The Queen of Eden

I’m glad I could be of service. 

So, why are you here?

I need a name first, sweetheart. 

That’s only because you’re old. 

Perhaps, but they don't name like they used to.

I don’t really know why I have my name. Most likely for my parents’ amusement.

Well, I quite like that name. Kudos to your parents.

Old? That’s nothing new around here. 

I know, this place is like a crypt. 

Oh, isn't that just... adorable. 

Actually, I'm very old. The name's Eve, and you are?

This town's still a little worse for wear.

Oh, but that's how I like it.

Gabe shrugged up his shoulders, feeling insecure about his wings for once. The appendages that he was normally greatly proud of but in the eyes of this woman in particular he felt nervousness in taking them out, even if she had seen them plenty of times before. He relaxed his shoulders and looked behind him, imagining the expanse of the golden wings that sometimes stuck out behind him. He looked around again and thought about it. “You know it is possible that they have grown. I haven’t thought much on it.”

  Eve stood up with a long sigh clasping her hands together. She was both excited and nervous with having Gabriel under her roof. She had no idea if Michael would invade and decide to punish Eve. She had been trying to hide from that angel for thousands and thousands of years, but she felt an odd sense of security. All she wanted to do was let her guard down just once. "Well then, feathers, let's show you to that room of yours!" Eve said grabbing his hand and leading him down the large hallway. On either side there were old paintings and greek inspired pillars- the marble floor was a nice touch also. 

He nodded in agreement. He pulled his tea up to his lip and took a sip quietly. He raised an eyebrow when she asked him to stay the night. He pulled the cup away and smacked his lips. “Stay the night?” Well that wouldn’t really help him burry his newly discovered feelings. However, he chuckled. “I think you’ve forgotten how large my wings are, Eve.” He glanced at the fireplace as it let at Eve’s command. “I’m afraid I would end up breaking things.”

"Oh, pish posh, Gabe. It won't be that hard to clear out a room in order to let you expand those plush wongs of yours. Tell me, have they grown any?" she chuckled jokingly. There was an uneasy feeling still in her stomach looking at the angel. "Listen, you're always welcome to stay here. It's not like I'd completely shun you- you're probably the only one of the angels who I dont want to set ablaze.", with those words she brought the tea up to her soft lips again. 

Eve’s presence left to the couch and Gabriel was left standing a bit dumbstruck. Together? He wasn’t… that wasn’t what he was wanting from this visit. Or at least he was pretty sure it wasn’t. Eve belonged, or used to belong, to Adam, and Adam belonged to her, therefore he never thought of her in that way. He had never explored the desire. But now the thought was put in his mind… He looked over his shoulder at her on the couch and, after thinking for a moment, nodded in response. “Yes… Yes they— Michael would be most upset.” His words were directed to her but he was almost more speaking to himself. He slowly turned and made his way to the chair she had motioned to earlier. “My apologizes.” He said as he sat down in the chair. “I…didn’t mean to come off that way.” He smiled at her gently. “I would love to stay and be in your company as a friend, though.”

This was exactly why she had to internalize everything, because if she didn't, the truth would come out and it would ruin everything. She had been working her entire life to control her emotions, and basically learn what vampires could do in a second flat. She had to turn everything off, but somehow this one being could bring all of those back to the surface. It actually kind of pissed her off. 

Gabriel blinked as a cup of tea was shoved to his chest. He processed the moment for a second then reached up, hands wrapping around the warm mug. He stepped back from her, giving her the space she seemed to want. She seemed so angry about him being an angel. She used to love angels once upon a time but now… well, Gabriel supposed he could see where her distaste for heaven came from. Still, he was hurt that she would think he was there to lull her into false security and harm her. “I would never do such things to you, Eve.” He answered honestly, shoulders dropping. “I’m not a soldier and, more so, I am not an assassin. I am not here to kill you. …I only came to see you. Because I care about you.” He paused and sighed. “And perhaps you did kill Adam and, as an angel, I should be upset with you about that… but I’m not. Because, truly, deep down I do still care about you.”

 "Gabriel, we can't be together. In fact, there may have been a time I wanted to fuck you senseless, but it can never happen now." she said walking over to the couch and sitting down. "That doesn't mean I don't enjoy your company, but there will be no canoodling." Eve stating having to hold back the thing that was creeping up her throat. She motioned to the chair hoping he would still stay. That way she could at least be close to him in some form- in her own little way. "Maybe you're not a bad angel, but there are bad angels. Would you even imagine what they would think?" she said with a small chuckle. She was hoping he would somewhat agree with her.

Gabriel pulled his hand back and let it fall by his side again when Eve turned around. He nodded. “I understand. Still, I apologize for bringing up such sensitive topics. I should have thought before speaking.” He smiled at her as she tucked one of his hairs back into place. It took him back to old memories where she would tuck his hair back and fix his crooked feathers. He missed those days dearly. 

  Eve lightly pressed up against him imagining his wings keeping her safe. As much as she despised angels- they were the only things that would make her feel completely save- how ironic. She turned around and looked up at Gabriel. They were so close and the urge to kiss him might have been there for an instant, but she couldn't ever do that. "Now why would having an angel of the Lord in my home upset me? How do I know you aren't here to stab me in the back the moment you get the chance, huh?" she said reaching behind her putting the cup of tea against his chest waiting for him to take it.

Gabriel flinched when Eve ripped the box in half and swallowed hard. “Yes…you are. And I’m very glad about that.” He hesitantly took a step forward towards Eve. “I— missed you, Eve. I used to enjoy visiting you in the garden, even though Adam was never quite fond of me…” He picked up his hand and let it hover before placing it gently over Eve’s shoulder in a comforting way. “I apologize. I did not mean to upset you, Eve.”

  Feeling his hand clasp her shoulder a chill shot through her body. "No, it's okay, Gabriel. I shouldn't have snapped like that. It's just a sore topic- even after all this time." Eve said turning around calming herself and putting a smile on her face. Reaching up she moved a stray strand of his hair back in place- just like she used to. "I promise I'll brighten up for the time being. For old times sake.", she promised turning around and taking out the tea. Looking down at the two cups she noticed her hands were shaking slightly. This entire conversation was bringing up all of these feelings Eve had locked away in her mind.

Gabriel sighed. “I meant,” he explained, “It has been a long time since we have met before Mayfield. Our last conversation here was… I will admit I was slightly shocked. I kept things very business related…not truly knowing how to respond to seeing you again.” He paused and straightened up, putting his hands behind his back then looking at the back of Eve’s head as she worked with the tea. “They— I thought you dead, Eve. Raphael told me you had died along with Adam.”

 Eve stopped everything she was doing. "Well, that honestly doesn't surprise me in the slightest. First of all, I killed Adam. Not sure how much they liked that, but I couldn't handle being there with him twenty-four seven. They wanted me too, but I realized I just wasn't in love, and my son died... and I lost it.", she said ripping the box in half and throwing the bags of tea into the cups- she didn't have home made tea. "Well, as you can see, I am very much alive." Eve hissed putting the tea cups into the microwave. 

Gabriel looked up in thought for a moment before meeting Eve’s gaze. “Peppermint.” He decided. He liked the fresh taste of mint. He paused for a moment after his answer then rocked on his heels as he spoke. “You know… it has been a long time since our last meeting, Eve.” he mentioned, trying to keep the calm tone of the conversation.

Eve looked down glancing at her shoes before being able to meet his eyes again. "What do you mean, Gabriel? We just had a conversation the other day. It was-what- maybe a few days?" Even said pulling down some cups and plates. She turned completely around and began preparing the tea.