Disclaimer: I don't own Supernatural. Technically, I don't even own the OCs, cause they're based off of my friends. I only own the idea.
"Naomi?"
The angel jumped, still unused to being casual with an archangel. "Yes, Rhiannon?"
"Would you like to come work for me?" I asked. "As a...PA, I guess, instead of your current job. I need the help, and you expressed interest in increasing your involvement."
She peered at me closely. "You have no idea what you're doing, do you?"
"Not a clue," I said cheerfully. "Which is where you come in. I don't know how often I'm going to be around, but I do know that I have no patience for the red tape and bureaucratic bullshit. You know your way around the politics, and how to deal with insufferable angels."
"Are you leaving?" Naomi's eyes widened.
"Not immediately, and not for good," I reassured her. "However, I need someone to handle things on a day-to-day basis, as well as in my absence." I shrugged sheepishly. "It's how Hell works."
Naomi nodded. "Very well."
"What, just like that?" I asked. She smirked faintly.
"Yes. You made several good points, and this is what I asked for." She tilted her head. "I assume there is a replacement arriving soon?"
"I suggested Rachel to Anna," I offered. "But I don't know if she actually took me seriously."
"She would be hard pressed not to," Naomi pointed out. "You brought the archangels back together and stopped the Apocalypse. Anything you have to say will be considered of the utmost importance by any angel."
I stared at her. "Please tell me you're joking."
"You are the Savior of the Host," Naomi told me, a little confused. "Why would they not?"
"Savior of the Host," I repeated blankly. "Death is too kind. I'm so pranking God for the next century."
Naomi looked worried. She probably had a legitimate reason.
"So, you know your way around better than I do," I said nervously, fidgeting in my Office. "Anything special I need to do?"
Naomi glanced at me, smiling slightly. She gradually relaxed, becoming more comfortable around me. "Most angels wear a sign of their Office, at least in Heaven."
I folded my arms. "I'm not wearing anything stupid."
"Of course not," she placated. "You can wear it or not, and of course you can choose what it is. Usually, it's a suit or some other uniform, though Raphael carries a staff."
"Huh. So, I have to go shopping, basically. Find something inherently me." I grimaced. "Lovely."
"You don't have to-" she started.
"Yeah, I do," I sighed. "Every angel has a uniform. Seriously, don't you guys ever change your clothes? Or do you just have copies hidden away in a TARDIS closet?"
Naomi frowned. "What is a TARDIS?"
I grinned. "I'm going to make every angel watch Doctor Who. Starting with Blink. We can make a marathon weekend out of it."
Naomi sighed. I had the sneaking suspicion that our relationship was going to turn into the other angel doing her level best to censor any 'disturbing' activity. Probably for the benefit of the Cupids.
When she wasn't trying to kill people in a tyrannical delusion of grandeur, Naomi wasn't all that bad.
I left her in the front, allowing her to get settled without me breathing down her neck. For a moment, I stood helplessly in the middle of my Office and looked around. It was styled like a plain business executive's space. There was a large wooden desk, leather blotter matching the swivel chair behind it. A sleek desktop computer and keyboard was plugged into thin air on the left side of the desk, though most of the tabletop was covered in books.
A large tome sat in the centre, a journal on top. Other books were scattered in stacks around the room, seemingly disorganized. A post-it was stuck to the journal, bearing an elegant font that seemed computerized, though I knew better.
Thought these would help.
We're here for you.
L and G
I smiled softly and sat down. The tome beneath the journal appeared to be the largest and the most extensive record of Heaven's rules, protocols, and traditions. I stared at it in faint disgust, dreading actually having to read it. I supposed that was what the notebook was for; recording the relevant sections in a quick guide. Though, I should probably keep the books for future reference. I just needed a place to store them properly.
Bookshelves replaced my walls. I eyed them suspiciously, and with more than a hint of wariness. Was this some twisted celestial version of the Room of Requirement?
