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" ...Except that it obliges you to observe one very important rule" Gabriel said in a stern but pleasant and calm voice "Now you can not touch the souls of sinners, so be careful." The Ferryman nodded understandingly.
"Y-yes, all right, my Light."
Gabriel rewarded the Ferrymen with a holy cloth, and allowed them to approach Heaven, even though they could never have the opportunity to be there. And the holiness of the cloth and their bodies could set fire to the unclean flesh of the sinners the Ferryman used to transport. So he placed a small box on the deck into which the souls were to be paid.
"I think it is time for me to go. I'm think I'm going to have a long talk with the Council after what I did" Despite everything, there was a smile in Gabriel's voice. "But don't worry about it, it was definitely worth it.
"Thank you so much again for your loyalty!" The Ferryman managed to say before Gabriel disappeared in a flash of light.
It had been some time, it was impossible to tell exactly how many days or months, for the Ferryman had no watch or calendar. But here came a new batch of sinners, who, as they should have done, began to put the fees into the box.
But suddenly, one of the souls came up to the Ferryman, and held out a bag of coins directly into his hands. He calmly accepted it, only a moment later realizing what he had done.
"AAAAAAAH, WHAT THE HELL?!" The soul shrieked, ignited almost completely by the Holy Spirit.
The Ferryman stood beside him, and his eyes, if they existed, expressed fear and incredible shame. He could not forgive himself for such an oversight.
"E-excuse me!" The Ferryman stood in panic for a few more seconds, wondering what to do.
Then he rushed to the bucket near the stern, to which was tied a rope. The Ferryman threw it into the water, and got it out in a few seconds in one sharp movement, so that the hands reaching out of the water could not get a grip on the bucket.
After picking it up completely, he doused the shower with water from head to toe to extinguish it. It seemed to help....
"S-sorry..." Once again the Ferryman repeated. "I just... can't be touched..."
The sinner stood in a daze for a while, not knowing what to say.
"I can e-extend you the first aid kit " With compassion in his voice said the Ferryman. "Though I will not be able to help you myself..."
"Thank you... And I'm sorry about that. But you have to be warned about these things" Stray said.
"Yes, of course. Take me a minute..." The Ferryman went inside the ship, to his cabin, and fetched the first aid kit. He glanced round, and, failing to find anything suitable as a table, simply laid it upon the deck.
"There. H-here" He stepped back a few steps. The soul took the first aid kit and hurried away.
"Thanks again. I hope it won't happen again..."
The Ferryman stood for a while longer before returning to his quarters. Closing the door behind him, he collapsed on the floor, his cloth beginning to get wet. He felt incredibly ashamed. The ferryman begged Heaven's forgiveness for what he had done, for what he thought was such a poor job. His prayers were answered by Gabriel, who appeared in his room, illuminating it.
"What ails you, my Darkness?" Gabriel asked softly. The Ferryman looked at him and sobbed even harder.
"I-I'm sorry, m-my Light, I disobeyed you. I... I..." His sobs interrupted his own. Gabriel came to the Ferryman, sat down beside him, embraced him gently, and began to stroke his head.
"Shh, it's all right, my Darkness. You can tell me anything, I'll understand" His voice was warm and soothing. The ferryman was silent for a while longer.
"I... Touched the flesh of a sinner... The one... the one on fire... I don't know why he came to me, I really didn't want to, I didn't want to disobey you...." His voice trembled again. Gabriel thought for a few seconds. Then, he asked:
"But it ended well, didn't it?"
"Y-yes, I put him out and gave him the first aid kit..."
"So you were able to fix it?" The ferryman was silent. "It wasn't your fault, so it's okay. After all, consider it his payment for his sins." Gabriel said with a smile in his voice.
"Th-thank you..." The Ferryman finally spoke. He felt Gabriel already want to break his embrace- "Please, stay here a little longer... I... I don't want to be alone...."
Gabriel hesitated for a moment, but answered:
"Y-yes, of course, my Darkness. Whenever you wish" He hugged him more warmly, continuing to stroke his head. This troubled soul really does need a little love.