I don't own anything. All characters and all rights belong to Ichiei Ishibumi*
M for mature topics. No children allowed. *
The Broken Boosted Gear
By Try Another Time
The sounds of nurses walking through the halls while conversing were the first thing she heard as she began to open her eyes. The white walls of a mysterious room did not inspire peace in her.
"Where am I?"
A sharp pain on the left side of her face disturbs her peace. As her hand touches the left side of her face, she feels the uneasiness of something that wasn't supposed to be hers. The texture seemed normal after touching it, but it also felt unnatural.
She could see with no problems through her left "eye," but it also felt weird.
Her mind was also a mess as she could only remember pieces out of order of the events that transpired before her current state.
Something wrong had happened, and the fact that she was wearing a hospital gown just made her even more worried. She quickly removed the multiple sensors and cables that were attached to her chest and arms before she sought a way out of the room. She struggled to stand straight as she tried to get up from her bed.
Her body was severely weakened. It was as if she had not moved an inch in months, but she forced her limbs to obey.
She needed answers, and she was going to get them.
She continued forward, ignoring the mirror on the right wall next to her.
As she approached the door, she heard multiple steps coming closer. Before she even got the chance to open the door, someone else did it for her.
"Lady Gabriel!" A group of nurses and doctors blocked her path.
"Excuse me, I need to get out. I need-" Her head hurt as that night's flashing memories returned to her. More pieces of the puzzle returned to her, and her fears increased with each new memory. "Serafall? Ddraig?... I need to find him."
"Lady Gabriel, you can't move in this state. You haven't fully recovered from your injuries or the surgery.
"Surgery?" Gabriel was taken aback as she heard such a word. As she turned to her right, she saw herself in the mirror. Her face looked normal, but her left eye seemed draconic and far more mechanical than her eyes used to be. It took her by surprise, but she felt an unexpected connection to it. It felt too familiar to her. "It reminds me of….." Her breathing increased as she realized why this mysterious eye seemed so familiar. Fear took over as she began to imagine the worst. "Get out of my way."
"Lady Gabriel, you-" The nurses and doctors were stopped as the Seraph summoned her wings and used them to create a strong wind current that blew them away.
"I'm sorry, but I need to find him. He can't be dead. He wouldn't die on me." Gabriel made her way into the hallway before she looked around the area.
Her mind remembered the halls more clearly as she realized that her location was within Grigori's intensive care wing.
She didn't know how long it had been, but she knew that she had to find him. She needed to see him alive and well. She wouldn't accept anything else but that.
The doctors and nurses watched as the seraph leaned against the walls but continued to push on with a single goal in mind. None dared to stop her; even in her weakened state, she remained a formidable fighter who had to be respected by everyone.
The only thing they could do was to inform Paraiso about her return to consciousness.
Several minutes later.
Gabriel continued in search of her destination. Several nurses and guards saw her, some of whom tried to offer her aid, but the Seraph rejected their help at each turn.
"I'm almost there. Please, be alive. Don't let it be real." Each step she took filled her with an unwavering determination as she could only think about him.
The bracelet on her wrist remained the physical symbol of their connection. Of the joy and happiness he had brought into her life. Of the many memories, they made through their desertic voyage.
Maybe it was due to her lack of experience with managing this new part of her life, but she knew deep within her that she couldn't accept a life without him around.
As she turned around one more corner, she found the door that had led to his designated room within the intensive care bay. Two guards stood on each side of the door to keep him safe, even if it was practically impossible to reach it.
"Big sis Gabriel?" One of the guards asks as his eyes notice her.
The guards were a fallen angel, and neither could believe she was awake and in such a weakened state before their eyes.
"I need to see him. Please, let me inside that room." Gabriel pleaded as she stepped closer.
"Sis, you shouldn't be out of your bed. You-" The fallen angel was stopped as he saw the expression on her face.
"Please. I need to see that the Welsh Dragon is alive and not dead or in a critical condition. I can't rest without seeing his face." Gabriel pleaded as she forced her body to obey her will.
