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His job was of utmost importance, the Speaker had promised when he’d let his complaints be known. Lucifer was to upkeep the Garden, as designated by Sera–to ensure the humans their happiness. He had begged and pleaded for a duty after his mishap with the skies barred him from Earth’s design–and this wasn’t at all what he’d bartered for.
It had felt like duties shirked from one angel to the next until Lucifer had been the last in line.
But the Speaker didn’t see it that way.
“Creation does not end when hands are still, my little star–” She had said, “it continues in the breath of the creatures you keep. Tend to the world, learn its rhythms. In the quiet between heartbeats, you will hear the echo of the Creator still trusting you. That is not exile. That is grace disguised as duty.”
So each day, he did as he was told.
He’d keep berries in the bushes, and fruit on the trees. He’d bring the humans rain, he’d make the flowers bloom. He’d manipulate the clouds to give shape–a rabbit, a dog, a deer, just on the chance one of the humans may look up that day. He’d give the humans the gift of music and song through the birds in the trees. He’d create meadows of lush color, and pools of crystal blue. He’d create ribbons of color in the sky–always temporary, as to not upset the others. He didn’t know whether any of his efforts were noticed; by Sera, by the humans, by Heaven itself–but it had become a proper outlet. There was only one rule to follow–he was to remain unnoticed by both husband and wife. He wasn’t to go near their den, he wasn’t to reveal his presence. As a precaution, he saw to it to remain hidden in plain sight. He took on a new form while in the gardens–a white, feathered little creature with webbed feet and an orange bill. He stayed close to the lakes and ponds and pools during the day, indistinguishable from the others except for one detail: the rosy dots that painted his cheeks.
The others tended to ignore him, sensing his lack of belonging. He spent most of his days skimming the tops of water once his daily duties were fulfilled. Lucifer was hardly ever in a rush to return home–at least in this realm, he had a little more freedom. He was just as isolated there as he was on the lake. At least on Earth, he could see the stars from here at night; his finest creation.
From the brush, though, he perked up at the snap of a twig. Rustling came from the undergrowth, but it didn’t sound like fox or deer or mice. A two-legged creature revealed itself from vines and brush. In a panic, he dunked his head–and only his head–into the water.
Lucifer didn’t know why he had the urge to squeeze his eyes shut even under the veil of the water. He felt the looming pang of guilt–of wrongdoing. A human; he could tell by their figure, their curves and edges, their flesh–they were like nothing of the creatures he tended to. More than that–neither ever tended to wander this far into the garden. This was his oasis; his refuge from Heaven and Earth itself.
He didn’t understand it. There was no reason to travel so far from their den. He designed a nearby creek for their water, full bushes and trees to fill their bellies. Sheep for wool, wood for fire. Clay. Stone. Anything they could ever want or need or ask for was at their disposal.
Perhaps there was something he was forgetting. Something he’d failed to do. Something he’d surely be reprimanded for later. But before he could drown himself in these thoughts, he felt something small and round brush against his feathered behind. His eyes snapped open, and he craned his neck to look up. Small beads of red floated just above the surface, hovering above him. He blinked. Berries? Pure white popped up from crystal blue water, and almost instantaneously, the mysterious berries were forgotten.
What greeted him at the edge of the spring left him breathless.
Cascades of gold and sunshine ran down the human’s back like the waves of the sea. Their eyes were as blue as the sky, their smile radiant. Their flesh was pale, but kissed by the sun.
This was human. Specifically–this was woman. Angles were replaced with curves, her body reminiscent of hills and valleys.
The seraphims had truly outdone themselves. She was the embodiment of every beautiful creation that made up this realm–the best part of each, and he’d never seen anything–not even in Heaven–that left him in such awe. That moved him so.
But then his eyes flickered back to the water around him–and the sparse berries that floated along the surface of the pond. He looked back to her, the pieces forming a cohesive picture, before deciding he best do as she expected lest she catch on to his act.
He dove into the water, collecting a single ruby into his mouth before swallowing it whole. Eating was below him, after all. He never thought to indulge–not that he was even sure how. But each one was plucked with haste as if he were starving, his swimming clumsier than that of the others that resembled him.
Surely, he was the pinnacle of stealth…
“You’re a sweet little bird, aren't you?”
Lucifer gave pause as the woman’s voice rang out to him; soft and kind as it carried through the breeze. Found berries filled his cheeks before he gave a hard swallow, her tone sweeter than any angel’s song. His tail gave a flicker of appreciation, eyes watching as nimble fingers plucked a few more berries from their home. Each one danced on the water closest to the edge of the pond, as if beckoning him. He had a choice to make.
