Chapter Text
He got comfortable in his chair and kept his eyes on his wife. She was the same spit fire he knew, nothing had changed. He couldn’t keep the smile off his face, it was nice to have her in the same room as him. She lifted an eyebrow questioning why he was smiling. He shook his head and tried to refrain from smiling so much. He took a few deep breaths to relax his cheeks.
“This is going to be a long discussion, isn’t it?” he asked. She nodded her head and got comfortable.
“Oh yes, so I think it’s best you start coming up with answers to my questions because I’m not leaving until everything is answered.”
“Well… looks like this is going to be a long night.”
Goddess slipped off her heels and set them on the side of her chair. God watched as she stretched out her toes and brought her legs under her. He stayed quiet and watched this new body his wife had on, make unique mannerism. He was fascinated with the new woman in front of him and yet he was unaware how to act around her. He brought himself out of his thought process and back on track to the task at hand. For some reason, he couldn’t figure out who’s turn it is to talk. He stared at his wife unknowingly trying to recall their back and forth questions.
“You act as if you’ve never seen a woman in your life John, stop staring. It’s unsettling.” God averted his eyes and looked down at his palms.
“Apologise.”
“So formal” she said with a smile. “I have to say, I do like this new version of you, whipped and ready” she wiggles her eyebrows which had him rolling his eyes. “Oh come now, I’m only playing. I do believe it’s your turn to ask a question.” The tone in her voice had God fidgeting, he wasn’t used to having his wife back in his life. He was on edge, he shifted in his chair and tried to get in a more comfortable position.
“Would you mind if we moved this over to the Den? My ass can’t seem to get comfortable in this chair you’ve given me” he tried sitting up but he kept sliding down. Goddess shook her head with a smile and stood up.
“Fine, but I’m getting comfortable. Are my things still in the other room?” She turned away before he could answer. He thought about following her but remembered she knew the way. He stood from his seat and teetered outside of their old room.
He could hear her rummaging through trunks and dressers. He felt like a broken side to side bobble head, his head kept shaking at every chance. He could practically imagine his wife pulling out every nook and cranny of clothing she could find, just to piss him off. He figured listening to his wife wasn’t the best thing to do, so turned around and made his way over to the Den. It’d been so long since anyone had used it, cobwebs littered the walls and furniture. He covered his mouth as he brushed off all the dust and cobwebs. He visibly shivered at the thought of Raguel’s pet spiders lingering around. He hated spiders, he cursed the day he let his son throw ideas of insects being created.
He lit the fire place to give the room some light and warmth, the room felt cozy. He smiled at past memories floating back into his mind, long hours of tutoring Amenadiel came to mind. Along with countless hours of bouncing his children around on his knee. Oh those were the good old days, full of love and innocence.
Footsteps patted across the wooden floor boards drawing him back to the present. He turned around to find his wife clutching her favorite robe. She rushed into the room and plopped down on the sofa. She exhaled a soft moan like she’d never experienced comfort in her life. He smiled once again, as he watched his wife with fascination. She patted the seat next to him calling for him to join her, he shook his head and took a seat from across. It was always his favorite chair, the old leather chair sank under his weight.
“My how I missed this room! It hasn’t changed one bit” his wife exclaimed, she stretched herself out and got comfortable.
“I haven’t been here since… the change. There might be a spider or two lingering around the cushions, be careful Dear.”
“You never collected those damn spiders? John, Raguel cried for days looking for them” she took a minute to call forth the arachnoids. They slowly came crawling up the sofa in a nice straight line. God cringed at the sight, he never got around to collect them because the little monsters looked terrifying. Goddess brought forth a jar, from thin air, and lead the line of spiders into the jaw. One by one all ten spiders slide inside.
“See, that wasn’t so hard. When you see Raugel make sure he keeps them locked up, we don’t need another pandemic like the last time.”
Goddess placed the jaw of spiders on the table in front of them and marveled at her son’s handiwork. She soon looked up to see her husband’s face scrunched up from the jar of spiders.
“If they scare you so much, I’ll gladly send them to his room” she flicked her wrist and sent the spiders on their way. “The biggest baby in all existence, that’s what you are.”
“Am not!” he said a few octaves too high for his stature. Goddess smirked and got comfortable once again. “It’s my turn, correct?” Goddess nodded her head and waited patiently for her husband to relay a question.
“How are Samael and Amenadiel? I know you spent some time with them while you were on Earth.” She perked up at the mention of her sons but kept a stern face when God mentioned Lucifer’s old name.
