Rain Like Diamonds

[halosphere.livejournal.com]

Time: May 20th, early morning
Location: Michael's room
Status: Private (Gabriel and Raphael) - COMPLETE
Summary: Raphael writes a letter and wants to give Gabriel a gift, but he stills feels guilty for his behavior


Rain Like Diamonds

Okay, so maybe Raphael had gotten a little carried away addressing the envelope that contained the letter he had so carefully written to his older brother.

It looks like a Valentine's Day card... he thought glumly and he almost dropped it in the trash so he could put the letter in a normal not-overdecorated envelope.

It would have been a lost cause anyway.

Gabriel was the Messenger of God, surely he wouldn't mind. And anyway, it was what was inside that counted. And what was inside, tucked between the folded papers (he had used lined paper from his Journal) was a gift... A long red feather, dusted on the end with gold. He had fastened it to a cord and there were two decorative gold beads on each side.

I wonder if I should have had Gabriel bless the feathers before I started giving them away? Oh well, too late now. And anyway, he only gave them to people he trusted.

Before he sealed the envelope he pulled out the letter, reading it one more time:

Dear Gabriel,

I feel that I owe you an apology for my recent behavior, but simply saying "I'm sorry" doesn't seem to be enough. I am very grateful for everything you have done for me and I apologize for being so flippant, especially in regards to my own self-destruction. I can't seem to pull myself away and no matter what I do I feel trapped in circles going nowhere.

You mean a lot to me, Gabriel. I love you and I wish I could make things better. Please forgive me, and know that I really am trying. Thank you for everything. Thank you for being there and for your patience and kindness and just being the angel you truly are.

Love,
Raphael

He carefully refolded it and tucked the feather between the paper, then slipped it inside the envelope and sealed it. For a moment, he considered sneaking away to give Gabriel the letter, but Michael, even in his sleep, would have sprung to life and caught him and then it would have been handcuffs for eternity. Maybe longer.

What am I doing? A letter and a feather isn't going to fix this... Nothing is ever going to make this right...

He dropped the envelope into the small wastepaper basket, burying his face in his hands. He could hear the rain hitting the window outside.

His gaze slowly shifted back to the letter tucked sadly in the wastepaper basket. It's not going to fix anything... But he plucked it out and turned it over in his hands. Raphael glanced over at Michael.

"I'm still here," Raphael said, tip-toeing to the door. "I'm still here I'm still here I'm still here..." He quickly opened the door, slipped the letter beneath Gabriel's door and quickly shimmied back inside.

Pudge looked at him accusingly.

"Shh!" Raphael hissed. He picked up his journal, but was already starting to fret... What would Gabriel think when he saw it?




((•))

Comments

[cattygabriel]

Gabriel sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Stop being ridiculous. You're not going to sleep on the rug when the cats get to sleep on the bed."

And on his pillow, sometimes, resulting in the angel trying to take up as little space as possible on his own bed. At times it felt like the bed belonged to two cats that weren't even that large, and Gabriel was the intruder.

[halosphere.livejournal.com]

Raphael had the expression of one who had just been given a very lavish and heartfelt gift. "Really...? You... You don't mind?" He felt honestly touched. "I'll be careful that my pen won't poke you or anything."

[cattygabriel]

Gabriel rolled his eyes, though he was beginning to smile. "Raphael, I'm Michael's second in command in the Host. I assure you, I've been through worse than being poked by a pen or a journal. I do have to go to work though, so I'm afraid you'll still have to stay with Michael for the day, but I'll come and get you after work."

[halosphere.livejournal.com]

Oh! He blushed a little; he had forgotten about Gabriel working at the library. He still hadn't had a chance to check out the library for himself... All those books yet to be explored!

"Maybe... Maybe I could stay here until you return?" He held up his book and pen. "I would just stay right in this room and write in my notebook." Raphael smiled up at his older brother. "And I know your rank," he chuckled. I wonder if I still have a rank?

[cattygabriel]

Gabriel bit his lip. He didn't even trust his brother enough to leave him alone; he hated it, but it was true. "Raphael, I can't... I can't leave you alone. I'm sorry, but I can't. You can either go back to Michael's room until evening, or spend the day in the library with me. I'll write him a note telling him you're with me if you choose the latter option."

[halosphere.livejournal.com]

Raphael nearly jumped with glee at the mention of the library, but then he realized if he did come, then Gabriel would be watching him instead of focusing on his job. And Michael needed the break from all this frustration. Father, why did you make me such a burden...? "I'll stay right here and play with the cats and write," he said again. "Please...? I just... I'll just write in my book. I'll even use a marker if you think the pen is too sharp."

He gave a small smile, blinking up at him with Baby Bambi Eyes

[cattygabriel]

Gabriel shook his head. "I'm sorry, Raphael, but I'd never forgive myself if I left you alone and something happened again. You know your options. I think it would be good for you to get out of the rooms and spend some time somewhere else, though, and hopefully a book can help you get your mind off things."

Although now that Raphael mentioned the pen... The Messenger frowned. "And can I see your wrists?"

[halosphere.livejournal.com]

Raphael may have been the Best Hugger in Creation but he was the Worst Liar in Any Universe. He slowly moved his hands behind hia back. "Oh! You just reminded me, I need to... to take a shower! Erm, in my own room. You know, cause Michael's shower is occupied by my pets and erm, you need to go to work. So I should just go to my own room. Yup!" He quickly moved to the door, cheeks burning.

[cattygabriel]

Oh, no.

Gabriel waved a hand. The door immediately shut and locked itself.

"Arms. Now."

The storm outside had been lightening a little; the sky seemed to grow darker now, suddenly, as thunder rumbled ominously.

New thread? <3

[halosphere.livejournal.com]

"I'm sprouting stripes," Raphael said quickly, hands still behind his back as he tried to pull his sleeves down. "And I really really need that shower! So don't come any closer, you know how human corporations can be when... when you don't wash them."