Neither fallen angel had the guts to deny her wish, as they could see the distress on her face.
One of the guards opens the door for her while the other helps her enter the room. The room had only one inhabitant, and to nobody's surprise, it was Ddraig who was sleeping.
Gabriel tears up as she sees his face. The fear that had invaded her began to settle as she saw him with no visible injuries or scars.
"I'm going to place you in the chair beside his bed. Lady Tiamat should be back in a couple of minutes. She will tell you everything. We're glad that you're back, Big sis." Both fallen angels bow to her before they exit the room and close the door behind them.
Gabriel smiled at the actions of her siblings before she turned her attention towards Ddraig. Her hands reached out to grab his hand. "You made me worry. I feared the worst. You foolish dragon." She wanted to hug and kiss him, but she knew controlling her desires was necessary to remain pure.
Looking around the room, she noticed a wooden cane beside the bed.
"Why is there a cane here? Did someone forget it here?"
Gabriel's eyes continued to wander until she noticed several pill containers resting on the nightstand on the opposite side of the bed.
"Pills? He doesn't have any medical conditions, if I remember well. Why would he need to take them?"
Questions began to arise in her mind as she continued investigating the room until the door opened again.
"My eyes aren't deceiving me, right?" Tiamat asked as she came inside the room.
"Tia!"
The dragoness approaches Gabriel after she closes the door behind her. As soon as she is within range, she embraces her. "I don't know if he or you and Serafall are going to be the death of me. Foolish Seraph, how could you put yourself in danger like that?" Tiamat asked as she released Gabriel.
Gabriel seemed confused by her words. "What do you mean?"
"... You don't remember what happened?"
Gabriel touches the left side of her face. "My memory is still a bit foggy. I just remember worrying about Ddraig's safety because of something that happened during our mission."
Tiamat shakes her head as she sees the confused expression on her face. "It seems like Crom Cruach's attack hit you worse than we initially believed. Gabriel, your team received an unexpected attack from Crom and his allies. They invaded the realm right after your team had captured Apophis's soul. You and Serafall are the reason why the team survived the ordeal. You two reacted just in time to form barriers that block most damage for those present. Don't you remember?"
Gabriel remained silent as she tried to put the pieces back, but her memory remained foggy and incomplete. "I can't seem to remember the event clearly."
"Is alright. You took the most damage alongside Serafall—multiple broken bones around your body, several damaged critical organs and severe burns. It is a miracle that neither of you perish as you put Ddraig's safety before your own. You even lost an eye, and the left side of your face was charred beyond recognition." Tiamat says as she touches Gabriel's face. "It took three days of surgery to replace the eye with Ddraig's eye and repair the damage surrounding it with synthetic skin. Azazel and his team work endlessly to ensure that your face returns to its previous beauty, although you now bear the sharpness of his eyes as yours. Don't worry about Ddraig; he used the egg to regrow a new one."
"I lost an eye? That's why I have his eyes? I don't remember losing one."
"You did, and that, alongside Serafall's injuries, sent Ddraig over the edge. He removed his own eye to give it to you and used every Phoenix drop he had on you and Serafall. He was in complete panic as he tried to stabilize both of you, and it didn't help that Crom and enemy forces invaded the realm. He activated Infinity, and based on the report written by Yasaka, he eliminated every enemy on the land until only one remained. I saw photos of the corpses' remains and the enemy ships' debris. It is right out of a horror movie, as the intense flames melt the skin out of the bodies of many enemies. The final count of deaths reached at least one million by night's end."
"He fought and killed a million for us?"
Tiamat shakes her head. "I would call it more of an execution in mass based on what Yasaka described. He offered no mercy to any of them as he allowed his rage and sorrow to take over. He believed that you two would die that night and blamed himself for being unable to protect you. He executed Crom in cold blood as he saw him as the main culprit behind the attack." Tiamat looks at Ddraig with sadness. "I should've been there to stop him from using Infinity. He pushed himself too far this time."