“He likes to go by Lucifer now, I’m not sure he’d appreciate you using a dead name.”
“Dead name? My son isn’t dead,” he said as the phrase went over his head. “He’ll always be Samael, I can’t call him by anything else. It’s dark. My little star should shine. I’m not calling him by any other name. End of discussion.”
“Fine, but it's your funeral, you’ll only anger him more. Oh and trust me, he isn’t in your corner after the whole you’re out, get a job situation.”
“Get a job? What the…” he sat up off the edge of his seat. “Okay I admit I overreacted and should have specified what I wanted from him in this whole Hell business. I know I should of taken care of things before sending him down there, there are too many what ifs Dear. What’s done is done. Now tell me how my sons are fairing.” God pushed himself back into his chair and tried to not let the whole Lucifer topic rile him up. Goddess rolled her eyes and gave him what he wanted.
“The boys are good. They’re running around like chickens without heads, but they’re good. It was nice to see them after thousands of years” a smile flashed across her face. God tilites his head, he didn’t understand why she was smiling. “They’re beautiful you know, in a sea of Humanity, they shine but never let their status hold that above them. You did that, you showed them they shouldn’t be like me.”
“I didn’t show them that. The kids never forgave me for sending you away. A majority of them took your side on the topic. Our children don’t see my creations as equals. In reality they aren’t, but they can work together. Samael has demonstrated that. Amenaidel is a better man for stepping down a few pegs and living with them. Well at least from what I saw.”
Goddess sat and listened to her husband talk. It was both heartwarming and hard to listen to him talk about their children’s stance on their divorce. On one hand she knew they still loved her even for her faults and on the other, they grew cold and bitter like her towards Humanity. She thought to herself;
Michael would of made sure they didn’t retaliate. Yes, they had their fight but he knew his role in keeping the peace.
Her baby boy had always been like Lucifer, curious but more to himself in the shadows, watching over Humanity. She knew Michael was the right choice in becoming Heaven’s Chief, he knew how to separate emotions from duty. She found herself getting lost in her own thoughts, God leaned forward and placed a hand on her knee.
“You alright?” she nodded her head and stood up straight, God retracted his hand.
“Amenadiel is a better man than he was before, they both are. Lucifer has become more mature and independent over the years. He showed Amenadiel and I a lot Humanity has to offer. Do I agree that all of them shouldn’t be disintegrated, no. Would I go back for a vacation, possibly. Humans are fickle species, you’ve done that to them.”
There was silence in the air, no one wanted to step on anyone's toes. She changed the topic and asked God another question, one that stayed on the same course as his. If he got a chance to hear about their sons, well it was only fair she got to hear about her children here in the City.
“How are our son’s here doing? Let’s not forget my beautiful daughters as well.” God took a moment to think of an answer, he hadn’t been too active in his other children’s lives. The one son he’d been in contact with was Gabriel and that was because he was always checking in on him. God cleared his throat and fidgeted in his chair.
“Gabriel is good, he comes around every so often to inform me about new information. I was sure he was the one knocking, was that you?”
“Knocking? Why would I knock? The door was wide open when I came through.” She stopped herself from responding more on the topic, this was her question not his. “You didn’t answer my question. I asked about all of our children not just one.” God tried to make sense of her answer, he didn’t remember leaving a door open. “John” she said with a pressed tone.
“Where did you come through exactly?”
“Answer my question first, this is my turn. Await yours. Now tell me how my children are, it’s been thousands of years.”
“I wouldn’t know, I haven’t left my room since the whole Jesus debacle. Don’t bother asking, it still irritates me till this day. So no my Dear, I don’t know how our children are.”
“You mean to tell me they’ve been fending for themselves this whole time?” God refused to answer, it was his turn to ask a question. She let out a frustrated noises and changed directions to address the issue. “No Micha would definitely step in seeing as Amenadiel is on Earth with Lucifer. That’s why you’re snooping around, you want Michael back to run things for you. Oh, that’s cold John. My son is not yours control like that, he deserves some freedom.” God tensed up his jaw and tightened his grip on the leather chair.
“Your son!” he asked with a raised voice, he nearly stood from his seat with anger. He let out a laugh and sat on the edge of his seat, “fine. He’s your son, because I don’t recognize him anymore.”
“Maybe it’s because you haven’t left this room since I was shipped off to Hell. You don’t even recognize your own children anymore. They aren’t the same children they were when they were kids, John. Their personalities have constantly changing, Amenadiel is a prime example. You can’t fault Michael for wanting to leave every so often. He’s probably checking in with his brothers, let the boys bond and have their fun.”
