*hastily drops chapter and scampers away*
WARNING: There are graphic depictions of the aftermath of torture in this chapter.
Chapter 8
The anniversary of Gabriel finding his Grace and finding himself found him sitting outside on his balcony, looking up at the starry night sky. The light pollution from the city around him obscured most of the sky, but Gabriel bent space around the tower enough to allow him a clear view of the night sky and the worlds beyond Earth.
He was leaning against the railing, nursing a glass of strong vodka because it was the time for that. It was a pity he couldn't get drunk anymore even if he wanted to, but the burn of the drink had to be enough for now.
Sometimes he wondered if it wouldn't have been better if he'd just remained an ignorant human, forever not knowing what he was missing except for knowing something was. It might be easier in a lot of aspects. For one, he wouldn't be wondering what his Father had wanted him to do here, by himself. He wouldn't be wondering what his family was doing now that the apocalypse was over. He wouldn't be wondering if he could ever go home.
Then again…
If he'd remained human, he'd probably still have that arc reactor sitting in his chest. He'd have gone on to create the Iron Man suit – that was a given – but would he have gotten to Obadiah before the man had succeeded in his plans? Probably not. And would he have discovered the element that cleanly ran the reactor, thus saving him from a slow death by heavy metal poisoning?
Taking several slow breaths, Gabriel let his eyes drift closed as he prodded the fabric of the space-time continuum, searching out the timeline he was thinking of. It was alternate, but it was something he could look at.
He'd just reached the part where his alternate and very human self discovered vibranium and was recreating it in his workshop in Malibu when a presence in his own timeline drew him out.
It was Loki.
"You need something?" Gabriel asked, swishing his vodka around before taking a large gulp of the strong liquid.
"You seem morose," Loki observed.
Gabriel snorted, reaching for the vodka bottle and discarding the glass entirely. He'd need it for this conversation. "That obvious?"
"Perhaps not." Loki smiled knowingly, shrugging once. "It is something that I am well acquainted with."
"I bet."
Loki didn't seem hurt by Gabriel's curt tone. "Would you share your thoughts with me?"
"It's nothing really." Gabriel gestured vaguely with the bottle, taking a swig. "It's just the anniversary of when I found myself."
"Is this not an auspicious occasion?"
"Depends on what you deem 'auspicious.'" Gabriel grimaced slightly. "I'm still trying to figure that out."
"You found yourself," Loki said. "What about that is not noteworthy? There are many who forever wander this planet not knowing who they are."
"I wonder if that's not better." Gabriel looked up at the twinkling stars. "Is not knowing better than knowing?"
Loki was silent for a moment. "Sometimes I wish I hadn't learned of my true heritage," he said quietly. "But then I find that I am…glad. Glad to know who I really am. Why I was so different from Thor and his ilk. It explained me. It told me that it wasn't because I was wrong as an Asgardian. I simply wasn't. I am Jotun, but I am also Asgardian."
"That's nice." Gabriel tapped his fingers against the glass of the bottle. "I knew something was up, even when I was human. It was too quiet." He tapped a finger against his temple, smiling wryly. "It's still too quiet, but at least now I know why. I can do things that make it…not better, but…less distracting. And still I wonder…would it have been better if I'd remained human?"
"If you ask me," Loki said softly, "I am glad you regained yourself."
"Yes. You would be."
"Not only for that," Loki said sharply, coming directly to Gabriel's side. "Not only for you stepping in for me when I was not myself. But because you understand. Do you realize what you've done, Gabriel? You've given a home to lost beings such as myself and the Captain. You realize what it is to be homeless, and you have given one to us."
Gabriel smiled softly at Loki. "You're not homeless, Loki. You've got one." He flicked a finger up to the sky.
"That may be so," Loki said, "but I find myself far more at home here than I ever was in Asgard. For as grand as Asgard may seem at times, it was not entirely accepting to one such as I. Earth's humans are so varying – so different – that humans are much more accommodating to differences. Even if you still have your issues to accepting such."
"Thor?"
"He is still here." Loki smiled affectionately at the thought of his brother, still in New Mexico with Jane. He'd visited a few times, but had left upon seeing that Loki was still in good health. "As such, while Odin and Frigga are my adoptive parents, they understand that Asgard is not truly home. They may be my family, but family does not entirely make a home."
"I get that," Gabriel said dryly. "I left home millennia ago because I couldn't stand my family. Then again…I haven't been able to find it since."
"That is untrue," Loki objected, resting his fingers on Gabriel's hand. "You have one here."
"Loki…"
"Please hear me out, Gabriel. Will you let me help you as you have helped me?"
Gabriel looked Loki in the eye, seeing nothing but earnestness in their green depths. Finally, he nodded.
Loki took a breath, retracting his fingers to curl his hand into a fist on the railing. "You have a home here. Your children…would you leave them here to return to a place you call home out of mere habit? The ones you call Pepper and Rhodey, they love you. You claim this world – this universe – for your own, yet you do not even do it the courtesy of calling it home."
"It's not home if I have no one," Gabriel said quietly.
Loki growled in frustration. "You are not listening." He glared at Gabriel. "For an all-mighty being who is absolutely ancient, you are inconceivably dense. Do you not realize what you have here? You have friends. You have loved ones. You have a family. One you created. You put it together yourself. Perhaps it was by accident, perhaps it was by design by the one you call Father, but it is here. You. Are. Not. Alone."
Gabriel's eyes glittered, and it was through effort of will that he managed to keep from shattering the bottle he was still holding. "Let me tell you something," he said in a low voice. "Angels…we were created to serve. Probably sounds weird coming from a guy who's said that God promotes free will, but He wasn't like that when we were created. Or maybe He was, but He didn't care. Our basic function was to serve, worship, and love our Father. Free will didn't come into the equation until He created humans and called them His most beloved. It's why Lucifer fell; it's why my family tore itself apart trying to find a Father who'd left heaven because it wasn't enough.
"What's an angel without a purpose? Without something to do? I'm a messenger, Loki, and beyond my Dad using me as a mouthpiece for a brother who fell after Lucifer and ended up here, too, I haven't heard squat. I took a stand against the apocalypse because humans were better than angels. Because humans fought each other to the death and yet still managed to love and forgive each other.
"We found out that angels have free will, too, but just a bit too late."
Loki leaned in close, reaching out to clasp Gabriel's elbow. "Have you not considered that that is why you are here? That perhaps your Father wishes you to learn what it is to have free will? That He wishes you to have a function outside of serving Him?"
Gabriel stared at Loki, never having considered that. "Why," he whispered, "why didn't He tell us then?"
Loki's eyes were sad. "Fathers make mistakes." His tone was quiet. "They make mistakes that they wish they never made, because it can turn out to be irreversible. And yet they never wish to admit making such mistakes because it means admitting that they were wrong. That they are not all-knowing and are so very – to use an expression – human. Even your God…I suspect He is not as all-knowing as He wishes He were. Perhaps He regrets never telling you that you had free will and that you were free to do what you wished. Perhaps He simply wants to try something new. Regardless, Gabriel…never doubt that He loves you. You have said that you were dead at the hand of your brother… If your Father did not care, He would not have revived you to come here and help us. Of your own free will."
