Chapter Text
No grand entrances. This was one of the few rules angels were meant to follow whenever they approached a human. And with good reason. The last time someone made such a bombastic show of God's glory, the human in question nearly died and poor Daniel hadn't been able to sleep for weeks.
It'd taken years for Gabriel to live it down.
But not this time! Since then, the cherub had taken great care in revealing himself to mortals as subtly as possible while still getting the message across. At least, he hoped he'd been subtle. Ezekiel and Zechariah had seemed like the type of men who kept their opinions to themselves.
"I still think this is a horrible idea!"
If only the same could've been said for the rest of Heaven.
The number of times Michael willingly wanted anything to do with the Metatron after his promotion could be counted on one hand, so when Gabriel looked up from his scroll, he was slightly surprised to see his sister trail closely behind her former apprentice. Talking about me, no doubt. It was only natural for the leader of the angels to be anxious today of all days, but was it really too much to ask for her to have just a little faith in him?
The Metatron gave a heavy sigh and stopped walking, looking at Michael like she was nothing more but an annoying fly. "It was not I who assigned a cherub for the job," he said, spitting out the name of Gabriel's rank. "And if you have a problem with it, Michael, perhaps you should take it up with God Herself."
Gabriel rolled his eyes as the Voice of God flew away. This was usual for the Metatron, believing himself to be better than all the other angels just because of his position, as though he hadn't been born human. It was no wonder why he and his brother Sandalphon rarely talked anymore. And even more usual was Michael complaining to her siblings about the youngest seraph's behavior.
Three, two, one...
"The nerve of him!" Michael said as she approached Gabriel with undisguised rage.
I don't know what God was thinking when She made him Her Voice.
"I don't know what God was thinking when She made him Her Voice!"
Or making him an angel.
"Or making him an angel!"
He doesn't deserve any of this.
"He doesn't de—Gabriel are you even listening to me?"
The cherub glanced up only briefly, seeing Michael bristling while tapping her foot and hands on her hips. She looked less like a commanding officer and more like an irritated mother who was at her wit's end. "Yeah, I am," he said flatly, not even bothering to fake enthusiasm or concern like he usually did whenever she came to him with this. "I really don't see why you don't just talk to the Almighty about this," he added. "There's no way She'd turn you away."
Any anger that was directed towards him quickly subsided. "I appreciate the suggestion, little one," she said softly; this was what Gabriel had dubbed her 'Big Sister' voice. "But I simply do not wish to burden Her with—I admit—are rather petty complaints."
And what does that make me then, huh? "Understandable," he said curtly, pretending to be interested in the scroll he must've read over a thousand times by now. He probably wouldn't even need it, but as Raphael always said, it was always good to be prepared.
Michael's shadow loomed over his shoulder. "What are you reading?"
"Mary's history," Gabriel answered. "If I'm going to be her guardian, I might as well be familiar with her life."
Michael's eyes shone with pride. "Look at you, taking initiative," she said, laughing as she patted his head, completely oblivious to Gabriel glaring at her. It'd been like this since the Rebellion, him being treated like he was still a squab. All because he nearly got killed by his own oldest brother. At least Michael wasn't as bad as Raphael, who was often asking him how he was feeling. And Uriel was better than both of them combined, always treating him as an equal without any of the condescension that currently laced Michael's voice.
"It's today, correct?" asked the Archangel excitedly. "Remember not to scare her, alright? And then of course, you must speak with her betrothed—"
"Michael."
"And keep an eye out for any demons—"
"Michael."
"And finally—"
"Michael!" Gabriel gave a sigh of relief when she finally stopped talking. "I know all this. I've been preparing all month."
This did little to sooth her anxiety. "I know you have! It's just... this is really, really important, Gabriel."
"I know."
"Yes, well, I'm simply trying to make sure you're aware of what needs to be done."
Gabriel plastered on a tight smile. "Of course, Michael."
Her gaze then grew stern. "And remember—"
"No attachments. Got it."
Beneath the serious expression lay affection. "Very good." Michael then glanced at a map of Israel that was hanging on the wall nearby and kissed her little brother's cheek. "Well, I do believe now is as good a time as any for you to get going. Good luck."
The angel came to her in a ray of golden light inside her home, soft white wings folded neatly against his back as his linen robe flowed from the breeze coming in through the window. He made sure to keep his face kind and calm as she looked at him with those big dark eyes of hers.
He could do this.
"Be not afraid, Mary," Gabriel began, speaking the standard greeting. "I am—"
"DEMON!"
Wait, what? "Demon? Where?" Gabriel started to frantically look around the room with wide eyes, but he couldn't even sense any of the malevolent creatures nearby. "My lady, I—" But before he could finish his sentence, he felt something hit his head, followed by getting splashed with water. "Hey!" The angel glanced down to see broken pieces of what he guessed had been a vase before glaring at Mary. "Young mortal, if you would just let me explain!"