"... Idiot. He shouldn't have done that. He keeps doing things like this without a care for the consequences." Gabriel says as she caresses his face. "... I became-"
"His girlfriend? I know. Don't worry about anyone listening to us; I told the guards to return in 30 minutes. He has been waking up for some time before losing consciousness for the past 25 days. While he's awake, we talk while he receives therapy. He told me all about the events that transpired throughout the mission. I'm glad that he didn't stand his ground and rejected you. I prefer knowing everything about another bride before they even try to formalize their relationship with him." Tiamat says.
Gabriel blushes, but her attention gets drawn to what Tiamat said. "Therapy?"
"Right. Although it sounds hard to believe, it has been 25 days since the end of the mission. You and Serafall had been the last ones to regain consciousness; Serafall woke up two days ago and did the same thing as you as she crawled to this room. Ddraig was not severely injured after the fight, but the souls dwelling inside him are not in the greatest shape. He has been confined to this room for 25 days and nights as he lost control over most of his body. He has been under intense therapy to recover his grasp of his body. He loses consciousness after each therapy session or when he strains himself too much, but he has made some progress." Tiamat turns to the cane. "He has been using the cane to walk around, but Ddraig can't fight like this. He's out of any mission until he can regain control over his body and powers."
"This can't be." Gabriel felt a sharp pain in her chest as she received this news.
"I know. Seeing my dearest in such a state hurts, but it is best to let him recover. He did enough for a long season, so we must pick up the slack. He has been putting his life on the line without offering any objections for quite some time; it is time for others to cover for him. Thor, Athena, and many others will join any missions that originally included him. He will remain out of every mission until he's back to normal. I welcome this as it means he won't have to be at risk within our home." Tiamat admits.
"... He's not going to enjoy this. He's not a dragon that sits by and lets things happen while he watches."
Tiamat shakes her head. "This time is different. We discussed it, and he didn't object to it. Ddraig is not an idiot; he knows he can't protect anything he cares for in this state. He can only rest and continue with the therapy or await the day in which Issei returns. Returning to the battlefield could take weeks or months, but until then, he will rest."
Gabriel's sight turns to the sleeping dragon. She had seen him fight enemy after enemy without facing defeat since the start of the Alliance, but even those who were invincible could fall from grace with one wrong move. The Welsh Dragon was now reaching its limit, and currently, anyone could be the one to put an end to his life. After learning about all this, a clear mission presented itself before her. A mission that was not just driven by the importance he represented for the Alliance but also by her love for him. "We have to protect him. If he can put his life on the line so-"
Tiamat stops her as she places a finger on her mouth. "There's no need for sacrificial heroes, Gabriel. You're right about us protecting him, but you shouldn't try to do what he does. You need to survive at all costs, so don't think about dying any time soon. You sealed your fate already; he won't let you go, and we both know you don't want to let go of him either."
"But-"
Tiamat shakes her head before she moves her hand and places it on Gabriel's chest. "This heart must continue to beat for his sake. There's still a lot you have yet to experience alongside him; one month is not enough to enjoy all the joys of being alongside him. Don't go into the battlefield thinking that you need to protect him. Fight with the will to return to him; that's an order as your friend and ally. If you or any of us ever failed to return, I doubt he could endure the pain. He might be strong on the outside, but he also has his soft spots. You can't imagine how many nightmares he had throughout these nights. Nightmares in which he saw you and everyone else dying around him. Even those who stand at the top have their own fears, so don't make him regret his inability to fight. He's already enduring a lot."
"... I know." Gabriel turns to the gift she received during the desert voyage. "I'm still new to things like love, but I want to experience more with him. I want to continue to make new memories with him and see where the future takes us. It is uncharted territory for a seraph like me, but I want to explore it with him."