Gabriel let out a low chuckle. "That's nice. I'd like that to be true…"
"I believe it is." Loki was earnest.
"I know you do." Gabriel sighed deeply, looking into the vodka bottle. "Here's the thing… Angels are by nature kind of averse to change. We're not really adaptable the way humans are. I think it's something to do with our life spans. Angels are immortal, never-changing…or supposed to be. Humans live such short lives, it's amazing they get anything done during the time they have. But they adapt so quickly because they don't live long. It's a survival mechanism. Angels…we don't have that. We can change – yes – but slowly. Time's nothing for us, so what does it matter how long it takes for us to change? Adapt?"
He could so clearly remember Lucifer's bitterness. "I have a little brother," he continued quietly. "He rescued a soul from hell. Castiel…Castiel always was a little strange. But it was a good thing. He adapted more quickly than any of us, but compared to a human? Still too slow. And he's one of the youngest angels. Me? I'm the youngest archangel, but that still puts me as the fourth oldest among all of the angels Dad ever created. We don't adapt well at all. We can…but it's not easy." He gave Loki a wan but warm smile. "So you'll forgive an old archangel for taking some time to realize that his home's not where it once was."
Loki smiled back, his noticeably warmer. "I will," he said gently. "As long as you do realize this."
"I'm trying, Loki."
"I know you are." Loki's smile turned nervous. "Now…I have one question."
"Other than browbeating me, you mean?" Gabriel smirked to show he didn't mean it.
It worked. Loki rolled his eyes. "Yes, other than that," he replied dryly. He sobered quickly, swallowing. "If you would…would you allow me to be there for you? As a friend?"
Gabriel gave him a perplexed look. "I thought we already were? I mean, I don't allow just anyone to talk to me like that." Other than the vessel of Michael, since it'd defeat the point if Gabriel smote Dean just because he was irritating.
Loki's laugh was startled but relieved. "Then we are. So then…" His grin was mischievous. "Shall we celebrate? To you finding yourself?"
Gabriel snorted, discarding his vodka in favor of something more suited to celebrations: wine. "Sure."
Loki took the glass Gabriel offered him, clinking it against Gabriel's. "To finding ourselves," he said quietly and earnestly.
"To free will," Gabriel said just as quietly.
"Indeed."
Whether it was true or not, Gabriel was certainly going to try.
Free will was a tricky thing, especially if you were a being like Gabriel who was entirely capable of doing everything for everyone around him. It was why his Father was such a tricky subject with a man like Dean Winchester, because he couldn't understand that it was exactly the concept of free will that kept his Father from interfering in their lives. If He'd even been around to bother doing so anyway.
On occasion, Gabriel wasn't quite sure whether what he was doing violated the very concept of free will. Interfering with Loki? Might've been the wrong decision. Obadiah? Also likely. It all depended on how he looked at things, and Gabriel was very good at making things look the right way so he could do something.
That sort of thing had never worked on his Father.
It was all well and good that Loki suggest that his Father had put him here to learn how to act independently of his Father's will, but what of Death? His Father had given him a message of sorts. He'd offered Azazel redemption, even if Azazel hadn't exactly accepted it. His Father had offered every fallen angel redemption, saying they could come back if they recognized they still had a home.
So Gabriel still had a message to impart… But to whom? It wasn't like there was anyone to deliver the message to. Humans had no need for such a message; neither did gods. Everyone who had need for such a message was where he'd come from. And it wasn't like he could get back.
Looking at things that way, maybe Loki had the right end of things. Maybe his Father wanted him to become his own man – angel – whatever. Still, it would've been helpful to at least tell Gabriel. That didn't defeat the point of free will, especially since Gabriel hadn't even known his Father approved of angels exercising that little muscle anyway. He knew now, but it was just a bit late for that.
It was all well and good to think that his Father had also sent him here to make a new family. But what had been wrong with his old one? Yeah, it'd been a little tumultuous – especially at the end – but every family had their ups and downs. Gabriel could've stuck it out if he hadn't died.
Now… Well, now Loki had a point. He had a family here. He could certainly bring his kids back with him, but it would be a sticking point between him and the other angels because they were very clearly not human. And they wouldn't approve of him creating new life.
His kids probably wouldn't want to stay here without him. There was such a thing like leaving the nest (which was so funny now that Gabriel actually was literally out of the nest), but there was also such a thing as going too far. And being separated by entirely different universes was stretching it just a bit much.
In the end, it all boiled down to his Father wanting him here for some inexplicable reason Gabriel couldn't figure out. This world was so much safer than his own (Thanos aside). Yeah, there were annoying super villains, but there were superheroes who could combat them easily without the might of an archangel backing them. The Avengers were only a drop in the bucket compared to what this world actually offered when it came to superheroes.
There was no need for Gabriel. Loki's situation would have sorted itself out eventually – perhaps not for the better – but it would have. Gabriel had checked. Steve would've found friends eventually with an entirely human Tony Stark who had never known angels.
The math all added up to one inescapable conclusion: something was rotten in Denmark.
The first time a bad guy had turned up, Iron Man had arrived on the scene. Captain America had turned up shortly afterwards, not willing to stay out of the fight just because the public wasn't aware he'd been found. In the end, the Avengers Initiative was a go because all the members refused to lay low when something turned up.
Those annoying super villains he had mentioned earlier? Yeah, they tended to crop up every other week or so. Sometimes just Iron Man (with Tony piloting it) was enough to take care of them. Sometimes it required Captain America and Iron Man. Rarely was the entire might of the Avengers required. The Wrecking Crew had been novel enough to require all hands on deck. Same for Magneto's henchmen, although the X-Men ended up helming that one.
So, annoying, but nothing very major. Until now.
It hadn't seemed to be anything up their alley at first. They'd thought it had just been the work of a grisly serial killer who enjoyed attacking little children and leaving their bodies disemboweled and innards scattered around the area. One time officials had been entirely unable to find a little boy's heart and were eventually forced to give up when the next child ended up dead.
It was awful, but they'd just been watching the news on TV and following the newspapers. There'd been no sign that it had been anything more than a serial killer until Loki dumped an entire month's worth of newspapers on the kitchen table and was looking more frazzled than usual.
"It's magic," he said abruptly, looking directly at Tony. "Magic."
"What?" Tony reached out for the top newspaper, which had the information for the first murder – a five-year-old girl who'd been picked off the playground.
"These killings," Loki said, "are not the work of a serial killer."
"I'd have to disagree with you on that," Clint said, not touching the stack of newspapers. He'd been hit hardest by the killings. "Humans can be pretty awful when we want to be. And this? Isn't the worst thing we've done."
"I am aware of that," Loki said impatiently. "But I know this work. It is the work of the Enchantress. She is not human."
Tony steeled himself and reached for the rest of the papers, each carefully folded to the exact page that had the information on the murder. For the newer papers this was the front page.