I sighed and began to look through the books. They appeared to be mostly sorted already; all I needed to do was organize them on the shelves.
It took me half an hour. This was not how I envisioned spending my morning.
"Where's Zachariah?"
I turned and scowled at Lucifer, not missing the barely-there smirk. "Very funny. I haven't decided what to do with him yet. At first I thought about making him liaison with Hell, but that's cruel and unusual punishment, even for them."
Gabe snorted and slid past Luce over to me. Wrapping his arms around my waist, he nuzzled the side of my neck. I raised my eyebrows and sent him a flash of amused exasperation, but didn't push him away. Luce rolled his eyes at us.
"Stop working; we're going to your party," he scolded.
"What kind of work are you doing, bro?" Gabe teased, waggling his eyebrows obnoxiously. I smacked his arm lightly.
"Leave him alone. And I was just putting away all the books you dumped in my room. Hardly work," I said.
"We figured you wouldn't keep Zach very long, and only a few angels know the ins and outs of upper echelon politics," Gabe explained. "He used to be Michael's Second, and now he doesn't have a place."
"I think we can figure something out," I muttered. "Exactly who is coming to this party, guys?"
Luce shrugged. "Your demons, a few hunters, us."
"First of all, they're not my demons," I grumbled. Seriously, why did everyone insist on calling out of character supernatural creatures mine? "Also, do the hunters all know what is going on?"
"If you mean know about the whole Apocalypse fiasco and the following events, then yes, the Winchesters and Singer have informed the Harvelles," Gabe assured me.
"The Harvelles are there?" I asked, allowing Gabriel to transport the both of us. My flight skills were still a little shaky.
"And a cop, apparently," Lucifer said, gesturing to the Sheriff patrol car in Bobby's front lot.
"Don't get arrested," I said immediately. Both angels pouted at me, mock wounded expressions eerily similar. "I mean it; I refuse to bail you out. In fact, I'll help."
"Kinky," Gabe smirked. I rolled my eyes and ducked away from his arms, bounding up the porch steps.
"Would you prefer it if I just left you tied up all night?" Gabriel stopped dead, mouth dropping open and his eyes glazing over. I shivered as a bolt of lust shot through our bond. Luce looked between us before wrinkling his nose and stepping inside. I snorted at his reaction and followed, Gabe snapping out of his daydream seconds later.
Lucifer stood in the centre of Bobby's living room, the hunters either pointing guns or playing with knives. The two demons stood in the corner opposite the humans, avoiding the Kurdish demon killing knife. Jody Mills stood in the kitchen doorway, apparently wishing she'd brought her own gun.
"Wow, guys," I drawled. "This is an awesome party. You really know how to make a girl feel special."
"So you're the famous Rhiannon I keep hearing about," Jody said. "Good to finally put a face to the name."
"All good things, I hope," I said nervously. Just because I'd been casual and blunt with everyone else in this universe so far didn't mean I had to be rude to everyone I met.
"Well, anyone who can keep Bobby Singer and his friends out of trouble is all right in my book," Jody offered, grinning warmly at me. I smiled back in relief.
"Fantastic," Ellen interrupted brusquely. "We're getting back to cooking. No sneaking dessert, for anyone, and we'll do presents after lunch."
"Wait, you don't have to—" I started.
"Shuddup, you idjit," Bobby snapped. "We kind of owe you anyway."
I flinched slightly; that was not an acceptable reason for doing all this. Gabriel wrapped himself around me again, reassuring me physically and mentally. Hunters, according to the Trickster archangel, were emotionally stunted, crass, and more often than not acted before they thought.
Right, I thought. And that's different from angels how, exactly?
He huffed laughter into my skin, sending another shiver through my body. The smirk curving against my shoulder let me know that Gabe's actions were far from accidental.
"Behave," I whispered, hardly able to contain my own laughter.
"Get a room, you two," Dean complained.
"We have a room," I retorted. "It's not our fault other people are in it."