God shot up from his chair and walked around the Den, he was fuming with anger. Not only because he knew his wife was right, but also because Michael was not just bonding with his brothers. He was taking on more responsibility than he should. Michael had ditched his responsibilities in Heaven to go play hero for his little brother. He was angry because he let his anger get the best of him. His wife was right. He didn’t know his children. He didn’t know their personalities. Heck he could barely understand himself at times.
God sighed and turned around to face his wife, she was looking at him closely. She was checking to see why he was in such a weird state. He tried to ensure that everything was alright with a smile. She didn’t buy it for one second. He didn’t want her knowing about his decision on punishing Michael, not just yet. Once that can of worms was released there would be Hell in Heaven. He knew how much Michael meant to her, he didn’t need his estranged wife beating him to a pulp. God pulled back his anger and sat back down in his chair.
“Apologise, you know how I like to keep Michael within the Gates. Old habits die hard.” Goddess wasn’t a fool, she knew there was something he wasn’t telling her. She let the topic about Michael subside for now.
“When the lights went out, you called out Gabriel’s name and looked outside your door. Does our son still make a habit of standing guard outside your door? Don’t answer that, I know he does. He’s Gabriel” she sighed and looked around the room. “No wonder, he’s the only child you keep in contact with.”
He simply hummed not knowing how else to respond, his wife got up off her seat and walked around the room. He watched as she moved about the Den, this new body of hers was different than the last. He knew nothing about it and it scared him. God watched as she made her way over to their family photos. She stopped and picked up one of the frames she made. He watched as the corner of her lips perked up. He stood from his seat and walked over to his wife, he was a good distance way. It gave him enough room to look over her shoulder so he could see the photo she’d chosen to marvel at.
“How did you ever create these” he said pointing the the frame. “They’re not like the ones Humans have, they’re alive. Almost like frozen glimpses of that moment.” Goddess ran her finger over the frame and placed it back down.
“Oh that’s for me to know and me only. It’s a Mother's touch, I guess. Look at all these pictures of our babies, oh how young they used to be. Look at my little stars” she said gushing over an image of Michael and Lucifer. “Our Morning and Eveningstars. Although I’m sure Michael doesn’t go by that nickname anymore. Shame.”
“He did have an emblem on his armor for the Eveningstar, but no, he doesn’t go by it anymore. I think after Samael’s fall he wanted to distance himself from his brother.”
“I hope Lucifer can forgive Michael, they were always so close when they were little. I know Lucifer’s fall really tore Michael apart.”
“From what I’ve seen, they’re bonding. The two have had a few nice chats here and there.” He caught himself, he didn’t want to keep on the topic of Michael.
“That’s good! I’m sure if Lucifer could forgive Amenadiel, he can do the same for Michael. After all, it was Amenadiel who kicked Lucifer out.”
Goddess finished looking over the photos and went back to looking around the room. She left God standing in the middle of the room, all by himself. He was trying to process the words she just said.
“Amenadiel?” he asked unsure. Goddess turned around and nodded her head.
“John you really think Michael could send his twin down to Hell, the boy could barely carry out your orders to arrest him. I asked Amenadiel, Michael was paralized with shock when you asked him.”
“He told me he carried out my orders, he told me he saw to it himself that Samael got to Hell in one piece. You’re telling me” he said with a raised voice, “that our son, Michael, disregarded my orders and Amenadiel carried them out for him!” Goddess stood tall with her head held high, she didn’t flinch at her husband’s words.
“Yes” she said in a neutral tone. “I admit Amenadiel used force, he was punished for it. We can’t go back and fix the damage, what’s done is done.”
“Samael was brutally burned! Did you not see the damage that was done to him? Michael was asked, because I knew he would deliver Samael without harm. I had that boy whipped and turned into a donkey for his carelessness. Now I feel like the ass.” God groaned and found his chair once more. He sank into the leather seat and let his head fall into his hands. Goddess walked over and stood beside her husband, she placed a hand on his shoulder.
“What’s done is done, John. The fact Michael didn’t tell you proves he felt bad about what happened to Lucifer. He’s trying to make amends with his brother, let him. The two deserve to catch up and talk.”
God moved his body to get his wife’s hand off of him, she retracted her arm and watched as he shook his head in anger. She stepped away and watched him closely. God lifted his head and let out a laugh or two. She was confused by his behavior, but felt this was what he was keeping from her. She let him take his time to justify his madness.
“That boy” he shook his head and tried to process his anger. “That son of yours really knows how to give me a headache, you know that. Oh he’s making amends alright! Ones he’s not authorized to do.”
