Chapter Twenty-Four

A Legacy is Born

Bobby's Head: Time Unknown

Bobby lost track of the number of memories they'd seen. Most were small secretive meetings in the middle of the night. Azrial would bring some food that Marcus simply couldn't access on the front line, and the two would talk well into the early morning. Each meeting seemed to bring them closer together. The first meeting had been rather awkward, the two poking and prodding the other with questions to try and establish a norm. By the time the most recent memory played the conversation was flowing easily. It was hard to gauge how long had passed since these meetings started, but Marcus had aged slightly. The best he could figure it had been around two years. The next memory they fell into was different though. Azrial appeared at the same time, smiling and holding out a basket of food. Marcus though was pacing his tent, frowning deeply until he realized she had entered.

"Is this a bad time?" Azrial tentatively asked and set the food on the table next to a map. Bobby glanced down and was surprised to see that most areas were marked as conquered.

"No, no. I am always happy to see you." Marcus sighed and offered his hand to Azrial. She tentatively took it, and the two sat on his cot. Bobby frowned at the way the man was fidgeting. From what he'd seen of Marcus, the man oozed confidence. He didn't go out of his way to show it, but it was a quiet energy that seemed to draw people to him.

"The campaign is over," Marcus said quietly. "I have been given the option to remain here and lead a training post or return to Rome."

"Is that bad?" Azrial asked. "I would assume if you took over the post it would come with a promotion."

"It would, a promotion that I desperately wanted. You know I have little desire to enter the political sphere, especially with how turbulent it currently is."

"Then why are you anxious? Are you not feeling well?"

Azrial's open concern made Marcus smile, and the way he looked at her almost made Bobby laugh. He'd never been one for romance movies, but watching these memories brought a whole new dimension of the reserved archangel to light. He glanced at Crowley and was surprised to see the demon was as invested as he was. He'd never understood the duo's agreement not to talk about the past, especially given Crowley's obvious thirst for knowledge. It seemed the demon was now making up for lost time.

"I am trying to find the courage to ask you a question that has weighed on my mind for several months now." Azrial looked surprised at Marcus's heavy tone, and Bobby raised an eyebrow.

"What question?"

Marcus took a deep breath and shifted to look directly into Azrial's eyes. "These past two years have been a blessing despite being on the warfront. Every time you visited brought a warmth that I found myself craving whenever you were gone. That was before I realized you were providing for my men as well as for me."

Azrial blushed, looking away. "I know you see them as family. Dropping food from time to time was easy enough to do."

"It made me love you all the more," Marcus whispered. Azrial's eyes widened, but it was telling that she didn't move away from him. Hell, Bobby was pretty sure he saw her lean closer at the man's confession.

"What do you want to ask me?"

"If I stay here, will you join me? I know you have your own duties, but this far from Rome you will be able to slip away unnoticed as needed."

"What about your duties?" Azrial whispered. "You told me you had to wed and continue your family line."

Marcus was silent for a moment, and he reached under his cot pulling out a scroll. He handed it to Azrial who carefully unwrapped it. Bobby watched a flurry of emotions pass over her face, and she glanced back up at Marcus.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes," Marcus said firmly. "My sister is promised to Felix, who already agreed to stay here if I took the position. As far as anyone in Rome is concerned, her first born will be mine, ours if you agree to this. None of my men will deny it given what you've done for us. Felix already agreed, especially since he was joining our family due to the difference in prestige."

"Why go through all this trouble? This is…you could be killed if this came to light."

"Death is a small price to pay for a lifetime of you at my side," Marcus declared. "So, will you accept my offer to stay?"

Bobby saw the tears forming in Azrial's eyes as she tightly gripped the scroll. Her smile was large enough to light a dark room, and she was nodding frantically.

"Yes. I want to stay."

Marcus smiled just as brightly, pulling her into a tight hug. The two sat like that for a long time, and Bobby was starting to feel like he was intruding.

"You told me you wanted a family again," Marcus said. "I know we are simply human, but I hope you will find a family with me and mine. When we eventually marry, you will be a Valerius. I know it is a small…"

Azrial cut Marcus off with a firm kiss, and Bobby looked away until the two broke apart. The archangel was openly crying now, but that didn't dim her bright smile.

"Nothing about this is small. Nothing about you, your men, or your family is simple. In one moment, you have shown me more kindness and consideration than I ever received while with my family. From now until the end of time, I will watch over your family. That is my promise to you."

