Chapter 26 Levi
Levi
Levi maybe took his time in going to see Lucifer. Not reporting for duty in a few centuries made him a little wary. He wasn’t quite sure how Luce would react, and he didn’t really want to find out.
Not that he’d leave Gabriel alone, of course.
Only he thought he might be able to feel his angel, like a little tug under his breastbone.
And that little tug was not coming from Lucifer’s office.
He wasn’t sure how he knew, but he did. He supposed his new messenger status allowed him access to who he was looking for.
So he didn’t exactly rush to see Luce. Besides, the angel and demon in front of him seemed like they needed a bit more help.
Cutie and Scowly seemed a little… confused? They were staring at him like he had three heads, and his tentacles weren’t even out.
“What?” he finally asked. Because, you know, stalling.
“You two…” Cutie started, but then he seemed at a loss as to how to continue.
“We kissed,” Levi answered. “What, haven’t you seen anyone kiss before?”
They were leadership team, but surely they’d seen people kiss before. It wasn’t like heaven, hell, or Limbo were sex-free.
“Of course we have,” Scowly scowled, looking defensive. There was still that hint of uncertainty, though.
“We just haven’t… Well, you’re a demon and he’s an angel,” Cutie said softly.
Levi might have gotten offended, only he could tell Cutie was puzzled, not accusatory.
“Well, sure. I mean, angels and demons don’t often have sex with one another, but it certainly does happen.”
Cutie’s eyes were wide, and Scowly looked thoughtful.
Levi felt like he was missing something, but he didn’t know what. “Are you guys, like, prohibited from fraternization with the other side of the team or something? Like demons can only have sex with demons when you’re on the leadership team?”
Scowly finally answered him. “We do not have sex.”
It was a simple statement, and yet Levi was completely befuddled by it. “Like, you guys aren’t interested in it?”
“We don’t know,” Cutie answered. “We were never, ah, given the option?” Cutie trailed off like it was a question, and he seemed unsure how to continue.
“The leadership team does not have relations with others. They do not kiss, they do not sleep, they do not eat,” Scowly answered, and he looked pissed off just saying it.
“But… You guys were eating Thai food,” Levi stated. Because they had been.
“We are…” Cutie trailed off.
Scowly put a hand on his shoulder. “We are different. We know we are.”
Both the angel and the demon looked a little sad at that statement, but Levi certainly didn’t think they should feel that way.
“Well, I gotta tell you, the leadership team sucks, and they’re generally hated by everyone. You guys were put in charge, so obviously being different is a good thing. Keep doing whatever it is that you’re doing, and don’t let those assholes get you down.”
With that, Levi thought he felt a slight pull on that space below his breastbone, so he gave Cutie and Scowly both a salute, and then he transported himself out, following the pull in order to find his angel.
He did not arrive in Luce’s office.
The blinding white walls, beautiful white desk, and white furniture in front of him were his first clue.
The androgynous, beautiful figure wearing white robes and sitting behind the desk was his second clue.
Levi didn’t think god ever looked surprised, but they didn’t really look like they’d been expecting a demon to show up in their office, either. Their eyes flicked next to Levi, and that’s when he realized that he wasn’t alone; Gabriel was standing next to him.
“This was not where we agreed to meet, Buttons,” Levi muttered, but then he grabbed Gabriel’s hand and squeezed, because he really was glad to see his angel. (Even if he never quite let his eyes look away from god. This was not his department, and he was not letting his guard down.)
Gabriel moved to step closer to god, but Levi didn’t let his hand go and pulled him closer. He could feel Gabriel’s eyes on him, but he still stared at god. If anyone could separate the two of them, it was surely the figure in front of them
“Oh,” Gabriel murmured softly. “It’s okay, Levi. We’re soulmates. It’s all done, and no one, not even god or the devil, can separate us. Joe said so.”
Levi looked over at Gabriel, and he couldn’t help asking, “Really? You’re sure?”
Gabriel looked at him, the love practically making his eyes glow, a small smile on his face. “I’m sure. After all, look where we are.”
Levi looked back over at the figure, then, expecting… he didn’t know. The wrath of god, maybe? Instead, god was just smiling kindly at them. They looked all… parental, or something. Proud, almost.
“Well, this is a lovely development, and I certainly wouldn’t try to separate you two. I must ask, though—who is Joe?” god asked. Their voice felt like the ocean—calming, gently swaying, like it enfolded Levi with a comfortable pressure.
Gabriel stiffened up a bit, getting into his formal mode. He did not, however, let go of Levi’s hand, even though Levi was pretty sure that would not be considered “professional” in his angel’s mind.
“Love you, Buttons,” Levi couldn’t help saying.
Gabriel looked all flustered at that again, and it really was adorable.
Eternity. Together forever. Levi could definitely get on board with that.
Gabriel looked at him. “Love you, too.”
Awww, his angel had dropped work formality in front of the big boss for Levi. Not that he would’ve ever asked Gabriel to do that—he loved the angel exactly as he was. But it was still amazingly adorable, and Levi was so thankful for him.
God gave a soft sigh of happiness, a sweet smile on their face, and Gabriel blushed when he looked over, clearing his throat.
“Ah, yes. I have a message for Yahweh, Mighty Creator—” Gabriel started, but god held up a hand.
“You may dispense with all the titles. We don’t need to hear them all, although I thank you for your diligence and work ethic,” god stated. They looked at Levi, then, adding, “You may call me Yah. And your presence suggests perhaps I should call on my other half.”