"He's just jealous 'cause he doesn't have anyone to snuggle with," Jo quipped. I chuckled.
"I'm pretty sure Cas would help him with that if he asked," I said, detaching myself from Gabe and sitting on the couch. Jo followed me, both of us ignoring Dean's sputtering.
"So, what have you and your mom been up to?" I asked, unsure if Jo would actually want me prying.
She shrugged. "We're trying to set up another Roadhouse, for the most part. Now that the Apocalypse has stopped, monsters and demons have quieted down, so we're letting other hunters pick up the slack."
"Guys, are we really going to talk about work now?" Sam asked, carefully staying away from Lucifer, who was leaning in the hall doorway.
"It's not work, it's me asking how she's doing after everything that's happened," I told him indignantly. "That's called sensitivity."
"Yeah, Sam." Jo nodded, trying not to laugh.
"Food's ready," Jody called, sticking her head through the door.
"Finally," Bobby grouched.
"I hope you didn't put salt on our portions," Meg muttered, glaring at the spread.
"Why?" Jody asked. She clearly hadn't been briefed—at least, not on the identities of the guests.
"Salt allergy," I supplied. "Meg and Crowley are the only ones who have it, but we still have to be careful," I added, casting pointed glances around the room. I didn't trust anyone not to slip a poison into someone else's food. The hunters pouted, but no one made any sudden moves, so I assumed the message was received. The angels would have to be watched more closely, though.
Then again, it wouldn't be a proper party until people started attacking each other.
"Alright, present time!" Jo said, bouncing excitedly on the couch. We had migrated back to the living room, pleasantly full—even the ones who didn't need to eat.
I blinked at her. "Wait, you guys were serious about that?"
Jody rolled her eyes and grabbed her jacket. "I'm gonna hit the road. Can't leave the boys at the station alone too long; who knows what they'll do," she joked. "Happy Birthday, Rhiannon."
"Er, right," I mumbled, staring around in befuddlement. I was sandwiched between my archangels, Jo squished against the armrest by Lucifer. Ellen stood behind her, eyes boring into Luce's back. Bobby sat at his desk, Sam and Dean flanking him. Castiel leaned against the wall next to Dean, Crowley giving them—and the Devil's Traps—a wide berth. Meg had disappeared somewhere.
"Okay, who goes first?" Jo asked brightly. She seemed more excited about this than me.
Cas shifted uncomfortably and stepped forward. He awkwardly held out a bag, looking like the truly young angel he was for once. "I did not know what you would like," he rumbled. "Your friends helped."
I took it slowly and stared at it for a moment. My friends—I assumed he meant my human ones—helping could mean anything from a gift card to something horribly embarrassing and prank-esque. I was a little scared to open it, but Castiel's hopeful face couldn't be disappointed.
Thank stars, I thought when I opened it (I certainly wasn't thanking God; he hadn't had a say). Inside was almost every variety of foreign chocolate available. I peered up at him.
"Did you buy the entire Global Foods candy aisle?" I asked. He blushed heavily, and I laughed. "I love it, Cas. Thank you, really." He smiled in relief, and my own grew at his adorableness. And Dean's jealous scowl.
Although, knowing the Winchester, he probably didn't know he was jealous in the first place.
"Here," he grumbled, tossing a package covered in newspaper at my head. I was barely able to catch it, glaring at him. He shrugged and I tore into the present without much regard for the wrapping. Ashes drifted to the floor as I shook out the lilac T-shirt.
Gabriel broke down in hysterics as he read it, Lucifer letting his head fall back with a groan as I gleefully read it aloud. "On the day I was born, the Devil woke in a cold sweat and said, "Oh crap, she's here!" Seriously, Dean? Where did you even find this?"
He shrugged again, grinning. Luce looked at it resignedly. Jo snorted and pulled a huge cardboard box from behind her seat.
"Tell me that isn't a weapon," I said, mild horror rising at the thought of what a box that big could contain. Jo rolled her eyes.