“What do you mean?”
“Michael left” was all he said. Goddess looked over to her husband confused.
“I’m not understanding, John.”
“Your son left the Silver City in the dead of the night and broke Samael out of Hell. He’s currently standing in for his brother.” She still wasn’t processing her husband’s words.
“Lucifer never said anything about Michael being in Hell. Michael’s in Hell? He never came to see me” she was hurt, she thought her relationship with Michael was stronger. She placed her hand on her chest and sucked in some air. God rolled his eyes, he knew his wife would make a scene out of this.
“Oh stop it, Michael just recently left. He wasn’t in Hell at the same time you were, so rest assured your precious son would of seen you if the two of you were in the same vicinity.” She felt embarrassed, she quickly corrected her robe and walked away.
“So Michael is ruling over Hell instead of guarding the Gates?” God nodded his head not showing her his true emotions on the subject. “No… no I won’t allow it.” That sparked his interest, he looked over to his wife confused. “My son is too soft to be running into that Hellhole. It’ll chew him up and spit him right out. John get him out of there this instant!”
God was confused. He took a step back and looked at his wife, he narrowed his eyes on her. This must be a trick, he thought. Goddess raised her voice again.
“Get my son out of there now! I want him standing in front of me this instant so I can smack him.”
“Smack him for what?” he asked.
“For running into a lion’s den thinking he can take on every little thing. Hell is a whole different ball game.”
“Michael is fully capable of taking care of some petty little Demons. I raised a Warrior not a kitten, Wife.”
“Don’t you dare” her finger was in his face. “I want my son here now!”
God stood tall and crossed his arms over his chest, he wasn’t bringing Michael no matter how bad his wife wanted him in front of her. She let out a frustrated noise and circle around him to leave the room. Panic settled in and he rushed after her.
“Where are you going?” he yelled out trying to catch up to his wife.
“If you’re not going to do it then I will” she called out. God started running down the hall to his wife. He hurried and grabbed her by the wrist and spun her around.
“I’m afraid I can allow you to do that.”
“And why not?” she pulled her arm out of her husband’s grasp. “Touch me again and I will beat you to a pulp.” Her threat was no warning, she really would do it now if she wasn’t so concerned with Michael. He swallowed the remaining spit that was left in his mouth. He had no doubt in his mind that his wife would deliver out on her threat, God was surprised when she didn’t. “I’m waiting,” she said in an annoyed tone, God had yet to give her an explanation.
“I… uh…” he didn’t know how to tell her. God couldn’t find the words to explain his horrible judgement call. Goddess pushed him out of the way and beelined straight for God’s Observation desk. “No!” he called out. Goddess started typing on the keyboard, she was trying to figure out where her son was so she could extract him. God rushed over and cut the power to his desk. She looked up at him annoyed.
“What in the… what has gotten into you?” God dropped the power cords and looked at the spinning globe.
“I… I’ve messed up. There’s more to this story and I know I messed up. I’ve made a mistake.”
Goddess narrowed her eyes on her husband and walked over to him. She could see the pain he held in his eyes. She was scared to know what he’d done to their son. She had to know, no matter what he’d done she had to know.
“Where’s my son John?” God hung his head. Her heart dropped, she expected the worst. “John! What have you done to my son!” she called out.
“I… I think it’s best I start from the beginning. He’s alive, I promise.”
“I’m so confused.” God motioned for him wife to sit down on the chair beside the desk. She reluctantly pulled the chair out and sat down. He took a seat across from her on another chair. He tried to think of something to say. “John… what’s going on?”
“Just give me a minute, there’s a lot to catch you up on” he was rubbing his temples trying to soothe a headache.
“You were never the best with words. Show me then. Show me how you got to this point. You know what, I’ll do it. I don’t want you hiding anything from me,” his head shot up and watched his wife stand from her seat and reconnect the wires. He stood from his chair and watched her closely.
“I need you to understand I was shaken just a much as you were when I found out Michael left for Hell. I need you to watch and hold your questions for the end. I also want to apologize in advance for what I’ve done.” She stopped what she was doing and looked at God.
“Do you feel bad for what you’ve done? Do you stand here in front of me and regret whatever it is you did, truly?” He nodded his head and walked over to Goddess.
“Then I’ll watch and judge you afterwards” she turned away from him and began typing stuff into his device. God was taken back by her maturity, he’d never known her to act so calm. It scared him. This just meant there would be a bigger outburst to follow once she saw what he’d done to Michael.