Unfortunately for him, she wasn't listening and was continuing to throw everything she could at him.
Gabriel heaved a sigh. If this was how she reacted to an angel coming to her, he hated to think about how she'd react to the Child's fate. Okay, fine. We'll do this the easy way! With a snap of his fingers, everything froze, including the young human before him, just as she was about to throw a bowl. "Listen to me, young lady," he began, and she made a strangled noise through gritted teeth—the only indication that she was indeed listening. "I am the angel Gabriel and I've come bearing news that the Lord has chosen you to carry He—His Child. Now, I'm going to let you go, but please, no more screaming or attacking. Okay?"
She blinked, which was probably supposed to be taken as affirmation.
In an instant, the room was cleaned up and everything was put back to wear it was, and it took Mary a few seconds to catch her balance.
"So," the angel began, once again maintaining a friendly appearance, "any questions?" He expected something like Why me? or What shall I call the baby? or even Will someone as handsome as you be the family guardian full-time?
"How can this be, for I am a virgin?"
This he was not expecting.
"Uh..." He tried to remembered what he knew about human anatomy, but all of it was a giant blur. And of course, that was assuming the Child would even be like normal human children at all. So if He's part of the Almighty Herself... Gabe, you're a genius! "Fear not, Mary," he said in his most serene voice. "For with the Lord, anything is possible. So, do you accept?"
"I... am a handmade of the Lord, angel, but that doesn't really—"
He didn't let her finish and flashed her a grin. "Great! In that case, farewell, young mortal! And congratulations!" And with that, he took off for home, knowing with joy that humans would talk about this for centuries to come.
"How about this? Gabriel comes in, says the woman has found favor with God and then he'll talk about the Child's importance. She asks how it's going to be possible for her to expect since... well, you know, and then Gabriel says that the Holy Spirit will grant her the ability to conceive."
Michael waved a hand dismissively while slumping in her throne—and she never slumped. "Just write whatever will make us look good, Raziel. Anything to save us from this embarrassment!"
"Of course, Your Glory."
Gabriel ducked his head as he felt his cheeks heat up. Had it really been that bad?
The giggling angels before him was enough to confirm it, and the cherub wished he could quiet them somehow. I'd like to see any of you do better! He was older than most of them, for Heaven's sake! Was it really too much to ask for a little respect? "Michael, I know this looks bad, but—"
She raised a hand to indicate silence. "Be still, Gabriel," she said in a voice was just a little too quiet and calm. "I'm not angry."
"Y-you're not?"
She shook her head and smiled. "Of course not. I mean, you not only embarrassed yourself but also all of Heaven, and—oh, yes—there's also the high chance that the other side was watching and are probably still laughing at your folly, but everyone makes mistakes! Well, except God, of course!"
God! The Creator had been watching, there was no question about it. Is She disappointed in me, too? He couldn't forget the last time he'd done so.
Raphael and Uriel both looked sympathetic, and then the healer said, "Be kind to him, sister."
Uriel nodded in agreement. "Yes, I'm sure he wouldn't have gotten it wrong if the human hadn't attacked him. He did well with Zechariah and Elizabeth, after all."
Gabriel felt grateful towards his siblings, until Michael scoffed and said, "Even more reason, don't you think? You're nearly as old as I, Gabriel. You should know better by now." Then she turned to the head cherub—appropriately named Cherubiel since God had apparently run out of names when creating her—before he could defend himself. "As for you, Cherubiel, I fully expect you to help my brother prepare for when he visits the woman's betrothed."
Cherubiel nodded wordlessly and then beckoned for Gabriel to follow her.
"I messed up, didn't I?" Gabriel asked once the two angels left the room.
"You did," came the blunt response. "But that's okay. What matters is you got the job done."
"Barely!" And now this day would remembered with a lie, all because Michael was disappointed in him. At this rate, I'll be stuck as a cherub forever!
Cherubiel sighed. "Don't be so hard on yourself, Gabriel."
"But Michael—"
"Forget what Michael said." Then Cherubiel smirked. "Between you and me, she should really stop getting her feathers so ruffled and learn to relax sometime."
Gabriel failed to stifle a laugh. He couldn't even remember the last time Michael practiced self-care, or whatever Raphael called it. Not like she can afford to, though. Still, was a little more compassion too much to ask? Ah, well. Things will get better once the Child's born.
I hope.
"Now remember, come to him in a dream. Gently, like a breeze."
Gabriel nodded at Cherubiel's words. Like a breeze. Sure. Whatever that meant. This wasn't exactly the first time he'd be visiting a human in a dream anyway. And like those other times, it'd been incredibly easy to do after blocking everything out until he was only focused on the sleeping carpenter alone.
