Comfort

Eve didn't know if she passed out, but she was still surrounded by warmth and arms around her. Her honey eyes glowed by the fire, she let out a smile. Pushing herself away from the hold, she sat up with a sigh.

"Thank you," she looked at the man before her.

"You have gone through a lot Eve," the angel stated and did not add 'because you are destined.'

She looked around to find her father was not there. Aiming her questioning look at the angel, his shoulders dropped with a roll of his eyes.

"Your father said he was going to check on the prisoner," he sent her a knowing look.

"Samael," the female demon smirked, "I am sure checking means almost killing."

"Hm," Gabriel replied with the sound.

She looked at the fire and reached her hand to it, stroking the licks as if it was tangible.

"Little fire," she said softly, "I promised you I will grant you your wish… well here I am."

The fire blazed and swayed as if to say it was happy to finally be free.

"Little fire?" Gabriel glanced at the female beside him, "I did not sense a soul or else I would have released it."

"There is," she nodded as her fingers swirled and curled in the flames, "It is how this cavern is protected from your father."

Gabriel watched interested and curious. How was he unable to pick up something and Eve had?

"I am sure my father didn't suspect it either," she smiled at him, "It is old, from the time when fire was first created on Earth, I assume."

"So this is Father's work?" The angel furrowed his brows, "Then how was He unable to find this cavern?"

"Hm, it is possible he didn't realize there was a soul within this fire when he gifted it to man."

"I'm not certain that is the case. My father plans for many things…"

"It is possible when I release the soul, it would kill us."

She stated it matter-of-factly and the angel beside her stilled.

"You still wish to go through with it… even knowing that may be the result?"

"Don't worry Gabriel," she let out a soft laugh, "If that were to happen, you can leave back to your father."

His green eyes widened and he felt his frown deepened. Both father and daughter were ready to just kick him away like he was used up! Ignoring it, he turned to the fire with a soul and watched the flames warped into a ball on Eve's palm. Her slender fingers weaved and moved until the fire condensed, before holding it before her.

He watched as the Demon Queen's aura surrounded her and the flame in her hand, leaving the cavern dark. Though the angel could not see anything for a moment, a sliver of light blinded the cave. Gabriel watched as the light slowly faded back into the darkness, until the wood was lit once more to illuminate the room. His green eyes adjusted with a few blinks, before it widened.

In front of Eve was a child with short black hair and blue eyes; it looked no more than 8 years old. His eyes still blinking in the newest addition, he saw the softening of the female's eyes looking at the child. Something in his heart softened and he walked over to them.

"Hello, my name is Gabriel," he greeted with his signature smile.

"Little fire knows," the young child grinned and he found the child to be adorable, "Little fire watched you and the other one a long long time ago."

"You are our protector, little one," Eve patted the child's head, "Do you feel alright?"

The child tested out her limbs by waving, jumping, tiptoeing, and crawling. Jumping up to stand, it smiled happily at the demon.

"Thank you, thank you!" Little fire wrapped its arms around her, snuggling its head as if to bury in the benefactor.

"Little fire," Eve ran her fingers through the shoulder length hair of the once flame, "What would you like to be called from now on?"

"Whatever you want to call me," the child replied with no hesitation.

"Hm… I shall call you Little fire for now, until I find a better name for you," Eve mentioned and the child smiled up at her.

'Was this what it feels like to be a mother?' She wondered as her hand continued to caress the hair and face of the young. Though the body was not truly formed like what God was able to do, it was enough to pass as a human.

"Gabriel," she looked at the angel who was watching the two of them, "You should head back. The barrier that protected this cavern is now gone."

"How-" he paused and looked at the child, "… the child…"

"Yes," she nodded and pulled the once fire closer to her, "She was the barrier."

Unsure what to respond, the angel wasn't sure what he should do. On one hand, returning back to Heaven was his home and serving his father was his purpose. Although he would be severely punished like before, he would still be needed. But he was hesitating… he wanted to…

He wanted to stay.

The angel wanted to be in his brother's company and his kin. He wanted to watch them grow…

He wanted to keep his promise this time.

As he opened his mouth, he closed it quickly. Closing his eyes, he turned away and couldn't fight the way his heart was hurting. How was he going to steer away from his purpose? He wasn't like Lucifer, he wasn't strong like he was. He couldn't start over or even start to live a life without his father and brothers in Heaven. They weren't all bad and what they were doing was helping mankind. He was sure of it!

Clearing his throat, he held his head high as he said his goodbye.

"Take care of yourself Eve, you and your father and… the child."

"Goodbye Gabriel," he heard the whisper and quickly left the cavern to the reality of the world.

The comfort of the cavern was no longer available to him and that made his heart clenched.