"It's not a weapon," she repeated flatly, before the glint returned to her eyes. "Unless you want to use it against guys."
Luce and Gabe went tense beside me, eyeing the gift with trepidation. Ellen snorted. "It's from both of us. Go on, open it up."
I pulled on the flaps, snapping the tape and brushing tissue paper aside. Gaping, I pulled the clothes out and draped them over my legs. They had gotten me a complete outfit; the black shirt had capped sleeves and laced up the back, pairing nicely with the fitted red leather jacket and fingerless leather motorcycle gloves. The leather pencil pants would tuck perfectly into the heeled boots. I swallowed heavily, running my fingers over the clothes. I didn't want to think about what this must have cost them, especially after just losing everything…
"From what we've seen of angels," Jo said, catching my attention. "They have an unofficial personal uniform. Figured we'd save you the trouble of going shopping."
"Thank you," I whispered hoarsely, blushing when my eyes watered. "Thank-this is just what I needed. Thank you."
"It's nothing," Ellen dismissed. I knew it wasn't nothing, but I didn't push.
"Here," Luce said, pulling an angel blade out of his jacket. "Father and I forged it, and since it's your birthday and you need one anyway…"He trailed off, watching as I ran my fingers over it. Light flashed off the edges, mesmerizing me.
"Awesome," I breathed. Blades had always been my preference over guns, though I liked any handheld weapon well enough. But still, to have my own angel blade...it felt like acceptance into the family—true acceptance, not just tolerance. It felt like home.
"Great," Bobby huffed. "Satan gives her a sharp shiny weapon and makes the rest of us look like idjits. Thanks for that."
"I didn't mean—" I instantly began.
"Oh, hush," Bobby said. "Just open it." He handed me a very book-shaped present, shooting me the same fondly exasperated look he often gave the Winchesters. I nodded and carefully undid the wrapping, exposing an extremely old tome on...Purgatory? From what I could make out in the title, at least.
"Figured it can't hurt to be prepared," Bobby said gruffly. I grinned at him.
"I suppose you'll want a translated copy?"
"Would you?" His eyes widened in innocent surprise. The man would have done well in Slytherin. I laughed and nodded, attention shifting to Sam when he handed me a folder. My brow furrowed as I leafed through the papers, not quite understanding.
"They're...well," he rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "They're transcripts and records, even a bachelor's degree, and they'll stand up to inspection, so—"
His breath choked off as I tackled him. I was grinning wildly, gratefulness swelling in my chest until I felt like my heart would stop. "Thank you, thank you, thank you—"
"Rhia," Sam croaked out. "Air. Humans like it."
I blushed again and scrambled off him, tugging him to his feet. "Sorry."
He wheezed out a laugh, shaking his head. "Don't be. I'm glad you like it. This way, you can do what you need to in this universe."
"Rhia?" Gabe broke in, speaking for the first time since the gift giving started. His voice sounded a little strange, and I shot him a confused look.
"Well, yeah," Sam said, shrugging. "Her name's too long, and it's not the worst nickname."
"I like it," Jo pronounced, Luce nodding beside her. The elder hunters tilted their heads in agreement, while Cas seemed not to care either way. Dean was muttering about "Luciannon," Crowley smirking at him. Gabe was...pouting? And Meg was back from her errand, finally.
"This is from both of us," she said, gesturing to herself and Crowley. "He was the runt of the pack." She carefully pulled a small bundle out of her jacket, handing him over to me. Crowley was saying something about drowning, and Cas glared at him, but I was entirely absorbed with the puppy hellhound in my arms.
"Hello, gorgeous," I breathed, smiling softly at the tiny yawn that revealed thorn sharp teeth. Settling back on the couch, I clutched the puppy tighter as he squirmed slightly. "Hey, it's okay; Mommy's got you, Dante."
"Dante?" Dean snickered.
"You've got to admit, it's appropriate," I retorted.