Now that he was looking at the grisly murders with the supernatural in mind (or magic), he could tell that the way these murders were executed was far too sophisticated for a serial killer. He'd need to see the actual police reports, but he would guess that some of the kids had been still alive at the time that their internal organs had been ripped apart or taken out.
Loki had named Amora as the culprit, but Tony could so very easily finger another culprit that he knew. But she wasn't even here.
"You're sure this is Amora?" he asked instead, looking up at Loki.
"Absolutely," Loki confirmed. "I am very familiar with her work."
"Did you do this stuff with her?" Clint sounded disgusted.
"No." Loki's tone was reproving. "This was why Amora and I parted ways. I found myself unable to stomach most of her techniques. She was never this violent, however, which is why it took me this long to pinpoint her as the culprit."
"Should we call Thor?" Steve asked quietly.
"I already have," Loki said. "He is on his way."
"Loki, I need stats." Tony turned to Jarvis. "Can you access the police reports on these kids? Get me all the details you can find."
"What sort of stats?" Loki asked.
"Her capabilities, what we can expect from her, that sort of thing."
"Good idea," Steve agreed.
"How'd she get here?" Tony hadn't sensed anything Bifrost-related in ages (yes, he'd fixed it so he could still sense it, but it wasn't like anyone else could anymore).
"You are not the only being capable of traversing the realms on your own. Amora has the ability to do so." Loki looked troubled. "Given the right spells, I could do so as well."
"Tell me everything you know."
In the end, Loki told Tony as much as he knew on Amora and her abilities since they'd last met. She'd doubtlessly changed a little since then, but not so much that his info was useless.
The police reports Jarvis came back with confirmed Tony's suspicions. They also led to Bruce and Clint both leaving the table and looking a little green around the gills, though for different reasons. Natasha remained stoic throughout it all, her eyes steely.
"What's the point?" Steve asked again, looking vaguely sick but determined. "Why do this?"
"She knows I am here." Loki seemed resigned. "She left a warning in Asgard, which is why I am here."
"So it wasn't because your house arrest was up." Natasha sounded vaguely pleased at this notion.
"Scorned lover?" Steve inquired.
"No." Loki looked disgusted at the notion. "As I told Gabriel, we were mere allies who learned about magic at a young age. We trained together. At least until I informed her that I could no longer tolerate her cruel techniques."
"And she's just Amora?" Tony tried, a niggling suspicion driving him. "There was never hint at her being someone else?"
"You speak of possession." The look Loki gave him was scrutinizing. "No. Both she and I have spells to ward off such attempts."
"What are you thinking?" Steve asked.
"Nothing. It's probably nothing." Tony furrowed his brow. "It doesn't change things anyway. She needs to be stopped."
"I would offer myself as bait," Loki volunteered calmly. "As soon as Thor arrives."
There were no protestations to this plan. It was a feasible option – probably the only one – and Loki could defend himself.
"Thor should be here in a few," Tony said quietly, sensing his approach from the southwest.
"Iron Man?" Steve asked.
Tony hesitated, but it was so slight it was unnoticeable. "Yes. Iron Man."
"I shall hold down the fort so to speak, sir," Jarvis said, sending a look in the direction of the room where the other bots were eating, having been assigned to breakfast there after the mess they'd made yesterday with the maple syrup.
"You do that, J." Tony smiled weakly at him. "We'll leave soon. Tell Pepper, will you?"
"Of course, sir."
Thor took only a few minutes to inform as to the details and the plan to use Loki as bait. Beyond that they had no ideas, as Amora was an unknown entity. Steve was brilliant with coming up with plans on the fly, and Tony could always swing something if need be.
One thing they did agree on was drawing her to an isolated area that wouldn't put any others in harm's way. This led to them being transported by Loki to a small forest on the outskirts of New York City. Once there, they situated themselves to circle around the small clearing Loki was in, making sure to stay in the shadows.
When everyone had reached their places, Loki began performing some small spells, essentially painting himself with a bright beacon to anyone who was looking. And Amora was.
She showed up five minutes later, suddenly appearing before Loki. She was dressed in green and her blonde hair flowed freely about her shoulders. Her eyes coldly assessed Loki; she paid no heed to the Avengers circled around her, though she'd doubtlessly sensed their presence.
Tony narrowed his senses in on her, hissing with frustration when he met a blank wall similar to that of Azazel. It was to be expected considering her nature, but Loki hadn't had such a wall when they'd first met. Even now he didn't.
"Loki"—Amora's voice was sultry—"it has been so long."
"Amora." Loki's voice was even. "When was the last time we met?"
"Some centuries ago, if I am not mistaken." Amora smiled chillily. "What must a girl do to get your attention?"
"Certainly not what you did."
"It did bring you here, did it not?"
"You do not deny it was your work?"
"Why should I?" Amora flicked her fingers dismissively. "You knew it was my work. Did you like it?" Her grin was dangerous. "It was some of my best."
Loki exhaled shakily, eyes hardening. "You know I do not support such techniques, Amora. It was why we parted ways, or have you forgotten?"
"Here I thought it was because a girl couldn't keep your attention." Amora's smile was mirthless. "What is it now, Loki? Did you plan to stop me? With your pretty friends who call themselves the Avengers?"
"I ask you to call it off. Stop what you are doing. You have my attention."
"Do I really?" Amora sounded dark. "I sometimes wonder if I ever did. No matter what I did, you were always more interested in your brother." She looked over at where Thor was standing in the shadows of the trees. "Hello, Thor."
Thor's voice was equally dark as he responded. "Amora."
The similarities between Amora and the being Tony was familiar with were so similar it was eerie.
Frustrated, he did what he should have done with Azazel but had refused to: he tore through the spells hiding Amora's soul from his eyes. She noticed it instantly, eyes widening and arms coming up in a fighting position, light flickering around her hands.
"Is it you?" she demanded of Loki.
"Lilith." The name was out before Gabriel could stop it.
Amora froze, head turning in his direction, a sly smirk twisting at her lips. "Oh, Gabriel… Is this where you've been hiding?"
Gabriel let the faceplate slide up, stepping forward as he did to approach Amora (Lilith). "I haven't been hiding."
"Haven't you?" Lilith asked idly, looking like a child as she tilted her head to the side. "All this time, and not a word?"
"Loki, go." Gabriel gestured for him to leave, and after a moment's hesitation he did so. Focusing on Lilith, Gabriel said, "I could say the same for you, Lilith."
"I searched," Lilith said, pouting slightly. "I searched and searched for the angel that shook the universe when he reclaimed his Grace. But I couldn't find him. Of course, I didn't expect that he'd be playing human. What angel would do such a thing?"
"One who was human," Gabriel said sharply. "When did you remember, Lilith?"
"Didn't you hear me? When you shook the universe, you woke all sorts of critters. Wonderful things, really. You think an archangel can just reclaim his power like that?" Lilith snapped her fingers, and a small rock exploded at her feet. "There are repercussions for such a thing, Gabriel. You fell, and when you reclaimed your Grace, the universe shook."
