The Edge of a Blade

[halosphere.livejournal.com]

Date: June 3rd
Status: Private (Gabriel, Raphael) - COMPLETE
Location: The Library
Summary: Raphael wants a replacement for the cursed blade that was taken from him. It may not be as easy as he thought...


The Edge of a Blade

The photos that lined the pages were beautiful. Weapons, especially swords and knives were more Michael's interest, not Raphael, though he did own one. Still, there was one in particular he desired, and it was the replacement for the cursed dagger that Gabriel had Adam destroy.

Surely Gabriel would let him get a new one? Back then it was warranted, but Raphael was better now.

Keeping the book open, very careful not to let the spine break, he moved over to his big brother. He showed him a photo that took up half the page. "Hey, Gabriel? Could you get me one of these? I want to have Belial curse it for me, so it'll need to be human-made but it's to replace the one that you took."

It was very pretty, he decided. But this was simple yet had an elegance to it.


((*))

Comments

[cattygabriel]

Gabriel stared at Raphael, wondering if the redhead had gone mad or was just pulling his leg. "... Could you repeat that? I don't think I heard correctly."

[halosphere.livejournal.com]

He set the book open in Gabriel's lap. "Can you get me one like that? It's a little different than the one I had before, but I'm going to have Belial curse it. I could ask Crowley, but I think if a Crown did it, it would have more power, which would come in handy." He tilted his head. "Or is a curse a curse regardless of the rank of the demon?"

[cattygabriel]

It was with great effort that Gabriel kept his tone even. "You want a cursed blade. Again."

He shut the book; the thwap echoed through the library. "Why?"

[halosphere.livejournal.com]

Raphael flinched, stepping back. At least with a presence now it didn't hurt. Maybe Gabriel didn't understand the request. "You took my other one, but I'm better now. It's been destroyed so I can't exactly have it back, so I picked a replacement." He tilted his head. "I'm sorry, I can ask someone else to get it for me. I just thought..." You think he doesn't have anything better to do? "I'm sorry, I didn't realize you were already busy."

He picked up the book and turned to leave. Maybe Belial would make him one.

[cattygabriel]

Gabriel stood, grabbing Raphael's wrist in a vicelike grip. He'd thought thst the redhead was getting better. "Why do you want a cursed blade?" he repeated.

[halosphere.livejournal.com]

"Ow! Gabriel, you're hurting me!" He tried to twist away. What happened? Why was the brother that had held him and wiped away his tears suddenly upset?

[cattygabriel]

Gabriel released his grip slightly, but maintained the hold on Raphael. "What's wrong with you? Why do you still want a cursed blade?"

[halosphere.livejournal.com]

"Because my other one was destroyed?" He tried to pull away, suddenly feeling the need to flee. "I'm sorry I asked you, I didn't know you were busy. I'll ask Belial. Just..." He tried to twist his wrist free.

[cattygabriel]

"That's not a reason, and I'm not busy. The other one was destroyed because it was dangerous! Why do you want another one? So you can cut off your new wings?"

By now Gabriel was sick and tired of Raphael going off and doing something idiotic everytime they thought he was getting better. The library doors shut and locked themselves.

[halosphere.livejournal.com]

The aforementioned winglet flapped wildly at that. "No! I cant reach them anyway!"

[cattygabriel]

"So why do you still want a cursed blade?"

[halosphere.livejournal.com]

Raphael narrowed his eyes at him. He remembered Gabriel's responses before. He remembered how he had been told it was just a dream, I can take care of myself. He adored his big brother, had been in such pain and anguish over what was "just a dream."

The gentle Archangel narrowed his eyes, tiny wings snapping out in a way that could have been threatening if they were full-sized. A green light began to shine around him and his eyes shifted to a darker colored green. "I don't have to tell you anything!" he snarled. "I'm still the Third in the Host, and I still have the ability to think for myself! I don't care if you or Michael do not believe I am well. I know I am and I don't have to prove it to anyone or even my own brothers!" He looked into Gabriel's blue eyes. "Let. Me. Go."

[cattygabriel]

"Well, it certainly doesn't sound like you're thinking right now! And I still outrank you," Gabriel snapped. The library doors slammed open as he released Raphael's wrist. "Fine. Go. But if Belial or anyone helps you get a cursed weapon I'm giving it back to them blade first. And if you manage to hack off another limb before then, try not to make too much of a mess."

[halosphere.livejournal.com]

The hurt was evident in his eyes but Raphael whirled around and raced out of the library. His angry aura had diminished almost immediately, tiny wings hanging miserably. He didn't get far before sliding down the slide of the wall and to the ground.

Gabriel... The being that had comforted him and held him and... and even took him to Venice... Shaking his head he could slowly feel the angry waves ebb away.

And then he realized.

I've always looked up to you. I've always valued you and how you thought of me. But... But I need to walk on my own two feet at some point. How can I prove to anyone thatI truly have recovered if I behave like a child afraid of the dark?

He had Bound Asmodeus, after all. He was the Third in the Host, the Archangel of Healing. And yes, he had made questionable descisons lately but...

I'm not like that anymore...

Raphael shook his head and raked his fingers through the tousseled clumps of hair. He set the book aside, realizing he had still been carrying it. Setting it aside he let out a shuddered sigh. I have to let him protect himself too. I cant keep revolving my decisions based off the fear that they will be destroyed...

[cattygabriel]

Breathing hard, Gabriel gripped the edge of his desk so tightly that his knuckles were white and the wood was cracking. Everytime he thought Raphael was better, everytime he thought he could trust his little brother again, something like this happened. What do You want us both to do, Father?

Why would Raphael want a cursed blade again? Hadn't the first one done enough damage? He'd thought that the issue was over and done with.

And he wasn't exactly blameless, either; he cringed as he remembered what he'd said in anger.

Noticing the cracks in his desk, he released it and waved a hand; the desk was whole again. If only it was this easy with Raphael.

[halosphere.livejournal.com]

Raphael closed his eyes, dosing off a little. The words still echoed in his ears but had little effect anymore. He would be strong now. He needed to, he was a leader in the Host, an Archangel, time he started acting like one.