Tiamat smiles as she sees her blushing expression as she talks. "You have my support, so don't die on us, but keep this a secret from your siblings. We don't know how they might react to the scandalous news of their sister getting involved with our Enforcer. It is still too early to know if they are ready to accept such a development."
Gabriel nods as she thinks about the chaos this secret could cause if it was revealed, but then her mind remembers a certain brother of hers who was in a similar situation. A brother who had crossed the line earlier than her. "It is time for us to speak, Michael."
An hour later. Back in Gabriel's room in the intensive care wing.
"We're truly two idiots. I can't believe we did the same thing after waking up." Serafall said as she sat in a floating chair beside Gabriel's bed. The chair seemed to be made especially for those who couldn't walk independently.
Serafall was covered in bandages, and although she couldn't walk on her own at that moment, she was on her way to full recovery.
"I'm sorry. I didn't know that your room was right next to mine. I could only think about finding Ddraig after I woke up." Gabriel admits with an apologetic expression.
Serafall waves her hand as she smiles at her friend's actions. "Come on, I crawl to his room for Lilith's sake, and I'm not ashamed of saying that I completely ignore everyone else."
Tiamat shakes her head as she remembers the panic on the staff's faces. "You should have asked for help."
"Hey, my boyfriend was nowhere to be found, and I was worried. Over that trip through the desert, we got to get much closer and strengthen the bonds that bind us; how could I not be worried about his safety over my own? I'm already missing his warm embrace against me every night." Serafall admits as she hugs her body. "I felt so protected and loved within his embrace. Those cold desert nights became much more bearable for me as I felt his strong arms and warm skin against me. I have become dependent on him, and I can't help but miss his voice."
Gabriel and Tiamat could see her loneliness as she remembered the beautiful memories she made with him.
"You really use that trip to go to town with him. Did you get ahead of me?" Tiamat asks.
"I wanted to, but he didn't give in, but even without that, I enjoyed every moment. He was such a gentleman as he touched every corner of my body. I never expected to experience such joy on my first night with him. Did you teach him all that?" Serafall asks.
Gabriel blushes as she listens to this.
"I taught him nothing," Tiamat admits as she bites her finger. "He made me fall for the trap, allowing me to dominate him at first before he turned things around. I felt like I had him exactly where I wanted him, but it was all a trap. He lowers his defenses, and then he learns as you feel in control before he switches the whole night around."
"Should I get-" Gabriel is interrupted by them as the pair shake their heads.
"You must learn about this before you have a night with him. You must learn from us to know what to expect from him as he's bound to "eat" you." Serafall says.
"But I might-"
"Gabriel, we don't know what the future has in store for us, so knowing even the basics is crucial as he might be gentle, but he will totally dominate you if you fall for his trap. Although he's a virgin, he's not a fool who can't defend himself in bed. I bet that he has been reading books for guidance." Tiamat suggests.
"Maybe, but I'm not sure. Ddraig did this thing with his tongue in which he licks you down there while making a certain motion before he-"
"Stop!" Gabriel shouts. Her face was blazing red as she imagined Ddraig in such a steamy situation with her. The memories of that hot bath alongside the rest and Ddraig made her even more embarrassed as she remembered his naked body.
Tiamat and Serafall began to giggle as they saw Gabriel's expressions.
"I'm sorry, Gabriel. We got too engaged in the conversation. It is hard not to get too involved with such things when I finally get the chance to speak about my experiences with others." Tiamat admits.
"Wait, you don't speak to other females about these things?" Gabriel asks.
"Gabriel, we shared a lover, so the things we might do in private can only be shared with members of the same circle in most cases. Although I have spoken to Tannin's brides about a few things, it has never been this deep. What they do with Tannin is their business, but what I do with the Welsh Dragon is ours. I can only speak about these things with you two for now." Tiamat explains.
Serafall nods. "Other girls might speak to their friends about what they do with their significant others, but when it comes to us three, we have each other. If you're concerned about how to approach that first night with him, you can come to us for such questions."
"But I might never get to that stage," Gabriel says.