"I didn't fall." Gabriel half-smiled in response to the incredulous look Lilith shot his way. "I didn't. I met Azazel about a year ago. He was as human as you came."
"Oh, Azazel." Lilith rolled her eyes. "He still going around?"
"No."
"Just as well." She shrugged carelessly. "Maybe Daddy dearest decided He owed me for what He did the first time round."
"Or maybe He couldn't decide what to do with your soul – twisted that it was."
"And who's fault was that, Gabriel?" Lilith sounded wounded. "Mine? Or His? I refused to do what He wanted. I refused to be subservient to Adam. And for that He threw me out." She smiled. "It was shortly after that Lucifer fell, and we made a lovely little home together." Her smile changed to a frown. "I haven't been able to find that here," she said. "Have you, Gabriel?"
"There's nothing like that here." Gabriel smiled cheerfully in response to the glare shot his way. "Really. No angels; no demons."
"There's you."
"There's me."
"I wonder why that is?" Lilith tilted her head to the side. "Were you a bad boy, Gabriel? Is that why you're here?"
"To the contrary." Gabriel's smile turned brittle. "Your Lucifer killed me."
Lilith's eyes widened in delight. "He did? Oh, that is marvelous." She clapped her hands together like a little child.
"Of course," Gabriel added casually, "that was before the Winchesters kicked his ass to kingdom come."
Lilith's eyes narrowed. "You lie."
"I don't. I'm no demon, Lilith."
"Neither am I." Lilith's tongue ran out to wet her lips, snake-like. "Not anymore. But you…you're still an angel. Your Father must really love you…" Her voice turned ugly. "…or wish to punish you. An angel all on his lonesome? Why, I hear that's worse than death."
"You adapt." Gabriel flattened his lips. "Will you stop, Lilith? You have Loki's attention. You have my attention. Will you stop now?"
"Oh." Lilith widened her eyes in mock surprise. "Are you sparing me, Gabriel? After what I did? Is it because I'm no longer a demon? Is that it?"
"Not at all." Gabriel smiled thinly. "You have no idea how much I want to end you now, Lilith. For what you did both here and there. But I won't."
Lilith frowned. "And why not?"
"Because I have a message."
"From your Father?" The words were scornful.
"Yes." Gabriel breathed in and out. "He says you can come home. That you have a home if you want it. That you're forgiven."
Lilith stared at him for a moment, incredulous disbelief distorting her face. "Forgive me? For what He did when He cast me out? When He cast us all out? We're forgiven?"
"He said it was a mistake." Gabriel had heard no such thing when it came to Lilith, but he assumed it was a blanket statement that applied to everyone his Father had cast out. "Lucifer can go home, too."
"What makes Him think any of us want to?"
"Because it's a lonely existence."
Lilith's lips curled pityingly. "Still the ever faithful messenger, Gabriel? Spouting whatever words your Father puts in your mouth? When will you ever think for yourself?"
"I've got a message," Gabriel said patiently. "I'm going to give it regardless of what you think of my state of mind. Everyone deserves a shot at redemption."
"Even me?" Lilith pointed at herself, eyebrow raised. "Surely you've seen my handiwork over the last month, Gabriel. That deserves redemption? I've killed little children. I've mutilated them while they were still breathing, while they were begging me to stop and let them go back home to their mommies. Why – just last week I had an adorable little girl who begged me to not hurt her little rabbit." Her smile was gleeful. "After a little persuasion, she tore her rabbit apart with her bare hands."
Gabriel heard a gagging sound from his intercom system.
"It was so delicious…all that pain… I enjoyed it, Gabriel." Lilith looked at him. "So tell me…do I still deserve redemption?"
Pushing down the ill feeling his human side persisted on giving him, Gabriel kept his face blank. "Everyone, Lilith."
Lilith inhaled sharply, her eyes narrowing. "My, my…" She sounded scornful. "You really will do anything to go back, won't you? I can tell you want to smite me right where I stand. But you won't. Because of something your Father mistakenly told you when He was probably speaking to Jesus Christ."
"Lilith—"
"Tell Him no." Lilith's smile was tight. "I don't take handouts."
She was gone a second later, covering her tracks with a spell.
"Shit," Gabriel breathed, squeezing his eyes shut.
"What are you doing?" Clint demanded, coming up to his side and glaring daggers at him. "Go after her!"
"I…"
"She's covered her tracks," Loki said dully, eyes fixed on the spot Lilith last was.
"He's an archangel. Surely a spell won't stop him!"
"I won't." Gabriel brought up a hand to brush against his mouth, heedless of the gauntlet still covering it.
"Why not?" Thor asked, subdued. "You heard her crimes. She deserves justice."
"Yeah, she does." Gabriel smiled wanly, breathing in and out again, trying to calm his roiling guts. "But forgiveness is divine, even if feels like you'd rather cut your hand off than do it."
"And you want to?" Steve's voice was quiet.
"More like cut my Grace out and plant it where I can't find it." Gabriel's smile was more a grimace. "Excuse me."
He went off to a different part of the forest, where he promptly proceeded to vomit for the first time in a very long time, his human side finally winning out.
Forgiveness was divine, but that didn't mean it was easy for him to give it.
"So it's stopped now?" Rhodey asked him, his voice concerned.
"Yeah," Tony said, closing his eyes as he pressed his forehead against the cool seat of the toilet. He'd been camping out in the bathroom for the last two hours because he couldn't stop feeling sick. For not having to deal with human inconveniences for the last two years, this sudden reintroduction of human bodily functions was entirely unpleasant.
Especially since it had been a while since he'd eaten much of anything, including candy.
"And you're all right?"
"To a certain degree of the definition." Tony sighed, rolling over to lean back against the toilet.
"You don't sound too good. I didn't think that was possible anymore."
"It depends. Some things hit me harder than others."
"And this hit you hard."
"Yeah. I've still got some human left in me."
"Never doubted it, Tony. How're the others holding up?"
"They're all right. Little pissed, but somewhat understanding." Steve was, anyway. So was Jarvis, though he'd frowned deeply upon being told the news. Thor and Loki hadn't really voiced an opinion, but Tony had sensed Loki's disappointment.
"I gotta admit… I'm kind of pissed, too. You just let her get away?"
"Just for her to think it over. It's the same offer Dad gave Azazel."
"Right. Hammer."
"Forgiveness is divine," Tony repeated.
"Doesn't mean you have to do it, divine being or not. Some things are just too sick for that."
"I'd ordinarily agree, but Lilith's crimes aren't even the worst of what demons have done."
"But she's not even a demon anymore, is she? She's an Asgardian now. Means she's got a soul. Means she didn't have to do what she did. But she did. Maybe she's too far gone."
"There are some that would say the same for Lucifer."
"Screw Lucifer. I'm talking about Lilith. The woman who killed all those kids."
"Lucifer's done worse, Rhodey. And he's still forgiven."
"Are you telling me your brother went on a mass killing spree just to get someone's attention?"
"The apocalypse, Rhodey."
