Category: Darksiders I & II
Rating: M
Couples: Azrael/Abaddon
Warnings: AU, Disturbing Imagery
Chapter:25
Copyright: Characters & places © By Appropriate Copyright-holder, Plot & OC´s © by me
Author's Note: Guest-chapter by fellow writer Mask-of-Dakla
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Two angelic children giggled and chased each other while their appointed sitters watched over them from the bench, where they both lazed about. The young girl flitted through the air like an energized hummingbird, whereas the boy followed her with more caution and still to some degree unstable. Once a while, in her enthusiasm, she would grab the other's arm and pull him up higher in the sky. At the first time, Zeruch squealed in surprise at the action however when the initial shock subsided, he laughed with her while gliding back down.
"Zeruch's flying is getting better by the day", Nathaniel remarked to his friend, while watching his daughter teaching Zeruch to do a loop-the-loop.
Abaddon hummed in agreement and added; "Indeed. Not surprised, though. He basically practices every day, after he's finished with Azrael's chores. " He watched Zeruch trying to replicate his friend, but somewhat failed in his first attempt.
"I've heard Azrael is now teaching him some basic firemagic." Turning to Abaddon, Nathaniel raised in mirth his brow: "Do I want to know how you both found out about Zeruch's affinity?"
With a sight, Abaddon began: "Well…"
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
The General rushed inside his friend's abode, calling out in worry: "Azrael! What happened to your garden! Did someone tried to Smi-? Your Wing!" Abaddon gaped at the scholar's singed limb.
Azrael raised his hand to stop the warrior before he could demand an explanation. "Don't worry, old friend. I just need a good night's sleep and all will be healed. And as for the garden…" With a sigh, the First Mystic continued: "Zeruch had an anger tantrum."
Blinking, Abaddon stared at Azrael.
A small smile appeared on the Mystic's visage at the expression: "We had an argument about finishing chores and practising flying which caused Zeruch lose his temper, thus accidently unleashing his affinities." Lifting the singed wing for emphasis, Azrael said: "Zeruch have a strong affinity with fire, since he scorched up my wing and garden. I do believe he also has it with stone, except weaker. "
Still staring without a word at Azrael, something changed in Abaddon's expression.
"Abaddon, no."
"By the Heavens, I-!"
"You were thinking about it again."
With a huff, Abaddon grumbled: "You know me far too well." Feeling a lot calmer than before, Abaddon enquired: "How's Zeruch? I assume it must be quite a shock for him."
"Yes, he was quite upset that he accidently hurt me. He nearly didn't want to learn about his firemagic, but I managed to change his mind." Azrael drew a face and mumbled glumly: "Told him that you would be very pleased if he could torch every demon in sight."
At this sullen confession, Abaddon guffawed out loud. "Well, I'm pleased that you are starting to see my way."
"Oh shut it!"
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Nathaniel chuckled and shook his head. "I'm surprised he didn't try to whack you."
"Couldn't, I was standing at the side of his injured wing", Abaddon unconcernedly replied while observing Zeruch making a successful yet wobbly loop-the-loop. Before Nathaniel could make a remark, Abaddon called out: "Well done, Zeruch! You've done it!"
With a squeak and a whoosh, a bright eyed boy landed between the General's arms; already used to having the child using him as a landing pad, Abaddon caught the boy before he could crash himself against the cuirass.
"Did ya see, Uncle? Did ya see it?!", Zeruch rambled at Abaddon, all excited by his accomplishment.
Grinning, Abaddon reminded the child: "Of course I saw it, Zeruch. You did well, very well."
"I gonna be the bestest loop-the-looper in whole the world!", the cheerful boy declared, raising both his arms and wings in the air.
"You're going to need to practice more before you can become the best loop-the-looper around here", the General of the Hellguard explained.
Zeruch's face became all solemn and nodded at the elder angel, lowering his arms plus his wings. "Uncle, help me up so I cans practice again."
Getting up from the bench, Abaddon asked the determined boy: "The Scholar's or Warrior's way?"
"The Warrior's way!" Flatting his wings against his back and positioning arms loosely at his sides, Zeruch braced himself for the next action.
"That's my boy! Get ready… and UP!" With a smooth and easy motion, Abaddon threw his charge at least a few metres high up in the skies above him.
Giggling and a loud "Thank you, Uncle!" back, Zeruch flew towards Naya'il, who was loop-the-looping in a short distance away.
When Abaddon returned back to his seat, Nathaniel asked his dear friend: "So… No Abby anymore?"
Grimacing at the memory of that particular moniker, Abaddon replied: "Oh Heavens no; after a while I asked Zeruch to give me another nickname because I didn't like that one. At that moment, he decided to call me 'Uncle'."
"Shame, it suited you."
"Nathaniel, I can ask Zeruch to give you a nice new name."
"Though now I think about it, I have to admit: 'Uncle' fits you more."
"Thank you."
Changing the subject, Nathaniel said: "Naya'il is looking forward to go to school with Zeruch. She can't stop talking about it." Looking again at the children, loop-the-looping around each other, he continued: "What's Zeruch attitude about attending class?"
"Both excited and nervous, to be honest; it will be his first time meeting other children and adults without our constant presence. Still, he is very keen to go. I guess it will do him good to see other faces."