Marcus looked startled at the declaration, but it was quickly replaced by a warm smile as the man leaned in for another kiss. Thankfully the scene began to fade, and Bobby was grateful that he was able to cut the memories short as needed.

"I think I have a cavity from how sweet that was," Crowley said. Bobby snorted, willing the space to become the illusion of his office and living room. It obeyed quickly and Bobby fell into his chair, Crowley sitting across from him.

"So that explains the Valerius connection. She promised to look after them and the rest is history."

"I'm curious what blessings she gave the family," Crowley admitted. "Though now I could ask her."

"How ya handling all this?"

Crowley shrugged. "It was shortsighted to have that agreement in the first place. With the change in our relationship…well, I can admit I was wrong. We were both guarded people back then. Both tired and used to looking over our shoulder."

"And now?" Bobby asked.

"Now the world is ending, we're in bed with a hunter, and somehow Azrial is responsible for one of the largest occult families in the world."

"Well as long as you don't start going through a midlife crisis, I think we'll be fine."

Crowley chuckled, nodding slowly. "Wise words, pet. Get some rest, I'm going to jump ship before my vessel starts rotting."

"What, you don't have a spell for that?" Bobby teased. "I'll see ya when I wake up. Don't go running off before then."

"Who died and put you in charge?" Crowley's words lingered as the demon vanished from his mind. Bobby glanced down at his hand, staring at the Valerius ring in thought.

"I've been wondering the same damn thing."

A soft breeze blew through the room, and gentle hands rested on his shoulders. Bobby went to turn around, but the hands tightened slightly.

"Don't," Azrial whispered. "I know you can see my trueform, but part of me doesn't want you to."

Bobby hummed, resting his hand over the one on his right shoulder. He noticed the slight claws on the obsidian colored hand and sighed.

"You think I'd be afraid?"

"I don't want you to see me as a monster." Bobby frowned and spun his chair around without warning. The archangel was forced to let go of his shoulders and took a startled step back. The being in front of him certainly wasn't human, but he sure as hell wouldn't call her a monster either. Azrial's form was made up of purples, blues, blacks, and silvers. Her hair, though it acted more like liquid or shadow, hung down to her hips covering most of her upper body. Her eyes were completely silver, no iris in sight, and her lips were a deep blue that would be concerning if they were on a human. Silver lines of varying width were splattered across her body, with a massive spot on her chest that made it look like she was struck by lightning.

"Lucifer's attack injured this form?" Bobby couldn't keep the fury out of his voice. Azrial mouthed silently for a few moments, clearly not expecting that reaction.

"Yes," she said. "That's why I didn't want Crowley to see me. Could you imagine the rant?"

Bobby could tell she was trying to soothe his temper with the joke, but it didn't help. He stood up, a bit surprised to find Azrial was floating slightly so her feet didn't touch the ground.

"I can because I'm about to start in myself," he growled. "Why didn't you mention this?"

Azrial shrugged. "I didn't think it mattered, considering you both saw the scar on my vessel."

"Doesn't it hurt?"

Azrial chuckled, and leaned forward to rest her forehead against his. "Not as much as it once did, my hunter."

He huffed, but tentatively reached out to touch her cheek. Azrial leaned into his hand, causing a soft glow where his fingers connected with her skin.

"I don't think you're a monster," he said. "Just so we're clear."

"Small miracles. I'm sure you have questions."

Bobby rolled his eyes at her playful tone, but didn't deny it. Hell, he was trying to sort out what to ask first on the long line of questions he had.

"Castiel said angels were as tall as the Chrysler building. So are you just short, or-?" His teasing was cut off by Azrial laughing, and he was surprised that it made her whole form glow a touch brighter.

"I can be that large if I wanted to, I can also show all three of my faces at once as well. This is just the form I prefer."

"So will your other two faces melt mine off?"

She snorted, floating back slightly. "You've already seen one."

"I have?"

"Yes, in the memories I showed you."

"You mean the wolf?" he asked, vaguely recalling it being mentioned.

She smiled, tilting her head. "Gives some credence to all the times I've been called a bitch, doesn't it?"

"I didn't realize you could switch forms while in a vessel, that's damn useful."

Azrial's smile faded. "I can't. Not anymore, I mean. I lost the ability when I ripped my grace out." Her form dulled, the black hues seeming to take over the blue at her admission.

"I'm sorry. Can you still do it in this form?"