"Okay, fine. Point taken. But Lucifer was an angel at one point. Lilith never was."
"No. She was human. But she was cast down for refusing to do Adam's will."
"Sounds like my kind of gal. And no offense, but your Dad sounds like a bit of a dick at the moment. Excuse the blasphemy."
"He's made mistakes," Tony said. "He knows that. This is His way of making recompense."
"By making you do the dirty work? Sorry, I don't see how that's recompense. He should do it Himself." Rhodey sighed heavily. "I can't believe I'm blaspheming like this."
"I'll excuse you for now."
"Thank you for those kind words. Still doesn't make me feel better to know I'm badmouthing God."
"If it makes you feel any better, a lot of angels have been doing the same for a while."
"That does, thanks."
Tony moved the conversation back on track. "So when she shows up again?"
"Smite her. Or whatever the hell it is you do to people that piss you off. Don't give her that chance, Tony."
"What if she takes it?"
Rhodey was silent for a considering moment. "Well…I'd like to say smite her," he began softly, "but that's not really my decision to make, Gabriel." The use of his angelic name was jarring. "It's yours. And…whatever decision you do make…I'll still be there for you at the end. Even if it's only to rag on your ass about it."
Tony gave a short breathless laugh. "Thanks, Rhodey."
"No problem. Talk later?"
"Yeah. About time I make a showing anyway. I've been hiding out in the bathroom for the last two hours."
"Oh man. You must have been sick. Usually you'd just go to the shop!"
"Yeah…" Tony waited a moment longer before hanging up, resting his head against the toilet for a few more seconds before he opened his eyes and shook himself. It was time he faced the music, so to speak.
Upon opening the door, Tony was almost clocked in the face by Steve's hand. Steve managed to stop his knock in time to not hurt himself, blushing lightly as he let his hand drop to his side.
"I – we were worried," Steve rushed to explain. "You'd been in there for a few hours."
"It's good," Tony lied, smiling at him. "Just had a chat with a friend."
"In the bathroom?"
"How many people disturb others when they're in the bathroom?"
Steve had to think that over a moment. "Point," he conceded. "Are you going to join us?"
"Should I?"
Steve looked shocked. "You're a part of this team. You should be with us."
Tony shrugged, admitting, "I just didn't think anyone would want me around for a little bit considering what happened."
"It's not a—" Steve cut himself off, frowning slightly. Then he began again, more slowly, "We're worried. About you. And about Amora or Lilith or whoever she is. But we trust you to do what's right."
"You would've preferred I smite her," Tony said quietly.
"It's not my business," Steve said easily. "You know her best it seems. So it should be up to you what happens next."
Tony swallowed lightly, nodding. "If they're all thinking like you, we should be good."
"Clint's kind of pissed," Steve admitted, "but I think Jarvis's calmed him down."
"He should be," Tony murmured, referring to Clint. Considering his childhood, it was no wonder this was hitting Clint particularly hard.
"It's your family," Steve said, surprising him. "We don't have a say in what you do regarding that."
Tony let out a short, surprised laugh. "She's not actually my sister, Steve. Lilith was never an angel; she was Adam's wife before Eve."
Steve frowned, apparently shuffling through his memories of the Bible. "Really? I don't think I've heard of her."
"Usually Bibles don't mention her. It's always Adam and Eve, no mention of Lilith."
They entered the living room, everyone's attention instantly narrowing in on them.
"You knew," Natasha instantly accused him.
"I didn't," Tony said. "I suspected."
"How many more of your siblings will we meet?" Natasha demanded.
"She…she was a demon." Tony took a breath. "Adam's first wife, and she refused to be subservient to him, so she was cast out and Eden placed in her stead."
Clint snorted disgustedly. "Man, your family does some messed up shit. So because she had a brain, she was kicked to the curb?"
Tony winced slightly. "Yes. Though…there were other reasons. She was a bit fond of violence even then."
"Are there others like her?" Natasha asked.
"Wielders of magic? Here? Or demons?"
"Here," Natasha clarified impatiently. "Can we expect any more demons and angels to pop up out of the woodworks?"
"I can't say." Tony grimaced apologetically. "Azazel was a surprise. And I had word that I'm the only angel here, so likelihood is that if we run into anymore old faces, it'll probably be demons."
"Azazel?" Bruce asked.
"You might know him as Justin Hammer."
Natasha rolled her eyes. "Of course. I suppose the reason he hasn't woken up is because of you?"
Tony inclined his head in confirmation.
"She gave no sign of being anyone other than Amora," Loki said, disconcerted.
"That's because she is. She's like me, was Lilith in a different life. Only now she's Asgardian instead of demon."
"Will she stop?" Steve asked. "You talked to her, so will she stop?"
Tony smiled wanly. "Demons are usually difficult to deal with unless you're aiming to make some sort of crossroads deal. Then they're amiable, usually because they're trying to get your soul. Lilith? Always been a poisonous apple. The fact that she was still acting like Lilith despite having no memories at that point makes it pretty clear that while she's not a demon now, she still acts and thinks like one. I delivered my message, but I don't know if she'll take me up on it. She might stop, or she might not. We'll need to see."
"Until another kid's dead?" Clint demanded. "We can't do that!"
"Can't you track her?" Natasha asked, eyes flickering between Clint and Tony.
"Now that she knows for sure I'm here, she'll have warded herself against me. Enochian wards are extremely effective against angels; we can't break through them or find someone who's used them as a shield. She'll have covered herself with them by now."
"Well, terrific." Clint sighed with disgust. "The one time we could use your supernatural senses, we can't."
"That's enough," Steve said sharply. "He can't help what he can't help."
"He shouldn't have let her go in the first place!"
"She's family of a sort," Tony said quietly. "I won't just leave her hanging."
"Yeah, well, maybe you should've." Clint's face was thunderous. "Have you forgotten what she did?"
"You think that's the worst she's done?" Gabriel snapped, fed up. "You forget, Clint. I've been around a lot longer than you can possibly comprehend. I was there when she walked the Earth with Adam. I was there when she was cast out. I heard about the atrocities she committed until hell was sealed over with the death of Jesus Christ. This isn't the worst she's done."
"And that makes it okay?"
"It means you're missing the bigger picture."
"The only thing I seem to be missing is your blind spot when it comes to people your family messed up. You're excusing her because of something that happened thousands of years ago?!"
"I'm not excusing her," Gabriel growled, his anger making the lights flicker. "I'm giving her a second chance. You gave the same to Natasha despite what she's done. Is Lilith exempt?"
"I regret it," Natasha said. "Does she?"
"That's the point, isn't it? Redemption's only possible if you regret." Gabriel gave a mirthless smile. "It won't work if she lies."
"And that's a possibility?" Clint asked.
Gabriel's lips twisted. "Yes," he said shortly.
"That's enough," Steve snapped, cutting Clint off. "Clint, we're trusting Tony's judgment on this. Tony…" He looked straight at Gabriel. "…I trust you to do what you need."
Gabriel nodded, lips thin. "Thanks."