It was unwise to close the distance between them. He still held plausible deniability; she was the one who approached him. But she intended to entice him with more food–and an animal as natural as any other would be coaxed in kind. It would be more strange for him to ignore her, would it not?
“Thank you for bringing me a bit of joy today. I hadn’t realized how much I needed it.” She adjusted herself so that she made herself small; low to the ground, as if to meet his eyes, humble and without arrogance. He was but a simple creature in her eyes; feathered and small, but she spoke to him as though he might understand. Given him an offering of good will. Thanked him, even, for doing absolutely nothing to deserve it. There was a melancholy in her voice, a secret on the tip of her tongue. An unhappiness; and that just wouldn’t do.
Before he could think better of it, he let his heart win. He glided along the water, closer to the edge of the pond. He wished to see her smile once more.
Lucifer dipped his bill just under a lone berry, scooping it up and out of the water–just high enough to catch a bit of air before it fell into his mouth. His tail gave another flicker, giving a honk from his throat as if to press her further.
Why did she seek joy? What had caused her pain?
But, of course, she did not understand him.
Blue eyes sparkled in wonderment as a gasp rang out into the open air. At first, she was very still, then a burst of laughter. Lucifer’s heart gave a great flutter at the sound. He’d never heard anything so dear and darling, sweet like the honey of bees and the flesh of fruit. Perhaps even sweeter. He hung on her every giggle, unable to avert his gaze as he drank in her sight. Her hand, her lithe fingers and the way they brushed her pink lips. The lines near her eyes as she squeezed them shut. She was so beautiful; exquisite under the afternoon sun.
“You are incredible!” The woman wrinkled her nose at him when she managed to catch her breath. He couldn’t help but puff out his chest at her words of praise. “I don’t think I’ve seen another that looks quite like you. Those cheeks…” She leaned just a tad forward, tapping her own. “So pink. They’re like mine after a day in the sun.. Or a flower in bloom.” Rosy lips pursed as she tilted her head in fascination. “I don’t think I’ve seen any creature with a bit of pink. You must be very special.”
Such sweet musings captured his heart.
Oh, but she couldn’t be further from the truth. He was an anomaly. A blemish among the other feathered creatures, and a flaw in Heaven’s perfection. But maybe for a single afternoon; for a few short, precious minutes, he could be special. A flower in bloom, like she had said.
With a knowing politeness he plucked the remainder of her gifts from the surface of the water, gliding about the edge of the pond in a way that may throw off any suspicion. There was a comfortable silence between them as the sun warmed his back, but when he looked to her again, her smile didn’t shine as bright. Her fingertips dipped in the water, idly stirring and swaying. “Will you keep me company, just for a little while? I’d rather not be with my husband right now.” Her eyes glimmered with an imploration to punctuate her plea.
If the angel could frown, he would.
A quarrel; the lover’s sort. He knew nothing of marriage or husbands or wives, nor how to quell such conflicts, but he could certainly answer her one request. It was his duty to do so; to keep her happy.
How lucky he’d been to serve such a purpose.
He gave an extra few low, throaty honks as he waddled to the shore. He nestled beside her along the plush green grass, settling into himself as he tucked his wings. The scent of roses carried from her hair to the breeze, and he breathed deep.
His eyes fluttered open to meet the blue that stared right back. He gave a rasped grunt, as if to implore her to continue.
Again, the human woman seemed awestruck. There was a flex of her hand, and he wondered for a moment if she wished to touch him. But she remained still, neither moving closer or further away. Then a new, wide smile. One of innocent curiosity. “You choose me over the sky - with you friends?” She seemed touched at the thought, before her blue eyes found a flock of geese to the skies above. Their distant calls were carried upon the wind and a wistful sigh escaped her lips.
Lucifer followed the woman’s gaze, eyes shining with melancholy as he too looked to the sky above them. The flock above were in perfect sync; together, as a single unit. No one trailing behind, no one forgotten; a strength in their numbers. That was the way of their kind; the key to their very survival.
But the creatures sculpted by the divine could be just as callous as their creators, shunning those different from the rest of the flock. The pack, the group, the family. Those beautiful creations would reject him quickly; they would know he wasn’t one of their own. Too divergent, too flawed.
She didn’t see it that way, though. Special was the word she used; punctuated with a radiant smile that could put the sun to shame. With a kindness like that, he’d pick her side over the sky every time.
