moved them. You and your brother could have come together in a far greater partnership than Michael and Sammael just as easily as you grew apart.
“Not just as easily,” Gabriel mumbled.
Just as easily, God repeated. You had the potential to go either way. His hand smoothed along Gabriel’s wings again, setting all his feathers straight. I set the pieces, I made the rules, and then I stepped back and let you fly. Something within you and your brother grated, and the two of you turned away from each other, but I did not make you.
“Free will?” Gabriel asked darkly.
Exactly.
Gabriel turned his face against his Father, freeing one hand from the book to hesitantly touch God. His spirit did not burn; God was still allowing this contact. “I hate it. I hate being here. I hate being so cooped up, with him. I need to get away. I need space, Father.”
Then go.
Gabriel huffed. “Go where? The Borderlands? Even Raphael doesn’t find that empty realm restful. It’s certainly no home for me.”
Go to Earth.
“That’s against the rules,” Gabriel reminded God. “Unauthorized trips through the veil are punishable by death.”
That’s not My rule.
Silence fell over the Garden. Gabriel’s spirit felt electrically charged, buzzing in his throat. He stared blankly into his Father’s grace, his fingers flexing over the cover of the book he held. “…Dad?”
God hummed an acknowledgement, petting Gabriel’s wings.
“Did You… do You mean…?” Was God giving him permission to run?
You are heart-strong and impetuous, Gabriel, exactly as I made you. I am not ordering you do to anything, but should you decide your heart is leading you away... God actually shrugged, a ripple of His grace that vibrated through Gabriel. I would not consider you a traitor for listening to it.
It was an out. An exit. If Gabriel left, God would not turn His back on him. Raphael may never forgive him, but God would never need to. Gabriel lifted his arm, pressing it over his eyes, shivering faintly in relief. He wasn’t trapped here forever. He wasn’t trapped!
Do not be hasty, God advised. Deliver My message, and consider your next move.
“Of course,” Gabriel answered, wiping his arm across his face and turning to smile up at his Father. “Of course. Your message. Whom is it for?”
Go to Earth, with My permission, to the cave called Hira near Mecca. There you will find a man named Muhammad.
Next...
Notes: Sammael = Lucifer
Chapter Rating: PG-13
Chapter word count: 1,080
Chapter Summary: God’s return to Heaven brings a completely unexpected revelation for Gabriel.
CHAPTER 55:
Go
Gabriel climbed to the top of his tower and launched himself from the highest peak, fanning out his wings as he fell through Heaven. One powerful downstroke checked his fall before he crashed, and he was soaring through the sky, pushing his wings faster and faster. Far below, his brothers looked up to see the Messenger flying as swiftly as he could toward the Garden, and Gabriel could feel the ripple of relief that passed through them. God was here. They were not alone.
Joshua was working in a patch of the Garden as Gabriel landed, looking up to offer the Archangel a tired smile. “Haven’t seen you around here in centuries, brother.”
“I haven’t had a reason to be here.” Gabriel trailed his fingers along the ridge of Joshua’s wing, making the Cherub grin and squirm slightly from the ticklish sensation. “Father has called me.”
“Then you shouldn’t keep Him waiting.” Joshua nodded inward. “He’s at the center, with Metatron.”
“When isn’t He?” Gabriel grumbled, but he found one more smile for Joshua before starting down the Garden path.
“Gabriel!” Metatron bounded to Gabriel’s side as soon as he saw the Archangel, a thick book bound in green leather clutched in his hands. “This is for you! I wrote it all down, exactly as Father said!”
“Er… thank you?” Gabriel accepted the book warily from Metatron, glancing at the cover. There was nothing to give away the contents, no hint at a title.
Behind Metatron, the brilliant flame of God was seated by a small pond, His fingers skimming through the clear water. Gabriel couldn’t focus on his least-favorite brother what with God so near. He bowed low, covering his head with his wings. “Father. It has been a long time.”
A very long time, but you still answered My call as swiftly as ever.