Heaving a disgusted sigh, Clint turned on his heel and left. After an unreadable glance at Gabriel, Natasha followed him.
"It doesn't matter," Gabriel said before Steve could. "I understand they're upset. It doesn't change my mind."
"I'm still sorry," Steve said.
"Don't be." Gabriel smiled weakly at him. "It's a tough decision."
"And you trust that you have made the right one?" Loki asked.
Gabriel's smile wavered. "Well…that remains to be seen."
"We must trust in her then," Thor said firmly.
Loki twitched, and Gabriel grimaced.
Steve shot him a worried glance but said nothing. His solid support meant worlds to Gabriel, though he wondered what exactly he had done to obtain it. Was it just because Steve had been raised Catholic?
"I'm gonna check on them," Steve said. "See if everything's all right."
"Clint'll probably bite your head off if you try right now," Tony warned. "Why don't you see the kids. I think they'll be glad of your company."
"And then Clint." Nodding, Steve also left, leaving Tony with Thor and Loki.
Exhaling slowly, Tony turned to Loki. "You got anything to say?"
"Nothing of import," Loki said loftily, arching a distinguished eyebrow. "Simply this…have you forgotten our conversation?"
Tony's lips quirked. "No. But don't worry – that was an extension of free will. I didn't have to tell her. I chose to do so."
"And was it a wise decision?" Loki pressed. "I may not have known that Amora was once Lilith, but the knowledge does not change much. Amora was deceitful even when I knew her; that cannot have changed now."
"Yeah, well…so was I at one point. I was Loki where I come from. The god of chaos and lies. Deceit's something I'm familiar with."
"You were Loki, and you are Gabriel?" Thor asked, confused.
"I skipped out on heaven, joined the pagans for a while. It was fun while it lasted."
"It must be strange then, to meet another with the same name," Loki mused.
"Not as strange as you'd think," Tony said. "It's weirder getting to know Thor, because he was really different."
"A good different?" Thor asked.
"I like you more," Tony said, grinning. "You're not as arrogant."
Thor smiled regretfully. "I was once."
"And you changed. Mjölnir is thankful for it."
"You speak with her?"
"Not so much communication as general impressions." Tony nodded at the hammer. "She was kinda hurt after Odin threw her here."
"I have apologized," Thor said ruefully. "I have done much I still regret. I assume you do the same."
"We've all done it." Gabriel managed a weak smile. "Some more than others."
"What do you regret?" Loki asked curiously. "You are supposed to be a divine being."
"Ha, well…divine doesn't mean perfect." Gabriel shrugged. He regretted leaving heaven. He regretted not saying no to his family. He regretted letting them start the apocalypse. He regretted letting his brothers pretend their Father was still in heaven so they could keep the lower angels in line. He regretted not making a stand earlier.
In short, the amount of things he regretted could fill up a phone book.
"Are we good?" he said instead.
Loki considered the question. "I have doubts as to whether you made the right decision," he said slowly. "But in this case I shall do as Steven did and trust in your judgment."
"As shall I," Thor agreed. "I will stay in case Amora returns."
Gabriel smiled thankfully. "Thanks."
It was even more stomach turning to know how much faith these people placed in him even though he didn't have the same amount of faith himself. He didn't know if he'd made the right decision, and his Father wasn't here to tell him.
Clint continued to stay clear of Tony. Natasha caught Tony one time as he was leaving the workshop so she could explain in a low tone that it was just until Clint was less likely to lash out in a fit of anger. Her small nod at the end signaled she understood where Tony was coming from, and he could see in her thoughts images of a man with a robotic arm and a sniper rifle.
Thor hung around and took great joy in the cell phone Tony gave him to contact Jane. The first one he used was fried within seconds, but after some adjustments, there were no further problems. Loki split his time between Thor and Tony, occasionally asking the latter some existential questions.
Steve's habits didn't change, although halfway through the week he spent a lot of time dealing with Fury as the man figured out something else was up with the lull. Bruce continued to remain a quiet lab partner for Tony and at one point told him quietly that he could understand why he'd made his decision.
Rhodey called daily, concerned and ready to kick someone's ass if need be. Tony's reassurances didn't help much, but Pepper managed to keep Rhodey in line by also reassuring him that everything was handled.
Aside from that, everything was practically normal. If he ignored what was happening around him (fat chance of that), he could almost pretend nothing had changed. But there were his own worries to deal with, too.
Would Lilith take the offer where Azazel hadn't? To be honest, Gabriel didn't think so. Lilith had a lot more hurt and anger stored than Azazel, and she'd been cast out long before the Fall.
Then again, people always ended up surprising him. Lilith was no longer a demon. Although Gabriel doubted it, she could've changed. Maybe not for the better, but enough so that she could take his Father's offer. Of course, Azazel hadn't changed much beyond being able to use technology (but not build it; he stunk at that), and he'd been human like Gabriel.
And hadn't Gabriel changed? Compared to billions of years as a divine being, thirty-seven as a human wasn't even a blink of an eye. It didn't even register. And yet he had been changed.
He hadn't used to care so much. …Okay, that was a lie. He'd left heaven because he'd cared too much. But he hadn't done anything about it, and now…now he was willing to stick his neck out and do things. Without being kicked in the ass by Dean.
He felt more than he had before. Human emotions were terribly deep and expressive, and even though he was himself again, he still had his human emotions. It often made for a disconcerting contrast when he allowed himself to be Gabriel and not just Tony, because when human emotions suddenly interfered with his usual calmer state of being, it left him unable to deal with the outcome.
Gabriel had thought he'd be "normal" when he'd regained his Grace, but the truth was he wasn't. At least not what his family would call normal. Like Castiel, he was irreversibly altered due to contact with humans.
So considering he had changed, why wasn't it possible Lilith had? And why not Azazel? They had the chance, so why not?
Regardless, Azazel had his chance, and he'd thrown it away. Now it was Lilith's turn.
And Gabriel would be waiting for whatever she decided.
It was a week and a half of waiting in painful suspense before anything happened. Even then, it wasn't Lilith. Doctor Doom had decided that now was the opportune time to try and take New York for himself since Reed Richards had been sucked away to another world the day before when one of his machines had decided it had had enough. It had also taken the rest of the Fantastic Four and the building itself with it, so their absence was noted. Tony was already working on getting him back by not using Grace (because Reed would need an explanation and "I'm an archangel" wouldn't do).
Doom's attack was carried out using his Doombots. They weren't as dumb as last time seeing as how these actually ran and hid upon seeing the Avengers show up. They were also fast, meaning most of the team's time was spent chasing them down and trying to destroy them.
Tony's repulsors were ideal for the job considering they worked at a distance. So were Clint's arrows. Steve had wicked aim with his shield, though most of the Doombots he went after tended to skedaddle behind cars. Thor's lightning fried most of the bots he went after, and Loki busied himself with going after Doom himself (technically Loki wasn't supposed to be there, but he'd been too bored to hang back). Natasha was perhaps the worst off seeing as how she specialized in close combat, and Hulk just ended up pouting when the tiny Doombots evaded him by zigzagging, causing destruction in the meantime.
