Gabriel had never been punished before, not in his entire existence. He'd always did his God's wishes, so wasn't any reason for him to be punished. Of course, he'd only been so loyal to avoid his fallen brother's fate. Lucifer had looked so… scared falling. Gabriel had never forgotten that, no matter how much he wished to.

And so, he was facing his first ever consequence for disobeying his maker. He thought this would be impossible after coming to the truce that said he and Beelzebub would never return to Earth, but then again, that truce had been broken so the possibility was back.

He'd been tied down to a familiar chair, one he knew had been chosen on purpose for the irony of it all. He'd tried to pull out of the strings, of course, but it was no use. These were one of the only ways to subdue angels that didn't involve God stepping in, he already knew that but just had to try.

He looked up when Aziraphale suddenly appeared before him and glared at him deeply.

"So, how are we?" Aziraphale asked softly, walking towards him. "I see you took the time to cool off-"

"Where are they?"

Aziraphale frowned and gave a sigh as if disappointed. "And you're back demanding it again, I thought we were through this, Gabriel…"

"Answer me, Aziraphale!"

"Ooh, someone's getting all worked up again!" The archangel giggled, circling him again. "Do you want to scream at me again? Do you want to cry? Do you want to beg? …. Well whatever it you wish to do, save it."

"… You're enjoying this…"

"Well, how could I not?" Aziraphale grinned sharply. "It's delicious payback, Gabriel. Now you feel exactly as we did, sitting exactly like he was… when you wanted to destroy me."

So God had told him. Of course she had, anything to get him even more upset with Gabriel, as if the thousands of years ordering and degrading him hadn't been enough. That's why he sat like this, Aziraphale was making him go through the motions he and Crowley had been: Being ripped away from each other before facing supposed executions. Aziraphale loved the drama of it all, Gabriel could feel it. "So you're just going through the motions, huh?"

"No, not precisely. Rejoice, for this is where the parrels end. I won't be throwing you into a blaze of hellfire, regardless of how much you deserve it." He ended sharply.

They sat in silence for a moment before Gabriel spoke.

"…Would you like me to thank you..?"

"Oh, oh yes, that'd be nice." Aziraphale smiled suddenly, almost sounding like the old angel who craved his superior's approval. "Do go on."

Gabriel stared coldly, not uttering a word.

After a few moments, Aziraphale deflated, realizing it wasn't going to happen. "Well, you'd regret saying it anyway since what I have planned for you is far worse than extinction."

"And what's that?" He already had a horrible feeling.

"You'll be working as a messenger for Heaven again! Under me."

Laughter filled the space.

Aziraphale was surprised before narrowing his eyes in anger.

"What are you laughing at?!"

"Oh, sorry, sunshine. It's just too funny!" Gabriel said through laughs. "You think you've got a position of power!"

"Wha- I do!" Aziraphale cried, face turning red in anger. "I'm the Supreme Arch-Angel!"

"The title doesn't mean anything and we both know it." Gabriel finally calmed down, giving him a sad smile. "You're not in control of anything."

"I have more control than you!" Aziraphale shot back, wishing it had the same effect over Gabriel as it had on him. He loved the roles being reversed now. "You have to do exactly as I say!"

"Why would I?" Gabriel asked, still finding the situation hilarious. He then realized. "You wouldn't be able to, not unless you… took my memories…"

"Feeling a bit nervous, are we?" Aziraphale smirked, seeing the sudden fear in his eyes. He grabbed Gabriel's chin, forcing him to look at him. "Scared you'll lose your feelings for your beloved demon? Hm? I do like this look on you, Gabriel…"

Gabriel didn't know what to say. What could he? It's not like Aziraphale would listen.

"Hm…" Aziraphale let his face go, stepping back as if to savor his fear just a few moments longer. "You'll be relieved to know I won't be doing that."

The angel gave a sigh of relief he didn't know he'd been holding before glancing up. Did he have another crown of control? That seemed unlikely but how else could they get him to obey? Almonds certainly wouldn't be enough.

Aziraphale noticed his confusion and smiled wider. "You don't get it yet…? I don't need to control you or wipe your memories, not when I have something so very precious to you at my mercy…"

"If you hurt them-!"

"I won't have to!" Aziraphale laughed. "After all, you'll be protecting them, won't you? By working for Heaven, you ensure your dear demon's safety."

That was the true torture, Gabriel realized. He'd be doing Heaven's bidding, willingly. He'd hate every second of it yet wouldn't be able to talk back, not when they had Beelzebub.

"Let's get you ready for your first day back, hm?" Aziraphale asked, tugging away the strings like they were nothing. He snapped, changing Gabriel's suit to the uniform all heralds wore. "I expect you in my office as soon as you finish your shift here in Heaven. You'll be having quite the important message to deliver on Earth."

"Earth?" Gabriel repeated in confusion. "Shouldn't you be going yourself? Delivering messages from God to the humans is the job of the supreme arch-angel."

"I thought I'd switch it up a bit, for old times sake. Plus, with you on the job, I'll be able to hunt Crowley every second as I wait for our new king's arrival."

"New king…" Gabriel knew of the plans for the Second Coming but never expected it'd be coming so soon.

"That's right. Now shoo, off to work with you. And don't disturb me until you're finished. I'll need absolute focus if I'm to sign off on the start of it all."

"Start…? You're starting the Second Coming?!"