"How can we see him?" Sam asked, ever the nerd.
"Hellhounds are trained specifically for hunting down souls," Crowley explained. "Invisibility is one of those qualities. Obviously, the mutt—Dante," he corrected hastily at my glare, "won't be used for quite the same purpose, but he still needs training."
"I can help with that," Meg put in. "I was one of the Hound Masters back in the Pit; the best, some say."
"Clearly those demons were brain damaged on the rack," Crowley snarked.
"He looks more like a wolf," Jo observed. "Or a husky. Not what I expected."
"Hellhounds originated in Heaven," Gabriel said mildly. The humans and I gaped at him. "The rogue ones, the ones that turned savage, were sent to Hell. Dante looks more like a randilyall than a Hellhound."
"I'm going to pretend that made sense and take your word for it," I told him, mock seriously. Dante licked at my chin, whining as my attention split.
"Dude, you're competing with a dog," Dean snickered. Gabe pouted again, watching Jo and Luce rub Dante's ears as I held him.
"Yeah, well," Gabe sighed melodramatically. "My present's just as good; I just can't give it with an audience."
"Gabriel!" I shouted, flushing.
"What?" He innocently raised his eyebrows at Luce's slightly murderous face. "I didn't mean it like that, guys; sheesh, get your minds out of the gutter."
Despite myself, I was a little disappointed. Judging from Gabriel's suddenly darkened eyes, my feelings had broadcasted across the bond loud and clear.
He shook himself lightly, breaking eye contact. I focused on rubbing Dante's belly, not entirely sure what had passed between us. Ellen and Bobby had moved into the kitchen, talking quietly and possibly flirting, in their own blunt way. Sam and Dean had grabbed beers for themselves and Jo, since Gabriel and Crowley refused to drink anything but expensive scotch or whiskey, and Luce and I refused to drink period. Meg had left, saying there was a small demon uprising she needed to take care of. Crowley followed shortly after, promising to keep me updated. I grimaced at that, the others laughing at me. Luce and Gabe didn't move from my side, and Jo left us to keep the boys company.
"So," I said, somewhat sleepy now that all the excitement had passed. "What now?"
Gabriel snorted. "Well, I still have to give you my gift."
I eyed him. "Right. That's not a frightening idea at all."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"There are others who want to give you gifts as well," Luce cut in quickly. Trickster, I thought at Gabriel, making sure he knew I was just teasing him. "I'm sure over the next few days you will be bombarded with well-wishers."
"Why do you say that like it's a good thing?" I asked morosely. Gabriel grinned and tugged me upwards. I swayed into him, a little dizzy from the sudden change in altitude.
"I've got you, sweetheart," Gabe murmured. "And your gifts."
"M'kay." I lifted my head and peered at the clock. Ten thirty, much longer than I normally stayed up. "Goodnight, everyone. Thank you again," I called. A chorus of 'you're welcome's and 'goodnight's accompanied the beats of Gabriel's wings.
I lifted my head from Gabe's shoulder, frowning blearily at the room. Even in the dark, I knew this wasn't mine. Dante whined in my arms.
"Gabe—"
"Full explanations in the morning," he promised. "Right now you need sleep."
I sighed and lay back on the bed, tugging Gabriel down with me. He shifted to avoid crushing the puppy, peering at me suspiciously.
"You can stay if you behave," I mumbled, already drifting. The puppy curled between us, snuffling at the pillow. Gabe carefully draped an arm over my waist, making sure he wasn't crossing any boundaries. I hummed and burrowed deeper into his chest. Faintly, I felt the kiss pressed to my hair, lulling me to sleep. Thinking could wait till morning.
Morning turned out to be around seven o'clock. Gabe grumbled and rolled over, pulling a pillow over his head to muffle my chuckles. The Messenger of God was not an early riser.
Dante tumbled out from under the blankets, racing ahead of me. I assumed this was Gabriel's house, though I'd thought he conjured a temporary place in whatever town he was in at the time.