“I wish I could fly like you. Going wherever you like, whenever you like. Your kind works together, don’t they? You take turns leading each other… Adam doesn’t listen to anything I have to say. It’s his way or nothing at all.”
He’d frown if his bill would allow it. She mused and pondered emancipation, and it was pretty–the way she described it. But freedom was never quite as serene and carefree as it seemed. It always came with a price; rules, regulations. There was seldom such thing as free.
Maybe there could be, should he dare to dream–and he always possessed such courage. Freedom could be a place; this pond was his sanctuary, his oasis. During the days when his duties were completed, this was his haven. He could do what he wished, when he wished, in the solitude away from the rest of creation.
Maybe she needed that, too.
He let her words linger for a moment between them. He couldn’t make Adam listen, he couldn’t command the first man to obey–but he could lead her to refuge.
Lucifer stood, ruffling his feathers before he turned on his heel, waddling into the grass and toward the trees. She was still laying at the edge of the pond when he paused at the tree line and turned to look back. Blue eyes had been watching him and widened when he gave a tilt of his head. It was a silent ask–for her to follow.
With a bewildered expression, she stood. Blonde hair cascaded over her body, falling perfectly into place. She waited a moment longer with furrowed brows, seemingly not believing her own eyes. He strode into the brush, popped his head out and quacked. Slow and careful, she began to follow. But he was patient, stopping ever so often so that she might not lose sight of him.
Past a blinding ray of sunlight peeking through the vines and tree line was their destination.
Lucifer emerged from the brush first and waited at the edge of the meadow, his tail wiggling with excitement and anticipation as she stepped into the light. A stretch of flat land, a field. In it were flowers of every shape, size, and color. The world in front of them was painted bright hues that reminded him of only the most beautiful of sunsets. Her blue eyes were wide as they tried to take in the sight before them; the wonderment and beauty of creation had left her speechless. His chest was puffed proudly as the first woman could only stare, before a delighted grin pulled at the edges of her lips. She gave a laugh; melodious and sweet as the afternoon breeze tousled her hair.
“You were sent by the angels, weren’t you?” She knelt before him, her naked body trembling in excitement and glee. His little heart gave a great leap, though whether or not it was due to her words was up for heated debate. He felt his feathers stand on end at her accusations, but he could hardly call her clever. He’d been far too obvious, hadn’t he? Of course this was divine intervention; neither a dog nor duck nor fox nor songbird could lead her with such intention without it. And the others would not be pleased to know he’d made his presence known. But, perhaps they didn’t have to know. And if they did…he was merely doing his assigned purpose. He could be reprimanded another day, and he would face those consequences when they were dealt. For now, all he wished to do was his duty to the best of his ability; to keep her smile spread, her laughter flowing like wine.
“Thank you so much for bringing me here… I’ve never been this far before.” He watched her with adoring eyes, and it seemed all burdens she had were released with a single sigh. “It’s beautiful.” He waited only a moment for her to take it all in and then waddled behind her, giving her leg a gentle nudge forward with his head and bill. There was still so much to see; so many blooms that needed a name, that needed attention. It wasn’t without reason, of course–he needed to know what she liked, so that he may fill the garden with what caught her eye. With what she found beautiful, so that she may remain as joyous as she did in this very moment.
And it seemed that one act of contact was all the confirmation she needed to act upon impulses from before. The first woman turned so that they were facing each other once more. Feathers stood on end as nimble fingers cautiously reached forward. But then she gave a few steady strokes upon his head, and like an icicle warmed by the sun, he melted beneath her dotting hand. Something akin to a purr was pulled from his throat, and perhaps he would have felt even just a little bit embarrassed if he were able to form a single thought at all.
“You’re so soft…” She cooed gently, and a blasphemous thought entered his mind for the very first time. ‘Heaven’. This is what Heaven was meant to feel like; this warmth and comfort and peace. Then she offered him belonging, standing as he so pathetically chased her touch. “I hope you’ll stay by my side, friend. At least for the day.” A connection was formally made; friendship. What a wonderful thing that would be. She giggled while the sun seemingly cast a halo behind her head. Lucifer felt blessed. For the day, yes, he would linger. For much longer, if she would only allow him.
The first woman turned, once again facing the stretch of rainbow colors before her. When she looked at him, he was greeted with a new expression. His heart stuttered at the sight and gave a great leap. The feeling was so new, unnamable to him. Her grin was untamed, as wild as the heart of a bird, and it was then he knew that he would stay by her side for forever if it meant he could make her smile like that again and again. For always.