And just as Gabriel expected, Joseph's dream included the human cutting planks of wood. Why did God want someone so perfectly boring to be Her Child's father? In fact, why not just have Him be born into actual royalty?
We're not meant to question, only obey, rang Michael's mantra into his ears.
Let's just get this over with. "Joseph?" Gabriel said with a smile.
The human looked up from his work and smiled back. "Shalom, friend. What can I do for you?"
He seems kind, at least. The Boy would be in good hands, then. "I simply wish to congratulate you on becoming a father! And I'm sure Mary couldn't ask for a better husband."
Joseph's eyes darkened at the mention of his betrothed. "Ah! You know about that?"
Gabriel nodded, not quite understanding why he seemed so upset. Humans loved babies, didn't they? Oh! Does he think she had an affair?
"Er... thank you. We are... so very happy by the news."
Well, the man clearly didn't have any sort of future as an actor, that much was certain. "Is there something troubling you?" Gabriel asked.
Joseph let out a short, mirthless laugh. "Am I that transparent? And how exactly do you know Mary?" There was no hiding the suspicion in his tone as he kept on cutting wood, this time a little too harshly.
"Worry not, Joseph," Gabriel said gently. "I'm simply a... friend of the family, let's just say. Though I must say, I'm surprised Zechariah and Elizabeth failed to mention me." Really, it wasn't every day you got visited by an angel.
Joseph stopped his work again. "Elizabeth?" he asked. "Mary's cousin?"
"Same one! And like Mary, I'm sure she'll make a fantastic mother as well."
Now Joseph was looking at him as though he were crazy. "Elizabeth is with child? At her age?"
Rather rude, this one!
The carpenter sat down and then turned his head towards the ceiling. "My apologies! But this day has been rather... eventful."
Gabriel smiled. "Eventful, you say? Such as your betrothed expecting a child that is not yours? And before she has ever even married you at that!"
Joseph was on his feet again, eyes wide. "You must be mistaken, sir!" he said quickly. "Mary would never—"
"There is no need to be alarmed, Joseph," Gabriel said as he drew closer to the human, admiring the carpenter's loyalty towards his future wife. But I think I put this off long enough. "And do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. She has been faithful, and has simply been touched by the Holy Spirit to help her conceive."
Joseph however still looked wary, and Gabriel noticed the man's hand reaching for a hammer. "What did you say your name was again?"
And showtime! At once, Gabriel let his wings spread while a halo appeared on his head as he folded his hands. "I am the Lord's servant, the angel Gabriel. And you, Joseph, son of David, have been chosen alongside your betrothed Mary to be the Earthly parents of the Lord's Son. You shall name the Child Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins."
Gabriel's words were met with silence as the carpenter gaped at him.
Well, this is awkward. Still, better this than getting a vase thrown at you. "So... got that? Nod your head if you understood."
Joseph did, still staring.
"Great!" Gabriel grinned. "I'll see you later, then!" How'd you like that, Michael?
"Too long."
"Oh, come on!" Was nothing good enough for his sister?
Michael ignored his protest and turned to face Heaven's scribe. "Raziel, how shall we fix this one?"
The archangel tapped his scroll twice. Without looking up, he said, "I think it'd be a good idea for us to keep what Gabriel said to Joseph after revealing himself to be an angel, but only that."
Michael pursed her lips. "Hm. I suppose that's fine. Get to it, then."
"Right away, Your Glory."
As the archangel left, Gabriel could've sworn Raziel had given him a sympathetic glance. Someone was on his side, at least. Even if it was a lesser angel.
"The rest of you, tend to your duties. We have only nine months before the Child is born and I want everything to be perfect."
The other leaders nodded like the obedient soldiers that they were before leaving Michael and Gabriel alone.
"I thought it was fine," muttered the younger angel.
Michael smiled tightly and patted her brother's head. "Of course you did, dear."
Gabriel stifled his irritation. He had no right to get angry with his oldest sister—his commander. She's only doing what's best for us, he thought as he followed her out of the room. What a heavy burden it must be to be in charge of so many angels at once.
"So, where's Cherubiel?" He hadn't seen her since before he went into Joseph's dream.
Michael almost seemed amused at Gabriel's attempt to change the subject. "Out demon hunting with Raphael. Apparently there's been some malevolent activity near Judea and I wanted them to check it out. You can still catch up with them, I think."
"Oh... uh... no thanks. I'm good."
Michael frowned. "You're going to have to confront a demon sooner or later, little brother. Everyone else has. And when your cause is just—"
"—do not hesitate to strike the foe. I know." But I'm not everyone else! Gabriel thought bitterly. Even then, he didn't think what Michael said was entirely accurate anyway. No one in the third sphere had ever even reported seeing a demon. Or maybe it was just his siblings who liked to boast about their accomplishments.