I paused and stared at the puddle on the stairs. Whether mortal, hellhound, randilyall, or unidentified, it seemed that a puppy would always act like a puppy. I cleared it away quickly.
"Dante!" I hissed. He careened around the corner, skidding into my legs. "You can't do that again," I scolded. "Relieve yourself outside, not inside."
His ears drooped, intelligent enough to understand what I was saying. At least, I hoped he could. I picked him up and nuzzled his nose, smiling at his sneeze.
"You're cheating," Gabe pouted. I gasped and glared over my shoulder at the angel.
"At what?" I protested.
"You jumped my big unveiling," he said. "It's no fun when you see it beforehand."
"You lost me," I frowned at him, taking Dante into the kitchen.
"Your present," Gabriel said, gesturing expansively around us.
"My what?" It took me a moment to catch on. "You're giving me a house?"
"Yup!" He beamed. "Okay, so your friends kind of helped, but most of it was me." Gabriel faltered ever so slightly. "You like it?"
I let Dante scramble out of my arms, turning in a slow circle. It was an odd mix between sleekly modern and elegant Gothic styled architecture; strangely pleasing instead of disorienting. Light streamed in through the stained glass windows, still unable to illuminate the eaves of the living room. It was expensive (or would be, if anyone had paid for it), beautiful, and very much reflected my own personality and preferences.
That wasn't why I liked it.
Two quick steps brought me into Gabriel's space. His hands caught at my waist as mine fisted in his hair, dragging him down. It was sloppy and uncoordinated, but it was the first kiss I'd had with anyone.
Most people would have described fireworks, or music, or feelings of floating. But most people were human.
This… this was so much more intense than any human could stand. The bond flared white-hot, Grace reaching out to each other. On a physical level, it wasn't anywhere near a great kiss by anyone's standards; maybe not even a good one. On a metaphysical level, it was the closest I had been to someone, even Lucifer. With the bond exposed, raw sensations and emotions and thoughts entwined, binding our souls tightly atom by atom. Even vessels and angels didn't mesh this fully.
"I love it," I breathed into Gabriel, not willing to pull away any time soon.
He groaned as my phone rang, rolling his eyes at the 'Heat of the Moment' lyrics. I answered it, refusing to move from Gabe's embrace. He ducked his head and pressed kisses into my skin in revenge.
"Hello?" Yeah, I was pissed. I had actually been having fun for once, and someone had the nerve to interrupt me.
"Rhiannon, you know we have school today, right?"
I cursed and pinched Gabe's side, focusing on Denise. "Yeah, about that. I'm not going anymore. Technically, I graduated, and I have better things to do and I'll talk to you later, okay?" Thumbing the power button, I dropped the mobile on a nearby table and leaned back to look at the archangel accusingly.
"What?" He grinned, eyes crinkling. I raised my eyebrows.
"You know very well what," I said. "You just don't care."
"I've got a beautiful woman in my arms," Gabe charmed. "How am I supposed to resist? Of course I don't give a shit."
I snorted and kissed him again, this one shorter and not as intense as the previous. "I'm going to go check in with my family, and then you can show me around. We can even hang out with Denise and the others at lunch. Sound good?"
The former Trickster sighed melodramatically. "Do I have to share?"
"Yes." I swatted at him. "Play nice."
"You sure?" he leered. "What if I've been a bad boy?"
"Then I'll have to come up with a suitable punishment," I said casually, swallowing at the near-demon black his eyes had turned. I smirked at him and tugged at the threads of reality, flying away before he could respond.
Life, for the moment, was very sweet indeed.
A/N: So, this is probably the most fluff you'll get in a while. It was almost physically painful for me to write this much at once. On the bright side, now it's pretty much all out of the way, and we can get to the good stuff. Again, if there is anything in particular you want to see happen, just shoot me a quick message and I'll see if I can work it in. Thank you all for sticking with me this far.