The Devil Within

You Can Count on Celestial Beings to Mess With Humans

"Slightly."

"Works for me."

"Just let her go when I'm done," Raphael huffed, gently grabbing your forearm. The Keeper of Knowledge raised your arm to observe the cut on your arm, frowning the longer he stared at it. His behaviour was slightly concerning and promoted you to as him what was wrong. "The tissue wasn't healed properly," Raphael mumbled, lightly tracing his thumb over your scar. 

"Sorry, I'm not well versed in human anatomy quite yet," Amara said, walking up to Raphael. "I hope I didn't cause too much damage to your little pet."

"She's not a pet," Raphael said, his voice strained from holding back a hint of anger. You could feel how on edge Raphael was through the Blessing as he healed your wound, not bothering to look back at his aunt.

"I don't know..." Lucifer hummed, pressing his nose against your head. "I'd like her as a pet."

"And you're no longer allowed to hold her," Chuck said, whisking you out of Lucifer's arms. 

"I don't know what just happened," you started, frazzled. "But I didn't like it."

"I don't blame you," Chuck said, letting you go. "Especially with everything you've told us."

"Oh, Chuck," you said, suddenly remembering something. "There is something I need to talk to you about..." your voice trailed off as you glanced at Raphael who had a brow raised in your direction. 

"Privately?" Chuck asked, giving you a kind smile to relax a little. "Sure, let's speak outside."

You sighed out of relief and nodded, following Chuck out of the barn as the Archangels stayed with Amara. She asked them a great load of questions about you and how far the world and humanity as a whole have come. The strained atmosphere around the Archangels and their Aunt was slowly starting to lift as you and Chuck left the area. Chuck led you outside and around the side of the barn, putting up a sort of bubble around the two of you so nothing could eavesdrop. 

"So, what do you need to talk to me about?" Chuck asked, leaning against the old barn.

"Gabriel," you said, noticing Chuck freeze. "Chuck, you have to know that he's alive, right?"

"...yes," Chuck sighed, nodding. "I know."

"What else do you know?"

"Just that he's alive and somewhere in Europe," Chuck said, shaking his head as he held up a hand to you. "Don't tell me where exactly he is. I know you know, but I need Gabriel to come back on his own."

"How will he come back if he doesn't know that the fighting is over?" you questioned, moving Chuck's hand away.

"Word will get around to wherever he is," Chuck said. "Just leave it, alright?"

"Chuck," you started but your voice cut out before you could continue.

"I said no," Chuck said your name as he glared at you, standing straight. Sighing, Chuck cooled himself down and started to explain his reasoning. "Look, Gabriel has been running for close to 200,000 years. My son should have the privacy he wants and deserves. If he wants to come home later, then he will and we'll welcome him with open arms."

"And if he's in danger?" You asked when Chuck gave you your voice back.

"Your existence in this world caused a chain reaction," Chuck said. "I'm sure that will translate to Gabriel's situation."

"So, what?" You asked, huffing as you leaned against the barn. "We just wait?"

"Yes and no," Chuck hummed. "For Gabriel, we'll wait but we don't have to do anything."