"Gabriel, you can't close all doors until you're entirely sure. You already took a step forward and started a relationship with him. As time goes on, you're bound to want to do more than just a kiss. You'll be the one to seek that closeness as you feel the distance between you two getting much shorter each day. The feelings will deepen, and you'll seek his affection more and more. Trust me, I know. I felt the flames of passion igniting every night I shared a bed with him since the relationship started. I crave the closeness between us, and I know he also did. The flaming affection and intimacy we share are like drugs, making it much harder to be apart." Tiamat explained.
Serafall continued to nod while Gabriel was drawn deeper into the rabbit hole by the curiosity that such words were arising within her.
"So a year ago, you wanted to "eat" him?" Gabriel asks.
"I won't deny it. I'm a dragon, and I'm his mate, his bride. I want all of him, and now I'm just waiting for the right moment to take what I have been waiting for. The two years are almost over, and Issei will be back soon, so I plan to tie him up and go on a vacation in a faraway realm. Call it the Honeymoon that we put on hold." Tiamat says with a sharp and lustful expression.
"Are you talking about the Everblue Realm?" Serafall asks.
"Right on the target. One week here equals at least two to three months inside that realm. At least three months just for us, but I'm open to bringing you two along if you feel up to the idea." Tiamat says as she presents the idea.
"But it is your Honeymoon. It's supposed to be just you two." Gabriel says.
"Yes, but I also might need help against him. I don't know if I might be enough to last three months against him once he goes all out." Tiamat says as she scratches her cheek.
"Oh, is big bad Tiamat afraid of facing the big muscular Welsh Dragon on a series of steamy nights? Is he too much for you to face?" Serafall asks as she teases her.
"Sera, we both know one night means the whole night with him. He has the stamina to face me and win. I might need a tag team if he enjoys the joys of sex way too much….. And maybe being pregnant around the same time would be good for us." Tiamat says with a silly smile.
"That's your real plan! You're one devious dragon." Serafall says. "I like the idea. Tosca would love to have some siblings."
"... I'm not going," Gabriel says.
"Come on, Gabriel. Think about it, us three-" Before Serafall can finish her sentence, someone knocks on the door.
"I'll get it." Tiamat walks towards the door.
Serafall turns to Gabriel. "Think about it, and we can continue later." Her expression was filled with a blinding joy as she imagined the idea coming to fruition.
Its strength was so intense that Gabriel could only look away in defeat.
"... I'll think about it," Gabriel says as she controls her emotions. The idea was outrageous, but the pair's influence slowly affected her as her thoughts about Ddraig became passionate. "A baby. Me becoming an actual mother? How many problems would that create? But it is too soon to think about such things."
While the Seraph continued to think about the possibility of motherhood, Tiamat opened the door.
"Michael? Only you came to visit?" Tiamat asked as she faced him.
"It is the middle of the night, and most of us were too busy or tired to come. Uriel and Raphael will finish their work before they arrive." Michael explained.
"I see. The job of those in heaven never really ends. Come inside; we entertained her while waiting for any of you to arrive." Tiamat said as she moved away and offered him a clear path inside.
As Michael enters the room, his eyes meet those of Gabriel. Michael smiles as she waves at him to come closer. "It seems that you two think more alike than what I initially expected. Am I right, Serafall?"
Serafall smirks. "Bright minds think alike."
"If by bright you mean forcing your bodies to move just to check on Ddraig, then sure, but please try to be more careful about your actions. The doctors and nurses weren't happy. They don't get paid enough to deal with the shenanigans of two suicidal warriors." Michael jokes.
"We were worried. Wouldn't you do the same if you woke up under the same circumstances as me?" Gabriel asks.
"I know, but still. Be more mindful." Michael pats Gabriel's head before he caresses the synthetic skin that now covers the left side of her face. "I'm glad there's no visible difference between your natural skin and the synthetic one. Do you feel anything wrong?"