“No!” Gabriel burst out.
God—Yah—didn’t look upset at Gabriel’s outburst, even though Gabriel himself looked mortified.
“I’m sorry, but I have a message for you, and I was instructed to give it to you alone. I’m not sure, though…” Gabriel trailed off again, looking a little uncertain.
Levi could’ve sworn that a flash of surprise crossed Yah’s features at that.
“And who is this message from?” Yah asked, back to looking calm and unruffled.
“It’s from Joe, the Director of the Department of Soulmates. Also, he’s the only member of the department, but I’m not sure that’s relevant,” Gabriel answered.
“We’ve been looking for this angel,” Yah stated.
“Yes. I delivered a message from Lucifer about Joe going to see you both, but he seemed to interpret it vaguely enough that I don’t think he’ll be appearing in the near future.
He said… Well, he said that he was saving the universe,” Gabriel admitted.
It sounded rather foolish now that he said it out loud.
Yah didn’t seem to think so, though, because their smile was fond and not at all surprised.
“The message… I’m not sure…” Gabriel trailed off, and Levi squeezed his hand again. Gabriel was nervous about this message, whatever it was.
“It’s alright,” Yah said gently.
Gabriel breathed out, then he was blindingly bright in his white robes, all professional looking. He also looked resigned, but he said, “The Morning Star must pursue love. Only then will the sun not set upon creation.”
Well, Levi certainly knew who the Morning Star was, although he hadn’t heard Lucifer referred to in that way for a long, long time.
Yah smiled again, but there was a hint of sadness to it. “I see.”
Gabriel looked dejected, Yah looked sad, and Levi had no idea why. Obviously Lucifer needed to find love, but why was that a bad thing?
“You’ve done well, Gabriel. You have always made me proud,” Yah stated.
“Thank you,” Gabriel said softly, inclining his head.
“Both of you—you’ve both done so well, and I’m glad you’ve found each other. I look forward to seeing more of both of you.” Yah smiled at them, even if they did still look slightly sad.
“Thank you,” Levi said as well, feeling a little lost for words. What were you supposed to say when god gave you their blessing?
He was spared from figuring it out, because Gabriel turned to Levi, enfolded him in his wings, and transported them out of heaven.
Levi expected they would go home, so he wasn’t terribly surprised to find himself back in his living room.
What did surprise him, however, was the figure wearing a dark suit and lounging on his couch.
He obviously surprised Gabriel, as well, because his angel gave a little gasp and squeezed Levi’s hand tightly.
“I can see why you enjoy it here, Levi—the view is really spectacular. Although I had begun to wonder if you’d forgotten all about me, seeing as you never visit,” Lucifer stated.
“Well…” Levi began, but Lucifer cut him off.
“Not even a call or a mirror message. You could have perished up here for all I knew. You don’t even come visit for the Samhain festivities, for hell’s sake. It’s been quite lonely without you,” Lucifer added.
Luce really did a fine job with the guilt trip, not that Levi would expect anything less from the devil. He had the urge to hang his head and apologize, but he wasn’t going to give the devil an inch. That always led to trouble.
“And you’ve gone and found yourself a mate, and you don’t even bring him home to introduce him to family? Why, I might think you’re ashamed of me or something. Do you think he’s too good to be introduced to your family, Levi?” Luce asked, eyes all sad and disappointed looking.
“I do not think I’m too good for Levi or his family!” Gabriel cut in. “Of course we can come and visit!”
Levi groaned, and Luce smiled triumphantly. “Good. So we can expect to see you both on Samhain, the Festival of the Fire Falls, the equinoxes, the solstices. And Yule, of course.”
“Nope,” Levi declared. No way was he promising all those holidays every single year. “Definitely not. Gabriel has family, too, and I’m sure we’ll want to visit heaven for some events, too.”
Luce actually pouted. “But we put on much better festivities than heaven. They’re such a drab bunch. And holidays aren’t the same without all my children at home.”
Levi rolled his eyes. “I haven’t been home for centuries.”
“Exactly!” Luce answered. “We have to make up for lost time.”
Levi turned to Gabriel. “Never negotiate with the devil, Buttons. It never turns out in your favor.”
Gabriel blushed a bit at that, but Levi gave him a peck on the lips to reassure him that everything was fine (which only made Gabriel blush even more, of course).
“Speaking of negotiations…” Luce said, looking rather pleased again. “I believe you were running a bit of an errand for me, Gabriel?”
“Ah, yes,” Gabriel answered. “I did find Joe.”
“Joe,” Luce repeated. “What a very interesting name for an angel.”
“I also gave him your message, but I don’t think he’s inclined to answer it,” Gabriel added. He stood straighter, adding, “I still fulfilled my side of our bargain, though. Joe said you couldn’t separate us anyway, because we’re soulmates.”
Luce smiled. “You’ve got spunk for an angel. I like that. You’ll fit in well at family events.”
“We did not agree to all those holidays!” Levi cut in.
Luce’s smile was roguish, and Levi almost groaned. They were going to end up having to show up for something now.
“Why don’t you make some of those delicious drinks that people love topside, we’ll discuss the holidays, and you can fill me in on the very interesting angel named Joe,” Luce said, and he smiled at both of them.
Well, it looked like it was a day to meet the parents, so to speak. Levi gave Gabriel’s hand another squeeze, and then he went off to make some coffee.