Before either of them could speak again, he saw Cherubiel and Raphael coming their way, and gulped when he saw their swords were dripping with a dark liquid. It was too dark to be mortal blood, which only meant it had to have belonged to a demon's.
Raphael must've noticed how uncomfortable the sight was making Gabriel feel, as his sword was suddenly clean again soon after.
Thank you, Gabriel thought, relieved.
Cherubiel however remained completely oblivious. "Two demons," she said curtly. "One got away, but we managed to kill the other."
"Got away?" Michael turned to Raphael. "Explain."
Raphael slightly twitched. "It's as Cherubiel said, sister," he began. "The other demon escaped. I'm not sure what you're confused about."
Here we go. Ever since the Second Fall, Raphael was probably the only angel in Heaven still bold enough to stand up to Michael and not risk punishment. Gabriel still wasn't sure if that made his brother incredibly brave or incredibly stupid.
"What confuses me, brother, is how even a single demon could've escaped on your watch." Laughing, she added, "You are supposed to be our second best hunter, are you not?"
"You dare question my abilities?"
"Of course I dare. How else are we to ensure Hell's defeat if I don't push you?"
"You are only too kind, sister."
Ignoring Raphael's sarcasm, Michael turned back to Cherubiel. "Why don't you tell me all about what happened in private? Brothers, you two will be on conception duty for the remainder of the night."
Conception duty? Gabriel withheld a groan. "Yes, Michael," he said while Raphael nodded wordlessly. And it wasn't that he hated looking after nearly born souls and taking them to their new mothers, but the job got quite boring after awhile, unlike his role as a messenger. Wait for soul to ripen, pluck them from Tree of Life, deliver it to expectant, rinse and repeat.
"Come, Gabriel," Raphael said, already walking ahead of his brother. "We don't want to upset the crotchety crow."
Gabriel allowed himself to laugh, grateful that Michael wasn't around to hear either of them. "Stop being mean! Michael's only trying to do what's best for us."
"What's best for her, maybe." Then the Archangel smiled and kissed Gabriel's cheek. "But enough about our sister. How did it go with Joseph?"
Gabriel hesitated. Raphael had defended him earlier with Mary, but he didn't want to make it seem like he was complaining, either. "Fine, I guess," he said at last. "No screaming this time, at least."
"You don't sound very happy." Placing a hand on Gabriel's shoulder, he added, "You know you can tell me anything, right?"
Gabriel glanced down. "I know. But it's fine. Really." I'm just being too sensitive. Forcing a grin, he added, "Now, let's go care for some new souls!"
Conception was as busy as ever, with angels either talking or singing as they milled about the seemingly endless room, and all of them carried tiny bright orbs in their hands and baskets. Souls. All done under the watchful eye of Lailah, who stood just behind the giant plant, its branches extending to all parts of the room as sunlight filtered in through the windows.
The night angel smiled and bowed her head as soon as Raphael and Gabriel entered. "Greetings to you both," she said. "And Gabriel, I was wondering if you were going to come tonight."
"Y-you were?" Gabriel silently cursed himself when he felt his cheeks heat up. How many angels knew about what had occurred earlier today?
But Lailah simply nodded and then presented him with a soul orb, one much larger and brighter than all the others. "The Holy Spirit delivered this earlier today, but I wanted you to do the honors."
Gabriel's eyes widened as he took the orb into his hand, and he immediately sensed immense warmth and love coming from it. "Is this...?" I thought Raziel made it up! Though in hindsight, perhaps he should've expected for Them to get involved somehow. The Child is Divine, for God's sake!
Lailah grinned and began pushing him towards a small pool in front of the Tree. "Go on and deliver Him!"
"O-okay!" No big deal, he told himself. You're just literally carrying the Son's life in your hands. You can do this. You can do this! He'd done this a million times already, and Mary's image would appear in the water soon. There was nothing to feel anxious about.
Well, nothing except for several pairs of eyes belonging to more than seventy childbed and fertility angels staring at him.
Silently judging him.
Whispering why he of all angels had been chosen to announce the birth of the Savior rather than any of his older siblings. They would've done a much better job at it, surely.
Perhaps this was why Michael had been so hard on him earlier.
"Gabriel." Lailah's soft voice startled him. "It's time, dear. Go on."
The cherub felt his cheeks heat up again. "Er, right. Of course." Mary was sleeping when he looked into the pool, but from the way she was tossing and turning, it wasn't sound. Gently placing the soul into the water, the angel closed his eyes and said a quiet prayer for the expecting virgin. May thoughts of your future child ease you into pleasant dreams. Both the orb and Mary were gone by the time he reopened them.
Clapping sounded behind him following the latest conception—scattered at first, but then the crowd broke into rapturous cheers. All for him. So maybe today wasn't so bad after all. If Michael couldn't be proud of them, then at least the other angels were.