"Yes, but not right now. My energy still hasn't fully returned. Maybe next time I'm in your handsome head I can show you."

Bobby snorted. "Fair enough. Will you tell me what your third face is?" Azrial's mischievous smile made it clear he was going to work for that information even before she spoke.

"You've seen that one as well, in multiple places."

"No other hints?"

"It's sacred to the Valerius'," she offered.

Bobby's eyes fell to his hand, and he inhaled sharply. "A raven? Wait, does that mean the coat of arms came after your relationship with Marcus?"

"Actually the arms existed long before we met. Marcus always claimed it was the Fates at work once he learned of my other face."

"Seems like he was a damn decent man." Bobby's words made Azrial smile, but he was surprised that her form seemed to darken more. "What's wrong?"

She looked startled, but then laughed. "I forgot I'm a damn mood ring like this."

"Makes it easy for me," Bobby snorted. "So what is it?"

"Life is messy," Azrial said slowly. "You know that better than most. The best laid plans, and all that. I showed you memories that were overwhelmingly happy, but that doesn't mean that was always the case."

Bobby swallowed, thinking back to the last argument he had with Karen before she died. "Yeah, I getcha."

"Aeliana, Marcus's sister, stole my heart from the moment we met." Azrial sighed, shutting her eyes. "We got on like a house on fire, much to his amusement. I found in her a sister and a friend, something that I'd longed for since I'd been cast out."

Bobby hated that he could see where this was going, especially given the deal the siblings had struck up. "What happened to her?"

Azrial met his gaze, and Bobby swore he could feel her sadness. "She died in childbirth. I hated myself for that. Hated that I couldn't do anything to stop it. I had all this power at my disposal, and yet when I wanted to use it most it meant nothing."

"She was meant to die then?"

Azrial nodded, looking away. "A set death, her only option. I can't go against something like that, no angel can."

"What about her husband?"

Azrial swallowed, and turned back to him. "Died a few days later in a raid. Truthfully, I think he died of a broken heart more than anything."

"I'm sorry," Bobby whispered. "Look, before Karen died we had a massive fight. She wanted to start a family, but I just shut her down. I never thought I'd make a good father, especially with what a massive dick mine was. When Karen told me she wanted kids…I just shut down."

"I'm sure she's waiting to gloat about being right." Bobby looked at Azrial in confusion and she smiled. "You are an amazing father, Bobby. Sam, Dean, Castiel, and even Jo can attest to that."

Bobby swallowed, trying to push back the heavy wave of emotion that slammed into him. There was something about a damn archangel, in her divine form even, telling him he was a good father that made him want to cry and shout with pride. He wanted to look his bastard sperm donor in the face and scream about how he'd done right by his family.

"What," Bobby cleared his throat. "What happened to the kids?"

Azrial's form brighted slightly, but she looked hesitant. "She gave birth to twins, a boy and a girl. In my grief I blessed them with something that could be seen as a curse: longevity. The blessing is weaved into their bloodline, passing down through the family with each generation."

"You aren't about to tell me that kid I met is thousands of years old, are you?"

Azrial laughed, shaking her head. "No. Orion and Cassiopeia are actually rather young. Though I promise they are older than what you're thinking."

Bobby rolled his eyes. "Am I ever going to get a straight answer out of you?"

"You enjoy the challenge, don't lie."

A comfortable silence washed over them, and Bobby hesitantly broached his last question. "What happened to Marcus?"

It was like hitting a light switch. Azrial's entire form dimmed until it looked like a blob of shadows, rather than the beautiful gradient of color it had been. "He died at 62," she said softly. "He lived a long life, and passed on to Elysium, Heaven, like he always hoped to."

"Azrial-?" Bobby tried to reach out to her, but she shifted away.

"I'm sorry, I'm still very tired. Maybe we can talk more later?"

Bobby hated how she inched away from him, but knew she needed space. With everything that had happened, this question had clearly been too much for her.

"Of course, princess. I'll be here if you need me."

The color slowly returned to her form and she smiled weakly. "Thank you, my hunter. Hopefully I'll be ready to leave soon."

Bobby watched her vanish, trying to ignore the empty feeling in his chest. He glanced down at the Valerius ring with a frown. He had a feeling that if he knew the full story he'd want to deck Marcus now, but maybe that was just his own ego. Right now he wanted to sleep, and not dwell too much more on the past.

The next update is Saturday, July 2, 2022