“I am still Your Messenger.”
God drew His hand out of the pond and patted the grass beside Him. Gabriel hurried to sit at his Father’s side, hugging the book to keep from reaching for God.
You are injured.
God’s thumb smoothed over a healing cut across Gabriel’s shoulder, left by Raphael during a particularly violent disagreement. Gabriel closed his eyes and bowed his head, feeling familiar shame at his loss of control bubbling up within him. “Raphael and I… do not agree on many things.”
The answer wasn’t with words, but with a feeling. Sadness rolled across Gabriel’s spirit, feeding his shame. Gabriel tightened his wings and bit his lip. “Father… could I ask you a question?” Privately?
Gabriel didn’t need to speak the words for God to hear them. His Father’s hand slid behind him, over his wings, and then God’s attention turned to Metatron. After a brief protest-“Who will take the minutes!?”-Metatron slunk toward the Garden’s gate.
Speak freely, Gabriel.
Gabriel’s fingers dug into the leather cover of the book, his wings drawing in tightly against his back under God’s touch. Lucifer had questioned Father all the time, when he was here, but Gabriel was not so bold as his lost brother. Very rarely had he actually questioned his Father directly about his motives, but now, he had to.
“Father… why did You make us like this? Raphael and me. You fashioned us according to Your wishes. You crafted us to be completely opposite, with no way to come together and find peace. I have tried and tried to reconcile my differences with him. I have tried! And I know… I know he must have tried too. But we just… we can’t. We can’t, Father. We are too different.”
God drew Gabriel close. His grace wrapped around the Archangel, blanketing him in warmth and a solemn sort of love. While direct contact with their Father frequently injured angels, Gabriel could feel Him holding back, keeping His power from burning Gabriel’s fragile spirit. This was a hug, an embrace from the Creator to one of His creations.
I set the pieces, Gabriel, but you moved them. You and your brother could have come together in a far greater partnership than Michael and Sammael just as easily as you grew apart.
“Not just as easily,” Gabriel mumbled.
Just as easily, God repeated. You had the potential to go either way. His hand smoothed along Gabriel’s wings again, setting all his feathers straight. I set the pieces, I made the rules, and then I stepped back and let you fly. Something within you and your brother grated, and the two of you turned away from each other, but I did not make you.
“Free will?” Gabriel asked darkly.
Exactly.
Gabriel turned his face against his Father, freeing one hand from the book to hesitantly touch God. His spirit did not burn; God was still allowing this contact. “I hate it. I hate being here. I hate being so cooped up, with him. I need to get away. I need space, Father.”
Then go.
Gabriel huffed. “Go where? The Borderlands? Even Raphael doesn’t find that empty realm restful. It’s certainly no home for me.”
Go to Earth.
“That’s against the rules,” Gabriel reminded God. “Unauthorized trips through the veil are punishable by death.”
That’s not My rule.
Silence fell over the Garden. Gabriel’s spirit felt electrically charged, buzzing in his throat. He stared blankly into his Father’s grace, his fingers flexing over the cover of the book he held. “…Dad?”
God hummed an acknowledgement, petting Gabriel’s wings.
“Did You… do You mean…?” Was God giving him permission to run?
You are heart-strong and impetuous, Gabriel, exactly as I made you. I am not ordering you do to anything, but should you decide your heart is leading you away... God actually shrugged, a ripple of His grace that vibrated through Gabriel. I would not consider you a traitor for listening to it.
It was an out. An exit. If Gabriel left, God would not turn His back on him. Raphael may never forgive him, but God would never need to. Gabriel lifted his arm, pressing it over his eyes, shivering faintly in relief. He wasn’t trapped here forever. He wasn’t trapped!
Do not be hasty, God advised. Deliver My message, and consider your next move.
“Of course,” Gabriel answered, wiping his arm across his face and turning to smile up at his Father. “Of course. Your message. Whom is it for?”
Go to Earth, with My permission, to the cave called Hira near Mecca. There you will find a man named Muhammad.
Next...