Disclaimer: I own very little.

031. Sunrise

Gabriel was late.

This was definitely unusual, Aziraphale thought. Gabriel was usually right on time. But now, this was even more important than any other appointment ever. He could not miss this!

They were walking closer; he could already see them. And there were still guards and sight of neither Gabriel nor the Sun... Where was Gabriel? He had to hurry!

Ah, well, it appeared there was no other way to deal with this than a direct approach. And that meant taking care of things himself. He'd deal with any possible bureaucratic problems later, now there was no time to think. Some things just needed to be done; by whom was irrelevant.

Okay. If he only could remember what Gabriel had taught him about miracles back in Heaven... Small, everyday miracles he could manage just fine, but the more impressive things were beyond him. He was a warrior, not a miracler. Michael didn't believe in showing off, just pure skill – complicated tricks might mean your defeat in battle.

Well, hopefully he could manage it well enough. Undoubtedly Gabriel's entrance would have been even more impressive, but...

At least his little earth quake indeed stunned the soldiers guarding the grave. Making sure his robe was even more pristinely white than usually, he rolled the stone away, concentrating on keeping his appearance as awe-worthy and intimidating as possible.

The women seemed scared. Oh, no, that wouldn't do. "Be not afraid," he said, wishing he'd had even a fragment of Gabriel's language skills. The archangel could literally talk birds out of the trees (although only Israfel and Uriel had been reported to manage that by singing). He could, at best, be rather reassuring. "If you're looking for Jesus, he is not here. He has risen just like he said. Go and tell the others so that they'll know, too."

The women appeared delighted at this, which was, of course, hardly surprising. They hurried away to spread the great news, leaving Aziraphale gazing behind them, smiling.

The Sun came to sight, and so did Gabriel. "I see you took care of it quite admirably," he said with a smile. "That earth quake was a nice touch. It gave your words some weight."

"You must be kidding," Aziraphale huffed. "I spoiled it almost completely! Without that earth quake they wouldn't have believed me to be an angel at all! I sounded like just another human. I just can't do those 'lo's and 'behold's of yours."

"You don't have to, really," Gabriel said, placing a hand on his little brother's shoulder. "Afterwards they'll remember you as a magnificent creature with the most impressive manners of speech. Your actual words will never be remembered, the message is so much more important. And when it is written down one day, nobody will dare to use anything but magnificent words."

"I guess you might be right," Aziraphale said, smiling. Walking into the tomb, he sat down where the Lord's feet had lain some time earlier. "At least I got the job done despite you being late. That is absolutely unforgivable, you know!"

"Why so? You managed just well with it," Gabriel replied. "I had no doubt in mind you'd do well. I was delayed because I had to see to Uriel just before I left, but I hoped you'd be here in time. And, just like I thought, you were. So what is the problem?"

Aziraphale just glared at the archangel, who also took a seat. After a moment, Aziraphale asked, "So, how is Uriel? I doubt he's been too well since the Day..."

"Uriel has been… not exactly sleeping," Gabriel said. "He's been in some kind of a slumber. According to Michael, that way he gets even closer to Presence than usually. We decided not to disturb him in hopes it will help him feel better."

"I do hope so," sighed Aziraphale. He then smiled. "But he should get better now, shouldn't he?"

"Oh, yes," Gabriel said happily. "He definitely should do so."

They smiled at each other. It was easy to smile, feeling so good.

Their Lord had triumphed over Death, after all.

Michael reached out a hand to wipe a lock of hair from Uriel's face. Although he would have never admitted it to anyone, he was worried. Many a time had he seen Uriel resting like this -- and every time, he was worried, worried that Uriel would rather stay in his dreams than awaken. After all, the world of waking was not as strong in Presence as Uriel's peaceful rest.

Just as he was about to again wipe aside the lock that stubbornly kept clinging to his dear Uriel's face, returning soon after being removed no matter how many times he did it, Uriel stirred. Emerald eyes opened slowly, a smile spreading onto the dark face as they met Michael's gaze.

"He has won," Uriel said, the delight evident in his voice. "He has won, and Death has lost, and even the Sun sances with joy this morning."

"That is true," Michael agreed, relief bringing a smile to his face. "And you are well again, too."

"That I am." Uriel's smile faded away. "I'm sorry, Michael. I have been neglecting you ever since He was born -- you, Raphael and Gabriel, my duties, everything. And these last few days I have worried you needlessly."

"No apologies necessary, Uriel," Michael said softly. "You can't help your nature. You were simply created to be that way."

"Michael is right," said Raphael from the doorway. "None of us blames you for staying close to Him these past years. We were tempted to do so ourselves, after all, and your desire to be close to His Presence would naturally be even stronger."

"That is no excuse," Uriel protested. "It is in demons' nature to hurt and destroy, but that doesn't make it any more acceptable. Then why should you excuse my wrongdoings?"

"Because you have done nothing wrong," replied Michael. "You did what every angel would have done, had they been able to. You still fulfilled your duties -- or was there even one order you did not see to its completion? We did not feel neglected -- did you not visit us all the time? Compared with the millennia you have spent mostly in Heaven, I, at least, was delighted to see you on Earth for a chance. There is much to be learnt there. I regret not being able to spend more time there myself."

"You seem quite well," Raphael then observed, not giving Uriel any time for protesting. "As it is so, I see no reason why you should still stay in bed, should you feel up to getting back on your feet. The whole Heaven is celebrating and I see no reason why you should not be doing the same."

"Did the word get to the disciples, at least?" asked Uriel as he indeed stood up, Michael hovering protectively about. "That He has truly risen and not been stolen away?"

"Oh, yes." Raphael smiled. "Gabriel was a bit delayed, but fortunately Aziraphale was there to deliver the message. You need not worry, Uriel -- just be happy on this wonderful day."

And, somehow, Uriel simply couldn't stop a smile from rising to his face again.

Next Prompt: Sunset