Work Text:
At the close of the sixth day, as the sun was setting and the world settling into existence, a serpent slithered into Eden.
Get up there and make some trouble, he’d been told, though Crawly wasn’t quite clear yet about what such trouble was supposed to entail. It would, he hoped, make more sense when Creation was complete. In the meantime, he’d been making the most of the excuse to creep out every night and see the newest addition to the world.
Thus far, there had been something interesting to see every time he emerged, from light to plants to avian life. He was excited, today, to get to see the many animals filling the garden — including the two-legged pair eating together in the middle of a fruit grove.
By the time he’d finished making the rounds, Crawly had to admit to himself, no matter how begrudgingly, that the Almighty had outdone Herself once again.
“Well, hello,” said a voice from above him. “Have you seen the humans yet?”
Lifting his head, Crawly was not surprised to see an angelic face peering amicably back down at him. They’d crossed paths a few times now, though they’d never actually introduced themselves. At first, he’d been wary of the flaming sword. But when the sword consistently made no movement in his direction, he’d eventually come to the conclusion that remaining wary was a waste of energy.
By way of response to the angel’s question, he made an affirmative slithering motion. “Ssseem like fun. Haven’t gotten to talk to them yet, though.”
“I have. I quite like them,” the angel offered. “Though I suppose since you’re a demon, we wouldn’t like the same things.”
That logic made absolutely no sense, especially given that on previous encounters they’d already established they liked many of the same creations, but Crawly didn’t bother arguing with it beyond an irritated hiss. Instead, he asked, “Do you know how much longer the whole Creation thing is going to take? Seems like the garden’s getting awfully crowded.”
“Hm? Oh, yes.” The angel nodded. “Today is the last day, I heard.”
“Really?” That was interesting. He wondered what the Almighty had planned for when He finished with the world. “So what’s on the creating docket for today?”
“Just one thing. I’m told it’s already been implemented, actually.”
“What’s the thing?”
At that, the angel looked somewhat perplexed. “I can’t say I fully understand it yet.” He shook his head. "But They — the Almighty, that is — They called it… rest.”
“Huh,” said Crawly, and thought about that for a moment. “Huh,” he said again.
“Quite so,” the angel agreed, then sighed. “You know, I was assigned to be on guard duty. But… I’m not sure what I’m meant to be doing. There’s nothing to guard against.”
Except me, Crawly didn’t say. He did say, “I know the feeling.”
“Do you?” The angel paused. “Actually, I think I might sit down for a little while. Just for a short break.”
“Okay,” said Crawly, not at all certain what that information had to do with him.
“You…” Another hesitation. “You’re welcome to stay while I sit, if you’d like. If you don’t have anywhere else to be, that is…”
Crawly thought about that, too. And decided that troublemaking could wait just a little longer.
In answer, he coiled into a comfortable knot in the grass as the angel slid to the ground, leaning against a tree trunk with a sigh of relief.
~ ~ ~
And on the seventh day, together, the serpent and the angel rested before resuming their work.
And it was very good.