Arch
Gabriel/Raphael for 30kisses (in no particular order)
Title: Appreciation
List: Beta #26 – Box
Fandom: Angel Sanctuary
Pairing: Gabriel x Raphael
Warnings: More happiness and some (possibly confused) real angel-lore and religion.
Disclaimer: "Angel Sanctuary" and all related material are property of Kaori Yuki 1995.
October 24th.
Jibril did not do this often. In fact, she didn't do this at all. But today was special. She hadn't even known that days like today existed. Since his was the first to come around since she'd found out, she wanted to do something special for him. He'd been working especially hard this year, whether or not others realized or acknowledged it. Uriel's outburst had given him more work than anyone else.
Carefully, she held the paper in place and applied the adhesive tape. It wasn't much but she hoped it would be appreciated. It had taken her weeks to figure out what would fit him. Unfortunately, angels weren't like humans or demons. There was generally not much stock put by material things. She sighed and clipped another piece of tape.
She'd never done this before.
Believe it or not, the design for her gift had been taken from human art. She was not above admitting that they were talented. After all, they were God's creatures too. If nothing else, their imaginations were spectacular.
Finally satisfied, she reached for ribbon.
-+-
He was working when she found him. A particularly nasty cough had taken hold of a young angel and refused to let go. She stood at the door to the nearly empty Children's Ward and watched him. However infuriating she might find him, he was a dedicated worker.
Passing healers whispered that there was fear of tuberculosis yet, as she looked on, she wondered why they would fear ever losing a patient with him there. On recognizing her, they halted abruptly and bowed. She smiled and they continued on. She was not oblivious to the looks she received for being there. Everyone knew she and he were often at odds. The box in her hands made them even more curious.
She turned her attention back toward the inside of the room. He had just put the child to sleep. As he rose, she straightened and tried to look more pleasant and less anxious than she felt.
She'd never done this before.
He walked forward, eyes on his clipboard. When he was barely three feet ahead of her, she cleared her throat. He looked up swiftly and frowned.
She never thought she'd see the day Raphael looked tired. She'd thought wrong.
Almost distraught, he pleaded, "Don't tell me you're sick too."
She laughed, catching the attention of some passers-by. "Actually, I just wanted to talk to you for a minute."
He studied her then nodded. "In my office."
She followed his lead silently, still clutching at weighty her bag. With every step she wondered more and more if what she had for him would be appreciated. He held the door open for her to pass through. Once inside, the door clicked shut with finality.
There was no turning back now.
He offered her a seat – which she refused – before sitting down behind his desk. He shifted a few papers back and forth with purpose then looked at her expectantly. She had been the one to come see him, right?
-+-
"Do you know what date it is on Assiah?" she asked.
"On Assiah?"
She nodded. He thought for a moment then said, "October 24th. So?"
"So I have something for you."
His expression was confused. "Why?"
She sighed. "October 24th is the feast day of St. Raphael, the Archangel. It's akin to a birthday. Apparently, we archangels all have one."
"Really?" he arched an eyebrow at her. She was conscious that this was very unlike her but she wanted to have fun with it. She hadn't had that much fun recently – there wasn't that much to have fun with. Everyone was busy, even Michael.
"Yes. Well, anyway, here. Happy Feast Day," she said. She handed him the large present hoping that the weight pardoned the fact that she was somewhat shaky. He took it slowly and placed it squarely in front of him on the desk.
She waited then prompted him, "Open it."
He glanced at her then proceeded to gently undo the artfully tied yellow ribbon. Just as painstakingly slowly, he removed the white and gold paper. He was then faced with a large grey box.
With a smirk playing at the edge of his lips, he told her, "Wow. Thanks. I needed a box."
She threw her hands up in exasperation. "It's inside the box."
"Oh."
She chuckled at him then, knowing that he was joking. Her mirth vanished as soon as the cover was off. He moved the white tissue aside and stared. Did he like it? His face was blank.
He reached inside and lifted it delicately upward. Thank goodness he didn't find it as heavy as she did. He twirled it slowly. Sunlight danced happily along the gold. Still staring at it in awe, he tried to form a question. "Jibril, what…?"
"It's a Caduceus," she explained. "It's a human design. They regard it as a symbol for healing. I think it suits you."
"It's beautiful." His eyes were sincere. She felt relief flood through her. He liked it.
"I'm glad you like it," she said, "but I've got to get back to work."
He stood quickly, placed his gift back in its box and walked around the desk to her. He stopped inches away from her. He smelt clean and airy, not at all sterile like the hospital he spent most of his day in.
"Thank you." He brushed his knuckles faintly across her cheekbone. This was enough.