Category: Darksiders I & II
Rating: M
Couples: Azrael/Abaddon, Zeruch(War)/OC
Warnings: AU, Disturbing Imagery
Chapter: 38
Copyright: Characters & places © By Appropriate Copyright-holder, Plot & OC´s © by me
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"Again," Zeruch commanded, observing his troops repeating their routine; making sure that everyone's posture was proper and had kept up with their regime.
"My lord." Naya'il glided down to his level. "I have received word from the White City. A high official is going to arrive for a visit at the outpost in approximately 2 hours."
Frowning at his second in command, the Garrison Commander asked: "Any word of why a high official is coming here?" Silverwall didn't really contain any valuable artefacts that would interest anyone and demonic activity was low at the moment. He made sure of that.
"The missive stated personal reasons, though it did not elaborate on those." She allowed herself a small shrug. "I suspect the only reason they even bothered sending it is to make sure you can play welcoming-committee."
He managed to stop a loud groan spilling from his mouth. This was the reason why he rather stay a wing commander than this kind of job despite his uncle's insistence. But he had been too panicked when he accepted the job to consider this. "Alright then, you take over the training while I'm going to make me and my office more presentable."
"By your command, my lord." Naya'il quirked him a small grin before banking off to do his bidding.
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Gabriel arrived on the minute at the outpost, smiling lightly as she looked up the battlements.
Tugging at his amulets, Zeruch steeled himself to meet the arrival. Heading outside, he began: "Greetings and welcome to Silverwall. I'm the…." His tongue turned heavier than lead, when he saw who was waiting at the courtyard.
"Thank you, Commander." Gabriel flew over to him, gently setting down on the ground in front of him. "You have done fine work here, if I may say so." There was an amused twinkle in her eyes.
"I… uhm… I mean…" Turning impossible red, Abaddon's child stumbled over his words. "T-thank you, Lady Gabriel." He barely stopped himself from hiding within his own wings. Why, why was she here?! Is it to complain about the letters? "Please, my Lady come inside, to my office. To… wait I mean…"
"Lead the way, Commander." She stepped up to him, offering him her arm. "It took me far too long to get here. Apparently, there was trouble at a different outpost and Abaddon insisted I take a larger guard." She gestured to the four Champions who had touched down a respectful distance from the pair.
Taking in a deep breath in vain effort to try to calm himself, Zeruch nodded and gently took her arm. "So I have heard, my Lady. Please follow me." With a gesture, he sent two watchmen towards the Champions, to bring them to the resting quarters. He tried his so very best not to walk with large strides towards his office, while guiding the lithe angel.
"I assume you must have become quite busy with this promotion." Gabriel followed him, a small smile still playing around her lips. "I didn't receive any more letters from you."
A large banshee screech echoed in his head at the last sentence. DAMN YOU, NAYA! "I had to somewhat acclimatise to my new duty. And demons. And all the paperwork that comes with those..." Zeruch cleared his throat. "I apologise. For the letters."
"Why? They were quite lovely. I missed them when you stopped sending them." Gabriel mused. "It has been quite a while since someone expressed an interest in courtship with me. Most deem me too old… or a Golden Widow, as they dubbed me."
"I…" She liked them? Zeruch quickly pushed down his excitement. No, remember the proper angelic protocol. "Still, it wasn't correct of me to write them." He kept his visage neutral. They approached the office door, so he gently let go of her arm to open it for her.
"Oh, I can agree." She waited until he had opened the door, entering the office. "It was highly inappropriate how long you took to actually start signing them. Almost as if you didn't mean them quite as seriously as their text might make me believe."
He actually cringed at that statement. "I have to confess that those letters were never meant to be signed. Na- a friend of mine was supposed to only write down what I've written. My lettering is… not that great." That was an understatement. "However, my friend suddenly decided to add my name without my knowledge." Zeruch bowed low at Gabriel. "I apologise once again for the letters and for the inconvenience they have caused."
"So I heard." Gabriel smiled lightly. "But I forgive you." Her smile became a small grin. "If you forgive me for doing something that might well break Abaddon's heart…"
Zeruch still looked down, not daring to remove his eyes from the tile floor. Mentally preparing for Gabriel's verdict, he hoped that Abaddon wouldn't be too torn at him being demoted.
"I know I am smaller than you, but not by that much." Gabriel tilted his head up to look at her. "Zeruch, will you break Abaddon's heart and allow me to court you?"
"I beg your pardon?" His brain stopped working at the question.
"Will you allow me to court you? Potentially marry you, et cetera, et cetera?" Her grin was knowing now, probably realizing exactly the – lack of – mental process he had to be having now. "And here I thought you were enough of Azrael's child not to get a shut-down up there at a mere question."
"But, but my Lady, my rank is not suf-", he stammered.
She waved his words away before he had even finished speaking them. "You are the child of two of my equals, Zeruch. Short of Abaddon's grief at you with a scholar, there is nothing outside of our own wishes that could stop a courtship."
Zeruch still couldn't believe his ears. "You don't mind our differences in age? I don't have the same amount of experiences." Compared to her, he was a mere welp, barely interesting to her.
"Should I get you some of your letters and read them to you?" Gabriel graced him with a flat stare. "Some of those passages were… quite open to interpretation, my dear."
"Please don't." Pressing his palms against his lightblue eyes, Zeruch whispered: "Why would you want to court me? I'm just a…"
"It's not too late for me to read those letters to you." The golden-winged female stated dryly. "They are a compelling argument."