Gabriel shakes her head. "It did feel weird initially, but it is not itchy or uncomfortable."
"Good. Azazel and his team worked endlessly on the surgery. They had a goal, and I feel they achieved it. Now, what about the eye? Does it work as intended? Do you have any problems with it?" Michael continues.
"None. It works fine. I'm surprised my body accepted it so well." Gabriel admits.
"Hephaestus did some alterations to make sure it fits you. It is not a typical transplant; after all, you're the first to obtain a transplant like this. It is uncharted territory, and many of our siblings aren't too fond of it either." Michael says as he sits on the bed.
Serafall and Tiamat saw that the conversation would be more personal, so they began to make their way out without saying a single word. Gabriel was going to stop them, but both girls shook their heads.
It was time for them to speak without outside interference. Michael internally thanked them as he heard the door closing. They needed this moment to talk without any reservations.
"... So they're objecting to me having a dragon's eye?" Gabriel asks.
"Most object to even getting a transplant. Our siblings claimed that the flesh of a different race shouldn't taint your purity."
"He ripped his own eye. They can't object to such a willing sacrifice."
"They know, but they still have reservations about it. You're the idol of heaven, so anything that concerns you has significant consequences."
"I'm not fond of their expectations and ideas about me. I'm their sister, not their perfect goddess."
"They know, but still, you're too precious to all of our faction. You're a general, a leader, a pinnacle that many strive to follow. Each action you make will have consequences. It has always been this way."
Gabriel clenches her fists as she looks away. "I don't enjoy such a position. I'm my own person. I… have my own goals and dreams. I don't want to be a symbol, Michael. I have things that I want to experience outside of the perfect image they seek in me."
Michael remains silent for a moment as he takes this information in. "... I see that we need to speak about this as siblings and not as leaders of our faction. I sense that this conversation will be necessary for both of us."
Gabriel's eyes widened as she heard such words. "... You're serious about this?"
"Go ahead. We're siblings first and leaders of Paraiso second. We should be able to speak about things like this." Michael says with a calm but welcoming expression.
Gabriel takes a deep breath as she sees the chance to ask the questions she sought to get answers to. "... You began to visit the Unicorn more regularly than most Alliance members. I noticed you always left without giving too many explanations besides claiming to have important appointments within the Unicorn. I won't claim to have seen you, but I feel you have something going on with Athena. We all know about your past with her, but it feels different now. The friendship you two established before the war has flourished into something more, hasn't it?"
Michael grows silent as he cannot understand how his sister has caught up to his secret. "How did you come to that conclusion? I never gave hints."
"So you won't deny it?"
"Gabriel, we can't lie. That is the one thing that we can't do. How did you figure it out?"
"You gave no clear explanations of what was happening in these "meetings," and you went out of your way to be secretive about it. There is also the fact that you forgot to clean strands of her hair from your attire one time."
"It could have been due to something else."
"Michael, we both know why you visited her, and it wasn't because you wanted to talk about the Alliance or trade between our factions. You two are a couple, and you hid it from everyone."
Michael smacks his face as he sees no way out of this. Gabriel was glaring at him with visible annoyance at his action.
With no way out, Michael sighs before spilling the beans. "I admit it. I do have a romantic relationship with Athena. It began shortly after the mission that took place in her homeland."
"See, was it that hard to speak about it?" Gabriel asks as she sees his embarrassed expression.
"Gabriel, don't take that tone with me. We both know this is the easiest theme to discuss in a conversation with anyone. We're not supposed to do things like this. Our siblings won't accept this."
"... I know, but you should have approached me about it. I would have listened to you without judging you. We're not perfect beings, Michael. I know that now more than ever."
"Tell that to the siblings we had to lead since Father's death. They look up to us for guidance. You, Raphael, Uriel, and I are the four pillars that keep our faction together. If any of us were to disappear or step away from the path, it would have consequences."
"But you still did step away. You risked falling from grace."
