Notes: First Angel Sanctuary fic. It centres mainly around Katan and Raphael, although other characters such as Michael will play rather large roles as well. The chapters for this are generally going to be shorter than I normally write, and there should be about 5 chapters total. The story is set before the manga but after Rosiel is locked away – it basically deals with that in between time. All thoughts and reviews are very welcome!
How Angels Fall.
Chapter One: As heaven begins its descent into chaos, Katan seeks out Raphael in an attempt to steam the flow of violence and death. Set pre-Rosiel's resurrection.
Katan rushed through the corridor, his anxious gaze sweeping over the apartment numbers that were etched on each door he passed. He had never strayed this far before, and although there had not been the time to ask for actual directions, he had heard enough from overly loud (and deliberately so) female cherubs to know that Raphael's residence was somewhere near. Apartment 312 had been more of a goal for some of the people that Katan had studied with than receiving high positions within the angel hierarchy, and he heard of the richly lined corridors and stunning views that made up merely the walkways of the complex.
But Katan had very little interest in the décor, especially right now. A desperate sense of relief came when he found the right entrance, and he banged loudly on the door in a manner that would have been completely unprofessional in any other situation.
"Lord Raphael, Lord Raphael." His calm calls belied his growing concern. "Please, you are urgently required." He was about to bang against the perfect, oak door once again when it suddenly opened, revealing the dishevelled angel of healing.
"I … I can wait a moment, if you like." Katan averted his gaze from Raphael's exposed chest, feeling rather than seeing the other man's responding smirk.
Katan, if I could finish things off in only a moment, then I wouldn't have the reputation I do." The slow, drawled words brought a brush of red to Katan's cheeks, but he shouldn't really have expected anything less. Raphael slouched easily against the doorframe, hooded eyes appearing deceptively casual. "What is it that brought you here at this time of night? These halls don't see a huge deal of cherubs."
Not male ones at least Katan wanted to add, but he bit his tongue. Although Raphael held no formal post beyond his archangel status, governing no one in the same sense that Michael did nor ruling over any place such as Uriel, Raphael was still his superior. At moments like this, where Raphael was draped in clothes as opposed to wearing them and staring at him with his empty, empty eyes, it was something that was often difficult to remember.
"A fight erupted in the great hall; two warring factions took to each other brutally and without remorse." A touch of urgency returned to Katan's voice. "You are desperately needed, Lord Raphael." Something flickered briefly in Raphael's eyes at the title. "There are many who are injured, many more who will not survive until dawn without your immediate assistance."
"Is that all?" Raphael seemed strangely amused. "Go to bed, Katan. This is a job for the cleaners come morning, not for me. I have … other, more pressing obligations." Raphael's smile twisted higher as a giggle came from the next room. "Ones you are improperly keeping me from."
Katan's eyes widened as Raphael moved from the doorframe and went to shut the door.
"You cannot … but, my Lord! You must save them!" The carnage was still etched deeply in Katan's mind.
"Why?" The simple, seamless question stilled Katan's anger, replacing it with something closer to disbelief. "If they wish for death, then who am I to prevent it?"
"None of them wish to die, my Lord."
"But that is not what I said, Katan." So calm, so cold. "It is not what I said." For a moment Raphael almost appeared to sag slightly against the door, but the moment was so brief that Katan wasn't entirely sure whether or not he had merely imagined it. "Tell who ever sent you that I will not be going anywhere tonight, other than bed."
"I was not sent by anyone." Raphael's smile morphed into a smirk at Katan's quiet admission.
"Because no one cares, Katan. Only you." It was not said in praise but in mockery, and Katan gaze hardened slightly in response. "Go do something fun for once, Katan, there is no reason why we can't all enjoy this fall of ours."
"I was once told, Lord Raphael," Katan began, his words soft even as his gaze never wavered from Raphael's. "I was once told that, as the Angel of Healing, you feel each angel's death as though someone had taken their sword to you instead. That must make this time of bloodshed especially difficult for you."
For a moment, Raphael didn't say anything, expressionless eyes simply silently studying him.
"I will never understand why Rosiel ever took such a liking to you." The harsh slam of the door rippled through Katan's body, the casual viciousness of Raphael's words making the world around him disappear into a mist of hurt that cut so deep that he momentarily forgot how to breathe.
Rosiel-sama, I don't know what I'm doing anymore.
He did the only thing he knew how to. The pain was roughly pushed aside, and Katan turned sharply - too sharply – on his heels and headed back towards the grand hall. There was surely something he could do to help, even if he wasn't Raphael.
Even if he wasn't Rosiel.
He knew, as he'd always known, that it would never be quite enough.
