Chapter Text
Looking to the sky, Gabriel occasionally questioned as to how God let him get away with the things he did. After his initial interactions with Ferryman, the Almighty had given Gabriel a strongly worded note stating that he shall not visit the transporter of souls outside of encouraging said sinner’s worship of the above. When Gabriel and Charon’s relationship began to deepen however, the Father said not a word to his right hand man. Each time he visited his lover’s vessel, Gabriel worried to the ends of the universe about the day God would inevitably strike him down for engaging with a former mortal who had fallen victim to his own wrath. Yet, still, whenever Gabriel would pray to the Almighty, all he would receive back was silence. No praise, nor scolding, simply silence.
Now, he was attempting his most daring defiance of the Lord’s orders yet.
A golden beam brightened the sky of Wrath as Gabriel descended from his place in the heavens. It was routine for him to pay his beloved a visit in between major assignments from the Metatron. In this instance, Gabriel had spent extra time away, using his freedom in between jobs to seek out the finest ringsmith in all of Heaven. Sacrificing time and gold had produced the gift the archangel was to bestow upon Charon, but before he could vocalize his proposal, an apology was in order for his extended departure. Gabriel was aware of just how depressed Ferryman got without his presence illuminating his damned existence.
“At last, at last! My Light has returned!” Charon shouted as he ran down from the bow of the ship.
Gabriel strung his arms wide for his darling to settle into. As with every hug they shared, Gabriel imbued Ferryman with a healing magic to ease the aches and pains that came with being on his feet all day. Charon let out a content sigh in wordless appreciation, and Gabriel gave the top of his head a soft pat before they parted.
“My deepest apologies for the wait, Dear. My workload is ceaseless, and even more so now with all of this activity on the surface,” Gabriel explained, and it wasn’t necessarily a lie. The war occurring in the land above had been growing more violent with more combatants entering the conflict each day. God feared that humanity would wipe itself out and become unsalvageable, so he had been issuing assignments left and right to the angels of Heaven in hopes that one of them could get through to the human leaders that if they didn’t negotiate peace, humanity’s history would come to an end.
“Likewise, Gabriel. The amount of souls I have been transporting across the ocean these past weeks trumps anything I have ever seen before. I yearn for rest, and I yearn for your hold,” Ferryman admitted.
“Then you may have it, my Darkness,” Gabriel replied, and once again they were in each other’s arms.
The pair swayed back and forth in tandem with the ship’s gentle rocking. Ferryman’s form eased up and melted further into the embrace when Gabriel placed his chin on top of his clothed head. He wanted to give his beloved the ring soon, but he also made no effort to break their closeness. He indulged in the moment, soothed by the never-ending storm and Charon’s steady breaths. He would have spent an eternity living on the tanker with his lover if not for his servitude to God.
Ferryman slipped away from him and broke the silence at the same time.
“Although, I have rather thrilling news, my Lord,” he began, his voice light and excited.
Gabriel listened intently, for it was extremely rare that Charon had stories other than those involving his daily endeavors to tell.
“I was approached recently by a machine of sword and shotgun. It claimed to be from Limbo, and it was searching for a powerful creature that possessed reason like itself,” Ferryman’s hands animated themselves as he spoke, making Gabriel smile beneath his helmet, “it was searching for a sparring partner. The monsters of Limbo were easy prey, according to it, and it desired someone who could fight back! It wanted to become strong enough to face the Brothers Cerberus.”
Gabriel made a mental note to punish the Brothers later for disobeying God’s word. They had been ordered not to let any of the denizens of Limbo travel outside of their domain.
“So I permitted a duel between us. I had been itching to pick up my oar again for some time, I will admit,” Ferryman confessed, “and I was victorious, my Light!”
Gabriel beamed at Charon, absorbing the mirth such a story had created. Through various sparring matches of their own, Gabriel was aware that his beloved was no pushover despite his insistence that he was weak. Seeing Ferryman so proud of himself produced a deep set feeling of warmth within Gabriel’s chest. He yearned for his Darkness to always be in such high spirits. He would bring him the world if only to see him smile.
Although he would not dare claim the Father’s universe for their own, he could still provide a heartfelt pledge.
Gabriel settled down on one golden kneepad. The act caused Ferryman to cut himself off from whatever he had been rambling about: he had only ever seen Gabriel kneel before his creator. The idea of Gabriel humbling himself in front of him sent an electric feeling through Charon that he could hardly describe.
“Charon, the surface is turbulent and the future is unclear. I am aware that I cannot always be by your side,” Gabriel said, and there was no denying that, “but I still wish for you to call upon me when you are threatened. I will allow every last drop of my blood to spill upon your boat before I allow your suffering. As such, this is my gift to you.”
Gabriel held out the ring at last. The golden band possessed an aquamarine in the center, glimmering just as bright as Ferryman himself. The archangel grasped his lover’s shaking hand and slid it onto his ring finger.
“My Light, I…”
Speechless. Charon could hardly comprehend the situation. Everything felt hazy in the best way possible. He didn’t even register that he had fallen to his knees until a concerned Gabriel inquired if he was alright.
He had been married once before whilst residing among the living, but the relationship had been uneventful, lacking stability in every aspect and had eventually evolved into something toxic. Ferryman had never felt at home with his mortal wife, but now, by some miracle, he was given a second chance. The holy angel in front of him, the right hand of the Almighty who could have courted a much more worthy person, had chosen him. Now he bore a ring as a symbol of what they had. Gabriel truly loved him.
“Thank you, Gabriel. Each day I grow luckier still! I promise, as you have stated, to cry out to you when I am in need, but I also promise to cherish our affection. For as long as this body of sin remains intact, I am forever faithful to you, my Light.”
“You needn’t cry out in the literal sense, Beloved,” Gabriel chuckled, “gaze upon the gem in your ring and you shall see.”
Filled with confusion, Ferryman did as he was instructed. He was met not with the shining aquamarine that was settled into the gold, but a reflection of Gabriel. When Gabriel beside him raised up his hand and waved, the miniature hologram did the same. Every motion and sound was perfectly replicated by the watery vision, and it left Charon in a state of bewilderment.
“I too possess a ring, so I may check on you even when my work consumes me. I…” Gabriel’s voice suddenly became quiet, “I hope that does not disturb you. I imbued the rings with my holy power under the assumption that you would appreciate such a feature. If you find it excessive, Ferryman, I will promptly remove--”
Gabriel didn’t get to finish his sentence. Charon had lifted up his veil and had pressed his lips to the place on Gabriel’s helmet where his mouth laid behind it. Gabriel’s shoulders sank with relief at the feeling of Ferryman’s hands on him again. He soon brought his own hands up to remove his helmet for a proper kiss.
He didn’t want to take the risk of having a ceremony under the Father’s watch, nor did he give a name to their new strengthened bond, and yet Gabriel was content. They had each other, and that was enough.