"I couldn't lie to myself. I care for Athena. I cherish her, and I couldn't lie to her when she faced me. Tell me, what should I have done? Lie to Athena and myself? Bury, what was already there? I couldn't. For once, I couldn't put my position in heaven and my siblings first."
Gabriel pats his shoulder. "I'm not judging you or asking you to break up with her. I'm far from the right person to do so. I have a secret of my own. I-"
"You got in a relationship with the Welsh Dragon?"
"Does everyone know what I'm about to say? Were you spying on me?"
Michael shakes his head. "I have been thinking about it for the past weeks. He ripped his own eye for you. When I visit Ddraig, he evades my face and even apologizes for being unable to protect you from getting injured. I felt his guilt as we spoke; it was as if he couldn't bear the weight of his responsibility. The matching "friendship" bracelets might have seemed cute, but they hint at something more profound. You just confirm it for me."
"..."
"..."
Both siblings went silent as they found themselves in similar situations. Both had crossed the line, but neither could judge the other for choosing to step away from their principles.
Michael grabs her hands. "Gabriel, I'm not mad about it. I'll admit that he wouldn't have been my choice for someone as an in-law. He's far from perfect, but I respect him and acknowledge your choice to be with him. I choose to be with Athena, and you should also be free to choose who to fall for. I just ask you to be careful with your choices from now on. Our siblings aren't ready to accept these developments."
"... I know, but I might move farther than you have."
"What do you mean?"
"He might… propose to me soon."
"Ddraig? As in asking for your hand in marriage?"
Gabriel nods. "We talked about it, and he said that Baraqiel had an idea of how to achieve a ceremony that the system would accept."
"..." Michael was in shock as he tried to make sense of the whole idea. A dragon and a seraph contracting matrimony was insane, but if possible, it would open a whole new era for him and his siblings. His eyes focus on Gabriel. "Are you going to accept his proposition?"
"... I'm still thinking about it. I asked Ddraig for a formal proposition like the ones humans have. If I am to become his bride, I'd like to have something similar to what humans have. I want to be a proper bride. Something that Father might have approved of."
Michael could see the sincere smile that formed on Gabriel's face as she spoke about the idea of marriage. He imagined the ceremony where he walked her down the aisle while she wore a dress. A series of new sensations arose as he imagined letting go of her hand as they reached Ddraig. He felt joy, pain, sadness, and even some pride as he saw her off into a new stage of her life.
A tear escaped his eye as he imagined her leaving Paraiso behind as she fully embraced her life alongside the Welsh Dragon.
"Michael?" Gabriel called out to him. "You're crying."
Michael lets go of her hand and touches his cheek. "Why am I crying? Why does it hurt but also makes me happy? Is this what human siblings feel when they see their sibling leaving the family home?"
"Michael?"
"I'm alright. My mind was just imagining the future. Gabriel, I won't interfere with your choices. I want you to be happy, and if your happiness involves the Welsh Dragon, so be it. I will support you two, but if he hurts you, I will execute him. You're my sister, and you mean a lot to me. I will support the marriage if you choose to accept his proposal, but I ask you to allow me to be the one to walk you down the aisle. Father is not here to take such a place but I wish to take his place."
"You would do that for me?"
"I'll be sad if you ask anyone else instead of me. I also doubt that Uriel, Raphael, or even Metatron are up for the task."
Gabriel could barely hold it in as she received the support of her brother. Her arms embraced him as she cried tears of joy. "Thank you for being so understanding."
"I'm your brother first before anything else. It will be painful, but I'll be glad to witness your wedding. No other bride would match your beauty and grace in a wedding dress. Well, except for someone else."
"Who?"
"Give me time. You gave me ideas to bring up to Athena. If your wedding is successful, I might follow your path with her." Michael said as he blushed at the idea of asking Athena for something similar.
"Michael! You can't be this cute." Gabriel hugged him as she felt a sense of joy that couldn't be described.
On that night, a pair of siblings continued to traverse the uncharted path that would lead their faction to a new era.