So while Doctor Doom's pitiful attempt at taking over New York City was annoying, it definitely wasn't dangerous. (Maybe it was for the city, but the Avengers were more annoyed than physically hurt.) To be honest, Tony actually welcomed the distraction. He'd gotten to the point where anything was better than nothing, even annoying Doombots. It wasn't like anything they had could actually hurt him, but it was enjoyable enough getting to use his suit and try out the little adjustments he'd put in the system. Jarvis would enjoy the updated tech next time he got to use his.
In any case, his boredom had gotten to the point where he was doing paperwork by hand. He was even reading the fine print. And adding his own to see if Pepper double checked his work. (She did and was not amused by his little sly jokes that were laden with sexual innuendo.)
At board meetings, Tony had gotten around to pranking the board members. Nothing bad. Fart pillows, pens that wouldn't work or would spill on their immaculate suits, cell phone ringtones set to moans and porn music, and a porn video the one time a board member had wanted to show a video.
All really juvenile for him, but Pepper had been completely unimpressed yet again. As payment for his slacking off, she'd demanded his full attention for twelve hours on important SI matters. In the meantime, she'd babysit the bots and Jarvis because she'd earned this, damn it, and those boys needed a female other than Natasha (Tony held she was a real softie at heart and this was just an excuse).
But Tony had agreed. And then Doom had attacked so his attention was diverted. He'd jumped at the chance because it was something different.
Which brought him to now, gleefully stalking a hapless Doombot through the streets of the city.
"Your suit looks entirely too jovial," Steve said through intercom system.
"I'm gleefully enjoying this."
"You shouldn't," Clint said flatly. An arrow zipped by Tony to nail the Doombot he'd been chasing.
"I had that," Tony complained.
"Fifty-four," Clint retorted, shooting another arrow. "Fifty-five."
"One hundred!" Thor announce triumphantly, his voice entirely too loud. There was a crackle of lightning punctuating Thor's words. "One hundred fifty."
"How many are there?" Natasha grunted, growling with disapproval when her bullet missed the mark.
"There's a spell that allows them to multiply once a set amount's been destroyed," Tony said automatically, shooting down a Doombot before Clint could.
There was a short grunt as Steve retrieved his shield from where it had gotten stuck underneath a car due to a particularly crafty Doombot. "You couldn't tell us this before?"
"You're bored," Clint groaned in dismay. "Oh, Jesus Christ. Can't you take your boredom somewhere else?"
"Can you take it off?" Natasha asked crisply, her demeanor professional.
"Aye, Gabriel," Thor agreed. "It would be most helpful. While amusing, this is not how I envisioned my day."
Tony sighed loudly. "Yeah, fine." He came to a stop and dramatically made a show of snapping his fingers, the metal fingers of the gauntlet sliding smoothly against each other. "Done."
There was a short pause before Clint said, "They don't look any different."
"You'll notice the difference in about five minutes after some butt kicking. Let's resume."
"What about their brains?" Steve asked.
"Aw, Cap, that'd be a shame. Doom outdid himself this time; I'd rather not destroy his work."
Hulk roared in triumph a block away as he apparently made a kill.
"Screw Doom," Natasha said, her mask of professionalism slipping as she missed her mark five times in a row. Finally she just snapped, "Electric bullets, Iron Man. I need them."
"I'll modify your Bite."
"Make sure it's not pink," Clint said.
Tony was affronted at the insult to his fashion sense. "Nah. Pink would clash awfully with her color scheme. Dark blue?"
"You gave me a pink bow and arrows!"
"Nostalgia's sake, Hawkeye. You're a diehard Cupid. Besides, you like purple."
"Purple. Not bright pink."
"Chatter," Steve warned. "Iron Man, you got an EMP?"
Tony snorted, taking out five Doombots in a row. "When don't I?"
"Can you use it?"
"There's more magic than electricity powering these things. EMP's useless."
"What about you?" Natasha asked sweetly. "Surely you can deal with a little magic?"
"And ruin our fun?"
"This. Isn't. Fun." Each word was punctuated by an arrow nailing an unfortunate Doombot. "This is annoying. I have things to do!"
Tony sighed again. "Fine. I'll—"
GABRIEL!
He froze in the air as the terrified cry tore through his Grace. It was a prayer directed to him, something he hadn't had in a while.
Gabriel—
It was Jarvis, Dummy, Butterfingers, and You in one. It was Pepper silently praying to a Father who wouldn't answer.
It was Gabriel needing to be there now.
He took care of the Doombots in a second before he tore through space to find the origin of the prayer. It was – perhaps not surprisingly – coming from his tower.
He landed without fanfare in the midst of a bloodbath.
Lilith was standing above Pepper, whose face was bloody and bruised. Behind her were Dummy, Butterfingers, and You. Dummy was mutilated beyond recognition, the skin of his face having been peeled off entirely to reveal nothing but muscle and bone where the muscle had been torn away. The rest of Dummy's body had likewise been treated so. The only distinguishing feature was his dark brown hair and the Iron Man shirt he had insisted on wearing. Butterfingers was missing her eyes, and where her heart had been was a mass of dark blood and white bones poking out through the hole. You's lower body was gone entirely, carelessly discarded elsewhere. There was a dark pool of blood spreading out from underneath him.
And Jarvis… There wasn't any sign of Jarvis's body but for a mass of blood, muscle, and bone directly in front of Pepper.
Aside from her face, Pepper was the only one in decent condition, and her eyes widened in fear upon seeing Gabriel appear.
Lilith gave him a cold smile. "Gabriel. How nice of you to join us. Bit late, but then you always were."
Gabriel had no time to say anything in reply because Pepper – dear, sweet Pepper with an excellent memory for pictures and words – had just finished the angel banishing sigil and placed her hand directly in the middle.
For the second time, Gabriel was hurtled back through space, unable to control his trajectory. When he landed, it was in the desert of Afghanistan where his tree was. Barely giving it a glance, Gabriel pulled himself together enough to spread his wings and fly.
The angel banishing ward was powerful enough to keep a lower ranking angel at bay for a longer period of time, but it was nigh useless against an archangel beyond annoying him.
But it was wasted time that Gabriel didn't have (because he couldn't go back), and he landed once again in his living room, discarding the Iron Man suit before reappearing in the physical plane, his wings fluttering audibly as he righted himself.
The seconds he'd spent in transit had resulted in Pepper bleeding out on the floor from a stomach wound and Lilith about to put the finishing touches on her.
She paused upon noticing Gabriel's entrance. "Gabriel," she said sweetly. She dropped the knife, letting it clatter to the floor by an ashen Pepper. "I apologize for the interruption. She's been punished now."
Gabriel was quiet. "Fuck you."
Lilith laughed lightly. "So crude, Gabriel. Humanity really hasn't suited you at all." She turned to him, smiling saccharinely. "Shall we begin then?"
"Sure." Gabriel snapped his fingers, turning the sprinklers on and dousing the entire living room. "But let's keep the holy fire out of this, hm? I've already been that route. Don't fancy doing it again."
Lilith pouted slightly. "Spoil my fun, won't you?"
"Yeah." Gabriel's voice was cold. "Because that's what I do. You got anything to say, Lilith?"
Lilith arched a blonde eyebrow. "Smiting, Gabriel? Isn't that a bit…pre-redemption?"
Gabriel's wet hair was brushing into his face. "What makes you think you've got it?"
Lilith sneered. "Your message, Gabriel? Or have you already forgotten it?"
Gabriel tilted his head to the side. "What's your answer?"
Lilith smiled, her teeth glinting slightly as her lips pulled back for a brief second. "Redemption's overrated, Gabriel. Why would I want anything to do with your Father? He who cast me out for refusing to do what Adam wanted? No. This is a new world, one I can shape to my will. The apocalypse hasn't happened here yet, but I can bring it here."
"Can you really?" Gabriel asked softly.
Lilith's eyes flashed. "I am the final seal," she hissed. "The sixty-sixth lock to opening the cage that holds Lucifer back. Do you think I would have been entrusted with this task if I could not do it?"
Gabriel shrugged, the movement light. "I think there's some favoritism going on."
Lilith's smile twitched. "Do you? What do you think you're doing here, Gabriel? Your Father has forsaken you. There's nothing here. The others cannot compare to our might." Her tone changed to become cajoling. "Aren't you lonely here, Gabriel? You can join me. We can build a new world together."
Gabriel narrowed his eyes. "Why'd you do it?" He tilted his head toward Pepper – still bleeding out and alive – and the bodies behind her.
"I watched," Lilith said. "For the last ten days, I've had my eye on you, Gabriel. The humans you choose to associate yourself with really are fascinating…in a dull sort of way." She scanned her work with a bored expression. "You don't need them, Gabriel. The children are nothing more than a hindrance. I had thought that perhaps they would be worthy once they came of age, but they're more trouble than it's worth."
A muscle twitched in Gabriel's jaw, though he managed to keep his face blank. "So that's why it's been quiet?"
Lilith smirked amusedly. "If you want to call it that."
Gabriel didn't crack a smile. "What should I call it then?"
"You've debased yourself, Gabriel." Lilith held her hand out, water from the sprinklers dripping down her fingers. "Join me, Gabriel. We can do much this universe has not seen before."
"And what"—Gabriel's voice was silkily soft—"makes you think I would want to?"
Lilith seemed honestly confused. "Why wouldn't you? You're alone, Gabriel. You're spending your time with humans and pitiful children."
Gabriel wiped off some of the water off his forehead, brushing back his hair as he did. After running his fingers through the damp strands, he brought his hand to rest by his side, tapping his fingers gently against his thigh. "You've got some nerve," he noted quietly.
Lilith braced, wary. "What?"
Gabriel smiled darkly, his eyes glowing slightly with Grace. "For thinking you can attack my family and get away with it. For thinking that I'd just let you go again."
The sprinklers sputtered once, the pressure of Gabriel's wrath causing them to malfunction. They puttered out altogether a second later when he viciously prevented Lilith from leaving, bending space around her so she had nowhere to go but the spot she was already in.
"Didn't you just hear what I said?" Gabriel asked softly. "I won't let you go again, Lilith." With a twitch of his wings, he was directly before her; his hand flashed out, enveloping her throat in a powerful chokehold.
Lilith scrambled to loosen his fingers, her fingers scrabbling at Gabriel's, but Asgardian strength was no match for Gabriel's. "You won't," she gasped out.
Gabriel arched an eyebrow. "I won't what?"
"Kill me. You wouldn't." Lilith inhaled raggedly as Gabriel relaxed his grip slightly. "What of your Father's message?"
Gabriel's smile was chilly. "The beautiful thing about free will is that I don't have to carry His message. I choose to. I also don't have to do what He wishes."
"Angels don't—"
"Have free will? Shh, Lilith…what do you think the apocalypse was all about? Our free will."
Lilith gagged as Gabriel tightened his grip, eyes bugging. "N-no."
"Yes." Gabriel pushed her to her knees, not releasing his grip.
"You wouldn't," she rasped out, eyes wide as she met his eyes. "G-Gab…" Gabriel relaxed his grip enough so she could gasp for air and speak. Once she had gotten enough, Lilith's voice was hoarse as she said, "I thought forgiveness was divine?"
Gabriel smiled sweetly, gently stroking the skin of her throat with his thumb. "I'm not my Father, Lilith. He's forgiving, but I'm not. Do you know who you just destroyed? They were my children. I created them. Do you think I'll just let that go?"
Terror streaked through Lilith. "Gabriel…"
"You harmed my family, Lilith. You claim I'm alone? I'm not. Not anymore. The humans you hate are my new family. Maybe I'm the only angel around, but that just means that you're on my turf. And you know what that means?"
"Please…"
It was entirely possible that Lilith wouldn't have begged if she'd still been a demon, but even her terrified whisper wasn't enough to quell Gabriel's wrath. She was the sixty-sixth seal, the one that Sam had broken to free Lucifer from his cage. She was responsible for a great deal of the damage that had occurred on Earth after Azazel had succeeded in opening the Devil's Gate.
And now…
There was a wet cough from Pepper only two feet away, and blood spattered the floor in fine droplets that went murky with the water soaking the floor.
"Close your eyes," Gabriel said, eyes glancing over to her.
Without hesitation, Pepper did so.
Lilith's breath left her shakily in a small whimper.
"Shh…" Gabriel shushed her, gently bringing his hand up to brush a thumb over her temple. "It'll be over so quickly, you won't even have time to scream."
Opening her mouth, Lilith's eyes widened just as Gabriel covered her entire face with a hand, Grace flaring out and pouring into her.
It was perhaps more Grace than he needed, but he found he couldn't control it. The anger he'd felt since arriving in his living room had finally reached its boiling point.
He'd lied when he said it wouldn't be painful. Smiting could be quick and painless, or it could be agony for the soul being smote. And Gabriel had no mercy, relentlessly tearing through Lilith's memories of torturing his children and inflicting the same torture to her soul.
It was thirty seconds before the light of his Grace finally faded out from Lilith's eyes and mouth and she slumped in a boneless heap at Gabriel's feet.
Slowly working his fingers in the air, Gabriel turned on his heel, not giving Lilith's body a second's glance, and knelt down by Pepper, who was fading fast.
"I'm sorry," he whispered, gently lifting her head up from the floor.
Pepper had no strength left to speak, though her eyes argued vehemently with him.
"No," Gabriel said, resting a hand on her bloody and torn stomach. "This is my fault."
Pepper was healed in a second, gasping in surprise at the sudden relief of pain.
Giving Pepper one last stroke through her hair, Gabriel moved over to where Dummy lay, crouching down over his eldest and pulling his mutilated body into his lap, curling over him.
"I'm sorry, buddy," he whispered into bloody hair. "I'm so sorry."
I'm not here, I'm currently in my bunker.
